cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of New Nonlinear Optical Ladder Polymers

It is well-known that electron delocalization associated with π-orbital overlap contributes to third order susceptibility (1–6). It is thus reasonable to attempt to optimize nonlinear optical activity in centrosymmetric polymers by control of conformation to maximize n-orbital overlap between adjacent sp2 centers and to minimize interruptions of delocalization by minimizing sp3 defects. Steric interactions frequently force nonplanar conformations in linear-chain polymers and many systems such as polyacetylene have yet to be prepared in a form free of sp3 defects such as cross bridges. Ladder polymers, such as shown in Fig. 1, represent structures which should lead to extensive electron delocalization and interesting nonlinear optical activity. Some theoretical evidence exists (6,7) to support this contention. Clearly, orbital overlap is optimized in ladder polymers with a zero dihedral angle between adjacent phenyl rings and for systems where nitrogen atoms exist in the deprotonated (imine) form.
Using Similarity Metrics on Real World Data to Recommend the Next Treatment

Studies using similarity metrics have been used to help quantify the relationship between patients; however, these studies do not leverage either the patients' prior treatments or the ordering of these treatments. Our proposal seeks to recommend the next treatment for a given patient by comparing the overall survival of similar patients who share a common treatment stem. Data was aggregated from the FlatIron® Advanced non-small-cell lung (NSCLC) proprietary dataset [1] comprised of 1312 patients from 2008-2016. Our methodology pipeline was comprised of three main components (non-treatment-based similarity (NTS), treatment-based similarity (TS), recommendation). For NTS, we divided all non-treatment features into 2 main categories (i.e. genetic category and clinical/demographic category), computed a patient similarity using Gower Similarity Metric [2] for each category, and lastly, followed a similar approach as Gottlieb et al [3] and created a single similarity measure using the geometric mean. A similarity threshold is used to select for a reference patient p a set of similar patients Simp with a similarity value (determined from the genetic and clinical/demographic features) above the threshold value. TS is used during the next step to filter from Simp the patients that do not share the same treatment class-level stem (prior treatments) as the reference patient. The objective is to consider only patients who share similar previous class treatments in order to determine the next treatment class for the reference patient. From this final subset of patients, we determine which patient has survived the longest number of days following the treatment stem and we recommend this patient's next treatment class to the reference patient. To evaluate this approach, we repeated this methodology across 10 random subsets of patients where each subset was 10% of the entire data set. Each patient in each subset was viewed as a reference patient and compared against the patients outside the random subset. We varied the length of the initial treatment stem and varied the NTS similarity threshold value. We found that for stems lower than two treatments and with similarity thresholds above 0.6, only approximately 30% of patients took the same treatment as the longest surviving patient in the subpopulation. Further work is needed to refine the proposed approach, including assigning different weights to the features used in the similarity computation, and considering other outcome variables to recommend next treatment (e.g. quality of life using ECOG performance score).
Vimentin and Non-Muscle Myosin IIA are Members of the Neural Precursor Cell Expressed Developmentally Down-Regulated 9 (NEDD9) Interactome in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells

Here we demonstrate an interaction between neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally-downregulated 9 (NEDD9) and the cytoskeletal proteins vimentin and non-muscle myosin IIA (NMIIA), based on co-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometric sequence identification. Vimentin was constitutively phosphorylated at Ser56 but vimentin associated with NEDD9-was not phosphorylated at Ser56. In contrast, NMIIA bound to NEDD9 was phosphorylated on S1943 consistent with its function in invasion and secretion. Treatment of cells with the vimentin-targeting steroidal lactone withaferin A had no effect on vimentin turnover as previously reported, instead causing NEDD9 cleavage and cell death. The NMIIA-selective inhibitor blebbistatin induced cells to form long extensions and attenuated secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9. While the site of vimentin interaction on NEDD9 was not defined, NMIIA was found to interact with NEDD9 at its substrate domain. NEDD9 interactions with vimentin and NMIIA are consistent with these proteins having roles in MMP secretion and cell invasion. These findings suggest that a better understanding of NEDD9 signaling is likely to reveal novel therapeutic targets for the prevention of invasion and metastasis.
Collaborative curricular (re)construction - Tracking faculty and student learning impacts and outcomes five years later

The Collaborative Curricular (re)Construction, or C3, was an initiative at Creighton University that paired faculty (academics) and students in a process of backward course design, in two cohorts, in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 academic years. Faculty/student pairs worked over the span of a year to redesign a course within their discipline; courses ranged from theory-, skill-, and laboratory-based courses. The study investigated four primary questions: (1) Was C3 an effective tool for faculty development? (2) Did students emerge from the C3 experience changed as learners? (3) Did the course revisions result in increased student learning in subsequent course offerings? (4) Did the effects of the C3 workgroup affect curriculum as well as the culture within the program or department? Previous work has described the immediate impact to faculty and student; here, however, findings include the long-term impact on faculty and on student learning in the redesigned courses. Results conclude that even a brief faculty/student collaborative redesign experience has lasting impacts on student learning and, in several cases, on program-wide curriculum.
Enhanced CD138 peptide-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte activities against breast, colon and pancreatic cancers in combination with pembrolizumab (anti-PD1).

