cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A possible role of GABAergic mechanism in the convulsant action of RO5-4864

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the possible role of GABAergic mechanism in the convulsant action of RO5-4864. Benzodiazepines (BZ) and other agents which facilitate central GABAergic transmission delayed the onset of facial and forelimb clonus, whereas tonic hind limb extension was blocked in a dose-dependent manner. RO5-4864-induced convulsions were blocked by diazepam, clonazepam, pentobarbital, ethanol and amino-oxyacetic acid (AOAA). RO5-4864-induced convulsions were not blocked by the BZ antagonist RO15-1788. Specifically, RO15-1788 caused a decrease in the onset of severity component of tonic seizures, which tended to become generalized and precipitated in a tonic extension of the hindlimbs. Further, subconvulsive doses of a direct GABA receptor antagonist, bicuculline, enhanced the proconvulsant action of RO5-4864, indicating thereby a potential antagonism of the central GABAergic transmission. These observations strongly suggest that RO5-4864 probably elicits convulsions by selective impairment of the GABAergic transmission.
Moving or Stopping Mitochondria: Miro as a Traffic Cop by Sensing Calcium

Mitochondrial transport in neurons and their spatial distribution among synapses are directly correlated with synaptic activity. One paper in this issue of Neuron (MacAskill et al.) and two papers recently published in Cell (Wang and Schwarz) and PNAS (Saotome et al.) provide compelling evidence that Miro serves as a calcium sensor that controls mitochondrial mobility.
Phillips Curves, Phillips Lines and the Unemployment Costs of Overheating

Most empirical work on the U.S. Phillips curve has had a strong tendency to impose global linearity on the data. The basic objective of this paper is to reconsider the issue of nonlinearity and to underscore its importance for policymaking. After briefly reviewing the history of the Phillips curve and the basis for convexity, we derive it explicitly using standard models of wage and price determination. We provide some empirical estimates of Phillips curves and Phillips lines for the United States and use some illustrative simulations to contrast the policy implications of the two models.
Generation of an Analog-sensitive Syk Tyrosine Kinase for the Study of Signaling Dynamics from the B Cell Antigen Receptor

The Syk protein-tyrosine kinase is an essential component of the signaling machinery that couples the B cell receptor for antigen to multiple downstream signal transduction pathways. Syk is phosphorylated and activated rapidly and transiently following receptor engagement, but many signaling events, such as the activation of transcription factors occur over the course of several minutes or hours. To investigate a role for the continued activation of Syk in these processes, we generated an analog-sensitive mutant with an engineered ATP-binding pocket to render the kinase uniquely sensitive to an orthogonal inhibitor. Mutation of the gatekeeper residue in Syk yielded an enzyme with very low activity. Second-site mutations, selected based on structural comparisons between Syk and Src, were introduced that restored catalytic activity to the mutant Syk. Syk-deficient DT40 B cells were prepared expressing the analog-sensitive Syk (Syk-AQL). Inhibition of the activity of Syk prior to, concomitant with or shortly following receptor engagement led to the rapid inhibition of receptor-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation and blocked the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, NF-κB, and NFAT. The receptor-mediated activation of NF-κB required active Syk for a relatively short period of time, whereas the activation of NFAT required active kinase for a prolonged (>1 h) period. Receptor cross-linking led to the recruitment of Syk to the clustered receptor. Retention of these receptor-kinase complexes on the cell surface was dependent on the continued activity of Syk. Thus, despite the apparent transient nature of the activation of Syk, the catalytic activity of the Syk was required for sustained signaling from ligated receptors.
Is it Live or is it Memorex? Students' Synchronous and Asynchronous Communication with Scientists

This study compared students' investigations with an atomic force microscope and viruses in real‐time synchronous and asynchronous learning environments. Student interactions with scientists (live videoconference versus email) were examined to see whether communication patterns were different for the different modes of instruction. Students' knowledge of viruses, microscopy, and nanoscale science was compared for asynchronous (n = 44) and synchronous treatments (n = 41). Eight teams of four students were video‐recorded and student discourse was analyzed. Data sources included students' questions, pre‐instruction and post‐instruction knowledge assessments, and written descriptions of the investigations. Results showed that students in the asynchronous group asked significantly more inquiry and interpretation questions of scientists and fewer questions about the scientists than students in the synchronous group. Both groups showed significant gains in knowledge of virus types and morphology. Students in the...
A “Moore's Law”-like approach to roadmapping photovoltaic technologies

