cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The fate of I-131-labeled human growth hormone in the rabbit.

The rate of disappearance from plasma and tissue localization of radioactivity were determined in rabbits following intravenous injections of radioiodinated human growth hormone (HGH*), and radioiodinated human serum albumin (HSA*). Tissue localization of radioactivity after Nal131 injection was also examined. HGH* was quickly cleared from the blood; during the extremely rapid initial period (between 2 and 10 minutes), the concentration of trichloroacetic acid precipitable plasma radioactivity fell by 61 %. For the interval 10 to 60 minutes, mean half-time of disappearance of 17.6 ±1.8 minutes (standard error) was determined in a group of 11 rabbits. Half-time of disappearance did not differ in young as compared with old animals. Listed in decreasing order, the tissue radioactivity concentrations at 90 minutes were: kidney, liver, lung, spleen, skin, adrenal, testis, intestine, marrow, pancreas, skeletal muscle fat and cerebral cortex. Substantial proportions of the radioactivity found in the liver and ki...
Abstract 1150: Genetic variations in microRNA-related genes as predictors for recurrence and progression in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of short non-protein-coding RNAs regulating gene expression in eukaryotes, which can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. To test the hypothesis that genetic variations in the miRNA biogenesis genes are associated with the prognosis of bladder cancer, we genotyped 76 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 8 genes (DDX20, DGCR8, DICER1, EIF2C1, GEMIN4, RAN, RNASEN and XPO5) from the miRNA biogenesis pathway in 421 patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Eight SNPs reached significant association with cancer recurrence in patients who received trans-urethral resection (TUR) only, and three SNPs in patients who received intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) instillation. The most significant SNP in TUR group was [rs197412][1] in DDX20, with the variant allele conferring a 42% decreased risk of recurrence (HR=0.58, 95% CI=0.40-0.82, P=0.002). The most significant SNP in BCG group was [rs563002][2] in DDX20, with the variant allele conferring an increased risk of recurrence (HR=2.80, 95% CI=1.30-6.04, P=0.009). In addition, seven SNPs showed significant association with cancer progression. The most significant SNP associated with progression was rs3087833 in GEMIN4, with the variant allele conferring an increased risk of progression (HR=9.73, 95% CI=2.31-40.92, P=0.002). Finally, we performed cumulative effect analysis for the number of unfavorable genotype on bladder cancer recurrence and prognosis. These data demonstrated that miRNA-related SNPs may impact the recurrence and progression in bladder cancer patients. Further study in independent large population and functional characterization are needed to validate these results. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1150. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1150 [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=GEN&access_num=rs197412&atom=%2Fcanres%2F71%2F8_Supplement%2F1150.atom [2]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=GEN&access_num=rs563002&atom=%2Fcanres%2F71%2F8_Supplement%2F1150.atom
The diffusion of HR practices in unions

Abstract Unions, like other service industry and/or nonprofit employers, are uniquely dependent upon the performance of their human resources to ensure organizational success. Consequently, unions have much to gain from adopting a more strategic focus in the management of their vital human talent. While some unions are moving toward greater sophistication in their internal HR practices (Clark and Gray, 2005), as a whole unions have been slow to embrace a strategic outlook on human resources and adopt HR practices that could improve union effectiveness and rejuvenate the union movement. In this paper, I identify and discuss internal organizational characteristics and external environmental factors that may influence the adoption of more sophisticated HR practices by labor unions. It is hoped that the framework that is suggested here can be used to launch research directed at understanding and improving the diffusion of good HR practices among unions that could subsequently improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of unions as institutions.
Afferent and efferent innervation of the cat cochlea: quantitative analysis with light and electron microscopy.

The purpose of the present study was to describe the longitudinal and radial gradients of cochlear innervation in the cat. To this end, afferent and efferent terminals of both the inner (IHC) and outer hair cell (OHC) regions were reconstructed from serial ultrathin sections at six and eight cochlear locations, respectively, corresponding to roughly octave intervals of characteristic frequency (CF). Analysis of the afferent innervation of the IHCs showed (1) the number of radial fibers per IHC rises from 10 per IHC at the 0.25 kHz region to a maximum of 30 per IHC at the 10 kHz locus; (2) branching of radial fibers is essentially restricted to regions apical to the 1.0 kHz point; and (3) there are significant differences in synaptic-body morphology for synapses on different sides of the IHC, corresponding to known differences in afferent threshold and rate of spontaneous activity. With respect to efferent innervation in the IHC area, we found (1) that there were numerous vesicle-filled terminals contacting every IHC examined; however, those with obvious synaptic specialization were confined to the most apical regions; and (2) there were roughly the same numbers of efferent synapses per radial fiber at all cochlear locations; however, at each location, radial fibers contacting the modiolar side of the hair cell (corresponding to high-threshold afferents) showed significantly more efferent synapses than radial fibers contacting the pillar side. Analysis of the OHC afferent innervation showed (1) a clear rise in numbers of terminals per OHC from roughly 3 per cell in the base to 15 per cell in the apex, (2) no systematic differences in the numbers of terminals as a function of OHC row, and (3) that synaptic bodies at the OHC afferent synapse are common only apical to the 1.0 kHz locus. Counts of efferent terminals on OHCs revealed (1) maximal numbers (9 per OHC) between the 6 and 24 kHz regions and (2) striking decrease in terminal counts from first- to third-row OHCs. Ultrastructural data on efferent innervation were compared quantitatively with light-microscopic analysis of cochleas immunostained (with antibody to synaptophysin) to reveal all vesiculated terminals.
Disaster vulnerability of businesses in the 2001 Nisqually earthquake

