cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural sensitivity to risk in adults with co-occurring HIV infection and cocaine use disorder

Persons with co-occurring HIV infection and cocaine use disorder tend to engage in riskier decision-making. However, the neural correlates of sensitivity to risk are not well-characterized in this population. The purpose of this study was to examine the neural interaction effects of HIV infection and cocaine use disorder to sensitivity to risk. The sample included 79 adults who differed on HIV status and cocaine use disorder. During functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), participants completed a Wheel of Fortune (WoF) task that assessed neural activation in response to variations of monetary risk (i.e., lower probability of winning a larger reward). Across groups, neural activation to increasing risk was in cortical and subcortical regions similar to previous investigations using the WoF in nondrug-using populations. Our analyses showed that there was a synergistic effect between HIV infection and cocaine use in the left precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex and hippocampus, and right postcentral gyrus, lateral occipital cortex, cerebellum, and posterior parietal cortex. HIV+ individuals with cocaine use disorder displayed neural hyperactivation to increasing risk that was not observed in the other groups. These results support a synergistic effect of co-occurring HIV infection and cocaine dependence in neural processing of risk probability that may reflect compensation. Future studies can further investigate and validate how neural activation to increasing risk is associated with risk-taking behavior.
Envisioning the future of reference: trends, reflections, and innovations: Diane Zabel and Lauren Reiter (Eds.), UK: Libraries Unlimited, 2020, xvii + 193, pp., $65.00, ISBN 978-1-4408-6738-5

Like that of Mark Twain, the death of reference reported widely in recent years appears to have been an exaggeration, as editors Zabel and Reiter point out in a book that posits reference as still ...
Costly Information: Firm Transformation, Exit, or Persistent Failure

Firms invest differentially in the intellectual human capital required to recognize, evaluate, and utilize technological breakthroughs occurring outside the firm. Such differential investment has b...
Surveillance for the “New” Public Health

Traditional forms of surveillance addressed detecting outbreaks of dangerous contagious disease, case finding and contact tracing, and identifying environmental hazards. But public health today goes far beyond interpersonal contagion and environmental dangers to address patterns of ill health among the population. Increased rates of conditions such as diabetes or substance use disorders are called “epidemics” to be addressed by public health interventions including education, environmental design, economic incentives, regulation, and even prohibition. This chapter explores the ethics of this so-called “new” public health, arguing that paternalistic interference with behavior is justified only to prevent serious harm. Much information collection, however, aims not to protect individuals but to understand health or health disparities at the population level and thus is not properly regarded as paternalistic. The chapter also argues that interferences such as the requirement to wear masks in a pandemic are mistakenly perceived as protecting individuals against their own choices and are better viewed as protecting others from the possibility of harm.
Paraproteinemias and Peripheral Nerve Disease.

This article provides an overview of the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of the major paraprotein-related peripheral neuropathies, including monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia, POEMS syndrome, multiple myeloma, transthyretin amyloidosis, and light chain amyloidosis. For each paraprotein neuropathy, the epidemiology, demographics, systemic findings, and electrophysiologic features are presented. Pharmacologic treatment of transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy also is reviewed.
Parsing and Summarizing Infographics with Synthetically Trained Icon Detection

Widely used in news, business, and educational media, infographics are handcrafted to effectively communicate messages about complex and often abstract topics including ‘ways to conserve the environment’ and ‘coronavirus prevention’. The computational understanding of infographics required for future applications like automatic captioning, summarization, search, and question-answering, will depend on being able to parse the visual and textual elements contained within. However, being composed of stylistically and semantically diverse visual and textual elements, infographics pose challenges for current A.I. systems. While automatic text extraction works reasonably well on infographics, standard object detection algorithms fail to identify the stand-alone visual elements in infographics that we refer to as ‘icons’. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to train an object detector using synthetically-generated data, and show that it succeeds at generalizing to detecting icons within in-the-wild infographics. We further pair our icon detection approach with an icon classifier and a state-of-the-art text detector to demonstrate three demo applications: topic prediction, multi-modal summarization, and multi-modal search. Parsing the visual and textual elements within infographics provides us with the first steps towards automatic infographic understanding.
Brain abscess

Optimal treatment of a brain abscess requires early clinical suspicion, and the diagnosis is usually made by identification of the abscess on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The immediate first step is to reduce the potentially life-threatening brain mass (abscess and surrounding cerebral edema) and secure the diagnosis with culture specimens. This is usually accomplished by reducing the increased intracranial pressure (ICP) through surgical aspiration with or without drainage of the abscess pus. The surgical procedure chosen depends on several factors, including the location and type of abscess, multiplicity, and the medical condition of the patient. In addition, dexamethasone and hyperventilation may be required if brain herniation is imminent. The dexamethasone dose should be reduced as soon as the ICP is reduced because steroid administration may retard abscess capsule formation and decrease antibiotic concentrations within the abscess cavity. Antibiotic therapy should be started as soon as the diagnosis is made. Penicillin G or third-generation cephalosporins plus metronidazole are commonly given to treat both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. The initial choice of antibiotic will vary on the basis of the suspected source of the brain organisms, which is most often either contiguous spread from a sinus or mastoid infection or hematogenous spread from a pulmonary, gastrointestinal, cardiac, or dental infection. Isolation and determination of the antibiotic sensitivities of the organism from abscess pus allow definitive antibiotic therapy. Patients should be managed in an intensive care unit. Phenytoin is often given to prevent seizures, which could further elevate the ICP. The duration of antimicrobial treatment is 4 to 8 weeks, during which time the patient should be monitored clinically and with repeated neuroimaging studies to ensure abscess resolution.
Economics of Cashew Nut Processing in Ondo State, Nigeria; a Case of JOF Ideal Family Farms Limited

