cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Androgen Receptor and VEGF: Mechanisms of Androgen-Regulated Angiogenesis in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer progression is controlled by the androgen receptor and new blood vessel formation, or angiogenesis, which promotes metastatic prostate cancer growth. Angiogenesis is induced by elevated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is regulated by many factors in the tumor microenvironment including lowered oxygen levels and elevated androgens. Here we review evidence delineating hormone mediated mechanisms of VEGF regulation, including novel interactions between the androgen receptor (AR), epigenetic and zinc-finger transcription factors, AR variants and the hypoxia factor, HIF-1. The relevance of describing the impact of both hormones and hypoxia on VEGF expression and angiogenesis is revealed in recent reports of clinical therapies targeting both VEGF and AR signaling pathways. A better understanding of the complexities of VEGF expression could lead to improved targeting and increased survival time for a subset of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Noncolorectal Surgery?: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Major Abdominal Surgery.

Objective:To evaluate the impact of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols across noncolorectal abdominal surgical procedures.Background:ERAS programs have been studied extensively in colorectal surgery and adopted at many centers. Several studies testing such protocols have shown promisin
50-nJ and 40-fs pulses from a Mamyshev ocillator

We demonstrate a fiber pulse generator based on reshaping and reamplification, which generates pulses of 50-nJ energy and 40-fs duration. The pulse peak power is two-orders of magnitude higher than the previous best result.
Entry timing in international markets:Looking back and ahead for opportunities

The entry timing literature and its primary theoretical framework, first mover advantages (FMA), are pervasive areas of study, yet their attention to the global marketplace has primarily been limit...
Treatment of severe drug reactions by hemodialysis.

Background Extracorporeal treatments such as hemodialysis and plasma exchange are lifesaving measures in the treatment of drug poisoning. This treatment method generally is not used for severe cutaneous and systemic drug reactions. Methods Here, we describe three cases wherein hemodialysis therapy was instrumental in reversing the adverse drug reaction. Results In the cases of severe cutaneous drug reactions reviewed, patients presented with linear immunoglobulin A bullous dermatosis, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, and toxic epidermal necrolysis. Salvage treatment with hemodialysis therapy drastically influenced the course of disease, resulting in remission. Conclusions This novel and highly effective treatment option is not considered in current algorithms for adverse drug reactions. Hence, in addition to the rarity of these reactions, the main limitation of the study is the small number of patients. Hemodialysis can substantially alter the prognosis and, in some cases, be a lifesaving treatment for patients with severe adverse cutaneous drug reaction associated with systemic toxicity.
Comparative Cardiopulmonary Effects of Particulate Matter- And Ozone-Enhanced Smog Atmospheres in Mice

This study was conducted to compare the cardiac effects of particulate matter (PM)- (SA-PM) and ozone(O3)-enhanced (SA-O3) smog atmospheres in mice. Based on our previous findings of filtered diesel exhaust we hypothesized that SA-O3 would cause greater cardiac dysfunction than SA-PM. Radiotelemetered mice were exposed to either SA-PM, SA-O3, or filtered air (FA) for 4 h. Heart rate (HR) and electrocardiogram were recorded continuously before, during and after exposure. Both SA-PM and SA-O3 increased heart rate variability (HRV) but only SA-PM increased HR. Normalization of responses to total hydrocarbons, gas-only hydrocarbons and PM concentration were performed to assess the relative contribution of each phase given the compositional variability. Normalization to PM concentration revealed that SA-O3 was more potent in increasing HRV, arrhythmogenesis, and causing ventilatory changes. However, there were no differences when the responses were normalized to total or gas-phase only hydrocarbons. Thus, this...
Fewer thromboembolic events after implementation of a venous thromboembolism risk stratification tool.

Abstract Background Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus are leading preventable causes of death after surgery. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis management guidelines, with evidenced-based recommendations, are available in the literature. However, over 40% of “at-risk” surgical patients fail to receive appropriate VTE prophylaxis. Decision support–based interventions to reduce venous thromboembolic events were explored. Methods A venous thromboembolic risk stratification tool embedded in the electronic medical record, Epic, linking risk category to venous thromboembolic prophylaxis order sets was created, implemented, and analyzed for general surgery patients. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare rates of venous thromboembolic events before and after the intervention, controlling for age, gender, race, body mass index, inpatient status, transfer status, elective/emergent case status, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, and wound classification. Results Venous thromboembolic events in the preintervention and postintervention periods were 55 (1.25%) and 12 (0.64%), respectively (P = 0.033). All-cause mortality events decreased after intervention from 49 (1.12%) to 14 (0.75%; P = 0.187). Multivariable analyses show that the risk of a venous thromboembolic event after intervention was half (odds ratio = 0.532; 95% confidence interval, 0.284-0.997; P = 0.049) as likely compared to that in the preintervention period. From 2012 to 2015, our institution moved from the ninth decile (poor) to the first decile (best) for the incidence of venous thromboembolic events among 760 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program hospitals across the nation. Conclusions Postoperative thromboembolic events decreased after implementation of a VTE risk stratification tool, linking risk category to venous thromboembolic prophylaxis order sets, embedded in the electronic medical record, Epic.
Demonstration of a compact quasi-monostatic autonomous underwater vehicle based continuous active sonar