e14302Background: We investigated the ability of CD138 antigen-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD138-CTL), generated using a novel HLA-A2-specific CD138260-268 (GLVGLIFAV) peptide, in combin...
Same-sex Harassment, Textualism, Free Speech, and Oncale: Laying the Groundwork for a Coherent and Constitutional Theory of Sexual Harassment Liability

Section 703(a)(1) of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 imposes liability on employers who engage in sex discrimination that adversely affects an employee's terms or conditions of employment. In Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc., the Supreme Court unanimously held that sex discrimination consisting of same-sex sexual harassment is actionable under Title VII. The Court's opinion in Oncale may not end all facets of the current debate regarding same- sex harassment. For example, it may leave room for argument that liability for sex discrimination is based on the sexual content of harassment. When carefully analyzed with other Supreme Court precedent, however, Oncale points to a simple, coherent theory of sexual harassment that rests on proving that the harasser targeted the victim for harassment on the basis of the victim's status as male or female. Such a theory has several virtues. It is relatively easy to apply, and it applies broadly to discriminatory harassment in a wide variety of contexts. Perhaps most significantly, it lays the groundwork for a future decision in which the Supreme Court squarely addresses First Amendment limitations on Title VII's imposition of harassment liability when an employer or its agent maintains a discriminatory work environment through abusive speech. By strengthening the evidence that the Supreme Court will embrace a content-neutral theory of liability, Oncale enhances the likelihood that objections to Title VII based on First Amendment values will be minimized. This article discusses Oncale and its implications for First Amendment challenges to Title VII liability for verbal harassment.
Pasqua Lake, Southeastern Saskatchewan: a Preliminary Assessment of Trophic Status and Contamination Based on the Chironomidae (Diptera)

ABSTRACT The chironomid fauna was examined in two basins of Pasqua Lake, southeastern Saskatchewan, to assess the degree of eutrophication and the possible impact of contaminants. The western basin yielded (n=354) 12 taxa with a mean larval density of 8,673 ind.m−2. Chironomus spp. made up 79.4% of the larvae and 2.26% of the larvae were deformed. The degree of trophy was assessed v or eutrophic. The eastern basin yielded (n=32) five taxa with a mean larval density of 182 ind.m−2. Paratendipes sp. predominated and 3.13% of the larvae were deformed. Although the community did not fit traditional trophic classification indices, the basin was tentatively assessed ξ or strongly eutrophic. The effects of contaminants are suspected of modifying the response of the chironomid communities to trophic parameters in the eastern basin.
Power handling of silicon microring modulators

Silicon photonic wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) transceivers promise to achieve multi-Tbps data rates for next-generation short-reach optical interconnects. In these systems, microring resonators are important because of their low power consumption and small footprint, two critical factors for large-scale WDM systems. However, their resonant nature and silicon's strong optical nonlinearity give rise to nonlinear effects that can deteriorate the system's performance with optical powers on the order of milliwatts, which can be reached on the transmitter side where a laser is directly coupled into resonant modulators. Here, a theoretical time-domain nonlinear model for the dynamics of optical power in silicon resonant modulators is derived, accounting for two-photon absorption, free-carrier absorption and thermal and dispersion effects. This model is used to study the effects of high input optical powers over modulation quality, and experimental data in good agreement with the model is presented. Two major consequences are identified: the importance of a correct initialization of the resonance wavelength with respect to the laser due to the system's bistability; and the existence of an optimal input optical power beyond which the modulation quality degrades.
Sex as a biological variable in irritable bowel syndrome.

Background The pathophysiology and mechanisms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) involve both central and peripheral mechanisms that result in altered perception, as well as changes in bowel functions. These dysfunctions are associated with motor, sensory, immune, barrier, and intraluminal perturbations, including the microbiota, and their products and endogenous molecules with bioactive properties. There is evidence that these mechanisms are altered in both females and males. However, there is also increasing evidence that sex is a biological variable that impacts a number of aspects of the mechanisms, epidemiology, and manifestations of IBS. Purpose The objective of this article is to review the evidence of the differences among genders of the following factors in IBS: the brain-gut axis and sex hormones, epidemiology, diagnostic criteria and prognosis, pain perception, colonic transit, abdominal distension, overlap with urogynecological conditions, psychologic issues, anorexia, fibromyalgia, serotonin, and responsiveness to treatment of IBS. It is important to consider the variations attributable to sex in order to enhance the management of patients with IBS and the research of mechanisms involved in IBS.
Thermal instability of halo gas heated by streaming cosmic rays

