cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single-particle optical scattering spectroscopy in white light supercontinuum optical tweezers

White light supercontinuum, which is generated by coupling short laser pulses into a nonlinear photonic crystal fiber, not only covers an extremely broad wavelength range (e.g., from visible to near infrared) but also has high spatial coherence. As a result, tightly focused supercontinuum can be used to trap a single particle and simultaneously to perform broad-band ultra-sensitive optical spectroscopy at a single particle level. In this paper we investigate the optical scattering spectroscopy of a single particle in white light supercontinuum optical tweezers. Lorenz-Mie theory and Fourier angular spectrum analysis are used to model the scattering of tightly focused supercontinuum by a uniform spherical scatterer. In addition, Born approximation method is applied to analyze scattering by non-spherical weak scatterers. Unlike conventional ensemble averaged spectroscopy, single particle spectroscopy has the unique capability to probe the properties of individual particles, which can lead to many important applications such as ultrasensitive sensing and nanoparticle characterization.
Aircraft Antilock Brake System with Neural Networks and Fuzzy Logic

We explore the competitive concepts of neural network identification and fuzzy logic adaptive inference into the aircraft antilock brake system (ABS) design. The nonlinearities typically characterized by look-up tables are emulated with neural identifiers and subsequently integrated in the ABS design. The highly nonlinear aircraft dynamics coupled with varying operating conditions and uncertainties are handled well with the proposed rulebased fuzzy logic controller. The proposed methodology is shown to be robust under various runway ground conditions. The proposed aircraft ABS design with neural networks and fuzzy logic can persistently provide the maximum achievable traction force for deceleration purposes, as compared with other ABS and non-ABS schemes.
Total organic carbon in Lake Superior sediments: Comparisons with hemipelagic and pelagic marine environments1

Seventeen box cores from Lake Superior were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), porosity, and 210Pb activity. The data were trsed to determine relationships among bulk scdimentation rates, TOC sedimentation rates, and TOC degradation rates with depth in the core. Results are compared with predictive eqllations for TOC sedimentation rates and degradation rates in the oceans and show some striking similarities bctwcen the behavior of TOC in Lake Superior and in hemipclagic and pelagic marine environments.
Quality of care for two common illnesses in teaching and nonteaching hospitals

Teaching hospitals are recognized for treating rare diseases, but their value in caring for common illnesses is less clear. To assess quality of care for congestive heart failure and pneumonia, we reviewed the medical records of Medicare beneficiaries in major teaching, other teaching, and nonteaching hospitals in four states. Overall quality was rated better in major and other teaching hospitals than in nonteaching hospitals by physician reviewers and explicit process criteria, but the results varied for different subsets of explicit measures. Future studies should assess whether outcomes differ between teaching and nonteaching hospitals.
Effect of Impact Limiter Material Degradation on Structural Integrity of 9975 Package Subjected to Two Forklift Truck Impact

This paper evaluates the effect of the impact limiter material degradation on the structural integrity of the 9975 package containment vessel during a postulated accident event of forklift truck collision. The analytical results show that the primary and secondary containment vessels remain structurally intact for Celotex material degraded to 20% of the baseline value.
Structure Determination of a Twinned Rb(H2NC10H6SO3) · H2O Crystal and Comparison to Related Alkali Metal Aminonaphthalenesulfonates

Rb(H2NC10H6SO3) · H2O crystallizes in space group P21 with two formula units in the asymmetric unit, the crystal being twinned by a 180° rotation about [1 0 0]. The structure was determined from X-ray diffraction data, and refined, based on two twin components, to yield a final R value of 0.0557 for 2754 reflections. The structure consists of alternating layers of aminonaphthalenesulfonate and rubidium ions. There are two distinct rubidium environments, the metal ions linked by the sulfonate groups and bridging water molecules into an infinite sheet. The sulfonate groups are bidentate, monodentate and bridging, all oxygen atoms being bound to at least one metal. The amino groups do not participate in coordination to the metal. Aromatic moieties from neighboring hydrophilic metallo-layers interleave to form the hydrophobic layers. There is some similarity to the analogous sodium and potassium structures, however the rubidium compound is distinguished by an infinite cationic layer, rather than columns observed for the other two structures. Strukturbestimmung eines verzwillingten Rb(H2NC10H6SO3) · H2O-Kristalls und Vergleich mit verwandten Alkalimetallaminonaphthalinsulfonaten Rb(H2NC10H6SO3) · H2O kristallisiert in der Raumgruppe P21 mit zwei Formeleinheiten in der asymmetrischen Einheit; der Kristall ist durch eine 180° Rotation um [1 0 0] verzwillingt. Die Struktur wurde durch Rontgenstrukturanalyse gelost und basierend auf 2754 Reflexen beider Zwillingskomponenten zu einem abschliesenden R-Wert von 0.0557 verfeinert. Die Kristallstruktur besteht aus alternierenden Schichten von Aminonaphthalinsulfonat- und Rubidiumionen. Die Rubidiumionen befinden sich in zwei grundsatzlich verschiedenen Koordinationsspharen und sind durch Sulfonatgruppen sowie verbruckende Wassermolekule zu unendlichen Schichten verbunden. Die Sulfonatgruppen wirken als einzahnige, zweizahnige oder verbruckende Liganden, wobei alle Sauerstoffatome an mindestens ein Metallion koordinieren. Die Aminogruppen sind nicht an der Koordination zum Metall beteiligt. Die aromatischen Einheiten jeweils zweier benachbarter hydrophiler Metallo-Schichten ordnen sich nach dem Reisverschlussprinzip an, wobei sie eine hydrophobe Schicht formen. Obwohl die Rubidiumverbindung einige strukturelle Ahnlichkeiten mit der analogen Natrium- sowie der Kaliumverbindung aufweist, unterscheidet sie sich deutlich durch die Existenz einer unendlichen Kationenschicht gegenuber der saulenartigen Anordnung in den beiden anderen Strukturen.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Tetranuclear Copper(II) Resorc[4]arene Complex Possessing Four Structurally Different Copper Centers

