cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation of Classical and Alternative Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kB) Pathways in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas.

Activation of the NF-kB pathway is involved in many human neoplasms. In this study we examined the status of the NF-kB canonical (IkB, p50/p65) and non-canonical (p52, RelB) pathways in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL), which are a common and heterogeneous group of lymphoid malignancies. DLBCL have been divided into activated B-cell (ABC) like, and germinal center B-cell (GCB) like subgroups, which have been reported to have high and low NF-kB activity, respectively. However, the nature of the NF-kB complexes in this lymphoma entity has not been previously evaluated. Therefore we performed Western blotting, electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and real time quantitative RT-PCRs on nuclear and cytoplasmic protein and total RNA extracts in 20 primary tumor samples and 9 different DLBCL cell lines. In the cell lines, presence of NF-kB proteins in nuclear extracts correlated with expression of NF-kB target genes (CCR7, IkBa, CCND2, BCL-2, IRF4) as determined by RT-PCR. Therefore, these could be assigned into GCB and ABC-like categories. In primary DLBCLs, EMSA showed NF-kB binding in all but one case. The same cases (19/20) had high p52 in the nucleus indicating activation of the alternative pathway. TNF family ligand BAFF was also found to be expressed in all primary samples and most cell lines. The classical pathway, as determined by nuclear p50, was also present in these cases. Levels of p65 and RelB expression were variable, but did not correlate with the mRNA expression of NF-kB target genes. In conclusion, while DLBCL cell lines may be divided into two distinct categories, the primary samples represented a spectrum of NF-kB target gene activity, while levels of NF-kB expression were high. BAFF expression and activation of the alternative pathway may be important in the pathogenesis of DLBCL.
An Empirical Study of University Patent Activity

Since 1980, a series of legislative acts and judicial decisions have affected the ownership, scope, and duration of patents. These include: the Bayh-Dole Act in 1980; the extension of the maximum patent term in 1994; and the shift from a first to invent standard to a first to file system in 2011. These changes impacted academic institutions, both directly and indirectly, and have coincided with historic increases in patent activity among academic institutions. This article presents an empirical study of how those three changes to the patent system precipitated responses by academic institutions, using spline regression functions to model their patent activity. We find that academic institutions typically reduced patent activity immediately before changes to the patent system, and increased patent activity immediately afterward, with an especially notable effect among research universities. In other words, academic institutions responded to patent incentives in a manner consistent with firm behavior, by reacting to the preferences of internal coalitions to capture unrealized economic value in intellectual property. The response of academic institutions to patent law changes has profound implications for economic efficiency. Academic institutions are typically charitable organizations, with the charitable purpose of promoting innovation, among other things. Yet, academic institutions have responded to patent incentives by limiting access to innovation, in order to internalize economic value. Specifically, academic institutions typically transfer their patents to patent assertion entities or “patent trolls,” rather than practicing entities, producing externalities and inefficiency in the patent system. This concern is highlighted by the Supreme Court’s recent grant of certiorari in TC Heartland v. Kraft Foods, in order to determine the scope of patent venue. The Court’s decision was motivated by flagrant “forum selling” in the Eastern District of Texas, which currently hears about 50% of the patent infringement actions filed in the United States, few of which have any connection to the district and most of which are filed by patent assertion entities that choose the forum based on its pro-plaintiff bias. Many observers are concerned that the concentration of patent assertion activity in the Eastern District of Texas has increased the cost of innovation. This study suggests that educational institutions may have exacerbated that problem by engaging more boldly in patent activity and ultimately transferring their patents to patent assertion entities.
Cell counting in whole mount tissue volumes using expansion OCT (Conference Presentation)

Abnormal cell proliferation and migration during heart development can lead to severe congenital heart defects (CHDs). Studying the spatial distribution of cells during embryonic development helps our understanding of how the heart develops and the etiology of certain CHDs. However, imaging large groups of single cells in intact tissue volumes is challenging. No current technique can accomplish this task in both a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. OCT has potential with its large field of view and micron-scale resolution, but even the highest resolution OCT systems have poor contrast for counting cells and have a small field of view compared to conventional OCT. We propose using a conventional OCT system and processing the sample to enhance cellular contrast. Inspired by the recently developed Expansion Microscopy, we permeated whole-mount embryonic tissue with a superabsorbent monomer solution and polymerized into a hydrogel. When hydrated in DI water, the tissue-hydrogel complex was uniformly enlarged (~5X in all dimensions) without distorting the microscopic structure. This had a twofold effect: it increased the resolution by a factor of 5 and decreased scattering, which allowed us to resolve cellular level features deep in the tissue with high contrast using conventional OCT. We noted that cell nuclei caused significantly more backscattering than the other subcellular structures after expansion. Based on this property, we were able to distinguish individual cell nuclei, and thus count cells, in expanded OCT images with simple intensity thresholding. We demonstrate the technique with embryonic quail hearts at various developmental stages.
International challenges of GRACE Follow-On

The Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment-Follow-On (GRACE-FO) Mission is a NASA directed mission to continue the goals of the original GRACE mission and provide continuity for the GRACE data set. The GRACE-FO mission is the result of an international cooperation to develop a concept and approach that minimizes cost and risk and maximizes the probability of success through limited changes to the original GRACE system design. The result is a system architecture in which maintenance of heritage is paramount, including heritage derived through the partnership with the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) in Germany. As a secondary goal, GRACE-FO will carry a Laser Ranging Interferometer (LRI) as a technology demonstration, which will provide laser interferometry measurements of inter-satellite range, complementary to the K/Ka-Band microwave link to demonstrate laser-ranging technology in support of future GRACE-like missions. Another secondary objective is the continuation of GRACE radio occultation measurements.
Measuring short-crop reference evapotranspiration in a humid region using electronic atmometers

Abstract The Crop Water Use phone app is a weather-based program developed by the Missouri Extension Service to help farmers with irrigation scheduling. A limitation of the program is that it only works on Missouri fields. The app is linked to the state agricultural weather station network which supplies daily standardized, short-crop evapotranspiration (ETo). For farmers outside the network, the cost of installing and maintaining appropriately maintained weather stations is cost prohibitive. A less costly option would be to install atmometers within the field of interest. The objective of this study was to compare ETo data from atmometers to electronic weather stations with traditional sensors. In 2015 and 2016, electronic atmometers were installed at three locations in Missouri. Atmometers were placed near electronic weather stations programmed to calculate daily ETo. Each atmometer ceramic cup was fitted with a disposable paper wafer and #30 diffusion canvas cover and wired to an event data logger to record daily ETo measurements. Regression analysis showed a close relationship between ETo measured with atmometers and weather station across locations and years (R2 = 0.74). However, ETo from atmometers averaged 15% lower than weather stations. Regional or localized calibration equations may be required before using ETo from atmometers in irrigation scheduling apps, but additional research is needed to determine if the observed differences impact recommended irrigation intervals.
Origins of antidromic activity in sensory afferent fibers and neurogenic inflammation

Neurogenic inflammation results from the release of biologically active agents from the peripheral primary afferent terminal. This release reflects the presence of releasable pools of active product and depolarization-exocytotic coupling mechanisms in the distal afferent terminal and serves to alter the physiologic function of innervated organ systems ranging from the skin and meninges to muscle, bone, and viscera. Aside from direct stimulation, this biologically important release from the peripheral afferent terminal can be initiated by antidromic activity arising from five anatomically distinct points of origin: (i) afferent collaterals at the peripheral-target organ level, (ii) afferent collaterals arising proximal to the target organ, (iii) from mid-axon where afferents lacking myelin sheaths (C fibers and others following demyelinating injuries) may display crosstalk and respond to local irritation, (iv) the dorsal root ganglion itself, and (v) the central terminals of the afferent in the dorsal horn where local circuits and bulbospinal projections can initiate the so-called dorsal root reflexes, i.e., antidromic traffic in the sensory afferent.
Perioperative outcomes and survival following neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) versus intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background and objectives To compare outcomes in patients receiving neoadjuvant stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) with those receiving intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods We analyzed patients receiving neoadjuvant SBRT for borderline resectable (BRPC) and locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) (2012-2016). Differences in baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared. Results Seventy-five (82.4%) patients received SBRT and 16 (17.6%) received IMRT. There were no differences in surgical resection rates in the SBRT (n = 38, 50.7%) and IMRT (n = 11, 68.8%) groups (P = 0.188). Among resected patients, there was no difference in postoperative outcomes or pathologic outcomes including lymph node status, margin status, lymphovascular and perineural invasion, or pathologic response to neoadjuvant treatment (P > 0.05). Among all patients, median PFS and OS were 9.9 and 23.5 months in the SBRT group, respectively, and 15.3 and 21.8 months in the IMRT group, respectively (P > 0.05). Similarly, there was no difference in PFS or OS between groups when stratified by BRPC, LAPC, and surgically resected patients (P > 0.05). Conclusions In the neoadjuvant setting, SBRT and IMRT appear to have similar rates of resection, perioperative outcomes, and survival outcomes, but additional studies with increased sample size and longer follow up are needed.
Liquid Association and Related Ideas in Quantifying Changes in Correlation

