cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Drug resistance occurred in a newly characterized preclinical model of lung cancer brain metastasis

Cancer metastasis and drug resistance have traditionally been studied separately, though these two lethal pathological phenomena almost always occur concurrently. Brain metastasis occurs in a large proportion of lung cancer patients (~ 30%). Once diagnosed, patients have a poor prognosis surviving typically less than 1 year due to lack of treatment efficacy. Human metastatic lung cancer cells (PC-9-Br) were injected into the left cardiac ventricle of female athymic nude mice. Brain lesions were allowed to grow for 21 days, animals were then randomized into treatment groups and treated until presentation of neurological symptoms or when moribund. Prior to tissue collection mice were injected with Oregon Green and 14C-Aminoisobutyric acid followed by an indocyanine green vascular washout. Tracer accumulation was determined by quantitative fluorescent microscopy and quantitative autoradiography. Survival was tracked and tumor burden was monitored via bioluminescent imaging. Extent of mutation differences and acquired resistance was measured in-vitro through half-maximal inhibitory assays and qRT-PCR analysis. A PC-9 brain seeking line (PC-9-Br) was established. Mice inoculated with PC-9-Br resulted in a decreased survival time compared with mice inoculated with parental PC-9. Non-targeted chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide (51.5 days) significantly prolonged survival of PC-9-Br brain metastases in mice compared to vehicle control (42 days) or cisplatin and pemetrexed (45 days). Further in-vivo imaging showed greater tumor vasculature in mice treated with cisplatin and etoposide compared to non-tumor regions, which was not observed in mice treated with vehicle or cisplatin and pemetrexed. More importantly, PC-9-Br showed significant resistance to gefitinib by in-vitro MTT assays (IC50 > 2.5 μM at 48 h and 0.1 μM at 72 h) compared with parental PC-9 (IC50: 0.75 μM at 48 h and 0.027 μM at 72 h). Further studies on the molecular mechanisms of gefitinib resistance revealed that EGFR and phospho-EGFR were significantly decreased in PC-9-Br compared with PC-9. Expression of E-cadherin and vimentin did not show EMT in PC-9-Br compared with parental PC-9, and PC-9-Br had neither a T790M mutation nor amplifications of MET and HER2 compared with parental PC-9. Our study demonstrated that brain metastases of lung cancer cells may independently prompt drug resistance without drug treatment.
En La Lucha/in the Struggle for Mathematics Teacher Education Without Borders

In this chapter, I reflect on three intellectual divides that continually challenge and motivate my scholarship. I discuss how these intellectual borders (mathematics/education; expert/novice; research/teaching) create adversarial relationships and unwarranted hierarchies in our field and among ourselves. Although these divides seem innocuous and have been with us for a long time, I contend that these are far more dangerous than we might realize. These divides prevent us, individually and collectively, from imagining new and creative solutions to the perennial question about how to improve the quality and equity of mathematics education. I propose a reflexive and collaborative approach to identifying and problematizing the intellectual divides that challenge our goals and commitments to pursuing research that makes a difference in the very communities that we seek to serve.
Recent improvements in beam orbit feedback at NSLS-II

Abstract This paper discusses improvements made to the fast orbit feedback (FOFB) system at NSLS-II in 2019. We first characterized the system by measuring the transfer function and the closed-loop gain of the system. We also constructed a model to predict the performance, which was based on physical behaviors. After finding and fixing the sources of the latency, we improved the closed-loop gain’s bandwidth from 250 Hz to 400 Hz in the horizontal plane and 250 Hz to 300 Hz in the vertical plane. The orbit beam instability improved by 30% and 10% in the horizontal and vertical planes, respectively.
Blast from the past: U.S. foreign policy and Indexing India in U.S. press during Cold War:

This qualitative research studied press-state relations using India as a case study. It studied India’s depiction in The New York Times during the Cold War using Indexing theory. Indexing theory st...
Ten important roles for academic leaders in data science

Data science has emerged as an important discipline in the era of big data and biological and biomedical data mining. As such, we have seen a rapid increase in the number of data science departments, research centers, and schools. We review here ten important leadership roles for a successful academic data science chair, director, or dean. These roles include the visionary, executive, cheerleader, manager, enforcer, subordinate, educator, entrepreneur, mentor, and communicator. Examples specific to leadership in data science are given for each role.
Enteral feeding advancement and growth until 5 years in extremely preterm infants.