Heating of virialized gas by streaming cosmic rays (CRs) may be energetically important in galaxy halos, groups and clusters. We present a linear thermal stability analysis of plasmas heated by streaming CRs. We separately treat equilibria with and without background gradients, and with and without gravity. We include both CR streaming and diffusion along the magnetic-field direction. Thermal stability depends strongly on the ratio of CR pressure to gas pressure, which determines whether modes are isobaric or isochoric. Modes with $\mathbf{k \cdot B }\neq 0$ are strongly affected by CR diffusion. When the streaming time is shorter than the CR diffusion time, thermally unstable modes (with $\mathbf{k \cdot B }\neq 0$) are waves propagating at a speed $\propto$ the Alfv\'en speed. Halo gas in photoionization equilibrium is thermally stable independent of CR pressure, while gas in collisional ionization equilibrium is unstable for physically realistic parameters. In gravitationally stratified plasmas, the oscillation frequency of thermally overstable modes can be higher in the presence of CR streaming than the buoyancy/free-fall frequency. This may modify the critical $t_{\rm cool}/t_{\rm ff}$ at which multiphase gas is present. The criterion for convective instability of a stratified, CR-heated medium can be written in the familiar Schwarzschild form $d s_{\rm eff} / d z < 0$, where $s_{\rm eff}$ is an effective entropy involving the gas and CR pressures. We discuss the implications of our results for the thermal evolution and multiphase structure of galaxy halos, groups and clusters.
Associations of flavored e-cigarette uptake with subsequent smoking initiation and cessation.

Importance Several states have banned sales of flavored e-cigarettes, but evidence on the association between vaping flavors and subsequent smoking initiation and cessation is limited. Objective To evaluate whether new uptake of flavored e-cigarettes is more strongly associated with subsequent smoking initiation and cessation than uptake of unflavored e-cigarettes, separately for youths (12-17 years), emerging adults (18-24 years), and prime-age adults (25-54 years). Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study conducted secondary data analyses of longitudinal survey data from waves 1 to 4 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (collected from 2013 to 2018). The analytic sample was limited to 17 929 respondents aged 12 to 54 years at wave 1 who completed at least 3 consecutive waves of the survey and did not use e-cigarettes at baseline. Data were collected from 2013 to 2018 and analyzed in February 2020. Exposures Flavored vs unflavored e-cigarette use reported in wave 2 of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study. Main Outcomes and Measures Binary indicators captured wave 3 smoking among 7311 youths and 4634 emerging adults who did not smoke at baseline (ie, initiation) and not smoking at wave 3 among 1503 emerging adults and 4481 prime-age adults who smoked at baseline (ie, cessation). Smoking status was based on having smoked in the past 30 days for youths and established smoking (ie, current smoking among those who smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime) for emerging and prime-age adults. Results The youths who did not smoke at baseline, emerging adults who smoked at baseline, and prime-age adults who smoked at baseline consisted of 51.4% to 58.0% male participants and 66.9% to 77.0% white individuals. Vaping uptake was positively associated with smoking initiation in youth (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 6.75; 95% CI, 3.93-11.57;P Conclusions and Relevance In this study, adults who began vaping nontobacco-flavored e-cigarettes were more likely to quit smoking than those who vaped tobacco flavors. More research is needed to establish the relationship between e-cigarette flavors and smoking and to guide related policy.
Exploring How Social Media Exposure and Interactions Are Associated With ENDS and Tobacco Use in Adolescents From the PATH Study.

Introduction Tobacco use is a current public health epidemic that puts individuals at risk for many health conditions and diseases, and adolescents are at high risk for the initiation and persistence of tobacco use behaviors partly due to engagement with social media content. The objective of this study is to examine the association between engaging in social media behaviors and patterns of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and tobacco use at a one year follow up among 11,279 adolescents from the PATH study. Methods Five social media variables were questioned at Wave 2 and then compared to ENDS and tobacco status transitions (i.e., initiation, persistence, and escalation) at a 1-year follow up, respectively. Survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results Passive behaviors on social media were related to higher likelihoods of starting to use ENDS and other tobacco products. Additionally, active behaviors on social media were related to higher likelihoods for the initiation and persistence of tobacco use. In particular, sending tobacco content to other users was further associated with a higher likelihood of escalation of tobacco product use. Discussion Both exposure to and interactions with social media tobacco content had a significant impact on the patterns of ENDS and tobacco use in adolescents. Due to the amount of time adolescents spend engaging with online content, social media may be a critical place in which to intervene, possibly with the use of anti-tobacco or tobacco prevention messages. Implications The results of this study have implications for public health and the policies surrounding adolescents and their exposure to social media. Reducing the ENDS and tobacco content to which adolescents are exposed has the potential to decrease the instances of initiation and persistence of ENDS and tobacco use. Intervening on social media may prevent or slow the progression of ENDS and tobacco use, and increase motivation and actions toward the cessation of tobacco use in adolescents.
Urinary Cell Transcriptome Profiling and Identification of ITM2A, SLAMF6, and IKZF3 as Biomarkers of Acute Rejection in Human Kidney Allografts

