cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytopathology and experimental host range of Rhopalosiphum padi virus, a small isometric RNA virus infecting cereal grain aphids

Abstract The pathogenicity, host specificity, and tissue specificity of Rhopalosiphum padi virus (RhPV) were studied by inoculation of virus-free clones of five cereal grain aphid species with density gradient-purified RhPV. When aphids were allowed a 16-hr acquisition feeding on 10 μg/ml of RhPV in sucrose-parafilm membranes and then examined by immunospecific electron microscopy, virus was consistently detected in R. padi and Schizaphis graminum, but not in Metopolophium dirhodum, R. maidis, or Sitobion avenae. Similar results were obtained when the same clones of virus-free aphids were allowed to acquire RhPV by feeding 48 hr on leaves from plants used to rear RhPV-infected colonies. Ultrastructural examinations of midgut tissues of aphids from the above treatments verified the host species specificity of the virus and indicated tissue specificity. Virus was visualized only in the posterior region of the midgut and in the hindgut of infected aphids. Virus was not observed in the anterior midgut, in accessory or principal salivary gland, or in randomly observed muscle or nerve cells. Early interactions between RhPV and midgut cells suggested virus ingress by endocytosis. Infection resulted in progressive loss of cytoplasmic organelles, especially ribosomes, and in the development of small 200-nm membrane vesicles. Virions accumulated only in the cytoplasm and were subsequently released into the gut lumen and hemolymph. Infection and replication of RhPV in R. padi and S. graminum were verified by double-stranded RNA (ds-RNA) analysis. Two ds-RNAs with molecular weights of approximately 7.6 and 1.7 × 106 were consistently isolated from R. padi or S. graminum which had acquired RhPV, and no difference in ds-RNA profile occurred between the two aphid species. No ds-RNA was isolated from uninoculated RhPV-free aphids. These results confirmed the pathogenicity of RhPV and indicated a high degree of host and tissue specificity for the virus.
Optical fiber remote sensing system of methane at 1645nm using wavelength-modulation technique

This paper will demonstrate a particular one-channel optical-fiber- based CH 4 gas real-time monitoring system in the mining complexes and residential area. A long-distance silica fiber link with self-design gas sensor heads has been employed in conjunction with a wavelength-tunable InGaAsP DFB laser diode at 1.64μm (around R (6) absorption peak of methane) to realize highly sensitive remote interrogation of CH 4 . By wavelength modulation with the DFB laser diode and a self-design processing circuit, sensitivities of less than 0.1% (volume) have been achieved.
Do Teachers React to "Multiple Intelligences"? Effects of Teachers' Stereotypes on Judgments and Expectancies for Students with Diverse Patterns of Giftedness/Talent:

This research examined how teachers' judgments, expectancies, and decisions were influenced by hypothetical students' patterns of giftedness and demographic characteristics. The study involved 158 ...
Stoichiometric hydroformylation with HMn(CO)5

Abstract We report here the first example of a stoichiometric hydroformylation using HMn(CO) 5 . Treatment of a hexane solution of 1,2-diphenyl-3,3-dimethylcyclopropene with HMn(CO) 5 at 55°C gave after 5 h a 27% yield of aldehydes, 87% cis and 13% trans . The other major products were cis -(87%)-, and trans -(13%)-1,2-diphenyl-3,3-dimethylcyclopropane. Evidence for a radical intermediate is presented.
Targeted Multiplex Imaging Mass Spectrometry in Transmission Geometry for Subcellular Spatial Resolution

Targeted multiplex imaging mass spectrometry utilizes several different antigen-specific primary antibodies, each directly labeled with a unique photocleavable mass tag, to detect multiple antigens in a single tissue section. Each photocleavable mass tag bound to an antibody has a unique molecular weight and can be readily ionized by laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. This article describes a mass spectrometry method that allows imaging of targeted single cells within tissue using transmission geometry laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Transmission geometry focuses the laser beam on the back side of the tissue placed on a glass slide, providing a 2 μm diameter laser spot irradiating the biological specimen. This matrix-free method enables simultaneous localization at the sub-cellular level of multiple antigens using specific tagged antibodies. We have used this technology to visualize the co-expression of synaptophysin and two major hormones peptides, insulin and somatostatin, in duplex assays in beta and delta cells contained in a human pancreatic islet.
Negotiating when outnumbered: Agenda strategies for bargaining with buying teams

Abstract The authors empirically investigate how the choice of agenda strategies may enhance economic gain and promote customer relationships when a single salesperson must bargain with a buying team. The authors develop a framework of multi-issue negotiations for examining two key agenda decisions: selecting simultaneous or sequential negotiations; and, within sequential negotiations, determining in which order of importance multiple issues should be bargained. Using face-to-face bargaining settings, the authors demonstrate that, compared to the benchmark of single-buyer vs. single-seller negotiations, simultaneous bargaining of issues with a buying team raises buyers' perceptions of their power and influences a seller's bargaining style. Contrary to conventional wisdom, however, these effects do not disadvantage the single salesperson when tasked with bargaining with a buying team, as the salesperson is no worse off economically than when he or she engages in single-buyer vs. single-seller negotiations. Directly comparing simultaneous to sequential agenda strategies, the authors show that simultaneous negotiations result in more integrative agreements; increased profit to the seller; while at the same time lead to increased satisfaction to the buyers. In sequential negotiations, the ordering of the relative importance of the issues to the parties affects the seller's pre-negotiation disposition, bargaining styles, and—of critical importance to the seller—the likelihood of reaching an agreement. The authors provide managerial implications and contrast them with general beliefs.
The responsiveness of autistic children to the predictability of social and nonsocial toys

