cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Akt‐mediated regulation of NFκB and the essentialness of NFκB for the oncogenicity of PI3K and Akt

The serine/threonine kinase Akt (cellular homolog of murine thymoma virus akt8 oncogene), also known as PKB (protein kinase B), is activated by lipid products of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). Akt phosphorylates numerous protein targets that control cell survival, proliferation and motility. Previous studies suggest that Akt regulates transcriptional activity of the nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkappaB) by inducing phosphorylation and subsequent degradation of inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB). We show here that NFkappaB-driven transcription increases in chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEF) transformed by myristylated Akt (myrAkt). Accordingly, both a dominant negative mutant of Akt and Akt inhibitors repress NFkappaB-dependent transcription. The degradation of the IkappaB protein is strongly enhanced in Akt-transformed cells, and the loss of NFkappaB activity by introduction of a super-repressor of NFkappaB, IkappaBSR, interferes with PI3K- and Akt-induced oncogenic transformation of CEF. The phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NFkappaB at serine 534 is also upregulated in Akt-transformed cells. Our data suggest that the stimulation of NFkappaB by Akt is dependent on the phosphorylation of p65 at S534, mediated by IKK (IkappaB kinase) alpha and beta. Akt phosphorylates IKKalpha on T23, and this phosphorylation event is a prerequisite for the phosphorylation of p65 at S534 by IKKalpha and beta. Our results demonstrate two separate functions of the IKK complex in NFkappaB activation in cells with constitutive Akt activity: the phosphorylation and consequent degradation of IkappaB and the phosphorylation of p65. The data further support the conclusion that NFkappaB activity is essential for PI3K- and Akt-induced oncogenic transformation.
DNA sequencing by multiple capillaries that form a waveguide

A 12-capillary prototype electrophoresis system for DNA sequencing has been constructed. Laser illumination is introduced into an optical waveguide that is formed by an array of individual capillaries that serve both as the optical elements of the periodic array and as the channels containing sieving media for electrophoresis. A theoretical framework and experimental data will be presented to illustrate the viability of this approach.
Polarized vacuum ultraviolet and X-radiation

The most intense source of polarized vacuum UV and X radiation is synchrotron radiation, which exhibits a degree of partially polarized light between about 80-100%. However, the radiation transmitted by vacuum UV monochromators can also be highly polarized. The Seya-Namioka type of monochromator can produce partially polarized radiation between 50-80%. For certain experiments it is necessary to know the degree of polarization of the radiation being used. Also, when synchrotron radiation and a monochromator are combined the polarization characteristic of both should be known in order to make full use of these polarization properties. The polarizing effect of monochromators (i.e., diffraction gratings) have been measured at the Seya angle and at grazing angles for various spectral orders. Experimental evidence is presented which shows that the reciprocity law holds for polarization by reflection where the angle of incidence and diffraction are unequal. These results are reviewed along with the techniques for measuring the degree of polarization.
Testing the Hermetic Seal on Milk Product Packages

Abstract Water vapor is a normal component of air in the headspace of a milk product container and if the container is not hermetically sealed, water vapor will pass through the point of leakage. Absence of the hermetic seal was detected by placing cartons of sterilized milk product in a glass jar (held at 24 C) and measuring relative humidity of the air inside the jar for 6 weeks. Tests were with sterilized cream in half-pint foil-lined Pure Pak cartons and in nonfoil-lined Tetra Pak and Form Seal creamers. Relative humidity inside the jars containing the Pure Pak cartons increased from 50 to 88% in 5 weeks. Leakage from the Tetra Pak and Form Seal creamers occurred faster; relative humidity inside these jars increased from 50 to 88% in one week. The tests were repeated in a refrigerator at 5 C, and significant changes were recorded (75 to 90% relative humidity) during 6 weeks of exposure. Tests with foil-lined Tetra Pak cartons (from Canada), Thimonnier foil pouches (from France), and metal cans of evaporated milk indicated no leakage during 6 weeks.
Location and bond type of intermolecular contacts in the polymerisation of haemoglobin S

The solubility of 14 hybrid haemoglobins composed of α chains with a single substitution and β chains from HbS was compared with that of sickle haemoglobin. A substantial reduction in the insolubility of native deoxyhaemoglobin S results from surface mutations in certain regions of the α chain while changes in other areas have no effect. Also, the chemical nature of the substitution is decisive and points to the type of intermolecular bonding at several loci.
Emdogain promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation and stimulates osteoprotegerin expression.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of EMD on the growth and differentiation of osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) and on the expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), a key cytokine that inhibits osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast function. Study design MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with 100 μg/mL EMD in serum-free medium for 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 days, or in 2% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 3 weeks. Cells incubated without EMD served as negative control. At the end of each incubation period, cell numbers were counted and total cellular mRNA was extracted. Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR were performed to determine the mRNA levels of core binding factor alpha (Cbfa1), collagen α1 (I), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OC), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and OPG. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was also determined and compared between treatment and control groups. Results A marked increase in cell numbers was observed in EMD-treated groups from day 2 to day 7 (P Conclusions EMD promotes both proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and indirectly inhibits osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast function by stimulating the expression of OPG.
Tensile Strength Degradation of Ceramics from Prior Compression