Identification of a shared gene expression pattern between T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) and antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) in human kidney allografts may help prioritize targets for the treatment of both types of acute rejection. Methods We performed RNA sequencing and bioinformatics of genome-wide transcriptome profiles of urinary cells to identify novel mRNAs shared between TCMR and AMR and of mechanistic relevance. Customized RT-QPCR assays were then used to validate their abundance in urinary cells. Urinary cell transcriptome profiles and mRNA abundance were assessed in 22 urine samples matched to 22 TCMR biopsies, 7 samples matched to 7 AMR biopsies, and 24 samples matched to 24 No Rejection (NR) biopsies and correlated with biopsy diagnosis. Results RNA sequencing data and bioinformatics identified 127 genes in urine to be shared between TCMR and AMR. We selected 3 novel mRNAs-ITM2A, SLAMF6, and IKZF3-for absolute quantification and validation by customized RT-QPCR assays. The abundance of all 3 mRNAs was significantly higher in urine matched to TCMR or AMR than in urine matched to NR biopsies. Receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis showed that all 3 mRNAs distinguished TCMR or AMR from NR. Their abundance was similar in patients with TCMR and those with AMR. Conclusions State-of-the-art antirejection therapies are mostly effective to treat TCMR but not AMR. Our identification of mRNAs shared between TCMR and AMR and contributing to T cell-B cell interactions may help prioritize therapeutic targets for the simultaneous treatment of TCMR and AMR.
Information Needs and Seeking Experiences of Family Members of Cancer Patients

This qualitative research explored the information needs and seeking experiences of family members of terminal cancer patients. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve individuals. Th...
The Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Changes in Size and Shape From Pre- to Post-Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography.

Objectives To compare two-dimensional (2D) and 3D imaging of the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) and to evaluate geometric changes pre- to post-cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Design Retrospective review of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic examinations. Setting Single academic medical center. Participants The study comprised 69 cardiac surgical patients—27 with aortic valve stenosis (AS) and 42 without AS. Interventions Two-dimensional and 3D analysis of the LVOT pre- and post-CPB. Measurements and Main Results Pre- and post-CPB 2D assessment of LVOT diameter (2D LVOTd) was compared with 3D analysis of the minor (3D LVOTd-min) and major diameters. LVOT areas (LVOTa) were calculated using LVOTd to yield 2D LVOTa and 3D LVOTa-min. These were compared with LVOTa measured by planimetry (3D LVOTa-plan). An ellipticity ratio (ER) (ER = 3D minor/major axes) was calculated. The 2D LVOTd was larger than the 3D LVOTd-min before (2.12 v 2.02 cm respectively (resp); p Conclusions The LVOT is smaller and more elliptical after CPB. Patients with AS have a smaller LVOT compared with non-AS patients. LVOTa calculated using LVOTd underestimates the 3D LVOTa-plan by as much as 23% depending on patient type and timing of measurement. Accurate assessment of the LVOT requires 3D imaging.
Intestinal Regulatory T Cells

Mucosal surfaces are distinctive sites exposed to environmental, dietary, and microbial antigens. Particularly in the gut, the host continuously actively adapts via complex interactions between the microbiota and dietary compounds and immune and other tissue cells. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical for tuning the intestinal immune response to self- and non-self-antigens in the intestine. Its importance in intestinal homeostasis is illustrated by the onset of overt inflammation caused by deficiency in Treg generation, function, or stability in the gut. A substantial imbalance in Tregs has been observed in intestinal tissue during pathogenic conditions, when a tightly regulated and equilibrated system becomes dysregulated and leads to unimpeded and chronic immune responses. In this chapter, we compile and critically discuss the current knowledge on the key factors that promote Treg-mediated tolerance in the gut, such as those involved in intestinal Treg differentiation, specificity and suppressive function, and their immunophenotype during health and disease. We also discuss the current state of knowledge on Treg dysregulation in human intestine during pathological states such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and colorectal cancer (CRC), and how that knowledge is guiding development of Treg-targeted therapies to treat or prevent intestinal disorders.
Patient Safety Learning Labs: What are we actually learning:

Over the last several years, a number of human factors researchers have been integral to the advent and success of AHRQ’s Patient Safety Learning Laboratories (PSLLs). This panel is made up of rese...
Is the tobacco industry's human rights makeover growing bolder?

The tobacco industry lacks serious commitment to human rights,1 2 including its exploitation of civil rights efforts to curry favour with groups that experience tobacco-related health disparities.3 British American Tobacco (BAT)’s Journey to a Better Tomorrow: Human Rights Report 2020 ,4 published on Human Rights Day (10 December 2020), presents another window into the industry’s misuse of human rights framework. It is the first large-scale report from a multinational tobacco company focused solely on human rights.5 It possibly heralds a growing industry-wide attempt to claim the title of human rights advocates linked with business investments in new products. BAT’s report emphasises, unsurprisingly, the company’s ‘less risky products’ and efforts to grow the non-combustible nicotine market, which appears to be all that …
What NCAA v. Alston Means for Professional Sports Leagues

