cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Surface Wettability on the Adsorption of Proteins and Detergents

This report describes the use of surface plasmon spectroscopy to study the effect of surface wettability on the nonspecific adsorption of proteins and detergents to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanethiolates on gold. The adsorption of both proteins and detergents to uncharged SAMs showed a general dependence on the wettability of the surface as determined by the contact angle of water on the SAM under cyclooctane (θco). The effect of the wettability of the SAMs on the adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) was dependent on whether micelles were present. Above the critical micelle concentration (cmc), SDS adsorbed only on surfaces that gave contact angles with values of cos θco < 0 (i.e., the transfer of the surface from water to cyclooctane has a favorable free energy). Below the cmc, the requirement for adsorption was much more stringent: SDS adsorbed only on the surfaces that gave values of cos θco < −0.9. Similarly, the effect of the wettability of the SAMs on the adsorption of proteins s...
Robustness of the CSSX Process to Feed Variation: Efficient Cesium Removal from the High Potassium Wastes at Hanford

This contribution finds the Caustic‐Side Solvent Extraction (CSSX) process to be effective for the removal of cesium from the Hanford tank‐waste supernatant solutions. The Hanford waste types are more challenging than those at the Savannah River Site (SRS) in that they contain significantly higher levels of potassium, the chief competing ion in the extraction of cesium. By use of a computerized CSSX thermodynamic model, it was calculated that the higher levels of potassium depress the cesium distribution ratio (D Cs), as validated to within ±11% by the measurement of D Cs values on various Hanford waste‐simulant compositions. A simple analog model equation that can be readily applied in a spreadsheet for estimating the D Cs values for the varying waste compositions was developed and shown to yield nearly identical estimates as the computerized CSSX model. It is concluded from the batch distribution experiments, the physical‐property measurements, the equilibrium modeling, the flowsheet calculations, and t...
Avian scale development. I. Histogenesis and morphogenesis of the epidermis and dermis during formation of the scale ridge

Scale development in the chick embryo can be considered as consisting of two major phases. First, a definitive scale ridge is formed from a simple two-layered epidermis. This phase consists of five stages: preplacode, placode, asymmetrical placode, hump stage, and definitive scale ridge. The second phase involves the elongation of the definitive scale ridge to give rise to the overlapping scales of the adult bird. During elongation a new (inner) epidermal surface is formed, which is histologically less differentiated than the outer epidermal surface. A timed-sequence study has shown that the placode gives rise mainly to the outer epidermal surface of the definitive scale ridge, while the inter-placode region becomes the thinner epidermis at the scale apex.
Surface soil moisture measurement with microwave radiometry

Abstract Soil moisture is one of the few directly observable hydrologic variables that has an important role in water and energy budgets necessary for climate studies. At the present time there is no practical approach to measuring and monitoring soil moisture at the frequency and scale necessary for these large scale analyses. Current and near future satellite systems have failed to address this important question. Here, a solution utilizing passive microwave remote sensing is presented.
Doing Good Work Implications of Performance Accountability for Practice in the Nonprofit Sector

Nonprofit accountability remains a pressing public concern. In response, funders around the globe have adopted performance measurement to use with their grantees in order to ensure accountability and secure some social benefit for their investment. Yet, we still have limited empirical evidence about the consequences of using performance accountability frameworks in the nonprofit sector. This article seeks to further our understanding by examining how the emphasis on accountability and results is influencing the practice of a set of US funders. We find that the idea that nonprofits ‘do good work’, which is so central to the nonprofit sector, may limit the role of performance measurement in organizational learning and thus in actually improving performance.
Packaging materials as barriers to piperonyl butoxide migration.

The only treatment approved for use on the outer surface of insect-resistant packages is a coating of pyrethins synergized by piperonyl butoxide. These insecticides may migrate through the packaging materials into the stored commodity. Laboratory tests evaluated the effectiveness of various packaging materials as barriers to the migration of piperonyl butoxide from treated kraft paper into flour. During 6 months of exposure, polyester, cellulose triacetate. polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinyl alcohol, and some polyvinyl chloride films and sarancoated kraft, saran-coated paperboard, and vinyl-coated cellophane prevented the migration of deleclable quantities of piperonyl butoxide. Thirty-four other materials including greaseproof and glassine papers, saran-coated kraft, saran-coated polyethylene, cellulose acetate butyrale and polycarbonate films, and some cellophanes, greatly reduced but did not prevent migration of the piperonyl butoxide.
Simplifying difficult calculations: consumer choice of two‐part tariffs