BACKGROUND In-utero weight gain can be achieved in very preterm infants through rapid advancement of enteral feeds without increasing risk of necrotizing enterocolitis. There are concerns, however, that such rapid weight gain may lead to an increased childhood adiposity risk, although long-term data are sparse. DESIGN This retrospective observational study included two well-characterized cohorts comprising 145 infants born at < 28 weeks or with < 1000 g birth weight. We investigated associations between advancing enteral feeding volumes in daily increments of 15-20 ml/kg (Cohort 1, n = 84, born in 2006/2007) vs. 25-30 ml/kg (Cohort 2, n = 61, born in 2010) and growth up to 5 years of age. RESULTS There was no significant difference in anthropometric parameters post discharge to 5 years between both cohorts. Standard deviation score (SDS) weight and SDS BMI at the age of 5 years remained lower than in the reference population. SDS weight decreased from discharge to about 10-12 months postnatal age and returned to birth values by age 5 years. There was a catch-up for SDS length/height from discharge to 5 years; SDS head circumference decreased from birth to 5 years. Multiple regression analyses revealed that for all anthropometric parameters SDS at birth was the most important predictor for SDS at 5 years. Early parenteral protein intake may be another important factor, at least for head growth. CONCLUSIONS Growth was similar in both cohorts without benefit from more accelerated feeding advancement in cohort 2. In both cohorts, early enteral nutrition was associated with in-hospital weight gain as in utero, a drop in weight SDS post discharge and catch-up to birth SDS until age 5 years, remaining below the reference population. Length showed catch-up form discharge to 5 years, whereas head circumference progressively deviated from the reference population. Increased parenteral protein supplementation may be needed to accompany early enteral feeding advancements.
Using Optogenetics to Dissect the Neural Circuits Underlying OCD and Related Disorders

Clinical and preclinical studies have uncovered substantial evidence that dysfunction in cortico-striatal-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loops central to the selection of action strategies may underlie obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. In human OCD, data suggest that the balance between selections of habitual versus goal-directed action strategies is disrupted, with concomitant hyperactivation of CSTC regions associated with these strategies. Preclinical lesion and inactivation studies of homologous CSTC regions in rodents have shed light on how sub-regions of the frontal cortex and striatum can have dissociable effects on the exhibition of goal-directed or habitual behavior. However, these traditional methods lack the precision necessary to dissect the exact projections and cell types underlying these behaviors. It is essential to uncover this information to begin to determine how disruption in these circuits may lead to disease pathology. Here, we summarize several recent studies that utilize optogenetics, a technique that allows stimulation or inhibition of specific neural projections and cell types using light, to further understand the contribution of CSTC activity to both action selection and the OCD-relevant behavior of perseverative grooming. Based on these experiments and findings in human OCD patients, we argue that OCD symptoms may not only be associated with an enhancement of habitual behavior, but also with aberrant recruitment of goal-directed neural circuits. We also discuss the current status of translating optogenetic technology to primates, as well as how findings in rodents may help inform treatment of patients suffering from OCD and related disorders.
A Human Rights Perspective on U.S. Courts and the Constitutional Regulation of the Internet

This chapter examines the approaches used by the U.S. Supreme Court and the lower U.S. federal courts to contend with the challenges presented by new Internet technologies for the protection of constitutional rights. The chapter first discusses judicial regulation of the Internet as a story of inter-branch power sharing. Regulation has been most effective, and most coherent, when Congress and the courts are engaged in dialogue with one another in ways that play to the strengths of each. Second, the chapter argues that although U.S. federal courts have been relatively effective in updating the individual constitutional protections to meet the demands of new technologies, their efforts in this respect have been hampered by the lack of a comprehensive constitutional theory for understanding the effects of new technologies on individual rights. The chapter proposes the international human right to equality as a frame that better recognizes the significance of access to the Internet in promoting the realization of rights and orients the discussion on the needs and experiences of the user with respect to both speech and privacy online.
SAR distribution for a strongly coupled resonant wireless power transfer system

Tissue heating is a key safety consideration in wireless power transfer (WPT) systems. Heating is regulated in the form of specific absorption rate (SAR) limitations to prevent dangerous conditions when wireless power transfer is used in proximity to people. Implanted biomedical devices which depend on wireless power transfer for their operation are particularly of interest, as a high potential for tissue heating exists in these systems. Finding ways to reduce SAR for a given load power requirement enables reduced tissue heating and/or increased limits on power transmission. This work explores SAR heating in the two resonant modes (in-phase and out-of-phase) of a strongly coupled wireless power transfer system, where the power receiver is implanted in tissue. Results based on full EM simulation with realistic planar transmit/receive coil model near 13.56 MHz and simplified tissue model indicate that the higher frequency mode (out-of-phase mode) of strongly coupled wireless power transfer results in significantly lower peak and average SAR heating.
A National Broadband Plan for Our Future: A Customer-Centric Framework

*Congress has recently charged the Federal Communications Commission to establish a National Broadband Plan. This paper argues that a customer-centric plan, which puts the customer in control of decision-making, will yield the best broadband result for the U.S. The Federal government must establish a market infrastructure that encourages competition, requires transparency of both network providers and application providers, and includes vigorous antitrust enforcement. Competition from wireless broadband is present now and will become far more prevalent shortly, on the basis of current and announced investment plans. Regulators must also make available far more licensed spectrum to ensure this competition is realized. Calls for regulation in the form of mandated unbundling and more unlicensed spectrum are regulatory cul-de-sacs with proven track records of failure. Calls for regulatory control of network provider practices (other than transparency), such as network neutrality, are misguided. Such decisions are best left to customers, who can very well decide for themselves which of the broadband providers offer terms that best suit the customer.
The α-Chemokine Receptor CXCR4 Is Expressed on the Megakaryocytic Lineage From Progenitor to Platelets and Modulates Migration and Adhesion