This paper examines the impacts of the February, 2001, Nisqually earthquake on businesses. Focusing on two hard-hit business districts in Seattle, the study investigates the extent of losses, patterns of disparities, and underlying loss factors. A conceptual framework is proposed of how business vulnerability dimensions contribute to disaster loss. Interviews were conducted with owners and managers of 107 businesses. Data were gathered on impacts, methods of finance, and disaster preparedness. Results showed that business losses were much greater than what standard statistical data would imply. Analysis found that a composite index of vulnerability—based on business sector, size, and building occupancy tenure—provides a very powerful predictor of business loss. Physical damage was a much weaker predictor of loss. Moreover, business recovery was influenced not only by characteristics of the business itself, but also by conditions in the neighborhood.
Pain, depression, and illness behavior in a Pain Clinic population

The relationship between depression, illness behavior and persistent pain was studied in 100 patients referred to the University of Washington Hospital Pain Clinic. The instruments used were the Illness Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) and the Levine-Pilowsky Depression Questionnaire (LPD). To delineate those aspects of illness behavior characteristic of the Pain Clinic group, their scores were compared to those attained on the IBQ by a Family Medicine Clinic sample. The Pain Clinic group showed greater conviction of disease and somatic preoccupation than the comparison group. Further, they were reluctant to consider their health problems in psychologic terms, and denied current life problems. The Pain Clinic group's performance on the LPD indicated a low degree of depressive affect overall and few patients manifesting a depressive syndrome. The association between IBQ and depression scores suggests that the predominant clinical pattern presented by pain clinic patients is best characterized as a form of "abnormal illness behavior".
Detailed Simulations of Shock-Bifurcation and Ignition of an Argon-diluted Hydrogen/Oxygen Mixture in a Shock Tube

Detailed simulations of the bifurcation and ignition of an Argon-diluted Hydrogen/Oxygen mixture in the two-stage weak ignition regime are performed. An adaptive meshrefinement (AMR) technique is employed to resolve all relevant physical scales that are associated with the viscous boundary-layer, the reaction front, and the shock-wave. A high-order hybrid WENO/central-differencing method is used as spatial discretization scheme, and a detailed chemical mechanism is employed to describe the combustion of the H2/O2 mixture. The operating conditions considered in this study are p5 = 5 bar and T5 = 1100 K, and fall in the third explosion limit. The computations show that the mixing of the thermally stratified fluid, carrying different momentum and enthalpy, introduces inhomogeneities in the core-region behind the reflected shock. These inhomogeneities act as localized ignition kernels. During the induction period, these kernels slowly expand and eventually transition to a detonation wave that rapidly consumes the unburned mixture. In competition with this detonation wave are the presence of secondary ignition kernels that appear in the unreacted core-region between reflected shock and detonation wave.
On completing triangles in infinite dimensional teichmüller spaces

A point P rho; is accessible to Q if the Teichmuller space based at ρ contains a Teichmuller ray of the form passing through Q where φ is a holomorphic quadratic differential of finite norm. An example is given of three points P Q. and R in a Teichmuller space such that P is accessible to Q and Q is accessible to R but ρ is not accessible to R. On the other hand, for Teichmuller spaces whose modular groups contain at least one twist mapping, it is shown that any two points can be joined by two arcs, each of which are segments of Teichmuller rays.
The Acetyltransferase Tip60 Is a Critical Regulator of the Differentiation-Dependent Amplification of Human Papillomaviruses

The life cycle of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is dependent upon differentiation of the infected host epithelial cell as well as activation of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) DNA repair pathway that in normal cells acts to repair double-strand DNA breaks. In normal cells, following DNA damage the acetyltransferase Tip60 must acetylate ATM proteins prior to their full activation by autophosphorylation. E6 proteins have been shown to induce the degradation of Tip60, suggesting that Tip60 action may not be required for activation of the ATM pathway in HPV-positive cells. We investigated what role, if any, Tip60 plays in regulating the differentiation-dependent HPV life cycle. Our study indicates that Tip60 levels and activity are increased in cells that stably maintain complete HPV genomes as episomes, while low levels are seen in cells that express only HPV E6 and E7 proteins. Knockdown of Tip60 with short hairpin RNAs in cells that maintain HPV episomes blocked ATM induction and differentiation-dependent genome amplification, demonstrating the critical role of Tip60 in the viral life cycle. The JAK/STAT transcription factor STAT-5 has previously been shown to regulate the phosphorylation of ATM. Our studies demonstrate that STAT-5 regulates Tip60 activation and this occurs in part by targeting glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). Inhibition of either STAT-5, Tip60, or GSK3β blocked differentiation-dependent genome amplification. Taken together, our findings identify Tip60 to be an important regulator of HPV genome amplification whose activity during the viral life cycle is controlled by STAT-5 and the kinase GSK3β. IMPORTANCE Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the etiological agents of cervical and other anogenital cancers. HPVs regulate their differentiation-dependent life cycle by activation of DNA damage pathways. This study demonstrates that HPVs regulate the ATM DNA damage pathway through the action of the acetyltransferase Tip60. Furthermore, the innate immune regulator STAT-5 and the kinase GSK3β mediate the activation of Tip60 in HPV-positive cells. This study identifies critical regulators of the HPV life cycle.
Cytochalasin D suppresses sound evoked potentials in the guinea pig cochlea.

