cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Know Your Enemy: How to Build and Vanquish a Global Fungal Scourge

The 8th International Conference on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis, chaired by Maurizio Del Poeta (Medical University of South Carolina), and organized together with June Kwon-Chung (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), Stuart Levitz (University of Massachusetts Medical School), and John Perfect (Duke University), occurred in May 2011. This meeting brought together the world’s leading researchers on Cryptococcus and cryptococcosis, including basic scientists, epidemiologists, and clinicians, to discuss new developments in Cryptococcus biology. With more than 60 oral presentations and 180 posters, this meeting enhanced our understanding of pathogenicity of Cryptococcus and served as a robust forum that facilitated cross-disciplinary discussions, research, and clinical collaborations. Due to space constraints, this brief overview highlights only a few of the topics discussed in this meeting, focusing on the evolution of virulence, host and pathogen interactions, fungal and host signaling, new advances of genomics studies on Cryptococcus, and the current status of the outbreak caused by C. gattii. The 8th International Conference on Cryptococcus and Cryptococcosis brought together scientists from across the globe in the beautiful historical downtown setting of Charleston to share their latest findings and highlight advances in Cryptococcus research. With more than 250 participants, this meeting was the largest gathering of the Cryptococcus international community in the 24-year history. Here, we review the advances presented and the current state of knowledge in the field.
Enhancement of Collision Mitigation Braking System Performance Through Real-Time Estimation of Tire-road Friction Coefficient by Means of Smart Tires

In the case of modern day vehicle control systems employing a feedback control structure, a real-time estimate of the tire-road contact parameters is invaluable for enhancing the performance of the chassis control systems such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems. However, at present, the commercially available tire monitoring systems are not equipped to sense and transmit high speed dynamic variables used for real-time active safety control systems. Consequently, under the circumstances of sudden changes to the road conditions, the driver's ability to maintain control of the vehicle maybe at risk. In many cases, this requires intervention from the chassis control systems onboard the vehicle. Although these systems perform well in a variety of situations, their performance can be improved if a real-time estimate of the tire-road friction coefficient is available. Existing tire-road friction estimation approaches often require certain levels of vehicle longitudinal and/or lateral motion to satisfy the persistence of excitation condition for reliable estimations. Such excitations may undesirably interfere with vehicle motion controls. This paper presents a novel development and implementation of a real-time tire-road contact parameter estimation methodology using acceleration signals from a smart/intelligent tire. The proposed method characterizes the terrain using the measured frequency response of the tire vibrations and provides the capability to estimate the tire road friction coefficient under extremely lower levels of force utilization. Under higher levels of force excitation (high slip conditions), the increased vibration levels due to the stick/slip phenomenon linked to the tread block vibration modes make the proposed tire vibrations based method unsuitable. Therefore for high slip conditions, a tire-road friction model-based parameter estimation approach is proposed. Hence an integrated approach using the smart/intelligent tire based friction estimator and the model based estimator gives us the capability to reliably estimate friction for a wider range of excitations. Considering the strong interdependence between the operating road surface condition and the instantaneous forces and moments generated; this real time estimate of the tire-road friction coefficient is expected to play a pivotal role in improving the performance of a number of vehicle control systems. In particular, this paper focuses on the possibility of enhancing the performance of collision mitigation braking systems. Language: en
A survey of clinicians' practice in the symptomatic treatment of ALS.

Symptomatic management is the mainstay of ALS patient care, but there are few controlled trials of drugs and interventions for common symptoms.METHODS: We queried ALS clinic neurologists to determine drugs and interventions of choice and neurologists' perceived efficacy for 14 symptoms.RESULTS: The results are tabulations of the physicians' four most frequent choices for each symptom, the physicians' perception of efficacy, the average doses and average daily costs. A wide range of drugs and interventions were nominated for management of ALS symptoms. Consensus on treatment was rare for individual symptoms, and efficacy for any symptom was judged moderate at best. A few drugs were recommended for multiple symptoms. Comparisons of perceived efficacy compared to drug costs are informative.DISCUSSION: The results of the survey emphasize the challenges of symptom management in ALS. These data aid clinical management and guide rational choices for randomized controlled trials.
High voitage modulator for e-beam guns and megawatt average power switches for sustainer discharges

A transformerless Blumlein modulator has been designed to generate a 250 kV–2µs pulse to drive a variable impedance cold cathode E-beam gun. Megawatt average power ceramic metal thyratrons are also being developed as switches for this E-beam modulator and for laser sustainer discharge modulators. Emphasis has been placed on using design concepts which insure reliable performance when the device is operated in a mode where adiabatic processes predominate.
Development of gene transfer for induction of antigen-specific tolerance