The authors discuss how both theory and studies on models predict that cracks extend stably from flaws in brittle materials subjected to compression. Once cracks have originated and extended, the tensile strength transverse to the cracks should be reduced. Tests on siliconized carbide verify this prediction; however, tests on hot-pressed silicon nitride refute it. Possible morphologies of the inherent flaws are speculated.
Web-based decision support and visualization tools for water quality management in the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Federal, State, and local water quality managers charged with restoring the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem require tools to maximize the impact of their limited resources. To address this need, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Environmental Protection Agency's Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) are developing a suite of Web-based tools called the Chesapeake Online Assessment Support Toolkit (COAST). The goal of COAST is to help CBP partners identify geographic areas where restoration activities would have the greatest effect, select the appropriate management strategies, and improve coordination and prioritization among partners. As part of the COAST suite of tools focused on environmental restoration, a water quality management visualization component called the Nutrient Yields Mapper (NYM) tool is being developed by USGS. The NYM tool is a web application that uses watershed yield estimates from USGS SPAtially Referenced Regressions On Watershed (SPARROW) attributes model (Schwarz et al., 2006) [6] to allow water quality managers to identify important sources of nitrogen and phosphorous within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The NYM tool utilizes new open source technologies that have become popular in geospatial web development, including components such as OpenLayers and GeoServer. This paper presents examples of water quality data analysis based on nutrient type, source, yield, and area of interest using the NYM tool for the Chesapeake Bay watershed. In addition, we describe examples of map-based techniques for identifying high and low nutrient yield areas; web map engines; and data visualization and data management techniques.
The protein identification resource (PIR)

The Protein Identification Resource, which provides the scientific community with an efficient on-line computer system designed for the identification and analysis of protein sequences and their corresponding coding sequences, has been established. The resource consists of an integrated computer system composed of a number of protein and nucleic acid sequence databases and the software necessary to analyze this information effectively.
The cause of surface tension increase with temperature in multicomponent aluminosilicates derived from coal-ash slags

An explanation is proposed for the increase of surface tension with temperature in multicomponent aluminosilicate systems such as those derived from coal-ash slags. Two major factors are considered: (1) depolymerization of aluminosilicates caused by rearrangements of intermediate structures in the surface layers, and (2) the increase in surface entropy caused by evaporation of some ash slag components. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis spectra were recorded for oxygen 1s photoelectrons on quenched bulk slags and on sessile drops to gain insight into the depolymerization of coal-ash slags with temperature. The tests performed on quenched bulk slags indicated replacement of bridging oxygen [Si-O] with non-bridging oxygen atoms [Si-O−] as a function of increasing temperature. Mossbauer spectra showed an increase in ferrous iron from 4% to 12% of total iron as temperature rose from 1400 °C to 1500 °C. The increase in non-bridging oxygens resulted from the reduction of tetrahedrally coordinated Fe3+ to octahedrally coordinated Fe2+. Also, the intensity of the non-bridging oxygen 1s photoelectron peak was higher when detected on the surface of a sessile drop than when detected from the bulk of the drop.
Impact of resolution in multi-conjugate adaptive optics systems using segmented mirrors

ABSTRACT In moderate-to-strong scintillation, multi-conjugate adaptive optics (MCAO) appears promising to compensatefor amplitude and phase uctuations. In this research, a MCAO system is simulated with a segmented deformablemirror (DM) reshaping the amplitude and the second DM (continuous) attening the phase after propagationfrom the segmented mirror. A Gerchberg-Saxton (GS) type algorithm is used with Fresnel propagation betweenDM planes. The eects of varying the phases apparent resolution on a segmented DM in the pupil plane isinvestigated. Results show the mean square error in the reshaped beam decreases as D/r o and Rytov numberincrease over the range of conditions tested ( r o :0.11 m - 0 .36 m). The eld-estimated Strehl ratio dropsprecipitously when the number of subapertures is increased beyond about 36 across, using a branch-point-tolerant unwrapper, due to the presence of branch points. On the second DM, by using the mean of the phasewithin each subaperture before back propagating to the rst DM plane (inside the GS loop), the Strehl ratio wasimproved 6  11 percent using 4  19 actuators across. Further a novel method of cascading segmented DMs, ofincreasingly higher resolution, doing amplitude reshaping followed by a continuous DM to atten the phase isexplored.Keywords: Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm, scintillation, multi-conjugate adaptive optics, amplitude reshaping,resolution eects, branch points/cuts
Universal low-energy dynamics for rotating black holes