Abstract Cytochalasin D (CD), an inhibitor of actin polymerization, was perfused through the guinea pig cochlea while monitoring various cochlear potentials. CD (10−7 − 10−5 M) reduced the magnitude of the compound action potential of the cochlear nerve and the summating potential, and increased N1 latency. The cochlear microphonic potential was the least sensitive potential with only a slight effect being observed at 10−5 M. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that actin has a role in cochlear function.
Phase I Study of Lenalidomide in Solid Tumors

Background The primary objectives of this phase I study were to define a tolerable dose and to describe the toxicity of lenalidomide administered as a daily oral dose for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week rest period (6-week cycle) in patients with solid tumors that were refractory to standard treatment. The secondary objective was to document any antitumor activity. Methods Key eligibility criteria included a performance status of 0–2 and acceptable hematologic, hepatic, and renal function. The dose was escalated from 5 to 10 to 25 mg/day. Nine cycles (54 weeks) were planned unless the patient developed intolerable toxicity or experienced tumor progression. Dose-limiting toxicity was defined as nonhematologic toxicity of grade 3 or higher and hematologic toxicity of grade 4 or higher occurring in cycle 1. Results Overall, 20 patients were enrolled. One patient was ineligible due to a thromboembolic event within the preceding 6 months, but this was not known at enrollment and this patient was included in the analysis. Three, five, and 12 patients were treated with 5, 10, and 25 mg/day, respectively. One patient on 25 mg/day developed grade 3 motor neuropathy in cycle 1, and this was the only dose-limiting toxicity. Moderate dose-dependent and reversible hematologic toxicity was observed. The nonhematologic toxicities were otherwise mild to moderate over multiple cycles of lenalidomide. One patient had a partial response, and three patients had stable disease; three of these patients had non-small cell lung cancer. Conclusion The recommended dose of lenalidomide for further studies in patients with solid tumors is 25 mg/day for 4 weeks followed by a 2-week rest period.
Molecular Dynamics Study of 2-Arachidonoyl-Sn-Glycero-3-Phosphoinositol (2-AGPI) and Lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI) in a POPC Bilayer and their GPR55 Docking Sites

GPR55 is a Class A G protein-coupled receptor that has been shown to be activated by cannabinoids (Henstridge et al. FASEB J, 2008). The receptor is expressed in several mammalian tissues including several brain regions. It has been reported that GPR55 is also activated by LPI found in rat brain (Oka et al. BBRC, 2007), with 2-AGPI having the highest activity (Oka et al. J Biochem, 2009). Since 2-AGPI and LPI are lipids and are shown to interact with the membrane-embedded GPR55 receptor, we undertook a study of the location and conformations they can adopt in a phospholipid bilayer, as well as, of their interaction modes with GPR55. To this end, 2-AGPI and LPI were added to a fully hydrated, pre-equilibrated POPC bilayer (28 waters/lipid; 72 lipid molecules with 36 in each leaflet) and their behavior in POPC was studied using the NAMD2 molecular dynamics software package (NPAT ensemble; P = 1atm, T=310K) with the CHARMM27 parameter set including data for polyunsaturated lipids, and the TIP3P water model. The MD studies place the 2-AGPI and LPI headgroups in the water-lipid interface with the inositol moiety either upright and solvated in water or bent and buried in the POPC headgroups. Extensive ligand inter- and intramolecular hydrogen bonding contributes to the inositol location and conformation. 2-AGPI's acyl tail is extremely flexible and prefers compact to moderately extended conformations, whereas LPI's tail prefers more extended ones. Following these MD studies, the ligands were docked in a GPR55 model in the TMHs 1,2,3, 6 and7 region using K2.60 as the primary interaction site. [Support: NIH RO1 DA023204 (MEA) and KO5 DA021358 (PHR)]
CAT(0) 4-manifolds possessing a single tame point are Euclidean

The concepts of geometric and topological tame point are introduced for a space of nonpositive curvature. These concepts are applied to the characterization problem forCAT(0) 4-manifolds. It is shown that everyCAT(0)M 4 having a single (geometric or topological) tame point is homeomorphic toR 4. Davis and Januszkiewicz have recently constructedCAT(0)n-manifolds,M n withn ≥ 5 such that the set of tame points form a dense open subset ofM n , butM n ≠R n .
HREELS, ARUPS AND XPS OF PYRIDINE ON NI(110)

