cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robotic Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE) vs. Open Esophagectomy (OE) for Resectable Esophageal Cancer

Robotic surgery continues to expand, and is currently being used as an alternative approach to esophagectomy. Current literature on robotic assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) remains limited. All available literature comparing RAMIE to open esophagectomy (OE) was reviewed. There is moderate evidence to suggest a benefit of RAMIE over OE in terms of pulmonary and infectious postoperative complications, with other complications being similar between the two approaches. There is limited data on long term cancer survival as the RAMIE technique remains in its relative infancy. There is some evidence of improved lymphadenectomy with RAMIE. Given the potential beneficial impact of number of surgically removed lymph nodes on overall cancer survival, improved lymphadenectomy with RAMIE may be advantageous from an oncologic standpoint. Compared to OE, current data suggests specific improved perioperative and quality of life outcomes with RAMIE. Based on current data, the authors believe RAMIE is an acceptable alternative to OE for resectable esophageal cancer, and may provide certain advantages over OE, but the strength of recommendation for RAMIE over OE is weak given the overall paucity of high-level prospective and randomized data comparing the two approaches.
A differential drive rimless wheel that can move straight and turn

A rimless wheel, or a wheel without a rim, is the simplest example of a legged robot and is an ideal testbed to understand the mechanics of locomotion. This paper presents the design and control of a differential drive rimless wheel robot that achieves straight-line movement and turning. The robot design comprises of a central axis with two 10-spoked springy rimless wheels on either side and a central body that houses the electronics, motors and transmission, computers, and batteries. To move straight, the current in each motor is servoed to a constant torso pitch angle. To turn, while maintaining constant pitch, a differential current is added and subtracted from either motor. In separate tests, the robot achieved the maximum speed of 9.66 miles per hour, the lowest total cost of transport (power per unit weight per unit velocity) of 0.13, and the smallest turning radius of 0.5 m.
Association of overlap syndrome with incident atrial fibrillation

Increasingly compelling data link chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) to cardiovascular complications independent of known comorbidities. It remains unclear whether the association is amplified in the presence of both conditions. The aims of this study are to assess the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in overlap syndrome (OS) and to identify risk factors predisposing to this atrial arrhythmia. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 268 adults without past or current AF who were referred for an initial diagnostic polysomnogram from 2012 to 2019. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for incident AF. Incident AF occurred in 64 subjects [cumulative probability 24%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 19-29]. Independent predictors of incident AF were age-adjusted Charlson index [Odds ratio (OR) 1.62; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-2.0], percentage of time spent with O2 saturation below 90% (CT90) (OR 3.72, 95% CI 1.18-11.71), and CPAP adherence (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13-0.71). OS patients with AF experienced higher hospitalization rates (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03-2.37) and worse mortality rates (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.04-3.54). In multivariate Cox proportional regression, age-adjusted Charlson Index, severity of airflow obstruction, and CPAP adherence were independent predictors of mortality. The burden of hypoxemia and severity of comorbidities are independent factors for incident AF in individuals with OS. CPAP adherence may mitigate the risk of AF and reduce the rate of mortality in this population.
Stability of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces

We report the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces under indoor, summer and spring/fall conditions. The virus was more stable under the spring/fall condition with virus half-lives ranging from 17.11 to 31.82 hours, whereas under indoor and summer conditions the virus half-lives were 3.5-11.33 and 2.54-5.58 hours, respectively.
Autoreactivity of Broadly Neutralizing Influenza Human Antibodies to Human Tissues and Human Proteins.

Broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs) against conserved domains in the influenza hemagglutinin are in clinical trials. Several next generation influenza vaccines designed to elicit such bNAbs are also in clinical development. One of the common features of the isolated bNAbs is the use of restricted IgVH repertoire. More than 80% of stem-targeting bNAbs express IgVH1-69, which may indicate genetic constraints on the evolution of such antibodies. In the current study, we evaluated a panel of influenza virus bNAbs in comparison with HIV-1 MAb 4E10 and anti-RSV MAb Palivizumab (approved for human use) for autoreactivity using 30 normal human tissues microarray and human protein (>9000) arrays. We found that several human bNAbs (CR6261, CR9114, and F2603) reacted with human tissues, especially with pituitary gland tissue. Importantly, protein array analysis identified high-affinity interaction of CR6261 with the autoantigen “Enhancer of mRNA decapping 3 homolog” (EDC3), which was not previously described. Moreover, EDC3 competed with hemagglutinin for binding to bNAb CR6261. These autoreactivity findings underscores the need for careful evaluation of such bNAbs for therapeutics and stem-based vaccines against influenza virus.
Positivity Preserving Density Matrix Minimization for Fermi-Dirac States at Finite Temperatures.