Purpose: This paper examines the economics of cashew nut processing in Ondo state using JOF Ideal Family Farms Limited, Owo as a case study. It specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics of the workers of the company, the by-products derived from cashew nuts processing and the costs and returns associated with cashew nut processing and the major constraints associated with the processing of cashew nuts in the company. Research design, data and methodology: Purposive sampling was used to select JOF Ideal Family Farms Limited, Owo as the case study being the only cashew nut processing company in the state. Descriptive statistics such as mean, mode, median, frequency distribution, the use of tables etc. were employed to know the socio-economic characteristics of workers of the company, the byproducts derived from processed cashew nuts and the problems associated with cashew nut processing. The cost and returns of the cashew nut processing were determined using the Gross margin analysis. Results: Findings revealed that 16.7% of the workers were within ages 21 and 30 years while 83.3% of them were between 31 and 40 years. 11.1% of the workers are skilled while 88.9% of them are unskilled. The Gross margin analysis showed that the company cashew nut processing is profitable with Margin of ₦ 29,192,000 and ₦ 60,870,000 in year 2011 and 2012 respectively. Conclusion: Based on findings from the study, Cashew nut processing is profitable in the study area. In spite of the fact that cashew nut processing has numerous potentials to create employment, especially for women, its level of production is still low. To mention few, the study recommended that more farmers especially the youths should engage in cashew farming, this will increase the availability of cashew nuts for the processing industries. Government should provide adequate mechanization and incentive to reduce drudgery of cashew nut processing in the state.
A case report of a proximal corporal cavernosa injury presenting with butterfly perineal ecchymosis.

Abstract This is a case of a proximal corpus cavernosa fracture presenting with scrotal edema and butterfly perineal ecchymosis sparing the penile shaft. Preoperative MRI obviated the need for circumferential incision and degloving of the penis and guided immediate incision over the area of corporal injury. The presentation, diagnostic work-up, and surgical treatment are discussed.
Effect of trickle irrigation, nitrogen rate, and method of application on field-grown 'Compacta' Japanese holly.

Abstract Three methods of N application and 4 N rates of 34, 67, 134, and 268 kg/ha (30,60 120, and 240 lbs/A) were evaluated on field-grown ‘Compacta’ Japanese holly (Ilex crenata Thunb. ‘Compacta’). Fertilizer application methods consisted of NH4NO3 broadcast over trickle irrigated and non-irrigated plants, and injection of NH4NO3 through the trickle irrigation system. Irrigation regardless of whether N was surface applied or injected through the system, increased root and shoot dry weights, plant size, visual ratings, and percent survival. Irrigated plants had a more fibrous root system. N rate had no affect on root or shoot dry weights, root distribution, visual ratings, or percent survival.
The role of glycogen synthase-3 kinase modulation in establishing the sensitivity to gefitinib in bladder cancer

658 Introduction and objectives: Gefitinib is an orally active EGFR-TKI (epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor). GSK3 (glycogen synthase kinase) is a multiple substrates kinase, which is inactivated by several signals including PKC, MAPKinase, and PI3K/Akt pathways. Its role as a cell-cycle “brake” when activated involves cyclin D1 degradation. We investigated the relationship between modulation of GSK3 activity and cellular sensitivity to gefitinib in bladder carcinoma cells. Methods: Four bladder carcinoma cell lines, 253J B-V, UMUC3, KU7 and UMUC13, were injected into nude mice and established tumors were treated with 2 mg/day of gefitinib for 3 weeks. In vitro antiproliferative effects of gefitinib were measured using tritiated thymidine incorporation. Cell-cycle analysis and apoptosis were evaluated using flow cytometry and propidium iodide labeling. Sensitivity to gefitinib was defined as inhibition of proliferation at 1μM. Receptor tyrosine kinase and downstream signals activation were measured by western blot. Actin rearrangement and cell invasion were demonstrated using immunofluorescence staining and in vitro Boyden chamber invasion assays, respectively. Results: EGFR phosphorylation was blocked in 253J B-V cells at concentrations >0.1uM and at >1μM in the other cell lines. Addition of 1uM gefitinib induced accumulation of cells in G0/G1 with no apoptosis in the 253J B-V cells whereas it had no effect in the other cell lines. These effects correlated with MAPKinase activation. Interestingly, concentrations of 0.5 μM significantly inhibited cellular invasion in both cell-cycle sensitive and resistant cells and correlated with inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway. As predicted by the in vitro data, 253J B-V was the only cell line that responded to gefitinib in vivo. We identified an uncoupling between the EGFR and MAPKinase activation, further translated into absence of GSK3 activation by gefitinib in all cell-cycle resistant cell lines, whereas 253J B-V cells displayed GSK3 activation and cyclin D1 down regulation, which could be further rescued by a GSK inhibitor. Conclusion: Gefitinib may exert an antiproliferative and/or an anti-invasive effect which is cell-type specific and does not depend on the basal EGFR level of expression or its activation. Unsuccessful activation of GSK3 as a result of EGFR uncoupling with downstream pathways, e.g. MAPKinase, may represent an important marker for identifying bladder cancer that is resistant to EGFR-targeted therapies and suggests that a multifaceted approach targeting multiple signaling pathways would be more appropriate in this neoplasm. ‘Gefitinib’ is a trademark of the AstraZeneca group of companies
The ALS/FTD C9ORF72 hexanucleotide expansion disrupts nucleocytoplasmic transport (I8-2B)

