cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphorescence and ODMR study of the binding interactions of acetylcholine receptor α-subunit peptides with α-cobratoxin

Optical detection of magnetic resonance (ODMR) and phosphorescence spectroscopy have been applied to synthetic peptides derived from the α-subunit of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of Torpeda californica and their complexes with α-cobratoxin (CBTX). TheCBTX Trp phosphorescence is strongly quenched by the proximal disulfide linkage, while the emission wavelengths and ODMR frequencies of the 18-mer αl81–198 indicate a more hydrophobic Trp environment than in the 12-mer α185–196. Binding to CBTX produces a subtle increase in the hydrophobicity of the Trp environment for the peptides, in qualitative agreement with a recently proposed binding model, in which a receptor Trp residue interacts strongly with a hydrophobic cleft of the toxin.
Postconversion systemic arterial embolism.

Abstract In a patient with rheumatic heart disease and atrial fibrillation who had mitral and aortic involvement, arterial thrombi developed 18 hours after direct current reversion of atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm. This complication, although infrequent, suggests that the use of anticoagulants before and for a time after reversion might be desirable in selected patients.
P4.151 OVC Status as Predictor of Poor Outcomes in Children; Combination of Household Poverty and Caring For OVC Has Worse Child Outcomes

According to scientific literature there are various markers of child vulnerability. Among them are: household wealth status, education levels of caregivers, living arrangements, relationship to head of household, Orphanhood, and OVC status. This paper examines specifically the role of orphanhood and OVC status in predicting child outcome in health, education, access to food and nutritional status. The study was conducted in the districts of Marracuene, Katembe, Dondo, and the administrative post of Natikire in Mozambique. We conducted a household survey of 1,759 households with 5,726 children aged 0–17years. This Abstract focuses on children under the age five years only. We examined shelter, health, food security and nutrition, legal protection, education, and psychosocial outcomes among children and we measured differences in these outcomes based on whether households care for OVC and on poverty status. We disaggregated household level data in order to show the differences between (1) poor households taking care of OVC, (2) poor households not taking care of OVC, (3) non-poor households with OVC, and (4) non-poor households without OVC. This categorization allows us to demonstrate disparities among households and highlights the most vulnerable households. OVC status was found to be an independent predictor of poor child outcomes in terms of food security, nutritional status, health, psychosocial wellbeing, and education. For example, among children under five years old, poor OVC households were more than twice as likely to have a child go hungry a day and night compared to poor non-OVC households. Among 5–11 year olds, poor OVC were more likely to be behind in grade-for-age compared to poor non-OVC and more than twice as likely compared to non-poor, non-OVC. In logistic regression models, poor OVC were 2.7 times more likely to be out of school compared to non-poor, non-OVC.
Razor clam to RoboClam: burrowing drag reduction mechanisms and their robotic adaptation

Estimates based on the strength, size, and shape of the Atlantic razor clam (Ensis directus) indicate that the animal's burrow depth should be physically limited to a few centimeters; yet razor clams can dig as deep as 70 cm. By measuring soil deformations around burrowing E. directus, we have found the animal reduces drag by contracting its valves to initially fail, and then fluidize, the surrounding substrate. The characteristic contraction time to achieve fluidization can be calculated directly from soil properties. The geometry of the fluidized zone is dictated by two commonly-measured geotechnical parameters: coefficient of lateral earth pressure and friction angle. Calculations using full ranges for both parameters indicate that the fluidized zone is a local effect, occurring between 1–5 body radii away from the animal. The energy associated with motion through fluidized substrate—characterized by a depth-independent density and viscosity—scales linearly with depth. In contrast, moving through static soil requires energy that scales with depth squared. For E. directus, this translates to a 10X reduction in the energy required to reach observed burrow depths. For engineers, localized fluidization offers a mechanically simple and purely kinematic method to dramatically reduce energy costs associated with digging. This concept is demonstrated with RoboClam, an E. directus-inspired robot. Using a genetic algorithm to find optimal digging kinematics, RoboClam has achieved localized fluidization burrowing performance comparable to that of the animal, with a linear energy-depth relationship, in both idealized granular glass beads and E. directus' native cohesive mudflat habitat.
Importance of the conserved walker B glutamate residues, 556 and 1201, for the completion of the catalytic cycle of ATP hydrolysis by human P-glycoprotein (ABCB1)

The human MDR1 (ABCB1) gene product, P-glycoprotein (Pgp), functions as an ATP-dependent efflux pump for a variety of chemotherapeutic drugs. In this study, we assessed the role of conserved glutam...
Extending surface science studies to industrial reaction conditions: mechanism and kinetics of methanol oxidation over silver surfaces

