cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studying Lineage Plasticity One Cell at a Time

The development and consequences of lineage plasticity during tumorigenesis have remained mysterious due to the limits of single-cell analysis. In this issue of Cancer Cell, LaFave et al. and Marjanovic et al. identify highly plastic subpopulations within lung adenocarcinoma that may underlie intratumoral lineage heterogeneity, metastasis, and acquired resistance to chemotherapy.
Noise-Based Augmentation Techniques for Emotion Datasets: What do we Recommend?

Emotion recognition systems are widely used for many downstream applications such as mental health monitoring, educational problems diagnosis, hate speech classification and targeted advertising. Yet, these systems are generally trained on audio or multimodal datasets collected in a laboratory environment.While acoustically different, they are generally free of major environmental noises. The result is that systems trained on these datasets falter when presented with noisy data, even when that noise doesn’t affect the human perception of emotions. In this work, we use multiple categories of environmental and synthetic noises to generate black box adversarial examples and use these noises to modify the samples in the IEMOCAP dataset. We evaluate how both human and machine emotion perception changes when noise is introduced. We find that the trained state-of-the-art models fail to classify even moderately noisy samples that humans usually have no trouble comprehend-ing, demonstrating the brittleness of these systems in real world conditions.
Abstract 3126: Intratumor heterogeneity and clonal dynamics underlying treatment resistance in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancers in men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Though PCa is known to be substantially heterogeneous at the molecular and histological level, there is still little understanding of the tumor subpopulations (“clones”) generating this intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) and their underlying clonal dynamics and interactions. The impact of ITH on disease outcome remains unknown and is thus a significant hurdle in treatment of PCa. This barrier is especially evident in progression to castration resistance: after initial androgen dependence, subpopulations that are castration resistant and less dependent on androgens emerge to populate the tumor, contributing to disease progression. The introduction of second generation androgen deprivation therapies has shown some success in treating castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but eventually drug resistant clones emerge and the disease recurs. Understanding the fundamental differences–both phenotypic and genomic–between clones may hold the key to improving therapies, preventing disease progression, and prolonging patient survival. Using a multi-omics approach, we are exploring the dynamic changes in these subpopulations during progression to castration and drug resistance, focusing on the differences between clones at the transcriptomic and genomic level. Thus far, we have developed a mouse model of ITH in CRPC with the multicolor Confetti reporter, allowing for spatial distinction between different clones. Using single cell sequencing and RNAseq, we have mapped the evolution of early-stage clones post-castration and identified pathways and gene regulatory networks that potentially grant specific clones their castration resistant phenotype. We have extended our system to in vitro 3D organoid cultures to study the evolution of these clones longitudinally during treatment with the antiandrogens enzalutamide and abiraterone, developing a drug resistant in vitro model of CRPC. We are currently using our organoid system to identify novel drug resistance mechanisms in order to target advanced CRPC, which until now has been considered untreatable and lethal. By characterizing clonal dynamics during disease progression, our studies provide new mechanistic insights for identifying pre-existing high-risk clones with drug resistant phenotypes in PCa and uncovering novel therapeutic targets in CRPC. Our work has implications for designing new therapies aimed to control the emergence of advanced disease, preventing CRPC and drug resistance, with the ultimate goal of reducing mortality and improving prognosis. Citation Format: Lara F Tshering, Fu Luo, Nam D. Nguyen, James G. Rail, Ting Jin, Daifeng Wang, Flaminia Talos. Intratumor heterogeneity and clonal dynamics underlying treatment resistance in prostate cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 3126.
RNA-sequencing reveals a gene expression signature in skeletal muscle of a mouse model of age-associated post-operative functional decline

This study aimed to characterize the effects of laparotomy on post-operative physical function and skeletal muscle gene expression in C57BL/6N mice at 3, 20 and 24 months of age to investigate late-life vulnerability and resiliency to acute surgical stress. Pre- and post-operative physical functioning were assessed by forelimb grip strength and motor coordination. Laparotomy induced an age-associated post-operative decline in forelimb grip strength that was greatest in the oldest mice. In contrast, while motor coordination declined with increasing age at baseline, it was unaffected by laparotomy. Moreover, baseline physical function as stratified by motor coordination performance (low vs. high functioning) in 24-month-old mice did not differentially affect post-laparotomy reduction in grip strength. RNA sequencing of soleus muscles showed that laparotomy induced age-associated differential gene expression and canonical pathway activation with the greatest effects in the youngest mice. Examples of such age-associated, metabolically important pathways that were only activated in the youngest mice after laparotomy included oxidative phosphorylation and NRF2-mediated oxidative stress response. Analysis of lipid mediators in serum and gastrocnemius muscle showed alterations in profiles of these mediators during aging and confirmed an association between such changes and functional status in gastrocnemius muscle. These findings demonstrate a mouse model of laparotomy which recapitulated some features of post-operative skeletal muscle decline in older adults following surgery, and identified age-associated, laparotomy-induced molecular signatures in skeletal muscles. Future research can build upon this mouse model to study molecular mechanisms of late-life vulnerability to acute surgical stress and resiliency to counter surgery-induced physical decline.
Intelligibility in World Englishes: Theory and Application

