cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postglacial migration and adaptation for dispersal in pitch pine (Pinaceae)

4 PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Variation in a species is a blend of adaptive, random, and migratory responses. Pitch pine ( Pinus rigida ), a highly variable eastern conifer, has occupied multiple glacial refugia, whose harsh conditions favored adaptations enhancing subsequent dispersal and recolonization of newly deglaciated sites. We assessed phenotypic diversity in long-term growth trials to elucidate both the adaptations and likely refugia. METHODS: Pitch pine progeny from 31 areas were grown in common gardens in six locations, from eastern Massachusetts to Korea. KEY RESULTS: Survival increased with source latitude, but seedlings from southern latitudes were tallest in the fi rst (postplanting) year, but that advantage dissipated in later years. Progeny from northern latitudes were precocious, highly fecund, had smaller seeds, and more seeds per cone. Seed mass de- creased with latitude in both parents and progeny. Serotinous cones were notably common in the New Jersey Pine Plains and Acadia National Park. Vari- ous disease agents and frost burn exhibited latitudinal trends that were nonlinear, with a break in the regression slope at about 40 ° N latitude. Cluster analysis identifi ed both northern and southern groups, largely split between unglaciated and deglaciated terrain, but with Acadia and the Pine Plains as unique outliers. Within the southern group, provenances were organized into contiguous subgroups, but geographic structure was less evident in the northern group. CONCLUSIONS: The present range of pitch pine was colonized by migrants from at least three diff erent refugia, including at least one on the exposed con- tinental shelf during the Last Glacial Maximum.
The Structure of Debt and Equity Financing and the Likelihood of Subsequent Default in Leveraged Buyouts

This study investigates the structure of the debt and equity financing for a sample of leveraged buyouts for the period 1984 to 1989. We find that as the average maturity of the debt increases, the likelihood of a subsequent default decreases. This suggests that choosing debt with longer maturities reduces the probability of loss of control. We also find that firms in which buyout specialists have majority control have a significantly lower likelihood of subsequent default and debt with a significantly higher average maturity. In addition, these firms have more buyout specialists on the board of directors. These findings suggest that buyout specialists provide valuable monitoring benefits which substitute for the disciplining power of shorter debt maturity.
Kinetics of the Reactions of N(4S) Atoms with O2 and CO2 over Wide Temperatures Ranges

Rate coefficients for the depletion of ground-state nitrogen atoms by O2 have been measured using a high-temperature photochemistry reactor. The N atoms were generated by VUV flash photolysis of N2O, and the relative concentrations were monitored by resonance fluorescence. The data are best fitted by the expression k(400−1220 K) = 2.0 × 10-18(T/K)2.15 exp(−2557 K/T) cm3 molecule-1 s-1 with 2σ precision limits varying from ±7% to ±20% depending upon temperature, and corresponding 2σ accuracy limits of ±23% to ±30%. Good agreement is found with earlier, electrical discharge initiated, rate coefficient measurements for the 280−910 K domain. Semiempirical theory-based calculations are presented that lead to a plot nearly indistinguishable from those of the present results and the Baulch et al. recommendation for the 300−5000 K temperature range. These yield a classical barrier E0⧧ of 27.4 kJ mol-1. No reaction with CO2 could be observed; upper limit rate coefficients were obtained from 285 to 1140 K. These up...
Measuring Health Related Quality of Life in Men with Prostate Cancer

AbstractHealth related quality of life is one of several end points commonly studied in medical outcomes research. It refers to how well an individual is functioning in life and to his or her own perceptions of well being. Although health related quality of life variables concern subjective phenomena, their measurement is rigorously quantitative and based upon the well defined principles of psychometric research methodology. Health related quality of life data are collected with survey instruments, which may be self-administered or require a trained interviewer. Some are completed at a medical facility, while others are completed independently at home or by telephone. To yield useful information, such instruments must undergo extensive pilot testing and be shown to have sound psychometric properties. This testing determines whether an instrument can produce data that are reliable or reproducible, and valid or meaningful. Health related quality of life instruments typically contain several collections of i...
Distributed Network Intrusion Detection Systems: An Artificial Immune System Approach

Intrusion detection is the identification of unauthorized use, misuse, and abuse of computer system infrastructures by both system insiders and external intruders. Detecting intrusion in distributed network from outside network segment as well as from inside is a difficult problem. Network based Intrusion Detection System (NIDS) must analyze a large volume of data while not placing a significant added load on the monitoring systems and networks. This paper presents a framework for a distributed network intrusion detection system (dNIDS) based on the artificial immune system concept. In this framework, an adaptive immune mechanism through unsupervised machine learning methods is proposed to classify network traffic into either normal ("self") and suspicious profiles ("non-self") respectively. Experimentally, our approach distributes the NIDS among all connected network segments, allowing NIDS in each segment to identify potential threats individually and enabling the sharing of identified threat vectors between the communicating distributed NIDSs. Analysis of the technique for distribution of this information about threat vectors is presented.
Charles K. McClatchy and the Golden Era of American Journalism. By Steven M. Avella.

