cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of human lung cancer cell line growth by an anti-p185HER2 antibody.

p185HER2, the product of the c-erbB-2 or HER2 gene, is a membrane-bound tyrosine kinase that has structural similarity to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Functionally, interaction of HER2 with its ligand or p185HER2 antibodies affects the growth and differentiation of HER2-expressing breast cancer cell lines. As p185HER2 is also expressed in human lung cancers and human lung cancer cell lines, we hypothesized that these cell lines would also respond to p185HER2 antibodies. To test this hypothesis, we cultured human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines in the presence of a p185HER2 monoclonal antibody called 4D5. 4D5 inhibited the growth of p185HER2-expressing cell lines in a dose-dependent fashion. In addition, BEAS.2B, a p185HER2-nonexpressing bronchial epithelial cell line, was transfected with the HER2 cDNA, resulting in high-level p185HER2 expression, and growth of BEAS.HER2 was now inhibited by 4D5 exposure. Mechanistically, 4D5 appeared to have a weak agonist effect on the tyrosine kinase fun...
Quantum-Chemical Approach to Electronic Coupling: Application to Charge Separation and Charge Recombination Pathways in a Model Molecular Donor−Acceptor System for Organic Solar Cells

We have developed a new computational method to evaluate in a general way the electronic coupling between electronic states of any spin multiplicity. This method is especially relevant to the description of charge-separation and charge-recombination processes in molecular donor−acceptor complexes; in such instances, the electronic states can correspond, for example, to a locally excited initial state and a charge-separated final state. Here, we describe our approach in a simple way by deriving the excited states of the donor and acceptor moieties with Zerner's intermediate neglect of differential overlap method coupled to a configuration interaction scheme involving single and double electron excitations. In order to increase the efficiency of the calculations, the same Hartree−Fock molecular orbital basis set is employed to compute the electronic states of both neutral and charged configurations. We illustrate the application of the present approach by computing the rates of charge generation and charge ...
Histopathological Variants of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Review

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common form of cancer in the Caucasian population, with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounting for the majority of NMSC-related metastases and death. While most SCC lesions are indolent tumors with low malignant potential, a wide diversity of SCC subtypes exist, several of which are associated with markedly more aggressive behaviors. Distinguishing these high-risk variants from their counterparts is possible through microscopic analysis, since each subtype possesses unique histopathological features. Early identification of high-risk lesions can allow for more rapid therapeutic intervention, reducing the likelihood of metastasis and death. The authors review specific histopathological features and associated clinical outcomes of the primary subdivisions of SCC.
Mathematics and computer science journal subscriptions in undergraduate libraries

Recently, a group of selective liberal arts colleges issued a report, based on a conference at Oberlin College, that emphasized the scholarly contributions these schools make to research and education in science and mathematics. A glance at the data in the Oberlin report shows that, in many respects, mathematics has quite different characteristics than the other sciences. This report and other national studies suggest a need for special indicators of quality in mathematics programs at undergraduate colleges. Library resources are especially crucial to mathematics, as resources both for students and for faculty. Journal subscriptions pose specially difficult issues because there are so many to choose from and because their costs rapidly exceed the typical budgets of undergraduate institutions. In order to help undergraduate colleges assess their library holdings, I undertook a survey of selective liberal arts colleges to determine patterns in mathematics journal holdings at these "better" undergraduate institutions. The survey was mailed to all colleges that participated in the Oberlin conference and all colleges in the Associated Colleges of the Midwest and the Great Lakes Colleges Association. This totaled approximately 60 institutions, representing both selective and average liberal arts colleges; 37 institutions, about 60%, returned useable forms. This report is based on an analysis of these 37 responses.
ELECTRICAL REMODELING PREDICTS RISK OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH IN ASYMPTOMATIC ADULTS

Background: The majority of sudden cardiac death (SCD) cases occur in asymptomatic adults. Improved strategies are urgently needed to identify individuals at high risk. Electrical remodeling measured by the sum absolute QRST integral (SAI QRST) has recently emerged as a predictor of SCD in heart failure patients with implanted cardioverter-deibrillators. We hypothesized that SAI QRST is an independent predictor of SCD in asymptomatic adults.
NF-κB p105 Processing via the Ubiquitin-Proteasome Pathway

The p50 subunit of NF-kappa B is generated by proteolytic processing of a 105-kDa precursor (p105) in yeast and mammalian cells. Here we show that yeast mutants in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway inhibit or abolish p105 processing. Specifically, p105 processing is inhibited by a mutation in a 20 S proteasome subunit (pre1-1), by mutations in the ATPases located in the 19 S regulatory complexes of the proteasome (yta1, yta2/sug1, yta5, cim5), and by a mutation in a proteasome-associated isopeptidase (doa4). A ubiquitinated intermediate of the p105 processing reaction accumulates in some of these mutants, strongly suggesting that ubiquitination is required for processing. However, none of the ubiquitin conjugating enzyme mutants tested (ubc1, -2, -3, -4/5, -6/7, -8, -9, -10, -11) had an effect on p105 processing, suggesting that more than one of these enzymes is sufficient for p105 processing. Interestingly, a mutant "N-end rule" ligase does not adversely affect p105 processing, showing that the N-end rule pathway is not involved in degrading the C-terminal region of p105. Unexpectedly, we found that a glycine-rich region of p105 that is required for p105 processing in mammalian cells is not required for processing in yeast. Thus, p105 processing in both yeast and mammalian cells requires the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, but the mechanisms of processing, while similar, are not identical.
Action of a human plasma fraction on tetradecapeptide, angiotensin I and angiotensin II