Gene replacement therapies, like organ and cell transplantation, are likely to introduce neoantigens that elicit rejection via humoral and/or effector T-cell immune responses. Nonetheless, thanks to an ever-growing body of preclinical studies; it is now well accepted that gene transfer protocols can be specifically designed and optimized for induction of antigen-specific immune tolerance. One approach is to specifically express a gene in a tissue with a tolerogenic microenvironment such as the liver or thymus. Another strategy is to transfer a particular gene into hematopoietic stem cells or immunological precursor cells thus educating the immune system to recognize the therapeutic protein as “self.” In addition, expression of the therapeutic protein in protolerogenic antigen-presenting cells such as immature dendritic cells and B cells has proven to be promising. All three approaches have successfully prevented unwanted immune responses in preclinical studies aimed at the treatment of inherited protein deficiencies, e.g., lysosomal storage disorders and hemophilia, and of type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. In this review, we focus on current gene transfer protocols that induce tolerance, including gene delivery vehicles and target tissues, and discuss successes and obstacles in different disease models.
Impact of Cytosine 5-Halogens on the Interaction of DNA with Restriction Endonucleases and Methyltransferase

Growing evidence from both prokaryotes and eukaryotes indicates that pyrimidine 5-methyl groups can have profound biological consequences that are mediated by the affinity of DNA-protein interactions. The presence of the 5-methyl group could potentially create a steric block preventing the binding of some proteins whereas the affinity of many other proteins is substantially increased by pyrimidine methylation. In this paper, we have constructed a series of oligonucleotides containing cytosine and a series of 5-substituted cytosine analogues including all halogens. This set of oligonucleotides has been used to probe the relationship between the size of the substituent and its capacity to modulate cleavage by the methylation-sensitive restriction endonucleases MspI and HpaII. Additionally, we have examined the impact of the halogen substitution on the corresponding bacterial methyltransferase (M.HpaII). We observed that MspI cleavage is only subtly affected by substituted cytosine analogues at the inner position of the CCGG recognition site. In contrast, HpaII cleaves cytosine-containing oligonucleotides completely whereas 5-fluorocytosine-containing oligonucleotides are cleaved at a reduced rate. The presence of the larger halogens Cl, Br, or I as well as a methyl group completely prevents cleavage by HpaII. These data suggest that the steric wall is encountered by HpaII slightly beyond the fluorine substituent, at about 2.65 A from the pyrimidine C5-position. It is known that 5-fluorocytosine in an oligonucleotide can form a covalent irreversible suicide complex with either prokaryotic or eukaryotic methyltransferases. Kinetic data reported here suggest that the 5-fluorocytosine-containing oligonucleotide can also inhibit M.HpaII by formation of a reversible, noncovalent complex. Our results indicate that although a 5-Cl substituent has electronic properties similar to 5-F, 5-chlorocytosine duplexes neither form a complex with M.HpaII nor inhibit enzymatic methylation. Emerging data suggest that halogenation of cytosine can occur in DNA in vivo from inflammation-mediated reactive molecules. The results reported here suggest that the inadvertent halogenation of cytosine residues in DNA could alter the affinity of sequence-specific DNA-binding proteins.
A model of ozone production in urban plumes

Abstract A model of rural smogs and urban plumes introduced into rural smog is developed. The single day variation of level of reactive species including ozone in rural smog in the eastern United States is simulated by mathematical modelling. Rural air masses are modelled as though they were outdoor smog chamber systems of low inital contaminant concentration to which small additional injections of contaminants, representing rural emissions, are made throughout the day. Rural smogs containing urban plumes are modelled as though they were outdoor inflatable smog chambers to which relatively large amounts of pollution material are added in the early minutes after sunrise and which are continuously diluted with material from chambers simulating rural smog. The urban plume model is specifically intended to simulate the photochemistry of parcels of air which sweep over relatively isolated cities in the eastern United States. The model runs suggest that the observed lack of urban plumes downwind of small cities is due to dilution. Additionally, the model suggests that the concentrations of both ozone and ozone precursors in rural smog have a significant effect on ozone production in urban plumes.
Chemical evolution and the origin of life

Replicating molecules on primordial earth, suggesting chemical evolution on Jupiter via demonstrable alpha-aminonitriles synthesis
Linking stakeholder research needs and the Federal Data Quality Act: A case study of an endangered forest shrub in the southeastern United States

article i nfo The need for knowledge, ranging from development of new products or processes to the effects of specific actions on the environment, is greater now than at any point in the past. The greater need for research has generated stakeholder involvement in the research process. As a result, all facets of research, from planning through publication of results, are often scrutinized by stakeholders. While the basic nature of scientific inquiry has not changed, now more than ever the credibility of scientific results is based on thorough planning, peer reviews of experimental designs and analytical approaches, and assurance that data are of the highest quality. Public interest in the quality and accuracy of federal research rose to a level that resulted in the Data Quality Act of 2001. The Act required the establishment of guidelines for Federal research organizations and cooperators. We present a case study of the U. S. Forest Service's policies for research quality assurance and quality control, including developing quality assurance statements and plans, as applied to comprehensive research on the federally-listed, endangered forest shrub pondberry (Lindera melissifolia (Walt.) Blume). Published by Elsevier B.V.
HIV antibody in persons screened for syphilis: prevalence in a New York City emergency room and primary care clinics.