Charles K. McClatchy and the Golden Era of American Journalism. By Steven M. Avella. (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2016. xvii + 414 pp. Illustrations, notes, bibliography, index. $36.95.) Here is a painstaking warts-and-all biography of C. K. McClatchy (1858–1936), patriarch of a respected newspaper chain and its flagship paper, the Sacramento Bee . C. K. was a booster of the McClatchy people and papers and his beloved Sacramento and a campaigner for the Progressive movement. He waged battles against government secrecy and public corruption at a time when editors did not have the protection today’s courts provide against libel suits. But McClatchy also was an occasional public drunk, sometimes racist, and often misogynist. (He blamed women voters for the … herb.strentz{at}yahoo.com
The political economy of Brexit: explaining the vote

The UK’s closely contested Brexit vote to leave the EU is expected to have a significant impact on the UK and EU. While calculating the impact of Brexit is difficult since the UK is still formally ...
Surface shear viscosity as a macroscopic probe of amyloid fibril formation at a fluid interface

Amyloidogenesis of proteins is of wide interest because amyloid structures are associated with many diseases, including Alzheimer's and type II diabetes. Dozens of different proteins of various sizes are known to form amyloid fibrils. While there are numerous studies on the fibrillization of insulin induced by various perturbations, shearing at fluid interfaces has not received as much attention. Here, we present a study of human insulin fibrillization at room temperature using a deep-channel surface viscometer. The hydrodynamics of the bulk flow equilibrates in just over a minute, but the proteins at the air-water interface exhibit a very slow development during which the surface (excess) shear viscosity deduced from a Newtonian surface model increases slightly over a period of a day and a half. Then, there is a very rapid increase in the surface shear viscosity to effectively unbounded levels as the interface becomes immobilized. Atomic force microscopy shows that fibrils appear at the interface after it becomes immobilized. Fibrillization in the bulk does not occur until much later. This has been verified by concurrent atomic force microscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy of samples from the bulk. The immobilized interface has zero in-plane shear rate, however due to the bulk flow, there is an increase in the strength of the normal component of the shear rate at the interface, implicating this component of shear in the fibrillization process ultimately resulting in a thick weave of fibrils on the interface. Real-time detection of fibrillization via interfacial rheology may find utility in other studies of proteins at sheared interfaces.
Neurolytic Injections for the Treatment of Pain in the Rehabilitation Patient

Neurolysis is an underutilized technique of providing prolonged, and at times permanent, interruption of select neural pathways involved in nociception in cases of chronic, intractable pain. While malignancy-related pain is the most notable and recognizable indication for neurolytic block, any chronic, intractable pain condition that is resistant to more conservative analgesic approaches can be considered to be an indication for neurolysis. This is provided that the pain has a clearly defined etiology and can be reliably assessed using local anesthetic diagnostic blocks prior to proceeding to this irreversible modality. Neural interruption can be undertaken using physical, chemical, and thermal methodologies. The focus of this chapter is to describe techniques of using chemical agents as neurolytics for select indications of moderate-to-severe pain of the head and face, the thorax and abdomen, and of the spine and extremities in the rehabilitation patient.
Orthognathic Considerations of Vascular Malformations

Vascular malformations affect the craniofacial skeleton in many ways, depending on the type of the lesion and its location. The lesions may exert a mass effect and cause thinning or thickening of the bone or cause expansion from direct bony infiltration. Orthognathic surgery can be used to correct any malocclusion or open bite deformities after the soft tissues are addressed.
Proton Beam Therapy for Hepatic Malignancies

Proton beam therapy (PBT) has emerged as a promising radiation treatment modality option for primary and metastatic hepatobiliary cancer patients due to its dosimetric advantages in sparing normal liver tissue from radiation. In this chapter, the rationale for using PBT for liver cancer patients, treatment planning and delivery including special considerations specific to PBT, and toxicities of liver PBT are discussed.
Association of poor compliance with adjuvant chemotherapy with poorer survival in patients with rectal cancer: A NCDB analysis (N=14,742).

3569Background: Current NCCN treatment guidelines for locally advanced rectal cancer include neoadjuvant chemoradiation, followed by total mesorectal excision and adjuvant chemotherapy. The aim of ...
Development of Improved Equations for Weld Heat Input and Dilution Control: Part 2

This report introduces techniques involving novel calculation methods developed by the Electric Power Research Institute and Bechtel Marine Propulsion Corporation [1] that can be used to develop an improved understanding of welding factors affecting substrate weld heat input and dilution. These improved calculation methods are especially warranted in ASME BPVC Section XI repair and replacement welding activities such as mitigation of hot cracking (dilution control) and optimization of temper bead welding (heat input control). Various parameter sets are tested to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new calculation methods and how they can be refined in future studies to further improve accuracy. Additionally, this report highlights the limitations associated with the ASME BPVC Section IX theoretical heat input and power ratio calculation methods widely used in the welding industry for control of substrate heat input and weld dilution. Weld trials are performed in this study to demonstrate the limitations and determine proper precautions to take when using the calculation methods.Copyright © 2018 by ASME
Principles for Commercial Supply Chain Managers of Livestock and Poultry