OBJECTIVE: To understand the mechanisms of GGGGCC (G4C2) hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE)-mediated neuronal toxicity. BACKGROUND: Expansion of G4C2 hexanucelotide repeats in C9ORF72 is the most common genetic cause of ALS/FTD spectrum disorders. Recent evidence suggests that the hexanucleotide expansion likely causes neuronal toxicity via a gain-of-function mechanism and may be mitigated by antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). We recently identified G4C2 mRNA-binding proteins using a proteome array (Donnelly et al, Neuron, 2013). DESIGN/METHODS: Using a recently generated Drosophila model of ALS caused by overexpression of 30 G4C2 repeats (Xu et al, PNAS, 2013), we screened for genetic modifiers of neurodegeneration. Identified pathways were validated in iPS neurons derived c9-ALS patients and in human postmortem tissue. RESULTS: We have identified Ran-GAP1, a key regulator of nuclear transport, as a potent suppressor of G4C2-mediated neurodegeneration. Ran-GAP1 binds directly to the hexanucleotide repeat sequence of C9ORF72 and accumulates within perinuclear punctae in iPS neurons and in motor cortex from c9-ALS patients. Importantly, genetic perturbations that inhibit nuclear export also suppress G4C2-mediated neurodegeneration, whereas genetic inhibition of nuclear import dramatically enhances the phenotype. Furthermore, expression of G4C2 blocks nuclear import of coexpressed GFP containing a nuclear localization signal (NLS:GFP) in Drosophila and iPS neurons. Consistent with these findings, we find that the RNA-binding protein TDP-43, which normally cycles between the cytoplasm and nucleus, is mislocalized to and accumulates in the cytoplasm. Blocking the G4C2 HRE with ASOs or a porphyrin derivative restores nuclear transport in Drosophila and iPS models. CONCLUSIONS: RanGAP is a G4C2 mRNA-binding protein, and disruption of RanGAP function contributes to the pathogenesis of c9-ALS. Generalized nucleocytoplasmic transport defects might underlie the cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43 and contribute to the pathogenesis of ALS/FTD. Study Supported by: NIH, ALSA, Target ALS. Disclosure: Dr. Lloyd has received personal compensation for activities with Novartis as a consultant. Dr. Zhang has nothing to disclose. Dr. Donnelly has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rothstein has received personal compensation for activities with Psyadon Pharmaceuticals, Cytokinetics, and Vertex.
Antioxidant Extraction from Mustard (Brassica juncea) Seed Meal Using High‐Intensity Ultrasound

Brassicaceae oilseeds provide feedstocks for the biofuels industry, but value-added coproducts are necessary to supply financial incentives for increased production. Our objective was to use high-intensity ultrasound to optimize extraction of antioxidants from mustard (Brassica juncea) seed meal. The ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) variables included temperature, solvent-to-material ratio, sonication duration, and EtOH concentration. Extracts were analyzed for total phenolics content (TPC), antioxidant activity, and sinapine content. Conventional extraction using water and 70% EtOH (v/v) at 80 °C for 3×30 min yielded 7.83 ± 0.07 and 8.81 ± 0.17 mg sinapic acid equivalents (SAE)/g meal, respectively. UAE extraction at 40 °C for 30 min yielded similar phenolics content (8.85 ± 0.33 mg SAE/g meal) as conventional hot ethanolic extraction, but required less time and lower temperature. The highest TPC (13.79 ± 0.38 mg SAE/g meal) was in the 7-d aqueous extracts. Sonicated solutions of pure sinapine and sinapic acid showed 1st-order reaction kinetics with greater degradation of isolated compounds than those present in extracts. Sinapine contained in extracts showed insignificant (P < 0.05) degradation after 30 min of sonication. Our research indicates that ultrasound treatment can assist the extraction of antioxidants from B. juncea meal by reducing both the temperature and time requirement without significant degradation of the primary antioxidants present.
Synthesis of Bacterial Flagella II. PBSl Transduction of Flagella-specific Markers in Bacillus subtilis