The selective oxidation of CH3OH to H2CO over the noble metals Cu, Ag and Au represents one of the oldest industrial catalytic technologies dating back to the 1880s [1,2] and also the first non-Pt based catalytic industrial process. Initially, the catalyst employed for methanol oxidation was metallic Cu and subsequent research three decades later comparing the noble different metal catalysts found that Ag was the most efficient catalyst for this reaction. The commercial Ag catalysts are unsupported and are in the form of pure needles, wires or gauzes and are of very high purity (99.999% Ag) with very low surface areas (BET 0:1 m/g). Currently, more than 50% of the world s H2CO is manufactured employing metallic Ag catalysts. Bulk mixed iron-molybdate catalysts account for the remaining H2CO production and commercially introduced in the middle of the 20th century. The advantage of the Ag-based technology is that it is a very flexible and simple process to start, operate (adiabatic reaction conditions), shut down and change the catalyst. Analogous alcohol oxidation reactions over the noble metal catalysts are also employed in the chemical industry to synthesize higher molecular weight aldehydes such as C10–C20 fragrances. The proposed reaction mechanism of methanol oxidation over Ag catalysts has also undergone significant changes over the years and has attracted much attention in the past 25 years by many leading surface science and catalysis research groups (more than 250 publications, which corresponds to an average of 10 papers/year). The initial proposed mechanism consisted of two sequential steps:
Encephalopathy following melphalan administration

Objective:: To describe a rare case of encephalopathy following melphalan administration.Presentation and intervention:: A 59-year-old female with multiple myeloma developed encephalopathy following administration of melphalan. After ruling out other aetiologies, we hypothesized elevated cytokines from systemic inflammatory response to melphalan as the likely aetiology. The TNF-alpha level was found to be significantly elevated. Plasmapharesis was performed which reduced the level of cytokines, and also improved the patient’s neurological status.Conclusion:: Melphalan administration, especially in renally impaired patients, may lead to development of encephalopathy. Based on our case report, we suggest that elevated levels of cytokines could be the underlying mechanism of worsening mental status.
Water Activity of Flour at High Moisture Contents as Measured with a Pressure Membrane Cell

SUMMARY A method was developed for the determination of water activities of flour at high moisture contents. In this method a flour sample was allowed to equilibrate with water contained in a porous membrane while under a certain constant mechanical pressure. The cell was fitted with a porous membrane which allowed the transfer. of moisture from and to the sample. After equilibrium was achieved the sample was analyzed for moisture content. A thermodynamic relationship enabled calculation of the water activity corresponding to the pressure used in the cell. Results obtained with this method were in agreement with those obtained with the constant-relative-humidity desiccator technique in the over-lapping range of water activities. The two methods were also in agreement that the water activity of flour was not affected by the particle size distribution.
Ice Ridge Formation: Probable Control by Nearshore Bars☆

Abstract During the 1973-1974 winter season a time-lapse photographic system was used to provide a nearly continuous record of ice conditions along a segment of the southeastern Lake Michigan shoreline. By analysis of the photographs, a typical sequence of nearshore ice formation through break-up was identified. From the record of nearshore ice formation, a three-element mechanism for the development of the near-shore ice ridges in the vicinity of the study site was formulated. A quantitative analysis of the photographs was used to test and subsequently verify the hypothesis that the nearshore ice ridges, offshore bars, and breaker zones are coincident in location at approximately 40, 105 and 205 meters from the water's edge. Observations reveal that large quantities of sediment are incorporated into the nearshore ice and that the nearshore ice ridges are grounded on the nearshore bottom in the proximity of the offshore bars. We believe that the grounded nearshore ice ridges simultaneously modify the nearshore topography and protect the shoreline and bluff line from erosion by winter storms. The degree to which the nearshore is protected or modified has not yet been established.
Quantification of99Tc by liquid scintillation counting: An evaluation of chemical quenching by liquid chromatographic eluents

The feasibility of utilizing liquid scintillation counting as a detection method for the liquid chromatographic analysis of99Tc is evaluated. The chemical quenching of constituents commonly found in liquid chromatographic mobile phases is investigated, and quench corrections are presented. Quantification of99Tc is achieved over a concentration range of 10−3 to 10−8M on quiescent KTCO4 solutions, with sample volumes of 0.3 ml, yielding a counting efficiency from 51 to 59% for a narrow 150 channel window. The potential for the double isotope labelling of technetium complexes and the implications of the liquid scintillation counting of99Tc in flowing eluents are discussed.
Efficient image data distribution and management with application to web caching architectures

We present compact image data structures and associated packet delivery techniques for effective Web caching architectures. Presently, images on a web page are inefficiently stored, using a single image per file. Our approach is to use clustering to merge similar images into a single file in order to exploit the redundancy between images. Our studies indicate that a 30-50% image data size reduction can be achieved by eliminating the redundancies of color indexes. Attached to this file is new metadata to permit an easy extraction of images. This approach will permit a more efficient use of the cache, since a shorter list of cache references will be required. Packet and transmission delays can be reduced by 50% eliminating redundant TCP/IP headers and connection time. Thus, this innovative paradigm for the elimination of redundancy may provide valuable benefits for optimizing packet delivery in IP networks by reducing latency and minimizing the bandwidth requirements.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Women and Anger: A Structured Group.