A new resorc[4]arene ligand with four bis(pyridylmethylamine) coordinating moieties (bpa-res) is described. The tetranuclear copper(II) complex of bpa-res shows that the bpa-res ligand serves as a template to assemble four copper atoms in close proximity to each other. The complex possesses four structurally unique copper(II) ions in the solid state, two of which form a discrete binuclear complex within the tetranuclear complex.
Correlation of 85Kr gastric mucosal flow determinations.

Many factors all sharing in common predisposing damage of the gastric mucosal barrier in the presence of acid have been implicated in the pathogenesis of gastric ulcerations [3, 4, 6, 71. Shock and/or anemia with resultant ischemia of the mucosa, in the experimental animal, appears to be a potent causal factor. Such a mechanism can be implicated in man, if for no other reason than that the clinical setting in which stress ulceration occurs is often characterized by both hypotension and anemia, but direct measurements of mucosal blood flow have not been made because of a lack of a technique which allows for repeated determinations under various conditions. Laboratory techniques usually employed are not directly applicable to man. A method to evaluate gastric mucosal blood flow in the intact, physiologically unaltered state, would be an important tool in both man and animal for demonstrating the nature of the relationship between blood flow and breakdown of the mucosal barrier. Secondly, it is appreciated that the stomach may be thought of as essentially two distinct organs, the antrum (control) and the corpus (secretion), each with a potent influence over the other. The interrelationship between the function of the glandular elements, located in the mucosa, and the blood flow to that particular mucosa is unknown. If blood flow is important in this interrelationship, and on the basis of a demonstrated increase in metabolic activity
A RADIOIODINE TRACER STUDY OF THE FATE OF HUMAN THYROID AUTOTRANSPLANTS

THE regenerative and growth capacity of human thyroid parenchyma has long been assumed by analogy with the results of animal experiments and on grounds of clinical observations following thyroidectomy. With radioisotope tracer technic a more direct method of evaluating the growth potential of human thyroid tissue became available. By this method we have formerly shown that following so-called “total” thyroidectomy grossly indiscernible fragments of thyroid tissue inadvertently left in situ are at times capable of a detectable function (1). Similarly, under certain conditions a consistent and progressive increase can be demonstrated in the functional activity of very small amounts (as small as 200 mg.) of thyroid parenchyma remaining after radical subtotal thyroidectomy (2). In the present study we have sought to gather further information regarding the parenchymal regeneration of thyroid tissue by investigating the behavior of thyroid autotransplants. Although several recent accounts deal with similar inq...
Gelation of Chicken Muscle Myofibrillar Proteins Treated with Protease Inhibitors and Phosphates

Gelation of chicken pectoralis muscle myofibrils treated with soybean trypsin inhibitor, leupeptin, antipain, egg white, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and ortho- (Pi), pyro- (PPi), tripoly- (TPP...
Triple-resonance pulse transformer circuit

A modified, resonant pulse transformer circuit, based on a generalization of the well‐known double‐resonance pulse transformer circuit, is described. This modified circuit allows complete energy transfer in the presence of non‐negligible internal capacitance of realistic pulse transformers, and substantially reduces peak transformer voltage, compared to the double‐resonance circuit. Conditions under which the internal capacitance significantly affects energy transfer, and sensitivity of overall efficiency to circuit component values are discussed.
Determinants of retromolar space presence in Pleistocene Homo mandibles