This chapter describes a novel statistical concept of a ternary relationship between variables in a complex data system, coined ‘liquid association’ (LA) by Li (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99(16):16875–16880, 2002). LA describes how variation in the pattern of association between a pair of variables, including its sign and strength, is mediated by a third variable from the background. LA is introduced because despite the many successful applications of similarity based analysis on microarray data, numerous cases where the functional association between genes is known from the literature (confirmed by experiments) but the statistical correlation from the corresponding expression data is practically zero also exist. Other than the noises in the microarray data, a deeper reason may be the biological complexity of the cellular system and the hidden components, which are not directly measured by gene expression, such as multiple functions of a protein, varying cellular oxidization-reduction states, fluctuating hormone levels or other cellular signals and so on.
A DIY pressure sensitive chair for intelligent tutoring systems

This interactive event presents a pressure sensitive chair constructed out of Wii Fit game controller boards During this event, we will demonstrate how to arrange the boards to detect seat and back pressure, configure a PC to receive a bluetooth datastream from the boards, and modify the power supply of the boards to increase uptime and reliability We claim that the pressure sensitive chair so constructed is highly suitable for recovering posture information from a student interacting with an ITS.
In Pursuit of Billion-Year-Old Rosetta Stones

If I have learned anything about evolution, it is that the path life takes moves in mysterious ways. If someone had told me 20 years ago that I would wind up a professor of geobiology, I would have laughed. It certainly wasn't something I aspired to in college, where, as a German studies major, I didn't take a single biology class and took only one geology class. I didn't even know that geobiology existed as a discipline at the time!
SocialText: A Framework for Understanding the Relationship Between Digital Communication Patterns and Mental Health

As social media platforms have grown to form the foundation of modern digital communication, digital text message datasets that document interpersonal exchanges on these platforms have proliferated. These exchanges comprise a rich corpus of social context data, which can provide insight into how mental health challenges manifest in social contexts. To date, researchers have employed a variety of methods for extracting mental health-centric features from digital text communication data, including natural language processing, social network analysis, sentiment analysis, time series analysis, and discourse analysis. However, there is a marked divide in current literature between qualitative and quantitative feature extraction methods. To effectively identify and analyze key underlying social contexts and related mental health factors from digital text communication data, researchers must extract a comprehensive corpus of features from raw textual data streams. In this paper, we present a generalized framework for extracting features from digital text communication datasets that leverages methodological approaches from diverse fields. This framework will serve to bridge the gap between quantitative and qualitative research approaches to analyzing digital text communications with respect to mental health.
Address space isolation in the linux kernel

Monolithic kernel design mandates the use of a single address space for kernel data and code. While this design is easy to understand and performs well, it does not provide much in the way of protection from exploitable bugs in the interface. By dividing up kernel objects into areas of responsibility, we can introduce additional address spaces which will prevent information leakage, even in the case of a successful attack on the kernel. We are exploring several possible implementations with the goal of increasing security while minimizing the impact on performance.
Optimal viscous damping of vibrating porous cylinders

We theoretically study small-amplitude oscillations of permeable cylinders immersed in an unbounded fluid. Specifically, we examine the effects of oscillation frequency, permeability and shape on the effective mass and damping coefficients, the latter of which is proportional to the power required to sustain the vibrations. Cylinders of circular and elliptical cross-sections undergoing transverse and rotational vibrations are considered. The dynamics of the fluid flow through porous cylinders is assumed to obey the unsteady Brinkman–Debye–Bueche equations. We use a singularity method to analytically calculate the flow field within and around circular cylinders, whereas we introduce a Fourier-pseudospectral method to numerically solve the governing equations for elliptical cylinders. We find that, if rescaled properly, the analytical results for circular cylinders provide very good estimates for the behaviour of elliptical ones over a wide range of conditions. More importantly, our calculations indicate that, at sufficiently high frequencies, the damping coefficient of oscillations varies non-monotonically with the permeability, in which case it maximizes when the diffusion length scale for the vorticity is comparable to the penetration length scale for the flow within the porous material. Depending on the oscillation period, the maximum damping of a permeable cylinder can be many times greater than that of an otherwise impermeable one. This might seem counter-intuitive at first, since generally the power it takes to steadily drag a permeable object through a fluid is less than the power needed to drive the steady motion of the same, but impermeable, object. However, the driving power (or damping coefficient) for oscillating bodies is determined not only by the amplitude of the cyclic fluid load experienced by them but also by the phase shift between the load and their periodic motion. An increase in the latter is responsible for the excess damping coefficient of vibrating porous cylinders.
How Sustainable Farming and Food Technologies have Created the New Farm to Table Industry