Purpose – This paper aims to outline a decision process for how consumers choose among two‐part tariffs which consist of a flat fee plus a per unit charge for usage over an allowance. The paper also seeks to examine what types of decision aids help consumers choose lower cost tariffs.Design/methodology/approach – The approach used is two experimental studies.Findings – Most consumers do not choose a tariff by calculating an expected cost because of usage uncertainty. They instead rely on simple comparisons of the overage rate, usage allowance, and flat fee attributes. These heuristics lead to systematic biases, beyond what actual true cost justifies, for favorable comparisons on these attributes. An online calculator improved choice of the lower cost option from 65 percent to 80 percent, yet this increased to 91 percent if people were also forced to consider a range of usage levels.Practical implications – Consumers struggle to choose the lowest cost tariff, especially with uncertain usage. Consumers shou...
Design and performance characterization of simultaneous reflectance and surface-mapping laser scanner for application in underwater inspection

In this paper we describe an approach and present results from a recently developed system that produces video-rate, 3D maps of the image space using a scanning laser configuration and a patented micro-channel plate intensified detector. The scene is viewed from a separate location to provide depth information via triangulation. The detector provides an estimate of position of the apparent landing spot of the laser beam for each scan angle from which a depth estimate is calculated. The system is designed to scan an approximate 15 X 15 degree field-of-view at distances from 1.5 to 2.5 meters with a resolution of 1.5 cm at rates of 10 - 30 full images per second, and can accommodate range gating to reduce scattered light interference.
Mhc Allelic Diversity and Modern Human Origins

Thirty complete coding sequences of human major histocompatibility complex (Mhc) class II DRB alleles, spanning 237 codons, were analyzed for phylogenetic information using distance, parsimony, and likelihood approaches. Allelic genealogies derived from different parts of the coding sequence (exon 2, the 5′ and 3′ ends of exon 2, respectively, and exons 3–6) were compared. Contrary to prior assertions, a rigorous analysis of allelic genealogies in this gene family cannot be used to justify the claim that the lineage leading to modern humans contained on average at least 100,000 individuals. Phylogenetic inferences based upon the exon 2 region of the DRB loci are complicated by selection and recombination, so this part of the gene does not provide a complete and accurate view of allelic relationships. Attempts to reconstruct human history from genetic data must use realistic models which consider the complicating factors of nonequilibrium populations, recombination, and different patterns of selection.
Enumeration of self-converse digraphs

How many digraphs are isomorphic with their own converses? Our object is to derive a formula for the counting polynomial dp′(x) which has as the coefficient of xq, the number of “self-converse” digraphs with p points and q lines. Such a digraph D has the property that its converse digraph D′ (obtained from D by reversing the orientation of all lines) is isomorphic to D. The derivation uses the classical enumeration theorem of Polya [9[ as applied to a restriction of the power group [6] wherein the permutations act only on 1–1 functions.
Motivation in Relation to the Welfare of Enclosed Livestock