Abstract A protein fraction designated PF70 was isolated from human plasma and partially purified on Sephadex G-100. PF70 proteins, molecular weight 37, 000 to 41, 500, formed angiotensin I (AI) and angiotensin II (AII) from 14C-tetradecapeptide renin substrate (TDP) at 37 C. Hydrolysis was maximal at pH 6.9 but there was no change in the relative quantity of AI and AII formed at different pH values. Data indicate that AI was formed first and at a faster rate than AII, but typical converting enzyme activity was not detected. Radiolabeled AII was converted to Des-Asp1-angiotensin II (angiotensin III); [3H]AI was degraded to a single tritiated product, possibly the nonapeptide. These aspartyl hydrolase reactions were apparently inhibited by TDP and were not involved in AI or AII generation from TDP. It is concluded that these enzymic activities represent two or more enzymes that are associated with the renin-angiotensin system.
An Observational Estimate of Inferred Ocean Energy Divergence

Abstract Monthly net surface energy fluxes (FS) over the oceans are computed as residuals of the atmospheric energy budget using top-of-atmosphere (TOA) net radiation (RT) and the complete atmospheric energy (AE) budget tendency (δAE/δt) and divergence (∇ · FA). The focus is on TOA radiation from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE) (February 1985–April 1989) and the Clouds and Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) (March 2000–May 2004) satellite observations combined with results from two atmospheric reanalyses and three ocean datasets that enable a comprehensive estimate of uncertainties. Surface energy flux departures from the annual mean and the implied annual cycle in “equivalent ocean energy content” are compared with the directly observed ocean energy content (OE) and tendency (δOE/δt) to reveal the inferred annual cycle of divergence (∇ · FO). In the extratropics, the surface flux dominates the ocean energy tendency, although it is supplemented by ocean Ekman transports that enhance the an...
Urine marking and sexual behavior in the rat (Rattus norvegicus).

The relationship between urine-marking behavior and sexual behavior of rats (Rattus norvegicus) was examined in this experiment. The results demonstrate that urination occurred prior to mating, as the male explored the cage, following the introduction of the female into the testing situation, but never during active mating. Following ejaculation, urination was temporally related to the post-ejaculatory vocalization; however, vocalizations and urination rarely, if ever, occurred simultaneously. These results suggest that urine marking may serve to coordinate mating in rats.
Rostrocaudal differences in dendritic growth and synaptogenesis in rat sympathetic chain ganglia

Vertebrate embryos show a rostral to caudal gradient of morphogenesis. I have investigated the effect of this developmental gradient on neuronal maturation and synapse formation by comparing the development of rostral and caudal sympathetic chain ganglia in the rat. In young adults the superior cervical and lumbar ganglia are almost identical in terms of neuronal morphology and quantitative aspects of innervation. In neonates, however, substantial rostrocaudal differences are apparent in dendritic complexity, number of axons innervating ganglion cells, and synaptic density. There is an associated delay in ganglion cell-target interactions in the lumbar region. My results show that rostrocaudal position is significantly correlated with the time course of dendritic growth and synaptogenesis and suggest that ganglion cell-target interactions may be important in these developmental processes. This difference in developmental rate, however, does not lead to differences in neuronal morphology or synaptic density between rostral and caudal ganglia in maturity.
Monoclonal antimyogenin antibodies define epitopes outside the bHLH domain where binding interferes with protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions.

We have developed a panel of monoclonal antibodies against rat myogenin, a skeletal muscle regulatory protein of the bHLH family. Some of these monoclonals have been widely used by others, and details of their production are presented. Mapping the epitopes by immunoprecipitation of myogenin deletion mutants demonstrates that this panel recognizes epitopes spanning the entire molecule outside the HLH region. Four antibodies against epitopes outside the bHLH region interfere with the binding of myogenin/E-protein heterodimers to DNA sequences containing the myogenin heterodimer consensus recognition site. Three of these epitopes are partially masked in the heterodimers; antibody binding to these epitopes reduces the interactions between myogenin and E12. This suggests that surfaces outside the HLH dimerization domain may contribute to the stability of myogenin/E12 complexes. The binding of one antibody to its epitope did not appear to affect the myogenin/E12 interaction but nonetheless interfered with the binding of the complex to DNA, suggesting that this epitope lies near to a surface occupied by DNA. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
EMBEDDED TIES AND THE ACQUISITION OF COMPETITIVE CAPABILITIES