Abstract A structured group designed to consider anger and its impact on women's lives is presented, including a facilitator's manual. Suggestions for future groups are provided.
Towards an electrochemically modulated chromatographic stationary phase

We have identified heme as a novel stable functional group for an electromodulated chromatographic stationary phase targeted for bioseparations. Preliminary experiments with a heme-agarose column show that β-lactoglobulin exhibits differential binding towards the two redox states of heme. We have also developed a tentative chemical coupling procedure suitable for covalent immobilization of heme onto a conductive glassy carbon electrode via a polyethylene glycol spacer arm as a necessary first step towards the development of an electrochemical chromatography system.
Virtual log based file systems for a programmable disk

In this paper, we study how to minimize the latency of small transactional writes to disk. The basic approach is to write to free sectors that are near the current disk head location by leveraging the embedded processor core inside the disk. We develop a number of analytical models to demonstrate the performance potential of this approach. We then present the design of a variation of a log-structured file system based on the concept of a virtual log, which supports fast small transactional writes without extra hardware support. We compare our approach against traditional update-in-place and logging systems by modifying the Solaris kernel to serve as a simulation engine. Our evaluations show that random synchronous updates on an unmodified UFS execute up to an order of magnitude faster on a virtual log than on a conventional disk. The virtual log can also significantly improve LFS in cases where delaying small writes is not an option or on-line cleaning would degrade performance. If the current trends of disk technology continue, we expect the performance advantage of this approach to become even more pronounced in the future.
The Application of Non-Isothermal Accelerated Kinetic Study in Pharmaceutical Product Development

AbstractA non-isothermal kinetic study allows the determination of the important kinetic parameters in a single experiment and thus is useful for the quick assessment of stability characteristics of the pharmaceutical prototypes during the development stage. The applicability and limitations of two non-isothermal accelerated kinetic methods in the pharmaceutical product development are discussed. Both methods are simple and no sophisticated calculation is necessary. These methods, however, fail to provide a unique reaction order for the pharmaceutically acceptable systems. The method is applicable only to those systems which obey the Arrhenius relationship.
Three-dimensional electrostatic effects of carbon nanotube transistors

We explore the three-dimensional (3-D) electrostatics of planar-gate carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNTFETs) using a self-consistent solution to the Poisson equation with equilibrium carrier statistics. We examine the effects of the gate insulator thickness and dielectric constant and the source/drain contact geometry on the electrostatics of bottom-gated (BG) and top-gated (TG) devices. We find that the electrostatic scaling length is mostly determined by the gate oxide thickness, not by the oxide dielectric constant. We also find that a high-k gate insulator does not necessarily improve short-channel immunity because it increases the coupling of both the gate and the source/drain contact to the channel. It also increases the parasitic coupling of the source/drain to the gate. Although both the width and the height of the source and drain contacts are important, we find that for the BG device, reducing the width of the 3-D contacts is more effective for improving short channel immunity than reducing the height. The TG device, however, is sensitive to both the width and height of the contact. We find that one-dimensional source and drain contacts promise the best short channel immunity. We also show that an optimized TG device with a thin gate oxide can provide near ideal subthreshold behavior. The results of this paper should provide useful guidance for designing high-performance CNTFETs
An Archive of Skin-Layer Thicknesses and Properties and Calculations of Scald Burns With Comparisons to Experimental Observations

A numerical model has been constructed to assess the depth of injury incurred when skin is exposed to heated water. The model includes an extended duration that occurs when clothing, saturated with hot water, is kept in contact with the skin after the direct exposure has ended. The model takes data from a broad summary of literature, which examines the ranges of reported tissue thicknesses, tissue thermophysical properties, and blood perfusion. Water temperatures ranging from 60°C to 90°C and total exposure durations up to 110 s were modeled. As expected, longer durations and elevated temperatures lead to a greater extent of tissue injury. For lower values of temperatures (60°C), burns range from mild (0.1 mm) to severe (2.2 mm) depending on the exposure duration. On the other hand, for higher exposure temperatures (90 °C), all durations led to burns that extended at least halfway through the dermal layer. As expected, burn depths with intermediate temperatures fell between these ranges. Calculated values of tissue injury were compared with prior injury reports. These reports, taken from literature, reinforce the present calculations. It is seen that numerical models can accurately predict burn injury as assessed by clinical observations; in fact, the calculations of burn injury presented here provide more information for the appropriate treatment of burn injuries compared with visual observation. Finally, literature values of a number of skin-layer thicknesses, thermophysical properties, and burn-injury parameters were collected and presented as an archival repository of information.
Separated Oscillatory Field Measurement of the Lamb Shift in H, n = 2

