cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acoustic Response of a Layer of Spherical Inclusions with a Hexagonal or Square Periodic Arrangement

Starting with the work of Wolf [1], the scattering of a plane elastic wave by an isolated sphere embedded in an unbounded (or bounded) medium has been studied in great detail [2–3]. Similarly, the propagation of an effective elastic wave in an elastic matrix containing a random or periodic distribution of inclusions (particles, voids, cracks, etc.) has received considerable attention. The literature concerning these two problems is so extensive that its review is beyond the scope of this paper. By comparison, an intermediate level of microstructure, an elastic matrix containing a single layer of a random or periodic distribution of inclusions, has received very little attention. Although this problem is worth examining in its own right because of its inherent value as a canonical problem of elastodynamics of materials with microstructure, it also has applications in geophysics, quantitative nondestructive evaluation, and the design of ultrasound absorptive materials.
Gauge-invariant variables and entanglement entropy

The entanglement entropy (EE) of gauge theories in three spacetime dimensions is analyzed using manifestly gauge-invariant variables defined directly in the continuum. Specifically, we focus on the Maxwell, Maxwell-Chern-Simons (MCS), and non-Abelian Yang-Mills theories. Special attention is paid to the analysis of edge modes and their contribution to EE. The contact term is derived without invoking the replica method and its physical origin is traced to the phase space volume measure for the edge modes. The topological contribution to the EE for the MCS case is calculated. For all the Abelian cases, the EE presented in this paper agrees with known results in the literature. The EE for the non-Abelian theory is computed in a gauge-invariant Gaussian approximation, which incorporates the dynamically generated mass gap. A formulation of the contact term for the non-Abelian case is also presented.
Stem Cell-Mediated Paracrine Signaling Alters Fibroplasia in Human Vocal Fold Fibroblasts in Vitro.

Objectives:Interactions between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and native vocal fold fibroblasts (VFFs) have not been described in spite of promising preliminary data regarding the effects of MSCs o...
DNA repair efficiency as a model for personalized therapy with Trabectedin

A57 Trabectedin is a DNA binding and transcription interacting agent under advanced clinical development with activity in advanced pre-treated sarcoma, ovarian, breast and prostate cancer. Objective responses and tumour control have been noted in patients resistant to conventional therapy. Moreover, the emergence of acquired resistance to Trabectedin in sensitive patients is generally delayed. Such findings suggest a specific genotype in cancer cells correlated with sensitivity to Trabectedin. Experimental data have proposed a unique model of in vitro sensitivity to Trabectedin based on a DNA signature. In contrast with the pattern applicable to platinum salts and to anthracyclines, efficient nucleotide excision repair (NER) machinery clusters with sensitivity to Trabectedin, whereas functional homologous recombinant (HRR) DNA repair correlates with resistance to Trabectedin. Recent data generated in a retrospective study conducted in paraffin embedded tumor samples from sarcoma and ovarian cancer patients treated with Trabectedin demonstrate an association between low levels of mRNA expression of BRCA1 and both progression free survival (PFS), a median of 4.2 months (mo) for low and 1.8 mo for high levels (p= 0.004) and median overall survival, of 15.4 vs 6.8 mo respectively (p 6mo) 68% vs 0% (p=0.006), (3) PFS rate 69% vs 0% (p=0.005), (4) median PFS 7.1 vs 1.4 mo (p=0.004) and (5) median survival 20.4 vs 5.8 mo (p=0.026), when comparing the sensitive vs the resistant patient subpopulations. In conclusion, the data generated in this pharmacogenomic study demonstrate a unique molecular signature which constitutes a potential tool for personalized therapy with Trabectedin.
¿Cómo ven la universidad privada los estudiantes preuniversitarios? Un estudio exploratorio mediante la combinación de redes semánticas naturales y despliegue multidimensional

This research studies the determinant attributes of the construction of the perception of private universities generically without referencing brands using a convenience sample of high school seniors in Andalusia. The methodology proposed is an exploratory research study combining two non-habitual techniques: natural semantic networks, a quantitative technique, and multidimensional unfolding, a scaling quantitative technique. The results point to the presence of two different dimensions: the associations with the expected results from private university (training, employment and language) and the required involvement of the student (effort and exchanges) and differences perceived according to sex and the nature of the student’s center of belonging. In addition, there is evidence of the advantages of combining techniques as a triangulation mechanism. Better comprehension of a research problem is verified by using different analysis procedures about the same phenomenon.
Microwave Induced Desalination via Direct Contact Membrane Distillation