Intelligibility is the term most generally used to address the complex of criteria that describe, broadly, how useful someone’s English is when talking or writing to someone else. Set within the paradigm of world Englishes – which posits that the Englishes of the world may be seen as flexibly categorized into three Circles (Inner, Outer, Expanding) in terms of their historical developments – this text provides a comprehensive overview of the definitions and scopes of intelligibility, comprehensibility and interpretability, and addresses key topics within this paradigm: Who – if anyone – provides the models and norms for a given population of English users? Hybridity and creativity in world Englishes Evaluating paradigms: misinformation and disinformation Practicalities of dealing with the widening variety of Englishes Is English "falling apart"? The much-debated issue of intelligibility touches not only sociolinguistic theory but all aspects of English language teaching, second language acquisition, language curriculum planning, and regional or national language planning. Designed for students, teacher educators, and scholars internationally, each chapter includes ‘Topics for Discussion and Assignments’ and ‘Suggestions for Further Reading’.
Benefits of the sperm (hamster ova) penetration assay in the evaluation of the infertile couple

Abstract The males of 310 infertile couples and 30 control couples (current pregnancy) were evaluated with the sperm (hamster ova) penetration assay (SPA) and seminal fluid analysis (SFA). The SPA was found to have a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 97% compared to 41% and 90%, respectively, for the SFA. The highest degree of concordance of the two tests existed when both tests were abnormal and no female factor was identified. The poorest concordance occurred when the SFA was normal and no female infertility factor was identified. In almost all cases of unexplained intertility where no female infertility factor was present, the problem could be assigned to the man, as evidenced by an abnormal SPA. The SFA seemed to have some predictive value with respect to the outcome following treatment of the man.
Decomposition of circuit modes in high order resonant converters

A circuit approach is presented to the decomposition of responses of higher order circuit modes in a converter operation into basic resonant circuits of the second order, each operating at its natural frequency, and first order circuits, if any exist. A two-dimensional state-plane trajectory is used to represent the steady-state response of each basic resonant circuit. The complete steady-state response of the converter is obtained from a combination of these state-plane diagrams. This technique makes it possible to obtain a geometrical representation for the steady-state response of a high-order converter. >
Fairness to All While Downsizing

Whenever changes are made to an existing schedule, it creates many logistical nightmares. This paper describes how to trim a schedule without making additional changes when we lose a resource. We consider a generalization of traditional scheduling of multiple identical resources (say broadcast channels, machines, memory, or power etc.) for jobs where the importance factor (or consumption rate) of a resource by jobs can vary with time. At any time the rate of consumption (or importance factor) of resource by two different jobs can differ. Given a schedule (or assignment) of k identical resources for n jobs, we consider the problem of fair reduction, loss, or downsizing of the resource from k to k–1 without time-wise altering the given schedule. Here, fairness means that every job loses roughly a fraction 1/k of the assigned resource (measured by the consumption rate or the importance factor) from the original schedule. We prove constructively a combinatorial Fairness Theorem that shows that a fair reduction for all jobs is possible for any schedule. The algorithm is simple and the resulting bound is almost tight since there is a trivial lower bound of loss of a fraction 1/k of assigned resource for some jobs.
A 0.13/spl mu/m triple-Vt 9MB third level on-die cache for the Itanium/spl reg/ 2 processor

The 18-way set-associative, single-ported 9 MB cache for the Itanium/spl reg/2 processor, presented in this paper, uses 210 identical 48 kB sub-arrays with a 2.21 /spl mu/m/sup 2/ cell in a 0.13 /spl mu/m 6M CMOS technology. A staged mode ECC scheme avoids a latency increase in the L3 tag. A high Vt implant improves the read stability and reduces the sub-threshold leakage.
General Relativistic Hydrodynamics and Accretion Physics: A Numerical Approach

We describe a numerical approach to the equations of general relativistic hydrodynamics. A discussion of the development and use of our computer code to study axisymmetric accretion flows around black holes is featured. We outline the equations to be solved, the numerical techniques used and our code calibration “test bed.” An illustrative accretion disk formation is presented.
The Determinants of Incentive Intensity in Group-Based Rewards

Higher-powered incentives have spread to a broader subset of employees within hierarchies, largely through group-based pay plans such as profit sharing, gainsharing, and team-based rewards. Yet, in most organizations, the incentive intensity of group rewards, like the incentive intensity of individual rewards, remains low. This paper explores the determinants of incentive intensity in group-based rewards. We draw upon agency theory for hypotheses and test these with a sample of 663 group-based pay plans. We find that incentive intensity is higher when groups are small, when plans need not measure quality, and when management participation is high. We also find that plans embedded in small firms and plans with longevity have higher incentive intensity.
MODIS-Based Potential Evapotranspiration Demand Curves for the Sacramento Soil Moisture Accounting Model