Abstract Defining what is sustainable may be difficult. It may be easier to define practices that are not sustainable that should be avoided. Preserving the environment is a major issue. Examples of unsustainable practices are depletion of aquifers and fisheries, and contamination of water supplies with animal waste or chemicals. There are two major types of animal welfare standards that should be followed: basic standards such as the international standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and standards with specific increased requirements for animal housing, or organic for high-value markets. In all programs the first step is to prevent abusive handling of animals and neglected health problems. Numerical animal-based outcome measurements can be used to prevent suffering by assessing bruises, lesions, swellings, dirtiness, lameness, coat/feather condition, body condition, and handling practices. An effective commercial animal welfare assessment system should have three parts: (1) third-party independent audits, (2) internal farm audits by the producer, and (3) audits by the corporate staffs who are buying the animal products. Many welfare issues can be assessed at the abattoir. On-farm visits will be required for evaluating compliance with animal housing specifications, pain relief after surgeries, and environmental enrichment.
Green Infrastructure Implementation in Urban Parks for Stormwater Management

AbstractA newly constructed rain garden in Shoelace Park in Bronx, New York, USA, was monitored between October 2014 and July 2015 as a pilot study aimed at testing the effectiveness of using urban...
Fcγ Receptor Activation by Human Monoclonal Antibody Aggregates

Protein aggregates are a potential risk factor for immunogenicity. The measurement, characterization, and control of protein aggregates in drug products are indispensable for the development of biopharmaceuticals, including therapeutic mAbs. In this study, Fcγ receptor (FcγR)-expressing reporter cell lines were used to analyze the FcγR-activation properties of mAb aggregates. Comparison of aggregates of mAbs harboring different IgG subclasses revealed that the FcγR-activation profiles of the mAb aggregates were dependent on IgG subclass. In addition, aggregates of Fc-engineered mAb with enhanced FcγR-activation properties exhibited stronger activation of FcγRs than was observed in the wild-type aggregates, whereas aggregates of Fc-engineered mAb with decreased FcγR-activation properties showed reduced activation. These results suggest that FcγR activation by mAb aggregates depends greatly on the Fc functions of the native (nonaggregated) mAbs. We also showed that aggregates of mAbs smaller than 1 μm in size have the potential to directly activate FcγRs. Unintended immune cell activation can be induced on account of FcγR activation by mAb aggregates and such FcγR activation may contribute to immunogenicity, and therefore, analysis of the FcγR-activation properties of mAb aggregates using FcγR-expressing reporter cell lines is a promising approach for the characterization of mAb aggregates.
Comparing and Contrasting NEMA-based Virtual Phase-Link control with Max Pressure Control in Arterial Signal Systems

In this work, we compared two adaptive control systems: (1) a National Electrical Manufacturing Association (NEMA) based virtual phase-link macroscopic model and (2) a Max Pressure controller based model. The control variables of these models are the green splits. We contrasted the performance of these two models in controlling traffic signal systems in an experimental Vissim framework, and compared them with two other control strategies. It was found that the virtual phaselink method outperformed two control strategies and performed close, by not as good as, the Max Pressure control strategy. We found that the disadvantage of the virtual phase-link method stemmed from that fact that the cycle time was not fully used for some of the intersections. It was also found that the platoon created by the cyclic control schemes might slow down to allow vehicles to switch lanes. Compared to the Max Pressure control strategy, the virtual phase-link method can be implemented by any traffic controller that follows the NEMA standards. The real-time requirement of the virtual phase-link method is not as strict as the Max Pressure control strategy.
Interspecific Competitive Potential of Wavyleaf Basketgrass (Oplismenus undulatifolius), a Recent Introduction to the mid-Atlantic United States

Understanding the mechanisms by which an invasive plant species is able to colonize and successfully expand into native plant communities can help in estimating the potential threat posed by a new invader and predict impacts on community diversity, structure, and function. Wavyleaf basketgrass [Oplismenus undulatifolius (Ard.) P. Beauv.] is a perennial, shade-tolerant grass species that has been recently introduced to the mid-Atlantic United States. Areas invaded by O. undulatifolius typically have low species richness, but it is unknown whether O. undulatifoius actively outcompetes other species or simply thrives primarily in species-poor habitats. This study used a greenhouse experiment to quantify interspecific competition in shade and sun among seedlings of O. undulatifolius; Japanese stiltgrass [Microstegium vimineum (Trin.) A. Camus], an invasive annual grass common in the region; and a mix of three native perennial grass species commonly used in restoring areas invaded by M. vimineum. In this experiment, shade did not significantly affect growth or competitive ability. Interspecific competition irrespective of shade had a negative effect on growth of all species, but O. undulatifolius was affected to a much greater degree than either M. vimineum or the native grass mix. These results suggest that, at least under these conditions, O. undulatifolius is a weak interspecific competitor and may be capable of forming dense monotypic stands only in areas that already have low species diversity. In the mid-Atlantic region, postagricultural legacies and overabundant deer populations, which lead to depauperate understories, may be a major facilitator of O. undulatifolius invasion in forests.
A Self-Deployed Multi-Channel Wireless Communications System for Subterranean Robots