We present methods for calculating the Fermi-Dirac density matrix for electronic structure problems at finite temperature while preserving physicality by construction. These methods model cooling a state initially at infinite temperature down to the desired finite temperature. We consider both the grand canonical ensemble (constant chemical potential) and highlight subtleties involved with treating the canonical ensemble (constant number of electrons) that have been overlooked in previous works. We hope that the discussion and results presented in this article reinvigorates interest in density matrix minimization methods.
Gaussian Process Regression for Active Sensing Probabilistic Structural Health Monitoring: Experimental Assessment Across Multiple Damage and Loading Scenarios

In the near future, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technologies will be capable of overcoming the drawbacks in the current maintenance and life-cycle management paradigms, namely: cost, increased downtime, less-than-optimal safety management paradigm and the limited applicability of fully-autonomous operations. In the context of SHM, one of the most challenging tasks is damage quantification. Current methods face accuracy and/or robustness issues when it comes to varying operating and environmental conditions. In addition, the damage/no-damage paradigm of current frameworks does not offer much information to maintainers on the ground for proper decision-making. In this study, a novel structural damage quantification framework is proposed based on widely-used Damage Indices (DIs) and Gaussian Process Regression Models (GPRMs). The novelty lies in calculating the probability of an incoming test DI point originating from a specific state, which allows for probability-educated decision-making. This framework is applied to three test cases: a Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) coupon with attached weights as simulated damage, an aluminum coupon with a notch, and an aluminum coupon with attached weights as simulated damage under varying loading states. The state prediction method presented herein is applied to single-state quantification in the first two test cases, as well as the third one assuming the loading state is known. Finally, the proposed method is applied to the third test case assuming neither the damage size nor the load is known in order to predict both simultaneously from incoming DI test points. In applying this framework, two forms of GPRMs (standard and variational heteroscedastic) are used in order to critically assess their performances with respect to the three test cases.
Dexamethasone-Induced FKBP51 Expression in CD4+ T-Lymphocytes Is Uniquely Associated With Worse Asthma Control in Obese Children With Asthma.

Introduction There is evidence that obesity, a risk factor for asthma severity and morbidity, has a unique asthma phenotype which is less atopic and less responsive to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are important to the immunologic pathways of obese asthma and steroid resistance. However, the cellular source associated with steroid resistance has remained elusive. We compared the lymphocyte landscape among obese children with asthma to matched normal weight children with asthma and assessed relationship to asthma control. Methods High-dimensional flow cytometry of PBMC at baseline and after dexamethasone stimulation was performed to characterize lymphocyte subpopulations, T-lymphocyte polarization, proliferation (Ki-67+), and expression of the steroid-responsive protein FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51). T-lymphocyte populations were compared between obese and normal-weight participants, and an unbiased, unsupervised clustering analysis was performed. Differentially expressed clusters were compared with asthma control, adjusted for ICS and exhaled nitric oxide. Results In the obese population, there was an increased cluster of CD4+ T-lymphocytes expressing Ki-67 and FKBP51 at baseline and CD4+ T-lymphocytes expressing FKBP51 after dexamethasone stimulation. CD4+ Ki-67 and FKBP51 expression at baseline showed no association with asthma control. Dexamethasone-induced CD4+ FKBP51 expression was associated with worse asthma control in obese participants with asthma. FKBP51 expression in CD8+ T cells and CD19+ B cells did not differ among groups, nor did polarization profiles for Th1, Th2, Th9, or Th17 percentage. Discussion Dexamethasone-induced CD4+ FKBP51 expression is uniquely associated with worse asthma control in obese children with asthma and may underlie the corticosteroid resistance observed in this population.
Revolutionary China and Its Late-Capitalist Fate

This essay examines several works that contribute to an understanding of the nature of contemporary Chinese capitalism and its historical development. Core issues include the character of the bureaucracy, which has had a distinctive relationship to capital formation, and the character of the working class. The periodisation of Chinese capitalism and the relation between the pre- and post-reform periods are pressing political and analytical concerns. This essay suggests the advantages of a clearer focus on the dynamics of depoliticisation in understanding the transition. The contemporary left-intelligentsia in China has in large part pinned its hopes on achieving some form of ideological hegemony within the ccp, maintaining that it still operates within its revolutionary tradition. This represents a questionable strategic gamble. Acknowledging the important contributions made by Au’s book and other recent characterisations of China’s political economy from the left, this essay suggests that there remains much to be done.
The annulate lamellae.