CXCR4 is the receptor for the alpha-chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and has been shown to be expressed on a diversity of leukocytes. In this report, the expression of the CXCR4 receptor in cells of megakaryocytic lineage and the role of SDF-1 in megakaryocytopoiesis were investigated. Using flow cytometry in combination with reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), we observed that bone marrow CD34(+), CD61(+) cells, blood platelets, and megakaryocytic leukemia cell lines all expressed the CXCR4 receptor. To examine the expression of the CXCR4 receptor on megakaryocyte progenitors (colony-forming units-megakaryocyte [CFU-Meg]), CXCR4-positive and -negative CD34(+) populations were separated from bone marrow and cultured in a plasma clot culture system. A subpopulation of the CFU-Meg was found in the CXCR4-positive fraction. The functional significance of CXCR4 expression on cells of the megakaryocytic lineage was examined by studying the effects of SDF-1alpha on migration and proliferation of megakaryocyte progenitor cells in vitro. We found that SDF-1alpha potently induced megakaryocyte progenitor migration and significantly enhanced adhesion of mature marrow megakaryocytes to endothelium. No marked effects of SDF-1alpha alone or in combination with thrombopoietin and stem cell factor/kit ligand on megakaryocyte production in vitro were noted. These results demonstrate for the first time that the CXCR4 alpha-chemokine receptor is expressed on cells of the megakaryocytic lineage from progenitors to platelets and that its ligand SDF-1alpha may modulate several aspects of megakaryocytopoiesis.
Remarks on the polymerization of vinyl benzoate

The existing evidence concerning the polymerization of vinyl benzoate in bulk and in solution is critically examined. A kinetic scheme is developed which interprets and unifies the experimental results of several authors and the validity of each step is considered in some detail. Die vorliegenden Ergebnisse der Polymerisation von Vinylbenzoat in Substanz und in Losung werden kritisch gepruft. Ein kinetisches Schema wird entwickelt, das die experimentellen Resultate verschiedener Autoren auslegt und vereinigt. Die Gultigkeit jedes Schrittes wird genauer gepruft.
Update of lomefloxacin in vitro activity and spectrum: A multicenter trial testing contemporary pathogens following food and drug administration validation guidelines

The United States Food and Drug Administration recently recommended that the antimicrobial product package insert (PPI) subsection on microbiology be annually validated with regard to the compound's spectrum and potency. To address this request, a nine-laboratory trial was organized to test (two methods) lomefloxacin, a newer fluoroquinolone, and nine comparison drugs against PPI-listed pathogens (1934 strains). A broad geographic sampling (nine medical centers) was achieved, and lomefloxacin was determined to be active [minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs), or = 90% of strains] for all PPI-listed species except Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Citrobacter freundii, and Providencia rettgeri (42%-87% inhibited). Comparison fluoroquinolones also had a similarly compromised spectrum of activity against these species. Additional organism species, including Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N. meningitidis, Salmonella enteriditis, and Shigella species, should be added to the lomefloxacin PPI (MIC90s, 0.03-0.25 microgram/ml) following data generated in this study. These in vitro results indicate that lomefloxacin remains active against the vast majority of clinically "indicated" species, and that it has a spectrum compatible with other marketed fluoroquinolones for these tested pathogens, monitored in 1994.
Potential Impact of Daily Setup Variation on Pencil-Beam Scanning for Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract A 79-year-old woman underwent transoral robotic resection and selective dissection of the right side of the neck for a right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma, positive for human papillomavirus, final pathologic stage IVa, T2N2bM0. Given the finding of extracapsular extension, postoperative chemoradiation was recommended for the patient, and radiation was given via pencil-beam scanning proton therapy. During the course of radiation, regular evaluation computed tomography scans consistently revealed random variation in the position of large skinfolds in the posterior portion of the neck, which resulted in undercoverage of clinical targets. As a result, the decision was made to change the remainder of the patient's radiation therapy course to intensity-modulated photon radiation, which was less sensitive to the random variation of setup in the soft tissues of her neck. She remained disease free at the 20-month follow-up. This case illustrates the importance of routine evaluation of soft tissue anatomy...
Occurrence of Nitrate Reductase and Molybdopterin in Xanthomonas maltophilia.

