cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4556: Epidermal growth factor signaling alterations in uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) associate with survival

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy and the majority of patients are cured with surgery alone. A substantial subset of patients, however, present with high grade uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) and these patients account for a disproportionate degree of the recurrence, chemoresistance and death associated with endometrial cancer. Novel treatment strategies incorporating molecularly targeted therapies would be of great value in effective clinical management of these tumors. HER2 (ErbB2) hyperactivity has been associated with 10-20% of UPSC, though efforts to target this signature with trastuzumab have yielded no response in a recent prospective trial. In breast cancer, HER2/HER3 (ErbB2/ErbB3) dimerization has been associated with trastuzumab resistance. The expression profile of HER3 in UPSC is currently unknown. The objective of this investigation was to characterize HER2 and HER3 expression in a UPSC series and correlate these findings with clinical outcomes including survival. Under an IRB approved protocol, we identified 33 patients who underwent initial surgical staging at our institution between 2000 and 2009 with archival formalin fixed, paraffin embedded blocks and complete clinical follow up data. These tumor samples were subjected to immunohistochemistry (IHC) for HER2 and HER3 as well as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) to assess the amplification status of the HER2 gene. Non-parametric tests were utilized to test correlation between detected levels of HER2 or HER3 protein expression and HER2 gene amplification and survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. HER2 gene amplification was observed in 34% of the cohort while HER2 protein over-expression, defined as 2+ or 3+ staining, was found in 59% of samples tested. HER2 gene amplification was associated with high HER2 protein expression (p < 0.05). Moreover, HER2 gene amplification was significantly associated with a decreased overall survival (p < 0.05). Finally, HER3 over-expression, defined as 2+ or 3+ staining, was observed in 52% of the entire cohort and HER3 protein levels exhibited a significant inverse relationship to HER2 protein expression and HER2 gene amplification (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that HER2 and HER3 signaling may function independently of one another in UPSC. The observed alterations in HER2 and HER3 expression levels constitute clinically relevant and prevalent signatures in UPSC that merit further investigation to determine the potential benefits of therapies targeting the epidermal growth receptor pathways. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4556. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4556
GeoSCAPE: designing a reconstructive tool for field archaeological excavation

We introduce GeoSCAPE, a "reconstructive" tool for capturing measurement data in field archaeology and facilitating a 3D visualization of an excavation rendered in computer graphics. This project is carried out by extending a recently developed an orientation-aware digital measuring tape, called HandSCAPE that has been examined to address the efficiency of bridging measuring and modeling for on-site application areas [2]. In this paper, we present the GeoSCAPE system using the same digital tape measure interacting with an enhancing archaeological-specific 3D visualizations the goal is to provide visual reconstruction methods by acquiring accurate field measurements and visualizing the complex work of an archaeologist during the course of on-site excavation.
Biodistribution of Dendrimer Nanocomposites for Nano-Radiation Therapy of Cancer

Multifunctional nanocomposites have an enormous scientific and practical future in medicine, especially in biomedical imaging and targeted delivery. Multifunctional composite nanodevices (CND) possess chemical and physical properties of all components, while interactions with the environment of the nanoparticle are dominated by the contact surface of the host molecule. Thus, if the surface is dominated by the organic component of a nano-sized organic-inorganic composite particle, an inorganic particle property can be manipulated in a biologic environment as if it belonged to an organic macromolecule. Composition, charge, and size of are critical in determining nanoparticle trafficking and uptake by organs, and therefore this knowledge is crucial for the development of cancer imaging and therapies. Specific biokinetics and biodistribution then can be influenced by correctly selecting size, and modifying surface characteristics, such as covalently attaching various targeting moieties to the surface forming biohybrids, regulating the surface charge, etc. Dendrimer nanocomposites are recently developed nearly monodisperse hybrid nanoparticles composed of macromolecular hosts and very small, uniformly dispersed inorganic guest domains combining desirable properties of the components. The surface groups control the interaction of these nanodevices with the biological environment. As a result of various synthetic options, the interior and/or the exterior of the host can be cationic, anionic, or non-ionic, depending on their termini and interior functionalities and the pH, and may involve multiple targeting moieties. We have synthesized gold/dendrimer nanocomposites to carry payload radiation and/or diagnostic moiety to specific targets. We examined the biodistribution of the templates and the corresponding gold/dendrimer nanocomposites. We employed the same dendrimer template and systematically varied the size, the surface charge and the composition. Biodistribution of {Au} gold/dendrimer nanodevices of various size (5, 12 and 22 nm) and surface charge (positive, negative) was investigated in mice models (B16 melanoma and DU145 human prostate cancer). Isotope neutron activation analysis (INAA) was used to measure the presence of Au(0) in the tissue sample. All {Au} gold/dendrimer-nanocomposites were assayed for their quantitative short-term (1hr), intermediate (1 day) and long-term (4 days) biodistribution throughout organs for clinical toxicity. Delivery of radiation dose was achieved by radioactive {198 Au} composites in a mice model. We have shown that modulating surface charge and composition will greatly change the biodistribution characteristics of the nanodevices. Rigorous testing of the principles that govern nanoparticle interactions with the complex environment of biological systems will be critical for an understanding of how these nanodevices will behave in vivo.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Up-Regulation of CD40 Ligand and Induction of a Th2 Response in Children Immunized with Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccines

We wished to determine whether pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens induce mRNA expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L) and Th1 or Th2 cytokines in unimmunized individuals in vitro and whether immunization with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine induces changes in CD40L and cytokine mRNA expression. Children with recurrent respiratory infections were studied before and 4 to 6 weeks after receiving the pneumococcal vaccine. One patient who failed to respond to the polysacharide vaccine subsequently received a single dose of the experimental 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine. Unimmunized healthy adults were included as controls. Quantification of mRNA expression of CD40L, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-12p40, and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) was performed by reverse transcription-PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-PCR with resting and stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) anti pneumococcal antibody levels were measured by ELISA. The results showed a significant increase in the expression of mRNAs for CD40L and IL-4, but not IL-12p40 or IFN-γ, in stimulated cultures from unimmunized individuals. CD40L and IL-4 mRNA expression was significantly higher in postimmunization than in preimmunization samples stimulated with the individual pneumococcal serotypes. These results suggest that pneumococcal polysaccharide antigens specifically up-regulate CD40L expression and induce a Th2 response in vitro which parallels the increase in IgG antipneumococcal antibody levels in serum.
CtsR Regulation in mcsAB-Deficient Gram-Positive Bacteria

CtsR is an important repressor that modulates the transcription of class III stress genes in Gram-positive bacteria. In Bacillus subtilis, a model Gram-positive organism, the DNA binding activity of CtsR is regulated by McsAB-mediated phosphorylation of the protein where phosphorylated CtsR is a substrate for degradation by the ClpCP complex. Surprisingly, the mcsAB genes are absent from many Gram-positive bacteria, including streptococci; therefore, how CtsR activity is modulated in those bacteria remains unknown. Here we show that the posttranslational modulation of CtsR activity is different in Streptococcus mutans, a dental pathogen. We observed that of all of the Clp-related proteins, only ClpL is involved in the degradation of CtsR. Neither ClpP nor ClpC had any effect on the degradation of CtsR. We also found that phosphorylation of CtsR on a conserved arginine residue within the winged helix-turn-helix domain is necessary for modulation of the repressor activity of CtsR, as demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo assays. We speculate that CtsR is regulated posttranslationally by a different mechanism in S. mutans and possibly in other streptococci.
Identifying Binding Constraints to Growth : Does Firm Size Matter?

As emphasized by Hausmann, Rodrik and Velasco, the policy challenge of boosting growth requires prioritization and identifying what are the most binding constraints. This paper draws on firm-level data from the World Bank Enterprise Survey, which suggests that the obstacles for the functioning of firms is related to firm size. Recognizing the potential endogeneity and simultaneity between firms' constraints and firm size, we implement an Ordered-Probit model with a potential categorical endogenous regressor to estimate, for the case of Bolivia, the conditional probability of facing obstacles given the firm size category, while controlling for other factors. The results confirm the importance of allowing for the roles of firm size in identifying constraints and suggest priorities for policies to remove constraints to economic performance.
Composite material die swell: gauge prediction for steel belts

Abstract Steel-belted tires are usually made by extruding rubber onto a bank of wires. The resulting steel–polymer composite must meet a gauge specification. However, the composite swells extensively after leaving the die throat, taking on a generally corrugated appearance. This paper presents an experimental study to understand the influences that different parameters have on die swell for this sort of extrusion. Basically, the experiment is conducted to correlate the die opening gauge to the die swell. Parameters that affect die swell are identified and investigated. The die opening is varied throughout the experimental process, the die opening and the belt gauge being measured to calculate the die swell. To achieve a more uniform gauge across the width of the belt, the die throat opening is divided into five zones. Each zone of each die throat is considered. Experimental parameters that are held constant include wire parameters, polymer parameters and set-up parameters. The experimental data result in an overall plot of die swell percentage versus die throat opening gauge. This plot can be used as a guideline for predicting the required gauge opening in a steel belt gauge development. The study shows that the die-swell percentage for extruded belts is more predictable than previously thought and debunks the notion that the die-swell percentage is constant. With regard to the time and effort for optimizing future die throat development, some concluding remarks and recommendations are made based on the analysis of the experimental results obtained in this study.
Pathologic Quiz Case: A Woman With Human Immunodeficiency Virus With Right Lower Quadrant Pain and Ascending Colon Mass