Publisher Summary The existence of the annulate lamellae has been implied by polarization microscope studies and confirmed by electron microscopy. They have also been observed in embryonic and mature somatic cells as well as neoplastic cells of various types. They consist of stacks of paired intracytoplasmic (but occasionally intranuclear) membranes that may vary in number. The ultrastructure of the individual lamella is essentially identical with that of the nuclear envelope. One mode of formation of this organelle is by the organization of vesicles that have originated by blebbing from the outer membrane of the nuclear envelope into rows. These vesicles then undergo transformation by fusion into stacks of lamellae. Other mechanisms are also operative in cases in which the lamellae at the very outset are found adjacent to the nuclear envelope. This may involve reorganization of an extensively developed outer nuclear membrane and/or endoplasmic reticulum. The preponderance of evidence indicates that the major function of this transitory organelle has to do with protein synthesis and that in some forms the organelle is capable of becoming transformed into a rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum when necessary.
Thermal and Catalytic Etching: Mechanisms of Metal Catalyst Reconstruction

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on scientific aspects of etching, and demonstrates that etching is technologically significant. Rapid metal (or semiconductor) etching involving loss of material is encountered in several areas of technology and science. Similar mechanisms account successfully for these processes. Vapor phase free radicals interact with the solid surface to form surface complexes that are subsequently volatilized. This process leads to net loss of material from the solid and often to gross surface reconstruction as well. There are subtle, but important, differences among the etching processes. In the case of catalytic etching, the surface species formed by free-radical/metal interactions spontaneously volatilize. In contrast, in plasma etching, high-energy charged species often play a synergistic role. In some cases they provide the energy required for volatilization. In other cases they provide the energy required for reactions between free radicals and surface atoms, and the surface complexes thus formed volatilize spontaneously.
Lysogeny and transduction

Publisher Summary Lysogeny and transduction describes a type of phage/host interaction and a method of bacterial gene transfer (procaryotic sex), respectively. This chapter describes methods that have been found useful in studying lysogeny and transduction in the marine environment. Lysogeny occurs when a phage enters into a stable symbiosis with its host. The host (bacterium or algal cell) and phage capable of entering into such a relationship are termed a “lysogen and temperate phage,” respectively. The temperate phage genome becomes integrated into one of the replicons of the cell (chromosome, plasmid, or another temperate phage genome) and is termed a “prophage.” In transduction, the genes are originated in a bacterial host and are not a normal part of the phage genome. The detection of lysogeny in cultures or natural populations is usually through prophage induction by use of a mutagenic agent, usually mitomycin C. The methods described are all based on some derivative of this procedure. Bacteriophage-mediated transduction is one of three well-known mechanisms, along with conjugation and transformation, of horizontal gene transfer among prokaryotic organisms. In transduction, bacterial DNA or plasmid DNA is encapsulated into phage particles during lytic replication of the phage in the donor cell and is transferred to the recipient cell by infection. This donor DNA either undergoes recombination with the host chromosome to produce a stable transductant or remains extrachromosomal as a plasmid.
Inventing Creativity: An Exploration of the Pedagogy of Ingenuity in Science Classrooms

Concerns with the ability of U.S. classrooms to develop learners who will become the next generation of innovators, particularly given the present climate of standardized testing, warrants a closer look at creativity in science classrooms. The present study explored these concerns associated with teachers' classroom practice by addressing the following research question: What pedagogical factors, and related teacher conceptions, are potentially related to the demonstration of creativity among science students? Seventeen middle-level, high school, and introductory-level college science teachers from a variety of school contexts participated in the study. A questionnaire developed for this study, interviews, and classroom observations were used in order to explore potential areas of relatedness between pedagogical factors and manifestations of student creativity in science. Five categories ultimately emerged and described potential areas in which teachers would have to explicitly plan for creativity. These areas could inform the pedagogical considerations that teachers would have to make within their lesson plans and activities in order to support its manifestation among students. These provide a starting point for science teachers and science teacher educators to consider how to develop supportive environments for student creative thinking.
The extracellular compartment of the cerebral cortex.

Specimens of mouse and rat cerebral cortex, fixed by immersion in osmium tetroxide and by perfusion with formalin-osmium tetroxide were prepared for electron microscopy. The extracellular compartment, consisting of interendothelial cell spaces, capillary basement membranes and extracellular spaces between adjacent elements of neuropil, formed a morphological continuum with capillary lumina. A delicately fibrillar, extracellular matrix characterized the basement membranes and extracellular spaces of the neuropil. Desmosome-like junctional complexes occurred between endothelial cells and between adjacent neuroglial cells. It is suggested that in the cerebral cortex molecular species from blood which pass through the basement membranes are further distributed in the cytoplasm of astrocytes. Astrocytic cytoplasm appears, then, to have assumed the histophysiological function of the connective tissue ground substance in other parts of the body. The relative constancy of the extracellular compartment as determined physiologically may relate to electro-osmotic phenomena.
Physiology of pregnancy and nutrient metabolism