This research project deals with the new food consumption issues facing the United States government, consumers, the restaurant industry, and the general public. Reportedly, the sustainability food practices and farm to table industry represents 10% of the country’s economy. Capitalizing on the importance of this sector, the Green Restaurant Association developed several environmental guidelines and studies to help restaurants in their sustainable practices: energy efficiency, food conservation, water efficiency, food procurement, food distribution, consumer’s green dining habits recycling, and composting. Under these new guidelines, restaurants can direct their operations towards profitable restaurant sustainability, consumer food distribution and newly created food marketing themes. This research will address the overall current trends in the new farm to table industry and the overall impact on modern food cultures. Several on-site food service operations are sustaining and advancing their efforts to be eco-friendly. This research looks to Universities, restaurants, and community co-ops in an examination of the sustainability options facing these new communities. In addition, a close look at the sustainability efforts in the United States is examined to show how the terms “grass roots” and “Sufficient” applies literally to one’s own neighborhood.
Stem Cell Factor Enhances Interleukin-3 -Dependent Induction of 68-kD Calmodulin-Binding Protein and Thymidine Kinase Activity in NFS-60 Cells

Stem cell factor (SCF) is known to act synergistically with other hematopoietic factors in increasing the colony formation of hematopoietic progenitor cells. We have shown that interleukin-3 (IL-3)- dependent proliferation of NFS-60 cells is associated with the induction of a specific calmodulin-binding protein of about 68 kD (CaM- BP68). To evaluate the relationship between proliferative stimulation and the induction of CaM-BP68 by cytokines, we examined whether the increased proliferative potential of NFS-60 cells in response to SCF is reflected in an increased induction of the CaM-BP68. We observed that SCF alone has a limited effect on proliferative stimulation and on the induction of CaM-BP68 in factor-deprived NFS-60 cells. However, when combined with IL-3, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), or IL-6, it caused a significant increase in cytokine-dependent proliferative stimulation, as well as in the induction of CaM-BP68. Furthermore, an increase in IL-3-dependent induction of CaM-BP68 in the presence of SCF coincided with a corresponding increase in thymidine kinase activity, whose expression is linked to G1/S transition of the cells. At low concentrations SCF caused a synergistic increase in IL-3- dependent induction of both CaM-BP68 and thymidine kinase activity. In contrast to the changes in CaM-BP68 and thymidine kinase activity, no significant changes in DNA polymerase alpha were observed in factor- deprived NFS-60 cells in response to IL-3 and/or SCF. These observations suggest an increased expression of CaM-BP68 and thymidine kinase are associated with the synergistic effect of SCF on factor- dependent proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells.
Synthetic Emission Tuning of Carborane-Containing Poly(dihexylfluorene)s

Incorporation of o-carborane into the backbone of poly(dihexylfluorene)s drastically affects emission properties due to an intramolecular charge-transfer state (ICT) that forms between the fluorene...
Queering and Browning the Pipeline for LGBTQ Faculty of Color in the Academy: The Formation of the LGBTQ Scholars of Color National Network

While the literature on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in academia has increased over the past two decades, there is a dearth of research concentrating on LGBTQ graduate students and faculty of color. The present paper provides an overview of LGBTQ people of color’s experiences across different educational systems and academic levels, from K-12 education to faculty positions. Specific to higher education, social determinants to academic success for LGBTQ people of color are identified - ranging from systemic and interpersonal discrimination, mental health issues, and social support. One organization that has attempted to queer the academy is the LGBTQ Scholars of Color National Network, which was created in 2014 to connect and advance the LGBTQ people of color in academia. Data from the network is introduced – highlighting participants’ need for a network for queer and trans people of color (N = 368), as well as value of having such a network (N = 132). Results support the need to disrupt educational systems by “queering” and “browning” a pipeline for LGBTQ people of color in academia. In doing so, I push to dismantle the inequities experienced by LGBTQ faculty of color and to increase awareness of systemic oppression in higher education.
You Disgust Me. Or Do You? On the Very Idea of Moral Disgust

It has been argued that so-called moral disgust is either not really moral or not really disgust. I maintain that sceptics are wrong: there is a distinct emotional response best described as ‘moral...
New Estimates of the Lerner Index of Market Power for U.S. Banks

The Lerner index is widely used to assess firms' market power. However, estimation and interpretation present several challenges, especially for banks, which tend to produce multiple outputs and operate with considerable inefficiency. We estimate Lerner indices for U.S. banks for 2001-18 using nonparametric estimators of the underlying cost and profit functions, controlling for inefficiency, and incorporating banks' off-balance-sheet activities. We find that mis-specification of cost or profit functional forms can seriously bias Lerner index estimates, as can failure to account for inefficiency and off-balance-sheet output.
KB CELL DNA POLYMERASE-α: MECHANISM OF PRIMER-TEMPLATE RECOGNITION BY THE CORE CATALYTIC UNIT