We build on previous research that explores the external acquisition of competitive capabilities through the embedded ties that firms form in networks and alliances. While information sharing and trust have been theorized to be key features of the interorganizational ties that facilitate the acquisition of competitive capabilities, we argue that these mechanisms provide an incomplete explanation because they do not fully address the partially tacit nature of the knowledge that underlies competitive capabilities. Joint problem-solving arrangements play a prominent role in capability acquisition by promoting the transfer of complex and difficult-to-codify knowledge. Drawing on a set of case studies and a survey of 234 job shop manufacturers we find support for the role of joint problem solving with suppliers in facilitating the acquisition of competitive capabilities. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Equine urine pH: normal population distributions and methods of acidification

Summary Our investigation of the urine of grazing horses at the University of Kentucky shows that the mean pH level is about 7.9, and if their diet is supplemented with grain, it is about 7.4. There appears to be no significant effect of time of day or year on urine pH levels in horses. However, horses taken from pasture and supplemented with grain in a stalled environment show a slight decrease in urine pH. Additionally, we investigated the effects of storage on pH levels. Equine urine samples appear to be quite stable with regard to pH for 48h, but then show a marked increase. Urine pH can have a great effect on the urine concentration of some drugs and therefore, uncertainties can arise when data generated in grazing horses are compared or extrapolated to racing horses whose urine pH can be quite low. In an effort to simulate the drop in urine pH seen in some racing horses, we examined the effects of ammonium chloride, ascorbic acid, lactic acid and methionine on urine pH in research horses. Both oral and intravenous routes of administration were used. Although all agents tested showed varying degrees of efficacy, oral administration of ascorbic acid proved to be the safest and most effective agent to model the rapid acidification of urine seen in post race samples.
A Review of Hail-Measuring Instruments.

The characteristics of commonly used surface hail instruments are reviewed and instruments evaluated. The instruments evaluated have been classified into two major categories: integrating and recording. The integrating sensors are relatively inexpensive and provide certain useful hail data. The recording sensors are much more expensive but provide more useful data including time of hail. The review includes the principles of operation, types of data obtained, operational advantages and disadvantages, and approximate cost of each type of instrument.
Immunocytochemical and lesion studies support the hypothesis that the projection from the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body to the lateral superior olive is glycinergic

Pre- and postembedding immunocytochemical techniques were used to study the distribution of glycine immunoreactivity in the superior olivary complex of guinea pigs following kainic acid (KA) lesions of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB). Destruction of the MNTB by injecting 50-100 nl of 10 mM KA virtually abolished labeled neurons in the MNTB at the site of the lesion. This resulted in a marked decrease in the number of labeled fibers projecting to the ipsilateral lateral superior olive (LSO) and in the number of labeled fibers and presynaptic terminals in the neuropil of the LSO. Smaller volumes (20 nl) of KA produced similar but more restricted changes that conformed to the topographic organization of the MNTB projection to the LSO. The results support the hypothesis that the MNTB to LSO pathway is glycinergic.
Porous silicon techniques for SOI structures

The two principal silicon-on-insulator fabrication techniques are examined. The first is by buried porous Si formation; areas surrounding device islands are converted into porous Si by proper tailoring of the wafer dopant profile. It is known as FIPOS (full insulation by porous oxidized silicon). The second is by epitaxy on porous Si; a uniform surface porous Si layer is used as a seeding layer for low-temperature epitaxy of the device Si. Oxidation of the underlying porous Si layer, via trenches in the device Si, has been improved to the point that defect generation and wafer warpage are avoided. Fabrication of advanced devices on the FIPOS material has shown that the porous silicon technology is among the front-runners for high-performance CMOS LSIs.
La Hermandad and Chicanas Organizing: The Community Rhetoric of the Comisión Femenil Mexicana Nacional

To address the need for situated accounts of community rhetoric, this article examines the legacy of the first Chicana feminist organization, the Comision Femenil Mexicana Nacional ( CFMN ). The CFMN and their archival collection provide[d] Chicanas an education about how to interpret, be and act in the world. To invent a rhetorical identity, and an organization that makes change, the CFMN 1) invoked a remembering of a Chicana history of policy making to incite other Chicanas into political action, and 2) strategically drew on the use of the Chicana concept of “ La Hermandad” to define a particular Chicana method of collectivity.
Palynology of six ocean-bottom cores from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean

Abstract Information obtained from a preliminary palynological investigation of six ocean-bottom cores from the southwestern Atlantic Ocean permits tentative correlation of the cores with one another based on variations in the percentages of reworked pollen and spores. High percentages of reworked grains are thought to be a reflection of base-level lowering resulting from Plesirocene continental glaciation. Many of the cores studied were collected from depths too great for foraminiferal preservation and plant microfossils may provide the only means by which some of these cores can be correlated with one another. Cores collected closer to the shore line tend to have a greater variety of plant microfossils than do those cores taken far from the coast. Some of the thicker-walled grains such as Ephedra and Chenopodium -type pollen are persistently present in all productive samples suggesting that these plant microfossils are selectively transported and concentrated in ocean-bottom sediments or perhaps they survive where the thinner-walled pollen are destroyed.
Association of fibromyalgia with altered skeletal muscle characteristics which may contribute to postexertional fatigue in postmenopausal women