An anonymous human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence survey was performed on bloods sent for syphilis serologic testing from the general medical or pediatric clinics or emergency room of a municipal hospital in the Bronx, New York City. From July-December 1987, 549 sera from persons aged 15-54 were collected. HIV antibody was detected in 29/549 (5.3%) sera, increased with age from 0% in the group under 20 to 16.7% in those aged 35-39, and was significantly higher in men (27/230, 11.7%) compared to women (2/319, 0.6%) (P less than .05). Among men aged 35-39, 10/29 (34.5%) were HIV infected. The HIV seroprevalence in emergency room sera was 8/61 (13.1%) versus 21/488 (4.3%) from the out-patient clinics (P less than .05). The presence of a reactive syphilis serology was strongly associated with HIV infection independent of gender (Mantel-Haenszel summary odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% CI [1.8, 7.7]) but was stronger for women with reactive syphilis serologies (OR 45.5, 95% CI 5.3, 387.6) than for men (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2, 5.8). AIDS prevention strategies may reach at-risk sexually active individuals by focusing on hospital-based emergency rooms and out-patients clinics in areas with high HIV seroprevalence.
Lymphedema in a Guyanan Migrant

A 79‐year‐old female was admitted to our hospital for decompensated congestive heart failure and placement of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator. On admission, the patient was noted to have left lower extremity swelling which she stated had been present for over 30 years. The patient was born in Guyana and moved to the United States 12 years ago; however, she had returned to visit twice since relocating. Her last trip to Guyana was 1 year prior to her admission. When questioned about her lymphedema, the patient stated that she was diagnosed and treated for lymphatic filariasis approximately 50 years ago. Because of her prior treatment and time since treatment, it was felt to be unlikely that the patient would still have active microfilaremia. However, a midnight blood smear was obtained. The …
Activism and Powerful Others: Distinctions within the Concept of Internal-External Control

Summary Some studies report that activists are Internals, while others claim they are Externals, holding a belief in chance, fate, and powerful others. Three new scales were constructed in order to measure belief in chance (C) as separate from expectancy for control by powerful others (P), and perceived mastery over one's personal life (I). Two studies are reported. (1.) As predicted, responses from 96 adults indicated that only a belief in chance was differentially related to involvement and information on anti-pollution activities. (2.) In factor analyzing the responses of 329 college males to the 24 items of the new scales, three main factors were identified — I, P, and C. The validity and usefulness of the tripartite division in clarifying past findings regarding the multidimensionality of I-E were discussed.
Immune responsiveness to Ambrosia artemisiifolia (short ragweed) pollen allergen Amb a VI (Ra6) is associated with HLA-DR5 in allergic humans.

The relationship between HLA type and specific immune responsiveness toward ultrapure Ambrosia artemisiifolia (short ragweed) pollen allergen Amb a VI (Ra6) was explored in a genetic-epidemiologic study of groups of 116 and 81 Caucasoid subjects who were skin-test \ positive (ST−) toward common environmental allergens. Specific immune responsiveness to Amb a VI was assessed by measuring serum IgE and IgG antibodies (Abs) by double Ab radioimmunoassay in both ST− groups. Significant associations were found between IgE Ab responsiveness to Amb a VI and the possession of HLA-DR5; P values for the two groups were, respectively, 7 × 10−7 and 1 × 10−3 by nonparametric analyses, and 4 × 10−11 and 5 × 10−8 by parametric analyses. The levels of significance for the associations between HLA-DR5 and IgG Ab responsiveness were highly dependent on the extent of ragweed immunotherapy (Rx) within the patient group; by parametric statistics, the associations were 10−11 for the group that had received relatively little Rx and 2 × 10−3 for the group that had received more intensive Rx. These results provide further striking evidence for the existence of specific HLA-linked human Ir genes involved in responsiveness toward inhaled allergens and illustrate the usefulness of the allergy model in studies of the genetic basis of human immune responsiveness. Extension of these studies to investigation of structure-function relationships involved in antigen recognition by Ia molecules and the T-cell receptor will lead to a better understanding of human susceptibility toward immunologic diseases.
Intracisternal protein in the type II pneumocyte of the ferret, guinea pig, and mongrel dog.

Abstract An intracisternal protein in the type II pneumocyte of the ferret, guinea pig, and mongrel dog was examined by light and electron microscopy and morphometry. The basic pattern of layering in this membrane-bound, ribosome-studded structure (cisternal body) was visualized in cross section as dense layers separated by approximately 0.1 /gmm with seven fine layers between. In all species the central fine band of the seven was occasionally more prominent than the other six. In the guinea pig the seven fine layers alternated in density from light to dark. The cisternal body of the dog was similar to that of the ferret, but was very much smaller and encountered infrequently. No function has been ascribed to this structure; however, its relation to lamellar bodies, the perinuclear membrane, and surfactant apoprotein is discussed.
THE NUCLEOLI IN MITOTIC DIVISIONS OF MAMMALIAN CELLS IN VITRO