AbstractA satellite-based potential evapotranspiration (PET) product for streamflow simulations is tested for 15 forecast basins in the Upper Mississippi and Red River watersheds under the forecasting responsibility of the National Weather Service (NWS) North Central River Forecast Center (NCRFC). PET demand curves, which are long-term average estimates of daily PET, are derived using the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer sensor (MODIS) on board the Terra and Aqua earth observation satellites. The PET demand curves (referred to as M-PET) are then used as input to the NWS Sacramento soil moisture accounting model (SACSMA) and simulated discharge and evapotranspiration (ET) are evaluated. Simulations using M-PET input are compared to simulations produced using the demand curves of the NCRFC (referred to as NC-PET). The M-PET data correlate better with PET estimated using tower data from three sites located within the study region compared to the NC...
On the design of information-processing and decisionmaking organizations

An effectiveness measure for comparing alternative organizational structures is derived and then applied to the evaluation of two three-person organizations. The modeling and analysis of the organizations is carried out using an information theoretic framework in which decisionmakers are described by a two-stage model consisting of a situation assessment and a response selection stage. The total rate of internal processing of each decisionmaker is constrained by bounded rationality, while the performance of the organization must satisfy specified goals. The inter-relationship between performance and bounded rationality is expressed in a generalized strategy space that forms the basis for the effectiveness analysis.
Dietary supplementation with taurine and niacin prevents the increase in lung collagen cross-links in the multidose bleomycin hamster model of pulmonary fibrosis.

Taurine and niacin have been previously found to block the accumulation of collagen in lung in the multidose bleomycin hamster model of pulmonary fibrosis. Previous studies have found an increase in the pulmonary collagen cross-links dihydroxylysinonoroleucine (DHLNL) and hydroxypyridinium (OHP) in the single dose bleomycin rat model. In this study, we asked if taurine and niacin would block the increase in DHLNL and OHP in the multidose bleomycin hamster model of lung fibrosis. Hamsters were intratracheally instilled with three consecutive doses of saline or bleomycin sulfate 1 week apart (2.5, 2.0,1.5 units/ 5 mL/kg). Animals were fed diet containing either 2.5% niacin and 2.5% taurine or control diet throughout the experiment. The four groups were saline-instilled with control diet (SCD), bleomycin instilled with control diet (BCD), bleomycin-instilled with taurine-niacin in diet (BTN), and saline-instilled with taurine-niacin in diet (STN). Animals were sacrificed at 1, 4, and 8 weeks after the last bleomycin instillation. Hydroxyproline per lung in the BCD group was significantly elevated by 38, 56, and 60% over the SCD group at 1, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences among the four groups in DHLNL (mmole) per mole collagen at the 1 or 8 week time point. At four weeks, DHLNL was significantly elevated by 46.4% in the BCD group over the SCD group. The OHP (mmole) per mole of collagen at 1 and 4 weeks in the BCD group was not statistically different from the SCD group. However, at 8 weeks, this was significantly elevated by 31.4% over the SCD group. The DHLNL and OHP contents per mole of collagen were increased in the multidose bleomycin hamster model. Treatment with taurine and niacin in combination prevented the bleomycin-induced increases in the DHLNL and OHP contents of the lung collagen and this may be one of the mechanisms for their antifibrotic effect in this multidose bleomycin hamster model of pulmonary fibrosis.
Synthesis of 8-amino-6-methoxycinnoline. A precursor for 2-azaprimaquine

4-Methoxy-2-nitroaniline was converted in seven steps to 8-amino-6-methoxycinnoline with an overall yield of 33%. Several attempts to introduce a 5-aminopentan-2-yl side-chain in the amino-group to give 2-azaprimaquine were unsuccessful.
Cranial epidural fibrous tumor associated with hyperostosis: a case report

This report describes an unusual frontal epidural fibrous tumor in an adult woman. There had been no prior surgical procedure, radiation therapy, or significant head trauma. Microscopically, the lesion consisted of hypocellular, sparsely vascular, dense fibrous tissue. The fibrous mass was accompanied by hyperostosis of the frontal bone. The clinical and pathological characteristics of this lesion are illustrated. The differential diagnosis is discussed with reference to the literature regarding intracranial fibrous lesions. We are unaware of previous report of similar lesions in this location.
Incidence, diagnosis, and management of sacral fractures following multilevel spinal arthrodesis.