Objective To identify muscle physiologic properties that may contribute to postexertional fatigue and malaise in women with fibromyalgia (FM). Methods Healthy postmenopausal women with (n = 11) and without (n = 11) FM, ages 51–70 years, participated in this study. Physical characteristics and responses to self-reported questionnaires were evaluated. Strength loss and tissue oxygenation in response to a fatiguing exercise protocol were used to quantify fatigability and the local muscle hemodynamic profile. Muscle biopsies were performed to assess between-group differences in baseline muscle properties using histochemical, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic analyses. Results There was no significant difference between healthy controls and FM patients in muscle fatigue in response to exercise. However, self-reported fatigue and pain were correlated with prolonged loss of strength following 12 minutes of recovery in patients with FM. Although there was no difference in percent succinate dehydrogenase (SDH)–positive (type I) and SDH-negative (type II) fibers or in mean fiber cross-sectional area between groups, FM patients exhibited greater variability in fiber size and altered fiber size distribution. In healthy controls only, fatigue resistance was strongly correlated with the size of SDH-positive fibers and hemoglobin oxygenation. In contrast, FM patients with the highest percentage of SDH-positive fibers recovered strength most effectively, and this was correlated with capillary density. However, overall, capillary density was lower in the FM group. Conclusion Peripheral mechanisms, i.e., altered muscle fiber size distribution and decreased capillary density, may contribute to postexertional fatigue in FM. Understanding of these defects in fibromyalgic muscle may provide valuable insight with regard to treatment.
Fatigue life assessment of welded structures based on fracture mechanics

Purpose – Even though modern welding technology has improved, initial defects on weld notches cannot be avoided. Assuming the existence of crack-like flaws after the welding process, the stage of a fatigue crack nucleation becomes insignificant and the threshold for the initial crack propagation can be used as a criterion for very high cycle fatigue whereas crack growth analysis can be applied for the lifetime estimation at lower number of cycles. The purpose of this paper is to present a mechanism based approach for lifetime estimation of welded joints, subjected to a multiaxial non-proportional loading. Design/methodology/approach – The proposed method, which is based on the welding process simulation, thermophysical material modeling and fracture mechanics, considers the most important aspects for fatigue of welds. Applying worst-case assumptions, fatigue limits derived by the weight function method can be then used for the fatigue assessment of complex welded structures. Findings – An accurate mechani...
Smoking Cessation Among Racial/Ethnic Minorities, 2010–2014

The purpose of this study was to systematically review recent empirical literature on smoking cessation in racial/ethnic minority groups. Specifically, we focused on smoking cessation intervention trials and investigations of factors associated with cessation. Studies published between 2010 and September 2014 were considered. Nine smoking cessation intervention trials and 16 studies examining correlates of smoking behavior were published in within the past 3 years. Results demonstrated promise for varenicline in facilitating cessation among African Americans and Hispanics, and culturally specific behavioral counseling appears to be efficacious among Asian Americans. In trans-group comparisons, racial/ethnic minorities reported greater quit attempts compared to Whites; yet success may be reduced due to factors such as menthol smoking, low pharmacotherapy use, and lower readiness to quit. Recommendations for evidence-based interventions and future research are offered.
An optimization formulation for solar heating systems

Abstract A mathematical correlation between collector area and auxiliary energy used in a solar hot water system was obtained by using TRNSYS program. Based on this correlation, optimum collector area was directly related to both economic factors and system parameters. A criteria for economic feasibility was obtained. A comparison of optimum area calculated by this analysis with optimum area based on f -chart data was in good agreement.
ORNL Pre-Test Analyses of a Large-Scale Experiment in STYLE

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is conducting a series of numerical analyses to simulate a large scale mock-up experiment planned within the European Network for S tructural Int egrity for L ifetime Manage ment – non-RPV Components (STYLE). STYLE is a European cooperative effort to assess the structural integrity of (non-reactor pressure vessel) reactor coolant pressure boundary components relevant to ageing and life-time management and to integrate the knowledge created in the project into mainstream nuclear industry assessment codes. ORNL contributes “work-in-kind” support to STYLE Work Package 2 (Numerical Analysis/Advanced Tools) and Work Package 3 (Engineering Assessment Methods/LBB Analyses). This paper summarizes the current status of ORNL analyses of the STYLE Mock-Up3 large-scale experiment to simulate and evaluate crack growth in a cladded ferritic pipe. The analyses are being performed in two parts. In the first part, advanced fracture mechanics models are being developed and performed to evaluate several experiment designs taking into account the capabilities of the test facility while satisfying the test objectives. Then these advanced fracture mechanics models will be utilized to simulate the crack growth in the large scale mock-up test. For the second part, the recently developed ORNL SIAM-PFM open-source, cross-platform, probabilistic computational tool will be used to generate an alternative assessment for comparison with the advanced fracture mechanics model results. The SIAM-PFM probabilistic analysis of the Mock-Up3 experiment will utilize fracture modules that are installed into a general probabilistic framework. The probabilistic results of the Mock-Up3 experiment obtained from SIAM-PFM will be compared to those results generated using the deterministic 3D nonlinear finite-element modeling approach. The objective of the probabilistic analysis is to provide uncertainty bounds that will assist in assessing the more detailed 3D finite-element solutions and to also assess the level of confidence that can be placed in the best-estimate finite-element solutions.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Carcinogenicity testing in the CD-1 mouse of a prospective insect repellant (KBR 3023) using the dermal route of exposure