Membrane distillation (MD) is emerging as an important desalination technology that can operate at relatively low temperatures and can handle high salt concentrations. In this paper, we present microwave induced membrane distillation (MIMD) where microwave radiation is used to heat the saline water for MD. Pure water vapor flux from MIMD was compared to that generated by conventional heating, and the enhancement reached as high as 52%. Due to the higher dielectric constants, flux enhancement was more significant at high salinity, and the mass transfer coefficient at 150,000 ppm was found to be nearly 99% higher than what was observed under conventional heating. Performance enhancement in MIMD was attributed to non-thermal effects such as the generation of nanobubbles, localized superheating and breaking down of the hydrogen bonded salt-water clusters. These effects were investigated using FTIR, ion mobility measurements and dynamic light scattering. In addition, microwave heating consumed nearly 20% less ...
Design and rationale of a randomized trial comparing standard versus ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis for submassive pulmonary embolism

Abstract Background Catheter-directed interventions for the treatment of patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (sPE) have shown promise in rapidly improving right-sided heart strain and preventing decompensation to massive pulmonary embolism. Among various catheter interventions, ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis (USAT) has attracted interest as potentially having more efficient lytic effect that could achieve thrombolysis faster and with a reduced lytic dose. However, based on clinical evidence, it is unclear whether USAT is superior to standard catheter-directed thrombolysis (SCDT). We herein describe the study design of the Standard vs UltrasouNd-assiSted CathEter Thrombolysis for Submassive Pulmonary Embolism (SUNSET sPE) trial, an ongoing randomized clinical trial designed to address this question. Methods Adults with sPE presenting or referred to our institution are considered for enrollment in the trial. At the discretion of the treatment team, all patients undergo a catheter-directed intervention plus concomitant therapeutic anticoagulation. Participants are randomized 1:1 to a USAT catheter or an SCDT catheter. Study assessors are blinded to treatment group. The primary outcome is clearance of pulmonary thrombus burden, assessed by postprocedure computed tomography angiography. Secondary outcomes include resolution of right ventricular strain by echocardiography; improvement in pulmonary artery pressures; and 3- and 12-month improvement in echocardiographic, functional capacity, and quality of life measures. The study is powered to detect a 50% improvement in pulmonary artery thrombus clearance. Our enrollment target is 40 patients per treatment arm. Conclusions SUNSET sPE is an ongoing randomized, head-to-head, single-blinded clinical trial with the goal of assessing whether USAT results in superior thrombus clearance compared with SCDT in patients with sPE. We expect the results of our study to inform future guidelines on choice of thrombolysis modality in this population of challenging patients.
Delta-like Ligand 4/Notch Pathway in Tumor Angiogenesis

The process of angiogenesis, be it physiological or pathological, requires the coordinated interplay of a variety of vascular growth factor systems. Many preclinical models, and more recently several clinical trials, have shown that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an essential mediator of developmental and pathological angiogenesis. Recent evidence suggests that another pathway—the Delta/ Notch pathway, and the Delta-like ligand 4 (Dll4) in particular—also plays a specific and critical role in angiogenesis, acting in part to restrain VEGF-mediated angiogenesis. Perturbation of this Dll4-mediated restraint can result in excessive non-productive vessel growth. For example, during embryogenesis, genetic deletion of even one allele of Dll4 in mice results in profound vascular defects and significant embryonic lethality at approx E10.5. The vascular defects include abnormal vascular remodeling in the yolk sac and reduced vascular invasion of the placental labyrinth, poor formation of the major arteries in the embryo, and excessive sprouting/branching in certain vessel beds. In genetic backgrounds that permit survival of Dll4 heterozygous mice, other vascular defects are found, including abnormal maturation of the vascular bed in the developing post natal retina. Dll4 also plays a fundamental role in pathological angiogenesis, as blockers of the Dll4 / Notch pathway result in decreased tumor growth, even for tumors resistant to anti-VEGF therapies. This reduced tumor growth is associated with markedly increased tumor vascularity, enhanced angiogenic sprouting, and more vessel branching. However, the increased vascularity is disorg anized and non-productive, as evidenced by poor perfusion and increased tumor hypoxia. The current model is that VEGF induces Dll4 as a negative feedback regulator of angiogenesis, thus helping to coordinate VEGF-induced sprouting and promoting the functional specialization of the endothelial cells (ECs) in a network. Although Dll4 is clearly induced by VEGF and helps regulate VEGF-mediated vascular growth, it appears to also have functions that are independent of VEGF, as blockade of both VEGF and Dll4 can show more potent anti-tumor effects than blockade of either pathway alone. Thus, blockade of Dll4 in tumors presents a novel therapeutic approach, even for tumors resistant to anti-VEGF therapies.
PrivateGraph: Privacy-Preserving Spectral Analysis of Encrypted Graphs in the Cloud

