cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Leg Loss and Fitness in Female Green Lynx Spiders Peucetia viridans (Araneae: Oxyopidae)

The relationship between the extent of leg loss and female fitness was investigated in the green lynx spider Peucetia viridans (Hentz, 1832). Adult females and their egg sacs were collected at nine sites in southern California and three measures of bodily characteristics (carapace width, weight, residual index) and three measures of reproductive performance (egg sac weight, egg number, mean sac weight per young) were determined for each spider. Of the 344 spiders sampled, 17.1% were missing one or more legs, with the frequency of leg loss showing no significant differences with respect to the eight limb positions or the four limb pairs among spiders missing one leg. While female size did not differ among leg-loss groups, females which were intact or which had lost one leg were generally heavier and in better body condition than females which had lost two or three legs. Such eight- and seven-legged females also produced heavier egg sacs and more eggs than six-legged females. These findings do not support Guffey's (1999) prediction that female arachnids which lose two legs experience minimal costs, but they are consistent with Brueseke et al. (2001)'s suggestion that reproductive output might be reduced for female spiders which have lost legs. Why females missing three or more legs did not exhibit a comparable, if not more severe, reduction in egg sac weight and egg number than six-legged females is unknown, though it may be related to the small size of this group (8) and peculiarities of the few spiders in it.
Intercultural Praxis in Service-Learning Contexts

Although research has indicated many positive outcomes related to service-learning experiences, challenges remain, especially when projects are set in communities that are culturally distinct from ...
Laser-Assisted Wet Etching of Quartz Crystal Resonators

This paper reports on the development of a laser-assisted wet etching process for quartz crystal resonators. The quartz crystals are in contact with hydrofluoric acid on the backside while the laser is irradiating the front side of the crystal. The quartz crystal has a chromium thin film deposited with thicknesses varying from 5 to 20 nm to absorb the energy from the laser during processing. The laser used has a wavelength of 808 nm ±3 nm with a power output of 5 W. By increasing the power density, the etch rate with the laser setup can be adjusted from 3.8 to 278 $\mu \text{m}/\text{hr}$ . This can be done through beam shaping with focusing lenses. Current wet etching processes require quartz crystals to be frequency trimmed after each step with multiple steps required for processing. With the laser assisted wet etching process quartz resonators can have their frequency tuned by varying the etch rate through adjust the laser’s power density. [2017-0193]
Bacterial metataxonomic profile and putative functional behavior associated with C and N cycle processes remain altered for decades after forest harvest

Abstract While the impacts of forest disturbance on soil physicochemical parameters and soil microbial ecology have been studied, their effects on microbial biogeochemical function are largely unknown, especially over longer time scales and at deeper soil depths. This study investigates how differing organic matter removal (OMR) intensities associated with timber harvest influence decadal-scale alterations in bacterial community composition and functional potential in the upper 1-m of the soil profile, 18 years post-harvest in a Pinus taeda L. forest of the southeastern USA. 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used in conjunction with soil chemical analyses to evaluate (i) treatment-induced differences in bacterial community composition, and (ii) potential relationships between those differences and soil biogeochemical properties. Furthermore, functional potential was assessed by using amplicon data to make metagenomic predictions. Results indicate that increasing OMR intensity leads to altered bacterial community composition and the relative abundance of dominant operational taxonomic units (OTUs) annotated to Burkholderia and Aciditerrimonas; however, no significant differences in dominant phyla were observed. Genes involved in nitrification were significantly lower in the most intensively harvested treatment, most likely as a result of reduced substrate. Additionally, the relative abundance of genes associated with dissimilatory nitrate reduction and denitrification were highest in the most intensively harvested plots, indicating that the volatilization of N was a potential pathway of N loss in that treatment. Genes associated with glycosyltransferases were significantly reduced with increasing harvest intensity while polysaccharide lyases increased. Additionally, when overall differences in N-cycling genes were observed (0–100 cm), they generally occurred at soil depths below 30 cm, indicating the importance of examining deeper soil horizons when assessing the effect of forest disturbance on soil biogeochemical processes.
Evolution of Echocardiographic Measures of Cardiac Disease From CKD to ESRD and Risk of All-Cause Mortality: Findings From the CRIC Study.

Rationale & Objective Abnormal cardiac structure and function are common in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and linked with mortality and heart failure. We examined changes in echocardiographic measures during the transition from CKD to ESRD and their associations with post-ESRD mortality. Study Design Prospective study. Setting & Participants We studied 417 participants with CKD in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) who had research echocardiograms during CKD and ESRD. Predictor We measured change in left ventricular mass index, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), diastolic relaxation (normal, mildly abnormal, and moderately/severely abnormal), left ventricular end-systolic (LVESV), end-diastolic (LVEDV) volume, and left atrial volume from CKD to ESRD. Outcomes All-cause mortality after dialysis therapy initiation. Analytical Approach Cox proportional hazard models were used to test the association of change in each echocardiographic measure with postdialysis mortality. Results Over a mean of 2.9 years between pre- and postdialysis echocardiograms, there was worsening of mean LVEF (52.5% to 48.6%; P Limitations Some missing or technically inadequate echocardiograms. Conclusions In a longitudinal study of patients with CKD who subsequently initiated dialysis therapy, LVEF and LVESV worsened and were significantly associated with greater risk for postdialysis mortality. There may be opportunities for intervention during this transition period to improve outcomes.
Die elektronische Struktur konjugierter Systeme

