cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nerve Growth Factor and Tyrosine Kinase A Receptor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Is There an Association With Perineural Invasion?

Purpose Perineural invasion (PNI) in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is recognized as a significant predictor of outcome. PNI is associated with locoregional recurrence and decreased survival of patients with head and neck SCC. Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been shown to be involved in PNI in several malignancies, including breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers. We investigated the hypothesis that NGF and its high-affinity receptor tyrosine kinase A (TrkA) are highly expressed in cases of oral SCC that have histologic evidence of PNI. Materials and Methods We performed immunohistochemistry on archived oral tongue SCC specimens from the established oral and general pathology databases at the University of California, San Francisco. The following groups were evaluated: 1) 21 T1/T2 oral tongue SCC cases with PNI and 2) 21 T1/T2 oral tongue SCC cases without histologic evidence of PNI. Results Strong homogeneous cytoplasmic staining for NGF and TrkA was detected in the malignant cells in the PNI-positive group of tumors. In group II (PNI negative) NGF and TrkA were detected in the stroma cells or were very weakly expressed by the malignant cells. We were able to show the presence of NGF and TrkA in the cytoplasm of malignant squamous cells in tumors with histologic evidence of PNI. Immunostaining for NGF ( P = .0001) and TrkA ( P = .039) was significantly higher in the PNI-positive oral SCC group than in the PNI-negative oral SCC group. Conclusion This study shows that oral SCC with evidence of PNI shows increased expression of NGF and TrkA and suggests that NGF and TrkA are involved with the mechanism leading to PNI. Further investigations are warranted to determine the potential for use of NGF and TrkA as candidate biomarkers to predict progression and outcome.
Slotted Aloha with multi-AP diversity and APS transmit beamforming

Slotted Aloha is an effective random access protocol and can also be an important element of more advanced media access protocols. This paper investigates slotted Aloha in a radio environment with multiple access points. Specifically, we examine the impact of multi-access-point (multi-AP) diversity on the performance of slotted Aloha. The paper considers both omni-directional (OM) and beamforming (BF) antennas at transmission nodes. This leads to the investigation and comparison of four different network scenarios, i.e., OM with multi-AP diversity, OM without multi-AP diversity, BF with multi-AP diversity and BF without multi-AP diversity. Performance evaluations and comparisons are presented in terms of throughput and average packet delay.
An Evaluation of the Bounce-Back Boundary Condition for Lattice Boltzmann Simulations

The bounce-back boundary condition for lattice Boltzmann simulations is evaluated for flow about an infinite periodic array of cylinders. The solution is compared with results from a more accurate boundary condition formulation for the lattice Boltzmann method and with finite difference solutions. The bounce-back boundary condition is used to simulate boundaries of cylinders with both circular and octagonal cross-sections. The convergences of the velocity and total drag associated with this method are slightly sublinear with grid spacing. Error is also a function of relaxation time, increasing exponentially for large relaxation times. However, the accuracy does not exhibit a trend with Reynolds number between 0.1 and 100. The square lattice Boltzmann grid conforms to the octagonal cylinder but only approximates the circular cylinder, and the resulting error associated with the octagonal cylinder is half the error of the circular cylinder.
This Is the Right Place: Community-Based Art Education at Utah's Springville Museum of Art.

AbstractThe human condition in the post-modern world is increasingly nomadic. A sense of displacement and alienation is pervasive. Schools emphasize abstracted knowledge removed from the experience of students. Many people feel detached from the places where they live and have no particular sense of belonging or responsibility toward their communities. Museums can counter this pervasive restlessness and be a powerful source of community renewal. This article draws connections between place-based education theory and the educational mission of the art museum, as illustrated by the Springville Museum of Art. The small town of Springville, Utah enjoys an unparalleled connection with its community. What began as a high-school collection of paintings has grown into a cultural institution that influences art and education throughout the state and continues to nourish and sustain the community. The Springville Museum provides a glimpse into how place-based education is manifest within a local museum.
Living plant cells released from the root cap: A regulator of microbial populations in the rhizosphere?

A group of cells at the periphery of the root cap separate from plant roots as they move through the soil. Experimentally, these cells can be separated from the root by gentle agitation in water. Detached root cap cells provide a convenient system for comparing cellular and whole-plant responses to fungal and bacterial pathogens. Results with several host-parasite combinations indicate that these cells express host-specific traits with respect to chemotaxis, binding, and infection. Mutants of Agrobacterium tumefaciens were used to test the hypothesis that recognition of the cells plays a role in establishment of microbial-plant associations. Tn5 mutants deficient in chemotaxis to the cells exhibit reduced ability to colonize the rhizosphere and to induce crown gall tumorigenesis on pea plants grown in soil. The discovery that cells shed from the cap express host-specific genes suggests that some microorganisms may have greater access to constituents of the cells than others. This cellular selectivity could have a significant impact on rhizosphere populations.
Critical Behavior of Magnets with Lattice Coupling