Abstract The photovoltaics industry has made steady progress over the past 40 years toward increasing solar cell and module efficiencies while incrementally lowering the initial installed cost of photovoltaic systems. These two factors dominate in lowering the cost of solar electric energy (in ¢/(kW-h)) as it approaches parity in cost with electric energy produced conventionally using coal, nuclear, or natural gas. An interesting question regards whether there is a relationship that describes the evolution of photovoltaics Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) similar to Moore's Law characterization of microelectronics evolution of transistor size and density. With some caveats, we believe a similar PV relationship can be defined; the purpose of this paper is to propose and discuss a basis for this relationship. To achieve parity the installed cost of PV systems needs to be reduced by 50% from approximately $600/m2 to $300/m2 with a concurrent increase in c-Si module efficiency to 24% AM1.5. The trajectories in time needed to drive a technology roadmap for lowering the installed cost and for increasing the module efficiency to achieve parity are discussed. Also, a new methodology for calculating LCOE for PV systems is proposed and discussed in Appendix .
The aerodynamics of some guided projectiles

Some characteristic projectile shapes are considered with various added components intended to provide lift, stability, and control. The intent of the additions is to provide some means for altering the normal ballistic flight path of a projectile for various purposes such as: achieving greater accuracy at the impact point, selecting alternate impact points, extending range, improved evasion, and so on. The configurations presented illustrate the effects of a flare, wings, and tails for providing stability and lift, and the effects of aft-tails, a close-coupled flap, and all-moving forward wings for control. The relative merits of the various configurations, all of which provided for flight path alterations are discussed.
Cohesive Finite Element Simulation of the Impact Response of Polymer Bonded Explosives

The impact response of HMX/Estane, a Polymer Bonded Explosive (PBX), is analyzed under two-dimensional plane-strain conditions using a cohesive finite element method (CFEM). The framework enables the consideration of arbitrary microstructures. The binder polymer is modeled as a viscoelastic material. The dependence of elastic modulus on temperature across the glass transition temperature Tg (= 233 K) is considered in the constitutive framework. Also, the HMX crystals are assumed to be elastic under the conditions analyzed. Cohesive elements are implemented throughout the microstructure, allowing explicit tracking of arbitrary crack paths through each constituent or interfaces between the constituents. A contact algorithm used to track and account for the interactions between failed crack surfaces. The simulations capture the failure characteristics observed experimentally at temperatures ranging from below to above Tg of the polymer.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Expression of pyruvate carboxylase enhances succinate production in Escherichia coli without affecting glucose uptake

Plasmids carrying the pyc gene from Rhizobium etli were used to express pyruvate carboxylase in Escherichia coli. Results of batch fermentations of a wild-type E. coli (MG1655), this wild-type with the pUC18 cloning/expression vector (MG1655/pUC18) and this wild-type carrying the pyc gene (MG1655/pUC18-pyc) were compared in glucose-limited medium. The results indicate that the final succinate concentration upon complete glucose utilization was increased from 1.18 g/L to 1.77 g/L by the expression of pyc, while the final succinate concentration in MG1655/pUC18 was slightly lower than in the parent strain. This increased succinate concentration came at the expense of lactate synthesis, whose final concentration decreased from 2.33 g/L to 1.88 g/L. The expression of pyc did not affect the maximum glucose uptake (2.17 g/L⋅h for MG1655 versus 2.47 g/L⋅h for MG1655/pUC18-pyc), but did decrease the maximum rate of cell mass production (0.213 g/L⋅h for MG1655, 0.169 g/L⋅h for MG1655/pUC18 and 0.199 g/L⋅h for MG1655/pUC18-pyc).
Role of the vascular endothelium

The intact vascular endothelial surface is considered to be `non-thrombogenic', and blood platelets usually fail to adhere to it. In this role, the endothelium serves to maintain the integrity of the vascular system by preventing the escape of blood and by preventing the build-up of solid thrombus within the vessel, which would compromise blood flow. A possible explanation for the non-thrombogenic effect of the endothelium is the presence of prostacyclin (PGI $\_2$ ), the potent inhibitor of platelet aggregation and adherence, which is produced and released by the endothelium in response to various stimuli. Removal of PGI $\_2$ from the endothelium by four different methods did not increase baseline platelet adherence, but did increase thrombin-induced platelet adherence from 4 to 60%. Addition of exogenous PGI $_2$ , at low concentrations reversed the enhanced thrombin-induced platelet adherence under these conditions. Although it is unlikely that prostacyclin is the sole factor regulating platelet adherence to the endothelium, it appears to play a major role in the interaction of platelets with components of the blood vessel wall.
ADAMTS‐13 activity in plasma is rapidly measured by a new ELISA method that uses recombinant VWF‐A2 domain as substrate