This paper reports a precision measurement of the 22S1/2-22P1/2 Lamb-shift interval in hydrogen. The fast-beam, separated-oscillatory-field technique was used to obtain resonances that were significantly narrower than the natural linewidth of the transition. The resonances were observed in zero magnetic field by varying the frequency of the microwave field. The final result, f (H, n = 2) = 1057.845(9) MHz, is in good agreement with other measurements of this interval. There is sufficient uncertainty in the theoretical value that one cannot make a definitive comparison with theory at the level of precision of this experiment.
Caenorhabditis elegans Genomic Response to Soil Bacteria Predicts Environment-Specific Genetic Effects on Life History Traits

With the post-genomic era came a dramatic increase in high-throughput technologies, of which transcriptional profiling by microarrays was one of the most popular. One application of this technology is to identify genes that are differentially expressed in response to different environmental conditions. These experiments are constructed under the assumption that the differentially expressed genes are functionally important in the environment where they are induced. However, whether differential expression is predictive of functional importance has yet to be tested. Here we have addressed this expectation by employing Caenorhabditis elegans as a model for the interaction of native soil nematode taxa and soil bacteria. Using transcriptional profiling, we identified candidate genes regulated in response to different bacteria isolated in association with grassland nematodes or from grassland soils. Many of the regulated candidate genes are predicted to affect metabolism and innate immunity suggesting similar genes could influence nematode community dynamics in natural systems. Using mutations that inactivate 21 of the identified genes, we showed that most contribute to lifespan and/or fitness in a given bacterial environment. Although these bacteria may not be natural food sources for C. elegans, we show that changes in food source, as can occur in environmental disturbance, can have a large effect on gene expression, with important consequences for fitness. Moreover, we used regression analysis to demonstrate that for many genes the degree of differential gene expression between two bacterial environments predicted the magnitude of the effect of the loss of gene function on life history traits in those environments.
Equity and efficiency aspects of rent control: An empirical study of New York City

Modem rent controls arose during World War II to deal with the war-related influx into urban areas. Since then, numerous cities have either considered, adopted, or eliminated rent controls. The policy debate about the desirability of rent controls continues unabated and becomes particularly acute when high inflation rates drive up rents rapidly. Rent controls have both efficiency and distributional consequences. The economics literature has produced theoretical insights about the inefficiencies created by rent controls.’ This literature is frequently cited by opponents of rent controls who argue that the efficiency costs of rent controls are manifested in a decaying housing stock and altered mobility patterns. Proponents of rent control invariably argue that the distributional impacts of rent controls outweigh efficiency costs. Considering the large number of cities that have investigated or adopted rent controls, relatively little empirical research documents either the efficiency or distributional effects of rent controls. The most notable exceptions are the studies of New York City by De Salvo [3], Olsen [13], and Roistacher [15], and the studies of Los Angeles by Rydell et al. [16], and Fallis and Smith [4]. More recently, Linneman [lo] and Marks [12] have further examined ramifications of rent controls in New York City and Vancouver. This paper fills some gaps in knowledge about the effects of rent controls. We examine rent controls in New York City in 1968, using the New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey.2 The paper extends the work of Olsen [13], although there are important differences in both the questions addressed and methodology used. This paper examines in detail the distributional consequences of rent controls for New York City residents (both
Implementing a College Self-Care Cold Clinic: Administrative, Educational and Program Planning Issues

Abstract This paper outlines the administrative, educational, and program development issues involved in implementing a self-care Cold Clinic within the Dartmouth College Health Service. Many of the observations are based on an internal pilot study of the self-care program, which evaluated the program and compared students who utilized the traditional medical clinic with those who chose the self-care cold clinic. Conclusions indicate that, although the Dartmouth program has faced various administrative and programmatic difficulties, the self-care clinic holds promise in helping young adults take responsibility for their own health. Program planning recommendations for self-care clinics in other university settings are included.
Triggers over nested views of relational data

Current systems that publish relational data as nested (XML) views are passive in the sense that they can only respond to user-initiated queries over the nested views. In this article, we propose an active system whereby users can place triggers on (unmaterialized) nested views of relational data. In this architecture, we present scalable and efficient techniques for processing triggers over nested views by leveraging existing support for SQL triggers over flat relations in commercial relational databases. We have implemented our proposed techniques in the context of the Quark XML middleware system. Our performance results indicate that our proposed techniques are a feasible approach to supporting triggers over nested views of relational data.
Immediate Breast Reconstruction After Skin- or Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy for Previously Augmented Patients: A Personal Technique