In a number of mammalian cell strains nucleoli persisted through mitosis. This phenomenon was especially pronounced in several cell lines derived from Chinese hamster tissues. All the methods employed, including radioautography with tritiated uridine, cytochemical stains (methyl green-pyronin and azure B), fluorescent microscopy (coriphosphine O), ribonuclease digestion, and electron microscopy, demonstrated that the bodies identified as persistent nucleoli in the mitotic stages had the same characteristics as did the nucleoli in the interphase. Persistent nucleoli may attach to the chromosomes or may be free in the cytoplasm. In cells where no persistent nucleoli as such were noted, nucleolar material was observed to attach to the chromosomes in shapeless masses which moved with the chromosomes during anaphase. At least a portion of the nucleolar material was included in the daughter nuclei, presumably for immediate use for protein synthesis after cell division.
Laser chemical analysis

Selected applications of laser methods to analytical problems are reviewed. Examples are chosen from multiphoton ionization and laser fluorescence analysis. Although efforts to carry out elemental analysis with laser techniques are probably the most advanced, studies suggest that the analysis of molecular species is also quite promising, particularly in regard to interfacing laser fluorimetric detection with high-performance liquid chromatography. Recent experiments indicate that analysts can expect to attain in a number of cases the ultimate limit of single-atom or single-molecule detection with laser-based methods.
Synthesis of polyfluoro-2-alkanesulfonyl-3,3-dialkyloxaziridines

Abstract Polyfluoro-N-alkanesulfonamides of the type FSO2N(H)CF(CF2X)CF2Y and RfSO2N(H)CF(CF2X)CF2Y (X, Y = F, Cl) have been prepared by the reaction of the imines of polyfluoroketones with perfluoroalkanesulfonyl fluorides or SO2ClF in the presence of CsF, followed by reaction with sulfuric acid. Reaction of these sulfonamides withm-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in a polar solvent leads to the formation of the novel title compounds in 30%–80% yields. The sulfonamides do not undergo dehydrofluorination with cesium fluoride, but react to form the stable cesium salts. Several imines of the type RfSO2N=C(CF2X)CF2Y were isolated by reduction of the respective oxaziridines.
Epi‐ and endobiontic organisms on Late Jurassic crinoid columns from the Negev Desert, Israel: Implications for co‐evolution

Columns of the articulate crinoids Millericrinus and Apiocrinites from the Upper Jurassic (Upper Callovian) Zohar and Matmor formations of the Negev Desert of Israel display abundant encrusting organisms of about ten species, as well as diverse trace fossils produced by endobionts. Pluricolumnals were colonized by epi- and endobiontic organisms both during life and post-mortem. Skeletonized encrusting organisms include abundant ostreid bivalves (which evidently colonized both live and dead crinoid columnals), two types of serpulid worms, encrusting foraminifera, three species of bryozoans, and small encrusting sclerosponges. Several types of borings are present: Trypanites (possibly produced by sipunculids), Gastrochaenolites (crypts of boring lithophagid bivalves), elliptical barnacle? borings, and channel-like annelid? borings. In addition, approximately 16% of the pluricolumnals display circular parabolic embedment pits assignable to the ichnogenus Tremichnus. They are associated with substantial deformation of the containing columnals and were probably the work of host-specific ectoparasitic organisms. Discovery of Tremichnus on Jurassic crinoids extends the range of this trace by almost 100 million years, providing evidence for one of the longest-ranging host-parasite interactions documented thus far (over 200 million years). The relationship of epibionts to the Jurassic crinoids thus ranged from simple utilization of dead hard substrate to probable opportunistic commensalism in forms that colonized the live upright stems, as in some oysters, through host-specific parasitism in the case of Tremichnus.
The limiting vortex in the similarity solution for a swirling flow

It is known that the similarity solution for a viscous swirling flow over a stationary disk does not exist if the driving vortex far away from the disk is a potential vortex, while the solution exists for a rigid body vortex. Previously, the breakdown has been determined to occur if the azimuthal velocity of the driving vortex decreases faster than a certain power of the radial distance from the axis of symmetry. The decay parameter at which the similarity solution ceases to exist is computed here by a more direct method, and the reason for the breakdown becomes apparent. The analysis confirms (and slightly improves) the known value of the parameter. The case where the fluid, now assumed to be conducting, is subject to an axial magnetic field and the asymptotic behavior of the solution far away from the axis are also briefly discussed.
On the solution of the unsteady Navier- Stokes equations including multicomponent finite rate chemistry☆