The metalloprotease ADAMTS-13 cleaves von Willebrand factor (VWF) at the Y842/M843 peptide bond located in the A2 domain. Measurement of ADAMTS-13 activity is a clinical utility for thrombotic diseases, but the current assays used for diagnostic and clinical research are non-physiological and time consuming. We have expressed in bacteria a recombinant VWF-A2 peptide (aa 718-905) that contains both a 6xHis tag at the N-terminal end and a Tag-100 epitope at the C-terminal end. Diluted plasma was mixed with the VWF-A2 peptide and digestion was allowed to proceed in a Ni2+-coated microtiter well plate for 2 h. The immobilized Ni2+ captures the VWF-A2 peptide by its 6xHis tag and cleavage of the A2 peptide is measured by the removal of the C-terminus fragment of the A2 peptide that contains the Tag-100. The cleavage activity for this assay was defined by the low detection of A2 peptide containing the Tag-100 epitope by the antiTag-100 monoclonal antibody. The assay was completed in <5 h. We then used the assay to analyze ADAMTS-13 activity in plasma from 39 healthy donors and 16 samples from patients diagnosed as thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. The average of enzyme activity +/- SEM for normal plasmas diluted 1 : 50 was 40 +/- 4.2% while the value obtained for the patients was 2.4 +/- 0.7%. These results were validated by a traditional long incubation assay (24 h). Our assay provides significant advantages over currently used assays because it is quicker, reproducible, cost effective and measures ADAMTS-13 activity under physiological and non-denaturing conditions. This assay is clinically useful and significant in measuring ADAMTS-13 activity in plasma.
Evaluation of pre-radiotherapy apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC): patterns of recurrence and survival outcomes analysis in patients treated for glioblastoma multiforme

Purpose: To investigate the association of pre-radiotherapy apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) abnormalities with patterns of recurrence and outcomes in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with recurrent GBM were retrospectively evaluated. Diffusion MRI images were acquired for all patients postoperatively prior to radiotherapy. ADC images were evaluated for geographic regions of diffusion restriction (hypointensity) within the FLAIR volume. If identified, the ADC map and the T1+C MRI at the time of recurrence were registered to the original plan to determine the pattern of recurrence and the coverage of the ADC abnormality by the 60 Gy isodose line (IDL). Progression-free and overall survival was determined for patients with and without an ADC hypointensity. Results: An ADC hypointensity was identified in 32 (62 %) of cases. The recurrence pattern in these cases was central in 27/32 (84 %), marginal in 4/32 (13 %) and distant in 1/32 (3 %). The recurrence overlapped with the ADC hypointensity in 28 (88 %) patients. The ADC hypointensity was covered by 95 % of the 60 Gy IDL in all cases. Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed inferior progression free survival and overall survival in patients with an ADC hypointensity compared to those without, despite similarities between the groups in terms of age, RT dose, performance status, and extent of resection. Conclusions: The presence of an ADC hypointensity on pre-radiotherapy diffusion-weighted imaging is associated with the location of tumor recurrence as demonstrated by frequent overlap in this series, and is associated with a trend toward inferior outcomes. This abnormality may reflect a high risk region of hypercellularity and warrants consideration with respect to radiotherapy planning.
Inhibition of c-Met reduces lymphatic metastasis in RIP-Tag2 transgenic mice.

Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling can promote lymph node metastasis in preclinical models, but the mechanism is not fully understood, and successful methods of prevention have not been found. Signaling of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and its receptor c-Met can promote the growth of lymphatics and metastasis of some tumors. We sought to explore the contributions of c-Met signaling to lymph node metastasis after inhibition of VEGF signaling. In particular, we examined whether c-Met is upregulated in lymphatics in or near pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors in RIP-Tag2 transgenic mice and whether lymph node metastasis can be reduced by concurrent inhibition of VEGF and c-Met signaling. Inhibition of VEGF signaling by anti-VEGF antibody or sunitinib in mice from age 14 to 17 weeks was accompanied by more intratumoral lymphatics, more tumor cells inside lymphatics, and more lymph node metastases. Under these conditions, lymphatic endothelial cells - like tumor cells - had strong immunoreactivity for c-Met and phospho-c-Met. c-Met blockade by the selective inhibitor PF-04217903 significantly reduced metastasis to local lymph nodes. Together, these results indicate that inhibition of VEGF signaling in RIP-Tag2 mice upregulates c-Met expression in lymphatic endothelial cells, increases the number of intratumoral lymphatics and number of tumor cells within lymphatics, and promotes metastasis to local lymph nodes. Prevention of lymph node metastasis by PF-04217903 in this setting implicates c-Met signaling in tumor cell spread to lymph nodes.
Idiotype-specific T helper cells are required to induce idiotype-positive B memory cells to secrete antibody.

We have tested the proposition that induction of certain sets of B cell clones to produce antibody requires a signal from T helper cells that recognize idiotypic determinants expressed on Ig receptors of the relevant B cell clones. The approach is based on the analysis of T cell populations required to induce B cells to secrete anti-arsonate antibodies that are marked by a cross-reactive idiotype (CRId). CRId+ anti-azophenyl arsonate (Ar) antibodies are produced in A/J strain mice after immunization with Ar keyhole limpet hemocyanin and represent 20–70% of the total anti-Ar antibody response. These studies indicate that antibody secretion by idiotype+ B memory cells requires two signals: one provided by “carrier”-specific Ly-1 cells, and a second delivered by idiotype-specific Ly-1 cells. Both signals are required for optimal induction of idiotype+ B memory clones.
Transient simulation of AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs and AlGaAs/InGaAs/AlGaAs hot-electron transistors