Abstract The high frequency of mandibular retromolar spaces among the Neandertals is often cited as a derived character relative to Early and Middle Pleistocene members of the genus Homo . Four explanations have been put forward relating variation in Neandertal dentofacial variables to the high frequency of retromolar spaces: (1) an anterior migration of the dental arcade (Coon, 1962; Howells, 1975; Wolpoff, 1980); (2) a posterior "retreat" of the zygomatic and anterior ramal regions relative to a fixed molar position (Trinkaus, 1987); (3) a shortening of the dental arcade due to mesiodistal molar diminution (Rak, 1986); and (4) a shortening of the dental arcade due to a combination of anterior migration of the postcanine dentition and posterior migration of the anterior dentition (Spencer & Demes, 1993). Analysis of the temporal and geographical distributions of retromolar space frequencies for available fossil mandibles ( n =77) reinforces the interpretation of a high frequency of retromolar spaces being derived in later Pleistocene Neandertal clade specimens relative to Early and Middle Pleistocene Homo . Yet, the contrast between these late archaic humans and early modern humans (especially from the Near East) is less pronounced, removing this feature from the list of possible Neandertal autapomorphies. Logistic regression analysis of a sample subset ( n =22) for which mandibular length, dental arcade length and ramus breadth could be measured demonstrates that retromolar spaces are best seen as a combined result of reduced dental arcade lengths (i.e. mesiodistally reduced postcanine dimensions) and reduced ramus breadths, in the context of little or no reduction in overall mandibular length. While the proximate spatial mechanisms accounting for higher frequencies of retromolar spaces and related facial features among the Neandertals are straightforward, ultimate causal mechanisms are more elusive. Posterior dental reduction and the associated reduction in zygomatic and ramal dimensions can be explained, at least in part, as an aspect of masticatory gracilization, probably a result of technological shifts in food processing. The maintenance of total facial prognathism, and hence mandibular length, has proven more difficult to understand.
mag-1, a homolog of Drosophila mago nashi, regulates hermaphrodite germ-line sex determination in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Abstract The Caenorhabditis elegans gene mag-1 can substitute functionally for its homolog mago nashi in Drosophila and is predicted to encode a protein that exhibits 80% identity and 88% similarity to Mago nashi (P. A. Newmark et al., 1997, Development 120, 3197–3207). We have used RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to analyze the phenotypic consequences of impairing mag-1 function in C. elegans. We show here that mag-1(RNAi) causes masculinization of the germ line (Mog phenotype) in RNA-injected hermaphrodites, suggesting that mag-1 is involved in hermaphrodite germ-line sex determination. Epistasis analysis shows that ectopic sperm production caused by mag-1(RNAi) is prevented by loss-of-function (lf) mutations in fog-2, gld-1, fem-1, fem-2, fem-3, and fog-1, all of which cause germ-line feminization in XX hermaphrodites, but not by a her-1(lf) mutation which causes germ-line feminization only in XO males. These results suggest that mag-1 interacts with the fog, fem, and gld genes and acts independently of her-1. We propose that mag-1 normally allows oogenesis by inhibiting function of one or more of these masculinizing genes, which act during the fourth larval stage to promote transient sperm production in the hermaphrodite germ line. When the Mog phenotype is suppressed by a fog-2(lf) mutation, mag-1(RNAi) also causes lethality in the progeny embryos of RNA-injected, mated hermaphrodites, suggesting an essential role for mag-1 during embryogenesis. The defective embryos arrest during morphogenesis with an apparent elongation defect. The distribution pattern of a JAM-1::GFP reporter, which is localized to boundaries of hypodermal cells, shows that hypodermis is disorganized in these embryos. The temporal expression pattern of the mag-1 gene prior to and during morphogenesis appears to be consistent with an essential role of mag-1 in embryonic hypodermal organization and elongation.
Influence of the method of blending an antibiotic powder with an acrylic bone cement powder on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the cured cement.

Abstract Two variants of antibiotic powder-loaded acrylic bone cements (APLBCs) are widely used in primary total joint replacements. In the United States, the antibiotic is manually blended with the powder of the cement at the start of the procedure, while, in Europe, pre-packaged commercially-available APLBCs (in which the blending is carried out using an industrial mixer) are used. Our objective was to investigate the influence of the method of blending gentamicin sulphate with the powder of the Cemex ® XL formulation on a wide collection of properties of the cured cement. The blending methods used were manual mixing (the MANUAL Set), use of a small-scale, easy-to-use, commercially-available mechanical powder mixer, OmoMix ® 1 (the MECHANICAL Set), and use of a large-scale industrial mixer (Cemex ® Genta) [the INDUSTRIAL Set]. In the MECHANICAL and MANUAL Sets, the blending time was 3 min. In preparing the test specimens for each set, the blended powder used contained 4.22 wt% of the gentamicin powder. The properties determined were the strength, modulus, and work-to-fracture (all obtained under four-point bending), plane-strain fracture toughness, Weibull mean fatigue life (fatigue conditions: ±15 MPa; 2 Hz), activation energy and frequency factor for the cement polymerization process (both determined using differential scanning calorimetry, at heating rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 K min −1 ), the diffusion coefficient for the absorption of phosphate buffered saline, PBS, at 37 °C, and the rate of elution of the gentamicin into PBS, at 37 °C ( E ). Also determined were the particle size, particle size distribution, and morphology of the blended powders and of the gentamicin. For each of the cured cement properties (except for E ), there is no statistically significant difference between the means for the 3 cements, a finding that parallels the observation that there are no significant differences in either the mean particle size or the morphology of the blended cement powders. Notwithstanding these results, it is suggested that when the powder mixture is blended in the operating room, using the OmoMix ® 1 is more likely to produce a more consistent and reproducible mixture than when manual mixing is used.
Somatostatin in Preterm Infants: Postnatal Changes and Response to Stress

To determine the chronology of postnatal somatostatin (SRIF) changes in preterm infants and the relationship of SRIF levels to respiratory and gastrointestinal complications, we evaluated sequential SRIF levels in 62 preterm infants in the first month of life. Weekly preprandial plasma samples were obtained and analyzed for SRIF using a radioimmunoassay. Additional blood samples were obtained at the time of abdominal events. Somatostatin levels were highest in week 2 and gradually declined in weeks 3 and 4 (mean ± SD pmol/l, SRIF = 92.3 ± 30.3 in week 2 vs. 79.8 ± 33.9 in week 3 and 69.7 ± 54.4 in week 4, p
Translocation and metabolism of glycine betaine by barley plants in relation to water stress.