This study was designed to explore autistic children's ability to develop an expectancy from environmental events. Social and nonsocial toys were presented to autistic and control children in situations that either allowed or prevented them from predicting their appearance. It was found that autistic children's behavior was seriously disrupted if they could not predict the sequence of environmental stimuli, but their responsiveness to environmental stimuli increased when events were predictable. They approached social objects more readily than nonsocial objects when both were simple in appearance. These findings suggest that an appropriate starting point for therapeutic intervention with autistic children might be to focus on shaping social play in highly structured and predictable environments.
Ultrasonography for thyroid screening after head and neck irradiation in childhood cancer survivors

We prospectively used ultrasonography to detect thyroid abnormalities in 96 long-term survivors of childhood cancer, who received head and neck radiation therapy at a median age of 8.9 years. The median time interval since irradiation was 10.8 years (range 5.6-22.8 years). Most survivors of leukemia received 24 Gy cranial irradiation for central nervous system prophylaxis; patients with solid tumors received between 20 and 66 Gy (median 37.5 Gy). The total evaluation included clinical history, physical examination, thyroid function tests, and thyroid ultrasonography; radionuclide scans were performed in patients whose abnormalities persisted on subsequent ultrasound exams. Clinical history and physical examination revealed thyroid abnormalities in 14 patients (15%), but ultrasound detected abnormalities in 42 patients (44%). These findings included inhomogeneity (n = 29), cysts (n = 15), and nodules (n = 22) and occurred in nearly half of patients treated with 15 Gy or more directly to the thyroid gland. Radionuclide scans confirmed the presence of thyroid nodules in 13 of 15 patients with ultrasonographic evidence of nodules. Six patients had thyroid neoplasia, including one case of papillary carcinoma. All patients with neoplasia had nodules demonstrated on ultrasonography. Our experience suggests that in childhood cancer survivors, ultrasonography is a sensitive, affordable, and noninvasive means of detecting subtle parenchymal abnormalities. We recommend thyroid ultrasonography for childhood cancer survivors who received head and neck irradiation. A baseline study should be obtained within 1 year of completion of therapy. The frequency of subsequent examinations should be based on the radiation dose and the patient's age at the time of irradiation.
Quantitative measurements and modeling of kinetics in nucleic acid monolayer films using SPR spectroscopy

We report a quantitative study of the kinetics of formation for a two-component tethered ssDNA monolayer film using in situ two-color surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy. The attachment of the DNA to gold is facilitated by functionalization at the 5‘ end with a thiol group connected by a hexamethylene linker (HS-C6-ssDNA). Detailed data analysis is performed by quantitative comparison of the DNA coverage versus time kinetic data obtained from SPRS with numerical solutions for the differential equations for simultaneous adsorption, desorption, and diffusion at the interface. The kinetics of adsorption of HS-C6-ssDNA onto bare gold as well as the kinetics of loss of HS-C6-ssDNA from the surface during subsequent treatment with mercaptohexanol can be understood in terms of a simple physical model and self-consistent parameters. The kinetics of HS-C6-ssDNA adsorption on bare gold are compared to the kinetics of hybridization of surface-attached thiolated ssDNA with the fully complementary ssDNA in fr...
Intracranial embryonal cell carcinoma.

Intracranial embryonal cell carcinoma (ECC) is a germ cell tumor most frequently found in the pineal region. However, little is known about the incidence, pattern of growth, or response to treatment of ECC.1 Between 1975 and 1983, 16 consecutive patients younger than age 18 with tumors of the pineal region have had biopsies performed prior to treatment, and 5 (31%) have had primary intracranial ECC. One other child had ECC in the suprasellar region. The clinical, radiographic, and histologic features of the six patients with ECC are presented and contrasted with the findings in children with other pineal region neoplasms. Pathologic confirmation is necessary to distinguish ECC from other intracranial tumors. Three patients were treated with radiation therapy (RT) plus adjuvant chemotherapy; two patients were treated with chemotherapy followed by RT; and one was treated with RT only. All patients initially responded to therapy, but only one has survived for longer than 1 year. It is concluded that biopsy is necessary for the diagnosis of ECC; that ECC is more common than currently believed; and that current treatment for intracranial ECC is unsatisfactory. Biopsy of pineal region tumors is necessary if progress is to be made in their management.
An improved approach to calculating low-energy cosmic-ray neutron fluxes near the land/atmosphere interface