In Kap. 7 wurde mit Hilfe des Modells lokalisierter Bindungen die Struktur von Wasser, Ammoniak, Methan, Bortrichlorid und anderer Molekule diskutiert. Dies Modell ergab ein qualitativ richtiges Bild der Energieverhaltnisse und Stereochemie der Verbindungen. Das Modell berucksichtige ebenfalls die Additivitat von Bindungsenergien, die annahernde Konstanz der Kraftkonstanten und die Wertigkeit eines Atoms. Das Modell lokalisierter Bindungen ist jedoch ungeeignet zur Beschreibung eines Molekuls, dessen Elektronen auf mehr als zwei Atome verteilt sein konnen. Das bekannteste Beispiel eines Molekuls, das das Modell lokalisierter Bindungen nicht erklaren kann, ist Benzol. Nach der klassischen chemischen Strukturtheorie mus Benzol als „Resonanzhybrid“ zwischen zwei Grenzstrukturen I und II dargestellt werden.
Multipole Analyses for p(γ, π) and p(γ, γ) in the Region of the P 33 Δ Resonance

Multipole analyses of the p(γ, π°), p(γ, π+) and p(γ, γ) reactions are carried out using different data sets. With sufficient constraints from polarization observables, the ratio of E2/M1 transition amplitudes for N → Δ (EMR) appears to be largely insensitive to differences between recent p(γ, π°) cross section measurements. We deduce a current best estimate of EMR = −(2.85 ± 0.34 ± 0.21)%. Back angle Compton cross sections require a value for the backward spin polarizability δπ that is significantly lower than previous expectations, with a magnitude that is coupled to the (γ, π) cross sections.
Associations between pain coping and opioid use: One-month follow-up results of a prospective study in a cohort of traumatic injury patients.

Objective: To examine associations between Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) scores and daily opioid dosage in traumatic injury patients. Design: This was a prospective cohort study with patient assessments at baseline and 1-month following discharge. Setting: Study visits were conducted at a Regional Level I Trauma Center and by phone at follow-up. Patients: Forty-nine injured inpatients completed baseline PCS. A subsample of 23 patients continued to take prescribed opioid medication at 1-month postdischarge and were included in the current analyses. Main Outcome measured: Associations between baseline PCS and morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD) at 1-month follow-up. Results: Controlling for baseline MEDD, baseline PCS score was positively associated with MEDD at 1-month postdischarge ( β = 0.577 [0.399, 1.535]; p = 0.002; R 2 of PCS = 0.395). Conclusions : In the current sample of traumatic injury inpatients, findings indicated that a baseline measure of pain catastrophizing predicts ongoing opioid medication use and dosage at 1-month postdischarge from an inpatient trauma unit.
The Story of Leadership: The Historical Development of Leadership Thought

The story and progression of leadership thinking is tracked throughout history. Beginning with the family unit then moving through tribalism and the emergence of all-powerful kings, Plato’s philosopher king, and the Tao Te Ching, and the leadership thoughts of Jesus and Machiavelli. The chapter then moves to the story of leadership thinking through the twentieth century from Scientific Management to Transformational Leadership then into the twenty-first century summarizing the development of current leadership theories and approaches. The “threads of history” tracked through this story are the three mindsets of leadership; autocratic, servant, and paternalistic (parental). The leadership choice faced by King Rehoboam is considered and how that choice is still faced by leaders today. The chapter ends with the image of Ozymandias proclaiming his greatness from a broken, neglected statue.
Resilience and Sustainability in Supply Chains

This chapter presents an overview of issues regarding supply chain resilience and sustainability and how the two interact. Here, sustainability is discussed in terms of environmental, ethical, and social responsibility criteria, rather than taken to mean being able to continually function at an acceptable level over time. Initially, supply chain resilience and supply chain sustainability are discussed separately, and commonalities are highlighted. Drawing on results from the literature, each is analyzed along three dimensions: An economic/cost-related dimension; an environmental dimension; and a social impact dimension. A more direct relationship between the two concepts is then presented. We frame the resilience-sustainability relationship by presenting four possible cost/benefit categories: operational, compliance, direct, and indirect. These categories, analogous to total cost of quality categories used when analyzing quality management decisions, can serve as a basis for informing decision makers when seeking to make decisions regarding resilience-sustainability strategies. Underlying our discussion are concepts drawn from business continuity and risk management, which are used to develop strategies to improve the resilience-sustainability relationship. Drawing on these concepts, we finally discuss how they can be employed by practitioners.
The stochastic extinction and stability conditions for nonlinear malaria epidemics