The carcinogenic potential of 1-(1-methyl-propoxycarbonyl)-2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-piperidine (KBR 3023), a prospective new insect repellant intended for human use, was studied in mice using the dermal route of application. Relying upon the toxicology profile that emerged in the subchronic rat bioassay that was conducted using dermally applied dosages of 0, 80, 200, 500, and 1000 mg KBR 3023/kg body weight per day, it was determined, in concert with the EPA, that dermally applied dosages of 0, 50, 100, or 200 mg KBR 3023/kg body weight per day would be used in the conduct of all definitive forms of subchronic, chronic, and lifetime descriptive testing performed with the chemical. Using this testing approach, the specific results of this 18-month study are as follows. All in-life parameters, which included body weight, food consumption, clinical observations, survival, and hematology were unaffected by exposure to KBR 3023. Similarly, postmortem analyses, which included organ weights and gross pathology, and histopathology were also unchanged following exposure to KBR 3023. No evidence of a compound-induced neoplasia was suggested in this bioassay.
Status of the BLAST experiment

The BLAST experiment is beginning operation at the MIT-Bates Linear Accelerator Laboratory. The experiment will study the spin dependent electro-magnetic interaction in few nucleon systems at momentum transfers between 0.1 and 1.0 GeV2. This will provide improved measurements of the nucleon form factors, particularly G n E, as well as study the structure of D and 3He. Other reaction channels such as pion production and inclusive scattering will also be studied. The experiment, physics goals, and current status are described briefly.
Vasopressin Deficiency and Vasodilatory State in End-Stage Liver Disease

Objectives Relative vasopressin deficiency, a contributor to vasodilatory septic shock, also may be a cause of the vasodilatory state in liver disease. This study assessed endogenous vasopressin levels in patients with liver disease and their hemodynamic response to exogenous vasopressin. Design A prospective, observational study. Setting A single-center, tertiary hospital. Participants Human subjects undergoing liver transplantation or major surgery. Interventions Vasopressin levels were measured in 28 patients with liver disease undergoing liver transplantation and 7 control patients with normal liver function. Additionally, intravenous vasopressin was administered to 20 liver transplant recipients, and the hemodynamic response was observed. Measurements and Main Results Patients with liver disease had significantly lower baseline vasopressin levels than controls (19.3 ± 27.1 pg/mL v 50.9 ± 36.7 pg/mL, p = 0.015). Patients with low vasopressin levels (≤20 pg/mL) were more likely to have lower baseline mean blood pressure (≤80 mmHg) than patients with high vasopressin levels (11/16 v 0/4, p = 0.013). Systemic vascular resistance increased by 33% 3 minutes after intravenous vasopressin. Thirteen of 16 patients with low vasopressin levels compared with 1 of 4 patients with high vasopressin levels responded to exogenous vasopressin, with an increase of mean blood pressure by more than 20% (p = 0.028). Conclusions Patients with liver disease have lower vasopressin levels than controls and respond with a brisk vasoconstrictor response to exogenous vasopressin. Therefore, relative endogenous vasopressin deficiency may contribute to vasodilatory shock in liver disease similar to what has been observed in septic shock.
Sir2 represses endogenous polymerase II transcription units in the ribosomal DNA nontranscribed spacer.

Silencing at the rDNA, HM loci, and telomeres in Saccharomyces cerevisiae requires histone-modifying enzymes to create chromatin domains that are refractory to recombination and RNA polymerase II transcription machineries. To explore how the silencing factor Sir2 regulates the composition and function of chromatin at the rDNA, the association of histones and RNA polymerase II with the rDNA was measured by chromatin immunoprecipitation. We found that Sir2 regulates not only the levels of K4-methylated histone H3 at the rDNA but also the levels of total histone H3 and RNA polymerase II. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that the ability of Sir2 to limit methylated histones at the rDNA requires its deacetylase activity. In sir2Δ cells, high levels of K4-trimethylated H3 at the rDNA nontranscribed spacer are associated with the expression of transcription units in the nontranscribed spacer by RNA polymerase II and with previously undetected alterations in chromatin structure. Together, these data suggest a model where the deacetylase activity of Sir2 prevents euchromatinization of the rDNA and silences naturally occurring intergenic transcription units whose expression has been associated with disruption of cohesion complexes and repeat amplification at the rDNA.
CONTINUUM THEORY OF DENSE RIGID SUSPENSIONS

A continuum theory of rigid suspensions is introduced. Balance laws and constitutive equations of micropolar continuum theory are modified and extended for the characterization of dense rigid suspensions. Thermodynamic restrictions are imposed. The general theory is specialized to the case of dense rigid fiber and spherical suspensions. Dilute suspensions in Newtonian fluids are obtained as special cases. Motions of rigid fiber suspensions in viscometric flows are determined as applications of the theory.
Formation of salivary-mucosal pellicle: the role of transglutaminase