Abstract High-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and angular-resolved UV photoemission are applied to investigate the adsorption of pyridine on Ni(110). At low temperature, changes in the intensity of in-plane versus out-of-plane vibrational modes show a change in the surface orientation of the molecule as a function of coverage. The molecular plane is parallel to the surface at low coverages, indicating bonding through the π molecular orbitals. At high coverages the molecular plane tilts toward normal with respect to the surface. This interpretation is consistent with ARUPS observations at normal emission. Heating results in desorption of weakly adsorbed pyridine at 180 K, with chemisorbed pyridine remaining in its low temperature orientation through room temperature. Decomposition occurs by 520 K, where the C-C and C-H stretching modes and the C-H deformation modes which are observed are uncharacteristic of molecular pyridine.
Physiology of receptor capping induced by erythrocyte surface antigens.

Abstract The capping of antigen-binding cell receptors by bound sheep erythrocytes (SRC) demonstrates that antigen mounted on a cell surface can generate a signal leading to the capping reaction. SRC-induced capping of ABC is: (a) highly dependent on both aerobic and anaerobic glycolysis, (b) unaffected by agents altering intracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations, (c) slightly more vigorous in strain A than in CBA mice, (d) inhibited by calcium ionophore, (e) inhibited by the local anesthetic dibucaine and the tranquillizer chlorpromazine, (f) dependent on cytoskeletal activity (i.e., inhibited by the simultaneous presence of colchicine and cytochalasin B), (g) not dependent on the membrane ATPases inhibited by ouabain, (h) not dependent on motility, in that agents which inhibit motility (cytochalasin B alone) or stimulate motility (carbachol) do not alter capping behavior. These properties represent similarities between the capping of surface Ig by the cellular antigens on SRC and by proteins such as anti-Ig. SRC-induced capping is much slower than anti-Ig-induced capping, and only engages 30–40% of ABC, indicating that the nature of the crosslinking agent can influence the kinetics and extent of capping. But SRC cap with the rapid kinetics typical of anti-Ig-induced capping if the surface membrane of the ABC is first cleared of other glycoproteins with trypsin. The removal of negatively charged sialic acid residues by neuraminidase has no such effect. It is probable that the compression of bound SRC into a small area of the membrane requires more energy than does the capping of protein ligands, and that some cells cannot muster enough energy to achieve it.
Longitudinal curvature and displacement speed effects on incompressible laminar boundary layers.

The title problem is considered for the case of flow past a circular cylinder placed normal to a uniform mainstream with Reynolds numbers from 40 to 200. Implicit finite difference numerical solutions are obtained for a set of boundary-layer equations that account for the second order effects associated with surface curvature and displacement speed. It was found that both of these contributors have a significant influence on the internal structure of the viscous region and that an accurate estimate of the surface pressure distribution is essential for estimating the surface shear stress.
Predicting the trajectory of the evolving international cyber regime: Simulating the growth of a social network

Abstract This paper presents an agent-based model of regime growth. States and the relations comprising a regime are conceptualized as social networks. Regime growth is understood as the addition of ties between states as they agree to work with one another. These ties are added as a result of the interaction between state behavior and the structure of their relations. We apply the model to the emerging cyber security regime. Based on reasonable assumptions of the nature of the current international system, the model predicts a bi-polar structure pitting two distinct blocs led by the two states with the greatest capacity to conduct cyber conflict. However, if states either place increasing emphasis on the benefits of trade or if the more materially powerful seek greater cooperation among themselves, linkages will develop across the two blocs.
Long-term effects on diet after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis.

Abstract Background Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) often report dietary intolerances. Our aim was to assess the effects of proctocolectomy (PC) for UC on dietary intolerances. Methods A novel disease-specific questionnaire was used. Results Eighty-seven percent of patients reported 338 dietary intolerances. Of 225 preoperative dietary intolerances, 151 (67%) resolved/improved, 56 (25%) were unchanged, and 18 (8%) were exacerbated after PC. A total of 113 dietary intolerances developed only after PC. The incidence of specific dietary intolerances in patients 10 years and older post-PC was similar to patients younger than 10 years post-PC except for a lower incidence of caffeinated beverage ( P = .01) dietary intolerances 10 years or more post-PC. Intestinal symptoms, bowel function, and activities of daily living largely improved after PC. Extraintestinal UC symptoms worsened or failed to improve in 74%. Conclusions PC for UC frequently improves preoperative dietary intolerances. Some patients, however, are at risk for onset of new dietary intolerances after PC. Studies examining traditional symptoms in UC patients pre-PC and post-PC may be enhanced by examining effects on specific dietary intolerances.
Spontaneous-Emission Profiles of Argon-Ion Laser Transitions