Fundamental string theory has been used to show that low-energy excitations of certain black holes are described by a two-dimensional conformal field theory. This picture has been found to be extremely robust. In this paper it is argued that many essential features of the low-energy effective theory can be inferred directly from a semiclassical analysis of the general Kerr-Newman solution of supersymmetric four-dimensional Einstein-Maxwell gravity, without using string theory. We consider the absorption and emission of scalars with orbital angular momentum, which provide a sensitive probe of the black hole. We find that the semiclassical emission rates{emdash}including super-radiant emission and greybody factors{emdash}for such scalars agree in striking detail with those computed in the effective conformal field theory, in both four and five dimensions. Also the value of the quantum mass gap to the lowest-lying excitation of a charge-Q black hole, E{sub gap}=1/8Q{sup 3} in Planck units, can be derived without knowledge of fundamental string theory. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Seasonal changes in the distribution and growth of Laurencia poitei (rhodophyceae, ceramiales) in a subtropical lagoon

Abstract Seasonal changes in the biomass and growth rates of Laurencia poitei (Lamouroux) Howe (Rhodophyceae, Ceramiales) were studied in Card Sound, a shallow subtropical lagoon in the Florida Keys, U.S.A. Quarterly surveys of the standing crop were made in conjunction with biweekly measurements of growth rates. The algal biomass increased from late September to April and then declined during the summer. The local distribution of L. poitei was largely dependent upon water circulation within the Sound. The growth rates at deep water stations averaged 2–5% weight increase/day during the late fall and spring, and 0–2% at other seasons. Maximum growth occurred between 23 and 26° C and at subsurface light intensities of 275–325 g cal/cm 2 /day. The alga's annual production was estimated to be 21 g dry wt./m 2 /year.
Editorial Comment—Is There a Perihematomal Ischemic Penumbra? More Questions and an Overlooked Clue

“It is, of course, a trifle, but there is nothing so important as trifles.” — —Sherlock Holmes, as told by Arthur Conan Doyle Compared with ischemic stroke, relatively little is known about the events leading to permanent parenchymal damage due to a primary intracerebral hematoma (ICH). It has been hypothesized that one aspect of the final pathology may be an ischemic penumbra surrounding the hematoma due in part to pressure exerted by the mass on surrounding vasculature. This hypothesis has been difficult to study in human ICH. If such a penumbra exists, then it may be most likely found in the sickest patients—those too unstable to tolerate study or those quickly referred to surgical intervention before the possibility of a penumbra can be investigated. Thus the dilemma of finding a penumbral signature in the first 6 hours is that one must examine a subgroup of ICH patients that may be less likely to demonstrate it. If a penumbra exists, could one detect …
Brown-Sequard syndrome produced by cervical disc herniation: Case report and literature review

BACKGROUND The Brown-Sequard Syndrome is most commonly described in conjunction with a traumatic injury to the spinal cord. the condition involves ipsilateral loss of motor function, proprioception, and vibratory sensation, combined with contralateral loss of pain and temperature sensation. CASE REPORT A 56 year-old female developed left thigh discomfort and numbness. Over the next five months, this spread to involve her left leg and chest to the axilla. Physical examination revealed myelopathy. Also present were motor, proprioceptive, and vibratory deficits in the right leg. A left sensory level to T2 was present. An MRI scan showed a large right cervical herniated disc with unilateral spinal cord compression. Following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, the patient's symptoms have steadily improved. CONCLUSIONS The Brown-Sequard Syndrome can be caused by a herniated cervical disc. MRI scans should be employed early in the diagnostic evaluation of such patients, particularly in the absence of penetrating trauma or other obvious causes of the syndrome.
Longitudinal Associations between Maternal Work Stress, Negative Work-Family Spillover, and Depressive Symptoms

The current study examined associations over an 18-month period between maternal work stressors, negative work-family spillover, and depressive symptoms in a sample of 414 employed mothers with young children living in six predominantly nonmetropolitan counties in the Eastern United States. Results from a one-group mediation model revealed that a less flexible work environment and greater work pressure predicted higher levels of depressive symptoms, and further, that these associations were mediated by perceptions of negative work-family spillover. Additionally, results from a two-group mediation model suggested that work pressure predicted greater perceptions of spillover only for mothers employed full-time. Findings suggest the need for policies that reduce levels of work stress and help mothers manage their work and family responsibilities.
Failure to detect an effect of pinealectomy in goldfish