The glycine betaine which accumulated in shoots of young barley plants (Hordeum vulgare L.) during an episode of water stress did not undergo net destruction upon relief of stress, but its distribution among plant organs changed. During stress, betaine accumulated primarily in mature leaves, whereas it was found mainly in young leaves after rewatering. Well-watered, stressed, and stressed-rewatered plants were supplied with [methyl-14C]betaine (8.5 nmol) via an abraded spot on the second leaf blade, and incubated for 3 d. In all three treatments the added 14C migrated more or less extensively from the second leaf blade, but was recovered quantitatively from various plant organs in the form of betaine; no labeled degradation products were found in any organ. When 0.5 μmol of [methyl-14C]betaine was applied via an abraded spot to the second leaf blades of well-watered, mildly-stressed, and stressed-rewatered plants, 14C was translocated out of the blades at velocities of about 0.2–0.3 cm/min which were similar to velocities found for applied [14C]sucrose. Heat-girdling of the sheath prevented export of [14C]betaine from the blade. When 0.5 μmol [3H]sucrose and 0.5 μmol [14C]betaine were suppled simultaneously to second leaf blades, the 3H/14C ratio in the sheath tissue was the same as that of the supplied mixture. After supplying tracer [14C]betaine aldehyde (the immediate precursor of betaine) to the second leaf blade, the 14C which was translocated into the sheath was in the form of betaine. Thus, betaine synthesized by mature leaves during stress behaves as an inert end product and upon rewatering is translocated to the expanding leaves, most probably via the phloem. Accordingly, it is suggested that the level of betaine in a barley plant might serve as a useful cumulative index of the water stress experienced during growth.
Histocompatibility and tooth transplantation in the rabbit

Allogeneic orthotopic tooth transplants in the rabbit appear to stimulate transplantation immunity reactions comparable to those encountered with the transplantation of other organs. Intact untreated teeth were shown to be as quantitatively immunogenic as skin grafts between unrelated animals. Histocompatibility matching of donor and recipient and removal of pulpal tissues were demonstrated to be effective means of ameliorating the immune response to allogeneic orthotopic tooth transplants in the rabbit.
Proteomic Analysis of Diaminochlorotriazine Adducts in Wister Rat Pituitary Glands and LβT2 Rat Pituitary Cells

Atrazine (ATRA) is the most commonly applied herbicide in the United States and is frequently detected in drinking water at significant levels. After oral exposure, ATRA metabolism yields diaminochlorotriazine (DACT), an electrophilic molecule that has been shown to form covalent protein adducts. This research was designed to identify ATRA-induced protein adducts formed in the pituitary gland of ATRA-exposed rats and in DACT-exposed LbetaT2 rat pituitary cells. Immunohistochemistry showed diffuse cytoplasmic and nuclear staining in both pituitary sections and LbetaT2 cells indicating the formation of DACT protein adducts. Protein targets from both rat pituitaries and LbetaT2 cell culture were identified following two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE), immunodetection, and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry analysis. Western blots from both exposed rats and LbetaT2 cells revealed over 30 DACT-modified spots that were not present in control animals. Protein spots were matched to concurrently run 2DE gels stained with Sypro Ruby, excised, and in-gel-digested with trypsin. Mass spectrometry analysis of digest peptides resulted in the identification of 19 spots and 8 unique proteins in the rats and 21 spots and 19 unique proteins in LbetaT2 cells. The identified proteins present in both sample types included proteasome activator complex subunit 1, ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase isozyme L1, tropomyosin, ERp57, and RNA-binding proteins. Each of these proteins contains active-site or solvent-exposed cysteine residues, making them viable targets for covalent modification by DACT.
Understanding weather, climate, and birthweight: Findings from the U.S. natility data files 1969–78

Weather and extreme weather events are thought to be related to low birth weight. If this relation is held, it will have a wide range of public health impacts as birth weight is a key indicator of many life course health outcomes, and climate change increases the intensity of extreme weather events. The current study examines the relationship between birth weight and weather variables during the birth month while controlling other known risk factors. While the preliminary results seem to suggest a relationship between birth weight and extreme hot temperature, the result does not hold when individual and other risk factors are introduced. It is concluded that birth weight is primarily related to the temperature of birth month: the colder the month, the heavier the baby, to some degree. Even though we did not confirm the relationship between birth weight and extreme weather events, global warming is still likely to negatively affect birth outcomes.
FOUR-POINT FUNCTION OF THE SUPER-WZW MODEL ON THE SPHERE