The intrinsic switching characteristics of tunneling hot electron transfer amplifier (THETA) devices has been simulated using a time-dependent ensemble Monte Carlo method. Results which show that there is no significant difference between the switch-on and switch-off times of THETA devices and that these switching times are always larger than the average total transit time through the base and the collector barrier are presented. The choice of the base width is important to determine the base transport factor, but it is not a direct measure of the intrinsic switching speed. The importance of velocity overshoot in the collector barrier region for ultra-high-speed device operation is demonstrated. An improved device structure that leads to subpicosecond switching speeds in the THETA structures is proposed. >
Hydrophile‐lipophile balance and cloud points of nonionic surfactants

The comparison of the cloud points of 165 nonionic surfactants was based on their calculated hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) values. The surfactants were classified according to structure and width of molecular weight distribution. Increasing length of the polyoxyethylene moiety increased the HLB and cloud points. At constant HLB, the following features were found to lower the cloud point: decreasing molecular weight, broader molecular weight distribution (probably due to the presence of fractions of such low degree of polyoxyzthylation that they were insoluble in water at all temperatures), branching or greater symmetry of the surfactant molecule, the introduction of olefinic unsaturation, replacement of the terminal hydroxyl by a methoxyl group, and replacement of an ether by an ester bond. The equations for calculating the HLB, which had been derived from emulsification experiments with only a limited number of surfactants, contain the weight-percentage of polyoxyethylene as the sole variable characterizing the surfactant. Therefore, the calculated HLB is not affected by the surfactant characteristics listed above, which largely govern the values of cloud point, CMC, and interfacial tension. Additional HLB measurements are needed to determine whether the equations used to calculate HLB fully describe the emulsifying characteristics of all nonionic surfactants, i.e., whether all experimental HLB values are really independent of the structure of the surfactant molecules.
A real-time, three-dimensional moving platform visualization tool

Abstract Inexpensive, three-dimensional vehicle simulators are important visualization tools that can enhance training and serve as low-cost platforms for testing mobility expert system algorithms. The moving vehicle simulator is an interactive, real-time system that displays a dynamic, three-dimensional, out-the-window view of the terrain from any vehicle. The simulator has two modes of operation: stand-alone or networked. The networked mode facilitates a missile/target war gaming environment. The simulator can be easily adapted for use with a variety of computation resources on the network.
Small-angle scattering studies of silicalite-1 growth from clear solutions

Abstract This review summarizes recent small-angle X-ray scattering investigations of the initial stages of zeolite formation and growth. These studies have increased the zeolite science community's understanding of the structures present at the earliest stages of growth, particularly in the case of silicalite-1 formed from so-called ‘clear solution’ syntheses.
A comparison of the climate simulated by the NCAR community climate model (CCM1-R15) with ECMWF analyses

The Community Climate Model (CCM) is a comprehensive three-dimensional global atmospheric model assembled at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. Detailed comparisons are made between the climate simulated by a seasonal version of CCM, namely CCM1, at 12 level, R15 spectral resolution, and that revealed by ECMWF operational analyses over 1980-86 truncated to a similar resolution. A variety of circulation statistics are presented in order to reveal the spatial character and seasonality of CCM1 biases in temperature, winds, and wave flux quantities. The biases revealed for CCM1 are similar in many respects to those found in other climate models run at similar resolution. Results of this study are then presented, discussing temperature biases and thermodynamic balances, wind fields, zonal mean wave diagnostics, stationary waves, and local eddy statistics. The major findings are then summarized.
The effect of the interaction of heavy and light chains of IgG on the Gm and Inv antigens.

Studies of isolated polypeptide chains, of reconstituted, and of intact IgG show that the antigens present on the Fab fragment, Gm (3), Gm (4), and Inv (1), depend upon the interaction of heavy and light chains for their full antigenic expression, while the antigens of the Fc portion of the heavy chain, Gm (1), Gm (5), Gm (13), and Gm (14), have the same antigenicity in intact IgG, in isolated heavy chains, and in reconstituted IgG. Hybridization experiments using Bence-Jones protein light chains indicate that different homogeneous populations of light chains differ in their ability to restore Gm (3) and Gm (4) antigenicity and that this ability is independent of light-chain antigenic type.
Pelage insulation, litter size, and ambient temperature impact maternal energy intake and offspring development during lactation