Big graphs, such as user interactions in social networks and customer rating matrices in collaborative filters, possess great values for both businesses and research. They are not only big but often keep evolving, which requires a large amount of computing resources to maintain. With the wide deployment of public cloud resources, owners of big graphs may want to use cloud resources to obtain storage and computation scalability. However, privacy and ownership of the graphs in the cloud has become a major concern. In this paper, we study privacy-preserving algorithms for one of the important graph analysis techniques—graph spectral analysis for outsourced graph in the cloud. The core operation: eigendecomposition of large matrix is also important to many data mining algorithms. We consider a cloud-centric framework with three collaborative parties: data contributors, data owner, and cloud provider. Graphs are represented as matrices such as adjacency matrix and Laplacian matrix, the elements of which are encrypted and submitted by distributed contributors. The data owner then interacts with the cloud-side programs to conduct spectral analysis, while protecting data privacy from the honest-but-curious cloud provider. For a $N\times N$N×N graph matrix, we aim to design algorithms with the cloud handling expensive storage and computation in $O(N^2)$O(N2) complexity, while data owner and data contributors’ algorithms take only $O(N)$O(N). To achieve this goal, we develop the privacy-preserving versions of the two approximate eigendecomposition algorithms: the Lanczos algorithm and the Nystrom algorithm, considering two encryption methods: additive homomorphic encryption (AHE) methods and somewhat homomorphic encryption (SHE) methods. Both dense and sparse matrices are studied, while sparse matrices also involve a differentially private data submission protocol to allow the trade-off between data sparsity and privacy. Experimental results show that the Nystro algorithm with sparse encoding can dramatically reduce data owners’ costs. SHE-based methods have lower computational time while AHE-based methods have lower communication/storage costs.
THE EFFECT OF POWDER SIZE AND PLASMA PROCESS ENTHALPY ON RENE 80 DEPOSIT PROPERTIES

In this study, plasma forming gas flows and superalloy (Rene 80) powder particle sizes were adjusted in the low pressure plasma deposition process. The properties of resulting metallurgical consolidations were ascertained. It was determined that with adjustments to process enthalpy by tailoring gas flows, coarser powder size distributions than the customary sub-37 micron powder could be used to produce sound Rene 80 structures.
Localization of Prey

In this chapter we present an action-oriented model of the spatial localization of prey by frogs and toads. Instead of building a global depth map, we propose that the goal of catching prey can lead a frog or toad to select a particular region of its visual world for special scrutiny. We suggest that the first step of the prey-catching sequence is not an overt movement, but a covert movement to adjust the accommodative state of the lenses and thus lock the visual apparatus on to a stimulus. We demonstrate how prey localization can be acheived rapidly and accurately by coupling prey-selection and lens-accommodation processes within a feedback loop. Information derived from prey selection supplies a setpoint for accommodation. In turn, adjustment of the lens modifies the visual input and can alter the prey selection process. The natural feedback of this goal-seeking system automatically corrects for the problem of ambiguity in binocular matching. We tie the model to the known anatomy, physiology, and behavior of frogs and toads, identifying brain regions that could provide the neural substrates necessary to support the model’s various functional stages. We also present experiments, with a computer simulation, that compare the model’s functioning with animal behavior.
Transcription Profiling for Defensins of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) During Development and in Response to Infection With Chikungunya and Zika Viruses

Aedes aegypti (L.) is a vector of chikungunya, dengue, yellow fever and Zika viruses. These viruses encounter a variety of induced defense responses from the innate immune system of the mosquito. We cloned defensin A from Ae. aegypti using laboratory populations originating from Key West and Orlando, Florida. To characterize inducible immune defensin peptides, we examined the defensin A (DefA) and defensin C (DefC) expression through time course studies using quantitative real-time PCR. We observed that ingestion of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) infected blood triggered early upregulated expression of DefA and DefC at 3 h after blood feeding. At 10-d post infection, there was significant downregulation of DefA and DefC in CHIKV-infected females and significant upregulation of DefA and DefC in ZIKV-infected females compared with control mosquitoes fed uninfected blood. Our studies demonstrate that the relative activity of DefA and DefC changed depending on whether Ae. aegypti was infected with CHIKV or ZIKV, suggesting differences in antiviral defense responses. In addition, we also examined DefA and DefC gene expression during the different developmental stages. Significant qualitative and quantitative differences were found in DefA and DefC transcripts between Key West and Orlando strains. We found that adult males consistently had higher expression than adult females of different ages. Together, these data show that members of the Ae. aegypti defensin gene family play a role in both Zika and chikungunya antiviral response.
The “Kinetic Stabilizer”: A Simpler Tandem Mirror Configuration?

In the search for better approaches to magnetic fusion it is important to keep in mind the lessons learned in the 50 years that fusion plasma confinement has been studied. One of the lessons learne...
Direct imaging of ultrafast electron dynamics by X-ray sum frequency generation

We present a nonlinear X-ray technique which provides a spatial electron density image of valence electron excitations. The technique combines a visible pump and an X-ray pulse and yields snapshots of the transition charge densities.
Note on “Acoustic and volumetric study of renewable oxygenated fuel additives at (298.15–323.15) K: Isomeric butanediols with ethylbutyrate” [J. Chem. Thermodyn. 136 (2019) 100-115]

Abstract Errors in the volumetric properties and excess molar isentropic compressibility properties reported in Tables 5 and 6 of the published paper are identified. New calculated values are provided for Tables 5 and 6.
Levelized-Cost-of-Electricity-Driven Design Optimization for Medium-Voltage Transformerless Photovoltaic Converters