Abstract Goldfish were pinealectomized and maintained under laboratory conditions for up to 9 months. The pinealectomized fish did not differ significantly from the sham-operated controls in thyroid gland activity or interrenal gland activity as judged by histological indices. Gonadosomatic index, paraldehyde fuchsin stainability of the preoptic nucleus, and general body condition also remained unchanged from the control condition.
An evaluation of a peer-based HIV/AIDS education program as implemented in a suburban high school setting

ABSTRACT This study presents the results of an evaluation of a peer-based HIV/AIDS education program, the BASE program, as implemented in a suburban high school setting. The participants were 132 high school students who participated in an “AIDS Awareness Day” as a part of the BASE program in their high school. Each student completed preintervention and postintervention measures of HIV knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS. Results indicated that no significant change in knowledge was observed from preintervention to postintervention. A significant decrease in fear of becoming HIV infected was observed from preintervention to postintervention; however, other attitudes did not change over time. The results suggest limited effectiveness of the program as implemented in changing student knowledge of and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS. The role of fidelity to the original program is highlighted. This study provides relevant data for individuals and organizations who are responsible for selecting and implementing...
Control of Na+-K+-ATPase β1-subunit expression: role of 3′-untranslated region

Using in vitro translation and cell transfection assays, we previously demonstrated that the Na+-K+-ATPase β1 mRNA species containing its longest 3′-untranslated region (UTR) exhibited the lowest t...
Acuity for orientation measured with a sequential recognition task and signal detection methods.

An orientation recognition task with two stimuli was employed as the basis of a psychophysical method for measuring sensitivity to orientation. Essentially, this method depends on a subject’s ability to discriminate between two stimuli differing in orientation and presented to the same retinal area in random succession from trial to trial. Advantages of this sequential method over traditional simultaneous matching methods are discussed. Its feasibility is demonstrated in a signal detection analysis of acuity for the orientation of short luminous slits presented foveally on a dark field at seven reference orientations varying between 0° and 90°. In both subjects employed, sensitivity was greater for horizontal and vertical orientations than for other slopes (the oblique effect).
Interface Structure of an Epitaxial Cubic Ceria Film on Cubic Zirconia

A cubic CeO2 (001) film of thickness equal to {approx}58 nm was epitaxially grown on Y2O3-stabilized cubic ZrO2 by oxygen plasma assisted molecular beam epitaxy (OPA-MBE). The interface was characterized using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The interface exhibited coherent regions separated by equally-spaced misfit dislocations. When imaged from the[100] direction, the dislocation spacing is 3.3? 0.5 nm, which is slightly shorter than the expected value of 4.9 nm calculated from the differences in lattice constants given in the literature, but is fairly consistent with the 3.9 nm lattice mismatch measured by electron diffraction. Thus, the results presented here indicate that the lattice mismatch between the film and the substrate is accommodated mainly by interface misfit dislocations above some critical thickness.
Optical Properties of Dye Molecules Adsorbed on Single Gold and Silver Nanoparticles

Despite the well-known relationship between the resonance Raman excitation profile and the absorption line shape, there is scant experimental evidence for effects in absorption or fluorescence spectroscopy related to the observations of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). On the other hand, numerous Raman studies have been done on the SERS phenomenon, where large enhancement factors have been determined. In this work, the absorption properties of molecules adsorbed on single gold and silver nanoparticles (monomers) have been investigated, with particular emphasis on an examination of the effect on the spectrum of the adsorbate. A number of the adsorbates studied are similar to those reported in SERS studies. The adsorbates can be divided into two classes according to the nature of the interaction with the adsorbent. Class I shows little change in the absorption spectrum. Class II shows a large reduction in absorption. The only examples of an increase in absorption arise from solvatochromic effects. ...
Historical Note on the Origins of Several Useful Infrared Techniques

A brief discussion is presented which identifies the origins and developers of several widely used techniques in infrared spectroscopy.
Analysis of polyhexamethylene biguanide in multipurpose contact lens solutions