Energy balance during lactation critically influences survival and growth of a mother's offspring, and hence, her reproductive success. Most experiments have investigated the influence of a single factor (e.g., ambient temperature [T(a)] or litter size) on the energetics of lactation. Here, we determined the impact of multiple interventions, including increased conductive heat loss consequent to dorsal fur removal, cold exposure (T(a) of 5 degrees C versus 23 degrees C), and differential lactational load from litters of different sizes (2 or 4 pups), on maternal energy balance and offspring development of Siberian hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Lower T(a), fur removal, and larger litters were associated with increased maternal food consumption. Females exposed to multiple challenges (e.g., both fur loss and lower T(a)) ate substantially more food than those exposed to a single challenge, with no apparent ceiling to elevated food intake (increases up to 538%). Thus, energy intake of dams under these conditions does not appear to be limited by feeding behavior or the size of the digestive tract. Housing at 5 degrees C attenuated pup weight gain and increased pup mortality to more than 5 times that of litters housed at 23 degrees C. Increases in the dam's conductive heat loss induced by fur removal did not affect pup weight gain or survival, suggesting that effects of low T(a) on pup weight gain and survival reflect limitations in the pups' ability to ingest or incorporate energy.
Decentralized spatial partitioning for multi-vehicle systems in spatiotemporal flow-field

We consider the problem of characterizing a generalized Voronoi diagram/partition of a convex polygon in a two-dimensional Euclidean space that encodes information about the proximity relations between a team of aerial/marine vehicles and arbitrary points in the partition space. These proximity relations are determined by the time required for each vehicle to reach an arbitrary point (time-to-go) in the partition space when driven by a locally optimal feedback control law in the presence of a spatiotemporal drift field. The main contribution of this work is the presentation of a partitioning algorithm, which is decentralized, in the sense that each vehicle can independently compute its corresponding cell from the generalized Voronoi partition without computing or receiving information about the cells of the other vehicles. Finally, we present numerical simulations using data from real drift fields to illustrate the key features of the decentralized solution to the proposed class of spatial partitioning problems.
Innovative approaches to treat steroid-resistant or steroid refractory GVHD

First-line treatment of GVHD is based on steroids and produces sustained responses in 50-80% of patients with acute GVHD (aGVHD) and 40-50% of patients with chronic GVHD (cGVHD) depending on the initial disease severity. Non-responding children are offered second-line therapy with combinations of various agents, but currently available agents have not improved survival in these high-risk populations. In this minireview, we will focus on new agents to treat GVHD in paediatric patients.
Ecological footprints and shadows in an urban estuary, Narragansett Bay, RI (USA)

Because the rise of cities in North America was much later than in many other parts of the world, their connections to the hinterland were influenced early in their development by railroads and steam-powered water transport. These fossil fuel-based links made it possible to widely separate the “upstream” autotrophic supporting systems from the heterotrophic cities. Here, we take a different look at the connection between a city (Providence, RI, USA) and its supporting natural systems by focusing on the export of industrial and metabolic wastes from the city to the “downstream” coastal ecosystem in Narragansett Bay. In this way, we can track the history of a city by examining the concentrations of nutrients, metals, and hydrocarbons in the water and sediments of the estuary. In the greater Providence metropolitan area at the head of Narragansett Bay, there was rapid population and industrial expansion during the 1800s without the proper infrastructure to deal with water supply for public safety and health. On the other hand, the absence of a public water supply kept industrial and metabolic wastes largely on land. However, from the fall of 1871, on with the construction of a public water supply and sewer system, human wastes began flowing into the estuary. By reconstructing the historical record of metals and other pollutants, we illustrate clear temporal and spatial gradients of urban impact on the bay. Unfortunately, while numerous studies during the 1970s and 1980s focused on documenting metal and hydrocarbon pollution in the bay, there has been little effort to quantify the impact of mitigation efforts that have greatly reduced the input of metals and hydrocarbons to the system. Nutrient reductions are more recent and ongoing.
Rumination and depressive symptoms: Evidence for the moderating role of hope

Abstract The present study examines the effects of rumination and hope on depressive symptoms. It was hypothesized that hope would moderate the relationship between rumination and depressive symptoms, given that greater goal-directed activity in the face of obstacles may elicit beneficial aspects of rumination. Three hundred ninety-six undergraduate students completed measures of rumination, hope, and depressive symptoms. Main effects were found for both rumination and hope, and a two-way interaction between rumination and hope was found as hypothesized, indicating that high hope served as a buffer against the depressive effects of rumination. The results were significant for both the brooding and reflection subtypes of rumination, suggesting that hope may serve as an important framework for understanding the adaptive value of rumination.
Macrophage inflammatory protein-1α is an osteoclastogenic factor in myeloma that is independent of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand

A complementary DNA expression library derived from marrow samples from myeloma patients was recently screened and human macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (hMIP-1α) was identified as an osteoclastogenic factor expressed in these samples. hMIP-1α enhanced osteoclast (OCL) formation in human marrow cultures and by highly purified OCL precursors in a dose-dependent manner (5-200 pg/mL). Furthermore, hMIP-1α enhanced OCL formation induced by human interleukin-6 (IL-6), which is produced by marrow stromal cells when they interact with myeloma cells. hMIP-1α also enhanced OCL formation induced by parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), factors also implicated in myeloma bone disease. Time-course studies revealed that the hMIP-1α acted during the last 2 weeks of the 3-week culture period. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the chemokine receptors for hMIP-1α (CCR1 and CCR5) were expressed by human bone marrow and highly purified early OCL precursors. Furthermore, hMIP-1α did not increase expression of RANKL. These data demonstrate that hMIP-1α is an osteoclastogenic factor that appears to act directly on human OCL progenitors and acts at the later stages of OCL differentiation. These data further suggest that in patients with myeloma, MIP-1α produced by myeloma cells, in combination with RANKL and IL-6 that are produced by marrow stromal cells in response to myeloma cells, enhances OCL formation through their combined effects on OCL precursors.
Effects of formaldehyde preservation on biometrical characters, biomass and biochemical composition ofAcartia clausi (Copepoda, Calanoida)

The effects of formaldehyde preservation on biometrical characters, biomass and biochemical composition of the marine copepodAcartia clausi were studied using the relevant values of fresh unpreserved animals as reference.Acartia were collected in the southern parts of Saronicos Gulf in early May (16.5°C) and late June (21°C). Formalin was found to cause significant shrinkage of cephalothorax length, abdomen length and total length. The sex of individuals, as well as the temperature of seawater at the time of collection seem to influence dimensional losses. Females and animals collected at 16.5°C presented heavier losses. Dry weight is drastically reduced after formaldehyde preservation. Final losses are more severe for females and animals collected at 21°C. Two of the measured biochemical constituents, carbohydrates and neutral lipids, seem to be unaffected by formaldehyde. DNA and RNA although initially affected seem to be stabilized towards the end of the experimental period (30 days). The other biochemical parameters, viz proteins, total lipids and sugars, are profoundly affected by preservation.
Induction therapy does not increase surgical morbidity after esophagectomy for cancer.

Abstract Background A complete pathological response after induction therapy for esophageal cancer offers survival benefits, but induction therapy may increase the risk of postoperative complications and mortality. Methods We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer to identify preoperative predictors of complications and assess the possible influence of induction therapy on surgical outcomes. Results Between 1988 and 2003, 170 esophagectomies were performed on our service; 95 (55.9%) underwent surgery alone and 75 (44.1%) received preoperative chemotherapy, 35 of whom also had preoperative radiation therapy. Based on multivariable regression analyses, independent covariates for complication categories included performance status (pulmonary, cardiovascular, total complications, and death), age (cardiovascular and other complications), and FEV 1 % (pulmonary complications). Whether patients received induction therapy was unrelated to the incidence of postoperative complications. Conclusions We found no evidence that induction therapy adversely influences the incidence of postoperative morbidity or mortality after esophagectomy for cancer.
Membrane Association of the Diphtheria Toxin Translocation Domain Studied by Coarse-Grained Simulations and Experiment

Diphtheria toxin translocation (T) domain inserts in lipid bilayers upon acidification of the environment. Computational and experimental studies have suggested that low pH triggers a conformational change of the T-domain in solution preceding membrane binding. The refolded membrane-competent state was modeled to be compact and mostly retain globular structure. In the present work, we investigate how this refolded state interacts with membrane interfaces in the early steps of T-domain’s membrane association. Coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations suggest two distinct membrane-bound conformations of the T-domain in the presence of bilayers composed of a mixture of zwitteronic and anionic phospholipids (POPC:POPG with a 1:3 molar ratio). Both membrane-bound conformations show a common near parallel orientation of hydrophobic helices TH8–TH9 relative to the membrane plane. The most frequently observed membrane-bound conformation is stabilized by electrostatic interactions between the N-terminal segment of the protein and the membrane interface. The second membrane-bound conformation is stabilized by hydrophobic interactions between protein residues and lipid acyl chains, which facilitate deeper protein insertion in the membrane interface. A theoretical estimate of a free energy of binding of a membrane-competent T-domain to the membrane is provided.
Lessons learned to date from the shippingport aging evaluation

Abstract More than 200 naturally aged components and samples, ranging in size from small instruments and metallurgical specimens to one of the main coolant pumps, have been removed in conjunction with the decommissioning of the Shippingport Atomic Power Station and shipped to designated US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) contractors. In-situ assessments of selected Shippingport Station systems and components have also been conducted. Although the detailed evaluation of the naturally aged components and materials from the Shippingport Station is just beginning, there are a number of preliminary studies and results that are indicative of the value of the aging information that ultimately will be obtained. This paper presents background information on the Shippingport Station and its history, discusses the selection and relevancy of the naturally aged components and materials obtained through the NRC Nuclear Plant Aging Research (NPAR) program, and illustrates the type of important plant aging information that can be derived from the in-situ studies and detailed evaluations of the components and samples from the Shippingport Station.
Discordance between microcirculatory alterations and arterial pressure in patients with hemodynamic instability