Abstract Background Fractures of the sacrum are a rare complication following instrumented spinal fusion, with only 34 cases previously reported in the literature. Previous series have generally been limited to less than five cases. Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the incidence of sacral fractures caudal to instrumented spinal fusion constructs, identify risk factors for fracture and for failure of conservative management, and describe strategies for surgical treatment of these fractures. Study design This is a retrospective review. Patient sample Patients undergoing instrumented posterior spinal arthrodesis between 2002 and 2011 were included in the sample. Outcome measures Clinical and radiographic data from hospital and surgeon records comprise outcome measures. Methods Methods include a review of clinical and radiographic data from a prospectively collected patient database recording all adjacent segment fractures during the study period. Results Twenty-four patients developed sacral fractures caudal to instrumented spinal fusion constructs during the study period. The overall incidence was 6.1% and was significantly greater in fusions greater than four levels (14.5%). The mean time from index surgery to fracture was 4.3 months. Only one fracture was evident on plain radiography at the onset of symptoms. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear scintigraphy can all be used to establish the diagnosis. Eight patients were successfully treated conservatively. The mean time to fracture union was 21 weeks. Anterolisthesis of the fracture greater than 2 mm and kyphotic angulation were significantly associated with failure of conservative management. Surgical intervention included posterior extension of the fusion construct to S2 and the iliac wings with sacroiliac joint fusion. In 10 cases, a combined anterior and posterior approach was used that consisted of either revision anterior lumbar interbody fusion or transsacral posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Conclusions Sacral fractures following instrumented posterior spinal fusion are an uncommon complication; that is often unrecognized on plain radiographs. Risk factors include osteoporosis and long spinal fusions. Anterolisthesis and kyphosis of the fracture is associated with failure of conservative management.
Effect of interface roughness on performance of AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs resonant tunneling diodes

Abstract The interface roughness of a GaAs/AlGaAs/InGaAs double-barrier-quantum-well structure was controllably altered by changing substrate surface misorientation and growth interruption time at metal organic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) growth interfaces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray reflectance measurements were used to quantify the interface roughness. The InGaAs quantum wells grown on singular substrates exhibit an island growth mode morphology, while step-bunched growth is observed on the misoriented substrates. A short growth interruption time, of typically ∼15 s, can decrease the InGaAs/AlGaAs interface roughness. The low-temperature I–V characteristics of the resonant tunneling diodes based on this quantum-well structure are found to be sensitive to the quantum-well interface roughness. The measured interfacial roughness was used as input to a numerical simulation of device performance.
In vitro injury model for oligodendrocytes: development, injury, and recovery.

In this study we investigated the effects of severe hypothermia (cryoinjury) on oligodendrocyte (OL) cell marker expression and morphological features. We used a chemically defined cell culture medium, glial development medium (GDM), which favored the optimal expression of the OL phenotype in CG4 cells. Experiments using CG4 cells cultured in 2% serum or in GDM were conducted in parallel. After severe hypothermia, cells were reanimated at 37°C and 4.5% CO2 and cultured in either GDM or in medium supplemented with 2% serum. In either medium, around 70% of the total number of cells detached within 2 to 4 hours following reanimation. Oligodendroglial markers such as A2B5, O4, Tf, ferritin, tubulin, and MBP were examined by double and triple immunofluorescence. All of these markers except MBP re-appeared at different times during the recovery period for up to 48 hours. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and heat shock protein 60 (HSP-60) were used as injury markers. The presence of serum induced HSP-60 expression, while GDM did not. All CG4 cells expressed HSP-60 in response to hypothermia independently of the cell culture medium used. Cryoinjury induced a spectrum of morphological changes in CG4 cells. The expression of OL specific markers was also influenced by hypothermia. Moreover both, serum and cryoinjury induced the expression of HSP-60 that colocalized with OL and myelin markers. The expression of GFAP by injured cells but not by normal cells corroborated the state of injury of CG4 cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 52:719–730, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Excavator-mounted ordnance locating system using electromagnetic sensing technology

Abstract There are in excess of 20 million acres of bomb and artillery ranges under the control of the Department of Defense (DoD). Each year some 800,000 to 2,000,000 km2 are turned over to civilian (private or commercial) use. Some of this land is contaminated with buried unexploded ordnance (UXO). These UXOs present a safety hazard and raise many environmental concerns. In addition to inaccurate locating, one of the most difficult aspects for the operator of an excavator is the inability to see the target ordnance while it is covered with soil and debris. This paper presents a system which is mounted to the arm of an excavator and is capable of detecting a buried UXO located in the path of an excavator's bucket. Also, the system is able to determine the precise location of the ordnance relative to the excavator's bucket. This information will allow the operator not only to avoid striking the ordnance during the digging operation, but also to expose the object by removing the soil around it. This technology is also capable of locating small UXO which can be buried within the spoil material. This technology has the potential to result in savings of millions of dollars in operating costs and prevent the damage or loss of equipment.
( p , pn ) Reactions at Proton Energies from 0.3 to 3.0 Bev