Design approaches for power electronics are typically focused on efficiency and power density; however, these strategies do not guarantee cost optimality in any well-defined sense. To overcome this shortcoming, we propose a design framework that yields circuit parameters that minimize the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of a generation system. LCOE serves as a meaningful metric since it captures total lifetime costs — including hardware, balance of system, and maintenance costs — and includes the impacts of power conversion efficiency and revenue from harvested energy. To obtain a tractable design problem, we formulate an approximate LCOE improvement model that quantifies the changes in LCOE resulting from a candidate converter design. We apply this framework to a multilevel cascaded topology for low-voltage dc to medium-voltage ac conversion without line-frequency transformers. An example 200 kW commercial-scale system is studied and the solution yields a design with 15 cascaded stages, 98.01% efficiency, and an LCOE reduction of 2.0%.
Conditional Presence: The Meaning of the Name YHWH in the Bible

This chapter discusses the meaning of YHWH in the Bible, with specific attention devoted to the two theophanies which tie God’s revelation to a proclamation of His name: one in Exodus 3 and the other in Exodus 32–34. Combining philological, literary, and comparative tools, the chapter reads these theophanies as asserting that the Name encapsulates an essential tension of religious covenantal relationships—the yearning for proximate divine presence versus its intrinsic danger. In contrast to most readings which tend to highlight one specific side of this tension, I argue that God’s name in the Bible integrates both by promising an ongoing divine presence, while reflecting a concern regarding God’s indeterminate character as He who always becomes and changes.
Let It Snow: Adding pixel noise to protect the user’s identity

Optical eye trackers record images of the eye to estimate the gaze direction. These images contain the iris of the user. While useful for authentication, these images can be used for a spoofing attack if stolen. We propose to use pixel noise to break the iris signature while retaining gaze estimation. In this paper, we present an algorithm to add “snow” to the eye image and evaluate the privacy-utility tradeoff for the choice of noise parameter.
The Journey of a Southern Feminist; Close Encounters of Another Kind: Women and Development Economics

A young Indian woman with jet-black hair, a warm smile, and a red bindi dot on her forehead graces the cover of the first volume. The same woman decades later, with gray hair and a similarly warm s...
Studying the Interactions Between Science, Engineering, and Computational Thinking in a Learning-by-Modeling Environment

Computational Thinking (CT) can play a central role in fostering students’ integrated learning of science and engineering. We adopt this framework to design and develop the Water Runoff Challenge (WRC) curriculum for lower middle school students in the USA. This paper presents (1) the WRC curriculum implemented in an integrated computational modeling and engineering design environment and (2) formative and summative assessments used to evaluate learner’s science, engineering, and CT skills as they progress through the curriculum. We derived a series of performance measures associated with student learning from system log data and the assessments. By applying Path Analysis we found significant relations between measures of science, engineering, and CT learning, indicating that they are mutually supportive of learning across these disciplines.
Compact nanoscale textures reduce contact time of bouncing droplets

Many natural surfaces are capable of rapidly shedding water droplets—a phenomenon that has been attributed to the presence of low solid fraction textures (Φs ~ 0.01). However, recent observations revealed the presence of unusually high solid fraction nanoscale textures (Φs ~ 0.25 to 0.64) on water-repellent insect surfaces, which cannot be explained by existing wetting theories. Here, we show that the contact time of bouncing droplets on high solid fraction surfaces can be reduced by reducing the texture size to ~100 nm. We demonstrated that the texture size–dependent contact time reduction could be attributed to the dominance of line tension on nanotextures and that compact arrangement of nanotextures is essential to withstand the impact pressure of raindrops. Our findings illustrate a potential survival strategy of insects to rapidly shed impacting raindrops, and suggest a previously unidentified design principle to engineering robust water-repellent materials for applications including miniaturized drones.
Trends in Jewish Young Adult Experiences and Perceptions of Antisemitism in America from 2017 to 2019

Since 2016, a series of horrific acts motivated by antisemitism appear to have caused a fundamental shift in the prevalence of antisemitism in the United States. Little is known, however, about how the events during this time have affected the day-to-day experiences and concerns of American Jews. Using repeated cross-sectional data from surveys of Jewish young adults who applied to Birthright Israel, this paper analyzes recent trends in Jewish young adults’ experiences and perceptions of antisemitism. Despite the high-profile incidents during this period, there is no evidence of a major increase in experiences of antisemitic harassment among Jewish young adults—either on or off campus—between 2017 and 2019. At the same time, data show a substantial increase in concerns among young Jews about antisemitism in the United States and on college campuses, with concerns about antisemitism in the United States (but not on campus) being especially concentrated among liberal Jews. These results suggest that Jewish concerns about antisemitism are linked to broader views about the climate for marginalized populations in the United States. They also point to growing Jewish anxieties over violence, safety, and acceptance in the United States. In an era of widely disseminated antisemitic conspiracy theories, even young Jews who have no first-hand experience of antisemitic harassment have become concerned.
Virology: Principles and Applications