Background Breast reconstruction for previously augmented patients differs from breast reconstruction for nonaugmented patients. Many surgeons regard conservation therapy as not feasible for these patients because of implant complications, whether radiotherapy-induced or not. Despite this, most authors agree that mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction is the most suitable choice, ensuring both a good cosmetic result and a low complication rate. Implant retention or removal remains a controversial topic in addition to the best available surgical technique. This study reviewed the authors’ experience with immediate breast reconstruction after skin-sparing mastectomy (SSM) and nipple-sparing mastectomy (NSM) with anatomically definitive implants.
Chronic heart failure reduces Akt phosphorylation in human skeletal muscle: relationship to muscle size and function.

Patients with chronic heart failure (HF) frequently lose muscle mass and function during the course of the disease. A reduction in anabolic stimuli to the muscle has been put forth as a potential m...
Are secular trends in major depression an artifact of recall

There is evidence that rates of major depression have increased over this century, with successive birth cohorts showing increased lifetime risks and earlier ages of onset. Two memory effects have been considered possible artifactual causes of these trends: age-related forgetting and postdating early episodes. In this study, relatives were reinterviewed six years after study entry using interviewers blind to initial reports. We examined the stability of lifetime diagnoses of MDD and ages of first onset. Older relatives were no more likely than younger ones to lose diagnoses nor to postdate their ages of first MDD onset. This is evidence that memory artifacts are not solely responsible for the observed secular trends.
A note on neural nets

A neural mechanism is described which provides for a perception which is invariant with respect to movement of the stimulus.
Artificial skin. II. Pluronic F-127 Silver nitrate or silver lactate gel in the treatment of thermal burns.

Pluronic F-127 was found to be an effective base for the bactriocidal agent silver nitrate or silver lactate following 18–22% surface area full thickness thermal burns. Some protection was afforded by Pluronic F-127 alone, attesting to its biological activity as an artificial skin. The bacteriocidal agents, however, further enhanced the effectiveness of the dressing as an artificial skin. No inhibition of skin growth and repair was noted and the dressing was equally effective against Psuedomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis. Indication that natural defense mechanisms in addition to surface infection needs attention was also noted. Conclusion was reached that Pluronic F-127 is an ideal base for bacteriocidal agents in the treatment of full thickness thermal wounds. In addition, the Pluronic F-127 dressing with silver nitrate or silver lactate showed promise as an effective biological artificial skin against electrolyte imbalance, heat loss, and bacterial invasion.
Fast Estimation of Parameters of a Layered-dipping Earth Model by Inverting Reflected Waves

Shallow high-resolution reflection data provide information about near-surface geology from 20mto300m depth. Within a receiver-spread range of 10mto150m, a layered-dipping earth model is a simple and valid model in most cases of shallow reflection surveying. We formulated an approach to quickly estimate parameters such as interval velocity, reflector depth, and dip by inverting reflected traveltime of a layered-dipping earth model. To reduce the ambiguity of inverted solutions, we apply constraints on dip directions and depth to reflectors. Accuracy of modifications to update the model is controlled by: 1) using an explicit expression of the Jacobian matrix; 2) inverting model parameters layer by layer from shallow to deep, which is equivalent to solving a diagonal matrix; 3) employing the Levenberg-Marquardt method that is simplified and numerically stabilized by the singular value decomposition technique. Root-mean-square error and maximum deviation were introduced to track iteration convergence, thereb...
So You Think You Can Dance

This paper discusses the importance of keeping practitioners in mind when determining what research to pursue and when making design and implementation decisions as part of a research program. The author discussed how his 30 plus years of security research have been driven by the desire to provide products, tools, and techniques that are useful for practitioners. He also discussed his view of what new security challenges the future has in store for us.
Analysis of a salt stable mutant of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus.

Abstract An understanding of virion assembly and disassembly requires a detailed understanding of the protein–protein and protein–nucleic acid interactions which stabilize the virion. We have characterized a mutant of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) that is altered in virion stability. The mutant virions resist disassembly in 1.0 M NaCl, pH 7.5, whereas the wild-type virions completely disassociate into RNA and capsid protein components. Sequence analysis of the mutant coat protein gene identified a single A to G nucleotide change at position 1484 of RNA 3 (position 134 of RNA 4), which results in a lysine to arginine change at position 42 of the coat protein. Introduction of the K42R mutation into wild-type CCMV coat protein results in a salt stable virion phenotype. Likewise, expression of the K42R mutant coat protein in Escherichia coli followed by in vitro assembly produces virions that exhibit the salt stable phenotype. Analysis of this mutation demonstrates how a single amino acid change in the primary structure of the coat protein leads to tertiary interactions which stabilize the virion.
Numerical solution of the navier-stokes equations with topography