Cross sections for ($p, \mathrm{pn}$) reactions on ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$, ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{54}$, ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{58}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{65}$, ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{64}$, ${\mathrm{Mo}}^{100}$, and ${\mathrm{Ta}}^{181}$ have been measured at proton energies of 0.4 and 3.0 Bev. For ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{65}$, ${\mathrm{Mo}}^{100}$, and ${\mathrm{Ta}}^{181}$ cross-section measurements at several other energies between 0.3 and 3.0 Bev are reported also. Within 30%, all these ($p, \mathrm{pn}$) cross sections appear to be energy-independent in this range. At a given energy the cross sections show greater variations from nucleus to nucleus than can be explained on a purely statistical picture of knock-on processes. Among the lightest nuclei (${\mathrm{C}}^{12}$, ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$, ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{19}$), these variations can be correlated with the energy of the lowest lying level of the product nucleus which is stable with respect to particle emission. Among heavier nuclei this correlation disappears, and it is suggested that shell structure effects may be responsible for the fact that the ($p, \mathrm{pn}$) cross sections of ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{63}$, ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{65}$, and ${\mathrm{Zn}}^{64}$ are about 45% higher than those of ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{54}$ and ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{58}$. Apart from these individual variations which a statistical theory could not be expected to reproduce, it is found that the recent Monte Carlo calculations of intranuclear cascades by Metropolis et al. do not even predict the right magnitude and energy dependence for the cross sections. The calculated cross sections are too small by factors of 2 to 3 at 0.4 Bev and show a decrease with increasing energy. Possible reasons for these discrepancies are sought in details of the nuclear model used in the calculations. Various mechanisms which may contribute to ($p, \mathrm{pn}$) reactions are discussed. It is concluded that deuteron emission cannot contribute significantly at the energies considered. Processes involving evaporation of one of the nucleons are likely to decrease in importance with increasing energy, whereas the contribution of meson reactions, such as ($p, \mathrm{pn}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$), ($p, 2p{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$), etc., probably increases with energy. The observed energy independence of the cross sections may result from accidental cancellation of such opposing trends.
Filtering of Finite-State Time-Nonhomogeneous Markov Processes, a Direct Approach

A filtering equation is derived for P(x{sub t}=x vertical bar y{sub s},s element of [0,t]) for a continuous-time finite-state two-component time-nonhomogeneous cadlag Markov process z{sub t}=(x{sub t},y{sub t}) . The derivation is based on some new ideas in the filtering theory and does not require any knowledge of stochastic integration.
Transition management—An analysis of strategic considerations for effective implementation

Six managerial guidelines are identified for facilitating successful change in an organization. They are: (1) the need for a catalyst to initiate change; (2) the setting of organizational goals which take into account the impact of technical, political, and cultural factors; (3) requiring a transition team to guide the change; (4) a demonstration by top management of a commitment to the change as well as their acting as change agents; (5) the utilization of employee participation and good communication to help overcome employee resistance; and (6) the evaluation of the change program as important to the success of present and future change programs. A description of each guideline is presented, and its importance is examined. Available options are also presented for management to deal with each of the guidelines.
Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning and brevetoxin metabolites: a case study from Florida.

Abstract In June of 1996, three family members were diagnosed as suffering from neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) as a result of eating shellfish harvested from Sarasota Bay, Florida. Urine from two of these patients and extracts of shellfish collected from the same location were analyzed by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and by receptor binding assay. Activity consistent with brevetoxins was present in both urine and shellfish extracts. High performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis of shellfish extracts demonstrated multiple fractions recognized by specific anti-brevetoxin antibodies, suggesting metabolic conversion of parent brevetoxins. Affinity-purification of these extracts yielded four major peaks of activity. One peak was identified by HPLC-mass spectroscopy (HPLC-MS) to be PbTx-3, which was likely produced metabolically from the dominant parent toxin PbTx-2. No PbTx-2, however, was detected. Other peaks of activity were determined to consist of compounds of apparent masses of [M+H] + of 1018, 1034, and 1005. These higher masses are suggestive of conjugated metabolites, but their structures have yet to be determined. The material associated with these latter three peaks were recognized by both RIA and receptor binding assay, but they quantitated differently. This finding suggests that these metabolites react differently in the two assays, and this result may have important implications for seafood safety and regulation. We suggest these metabolites to be the true cause of NSP, and they should be taken into account during regulatory testing.
Small scale mixing phenomena during reaction injection moulding

Abstract Small scale mixing and polymerization between reaction injection moulding (RIM) reactants which form polyurethanes or polyureas, were observed with microscopy. This provided resolution of phenomena which occur in the range of scales from about 0.1 μm to 100 μm, and times from second to minutes. Mixing of RIM reactants at such small scales may affect the rate and specificity of polymerization by establishing a short diffusional path length. When two drops of RIM reactant phases were contacted, it was observed that one phase often dispersed into the other, depending on the particular chemical system. Dispersion was also observed in material made using a small RIM machine. The scale of dispersion varied from ∼0.1 | Gm m in polyurea systems to ∼3 | Gm m in polyurethane systems. It is believed that interfacial chemistry and forces generated during mixing determine the scale of dispersion. The smaller the dispersion, the faster the rate of polymerization if diffusion is a limiting event. Thus, a change in dispersion size, caused by interfacial chemistry, is a mechanism which influences the rate of polymerization, and may affect ultimate product behaviour by altering a characteristic scale of segregation.
B physics at CDF