ABSTRACT The catalytic properties of a homogeneous preparation of human KB cell DNA polymerase-a have been studied in detail. With respect to the enzyme's interaction with DNA, we have identified two kinetically distinguishable classes of sites on the enzyme for the binding of nucleic acid substrates. One of these is specific for single-stranded DNA (template site) while the second recognizes 3'-hydroxyl termini. Template binding is not dependent on the participation of 3'-hydroxyl termini. In contrast, the primer site appears to be able to bind a 3'-hydroxyl terminus only when the template site is occupied, and such binding is restricted to 3'-terminal residues that can base-pair with the template. Our data indicate that only minimal terminal complementarity (3 to 5 base pairs) is required. Spermidine is a specific effector of the primer-binding event and acts to destabilize the polymer-ase-DNA complex in such a way as to increase dramatically both the apparent Km for primer-template and the maximal velocity (V max) of the polymerization reaction. Kinetic data suggest that there are two template binding sites on each molecule of DNA polymerase-Q! and that these sites interact cooperatively (positively) by a simple allosteric mechanism. Evidence has also been obtained for two strongly cooperative primer-binding sites per molecule of enzyme.
Did Leaving the Gold Standard Tame the Business Cycle? Evidence from NBER Reference Dates and Real GNP

most probable break point ushering in an era of longer U.S. expansions, both absolutely and relative to subsequent recessions. Their analysis is based on cycle durations as defined by National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reference dates. However, much of macroeconomic analysis is based on (i) growth cycles (i.e., periods when the economy's production is above or below trend) rather than absolute increases or decreases in economic activity; and (ii) aggregate time series' volatility as the prime indicator of macroeconomic stability. In light of this, we reevaluate the March 1933 break point. First, using HP-filtered quarterly gross national product (GNP), our analysis of growth cycle durations still implies a break point near 1933. Second, we test for structural breaks in the volatility of GNP growth rates and deviations from trends. These tests suggest a structural break considerably later than
Isaacs’ Two-on-One Pursuit-Evasion Game

We consider Isaacs’ pursuit-evasion differential game in the Euclidean plane where two pursuers, say cutters, chase a fugitive ship. All move with simple motion, the speeds of the cutters each being greater than that of the fugitive ship, the evader. Coincidence with either one, or both pursuers, is capture, and time of capture is the payoff/cost. The solution of the Game of Kind is provided and the intuitively appealing geometric method used to solve the Two Cutters and Fugitive Ship Game of Degree is justified. This opens the door to employing the geometric method to design operationally relevant group pursuit/swarm attack tactics.
Detecting Security and Privacy Risks in Microservices End-to-End Communication Using Neural Networks

In contrast to the monolithic system, microservice architecture decouples the applications into independent service nodes. It enables rapid and reliable delivery among each other. However, transferring data among the service mesh is unavoidable. In this distributed architecture, user privacy data might flow through several service nodes to other ones without the user's awareness and acknowledgment. Hence, it is crucial to trace each service request and be aware of the extent to which personal data is exposed when services are exchanging messages. In this paper, we address the need for identifying any privacy-related concerns within the microservices architecture by building a Privacy and Security Risk Detection (PSRD) model that is based on distributed tracing. Further, we optimize the number of features to successfully classify the risk level of a particular request path correctly. We employ a fully connected neural network (FCNN) to classify the extent of the vulnerabilities that may occur within the path of a discovered service request. Through this model, it is then possible to detect any risks associated with personal data exposed to service providers or through a network of service nodes. Experimental and validation results from using the proposed approach demonstrate the usefulness of the PSRD model.
Defective Globin Synthesis in Hypochromic Hypersideremic Anemia (α-Thalassemia?)

1. The clinical, hematologic and biochemical findings in a patient with hereditary hypochromic hypersideremic anemia are described. The pattern of heme and globin production, measured by glycine-2-C14 incorporation, suggests an abnormality of globin synthesis. 2. The hypothesis that this disorder might represent a variant of thalassemia, probably α-thalassemia, is discussed. 3. The partial therapeutic response to pyridoxine is considered to be due to pharmacodynamic stimulation of heme synthesis. The hemoglobin level was not restored to normal, probably because of the limited capacity for globin synthesis. 4. It is suggested that kinetic studies of hemoglobin synthesis may aid in the classification of hereditary hypochromic hypersideremic anemias.
Distributed mobility tracking for ad hoc networks based on an autoregressive model

In ad hoc networks, node mobility causes the network topology to change dynamically over time, which complicates important tasks such as routing and flow control. We propose a distributed scheme for accurately and efficiently tracking the mobility of nodes in ad hoc networks. A first-order autoregressive model is used to represent the evolution of the mobility state of each node, which consists of position, velocity, and acceleration. Each node uses an extended Kalman filter to estimate its mobility state by incorporating network-based signal measurements and the position estimates of the neighbor nodes. Neighbor nodes exchange their position estimates periodically by means of HELLO packets. Each node re-estimates its mobility model parameters, allowing the scheme to adapt to changing mobility characteristics. In practice, a small number of reference nodes with known coordinates is required for accurate mobility tracking. Simulation results validate the accuracy of the proposed tracking scheme.
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration diagnosis of merkel cell carcinoma metastatic to the pancreas