Abstract Motivation is the concept used to describe how behavior is both initiated and directed toward a goal. Motivation affects the welfare of enclosed livestock through all the physiological and psychological pathways that relate behavior and welfare, particularly those involved in the body's maintenance of homeostasis and its response to acute and chronic stressors. Increased motivation for locomotion and kinesis in response to chronic deprivation of movement is one of the most readily demonstrable effects of chronic close confinement of livestock. Chronically unsatisfied motivation may be manifested as stereotypies; in livestock species these most often involve movements of the mouth or limbs. The major aspects of livestock housing that affect the welfare of enclosed livestock are the quality, amount and type of space, amount and duration of movement restraint, and sensory deprivation imposed on the animals. Systematic research into the behavioral and physiological effects of these factors, and their variation within and across different species, breeds, sexes and ages of livestock is required if current ethical issues regarding the welfare of enclosed livestock are to be resolved objectively and efficaciously. While the resolution of ethical controversies regarding the welfare of enclosed livestock is ultimately philosophical and the responsibility of human society at large, it is the challenge of applied ethologists and other scientists in related fields to improve our knowledge of significant relationships among motivation, behavior and welfare. The further elucidation of the many and complex factors that influence motivation and the formulation of objective criteria of animal wellbeing that include a reasonable consideration of the animals' probable emotional or subjective experience must also be researched.
Laparoscopic versus open approach for implantation of the peritoneal catheter during ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is the mainstay of therapy for hydrocephalus. The aim of this study is to compare outcomes of laparoscopic (LVPS) versus open (OVPS) techniques for placement of distal VPS catheters. All patients undergoing new VPS placement at a tertiary care center between January 2004 and August 2007 were included. Univariate analysis was performed. Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact tests were used to make comparisons between LVPS and OVPS groups. Stepwise backward logistic regression was performed to predict complications requiring operative intervention. A Kaplan–Meier estimate of the survival function was calculated for shunt survival. All data is presented as median and range unless otherwise specified. Five hundred thirty-five consecutive patients underwent 579 VPS (258 LVPS, 321 OVPS). Median age (52.0 years) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score (3) were similar in LVPS and OVPS groups. Body mass index (BMI) [27.8 (17.0–64.9) kg/m2 versus 25.9 (12.3–44.4) kg/m2, p = 0.007], previous operations [0.8 ± 0.9 versus 0.6 ± 0.7, p = 0.004 (mean ± standard deviation)], estimated blood loss (EBL) [20 (0–175) ml versus 25 (0–500) ml, p < 0.001], operating room (OR) time [37.5 (17.0–152.0) min versus 52.0 (20.0–197.0) min, p < 0.001], and length of stay (LOS) [11 (1–77) days versus 14 (1–225) days, p = 0.016] were statistically different between the LVPS and OVPS groups, respectively. LVPS abdominal complication rate of 5.8% and OVPS rate of 6.9% were similar (p = 0.611). Previous abdominal operation [odds ratio (OR) 1.673, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.100–2.543, p = 0.016] and previous VPS (OR 1.929, 95% CI 1.147–3.243, p = 0.016) were significant predictors of complications requiring operative intervention. Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated no difference in survival between LVPS and OVPS groups (p = 0.538), with overall shunt survival of 86.4% at 6 months and 83.0% at 1 year. LVPS is associated with decreased OR time, less blood loss, and shorter LOS with no difference in complication rate when compared OVPS. The laparoscopic approach for VPS is a safe, effective, and readily reproducible alternative to the traditional open approach.
Flow injection analysis chemiluminescence detection of residual ozone.

Abstract Chemiluminescent reagents for the determination of residual ozone were compared. Each method was automated using gas diffusion flow injection analysis. The luminol method gave a four order of magnitude working range with an LOD of 0.008 mg O3/l. The luminol method has better analytical characteristics than the standard colorimetric Indigo Blue methods
Flow-mediated vasodilation is mediated by endothelium-derived nitric oxide.

This letter is in response to the Point:Counterpoint series “Flow-mediated dilation does/does not reflect nitric oxide-mediated endothelial function” that appeared in the September issue (vol. 99: ...
Infidelity and behavioral couple therapy: Relationship outcomes over 5 years following therapy.

Prevalence rates for infidelity in American marriages range from 20% to 40%. Nevertheless, there is a paucity of research on the effectiveness of couple therapy when there has been an infidelity. In the present study the posttherapy outcomes of 19 infidelity couples were examined for up to 5 years following participation in a larger (N 134) randomized clinical trial of couple therapy. All couples were randomized to Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) or Traditional Behavioral Couple Therapy (TBCT) regardless of infidelity status. They were assessed approximately every 6 months for 5 years posttherapy, and current analyses focus on three outcomes: divorce, relationship satisfaction, and marital stability. Divorce was examined using logistic regression, whereas relationship satisfaction and marital stability were examined using hierarchical linear modeling. Divorce rates were significantly higher for secret infidelity couples (80%, n 4) than for revealed infidelity (43%, n 6) and noninfidelity couples (23%, n 26). Infidelity couples who eventually divorced reported the highest marital instability; however, infidelity couples who remained married did not differ in marital stability or relationship satisfaction from noninfidelity couples. Furthermore, couples who remained married reported an increase in relationship satisfaction over time, regardless of infidelity status. Results suggest two potential pathways for couples recovering from infidelity such that some infidelity couples continue to improve and remain indistinguishable from their noninfidelity counterparts whereas other infidelity couples appear to markedly deteriorate and divorce.
The Unstable Atheroma