44-year-old African American woman with a past medical history of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and hepatitis C cirrhosis presented to our institution with complaints of right lower quadrant pain for 2 months. The pain occurred daily and was constant, with acute exacerbations from food consumption and mild relief from ibuprofen and lying down. She had history of anorexia but no history of nausea or vomiting. She also had a history of diarrhea for 2 months, with 2 episodes daily. There was no history of melena or hematochezia. She was taking a number of antiretroviral medications. Her physical examination revealed mild abdominal distension and marked tenderness in the right lower quadrant, with guarding but without rebound. Hepatomegaly to 2 to 3 cm below the right costal margin was noted. A digital rectal examination revealed external hemorrhoids and a 2-cm palpable rectal mass that was soft, mobile, and somewhat tender. The stools were heme positive and brown in color. Computed tomographic scan of the abdomen showed
Mouse Models for Filovirus Infections

The filoviruses marburg- and ebolaviruses can cause severe hemorrhagic fever (HF) in humans and nonhuman primates. Because many cases have occurred in geographical areas lacking a medical research infrastructure, most studies of the pathogenesis of filoviral HF, and all efforts to develop drugs and vaccines, have been carried out in biocontainment laboratories in non-endemic countries, using nonhuman primates (NHPs), guinea pigs and mice as animal models. NHPs appear to closely mirror filoviral HF in humans (based on limited clinical data), but only small numbers may be used in carefully regulated experiments; much research is therefore done in rodents. Because of their availability in large numbers and the existence of a wealth of reagents for biochemical and immunological testing, mice have become the preferred small animal model for filovirus research. Since the first experiments following the initial 1967 marburgvirus outbreak, wild-type or mouse-adapted viruses have been tested in immunocompetent or immunodeficient mice. In this paper, we review how these types of studies have been used to investigate the pathogenesis of filoviral disease, identify immune responses to infection and evaluate antiviral drugs and vaccines. We also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of murine models for filovirus research, and identify important questions for further study.
Intermittent occlusion of internal carotid artery by hypoglossal nerve.

The case reported here demonstrates intermittent, total occlusion of the internal carotid artery and oCcipital artery with head and neck rotation and extension. We believe the close proximity of the crossing hypoglossal nerve was the major cause. Case Report A 51-year-old man experienced the onset of positionally dependent neurologic changes. When he turned his head to the left and extended his neck for longer than 3 sec he became dizzy and experienced a sensation of "numbness" over his right body, including his face. This was accompanied by loss of motor control of the right body. He had some blurring of vision during these episodes but no loss of con­ sciousness and no associated headache. A CT scan demonstrated an area of infarction in the left parietooc­ cipital region. A conventional cerebral arteriogram performed with the head in a neutral position (Fig. 1) was unremarkable except for the presence of an incomplete circle of Willis. The horizontal segment of the right anterior cerebral artery never opacified, and both peri callosal arteries opacified on the left common carotid artery injection. Sub­ sequently, several left carotid injections were repeated with the patient performing the head maneuver that provoked his symptoms (head turned toward the left with extension of the neck; Fig . 2). Depending on the degree of rotation of the head and extension of the neCk, there was partial or total occlusion of the left internal carotid artery about 4 cm above the common carotid bifurcation. This oc­ curred at approximately the level of the adjacent occipital artery coursing posteriorly, and seemed to be caused by an extrinsic pressure effect. On one of the injections (not shown), occlusion of the OCCipital artery also occurred. There was no abnormal course or elongation of the internal carotid artery, which could have been responsible for this finding. At surgery the hypoglossal nerve and the occipital branch of the external carotid artery were found to be intertwined in such fashion that the hypoglossal nerve was pulled taut and stretched against the adjacent internal carotid artery when the head was hyperextended and turned to the ipsilateral side. The internal carotid artery was also noted to bear a small indentation at this level where chronic compres­ sion by the hypoglossal nerve had occurred (Fig. 3) . Consequently, external compression by the hypoglossal nerve was believed to be responsible for the intermittent occlusive changes in the internal carotid artery.
Multiple parties in domestic violence situations and arrest

Abstract Analyses of domestic violence incidents in one jurisdiction indicate significant differences in police handling of single perpetrator events and incidents with more than one party as either perpetrator or victim. In this study a “multiple record” variable was constructed to indicate that an incident contained more than one perpetrator or victim. The difference in arrest rates was then analyzed controlling for both legal and extralegal factors. Results indicate that in situations of domestic violence with more than one perpetrator or victim an arrest is more likely to occur when there is serious injury, although these multiple individual situations report less serious injury than single perpetrator incidents. Additional results show that when the relationship is spousal and the type of crime is assault or greater there is a greater likelihood of arrest than when the relationship is nonspousal. In general, the results indicate that the impact of extralegal factors is significantly different for multiple party incidents than single perpetrator incidents, and that these factors impact arrest differently.
Obesity and outcomes following burns in the pediatric population