The superspace formulation of the super-WZW model is used to obtain an explicit expression for the four-point correlation function on the super-sphere given that of the Bose case, for general groups. The correlation function is compared with that of the free super-scalar field theory with background charge and is shown to have an identical structure for the case of SU(2).
Optimization of electroporation for transfection of mammalian cell lines

Electroporation can be a highly efficient method for introducing DNA molecules into cultured cells for transient expression of genes or for permanent genetic modification. However, effective transformation by electroporation requires careful optimization of electric field strength and pulse characteristics. We have used the transient expression of the firefly luciferase gene as a rapid and sensitive indicator of gene expression to describe the effects on transfection efficiency of altering electroporation field strength and shape. Using the luciferase assay, we investigated the correlation of cell viability with optimal transfection efficiency and determined the optimal parameters for a number of phenotypically distinct mammalian cell lines derived from the nervous and immune systems. The efficiency of electroporation under optimal conditions was compared with that obtained using DEAE-dextran or calcium phosphate-mediated transformation. Transfection by electroporation using square wave pulses, as opposed to exponentially decaying pulses, was found to be significantly increased by repetitive pulses. These methods improve the ability to obtain high efficiency gene transfer into many mammalian cell types.
Functional elongation of CA1 hippocampal neurons with aging in Fischer 344 rats

Abstract Dendritic function of CA1 pyramidal cells was measured during intracellular recording in vitro and correlated with in vivo behavior in Fischer 344 rats. The aged rats (>26 months) were significantly impaired on a water maze test of hippocampal behavioral function. CA1 neurons from these aged rats demonstrated an elevated action potential threshold compared to the young rats. Electrotonic length (L, in λ), calculated independently from physiological transients and electrotonic cell reconstructions, was significantly longer in neurons from aged rats (L=0.73±0.02 λ; mean±SEM) than in neurons from young rats (L=0.66±0.02 λ). Analysis of proximal and distal synaptic potentials pointed to a more distal electrotonic siting of all dendritic synapses in the aged neurons. Thus, electrical lengthening of dendrites, alterations in synaptic location and decreased excitability in neurons from aged rats with behavioral impairment may represent an endpoint of neuronal reactive mechanisms in response to the aging process.
Energy transfer in an LH4-like light harvesting complex from the aerobic purple photosynthetic bacterium Roseobacter denitrificans.

Abstract A peripheral light-harvesting complex from the aerobic purple bacterium Roseobacter (R.) denitrificans was purified and its photophysical properties characterized. The complex contains two types of pigments, bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) a and the carotenoid (Car) spheroidenone and possesses unique spectroscopic properties. It appears to lack the B850 bacteriochlorophyll a Qy band that is typical for similar light-harvesting complex 2 antennas. Circular dichroism and low temperature steady-state absorption spectroscopy revealed that the B850 band is present but is shifted significantly to shorter wavelengths and overlaps with the B800 band at room temperature. Such a spectral signature classifies this protein as a member of the light-harvesting complex 4 class of peripheral light-harvesting complexes, along with the previously known light-harvesting complex 4 from Rhodopseudomonas palustris. The influence of the spectral change on the light-harvesting ability was studied using steady-state absorption, fluorescence, circular dichroism, femtosecond and microsecond time-resolved absorption and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies. The results were compared to the properties of the similar (in pigment composition) light-harvesting complex 2 from aerobically grown Rhodobacter sphaeroides and are understood within the context of shared similarities and differences and the putative influence of the pigments on the protein structure and its properties.
Abstract 1732: Synthesis and evaluation of NSC23925 isomers to reverse multidrug resistance in cancer

The eventual development of multidrug resistance (MDR) during the course of chemotherapy treatment is a fundamental obstacle associated with cancer care. Prior studies have identified NSC23925 ((2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-quinolinyl) (2-piperidinyl) methanol)) to be a small molecule agent that reverses MDR in cancer cells. Analysis of the structure of NSC23925 indicates that NSC23925 has two chiral centers which lead to 4 different stereo-isomers (erythro-7a, threo-7b, threo-9a and erythro-9b). Each isomer may or may not have distinct bio-activity from the others. In this study, we synthesized all four isomers of NSC23925 and analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS, HPLC-MS). Structure and activity relationships for reversing MDR in several MDR human cancer cell lines were evaluated by MTT assay. We observed that compound erythro-9b (NSC23925-9b) is the most potent isomer on reversing drug resistance, threo-7b and threo-9a also showed modest but lesser activity, and Erythro-7a showed the least potency. NSC23925-9b is able to reverse MDR in several drug resistant cell lines expressing Pgp in vitro, including ovarian, breast, colon, and sarcoma cancer cell lines. NSC23925-9b was able to re-sensitize these cell lines to paclitaxel, doxorubicin, vincristine and ET-743 with no effect on cell sensitivity to cisplatin, topotecan and methotrexate. NSC23925-9b was unable to reverse drug resistance in non-Pgp expressing drug resistant cell lines. Furthermore, NSC23925-9b significantly enhanced in vivo antitumor activity of paclitaxel in MDR ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 TR xenograft models, without significant increasing the level of paclitaxel toxicity. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that NSC23925-9b and derivatives of this compound may hold therapeutic value in the treatment of MDR dependent cancers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1732. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1732
A methodology for algorithm regularization and mapping into time-optimal VLSI arrays