Fifteen of 23 ATCC strains and 2 of 9 clinical isolates of Xanthomonas maltophilia, all of which grew aerobically on ammonia, but not nitrate, as a sole nitrogen source, reduced nitrate to nitrite. X. maltophilia failed to grow anaerobically on complex medium with or without nitrate, so it is considered an obligate aerobe. Nitrate-reducing strains contained reduced methyl viologen nitrate reductase (MVH-NR) with specific activities ranging from 49.2 to 192 U mg of protein−1. Strain ATCC 17666 doubled its cell mass after 3 h of growth on nitrate broth under low aeration, possessed maximal MVH-NR activity, and converted the added nitrate to nitrite, which accumulated. Dissolved oxygen above 15% saturation greatly suppressed nitrite formation. All strains, except ATCC 14535, possessed between 0.25 and 5.05 pmol of molybdopterin mg of protein−1 as measured by the Neurospora crassa nit-1 assay. The molybdopterin activity in the soluble fraction sedimented as a single symmetrical peak with an s20,w of 5.1. Studies identified MVH-NR in selected strains as a membrane-bound protein. The deoxycholate-solubilized MVH-NR sedimented as a single peak in sucrose density gradients with an s20,w of 8.8. The MVH-NR of X. maltophilia has the physical characteristics of a respiratory nitrate reductase and may enable cells to use nitrate as an electron sink under semiaerobic conditions.
Spinal Manipulation for Headaches: Will Better Quality Trials Do the Trick?

(Headache 2011;51:1149-1151) Treatment for cervicogenic headache (CGH) can be challenging and is not always effective. Many patients turn to manipulative therapies, but what is the evidence this form of treatment works? Posadzki and Ernst performed a systematic review of trials of spinal manipulation for the treatment of CGH, which is published in this issue of Headache. The studies they located did not use clear or standard definitions for CGH or the manipulative interventions. The authors conclude that the evidence for spinal manipulative therapies for CGH is weak and more research is needed. This is particularly important because of rare but serious risks associated with this treatment option.
Atmospheric Variations: Vacillations and Index Cycles

Zonal indices, momentum flux, and mean and perturbation kinetic energies of the Southern Hemisphere upper troposphere, derived from the EOLE constant density balloon data set, are found to possess strong 18-23 day variations which are statistically significant to a posteriori levels. Cross-spectra and phase relationships suggest that the variation appears as a barotropic interaction between the middle latitude mean westerlies and ultra large-scale perturbations. Long-period and high-amplitude variations in energy conversion between eddy and mean kinetic energies are found which average out in the long term mean to be very small and positive, consistent with previously measured average hemispheric energetics. Furthermore, the variation is shown to possess an ultra-long wave preference. Examination of two independent data sources, time series of total ozone and stratospheric thickness data from the Selective Chopper Radiometer, suggests that the periodicity is a property of general hemispheric motion rather than just a property of the EOLE data set.
Characteristics of narrow-bandgap InN semiconductors grown on Ga-polar and N-polar GaN templates by pulsed metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

The growths of droplet-free narrow-bandgap InN semiconductors on Ga-polar and N-polar GaN templates on c-plane sapphire substrates were performed by pulsed-MOVPE growth techniques. Under the optimum In-polar InN growth conditions, the carrier mobility and n-type carrier concentration were measured as 681 cm 2 /(V.sec) and 1.5×10 19 cm -3 , respectively. The room-temperature photoluminescence measurements of optimized In-polar grown by pulsed-MOVPE technique resulted in peak wavelength at 0.76 eV. The growth of N-polar InN grown on the N-polar GaN template is discussed and compared to that of the In-polar InN.
A method for assurance of image integrity in CAD-PACS integration

Computer Aided Detection/Diagnosis (CAD) can greatly assist in the clinical decision making process, and therefore, has drawn tremendous research efforts. However, integrating independent CAD workstation results with the clinical diagnostic workflow still remains challenging. We have presented a CAD-PACS integration toolkit that complies with DICOM standard and IHE profiles. One major issue in CAD-PACS integration is the security of the images used in CAD post-processing and the corresponding CAD result images. In this paper, we present a method for assuring the integrity of both DICOM images used in CAD post-processing and the CAD image results that are in BMP or JPEG format. The method is evaluated in a PACS simulator that simulates clinical PACS workflow. It can also be applied to multiple CAD applications that are integrated with the PACS simulator. The successful development and evaluation of this method will provide a useful approach for assuring image integrity of the CAD-PACS integration in clinical diagnosis.
A Stress Singularity Approach for the Prediction of Fatigue Crack Initiation in Adhesive Bonds. Part 1: Theory

Abstract Since crack initiation in adhesive bonds tends to occur near the interface corners where the stress fields are singular, we define a fatigue initiation criterion using stress singularity parameter, Q (a generalized stress intensity factor) and the singular eigenvalue, λ. Hattori et al., successfully used a generalized stress intensity factor to characterize the static strength of bimaterial interfaces. We show that this criterion is only appropriate for situations in which the adhesive contact angle is no larger than 90° and the modulus ratio (adhesive to adherend) is smaller than 0.1. Fortunately, these conditions are often met in real joints, permitting the use of a single eigenvalue approach. We then extend this criterion to the case of fatigue arising from mechanical, thermal, or hygroscopic cycling. In preparation for Part 2 (experimental), the special case of an epoxy wedge on a flat aluminum substrate is considered. The singularity is analyzed both analytically and numerically. The scale o...
Understanding the Mechanism of the Antimitogenic Activity of Suramin