Abstract Purpose While obesity is associated with increased mortality and decreased functional outcomes in adult burn patients, the ramifications of larger than average body size in the pediatric burn population are less well understood. The present study examines whether obesity was associated with poor outcomes following pediatric burn injuries. Methods Thermal injury data for patients ≤ 18 years of age admitted to a Level III burn center over ten years (n = 536) was analyzed. Obesity was defined as ≥ 95th percentile of weight for height according to the WHO growth charts ( Results Obese and non-obese thermally-injured children did not differ in TBSA, percentage of full thickness burn, or overall mortality. However, these groups were significantly different with respect to age (obese = 7.16 ± 0.46 years, non-obese = 9.38 ± 0.32 years, p Conclusion These data show thermally-injured obese pediatric patients required longer and more intensive medical support in the form of BICU care and respiratory intervention. Counter to findings in adult populations, differences in mortality were not observed. Collectively, these findings suggest obesity as a risk factor for increased morbidity in the pediatric burn population.
P249 Obstructive sleep apnea out patient screening study

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly being recognised as an important health care issue. Incidence and prevalence of OSA are gradually increasing worldwide. There is increasing evidence that OSA is being considered as an independent risk factor for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and stroke, leading to increased cardio-metabolic morbidity and mortality. Many questionnaires are available for OSA screening. Many studies done in peri-operative population showed that the STOP-BANG questionnaire (Snoring, Tiredness, Observed apnea, high blood Pressure, BMI > 30, Age > 50, neck Circumference, Gender male) is the simplest, with a high positive predictive value. A sleep study is advised for anyone who has 3 or more positive variables from STOP-BANG. The purpose of our study was to analyse the STOP-BANG questionnaire’s validity for OSA screening in the primary care setting. Currently, there is no available screening tool for OSA in outpatient setting. Methods Study involved a retrospective chart analysis from outpatient clinics. Patients from neurology and sleep clinic were excluded. Electronic medical record was used for patient selection. We randomly selected the first 400 patients who had 3 out of 8 variables from STOP-BANG. Results Out of 400 selected patients, 124 (31%) had 3 variables, 180 (45%) had 4 variables, 54 (13.5%) had 5 variables, 32 (8%) had 6 variables & 10 (2.5%) had 7 variables. Neck circumference was not documented in the charts so the 8 th variable was not available. Out of 400 patients with 3–7 positive STOP-BANG variables, only 25% (100/400) received a sleep study and 73% (73/100) were diagnosed with OSA. Conclusion Primary care physicians should screen all high-risk patients using STOP-BANG questionnaire. STOP-BANG is an affirmative screening tool in peri-operative population and our study indicates that it can also be an efficient screening questionnaire in primary care clinics. However more studies are needed to testify it. OSA is an easily diagnosable condition but often overlooked. Early recognition and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea may prevent adverse health consequences.
Beyond the diluted community concept: a symbolic interactionist perspective on online social relations

The study of cybercommunity is inevitably linked to the development of the internet amid other cultural phenomena, and cybercommunity as a cultural practice has clearly reached a point of critical mass. The concept of online community has become increasingly diluted as it evolves into a pastiche of elements that ostensibly ‘signify’ community. This study grapples with the concept of community in cyberspace and suggests alternative ways of characterizing online social relations that avoid the vagaries of ‘community’. Based on interviews and a theoretical consideration of online community, it finds that the metaphor of ‘community’ in cyberspace is one of convenient togetherness without real responsibility. This study suggests a symbolic interactionist approach to the examination of online social relationships that is free of the controversy and structural-functional baggage of the term ‘community’. It suggests that community is an evolving process, and that commitment is the truly desired social ideal in so...
Neurobiological correlates of social functioning in autism

Abstract Although autism is defined by deficits in three areas of functioning (social, communicative, and behavioral), impairments in social interest and restricted behavioral repertoires are central to the disorder. As a result, a detailed understanding of the neurobiological systems subserving social behavior may have implications for prevention, early identification, and intervention for affected families. In this paper, we review a number of potential neurobiological mechanisms—across several levels of analysis—that subserve normative social functioning. These include neural networks, neurotransmitters, and hormone systems. After describing the typical functioning of each system, we review available empirical findings specific to autism. Among the most promising potential mechanisms of social behavioral deficits in autism are those involving neural networks including the amygdala, the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system, and the oxytocin system. Particularly compelling are explanatory models that integrate mechanisms across biological systems, such as those linking dopamine and oxytocin with brain regions critical to reward processing.
FTROM: a silicon compiler for fault-tolerant ROMs