Experimental studies are reported of spontaneous-emission profiles observed in the axial and radial directions from high-current arc discharges of the type used in cw argon-ion lasers. The greatly increased sensitivity from a new computer-oriented method of line-profile analysis has permitted observation of linewidth parameters over a wide range of discharge current and pressure. These studies have shown the existence of several interesting new effects and have required a substantial modification of previously held concepts regarding the nature of line broadening in these discharges. A new theory for line-profile analysis in the radial direction is presented which incorporates the Tonks-Langmuir potentials and provides a correction for an arbitrary number of charge-exchange collisions in the radial acceleration of ions to the wall. A modification of the earlier theory of Kagan and Perel is suggested which brings that method of transverse line-profile analysis into reasonably close agreement with the present (more complex) method of analysis. Values for the mean radial velocity and electron temperature are obtained from profile analysis in the transverse direction. Studies of ion and neutral temperatures based on Voigt profile analysis in the axial direction are presented, along with the determination of the average electron density based on Stark broadening of the neutral and ionic lines. Precise values of the natural widths on the major argon-ion laser transitions are determined through extrapolations of the axially observed Lorentz-width data taken at low pressures to zero discharge current.
Improving identifier informativeness using part of speech information

Recent software development tools have exploited the mining of natural language information found within software and its supporting documentation. To make the most of this information, researchers have drawn upon the work of the natural language processing community for tools and techniques. One such tool provides part-of-speech information, which finds application in improving the searching of software repositories and extracting domain information found in identifiers.Unfortunately, the natural language found is software differs from that found in standard prose. This difference potentially limits the effectiveness of off-the-shelf tools. An empirical investigation finds that with minimal guidance an existing tagger was correct 88% of the time when tagging the words found in source code identifiers. The investigation then uses the improved part-of-speech information to tag a large corpus of over 145,000 structure-field names. From patterns in the tags several rules emerge that seek to understand past usage and to improve future naming.
The history of the Arabic-Islamic Libraries: 7th to 14th Centuries

AbstractThis historical study deals with the development of the Arabic-Islamic libraries in the 7–14th Century. It discusses the factors that lead to the rising of the different types of libraries which are: mosques, private, public and academic libraries. The study gives, in some detail, information about the most famous libraries in the Arabic-Islamic civilization. It also talks about management and organization of these libraries. Finally, the study discusses the factors behind the destruction of the Arabic-Islamic libraries.
DARPA's programs on photonic technologies and applications

This talk will present an overview of DARPA/MTO's many challenging programs in the area of photonic technologies (e.g. nanophotonics, silicon photonics and photonic integration) as well as photonic applications in communication, interconnection, switching and routing.
Creating access and success: Academic pathways reaching underserved students

This chapter discusses results of a fifty-state study conducted through the Academic Pathways to Access and Student Success initiative, and identifies curricular, instructional, and organizational approaches that increase opportunities for underserved students to attend college.
Rest-activity and behavioral disruption in a patient with frontotemporal dementia.

The neurological deterioration in dementia is associated with disturbances in circadian rhythms and rest–activity patterns. These disruptions have been documented in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies but little is known about rest–activity patterns in patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We report longitudinal (2 year) actigraphy results for a patient who met diagnostic criteria for FTD and his family caregiver. The subject and his family caregiver wore Actiwatches continuously for 2 weeks at 1-year intervals. The findings suggest that with disease progression there is worsening in multiple areas of rest–activity measures for the patient and a negative impact on sleep quality for the family caregiver.
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in human prostate cancer: lessons learned from ARCaP model

Androgen refractory cancer of the prostate (ARCaP) cells contain androgen receptor (AR) and synthesize and secrete prostate specific antigen (PSA). We isolated epithelia-like ARCaPE from parental ARCaP cells and induced them to undergo epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) by exposing these cells to soluble factors including TGFβ1 plus EGF, IGF-1, β2-microglobulin (β2-m), or a bone microenvironment. The molecular and behavioral characteristics of the resultant ARCaPM were characterized extensively in comparison to the parental ARCaPE cells. In addition to expressing mesenchymal biomarkers, ARCaPM gained 100% incidence of bone metastasis. ARCaPM cells express receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), which was shown to increase tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts in culture, and when metastatic to bone in vivo. We provide evidence that RANKL expression was promoted by increased cell signaling mediated by the activation of Stat3-Snail-LIV-1. RANKL expressed by ARCaPM cells is functional both in vitro and in vivo. The lesson we learned from the ARCaP model of EMT is that activation of a specific cell signaling pathway by soluble factors can lead to increased bone turnover, mediated by enhanced RANKL expression by tumor cells, which is implicated in the high incidence of prostate cancer bone colonization. The ARCaP EMT model is highly attractive for developing new therapeutic agents to treat prostate cancer bone metastasis.
An Obligatory Role for Sox17 in Cardiac Myocyte Formation by ES Cells