A finite difference scheme for solving the equations of fluid motion in a generalized coordinate system has been constructed. The scheme conserves mass and all the first integral moments of the motion. The scheme also advectively 'almost conserves' second moments, in that the magnitude of implicit numerical smoothing is typically about an order smaller than explicit viscosity and diffusion. Calculations with the model support the theoretical conjecture that the difference scheme is stable whenever the analogous Cartesian scheme is stable. The scheme has been used to calculate dry atmospheric convection due to differential heating between top and bottom of mountainous terrain. The general small-scale characteristics of mountain up-slope winds have been simulated. In addition, the results have demonstrated the crucial role played by the eddy diffusivities and the environmental stability, in determining both the quantitative and the qualitative features of the circulation.
Quantitative analysis of signaling networks

The response of biological cells to environmental change is coordinated by protein-based signaling networks. These networks are to be found in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. In eukaryotes, the signaling networks can be highly complex, some networks comprising of 60 or more proteins. The fundamental motif that has been found in all signaling networks is the protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cycle--the cascade cycle. At this time, the computational function of many of the signaling networks is poorly understood. However, it is clear that it is possible to construct a huge variety of control and computational circuits, both analog and digital from combinations of the cascade cycle. In this review, we will summarize the great versatility of the simple cascade cycle as a computational unit and towards the end give two examples, one prokaryotic chemotaxis circuit and the other, the eukaryotic MAPK cascade.
Abstract PD01-04: Deep kinome sequencing identifies a novel D189Y mutation in the Src family kinase LYN as a possible mediator of antiestrogen resistance in ER+ breast cancer

Estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast tumors adapt to hormone deprivation and acquire resistance to aromatase inhibitors (AIs). The proliferative rate of tumor cells measured by Ki67 after short-term treatment with an AI has been proposed as a surrogate endpoint of long term outcome. The purpose of this study was to identify kinase mutations associated with resistance to endocrine therapy as identified by a high Ki67 score after two weeks of pre-surgical therapy with letrozole. We performed deep-kinome sequencing on 4 ER+/HER2– breast tumors that retained high Ki67 scores (14.8 to 24.5%) following short-term letrozole treatment. Genomic DNA from the surgically excised tumors was deep sequenced using a capture approach with 120-bp biotinylated oligonucleotides hybridizing to 612 genes, including 517 kinases with ≥300x coverage. All 4 tumors contained a ‘hot spot’ mutation in PIK3CA , the gene encoding the p110α catalytic subunit of PI3K. One tumor also contained a novel D189Y somatic mutation in LYN, a member of the Src family kinases (SFKs; variant frequency of 8%). D189Y (565G>T) is located in the LYN SH2 domain. Reverse-phase protein array (RPPA) analysis available in 10 tumors in this study revealed a significant correlation (p = 0.006) between Y416 P-Src (which detects all SFKs) and a high post-letrozole Ki67 score. A siRNA screen targeting 779 kinases identified LYN as one of the top hits whose knockdown significantly reduced growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with acquired resistance to estrogen deprivation. We next analyzed the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) SNP data to detect copy number changes for 444 tumors where corresponding gene expression data were available. Copy number increases (>0.8 log2 ratio over normal matched DNA) in LYN were present in approximately 10% of breast cancers, with the highest copy number gains observed in luminal B tumors. In contrast, other SFKs showed less frequent copy number increases (YES1 Finally, we investigated the role of D189Y LYN in endocrine-resistant breast cancer using ER+ MCF-7 cells transduced with GFP (control), wild-type (WT) LYN, or D189Y LYN vectors. Overexpression of WT or mutant LYN resulted in increased phosphorylation of Src (at Y416), IGF-IR, EGFR, STAT3, AKT, and MAPK. D189Y LYN overexpression also induced phosphorylation of IRS-1. Although stable transduction of either WT or D189Y LYN accelerated MCF-7 cell growth in estrogen-depleted medium, the mutant was more potent than WT LYN at inducing this effect. Further, D189Y LYN overexpression rendered treatment with the ER downregulator fulvestrant or the PI3K inhibitor BKM120 less effective. These results suggest, first, that LYN may play a role in escape from estrogen deprivation in a subset of ER+ breast cancers. Second, ER+ breast cancers harbor multiple molecular alterations capable of mediating hormone-independent growth. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PD01-04.
Indigenous perspectives of climate change and its effects upon subsistence activities in the Arctic: the case of the Nets’aii Gwich’in