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play crucial roles in the regulation of key cellular processes such as angiogenesis, differentiation, and tumor growth. Suramin, a polysulfonated naphthylurea, is known to be a potent inhibitor of FGF-induced angiogenesis. Using isothermal titration calorimetry, we demonstrate that human acidic fibroblast growth factor (hFGF-1) binds to suramin with high affinity in the nanomolar range. The suramin:hFGF-1 binding stoichiometry is estimated to be 2:1. Size-exclusion chromatography data reveal that suramin oligomerizes hFGF-1 to form a stable tetramer. Thermal unfolding experiments monitored by steady state fluorescence, and limited trypsin digestion analysis data suggest that suramin-induced oligomerization of hFGF-1 occurs in two steps. The first step involves the binding of suramin at specific sites on the protein. Two molecules of suramin appear to bind simultaneously to one molecule of hFGF-1. Binding of suramin possibly involves formation of solvent-exposed nonpolar surfaces in hFGF-1. In the second step, FGF appears to oligomerize through coalescence of the solvent-accessible nonpolar surfaces. Results of the NMR experiments reveal that suramin binds to residues in the heparin binding pocket as well as to residues involved in FGF receptor binding. On the basis of the results of this study, we propose a model to explain the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the antimitogenic activity of suramin. To our knowledge, this is the first study in which suramin interaction sites on FGF have been characterized.
Modulation of short waves by long waves

Wave-tank experiments were performed to investigate the cyclic short-wave energy changes, related in phase to an underlying long wave, which occur during active generation of the short-wave field by wind. Measurements of time series of the short-wave slope were made by a laser-optical system, where the basic long-wave parameters were controlled and wind speeds were accurately reproducible. The short-wave slope variances were found to exhibit cyclic variations that are related to the phase of the long wave. The variations result from two combined effects: (1) the short wave frequency is varied by the long-wave orbital velocity; (2) the energy of the short waves is modulated by the actions of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic couplings that operate on the short waves in a manner related to the long-wave phase.
Head-scatter factors in blocked photon fields

The behavior of the head-scatter factor in shielded 6 and 25 MV X-ray beams from a Philips SL25 linear accelerator was investigated by measuring incident fluences by direct (in-air) and indirect (in-phantom) methods. It was found that perturbations in head-scatter produced by shielding blocks arranged to define a slit-shaped field are considerably less than 1% in unwedged beams, even when 80% of a 20 x 20 cm2 field is shielded. The results are independent of beam energy and orientation of the slit with respect to the collimator jaws. When a 60 degrees wedge is inserted, the head-scatter factor decreases by up to a few percent, depending on slit direction but not on energy. The contributions to head-scatter from the block tray and the shielding blocks are negligible.
Peak Oil in a Carbon Constrained World

The world petroleum complex has been on a treadmill, struggling to add increments of new production to keep pace with growing demand and depletion. If the oil price shock of 1979–1981 is considered an aberration due to panic inventory building, recent real oil prices are at levels not seen since the 19th century. The analysis in this review shows that geophysical models of peak oil predict a pre-mature peaking in world oil production and a decline rate more rapid than the average 3% annual rate of decline observed in countries past peak production. This review also finds that political decisions and events play an important role in determining world oil production and that reserve additions respond to expected prices and costs. The actions of the world oil cartel, the business cycle, and the delayed response of oil demand and supply to prices indicate that the peak of conventional oil production will only be known until well after it has occurred. Despite rapid advances in output from Brazil and West Africa, crude oil production outside OPEC and Russia appears to have peaked in 2002, at least for now. Another tangible indicator of a coming peak is the expansion of unconventional oil production, which is on a collision course with efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions. A clear policy direction for carbon regulation that encourages technological innovation is imperative as peak oil approaches.
Autonomic University Administration System

An Autonomic computing system is a solution to circumvent the overhead associated with the usual network setup, manual updates, and continual general maintenance. In this research an in-depth analysis of the benefits of a novel Autonomic University Administration System (AUAS) is presented. An Autonomic Manager (AM) is responsible for the autonomic activities of self-configuration, self-healing and diagnosis, and optimization. A Policy Guided Self-Configuration Module (PGSCM) handles any new software or hardware to the proposed autonomic network (AN). The Self-Healing & Diagnosis Module (SHDM) handles much of the testing of the AUAS for the AM. The Optimization Module (OM) handles self-optimization activities of the AUAS for the AM. A theoretical analysis is provided for cost, quality of service, failure avoidance, adaptivity, and response time.
CD38 variation as a prognostic factor in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