Monostatic active sonar systems are typically operated in a pulsed transmit configuration, where an acoustic source is first activated to provide ensonification of the environment and then de-activated while scattered and ambient environmental acoustic energy is collected by a receiving sensor. In applications where the transmitter and receiver are in close proximity as with a monostatic configuration, it is typically impracticable to carry out the simultaneous transmission and reception of acoustic energy. Under such conditions, during continuous transmission, the source may saturate the receive sensors, potentially resulting in an overlap of target scattering returns from down-range with the direct acoustic coupling response from the source-to-receiver as well as reverberation, effectively blinding the sonar. Here, we explore the feasibility of techniques to disambiguate lower level target returns from a continuously transmitting autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) based sonar. We conclude via theoretical studies supported by empirical analysis that the continuous transmission and reception of acoustic energy in a shallow-water waveguide is feasible for a realistic AUV based sonar system and overview demonstrations of these techniques to detect a bottomed target-object at-sea. [Work Supported by the Office of Naval Research.]
The Role of Systemic Chemotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the most lethal cancer in the United States with more than 143,000 deaths predicted in 1991 [1]. This accounts for about 28% of all cancer deaths in the U.S. The cure rate remains below 15% primarily because the disease has usually spread from the primary site by the time of diagnosis. This excludes the possibility of surgical cure and systemic chemotherapy cannot cure metastatic disease. The low activity of most chemotherapeutic agents led to general pessimism regarding its general use in non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). Recent studies, however, suggest that the platinum compounds alone or in combination may improve survival in NSCLC patients with: 1) surgically resectable disease (stage II and IIIA), when used as a surgical adjuvant; 2) locally unresectable disease (stages IIIa and b) when combined with radiotherapy and/or surgery; and 3) metastatic disease (stage IV) when used alone. These trials are summarised below.
Brain Function and RNA

There are many pitfalls in trying to correlate chemical changes in the nervous system with a particular behavioral experience, such as learning. First, there is a tremendous uncertainty concerning the amount of information that is stored in the nervous system. This can be estimated by the performance of the animal, but unfortunately performance factors such as the physical condition and the emotional state of the animal at the time of testing can interfere greatly with such an assay. It is thus almost impossible a priori to relate the amount of performance with the amount of information stored, and then to expect a quantitative relationship to exist between the amount stored and the chemical changes that might be observed.
Anatomy is Destiny

In many ways, Freud’s views on the personality differences implicit in being a man or a woman illuminate the political basis and the political implications of psychological views on human nature. To the extent that Freud saw human nature as sexually repressed by civilization, his work tended toward the liberation of both sexes from their culturally stereotyped sex roles. However, he embedded his clinical observations about sexual repression and resulting neurosis in a scientific framework of instinct theory. The instinct theory that he devised, though progressive in the sense that it was materialist, could also be used as an implicit justification for domination, specifically for domination by men over women. These issues are still being hotly debated today in discussions of social Darwinism (see, e.g., Tobach & Rosoff, 1978).
Web-based instruction for high school students: exploration of individual and cultural learning styles