The stochastic extinction and stability in the mean of a family of SEIRS malaria models with a general nonlinear incidence rate is presented. The dynamics is driven by independent white noise processes from the disease transmission and natural death rates. The basic reproduction number $R^{*}_{0}$, the expected survival probability of the plasmodium $E(e^{-(\mu_{v}T_{1}+\mu T_{2})})$, and other threshold values are calculated, where $\mu_{v}$ and $\mu$ are the natural death rates of mosquitoes and humans, respectively, and $T_{1}$ and $T_{2}$ are the incubation periods of the plasmodium inside the mosquitoes and humans, respectively. A sample Lyapunov exponential analysis for the system is utilized to obtain extinction results. Moreover, the rate of extinction of malaria is estimated, and innovative local Martingale and Lyapunov functional techniques are applied to establish the strong persistence, and asymptotic stability in the mean of the malaria-free steady population. %The extinction of malaria depends on $R^{*}_{0}$, and $E(e^{-(\mu_{v}T_{1}+\mu T_{2})})$. Moreover, for either $R^{*}_{0} < 1$, or $E(e^{-(\mu_{v}T_{1}+\mu T_{2})}) < \frac{1}{R^{*}_{0}}$, whenever $R^{*}_{0}\geq 1$, respectively, extinction of malaria occurs. Furthermore, the robustness of these threshold conditions to the intensity of noise from the disease transmission rate is exhibited. Numerical simulation results are presented.
Network Anomaly Detection Using Two-Dimensional Hidden Markov Model Based Viterbi Algorithm

Network anomaly detection has become very important area for both industrial application and academic research in the recent years. It is involved widely in a broad spectrum of domains and many research areas. Detecting anomalies in data is a crucial problem to diverse real world applications. In this paper, we propose a new approach using Two-dimensional Hidden Markov Model (HMM) based Viterbi algorithm, which is adopted as the anomaly detector. It is not only aiming to detect anomalous behaviors but also identifying the Intention behind them. Experimental results indicate that the approach is very effective for detecting the type as well as intention behind the anomalous behaviors.
Application of Laser Polarimetry to the Measurement of Specific Heat Capacity and Enthalpy of the Alloy 53Nb–47Ti (mass%) in the Temperature Range 1600 to 2000 K by a Millisecond-Resolution Pulse Heating Technique

The determination of the specific heat capacity, enthalpy, and electrical resistivity of the alloy 53Nb–47Ti (mass%) in the temperature range 1600 to 2000 K is described. The method is based on rapid resistive self-heating of a solid cylindrical specimen from room temperature to the maximum temperature of interest by the passage of a subsecond-duration electric current pulse through the specimen and on simultaneously measuring the pertinent experimental quantities. The experimental quantities measured are the current through the specimen, voltage drop across the effective specimen, specimen radiance temperature at two wavelengths, and normal spectral emissivity of the specimen. The present study extends this technique, previously applied to pure metals, to the determination of specific heat capacity and enthalpy of the alloy, 53Nb–47Ti. The measured properties were compared to those calculated from a thermodynamic description of the Nb–Ti system.
Crying wolf: A thematic and critical analysis of why individuals contest family members’ health complaints

We employed a critical approach to study uncertainty, identifying and historicizing the cultural discourses implicated in individuals' contestations of family members' health complaints. We drew up...
Peripheral motor and sensory neuropathy in survivors of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumors in the St. Jude Lifetime (SJLIFE) cohort.

10549Background: Survivors of CNS tumors are at risk for peripheral motor and sensory neuropathy. Chemotherapy’s contribution to peripheral neuropathy has not been well studied in this population. ...
Rapid Improvement in Gemcitabine-associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy After a Single Dose of Eculizumab: Case Report and Review of the Literature

We present here the case of a 39-year-old man with metastatic pancreatic carcinoma receiving chemotherapy with the combination of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as part of a clinical trial. Despite an impressive response to therapy, he ultimately developed profound anasarca, renal insufficiency, progressive cytopenias, and malignant hypertension 6 months into his treatment course. The diagnosis of gemcitabine-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (G-TMA) was made based on renal biopsy, and receipt of the anti-C5 monoclonal antibody eculizumab proved successful at reversing his deteriorating clinical course and improving his laboratory parameters. This case illustrates the importance of recognizing this rare but serious complication, and highlights one potential therapeutic option that can be used in the appropriate clinical context.
Apprising the choice of bariatric surgery in patients with compensated cirrhosis with morbid obesity: results of a national analysis.