For several decades, our understanding of the pathogenesis of unstable atherosclerotic lesions has continued to grow. A consistent picture of unstable plaque structure, inflammation, matrix degradation, and prothrombotic activity is emerging. Meanwhile, the mortality rates for coronary artery disease in the United States have steadily declined.1 Changes in the American life style likely account for much of this decline,2 and we can expect further improvements through the beneficial use of aspirin and cholesterol-lowering therapy in subsets of the population.3 4 5 Many of these improvements were based on careful epidemiological studies, with fundamental vascular biology serving a largely supportive role. In light of this major clinical progress, it is reasonable to consider whether further basic understanding of the unstable atherosclerotic lesion will be translated into a clinical benefit beyond these recent advances.6 We propose that the basic biology of the unstable lesion will now assume even greater importance for two fundamental reasons. First, even with aspirin and cholesterol-lowering therapy, acute vascular events will continue to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. Performing clinical trials and epidemiological studies in the United States and other developed countries will become more difficult and expensive as the number of patients needed for each study increases. Thus, developing new successful approaches to the prevention of acute vascular syndromes will require a sound understanding of the pathogenesis of lesion destabilization, and proceeding to clinical breakthroughs will require strong justification from vascular biology before clinical trials are undertaken. Second, even as the age-adjusted incidence of ischemic heart disease falls in the United States, the worldwide importance of ischemic heart disease is increasing. In fact, a recent comprehensive survey of the global patterns of disease has projected that by the year 2020, ischemic …
A 3D Integrated Feature-Extracting Image Sensor

In this paper we present a feature-extracting image sensor targeted to wireless image sensor networks. The image sensor was designed and fabricated on a 3D integrated 0.18mum silicon-on-insulator CMOS process. The image sensor can simultaneously capture an intensity image and extract image features, which include temporal illumination differentiations and contours. By taking advantage of massively parallel, vertical connectivity, the image sensor can perform more analog computations at higher speed and higher communication efficiency. The top layer is covered by photodiodes and the pixel fill factor is 95%.
Leadership message: strategic changes to preserve but enhance the American Society of Hypertension

During my tenure as president of the American Society of Hypertension, Inc (ASH), the Board of Directors and I have been regularly examining our various programs and the financial status associated with these programs. For nearly 30 years, the primary focus of ASH has been to promote the translation of research findings in the field of hypertension–both basic and clinical–into high quality educational content for our membership and attendees at our Annual Scientific Meeting, Clinical Hypertension Review Courses, and other educational meetings. In addition, the Society has nearly always supported a peer-reviewed Journal for similar reasons. A key mechanism of support over past years was through generous contributions from industry involved in the development of drugs and devices for treating hypertension and its consequences. Since 2010, coinciding with a marked downturn in research and development of antihypertensive therapies, industry support to ASH has declined dramatically as well. In concert with this ‘loss’ of regular support, attendance at the Annual meeting has fallen off, leading to fiscal pressures that have been experienced by all professional societies in modern times. In February 2014, the Board of Directors held a major, facilitated, strategic meeting in Atlanta to review our priorities for the future of the Society. The strategic plan that was developed for ASH over those 2 days will lead to alterations in our present focus to a more patient-centered population orientation. This transformation must occur without negatively affecting our highly respected educational programs for our professional members. It is recognized that this change in emphasis might be popular with some of the membership and out of favor with others. In fact, admittedly, I was originally skeptical if radically changing our ‘mechanisms of action’ of the past 3 decades would be the best path forward since it could erode our academic base. However, being pragmatic, the Board and I have clearly evaluated the pros and cons of this strategic change, and in the end, we felt that it was in the best interest of the Society to proceed with some transformative maneuvers. We acknowledged that we have a substantial amount of talent within ASH to lead the way to improve hypertension control in the U.S. through a number of possible outlets: working with private corporations, accountable care organizations, insurance companies, and public health organizations. Reports have demonstrated that ASHcertified hypertension specialists are more successful at controlling hypertension than their colleagues. It is noteworthy that we as a Society have not been very successful at raising awareness and getting this message into the public domain, that our expertise as well our clinical methods are good for the welfare of the public. Hopefully, in emphasizing our strengths of the Hypertension Specialists Program in the U.S., the organizations mentioned above will take note, and we will develop partnerships with an entirely different industry than in the Society’s past.
High dietary glycemic load is associated with increased risk of colon cancer.

High dietary glycemic load (GL) has been inconsistently associated with risk of colon cancer. We analyzed data for 1093 incident cases and 1589 controls in a population-based case-control study of colon cancer to further clarify the GL–colon cancer relationship. GL was assessed using a self-administered food frequency questionnaire. Cases had a significantly higher GL intake (mean = 136.4, SD = 24.5) than controls (mean = 132.8, SD = 25.2) (P = 0.0003). In a multivariate unconditional logistic regression model, the odds ratios (ORs) for colon cancer increased significantly with increasing GL: compared to the bottom quartile of GL, the ORs (95% CI) for the 2nd through the upper quartiles were 1.38 (1.06, 1.80), 1.67 (1.30, 2.13), and 1.61 (1.25, 2.07), respectively (P trend < 0.0001). Stratified analyses showed that the association was more pronounced among older participants [ORs (95% CI) for the 2nd through the upper quartiles were 1.35 (0.91, 2.00), 1.87 (1.29, 2.71), 2.02 (1.39, 2.95), respectively] th...
Automatic collection, analysis, access, and archiving of individual and group psycho-social behavior