In this paper we present an experimental results-driven system design to enable more robust and self-deployed wireless communications for robotic systems autonomously operating in underground environments such as mines, caves, and tunnels. Subterranean environments pose severe challenges for wireless communications as wireless signal suffers extra power loss due to tunnel's curvatures; the existence of corners, junctions and large obstacles inside the mines; the changes in cross section of a passage and the tilt of sidewalls. This is especially the case when high-bandwidth and low-power wireless communications are considered as commonly found in autonomous robots. In response to these challenges, we present a multi-modal communication solution that a) relies on the integration of both dual 5.8GHz WiFi radios (high bandwidth channel), as well as 915MHz telemetry modules (low bandwidth channel), while at the same time b) utilizes both high-gain directional antennas outside of the underground environment and communication “breadcrumbs” within the subterranean setting. The communication breadcrumbs correspond to a highly integrated, lightweight and self-contained solution of dual radio WiFi and small patch 6dBi antennas, a 915MHz ultra low-power module with a 3dBi wire antenna, alongside battery for approximately 2 hours of operation. Finally, we present an integrated robotic solution – the “Aerial Scouts”- that are not only capable of autonomously exploring in the underground domain but also ferrying and dropping the aforementioned communication breadcrumbs on their own – thus autonomously extending their network as they go. For evaluation purposes we present experimental results from underground exploration missions where we relate the location of the robot, the self-deployed communications network and the measured received signal strength indicator (RSSI) over several points of the 3D reconstructed map of the environment.
A simple condition for the multivariate CLT and the attraction to the Gaussian of Lévy processes at long and short times

ABSTRACTWe show that a necessary and sufficient condition for the sum of iid random vectors to converge (under appropriate centering and scaling) to a multivariate Gaussian distribution is that the truncated second moment matrix is slowly varying at infinity. This is more natural than the standard conditions, and allows for the possibility that the limiting Gaussian distribution is degenerate (so long as it is not concentrated at a point). We also give necessary and sufficient conditions for a d-dimensional Levy process to converge (under appropriate centering and scaling) to a multivariate Gaussian distribution as time approaches zero or infinity.
The Impact of CEO Reformative Action and Message Source on Non-professional Investors’ Response to CEO Apologies on Social Media

CEO apologies are prevalent in the business environment and can often be communicated via social media. When CEOs apologize, research suggests that they take reformative actions to overcome individual or institutional inertia and to show the public that they will not stray again (Boyd 2011; Hill and Boyd 2013). However, extant literature does not show which CEO apology strategies, in terms of reformative actions, are most appropriate to maintain investors after adverse events. Using a 2x2 between-participants experiment with 140 participants recruited from Amazon M-Turk, this study provides evidence that investors’ say-on-pay recommendations and likelihood of investing in the firm will be higher when the CEO’s compensation is reduced in response to a cybersecurity incident than when the CEO resigns from the current position. Therefore, following an adverse event, both the CEO and the firm can benefit if the CEO decides to voluntarily give up his/her bonus as a reformative action. Mediation analysis reveals that investors’ perceived sincerity of the apology positively mediates the above relationship. This study also shows that messages source has an influence on the relationship between reformative actions and investors’ say-on-pay recommendations but not on the relationship between reformative actions and investors’ likelihood of investing in the firm. Specifically, when reformative actions are communicated via the firm’s social media account rather than the CEO’s personal account, investors’ say-on-pay recommendations for the CEO will be higher when the CEO’s compensation is reduced than when the CEO resigns from the current position. Thus, message source appears to magnify the effect of reformative actions on investors’ say-on-pay recommendations. Together, the results of this study may inform both researchers and market participants.
Cyclic behavior of holomorphic functions on a Runge region

Abstract Let Ω ⊂ C N be a Runge region and let H ( Ω ) denote the Frechet space of holomorphic functions on Ω. In this paper, we provide extensions of some earlier results regarding nonscalar continuous linear operators on H ( Ω ) commuting with each partial differentiation operator ∂ ∂ z k , where 1 ≤ k ≤ N . Specifically, we demonstrate that all such operators are hypercyclic and share a dense set of common cyclic vectors. Motivated by our results, we introduce a class of finite sets of Frechet space operators patterned after the partial differentiation operators, called backward multi-shifts, and show that any nonscalar operator in the commutant of such a finite set is supercyclic. Lastly, we apply our supercyclicity result on weighted differentiation operators on H ( C N ) and also on double sequence spaces.
Differential Formation of β-Catenin/Lymphoid Enhancer Factor-1 DNA Binding Complex Induced by Nitric Oxide in Mouse Colonic Epithelial Cells Differing in Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (Apc) Genotype