In their book Virology: Principles and Applications, John Carter and Venetia Saunders offer an introductory view to the complex field of virology. The relevance of studying virology is immediately conveyed: viruses infect all forms of life from human (as well as all other vertebrates), invertebrates, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Beginning with the nature of viruses and the methodologies used to study their infectivity, each following chapter is divided into small, digestible sections on some more common viruses, their genomic structure and replication, and current therapies to combat them. I find particularly fascinating how the authors review portions of the eukaryotic cell cycle, describe the viral life cycle from the point when a virus enters the cell to the time it exits, and then carefully detail how the virus hijacks the functions of the normal cell in order to become an infectious virion and infect the next host cell. Each chapter is clearly presented, well written, and flows smoothly without seeming bogged down on any one topic. Excellent figures and diagrams accompanying the text also should be noted. The authors note that the book is intended for Masters level students who already possess an understanding of cell processes and are interested in an introduction to the subject. However, the strength of this book is that it is written for everyone interested in virology, which also should include the seasoned virologist. For example, though my field of study is hepatitis C virus, I find intriguing how other viruses are similar to or differ from the virus I study. Those readers who wish to further study a virus mentioned in the book are referred to a list of current journal articles at the end of each section. Therefore, I envision this book on my shelf as a reference for years to come.
Optimized Dosing Regimens of Meropenem in Septic Children Receiving Extracorporeal Life Support.

Objectives: To develop a population pharmacokinetic model of meropenem in children with sepsis receiving extracorporeal life support (ECLS) and optimize the dosage regimen based on investigating the probability of target attainment (PTA). Methods: The children with sepsis were prospectively enrolled in a pediatric intensive care unit from January 2018 to December 2019. The concentration-time data were fitted using nonlinear mixed effect model approach by NONMEM program. The stochastic simulation considering various scenarios based on proposed population PK model were conducted, and the PTAs were calculated to optimize the dosage regimens. Results: A total of 25 children with sepsis were enrolled, of whom13 received ECMO, 9 received CRRT, and 4 received ECMO combined with CRRT. 12 children received a two-step 3-hour infusion and 13 children received 1-hour infusion. Bodyweight and creatinine clearance had significant impacts on the PK parameters. ECMO intervention was not related to the PK properties. If 100%T>MIC was chosen as target, children receiving 40mg/kg q8h over a 3h-infusion only reached the PTA up to 77.4%. If bacteria with MIC 2mg/L were to be treated with meropenem and the PTA target was 50%T>MIC, a dose of 40mg/kg q8h for 1h infusion would be necessary. Conclusions: The PK properties of meropenem in septic children receiving extracorporeal life support were best described. We recommended the opitimized dosing regimens for septic children receiving ECLS depending on the PTA of PK target 50%T>MIC and 100%T>MIC, for children with sepsis during ECLS with different body weight, eCrCL and MIC of bacteria. Trial registration: http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx, ChiCTR-OPC-16008703. Registered on 19 June 2016.
Transvenous embolization of a cerebrospinal fluid–venous fistula for the treatment of spontaneous intracranial hypotension

Cerebrospinal fluid–venous fistula is an increasingly recognized cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension.1 The site of the leak is between the dural sleeve around a spinal nerve root and the surrounding foraminal veins. In appropriately investigated patients, transvenous embolization of the draining foraminal and paraspinal veins has been shown to be an effective way of treating the disease, with low periprocedural morbidity, improvement in symptoms and radiological appearances.2Video 1 shows the technique employed in a typical case using Onyx (Medtronic, Minnesota, USA) to embolize a CSF–venous fistula at the right T10 neural foramen.
The Influence of Self-Control on Social Learning regarding Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration

Intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration has been studied empirically and theoretically in a number of ways. Common practice for this research is to simply include both self-control and social ...
The influence of lexical statistics on temporal lobe cortical dynamics during spoken word listening

Neural representations of words are thought to have a complex spatio-temporal cortical basis. It has been suggested that spoken word recognition is not a process of feed-forward computations from phonetic to lexical forms, but rather involves the online integration of bottom-up input with stored lexical knowledge. Using direct neural recordings from the temporal lobe, we examined cortical responses to words and pseudowords. We found that neural populations were not only sensitive to lexical status (real vs. pseudo), but also to cohort size (number of words matching the phonetic input at each time point) and cohort frequency (lexical frequency of those words). These lexical variables modulated neural activity from the posterior to anterior temporal lobe, and also dynamically as the stimuli unfolded on a millisecond time scale. Our findings indicate that word recognition is not purely modular, but relies on rapid and online integration of multiple sources of lexical knowledge.
HGS-TR2J, an agonistic, TRAIL receptor 2 monoclonal antibody, actively and rapidly stimulates the TRAIL receptor pathway that leads to significant inhibition of tumor growth in human tumor cell lines in vitro and in vivo