The exact spin Hamiltonian, induced by linear exchange coupling to a harmonic lattice with fixed periodic boundary conditions, is considered in the framework of renormalization-group recursion relations. Neglecting irrelevant variables, the Hamiltonian amounts to a replacement of the four-spin amplitude ${u}_{0}$ by $a(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{1})$, with ${T}_{1}$ proportional to the lattice compressibility. Hence the system exhibits a critical point with unrenormalized exponent values when ${T}_{c}g{T}_{t}$, but presumably a first-order transition for ${T}_{c}l{T}_{t}$, where ${T}_{t}\ensuremath{\simeq}{T}_{1}$. The point ${T}_{c}={T}_{t}$ is expected to be a classical tricritical point. Experiments on N${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$Cl are considered briefly.
New syntheses of E7389 C14-C35 and halichondrin C14-C38 building blocks: double-inversion approach.

With sequential use of catalytic asymmetric Cr-mediated coupling reactions, E7389 C14−C35 and halichondrin C14−C38 building blocks have been stereoselectively synthesized. The C19−C20 bond is first formed via the catalytic asymmetric Ni/Cr-mediated coupling, i.e., 8 + 9 → 10 (90%; dr = 22:1), in which vinyl iodide 8 is used as the limiting substrate. The C23−C24 bond is then formed via the catalytic asymmetric Co/Cr-mediated coupling, i.e., 13 + 14 → 4 (82%; dr = 22:1), in which the alkyl−iodide bond in 14 is selectively activated over the vinyl−iodide bond. The catalytic asymmetric Ni/Cr-mediated reaction is employed to couple C14−C26 segment 19 with E7389 C27−C35 segment 20 (91%; dr = >55:1). In this synthesis, the C23−O bond is stereoselectively constructed via a double-inversion process, i.e., 21 → 22, to furnish E7389 C14−C35 building block 22 in 84% yield. The same synthetic sequence has been employed to synthesize halichondrin C14−C38 building block 18b, i.e., 16a + 19 → 18b.
Denitrification mitigates N flux through the stream-floodplain complex of a desert city.

The Indian Bend Wash (IBW) flood-control project relies on a greenbelt to carry floods through Scottsdale, Arizona, USA. The greenbelt is characterized by a chain of shallow artificial lakes in a larger floodplain of irrigated turf, which has been protected from encroaching urban development. As such, this urban stream–floodplain complex can be divided into three subsystems: artificial lakes, channelized stream segments, and floodplain. We conducted experiments to evaluate which, if any, of these subsystems were important sites of denitrification, and to explore factors controlling denitrification rates. Denitrification enzyme activity (DEA) bioassays were conducted on sediments from eight lake and six stream segments as well as soil samples from eight floodplain transects. Mass-specific potential denitrification rates were significantly higher in lakes than in streams or floodplains. Nutrient limitation bioassays revealed that nitrate (NO3−) limited denitrification in lake sediments, a surprising finding given that NO3−-rich groundwater additions frequently raised lake NO3− concentration above 1 mg N/L. Experiments on intact lake cores suggested that denitrification was limited by the rate NO3− diffused into sediments, rather than its availability in overlying water. Floodplain denitrification was limited by water content, not NO3− or C, and irrigation of soils stimulated denitrification. We constructed a N budget for the IBW stream–floodplain complex based on our experimental results. We found that both lakes and floodplains removed large quantities of N, with denitrification removing 261 and 133 kg N·ha−1·yr−1 from lake sediments and floodplain soils, respectively, indicating that lakes are hotspots for denitrification. Nevertheless, because floodplain area was >4.5 times that of lakes, floodplain soils removed nearly 2.5 times as much N as lake sediments. Given the desert's low annual precipitation, a finding that floodplain soils are active sites of denitrification might seem implausible; however, irrigation is common in urban landscapes, and it elevated annual denitrification in IBW. Based on our results, we conclude that construction of artificial lakes created hotspots while application of irrigation water created hot moments for denitrification in the stream–floodplain complex, demonstrating that management decisions can improve the ability of urban streams to provide critical ecosystem services like N retention.
Characteristics of accuracy for CD metrology

The evaluation of a critical dimension (CD) metrology tool foes beyond determining precision. A year ago at this conference, a paper was presented which described the efforts of the SEMATECH metrology group to describe the characteristics of a CD metrology SEM. In that referenced paper there was a description of accuracy, or characteristics of accuracy, that needed evaluation as well. In this paper these characteristics are further developed. Tool evaluation for accuracy requires well characterized artifacts. Constructing these share many of the same hurdles as constructing true standards. Evaluation artifacts must have properties that vary similarly to the products to be measured in the manufacturing line. They also must be characterized by a reference measurement system (RMS) sufficiently well to make the result of an evaluation reflect upon the tool under investigation and not the RMS. This paper details the construction of such an artifact using SEM measurements of cross sections as part of the RMS and the use of this artifact in the evaluation of several CD SEMs. Application of this project to SEMATECH evaluation artifacts currently under construction is also discussed.
Ionic conductivity of substituted Li2SO4 phases

Abstract Lithium ion conductivity of Li2SO4-Y2(SO4)3, Li2SO4-La2(SO4)3 and Li2SO4-Li3PO4 systems has been measured as a function of composition and temperature using AC complex impedance methods. Substitution of the trivalent cations results in a small enhancement of the ionic conductivity within the limit of solid solution formation. Considerable increase of the conductivity results by substitution of PO43− for SO42−. The maximum conductivity observed is 1.1×10 −3 (Ω cm ) −1 at 300°C for the composition Li2.2S0.8P0.2O4 with Ea = 0.8 eV. These results are discussed in terms of the structural properties.
Calcineurin directs the reciprocal regulation of calcium entry pathways in nonexcitable cells.