Abstract Low-energy cosmic-ray neutrons play an important role in the production of the cosmogenic nuclides 36Cl and 41Ca. Previous approaches to modeling the distribution of low-energy neutrons beneath the surface of the earth have derived the thermal neutrons directly from the high-energy neutron flux. We have improved on this model by deriving the thermal neutrons from the moderation of the epithermal neutron flux, and the epithermal neutrons from the fast neutron flux. Predictions from the improved model agree well with experimental measurements of thermal and epithermal neutron fluxes both above and below the land/atmosphere interface. Recalibration of the 36Cl surface production parameters of Phillips et al. [Phillips, F.M., Zreda, M.G., Flinsch, M.R., Elmore, D., Sharma, P., 1996. A reevaluation of cosmogenic 36Cl production rates in terrestrial rocks. Geophys. Res. Lett., 23, pp. 949–952), incorporating the new approach to simulating the low-energy neutron fluxes, yielded the following values: Ps,Ca 66.8 atoms (g Ca)−1 year−1, Ps,K 137 atoms (g K)−1 year−1, and Pf(0) 626 neutrons (g air)−1 year−1 (this updated calibration also includes mugenic 36Cl production, based on independent work). Comparison of ages of three groups of samples from sites not included in the calibration data set with independently determined ages gave an average absolute error of 6.6% for all three data sets and coefficients of variation among the samples in the groups ranging from 5% to 14%.
Pregnancy after anorexia nervosa

Pregnancies of two women with a history of anorexia nervosa are described. Anxieties and fears of obesity were greatest during the first trimester and the second postpartum month. Disturbed eating behaviors gradually diminished during pregnancy but were augmented approximately 6 weeks after delivery. One woman received regular emotional support and dietary counseling from obstetrical staff during her pregnancy. Neither woman received counseling during the postpartum crisis. Supplemental antenatal and postnatal counseling for women with eating disorders is recommended.
The Concept “Integration” in Sociological Theory*

(1967). The Concept “Integration” in Sociological Theory. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 51-62.
On-line bipartite matching made simple

We examine the classic on-line bipartite matching problem studied by Karp, Vazirani, and Vazirani [8] and provide a simple proof of their result that the Ranking algorithm for this problem achieves a competitive ratio of 1 -- 1/e.
Dendritic architecture of ON-OFF direction-selective ganglion cells in the rabbit retina.

Abstract ON-OFF direction-selective ganglion cells in rabbit retina have bistratified dendritic arbors that are formed by contributions from three or four primary dendrites and their dependent branches (dendritic systems). Most dendritic systems contribute to both branching planes, but some are confined to a single plane. The way in which dendritic systems combine to form the branching planes varies from cell to cell, but the dendritic systems always produce a non-overlapping tiling of the planes having a distinctive mesh-like appearance. This mesh-like pattern appears to be produced primarily by a large number of branches that terminate close to the cell somata. Despite clear differences in the detailed construction of the dendritic arbors, quantitative morphological attributes vary primarily with overall size, and the variation is nearly isometric. We therefore regard these cells as isomorphic, in the sense that they have developed according to the same rather liberal rules for dendritic growth. More importantly, however, we have not found any morphological feature that is correlated with the cells' preferred response directions. We conclude that the distinctive dendritic architecture of these cells is related to general requirements for dense, uniform sampling from specific input arrays, and not direction-selectivity per se . The most important rules governing the branching pattern of the ON-OFF direction-selective cells may be related to territoriality, wherein dendrites, dendritic systems, and cells of the same type establish non-overlapping domains.
Terrestrial solar spectral distributions derived from broadband hourly solar radiation data

Multiple junction and thin film photovoltaic (PV) technologies respond differently to varying terrestrial spectral distributions of solar energy. PV device and system designers are concerned with the impact of spectral variation on PV specific technologies. Spectral distribution data is generally very rare, expensive, and difficult to obtain. We modified an existing empirical spectral conversion model to convert hourly broadband global (total hemispherical) horizontal and direct normal solar radiation to representative spectral distributions. Hourly average total hemispherical and direct normal beam solar radiation, such as provided in typical meteorological year (TMY) data are model spectral model input data. Default or prescribed atmospheric aerosols and water vapor are possible inputs. Individual hourly and monthly and annual average spectral distributions are computed for a specified tilted surface. The spectral range is from 300 nm to 1400 nm. The model is a modified version of the Nann and Riordan SEDES2 model. Measured hemispherical spectral distributions for a wide variety of conditions at the Solar Radiation Research Laboratory at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, Colorado and Florida Solar Energy Center , Cocoa, Florida show that reasonable spectral accuracy of about +/-20% is obtainable, with notable exceptions for weather events, such as snow.
Selective Oxidation of Si in the Presence of W and WN

In various device fabrication processes, such as in metal gate and low resistance word line fabrication, one needs to be able to oxidize Si without oxidizing metals present. We developed such a process using a combination of H2 and O2 in the H2 rich regime. The process developed is safe and is production worthy with excellent uniformity. When carrying out the selective oxidation using H2/O2, a high Si oxidation rate is preferred which requires a high oxygen concentration. At the same time, the increase in metal sheet resistance, if any, must be small. We found that with an oxygen concentration as high as 20%, the increase in W sheet resistance is small. We present data on the oxidation rate of Si under different conditions as well as the selectivity of the process with respect to W and WN.
Incapacitating childhood-onset insomnia.