The linkage relationship of mutants involved in the synthesis of flagella was determined by PBSl transduction. Mutants that affect the structure of flagellin (hag) and temperature-sensitive mutants (flaTS) that produce flagella when grown at 37 C but not when grown at 46 C were examined. All of the mutants were found to be linked to the hisA1 marker. The flaTS mutants fell into three clusters. Group A contained the majority of mutants which were loosely grouped around the hag locus. Group B mutants were segregated from the hag locus and appeared closely linked to the phage adsorption site gene (gtaA), and group C was only loosely linked to hisA1 and thus far contains only one mutant. A flagella locus (ifm) affecting both the degree of motility and level of flagellation was shown to map near group A. Mutants affecting motility (mot) were not linked to hisA1 by PBSl transduction. Several markers previously shown to link to hisA1 were ordered with respect to hisA1 and the flagellar genes.
Pain management in children

Children experience pain differently than do adults. Adults experience a needle as a brief, uncomfortable, inconvenience; while children regard it as the epitome of all the evil of their disease (1). The emotional component of pain is very strong—a child may “feel” the absence of visitors or the missed class activity to be much more painful than the traction and broken leg in the hospital. Children with cancer have stated that they would rather die than receive another needle.
Laparoscopic mesh hiatoplasty for paraesophageal hernias and fundoplications: a critical analysis of the available literature.

Background Little grade A medical evidence exists to support the use of prosthetic material for hiatal closure. Therefore, the authors compiled and analyzed all the available literature to determine whether the use of prosthetic mesh in hiatoplasty for routine laparoscopic fundoplications (LF) or for the repair of large (>5 cm) paraesophageal hernias (PEH) would decrease recurrence.
Experiments in Robotic Catching

Real-time coordination of visual information with high speed manipulator control is studied in the specific context of three-dimensional robotic catching. All path-planning for the catch occurs in real-time during the half-second that the targeted object is airborne. We use a trajectory-matching algorithm that combines an observer with a varying-strength filter, an error estimator, and an initial motion algorithm. The results are demonstrated experimentally using a real-time vision system and a four-degree-of-freedom, cable-driven arm with a workspace of 4.2 cubic meters and speed capabilities of up to 2.0 mls.
Tribute to Doctor Herman Beerman

When Richard Stoughton informed me that he was planning an issue of this Journal in honor of Herman Beerman my enthusiasm and delight were unlimited. For seeing a dear friend so justly honored is a most welcome event. But when Dr. Stoughton asked me to contribute a laudatio for my friend, I was abashed and somewhat conscience stricken. What did I really know about Herman, his life, his accomplishments? It was only when faced with this request that I realized how remiss I had been, how I had allowed my daily tasks to prevent me from finding out more about the man I regard as one of my most trusted friends. I cannot give you the list of Doctor Beerman's positions of responsibility and accomplishments, the dates and places of his life, nor the titles in his bibliography of over 200 scientific works, but I shall try to express something of what I feel about Herman Beerman.
WIDE-LINE MOLECULAR CLOUDS AND THE GAMMA-RAY DEFICIT TOWARD THE GALACTIC CENTER

The discrepancy between observed and predicted γ-ray emission toward the Galactic Center is attributed to a unique population of wide-line molecular clouds. The most prominent objects of this class show evidence of rotation and a significant stellar population. The observed 12CO emission traces the gravitational field produced primarily by stars, not molecular gas.
Reliable distributed shared memory

Some aspects of research into distributed shared memory (DSM) systems which concern reliability are presented. The research is concerned with applications that use shared memory in single-site systems, and their extension to operation in a distributed environment. A DSM system consists of a shared address space that is accessed by logical operations. In the author's model processes create shared memory by using a segment; the segment's size, name, and access protection are defined when the memory is created. Processes locate and attach the segment into their virtual memory address space by name. When a process is finished with the segment, it may be detached. The last detach of a segment destroys the data. The shared portion of a process's address space is partitioned into data pages, which are replicated. System implementation, distributed architecture, and issues affecting DSM reliability are discussed. >
Changes in drought risk over the contiguous United States (1901-2012): The influence of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

We assess uncertainties in the influence of sea surface temperatures on annual meteorological droughts over the contiguous U.S. within a Bayesian approach. Observational data for 1901–2012 indicate that a negative phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) elevated annual drought risk over the southern U.S., such that the 4 year return period event becomes a 3 year event, while a positive phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation has a weak influence. In recent decades, the impacts of the negative phases of the PDO and ENSO on U.S. drought have weakened and shifted toward the southwestern U.S. These changes indicate an increasing of role of atmospheric variability on the U.S. drought overall with implications for long-term changes in drought and the potential for seasonal forecasting.
MAOA expression predicts vulnerability for alcohol use