Bariatric surgery (BS) was proved safe in carefully selected patients with compensated cirrhosis (CC). However, limited data exist on differential impact of bariatric surgery type on clinical outcomes and health care utilization. This retrospective study utilizes the 2010–2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database. We included obese adults with CC who underwent the two most commonly used BS, Roux-en-Y (RYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Those with decompensation within 6 months of BS were excluded. Rates of hepatic decompensation (new-onset ascites, variceal bleed, encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and/or hepatorenal syndrome), surgical complications, health care utilization, and mortality were compared between RYGB and LSG. Multivariable analysis was performed to fit various models. A total of 3032 patients with CC underwent BS, including 1864 (61.5%) RYGB and 1168 (38.5%) LSG. The majority (56%) of BS were performed at large, metropolitan teaching hospitals. There were no significant differences in various decompensations and surgical complications comparing RYGB to LSG. Healthcare utilization including index length of stay (RYGB: 3.4 days vs LSG: 3.0 days), 30-day readmission rate (RYGB: 9.5% vs LSG: 3.7%), and cost of admission (RYGB: $14,006 vs LSG: $12,523) were higher in RYGB (p values < 0.001). Index admission and calendar year mortality could not be analyzed due to the few number of events. Two types of bariatric surgeries in obese patients with compensated cirrhosis have similar rates of decompensated cirrhosis events and surgical complications. However, RYGB procedure incurred increased healthcare utilization. Therefore, LSG may be the preferred BS for patients with CC. Prospective, randomized studies comparing the types of BS are needed to confirm our observations.
Prospective Autonomy: On the Limits of Shaping One's Post-Competence Medical Fate

For a competent person exercising contemporaneous autonomy, personal medical choices need not coincide with material best interests. Does a similar prerogative attach to prospective autonomy -- decisions aimed at post-competence medical handling? This article concludes that law and public policy ought to give expansive scope to deliberately constructed advance directives despite tensions with the contemporaneous interests of the now-incompetent persona.
Multiscale modeling of fragmentation in an electrospray plume

We present a 3D-particle-in-cell (PIC) approach to modeling electrospray plumes typical of those formed by externally wetted emitter devices. Numerical grid-resolution techniques suitable for capturing strong electric fields in the emitter region were explored, and grid refinement criteria were quantified. The molecular dynamics simulations of the EMIM−BF4 ionic liquid system were modeled to determine the fragmentation mechanism in the presence of an electric field and dimer temperature as well as to provide fragmentation rates for the PIC simulations. An energy analysis of the molecular dynamics (MD) fragmentation demonstrated that the key mechanism for dimer fragmentation corresponds to a decrease in the Coulomb energy between the cation and anion in the system and that dimers of temperatures 300 and 600 K are extremely stable for electric fields smaller than 1.5 V/nm. Using probabilities of fragmentation consistent with the MD simulations, we implemented a dimer fragmentation model in our PIC simulations. The ion energy distribution functions obtained from the PIC simulations were used to predict retarding potential analysis (RPA) curves that were compared directly to measurements. The sensitivity of the RPA shape to the fragmentation probability was found to be significant. By comparing predicted and measured RPA curves for both negative and positive operation modes, and the fact that dimers do not fragment for electric fields less than 0.6 V/nm, we conclude that fragmentation of dimers occurs spontaneously due to their high thermal energies.
Optimal Passive Damping Distribution

In this chapter, the response characteristics for material, hysteretic, and friction damping mechanisms are examined for a single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) system. The concept of equivalent viscous damping is introduced and is used to express viscoelastic, structural, and hysteretic damping in terms of their equivalent viscous counterpart. Numerical simulations are presented to demonstrate the validity of this concept for SDOF systems subjected to seismic excitation. This introductory material is followed by a discussion of the influence of distributed viscous damping on the deformation profiles of multi-degree-of-freedom systems. The damping distribution is initially taken to be proportional to the stiffness distribution generated in the previous chapter, and then modified to allow for non-proportional damping. Numerical results and deformation profiles for a range of structures subjected to seismic loading are presented, and the adequacy of this approach for distributing damping is assessed.
The soft-constrained time-optimal control of linear systems and its boundedness

A general analysis of the asymptotic behavior of the soft-constrained time-optimal (SCTO) control of linear systems is presented. The analysis purports to show that: 1) this control is bounded like its hard-constrained counterpart; and 2) there is a basic trade-off between the control bounds and the speed of the response. The trade-off is characterized. Moreover, if the "no infinite manoeuvre in finite optimal time" condition holds, then the boundedness of the SCTO control can be established and its main behavior characterized.
Mutationally altered threonine deaminases from a prototrophic revertant of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides.

Abstract A prototrophic revertant SP22 has been isolated from a double auxotroph of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides M29.5 requiring methionine and leucine for growth. As compared to M29.5, the specific activity of threonine deaminase in cell-free extract of SP22 is about 4-fold higher; the specific activity of aspartokinase, on the other hand, is about one-fifth to one-tenth of that found in M29.5. DEAE-cellulose chromatography of crude extracts of SP22 reveals two threonine deaminase activities, designated as PR-TDI and PR-TDII. The ratio of activities of PR-TDI and PR-TDII in extracts is about 0.67. The deaminase of the double auxotrophic strain M29.5 is indistinguishable from the enzyme obtained from the wild type R. spheroides and no such enzyme activity is detected in extracts prepared from SP22. The activity of PR-TDII is much more stable to storage at 4° and during heat treatment at 55°. PR-TDI activity, on the other hand, like the M29.5 enzyme, is susceptible to rapid inactivation under various experimental conditions. l-Isoleucine protects the deaminase of M29.5 against heat inactivation, whereas this amino acid increases the rate of heat inactivation of the PR-TDI activity. In contrast to the M29.5 threonine deaminase, the enzymes of the mutant strain do not require pyridoxal phosphate for activity during successive purification steps, indicating tightly bound coenzyme on the enzyme molecules. Studies with the feedback inhibitor l-isoleucine reveal that both wild type and PR-TDI activities are strongly inhibited by this amino acid, whereas the activity of PR-TDII is much less sensitive to isoleucine inhibition. The molecular weights of all three deaminases, as judged by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200, are not significantly different from one another. These results, and the data of the kinetic studies presented in the following paper, indicate that the two enzymes obtained from the prototrophic revertant are different from each other as well as from that of the auxotrophic strain M29.5.
Physiology of Cholangiocytes