This study explored learning styles from both individual and cultural perspectives using web-based instruction for high school students as the context. Two web-based instructional systems teaching the same concept and theory of the Global Positioning System (GPS) were developed, each of the instructional systems accommodating different media attributes such as text, audio, and animation. To explore the role of learning styles as individual and cultural attributes, two ethnic groups, European-American (EA) and African-American (AA), were selected as the participants of the study. The Felder-Solomon Learning Style Questionnaire (FSLSQ) was used to measure the individual learning style. Questionnaires administered within a focus group setting were used to measure understandability, motivation, excitement, and ease-of-use for the two different interface designs. As results, AA students preferred a web-based tutorial designed with interface design guidelines that were compatible with their cultural learning preferences. It was observed that no learning style dimensions differed significantly between the two ethnic groups. Also, active and visual learners reported benefit from the AA-based instructional system, which employed multimedia elements such as animation and sound effects involving a greater amount of human-computer interaction.
Why Don't We Kill 2 Birds with 1 Stone? Less Adverse Cardiac Events and Improved Survival With Multiarterial Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Article, see p 1698 In this issue of Circulation , Goldstone and colleagues1 report the early and midterm outcomes of more than 59 000 patients who underwent primary isolated multivessel coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) at 126 nonfederal hospitals in California from 2006 to 2011. They found that after propensity matching, receipt of a second arterial conduit was associated with significantly lower all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, and coronary reintervention at a median follow-up of more than 5 years. It is interesting to note that compared with radial artery (RA) grafting, right internal thoracic artery (RITA) grafting did not confer a survival or cardiovascular advantage, but was associated with increased risk of sternal wound infection. During the study period, use of a second arterial conduit decreased from 10.7% to 9.1%, mirroring a national trend reported by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (11.6% in 2000–2009 versus 6.7% in 2010–2013).2 Notably, 30% of cardiac surgeons in California did not use a second arterial graft for the duration of the study. So why is there a reluctance to use multiple arterial grafts in multivessel CABG despite the potential benefit? As for the 70% of California’s surgeons who use 2 arteries, why do they do so only in a small percentage of patients? The answers to those questions are complex but not elusive. Barriers to multiarterial grafting are diverse, ranging from perceptions about available scientific evidence, to surgical expertise, to health economics and more (Table). View this table: Table. Barriers to Multiarterial Grafting, Proposed Solutions, and Responsible Parties Starting with the scientific evidence, the California study is the largest study to date and an important addition to other large …
Subjugated in the San Juan Basin: Identifying Captives in the American Southwest

For over two decades archaeologists and bioarchaeologists have identified evidence to suggest that there was a system of captivity and subjugation in the American Southwest before the arrival of Eu...
Why Cross-Cultural Issues in Management and Marketing Are That Important and Worth Our Undivided Attention?

Mark Fields, the former Ford CEO, said: “You can have the best plan in the world, and if the culture isn’t going to let it happen, it’s going to die on the vine” (Durbin, 2006). The ultimate importance of this subject was most recently confirmed by Frans van Houten (2018), Chairman and CEO of Royal Philips: "Culture eats strategy for breakfast" ... my take on why a winning culture is vital to run a successful business.” These statements given by the leaders of the large multi-national corporations outline the mission-critical role of cultural knowledge and understanding of cross-cultural communications. Without attention to the cultural content in the management of organizations and marketing activities all strategic plans will remain the proverbial good intentions paving the road to hell.
Erratum for Caves et al., "Air-Liquid Interface Method To Study Epstein-Barr Virus Pathogenesis in Nasopharyngeal Epithelial Cells".

Volume 3, no. 4, e00152-18, 2018, [https://doi.org/10.1128/mSphere.00152-18][1]. In [Fig. 3B][2], one of the series for the FPKM values in the host transcriptome was mislabeled week 1 (wk1); it should instead be week 0 (wk0). The corrected graph is shown below. ![FIG 3B][3] FIG 3B [1
Fission-Product Energy Release for Times Following Thermal-Neutron Fission of Plutonium-239 and Plutonium-241 Between 2 and 14 000 s

Absolute fission-product decay energy-release rates have been measured for thermal-neutron fission of 239Pu and 241Pu. Spectral data were obtained using scintillation spectrometers for beta and gam...
NFV Closed-loop Automation Experiments using Deep Reinforcement Learning

closed-loop automation is a critical component in NFV based network operation. Machine learning techniques including reinforcement learning can increase network efficiency through intelligent resource management and operation. This paper details a closed-loop optimization flow that consists of feature selection, traffic forecasting and deep reinforcement learning for dynamic frequency scaling in the context of vCMTS test system. The results demonstrate power saving by running workload at lower frequency while maintaining required service level agreement.
Systematically localizable operators for quantum simulations of quantum field theories

Correlations and measures of entanglement in ground-state wave functions of relativistic quantum field theories are spatially localized over length scales set by the mass of the field. We utilize this localization to design digital quantum circuits for preparing the ground states of lattice scalar quantum field theories. Controlled rotations that are exponentially localized in their position-space extent are found to provide exponentially convergent wave function fidelity. These angles scale with the correlation between sites and the classical two-point correlation function, as opposed to the more localized mutual information or the hyperlocalized $(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$-site negativity. We anticipate that further investigations will uncover quantum circuit designs with controlled rotations dictated by the measures of entanglement. This work is expected to impact quantum simulations of systems of importance to nuclear physics, high-energy physics, and basic energy sciences research.
Discovery of isoxazolyl-based inhibitors of Plasmodium falciparum cGMP-dependent protein kinase

The cGMP-dependent protein kinase in Plasmodium falciparum (PfPKG) plays multiple roles in the life cycle of the parasite. As a result, this enzyme is a potential target for new antimalarial agents. Existing inhbitors, while potent and active in malaria models are not optimal. This communication describes initial optimization of a structurally distinct class of PfPKG inhibitors.
The (Re)Classification of English Learners: A District Case Study of Identification, Integration, and the Design of Services