The present investigation was carried out to identify salivary components of mucosal pellicles in vivo and explore further the mechanism of interaction between salivary molecules and buccal epithelial cells. By using specific antisera and immunoprotein blotting, high-(MG1) and low-(MG2) molecular-mass salivary mucins, amylase, salivary cystatins and proline-rich proteins were detected within mucosal pellicle in vivo. In addition, the data indicated that the mucins and proline-rich proteins could be cleaved into lower-molecular-mass products, whereas the proline-rich proteins could also be cross-linked into higher-molecular-mass complexes. The role of buccal epithelial cell transglutaminase in these interactions was further studied by utilizing purified iodinated amylase, neutral cystatin SN and acidic proline-rich proteins 1 and 3 (APRP1 and 3). After incubation with buccal epithelial cells in vitro 125I-labelled APRPs appeared to undergo a greater degree of cross-linking than 125I-labelled cystatin SN, as determined by SDS/PAGE/autoradiography. Amylase did not appear to be cross-linked at all. Recovery of 125I-labelled APRPs and 125I-labelled cystatin SN with epithelial cell envelopes after repeated extraction suggested that both molecules were cross-linked to envelope proteins, but that 125I-labelled APRPs were cross-linked to a greater degree than 125I-labelled cystatin SN. Cross-linking in buccal epithelial cell preparations was inhibited by an excess of methylamine hydrochloride, a transglutaminase substrate. In a further assessment of amylase, cystatin and APRPs as transglutaminase substrates, only APRP3 and a partially purified preparation of APRPs acted as an amine acceptor for the cross-linking of [14C]methylamine by purified transglutaminase, as determined by SDS/PAGE/fluorography. This reaction was completely inhibited by excess EDTA. The combined data from this study suggest that during mucosal pellicle formation multiple components of saliva adsorb to buccal epithelial cell surfaces, and that, within this group, selected components are enzymically cross-linked by an epithelial transglutaminase and/or proteolytically cleaved into smaller fragments.
Declining Incidence Rate of Lung Adenocarcinoma in the United States

Background Adenocarcinoma of the lung (ADL) increased worldwide during the last half century. We now report that a continuous decline of ADL began in the United States in 1999. Method Incidence rates of ADL and squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (SQL) from The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Program were reviewed for the 31-year period beginning in 1973. The low-tar cigarette (tar ≤ 15 mg) consumption/per capita by year was estimated based on cigarette consumption/capita data and the market share of low-tar cigarette of the same year in the United States. Results From 1973 to 1998, the age-adjusted incidence rate of ADL increased 83% in men, and > 200% in women. From 1999 through 2003, the rate declined 14% in men and 8% in women. An analysis of age-specific incidence rates of ADL according to birth cohort demonstrates that rates declined progressively among persons born after 1934 for both genders. The increase in low-tar cigarette consumption did not precede the increase in ADL incidence rates, and the decline of ADL incidence after 1998 occurred without a preceding decline of low-tar cigarette consumption. Conclusion Since 1999, the ADL incidence has declined. The temporal trend of ADL incidence may suggest that air pollution could be the possible determining cause for the trend. Increasing use of low-tar cigarettes in the United States and the decline in environmental tobacco smoke may be contributors but are less likely to be the driving force.
Interactive Effects of Time, CO2, N, and Diversity on Total Belowground Carbon Allocation and Ecosystem Carbon Storage in a Grassland Community

Predicting if ecosystems will mitigate or exacerbate rising CO2 requires understanding how elevated CO2 will interact with coincident changes in diversity and nitrogen (N) availability to affect ecosystem carbon (C) storage. Yet achieving such understanding has been hampered by the difficulty of quantifying belowground C pools and fluxes. Thus, we used mass balance calculations to quantify the effects of diversity, CO2, and N on both the total amount of C allocated belowground by plants (total belowground C allocation, TBCA) and ecosystem C storage in a periodically burned, 8-year Minnesota grassland biodiversity, CO2, and N experiment (BioCON). Annual TBCA increased in response to elevated CO2, enriched N, and increasing diversity. TBCA was positively related to standing root biomass. After removing the influence of root biomass, the effect of elevated CO2 remained positive, suggesting additional drivers of TBCA apart from those that maintain high root biomass. Removing root biomass effects resulted in the effects of N and diversity becoming neutral or negative (depending on year), suggesting that the positive effects of diversity and N on TBCA were related to treatmentdriven differences in root biomass. Greater litter production in high diversity, elevated CO2, and enhanced N treatments increased annual ecosystem C loss in fire years and C gain in non-fire years, resulting in overall neutral C storage rates. Our results suggest that frequently burned grasslands are unlikely to exhibit enhanced C sequestration with increasing atmospheric CO2 levels or N deposition.
Regulation of the cytotoxic enterotoxin gene in Aeromonas hydrophila: characterization of an iron uptake regulator.

