cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Germanium/silica ratios in diagenetic chert nodules from the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, South China

Abstract Germanium/silica (Ge/Si) ratios of dolostone- and mudstone-hosted chert nodules from the Ediacaran (635–542 Ma) Doushantuo Formation in the Yangtze Gorges area, South China, are reported. These chert nodules typically have a calcite rim, a pyrite rim, and a silica core, the latter sometimes containing disseminated pyrite. The silica core was precipitated by early diagenetic replacement of carbonate and silty/muddy sediments. Two types of chert nodules are identified based on their mineralogy and geochemistry. Type-1 chert nodules are poor in disseminated pyrite in the silica core. They also have low Al, and show a strong positive correlation between Al contents and Ge/Si with a near-zero or negative intercept. In contrast, Type-2 chert nodules contain abundant disseminated pyrite in the silica core and show a weakly positive correlation between Ge/Si ratios and Al contents (with a large positive intercept on the Ge/Si axis). The Ge/Si of Doushantuo nodules are greater than those of Cretaceous deep-sea cherts, suggesting that the Ge/Si ratio of Ediacaran seawater/porewater was greater than the Cretaceous due to the more effective discrimination against Ge by inorganic opal precipitation relative to biogenic opal precipitation. The positive correlation between Ge/Si and Al can be interpreted using a mixing model with a pure chert (characterized by a low Ge/Si ratio) and an Al-rich endmember (characterized by a high Ge/Si ratio). The latter is most likely represented by a clay component, but the model-based estimate of the Ge/Si ratio inferred for the Al-rich (clay) endmember is much higher than that of Phanerozoic clay minerals. These high Ge/Si ratios for the clay endmember may be related to the generally high Ge/Si ratio of Ediacaran seawater, but could also be related to clay–organic matter interactions. Organic matter absorbed to clays could provide an additional source of Ge because certain organic molecules are known to have a high affinity for Ge due to their strong metal ion-chelating properties. The high Ge/Si ratio of the Al-rich endmember in Type-1 chert nodules suggests that Ge in porewaters from which these cherts precipitated may have been dominated by Ge–organic complexes. The low Ge/Si ratio inferred for the Al-rich endmember in Type-2 chert nodules is therefore taken to indicate that Ge was released from organic matter, perhaps due to anaerobic degradation of organic matter (accompanied by the formation of pyrite), and was redistributed between clay–organic endmembers and pure chert, resulting in a non-zero intercept in the Ge/Si vs. Al 2 O 3 plots. These observations suggest that a strong terrestrial influence in a restricted sedimentary basin or a high content of dissolved organic carbon in Ediacaran seawater and porewater may have contributed to the dominance of Ge–organic complexes in the Doushantuo basin in the Yangtze Gorges area.
Differential rotation rates for short-lived regions of emerging magnetic flux

We have measured the synodic rotation rates of a sample of compact X-ray emission features lasting from 1 day to 7 days, thus bridging the transition between X-ray bright points and active regions. The rotation rate is found to be a function of the lifetime, or size, of the feature; shorter-lived smaller features rotate more slowly than long-lived ones. The rotation rate for features lasting 2 days or less is consistent with that of the photospheric gas. The longest-lived features rotate at a rate about 5% higher, consistent with the sunspot rotation rate.
Hypoxia stimulates hepatocyte epithelial to mesenchymal transition by hypoxia‐inducible factor and transforming growth factor‐β‐dependent mechanisms

Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the liver during chronic injury. This disease is initiated when liver injury stimulates cells in the liver to synthesize and secrete proteins and other soluble mediators that, in turn, stimulate cells, such as hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and peribiliary fibroblasts to differentiate into myofibroblasts and produce collagen (1). In addition to these cells types, recent studies have demonstrated that hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells also differentiate into fibroblasts by a process termed epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) (2, 3). Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrated that hypoxia, through activation of the transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), is an important driving force for the development of liver fibrosis (4). In these studies, mice deficient in HIF-1α had reduced collagen deposition and fewer activated fibroblasts in the liver when subjected to bile duct ligation, a commonly used animal model of liver fibrosis (4). These results suggested that HIF-1α is a key mediator of fibrosis in the liver during chronic injury. What remained unclear from these studies, however, was the molecular mechanism by which HIF-1α promoted fibrosis. Recent studies in the kidney demonstrated that HIF-1α promotes kidney fibrosis by stimulating conversion of renal epithelial cells to a mesenchymal cell phenotype by EMT (5). During EMT, levels of epithelial cell-specific proteins are decreased, such as zona occludens-1 and E-cadherin, and levels of mesenchymal cell-specific proteins are increased, such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), vimentin, and collagen (6). EMT has long been recognized as a process important for normal embryonic development, tumor cell metastasis, and kidney and liver fibrosis (3, 5, 6). Hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells can transdifferentiate into mesenchymal cells by EMT and deposit collagen in the liver during chronic injury. Although studies have established that hepatocyte EMT contributes to the development of fibrosis, whether hypoxia, through activation of HIF-1α, is a stimulus for hepatocyte EMT is not known. Since HIF-1α is important for the development of fibrosis and HIF-1α stimulates EMT in kidney and tumors, it is possible that HIF-1α may promote liver fibrosis in part by stimulating hepatocyte EMT. Accordingly, in the present study, the hypothesis was tested that hypoxia stimulates hepatocyte EMT by a HIF-dependent mechanism.
Human Cytomegalovirus US7, US8, US9, and US10 Are Cytoplasmic Glycoproteins, Not Found at Cell Surfaces, and US9 Does Not Mediate Cell-to-Cell Spread