We present the latest measurements on production, spectroscopy, lifetimes and branching fractions for b-mesons, b-baryons and quarkonia. We also discuss recent results on B{sub s}{sup 0} mixing as well as on CP violation for the B{sub s}{sup 0} meson and for b-baryons. These results were obtained by analyzing data collected by the CDF II detector at Fermilab.
Protein Kinase C: Modulation of Vasopressin-Induced Calcium Influx and Release in A7r5 Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract This study was guided by the hypothesis that specific isoforms of protein kinase C may participate in modulating increases in intracellular Ca 2+ that are induced by stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cells with vasopressin. Immunoblot analysis revealed that A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells expressed conventional (α), novel (δ and ϵ), and atypical (ι/λ and μ) isoforms of protein kinase C. Stimulation of fura-2-loaded cells with 20 nM vasopressin induced a rapid transient increase in the intracellular concentration of calcium that was followed by a slowly declining component which was above baseline throughout the period of observation. Cell fractionation studies showed that the calcium response was associated with (a) transient translocation of the α and δ isoforms of protein kinase C from the cytosolic fraction to the particulate-membrane fraction, (b) sustained translocation of the ϵ isoform, and (c) no translocation of ι/λ or μ isoforms. Ratiometric and isobestic fluorescence analysis showed that vasopressin-induced Ca 2+ influx and release were markedly inhibited in cells that were preincubated with either 1 μM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, or 10 μM 1,2 dioctanoyl- sn -glycerol, two structurally different activators of protein kinase C. In contrast, vasopressin-induced increases in intracellular Ca 2+ were not significantly altered following preincubation with either 1 μM 4α-phorbol or 4α-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, analogs of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate that do not activate protein kinase C. Moreover, the inhibitory effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate were prevented by treatment with 1 μM GF109203X, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C. Taken together, these results show that direct activation of protein kinase C can negatively modulate vasopressin-induced Ca 2+ influx and release in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells. They also show that stimulation with vasopressin induces translocation of specific isoforms of protein kinase C, an observation suggesting that one or more of these isoforms may participate in modulation of vasopressin-induced increases in intracellular Ca 2+ .
Urethrotomy in the management of incomplete bladder emptying in girls

Recurrent urinary tract infections and enuresis are common childhood complaints. In girls, a proportion are due to incomplete bladder emptying, predisposing to infection and a reduction in effective bladder capacity. Otis urethrotomy was used on a selected group of girls with this complaint, whethere idiopathic or neuropaathic in origin, with full resolution of symptoms. The procedure is a simple, effective, and safe method of treatment when conservative measures have failed.
THE EFFECT OF FERROELASTIC COUPLING IN CONTROLLING THE ABNORMAL AGING BEHAVIOR IN LEAD MAGNESIUM NIOBATE-LEAD TITANATE RELAXOR FERROELECTRICS

The abnormal aging behavior, i.e., severe aging in the electric field induced piezoelectric coefficient while very weak dielectric aging, observed in the relaxor ferroelectric lead magnesium niobate-lead titanate (PMN-PT) ceramics under a dc electric bias field, can be significantly reduced by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) treatment on presintered samples. The aging can also be reduced by doping suitable amounts of either La (donor) or Mn (acceptor). We suggest that the reduction in the aging is due to the introduction of additional random fields into the material, which reduces the probability of the growth of micropolar regions into metastable and/or stable macropolar domains. The abnormal aging behavior and the effectiveness of HIP in reducing it indicate the importance of the elastic energy in controlling the aging and relaxor behavior in PMN-PT relaxor ferroelectrics.
Evolutionarily distinct classes of S27 ribosomal proteins with differential mRNA expression in rat hypothalamus.

Abstract: Using an in situ hybridization screen for cDNA clones of brain region-specific mRNAs, we isolated a rat transcript that encodes a ribosomal protein S27. Searching GenBank DNA databases, we found two S27 protein isoforms. One isoform, encoded by multiple genes, is extant in archaea and eukarya, but not bacteria. The second isoform appears to be recently evolved because it has been identified only in mammals. Multiple transcripts encode each isoform and exhibit different tissue expression patterns throughout rat brain and periphery, with abundant expression in the hypothalamus. In situ hybridization studies revealed predominant expression of S271 in distinct hypothalamic nuclei, such as the paraventricular, supraoptic, suprachiasmatic, arcuate, and circularis nuclei, whereas expression of S272 mRNA was discretely expressed in select neurons of the periventricular and supraoptic nuclei. Combined with the genetic evidence that S27 has extraribosomal functions in plants, the complexity of S27 biology observed here may suggest auxiliary functions for S27 proteins in the mammalian nervous system.
In vitro antigen-specific induction of IL-22 in human subjects that resolved HCV infection