The reciprocal regulation of noncapacitative and capacitative (or store-operated) Ca2+ entry in nonexcitable cells (Mignen, O., Thompson, J. L., and Shuttleworth, T. J. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 35676–35683) represents a switching between two distinct Ca2+-selective channels: the noncapacitative arachidonate-regulated Ca2+ channels (ARC channels) and the store-operated Ca2+ channels (SOC channels). This switch is directly associated with the change from oscillatory to sustained Ca2+ signals as agonist concentrations increase and involves a Ca2+-dependent inhibition of the ARC channels. Here we show that this process is mediated via a calcineurin-dependent inhibition of the noncapacitative ARC channels. Pharmacological and molecular inhibition of calcineurin activity (using cyclosporin or the FK506 analogue ascomycin, and a transfected C-terminal domain of the calcineurin inhibitory protein CAIN, respectively) results in a complete reversal of the Ca2+-dependent inhibition of the ARC channels. Agonist concentrations that result in oscillatory Ca2+ signals and specifically activate Ca2+ entry through the ARC channels fail to increase calcineurin activity. However, agonist concentrations that activate the store-operated Ca2+ channels and produce prolonged increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations increase calcineurin activity. Thus, calcineurin is the key mediator of the reciprocal regulation of these co-existing channels, allowing each to play a unique and non-overlapping role in Ca2+ signaling.
Introducing a psychosomatic medicine interest group for psychiatry residents.

Background Having gained subspecialty certification in 2003, the field of psychosomatic medicine (PM) addresses the mental health needs of individuals who suffer from general medical conditions. The rising prevalence of chronic illness, along with trends in medical delivery toward more collaborative models of care, underscores the value of recruitment to PM specialty programs. Objectives To foster interest and education in PM, we have developed and implemented a Psychosomatic Medicine Interest Group for trainees within a psychiatry residency program. Results Participants have found the Psychosomatic Medicine Interest Group to be an enjoyable experience that has improved their clinical practice and interest in PM. Conclusion The Psychosomatic Medicine Interest Group has also been a successful vehicle to enhance clinical knowledge and mentoring opportunities during training, while bolstering residents’ desire to pursue a career in PM.
Carcinoid tumor of the appendix in the first two decades of life

Abstract Carcinoid tumor of the appendix is the most common neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract in childhood and adolescence. Sufficient long-term follow-up data after surgical treatment are not currently available for patients diagnosed during the first two decades of life. From 1936 to 1988, 23 patients were observed at this institution with histologically confirmed carcinoid tumors involving the vermiform appendix. In contrast to the adult experience, in which the tumor is most commonly encountered as the result of an incidental appendectomy, 18 of these patients presented with signs and symptoms of an acute abdomen directing the surgeon to the appendix. In the other five cases, surgery was performed for other reasons. Median age at presentation was 13.0 years (range, 6 to 20 years). Fourteen patients were female, nine were male. Simple appendectomy was the initial procedure for all patients. Tumor size ranged from “microscopic” to 2.5 cm in largest dimension. Three patients subsequently underwent right hemicolectomy, and one patient had removal of a residual appendiceal stump, but no residual or metastatic tumor tissue was found in any of the resected specimens. Nineteen patients underwent simple appendectomy alone. Eighteen available specimens were reviewed at the time of this study for confirmation of histology and degree of invasion. The tumor invaded to the serosa in nine of 23 (39%). The mesoappendix or periappendiceal fat was involved in seven of 23 (30%). Vessel invasion was not noted in any specimen. Our median follow-up time was very long, being 26 years (range, 9 months to 51 years). No patient has had evidence of recurrent or metastatic disease. Thus, 20 patients undergoing simple appendectomy were cured, as well as the three undergoing right hemicolectomy. Based on these findings, carcinoid tumor of the appendix in children without metastases at the time of diagnosis would appear to be a clinically benign process, permitting treatment with a conservative surgical procedure.
Effect of Chronically Administered Timolol on Aqueous Humor Flow in Patients with Glaucoma

A prospective analysis of the effect of chronically administered timolol on the rate of aqueous humor flow through the anterior chamber was performed in 15 eyes of 13 subjects with chronic open-angle glaucoma. After one week's treatment, the flow of each treated eye was lower than it had been prior to treatment. After one year's treatment, the flow of 13 of 15 treated eyes was lower than it had been prior to treatment. However, the flow was higher in 12 of 15 eyes after a year's treatment than it had been after a week's treatment. These data suggest that the ciliary body or other structures in the eye must partly adapt to the chronic administration of this drug. The mechanism of the adaptation is unknown.
Examining race and culture in psychology journals: The case of forensic psychology.