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) expresses a large number of membrane proteins with unknown functions. One class of these membrane proteins apparently acts to allow HCMV to escape detection by the immune system. The best characterized of these are the glycoproteins encoded within the US2 to US11 region of the HCMV genome that mediate resistance to CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. US2, US3, US6, and US11 block various aspects of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and class II antigen presentation pathways, functioning in cytoplasmic membranes to cause retention, degradation, or mislocalization of MHC proteins. Distantly homologous genes in this region, US7, US8, US9, and US10, are not well characterized. Here, we report expression of the glycoproteins encoded by US7 to US10 by using replication-defective adenovirus (Ad) vectors. US7, US9, and US10 remained sensitive to endoglycosidase H and were exclusively or largely present in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as determined by confocal microscopy. US8 reached the Golgi apparatus and trans-Golgi network and was more quickly degraded. Previous studies suggested that US9 could localize to cell junctions and mediate cell-to-cell spread in ARPE-19 retinal epithelial cells. We found no evidence of US9 at cell junctions of HEC-1A epithelial cells. HCMV recombinants lacking US9 produced smaller plaques on ARPE-19 cell monolayers but also exhibited defects in virus replication compared with wild-type HCMV in these cells. Other HCMV recombinants constructed in a similar fashion that were able to express US9 also produced small plaques and some of these exhibited defects in production of infectious progeny in ARPE-19 cells. Thus, there was no correlation between defects in cell-to-cell spread (plaque size) and loss of expression of US9, and it is possible that US9− mutants produce smaller plaques because they produce fewer progeny. Together, our results do not support the hypothesis that US9 plays a direct role in HCMV cell-to-cell spread.
The estimation of radial temperature distribution in cylindrical battery cells under unknown cooling conditions

The estimation of temperature inside a battery cell requires accurate information about the cooling condition even when the battery surface temperature is measured. This paper presents a model-based approach for estimating the temperature distribution inside a cylindrical battery under the unknown convective cooling condition. A reduced order thermal model using a polynomial approximation of the temperature profile inside the battery is used. A Dual Extended Kalman Filter (DEKF) is then applied for the identification of the convection coefficient and the estimation of the battery core temperature. Experimental results show that the proposed DEKF-based estimation method can provide an accurate prediction of the core temperature under the unknown cooling condition by measuring the battery current and voltage along with surface and ambient temperatures.
Stimulation of Follicular Melanogenesis in the Mouse by Topical and Injected Melanotropins

Abstract The effects of melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and related analogs on follicular melanogenesis in the mouse (C57BL/6JA γ ) were studied. [Nle 4 , D -Phe 7 ]-α-MSH and the related fragment analogues Ac-[Nle 4 , D -Phe 7 ]-α-MSH 4–11 -NH 2 and Ac-[Nle 4 , D -Phe 7 ]-α-MSH 4–10 -NH 2 , stimulated the conversion of pheomelanogenesis to eumelanogenesis when subcutaneously injected at concentrations 100-fold lower than the native hormone, α-MSH. In addition, the melanotropin analogs stimulated follicular eumelanogenesis when applied topically to the skin of mice. The melanotropins were transdermally delivered to the systemic circulation as evidenced by the fact that eumelanogenesis was stimulated in hair follicles in areas distant from the site of topical application. These results demonstrate that peptide hormone analogs can be transported across the skin. The unique actions of the melanotropin analogs may relate to the fact that these peptides are nonbiodegradable and thus exert prolonged actions on melanocytes. These compounds may prove important for studies on normal integumental melanogenesis and for the treatment of hypopigmentary disorders in humans.
Towards unifying science: Applying concepts across disciplinary boundaries

Unified science is one goal of systems science, but can only be achieved through a standardized, unified terminology. The practice of transporting concepts to other disciplines is widespread, but often lacks coherent planning, and thus fails to achieve terminological unification. The purpose of this paper is to explore ways that such unified terminology can be developed. Past trends in concept exportation are reviewed for a number of disciplines, showing that concept degradation is common. Four possible outcomes of concept exportation are presented. Next, strategies for terminological unification are identified. The last portion of the paper illustrates concept exportation by focusing on autopoiesis, cybernetics, and entropy. It is found that although neutral terms are often adopted, concept exportation meets resistance in both the origin and destination disciplines. Frequently prefixes are utilized to designate various applications of a term. In conclusion, an evaluation of the current state of terminological unification is offered, along with seven recommendations for the future. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
State of charge modeling of arbitrary cell connection