The Supreme Court in Alston held that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and its member conferences violated the antitrust laws by collectively restricting, in the name of amateurism, the education-related benefits offered to college athletes. While the Court accepted that NCAA amateurism serves consumers by offering a brand of athletic contests distinct from professional sports, it found the NCAA’s fluctuating and incoherent definition of amateurism insufficient to justify the breadth of its student-athlete compensation rules. As a result, student athletes will now have access to, for example, graduate or vocational school tuition, payments for academic tutoring, paid post-eligibility internships, and similar education-related benefits, as long as these benefits are not tantamount to a professional athlete’s salary. Despite this defeat for the NCAA joint venture, the Court recognized the value of joint ventures generally, and clarified the framework for evaluating their competitive impact. Specifically referring to sports leagues, the unanimous Alston Court warned the lower courts against reflexively condemning joint venture arrangements that are necessary to create a product and advised deference to the business judgments of venture participants. Mining that vein of thought, this essay identifies three significant take-aways for professional sports leagues from the Alston decision: (1) “quick look” review is generally not appropriate to summarily disapprove sports league coordinated conduct under the antitrust laws; (2) “rule of reason” antitrust analysis does not require sports leagues to structure their business in the “least restrictive” way; and (3) to the extent a professional sports league is more analogous to an individual college athletic conference, as opposed to the entire NCAA, member clubs may have more latitude to coordinate their conduct without violating the antitrust laws.
Weld Solidification Behavior of Ni‐Base Superalloys for use in Advanced Supercritical Coal‐Fired Power Plants

Due to a unique combination of elevated-temperature strength and corrosion resistance, Alloy 740H is a leading candidate for the construction of Advanced Ultra Supercritical coal-fired power plants. To date, virtually no information regarding the solidification behavior of this alloy is available. In this investigation, the weld metal of Alloy 740H and candidate filler metals Haynes 282 and Nimonic 263 diluted by 740H were studied. Computational modeling was used to determine solidification temperature ranges and partition coefficients of these combinations. Small samples of Alloy 740H and mixtures of 740H with filler metals 282 and 263 were cast into small buttons which were used to collect solidification temperature range data. Actual gas tungsten arc welds on 740H plate were compared to the solidification data and computational modeling results. Characterization of these welds after heat treatment revealed γ’ free zones which were previously thought to exist only after creep testing. The effect of postweld heat treatment on the microstructure and properties of 740H weld metal was also investigated.
Location as a Signal of Quality

We examine a horizontal product differentiation duopoly model where firms are also differentiated with respect to the quality of their products. Firms first choose their locations (or product characteristics) and then compete in prices. Under full information, it is shown that, whereas the low-quality firm prefers to locate as far as possible from its competitor, the same is not true for the high-quality firm, unless the quality difference is small enough. The paper then suggests an explanation for spatial agglomeration based on incomplete information considerations. Because it is less costly for a high-quality firm than for a low-quality firm to locate close to a rival firm, choosing a location closer to a rival signals high quality.
Development of Agave as a dedicated biomass source: production of biofuels from whole plants

Agave species can grow well in semi-arid marginal agricultural lands around the world. Selected Agave species are used largely for alcoholic beverage production in Mexico. There are expanding research efforts to use the plentiful residues (bagasse) for ethanol production as the beverage manufacturing process only uses the juice from the central core of mature plants. Here, we investigate the potential of over a dozen Agave species, including three from cold semi-arid regions of the United States, to produce biofuels using the whole plant. Ethanol was readily produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae from hydrolysate of ten whole Agaves with the use of a proper blend of biomass degrading enzymes including inulinase that overcomes inhibition of most of the species tested. As an example, US grown Agave neomexicana produced 119 ± 11 mg ethanol/g biomass. Unlike yeast fermentations, Clostridium beijerinckii produced n-butanol plus acetone from all species tested. Butyric acid, a precursor of n-butanol, was also present due to incomplete conversion during the screening process. Since Agave contains high levels of free and polyfructose which are readily destroyed by acidic pretreatment, a two-step procedure was developed to depolymerize polyfructose while maintaining its fermentability. The hydrolysate from before and after dilute acid processing was used in C. beijerinckii fermentations with selected Agave species with A. neomexicana producing 144 ± 4 mg fermentation products/g biomass. Results showed Agave’s potential to be a source of fermentable sugars beyond the existing beverage species to now include many species previously unfermentable by yeast, including cold-tolerant lines. This development should stimulate development of Agave as a dedicated feedstock for biofuels in semi-arid regions throughout the globe.
A carbohydrate epitope expressed uniquely on the cell surface of Drosophila neurons is altered in the mutant nac (neurally altered carbohydrate).