The cytotoxic enterotoxin Act from a diarrheal isolate, SSU, of Aeromonas hydrophila is aerolysin related and crucial to the pathogenesis of Aeromonas infections. To elucidate the role of environmental signals which influence the expression of the cytotoxic enterotoxin gene (act), a portion of the act gene, including the putative promoter region, was fused in frame to a truncated alkaline phosphatase gene (phoA) of Escherichia coli. The act::phoA reporter gene was then introduced into the chromosome of A. hydrophila by using the suicide vector pJQ200SK, allowing the fusion protein to be secreted out into the culture medium. Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of a correctly size 110-kDa fusion protein in the culture supernatant, which reacted with both anti-Act and anti-alkaline phosphatase antibodies. Based on alkaline phosphatase (PhoA) activity in the culture supernatant, we demonstrated that calcium significantly increased the activity of the act promoter but that glucose and iron repressed its activity in a dose-dependent fashion. The act promoter exhibited optimal activity at pH 7.0 and at 37°C, and maximal PhoA activity was noted when the culture was aerated. Using a Vibrio cholerae iron uptake regulator gene (fur) as a probe, a 2.6-kb SalI/HindIII DNA fragment from an A. hydrophila chromosome was cloned and sequenced. The DNA sequence revealed a 429-bp open reading frame that exhibited 69% homology at the DNA level with the fur gene and 79% homology at the amino acid level with the iron uptake regulator (Fur) protein of V. cholerae. Complementation experiments demonstrated that the A. hydrophila fur gene could restore iron regulation in an E. coli fur-minus mutant. Using the suicide vector pDMS197, we generated a fur isogenic mutant of wild-type A. hydrophila SSU. Northern blot analysis data indicated that the repression in the transcription of the act gene by iron was relieved in the fur isogenic mutant. Further, iron regulation in the fur isogenic mutant of A. hydrophila could be restored by complementation. These results are important in understanding the regulation of the act gene under in vivo conditions.
Target delineation for radiosurgery of a small brain arteriovenous malformation using high-resolution contrast-enhanced cone beam CT

Three years following endovascular embolization of a 3 mm ruptured arteriovenous malformation (AVM) of the left superior colliculus in a 42-year-old man, digital subtraction angiography showed continuous regrowth of the lesion. Thin-slice MRI acquired for treatment planning did not show the AVM nidus. The patient was brought back to the angiography suite for high-resolution contrast-enhanced cone beam CT (VasoCT) acquired using an angiographic c-arm system. The lesion and nidus were visualized with VasoCT. MRI, CT and VasoCT data were transferred to radiation planning software and mutually co-registered. The nidus was annotated for radiation on VasoCT data by an experienced neurointerventional radiologist and a dose/treatment plan was completed. Due to image registration, the treatment area could be directly adopted into the MRI and CT data. The AVM was completely obliterated 10 months following completion of the radiosurgery treatment.
Comparison of Midgut Proteinases in Bacillus thuringiensis-Susceptible and -Resistant European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae)

The midgut proteinases from a Bacillus thuringiensis-susceptible (IA-S) and four laboratory-selected resistant strains (KS-SC, KS-NE, IA-1, and IA-3) of European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) were characterized using three synthetic substrates, Na-benzoyl-L-arginine p-nitroanilide (BApNA) for trypsin-like, Nsuccinyl-ala-ala-pro-phe p-nitroanilide (SAAPFpNA) for chymotrypsin-like, and N-succinyl-ala-ala-pro-leu p-nitroanilide (SAAPLpNA) for elastase-like proteinase activities. The hydrolyzing efficiency of trypsinlike proteinases, determined by Vmax, decreased 35% in the KS-SC resistant strain compared with the susceptible strain. There were no significant differences in the Michaelis constant ( Km) among the five strains for the same substrate. When the purified B. thuringiensis Cry1Ab protoxin was used as the substrate, there was a detectable reduction in the hydrolysis of protoxin that was mediated by midgut proteinases from the KS-SC strain compared with the IA-S strain. Thus, the reduced trypsin-like proteinase activity appeared to lead to the reduced activation of the B. thuringiensis protoxins. This may confer or contribute to B. thuringiensis resistance in this strain. However, no significant difference was found in trypsin activity between the IA-S strain and the three other resistant strains (i.e., KS-NE, IA-1, and IA-3) and in chymotrypsin activity among all strains examined. These results suggest that other resistance mechanisms are responsible for the B. thuringiensis resistance in the KS-NE, IA-1, IA-2, and IA-3 strains of European corn borer. q1999 Academic Press
Toxicity profile of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck carcinoma and potential role of amifostine

Organ function preservation in patients with head and neck cancer can be achieved by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Much of the work on the physics of IMRT has been done for currently available IMRT systems. However, clinical data remain scarce. Before IMRT is accepted as a standard of care, more comprehensive clinical data on the outcomes of IMRT are needed to substantiate its superiority and advantages over conventional modes of radiotherapy. Concomitant chemoradiation and altered fractionation schemes improve local-regional control, but at the cost of increased toxicity. This article presents a 3-year update of the toxicity profile and therapeutic outcomes of 126 patients with head and neck carcinoma treated with IMRT. An ongoing trial of concomitant chemotherapy and IMRT with subcutaneous amifostine (Ethyol, WR-2721; MedImmune, Inc, Gaithersburg, MD) for organ function preservation is also discussed.
Cancer, stem cells and cancer stem cells: old ideas, new developments.