Multi-cell batteries have been widely used in various electrochemical energy storage systems. To capture the influence of load conditions on multi-cell batteries, an accurate and comprehensive multi-cell battery model is highly desirable. However, modeling multi-cell battery is very challenging due to various nonlinear battery effects, unbalanced cell capacities, and various cell connections. In this paper, we proposed a new multi-cell battery model to characterize performance of multi-cell battery strings in series, parallel, and arbitrary connections. The proposed multi-cell model takes considerations of nonlinear effects, nonlinear circuit features, and battery cell connections. The accuracy of the multi-cell battery model has been validated by experimental results under various load conditions.
Electrophoretic Study of Bovine Thyroglobulin and Iodinated Bovine Gamma Globulin

Summary Bovine thyroglobulin prepared as described was found to be electrophoretically homogeneous at pH 6.0, 7.5 and 8.3 in acetate and barbiturate buffers with an ionic strength of 0.1. Its electrophoretic mobility varied from −3.6 10−5 to−6.8 10−5 under the same conditions. The electrophoretic mobility of fraction II from bovine plasma after iodination and subsequent incubation at 70° C. increased from−3.7 10−6 to −4.3 10−5 .
The role of phytoplankton photosynthesis in global biogeochemical cycles.

Phytoplankton biomass in the world's oceans amounts to only ∽1–2% of the total global plant carbon, yet these organisms fix between 30 and 50 billion metric tons of carbon annually, which is about 40% of the total. On geological time scales there is profound evidence of the importance of phytoplankton photosynthesis in biogeochemical cycles. It is generally assumed that present phytoplankton productivity is in a quasi steady-state (on the time scale of decades). However, in a global context, the stability of oceanic photosynthetic processes is dependent on the physical circulation of the upper ocean and is therefore strongly influenced by the atmosphere. The net flux of atmospheric radiation is critical to determining the depth of the upper mixed layer and the vertical fluxes of nutrients. These latter two parameters are keys to determining the intensity, and spatial and temporal distributions of phytoplankton blooms. Atmospheric radiation budgets are not in steady-state. Driven largely by anthropogenic activities in the 20th century, increased levels of IR- absorbing gases such as CO2, CH4 and CFC's and NOx will potentially increase atmospheric temperatures on a global scale. The atmospheric radiation budget can affect phytoplankton photosynthesis directly and indirectly. Increased temperature differences between the continents and oceans have been implicated in higher wind stresses at the ocean margins. Increased wind speeds can lead to higher nutrient fluxes. Throughout most of the central oceans, nitrate concentrations are sub-micromolar and there is strong evidence that the quantum efficiency of Photosystem II is impaired by nutrient stress. Higher nutrient fluxes would lead to both an increase in phytoplankton biomass and higher biomass-specific rates of carbon fixation. However, in the center of the ocean gyres, increased radiative heating could reduce the vertical flux of nutrients to the euphotic zone, and hence lead to a reduction in phytoplankton carbon fixation. Increased desertification in terrestrial ecosystems can lead to increased aeolean loadings of essential micronutrients, such as iron. An increased flux of aeolean micronutrients could fertilize nutrient-replete areas of the open ocean with limiting trace elements, thereby stimulating photosynthetic rates. The factors which limit phytoplankton biomass and photosynthesis are discussed and examined with regard to potential changes in the Earth climate system which can lead the oceans away from steady-state. While it is difficult to confidently deduce changes in either phytoplankton biomass or photosynthetic rates on decadal time scales, time-series analysis of ocean transparency data suggest long-term trends have occurred in the North Pacific Ocean in the 20th century. However, calculations of net carbon uptake by the oceans resulting from phytoplankton photosynthesis suggest that without a supply of nutrients external to the ocean, carbon fixation in the open ocean is not presently a significant sink for excess atmospheric CO2.
Positive definite binary hermitian forms with finitely many exceptions