Abstract An explicit-implicit time-dependent finite difference technique is presented which has been successfully implemented for the solution of the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations including multicomponent finite rate chemistry. Stability restrictions encountered in explicit schemes due to the variable relaxation times associated with the finite rate chemical reactions are eliminated. As a result, the stability of the coupled Navier-Stokes and species conservatiion finite difference equations is shown to be governed only by the hydrodynamic stability cri- terion. The viscous nonequilibrium flow about a blunt axisymmetric nosetip at high Mach number and low Reynolds number, where the viscous shock layer and shock transition zone are merged, was computed using this time-dependent numerical scheme. Solutions along the stagnation streamline are compared with corresponding solutions obtained by Dellinger using the thin layer approximation of the Navier-Stokes equations.
New and Interesting Records of Lichens and Lichenicolous Fungi from New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Abstract. The following taxa are reported for the first time from Pennsylvania: Absconditella lignicola, Candelariella xanthostigma, Catillaria nigroclavata, Fuscidea arcuatula, Halecania pepegospora, Hypocenomyce friesii, Lichenoconium erodens, Microcalicium ahlneri, Myriospora heppii, Placynthium nigrum, Protoblastenia incrustans, Staurothele fissa, Strigula jamesii, Thelidium papulare, and Tremella candelariellae. The following taxa are reported for the first time from New Jersey: Arthonia epiphyscia, Fuscidea arcuatula, and Lecanora xylophila. The distribution of Botryolepraria lesdainii in eastern North America is discussed and mapped. The first modern collections of Buellia maculata, Dirinaria frostii, and Thelocarpon laureri from Pennsylvania are also reported. An additional population of the rare species Physcia pseudospeciosa is reported from Pennsylvania.
Laryngeal and respiratory activity during vocalization in macaque monkeys

The present study describes the laryngeal and respiratory muscle activity associated with vocalizations in macaque monkeys. During the bark vocalization, a short, aperiodic call, the cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid, rectus abdominis, and intercostals were active while the posterior cricoarytenoid and diaphragm were quiet. During the coo vocalization, a longer, clear call, the cricothyroid, thyroarytenoid, intercostals, rectus abdominis, and diaphragm were active. In one monkey, the posterior cricoarytenoid was also active during the call, while in another monkey it was not. Laryngeal muscle activity was correlated with the amplitude and duration of the coo call. Results suggest that the amplitude and duration differences between calls are determined primarily by laryngeal modification of the airflow, and that the differences in posterior cricoarytenoid activity may be due to differences in voice intensity.
Kummer surfaces associated with Seiberg-Witten curves

Abstract By carrying out a rational transformation on the base curve C P 1 of the Seiberg–Witten curve for N = 2 supersymmetric pure SU ( 2 ) -gauge theory, we obtain a family of Jacobian elliptic K3 surfaces of Picard rank 17 . The isogeny relating the Seiberg–Witten curve for pure SU ( 2 ) -gauge theory to the one for SU ( 2 ) -gauge theory with N f = 2 massless hypermultiplets extends to define a Nikulin involution on each K3 surface in the family. We show that the desingularization of the quotient of the K3 surface by the involution is isomorphic to a Kummer surface of the Jacobian variety of a curve of genus two. We then derive a relation between the Yukawa coupling associated with the elliptic K3 surface and the Yukawa coupling of pure SU ( 2 ) -gauge theory.
Assessing resource intensity and renewability of cellulosic ethanol technologies using eco-LCA.

Recognizing the contributions of ecosystem services and the lack of their comprehensive accounting in life cycle assessment (LCA), an in-depth analysis of their contribution in the life cycle of cellulosic ethanol derived from five different feedstocks was conducted, with gasoline and corn ethanol as reference fuels. The relative use intensity of natural resources encompassing land and ecosystem goods and services by cellulosic ethanol was estimated using the Eco-LCA framework. Despite being resource intensive compared to gasoline, cellulosic ethanol offers the possibility of a reduction in crude oil consumption by as much as 96%. Soil erosion and land area requirements can be sources of concern for cellulosic ethanol derived directly from managed agriculture. The analysis of two broad types of thermodynamic metrics, namely: various types of physical return on investment and a renewability index, which indicate competitiveness and sustainability of cellulosic ethanol, respectively, show that only ethanol ...
Specific hardening function definition and characterization of a multimechanism generalized potential-based viscoelastoplasticity model

Given the previous complete-potential structure framework together with the notion of strain- and stress-partitioning in terms of separate contributions of several submechanisms (viscoelastic and viscoplastic) to the thermodynamic functions (stored energy and dissipation) a detailed viscoelastoplastic multimechanism characterization of a specific hardening functional form of the model is presented and discussed. TIMETAL 21S is the material of choice as a comprehensive test matrix, including creep, relaxation, constant strain-rate tension tests, etc. are available at various temperatures. Discussion of these correlations tests, together with comparisons to several other experimental results, are given to assess the performance and predictive capabilities of the present model particularly with regard to the notion of hardening saturation as well as the interaction of multiplicity of dissipative (reversible/irreversible) mechanisms.
A novel estrogen receptor α-associated protein, template-activating factor iβ, inhibits acetylation and transactivation

Estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) functions as a ligand-activated transcription factor that alters expression of estrogen-responsive genes in target cells. Numerous regulatory proteins interact with ERalpha to influence estrogen-mediated transactivation. We have identified a novel coregulatory protein, template-activating factor-Ibeta (TAF-Ibeta), which binds to ERalpha in vitro when the receptor is not complexed with an estrogen response element. The central region of TAF-Ibeta interacts with both the DNA-binding domain and the carboxy-terminal region of ERalpha. Coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that TAF-Ibeta is associated with the unoccupied, but not the estrogen-occupied, ERalpha in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Overexpression of TAF-Ibeta inhibits ERalpha-mediated transcription in a dose- dependent manner. TAF-Ibeta represses p300-mediated acetylation of histones and ERalpha in vitro and decreases ERalpha acetylation in vivo. TAF-Ibeta also binds to other nuclear receptor superfamily members and represses thyroid hormone receptor beta- induced transcription in transient transfection assays. Taken together, these data provide evidence that TAF-Ibeta regulates transcription of estrogen- responsive genes by modulating acetylation of histones and ERalpha and that the effects of TAF-Ibeta extend to other nuclear receptor superfamily members as well.
Simian virus 40 transformation, malignant mesothelioma and brain tumors

Simian virus 40 (SV40) is a DNA virus isolated in 1960 from contaminated polio vaccines, that induces mesotheliomas, lymphomas, brain and bone tumors, and sarcomas, including osteosarcomas, in hamsters. These same tumor types have been found to contain SV40 DNA and proteins in humans. Mesotheliomas and brain tumors are the two tumor types that have been most consistently associated with SV40, and the range of positivity has varied about from 6 to 60%, although a few reported 100% of positivity and a few reported 0%. It appears unlikely that SV40 infection alone is sufficient to cause human malignancy, as we did not observe an epidemic of cancers following the administration of SV40-contaminated vaccines. However, it seems possible that SV40 may act as a cofactor in the pathogenesis of some tumors. In vitro and animal experiments showing cocarcinogenicity between SV40 and asbestos support this hypothesis.
Efficient algorithms for interval graphs and circular-arc graphs

We show that for an interval graph given in the form of a family of intervals, a maximum independent set, a minimum covering by disjoint completely connected sets or cliques, and a maximum clique can all be found in O(n log n) time [O(n) time if the endpoints of the intervals are sorted]. For the more general circular-arc graphs, a maximum independent set and a minimum covering by disjoint completely connected sets or cliques can be found in O(n2) time, provided again that a corresponding family of arcs is given.
What does resilience of a clear-water state in lakes mean for the spatial heterogeneity of submersed macrophyte biovolume?

Short-term variability of spatial heterogeneity of submersed macrophyte biovolume (percent of water column occupied by vegetation) was evaluated over 3 years along a gradient of productivity in four north temperate glacial lakes in Minnesota, USA. We hypothesized we would observe the lowest among-year variability in spatial heterogeneity of biovolume in our undisturbed, moderately productive lake and high variability in our more locally disturbed productive lakes. Our analysis involved three major steps: first, we removed negative trends of biovolume across depth with non-parametric regression smoothers; second, we examined spatial pattern in residuals using variograms; finally, we compared spatial pattern of biovolume among lakes seasonally, over 3 years. Lake productivity negatively correlated with water clarity and the depth range of macrophyte growth, and positively correlated with the variability of spatial patterns. In the least disturbed moderately productive lake, vegetation grew over a large range of depths (up to 7.5 m), and spatial pattern across the littoral zone was similar for each survey. In contrast, in the more turbid, productive lakes, depth and spatial patterns of biovolume varied greatly from survey to survey. Factors that increase productivity and weaken resilience in lakes may lead to unstable spatial patterns of macrophyte biovolume.
Neuroendovascular Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke

Endovascular reperfusion therapy is evolving as a promising treatment in the setting of acute ischemic stroke. Careful patient selection and angiographic evaluation of the location and extent of occlusion are necessary for the successful management of stroke patients. Intra-arterial chemical thrombolysis, with such agents as alteplase and urokinase, has shown favorable results in the early management of cerebrovascular ischemia. Mechanical thrombolysis is becoming an adjunctive or alternative treatment therapy via novel clot dissolution and retrieval techniques. Existing and upcoming trials are investigating the safety and efficacy of neuroendovascular therapy while attempting to expand its indications in acute ischemic stroke.
International Multilateral Negotiations and Social Networks

Compared to their bilateral counterparts, multilateral negotiations in an international setting present an extremely complex set of negotiation phenomena. This paper proposes a model of negotiations that examines how national culture, organization specific factors, and individual characteristics of the negotiators impact the multilateral negotiation process in a cross-national context. Specifically, social network theory and tools are utilized to examine how coalitions form and roles emerge among participants. The model also posits the effect of social network activity on negotiation outcomes. Research propositions are forwarded in hopes of setting an agenda for the research stream implied by the model. Methods for testing the model and implications for academics and managers are also discussed.
Experimental investigation of the rapid thermal process slip window