Scholars have argued that racial−cultural issues should be given more attention in psychological research. The American Psychological Association (APA) has instituted guidelines and policies about how to include race and culture in research, theory, and practice. Members of racial minority groups ar
Length of residence and media usage

Abstract This article uses data from the 2002 National Election Survey to investigate the relationship between length of residence and media use to consider whether recent movers might use the media as a source of information about their new communities. Results show that frequency of watching national news, watching local news, and reading a newspaper increases with length of residence. Additionally, respondents’ community involvement and sociodemographic characteristics influence these relationships. Older individuals who have more community interest and live in a place longer make greater use of available media. Better-educated individuals also read the paper more, but watch local news less. Thus, it seems, residentially mobile individuals tend not to use the media for information to aid their adjustment.
Enzymatic synthesis of silicone fluorinated aliphatic polyesteramides

Abstract The enzymatic synthesis of silicone fluorinated aliphatic polyesteramides (SFAPEAs) is reported. These materials were synthesized by incorporating both the fluorinated aliphatic segments and the dimethylsiloxane segments into the same linear chain backbone. Immobilized lipase B from Candida antarctica (Novozym-435) was used to catalyze the reactions to prepare fluorosilicones containing both amide and ester linkages. Simultaneous reactions of an amidation between α , ω -aminopropyl terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (APDMS) and diethyl adipate (DEA) and a transesterification between diethyl adipate and four different fluorinated alkanediols (FADs), respectively were conducted. The condensation reactions were carried out in the bulk, in the temperature range 70–90 °C and under reduced pressure (50 mmHg vacuum gauge). The molar masses of the synthesized fluorosilicones were determined by GPC analysis. The effect of the chain length of the FADs on the molar mass build up of the respective polymers was investigated. The highest molar mass fluorosilicones were obtained with the 3,3,4,4,5,5,6,6-octafluoro 1,8-octanediol (OFOD) monomer, which has an additional methylene (–CH 2 –) spacer between the fluorocarbon chain (–CF 2 –) n and the hydroxyl end groups (–OH) when compared to the other three FAD monomers namely – 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoro 1,4-butanediol (TFBD), 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro 1,5-pentanediol (HFPD) and 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoro 1,6-hexanediol (OFHD). The formation of amide and ester linkages during the polymerization was confirmed by FTIR and 1 H NMR spectroscopy. A series of copolymers were synthesized by varying the feed ratios of FAD to APDMS. Fluorinated polyesters (FPEs) and silicone polyamides (SPAs) were also enzymatically synthesized under similar reaction conditions. The DSC analysis revealed that the fluorosilicones were semi-crystalline, principally due to the presence of the FPE segments. The FPEs were found to be white solids at room temperature. However, the SFAPEA’s were found to be viscous materials due to the presence of highly flexible silicone segments in the backbone chain. The crystallinity was seen to disappear completely for the SFAPEA’s with greater than 15 mol% of silicone content. The TGA analysis revealed that thermal degradation/depolymerization characteristics of the fluorosilicones improved with increased silicone content. We envisage that these new fluorosilicones have potential for a variety of low surface energy applications.
Possible Feedback Path for Low-Frequency Atmospheric Oscillations

Abstract Equatorial low-frequency oscillations with periods of 1–2 months are being intensively studied by many investigators. A strong equatorial “dipole” pattern is observed in which atmospheric variables such as temperate, wind, and pressure are out of phase between the Indian Ocean-Indonesia region and the western Pacific. While it is generally thought that the oscillations make a complete circuit around the earth from their excitation region in the equatorial Indian Ocean-western Pacific, the signal is more difficult to observe over the South America-Atlantic-Africa sector. Using analyses of four year of satellite-derived microwave radiance data, evidence is presented here for the possibility of a feedback route in the Southern Hemisphere. The observed propagation path extends from the central equatorial Pacific across lower South America and heads equatorward after passing south of Africa. The response route finally reenters the equatorial Indian Ocean with the correct phase to enhance the primary e...
Acoustic Communication in the Kihansi Spray Toad (Nectophrynoides asperginis): Insights from a Captive Population

Abstract Acoustic signals play an important role in intraspecific communication for most anurans. We investigated the vocal signals, communication, and ear morphology of captive Kihansi Spray Toads (Nectophrynoides asperginis), an Extinct in the Wild diurnal species that is endemic to a specialized spray zone created by waterfalls of the Kihansi River Gorge in Tanzania. We found that N. asperginis have reduced ears, and their calls are soft and simple, comprising short call notes with a fundamental frequency of ∼4.1 kHz and harmonics extending into the ultrasonic range. Observations of the toads' interactions while calling indicate that males call primarily when they are in visual contact or behaviorally engaged with a conspecific. These observations suggest that social interactions in Spray Toads likely involve multimodal sensory communication. Nectophrynoides asperginis has apparently adapted to communicate amid high-level ambient noise produced by the waterfalls in its native environment by specializin...
Optimizing the management of stage II endometrial cancer: the role of radical hysterectomy and radiation