The role of the monoamines dopamine (DA) and serotonin (5HT) and the monoamine-metabolizing enzyme monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) have been repeatedly implicated in studies of alcohol use and dependence. Genetic investigations of MAOA have yielded conflicting associations between a common polymorphism (MAOA-LPR) and risk for alcohol abuse. The present study provides direct comparison of tissue-specific MAOA expression and the level of alcohol consumption. We analyzed rhesus macaque MAOA (rhMAOA) expression in blood from males before and after 12 months of alcohol self-administration. In addition, nucleus accumbens core (NAc core) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were collected from alcohol access and control (no alcohol access) subjects at the 12-month time point for comparison. The rhMAOA expression level in the blood of alcohol-naive subjects was negatively correlated with subsequent alcohol consumption level. The mRNA expression was independent of rhMAOA-LPR genotype and global promoter methylation. After 12 months of alcohol use, blood rhMAOA expression had decreased in an alcohol dose-dependent manner. Also after 12 months, rhMAOA expression in the NAc core was significantly lower in the heavy drinkers, as compared with control subjects. The CSF measured higher levels of DA and lower DOPAC/DA ratios among the heavy drinkers at the same time point. These results provide novel evidence that blood MAOA expression predicts alcohol consumption and that heavy alcohol use is linked to low MAOA expression in both the blood and NAc core. Together, the findings suggest a mechanistic link between dampened MAOA expression, elevated DA and alcohol abuse.
Implications for faunal habitat related to altered macrophyte structure in regulated lakes in northern Minnesota

Water-level regulation has altered the plant species composition and thus the structure of nearshore aquatic macrophyte communities in two regulated lakes in northern Minnesota as compared with a nearby unregulated lake. Results of previous faunal studies in the regulated lakes were used as a basis for assessing the effects of vegetation changes on faunal communities. The unregulated lake with mean annual water-level fluctuations of 1.6 m supported structurally diverse plant communities and varied faunal habitat at all depths studied. Mean annual fluctuations on one regulated lake were reduced to 1.1 m, and dense beds of four erect aquatic macrophytes dominated the 1.75-m depth that was never dewatered. We suggest that this lack of plant diversity and structural complexity resulted in diminished habitat for invertebrates, reduced availability of invertebrates as food for waterbirds and fish, reduced winter food supplies for muskrats, and reduced feeding efficiency for adult northern pike, yellow perch, and muskellunge. Mean annual fluctuations in the other regulated lake were increased to 2.7 m, and rosette and mat-forming species dominated the 1.25-m depth that was affected by winter drawdowns. We suggest that the lack of larger canopy plants resulted in poor habitat for invertebrates, reduced availability of invertebrates as food for waterbirds and fish, and poor nursery and adult feeding habitat for many species of fish. In addition, the timing and extent of winter drawdowns reduced access to macrophytes as food for muskrats and as spawning habitat for northern pike and yellow perch. In regulated lakes throughout the world, indirect effects on aquatic fauna resulting from alteration of wetland and aquatic macrophyte communities should be considered when water-level management plans are developed.
Trends and future applications of optical remote sensing and computed tomography to map air contaminants

More than twenty years have passed since the concept of combining Computed Tomography (CT) and Optical Remote Sensing (ORS) was first suggested to map air contaminants. However, there have been no commercial applications of CT-ORS due to a variety of reasons including hardware limitations and slow acceptance by the occupational and environmental scientific communities. A CT-ORS monitoring system provides the potential for near real-time mapping of multiple gases over large areas. Not just another nifty tool, this technology represents a major departure from conventional sampling methods and could allow us to understand chemical transport and exposure in ways, which are unavailable using conventional methods. Yet critical questions remain unanswered: which contaminant sources are most appropriate for this technology and how does this data apply to human exposure assessment? We discuss potential applications of CT-ORS, such a using open-path Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy for mapping leaks and evaluating worker exposures and quantifying emission flux from a process facility. Large scale (greater than 1 km) CT reconstructions could be obtained from a variety of ORS devices (Tunable Diode Laser, Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy, or Differential Absorption Lidar). Reconstructions could help locate industrial emissions and provide improved estimates of pollutant transport.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Review of clinical radioimmunotherapy.

Radioimmunotherapy involves a form of biologically targeted radiopharmaceutical treatment in which a radioactive isotope (typically a short-range, high-energy β-emitter) is chemically bound to a target-specific monoclonal antibody or fragment. Thus, these radioimmunoconjugates combine the exquisite targeting specificity of the humoral immune system with the known cancer-killing power of high-energy radiotherapy. To date, two radioimmunotherapy agents have been fully approved for commercial use: 90Yttrium ibritumomab tiuxetan and 131Iodine tositumomab. Both compounds target the CD20 surface molecule found on normal and malignant B cells, and both are medically indicated for the treatment of indolent B-cell lymphoma and related conditions. Clinical results are excellent (20–40% complete response rates and 60–80% overall response rates) and toxicity is typically quite mild. Current research is now attempting to both explore the biology of these compounds and to expand the spectrum of CD20+ diseases that coul...
Rheology of Ice II and Ice III from High‐Pressure Extrusion