Abstract Let E / F be a CM extension of number fields, and L be a positive definite binary hermitian lattice over the ring of integers of E . An element in F is called an exception of L if it is represented by every localization of L but not by L itself. We show that if E / F and a positive integer k are given, then there are only finitely many similarity classes of positive definite binary hermitian lattices with at most k exceptions. This generalizes the corresponding finiteness result by Earnest and Khosravani [A.G. Earnest, A. Khosravani, Representation of integers by positive definite binary hermitian lattices over imaginary quadratic fields, J. Number Theory 62 (1997) 368–374, Theorem 2.2] for the case F = Q . We also prove that for a fixed totally real field F of odd degree over Q , there are only finitely many CM extensions E / F for which there exists a positive definite regular normal binary hermitian lattice over the ring of integers of E .
Poly(methylphenylphosphazene)–Graft–Poly(methyl Methacrylate) Copolymers Via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was used to graft poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, onto poly(methylphenylphosphazene), [(Me)(Ph)PN] n , PMPP. A two-step process was used to convert a portion of the methyl substituents on [(Me)(Ph)PN] n to –CH2C(CH3)2OH groups and then to bromoalkyl groups, –CH2C(CH3)2OC(=O)C(CH3)2Br, the latter of which served as initiation sites for ATRP of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of CuCl/bipyridine. Variations in the length of the grafted chains were investigated and the graft copolymers were compared to the parent polymer and blends of similar composition. The new bromoalkyl derivatives of [(Me)(Ph)PN] n and the PMPP–graft–PMMA copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H and 31P NMR spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
Self-management skills for cooperative care in asthma.

The increases in morbidity and mortality rates from asthma over the last decade may be attributable in part to delayed and ineffective action on the part of patients and parents. Providing information about this disorder and educating patients, families, and communities in asthma self-management and cooperativecare skills may help reverse these trends. Such programs are designed to complement the traditional health care system and include instruction about the pathophysiology of asthma, ways to recognize and treat symptoms, adverse drug effects, and the need for professional assistance. In this article are outlined seven exemplary asthma self-care programs available to physicians and other health care providers.
Model-based compression in wireless ad hoc networks

We present a technique for compression of shortest paths routing tables for wireless ad hoc networks. The main characteristic of such networks is that geographic location of nodes determines network topology. As opposed to encoding individual node locations, at each node our approach groups the remaining nodes in the network into regions. All shortest paths to nodes in a specific region are routed via the same neighboring node. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for dividing a network field into distinct regions to minimize routing table size while guaranteeing shortest path routes. We show that this problem is NP-hard, propose a heuristic to find efficient solutions, and empirically demonstrate the resulting system performance from the perspective of compression ratio and scalability. In our experiments, routing tables compressed using this technique, require 88.9% to 97.9% less storage than uncompressed tables.In order to achieve energy efficient routing, we propose an augmentation to the original routing mechanism that enables load balancing flexibility along with guaranteed shortest path routing at the expense of larger routing tables. Preliminary experiments estimate 10% lifetime extension of network nodes with a tradeoff of an increase in the size of routing tables. Finally, we propose a compression technique that aims at representing trajectories in a sensing network in a compact manner. This approach relies on trajectory prediction using three weighted Markov models, a local, regional and global one, all of them with context-length equal to one. Finally, we discuss a range of possible applications that rely on the developed prediction and routing models.
Recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation: a nonrandomized trial of interferon alfa alone versus interferon alfa and ribavirin.

Liver transplant recipients with recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection often have histological hepatitis, and in some patients, graft failure develops. The aim of this nonrandomized study is to determine the efficacy and tolerability of interferon alfa (IFN alfa) alone and IFN alfa and ribavirin combination therapy in such patients. Forty transplant recipients with recurrent hepatitis were initiated on therapy with IFN alfa-2b at 3 million units (MU) three times weekly for 1 month followed by 5 MU three times weekly for 5 months. Twenty patients were administered IFN alfa-2b, 3 MU three times weekly for 1 month followed by 5 MU three times weekly for 11 months, and ribavirin, 600 mg, twice daily orally for 12 months concurrently. The primary end point was sustained clearance of serum HCV RNA, and secondary end points were serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level normalization and histological improvement. Thirty patients completed 6 months of IFN-alfa monotherapy and 15 patients completed 12 months of IFN alfa and ribavirin combination therapy. End-of-treatment biochemical responses were similar in the two groups (IFN alfa, 20% v combination therapy, 25%); however, viral clearance was greater in the combination-therapy group (40% v 15%; P = .04). Six months after the completion of therapy, only 1 patient (2.5%) in the IFN-alfa group and 4 patients (20%) in the combination-therapy group were HCV RNA negative (P = .03). Serum ALT and HCV RNA levels declined significantly in both groups during therapy. There was no improvement in inflammatory grade, and fibrosis score was worse in both groups. Ten patients (25%) in the IFN-alfa group and 5 patients (20%) in the combination-therapy group withdrew because of adverse effects. We conclude that in liver allograft recipients with recurrent hepatitis C, combination therapy with IFN alfa and ribavirin is more efficacious than treatment with IFN alfa alone. However, the efficacy is limited by tolerability.
Effect of ethidium binding and superhelix density on the apparent supercoiling free energy and torsion constant of pBR322 DNA