Introduction: Recruiting multi-potent embryonic cells to a cardiac myocyte lineage requires extracellular signals by several protein families, including Wnts, TGF-bs, BMPs, and FGFs. Understanding this circuitry eventually may enable us to induce embryonic stem (ES) cells to become cardiac myocytes more selectively for cell therapies. Recent evidence suggests that Sox17, an Sry-box-containing transcription factor that interacts with the Wnt pathway and is essential for gut endoderm development, might be involved in cardiac myogenesis, perhaps even directly: Sox17 is expressed at an elevated level in cardiac crescent, adult heart side population (SP) cells, and differentiating adult heart Sca-1þ cells. Hypotheses: (1) Sox17 expression is dependent on activation of a Wnt pathway, and (2) the induction of Sox17 is important for cardiac myogenesis. Methods: Lentivirus-mediated RNAinterference: High-titer lentiviral particles (O10 IU/ml) encoding shRNAs that knock down Sox17 with O90% efficacy (pLL3.7-sh172 and -sh176) were transduced into AB2.2 cells. Transduced cells, distinguished by an EGFP reporter encoded by the viral vector, were flow-sorted and subjected to embryonic body (EB) culture. Analysis of phenotypes: Total RNA was extracted from EBs at 8 time points. Real-time QRTPCR was carried out for representative genes related to cardiac myogenesis. Immunostaining for sarcomeric a-actin was performed and spontaneously beating EBs were scored. Results: (1) Endogenous Sox17 first appeared at day 4, one day after the peak of Wnt3A and one day before the appearance of Nkx2.5. (2) The Wnt antagonist Frizzled-8/Fc markedly suppressed Sox17 induction. (3) Both Sox17 shRNAs blocked Sox17 induction (left, shown for one shRNA vs. control). (4) Both Sox17 shRNAs successfully suppressed the known Sox17 targets Foxa1 and Foxa2, as well as cardiac transcription factors Nkx2.5 (center), Tbx5, Mef2c and Myocardin. (5) Both Sox17 shRNAs suppressed the expression of cardiac structural genes a-MHC (right) and Ryr2, sarcomeric a-actin staining, and the number of beating EBs. Conclusion: Sox17 induction is regulated by a Wnt pathway, and plays an essential role in cardiac myogenesis by mouse ES cells.
Co-designed anchor-free localization and location-based routing algorithm for rapidly-deployed wireless sensor networks

We consider a wireless sensor network consisting of a single sink node at the center of a field of randomly distributed sensors. A simple anchor-free localization algorithm is proposed, in which the sink node imparts radial location information through the phased-array transmission of a series of beacons. Each individual sensor uses the knowledge of received beacons as well as information from neighbors to continue partitioning current sectors and identifying sub-sectors in which it resides until an accuracy requirement is satisfied. An energy-preserving routing algorithm is then proposed which uses the localization results as the basis for selecting relay nodes. We present the localization algorithm, analyze its partition errors as well as its impact on communication energy consumption, and then present the location-based routing algorithm. Simulation results indicate that the performance of our co-designed localization and routing algorithm in the presence of severe noise is as good as that provided by a shortest-path routing algorithm under ideal assumptions; therefore, our co-designing approach can achieve high performance with lightweight algorithms.
R.R. Vasmer and His Hand-written Catalogue of Tabarestān drachms

AbstractThe present article concerns the hand-written catalogue of Tabarestān drachms, composed by the famous Russian orientalist R.R. Vasmer (1888-1938), in the possession of the State Hermitage Museum. The catalogue constitutes an integral part of Vasmer’s hand-written legacy, preserved in the Numismatic Department of the State Hermitage Museum, including 8 volumes of the catalogue of pre-Mongol Islamic coins and 1 volume of the catalogue of Islamic glass weights and stamps The catalogue of Tabarestān drachms (Tabari dirhams) contains detailed descriptions of 129 coins: 23 specimens of which belong to the Dabuyid coinage, and 106 were struck by the ‘Abbasid Governors of Tabarestān. Despite the fact that the catalogue was compiled between 1910 and 1916 it is still unpublished and remains a very important reference for studying the history of Tabarestān’s numismatics, in particular, and early Islamic numismatics, in general.
Structural polypeptides of the hamster strain of equine herpes virus type 1: products associated with purification.

Abstract Equine herpes virus purified from viremic serum of infected hamsters, either in sucrose or potassium tartrate gradients, can be further separated into an enveloped form (EF) and a membranous top component (MTC) by centrifugation in high salt-Tris-EDTA gradients. The polypeptides of sucrose purified virions, MTC, EF virions and nucleocapsids (purified in Renografin-76 density gradients) were analyzed by discontinuous sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The EF virions were comprised of 28 polypeptides ranging in molecular weight from 276,000 to 16,000, 12 of them larger than 100,000. Sucrose purified virions and MTC were composed of a larger number of polypeptides, 50 and 38 respectively. Purified nucleocapsids contained five major structural proteins and six minor ones, these 11 nucleocapsid proteins ranged in molecular weight from 147,000 to 20,000.
Gas geochemistry of the Mobile Bay Jurassic Norphlet Formation: Thermal controls and implications for reservoir connectivity