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and highly aggressive primary neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin with a high propensity for local, regional, and distant spread. Distant metastasis of MCC to the pancreas is uncommonly seen and may impose a diagnostic challenge cytologically. Here we report a case of MCC with pancreatic metastasis, which was diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The aspirates revealed both single and clustered epithelial cells with scant cytoplasm and round nuclei with stippled chromatin and inconspicuous nucleoli. Immunocytochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CK20, synaptophysin, CD56, and CD117. The neoplastic cells were also identified by flow cytometry as non-hematopoietic cells which were positive for CD56 and negative for CD45. To our knowledge, this is only the second case report of MCC metastatic to the pancreas diagnosed by EUS-FNA. There have been several reports of MCC metastatic to the pancreas diagnosed only at the time of surgical resection. However, a preoperative diagnosis allows for appropriate management while sparing a patient the morbidity of unnecessary procedures.
An user-friendly multi-functional CTD software package

An in-house software package was developed on a Hewlett Packard 9816 microcomputer for current-temperature-density (CDT) measuring operations aboard the R/V Cape Hatteras. The package includes routines for data collection, data storage, and tabular and graphical display. Precast setup of the software permits the scientist to select from a number of parameters to customize the operation to meet his or her individual requirements. Postcast routines read stored data from disks, perform tabular printouts and hard copy graphical display, and transfer data to IBM-compatible mass-storage media. Used with a Neil Brown SMART CTD having a sampling rate of approximately 4 Hz, the software/computer combination can collect all available data. Use of faster sampling CTDs would probably require a subsampling of available data. The software is modular and written in Pascal. >
On the Order of Convergence of a Determinantal Family of Root-Finding Methods

Recently, we have shown that for each natural number m greater than one, and each natural number k less than or equal to m, there exists a root-finding iteration function, defined as the ratio of two determinants that depend on the first m - k derivatives of the given function. For each k the corresponding matrices are upper Hessenberg matrices. Additionally, for k = 1 these matrices are Toeplitz matrices. The goal of this paper is to analyze the order of convergence of this fundamental family. Newton's method, Halley's method, and their multi-point versions are members of this family. In this paper we also derive these special cases. We prove that for fixed m, as k increases, the order of convergence decreases from m to the positive root of the characteristic polynomial of generalized Fibonacci numbers of order m. For fixed k, the order of convergence increases in m. The asymptotic error constant is also derived in terms of special determinants.
Workplace discrimination and spinal cord injury: The national EEOC ADA research project

This article provides data from the National EEOC ADA Research Project comparing several aspects of employment discrimination experienced by individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) to that of a group of individuals with other physical, sensory or neurological impairments (GENDIS). Compared with GENDIS, the SCI group was younger with more males and fewer minorities. The SCI group had a significantly higher proportion of resolved complaints involving Hiring, Promotion and Reinstatement and a lower proportion of issues involving Discharge, Reasonable Accommodation, Harassment, Discipline and Intimidation. Allegations of discrimination against people with SCI occurred more often in the Services and Public Administration industries, more often among small employers, and more often among employers located in the South. EEOC findings of "No Cause" in which full investigation fails to support the alleged violation are significantly less common in SCI than in GENDIS. SCI employers were more likely to accept those remedies proposed by the EEOC. Implications and recommendations regarding these findings are provided.
BRAF Mutations in Non-Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Current Relevance and Future Implications

BRAF V600E-mutated colorectal cancer (CRC) is a distinct entity that accounts for less than 10 % of all CRC patients and is associated with unique clinical and pathologic features. This biomarker also confers a poor prognostic outcome across all stages of CRC relative to wild-type counterparts. Currently, the landscape of effective therapies, both in terms of adjuvant treatment and in the metastatic setting, remains limited. This review will detail the role of the BRAF V600E mutation as a prognostic biomarker in the management of patients with non-metastatic and metastatic CRC, and highlight recent advances in targeted therapies for this subset of CRC, which may represent the most significant progress made thus far toward improving survival in these patients. The role of mismatch repair status and its relationship with the BRAF V600E mutation in CRC will also be examined.
The Assurance of Learning Tool as Predictor and Criterion in Business School Admissions Decisions: New Use for an Old Standard?

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business incorporates program assessment as an integral part of the accreditation process. Assessment tools created to meet assurance of learning standards, however, must go beyond grades and measure student learning directly. The author shows that an in-house assessment tool predicted student learning and correlated well with admissions criteria used to select students into an MBA program. Specifically, assessment exam scores from 182 MBA students correlated .47 with their final MBA grades. The assessment exam scores themselves were also well predicted by student GMAT scores and undergraduate grades. The results show that assurance of learning assessment tools can be useful for more than just accreditation decisions.
Cost of wind energy: comparing distant wind resources to local resources in the midwestern United States.