Throughout the history of rapid thermal processing the generation and subsequent elimination of crystalline slip has been an ongoing battle. The combination of high temperatures, temperature gradients, and strain rates typically present in RTP/RTA systems often result in the deformation of the silicon substrate which in turn, leads to problems with lithographic overlay. In recent years, the issue has become more troublesome as technologies continue to scale. A number of events have been documented at IBM where qualified, healthy machines have impacted process yield via the permanent (albeit subtle) deformation of product wafers. Even though a strong correlation between RTP, stress/slip, and overlay failure has been established in the past this work was an attempt to investigate the more subtle nature of recent events in an empirical and systematic fashion. To that end a multi-faceted study was conducted with three specific objectives; (1) to elucidate the relationship between process conditions and overlay failure, (2) to develop a robust automated measurement for stress/slip detection, and (3) to use those techniques and results as a basis from which to better define process windows and manufacturing control strategies. Results from this investigation indicated a critical dependence on pyrometer offset deltas at the wafer edge with values as small as +2C found to produce unacceptable levels of stress. In all cases, the temperature offset window was found to be ∼ 10C wide with the exact location of the slip free conditions dependent on the particulars of the processes and the process chamber.
In Vitro Expression Studies of a Novel Mutation Δ299 in a Patient Affected with Apparent Mineralocorticoid Excess

Apparent mineralocorticoid excess syndrome (AME) is an autosomal recessive disorder that results in low renin hypertension and other characteristic clinical features. Typical patients present with severe hypertension, hypokalemia, and undetectable aldosterone. Most patients also have low birth weight, failure to thrive, and nephrocalcinosis. The 11βhydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11βHSD2) defect is documented by demonstrating a failure to convert cortisol to cortisone. Here, we report a patient with typical phenotypic features of AME who does not carry any of the previously described mutations in the HSD11B2 gene. This female patient from a consanguineous Pakistani family presented at age 9 yr. She had a low birth weight compared with her siblings and presented with hypertension (225/120 mm Hg), low plasma renin activity, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, suppressed aldosterone, and bilateral nephrocalcinosis. Echocardiogram did not reveal left ventricular hypertrophy, and baseline ophthalmological ev...
New drugs in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the most common malignancy and cause of death due to cancer in the United States. It is estimated that in 1990,157,OOO new cases will have been diagnosed and 142,000 individuals will have died from lung cancer [l]. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 75% of all lung cancers [23. The overall cure rate for patients with NSCLC is less than 10%. The poor survival rates reflect the advanced stage of the disease at diagnosis, high recurrence rates associated with surgery and radiation therapy and the inability of combination chemotherapy to significantly prolong survival. There are several single-agents in the treatment of NSCLC that produce response rates of 20% or less [3]. Usually only partial responses are seen in the patients treated and the duration of the responses are short. Combination chemotherapeutic regimens utilizing the drugs that have demonstrated activity as single agents in the treatment of NSCLC have usually improved the response rates including a small percentage of complete responses. In single institution studies, the response rates to combination chemotherapy is usually higher than that reported in randomized studies utilizing similar drug regimens conducted by the cooperative groups [4]. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) comparing four commonly used combination chemotherapeutic regimens demonstrated responses of 17-3 1% [5]. Despite the increase in responses with multi-drug regimens, the overall survival rate remains poor. To improve the response rates and duration of responses of the systemic treatment of NSCLC and ultimately increase survival of patients treated, the identification of new drugs with significant activity against NSCLC is needed. The following is an overview of some of the studies evaluating these drugs in the treatment of NSCLC.
Building a wireless capturing tool for WiFi

WiFi is becoming increasingly prevalent nowadays, whether as a simple range extender for a home wired Ethernet interface or a wireless deployment throughout an enterprise. Wireless local area networks (WLANs) provide us with mobility, convenience, and low cost. At the same time, WiFi is unsafe and is more vulnerable than traditional Ethernet, so that anyone familiar with wireless networks can initiate an attack. One strategy to identify potentially malicious unauthorized users is through packet capturing. Although there are several software products available for packet capture, there is currently no paper in the literature that describes how to build a software tool to capture WiFi frames and its associated functions. In this paper, we present how we build our frame capture tool along with a set of implementation techniques for automatically capturing all the frames and analyzing an attack on a WiFi. In our research, we focus on the WiFi medium access control (MAC) layer for wireless network analysis. We also discuss what we learned and the limitations which we discovered when implementing the tool. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SYNTHESIS OF 4-CARBOETHOXY-4-OXAZOLIN-2-ONES FROM 3-NOSYLOXY-2-KETOESTERS

Abstract 3-Nosyloxy-2-ketoesters, available from 2-ketoesters, react efficiently with methyl carbamate and tosic acid in refluxing toluene to provide 4-carboalkoxy-4-oxazolin-2-ones in good yields (41–84%).
Computation of convective flow with gravity modulation in rectangular cavities