The value of the twist energy parameter (ET) of pBR322 is determined near zero superhelix density from topoisomer distributions created under various conditions. The resulting value, ET = 1155 +/- 65, at 37 degrees C is essentially unaffected by adding 10 mM Mg2+, or by changing the kind of Topo I from chicken-red-cell to calf-thymus. This value significantly exceeds that (ET = 950 +/- 80) measured for p30 delta DNA under identical conditions by the same method in the preceding paper. Decreasing the temperature from 37 to 21 degrees C yields a slightly larger value, ET = 1340 +/- 130, but the statistical significance of the increase is marginal. Attempts to determine reliable ET values for pBR322 at higher superhelix densities by ethidium binding were frustrated by the fact that good fits of the equilibrium dialysis results could not be achieved using a single value of ET. Moreover, the curves of apparent ET versus binding ratio r vary considerably from one preparation to another, and for a given preparation vary with time after cell lysis up to about seven weeks, after which they settle in to nearly reproducible behavior. The apparent ET values obtained from competitive dialysis experiments are typically rather low (ET approximately 700) for small r and nearly native superhelix density, and rise up to 1300 to 1500 with increasing binding ratio (up to r = 0.055) and decreasing negative superhelix density.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Two-Dimensional Transforms Of The Sampled NTSC Color Video Signal

Two-dimensional transforms of the chrominance components of the NTSC color video signal are studied. The effects of interlace and subcarrier modulation on the spatial frequency spectra are treated in detail. A two-dimensional FFT algorithm is proposed and shown to be more efficient than conventional ones.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Globalization folklore problems of myth and ideology in the discourse on globalization

Discusses myth making and ideology in the discourse on globalization. Argues that the present globalization model of the world political economy represents more of a contemporary business ideology than a new intellectual paradigm. Reviews and critiques the roles, development and problems of both myth making and ideology. Proposes an improved forum of discussion of globalization issues in the literature.
The corrosion behavior of Fe3Al in gas mixtures of oxygen and chlorine at 700 °C

Abstract The high-temperature corrosion of Fe 3 Al in various O 2 /Cl 2 mixtures has been investigated at 700 °C. The corrosion kinetics was obtained using thermogravimetric analysis and microstructural study was conducted for the corrosion products by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The thermogrvimetric results indicate that depending on oxygen/chlorine ratio, the corrosion exhibits various kinetic modes with different corrosion rates. The complex corrosion products were formed during the corrosion. A quasi-stability diagram was utilized to explain the corrosion of Fe 3 Al in the gas mixtures.
Abstract 5715: Modulation of Radiation Response after TGFβ signaling Blockade in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Cell Carcinomas

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and deadliest malignancies worldwide. Radiotherapy (RT) is a major therapeutic modality for inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). There is substantial evidence that ionizing radiation triggers activation of TGFβ especially in lung, breast and liver tumor. TGFβ inhibition prior to IR inhibits the DNA damage response in epithelial cells via blockade of ATM kinase activity (Cancer Res 62:5627, 2002; Cancer Res 66:10861, 2006) and sensitizes radiation responses in breast cancer cell lines and tumors (Clin Cancer Res 2011;17:6754-6765.). The current studies test whether TGFβ blockade prior to irradiation modulates radiation response of NSCLC cell lines, NCI-H1299, NCI-H292, H460 and Lewis Lung Cancer (LLC), assessed in vitro and in vivo. All NSCLC cell lines responded to TGFβ by phosphorylation of Smad2, which was blocked by LY364947, a small molecule TGFβ type 1 receptor inhibitor. NCI-H1299 and LLC were insensitive to TGFβ growth inhibition in vitro. LY364947 increased radiosensitivity in NCI-H1299 and H460 in clonogenic assays. Consistent with increased clonogenic cell death, TGFβ inhibition also compromised radiation-induced phosphorylation of H2AX and ATM in NCI-H1299. Treatment of cultured LLC cells with either small molecule TGFβ type 1 receptor inhibitor or TGFβ neutralizing antibody, 1D11, significantly increased LLC radiosensitivity as measured by clonogenic assay. Furthermore, C57BL mice bearing subcutaneous LLC tumors treated before and after RT with 1D11 or 13C4 isotype control antibody (20 mg/kg i.p.) resulted in greater tumor growth delay compared to RT and control antibody. Together, these data indicate that TGFβ inhibition prior to radiation attenuates DNA damage responses, enhances clonogenic cell killing, and promotes tumor growth delay. Given the recognized role of radiation-induced TGFβ in lung fibrosis, the therapeutic index for RT could be significantly increased if circumstances are defined in which TGFβ inhibition during RT both enhances lung cancer radiosensitivity and protects normal lung. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5715. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5715
Oliguria in patients with normal renal function