ABSTRACTIn US public schools, linguistic diversity is growing rapidly with an increasing number of students who are learning English. Federal and state policies lay the foundation for language acqu...
Nab-028, a nanoparticle albumin-bound novel taxane, shows improved efficacy and lower toxicity over the tween formulation (Tween-028)

1432 Background: ABI-028 is a novel taxane selected for its lack of cross-resistance in tumor cell lines expressing the multidrug resistant phenotype (MDR/Pgp) and inhibition of P-glycoprotein (Pgp). Due to its hydrophobicity, ABI-028 can be formulated in the surfactant Tween 80 (same vehicle as Taxotere). However, removal of surfactants from taxane formulations e.g., in the case of nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab) paclitaxel (Abraxane™) have demonstrated improvements in safety and efficacy over their surfactant containing counterparts (O’Shaughnessy, SABCS 2003). Tween 80 also strongly inhibited the binding of the taxane, paclitaxel, to albumin, possibly compromising albumin based drug transport via the gp60 receptor on microvessel endothelial cells (Desai, EORTC-NCI-AACR, 2004). Herein, we compared the toxicity and antitumor efficacy of Tween-028 vs a 50% higher dose of nab-028. Methods: Nanoparticle nab-028 was prepared using nab technology and characterized by laser light scattering. Nab-028 and Tween-028 were tested against Pgp+ DLD-1 (known to be resistant against paclitaxel and docetaxel - Vredenburg et al, JNCI 93: 1234-1245, 2001) human colon carcinoma xenograft in nude mice (n=5/group) at doses of 50 mg/kg (Tween-028, previously established as MTD) and 75 mg/kg (nab-028) given q3dx4, i.v. Control groups of PBS and human serum albumin (HSA) were also used. Results: Nab-028 yielded nanoparticles with mean size, ZAve=119 nm and Zeta potential = -32.7 mV. Nab-028 was lyophilized to a dry powder that easily dispersed in saline. In vivo, there was significantly more weight loss (ANOVA, p
Alternative Splicing in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for the majority of primary liver cancer cases, with more than 850,000 new diagnoses per year globally. Recent trends in the United States have shown that liver cancer mortality has continued to increase in both men and women, while 5-year survival remains less than 20%. Understanding key mechanisms that drive chronic liver disease progression to HCC can show new therapeutic targets and biomarkers for early detection of HCC. In that regard, many studies have underscored the importance of alternative splicing as a source of novel HCC prognostic markers and disease targets. Alternative splicing of RNA provides functional diversity to the genome, and endows cells with the ability to rapidly remodel the proteome. Genes that control fundamental processes, such as metabolism, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, are altered globally in HCC by alternative splicing. This review highlights the major splicing factors, RNA binding proteins, transcriptional targets, and signaling pathways that are of key relevance to HCC. We highlight primary research from the past 3-5 years involving functional interrogation of alternative splicing in rodent and human liver, using both large-scale transcriptomic and focused mechanistic approaches. Because this is a rapidly advancing field, we anticipate that it will be transformative for the future of basic liver biology, as well as HCC diagnosis and management.
A Graph-Theory-Based Clustering Method for Improving Resiliency of Distribution Systems

Proper planning and optimal resource allocation of distribution systems during an electrical fault or an extreme-event can enhance their resiliency and ensure their stable operation with maximum customer survivability. This paper presents a graph-theory-based approach for subdividing Active Distribution Networks (ADNs) into different clusters considered as Micro-Grids (MGs), with a focus on improving their resiliency. A case study on a modified IEEE 34-bus distribution system, including wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) distributed generation (DG), shows that with the proposed graph-theory based clustering and MG formation algorithm, the system's resiliency is improved, and when necessary, using demand response, the system operational constraints are maintained at the desired level.
Sales enablement: conceptualizing and developing a dynamic capability

Practitioners have touted sales enablement as a prominent solution to the challenges of the evolving buying and selling environments; however, empirical research on this concept is nonexistent in extant literature. Furthermore, while the pervasiveness of sales domain scholarship suggests that salespeople will continue to influence sales practice through expanded opportunities, firms must also blend the art and science of engaging customers in a profitable and sustainable manner. To address these scholarly demands, the authors designed an empirical study that conceptualizes sales enablement and offers an in-depth perspective on how organizations enable their sales force. The authors employ an ethnographic inquiry comprising various data sources, including 41 depth interviews with professionals responsible for sales enablement architecture and/or execution. Findings offer a multi-dimensional conceptualization of sales enablement and introduce a process model which explicates how firms develop sales enablement as a dynamic capability. This study expands current knowledge by offering foundational insights and advanced theories of sales enablement, while also providing strategic implications for sales organizations responding to evolving customer demands and selling environments.
Engineered Ultra-High Affinity Synthetic Antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization and Detection.