Aims: To determine if in vitro production of IL-22 and IL-17 correlated with resolution of HCV infection. Materials & methods: Human peripheral blood cells isolated from a well-defined cohort of resolved and chronic HCV-infected subjects were used to measure HCV-, influenza- and mitogen-activated T-cell proliferation. In addition, IL-22 and IL-17 production was measured via ELISAs and flow cytometry. Results: Resolved HCV subjects had a significantly higher T-cell proliferative response to recombinant NS3 protein compared with chronic HCV subjects. Resolved subjects had a dose-dependent IL-22 response to recombinant NS3 compared with chronic HCV subjects. Conclusion: IL-22 production is associated with antigen-specific induction of CD4+ T cells in individuals that resolved HCV infection, suggesting a potential role for IL-22 in HCV clearance. Original submitted 2 May 2012; Revised submitted 21 May 2012
Low temperature dielectric properties of magnetoplumbite family of materials

Abstract The magnetoplumbite family of materials exhibit properties that make them suitable to be used as substrates materials for microwave application. Four members of the family studied in this work are LaMgAI 11 O 19 , NdGaMgAl 10 O 19 , CaGa 6 Al 6 O 19 and CaGa 12 O 19 . Dielectric studies have been carried out over a temperature range of 4–300 K and a wide frequency range. All four exhibit a low dielectric constant with good temperature stability, low dielectric loss and favorable frequency dependence characteristics.
The Human Mismatch Recognition Complex hMSH2-hMSH6 Functions as a Novel Molecular Switch

Abstract The mechanism of DNA mismatch repair has been modeled upon biochemical studies of the E. coli DNA adenine methylation–instructed pathway where the initial recognition of mismatched nucleotides is performed by the MutS protein. MutS homologs (MSH) have been identified based on a highly conserved region containing a Walker-A adenine nucleotide binding motif. Here we show that adenine nucleotide binding and hydrolysis by the human mismatch recognition complex hMSH2-hMSH6 functions as a novel molecular switch. The hMSH2-hMSH6 complex is ON (binds mismatched nucleotides) in the ADP-bound form and OFF in the ATP-bound form. These results suggest a new model for the function of MutS proteins during mismatch repair in which the switch determines the timing of downstream events.
Industrial organization and the evolution of concepts for strategic planning: The new learning

This paper reviews the parallel development of the disciplines of corporate strategy and industrial organisation. Recent developments in industrial economics suggest that the two may be about to merge, or at least be capable of synergy. This potential advance has come about because of the movement of industrial organisation theories towards dynamics and away from static concepts such as the traditional structure: conduct: performance model. Simultaneously, corporate strategists, who have always been dynamically oriented, have long been in search of the more sophisticated theories industrial economists have in their tool kits.
The effect of assertive discipline training on reducing anxiety and stress in the student teaching setting

(1993). The effect of assertive discipline training on reducing anxiety and stress in the student teaching setting. The Teacher Educator: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 17-25.
Analytical Characterization of Oscillon Energy and Lifetime

We develop an analytical procedure to compute all relevant physical properties of scalar field oscillons in models with quartic polynomial potentials: energy, radius, frequency, core amplitude, and lifetime. We compare our predictions to numerical simulations of models with symmetric and asymmetric double-well potentials in three spatial dimensions, obtaining excellent agreement. We also explain why oscillons have not been seen to decay in two spatial dimensions.
Misconceptions about the Hubble recession law

Almost all astronomers now believe that the Hubble recession law was directly inferred from astronomical observations. It turns out that this common belief is completely false. Those models advocating the idea of an expanding universe are ill-founded on observational grounds. This means that the Hubble recession law is really a working hypothesis. One alternative to the Hubble recession law is the tired-light hypothesis originally proposed by Zwicky (Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 15:773, 1929). This hypothesis leads to a universe that is an eternal cosmos continually evolving without beginning or end. Such a universe exists in a dynamical state of virial equilibrium. Observational studies of the redshift-magnitude relation for Type Ia supernovae in distant galaxies might provide the best observational test for a tired-light cosmology. The present study shows that the model Hubble diagram for a tired-light cosmology gives good agreement with the supernovae data for redshifts in the range 0<z<2. This observational test of a static cosmology shows that the real universe is not necessarily undergoing expansion nor acceleration.
Control of American Cockroaches (Dictyoptera: Blattidae) in Sewers