This paper discusses the relationship between climate change and subsistence behaviors of indigenous peoples in Arctic regions of North America. It is noted that those most affected by such change are, typically, those peoples who continue to carry out subsistence practices through which they acquire a significant percentage of food from the land. It is these very peoples who also may offer valuable observations about changes which they are personally witnessing. A case study example, the Nets’aii Gwich’in community of Arctic Village, Alaska, is presented. Using Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and villagers’ observations as the primary data source, it is shown that levels of subsistence activity in this community are decreasing. Villagers believe that climate changes are playing a key role in the ability to access country foods. They believe too that there are fewer animals and that the food now available is of poorer quality than in the past. It is concluded that the information and data presented here concerning villager perceptions should be viewed as only part of the explanation for changes in subsistence behaviors. More research in the coming years is called for to further help distinguish the impacts of climate change upon subsistence activities from other social and economic forces which also are playing a role in such indigenous communities.
Production of geopolymeric binder from blended waste concrete powder and fly ash

Abstract Recycling and utilization of waste concrete is a significant contribution to environment and sustainable development. In current practice, the recycling of waste concrete is mainly limited to the use of crushed aggregates in low-specification applications. Few researchers have investigated complete recycling of waste concrete. These complete recycling methods, however, need to re-clinker the hydrated cement using the standard cement kiln procedures and thus consume significant amount of energy and release large quantity of CO2. To completely recycle and utilize waste concrete in a sustainable and environmentally-friendly way, a method that does not need re-clinkering at high temperature should be used. This paper studies the production of geopolymeric binder from ground waste concrete (GWC) powder mixed with class F fly ash (FA), which can then be used with recycled concrete aggregates to produce new concrete. Specifically, the effect of composition and concentration of the alkaline solution and the content of GWC on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the produced geopolymeric binder is investigated. SEM/EDX, XRD, and FTIR analyses are also performed to investigate the micro/nano-structure, morphology and phase/surface elemental compositions of the produced geopolymeric binder and the effect of calcium (Ca) on them. The results indicate that utilization of GWC together with FA can increase the UCS of the geopolymeric binder up to 50% GWC content. Further increase of GWC decreases the UCS of the geopolymeric binder. So with proper combination of GWC and FA, the geopolymeric binder with required strength can be produced.
Systemic and adjuvant therapy for patients with pancreatic carcinoma

BACKGROUND. Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease with ≤5% of patients surviving 5 years. There is no curative therapy for patients who cannot be surgically resected. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can provide palliation but have not had a significant impact on 5-year survival. METHODS. Newer approaches for improving the survival of patients with pancreatic cancer integrating chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are being evaluated. New chemotherapeutic agents (e.g., gemcitabine, camptothecins, taxanes, thymydilate synthase inhibitors, and fluorouracil-related compounds) are being studied alone and in combination with each other or different agents (e.g., trimetrexate or platinum-related compounds). RESULTS. Increased knowledge about the biology of pancreatic cancer (including high frequency of ras and p53 mutations in neoplastic cells or the expression of a number of growth factor receptors on the cell surface) has lead to preclinical evaluation of novel approaches attempting to specifically target these. These novel approaches include gene therapy, vaccines, and antisense oligonucleotides targeted to genes important for proliferation or survival of pancreatic cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS. Continued development of new approaches is needed to improve the treatment and survival of patients with pancreatic cancer.
Effect of mean stress on the stress-controlled fatigue of a short E-glass fiber reinforced polyamide-6,6

Abstract The effect of mean stress on the fatigue strength of short E-glass fiber reinforced polyamide-6,6 composite has been investigated in this paper. Stress controlled fatigue tests were conducted in the tension–tension cycling mode and the mean stress was varied by varying the ratio of the minimum stress to the maximum stress. Creep was observed during the fatigue process. A modified Gerber equation seems to describe the effect of mean stress on the fatigue strength of this composite. In this modified Gerber equation, creep rupture strength was used along the mean stress axis instead of tensile strength.
Cognitive ability and the division of labor in urban ghettos: Evidence from gang activity in U.S. data

Abstract Hernstein and Murray (1994) famously argued that the division of labor in modern society is determined by individual differences in cognitive ability. This paper shows that differences in cognitive ability can also determine the division of labor in poor urban areas. We estimate the effect of IQ on time-to-first gang participation with data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY97) and Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN). Results from both the NLSY97 and PHDCN indicate that low-IQ is a robust predictor of gang participation. There are two plausible explanations of this main finding: (1) low-IQ individuals may have comparative advantage in violence as their opportunity costs of engaging in legal activities are low and (2) gangs may prefer low-IQ individuals as a way to reduce agency costs. We find strong evidence in support of the hypothesis that persons with lower IQs have comparative advantage in criminal activity in the PHDCN dataset.
Symptomatic lateral ventricular ependymal cysts: criteria for distinguishing these rare cysts from other symptomatic cysts of the ventricles: case report.