Abstract The Covid-19 pandemic is a centenarial global catastrophe. Similar events are likely to be recurring with more frequency in the future. The inability to control the virus’ impact is caused by many factors, but the lack of a technology infrastructure to detect and impede the virus at an early stage are principal shortcomings. Using phage display mutagenesis, we have generated a cohort of high performance antibody fragments (Fabs) that can be used in a sensitive point of care (POC) assay and are potent inhibitors (IC50-0.5 nM) to viral entry into cells. The POC assay is based on a split-enzyme (β-lactamase) complementation strategy that detects virus particles at low nM levels. We have shown that this assay is equally effective for detecting other viruses like Ebola and Zika. Importantly, its components can be freeze dried and stored, but becomes fully active when rehydrated.
Contextual or Intergenerational? How Poverty Status Shapes African American Voter Turnout

This paper attempts to understand if contextual or intergenerational poverty has equal effects on African American voter turnout. In a period of vast income inequality and lower levels of upward mobility, few studies since the 1990s have parsed the effects of poverty on political participation. This paper aims to understand how poverty dynamics and typologies impact a racial group for when controlling for socioeconomic status participates at higher rates than their white counterparts. I examine how levels of psychological resources, life satisfaction, and social isolation contribute to lower levels of participation among poor, transitioning into adulthood adults mediate the relationship between poverty and participation. Using the geo-coded and longitudinal data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), I expect that both contextual and intergenerational poverty leads to lower levels of participation, yet among individuals with greater individual resources, the effect is less in magnitude. Thus, while African Americans experience poverty at higher rates compared to whites, unlike whites, they are able to overcome socio-economic barriers to participation.
Advancing Antiracism in Literacy Research

This invited article is a precursor to the Racial Justice in Literacy Research Report. It is framed around the key concepts of equity, literacy, race, and their intersections in the field of litera...
Opinion Polarization and Inter-Party Competition on Europe

Rising Euroscepticism, increasing levels of public disagreement and growing divisions on Europe both within and between political parties are all indicators of the emergent potential for contestati...
Vermeer's Family Secrets: Genius, Discovery, and the Unknown Apprentice

Illustrations Preface and Acknowledgments Introduction: It's a Vermeer! 1. In Search of Vermeer 2. Origins and Originality 3. Fabritius's Phoenix 4. An Art of Women 5. Painting and Procreation 6. The Fat Lady Sings 7. The Apprenticeship of Maria Vermeer Appendices
Sequelae to Trance Experience

Occasionally, some people may report feelings of dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, a slight headache, or other sensations of distress after a trance session has been concluded. These occasional aftereffects tend to be of brief duration and of mild or moderate intensity (Hilgard, 1974; Hilgard, Hilgard & Newman, 1961), although there is one account of the persistence of a posthypnotic dissociative reaction because of important secondary gains and the opportunities afforded by this response for the expression of strong passive-aggressive tendencies within the subject’s own personality (Starker, 1974). In the vast majority of instances, however, occasional aftereffects can best be understood and dealt with as the result of implicit expectations arising out of the induction format. That is, if a person has been inclined to assume that a trance experience is tiresome or stressful to some degree, his responding successfully to a trance induction will tend to cause him to experience feelings of stress or fatigue, just as if these feelings had been directly suggested. Usually, the effect of these implicit expectations can be countered by direct suggestions of well-being in the procedure for terminating the trance; but occasionally the earlier impressions are sufficiently strong that additional suggestions may be necessary to cancel their effects.
Network-Adaptive Cache Management Schemes for Mixed Media

For efficently caching mixed-media, this paper discusses several network-adaptive cache management schemes. Considering the characteristics of different types of media, we first proposed a multi-level page-size management scheme. Then, a media-characteristic-weighted replacement policy is presented to improve the hit ratio of mixed media including continuous and noncontinuous media. Lastly, a network-condition- and media-quality-adaptive resource management mechanism is described to dynamically re-allocate cache resource for different types of media according to their request patterns. Simulation results demonstrate effectiveness of our propsoed approaches.
The role of the ITU in standardization

Abstract This article argues that the historic pre- eminence of the ITU in setting international telecommunications standards is likely to be increasingly threatened by the regional standards organizations (RSOs) and by formal or informal coordination among the RSOs. The interests the RSOs represent are powerful enough that the ITU cannot ignore agreements among them, nor is it likely to be able to set standards if they cannot agree. At the same time their size, structure and procedures are likely to make them more effective at agreeing on standards than the ITU, despite the latter's attempts to improve its procedures.
Theoretical models of photodissociation regions (PDRs)