4388 Tumor necrosis factor related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) death receptors are abundantly expressed on the cell surface of a majority of human tumor cells. Activation of this pathway rapidly leads to programmed cell death. These characteristics make the TRAIL receptor (TRAIL-R) pathway an attractive target for cancer therapeutic agents. Binding of agonist monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) or the ligand TRAIL, to either functional death receptor (TRAIL-R1, TRAIL-R2) induces activation of a protease-mediated signaling cascade that culminates in programmed cell death. A fully human, agonist, TRAIL-R2 monoclonal antibody (mAb), HGS-TR2J (also known as KMTR-2), is being developed for use as a cancer therapeutic agent. This mAb is currently in Phase I clinical safety trials. Here we have evaluated the ability of this mAb to activate the TRAIL-R2 signaling cascade and assessed the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of HGS-TR2J in human tumor cell lines alone or in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents. Tumor cell lines were evaluated for TRAIL-R expression by flow cytometry and sensitivity to HGS-TR2J and chemotherapeutic agents in vitro. Human tumor cell lines from different tumor types expressed TRAIL-R2 on the cell surface and displayed moderate to significant sensitivity (50-90% cell death) to HGS-TR2J in vitro. In several different human tumor cell lines, HGS-TR2J enhanced the cytotoxic activity of chemotherapeutic agents. Importantly, some combinations elicited a synergistic effect on cell viability. Pre-established NSCLC and colon adenocarcinoma xenografts rapidly regressed after treatment with HGS-TR2J. Tumor volume was significantly reduced (90-75%) after the first dose of HGS-TR2J. The inhibition of tumor growth persisted throughout the duration of treatment and generated complete elimination of tumor in several animals. The rapid decrease in tumor volume was associated with a concomitant increase in the number of apoptotic cells in the tumor and an increase in levels of active caspases, an indicator of TRAIL-R pathway activity. In addition, there appeared to be fluctuations in TRAIL-R2 expression in xenografts as determined by immunohistochemistry. In summary, these data reveal HGS-TR2J has significant anti-tumor activity, alone and in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents, in an array of human tumor cell lines. This anti-tumor activity induces a concomitant increase in active caspases, an indicator of TRAIL-R pathway activity and apoptosis. Sensitivity to this TRAIL-R specific mAb extends beyond the requirement for cell surface receptor expression. These studies illuminate the potential of HGS-TR2J as a therapeutic for the treatment of human cancer.
Characteristics of Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n., Isolated from Turkeys

Yamamoto, R. (University of California, Davis), C. H. Bigland, and H. B. Ortmayer. Characteristics of Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n., isolated from turkeys. J. Bacteriol. 90:47–49. 1965.—A designation is proposed for a pathogenic Mycoplasma species isolated from turkeys. The organism originally was recovered from the air-sac lesion of a turkey poult in 1957, and was designated the “N” strain. Mycoplasma species with identical characteristics have since been recovered from the sinus, trachea, oviduct, vagina, semen, and bursa of Fabricius of turkeys. The organism has been recovered from many turkey flocks throughout the country. Many investigators have confirmed the original finding that this organism is antigenically distinct from other known serotypes of Mycoplasma found in poultry. The species proposed is Mycoplasma meleagridis sp. n.
Fine Structure of Vibrio cholerae During Toxin Production

The fine structural changes associated with cell growth and toxin production have been examined in Vibrio cholerae strain 569B. No morphological alterations in the cell envelope are apparent during logarithmic growth with thin-section techniques. However, internal swelling, suggesting alteration of cell envelope permeability, is evident particularly during the late logarithmic and early stationary phases of growth. Certain extracellular material demonstrable with negative-stain techniques does appear during the period of toxin production. The possible origin of this material is discussed. The effects of high temperature (37 C) and aeration on cell structure are also examined.
On the lengths of closed geodesics on a two-sphere

Let c be an isolated closed geodesic of length L on a compact Riemannian manifold M which is homologically visible in the dimension of its index, and for which the index of the iterates has the maximal possible growth rate. We show that M has a sequence {cn}, n E 2+, of prime closed geodesics of length mnL en where mn E Z and En J 0. The hypotheses hold in particular when M is a two-sphere and the "shortest" Lusternik-Schnirelmann closed geodesic c is isolated and "nonrotating". Let M be a compact Riemannian manifold of dimension n. For a C R let Aa be the space of H1 closed curves on M of energy mA + (m-1)(n-1) for m > 1. Then there is an mO C 2+ and a sequence am I 0 so that if m > mo, and if m is odd (or if n and A have different parity), M has a closed geodesic Ym with length C (mL am, mL). It follows that M has infinitely many closed geodesics. Corollary. Suppose M is a two-sphere; suppose the "shortest" Lusternik-Schnirelmann closed geodesic c is isolated and "nonrotating". Then the above conclusion holds (with A = 1). Background. See [2, 3, 9] for a more complete discussion. When M is a twosphere, the theorem of Lusternik and Schnirelmann [6, 11] gives three simple (i.e. embedded) closed geodesics. If e.g. M has positive curvature, then associated to each simple closed geodesic c is the Birkhoff map B. This is an area-preserving self-map of the closed annulus which describes the geodesic flow on M [3]. Interior periodic points of B give closed geodesics on M. An elementary and well-known argument, which some say is due to Birkhoff, shows that B has infinitely many periodic orbits unless c is "nonrotating", i.e. unless there is a point on c whose second conjugate point along c occurs after exactly one circuit about c [3, 9, 13]. For each simple closed geodesic c on a two-sphere M we have three cases: (i) B is defined, c not nonrotating. Received by the editors April 2, 1996. 1991 Mathematics Subject Classification. Primary 58E10; Secondary 53C22. (?)1997 Arrierican Matherrmatical Society
Abstract W MP26: Intracranial Pressure Waveforms Indicate Vasodilation During Remote Ischemic Conditioning