Pregnancy consists of a series of small, continuous physiologic adjustments that affect the metabolism of all nutrients. The adjustments undoubtedly vary widely from woman to woman depending on her prepregnancy nutrition, genetic determinants of fetal size, and maternal lifestyle behavior. Studies of protein and energy metabolism illustrate the potential of adjusting the use of those nutrients to conserve a fetal supply. Adjustments in the metabolism of nitrogenous compounds are in place by the second quarter of pregnancy. During the last quarter of pregnancy, when fetal demands are greatest, those adjustments allow a positive nitrogen retention. The energy requirement of basal metabolism is influenced by maternal prepregnant nutrition and by fetal size. If maternal energy reserves are low at conception, the basal metabolic rate is down-regulated to conserve energy. Also, women having larger babies tend to have greater increases in their basal metabolic rate and lower rates of maternal energy storage. Changes in maternal food and physical activity behaviors during gestation may augment the physiologic adjustments. However, the substantial variability in food intakes and physical activity makes it difficult to show those changes. Thresholds in the capacity to adjust nutrient use to the amount supplied exist for all nutrients. When intakes fall below the threshold, fetal growth and development is affected more than is maternal health. Efforts to achieve good maternal nutritional status preconception as well as throughout gestation best assure a good milieu for fetal growth and development.
Defects in hexed gold prosthetic screws: A metallographic and tensile analysis.

Abstract Statement of Problem. Prosthetic gold screw fracture remains a clinical problem in implant prosthodontics. Purpose. This study examined hexed gold prosthetic screws for internal defects and determined the effect of these defects on tensile strength. The microstructure, microhardness, and major constituents of the alloys also were determined. Material and Methods. Four intact hexed gold prosthetic screws, 1 from each of 2 different lots from 2 manufacturers (Implant Innovations and Nobel Biocare), were examined with standard metallographic techniques for defects, microstructure, microhardness, and major alloy constituents. Thirty-six screws, 9 from each of the 2 different lots of both manufacturers, were subjected to tensile testing to determine fracture load values. Analysis of variance and Tukey tests were used to identify differences between manufacturers and lots ( P Results. There were no significant defects in the screws tested, but differences were observed in the microstructure, microhardness, alloy composition, and fracture load values for both manufacturers. Screws from the 2 manufacturers demonstrated distinctly different metallurgical characteristics, which highlighted differences in the manufacturing processes. Fracture load values ranged from 850 ± 20 N to 1093 ± 64 N. A significant difference was noted for mean fracture load values for the different lots of Implant Innovations screws ( P Conclusion. The results of this study suggest that variability in the physical properties of similar hexed gold prosthetic screws made by different manufacturers, as well as different lots from the same manufacturer, may affect clinical success. (J Prosthet Dent 2002;87:30-9.)
From things to processes: A theory of conceptual change for learning science concepts

Abstract Conceptual change occurs when a concept is reassigned from one category to another. The theory of conceptual change in this article explains why some kinds of conceptual change, or category shifts, are more difficult than others. The theory assumes that entities in the world belong to different ontological categories, such as MATTER (things) and PROCESSES. Many scientific concepts, for example light, belong in a subcategory of PROCESSES, which we call constraint-based interactions. However, students' initial conceptions of these concepts are categorized as MATTER. The ontological status of the initial and scientific conceptions determines the difficulty of learning. If the two conceptions are ontologically compatible (e.g., both are MATTER), conceptual change is easy. If the two conceptions are ontologically distinct, learning is difficult. Evidence for these two cases is presented from studies of learning about the human circulatory system and about key physics concepts, such as heat and light.
Drawing Inference from Data Visualisations

This article investigates how 14- to 16- year-old students interpret representations of multivariate data generated by data visualisation tools and how they then seek to construct their own meaningful data visualizations that highlight emerging important aspects of data. Students were asked a single question—about where they would like to live—that involved reasoning about a complex data set with many different variables that they were able to explore using a dynamic visualization tool that allowed them to easily generate multiple visualizations of the relevant data set. Findings show the diverse inferences that students articulated to reason about covariation between multiple variables while using the cycle of inquiry and visual analysis. Students revisited their specific kinds of inferences while using complex data visualisation tools, inventing and revising their visual representations of data. Once they obtained some necessary insight, they readily made an informed decision.
Stability of sums of weighted nonnegative random variables

Abstract A stability result for sums of weighted nonnegative random variables is established and then it is utilized to obtain, among other things, a slight generalization of the Borel-Cantelli lemma and to show that the work of Jamison, Orey, and Pruitt ( Z. Wahrsch. Verw. Gebiete 4 (1965), 40–44) on almost sure convergence of weighted averages of independent random variables remains valid if the assumption of independence on the random variables is replaced by pairwise independence.
Truncation of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 by plasmin promotes blood-brain barrier disruption.