Abstract One patient with severe childhood-onset insomnia showed an abnormally high percentage of stage 4 sleep and was relieved by opiates, whereas a second patient showed an abnormally low percentage of stage 4 sleep and was relieved by trazadone. The nosologic entity, childhood-onset insomnia, therefore, may represent several types of sleep disorder. Insomnia patients who consult a sleep disorders clinic probably suffer insomnia of above average severity. Their insomnia problems arise from a diversity of causes 1 but are largely remediable. 2 In a classification of insomnia, the Association of Sleep Disorders Centers described childhood-onset insomnia as a separate nosologic entity. 3 In a series of 20 patients with childhood onset insomnia, Hauri and Olmstead suggested that this condition derived possibly from some neurologic rather than psychologic abnormality. 4 They did not discuss the treatment of such patients. This paper describes two cases of childhood-onset insomnia of incapacitating severity that responded to different treatments. This outcome suggests that childhood-onset insomnia, like other insomnia, has diverse causes, may be treated by various means, and therefore is not a separate nosologic entity.
The Pariahs of Yesterday: Breton Migrants in Paris

Leslie Moch (2012), x+255, Duke University Press, Durham, $84.95, paperback $23.95 Leslie Moch's book approaches core French dilemmas of difference and assimilation through detailed study of what w...
An efficient, low-velocity, resonant mechanism for capture of satellites by a protoplanet

Abstract Numerical simulations of the gravitational scattering of planetesimals by a protoplanet reveal that a significant fraction of scattered planetesimals can become trapped as so-called quasi-satellites in heliocentric 1:1 co-orbital resonance with the protoplanet. While trapped, these resonant planetesimals can have deep low-velocity encounters with the protoplanet that result in temporary or permanent capture onto highly eccentric prograde or retrograde circumplanetary orbits. The simulations include solar nebula gas drag and use planetesimals with diameters ranging from ∼1 to ∼ 1000 km . Initial protoplanet eccentricities range from e p = 0 to 0.15 and protoplanet masses range from 300 Earth-masses ( M ⊕ ) down to 0.1 M ⊕ . This mass range effectively covers the final masses of all planets currently thought to be in possession of captured satellites—Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Mars. For protoplanets on moderately eccentric orbits ( e p ⩾ 0.1 ) most simulations show from 5–20% of all scattered planetesimals becoming temporarily trapped in the quasi-satellite co-orbital resonance. Typically, 20–30% of the temporarily trapped quasi-satellites of all sizes came within half the Hill radius of the protoplanet while trapped in the resonance. The efficiency of the resonance trapping combined with the subsequent low-velocity circumplanetary capture suggests that this trapped-to-captured transition may be important not only for the origin of captured satellites but also for continued growth of protoplanets.
Gene expression profiling of human lymph node metastases and matched primary breast carcinomas: Clinical implications

The genetic program that drives tumor metastasis and the mode and timing of its initiation are of great practical significance to clinical management. Modern technical advances open new opportunities for gaining useful relevant information. Gene expression profiles of histologically-verified viable tissue from lymph node metastases were compared with those of matched primary breast cancers from 10 different patients, among samples from over 400 cases, using high-throughput oligonucleotide arrays comprising probes for 22,000 genes. It was observed that metastases have very similar expression signatures to their parent tumors. However, detailed computational analysis revealed that a small number of genes were consistently differentially expressed between 100% of tumors and metastases, suggesting that these are mechanistically important. Lists of such candidate genes, of potential clinical interest, are provided. We interpret these results in the framework of a meta-analysis of previous investigations by others and ourselves and of existing clinical knowledge on the behavior of human tumors. The collective data show that metastases resemble their primary tumors but the signatures obtained in different studies are not sufficiently reproducible or informative to be prognostically useful, although they do give valuable insights into the pathogenesis and biology of human tumor metastasis. The findings indicate that the genetic program encoding metastasis is implemented progressively over time although, occasionally, this evolution can occur rapidly, early in the life of the neoplasm. The important clinical significance of this deduction is that, in most patients, early detection provides time for appropriate therapeutic intervention to be effective in obstructing metastasis.
TGF-β blockade improves the distribution and efficacy of therapeutics in breast carcinoma by normalizing the tumor stroma

Although the role of TGF-β in tumor progression has been studied extensively, its impact on drug delivery in tumors remains far from understood. In this study, we examined the effect of TGF-β blockade on the delivery and efficacy of conventional therapeutics and nanotherapeutics in orthotopic mammary carcinoma mouse models. We used both genetic (overexpression of sTβRII, a soluble TGF-β type II receptor) and pharmacologic (1D11, a TGF-β neutralizing antibody) approaches to block TGF-β signaling. In two orthotopic mammary carcinoma models (human MDA-MB-231 and murine 4T1 cell lines), TGF-β blockade significantly decreased tumor growth and metastasis. TGF-β blockade also increased the recruitment and incorporation of perivascular cells into tumor blood vessels and increased the fraction of perfused vessels. Moreover, TGF-β blockade normalized the tumor interstitial matrix by decreasing collagen I content. As a result of this vessel and interstitial matrix normalization, TGF-β blockade improved the intratumoral penetration of both a low-molecular-weight conventional chemotherapeutic drug and a nanotherapeutic agent, leading to better control of tumor growth.
Fc receptor-like 5 promotes B cell proliferation and drives the development of cells displaying switched isotypes.