Cholangiocytes are epithelial cells that line the intra- and extrahepatic ducts of the biliary tree. The main physiologic function of cholangiocytes is modification of hepatocyte-derived bile, an intricate process regulated by hormones, peptides, nucleotides, neurotransmitters, and other molecules through intracellular signaling pathways and cascades. The mechanisms and regulation of bile modification are reviewed herein.
Active control of turbomachine discrete tones

This paper was directed at active control of discrete frequency noise generated by subsonic blade rows through cancellation of the blade row interaction generated propagating acoustic waves. First discrete frequency noise generated by a rotor and stator in a duct was analyzed to determine the propagating acoustic pressure waves. Then a mathematical model was developed to analyze and predict the active control of discrete frequency noise generated by subsonic blade rows through cancellation of the propagating acoustic waves, accomplished by utilizing oscillating airfoil surfaces to generate additional control propagating pressure waves. These control waves interact with the propagating acoustic waves, thereby, in principle, canceling the acoustic waves and thus, the far field discrete frequency tones. This model was then applied to a fan exit guide vane to investigate active airfoil surface techniques for control of the propagating acoustic waves, and thus the far field discrete frequency tones, generated by blade row interactions.
Understanding the effect of circuit non-idealities on sigma-delta modulator

The main objective of this paper is to demonstrate and to understand the effect of each common non-idealities in switched-capacitor circuits on sigma-delta modulators. Since quantization process is non-linear in nature, a sigma-delta loop is then inherently non-linear. Therefore, analyzing its non-ideal behaviors would be difficult. A better understanding of these effects can be achieved if each of these non-idealities is studied separately. This paper is an extension and improvement effort of sigma-delta modulator modeling to the one proposed by S. Brigati et al. (1999) using MATLAB and SIMULINK (1997).
Proceedings of the 6th ACM/IEEE-CS joint conference on Digital libraries

Welcome to JCDL 2006. The ACM/IEEE Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (JCDL) is a major international forum focusing on digital libraries and associated technical, practical, and social issues. JCDL encompasses the many meanings of the term "digital libraries," including (but not limited to) new forms of information institutions; operational information systems with all manner of digital content; new means of selecting, collecting, organizing, and distributing digital content; digital preservation and archiving; and theoretical models of information media, including document genres and electronic publishing.The conference theme is "Opening Information Horizons". This theme is explored in the two keynote addresses, one covering the technological, economic and social issues of putting books online and the other covering open information and the threats, challenges and responsibilities it entails. The conference also features two panels: an update on the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program and the other covering an emerging effort regarding scholarly repositories.This year, there were 248 total submissions from 22 countries. From 107 full papers and 81 short papers, the program committee selected 28 full papers and 29 short papers for presentation at the conference. In addition, 37 posters and 13 demonstrations will be presented in a special evening session. As in past years, we will be awarding the: Vannevar Bush Best Paper Award (sponsored by ACM) Best Student Paper (sponsored by IEEE-CS Technical Committee on Digital Libraries) Best Poster (sponsored by University of North Carolina, School of Information and Library Science). Nominees for the best paper awards will be announced at the opening session of the conference and the award will be presented at the banquet. The best poster award is determined by popular vote during the poster and demo session. As in previous JCDL conferences, the conference opened with tutorials and will conclude with workshops. JCDL 2006 continues with the doctoral consortium, introduced in last year's conference.
B7H6-Specific Bispecific T Cell Engagers Lead to Tumor Elimination and Host Antitumor Immunity

Substantial evidence showed that T cells are the key effectors in immune-mediated tumor eradication; however, most T cells do not exhibit antitumor specificity. In this study, a bispecific T cell engager (BiTE) approach was used to direct T cells to recognize B7H6(+) tumor cells. B7H6 is a specific ligand for the NK cell-activating receptor NKp30. B7H6 is expressed on various types of primary human tumors, including leukemia, lymphoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors, but it is not constitutively expressed on normal tissues. Data from this study showed that B7H6-specific BiTEs direct T cells to mediate cellular cytotoxicity and IFN-γ secretion upon coculturing with B7H6(+) tumors. Furthermore, B7H6-specific BiTE exhibited no self-reactivity to proinflammatory monocytes. In vivo, B7H6-specific BiTE greatly enhanced the survival benefit of RMA/B7H6 lymphoma-bearing mice through perforin and IFN-γ effector mechanisms. In addition, long-term survivor mice were protected against an RMA lymphoma tumor rechallenge. The B7H6-specific BiTE therapy also decreased tumor burden in murine melanoma and ovarian cancer models. In conclusion, B7H6-specific BiTE activates host T cells and has the potential to treat various B7H6(+) hematological and solid tumors.
The Measurement of the Light Deflection from Jupiter: Theoretical Interpretation