The best wind sites in the United States are often located far from electricity demand centers and lack transmission access. Local sites that have lower quality wind resources but do not require as...
Electrophoresis of cereal storage proteins

Cereal proteins have been studied by a number of analytical techniques over the years. One of the major methodologies utilized by cereal chemists has been electrophoresis. Starting with moving boundary electrophoresis and progressing to slab gels and high-performance capillary electrophoresis, innovative methods have been developed to provide high resolution separations of difficult to separate proteins. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), acid-PAGE, isoelectric focusing, free zone CE, and even high-resolution two-dimensional HPLC-HPCE methods have been developed to separate cereal proteins. This review focuses on electrophoretic methods for separating and characterizing cereal storage proteins.
Teachers’ Nutrition Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions of an Interdisciplinary Nutrition Curriculum For Grades K-6

Abstract The curriculum, "Every Day, Lots of Ways," focuses on the topics of "5-A-Day" for the k-lst grades and the Food Guide Pyramid for 2nd-6th grades. Quantitative evaluation methodology included distribution of a survey to 181 teachers before and after they had implemented the curriculum in their classrooms. Questions were designed to assess teachers' nutrition knowledge, including their knowledge of food groups and serving sizes, their attitudes toward nutrition, and their perceptions of the curriculum. 52% of the teachers returned the pre-survey; 48% returned the post-survey. Teachers' overall nutrition knowledge (p=.005) as well as subscales of knowledge about food groups and serving sizes (p=.0001 and p=.001, respectively), improved significantly after teaching the curriculum. A significant difference was found in overall knowledge (F=9.02, p=.0001), knowledge of food groups(F=4.79, p=.0045) and serving sizes (F=7.95, p=.0001), and general nutrition knowledge (F=3.32, p=.0255) between the number of college nutrition credits taken by teachers using the pre-test score as a covariate. A significant difference in attitude toward nutrition (F=6.16, p=.0010) was also found between the number of college nutrition credits taken by teachers, using the pre-test score as a covariate. Teachers' perceptions of the curriculum were very favorable. Mean scores rating various aspects of the curriculum ranged from 7.52-8.21 on a 10 point scale, with 10 being "excellent." Satisfaction with effectiveness of overall curriculum was strongly related to effectiveness of lesson objectives, teacher background information and lesson extensions, and degree of grade appropriateness (F=77.80, p
Energy Saver Partial Ring Power Tests

As installation of the Energy Saver progresses, completed sections of the ring are operated to test subsystems and their interactions. This paper describes the power and quench protection tests in the 1/8 ring operation (3/4 of A sector) completed in June, 1982, and in the more recent 1/3 ring operation of E and F sectors.
A chromatographic method for the quantitative analysis of the deprotection of dithiasuccinoyl (Dts) amino acids.

Abstract The dithiasuccinoyl (Dts)-protecting group for amino acids is revoved by thiols (2 equivalents) through the intermediacy of an open-chain carbamoyl disulfide. Starting materials, intermediates, and products can be separated from one another on the standard amino acid analyzer 0.9 × 54-cm column of sulfonated polystyrene resin with 0.2 n sodium citrate buffers. Compounds are detected with the standard ninhydrin-hydrindantin reagent because the hydrindantin acts as a reducing agent and the released amino acid reacts in situ with the ninhydrin to give a purple color. Elution times, integration constants, and the ratios of absorbances at 570 and 440 nm are tabulated. Quantitative conversion of dithiasuccinoyl amino acids to the parent amino acids can be achieved with 0.1 n sodium hydroxide, 0.01 m alcoholic sodium borohydride, 0.1 m triphenylphosphine or 2 m m tri-n-butylphosphine in dioxane-H2O (9:1) or water, and with a variety of thiols under various conditions. The chromatographic methodology is applicable to the determination of rate constants of the pseudo-first-order reductive deprotection of dithiasuccinoyl amino acids.
Study on tensile properties and microstructure of cast AZ91D/AlN nanocomposites

Abstract AZ91D is a widely used magnesium alloy, but its application is generally limited to below 150 °C because of its weak creep resistance and tensile properties at elevated temperatures. In this study, high temperature (200 °C) tensile properties including yield strength and tensile strength of AZ91D are much improved by adding only about 1.0 wt% AlN nanoparticles in the AZ91D matrix through an innovative ultrasonic cavitation based dispersion of nanoparticles. The good ductility of AZ91D is also retained in AZ91D/1%AlN nanocomposites. It is found that ultrasonic cavitation based solidification processing is very effective to disperse AlN nanoparticles in AZ91D melts, which is difficult to obtain by traditional mechanical stirring methods. With a good combination of high temperature yield strength, tensile strength and ductility, AZ91D/1%AlN nanocomposite is promising as a new class of structural materials to be used at temperatures up to 200 °C or higher.
Mass transfer rate study in rotating shallow electrochemical cells