Previous studies have shown that plasmin cleaves monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1; officially known as C-C motif chemokine 2, CCL2) at K104, and this cleavage enhances its chemotactic potency significantly. Accumulating evidence reveals that MCP1 also disrupts the integrity of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Here, we show that K104Stop-MCP1, truncated at the K104 where plasmin would normally cleave, is more efficient than the full-length protein (FL-MCP1) in compromising the integrity of the BBB in in vitro and in vivo models. K104Stop-MCP1 increases the permeability of BBB in both wild-type mice and mice deficient for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), which converts plasminogen into active plasmin, suggesting that plasmin-mediated truncation of MCP1 plays an important role in BBB compromise. Furthermore, we show that the mechanisms underlying MCP1-induced BBB disruption involve redistribution of tight junction proteins (occludin and ZO-1) and reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton. Finally, we show that the redistribution of ZO-1 is mediated by phosphorylation of ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) proteins. These findings identify plasmin as a key signaling molecule in the regulation of BBB integrity and suggest that plasmin inhibitors might be used to modulate diseases accompanied by BBB compromise.
Research on instructional development

The instructional technology field is periodically faced with discussion of the appropriate direction of its research and more specifically of the relationship between research and practice. This paper extends the discussion by examining the nature and scope of developmental research. Two categories of developmental research are explored. They vary in terms of the extent to which the conclusions resulting from the research are generalizable or contextually-specific. Type 1 research tends to be case studies of specific design, development, or evaluation projects with its findings directed toward the improvement of a product or identification of those conditions conducive to efficient product development and use. Type 2 research typically addresses the validity and/or effectiveness of an existing or newly constructed development model, process, or technique. The promise of developmental research as a vehicle for creating sound methods for linking research and practice is discussed.
Edge-emitting quantum well laser with integrated intracavity electrostatic gate

Ridge waveguide, edge-emitting single quantum well GaAs lasers with an integrated gating electrode have been fabricated. These devices integrate a MESFET structure with the laser PN junction so that the SBD (Schottky barrier diode) depletion layer can be used for transverse current confinement in the laser. Device fabrication was very simple requiring only an anisotropic etch for waveguide definition followed by a single self-aligned contact deposition step. The Schottky barrier depletion layers on either side of the ridge waveguide act to confine free carriers. This structure allows for separation of the optical and electrical confinement in the transverse direction without requiring complex fabrication. The device demonstrated modulation of the pulsed lasing threshold with gate control voltage on a 30 micron wide ridge. Above threshold, increasing power output with increasing gate voltage was demonstrated with negligible gate current. The multimode lasing spectrum showed that the increased power output occurred for all modes with no shift in the mode wavelengths to within the resolution of the measurement system.
Computer simulation of the fructose bisphosphatase/phosphofructokinase couple in rat liver.

Recycling of fructose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate in the rat liver under gluconeogenic and glycolytic conditions was investigated with a computer model containing representations of the kinetic properties of phosphofructokinase and fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase under realistic physiological conditions. The two enzyme submodels were constructed from data for the isolated enzymes in vitro by formal optimization. Tissue metabolite concentrations were corrected for cytosolic/mitochondrial compartmentation and effects of chelation and protonation equilibria. This model, which mostly considers the behavior of livers from starved rats, predicts negligible recycling under physiologically realistic conditions. Metabolic regulation of fructose 6-phosphate, the magnesium ion concentration and the distribution of adenine nucleotides appear to prevent operation of a ‘futile cycle’in vivo. Rate-limiting chemical species were identified by sensitivity analysis.
Agreement, Disagreement, and a Person‐Centered Psychology of Working

The purpose of this commentary is to describe how the prevailing paradigm described by Weiss and Rupp (2011) has influenced the current conceptualization of agreement in the organizational sciences. Then, I outline what a person-centered view of agreement might look like. Finally, I describe specific questions that researchers might ask when considering agreement from a person-centered perspective and how these questions could be addressed methodologically. At the outset, I want to emphasize that there are probably other ways the prevailing paradigm has influenced the development of the agreement concept in industrial–organizational (I–O) psychology and also there are certainly other ways to develop and construe a person-centered view of agreement. The primary purpose of this commentary is to catalyze interest in and start a dialogue about the topic of agreement as it currently stands in the field and how it might be different from a person-centered perspective.
Measurement and reliability of nonverbal behavior

This review synthesizes data on the reliability of nonverbal behaviors, classified according to kinesics, proxemics, haptics, vocalics, turn-taking behaviors, and global assessments, across a wide range of studies. The purpose of the review was (1) to determine which nonverbal behaviors within each classification can be measured reliably and (2) to determine which codes/classifications can be reliably measured. It was found that: (1) most nonverbal behaviors within each classification, except vocalics, can be measured reliably (.80+), (2) the codes themselves, when considered in aggregate form, can be measured reliably (.80+) when using the median as the best estimate. Several qualifications and recommendations for future research are suggested.
Green fluorescent latex microspheres: a new retrograde tracer.