The biological roles of B cell membrane proteins in the FCRL family are enigmatic. FCRL proteins, including FCRL5, were shown to modulate early BCR signaling, although the subsequent, functional consequences of receptor engagement are poorly understood. We found that FCRL5 surface protein itself was induced temporarily upon BCR stimulation of human, naive B cells, indicating precise control over timing of FCRL5 engagement. Cross-linking of FCRL5 on cells induced to express FCRL5 enhanced B cell proliferation significantly. This enhancement required costimulation of the BCR and TLR9, two signals required for optimal proliferation of naive B cells, whereas T cell help in the form of antiCD40 and IL-2 was dispensable. In addition, we found that FCRL5 stimulation generated a high proportion of cells displaying surface IgG and IgA. Optimal development of cells expressing switched isotypes required T cell help, in addition to stimuli found necessary for enhanced proliferation. Surprisingly, cells that developed upon FCRL5 stimulation simultaneously displayed surface IgM, IgG, and IgA. Cells expressing multiple Ig isotypes were described in hairy cell leukemia, a disease in which FCRL5 is overexpressed. Enhanced proliferation and downstream isotype expression upon FCRL5 stimulation could reflect a physiological role for FCRL5 in the expansion and development of antigen-primed B cells. In addition, FCRL5 may promote growth of malignant cells in hairy cell leukemia and other FCRL5-expressing tumors. J. Leukoc. Biol. 91: 000–000; 2012.
Influences of Isolated Cumulus Clouds on the Humidity of Their Surroundings

Abstract Measurements are described of the distributions of humidity in the clear air surrounding small to medium sized, isolated cumulus clouds. Wind shear is the most important factor in determining the radial distribution of enhanced humidity around cumulus clouds. Significant humidity enhancements occur in the clear air on the downshear and cross-shear sides of cumulus clouds; comparatively little humidity enhancement occurs on the upshear side. The horizontal extents of the humidity perturbations in the clear air increase with cloud age. Stable atmospheric layers can have a significant effect on the vertical distribution of the humidity field; enhancements in humidity are generally confined below any stable layer. Four detailed case studies are used to evaluate the performance of the cumulus detrainment criteria suggested by Bretherton and Smolarkiewicz and Taylor and Baker. Although these criteria were formulated for clouds in an environment with no vertical wind shear, they predict the altitudes of...
Intact MutY and its catalytic domain differentially contact with A/8-oxoG-containing DNA.

Escherichia coli MutY is an adenine and a weak guanine DNA glycosylase active on DNA substrates containing A/G, A/8-oxoG, A/C or G/8-oxoG mismatches. A truncated form of MutY (M25, residues 1–226) retains catalytic activity; however, the C-terminal domain of MutY is required for specific binding to the 8-oxoG and is critical for mutation avoidance of oxidative damage. Using alkylation interference experiments, the determinants of the truncated and intact MutY were compared on A/8-oxoG-containing DNA. Several purines within the proximity of mismatched A/8-oxoG show differential contact by the truncated and intact MutY. Most importantly, methylation at the N7 position of the mismatched 8-oxoG and the N3 position of mismatched A interfere with intact MutY but not with M25 binding. The electrostatic contacts of MutY and M25 with the A/8-oxoG-containing DNA substrates are drastically different as shown by ethylation interference experiments. Five consecutive phosphate groups surrounding the 8-oxoG (one on the 3′ side and four on the 5′ side) interact with MutY but not with M25. The activities of the truncated and intact MutY are modulated differently by two minor groove-binding drugs, distamycin A and Hoechst 33258. Both distamycin A and Hoechst 33258 can inhibit, to a similar extent, the binding and glycosylase activities of MutY and M25 on A/G mismatch. However, binding and glycosylase activities on A/8-oxoG mismatch of intact MutY are inhibited to a lesser degree than those of M25. Overall, these results suggest that the C-terminal domain of MutY specifies additional contact sites on A/GO-containing DNA that are not found in MutY–A/G and M25–A/8-oxoG interactions.
The Association Between the Number of Prescription Medications and Incident Falls in a Multi-ethnic Population of Adult Type-2 Diabetes Patients: The Diabetes and Aging Study

Background Use of four or more prescription medications is considered a risk factor for falls in older people. It is unclear whether this polypharmacy-fall relationship differs for adults with diabetes.
Enriching and characterizing cancer stem cell sub-populations in the WM115 melanoma cell line