Oliguria is common in critically ill patients and may result from prerenal, renal, and postrenal causes. Oliguria also frequently develops in patients with normal concentrations of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Most of these patients do not develop renal failure. The authors prospectively studied 100 patients admitted to the ICU to determine the etiology of oliguria in these patients. Eighteen patients (18%) developed oliguria (less than 0.33 ml.kg-1.h-1 X 2 h). Seven and eleven patients were felt on clinical assessment to be hypovolemic or normovolemic, respectively. Compared with the hypovolemic patients, the normovolemic oliguric patients had significantly lower serum osmolalities (278 +/- 3 vs. 290 +/- 5 mOsm/kg H2O) and serum sodium concentrations (138 +/- 3 vs. 132 +/- 1 mEq/l). In addition, normovolemic patients had significantly higher urine sodium concentrations (83 +/- 12 vs. 13 +/- 2 mEq/l), fractional excretion of sodium (1.14 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.15 +/- 0.03), and renal failure indices (1.5 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.21 +/- 0.04). ADH concentrations in six hypovolemic and six normovolemic patients were increased in both groups but not significantly different. The hypovolemic patients increased their urine output from 17 +/- 2 ml/h to greater than 0.5 ml.kg-1.h-1 following a 500-ml bolus of normal saline. The normovolemic oliguric patients remained oliguric following the saline bolus (13 +/- 2 to 19 +/- 3 ml/h). The authors conclude that oliguria is common in critically ill patients and results from renal hypoperfusion and ADH excess.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Multipole‐accelerated capacitance computation for 3‐D structures in a stratified dielectric medium using a closed‐form Green's function

In this article, the capacitance matrices of three-dimensional conducting structures embedded in a stratified dielectric medium are computed by using the fast muitipole method in conjunction with a closed-form approximation of the appropriate Green's function. Image charges that result from the employment of this Green's function are incorporated into the fast multipole method. This technique is used to accelerate the iterative generalized minimal residual-based solution of the system of equations generated by the method of moments. This yields the charge distributions on the conductors and thereby the required capacitance matrix. It is shown that the use of this technique typically results in a speedup of more than an order of magnitude over iterative and direct methods without a compromise of the numerical accuracy.
CONSTRAINTS ON THE FORMATION OF BUBBLE UNIVERSES

Abstract In the “new inflationary” cosmology, our universe is a single bubble within a supercooled false vacuum. This model permits the creation of an infinite number of bubble universes, some of which will eventually collide with ours to form a bubble cluster. Such a collision sustained within Earth's causal past would have shown itself as a marked anisotropy in the cosmic microwave background. Demanding that the likelihood for obtaining the observed isotropy is at least 5% allows us to set upper limits on ϵ, the dimensionless bubble formation rate. We also derive an upper limit to the probability that our bubble is the largest in its cluster and consider some consequences of different values of ϵ.
Issues in Qualitative and Quantitative Risk Analysis for Developmental Toxicology

The qualitative and quantitative evaluation of risk in developmental toxicology has been discussed in several recent publications. A number of issues still are to be resolved in this area. The qualitative evaluation and interpretation of end points in developmental toxicology depends on an understanding of the biological events leading to the end points observed, the relationships among end points, and their relationship to dose and to maternal toxicity. The interpretation of these end points is also affected by the statistical power of the experiments used for detecting the various end points observed. The quantitative risk assessment attempts to estimate human risk for developmental toxicity as a function of dose. The current approach is to apply safety (uncertainty) factors to the no observed effect level (NOEL). An alternative presented and discussed here is to model the experimental data and apply a safety factor to an estimated risk level to achieve an "acceptable" level of risk. In cases where the dose-response curves upward, this approach provides a conservative estimate of risk. This procedure does not preclude the existence of a threshold dose. More research is needed to develop appropriate dose-response models that can provide better estimates for low-dose extrapolation of developmental effects.
Oxidant activity in skeletal muscle fibers is influenced by temperature, CO2 level, and muscle-derived nitric oxide

Free radicals are produced continuously by skeletal muscle fibers. Extracellular release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) derivatives has been demonstrated, but little is know...
African Americans and Privacy: Understanding the Black Perspective in the Emerging Policy Debate

In January 1991, Lotus Development Corporation announced its intention to abandon efforts to develop a new software product because of what it understood to be a groundswell of public opposition. This product, Lotus Marketplace, was to have provided its customers with personal information about the resources and habits of the members of some 120 million U.S. households. The sorts of information Lotus would supply were already easily attainable from a host of information suppliers serving the direct marketing industry, but what made the Lotus product different was that it would be available on CD-ROM disks, which could be searched by anyone with an Apple Macintosh computer, a video-disc player, and $695 for the first 5,000 names. Lotus and its partner, Equifax, had apparently lost an early battle in what promises to be a hotly contested war to determine who has the right to control the collection, sharing, and use of personal information. The contemporary debate about privacy takes place in the context of substantial changes in the structure of the American political economy. The effort to rationalize the production, distribution, and sale of goods and services has involved the widespread computerization of many of the routine processes involved in these spheres. The coordination of these increasingly complex systems has come to require the collection, storage, and use of unimaginable amounts of information-much of which is information about identifiable individuals. Modem telecommunications systems provide for reli-
Temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry: theory and application