The objective of this study was to establish a reasonably simple and reliable method to measure very low concentrations of polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) in multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPSs). By using a weak cation exchange solid phase extraction cartridge to extract the PHMB from MPS, followed by HPLC analysis using an evaporative light scattering detector, low levels (0.1 ppm) of PHMB were detected. Application of this method to a series of off-the-shelf MPS with PHMB as the active ingredient demonstrated these solutions contain 1 ppm. The contact lens solution with hydrogen peroxide as the active ingredient gave no peak where the PHMB peak eluted. The Polyquad contact lens solution generated a peak close to the retention time of PHMB. Recovery of PHMB from fortified hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution was good at 0.25 ppm and above; 105% with a RSD of 17% or less. The repeatability of the HPLC system ranged from 4 to 11% RSD; the reproducibility of the entire method was less than 17.5% RSD. Storage and stability studies indicated that storage of MPS with PHMB for chemical analysis are not temperature dependent, but are affected by the composition of the container in which the contact lens solution is stored.
Buckling and postbuckling behaviour of gabled frames

With the continuing trend toward optimization of engineering structures it can be expected that buckling, and in particular imperfection sensitive forms of buckling, will increasingly govern design. This study investigates the buckling and postbuckling behaviour of planar steel gabled frames under static loading. The rise, span length, and column stiffness are parameterised and their effect on the gabled frame strength is analyzed. Kinematic and material nonlinearities are included. It is shown that for certain combination of parameters the structure may exhibit a very severe imperfection sensitivity due to the simultaneous occurrence of the buckling load and the load that causes the collapse mechanism (compound failure).
Further characterization of interactions between gamete surface antigens of Plasmodium falciparum

Target antigens of malaria transmission blocking immunity include a complex of 3 gamete surface proteins of 230-kDa and 48/45-kDa glycoproteins. Previous studies have shown that epitopes recognized by blocking antibodies are conformational (reduction sensitive) in nature. Studies were conducted to characterize the interactions between the target antigens and role of disulfide groups in the formation of the complex. Treatment of detergent extracts of gametes with chaotropic agents and extremes of pH resulted in dissociation of the complex. The interaction between the 3 proteins was also perturbed when the extract was incubated in the presence of antibodies against the 230-kDa protein but not against the 48/45-kDa doublet. Chemical modifications of disulfide and sulfhydryl groups in the target antigens, otherwise inaccessible either in the total extract or after phase separation in Triton X-114, required prior denaturation of antigens.
Emulsion stability—experimental studies on simultaneous flocculation and creaming

An experimental technique has been developed to study the emulsion stability with simultaneous flocculation and creaming. Experiments were carried out by using different ionic strengths, two different dispersants in water (C36H74 and C28H58) and different particle size distributions. Cyclic changes in particle size distributions (PSD) are observed when flocculation and creaming occur simultaneously. Initially, the PSD shifts to the right toward larger particle sizes and then reverses and shifts to the left toward smaller particle sizes. This reverse shift in PSD had been observed both in theory and experiment. There are no adjustable parameters in the theory and the agreement between the theoretically predicted changes in PSD and those observed experimentally is excellent.
Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema following injection of methotrexate into the cerebrospinal fluid

The most common pulmonary disorder induced by methotrexate is a gradually developing interstitial pneumonitis. The associated clinical manifestations include slowly progressive dyspnea and nonproductive cough, with extensive radiographic changes. One case has been reported following intrathecal methotrexate administration; the remainder occurred after either intravenous or oral therapy. We report two cases of rapidly developing respiratory distress following the administration of methotrexate into the cerebrospinal fluid. The clinical courses, radiologic findings, and, in one patient, the pathologic nature, are consistent with noncardiogenic pulmonary edema.
Ultrasensitive proteomics using high-efficiency on-line micro-SPE-nanoLC-nanoESI MS and MS/MS.

Ultrasensitive nanoscale proteomics approaches for characterizing proteins from complex proteomic samples of <50 ng of total mass are described. Protein identifications from 0.5 pg of whole proteome extracts were enabled by ultrahigh sensitivity (<75 zmol for individual proteins) achieved using high-efficiency (peak capacities of ∼103) 15-μm-i.d. capillary liquid chromatography separations (i.e., using nanoLC, ∼20 nL/min mobile-phase flow rate at the optimal linear velocity of ∼0.2 cm/s) coupled on-line with a micro-solid-phase sample extraction and a nanoscale electrospray ionization interface to a 11.4-T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometer (MS). Proteome measurement coverage improved as sample size was increased from as little as 0.5 pg of sample. It was found that a 2.5-ng sample provided 14% coverage of all annotated open reading frames for the microorganism Deinococcus radiodurans, consistent with previous results for a specific culture condition. The estimated detecti...
Development of Organ Systems in the Northern Anchovy, Engraulis Mordax, and Other Teleosts