Objective and importance Symptomatic lateral ventricular ependymal cysts are rare. Two previous cases of this lesion have been reported in the literature. We report a third case and provide radiological and histopathological criteria for differentiating this entity from common intracranial cysts. Clinical presentation A 43-year-old man presented with a 6-year history of seizures and progressive right occipitoparietal headaches. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 4- x 3- x 3-cm nonenhancing cystic mass, expanding the trigone of the right lateral ventricle. Intervention The patient underwent a right occipital craniotomy. The cyst was opened, fluid was aspirated, the cyst wall was biopsied, and a cyst-subarachnoid communication was established. The patient did well postoperatively, with no seizures and with resolution of headaches. Conclusion Lateral ventricular ependymal cysts are a rare cause of neurological symptoms, including headache and seizure. Distinctive radiographic characteristics distinguish these cysts at preoperative evaluation. Careful analysis of the histopathology and immunohistochemistry studies correctly identifies these lesions, gives insight into the natural history of ependymal cysts, and guides clinical management decisions.
The multiple endocrine neoplasia type I gene locus is involved in the pathogenesis of type II gastric carcinoids

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Both gastrin and genetic factors were suggested to underlie the pathogenesis of multiple gastric enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cell carcinoids. To assess the role of genetic alterations in carcinoid tumorigenesis, loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at the locus of the multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN-1) gene was studied in gastric carcinoids of patients with MEN-1 and chronic atrophic type A gastritis (A-CAG), as well as in sporadically arising intestinal carcinoids. METHODS: DNA extracted from archival tissue sections of 35 carcinoid tumors was assessed for LOH with eight polymorphic markers on chromosome 11q13. A combined tumor and family study was performed in 1 patient with MEN-1-Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES). RESULTS: LOH at 11q13 loci was detected in 15 of 20 (75%) MEN-1-ZES carcinoids, and each ECL-cell carcinoid with LOH showed deletion of the wild-type allele. Only 1 of 6 A-CAG carcinoids displayed LOH at the MEN-1 gene locus, and none of the 9 intestinal and rectal carcinoids showed 11q13 LOH. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric ECL-cell carcinoid is an independent tumor type of MEN-1 that shares a common developmental mechanism (via inactivation of the MEN-1 gene) with enteropancreatic and parathyroid MEN-1 tumors. Further analysis of sporadic and A-CAG carcinoids is needed to elucidate genetic factors involved in their tumorigenesis. (Gastroenterology 1997 Sep;113(3):773-81)
Recommendations for Research Success: One Investigator’s Perspective

This article is a personal reflection by an investigator with over 25 years of funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The article: (1) highlights research opportunities for psychologists at the NIH outside of the traditional mental health arena; (2) provides specific recommendations to individual investigators to enhance their likelihood of obtaining NIH funding; (3) specifies needed changes in psychology’s research education and training programs to prepare the next generation of psychologists for research success; and (4) asks the Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers to play a lead role in both research training and advocacy.
Heinrich Hertz: A Short Life

The author presents a biography of Heinrich Rudolf Hertz (1857-94). After brief mention of Hertz's childhood, his education and papers on electrical theory are reviewed. Investigations conducted on electromagnetic wave propagation phenomena are recounted. >
Catalytic properties of surfaces with respect to generation of CO2 molecules in the plasma

Abstract The methods of molecular optical actinometry, mass spectrometry and gas chromatography have been applied to measure the absolute density of the CO 2 dissociation products in non-equilibrium medium-pressure capillary glow discharge. It has been shown that capillary discharges are characterized by strong dissociation of carbon dioxide molecules. With increasing the power input, and decreasing pressure, the degree of CO 2 dissociation increases monotonically. The density of carbon monoxide molecules in the discharge tube from the beryllium oxide were approximately twice lower, than the corresponding density in the similar discharge tube from the molybdenum glass. The same tendencies were observed for the density of oxygen atoms in the sealed-off regime of the discharge. This we put down to differing catalytic properties of the surfaces with respect to carbon monoxide and oxygen recombination on the tube walls with regeneration of carbon dioxide molecules.
Prediction of boiling heat transfer duty in a compact plate-fin heat exchanger using the improved local assumption

Abstract A previous study presented a design method for compact plate-fin heat exchangers having flow passages with frequent interruptions. The local assumption was applied whereby the local boiling heat transfer coefficient was assumed to be fixed by the local metal-to-liquid ΔT. The present study extends the local assumption to include the effect of velocity on the local heat transfer coefficient. Confirmation of the new method is provided by a comparison of prediction and data for Freon-113 in an actual heat exchanger.