Abstract Purpose Recent studies reported that microcirculatory blood flow alterations occur in patients with circulatory shock independent of arterial pressure but typically lack baseline microcirculatory data before the insult and after recovery. We selected cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) patients with expected and rapidly reversible hemodynamic instability to test the hypothesis that microcirculatory alterations can occur independent of mean arterial pressure (MAP). Methods Prospective observational study using sidestream darkfield videomicroscopy to measure sublingual microcirculatory flow preoperative (PRE), postoperatively after CPB (POST), and after recovery (REC). We determined the microcirculatory flow index (MFI) at each time point, blinded to all clinical data and compared change in MFI and MAP across time points using analysis of variance adjusted for multiple comparisons. Results We enrolled 20 subjects, 17 of 20 required inotrope/vasopressor agents at CPB discontinuation, 7 of 20 were on inotrope/vasopressor agents at the time of imaging, 20 of 20 were receiving continuous nitroglycerin. We observed an increase in post-CPB MFI (PRE, 2.16 ± 0.29; POST, 2.45 ± 0.62; REC, 2.26 ± 0.25; P Conclusion In this cohort of patients with hemodynamic instability, we observed discordance between microcirculatory blood flow and arterial pressure. These data support the concept that microcirculatory blood flow indices can yield physiologic information distinct from macrocirculatory hemodynamic parameters.
Development of a Pumped LC Tank Circuit for Use in an Adiabatic Pulsed Inductive Heating Application

In any high-energy pulsed power experiment, the metallic conductors are expected to heat up significantly due to resistive losses. In the pulsed case, the effects of local heat transfer are decreased due to the limited thermal diffusion time, so the process is considered to be adiabatic rather than isothermal. Previous results indicate that the high-temperature mechanical properties of metallic conductors significantly depend on the rapidity and duration of heat deposition. With this in mind, it is important to understand the mechanical properties of metals heated rapidly so that the correct mechanical properties are considered when designing high energy experiments. An expanding ring experiment has been performed at the Institute for Advanced Technology (IAT) to test such mechanical properties. The experiment uses a primary coil powered by a near-critically damped RC circuit to induce a current pulse in a thin specimen ring that expands and fragments due to electromagnetic forces. So that the heating time is minimized, an inductive heating source has been developed to rapidly heat the specimen ring. Temperatures as high as the material's melting temperature can be reached within a few milliseconds, prior to the application of electromagnetic expansion forces. The source employs a pumped LC tank circuit with a resonant frequency of roughly 25 kHz to induce a current in the ring. The current in the primary and secondary coils are measured using Pearson and Rogowski coils. A high-speed infrared camera is used to measure the temperature of the ring specimen during heating.
Partner Attractiveness Moderates the Relationship Between Number of Sexual Rivals and In-Pair Copulation Frequency in Humans (Homo sapiens)

Nonhuman males attend to the number of potential sexual rivals in the local environment to assess sperm competition risk. Males of these species sometimes perform more frequent in-pair copulations to increase the likelihood of success in sperm competition. Here, we extend this research to humans, Homo sapiens. We secured self-report data from 393 men in a committed, sexual, heterosexual relationship. The results indicate that men whose in-pair partner has more male coworkers and friends (i.e., potential sexual rivals) also perform more frequent in-pair copulations, but only among men who perceive their partner to be particularly attractive relative to assessments of partners by other men in the sample. This research is the first to empirically investigate the number of potential male rivals in the local environment as a cue to sperm competition risk in humans. Discussion addresses limitations of the current research and highlights directions for future research.
Patterns of treatment failure in infants with primitive neuroectodermal tumors who were treated on CCG-921: a phase III combined modality study.

Purpose To analyze patterns of treatment failure in infants with primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) who were treated primarily with chemotherapy in a large multi-institutional study. Materials and Methods Sixty-five prospectively staged patients with PNET confirmed by central pathology review, who were 18 months or younger were treated on Children's Cancer Group Study 921 (CCG-921) primarily with chemotherapy. Forty-six patients had posterior fossa (PF) primary tumors and 19 patients had supratentorial (ST) primaries. Patterns of sites of initial treatment failure were analyzed and compared to failure patterns of 180 older children who had PF-PNETs, and 44 older children with ST-PNETs who were treated on the same protocol. Results The entire cohort of younger patients fared much worse than those older than 18 months. Cumulative 5-year relapse incidence (±SE) for younger patients with PF-PNETs was 64.5 ± 8.9% for patients without metastases (M0) compared to 71.4 ± 13.4% for patients with metastases (M+). The cumulative 5-year relapse incidences for younger patients with ST-PNETs were 64.3 ± 13.7% for M0 patients compared to 100 ± 33.3% for M+ patients. Relapses in these patients occurred within 2 years. The overall treatment failure rate was significantly higher for younger compared to older patients with PF-PNET and ST-PNET. There was no statistically significant difference in relapse patterns between patients with PF primary tumors and ST primaries when stratified by stage. There was no statistically significant difference in relapse patterns between M0 and M+ patients. All patients had a high risk of recurrence at primary tumor site. Younger patients who had PF primary tumors without metastasis at presentation were significantly more likely to relapse in PF than older patients. Younger patients were at significant risk of relapse in the spine, but none had it as the sole site of first relapse. Conclusions Despite aggressive chemotherapy, younger children with PNETs have high rates of treatment failure and fare worse than high-risk, older patients with PF-PNETs, indicating the need to maximize local, regional, and systemic therapies. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
NMR Studies of Mass Transport in High-Acid-Content Fuel Cell Membranes Based on Phosphoric Acid and Polybenzimidazole