All neutral atomic gas and a large fraction of the molecular gas in the Galaxy lies in PDRs, and PDRs are the origin of most of the non-stellar infrared and the millimeter CO emission from a galaxy. On the surfaces (A ν<1–3) of molecular clouds, photodissociation, grain attenuation of the FUV flux and grain photoelectric heating lead to intense emission of [CII] 158 μm, [OI] 63 μm, H2 vibrotational transitions as well as IR dust continuum and PAH emission features. Deeper inside the clouds, CO rotational and [CI] 370,609 μm lines are mainly produced in the PDR gas. Theoretical models compared with observations diagnose such physical parameters as the density and temperature structure, the elemental abundances, and the FUV radiation field. Applications are made to Orion, NGC 7023 and M17, to the clumpiness of molecular clouds, and to the ISM in the nuclei of infrared-luminous galaxies. Theoretical PDR models can explain the observed correlation in the CII(158μm) and CO J=1−0 emission and the correlation of the CO J=1−0 luminosity with the molecular mass. Theoretical models also suggest FUV-induced feedback mechanisms which may regulate star formation rates and the column density through giant molecular clouds. X ray PDRs may produce luminous H2 (2μm), FeII(1.64μm), and Brackett emission in clouds near AGNs.
Nucleic Acids Structure Minitutorial

With the master molecule of heredity, deoxyribonucleic acid (or DNA), so frequently mentioned in the media — in connections ranging from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) applications (e.g., criminology, medical diagnoses) to cloning and art [1112] — it is difficult to imagine today that it was only a few decades ago when Watson and Crick reported their description of the DNAdouble helix [1354, 1355, 1356]! Based on analysis of DNA fiber diffraction patterns and Chargaff’s rules, they described a spiral image of an orderly helix — two intertwined polynucleotide chains, with a sugar/phosphate backbone on the exterior and pairs of hydrogen-bondednitrogenous bases in the center. See [622] for a historical perspective of this discovery, including the contribution of all key players (a capsule of which is given in Chapter 1), and anniversary issues of DNA, for example issued in 2003 in many journals (e.g., Nature Vol. 421 and Science Vol. 300) at the occasion of DNA’s golden anniversary.
Presynaptic to postsynaptic relationships of the neuromuscular junction are held constant across age and muscle fiber type

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) displays considerable morphological plasticity as a result of differences in activity level, as well as aging. This is true of both presynaptic and postsynaptic components of the NMJ. Yet, despite these variations in NMJ structure, proper presynaptic to postsynaptic coupling must be maintained in order for effective cell-to-cell communication to occur. Here, we examined the NMJs of muscles with different activity profiles (soleus and EDL), on both slow- and fast-twitch fibers in those muscles, and among young adult and aged animals. We used immunofluorescent techniques to stain nerve terminal branching, presynaptic vesicles, postsynaptic receptors, as well as fast/slow myosin heavy chain. Confocal microscopy was used to capture images of NMJs for later quantitative analysis. Data were subjected to a two-way ANOVA (main effects for myofiber type and age), and in the event of a significant (p < 0.05) F ratio, a post hoc analysis was performed to identify pairwise differences. Results showed that the NMJs of different myofiber types routinely displayed differences in presynaptic and postsynaptic morphology (although the effect on NMJ size was reversed in the soleus and the EDL), but presynaptic to postsynaptic relationships were tightly maintained. Moreover, the ratio of presynaptic vesicles relative to nerve terminal branch length also was similar despite differences in muscles, their fiber type, and age. Thus, in the face of considerable overall structural differences of the NMJ, presynaptic to postsynaptic coupling remains constant, as does the relationship between presynaptic vesicles and the nerve terminal branches that support them.
A perspective on decision-making research in system of systems context

‘System of systems (SoS)’ is a special kind of system that appears more and more in many application domains. It has spawned active research across many technical domains and perspectives. One aspect of this research that has perhaps received less attention is the role of decision-making models to capture the essential collaborative nature of SoS. In this paper, we summarize a subset of the approaches presented on this topic in an effort to subsequently identify critical areas that remain in need of further work to improve the effectiveness of the models. We identify and briefly describe key areas and discuss concept applications in these areas. A link between models used in the design/planning stages and operations/control stage is found to be an especially useful endeavor and we recommend it to the research community.
Studying productive disposition: the early development of a construct

Constructs are the cornerstones on which the structure of any field rests. Constructs do not have an independent existence in the world waiting to be discovered; instead, they must be created within a field for the purpose of learning to see something in a new way, for example, enabling a community of teachers, teacher educators, and researchers to shift, often subtly, the focus of their attention. In 2001, the National Research Council (NRC) put forth two constructs, one embedded in the other. First, the construct of mathematical proficiency was put forth to broaden the way we view successful learning of mathematics. Mathematical proficiency was conceptualized as the interrelationship among procedural fluency (knowing how and when to apply procedures), conceptual understanding (holding deep and rich connections among ideas), adaptive reasoning (the capacity to reason logically and to justify one’s reasoning),
A 250,000-year record of lunette dune accumulation on the Southern High Plains, USA and implications for past climates