Equations of light, propagating from quasar to observer on earth, are integrated in the time-dependent gravitational field of the solar system by making use of either retarded or advanced solutions of the Einstein field equations. This technique allows to separate explicitly the effects associated with the propagation of gravity from those associated with light in the integral expression for the relativistic time delay of light. We prove that the relativistic correction to the Shapiro time delay discovered by Kopeikin (ApJ, 556, L1, 2001) changes sign if one retains direction of the light propagation but replaces retarded with advanced solution of the gravitational field equations. Hence, this correction is due to the propagation of gravity and allows to measure its speed. Relativistic VLBI experiment conducted by Fomalont and Kopeikin in September 2002 proves that the propagation of gravitational field is characterized by the retarded potentials.
Roles of the Early Genes of Bacteriophage T7 in Shutoff of Host Macromolecular Synthesis

Through the use of phage mutants in which various combinations of the early genes are active, and in which late gene expression is blocked, we have examined the roles of each of the five early gene products of bacteriophage T7 in regulating the synthesis of host RNA and proteins. At least two independent transcriptional controls operate during bacteriophage T7 development. The product of gene 0.7, acting alone, leads to a rapid (by 5 min) shutoff of host transcription. In the absence of gene 0.7 function, and in the absence of the phage-specified RNA polymerase, a delayed shutoff of host-dependent transcription begins at approximately 15 min after infection. This secondary control element requires either a functional gene 0.3 or gene 1.1. In the absence of any early gene products, host shutoff is not observed until much later in infection (>30 min). The delayed manner in which the products of genes 0.3 and 1.1 exert their effect suggests that their mode of action is indirect. Under conditions in which the late genes are transcribed (inefficiently) by the host RNA polymerase, gene 1.1 is observed to stimulate the synthesis of lysozyme (the product of a late phage gene). In contrast, when the late genes are transcribed by the phage-specified RNA polymerase (the product of gene 1), the kinetics of synthesis of the phage RNA polymerase itself, and of lysozyme, are not affected by the deletion of genes 0.3, 0.7, 1.1, and 1.3. We conclude that under these conditions, the products of these genes are required neither for regulation of expression of the late genes nor for the shutoff of early phage gene expression.
Dendritic mechanisms of phase precession in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

Dual whole-cell patch clamp recordings from the soma and dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons located in hippocampal slices of adult rats were used to examine the potential mechanisms of phase preces...
Manifolds with arbitrary submanifolds of nonanalyticity of solutions of linear pde's

(1980). Manifolds with arbitrary submanifolds of nonanalyticity of solutions of linear pde's. Communications in Partial Differential Equations: Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 225-243.
Single-site, catalytic water oxidation on oxide surfaces.

Electrocatalytic water oxidation occurs through the use of the phosphonate-derivatized single-site catalyst [Ru(Mebimpy)(4,4′-((HO)2OPCH2)2bpy)(OH2)]2+ [Mebimpy = 2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine] at pH 1 and 5 on fluorine-doped SnO2 or Sn(IV)-doped In2O3 electrodes or on nanocrystalline TiO2. The surface-bound catalyst appears to retain the water oxidation mechanism found for [Ru(tpy)(bpm)(OH2)]2+ and [Ru(tpy)(bpz)(OH2)]2+ (tpy = 2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine; bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine; bpz = 2,2′-bipyrazine) in solution and acts as a surface electrocatalyst for sustained water oxidation.
Enhancement of efficiency in Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) solar cells grown by sputtering

We report the cell performance of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) thin film solar cell that showed efficiency in the range of 6 to 7 %. The absorber layer was grown by magnetron sputtering followed by annealing in a H2S/N2 environment. Initially, the CZTS film was co-sputtered with three different targets; copper (Cu), tin sulphide (SnS) and zinc sulphide (ZnS). The Cu target was subjected to DC power and RF power was used for the SnS and ZnS targets. The as-grown CZTS film was sulphurized in H2S environment at around 510°C, which re-crystalized the film with larger grains. The quantum efficiency measurement showed internal quantum efficiency as high as 80% around 600 nm wavelength. A typical cell showed 610 mV open circuit voltage, 16 mA/cm2 short-circuit current, and 6.2% efficiency.
The analysis of solid surfaces by low energy ion scattering spectroscopy