In this work, a computational study is presented for the investigation of gravity modulation (g-jitter) effects in thermally driven cavity flows at terrestrial and microgravity environments. The two-dimensional, time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations are numerically integrated by a time-split method using direct matrix solvers. Computations at terrestrial gravity are utilized to assess the effects of adiabatic side-wall boundary conditions as well as the full nonlinearity of the governing equations on the sinusoidally forced Benard problem studied by Gresho and Sani. The low-g calculations focus on the establishment of critical frequency ranges and consider the effects of modulation direction and randomness. The applicability of linear analysis in the excitable frequency range at low g is also discussed.
Preparation of Bi-Based Ternary Oxide Photoanodes BiVO4, Bi2WO6, and Bi2Mo3O12 Using Dendritic Bi Metal Electrodes

The major limitation to investigating a variety of ternary oxides for use in solar energy conversion is the lack of synthesis methods to prepare them as high-quality electrodes. In this study, we demonstrate that Bi-based n-type ternary oxides, BiVO4, Bi2WO6, and Bi2Mo3O12, can be prepared as high-quality polycrystalline electrodes by mild chemical and thermal treatments of electrodeposited dendritic Bi films. The resulting oxide films have good coverage, adhesion, and electrical continuity, allowing for facile and accurate evaluation of these compounds for use in solar water oxidation. In particular, the BiVO4 electrode retained the porosity and nanocrystallinity of the original dendritic Bi film. This feature increased the electron–hole separation yield, making this compound more favorable for use as a photoanode in a photoelectrochemical cell.
The Protestant ethic effect in a multichoice environment

The Protestant ethic effect was investigated using eight rats that learned to barpress for food in a four-choice situation involving: (1) a functional bar and food dish where a pellet was dispensed with each barpress, (2) a nonfunctional bar and food dish which contained no free food during training, (3) a nonfunctional bar, and (4) a foodcup which contained no free food during training. After a stable rate of responding was observed, free-food pellets were added, and the choice behavior of the animals was observed. The results indicated that the rats preferred to barpress to obtain food in the presence of other food-getting or manipulation activities.
The nuclear nation and the German question: an American reactor in West Berlin

This essay analyses the relationship between nuclear technology and ideas about the nation in the late 1950s by looking at the US–West German bilateral agreement and at American proposals to develop reactors in West Berlin, both of which emerged from Eisenhower's 1953 Atoms for Peace programme. American efforts to maintain tight control over the German nuclear sphere contradicted the claim that reactors were solely instruments of peace. At the same time, plans to build a reactor in West Berlin underscored that city's status as an occupied city with an uncertain future and with ill-defined relationships to East and West Germany.
Estimating transient responses from open-loop frequency response

THE SYNTHESIS of a feedback control system is usually performed in terms of its frequency response, but system performance is best evaluated in terms of its transient response. Consequently, it is desirable to be able to relate transient response as directly as possible to frequency response. Although it is difficult to derive exact yet general mathematical relationships between these two responses, a great many reliable approximations can be found. This paper developed many of the most important of these approximations by examining and comparing the transient responses for a number of different types of feedback control transfer functions.
Force measurement on rotating, ablating models using an air bearing balance

Test procedures and experimental results are presented for force measurements on rotating, ablating models of various materials in the NASA Ames Research Center 20-MW Aerothermal Facility utilizing a novel air bearing balance. The experiment attempted to document the functionality of the balance and quantify the magnitude of a spin induced side force resulting from a thermal phase lag on an ablating, conical model. It was determined that this force was less than 2.2% of the normal force, the experimental resolution. Normal force data plots demonstrate good agreement with theoretical inviscid predictions
Terahertz amplification in high-dielectric materials

Terahertz polariton amplification is demonstrated via a discrete titled pulse front generated by a glass echelon structure. A conceptual scheme for very substantial further amplification is presented together with a preliminary experimental demonstration.
Left ventricular function quantified by myocardial strain imaging in small-breed dogs with chronic mitral regurgitation.

Abstract Background The presence of left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction may influence prognosis or therapy in dogs with chronic mitral regurgitation (MR). Assessment of LV function in MR by conventional echocardiography is confounded by altered ventricular loading. Myocardial deformation (strain) imaging might offer more sensitive estimates of LV function in this disease. Objective Prospectively measure myocardial strain in dogs with asymptomatic MR compared to a control group. Animals, materials and methods Forty healthy dogs (3.5–11.5 kg): 20 Controls; 20 dogs with MR and LV remodeling (Stage B2), were evaluated in this study. LV size and function were assessed in a short-axis plane. Segmental radial strain and strain rate and global circumferential strain were measured using a 2D echocardiographic speckle-tracking algorithm (GE EchoPAC). Groups were compared using Bonferroni t -tests. Influences of heart rate and body weight were explored with linear regression. Results The MR group had significantly greater mean values for heart rate, LV size, and LV systolic function. Specifically, LV diastolic diameter, diastole area, shortening fraction, averaged peak systolic and early diastolic radial strain, global circumferential strain, and averaged radial strain rate were significantly greater in the MR group ( p p Conclusions Similar to conventional indices, Stage B2 dogs with MR demonstrate hyperdynamic deformation in the short-axis plane. Short-axis strain variables measured by 2D speckle tracking are greater than for controls of similar age and weight. These results imply either preserved LV systolic function or that LV dysfunction is masked by altered ventricular loading.