It has been suggested that, at least in some forms of cancer, a sub-population of slow-cycling, therapyresistant cancer stem cells exists that has the ability to reconstitute the tumor in its entirety. If true, this model implies that conventional therapies based ontargeting highly cycling cells within thetumor will leave the slow-cycling stem cell population intact, giving them the opportunity to reinitiate the tumor at a later date. This review discusses the evidence for this model and the likely implications for cancer treatment. Relapse is a sword of Damocles hanging over cancer patients. The removal of the tumor and destruction of its remains do not preclude the potential propagation of the tumorlocallyoratdistance,sometimesevenyearslater,by a few resilient left-over cells. Cancer stem cells have been equated with this sub-population of therapy-resistant cells. The cancer stem cell model posits that a small population of cells within tumors has the ability to perpetuate the tumor in its entirety by giving rise to all its cells. By attributing the “stem cell” label to these cells, the model projects that these cells have appropriated somatic stem cell characteristics, that is cancer stem cells that are mostly dormant or slow-cycling, and are able to regenerate the entire tumor from which they arise. If true, this model implies that conventional therapies based on targeting fast-cycling cells withinthe tumor willleavethe (quiescent or low-cycling) stem cell population intact, giving them the opportunity to reinitiate the tumor at a later date. While the cancer stem cell model has given a ray of hope to patients by reinvigorating cancer research and pointing to new directions for eradicating these life-threatening diseases, it has also stirred much confusion and debate.
Dynamic simulation of one and two particles sedimenting in viscoelastic suspensions of FENE dumbbells

Abstract A new method is introduced for simulating the motion of particles in a viscoelastic fluid. The viscoelastic fluid is represented as a suspension of finite-extension-non-linear-elastic (FENE) dumbbells in Newtonian solvent. Instead of using an averaging technique to derive a continuum constitutive model, such as that of Chilcott and Rallison, we calculate directly the particle–particle and particle–bead interactions by using a modified version of the Stokesian dynamics method. This method is applied to a series of sedimentation problems, including the sedimentation of a single sphere, a non-spherical particle, and two spheres. It is found that the drag of a single sphere can be increased significantly by the presence of the dumbbells, and at high Deborah numbers (De) the sphere velocity becomes time-periodic. Non-spherical particles rotate as they fall such that their long axis is ultimately pointed in the direction of gravity. Two sedimenting spheres are in most cases attracted to each other, and they turn such that their line-of-centers is in the direction of gravity. The rotational velocity of the spheres in a side-by-side configuration is in the same direction as it would be in Newtonian fluid, in keeping with experimental observations found in the literature.
Bounds on the capacity region of a class of multiple access interference channels

In this paper, we establish an approximate capacity region for a class of multiple access interference channels consisting of a multiple-access channel (MAC) and a point-to-point (P2P) link that are mutually interfering but in which there is interference only from one of the transmitters of the MAC to the receiver of the P2P link, known henceforth as the partially connected multiple-access interference channel, or simply as PMAIC. It is shown that for semi-deterministic PMAICs, single-user coding at the first transmitter of the MAC and H-K superposition coding at the second transmitter of the MAC and the transmitter of the P2P achieves a rate region that is within a quantifiable gap of the capacity region, thereby generalizing the result by Telatar and Tse for the 2-user semi-deterministic interference channel. Applying this result to the scalar Gaussian channel, we derive bounds on its capacity region within one bit, which can be seen as an extension of the work by Etkin et al for the Gaussian interference channel.
Rapid part manufacturing

Rapid part manufacturing (RPM) technologies, which merge computer-aided-design technology with new material processing technologies, such as stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and other techniques to produce solid models and prototypes, are discussed. Secondary processing systems currently allow conversion of solid models into functioning manufactured parts by means of traditional manufacturing systems. The basis of these technological advances in RPM are described. >
Influence of agricultural residue ash on early cement hydration and chemical admixtures adsorption

Abstract This study investigated impacts of internal surface area of wheat straw ash (WSA) and rice straw ash (RSA) on cement early hydration as well as on chemical admixture adsorption in cementitious systems. Results were compared to those of silica fume. Hydration kinetics and mortar strength experiments showed RSA and WSA to have similar reactivity to silica fume. High surface areas of WSA and RSA did not increase early hydration as compared to silica fume. However, high surface areas of WSA and RSA dramatically increased their adsorption capacity of air entraining agents and retarders compared to silica fume.
Tracking beliefs and intentions in the Werewolf game

We propose a model of belief and intention change over the course of a dialogue, in the case where the decisions taken during the dialogue affect the possibly conflicting goals of the agents involved. We use Situation Calculus to model the evolution of the world and an observation model to analyze the evolution of intentions and beliefs. In our formalization, utterances, that only change the beliefs and intentions, are observations. We illustrate our formalization with the game of Werewolf.