Ion scattering spectroscopy is an analytical tool that is well suited for surface analysis. Its principle areas of application are those that take advantage of (1) its ability to analyze the outer one or two monolayers, (2) its ability to analyze insulators, and (3) the relatively small amount of damage caused by the ion beam. These include determining the positions of atoms absorbed on single crystal substrates, composition of glasses, composition of organic materials, surface composition of alloys, and diffusion in thin films.
Crystal structures of 1,1′-di(methylacetato)- and 1,1′-di(chloroethoxyethyl)-2,2′-biimidazole

1,1′-Di(methylacetato)-2,2′-biimidazole, C12H14N4O4, crystallizes from methanol in the space groupP2 1/c, wherea=9.535(2),b=13.385(2),c=5.1208(8) A,V=652.2(2) A3, andZ=4.1,1′-Di(chloroethoxyethyl)-2,2′-biimidazole, C14H20Cl2N4O2, crystallizes from cyclohexane in the space groupPbca, wherea=12.372(2),b=8.959(2),c=14.840(2) A,V=1644.9(5) A3, andZ=8. The structures were refined toR=0.041 (1380 observed reflections) andR=0.043 (3243 observed reflections), respectively. Both molecules crystallize with coplanar rings and the substituents assume atrans configuration with a center of inversion between the bridging carbon atoms.
Quantum black hole evaporation.

We investigate a recently proposed model for a full quantum description of two-dimensional black hole evaporation, in which a reflecting boundary condition is imposed in the strong-coupling region. It is shown that in this model each initial state is mapped to a well-defined asymptotic out state, provided one performs a certain projection in the gravitational zero mode sector. We find that for an incoming localized energy pulse, the corresponding outgoing state contains approximately thermal radiation, in accordance with semiclassical predictions. In addition, our model allows for certain acausal strong-coupling effects near the singularity that give rise to corrections to the Hawking spectrum and restore the coherence of the out state. To an asymptotic observer these corrections appear to originate from behind the receding apparent horizon and start to influence the outgoing state long before the black hole has emitted most of its mass. Finally, by putting the system in a finite box, we are able to derive some algebraic properties of the scattering matrix and prove that the final state contains all initial information.
Production of reactive oxygen species by peritoneal macrophages and hepatic mitochondria and microsomes from endrin-treated rats.

Abstract Recent studies have shown that the adminstration of endrn to rodents induced lipid peroxidation in various tissues and decreases glutathione content. These results suggest that endrin produces reactive oxygen species and/or free radicals. We have therefore examined the effects of endrin(4.5 mg/kg) on the production of reactive oxygen species by peritoneal macrophages and hepatic mitochondria and microsomes in rats. The effects of endrin on hepatic mitochondrial and microsomal lipid peroxidation and membrane fluidity as well as the incidence of hepatic nuclear DNA damage were also examined. Twenty-four hours after endrin administration, significant increases in the production of the chemiluminescence by the three tissue fractions were observed. Furthermore, peritoneal macrophages form endrin-animals resulted in 3.0- and 2.8-fold increases in cytochrome c and iodonitrotetrazolium (INT) reduction, indicating enhanced production of superoxide anion. Endrin administration also resulted in significant increases in lipid peroxidation of mitochondrial and microsomal membranes as well as decreases in the fluidity of these two membranous fractions. A significant increase in hepatic nuclear DNA single-strand breaks also occurred in response to endrin administration. The reslts indicate that macrophage, mitochondria, and microsomes produce reactive oxygen species following endrin administration, and these reactive oxygen species may contribute to the toxic manifestations of endrin.
Synthesis and evaluation of novel lidocaine sulfur analogs

Abstract In order to test whether the structural requirement for basic or quaternary nitrogen in antiarrhythmic drugs is essential, several sulfur-containing lidocaine analogs were synthesized and their metabolism investigated in human plasma, various esterase preparations, bovine liver microsomes, and in vivo in rats. Skin diffusion was measured through hairless mouse skin. Two of the compounds were found to have long-lasting antiarrhythmic activity in dogs, and in the case of the ethylthio analog, activity equivalent to that of lidocaine persisted without the presence of an ionized group to interact with the proposed anionic portion of membrane polypeptides. Thus, non-specific antiarrhythmic activity is possible when only the myocardial membrane phospholipids interact with the drug and charge attractions between the drug and membrane peptide groups are not necessary.
FR3D: finding local and composite recurrent structural motifs in RNA 3D structures.