SYNOPSIS. Certain aspects of development that are indicative of changing functional and ecological capabilities are reviewed for six different organ systems in the northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax , and other teleosts. The six organ systems are the integument, the lateral line system, the eye, the digestive tract, the gas bladder, and the trunk musculature. The integument develops gradually but also has transient specialized cells during the larval period. The lateral line system is functional at hatching and then elaborates by recruitment proportional to growth during the larval period. The eyes are capable of photopic binocular vision when feeding starts, and later gradually develop a scotopic system. The digestive tract develops a capacity for protein digestion and filtering during the mid and late larval period. The gas bladder gradually develops an expansion capability by muscle differentiation after initial inflation. The trunk musculature differentiates and recruits two fiber types that gradually supercede the embryonic musculature during the larval period. Thus much of the development of organs in the anchovy after hatching or after feeding starts can be characterized as initial differentiation and then continued recruitment of specialized cell arrays. Behavior patterns appear to develop in conjunction with such recruitments. This may apply to fishes generally, but pattern and tempo of development must differ among species. Brief comparison of the anchovy and the Pacific mackerel, which has a more rapid and direct development, suggests that some of the differences in the two types of larvae relate to the marked difference in feeding modes of the adult stages.
Human In Vitro Suppression as Screening Tool for the Recognition of an Early State of Immune Imbalance

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are critical mediators of immune tolerance to self-antigens. In addition, they are crucial regulators of the immune response following an infection. Despite efforts to identify unique surface marker on Tregs, the only unique feature is their ability to suppress the proliferation and function of effector T cells. While it is clear that only in vitro assays can be used in assessing human Treg function, this becomes problematic when assessing the results from cross-sectional studies where healthy cells and cells isolated from subjects with autoimmune diseases (like Type 1 Diabetes-T1D) need to be compared. There is a great variability among laboratories in the number and type of responder T cells, nature and strength of stimulation, Treg:responder ratios and the number and type of antigen-presenting cells (APC) used in human in vitro suppression assays. This variability makes comparison between studies measuring Treg function difficult. The Treg field needs a standardized suppression assay that will work well with both healthy subjects and those with autoimmune diseases. We have developed an in vitro suppression assay that shows very little intra-assay variability in the stimulation of T cells isolated from healthy volunteers compared to subjects with underlying autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. The main goal of this piece is to describe an in vitro human suppression assay that allows comparison between different subject groups. Additionally, this assay has the potential to delineate a small loss in nTreg function and anticipate further loss in the future, thus identifying subjects who could benefit from preventive immunomodulatory therapy1. Below, we provide thorough description of the steps involved in this procedure. We hope to contribute to the standardization of the in vitro suppression assay used to measure Treg function. In addition, we offer this assay as a tool to recognize an early state of immune imbalance and a potential functional biomarker for T1D.
Work unit incivility, job satisfaction, and total quality management among transportation employees

Survey results from 1381 employees working in a state department of transportation tested the idea that uncivil work environments bear undesirable consequences for job satisfaction and diminish the effectiveness of quality management practices. Results demonstrated that incivility does not have to be personally experienced to have deleterious effects, merely witnessed. Perceived workplace incivility was found to adversely affect job satisfaction and the effectiveness of quality programs aimed at teamwork, customer focus and continuous improvement, even after controlling for race, gender and prior experience of harassment. Managers are advised to broaden their consideration of incivility to include its effects on observers.
Parent–offspring resemblance in colony-specific adult survival of cliff swallows

Survival is a key component of fitness. Species that occupy discrete breeding colonies with different characteristics are often exposed to varying costs and benefits associated with group size or environmental conditions, and survival is an integrative net measure of these effects. We investigated the extent to which survival probability of adult (≥1-year old) cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) occupying different colonies resembled that of their parental cohort and thus whether the natal colony had long-term effects on individuals. Individuals were cross-fostered between colonies soon after hatching and their presence as breeders monitored at colonies in the western Nebraska study area for the subsequent decade. Colony-specific adult survival probabilities of offspring born and reared in the same colony, and those cross-fostered away from their natal colony soon after birth, were positively and significantly related to subsequent adult survival of the parental cohort from the natal colony. This result held when controlling for the effect of natal colony size and the age composition of the parental cohort. In contrast, colony-specific adult survival of offspring cross-fostered to a site was unrelated to that of their foster parent cohort or to the cohort of non-fostered offspring with whom they were reared. Adult survival at a colony varied inversely with fecundity, as measured by mean brood size, providing evidence for a survival–fecundity trade-off in this species. The results suggest some heritable variation in adult survival, likely maintained by negative correlations between fitness components. The study provides additional evidence that colonies represent non-random collections of individuals.
Metabolic adaptations in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-diabetic rats following exercise training