The Mobile Bay gas field is located offshore Alabama in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Production is from eolian dunes of the Jurassic Norphlet sandstone at depths exceeding 6100 m (20,000 ft) and temperatures greater than 200C. Reservoir connectivity and compositional variation, including the distribution of nonhydrocarbon gases (H2S and CO2), are critical factors in production strategy. To evaluate the controls on compositional variation and connectivity, detailed molecular and isotopic analyses were conducted for 29 wells. Analysis of volatiles in fluid inclusions suggests that the field was originally filled with oil that subsequently cracked to gas. In addition to the thermal destruction (cracking) of oil, the process of thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR) continues to destroy the remaining hydrocarbons through oxidation of gas and reduction of sulfate to form H2S and CO2. The variable extent of the TSR process at Mobile Bay results in a wide range of hydrocarbon and H2S compositions. Condensates are almost exclusively composed of diamondoids whose composition appears controlled by H2S concentrations. In contrast to hydrocarbon and H2S contents, CO2 concentrations are relatively constant throughout the field. Carbon isotopic ratios for CO2 correlate positively with those for wet-gas hydrocarbons but are heavier than expected for CO2 originating from hydrocarbon oxidation via TSR. The narrow range of CO2 contents and heavy isotope ratios suggests that CO2 is regulated by water-rock equilibration and carbonate precipitation. The destruction of the hydrocarbon gas and mineralization of the carbon dioxide product create a volume reduction and an associated drop in reservoir pressure. This process creates several internal sinks (or exits) that may control the spill direction for gas in the field.
The impact of CytoGam on cardiac transplant recipients with moderate hypogammaglobulinemia : A randomized single-center study

Background We have previously shown that the preemptive use of cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunoglobulin (Ig) replacement (CytoGam) decreases the incidence of opportunistic infections in cardiac transplant recipients with severe hypogammaglobulinemia. However, the impact of Ig replacement in moderately hypogammaglobulinemic patients is unknown. Methods Periodic monitoring of the IgG levels was done in 300 heart transplant recipients. Moderate hypogammaglobulinemia (IgG, 350–500 mg/dl) developed in 56 patients (18.6%). Thirty-three patients declined randomization but agreed to have their IgG levels monitored. Twenty-three patients were randomized to placebo ( n = 10) or CytoGam ( n = 13) at 105 ± 63 days after transplantation. Results The baseline characteristics were similar. A significant reduction in CMV infection was noted in the CytoGam Group compared with the Placebo Group (15.4% [2/13] vs 60% [6/10], p = .039). Among patients who declined randomization, CMV infection developed in 13 (39.4%) of 33, and 6 (46.1%) of the 13 progressed to severe hypogammaglobulinemia. A trend for reduction in the average episodes of ≥grade 2 rejection during the 6-month period after randomization was noted in the CytoGam group (0.4 ± 0.6 vs 1.4 ± 1.3, p = 0.065). Conclusions The preemptive use of CytoGam decreases the incidence of CMV infection in patients with moderate hypogammaglobulinemia. A larger randomized study is needed to substantiate these results.
Generation of random arrays using clipped laser speckle.

A technique for generating 2-D arrays of random numbers using clipped laser speckle is presented. A 2-D detector array is exposed to a fully developed laser speckle pattern. When the output of the array is clipped, the elements with value above threshold are set to unity while the others are set to zero. The result is an array of randomly positioned elements of unit value. The spatial coordinates of the elements above threshold are taken as the random deviates. By controlling the clipping threshold for each element, one can dictate the probability that the clipped output from each element will be above threshold. Any distribution can be produced by varying the probability that the output from each element is above threshold. We present experiments performed on a 256 × 256-element detector array for which the elements were individually addressable. The integration time for each detector can be adjusted to obtain various distributions. Applications of random arrays include Monte Carlo calculations and coherent pattern recognition.
A Corrosion Sensor for Monitoring the Early-Stage Environmental Corrosion of A36 Carbon Steel.

An innovative prototype sensor containing A36 carbon steel as a capacitor was explored to monitor early-stage corrosion. The sensor detected the changes of the surface- rather than the bulk- property and morphology of A36 during corrosion. Thus it was more sensitive than the conventional electrical resistance corrosion sensors. After being soaked in an aerated 0.2 M NaCl solution, the sensor’s normalized electrical resistance (R/R0) decreased continuously from 1.0 to 0.74 with the extent of corrosion. Meanwhile, the sensor’s normalized capacitance (C/C0) increased continuously from 1.0 to 1.46. X-ray diffraction result indicates that the iron rust on A36 had crystals of lepidocrocite and magnetite.
Fish Oil Supplementation Inhibits NNK-Induced Lung Carcinogenesis in the A/J Mouse

High intake of fish oil with a low omega-6 (n-6)/omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio has been suggested to protect against many chronic diseases. However, the effect of different ratios of dietary n-6 and n-3 PUFA on lung tumorigenesis has not been investigated. In this study, we examined the effect of a 4 mo dietary supplementation with corn oil (with a high n-6/n-3 ratio) and fish oil (with a low n-6/n-3 ratio) as compared with soybean oil (isocaloric control with the same n-6/n-3 ratio as the base diet) on tumor incidence and tumor prevalence in the A/J mouse model of 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK)-induced lung carcinogenesis. We found that dietary supplementation had no effect on overall lung tumor incidence, but fish oil supplementation was able to decrease lung tumor prevalence by 78% and 80% compared to groups receiving soybean oil and corn oil supplementation, respectively. The inhibitory effect of fish oil on lung tumor prevalence was associated with increased expressions of cell cycle inhibitor p21Cip1 and lipoxygenase isoform 15-LOX in the lungs. These data suggest that fish oil with a low ratio of n-6/n-3 PUFA could be beneficial in the prevention of lung carcinogenesis.
Ultrasensitive solution processed polymer photodetectors