Abstract The properties of a new fluorescent retrograde neuronal tracer, green fluorescent latex microspheres (“beads”), are described. Green beads, like the red beads that have been in use for several years, are readily transported by neurons in the mammalian central nervous system. After survival times ranging from 24 h to over one month they produce a distinct granular green fluorescence in the neuronal cytoplasm that is highly resistant to fading, when viewed using fluorescein filter sets. Green and red beads are transported with similar efficacy; cells labelled with either one or both tracers are easily distinguished. When injected into the brain, green beads, like red beads, show only minimal diffusion from the injection site. Because these two tracers differ only in their fluorescence, they should be ideal for double-labelling studies in a wide variety of systems and in developmental studies in which long-term retention of labels is required.
An interactive visual interface for FASTBUS diagnostics

Complex instruments that are not used regularly, such as diagnostic devices, are often avoided or inefficiently used because of the startup effort required to figure out how to apply them. To solve this problem, a visual interface has been developed for the SLACFASTBUS Snoop module. This interface is based on the Macintosh computer's standard human interface, using menus, dialogs, and graphics to indicate quickly the range of possibilities and allow easy setup and manipulation of the Snoop module's powerful features. >
A microphysical model of Harper-Dorn creep

Using experimental data for Harper-Dorn creep in different materials, it is demonstrated that the flow process in this creep may be dislocation glide plus climb with the climb being rate-controlling under a constant dislocation density determined by the magnitude of the Peierls stress. A rate equation is presented which may be used to predict the occurrence of Harper-Dorn creep in any crystalline material.
A novel DNA vaccine encoding PDGFRβ suppresses growth and dissemination of murine colon, lung and breast carcinoma

Abstract Over the past several years it has become apparent that the tumor stroma represents a significant target for anti-cancer therapies. Therefore we evaluated the strategy of targeting the tumor stroma with a novel DNA vaccine encoding murine platelet derived growth factor receptor-beta (mPDGFRβ). Immunization with this vaccine induced cytotoxic lysis of mPDGFRβ-expressing target cells and protected mice from the growth and dissemination of murine colon, breast and lung carcinoma. Furthermore, this novel vaccine suppresses angiogenesis in vivo and reduces the numbers of tumor-associated, mPDGFRβ-expressing pericytes as suggested by a decrease in intra-tumoral expression of mPDGFRβ and NG2.
Oxidative stress influences positive strand RNA virus genome synthesis and capping.

Flaviviruses are 5′ capped positive-stranded RNA viruses that replicate their genomes within endoplasmic reticulum-derived vesicles. Flaviviruses are well known to induce oxidative stress late in infection but it is unknown if oxidative stress plays a positive role in the viral RNA replication cycle. We therefore examined how oxidation affects flavivirus RNA replication. We found that antioxidant treatment reduced virus production, reduced the viral positive-to-negative strand RNA ratio, and resulted in the accumulation of uncapped positive-sense viral RNAs. Treatment of the NS5 RNA capping enzyme in vitro with oxidizing agents enhanced guanylyltransferase activity, indicating that the guanylyltransferase function of the flavivirus NS5 RNA capping enzyme is activated by oxidative conditions. Antioxidant treatment also reduced alphavirus RNA replication and protein expression while enhancing nsP1 capping activity. These findings suggest that RNA viruses may utilize oxidative stress induced during infection to help temporally control genome RNA capping and genome replication.
Apparent transfer coefficients for ion transport between water and nitrobenzene

Abstract Transfers of tetra-n-butylammonium ions and iodide ions between water and nitrobenzene were observed chronopotentiometrically. Transfer coefficients for these ions were measured as functions of current density and electrolyte concentrations. The observed ion transfer coefficients in both cases were strongly dependent upon current density and non-aqueous supporting electrolyte concentration, but comparatively independent of concentrations of both aqueous supporting electrolyte and transferring ions. Causes of this behavior are discussed. The principal source of “induced” irreversibility is current-controlled formation of a resistive surface film of tetraphenylborate salt during ion transfer. The salt layer becomes visible at high concentrations and high currents, especially at times after the transition time when tetraphenylborate and sodium become the principal charge carriers.
Behavioral sampling in the field : comparison of individual and group sampling methods