Abstract A concentration of lake/playa basins occurs on the Southern High Plains (SHP) of northwest Texas and eastern New Mexico. Associated with these lake/playas are lee-side lunettes positioned on their southeast margins ranging in height from 1.5 to >10 m. An OSL dating program was applied to 30 samples from lunettes associated with large lakes and small playa basins. Samples were extracted from trenched dune sections or from deep cores. Earlier SHP lunette investigations show depositional ages primarily in the late Wisconsin and Holocene. This research extends the timing of lunette accretion to the middle Pleistocene, the earliest recorded deposition for these features. The expanded chronology permitted investigation into dune morphology on nested lunettes built on contracting lake margins. Outer lunettes formed prior to inner dunes, but simultaneous deposition occurred on downwind ridges as younger lee-side dunes were constructed. Large lake lunettes were inactive during discreet SHP pluvial episodes from early Wisconsin to LGM. Conversely, these lunettes accreted when climatic conditions promoted basin desiccation and aeolian deflation. This suggests their mode of formation contrasts with lunette models recognized for other regions. From post LGM to earliest Holocene, active lunette accretion occurred from 16 to 11 ka followed by a significant period of lunette construction during the mid-Holocene. Late Holocene-lunette deposition was interrupted by intervals of landscape stability. Lunette deposition between 1300s and 1700s corresponds with drought intervals recognized in tree-ring records from adjacent regions. Recent lunette activity on the plateau is contemporary with the 1930's ‘dust bowl’. Further insight into SHP response to changing climatic conditions was given by comparing lunette depositional events with previous investigations on sedimentation intervals for draws, lake/playa basins, and sand sheets.
The effect of random anisotropy on critical behavior: Search for hysteresis and rounding inFeV using the Mössbauer effect

In the context of recent theoretical work on random anisotropy in Heisenberg-like spin systems, we have searched for possible firstorder effects at the ferromagnetic transition in polycrystalline Fe1−xVx, 0<x<0.147. We find no such effects, or any intrinsic rounding of the transition. The occurrence of normal second order behavior suggests that we are in a region of the phase diagram for which random or coherent anisotropy does not produce first order behavior. We conjecture that in this caseFeV may have critical exponents that differ from those of pure Fe.
Prediction of tumor volumes using an exponential model

Measurement of pulmonary nodule growth rate is important for the evaluation of lung cancer treatment. The change in nodule growth rate can be used as an indicator of the efficacy of a prescribed treatment. However, a change in growth rate may be due to actual physiological change, or it may be simply due to measurement error. To address this issue, we propose the use of an exponential model to predict the volume of a tumor based on two earlier scans. We examined 11 lung cancers presenting as solid pulmonary nodules that were not treated. Using 5 of these with optimal scan parameters, thin-slice (1.0mm or 1.25mm) with same axial resolution, we found an error ranging from 1.7% to 27.7%, with an average error of 14.9%. This indicates that we can estimate the growth of a lung cancer, as measured by CT, which includes the actual growth as well as the error due to the technique, by the amount indicated above. Using scans with non-optimal parameters, either thick-slice or different resolution thin-slice scans, resulted in errors ranging from 30% to 600%, suggesting that same resolution thin-slice CT scans are necessary for accurate measurement of nodule growth.
Abstract 1868: Evaluation of the nucleotide excision repair polymorphisms for association with lung cancer risk

There is increasing evidence that decreased nucleotide excision repair (NER) capacity may be associated with increased risk of cancer, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We have studied the relationship of the NER pathway gene single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes with NSCLC risk. Using a custom-designed Illumina GoldenGate assay 384 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) panel, we have screened for polymorphisms in nucleotide excision repair genes, cell cycle control genes, GSTP1 and ABCB1 and a set of ancestry informative markers in 797 Caucasian incident cases and 992 controls frequency matched for age (range 50-79) and gender. All subjects were ever smokers with a minimum 10 packyear smoking history. Our SNP selection strategy incorporates six SNP classes, i.e. haplotype tagSNPs defined by predicted LD scores; functional SNPs characterized by amino acid substitutions, SNPs that alter protein stability; evolutionary conservation across species; entromics and published epidemiological data. For the estimation of individual SNP and haplotype-specific associations with risk, unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals in a dominant model adjusting for age, gender and packyear. A total of 26 unique SNPs in 14 genes were significantly associated with lung cancer risk. Haplotypes were reconstructed for each gene using HPlus and associations with risk were evaluated using the Cox proportional hazards model. The most frequent haplotype was used as the referent group for the estimation of hazard ratios (HR). Hazard ratios were calculated for common haplotypes i.e. those that were present at a frequency greater than 2% and were adjusted for age, gender and packyears. Among these 14 genes, 7 haplotypes were significant. These data suggest that NER pathway genotypes may serve to define an elevated risk subgroup. Supported in part by NIH 5P50 CA090440. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1868.
Intracavity gain dynamics and their role in mode-locked semiconductor diode lasers