H and 31 P" magnetic resonance measurements. Both short-range and long-range dynamical processes were investigated by spin‐lattice and spin‐spin relaxation time measurements and by pulsed field gradient diffusion, respectively. Comparative data for pure PA and PPA are included. The high proton conductivity ! 0.13 S/cm at 160°C" of the PPA-processed membranes is correlated with rapid proton self-diffusion ! 3 ! 10 !6 cm 2 /s at 180°C" . The 31 P results reveal the presence of both PA and the dimeric pyrophosphoric acid and indicate strong interaction between the phosphate groups and the m-PBI matrix, with negligible anionic transport for both kinds of membranes. The higher concentration of PA in the PPA-processed membranes and differences in membrane morphology may provide an additional proton-transport mechanism involving rapid exchange between the PA and pyrophosphoric acid species.
Self-checking against formal specifications

The authors use an algebraic technique of formally specifying a module that implements an abstract data type, with a C/sup ++/ implementation. An explicit mapping from implementation states to abstract values is added to the C/sup ++/ code. The form of specification allows mechanical checking of desirable properties such as consistency and completeness, particularly when operations are added incrementally to the data type. During unit testing, the specification serves as a test oracle. Any variance between computed and specified values is automatically detected. When the module is made part of some application, the checking can be removed, or may remain in place for further validating the implementation. The specification, executed by rewriting, can be thought of as itself an implementation with maximum design diversity, and the validation as a form of multiversion-programming comparison. >
Relation of Step Length to Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Detected Structural Damage in the Patellofemoral Joint: The Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study.

Objective To investigate the relationship of step length to the sex-specific prevalence and worsening of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-detected structural damage in the patellofemoral (PF) joint among a cohort of older women and men with or at risk of knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods The Multicenter Osteoarthritis Study is a cohort study of persons ages 50-79 years with or at risk of knee OA. Step length was assessed using the GAITRite walkway (CIR Systems) at the 60-month visit, and cartilage damage and bone marrow lesions (BMLs) were graded on MRI at the 60- and 84-month visits. Step length was divided into sex-specific quintiles, and the relationship of step length to the prevalence and worsening of cartilage damage and BMLs in the PF joint was examined using logistic regression, adjusting for age, body mass index (BMI), leg length, and tibiofemoral joint structural damage. Results In 1,053 knees, 4,094 and 4,083 PF joint subregions were studied for the cartilage and BML analyses, respectively. Mean ± SD age was 65.6 ± 8.1 years and mean ± SD BMI was 29.1 ± 4.7 kg/m(2) ; 62% of participants were female. In women, compared to those with the shortest step length, those with the longest step length had 0.62 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.43-0.88) and 0.59 (95% CI 0.40-0.87) times the odds of cartilage damage and BMLs, respectively. There was no cross-sectional association in men, and no longitudinal association in either sex. Conclusion Women with PF joint structural damage may adapt their gait by shortening their step length, but this may not be sufficient to reduce the risk of worsening damage over time.
Providing hospice bereavement follow-up services: Practicing the art of doing more with less

Bereavement is one of the most difficult aspects of hospice work. This article provides information on theories of grief, a model for a bereavement team, and suggestions for training. Minimal resources exist for bereavement; therefore, the task must be accom plished in a creative, cost-effective manner.
Analytic Evaluaiion of the LAMPF II Booster Cavity Design

Through the past few decades, a great deal of sophistication has evolved in the numeric codes used to evaluate electromagnetically resonant structures. The numeric methods are extremely precise, even for complicated geometries, whereas analytic methods require a simple uniform geometry and a simple, known mode configuration if the same precision is to be obtained. The code SUPERFISH, which is near the present state of the art of numeric methods, does have the following limitations: No circumferential geometry variations are permissible; there are no provisions for magnetic or dielectric losses; and finally, it is impractical (because of the complexity of the code) to modify it to extract particular bits of data one might want that are not provided by the code as written. This paper describes how SUPERFISH was used as an aid in derivating an analytic model of the LAMPF II Booster Cavity. Once a satisfactory model was derived, simple FORTRAN codes were generated to provide whatever data was required. The analytic model is made up of TEM- and radial-mode transmission-line sections, as well as lumped elements where appropriate. Radial transmission-line equations, which include losses, were not found in any literature, and the extension of the lossless equations1 to include magnetic and dielectric losses are included in this paper.