Abstract Antibodies against horseradish peroxidase (anti-HRP) recognize neural specific cell surface antigens in Drosophila and other insects. The nature of these antigens was investigated in Drosophila and found to include a complex set of developmentally regulated proteins. Their common epitope appears to be a carbohydrate that shares features with the sugar moiety of pineapple stem bromelain, a plant glycoprotein whose carbohydrate structure has been determined. A mutation was identified that eliminates staining by the antibody in imaginal and adult neural tissue. Tissue specific glycoconjugates, although widespread in the animal kingdom, are little understood. This mutation provides a unique opportunity to address the consequences of altering a neural specific carbohydrate moiety in an otherwise intact and behaving animal. The mutation maps to 84F. A second mutation, contained on the third chromosome balancer, TM3, eliminates anti-HRP staining in embryos. These mutations appear to be separate genes.
Scientific Research, Ethics, Values in Science

Introduction Science and Values Science, Ethics, and the State Ethics and Risks Science and Political Consent Keywords: scientific research; ethics; law
Solvation dynamics and probe rotation in glass-forming liquids

Abstract We have measured optical depolarization and solvation dynamics using triplet state molecular probes in various glass-forming organic liquids of low molecular weight. Optical depolarization yields the single particle rotational correlation function r ( t ) of the guest molecules, while mechanical solvation dynamics reflect the time resolved shear modulus G ( t ) specifically of those host molecules which surround the probe. Using the ratio m guest / m host of molecular weights as an indicator for the relative sizes, it is observed that large m guest / m host values lead to much slower and more exponential probe rotation compared with the structural relaxation of the environment. As m guest approaches m host , the time dependencies of r ( t ) and G ( t ) become very similar. It appears that a larger and relatively immobile guest molecule has little effect on the otherwise cooperative dynamics of the surrounding solvent.
Trajectory tracking and backfitting techniques against theater ballistic missiles

Since the SCUD launches in the Gulf War, theater ballistic missile (TBM) systems have become a growing concern for the US military. Detection, fast track initiation, backfitting for launch point determination, and tracking and engagement during boost phase or shortly after booster cutoff are goals that grow in importance with the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This paper focuses on track initiation and backfitting techniques, as well as extending some earlier results on tracking a TBM during boost phase cutoff. Results indicate that Kalman techniques are superior to third order polynomial extrapolations in estimating the launch point, and that some knowledge of missile parameters, especially thrust, is extremely helpful in track initiation.
Performance of new prototype packed columns for very high pressure liquid chromatography.

Abstract The reduced heights equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP) of naphtho[2,3-a]pyrene were measured at room temperature on two sets of new prototype columns designed to be used in very high pressure liquid chromatography (VHPLC). The mobile phase used was pure acetonitrile. The columns are 50, 100, and 150 mm long. Those of the first set are 2.1 mm I.D., those of the second set, 3.0 mm I.D. The performance of these new columns were compared to those of the first generation of VHPLC columns, commercially available in 2.1 mm I.D. The prototype and commercial columns behave similarly at low reduced linear velocities ( ν 5 ), when the heat effects are negligible. At high flow rates, the shorter prototype columns have a twice better efficiency and less steep C-branches than the commercial columns. In contrast, the C-branch of the 150 mm long prototype columns are slightly steeper than those of the commercial columns. The important contribution to the reduced HETP that is due to the heat effects at high flow rates can in part be accounted for by a band broadening model governed by a flow mechanism with the shortest prototype columns. The sole heat effects cannot, however, explain the mediocre reduced HETPs of the 2.1 and 3.0 I.D. 150 mm long prototype columns. It seems that radial heterogeneity of the flow rate of the long prototype columns is significantly larger than that of the short columns. The contribution of the packing heterogeneity adds up to that of the heat effects to yield a poor column efficiency when sub- 2 μ m are packed into thin, long column tubes.
Asthma self-management programs: premises, not promises.

(1988). Review Article: Asthma Self-Management Programs: Premises, Not Promises. Journal of Asthma: Vol. 25, No. 2, pp. 89-101.
The role of deformation kinetics in the stretch formability of sheet metals

Abstract The effect of deformation kinetics (strain-rate hardening) on the stretch formability of metals is considered in addition to the effect of strain hardening. It is shown that the effects of these two material properties on the critical strain for local necking ϵ 1 ∗ in uniaxial tension at a constant crosshead-speed is described reasonably well by ϵ ∗ 1 Z ≅{n u +m u (α ∗ 1 +ϵ u )} where Z ≅ 2, n = dln σ/ dln ϵ, m = ∂ ln σ/∂ ln ϵ dot , α = dln ϵring;/ dln ϵ and ϵ u the uniform elongation. The subscript 1 refers to local necking and u to the maximum load. Based on this relation an analysis of the forming limit diagram (FLD) for a number of metals over the temperature range of 78–700 K yielded the following expression for the FLD ϵ ∗ Z ≅{n u +m u (α ∗ 1 +ϵ u )} 0 +β{( ϵ ∗ 2 ϵ ∗ 1 )−( ϵ ∗ 2 ϵ ∗ 1 0 } where Z is the appropriate subtangent and β a constant of the order of 0.1. The superscript 0 refers to results in uniaxial tension. With this expression the FLD was calculated from results obtained in a uniaxial tension test and a cup test. A number of observations on sheet metal formability which had not been previously well understood are explained by taking into account the influence of strain-rate hardening (deformation kinetics). These include, for example: the reason for the poorer formability of Al alloys compared to steel and for the good formability of α-brass; why steels form better in cold weather and why cooling of the punch leads to better formability; and to what may be attributed the improved formability of dual-phase steels over that of conventional HSLA steels when considered at a constant tensile strength.
Science Signaling Podcast: 6 August 2013