Abstract A scaling analysis and an experimental study of mass transfer rate in rotating shallow electrochemical cells are performed. The scaling analysis finds two convection regimes and shows that the parameters Ek and Sc Ro s are important to determine the mass transfer rate. The parameter Sc Ro s determines the thickness ratio of the viscous layer to the solutal layer as well as the convection regimes. The experimental study on mass transfer rate in rotating cells is conducted by utilizing the limiting current measurements with a cupric sulfate-sulfuric acid system. The overall mass transfer rates measured in the experiment are shown to agree with the scaling analysis and existing heat transfer data.
The prediction of saliva swallowing frequency in humans from estimates of salivary flow rate and the volume of saliva swallowed

Saliva swallowing frequency is an important factor in models of oral clearance. It varies widely among individuals, and the basis for that variation has not been established. This study evaluated the use of unstimulated flow rate and the volume of saliva swallowed as predictors of swallowing frequency in 128 first-year dental students. A microphone was placed over the larynx, and swallowing activity was recorded for 30 min between 3-6:00 p.m. The average interval between swallows was determined, and individuals retained saliva in the mouth for a period equal to that time. Retained saliva was spat out, and volume was determined gravimetrically. Four replicate tubes were collected. Flow rate was determined as sample volume over average swallow time. A subset of 10 individuals was measured on two further occasions 2-3 months apart. An independent estimate of flow rate was taken on the second occasion. Repeat-measures analysis of variance and intraclass correlations were used to estimate the reproducibility of replicate volumes, and of measurements taken on different occasions. Associations between swallowing interval, saliva volume, and flow rate were evaluated by multiple regression. Replicate volumes were highly reproducible, as were measurements of volumes, swallow times, and flow rates on different occasions. Saliva volume and flow rate jointly accounted for 99% of variance in swallowing intervals. Swallowing intervals were shortest for individuals who combined high flow rates with small saliva volumes; current models suggest that their oral clearance might be most efficient. Swallowing intervals were longest for individuals with low flow rates and large volumes; their oral clearance might be the least efficient.
On the tautomeric states of guanine and cytosine.

Abstract Recently Chan and coworkers reported that the H8 proton of guanine and H5 proton of cytosine have unusually broad resonances in the PMR spectrum under certain conditions of temperatures and pD, and interpreted their results as indicating that the minor tautomers of guanine and cytosine were present to the extent of 15 ± 3%. We find, however, that the previously reported phenomena are not reproducible with purified samples of 2′ GMP and 5′ CMP, but with addition of paramagnetic impurities the pD and temperature dependence of GH8 and CH5 proton linewidth broadening previously reported can be reproduced. This study, therefore, raises serious questions about the existence of 15% minor tautomers in cytosine and guanine at room temperature in neutral aqueous solution.
The hemodynamic effects of intrauterine hypoxia: an experimental model in newborn lambs.

An experimental animal model of intrauterine hypoxia and respiratory distress in newborn lambs was produced by inducing maternal hypotension. Serial hemodynamic data indicated that the oxygenation defect in the lambs was due to right-to-left shunting of blood through fetal channels rather than within the lungs. Shunting was mainly across the foramen ovale, but, in severely distressed animals, significant right-to-left shunt also occurred through the ductus arteriosus. Left-to-right shunts across the ductus arteriosus were found in, lambs with milder respiratory distress. The implications of perinatal hypoxia as it affects the pulmonary vascular bed in human neonates with the respiratory distress syndrome (hyaline membrane disease) and persistence of the fetal circulation are discussed. It is speculated that the early pulmonary vascular responses in the two diseases may be identical.
Numerical Study of Bromide as a Tracer for Aquifer Macrodispersivity Tests: Comparing Conservative Behavior to Mildly Nonlinear Adsorption

Using a Freundlich adsorption isotherm for bromide ( Br− ) published earlier, we used two-dimensional groundwater simulations to compare the dispersion of a conservative tracer to Br− undergoing mildly nonlinear adsorption ( exponent=0.893 ; coefficient=0.0412 ). Variances of the natural logarithm of hydraulic conductivity fields were varied over an order of magnitude to simulate mildly and strongly heterogeneous flow fields. To estimate the apparent accuracies of longitudinal ( AL ) and horizontal transverse ( AT ) dispersivities measured using conservative tracers in field experiments, we considered two operationally defined decisions: the amount of Br− injected (1.0 and 0.1 kg) and the lowest tracer concentration value used in dispersivity computations as a result of analytical quantification limits or background concentrations (0.1 ppm). Results from both operational criteria were compared using hypothesis testing. AL values for the conservative simulations in mild heterogeneity were within a factor o...