Increased cytoplasmic β-catenin levels and the associated nuclear β-catenin/T-cell factor (Tcf)-lymphoid enhancer factor (LEF) complex formation have been frequently found in colon cancer. In this context, overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) attributable to inflammatory stimuli in diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease may contribute to colonic carcinogenesis. Therefore, we examined the modulation by NO of cytoplasmic β-catenin levels and the formation of the nuclear β-catenin/LEF-1 DNA binding complex in conditionally immortalized mouse colonic epithelial cells that differed in adenomatous polyposis coli ( Apc ) genotype, namely young adult mouse colon (YAMC; Apc +/+) and immortal mouse colon epithelium (IMCE; Apc Min/+). Unlike most colon cancer cell lines, this pair of cell lines has either nondetectable or low basal level of β-catenin when they are cultured under nonpermissive and nonproliferative conditions. Using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, we found that NO-releasing agents (E)-methyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-6-methoxy-3-hexeneamide and S -nitroso- N -acetylpenicillamine greatly enhanced the formation of β-catenin/LEF-1 DNA binding complex in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion in YAMC and IMCE cells. Significantly, IMCE cells showed a markedly greater amount of nuclearβ -catenin/LEF-1 DNA binding complex in response to NO. Super shift by anti-β-catenin antibody confirmed the presence of β-catenin in the complex. Western blot analysis of the soluble cytoplasmic fractions demonstrated that these NO donors caused differential accumulation of cytoplasmic β-catenin in YAMC and IMCE. In conclusion, this study indicates that the defective β-catenin degradation machinery attributable to Apc Min/+ mutation in IMCE cells not only affects basal levels but also contributes to NO-induced dysregulation of cytoplasmic β-catenin and nuclear β-catenin/LEF-1 DNA binding complex formation.
Counterexamples to the maximality conjecture of Landau-Higgs models

Two counterexamples to the Ascher-Michel maximality conjecture are presented. One of the models is extended to the case of reducible order parameter/Higgs field to provide a counterexample to the Gell-Mann-Slansky conjecture. Physical consequences of these counterexamples are discussed in the context of phase transitions.
Transport of radioactive sodium across the rat placenta in experimental toxemia of pregnancy

Abstract The placental permeability of rats in the third trimester of pregnancy has been evaluated by determination of the radioactivity of placenta and fetus following intravenous injection of Na24Cl. Rats that were fed a vitamin E-low diet containing oxidized cod liver oil during pregnancy had a lower placental permeability to sodium ion than control animals in the fifteenth through seventeenth days of gestation. A toxic effect of the oxidized cod liver oil diet on the trophoblast is postulated as the etiology of diet-induced experimental toxemia of pregnancy. In the early stages of the development of the generalized Shwartzman reaction in pregnant rats, placental lesions have caused a severe depression in placental permeability before glomerular thrombi have impaired sodium exchange in the kidney. The alterations of placental transport effect in rats by an oxidized cod liver oil diet are similar to those which have been reported in human toxemia of pregnancy.
Efficient computation of the wavelet transforms

An efficient algorithm is presented for the computation of the continuous wavelet transform (CWT). CWTs arise in the analysis of bandpass signals that are scale-time perturbed. To detect scale-time perturbed signals, the CWT of the received signal has to be computed with respect to the signals being detected. Efficient algorithms exist for the computation of the discrete wavelet transform, because the DWT wavelets give rise to quadrature mirror filters which can be implemented using lattice structures. Computation of the CWT with respect to an arbitrary wavelet (not necessarily a DWT wavelet), is time consuming. The DWT wavelets are used to compute the CWT of a signal with respect to an arbitrary wavelet. This is accomplished by using the computational properties of compactly supported DWT wavelet bases. >
A simple experimental technique for the measurement of the work of adhesion of microstructures

A method to measure the interfacial work of adhesion, gamma /sub s/, between undoped polysilicon beams and a silicon substrate is presented. The method relies on the peeling and detachment of polysilicon cantilever beams. Values of surface energy of gamma /sub s/=140+or-70 mJ m/sup -2/ were found for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic samples. The technique used should also be applicable to the measurement of gamma /sub s/ for other micromechanical material systems. >
Prostate-specific antigen for pretreatment prediction and posttreatment evaluation of outcome after definitive irradiation for prostate cancer