This Podcast features an interview with Douglas Lauffenburger, author of a Research Article that appears in the 6 August 2013 issue of Science Signaling. In many types of cancers, cell growth is driven by changes in the activities of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). Drugs that target RTKs are used to treat various cancers, but tumor cells often become resistant to the drugs and resume growth. By analyzing a public collection of data on cancer cell lines, Meyer et al . found that increased signaling by the receptor tyrosine kinase AXL predicts the development of resistance to inhibitors of the RTK ErbB. ErbB and AXL cooperated to promote cell migration in triple-negative breast cancer cells, suggesting that simultaneously inhibiting AXL and ErbB may be more effective than treating with ErbB inhibitors alone.
Analog simulation of A-V conduction block and Wenckebach phenomenon.

Abstract The study of a mathematical model of A–V conduction block and Wenckebach phenomenon, based on a two-factor excitation and conduction theory, is aided by analog simulation. P and R wave generators and two generators of internal functions of the model with a comparator constituted the main five components of the electronic analog. The role of several parameters of the model may be shown. Variation of a single parameter can account for the progressively increasing P–R intervals which follow a skipped beat as well as the rarity of Wenckebach ratios above 8:7. It suggests an approach to differential diagnosis of reduced sensitivity from reduced recovery.
Does hormone therapy affect blood pressure changes in the Diabetes Prevention Program

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to examine whether blood pressure reductions differ by estrogen use among overweight glucose-intolerant women.MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of Diabetes Prevention Program postmenopausal participants who used oral estrogen with or without progestogen at bas
1593 THE USE OF THE RENAL BIOPSY TO PREDICT ALLOGRAPH REJECTTCN PEDIATRIC KIDNEY TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT

During an eight year period, 127 kidney transplants were performed on children and adolescents at the University of Florida. Seventy-three kidney biopsies were performed on 52 of these recipients (mean age 13 years) to elucidate deterioration of allograft function. Specimens were stained for routine light microscopy and immunofluorescence. Glomerular, tubular, interstitial, arteriole and arterial abnormalities were assessed by a 117 item survey of renal pathology. Fifty-six items described the distribution of pathologic changes and the remainder were graded observations of histologic abnormalities. The results were statistically evaluated in search of features that predicted the loss of the allograft within one year of the biopsy. Glomerular hypercellularity, swelling of the mesangial, endothelial and epithelial cells, encroachment on glomerular vascular space, basement membrane splitting, arteriolar wall hyperplasia, and arterial luminal compromise were associated with allograft rejection. Related items such as luminal compromise and cell swelling were strongly correlated in individual biopsy specimens. When two or three of these features were present in a specimen, the allograft was almost certain to be rejected within a year. Tubular changes, interstitial fibrosis or mononuclear cell infiltrates did not predict allograft rejection. Only half of the specimens had positive iirmunofluorescence reactions and none predicted allograft loss.
Influence of turning radius on wheeled military vehicle induced rut formation

A rut is a depression or groove formed into the ground by the travel of wheels and tracks. Ruts can cause severe influences on soil and vegetation, and reduce vehicle mobility. In this paper, rut depth and rut width were used as the main indicators to quantify a rut. A new indicator, rut index, was proposed, combining rut depth and rut width. A Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and a High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) were used for testing the influence of turning radius on rut depth, rut width and rut index. The LAV and the HMMWV were operated in spiral patterns at different speeds. Differential GPS data for the vehicles were collected every second during the spiral. Rut measurements were manually taken every 4–7 m along each of the spiral tracks. The results of field tests indicate that rut depth, rut width and rut index increase with the decrease of turning radius, especially when turning radius is less than 20 m. Velocity influences rut formation for the LAV but not HMMWV.
Abstract A42: Autocrine-produced IL-6 and IL-8 are essential for the growth and maintenance of the transformed phenotype of basal-like breast cancer cells

Breast cancers are now subdivided into distinct tumor types based upon molecular classification of tumor gene expression. While most breast cancers are driven by estrogen-mediated signaling (estrogen receptor-positive, (ER+) or Luminal-type breast cancers) or by addiction to the HER2 oncogene (HER2+ breast cancer), the essential cellular signals that control the growth of ER-negative and HER2-negative (or basal-type) breast cancers (approximately 15% of all breast cancers), are incompletely understood. Patients with these ER− and HER2− breast cancers have poor outcomes and few available treatment options other than non-specific chemotherapy. To identify novel targets for the treatment and prevention of basal breast cancers, we investigated the activity of inflammatory genes in these cancers, previously linked to the progression of several other types of cancer. To identify critical inflammatory genes in basal breast cancer, we performed univariate t-tests (FDR 1.5 or 1.5 or Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2011;4(10 Suppl):A42.
CaMKII associates with CaV1.2 L-type calcium channels via selected β subunits to enhance regulatory phosphorylation