Objective The optimal management of stage II endometrial cancer remains uncertain. We examined the role of radical hysterectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy for stage II endometrial cancer. Study Design The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to identify 1577 women with stage II endometrioid type endometrial adenocarcinoma who underwent surgical staging. Results The cohort included 1198 women who underwent simple hysterectomy (76%) and 379 who underwent radical hysterectomy (24%). Radical hysterectomy had no effect on survival (hazard ratio [HR], 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-1.23). Patients who did not receive radiation were 48% (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.14-1.93) more likely to die than those who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. The survival benefit from radiation was most pronounced in women who underwent radical hysterectomy. Conclusion Adjuvant radiation improves survival. Although the routine performance of radical hysterectomy does not appear to be justified, patients with high-risk stage II tumors appear to benefit from combination therapy with radical hysterectomy and radiotherapy.
A Mechanism Underlying NOTCH-Induced and Ubiquitin-mediated JAK3 Degradation

Although NOTCH signaling is well known to regulate lymphopoiesis, Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) also plays a critical role in promoting lymphocyte development. We have previously found that NOTCH signaling leads to the degradation of JAK3 in B lineage cells, suggesting that NOTCH signaling exerts its biological effect on lymphopoiesis through modulating JAK3 levels. Here, we delineate the biochemical mechanisms involved in NOTCH-induced JAK3 ubiquitination and degradation. NOTCH signaling is known to transcriptionally activate the genes encoding ASB2 (ankyrin-repeat SOCS box containing protein 2) and SKP2 (S-phase kinase-associated protein 2). We show that not only NOTCH but also ASB2 and SKP2 can promote the ubiquitination and degradation of JAK3. Both ASB2 and SKP2 can interact with JAK3 through different domains; the FERM and pseudo-kinase domains each had high affinities for ASB2, whereas the kinase domain primarily associated with SKP2. ASB2 and SKP2 previously have been shown to associate with each other to bridge the formation of a non-canonical Cullin1 and Cullin5-containing dimeric E3 ligase complex. Interestingly, the R980W mutant of JAK3 exhibited diminished interaction with SKP2 and resistance to NOTCH or ASB2-induced degradation. Furthermore, dominant-negative mutants of either Cullin1 or Cullin5, which lack the C terminus responsible for recruiting the E2 enzymes, were able to prevent JAK3 degradation induced by both ASB2/SKP2 and NOTCH signaling. Together, these results suggest that JAK3 ubiquitination involves the non-canonical dimeric E3 ligase complex, and the R980W mutant will serve as an excellent tool for investigating the biological significance of NOTCH-mediated JAK3 turnover.
A theoretical study of liquid-film spread heights in the calendering of Newtonian and power law fluids

The relationship between spread height and upstream reservoir thickness, with power low coefficient as parameter, was obtained analytically. At all values of n studied, the value of r (ratio of spread height to nip width) increases with increasing values of H/ho where H is upstream reservoir thickness and ho is nip width. At higher values of H/ho, the curves of r, versus H/ho tend to “flatten” out, and r approaches an asymptotic value. For example, the asymptotic value of r for Newtonian fluids (power law constant of 1) is 1.226. Asymptotic values of r increase with decreasing values of the power law constant.
Identification of YPD1, a gene of Candida albicans which encodes a two-component phosphohistidine intermediate protein.

We have identified the YPD1 phosphohistidine intermediate two-component gene of Candida albicans. YPD1 has an open reading frame of 552 bp. It is located on chromosome 1 and an mRNA specific for YPD1 is detected under both yeast and hyphal growth. YPD1 encodes a protein of 184 amino acids with an estimated molecular mass of 20.5 kDa. A search for similarities with other proteins in databases showed that CaYpd1p exhibits the greatest overall similarity with Ypd1p from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (34.2% identity; 49.4% similarity) as well as with the C-terminus half of a protein from Schizosaccharomyces pombe (Accession No. CAA22174). However, CaYpd1p also shows similarity with other eukaryotic and prokaryotic proteins which function as phosphohistidine intermediates in two-component phospho-relay systems. In these cases, similarity was restricted to the amino acid sequences which surround the conserved histidine residue that is phosphorylated. In addition, CaYPD1 (but not CaYPD1H69Q) complements the lack of YPD1 in S. cerevisiae. This observation supports the premise that CaYpd1p also may function as a phosphohistidine intermediate protein in C. albicans. The Accession No. for the described sequence is AF213247, as filed in the EMBL/GenBank/DDBJ database. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cellular Uptake and Intracellular Activity of Antibiotics Against Haemophilus influenzae Type b