The status of temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry is reviewed, including current methods of data analysis, and the experimental conditions and calibrations necessary for meaningful data interpretation. The theory and application of TMDSC to absolute heat capacity measurements, the glass transition, and crystallization and melting are also reviewed and discussed.
Bio-Inspired Nano-Composite Fabrication on Etched Human Enamel Surface

Because of its significant potential in controlling key steps of apatite mineralization, recombinant amelogenin has been applied in different in vitro systems for the synthesis of uniquely ordered composite material similar to enamel. Here we summarize the results of a series of experiments, in which mineral deposition took place on the exposed surface of enamel from extracted human third molars soaked in calcium phosphate solution, in the presence of amelogenin and fluoride. Analysis of crystal size and morphology revealed that in the presence of both amelogenin (50-100 μg/mL) and fluoride (1 ppm), bundles of oriented rod- like fluoridated apatite crystals were formed creating a dense coating on the enamel substrate. Such organized bundles were not formed at low concentrations of rP172 (< 30 μg/mL). Preparation of such ordered nanocomposites provides a promising approach for development of new generation of dental restorative materials with improved esthetic and mechanical properties.
Observation of coherent microwave transition radiation in the APS linac

The APS injector includes a conventional S-band linear accelerator with three separate electron sources. Two electron guns are used as primary and secondary sources for injection into the APS 7-GeV storage ring, while a separate laser photocathode gun is available for free-electron laser (FEL) research. We report here the results of the dependence of 30-GHz coherent microwave transition radiation on electron bunch length. Sensitivity to pulses as short as 200 to 300 femtoseconds has been demonstrated.
Supervisory control with partial information on controllability and observability

In supervisory control it is assumed that the set of events is partitioned in terms of controllability and observability into subsets of controllable and uncontrollable events, and observable and unobservable events. It is assumed that these partitions are properties of the system, are given from the start and, are unchanging throughout the life of the process. In this paper we extend the existing framework of supervisory control of discrete event systems to incorporate uncertainty due to the presence of events whose controllability or observability is unknown. There are situations, however, in which it is not known apriori whether an event is controllable or not. Similarly, the observability status of certain events may be unknown. We are thus lead to consideration of a finer partition of the event set into three subsets of controllable events, uncontrollable events and a subset of events whose controllability status is unknown (similarly for observability). Conditions for the solvability of this problem are obtained. >
Spindle Assembly and Mitosis without Centrosomes in Parthenogenetic Sciara Embryos

In Sciara, unfertilized embryos initiate parthenogenetic development without centrosomes. By comparing these embryos with normal fertilized embryos, spindle assembly and other microtubule-based events can be examined in the presence and absence of centrosomes. In both cases, functional mitotic spindles are formed that successfully proceed through anaphase and telophase, forming two daughter nuclei separated by a midbody. The spindles assembled without centrosomes are anastral, and it is likely that their microtubules are nucleated at or near the chromosomes. These spindles undergo anaphase B and successfully segregate sister chromosomes. However, without centrosomes the distance between the daughter nuclei in the next interphase is greatly reduced. This suggests that centrosomes are required to maintain nuclear spacing during the telophase to interphase transition. As in Drosophila, the initial embryonic divisions of Sciara are synchronous and syncytial. The nuclei in fertilized centrosome-bearing embryos maintain an even distribution as they divide and migrate to the cortex. In contrast, as division proceeds in embryos lacking centrosomes, nuclei collide and form large irregularly shaped nuclear clusters. These nuclei are not evenly distributed and never successfully migrate to the cortex. This phenotype is probably a direct result of a failure to form astral microtubules in parthenogenetic embryos lacking centrosomes. These results indicate that the primary function of centrosomes is to provide astral microtubules for proper nuclear spacing and migration during the syncytial divisions. Fertilized Sciara embryos produce a large population of centrosomes not associated with nuclei. These free centrosomes do not form spindles or migrate to the cortex and replicate at a significantly reduced rate. This suggests that the centrosome must maintain a proper association with the nucleus for migration and normal replication to occur.
Current Innovations in Sentinel Lymph Node Mapping for the Staging and Treatment of Resectable Lung Cancer

Despite surgical resectability, early-stage lung cancer remains a challenge to cure. Survival outcomes are hindered by variable performance of adequate lymphadenectomy and the limitations of current pathologic nodal staging. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping, a mainstay in the management of breast cancer and melanoma, permits targeted nodal sampling for efficient and accurate staging that can influence both intraoperative and adjuvant treatment decisions. Unfortunately, standard SLN identification techniques with blue dye and radiocolloid tracers have not been shown to be reproducible in lung cancer. In more recent years, intraoperative near-infrared image-guided lung SLN mapping has emerged as promising technology for the identification of the tumor-associated lymph nodes most likely to contain metastatic disease. Additionally, the clinical relevance of SLN mapping for lung cancer remains pressing, as the ability to identify micrometastatic disease in SLNs could facilitate trials to assess chemotherapeutic response and the clinical effect of occult nodal disease. This review outlines the status of lung cancer lymphatic mapping and techniques in development that may help close the gap between translational research in this field and routine clinical practice.
Linkages between wolf presence and aspen recruitment in the Gallatin elk winter range of southwestern Montana, USA