Introduction: Remote ischemic conditioning is a powerful phenomenon where brief periods of ischemia and reperfusion in a tissue such as the leg or arm can confer protective benefits from ischemic injury to distant tissues. Our previous work using intracranial pressure (ICP) waveform analysis has identified trends in the waveform shape that suggest transient cerebral vasodilation occurs as an effect of the procedure. We present a more rigorous analysis using data prospectively collected as part of our phase I clinical trial of RIC for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Methods: During the RIC procedure ICP was measured using intraventricular monitors simultaneously recorded with ECG (Fs = 400 Hz). ICP analysis was performed using the Morphological Clustering and Analysis of Intracranial Pulse (MOCAIP) algorithm which extracts 128 metrics from the ICP pulse-waveform (Figure 1A). Previous studies in patients undergoing CO2 inhalation identified a template of 72 metrics that consistently increase or d...
A Linear Algorithm for the Maximal Planar Subgraph Problem

We construct an optimal linear algorithm for the maximal planar subgraph problem: given a graph G, find a planar subgraph G′ of G such that adding to G′ any edge of G not present in G′ leads to a nonplanar graph. Our solution is based on a dynamic graph search procedure and a fast data structure for on-line planarity testing of triconnected graphs. Our algorithm can be transformed into a new optimal planarity testing algorithm.
Special Economic Zones in Africa: Comparing Performance and Learning from Global Experiences

Economic zones have grown rapidly in the past 20 years. In 1986, the International Labor Organization's (ILO's) database reported 176 zones in 47 countries; by 2006, it reported 3,500 zones in 130 countries. This huge growth occurred despite many zones having failed to meet their objectives; however, many others are contributing significantly to growth in foreign direct investment (FDI), exports, and employment, as well as playing a catalytic role in integration into global trade and structural transformation, including industrialization and upgrading. This study aims to address some of these questions and deliver an analysis that is both data-driven and policy-focused. The objective of the study is to explore the experience of zone programs, with a particular focus on Sub-Saharan Africa, to understand the factors that contribute to static and dynamic outcomes. It aims to provide input to the question of whether and how zones can make a significant contribution to job creation, diversification, and sustainable growth in African and other low-income countries.
Clinical and biological moderators of response to naltrexone in alcohol dependence: a systematic review of the evidence.

Aim The goal of this systematic review was to identify moderators of naltrexone efficacy in the treatment of alcohol dependence. Methods We searched Pubmed, CINHAL, Embase, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Library from 1990 to April 2012 and reference lists of pertinent review articles, which yielded 622 trial, pooled analysis and review articles. Using pre-established eligibility criteria, two reviewers independently determined whether abstracts contained evidence of demographic or biological characteristics, i.e. moderators, influencing naltrexone response in alcohol dependence. We assessed each publication for risk of bias and evaluated the strength of the body of evidence for each moderator. Results Twenty-eight publications (on 20 studies) met criteria for data synthesis. These included 26 publications from 12 randomized, placebo-controlled trials, three non-randomized, non-placebo studies and one randomized, non-placebo study. In addition, there were two publications from pooled analyses of four randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Family history of alcohol problems and the Asn40Asp polymorphism of the μ-opioid receptor gene showed a positive association with efficacy in four of five and three of five studies, respectively. Other moderators reported to be associated with efficacy included male sex (two of five studies), pre-treatment drinking (two of two studies) and high craving (two of five studies). However, the overall risk of bias in the published literature is high. Conclusions The identification of naltrexone-responsive alcohol-dependent patients is still in development. Studies to date point to two potential moderators—family history and presence of the OPRM1 Asn40Asp polymorphism—as having the strongest evidence. However, the data to date is still insufficient to recommend that any moderator be used in determining clinical treatment.
Video data acquisition and analysis system (DSA 3000)