The ability of penicillins and chloramphenicol to enter human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) and their antibacterial activity against intracellular Haemophilus influenzae type b were studied. Penicillin was excluded whereas chloramphenicol was concentrated in PMNLs; chloramphenicol uptake was not dependent on PMNL energy and was not competitively inhibited by unlabeled drug. PMNLs that had phagocytized opsonized H. influenzae type b were examined after incubation for 24 hr. In the absences of antibiotics, intact intracellular H. influenzae type b organisms were observed in PMNLs by electron microscopy. These PMNLs contained 10(4.5) colony-forming units (cfu) of H. influenzae type b. Addition of penicillin or ampicillin at four, 20, or 40 times the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) decreased this density from 10(4.5) to 10(3.5) cfu. In contrast, addition of chloramphenicol at four times the MBC reduced the density to approximately 100 cfu; at 10 times the MBC it reduced the density to approximately 10 cfu. Thus, lipid-soluble antibiotics such as chloramphenicol are concentrated and are bioactive within PMNLs. Such antibiotics may have a significant advantage at the cellular level.
A fast MWPC with cathode strips and utilizing CF4-isobutane

A planar wire chamber has been developed at LAMPF as a prototype for wire chambers of cylindrical configuration for electron detection in the MEGA experiment. Results form tests with the planar cha ...
Modeling of supersonic combustor flows using parallel computing

While current 3D CFD codes and modeling techniques have been shown capable of furnishing engineering data for complex scramjet flowfields, the usefulness of such efforts is primarily limited by solutions' CPU time requirements, and secondarily by memory requirements. Attention is presently given to the use of parallel computing capabilities for engineering CFD tools for the analysis of supersonic reacting flows, and to an illustrative incompressible CFD problem using up to 16 iPSC/2 processors with single-domain decomposition.
Much ado about species

The Units of Selection: Essays on the Nature of Species. Edited by Mark Ereshefsky. MIT Press: 1992. Pp. 405. $60, £44.95 (hbk); $33, £24.75 (pbk).
Increasing olefins by H2 and CH4 addition to the catalytic partial oxidation of n-octane

Abstract The catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) of n -octane over Rh and Pt-coated α-Al 2 O 3 catalysts at approximately 5 ms contact times is examined with H 2 and CH 4 addition to the reactor feed. The aim is to preferentially oxidize H 2 or CH 4 and allow more octane to react in the gas phase to form high value chemicals such as ethylene and other olefins. The addition of H 2 increases olefin selectivities on both 80 and 45 ppi foams coated with Rh or Pt, and the highest increase in olefin selectivity occurs at H 2 /O 2 = 3/1 on Pt-coated 45 ppi catalysts. In this case, the selectivity to ethylene increases from a maximum of 38 to 51%, and total olefin selectivity increases from 75 to 83% without a decrease in octane conversion. The effect of adding CH 4 is heavily dependent on the catalyst metal and average pore size of the support structure. On Pt catalysts and 45 ppi Rh-coated catalysts, the addition of methane can increase olefin selectivities by several percent. However, on 80 ppi Rh-coated foams, adding methane actually suppresses the formation of olefins and increases selectivity to H 2 and CO.
The impact of personality on information technology team projects

Information technology projects are almost always team efforts. Many factors influence the way that teams can successfully accomplish their objectives. One of these influences is the personality of the individual team members. This report explores some of the relationships between personality and information technology (IT) team issues and outcomes. A pilot study of university students reviews the role of personality in two major areas - team processes and overall success of the team project. A simplified classification based on MBTI (Myers-Briggs Type Indicator) is used to categorize personality types. One of the dependent variables is success on team projects as measured by the team outcome. In addition, a comprehensive construct measuring team processes is studied. A third area studied is the personality diversity within a team. Preliminary findings and relationships from the study are reviewed.
Effects of Exit Vent Location on Fire Room Conditions During PPV

Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) is a widely used fire fighting tactic in which a fan is used to push hot products of fire out of a burning structure. There is a recent body of research that has been conducted regarding the advantages and disadvantages of PPV. Studies of PPV most commonly use full scale experimental fires and/or computational simulations to evaluate its effectiveness. This paper presents computational simulations that have been conducted using Fire Dynamic Simulator (FDS) version 5 to evaluate the effects of exit vent location on resulting fire room conditions during the application of PPV to a ventilation constrained fire. The simulations use a simple one room structure with an adjacent hallway. We are simulating this geometry because we are in the process of designing and constructing a similar experimental compartment. Cold flow simulations are first conducted to understand how much the presence of the fire heat release affects the flow patterns. Then, two simulations which employ PPV with different exit vent locations are compared. The differences between the two simulations are detailed and a physical explanation for the differences is presented.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Enhancing Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Engagement

Trends in adolescent drug use are encouraging and suggest the importance of preventative programs for youth. Yet, among those who become involved with illicit substances and seek treatment, only a fraction report positive outcomes. This article describes an approach to enhance adolescent participation in substance abuse treatment. Aspects of the transtheoretical model are integrated into a treatment program designed to meet the unique developmental needs of adolescent alcohol and marijuana abusers. The result is a treatment that better engages adolescents in participation, thereby increasing the likelihood for treatment success.
Tremorgenic mycotoxins: synthesis of 6-demethoxyfumitremorgin C