New methods are described for finding recurrent three-dimensional (3D) motifs in RNA atomic-resolution structures. Recurrent RNA 3D motifs are sets of RNA nucleotides with similar spatial arrangements. They can be local or composite. Local motifs comprise nucleotides that occur in the same hairpin or internal loop. Composite motifs comprise nucleotides belonging to three or more different RNA strand segments or molecules. We use a base-centered approach to construct efficient, yet exhaustive search procedures using geometric, symbolic, or mixed representations of RNA structure that we implement in a suite of MATLAB programs, “Find RNA 3D” (FR3D). The first modules of FR3D preprocess structure files to classify base-pair and -stacking interactions. Each base is represented geometrically by the position of its glycosidic nitrogen in 3D space and by the rotation matrix that describes its orientation with respect to a common frame. Base-pairing and base-stacking interactions are calculated from the base geometries and are represented symbolically according to the Leontis/Westhof basepairing classification, extended to include base-stacking. These data are stored and used to organize motif searches. For geometric searches, the user supplies the 3D structure of a query motif which FR3D uses to find and score geometrically similar candidate motifs, without regard to the sequential position of their nucleotides in the RNA chain or the identity of their bases. To score and rank candidate motifs, FR3D calculates a geometric discrepancy by rigidly rotating candidates to align optimally with the query motif and then comparing the relative orientations of the corresponding bases in the query and candidate motifs. Given the growing size of the RNA structure database, it is impossible to explicitly compute the discrepancy for all conceivable candidate motifs, even for motifs with less than ten nucleotides. The screening algorithm that we describe finds all candidate motifs whose geometric discrepancy with respect to the query motif falls below a user-specified cutoff discrepancy. This technique can be applied to RMSD searches. Candidate motifs identified geometrically may be further screened symbolically to identify those that contain particular basepair types or base-stacking arrangements or that conform to sequence continuity or nucleotide identity constraints. Purely symbolic searches for motifs containing user-defined sequence, continuity and interaction constraints have also been implemented. We demonstrate that FR3D finds all occurrences, both local and composite and with nucleotide substitutions, of sarcin/ricin and kink-turn motifs in the 23S and 5S ribosomal RNA 3D structures of the H. marismortui 50S ribosomal subunit and assigns the lowest discrepancy scores to bona fide examples of these motifs. The search algorithms have been optimized for speed to allow users to search the non-redundant RNA 3D structure database on a personal computer in a matter of minutes.
Advancing use of norms for social marketing: extending the theory of normative social behavior

As social marketing campaigns are developed for more precisely defined target audiences, it is important for practitioners and scholars alike to utilize a wide range of theoretical frameworks in order to create campaigns that are best suited to meet the needs of diverse audiences. The purpose of this paper is to offer the Theory of Normative Social Behavior as an innovative theory of communication that is a useful framework for designing social marketing campaigns, as well as propose an extension to the theory that incorporates indirect and direct media effects as well as media involvement. Explicitly incorporating media effects into the Theory of Normative Social Behavior enhances existing theory and knowledge regarding how internal (i.e., cognitive) and external (i.e., media) mechanisms function in the context of normative influence and norms-based communication campaigns. Further, such an extension improves the practical utility of the theory so social marketers can more effectively utilize it as a framework for developing persuasive normative messages.
Effects of strain path changes on the formability of sheet metals

The effects of a change in strain path on the deformation characteristics of aluminum-killed steel and 2036-T4 aluminum sheets have been studied. These sheets were pre-strained various amounts in balanced biaxial tension and the resulting uniaxial proper-ties and forming limits for other loading paths were determined. In comparison to uni-axial prestrain the steel was found to suffer a more rapid loss in uniform strain upon the strain path change from biaxial to uniaxial. In contrast, the uniform strain in aluminum does not drop as rapidly after the same change. In keeping with this behavior, the form-ing limit diagram of steel is found to decrease with prestrain at a much faster rate than that of aluminum. Such effects can be explained in terms of the transition flow behavior of the metals occurring upon the path change. Thus, the path change produces strain soften-ing and premature failure in steel, while causing additional strain hardening and consequent flow stabilization in aluminum.
Enhanced optical/THz frequency mixing in a biased quantum well

Strong enhancement of the optical emission at THz sidebands from a THz-field driven quantum well in the presence of a dc bias is predicted. The process of the THz/optical mixing is formulated as the interaction of the incident light with THz-dressed excitons. This allows one to find nonperturbative analytic expressions for the conversion efficiency of the fundamental to the THz sidebands. A maximum efficiency of a few percent is predicted for a single GaAs quantum well, and ways for its further enhancement are discussed.
Explantation d'une endoprothèse aortique chez un greffé rénal

Avec le traitement chirurgical des AAA chez les greffes renaux, plusieurs methodes ont ete developpees pour la prise en charge du greffon. Les techniques endovasculaires ont ete utilisees avec succes dans cette population de patients. En raison des limites inherentes aux techniques endovasculaires actuelles, l'explantation de l'endoprothese doit etre realisee occasionnellement. Nous presentons un cas d'explantation d'endoprothese aortique chez un greffe renal avec utilisation d'une pompe couplee a un oxygenateur pour maintenir la perfusion du greffon.
A concurrent hybrid Navier-Stokes/Euler approach to fluid dynamic computations

We present a methodology for the numerical simulation of flow fields by the simultaneous application of two distinct approaches to computational aerodynamics. We compute the three dimensional flow field of a missile at moderate angle of attack by dividing the flow field into two regions: a region near the surface where we use a structured grid and a Navier Stokes solver, and a region farther away from the surface where we utilize an unstructured grid and an Euler solver. The two solvers execute as independent UNIX processes either on the same machine or on two machines. The solvers communicate data across their common interfaces within the same machine or over the network. The computations indicate that extensively separated flow fields can be computed without significant distortion by combining viscous and inviscid solvers.