Rheological parameters for ice II and ice III, needed in tectonic models of the icy satellites of the major planets, are obtained from extrusion experiments and compared with the rheology of ice I at pressures ∼2 kbar and temperatures ∼240K. Ice II has a higher effective viscosity (by a factor ∼10) than ice I at similar stress levels, whereas ice III has a lower viscosity (by a factor ∼0.01). The Rheological contrasts among the ice phases are related to differences in the dielectric relaxation behavior and state of proton order/disorder in the structures in a way that sheds light on the nature of dislocation motion in ice. A striking transformation plasticity accompanies the ice I-III transition and could have large tectonic effects.
Transient heat transfer in a functionally graded convecting longitudinal fin

The study investigates the transient thermal performance of a constant area longitudinal fin made of a functionally graded material. Such a fin offers advantages that are not attainable with a traditional fin made of a homogeneous material. A numerical approach has been used to study the transient response of the fin with a step change in its base temperature. The fin is assumed to have an adiabatic tip. Three types of variations in the thermal conductivity with the longitudinal distance along the fin are considered: (a) linear, (b) quadratic, and (c) exponential. New analytical solutions for the steady state performance of the fin are derived in terms of the Bessel functions for cases (a) and (c) and in terms of the Legendre functions for case (b). These solutions provide a check on the accuracy of the transient numerical predictions for large times. The thermal performance of the fin is governed by the classical fin parameter, N c, and the fin thermal conductivity grading parameter, a. Results are presented for the transient temperature distribution, base heat flow, convective heat loss, the energy stored in the fin and the fin efficiency for representative values of N c and a. It is found that the transient, as well the steady state performance of the fin, is significantly affected by the functional grading of the fin material. The results presented are not only of fundamental interest but can also be used to design a functionally graded fin with the desirable steady and transient thermal characteristics.
Expression of F4, 8.12, 3I, and 16/6 anti-DNA idiotype-related antigens on cationic human IgG myeloma proteins.

Abstract One hundred cationic isolated human IgG myeloma proteins were studied for expression of four anti-DNA idiotypic (Id) markers F4, 3I, 8.12, and 16/6. Forty-three of 100 myelomas showed the presence of at least one anti-DNA idiotype. Twenty-seven were F4 positive, 18 were 16/6 positive, 8 were 3I positive, and 7 were positive for 8.12. Two different anti-DNA idiotypic markers were found together on the same 14 myeloma proteins and 3 myelomas showed three different anti-DNA Ids. Anti-DNA activity was found on only 1 of 100 myelomas but not associated with presence of an anti-DNA Id. Ten myelomas showed anti-F(ab′) 2 activity and 6 of these also showed the presence of an anti-DNA Id marker. When myeloma proteins expressing anti-DNA Ids were compared in direct competition ELISAs with known Id-positive human IgG anti-DNA antibodies, much less inhibition was recorded in comparison to known human anti-DNA antibodies. Our findings indicate that human IgG myeloma proteins may show positive reactions with anti-DNA idiotypic antibodies but do not express the complete anti-DNA idiotypic antigenic complex.
Sums, Products, and Ratios of Non-central Beta Variables

Abstract Recent papers by Professor T. Pham-Gia derived distributions of sums, products, and ratios of independent beta random variables. In this article, we extend Professor Pham-Gia's results when X 1 and X 2 are independent random variables distributed according to the non-central beta distribution of Type I, the non-central beta distribution of Type II, and the doubly non-central beta distribution. For each of these three distributions, we derive exact expressions for the densities of S = X 1 + X 2, D = X 1 − X 2, P = X 1 X 2, and R = X 2/X 1. The expressions turn out to involve the hypergeometric functions of one and two variables.
Controlled Conformational Transitions in the MVM Virion Expose the VP1 N-Terminus and Viral Genome without Particle Disassembly

Abstract Antisera were raised against peptides corresponding to the N-termini of capsid proteins VP1 and VP2 from the parvovirus minute virus of mice. Epitopes in the 142-amino-acid VP1-specific region were not accessible in the great majority of newly released viral particles, and sera directed against them failed to neutralize virus directly or deplete stocks of infectious virions. However, brief exposure to temperatures of 45°C or more induced a conformational transition in a population of full virions, but not in empty viral particles, in which VP1-specific sequences became externally accessible. In contrast, the VP2 N-terminus was antibody-accessible in all full, but not empty, particles without prior treatment. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay, in which particles were heat-treated and/or preincubated with antibodies prior to electrophoresis, confirmed this pattern of epitope accessibility, showing that the heat-induced conformational transition produces a retarded form of virion that can be supershifted by incubation with VP1-specific sera. The proportion of virions undergoing transition increased with temperature, but at all temperatures up to 70°C viral particles retained structure-specific antigenic determinants and remained essentially intact, without shedding individual polypeptide species or subunits. However, despite the apparent integrity of its protective coat, the genome became accessible to externally applied enzymes in an increasing proportion of virions through this temperature range, suggesting that the conformational transitions that expose VP1 likely also allow access to the genome. Heating particles to 80°C or above finally induced disassembly to polypeptide monomers.
On the Irregular Nonbinary QC-LDPC-Coded Hybrid Multidimensional OSCD-Modulation Enabling Beyond 100 Tb/s Optical Transport