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) facilitates L-type calcium channel (LTCC) activity physiologically, but may exacerbate LTCC-dependent pathophysiology. We previously showed that CaMKII forms stable complexes with voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) beta(1b) or beta(2a) subunits, but not with the beta(3) or beta(4) subunits (Grueter et al. 2008). CaMKII-dependent facilitation of Ca(V)1.2 LTCCs requires Thr498 phosphorylation in the beta(2a) subunit (Grueter et al. 2006), but the relationship of this modulation to CaMKII interactions with LTCC subunits is unknown. Here we show that CaMKII co-immunoprecipitates with forebrain LTCCs that contain Ca(V)1.2alpha(1) and beta(1) or beta(2) subunits, but is not detected in LTCC complexes containing beta(4) subunits. CaMKIIalpha can be specifically tethered to the I/II linker of Ca(V)1.2 alpha(1) subunits in vitro by the beta(1b) or beta(2a) subunits. Efficient targeting of CaMKIIalpha to the full-length Ca(V)1.2alpha(1) subunit in transfected HEK293 cells requires CaMKII binding to the beta(2a) subunit. Moreover, disruption of CaMKII binding substantially reduced phosphorylation of beta(2a) at Thr498 within the LTCC complex, without altering overall phosphorylation of Ca(V)1.2alpha(1) and beta subunits. These findings demonstrate a biochemical mechanism underlying LTCC facilitation by CaMKII.
An Implantable Magnetoelastic Sensor System for Wireless Physiological Sensing of Viscosity

Magnetoelastic resonance is a promising remote sensing technique which has been used for measurement of pressure, fluid flow, temperature, pH density and viscosity [1]. The main component of remote magnetoelastic sensing is a ferromagnetic metal alloy that has the ability to oscillate under the effect of an alternating magnetic field. When frequency of excitation matches with magnetoelastic beam characteristics, these materials resonate. Furthermore, the resulting resonance shifts depending on the pressure, viscosity, and temperature etc. in the vicinity of the beam which can also be collected remotely. This wireless capability without the need for power source makes this technology the most ideal for physiological sensing. Biomedical applications of these sensors are mostly limited to in vitro diagnostic applications [2–5]. The only in vivo application has been within the context of measuring the pH of the stomach in a pig model [6]. While the pig model demonstrated that signals can be transmitted through the belly of a pig, it is unknown as to whether the presence of a thick cortical bone would affect signal transmission. In this study, we assessed the feasibility of magnetoelastic wireless sensing for measuring the viscosity of bone marrow, a viscous fluid that is hidden behind both bone and muscle tissues.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Low proliferative activity in macroregenerative nodules: evidence for an alternate hypothesis concerning human hepatocarcinogenesis

UNLABELLED Macroregenerative nodules are commonly thought to be hyperplastic lesions, deriving both their large size and premalignant potential from an increased proliferative rate. We have previously suggested an alternate model of macroregenerative nodule development in which neither size nor premalignant potential of macroregenerative nodules would depend on increased proliferation. We tested this hypothesis by examining the proliferative activity in macroregenerative and surrounding cirrhotic nodules. METHODS Eighteen macroregenerative nodules, including five type I and 13 type II, were immunostained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Type II macroregenerative nodules included ten with diffuse large (7) or small (3) liver cell dysplasia only and eight containing nodule-in-nodule lesions. Five nodule-in-nodule lesions met the histologic criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma. PCNA labeling indices (PCNA-LIs; percentage positive hepatocyte nuclei/500 randomly counted cells) were determined in macroregenerative nodules and the four largest adjacent cirrhotic nodules. Nodule-in-nodule lesions were assessed separately from the background macroregenerative nodule. RESULTS 4/5 type I and 12/13 type II macroregenerative nodules (exclusive of NIN lesions) had PCNA-LIs lower than the mean of surrounding cirrhotic nodules. All nodule-in-nodule lesions, whether atypical or overtly malignant, had PCNA-LIs greater than any surrounding nodules. In conclusion, macroregenerative nodules have PCNA-LIs indistinguishable from, and often lower than, surrounding cirrhotic nodules. Increased proliferative activity only occurs with the development of atypia and transition to hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION Macroregenerative nodules derive neither their size nor their premalignant potential from on-going rapid proliferation, a finding consistent with our alternate hypothesis of macroregenerative nodule development.
Characteristics of cronar polyethylene terephthalate track detectors

Abstract Using beams of relativistic heavy ions at the LBL Bevalac, we have found that Cronar, the least sensitive of the commonly used plastic track detectors, has the highest charge resolution for particles with Z / β ≳ 76 and has other attractive properties that justify its use as a major component of the NASA Heavy Nuclei Collector being considered for the study of ultraheavy cosmic rays. We report measurements of its response curve, its charge resolution, its track-fading behavior, and the dependence of its response on ambient temperature.