This paper describes a new CAD tool, FTROM — Fault-Tolerant ROM compiler, which synthesizes layout geometries of fault-tolerant ROM modules with flexible, user-specified geometry and CMOS design-rule parameters. This physical design tool produces high-quality built-in self-testable (BIST) and fault-tolerant ROM layouts and uses a novel, minimum-delay overhead approach for fault-tolerance. A tool like FTROMeliminates the high cost of external testing of embedded ROM macros with I/O pins that are diƒcult to control and observe. ( 1998 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Global Justice and the Modern Empire

Richard Miller’s book is a contribution to the debates about what duties we owe to the distant needy, who are the subjects of global justice, what triggers demands of global justice, and in particular what responsibilities people in wealthy countries might have to needy people in developing ones. Miller’s view is that ‘people in developed countries have a vast, largely unmet responsibility to help people in developing countries’ (1). The fulfillment of this political duty—he argues—would not only generate considerable benefits for the global poor but also imply significant costs to developed countries. Nonetheless, Miller insists that this unmet global responsibility should not be considered a duty of kindness toward the needy, but a duty to avoid ‘taking advantage of people in developing countries’ (1). Thus, it is the existence of transnational interactions that triggers demands of global justice. According to Miller, such interactions might—and usually do—create demanding duties to aid distant needy people. An important point in Miller’s argument is that the existence and nature of transnational interactions must be established through empirical analysis of the ‘current features of international life and reflection on their moral consequences’ (3). For this purpose, he defends what he calls a ‘left-wing realist’ view of transnational power, based on the idea that nationally dominant elites are the driving forces of global interactions in their pursuit of power and wealth (239). According to this view, it is necessary to understand the nature of the different global interactions before determining what qualifies as a legitimate demand of justice. Accordingly, Miller spends most of the book describing and analyzing empirical facts in order to identify some of those forms of interaction that impose global distributive commitments.
The engineering adjective, and why it might matter

With their proposal for a Liberal Studies in Engineering (LSE) degree program, Bucciarelli and Drew seek to effect a panoply of outcomes, including at least (i) promoting critical analysis of engin...
Laboratory study on effects of Anethum graveolens seeds on four species of stored-product insects

The seed or fruit of Anethum graveolens L. was studied for its biological effect on the adults of Callosobruchus maculatus (F.), Sitophilus oryzae (L.), Lasioderma serricorne (F.), and Tribolium confusum Jacquelin du Val. The acetone extract of the seeds was not toxic on contact to C. maculatus , but was toxic to S. oryzae . However, it was not very toxic to L. serricorne and T. confusum . Both the pulverized powder and its acetone extract applied to wheat at 2 and 0.5% by weight, respectively, highly repelled S. oryzae . Dosages of 1 and 0.5% of the powder, and 0.35 and 0.15% of the extract also repelled the insects. When applied to paper at dosages from 680 to 85 μg/cm2, the extract greatly repelled T. confusum . At the lowest application rate of 85 μg/cm2, it still showed class-III average repellence for a 2-month period against the insects.
Florida's Mandated Educational Leadership Program Redesign: The William Cecil Golden Touch.

In 2007, educational leadership programs in Florida were notified by Florida’s Department of Education of a law requiring all programs to align with new legislation, State Rule 6A-5.081. Previously, most state-approved preparation programs were based on Florida’s Leadership Preparation Standards, a version of the 1996 Interstate School Leadership Licensure Consortium (ISLLC) standards; the new law was based on 132 new skills and competencies that were not clearly linked to ISLLC. This article examines faculty response at one university to the mandate, the processes faculty used to redesign the program, and the composition and structure of the redesigned educational leadership preparation program.
AFLATOXIN PRODUCTION CORRELATED WITH NITRIFICATION IN ASPERGILLUS FLAVUS GROUP SPECIES

Of 51 Aspergillus flavus group isolates, 46 oxidized peptone in a nitrification (NF) medium producing an average of 90 mg N03-N/l. Only two of 27 isolates representing nine other groups of Aspergilli formed nitrate and the quantity was nearly an order of magnitude lower. Within the A. flavus group, nitrate production was highest in strains of A. parasiticus and A. flavus and nitrification by aflatoxigenic strains was significantly higher (122.7 + 9.3 mg NO3-N/l) than that produced by non-toxigenic strains (50.8 + 16.0 mg NO3-N/1) of the same two species. Although nitrate formation in certain isolates was affected by prior soil culture, the average yield in NF medium of all A. flavus group isolates was the same whether the spore inoculum was obtained from soil or artifical medium.
Establishing First class University and Attaching Great Importance to Laboratory Teaching

This paper stressed that a first class university must be equipped with an advanced laboratory,fine laboratory staff and modernized laboratory teaching management so as to meet the needs of talent training.
What screen do you have in mind? Contesting the visual context of law and film studies