Compensatory metabolic adaptations induced in streptozotocin-diabetic rat skeletal muscle by submaximal endurance training have been investigated. The gastrocnemius muscles of sedentary streptozotocin-diabetic rats were found to have a lower than normal myoglobin content, succinate dehydrogenase activity, and capacity to oxidize pyruvate and palmitate-1-[14C]. The values of these parameters were significantly increased in the diabetic skeletal muscle by the training program, obtaining levels similar to those of normal sedentary animals.
Mesenchymal cells from the human embryonic palate are highly responsive to epidermal growth factor

An established line of mesenchymal cells from the human embryonic palate is highly sensitive to the stimulatory effect of epidermal growth factor on growth, labeled thymidine incorporation, and ornithine decarboxylase activity. The results suggest that epidermal growth factor may play a key role in development of various human embryonic and fetal tissues.
Diffusion of Stars in a Harmonic Potential

In a simple approximation, the evolution of a stellar system can be described in terms of the solutions to a diffusion equation for motion in a harmonic potential. This paper presents a discussion and characterization of the normal modes for this equation. These solutions are of particular interest in that they provide a simple example of the interplay between dynamical and relaxation phenomena. For the case of a large system, in which the relaxation timet r is much greater than the dynamical timet d,there exists a well-defined sense in which the effects of relaxation may be viewed as a perturbation of motion in the fixed field: the dynamical effects give rise to a purely oscillatory behavior, whereas collisions among stars provide a dissipative mechanism that drives the system towards the unique isothermal equilibrium. Alternatively, the presence of the fixed potential serves to alter the ‘e-folding’ time for the various modes. In the limit thatt r ≫t d , all characteristic relaxation times are essentially doubled. This suggests a danger in the use of ‘velocity space’ equations to model the effects of evaporation.
The order of stress singularities for bonded and disbonded three-material junctions

Abstract In-plane solutions are given for the order of the stress singularity at an internal point in an elastic, isotropic solid where three wedges of different materials meet. The three interfaces are either all perfectly bonded or a disbond is introduced along one interface. One feature of this three-material junction that is not present for the corresponding two-material case, is that each interface is geometrically different and, therefore, the singular behavior is dependent on which interface is disbonded. Each material and geometrical combination therefore gives rise to four problems, one with perfect bonding at all interfaces, and three cases of an interface disbond. Numerical results are presented for selected three-material junctions. New results for two-material junctions and wedges that serve as special cases for the present study are also presented.
Interim analysis of the use of the anti-idiotype breast cancer vaccine 11D10 (TriAb) in conjunction with autologous stem cell transplantation in patients with metastatic breast cancer.

Abstract The anti-idiotype monoclonal antibody breast cancer vaccine 11D10 (TriAb®) was administered before and after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in 45 patients with metastatic breast cancer whose disease was responsive to conventional chemotherapy. Evidence of a positive anti-anti-idiotype antibody (Ab3) humoral response was noted at a median of 1.75 months post-ASCT (range, before ASCT–6 months) with this strategy. Maximal Ab3 levels and idiotype-specific T-cell proliferative responses were observed at a median of 3 and 4 months, respectively, after ASCT. The achievement of rapid immune responses after ASCT, during a known period of decreased immunoresponsiveness, opens the possibility of an additional antitumor effect at a time when the tumor burden is relatively small. Moreover, in this interim analysis, patients with the most vigorous humoral and cellular immune responses had a significant improvement in progression-free survival. Further follow-up and evaluation of this approach is warranted.
Integration of a V&V smart munition model into OneSAF testbed baseline for simulation and training

This paper describes the integration of a verified and validated (V&V) smart munition model for the Army's Hornet sublet into OneSAF Testbed Baseline for equipment performance simulation, testing, and training. This effort improves realism of current Hornet behavior in the Testbed by implementing sublet fly-out to model the effects of target type, speed, and environmental conditions on target acquisition. Also addressed are issues of maintaining a V&V of the model and at the same time reducing fidelity of the model to obtain real-time simulation of the sublet fly-out and target acquisition.
Digital libraries and design for social engagement

New information and communication technologies are fundamentally changing social engagement. Through an evaluation of literature, I critique digital library research in the context of consumer health information. This paper first explains the concepts of digital libraries and healthcare informatics. An example of design for social engagement is presented. This paper concludes with themes for future research on the grounds of designing for social engagement through digital libraries. Social engagement should become a key component of the emerging Digital Library discussions.
Switchable Friction of Stimulus-Responsive Hydrogels†