Cutaneous melanoma is an increasingly common and potentially lethal malignancy of melanocytes, the melanin producing cells normally located in the basal layer of the skin epidermis. Despite major advances in cancer chemotherapeutics and immunotherapy, the success in treating metastatic melanoma remains poor. The notion that cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in melanoma progression is well received. Therefore, isolating and characterizing CSCs is of critical importance for designing new therapeutic strategies that target this unique tumor initiating cell sub-population. In this work, we present a simple in vitro method, employing cell culture on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and transfer back onto standard tissue culture plate, to enrich a non-adherent spheroid (NA/S) forming and an adherent monolayer (AM) cell sub-populations from the tumorigenic WM115 melanoma cell line. The phenotypes of the morphologically distinct NA/S and AM sub-populations were further characterized by quantifying the expression of stem cell markers, CD20 and CD271. Flow cytometric analysis found 2.32% of the cells in the NA/S sub-population were CD20+ CD271+ whereas only 0.27% of the cells in the AM sub-population were CD20+ CD271+. When the NA/S sub-population was cultured back onto PDMS it resulted in the further enrichment of CD20+ CD271+ cells to 14.7%. We used microbubble arrays to quantify the in vitro clonogenic potential of the NA/S and AM cell sub-populations. Microbubbles are spherical cavities, ~160 μm in diameter with 60 μm circular openings, formed in PDMS using the gas expansion molding (GEM) process. Cells from each sub-population were seeded, under limiting dilution conditions, onto separate arrays containing 1215 microbubble wells. After five days in culture, wells seeded with 1, 2, 3 and >3 cells per microbubble well were inspected for cell proliferation. The Extreme Limiting Dilutions Analysis (ELDA) determined a ~58% clonal survival (1 in every 1.72 cells) for the NA/S sub-population and ~25% clonal survival (1 in every 3.93 cells) for the AM sub-population (= 176, p = 4.41e(-40)). These findings taken together add to the existing evidence that melanoma cells propagating as non-adherent/spheroids represent a more aggressive phenotype due to the greater presence of tumor initiating cells.
Antifouling nanofiltration membranes for membrane bioreactors from self-assembling graft copolymers

Abstract Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes, often employed in membrane bioreactors (MBRs), exhibit high susceptibility to fouling by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). As potential alternatives, commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) UF membranes were coated with the amphiphilic graft copolymer poly(vinylidene fluoride)- graft -poly(oxyethylene) methacrylate, PVDF- g -POEM, to create thin film composite (TFC) nanofiltration membranes. Pure water permeabilities up to 56 L/m 2 h MPa were obtained at pressures of 0.21 MPa (30 psi). The new TFC NF membranes exhibited no irreversible fouling in 10-day dead-end filtration studies of model organic foulants bovine serum albumin, sodium alginate and humic acid at concentrations of 1000 mg/L and above. Dead-end filtration of activated sludge from an MBR (1750 mg/L volatile suspended solids, VSS) resulted in constant flux throughout the 16 h filtration period. Fouling performance of the TFC NF membrane and effluent water quality were substantially improved in all cases over that for the base PVDF UF membrane. Utilizing the atomic force microscope (AFM) colloid probe technique, the measured interaction force profiles indicated the presence of repulsive steric interactions, which likely prevent the attachment of foulants to the TFC NF membrane. Similarly, the adhesion (pull-off) curves reveal the absence of foulant adhesion to the TFC NF membrane surface, even in the presence of divalent calcium ions. In contrast, when such force measurements are carried out with the base PVDF UF membrane, substantial adhesion forces are registered.
Properties of the cysteine residues and the iron-sulfur cluster of the assimilatory 5'-adenylyl sulfate reductase from Enteromorpha intestinalis.

The 5‘-adenylyl sulfate (APS) reductase from the marine macrophytic green alga Enteromorpha intestinalis uses reduced glutathione as the electron donor for the reduction of APS to 5‘-AMP and sulfite. The E. intestinalis enzyme (EiAPR) is composed of a reductase domain and a glutaredoxin-like C-terminal domain. The enzyme contains a single [4Fe-4S] cluster as its sole prosthetic group. Three of the enzyme's eight cysteine residues (Cys166, Cys257, and Cys260) serve as ligands to the iron−sulfur cluster. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments and resonance Raman spectroscopy are consistent with the presence of a cluster in which only three of the four ligands to the cluster irons contributed by the protein are cysteine residues. Site-directed mutagenesis experiments suggest that the thiol group of Cys250, a residue found only in algal APS reductases, is not an absolute requirement for activity. The other four cysteines that do not serve as cluster ligands, all of which are required for activity, are involved...
A Design for the Remote Link Unit---A Multiprocessor Remote Terminal

The Remote Link Unit (RLU) is an advanced remote terminal which provides a complete interface between a CPU and remote subsystems. The RLU consists of several intelligent Link Modules (LM) which provide the direct interfaces to the subsystems, and an intelligent Link Manager (LMG) which maintains control over the LM's and supervises communications with the CPU. By implementing the RLU with a hierarchy of specialized processors, it is possible to achieve with the RLU highly efficient, reliable, and flexible operation.
Critical point determination by derivative optical spectroscopy