Law on the screen goes beyond film. It takes us to the domains of mind and culture, power and politics, technology and rhetoric, and the changing contours and norms of professional practice, craft, and pedagogy. Law on the screen is a multidisciplinary affair. It embraces empirical/descriptive, political/normative, and jurisprudential/theoretical dimensions of scholarship. By codifying what we know and how we know it, culture and technology mimic the regulatory force of law. But just as law is shaped and informed by technology and culture so, too, are technology and culture shaped and informed in turn by law's power to regulate. Code is a two-way street. Who gets to design the code, how, and with what effect? That is the political question par excellence of our day.
Blind Appointments in Arbitration

Arbitration tribunals typically consist of an arbitrator appointed by each party and a third, who acts as the chair, appointed by an independent authority. While arbitrators are supposed to be neutral and exercise independent judgment, practitioners concur that party-appointed arbitrators often lean in favor of the nominating party. Concerns over this lack of impartiality sparked a proposal to “blind appointments” as a mechanism against the “affiliation bias.” In this chapter, I explore the causes, potential consequences, and implementation challenges of this proposal. First, using data from the World Bank's investor-state arbitration proceedings, I explore the potential effect of this appointing system in causing affiliation bias. Second, I argue that compared to other alternatives, blinding appointments is a promising bias-reducing intervention that maintains the observed benefits of parties' participating in the tribunal's formation. Third, I explain how blind appointments may have limits as to their corrective effects and elaborate on the most obvious practical problems with its implementation. At a more general level, this chapter illustrates the need for more research to move forward an important discussion in a growing legal field.
Enoxaparin Attenuates Mouse Colon Cancer Liver Metastases by Inhibiting Heparanase and Interferon-γ-inducible Chemokines.

Background/aim Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) has been suggested to reduce the risk of cancer progression in both preclinical and clinical studies but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly explored. The aim of the study was to investigate the anti-metastatic role of enoxaparin, a clinically-used LMWH, in a murine model of colon cancer and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Materials and methods Using a reproducible mouse model of colon carcinomas, we assessed the capacity of enoxaparin, a LMWH, to affect tumor metastasis of colon carcinoma cell lines in mice. Results The hepatic growth of colon carcinoma metastases was strongly inhibited by enoxaparin compared to (Ctrl) group (p=0.001). This effect was associated to an inhibition of heparanase mRNA expression and protein production both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, enoxaparin inhibited the liver and serum production of interferon gamma (Ifnγ)-inducible chemokine receptor ligands. Overexpression of heparanase prompted proliferation, migration and growth of colon carcinoma in vitro and in vivo to a point that was not affected by enoxaparin in vivo anymore. Conclusion Enoxaparin decreased liver metastases in a mouse model of colon carcinoma. These results suggest that enoxaparin may benefit patients with cancer and deserves further laboratory and clinical investigations.
Tabular Decision Logic for Structural Design

As computer applications shift from analysis to design, increased attention must be given to algorithms which are primarily logical in character. The common approach to the programming through involved flow-charts has been generally found unsatisfactory. The technique of tabular decision logic provides one means of formulating complex logical decisions. The technique is described and illustrated. It is shown that the technique eliminated most of the shortcomings of conventional flow-charting. The application of the technique is contingent on the availability of clear, precise rules defining engineering decisions. The paper concludes with a brief description of the conversion of decision tables into conventional flow diagrams and of some processors which convert decision tables directly into execution programs.
Adolescents' Experience of Parental Divorce

Parental divorce almost always is a very difficult experience for adolescents, whether the divorce occurred when they were younger or during their teen years. Divorce also sets into motion a series of difficult changes in family life, often including troubled parent–child relationships, lost contact with one parent, involvement in parent conflict, and economic hardships. Despite the many stressors, most children are resilient in the face of their parents' divorce, that is, they do not suffer from serious or lasting psychological problems. Resilience is not invulnerability, however, as divorce remains a painful memory, and troubled family relationships can create ongoing concerns for adolescents. Issues of particular relevance to teenagers include being given too much autonomy, too much responsibility (particularly for caring for a parent's emotional needs), and concerns about one's own intimate relationships.
Regioselective 1,4-Conjugate Addition of Grignard Reagents to α,β–γ,δ-Dienones and α,β–γ,δ-Dienyl Thiol Esters

Alkyl Grignard reagents (Et, nBu, iPr, cyclohexyl), with the exception of tBuMgCl, undergo exclusive or exceptionally highly regioselective 1,4-addition reactions to α,β–γ,δ-unsaturated ketones, while aryl and heteroaryl Grignard reagents give mixed results ranging from exclusive 1,4-addition (1-naphthyl, 2-N-methylpyrrolyl) to regioselective 1,2-addition (2-furyl, 2:1). All alkyl, aryl, and heteroaryl Grignard reagents examined gave exclusive 1,4-addition reactions with α,β–γ,δ-unsaturated thiol esters, with the exception of tBuMgCl, which gave an 80:20 mixture of 1,4:1,6-addition products. The high chemo- and regioselectivity observed for these reactions is attributed to a radical or radical-like pathway for the alkyl Grignard reagents and possibly a carbanion pathway for aryl Grignard reagents. The α,γ-dienyl thiol esters provide for a one-pot tandem 1,4-addition–nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction sequence to afford 3-substituted 4-enone moieties.
Magic Modders: Alter Art, Ambiguity, and the Ethics of Prosumption