Summary The decline of aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) has been attributed to conifer encroachment, climatic infl uences, ungulate herbivory and more recently, a lack of grey wolves ( Canis lupus ) via trophic cascades. The current study explores evidence of a trophic cascade on aspen decline. We conducted the study in the Gallatin elk winter range of YNP, an area where aspen have not previously been studied. We approximated aspen origination dates from an age – diameter relationship to examine potential correlations between wolf presence and absence, elk ( Cervus elaphus ) herbivory and aspen recruitment. A comparative analysis was also conducted between the aspen data collected in the winter range and aspen data collected within two elk exclosures. Within the elk exclosures, aspen successfully recruited since fence construction in the 1940s. Outside the exclosures, aspen recruitment into mature stems began to decline in the 1920s (during wolf extirpation), completely ceased after the 1950s and has only been observed since the 1990s (post-wolf reintroduction). While a host of interacting biophysical factors may infl uence aspen recruitment and growth, the correlative results between aspen recruitment and historical elk browsing activities, coincident with the presence and absence of wolves, are consistent with a top – down trophic cascade.
Perceived Learning Outcomes from Participation in One Type of Registered Student Organization: Equestrian Sport Clubs.

Learning takes place both inside and outside of the classroom. While there are a few studies that focus on the professional, developmental, and learning outcomes of participation in student organizations, there has been insufficient research on these outcomes in sport clubs. The paper reports on the results of an online, primarily qualitative questionnaire study conducted with members of collegiate student Equestrian sport clubs. Data come from 50 club members participating in such organizations at 15 institutions in the U.S. The respondents completed a survey in which they were asked about their motivation for joining the organization and what they believed they learned as a result of their participation. The respondents reported equestrian and interpersonal reasons for joining, and that participation increased their development in a number of academic and professional areas, especially in terms of work ethic or time management or balance, collaboration or communication or teamwork, and leadership.
Evaluating the effects of urbanisation on salamander abundances using a before-after control-impact design

SUMMARY 1. Urbanisation represents a significant threat to semi-aquatic amphibian populations, especially stream-dwelling salamanders. Although studies of urbanisation effects on amphibians have been conducted, there is an urgent need to follow populations over longer time periods, account for imperfect detection and determine the response time to urbanisation. Consequently, we used a before-after control-impact (BACI) study design to estimate changes in abundances of larval and adult salamanders in streams affected by urbanisation. 2. From 2005 to 2009, we used standard sampling techniques to obtain a count of salamanders in 13 first-order streams that underwent urbanisation of their catchments after the first year of sampling. Simultaneously, we counted salamanders in 17 streams that experienced no disturbance within stream catchments. Additionally, we measured environmental variables at each stream. 3. We used Royle’s binomial mixture model to estimate annual mean abundances and individual detection probabilities, and Bayesian inference was used to estimate population parameters for each stage and species. 4. Although mean abundance estimates varied among years in control and urbanised streams, we found that urbanisation had a negative effect on larval and adult salamander abundances. Larval salamander abundances at sites 1 year after urbanisation were significantly lower than abundances from control sites. Abundances of adult two-lined salamanders (Eurycea cirrigera )a t urbanised sites were lower than abundances at control sites 2 years post-urbanisation, and adult dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) abundances at urbanised sites were lower than abundances at control sites 3 years post-urbanisation. Maximum conductivity, sedimentation level and maximum stream channel width differed between urban and non-urban streams. 5. Our results suggest that stream-dwelling salamanders exhibit little resistance to urbanisation. Our study also highlights the use of the BACI design to study how urbanisation affects populations in semi-aquatic habitats. We emphasise that inferences regarding urbanisation effects on population response may be compromised unless urban populations are compared to populations in control sites, especially for species in which populations fluctuate.
Biomarker Analysis of Samples Visually Identified as Microbial in the Eocene Green River Formation: An Analogue for Mars

One of the major exploration targets for current and future Mars missions are lithofacies suggestive of biotic activity. Although such lithofacies are not confirmation of biotic activity, they provide a way to identify samples for further analyses. To test the efficacy of this approach, we identified carbonate samples from the Eocene Green River Formation as "microbial" or "non-microbial" based on the macroscale morphology of their laminations. These samples were then crushed and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) to determine their lipid biomarker composition. GC/MS analysis revealed that carbonates visually identified as "microbial" contained a higher concentration of more diverse biomarkers than those identified as "non-microbial," suggesting that this could be a viable detection strategy for selecting samples for further analysis or caching on Mars.