As a solution to limited bandwidth and high energy consumption of information infrastructure as well as heterogeneity of optical networks, a hybrid multidimensional coded modulation scheme is proposed employing all available electrical and optical degrees of freedom. Electrical basis functions are based on either modified orthogonal polynomials or prolate spheroidal wave functions, while optical ones on polarization and spatial mode states. The proposed scheme is both multi-Tb/s and beyond 100 Tb/s enabling technology. Additionally, the proposed scheme provides the adaptive, software-defined, and dynamic allocation of bandwidth with fine granularity. The adaptive coding is based on irregular nonbinary quasi-cyclic LDPC codes, providing record net coding gains.
Experiment Comparing Film And The Filmplane Radiology Workstation

A prototype workstation with the capabilities of both full resolution presentation of four 512 x 512 CT images and reduced presentation of a larger number of images (e.g. two full abdomen CT studies) has been developed. This prototype has been designed to develop an evaluation protocol for the comparison of two workstations (manual and/or electronic) to each other, and to employ this methodology to test a specific navigation strategy for single screen displays showing a large number of images.
Elastic Proteins in the Flight Muscle of Manduca sexta

The flight muscles (DLM1) of the Hawkmoth, Manduca sexta are synchronous, requiring a neural spike for each contraction. Stress/strain curves of skinned DLM1 showed hysteresis indicating the presence of titin-like elastic proteins. Projectin and kettin are titin-like proteins previously identified in Lethocerus and Drosophila flight muscles. Analysis of Manduca muscles with 1% SDS-agarose gels and western blots showed two bands near 1 MDa that cross-reacted with antibodies to Drosophila projectin. Antibodies to Drosophila kettin cross-reacted to bands at ∼500 and ∼700 kDa, but also to bands at ∼1.6 and ∼2.1 MDa, that had not been previously observed in insect flight muscles. Mass spectrometry identified the 2.1 MDa protein as a product of the Sallimus (sls) gene. Analysis of the gene sequence showed that all 4 putative Sallimus and kettin isoforms could be explained as products of alternative splicing of the single sls gene. Both projectin and sallimus isoforms were expressed to higher levels in ventrally located DLM1 subunits, primarily responsible for active work production, as compared to dorsally located subunits, which may act as damped springs. The different expression levels of the 2 projectin isoforms and 4 sallimus/kettin isoforms may be adaptations to the specific requirements of individual muscle subunits.
Metformin prevents alcohol-induced liver injury in the mouse: Critical role of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

Background & Aims: The biguanide drug metformin has recently been found to improve steatosis and liver damage in animal models and in humans with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Methods: The aim of the present study was to determine whether metformin also prevents steatosis and liver damage in mouse models of acute and chronic alcohol exposure. Results: Acute ethanol exposure caused a >20-fold increase in hepatic lipids, peaking 12 hours after administration. Metformin treatment significantly blunted the ethanol effect by >60%. Although metformin is a known inducer of AMP kinase (AMPK) activity, the hepatoprotective property of metformin did not correlate with activation of AMPK or of AMPK-dependent pathways. Instead, the protective effects of metformin correlated with complete prevention of the upregulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 caused by ethanol. Indeed, a similar protective effect against acute alcohol-induced lipid accumulation was observed in PAI-1 −/− mice. Hepatic fat accumulation caused by chronic enteral ethanol feeding was also prevented by metformin or by knocking out PAI-1. Under these conditions, necroinflammatory changes caused by ethanol were also significantly attenuated. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest a novel mechanism of action for metformin and identify a new role of PAI-1 in hepatic injury caused by ethanol.
Differential immunotoxicities of poly(ethylene glycol)- vs. poly(carboxybetaine)-coated nanoparticles

Although the careful selection of shell-forming polymers for the construction of nanoparticles is an obvious parameter to consider for shielding of core materials and their payloads, providing for prolonged circulation in vivo by limiting uptake by the immune organs, and thus, allowing accumulation at the target sites, the immunotoxicities that such shielding layers elicit is often overlooked. For instance, we have previously performed rigorous in vitro and in vivo comparisons between two sets of nanoparticles coated with either non-ionic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) or zwitterionic poly(carboxybetaine) (PCB), but only now report the immunotoxicity and anti-biofouling properties of both polymers, as homopolymers or nanoparticle-decorating shell, in comparison to the uncoated nanoparticles, and Cremophor-EL, a well-known low molecular weight surfactant used for formulation of several drugs. It was found that both PEG and PCB polymers could induce the expression of cytokines in vitro and in vivo, with PCB being more immunotoxic than PEG, which corroborates the in vivo pharmacokinetics and biodistribution profiles of the two sets of nanoparticles. This is the first study to report on the ability of PEG, the most commonly utilized polymer to coat nanomaterials, and PCB, an emerging zwitterionic anti-biofouling polymer, to induce the secretion of cytokines and be of potential immunotoxicity. Furthermore, we report here on the possible use of immunotoxicity assays to partially predict in vivo pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of nanomaterials.
Relaciones entre la distribución de recursos pelágicos pequeños y la temperatura superficial del mar registrada con satélites NOAA en la zona central de Chile