Purpose : This study was undertaken to assess the predictive value of pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the difference between clinical and PSA disease-free status in patients with long-term follow-up after irradiation for prostatic carcinoma. Comparison of the distribution of prognostic factors between surgical and radiation series was also made. Methods and Materials : From 1975-1989, 652 patients with clinical Stage A2-C prostatic adenocarcinoma were definitively irradiated using external beam therapy. One hundred and fifty patients with banked serum and up to 14 years follow-up have pretreatment PSA levels and 355 patients with up to 17 years follow-up have posttreatment values. Treatment failure was analyzed by tumor stage, grade, and four pretreatment PSA categories. Disease-progression was evaluated by clinical and biochemical (PSA) endpoints. Prognostic factors were compared to two surgical series. Results : A significant difference was seen in clinical and PSA disease-free (PSA < 4.0 ng/ml) status based on tumor grade, stage, and pretreatment PSA category. Although the expected clinical outcome has been well-documented previously, results based on posttreatment PSA levels show 5-year disease-free survivals reduced by 10-16% and 10-year survivals lessened by 15-39% depending upon the particular tumor grade and stage. The earlier stage, lower grade tumors showed the largest difference between clinical and biochemical recurrence rates at the longest interval from treatment. Even more notable were the differences in the clinical and PSA disease-free rates based on the pretreatment PSA level. Comparing the irradiated patients to two surgical series showed that the former had a larger percentage of more advanced stage tumors with more unfavorable PSA levels as compared to prostatectomy patients. Conclusion : With long-term follow-up, the pretreatment PSA level continues to be a powerful predictor of clinical and biochemical outcome in patients irradiated for apparently localized prostate cancer. Differences between clinical and PSA outcome can be considerable, but oftentimes clinically insignificant. The distribution of prognostic factors between radiation and prostatectomy series seems to favor the latter.
Analysis of Public Service Announcements on National Television, 2001–2006:

Although public service announcements (PSAs) are used extensively in social marketing campaigns, few studies have examined the overall landscape of PSAs. This article presents a comprehensive analysis of all PSAs aired on national television from 2001–2006. Data are from an all-inclusive industry database. Units of analysis were the number of ads, estimated amount of airtime, and estimated dollar value of airtime. Over 183,000 PSAs aired on average each year from 2001–2006, estimated to be worth about $1.6 billion per year. PSAs represented 2% of advertisements on national television, with more (30.5%) PSAs airing overnight between 1:00 am and 5:00 am than at other times of the day, and more appearing in the fall than other times of the year. The most common topic of PSAs was health. Sports programs contained a smaller percentage of PSAs than other types of programs. The results can help policymakers ensure that PSAs air in sufficient quantity and at effective times, inform campaign decisions about alloca...
The traveler's dream come true (satellite personal communication)

An overview is given of the Iridium, satellite-based personal communications system, which will bring cellular telephone service to virtually every point on the globe. Iridium will use low-earth-orbit satellites. Some of the key system-level considerations that have driven the design are highlighted. The services offered by Iridium are described, and some market projections are given. >
Ion‐mediated nucleation in the atmosphere: Key controlling parameters, implications, and look‐up table

[1] Nucleation is an important source of atmospheric particles and ubiquitous ions in the atmosphere have long been known to promote nucleation. An ion-mediated nucleation (IMN) mechanism based on a kinetic model is supported by recent measurements of the excess charge on freshly nucleated particles and ion cluster evolution during nucleation events. Here we investigate the dependence of steady state IMN rate (JIMN) on key controlling parameters. We find that sulfuric acid vapor concentration, temperature, relative humidity, ionization rate, and surface area of preexisting particles have profound and nonlinear impacts on JIMN. The sensitivities of JIMN to the changes in these key parameters may imply important physical feedback mechanisms involving climate and emission changes, solar variations, nucleation, aerosol number abundance, and aerosol indirect radiative forcing. We also describe a five-dimensional JIMN look-up table derived from the most recent version of the IMN model, with the key parameters covering a wide range of atmospheric conditions. With the look-up table and a multiple-variable interpolation subroutine, JIMN and the properties of critical clusters can be determined efficiently and accurately under given atmospheric conditions. The look-up table reduces the computational costs of the IMN rate calculations significantly (by a factor of around 8000) and can be readily incorporated into multidimensional models to study the secondary particle formation via IMN and associated climatic and health effects.
Haemopoietic receptors and helical cytokines

A bewitching interplay of proteins, variously clothed as chemical messengers and cellular receptors, control the pace of growth and the course of progressive differentiation in blood cell types. The messengers are lymphokines, interleukins, colony-stimulating factors, growth hormones and interferons: generically, the cytokines. The second components of the regulatory pairs are membrane-spanning receptor proteins: these molecules transduce the specific binding of cognate cytokines into a mitogenic cellular response. In this article, Fernando Bazan discusses a provocative structural model for cytokine-receptor interactions which, if correct, will alter perceptions of the evolutionary design of the haemopoietic system.
Design and Evaluation of Tumor-Specific Dendrimer Epigenetic Therapeutics

Histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) are promising therapeutics for cancer. HDACi alter the epigenetic state of tumors and provide a unique approach to treat cancer. Although studies with HDACi have shown promise in some cancers, variable efficacy and off-target effects have limited their use. To overcome some of the challenges of traditional HDACi, we sought to use a tumor-specific dendrimer scaffold to deliver HDACi directly to cancer cells. Here we report the design and evaluation of tumor-specific dendrimer–HDACi conjugates. The HDACi was conjugated to the dendrimer using an ester linkage through its hydroxamic acid group, inactivating the HDACi until it is released from the dendrimer. Using a cancer cell model, we demonstrate the functionality of the tumor-specific dendrimer–HDACi conjugates. Furthermore, we demonstrate that unlike traditional HDACi, dendrimer–HDACi conjugates do not affect tumor-associated macrophages, a recently recognized mechanism through which drug resistance emerges. We anticipate that this new class of cell-specific epigenetic therapeutics will have tremendous potential in the treatment of cancer.
Heterobivalent dual-target probe for targeting GRP and Y1 receptors on tumor cells.