Sampling decisions affect the efficiency and reliability of data collection, and the appropriateness of the data for analyses of group and individual behavior. We evaluate the correspondence between interval sampling of individual behavior at high temporal density (focal interval sampling) with interval sampling of group behavior at lower density (group scan sampling) in two field studies with neotropical primates, capuchins and squirrel monkeys. The two methods provided consistent estimates of population means and variance for activity profiles, foraging activities, and height above ground. The correspondence between mean values with the two methods was greater when group sampling included individual identities than when a nominal scoring scheme was used. A group scan method (without identification of individuals) can be used alone when information is needed within a brief time, such as initial description of activity budgets of a population. Although individual identities take time to learn, data sets in which the individual is the unit of analysis provide several other kinds of analytical possibilities. We recommend use of a mixed sampling regime containing both of these elements (focal and group sampling) as a good way to minimize the time costs of data collection and as a means to evaluate reliability of data collection by a solo observer.
Dynamical problems in the theory of polymer solutions

Qualitative discrepancies are found between what is predicted by available theory and what is actually observed, for several concentration regimes of the dynamical properties of polymer solutions. The difficulties are most severe, from the standpoint of experiment or simulation as well as theory, for the entanglement concentration regime. However, the classical problems of chain polymers in dilute solution are not fully understood. For example, the constants of proportionality that relate hydrodynamic radii to the radius of gyration, in the nondraining limit and in theta solvents, may not be universal constants. That is, the proportionality constants may vary with polymer and solvent species. Discrepancies between theory and experiment are discussed for the two different systems, dilute chains and semidilute rods. Speculation is offered on the resolution of these difficulties.
Board, audit committee and restatement-induced class action lawsuits

Abstract We examine the influence of monitoring provided by the board and audit committee on the probability of restatement-induced securities class action lawsuits using a sample of firms that have restated earnings in the period of 1997–2002. Logistic regression of the probability of restatement-induced class action lawsuits indicates a negative association between proportion of independent board members and the likelihood of restatement-induced class action lawsuits. We also find that when the market reacts more negatively to restatement announcements, shareholders are more likely to initiate a class action lawsuit. Finally, we document that restatement of revenues is positively associated with the likelihood of restatement-induced shareholder litigation. Our results are robust after controlling for the restatement initiator, restatements categorized as irregularities and Blue Ribbon Recommendations.
EZH2 inhibition sensitizes BRG1 and EGFR mutant lung tumours to TopoII inhibitors.

The methyltransferase EZH2, a component of polycomb repressive complex 2, acts mainly as a gene silencer and has emerged as promising anticancer drug target. It is not clear which molecular characteristics of a given tumour will predict a cancer's sensitivity to EZH2-targeting drugs. This study identifies a subset of lung cancer cells with EGFR or BRG1 mutations that show selective sensitivity to the combination of an EZH2 inhibitor with an inhibitor of topoisomerase II (TopoII) the target of the commonly used chemotherapy drug etoposide. Although these factors are components of an intricately linked network in which some factors exhibit strong antagonistic actions, these findings suggest that in the right context, the EZH2/TopoII inhibitor combination can reduce lung tumour growth in mice and may therefore be clinically useful.
Role of glutamine-117 in the ribonucleolytic activity of human angiogenin.

Abstract The crystal structure of human angiogenin (reported in the preceding paper in this issue) reveals that the site that corresponds to the pyrimidine binding site of RNase A is obstructed by Gln-117. Mutation of this residue to Ala and Gly is here found to increase activity 11- to 18-fold and 21- to 30-fold, respectively, toward dinucleotide, polynucleotide, and cyclic nucleotide substrates, but without changing specificity. The enhanced activity of Q117G toward CpA is due to a 5-fold decrease in Km and a 6-fold increase in kcat. Its Ki value for 2'-CMP is 5-fold lower than that of native angiogenin, whereas its Ki value for 5'-AMP is unchanged. It has been reported previously that mutating Asp-116 to Ala increases activity 15-fold. The double mutant D116A/Q117A is shown to be only slightly more active than each individual mutant. The present results demonstrate that Gln-117 impedes the ribonucleolytic activity of angiogenin, as predicted by x-ray crystallography. Moreover, they suggest that prior to or during catalysis angiogenin must undergo a conformational change to reorient the C-terminal segment that contains this residue, and that a similar reorganization is required for the mutants as well. This view is supported by molecular modeling of an angiogenin-uridine vanadate complex. These in vitro findings have implications for the angiogenic activity of angiogenin in vivo.
SUPPRESSION OF EXTRAINTESTINAL AND INTESTINAL NIPPOSTRONGYLUS BRASILIENSIS-INDUCED EOSINOPHILIA BY EIMERIA NIESCHULZI