Se realiza un estudio exploratorio para determinar la posibilidad de introducir el uso de imagenes de temperatura superficial del mar (TSM), confeccionadas con datos de satelites NOAA, en las pesquerias de recursos pelagicos pequenos de la zona central de Chile. Se determinan significativas relaciones entre los rendimientos de las especies analizadas y los gradientes termicos (GRT) en forma particular. Estos se asocian a aguas oceanicas en el caso del jurel (Trachurus murphyi), y a surgencias costeras en relacion con la anchoveta (Engraulis ringens) y sardina comun (Clupea bentincki). Se concluye que el uso de imagenes de TSM-NOAA puede jugar un papel importante en la operacion de flotas, particularmente de las del tipo de embarcaciones consideradas en el presente trabajo.
Integration of features in comparing multifeature stimuli

For a series of trials, the subject indicated whether or not two face-like stimuli were identical with respect to the features they contained (a positive or negative response, respectively); reaction time (RT) was recorded. The stimuli were separated by .5 or 4.0 sec, and each contained either two or three features. On some trials, the features of the first stimulus were represented within a single head outline; on others, they were distributed over several spatially separated outlines (components). Positive-response RT increased with the number of stimulus features and with the number of first-stimulus components (c); these two factors were additive. Negative-response RT increased with c, decreased with the number of differing features, and these two factors interacted. These effects did not vary with interstimulus interval. The results indicate that the subject did not integrate the first-stimulus components, but instead compared the second stimulus to each component, holistically (for positive responses) or analytically (for negative responses).
Population concentration in United States city‐systems from 1790 to 2000: historical trends and current phases

Among the industrialised nations of the world, the USA has a relatively short history of urbanisation. This fact and the ready availability of reliable historical data have made the USA a fertile place for studying the nature of urban and regional growth from its earliest beginnings. This paper analyses the patterns of city and hinterland, or city-system, population concentration in the United States from 1790 to 2000. The Hoover index is employed to calculate population concentration in 46 city-systems for each federal census. A model showing three phases in city-system population concentration is proposed. Recent population trends are then used to map the current concentration phases of the US city-systems. Much of the central part of the country and the mountain west should concentrate in population during the next decade while many of the Northeastern, Florida, and Californian city-systems are more likely to experience population deconcentration.
Celiac axis resection for extragastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Fig 1. Pre-operative 3-dimensional CT reconstruction. The mass (black arrow) abuts the celiac axis and encases the left gastric artery (white arrow). A 48-YEAR-OLD MAN underwent upper endoscopy for epigastric pain and nausea. Because of endoscopic findings of gastritis and positive biopsy for Helicobacter pylori, he was started on standard triple drug therapy, but failed to respond. His symptoms became more severe and he reported a 10-pound weight loss. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 3 3 4 cm mass in the gastrohepatic omentum abuting the celiac axis and encasing the left gastric artery (Fig 1). A pre-operative biochemical workup was normal. During exploratory laparotomy, a 5 3 8 cm mass was found to involve the left gastric artery and the celiac axis. Therefore, celiac axis resection was needed to accomplish complete tumor removal (Figs 2 and 3). To test the sufficiency of the collateral blood supply to the liver, a clamp was applied to the common hepatic artery proximal to gastroduodenal artery and proper hepatic artery pulse was verified by Doppler. The tumor was completely mobilized and resected en bloc with the celiac axis. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course with slight elevation of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase levels. Pathologic examination of the specimen demonstrated a mass arranged in solid sheets with myxoid changes and plexiform patterns containing spindle cells with uniform nuclei and ill-defined cytoplasmatic borders. There was no necrosis or lymphovascular invasion. Operative margins were clear of tumor. Immunoperoxidase stains demonstrated positivity for C-kit (CD117), CD34, S-100, and actin. Immunostaining for desmin was negative. The pathologic diagnosis was consistent with extragastrointestinal stromal
Polarization Properties of Suspended Si:Ga Nanowires

We investigate the polarimetric properties of suspended nanowires fabricated in gallium doped silicon. When measured using a polarimetric microscope, the nanowires show a high reflectivity and strong retardance on reflection.
Parents' state and trait anxiety: relationships with anxiety severity and treatment response in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.

Comorbid anxiety is common among children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and parents of children with ASD are more likely to have anxiety disorders. This study investigated the relationship between parents’ state and trait anxiety and parent-reported internalizing and externalizing symptoms among adolescents (n = 30) with ASD, as well as the relationship of parents’ anxiety symptoms and adolescent treatment response in the context of a randomized controlled trial. Parental state anxiety correlated with severity of adolescent anxiety, and trait anxiety in parents correlated with parent-reported adolescent internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Also, parents of adolescent treatment responders experienced a decrease in their own trait anxiety. Findings highlight the importance of considering parental anxiety when targeting anxiety among youth with ASD.