Abstract This paper provides a fairly comprehensive treatment of a broad class of algorithms as it pertains to systolic implementation. We describe some formal algorithmic transformations that can be utilized to map regular and some irregular compute-bound algorithms into the best-fit time-optimal systolic architectures. This methodology uses the concept of dependence vectors to order in time and space the index points representing the algorithm. However, by differentiating between two types of dependence vectors, the ordering procedure is allowed to be flexible and time optimal. Furthermore, the approach reported here deals with variable as well as fixed dependence vectors and does not put constraints on the topology or dimensionality of the target architecture. The ordered index points are represented by nodes in a diagram called Systolic Precedence Diagram (SPD). The SPD is transformed into a directed graph called the Systolic Directed Graph (SDG) which can be projected along defined directions to obtain the target architectures. If more than one valid projection direction exist, different designs are obtained. The resulting architectures. If more than one valid projection an improvement in the performance can be achieved by increasing PE fan-out. If so, the method provides the corresponding systolic implementation. The methodology has been tried on many signal processing, image processing, and graph theory algorithms and new arrays were designed as a result. In this paper, the methodology is illustrated by mapping three problems, namely, vector-matrix multiplication, matrix-matrix multiplication, and transitive closure problems into many planar and nonplanar time-optimal VLSI arrays.
A note on visualizing the Omega Prism

Simple techniques are described for demonstrating graphically interesting behavior of puzzles defined on finite lattices. The simple puzzles should be of interest to students and teachers who may wish to design and solve similar problems. In particular, this note describes computer graphics used to gain insight into the behavior of the solution space.
Anticipation of public speaking in virtual reality reveals a relationship between trait social anxiety and startle reactivity.

Background Startle reflex modification has become valuable to the study of fear and anxiety, but few studies have explored startle reactivity in socially threatening situations. Methods Healthy participants ranging in trait social anxiety entered virtual reality (VR) that simulates standing center-stage in front of an audience to anticipate giving a speech and count backward. We measured startle and autonomic reactivity during anticipation of both tasks inside VR after a single baseline recording outside VR. Results Trait social anxiety, but not general trait anxiety, was positively correlated with startle before entering VR and most clearly during speech anticipation inside VR. Speech anticipation inside VR also elicited stronger physiologic responses relative to anticipation of counting. Conclusions Under social-evaluative threat, startle reactivity showed robust relationships with fear of negative evaluation, a central aspect of social anxiety and clinical social phobia. Context-specific startle modification may be an endophenotype for subtypes of pathological anxiety.
Generalized doubly stochastic and permutation matrices over a ring

Abstract Let R be a ring with unity. A combinatorial argument is used to show that the R -module Δ n ( R ) of all n × n matrices over R with constant row and column sums has a basis consisting of permutation matrices. This is used to characterize orthogonal matrices which are linear combinations of permutation matrices. It is shown that all bases of Δ n ( R ) consisting of permutation matrices have the same cardinality, and other properties of bases of Δ n ( R ) are investigated.
Fast first-order PMD compensation with low insertion loss for 10 Gbit/s system

A fast first-order polarisation mode dispersion (PMD) compensator for 10 Gbit/s systems with low insertion loss is demonstrated. A response time of 200 ms with insertion loss <3 dB is obtained. The D/A board used in this experiment limits the response-time of the PMDC.
Neural Precursor Lineages Specify Distinct Neocortical Pyramidal Neuron Types

Several neural precursor populations contemporaneously generate neurons in the developing neocortex. Specifically, radial glial stem cells of the dorsal telencephalon divide asymmetrically to produce excitatory neurons, but also indirectly to produce neurons via three types of intermediate progenitor cells. Why so many precursor types are needed to produce neurons has not been established; whether different intermediate progenitor cells merely expand the output of radial glia or instead generate distinct types of neurons is unknown. Here we use a novel genetic fate mapping technique to simultaneously track multiple precursor streams in the developing mouse brain and show that layer 2 and 3 pyramidal neurons exhibit distinctive electrophysiological and structural properties depending upon their precursor cell type of origin. These data indicate that individual precursor subclasses synchronously produce functionally different neurons, even within the same lamina, and identify a primary mechanism leading to cortical neuronal diversity.
Effects of chronic ethanol drinking on the blood brain barrier and ensuing neuronal toxicity in alcohol-preferring rats subjected to intraperitoneal LPS injection.