had mutated immunoglobulin heavy chain variable gene (IGHV), 69 (51%) were ZAP70 negative and 76 (63%) had either 13q deletion or normal interphase cytogenetics, determined by fl uorescence in situ hybridization. Th e median time between the fi rst and last CD38 measurements was 3.4 years (range 0.2 – 11.3). CD38 expression was measured a median of 5.5 times (range 2 – 19). Patients with CLL were followed for a median of 7.7 years (range 1.3 – 30.4). During this time, 60 patients (44%) progressed and required therapy, while 76 patients (56%) did not need therapy. Of the 60 patients who were treated, 20 had received therapy prior to the fi rst CD38 measurement. What is the extent of CD38 variation in CLL lymphocytes over time in individual patients? As seen in Figure 1(A), the CD38 values in the entire cohort had a wide range, but in many patients these values remained relatively stable. For example, fi ve patients (4%) had fi rst CD38 values above 30% with subsequent CD38 values below 30%. Fourteen patients (10%) had fi rst CD38 values below 30% with later CD38 values above 30%. For the 60 patients who required therapy, two (3%) patients had a fi rst CD38 value above 30% with a subsequent CD38 value less than 30%, while nine patients (15%) had a fi rst CD38 value less than 30% and a subsequent CD38 value above 30%. Th e clinical outcomes (overall survival and time to therapy) of patients with CD38 values that were always less than the 30% cut-off were superior to those of patients with CD38 values always greater than 30% or both above and below 30% [Figures 1(B) and 1(C)]. Th ese results indicate that CD38 expression varies in approximately 15% of patients, crossing an established CD38 cut-off that has prognostic signifi cance, and that the clinical outcome of these patients is similar to that of patients with consistently high CD38 expression. What is the prognostic signifi cance of the fi rst, maximum and minimum CD38, as well as CD38 range? Evaluating these values as continuous variables, we found that an elevated fi rst CD38 measurement was associated with a signifi cantly more rapid time to therapy (TTT, hazard ratio [HR] 1.011, 95% confi dence interval [CI] 1.002 – 1.02, p 0.016, Wald test), and was associated with a trend toward a lower overall survival
Chandra Observations of SN 1999gi and the X-Ray Emission of Type II-P Supernovae

We report on the probable X-ray detection, using the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, of the Type II-plateau (II-P) supernova SN 1999gi in the spiral galaxy NGC 3184. A faint source is located within 04 of the supernova's optical position. The inferred luminosity is ~1 × 1037 ergs s-1 in the 0.5-10 keV band for an adopted 1 keV thermal bremsstrahlung spectrum. The luminosity from SN 1999gi is very similar to that inferred from the Chandra detection of the Type II-P SN 1999em in NGC 1637 for which we extracted data from the Chandra archive. We suggest that Type II-P supernovae show X-rays initially at outburst, subsequently fade, and are not significant X-ray emitters prior to the remnant stage.
Effect of toluidine blue on metastatic calcification.

Summary and Conclusions1. This experiment indicates that not only does toluidine blue fail to inhibit the metastatic calcification produced by parathormone, but that the deposition of calcium is augmented by the concurrent administration of the dye. Increased calcification was observed in the connective tissue ground substance of the kidney, stomach, spleen, arteries and heart. This was an unexpected result due to the observation of Miller(8) that treatment of hypertrophic rachitic cartilage slices with basic dyes inhibits subsequent calcification. The fact remains, however, that the acid mucopolysaccharide present in the connective tissue matrix has a strong affinity for basic dyes. Rubin and Howard(6) have shown that the increased intensity of toluidine blue staining in areas about to calcify suggest that new polysaccharide appears or that the chemical state of the polysaccharide already present changes. An alteration in chemical form of the matrix favors combination with calcium and confers the state o...
Further MRI evidence of late brain maturation : Limbic volume increases and changing asymmetries during childhood and adolescence

In this article, we extend earlier findings of age‐related changes in brain morphology on magnetic resonance images to include measurements of the mesial temporal lobe as well as asymmetry measures in regional cortical and subcortical structures. The earlier sample was increased to include 57 children and young adults aged 8 to 35 years. The participants were studied using quantitative image analytic techniques. Estimated volumes of limbic and anterior diencephalic structures increased significantly with age; although inferior lateral cortex, superior cortex, caudate nuclei, thalamus, and lenticular nuclei all decreased significantly with age. Of the 7 regions measured, only the lenticular nucleus and anterior diencephalon showed significant changes in asymmetry with increasing age. It is hypothesized that some of these changes may be related to the changing levels of gonadal steroid hormones known to occur during this age range. They may also have important implications for the study of late developing h...
Intra-A10 injection of H7 blocks the development of sensitization to cocaine

The role of protein kinase activity in the development of behavioral sensitization was examined by injecting the protein kinase inhibitor H7 into the A10 dopamine region 5 min before each of four daily peripheral injections of cocaine. Animals then received a challenge injection of cocaine 24 h after the daily treatments. Intra-A10 injection of H7 attenuated the acute motor-stimulant response to cocaine. Daily injections of H7 prevented the development of an enhanced motor-stimulant response, which occurred with daily cocaine injections, such that the animals' behavioral response was similar to that of animals receiving their first cocaine injection. These data suggest that increased protein kinase activity in the A10 dopamine region may be important in the development of behavioral sensitization to cocaine.
Sensitivity analysis framework for variational inequalities