This paper explores the perspectives of Magic: The Gathering (MTG) fans, as they interpret and parse intellectual property law regarding the alteration, and subsequent sale of artwork on Magic: The Gathering cards. MTG is a transmedia product that is supported by a fan base, which collects, plays, and discusses the game online in web forums and virtual game-spaces, and offline in hobby stores and community spaces across the world. This fan community is atypical because, for the most part, participants are highly concerned with the economic value of the MTG cards they own and trade. This paper draws attention to the complicated ethical landscape of intellectual property law as it pertains to artistic modification. The paper concludes that corporations should be legally required to set up a “safe haven” policy regarding the rights of consumers to produce derivative works, and, similar to creative commons licensing, to stipulate therein how issues of acknowledgement, reproduction, and sale of the product should be managed.
Nickel-catalyzed transamidation of aliphatic amide derivatives

Transamidation, or the conversion of one amide to another, is a long-standing challenge in organic synthesis. Although notable progress has been made in the transamidation of primary amides, the transamidation of secondary amides has remained underdeveloped, especially when considering aliphatic substrates. Herein, we report a two-step approach to achieve the transamidation of secondary aliphatic amides, which relies on non-precious metal catalysis. The method involves initial Boc-functionalization of secondary amide substrates to weaken the amide C–N bond. Subsequent treatment with a nickel catalyst, in the presence of an appropriate amine coupling partner, then delivers the net transamidated products. The transformation proceeds in synthetically useful yields across a range of substrates. A series of competition experiments delineate selectivity patterns that should influence future synthetic design. Moreover, the transamidation of Boc-activated secondary amide derivatives bearing epimerizable stereocenters underscores the mildness and synthetic utility of this methodology. This study provides the most general solution to the classic problem of secondary amide transamidation reported to date.
‘Going back to history’: Haiti and US military humanitarian knowledge production

This article focuses on how contemporary US military trainings ‘go back to history’ as they prepare military personnel for counterinsurgency and humanitarian response. Through ethnographic observat...
How do communication modes of deaf and hard-of-hearing prereaders influence teachers' read-aloud goals?

ABSTRACTDeaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) literature suggests that there are different read-aloud goals for DHH prereaders based on the spoken and visual communication modes DHH prereaders use, such as: American Sign Language (ASL), simultaneously signed and spoken English (SimCom), and predominately spoken English only. To date, no studies have surveyed teachers of the d/Deaf (TODs) serving DHH children using these communication modes to determine whether they have different read-aloud goals. To address this gap, we collected read-aloud goal statements from 84 TODs: 16 serving DHH children using ASL (DHH-ASL), 35 serving DHH children using SimCom (DHH-SimCom), and 33 serving DHH children using spoken English only (DHH-oral). We conducted a content analysis to isolate key concepts from each group’s goal statements. All TODs use read alouds to build background knowledge, basic language skills in either ASL or English, and sight word recognition. TODs differ in read-aloud goals based on the language DHH childr...
Manganoporphyrin-Polyphenol Multilayer Capsules as Radical and Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Scavengers

Local modulation of oxidative stress is crucial for a variety of biochemical events including cellular differentiation, apoptosis, and defense against pathogens. Currently employed natural and synthetic antioxidants exhibit a lack of biocompatibility, bioavailability, and chemical stability, resulting in limited capability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). To mediate these drawbacks, we have developed a synergistic manganoporphyrin-polyphenol polymeric nanothin coating and hollow microcapsules with efficient antioxidant activity and controllable ROS modulation. These materials are produced by multilayer assembly of a natural polyphenolic antioxidant, tannic acid (TA), with a synthesized copolymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone containing a manganoporphyrin modality (MnP-PVPON) which mimics the enzymatic antioxidant superoxide dismutase. The redox activity of the copolymer is demonstrated to dramatically increase the antioxidant response of MnP-PVPON/TA capsules versus unmodified PVPON/TA capsules throug...
Self-assembled plasmonic nanogaps: Enabling early detection of biofilm formation

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic, biofilm-forming pathogen. P. aeruginosa produces pyocyanin, a secondary metabolite as part of its quorum sensing signaling system activated during biofilm formation. Self-organized plasmonic nanogaps provide enhancements to Raman scattering signals to achieve 10 ng/mL limit of detection of pyocyanin that enables early detection of biofilm formation. We report, for the first time, in-line biofilm detection in microfluidic channels as early as three hours from the onset of bacterial culturing and quantification spanning five-orders of magnitude of pyocyanin concentration during biofilm formation of PA14.
Chapter 3.2: The ‘Pedagogies of Partnership’ in UK Higher Education: From Blair to Freire?