Abstract Synthetic studies directed toward the development of a general route to the fumitremorgin group of mycotoxins are disclosed. A chloroformate-induced cyclization of a L-tryptophan imine afforded a 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline which was elaborated to 6-demethoxyfumitremorgin C.
Disorder-induced heating of ultracold plasmas

We report calculations for the disorder-induced heating of the ions in ultracold plasmas that were created by ionization of ultracold, trapped gases. Since the ions gain a large amount of kinetic energy while building up negative potential energy, plasmas are usually heated to a moderately coupled state that is almost independent of the initial temperature. We show how this process is related to the establishment of Coulomb structure in the final plasma state. Several possibilities for reducing the heating by the introduction of structure in the initial state, i.e., the gas before ionization, are then discussed.
The effect of fever therapy on rheumatic carditis associated with chorea

Summary 1. Sixteen cases are presented in which the diagnosis of active rheumatic carditis was justified. The patients were given artificial fever therapy produced by the intravenous injection of triple typhoi vaccine, for a concurrent chorea. 2. In nine of these patients all clinical signs of activity had subsided by the end of treatment. In the others signs were gone in from a week to ten days following the end of treatment. 3. Two cases are presented of subacute rheumatic carditis without chorea. The patients were given artificial fever therapy produced by radiant energy. 4. In one patient the signs of rheumatic activity cleared immediately following one treatment but recurred again to a much lesser degree eight weeks later. She was given a second fever treatment and has shown no clinical evidence of activity since. 5. The second patient improved following one treatment, but the signs of activity did not completely subside until after a second treatment two weeks after the first.
Photochemical generation of reactive titanium(II) species

Abstract Photolysis of diphenyl titanocene, resulting in loss of phenyl groups it a generally useful approach to the generation of coordinatively unsaturated complex species. The low temperature nuclear magnetic resonance and electron paramagnetic resonance methods were utilized to investigate the transient titanocene. Isolation and characterization of electron deficient intermediates were attempted. The green [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) 2 TiH] x polymer was obtained in solid state, which was converted to the dark green transient (η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) 2 Ti species in benzene and tetrahydrofuran at low temperatures. Some stable titanocene adducts were prepared quantitatively by photolysis of diphenyl titanocene in the presence of carbon monoxide and diphenyl-acetylene. Presumably, (π-C 5 H 5 ) 2 Ti(II) is the intermediate in these reactions and thus photolysis is a convenient method for synthesis of titanocene derivatives.
Plant Hallucinogens and the religion of the Mochica—an ancient Peruvian people

This article has attempted to reinterpret a now extinct prehistoric people, the Mochica of Peru, in light of our knowledge of contemporary regional hallucinogenic use. An analysis of Mochica pottery motifs suggests the use of a variety of plant hallucinogens which may have permitted access to supernatural realms. I have argued that studies such as this of prehistoric peoples show the central role that hallucinogenic plants have had throughout time and present a new path to the understanding of prehistoric religions.
Person and tense in narrative interpretation

This study investigated the pragmatic role of two grammatical devices, tense and person, in narrative. These devices normally serve deictic functions in nonfictional discourse which are inappropriate in fiction. We present data which support the notion of shifting deictic markers from the world of the reader to that of the story world, and a pragmatic analysis of the possible roles of vanations of tense and person in fiction. Three short stories were modified to generate four versions of each story. The versions differed in that the primary foregrounded states and events were written in either first or third person, and past or present tense. Each subject read one version of one story and was then asked questions about her interpretive stance toward the story. The results show that getting involved with a story is the primary dimension of story appreciation, and that different readers interact with the same story in different ways. One role of the first person is to invite the reader to identify with the ...
Polymerization and nucleic acid-binding properties of human L1 ORF1 protein

The L1 (LINE 1) retrotransposable element encodes two proteins, ORF1p and ORF2p. ORF2p is the L1 replicase, but the role of ORF1p is unknown. Mouse ORF1p, a coiled-coil-mediated trimer of ∼42-kDa monomers, binds nucleic acids and has nucleic acid chaperone activity. We purified human L1 ORF1p expressed in insect cells and made two findings that significantly advance our knowledge of the protein. First, in the absence of nucleic acids, the protein polymerizes under the very conditions (0.05 M NaCl) that are optimal for high (∼1 nM)-affinity nucleic acid binding. The non-coiled-coil C-terminal half mediates formation of the polymer, an active conformer that is instantly resolved to trimers, or multimers thereof, by nucleic acid. Second, the protein has a biphasic effect on mismatched double-stranded DNA, a proxy chaperone substrate. It protects the duplex from dissociation at 37°C before eventually melting it when largely polymeric. Therefore, polymerization of ORF1p seemingly affects its interaction with nucleic acids. Additionally, polymerization of ORF1p at its translation site could explain the heretofore-inexplicable phenomenon of cis preference—the favored retrotransposition of the actively translated L1 transcript, which is essential for L1 survival.
Dreaming of a Better Life: Utopia as a Focus for Thematic, Interdisciplinary Instruction