We demonstrate a polymer photodetector with spectral response from 300nm to 1450nm by using a narrow-band-gap semiconducting polymer blended with a fullerene derivative. Operating in room temperature, the polymer photodetectors exhibit detectivity greater than 10 13 Jones (1Jones =1cm Hz 1/2 /W) from the UV well into the near-infrared out to 1150nm and greater than 10 12 Jones from 1150nm to 1450nm. The linear dynamic range is over 100dB. To our knowledge, there is no inorganic material system (not even Si-Ge alloys) capable of such high performance photodetectivty over such a wide spectral range.
DNA computation function.

Some folks certainly think so. But at some level a cellular computer is really no different than metabolism and gene regulation.Where can I find out more, especially from someone with opinions different from yours?
Neutrino masses and family symmetry

Abstract Neutrino masses in the 100 eV−1 MeV range are permitted if there is a spontaneously broken global family symmetry that allows the heavy neutrinos to decay by Goldstone boson emission with a cosmologically acceptable lifetime. The family symmetry may be either abelian or nonabelian; we present models illustrating both possibilities. If the family symmetry is nonabelian, then the decay τ → μ + Goidstone boson or τ → e + oldstone boson may have an observable rate.
Biochemical and morphological changes in the digestive tract of rats after prenatal and postnatal malnutrition

Six-week-old rats subjected to prenatal and postnatal dietary restriction (ma- ternal and weanling intake = 50% that of controls) were studied. Compared with controls, malnourished rats not only had reduced body (78 ± 12 vs 187 ± 2 1 g) and organ weights (small intestine: 4.5 1 ± 0.46 vs 9.89 ± 0.6 1 g; colon: 0.75 ± 0.08 vs 1.77 ± 0. 18 g; liver: 2.75 ± 0.34 vs 9. 13 ± 1.33 g; pancreas: 0.78 ± 0. 14 vs 1.67 ± 0.49 g) but also decreased body weight-length ratios (6.5 ± 0.3 vs 10.8 ± 1.4 g/cm) and serum albumin levels. The small intestinal mucosa was hypotrophic (protein-DNA ratio: 5.02 ± 1.43 vs 8.82 ± 0.68, malnourished vs controls, respectively) with reduced mucosal thickness, villus height, and crypt depth. Specific activities of lactase, maltase, and sucrase were diminished (53%, 66%, 54% of control values, respec- tively). Colonic mucosa was hypoplastic with decreased mucosal thickness and crypt depth. Liver and pancreas were both hypotrophic and hypoplastic. The findings suggest that, in con- trast to colonic mucosa, pancreas, and liver, the small intestinal mucosa maintained cell num- ber during prolonged prenatal and postnatal malnutrition. Am J Cliii Nutr 1989; 50:261-8.
Sawtooth segmentation and deformation processes on the southern San Andreas Fault, California

Five contiguous 12-13 km fault segments form a sawtooth geometry on the southernmost San Andreas fault. The kinematic and morphologic properties of each segment depend on fault strike, despite differences of strike between segments of as little as 3 degrees. Oblique slip (transpression) of fault segments within the Indio Hills, Mecca Hills and Durmid Hill results from an inferred 8:1 ratio of dextral slip to convergence across the fault zone. Triggered slip and creep are confined almost entirely to transpressive segments of the fault. Durmid Hill has been formed in the last 28 + or - 6 ka by uplift at an average rate of 3 + or - 1 mm/a.
Low income and rural county of residence increase mortality from bone and joint sarcomas.

Background: This is a part of a larger effort to characterize the effects on socio-economic factors (SEFs) on cancer outcome. Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) bone and joint sarcoma (BJS) data were used to identify potential disparities in cause specific survival (CSS). Materials and Methods: This study analyzed SEFs in conjunction with biologic and treatment factors. Absolute BJS specific risks were calculated and the areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were computed for predictors. Actuarial survival analysis was performed with Kaplan-Meier method. Kolmogorov-Smirnov’s 2-sample test was used to for comparing two survival curves. Cox proportional hazard model was used for multivariate analysis. Results: There were 13501 patients diagnosed BJS from 1973 to 2009. The mean follow up time (SD) was 75.6 (90.1) months. Staging was the highest predictive factor of outcome (ROC area of 0.68). SEER stage, histology, primary site and sex were highly significant pre-treatment predictors of CSS. Under multivariate analysis, patients living in low income neighborhoods and rural areas had a 2% and 5% disadvantage in cause specific survival respectively. Conclusions: This study has found 2-5% decrement of CSS of BJS due to SEFs. These data may be used to generate testable hypothesis for future clinical trials to eliminate BJS outcome disparities.