Receptor targeting ligands for imaging and/or therapy of cancer are limited by heterogeneity of receptor expression by tumor cells, both inter-patient and intra-patient. It is often more important for imaging agents to identify local and distant spread of disease than it is to identify a specific receptor presence. Two natural hormone peptide receptors, GRPR and Y1, are specifically interesting because expression of GRPR, Y1 or both is up-regulated in most breast cancers. We describe here the design and development of a new heterobivalent peptide ligand, truncated bombesin (t-BBN)/BVD15-DO3A, for dual-targeting of GRPR and Y1, and validation of its dual binding capability. Such a probe should be useful in imaging cells, tissues and tumors that are GRPR and/or Y1 positive and should target radioisotopes, for example, (68)Ga and/or (177)Lu, to more tumors cells than single GRPR or Y1 targeted probes. A GRP targeting ligand, J-G-Abz4-QWAVGHLM-NH(2) (J-G-Abz4-t-BBN), and an Y1 targeting ligand, INP-K[e-J-(α-DO3A-e-DGa)-K]-YRLRY-NH(2)([e-J-(α-DO3A-e-DGa)-K]-BVD-15), were synthesized and coupled to produce the heterobivalent ligand, t-BBN/BVD15-DO3A. Competitive displacement binding assays using t-BBN/BVD15-DO3A against (125)I-Tyr(4)-BBN yielded an IC(50) value of 18 ± 0.7 nM for GRPR in T-47D cells, a human breast cancer cell line. A similar assay using t-BBN/BVD15-DO3A against porcine (125)I-NPY showed IC(50) values of 80 ± 11 nM for Y1 receptor in MCF7 cells, another human breast cancer cell line. In conclusion, it is possible to construct a single DO3A chelate containing probe that can target both GRPR and Y1 on human tumor cells.
The afferent connections of the inferior olivary complex in rats: a study using the retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase.

Retrograde transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used to define the origin of afferents to the inferior olivary complex (IOC) in rats. Using both ventral and dorsal surgical approaches to the brainstem, HRP was injected into the IOC through a micropipette affixed to the tip of a 1-μl Hamilton syringe. After a 2-day postoperative survival, animals were sacrificed by transcardiac perfusion with a 1% paraformaldehyde-1.25% gluteraldehyde solution, and brains were processed according to the DeOlmos protocol (1977), using o-dianisidine as the chromogen. Labeled cells were found at many levels of the nervous system extending from lumbar spinal cord to cerebral cortex. This wide-ranging input from numerous regions clearly underscores the complexity of the IOC and its apparent involvement in several functions. Within the spinal cord, labeled neurons were identified from cervical to lumbar but not at sacral levels. These neurons were found contralaterally in the neck region of the dorsal horn and in the medial portions of the intermediate gray. In the caudal brainstem, reactive cells in the dorsal column nuclei, the spinal trigeminal nucleus, and the subnucleus y of the vestibular complex were observed primarily contralateral to the injection sites. Labeling within the gigantocellular, magnocellular, ventral, and lateral reticular nuclei and the nucleus prepositus hypoglossi was primarily ipsilateral. Reactive neurons in the medial and inferior vestibular nuclei were predominantly ipsilateral or contralateral to HRP injections into the caudal or rostral IOC, respectively. The dentate and interposed nuclei of the cerebellum contained small, lightly labeled neurons primarily contralateral to the injection site, while the fastigial nuclei contained a few relatively large, heavily labeled cells bilateral to caudal olivary injections. Ipsilaterally labeled mesencephalic regions included the periaqueductal gray, interstitial nucleus of Cajal, rostromedial red nucleus, ventral tegmental area, medial terminal nucleus of the accessory optic tract, nucleus of the optic tract, and the lateral deep mesencephalic nucleus. The caudal part of the pretectum and small cells of the stratum profundum of the superior colliculus were labeled predominantly contralateral to the injection. In the caudal diencephalon labeled neurons were most numerous within the nucleus of Darkschewitsch and the subparafascicular nucleus, primarily ipsilateral to olivary injections. Scattered reactive neurons were also found within the ipsilateral zone incerta. With the exception of the zona incerta, all labeled mesencephalic and diencephalic nuclei had some bilateral representation of labeled cells. No labeled neurons were identified within the basal ganglia, while numerous reactive cells were found bilaterally within layer V of the frontal and parietal cerebral cortex.
Torsion-vibration-rotation interaction in ethane: The bands ν12 + ν4, ν8 and ν6☆