Abstract The singularities of phonon-assisted transitions in Si and the reflectivity in the neighborhood of the plasma edge in Ag were determined by a method of derivative spectroscopy. The use of this technique of frequency-modulated spectroscopy enables one to readily obtain the first or higher derivatives of any optical spectra.
Efficiency in Deregulated Electricity Markets: Offer Cost Minimization vs. Payment Cost Minimization Auction

This study of the wholesale electricity market compares the efficiency performance of the auction mechanism currently in place in U.S. markets with the performance of a proposed mechanism. The analysis highlights the importance of considering strategic behavior when comparing different institutional systems. We find that in concentrated markets, neither auction mechanism can guarantee an efficient allocation. The advantage of the current mechanism increases with increased price competition if market demand is perfectly inelastic. However, if market demand has some responsiveness to price, the superiority of the current auction with respect to efficiency is not that obvious. We present a case where the proposed auction outperforms the current mechanism on efficiency even if all offers reflect true production costs. We also find that a market designer might face a choice problem with a tradeoff between lower electricity cost and production efficiency. Some implications for social welfare are discussed as well.
Crafting the Culture and History of French Chocolate.

Crafting the Culture and History of French Chocolate. Susan J. Terrio. Berkeley: University of California Press, 2000. ix + 313 pp., illustrations, appendix, notes, references, index.
Youth with disabilities' perspectives of the environment and participation: a qualitative meta-synthesis

Meta-syntheses can enhance our knowledge regarding the impact of the environment on the participation of youth with disabilities and generate theoretical frameworks to inform policy and best practices. The purpose of this study was to describe school-aged youth with disabilities' perspectives regarding the impact of the environment and modifications on their participation. A meta-synthesis systematically integrates qualitative evidence from multiple studies. Six databases were searched and 1287 citations reviewed for inclusion by two independent raters; 15 qualitative articles were selected for inclusion. Two independent reviewers evaluated the quality of each study and coded the results section. Patterns between codes within and across articles were examined using a constant comparative approach. Environments may be more or less inclusive for youth with disabilities depending upon others' understanding of individual abilities and needs, youth involvement in decisions about accommodations, and quality of services and policies. Youth implemented strategies to negotiate environmental barriers and appraised the quality of their participation based on the extent to which they engaged alongside peers. This meta-synthesis generated a framework illustrating the relationship between the environment, modifications and participation, and provided a conceptualization of participation grounded in the lived experiences of youth with disabilities. Findings reveal gaps in current knowledge and highlight the importance of involving youth with disabilities in decision making.
Interactions of cortisol and nitrogen metabolism in the ureogenic gulf toadfish Opsanus beta.

We examined the relationship between plasma cortisol levels, hepatic glutamine synthetase (GNS) activity and the form of nitrogen excreted (e.g. urea, ammonia) in undisturbed versus confined/crowded (acutely stressed) gulf toadfish. Specifically, we tested the hypothesis that acute increases in plasma cortisol levels are required to trigger the increase in GNS activity induced by the confinement/crowding stress. Toadfish responded to the stress of confinement/crowding with an initial cortisol surge (approximately 37 ng ml-1 at 2 h), which was rapidly cleared and was indistinguishable from resting levels (approximately 10 ng ml-1 by 24 h). Treatment of fish with metyrapone (which inhibits cortisol synthesis) successfully blocked the acute 2 h confinement/crowding-induced surge in plasma cortisol levels. Additionally, GNS activity in confined fish 24 h after metyrapone injection also did not differ from that of control fish, indicating that acute GNS activation probably requires the earlier (2 h) cortisol peak. In post-absorptive fish, a strong relationship between total nitrogen excretion rate and plasma cortisol levels was evident. The percentage of nitrogen excreted as ammonia was inversely related to liver GNS activity. However, GNS activity explained only part (at most 57%) of the variability in the percentage of nitrogen excreted as ammonia/urea, suggesting that this is not the sole factor setting the degree of ureogenesis. When toadfish are fed, the relationships between total nitrogen excretion rate and cortisol levels, and between percentage nitrogen excreted as ammonia and GNS activity, are virtually absent. Taken together, our results indicate that a stress response may be only one of several mechanisms by which ureogenesis is activated in gulf toadfish.
Long-term trends in nitrogen oxide emissions from motor vehicles at national, state, and air basin scales

[1] A fuel-based approach is used to estimate nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) emissions from gasoline- and diesel-powered motor vehicles. Estimates are made at the national level for the period 1990–2010. Vehicle emissions are also estimated at the state level for California, and for the South Coast (Los Angeles) and San Joaquin Valley air basins. Fuel-based emission estimates are compared with predictions from widely used emission inventory models. Changes in diesel NOxemissions vary over time: increasing between 1990 and 1997, stable between 1997 and 2007, and decreasing since 2007. In contrast, gasoline engine-related NOxemissions have decreased steadily, by ∼65% overall between 1990 and 2010, except in the San Joaquin Valley, where reductions were not as large due to faster population growth. In the San Joaquin Valley, diesel engines were the dominant on-road NOxsource in all years considered (reaching ∼70% in 2010). In the urbanized South Coast air basin, gasoline engine emissions dominated in the past and have been comparable to on-road diesel sources since 2007 (down from ∼75% in 1990). Other major anthropogenic sources of NOxare added to compare emission trends with trends in surface pollutant observations and satellite-derived data. When all major anthropogenic NOx sources are included, the overall emission trend is downward in all cases (−45% to −60%). Future reductions in motor vehicle NOxwill depend on the effectiveness of new exhaust after-treatment controls on heavy-duty trucks, as well as further improvements todurabilityof emission control systems on light-duty vehicles.
Direct and Collateral Effects of the First Step to Success Program