Baits, dusts, and aqueous sprays were applied to sewer shafts to control American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (L). Boric acid and hydramethylnon baits failed to provide consistent control because of problems with mold on the baits and because large populations of cockroaches depleted the bait. Bendiocarb, boric acid powder, and a powder mixture of silica gel + synergized pyrethrins provided excellent control for at least 1 mo, but cockroaches reinfested treated shafts within 3-6 mo. Treatments made in the fall when adult cockroach populations were lowest (about 26%) provided best results. Aqueous sprays of wettable powder chlorpyrifos and microencapsulated diazinon provided outstanding control for at least 9 mo. Microencapsulated and emulsifiable concentrate chlorpyrifos sprays provided greater than 94% reductions for a year.
The pilE gene product of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, required for pilus biogenesis, shares amino acid sequence identity with the N‐termini of type 4 prepilin proteins

Summary A new locus required for type 4 pilus biogenesis by Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been identified. A pilE mutant, designated MJ-6, was broadly resistant to pili-specific phages and unable to translocate across solid surfaces by the pilus-dependent mechanism of twitching motility (Twt−). Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that MJ-6 was devoid of pili (Pil−) but was unaffected in the production of unassembled pilin pools. Genetic studies aimed at localizing the pilE mutation on the P. aeruginosa PAO chromosome demonstrated a strong co-linkage between MJ-6 phage resistance and the proB marker located at 71 min. Cloning of the pilE gene was facilitated by the isolation and identification of a proB+-containing plasmid from a PAO1 cosmid library. Upon introduction of the PA01 proB+ cosmid clone into MJ-6, sensitivity to pili-specific phage, twitching motility and pilus production were restored. The nucleotide sequence of a 1 kb Eco RV-Clal fragment containing the pilE region revealed a single complete open reading frame with characteristic P. aeruginosa codon bias. PilE, a protein with a molecular weight of 15278, showed significant sequence identity to the pilin precursors of P. aeruginosa and to other type 4 prepilin proteins. The region of highest homology was localized to the N-terminal 40 amino acid residues. The putative PilE N-terminus contained a seven-residue basic leader sequence followed by a consensus cleavage site for prepilin pep-tidase and a largely hydrophobic region which contained tyrosine residues (Tyr-24 and Tyr-27) previously implicated in maintaining pilin subunit-subunit interactions. The requirement of PilE in pilus biogenesis was confirmed by demonstrating that chromosomal pilE insertion mutants were pilus- and twitching-motility deficient.
Seismic Response Evaluation of Posttensioned Precast Concrete Frames with Friction Dampers

This paper presents a seismic response evaluation of unbonded posttensioned precast concrete moment frames that use friction dampers at selected beam ends. The dampers utilize the displacements that occur as a result of gap opening between the beam and column members during an earthquake. The parameters investigated include the number of stories, number and strength of the dampers, and amount of posttensioning. Nonlinear static and dynamic time history analyses of prototype structures show that the dampers provide a considerable amount of energy dissipation to a frame, while the posttensioning force provides a restoring effect resulting in self-centering capability (i.e., ability of the structure to return towards its undisplaced position upon unloading). The seismic design of the structures to achieve target displacement-based performance objectives is critically evaluated based on the analysis results. Comparisons with structures that use mild steel (e.g., Grade 60) reinforcement through the beam-column joints as well as structures that use only posttensioning steel (with no friction dampers) and structures that use combinations of mild steel and posttensioning steel are also provided.
SU-GG-T-09: Uncertainty-Based Tuning of Deformable Image Registration Algorithm Parameters

Purpose: Most deformable image registration (DIR) algorithms require utilize user‐selectable parameters. Inappropriate parameter values may lead to severe under‐performance. This work addresses optimal user‐selected DIR parameter values for Pinnacle3's thin plate spline (TPS) algorithm based on the effect of estimated displacement vector fields (DVFs) uncertainties on dose. Material and method: The contour‐based TPS algorithm implemented in a research version of Pinnacle3 v.8.1 is evaluated with a 4D lungCT set. User dependent parameters studied are: selection and number of contoured reference regions, number of vertices used to create the reference region meshes, and the number of sampled vertices in meshes. For varied parameter sets, DVF intrinsic uncertainty (σi) is evaluated by a recursive point dispersion remapping algorithm. Uncertainty maps for each parameter set are used to evaluate the DVF induced dose uncertainty (σD) in each voxel. Results: The TPS algorithm uncertainty improves with the number of mesh points (σi 15% lower, maximum σi ∼30% lower), but with longer computation times. Inclusion of the external body contour improves results (60% σi reduction, maximum σi ∼45% lower). Volume with >1 Gy σD is reduced from ∼250 cm3 to ∼10 cm3 by increasing the number of mesh points and to ∼14 cm3 by including the body contour. Maximum σD is reduced from 13.7 Gy to 9.3 Gy with more mesh points and to 7.4 Gy with the body contour. Conclusions: Appropriate DIR parameter selection improves 4D mapping precision. Pinnacle3's TPS performs best with the external body as a reference region. Use of four to six regions is found to be adequate, provided regions are not small. Increasing the number of mesh construction vertices or the number of sampled vertices results in a moderate improvement at the cost of increased computation time. (Supported by NIH‐P01CA116602 and Philips Medical Systems)