In this paper a sensitivity analysis framework is developed for variational inequalities. The perturbed solution to a parametric variational inequality problem is shown to be continuous and directionally differentiable under appropriate second order and regularity assumptions. Moreover, this solution is once continuously differentiable if strict complementarity also holds.
The Effects of Intrinsic In-Plane Stress on the Local Atomic Structure of Thermally Grown SiO2

The effect of thermal history on the local atomic structure of thermally grown and annealed SiO2 films is discussed. Thin films of SiO2 were prepared for study by (1) thermal oxidation of silicon at 850°C and 1050°C in a dry oxygen ambient and, (2) by subsequent rapid thermal annealing at temperatures between 850°C and 1200°C. After thermal processing, the film thickness was reduced incrementally by a wet chemical etchback technique to within 50 A of the growth interface. Relief of intrinsic growth stress by viscous flow was investigated, at each thickness increment, on a local atomic scale by infrared spectroscopy and on a macroscopic scale by beam-bending type stress measurements. Results were analyzed in terms of a Maxwell model. Changes in film thickness and refractive index resulting from viscous flow during annealing were shown to obey a Clausius-Mossotti relationship. Local atomic strain values, calculated from shifts in the IR bond-stretching frequency, showed a linear correlation with measured stress values giving a value for a plane-strain Young's modulus of 4.7 × 1011 dynes/cm2. This compares favorably with the literature value of 8.8 × 1011 dynes/cm2.
Cool but Counterproductive: Interactive, Web-Based Risk Communications Can Backfire

Background: Paper-based patient decision aids generally present risk information using numbers and/or static images. However, limited psychological research has suggested that when people interactively graph risk information, they process the statistics more actively, making the information more available for decision making. Such interactive tools could potentially be incorporated in a new generation of Web-based decision aids. Objective: The objective of our study was to investigate whether interactive graphics detailing the risk of side effects of two treatments improve knowledge and decision making over standard risk graphics. Methods: A total of 3371 members of a demographically diverse Internet panel viewed a hypothetical scenario about two hypothetical treatments for thyroid cancer. Each treatment had a chance of causing 1 of 2 side effects, but we randomly varied whether one treatment was better on both dimensions (strong dominance condition), slightly better on only one dimension (mild dominance condition), or better on one dimension but worse on the other (trade-off condition) than the other treatment. We also varied whether respondents passively viewed the risk information in static pictograph (icon array) images or actively manipulated the information by using interactive Flash-based animations of “fill-in-the-blank” pictographs. Our primary hypothesis was that active manipulation would increase respondents’ ability to recognize dominance (when available) and choose the better treatment. Results: The interactive risk graphic conditions had significantly worse survey completion rates (1110/1695, 65.5% vs 1316/1659, 79.3%, P < .001) than the static image conditions. In addition, respondents using interactive graphs were less likely to recognize and select the dominant treatment option (234/380, 61.6% vs 343/465, 73.8%, P < .001 in the strong dominance condition). Conclusions: Interactivity, however visually appealing, can both add to respondent burden and distract people from understanding relevant statistical information. Decision-aid developers need to be aware that interactive risk presentations may create worse outcomes than presentations of static risk graphic formats. [J Med Internet Res 2011;13(3):e60]
Metabolism of gossypol by Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Studies of the metabolic fate of 14C-labeled gossypol in Heliothis virescens (F.) found radioactivity mainly in the fat body of fifth-stadium larvae, the dissolved tissues of 4-day-old pupae, the abdomen of newly emerged moths, and the larval frass. 14C-labeled gossypol was eliminated as a respiration product from third to fifth instars, and from prepupa to adult. Gossypol was excreted in the larval frass as a free compound and as a conjugate. Analysis of labeled frass extracts by high-performance liquid chromatography indicated that the ethyl acetate and methyl alcohol extracts contained the highest concentrations of free and conjugated gossypol, respectively, Two metabolites from frass of H. virescens larvae were isolated and identified as derivatives of gossypol containing six glucose moieties attached to the gossypol nucleus.
Population and Economic Growth

This paper examines the relationship between population and economic growth. It analyzes the implications of the effects of higher population density on per capita incomes and other variables in different countries and other geographic regions. Several statistical models that interpolate population to cities investment in human capital and economic growth were utilized to help analyze population growth. Generally economists along with others have believed that higher population lowers per capita incomes by diminishing returns. On the contrary there are few proofs demonstrating that higher population in more developed economies reduce per capita incomes. Population may reduce productivity secondary to traditional diminishing returns from more intensive use of land and other natural resources. However large populations encourage greater specialization and increased investments in knowledge. Therefore the net relation between greater population and per capita incomes relies on whether the inducements to human capital and expansion of knowledge are stronger than diminishing returns to natural resources.
Monte Carlo simulation of radiating reentry flows