The language of partnership has emerged as a reaction against neo-liberal visions of HE as a marketplace with student customers and HE providers (National Union of Students, UK, A manifesto for partnership, 2012; Molesworth et al. 2011). Partnership is presented as the culmination and highest form of student engagement (NUS, National Union of Students, UK, A manifesto for partnership, 2012) with even the Quality Assurance Agency defining it as shared working ‘based on the values of: openness; trust and honesty; agreed shared goals and values; and regular communication between the partners’ (Quality Assurance Agency, UK, The UK quality code for higher education, Part B: Assuring and enhancing academic quality, Chapter B5: Student engagement, 2012: 3). So is the echo of Freire in the pedagogies of partnership intentional? This paper will explore the potential offered by the pedagogies of partnership to engage UK HE with the ideas and ideals of Paulo Freire but will also warn of the perils of domestication into ‘marketized’ HE practices.
Queer and Trans* Students of Color: Navigating Identity Disclosure and College Contexts

The purpose of this study was to explore outness among undergraduate students who identify as queer and trans* people of color (QTPOC). Data for this study originated from The National LGBT Alumni ...
Evaluation of Plutonium Hemisphere Critical Experiments Partially Reflected by Steel and Oil

A series of 15 critical experiments performed at the Rocky Flats Critical Mass Laboratory in the late 1960s was evaluated and then determined to represent acceptable benchmark experiments for the v...
DNA STRAND PASSING AND THE FUNCTION OF TYPE II DNA TOPOISOMERASES

ABSTRACT A DNA topoisomerase from bacteriophage T4-infected E. coli cells has recently been isolated and characterized. The T4 DNA topoisomerase catalyzes the relaxation of superhelical DNAs (whether positively or negatively coiled) in a reaction requiring ATP hydrolysis. The purified enzyme contains multiple subunits, which are apparently coded for by T4 genes 39, 52 and 60. Genetic and biochemical studies of mutants in these genes indicate that the T4 DNA topoisomerase is essential for phage T4 DNA replication and is most likely involved in the initiation of DNA replication forks. Mechanistic studies of this enzyme have clearly established that T4 DNA topoisomerase (as well as other type II DNA topo-isomerases) catalyzes the so-called “DNA strand passing reaction,”presumably via mechanisms that involve a transient double-chain scission on one of the two crossing DNA double helices. The passage of a second double-stranded DNA segment through this transient double-strand break results in a variety of DNA topoisomerization reactions, including knotting:unknotting; relaxation: supercoiling and catenation:decatenation. Using various assays specific for the type II DNA topoisomerases (such as unknotting, catenation and decatenation), an ATP dependent enzyme activity has been detected in all eukaryotic organisms tested thus far and highly purified from HeLa cells and calf thymus. The highly purified eukaryotic type II DNA topoisomerase (designated as topo II) is strikingly similar to the T4 DNA topoisomerase. The possible roles of such type II enzymes in a variety of biological functions will be discussed. A new eukaryotic type I DNA topoisomerase (designated as topo I) has also been purified to near homogeneity from HeLa cells. This type I DNA topoisomerase is a major nuclear protein and is most likely ubiquitous. Its possible relationship to the eukaryotic “nicking-closing” enzyme is discussed.
The Use of Consonance Sets for Exploratory Data Analysis

Construction of sets for judging the adequacy of fit of variance families of distributions is proposed. The specific distributions for which details are given include the normal, exponential and Weibull. By a change of variable the lognormal and extreme..
Impact of neutron flux anisotropy from DT generator on radiation shielding effectiveness

Abstract Design of deuterium–tritium (DT) neutron generator facilities requires a careful assessment of radiation shielding. In the models of such facilities an isotropic distribution of neutron flux produced by the neutron generator is usually assumed. However, prior studies have shown that neutron flux surrounding the neutron generator can be anisotropic. This anisotropy results mostly from the design of the generator tube, as well as the angular dependence of DT fusion reaction cross section. In this work, the angular neutron flux was measured for a standard commercially available DT generator (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Model P211) using an organic scintillator and a significant degree of anisotropy was confirmed to exist. The experimentally determined flux was then used in Monte Carlo simulations to examine the impact of anisotropy on the effectiveness of radiation shielding. Although the shielding effectiveness is not considerably affected by the anisotropy, the dose rates in air around the unshielded generator can be significantly different from those predicted when an assumption of isotropic flux is made. These considerations need to be included in modeling of the dose rate around the generator in neutron generator facilities that employ typical neutron generators, which exhibit some degree of anisotropy in neutron flux.