Aims: Although alcohol drinking impairs the blood-brain barrier (BBB), the underlying mechanism is not fully under- stood. Thus, the effects of chronic ethanol drinking on the BBB were studied in vivo. Methods: Alcohol-preferring rats were given for 70 days free choice water and 15% ethanol. Then, they received LPS by i.p. injection. Efflux of ( 14 C)sucrose or ( 14 C)dextran was measured by their microinjection into the brain. Endothelial cells and neurons were isolated from the brain and analysed for mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the tight-junction (TJ) protein phosphorylation, NFkB activation, mRNA levels of TJ proteins, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumour necrosis factor a, interleukin-1 b (IL-1b), IL-10, CASPASE-8, and DNA damage. Results: LPS transiently increased ( 14 C)sucrose efflux in water drinking, while it caused a lasting increase in ( 14 C)sucrose and ( 14 C)dextran efflux in ethanol-drinking rats. The time-course of changes in the TJ correlated with (i) an increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), p38 mapk Jun-N-terminal Kinase (JNK), and TJ protein phosphorylation, (ii) RelA-p50 and p50-p50 activation, and (iii) a decrease in the TJ proteins' mRNA levels in endothelial cells and neurons. Apoptotic cells were detected in water drinking and LPS (WC-LPS) neurons at 24 h after LPS exposure. Neurons from Et-LPS rats did not exhibit apoptosis. Conclusions: LPS injection in WC-LPS rats transiently disrupted the BBB. Lack of JNK activation and CASPASE-8 may be respon- sible for lack of apoptosis in endothelial cells and vice versa in neurons. Chronic alcohol drinking in ethanol drinking and LPS (Et-LPS) rats augmented and dysregulated the LPS-induced BBB abnormalities but suppressed apoptosis in neurons.
Bringing scientific literature to the developing world: The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL)

The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEEAL) is an indexed library of key agricultural, environmental and related science periodicals created to help institutions in developing countries significantly expand their journal collections despite the prohibitive cost of journal subscriptions. TEEAL currently contains nine years of subscriptions (1993‐2001) to over 140 scientific journals with 1.7 million pages of articles on 381 CD‐ROMs. TEEAL is distributed at a low cost to 109 low and lower‐middle income countries around the world. Today, 66 institutions in 34 countries use TEEAL, and many others are negotiating its acquisition. This paper discusses the creation and development of TEEAL and its future direction in the context of working towards universal access to scientific information.
A Simulation Study of Vehicle Curve Speed Control System

In this paper, a speed control system for vehicle approaching, traveling, and coming out of a curve is investigated using simulation. In order to assist driver in ahcieving safer and more comfortable curve following performance, vehicle speed is controlled using the preview data of the road ahead, which is obtained from the GPS and Map or vision system. The control system is comprised of a method for determining a desired curve speed profile to help achieve the best cornering performance for an up-coming curve and regulating vehicle speed toward the desired speed. The lateral dynamics of vehicle is used for computing the desired speed for a curve. From the current vehicle speed and the desired speed profile, the acceleration profile for a curve ahead of the vehicle is computed. Then, the acceleration command is generated to slow the vehicle so the driver can achieve the optimal curve following. From the simulation studies, it is concluded that the system can potentially improve driver cornering performance.Copyright © 2006 by General Motors Corporation
Protease inhibitors interfere with the necessary factors of carcinogenesis.

Many tumor promoters are inflammatory agents that stimulate the formation of oxygen radicals (.O2-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in phagocytic neutrophils. The neutrophils use the oxygen radicals t...
Delivering the second revolution in site-specific nucleases

Viruses have been used to deliver two types of site-specific nucleases into cells for targeted gene editing.
Verifying One's Knowledge of a Name Without Retrieving It: A U-Shaped Relation to Vocabulary Size in Early Childhood

An explicit awareness of gaps in one's vocabulary plays an important role in older children's word learning and reading comprehension and may influence language processing in younger children. The current investigation addressed how preschool-age children identify gaps in their knowledge of object labels. In two studies, preschoolers answered general questions about various depicted objects, then later judged whether they knew names for these and other objects. In each study, participants were more likely to mistakenly report knowing a name for an unnameable object if they had been asked questions about it, or similar objects, earlier in the session. This pre-exposure effect is evidence that cues other than name retrieval itself can influence children's name knowledge judgments. In 4½ year olds (Study 1), the pre-exposure effect was found only among those with smaller vocabularies, whereas in 3½ year olds (Study 2), it was found only among those with larger vocabularies. The reasons why the pre-exposure e...
Crystallographic properties of four-fold grain K3Li2Nb5O15 thin films

Abstract The structural properties of a potassium lithium niobate (KLN; K3Li2Nb5O15) thin film deposited by rf-magnetron sputtering on a Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si(100) substrate were investigated. The crystalline structures of the Pt under layer and KLN thin films were examined using θ–2θ, θ-rocking, and mesh scan X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD results revealed that the Pt under layer was a strong (111) direction orientated poly crystal. Unlike the Pt under layer film, the KLN(001) peak was found to consist of two separate peaks, one with a broad full width half maximum (FWHM) and the other with a narrow FWHM, indicating that the KLN film had a single crystalline structure. The surface and cross-section morphology were investigated using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Accordingly, from the results of the SEM and XRD experiments, it was concluded that the KLN film was composed of small single crystals, which had a four-fold symmetry morphology with a c-axis normal to the substrate.
ON ANTICYCLOTOMIC ì-INVARIANTS OF MODULAR FORMS

We prove the μ-part of the main conjecture for modular forms along the anticyclotomic Zp-extension of a quadratic imaginary field. Our proof consists of first giving an explicit formula for the algebraic μ-invariant, and then using results of Ribet and Takahashi showing that our formula agrees with Vatsal’s formula for the analytic μ-invariant.
HR Practice Saliency: How Does it Drive Employee Outcomes?