Today's weapon systems require sophisticated algorithms to capture end analyze target and scene video. Many of the same algorithms are commonly used throughout video-based munitions and technologies. Consequently, Raytheon Missile Systems has developed a standard tool to support the design and validation of systems using video imagery. The DAS 3000 provides an integrated test environment for imaging missile systems, machine vision systems, and surveillance systems. The DAS 3000 is a video capture, sensor/seeker characterization, and analysis tool, which provides a total test solution capable of supporting a product throughout its life cycle. In today's market, a low cost standard tool, which incorporates test requirements for video, capture and display, real-time processing analysis, and video reduction across multiple product lines is extremely valuable. This paper initially discusses and elaborates on the video capture, display, and real-time requirements challenging our engineers to date. The paper then discusses the internal modularity of the software to provide technology specific algorithms. The interface of the tool is discussed to demonstrate the video reduction and editing that may be applied to frames and sequences of video to enhance and simplify the test environment of video based products. Finally, various engineering environments the DAS 3000 is capable or supporting are discussed. These areas include standalone-engineering analysis typically used for research and development, design validation, operational testing, integration and test, and automated production test equipment.
A mathematical model for prokaryotic protein synthesis

A kinetic model for the synthesis of proteins in prokaryotes is presented and analysed. This model is based on a Markov model for the state of the DNA strand encoding the protein. The states that the DNA strand can occupy are: ready, repressed, or having a mRNA chain of length i in the process of being completed. The case i = 0 corresponds to the RNA polymerase attached, but no nucleotides attached to the chain. The Markov model consists of differential equations for the rates of change of the probabilities. The rate of production of the mRNA molecules is equal to the probability that the chain is assembled to the penultimate nucleotide, times the rate at which that nucleotide is attached. Similarly, the mRNA molecules can also be in different states, including: ready and having an amino acid chain of length j attached. The rate of protein synthesis is the rate at which the chain is completed. A Michaelis-Menten type of analysis is done, assuming that the rate of protein degradation determines the ’slow’ time, and that all the other kinetic rates are ‘fast’. In the self-regulated case, this results in a single ordinary differential equation for the protein concentration.
A temporary suspension of certainties

Taking a post-structuralist view of constructionism (a view that privileges symbolic representation and language), this paper uses Piaget's descriptions of how knowledge is acquired to speculate on the existence of a system of delays underlying thinking.
Rearing Wolves to Our Own Destruction: Slavery in Richmond, Virginia, 1782-1865

RICHMOND WAS NOT only the capital of Virginia and of the Confederacy; it was also one of the most industrialized cities south of the Mason-Dixon Line. Boasting ironworks, tobacco processing plants, and flour mills, the city by 1860 drew half of its male workforce from the local slave population. "Rearing Wolves to Our Own Destruction" examines this unusual urban labor system from 1782 until the end of the Civil War. Many urban bondsmen and women were hired to businesses rather than working directly for their owners. As a result, they frequently had the opportunity to negotiate their own contracts, to live alone, and to keep a portion of their wages in cash. Working conditions in industrial Richmond enabled African-American men and women to build a community organized around family networks, black churches, segregated neighborhoods, secret societies, and aid organizations. Through these institutions, Takagi demonstrates, slaves were able to educate themselves and to develop their political awareness. They also came to expect a degree of control over their labor and lives. Richmond's urban slave system offered blacks a level of economic and emotional support not usually available to plantation slaves. "Rearing Wolves to Our Own Destruction "offers a valuable portrait of urban slavery in an individual city that raises questions about the adaptability of slavery as an institution to an urban setting and, more importantly, the ways in which slaves were able to turn urban working conditions to their own advantage.
Human Plasma N-Glycoproteome Analysis by Immunoaffinity Subtraction, Hydrazide Chemistry, and Mass Spectrometry

The enormous complexity, wide dynamic range of relative protein abundances of interest (over 10 orders of magnitude), and tremendous heterogeneity (due to post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation) of the human blood plasma proteome severely challenge the capabilities of existing analytical methodologies. Here, we describe an approach for broad analysis of human plasma N-glycoproteins using a combination of immunoaffinity subtraction and glycoprotein capture to reduce both the protein concentration range and the overall sample complexity. Six high-abundance plasma proteins were simultaneously removed using a pre-packed, immobilized antibody column. N-linked glycoproteins were then captured from the depleted plasma using hydrazide resin and enzymatically digested, and the bound N-linked glycopeptides were released using peptide-N-glycosidase F (PNGase F). Following strong cation exchange (SCX) fractionation, the deglycosylated peptides were analyzed by reversed-phase capillary liquid chromato...
Surface oxide effects on failure of polysilicon MEMS after cyclic and monotonic loading

Abstract —Polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices subjected to constant tensile stresses do not display delayed fracture in humid ambients unless they also contain thick (>45 nm) surface oxide layers, which are then susceptible to moisture-assisted stress corrosion. Polysilicon MEMS devices with typical (∼3 nm thick) native oxides do not show any thickening of the surface oxide layer after 3 × 10 7 fatigue cycles, excluding stress corrosion of the surface oxide as a cause of fatigue failure. Possible origins of polysilicon fatigue are discussed.