The Direct Simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method is applied to a radiating, hypersonic, axisymmetric flow over a blunt body in the near continuum regime. The ability of the method to predict the flowfield radiation and the radiative heating is investigated for flow over the Project Fire II configuration at 11.36 kilometers per second at an altitude of 76.42 kilometers. Two methods that differ in the manner in which they treat ionization and estimate electronic excitation are employed. The calculated results are presented and compared with both experimental data and solutions where radiation effects were not included. Differences in the results are discussed. Both methods ignore self absorption and, as a result, overpredict measured radiative heating.
Implicit Theories of Work and Job Fit: Implications for Job and Life Satisfaction

Extending the implicit theory perspective to the domain of work, we established the factor structure of a newly developed measure and then investigated how destiny theories (potential careers are or are not “meant to be”) interact with job fit to predict job and life satisfaction. Results revealed Destiny Theory × Job Fit interaction effects. Specifically, better job fit predicted higher life satisfaction for individuals with strong (relative to weak) destiny theories. We further examined the indirect effect of the Job Fit × Destiny Theory interaction with life satisfaction through increased job satisfaction. Results supported the proposed model.
Characterization of the Phase and Amplitude Modulation of Injection-Locked VCSELs at 1550 nm Using Coherent Optical Demodulation

Experimental measurements of the optical amplitude and phase modulation from an injection-locked VCSEL at 1550 nm are reported. The use of a coherent optical demodulation technique, using a 90° optical hybrid, balanced photodiodes, and a high-speed oscilloscope, has enabled the complete modulation response to be recorded as a function of time. The VCSEL's response to current modulation was examined under various experimental parameters: over a wide frequency range, from kilohertz to gigahertz, for small and large current modulation and for different bias currents. Low-frequency ( 100 MHz) electronic modulation regime, the VCSEL produces significant amplitude and phase modulation, with a maximum depth of amplitude modulation, m, of 35% and β = 0.47 π rad. The VCSEL's thermal response is much more efficient (requires less RF power) in producing phase modulation than its electronic response. The detailed experimental data on the optical phase modulation response of an injection-locked VCSEL are reported for the first time here and are useful for its many applications.
PCO2 and room air saturation values in premature infants at risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

To determine the capillary partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2) and room air transcutaneous hemoglobin saturation (RA SAT) at 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age (PMA) in infants born with weight between 501 and 1250 g. Multicenter, prospective investigation with primary data collection within 72 h of 36 weeks PMA or discharge, whichever first. PCO2 and RA SAT determinations were done at rest on infants not requiring mechanical ventilation or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP). A total of 220 infants were enrolled (mean gestational age 27.7 weeks, mean birthweight 951 g). In infants with traditionally defined chronic lung disease (CLD) compared to those without CLD, the mean PCO2 was significantly higher (54 versus 45 mm Hg) and the median RA SAT significantly lower (<80 versus 97%). In infants with the new classification of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), there was a significant linear trend toward increasing PCO2 with increasing severity of BPD (45, 47, 54 and 62 mm Hg in No, Mild, Moderate and Severe BPD). There was a significant linear trend toward decreasing RA SAT with increasing severity of BPD (97, 95 <80, <80% in No, Mild, Moderate and Severe BPD). Defining CLD as BPD based upon a RA SAT test is a more discriminate, objective method to categorize lung injury. PCO2 is an objective measure of lung function that inversely correlates with RA SAT. These determinations done together at 36 weeks PMA may provide more precise and accurate estimates of lung injury that might allow for better understanding of pulmonary therapies and clearer comparison of BPD rates and severities among NICUs.
Host/parasitoid interactions: critical timing of parasitoid-derived products.

Abstract Short-term in vitro incubations were used to examine the ability of endoparasitoid larvae to produce and release both ecdysteroids and proteins into their environment. Second instar larvae of both Chelonus near curvimaculatus and Ascogaster quadridentata were observed by SDS–PAGE to release temporally-similar polypeptides in the 20–30 kD Mr range. Peak occurrence of these polypeptides coincided with shedding of the anal vesicle, immediately prior to ecdysis to the third instar. Ecdysis also coincided with the switch from endoparasitic to ectoparasitic development in vivo. Polyclonal antibodies were generated against a particular 27 kD polypeptide of Chelonus, which was found to be species-specific and localized primarily within the anal vesicle during the latter part of the second stadium and whole body homogenates of third instars. In vitro incorporation studies using 35S-methionine indicated rapid changes in the synthetic abilities of second instar larvae shortly before ecdysis. The production and release of ecdysteroids, as measured by RIA, was found to precede the peak occurrence of the 27 kD polypeptide and ecdysteroid presence was undetectable following the molt. In contrast, the polypeptides were observed to gradually increase prior to the molt and slowly decrease after the molt. The Chelonus polypeptide was not detected in host tissues until after parasitoid egression.