In this paper, we present the intracavity gain dynamics of hybrid modelocked external cavity semiconductor lasers. Using the pump-probe method, the optical gain and transmittance of a modelocked external cavity laser diode and saturable absorber were measured, respectively. The pulse shaping processes were measured by investigating the chirp of the optical pulse at the output coupler, before and after the saturable absorber. These measurements were obtained by a spectrally resolved cross correlation technique. In comparison with the previous studies of the single pass dynamics in semiconductor optical amplifiers, the dynamics of the nonlinearities affecting the pulse shaping within the laser cavity is less dramatic owing to the longer intracavity pulse widths. It was also observed that the linear GVD plays an important role in the shaping of the pulse envelop and linearizing the pulse chirp.
SQUID-NQR of nitrogen-14 in amino acids and small peptides

Abstract We present a technique for the study of nuclear quadrupole resonance of 14 N interacting with low electric field gradients as found, for example, in amino acids. A superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) is used to detect directly small NMR signals via cross relaxation of the 14 N polarization to adjacent proton spins, eliminating the need for field cycling. When one nitrogen quadrupolar transition matches the proton Zeeman splitting, the remaining two quadrupolar transitions can be observed by sweeping a saturating rf field through resonance. In addition, signal enhancement by simultaneous excitation of two nitrogen resonances helps to identify connected transitions.
Calcium-activated proteolysis in rat neocortex induced by transient focal ischemia

Ischemia-induced elevation of intracellular calcium triggers a cascade of events which is considered to play a major role in neuronal death. One candidate to participate in this process is the calcium-sensitive protease, calpain. This protease is activated by calcium, and is capable of degrading critical cytoskeletal and regulatory proteins. In order to further elucidate the role of calpain in focal ischemic damage, the present study investigated the proteolysis of spectrin, a preferred substrate for calpain, in response to transient focal ischemia. Ischemia was induced by occluding reversibly both carotid arteries and the left middle cerebral artery for three hours in Sprague-Dawley rats. Western blotting techniques were used to identify and quantify the amounts of spectrin breakdown products (BDPs) in neocortical samples from the area destined for infarction, the peri-infarct area, and the contralateral hemisphere. Substantial increases in spectrin proteolysis were observed within the first few hours of ischemia in the areas that will undergo infarction. The increase in spectrin BDPs in these areas reached a plateau around the end of the 3 h ischemic period. In the peri-infarct zone, the levels of spectrin BDPs increased in a biphasic manner. A small to moderate increase was observed by the second hour of ischemia, followed by a larger increase between the 6th and 24th hours post-ischemia. The contralateral neocortex showed a significant increase in BDPs at 2 h after the initiation of ischemia. A smaller increase in BDPs was observed thereafter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Time‐correlation analysis of nonstationary time series

This paper introduces a new graphical method of displaying the evolutionary correlation properties of nonstationary time series. The method, called time-correlation analysis (TCA), summarizes the local correlation properties with a smooth and monotone characterization function interpretable as the first-order autocorrelation coefficient. The TCA plot is constructed by plotting the discretized characterization function as time series. Issues concerning the range of the TCA plot are investigated in detail. Both simulated and real-data examples are given to demonstrate the application and interpretation of the method.
Regulation of the Nonreceptor Tyrosine Kinase Brk by Autophosphorylation and by Autoinhibition

Abstract Brk (breast tumor kinase) is a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase that is most closely related to the Frk family of kinases, and more distantly to Src family kinases. Brk was originally identified in a screen for tyrosine kinases that are overexpressed in human metastatic breast tumors. To shed light on the activity and regulation of Brk and related tyrosine kinases, we expressed and purified Brk using the Sf9/baculovirus system. We characterized the substrate specificity of Brk using synthetic peptides, and we show that the kinetic parametersK m and k cat both play a role in specificity. We carried out mass spectrometry experiments to show that Brk autophosphorylates within the predicted kinase activation loop and at additional sites in the N terminus. Autophosphorylation increases enzyme activity of wild-type Brk but not of a Y342A mutant form of Brk. We also carried out experiments to address the possible involvement of the Src homology (SH) 2 and SH3 domains of Brk in enzyme regulation. Mutation of a C-terminal tyrosine (Tyr-447) increases enzyme activity and SH2 domain accessibility, consistent with a role for this residue in autoinhibition. A proline-rich peptide activates Brk, suggesting that the SH3 domain is also involved in maintaining an inactive form of Brk. These biochemical results for Brk may aid in the understanding of other tyrosine kinases in the Frk family.