Throughout history humans have dreamed of a better life. This concept of utopia can be used as a central focus for thematic and interdisciplinary instruction. This approach has three key advantages...
Supporting Innovation: The Impact of a Teacher's Conceptions of Functions on His Implementation of a Reform Curriculum

In this study we investigate the content conceptions of an experienced high school mathematics teacher and link those conceptions to their role in the teacher's first implementation of reform-oriented curricular materials during a 6-week unit on functions. The teacher communicated deep and integrated conceptions of functions, dominated by graphical representations and covariation notions. These themes played crucial roles in the teacher's practice when he emphasized the use of multiple representations to understand dependence patterns in data. The teacher's well-articulated ideas about features of a variety of relationships in different representations supported meaningful discussions with students during the implementation of an unfamiliar classroom approach to functions.
Wesley Salmon's Intellectual Odyssey and Achievements

Opening Remarks of the Chairman at “Wesley C. Salmon, 1925–2001”: A Symposium Honoring his Contributions to the Philosophy of Science.
Investigating Adult Children’s Experiences with Privacy Turbulence Following the Discovery of Parental Infidelity

Guided by communication privacy management theory (CPMT), the purpose of the present study was to understand the privacy turbulence adult children recalled experiencing after learning of their parents’ infidelity. To answer the research question, 38 individuals who indicated that one or both of their parents had engaged in an extramarital relationship were interviewed. Findings indicated that individuals experienced privacy turbulence in the form of family privacy dilemmas (confidant, accidental, illicit, and dishonesty dilemmas) and delayed understanding. These findings were compared and contrasted to previous research.
Acquired Pelger-Huët anomaly in association with concomitant tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil in a liver transplant patient: a case report and review of the literature.

Pelger-Huet anomaly is a congenital or acquired abnormality of neutrophil nuclear segmentation. The acquired form may be a result of a clonal myeloid malignancy, such as myelodysplastic syndrome, or may be a secondary nonclonal change related to a variety of underlying causes, including infections and medications. We report a case of a 56-year-old man who developed acquired Pelger-Huet anomaly following liver transplantation while on the immunosuppressive agents tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. These medications have been reported in association with this abnormality, but usually as a single agent or in combination with other drugs. In our case, the Pelger-Huet anomaly may be the result of the combination of these 2 drugs or mycophenolate alone with subsequent desensitization because resolution of the abnormality occurred after a reduction in mycophenolate mofetil dose, and the abnormality did not recur when mycophenolate mofetil was increased to a dose previously associated with Pelger-Huet anomaly during the time that tacrolimus was discontinued.
Development and Performance of Interlayer Stress-Absorbing Composite in Asphalt Concrete Overlays:

An interlayer stress-absorbing composite (ISAC) was developed and evaluated for the purpose of effectively alleviating or mitigating the problem of reflection cracking in an asphalt concrete (AC) overlay. ISAC materials and performance properties were carefully selected through comprehensive theoretical studies and laboratory evaluation programs. The ISAC system consists of a low-stiffness geotextile as the bottom layer, a viscoelastic membrane layer as the core, and a very high stiffness geotextile for the upper layer. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the ISAC layer to control reflective cracking, a laboratory pavement section with an AC overlay placed on a jointed portland cement concrete slab was constructed and tested in an environmental chamber. A mechanical device was used to simulate thermal strain in the slab, and the joint was opened and closed at an extremely slow rate. The testing was conducted at —1.1°C, and strain in the overlay was monitored using a sensitive linear variable differe...
Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Up-Regulation after Simian Immunodeficiency virus-1 Coinfection in the Nonhuman Primate

The effects that human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV) type 1 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) coinfection have on HTLV-1 dynamics and disease progression were tested in a nonhuman primate model. Seven rhesus macaques were experimentally inoculated with HTLV-1, and a persistent infection was established. Coinfection with SIV/smB670 resulted in increased HTLV-1 p19 antigens in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and HTLV-1 proviral loads. Circulating CD2(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes increased over preinoculation levels, along with a progressive decrease in CD4(+) T cells, typical for terminal SIV disease. Finally documented was the striking emergence of up to 19% of HTLV-associated "flower cell" lymphocytes in the circulation, as seen in patients with adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma. CD8(+)CD25(+) T cell subpopulation increases were positively correlated with flower cell appearance and suggested their possible role in this process. We conclude that SIV may have the potential to up-regulate HTLV-1 and disease expression.
A psychophysically motivated model for two-dimensional motion perception.

A quantitative model is developed to predict the perceived direction of moving two-dimensional patterns. The model incorporates both a simple motion energy pathway and a “texture boundary motion” pathway that incorporates response squaring before the extraction of motion energy. These pathways correspond to Fourier and non-Fourier motion pathways and are hypothesized to reflect processing in the VI-MT and V1-V2-MT pathway, respectively. A cosine-weighted sum of these pathways followed by competitive feedback inhibition accurately predicts the perceived direction for patterns composed of two cosine gratings at different orientations (“plaids”). The model also predicts direction discrimination, differences between foveal and peripheral viewing, changes in perceived direction with exposure duration, motion masking, and motion transparency.