This paper introduces the construct of human resource (HR) practice saliency as a key moderating variable in the relationship between HR practices and employee outcomes. We propose that HR practice...
Expanding the Library and Substrate Diversity of the Pyrrolysyl-tRNA Synthetase to Incorporate Unnatural Amino Acids Containing Conjugated Rings

Unnatural amino acids (UAAs) containing conjugated ring systems are of interest for their optical properties. Until now, such bulky and planar UAAs could not be incorporated into proteins using the pyrrolysyl tRNA/synthetase shuttling system. Using the "small-intelligent" approach to construct a highly diverse library, we evolved novel synthetases specific for two such UAAs and incorporated them into proteins in E. coli and mammalian cells.
Allosteric Properties of KCNQ1 (Kv7.1) Channel Gating Detected by Voltage Clamp Fluorometry

KCNQ1 (Kv7.1) is a unique member of the superfamily of voltage gated K+ channels in that it displays a remarkable range of gating behaviors tuned by co-assembly with different β subunits of the KCNE family of proteins. Homomeric KCNQ1 channels activate quickly over a negative range of voltages; KCNQ1/KCNE1 channels activate very slowly over a depolarized range of voltages; and KCNQ1/KCNE3 channels are constitutively open. To better understand the basis for the biophysical diversity of co-assembled channels, we here investigate the basis of KCNQ1 gating in the absence of β subunits using voltage clamp fluorometry (VCF). Based on our previous work, the kinetics and voltage dependence of voltage sensor movements are very similar to those of the channel gate, suggesting a one-to-one relationship. Here, we have tested alterative hypotheses to explain KCNQ1 gating: 1) KCNQ1 voltage sensors undergo a single concerted movement that leads to channel opening, or 2) independent voltage sensor movements lead to channel opening before all voltage sensors have moved. We find that KCNQ1 voltage sensors move independently, but that the channel can conduct before all voltage sensors move. In some mutant KCNQ1 channels, transition to the open state occurs even in the absence of voltage sensor movement. In these mutants, voltage sensors display more depolarized voltage dependence than the channel gate, implying that voltage sensors move after the channel has opened. To interpret these results, we propose an allosteric gating scheme wherein KCNQ1 is able to transition to the open state after 0-4 voltage sensor movements, with each successive voltage sensor movement strengthening the opening transition. This model allows for widely varying gating behavior depending on the relative strength of the opening transition, which physiologically is controlled by co-assembly with different KCNE family members.
Phase III data for abiraterone in an evolving landscape for castration-resistant prostate cancer

At the 2010 meeting of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), a landmark development in prostate cancer therapy was unveiled. In a phase III study, the CYP17 inhibitor abiraterone yielded a survival advantage over placebo in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) who had progressed despite prior docetaxel therapy. The data for abiraterone follow the publication of successful phase III studies earlier this year supporting two mechanistically distinct agents-namely, the novel taxane cabazitaxel and the autologous dendritic cell vaccine sipuleucel-T. A challenge that lies ahead for the scientific community is to discern the appropriate positioning of abiraterone in an increasingly crowded therapeutic landscape. Several ongoing trials are examining the agent in earlier settings (i.e., a phase III in mCRPC pre-docetaxel, and smaller studies in combination with radiation therapy or as neoadjuvant pre-surgery for localized disease). Herein, several potential strategies for abiraterone are presented to clarify the clinical utilization of this agent in the future.
The role of radical + fuel-radical well-skipping reactions in ethanol and methylformate low-pressure flames

Abstract Although the reactions of fuel-radicals with other dominant flame radicals such as H and CH 3 are important reactions in low-pressure flames, they have not been well studied. These reactions may occur through either recombination to form stabilized molecular complexes or direct abstractions and chemically activated addition–eliminations to yield bimolecular products. Here, the role of such reactions in low-pressure flames of ethanol and methylformate is studied through a combination of theoretical characterizations of key reactions and detailed kinetic modeling. In particular, H and CH 3 + fuel-radical reactions have been characterized theoretically in this work and these are shown to make a pronounced impact on the formation of intermediates. Theoretical calculations for H + CH 3 CHOH and CH 3 + CH 3 CHOH predict that at low pressures recombinations are minor processes with well-skipping (addition–eliminations) dominating the reaction flux. Direct abstraction was also considered in H + CH 3 CHOH and theory suggests that abstraction at the CH 3 -site forming CH 2 CHOH is the only important channel. Notably, this result is counter to analogy based predictions that CH 3 CHO should be the dominant abstraction product. Low-pressure ethanol flame simulations indicate that addition–elimination reactions from H + CH 3 CHOH and CH 3 + CH 3 CHOH are a major source for C 2 H 4 and C 3 H 6 profiles, respectively. Similar results are observed in simulations of a low-pressure methylformate flame, where addition–elimination reactions of H + CH 2 OCHO and CH 3 + CH 2 OCHO have a significant impact on CH 3 OH and C 2 H 4 mole fraction profiles, respectively. The present results suggest that the well-skipping reactions of relatively stable fuel-radicals with ubiquitous flame radicals such as H, O, OH, and CH 3 should be considered extensively in combustion models.