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (pNIPAAm) gels are stimulus-responsive hydrogels that exhibit large reversible changes in their volume and surface physicochemical properties near the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in response to external stimuli, such as a change in temperature or solvent composition. Here we report how different phase states, induced isothermally by changes in the solvent composition, affect the tribological properties of pNIPAAm hydrogels. Our measurements indicate that gels in a collapsed conformation (above the LCST) exhibit significantly more friction than swollen gels (below the LCST) at low shear rates. These differences arise from changes in the surface roughness, adhesive interactions, and chain entanglements of the gel surfaces associated with the phase transition. Importantly, we show that the changes in friction, triggered by an external stimulus, are reversible. These reversible and possibly tunable changes in friction may have a significant impact on the design of coatings for biosensors and for actuation devices based on stimulus-responsive hydrogels.
Controlling Diffusion of Solutes Through Ionically Crosslinked Alginate Hydrogels Designed for Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering aims at creating new tissues as alternatives to organ transplants. Our approach is to incorporate cells into biodegradable polymer scaffolds designed to temporarily support new tissue formation. An important requirement of scaffolds is homogeneity. Homogeneity ensures structural integrity, uniform distribution of cells, and uniform porosity throughout the scaffold. Controlling pore sizes is necessary to regulate exchange of nutrients and waste products for cells. Pores too large can provide entryway to immune cells that can harm allogenic cells and developing tissue. We have fabricated three-dimensionally defined, homogeneous, ionically crosslinked alginate gels with a controlled slow-gelation system involving CaCO3 and D-glucono-δ-lactone. We varied the structural parameters and alginate types of these gels to control the diffusion of glucose, vitamin B12 and FITC-dextran (molecular weights of 180, 1355 and 9500, respectively) through the gels. Experiments were performed with gel discs placed between side-by-side donor and receptor chambers in a humidified incubator at 37°C. Samples were taken periodically and measured on a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Generally, diffusion coefficient (D) increased with decreasing solute size. Varying structural parameters of the gels did not have a significant effect on diffusivity of vitamin B12. In contrast, for gels made with a Ca2+ to carboxyl molar ratio of 0.36, D of FITCdextran increased from (2.88 ± 0.52)×10-7 to (4.66 ± 0.48)×10-7 cm2/sec as alginate concentration decreased from 3.2% to 1.5%, respectively. D of FITC-dextran also increased from (3.17 ± 0.30)×10-7 to (4.66 ± 0.48)×10-7 cm2/sec as crosslinking density decreased for 1.5% alginate gels from a Ca2+ to carboxyl molar ratio of 0.72 to 0.36, respectively. D was highest for alginate gels with the highest guluronic acid content. Controlling diffusivity allows alginate gels with specific properties to be fabricated for tissue engineering scaffolding and other biomedical applications.
When Doctors and Daughters Disagree: Twenty‐Two Days and Two Blinks of an Eye

A cornerstone of American medical ethics is the right to say, �Keep your hands off of me,� to decline medical treatment. A central problem is how to decide about individuals who have become incapacitated and can no longer request or refuse potentially life-sustaining treatment. An advance directive is a formal attempt to protect people's right to autonomy when they are no longer autonomous. As such, it assumes that previously expressed wishes are precise and immutable, but many families make decisions together, and individuals may negotiate, compromise, and modify their genuine preferences, especially when novel threats arise, and the stakes are high. The current article describes a case in which two daughters overruled a patient's explicit preference to refuse life-sustaining treatment, leading to burdensome illness before death. In the end, the mother seemed to understand her children's needs and seemed willing, at least in retrospect, to have met those needs. After the death of this individual, we continued to talk with the daughters and videotaped an interview in which they shared their perspectives on the case. The daughters consented to be videotaped and to share the video with the medical community (available in online version of article). Their forceful devotion to their mother and their search in retrospect for what could have been done differently has completely changed our understanding of events. We believe that the daughters� behavior is not the indefensible breach of respect for person that it seemed to be. Their mother's true wishes might well have included a desire to help her children during her own dying. Family members� preferences are likely to be important considerations for many people, although the possibility of coercion has to be acknowledged as well. Accommodating this level of decision-making complexity is highly problematic for our understanding of advance directives.
Factors Influencing Food Buying Practices in Residents of a Low-Income Food Desert and a Low-Income Food Oasis:

Studies suggest that proximity to a supermarket influences access to healthy foods. However, little is known about factors that influence food buying practices within areas with limited supermarket access. This study identified these factors and explored how they are related and influence healthy eating. Twenty-five men and women engaged in the concept mapping process, a mixed methods approach allowing participants to identify, sort, and rate ideas. Participants generated 121 unique (nonduplicate) statements of factors that influence food buying practices and sorted them into 12 clusters that represented their perceptions. Average cluster ratings for residents with poor supermarket access were higher than residents with supermarket access. Awareness of these factors is important for increasing access to and consumption of healthy foods.