First Step to Success is a multicomponent behavioral program for at-risk children who show signs of antisocial behavior at the point of school entry. The program incorporates behavioral interventio...
Fecundity and selectivity in evolutionary computation

The number of offspring produced by each parent---that is, the fecundity of reproducing individuals---varies among evolutionary computation methods and settings. In most prior work fecundity has been tied directly to selectivity, with higher selection pressure giving rise to higher fecundity among individuals selected to reproduce. In nature, however, there is a wider variety of strategies, with different organisms producing different numbers of offspring under the influence of a range of factors including not only selection pressure but also other factors such as environmental stability and competition within a niche. In this work we consider possible lessons that may be drawn from nature's approaches to these issues and applied to evolutionary computation systems. In particular, we consider ways in which fecundity can be dissociated from selectivity and situations in which it may be beneficial to do so. We present a simple modification to the standard evolutionary algorithm, called decimation, that permits high fecundity in conjunction with modest selection pressure and which could be used in various forms of evolutionary computation. We also present a simple example, showing that decimation can improve the problem-solving performance of a genetic algorithm when applied to a deceptive problem.
Differentiation of microbial species and strains in coculture biofilms by multivariate analysis of laser desorption postionization mass spectra

7.87 to 10.5 eV vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photon energies were used in laser desorption postionization mass spectrometry (LDPI-MS) to analyze biofilms comprised of binary cultures of interacting microorganisms. The effect of photon energy was examined using both tunable synchrotron and laser sources of VUV radiation. Principal components analysis (PCA) was applied to the MS data to differentiate species in Escherichia coli-Saccharomyces cerevisiae coculture biofilms. PCA of LDPI-MS also differentiated individual E. coli strains in a biofilm comprised of two interacting gene deletion strains, even though these strains differed from the wild type K-12 strain by no more than four gene deletions each out of approximately 2000 genes. PCA treatment of 7.87 eV LDPI-MS data separated the E. coli strains into three distinct groups, two "pure" groups, and a mixed region. Furthermore, the "pure" regions of the E. coli cocultures showed greater variance by PCA at 7.87 eV photon energies compared to 10.5 eV radiation. This is consistent with the expectation that the 7.87 eV photoionization selects a subset of low ionization energy analytes while 10.5 eV is more inclusive, detecting a wider range of analytes. These two VUV photon energies therefore give different spreads via PCA and their respective use in LDPI-MS constitute an additional experimental parameter to differentiate strains and species.
Thermal Herding: Microarchitecture Techniques for Controlling Hotspots in High-Performance 3D-Integrated Processors

3D integration technology greatly increases transistor density while providing faster on-chip communication. 3D implementations of processors can simultaneously provide both latency and power benefits due to reductions in critical wires. However, 3D stacking of active devices can potentially exacerbate existing thermal problems. In this work, we propose a family of thermal herding techniques that (1) reduces 3D power density and (2) locates a majority of the power on the top die closest to the heat sink. Our 3D/thermal-aware microarchitecture contributions include a significance-partitioned datapath that places the frequently switching 16-bits on the top die, a 3D-aware instruction scheduler allocation scheme, an address memorization approach for the load and store queues, a partial value encoding for the L1 data cache, and a branch target buffer that exploits a form of frequent partial value locality in target addresses. Compared to a conventional planar processor, our 3D processor achieves a 47.9% frequency increase which results in a 47.0% performance improvement (min 7%, max 77% on individual benchmarks), while simultaneously reducing total power by 20% (min 15%, max 30%). Without our thermal herding techniques, the worst-case 3D temperature increases by 17 degrees. With our thermal herding techniques, the temperature increase is only 12 degrees (29% reduction in the 3D worst-case temperature increase)
Descriptive Analysis of Team Teaching in Two Elementary Classrooms: A Formative Experimental Approach

This article reports the results of a descriptive analysis of team teaching in two classrooms. The study employed a relatively new approach to field-based research, referred to as formative experiments, to conduct formative and summative evaluation procedures. Results of quantitative and qualitative analyses to assess student outcomes, teaching procedures, and teacher impressions are presented. Descriptive information regarding planning time, type of instructional format of team teaching, student groupings, and follow-up evaluation time was obtained through weekly teacher logs. Focus groups and written teacher comments provided information regarding teacher satisfaction of the team-teaching experience. Performance of typical students and students with learning disabilities on curriculum-based assessment measures given pre- and post team teaching suggest academic gains in reading and spelling for all students. The results of this study are discussed, and recommendations for further research are given.