Eosinophil responses in extraintestinal and intestinal tissues were examined in August and Sprague-Dawley rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis or Eimeria nieschulzi (or both), and in uninfected controls to test the hypothesis that E. nieschulzi suppresses the systemic N. brasiliensis-induced eosinophil response. Caudal vein blood, femoral bone marrow, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, peritoneal lavage fluid, and duodenal and jejunal samples were collected on day 8 postinfection (PI) with E. nieschulzi, on day 16 PI of the N. brasiliensis infection, when these days coincided in the concurrently infected rats, and from uninfected controls. Differential white blood cell counts were made from blood smears and cytocentrifuged preparations, and duodenal and jejunal eosinophils per villus crypt unit were quantified. Eimeria nieschulzi significantly reduced N. brasiliensis-induced eosinophil levels in peripheral blood, lavage fluids, and duodenal and jejunal tissues in both rat strains. August and Sprague...
Natural Fluorescence of Red and White Wheat Kernels

ABSTRACT Red and white wheats must be segregated for marketing purposes because they have different end uses. Identification of wheat color is not straightforward, and currently there is interest in characterizing red and white wheats using spectroscopic methods and chemical tests. The kernels of both red and white wheats exhibit natural fluorescence that can be readily viewed under UV light, although it is not possible to differentiate the fluorescence spectra of red and white wheats by visual inspection only. Fluorescence emission spectra in the wavelength range of 370–670 nm for 91 wheat samples consisting of 48 red (from 30 cultivars) and 43 white (from 18 cultivars) were analyzed by partial least squares (PLS) and neural networks analyses (NNA). Samples included cultivars that were difficult to classify visually as well as wheat harvested after rainfall. Classification accuracies were ≈85% for calibration and ≈72% for the validation samples by both analyses. A plot of β-coefficient vs. wavelength in ...
Growth and Magnetic Structure of La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 Films

Growth of LaMnO3 films that exhibit colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) has concentrated heavily on Ca doped materials. However, since the 33% Sr doped films are ferromagnetic at room temperature, they are ideal candidates for dual growth-magnetic structure studies using scanned probe techniques. In this study, interest was focused on the relations between growth/processing parameters, film morphology, and electronic/magnetic properties. In addition, films were grown on both LaAIO3 (LAO) and SrTiO3 (STO) to examine the results of stress induced by different substrate mismatches. La0.67Sr0.33MnO3 (LSMO) was grown using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) at temperatures between 500 °C and 800 °C. The film microstructure, crystallinity, and magnetic and electrical properties were characterized by room temperature scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), magnetic force microscopy (MFM), x-ray diffraction, and temperature dependent transport and magnetization measurements. The growth trends follow those previously reported for Ca doped films. Grains increase in size with increasing temperature and coalesce into extended layers after annealing. Although topographic contributions complicate interpretation of some MFM data, local magnetic structure observed here is generally associated with film defects.
CRS Stack And Redatuming For Rugged Surface Topography: a Synthetic Data Example

In contrast to the conventional imaging methods, which require a velocity model, the Common-Reflection-Surface (CRS) stack is a model-independent, data-oriented imaging technique. The handling of the surface topography in the CRS stack is a natural extension of the newly established CRS stacking method. The extended CRS stacking technique is powerful in imaging complex structures in the presence of a rugged surface topography. In this work we apply the extended CRS stack to a synthetic data set. The data set was created at Amoco in 1997.
Home generation of power by photovoltaic conversion of solar energy

The economic and technological feasibility of the home generation of electric power by means of the photovoltaic conversion of solar energy is examined in the light of extensive solar insolation data and advances in solar cell technology.
Topographic stress perturbations in southern Davis Mountains, west Texas 1. Polarity reversal of principal stresses

[1] We have applied a previously developed analytical stress model to interpret subsurface stress conditions inferred from acoustic televiewer logs obtained in two municipal water wells located in a valley in the southern Davis Mountains near Alpine, Texas. The appearance of stress-induced breakouts with orientations that shift by 90° at two different depths in one of the wells is explained by results from exact solutions for the effects of valleys on gravity and tectonically induced subsurface stresses. The theoretical results demonstrate that above a reference depth termed the hinge point, a location that is dependent on Poisson's ratio, valley shape, and magnitude of the maximum horizontal tectonic stress normal to the long axis of the valley, horizontal stresses parallel to the valley axis are greater than those normal to it. At depths below this hinge point the situation reverses and horizontal stresses normal to the valley axis are greater than those parallel to it. Application of the theoretical model at Alpine is accommodated by the fact that nearby earthquake focal mechanisms establish an extensional stress regime with the regional maximum horizontal principal stress aligned perpendicular to the valley axis. We conclude that the localized stress field associated with a valley setting can be highly variable and that breakouts need to be examined in this context when estimating the orientations and magnitudes of regional principal stresses.
Conflict and Cooperation in Border regions: An examination of the Russian‐Finnish Border

To examine more closely some of the factors that give rise to cooperation or conflict in border areas, the Russian-Finnish border is discussed and some comparisons with the U.S.-Mexico border are made. These regions were chosen because they represent border areas separating distinct cultures, where there exists a significant difference in the level of economic development within the region, and where there has been a history of both conflict and cooperation.