Abstract The interacting bands ν12 + ν4, ν8, and ν6 of ethane have been measured under 0.04 cm−1 resolution. The effects of torsional, z-type, and xy Coriolis interaction as well as torsional splitting in ν12 + ν4 were included in the analysis. The barrier to internal rotation in ν12 is found to be 3021 cal/mole.
Neuromuscular spindles relative to joint movement complexities

Small muscles, such as those producing movements of the digits, are known to contain high densities of muscle spindles compared to larger muscles of the limb. These high densities have been associated with an increased need for proprioceptive feedback during precise manipulative movements. A recent study has indicated that spindle densities are related to muscle size rather than to functional capability. By contrast, the current study examined whether spindle numbers, actual spindle densities and relative spindle densities correlated with the complexity of joint movements in two species with different muscle sizes, human and guinea pig. Published data were used for the histological parameters of each species and measurements were made of movement range in each kinematic degree of freedom for each joint of the human and guinea pig pectoral and pelvic limbs. Muscle weights of newborn humans were 315 times greater than those of guinea pigs but joint movement complexities were almost the same in the two species and actual spindle numbers of human were only 7.3 times those of guinea pig. Joint movement complexity tended to be greatest most proximally on each limb and progressively decreased more distally. Regardless of muscle weight differences, actual spindle numbers and relative spindle densities correlated positively and significantly with joint movement complexity and actual spindle densities correlated negatively in each species. Hence muscle spindle numbers and densities around joints appear to reflect joint functional capability for appropriate proprioceptive feedback to the central nervous system in the control of joint movement.
Parental provisioning in house wrens: effects of varying brood size and consequences for offspring

In biparental species, conflict between the sexes is expected when optimal levels of parental care differ between males and females. We studied food provisioning in house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) to test whether male provisioning is more strongly affected than female provisioning by brood size, because this should influence the marginal return on a male’s investment. To test this, we created broods of reduced and enlarged size, and found that per-nestling food delivery varied more strongly for males than for females in association with brood size and nestling age; males delivered more food per nestling to enlarged broods, and less to small broods, as nestlings grew and approached asymptotic size. Although parents delivered a greater amount of prey to larger broods, the amount of food per nestling was initially higher for nestlings in small broods, and the amount of food delivered early in nestling development, particularly by males, affected offspring body mass, survival to fledging, and recruitment to the breeding population. However, provisioning rates were negatively associated with prey size, suggesting a trade-off between prey quantity and size. Finally, parents provisioning at a high rate to broods of reduced size were less likely to return to breed, suggesting that they assessed the low return on their investment and dispersed. Although potential for sexual conflict in house wrens remains, our data suggest that its resolution does not involve negotiation over provisioning, possibly because selection for offspring viability favors heavy investment by both parents.
Thermal and spectral studies of some divalent metal chelates of quinizarin

Abstract The thermal and spectral properties of the chelates of quinizarin with copper, cobalt and nickel have been investigated. The decreasing order of thermal stability for the chelates is Ni > Co > Cu. The chelates are compared with the corresponding chelates of naphthazarin. The effect on the thermal stability of the addition of a benzene ring to naphthazarin is compared with a previous study on 2,4-dinitrosoresorcinol and 2,4-dinitroso-1,3-naphthalenediol. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to prepare a zinc chelate of this ligand.
Use of benzyldimethyl-n-hexadecylammonium chloride (“16-BAC”), a cationic detergent, in an acidic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system to detect base labile protein methylation in intact cells

A discontinuous polyacrylamide gel system operating at pH 4.0-1.5 which resolves proteins bearing base labile groups extracted from intact cells is described. It uses potassium phosphate buffer in the running and stacking gel and glycine as the trailing ion component. Proteins are solubilized with urea and benzyldimethyl-n-hexadecylammonium chloride, a cationic detergent. The utility of the system is illustrated by fluorographs of the pattern of protein methylation in blood platelets and the HL60 promyelocyte cell line.
Characterization of pollen tube development in Pinus strobus (Eastern white pine) through proteomic analysis of differentially expressed proteins

The differentially expressed proteins in pollen tubes indicate their specific roles in this stage of male gametophyte development. To isolate these proteins, 2-DE was done using ungerminated pollen and 2-day-old pollen tubes of Pinus strobus. Results show that 645 and 647 protein spots were clearly resolved from pollen grains and pollen tubes, respectively. Thirty-eight protein spots were expressed only in pollen tubes, while 19 increased in intensity. MALDI-TOF MS was used to generate tryptic peptide masses that were submitted to Mascot for identification. Of the differentially expressed proteins, 12% matched with hypothetical proteins, 33% did not hit any protein, and for the 55%, a putative function was assigned based on similarity of sequences with previously characterized proteins. Therefore, pollen tube development can be characterized by the cellular activities that involve metabolism, stress/defense response, gene regulation, signal transduction, and cell wall formation. This study expands our understanding of the changes in protein expression associated with pollen tube development and provides insights into the molecular programs that separate the development of the pollen tubes from pollen grains. This is the first report that describes a global analysis of differentially expressed proteins from the pollen tube of any seed plant.