CareMedia is a collaborative effort that to date has captured more than 13,000 hours of video and audio recordings of life in the shared spaces of a nursing home dementia unit, by using 23 ceiling-mounted cameras, 24 hours a day for 25 days, ensuring an un-occluded view of every point in the recorded space. Computer machine learning techniques are being applied to the resulting 25 Terabytes of data, automatically processing the record for efficient use by analytical observers (e.g., social and behavioral scientists, geriatricians, and healthcare policy makers) to monitor and understand residents' well-being, and enhance their quality of life. This truly interdisciplinary effort bridges the psychological, social and behavioral sciences, and clinical medicine with multiple engineering and computer science disciplines to establish a clinical evidence base to guide rational therapeutics, an elusive goal ardently articulated by the Institute of Medicine. This paper discusses early foundation work being conducted with the data.
Rheological control of oceanic crust separation in the transition zone

Mineral physics observations suggest that distinct density and rheological differences exist between the crustal component of oceanic lithosphere and the underlying mantle. We have conducted numerical experiments to investigate the influence of both density and viscosity on the effectiveness of recycling of oceanic crust into the lower mantle. Confirming previous results, the density inversion at 670 km depth alone is not sufficient to prevent crustal recycling. However, a soft layer may exist between the strong garnet crust and cold slab interior. Models employing a simplified Newtonian sandwich model show that this thin, weak layer can effectively decouple the crust and slab. Once entrained into the lower mantle, the then lighter crust can rise sufficiently fast as a Rayleigh-Taylor instability to avoid further entrainment. These results suggest that the crustal component of slabs may be trapped at 670 km depth, leading to a garnet enriched transition zone.
Survey on anonymous communications in computer networks

Anonymous communications aim to preserve communications privacy within the shared public network environment. It can provide security well beyond content privacy and integrity. The scientific studies of anonymous communications are largely originated from Chaum's two seminal approaches: mixnet and DC-net. In this paper, we present an overview of the research in this field. We start with the basic definitions of anonymous communications. We then describe the cryptographic primitives, the network protocols, and some of the representative anonymous communication systems. We also describe verifiable mixnets and their applications to electronic voting. Finally, we briefly cite some other anonymous systems.
Teaching concepts versus facts in developmental biology.

Note from the Editor Points of View (POV) address issues faced by many people within the life science education community. CBE—Life Sciences Education (CBE-LSE) publishes the POV Feature to present two or more opinions published side-by-side on a common topic. We consider POVs to be “Op-Ed” pieces designed to stimulate thought and dialogue on significant educational issues. They are not meant to be exhaustive treatments of a subject. In this issue, we ask the question, “What are key concepts in developmental biology?” We present three POVs. The first is by CBE-LSE Editor-in-Chief, William Wood, and it is in part based on his experience teaching developmental biology to undergraduates at the University of Colorado, Boulder, including his collaborative experiments in the classroom with Jennifer Knight, the first results of which have been published in CBE-LSE (Knight and Wood, 2005 ). The second, a partially tongue-in-cheek list of key concepts to convey to students about embryonic development, is by Scott Gilbert (Swarthmore College), author of the leading textbook worldwide for teaching developmental biology, Developmental Biology, 8th ed. (Sinauer Associates, Inc.). The third is by Jeff Hardin (University of Wisconsin–Madison), who has produced Web-based educational materials for teaching developmental biology that are used nationally and internationally for conveying dynamic events during early development (see the WWW feature in this issue by Stark for more details), and who deals with the vexing problem of trying to convey the essential four-dimensional nature of embryonic development to introductory students.
Work Locus of Control as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Work Stressors and Counterproductive Work Behavior

The current study was conducted to determine whether work locus of control served as a moderator of the relationship between work stressors and counterproductive work behavior. In order to examine this relationship, 191 full-time working adults employed in various occupations were surveyed via the StudyResponse Project. Results indicated that the interaction between work locus of control and work stressors accounted for 1% to 2% of the variance in counterproductive work behavior. Specifically, organizational constraints and interpersonal conflict were more strongly related to counterproductive behavior for employees with an external (vs. internal) work locus of control. This suggests work locus of control as an important variable to consider in counterproductive work behavior research. Implications of these findings, as well as directions for future research, are discussed.
Contact Potential Difference between Iron and Nickel and their Photoelectric Work Functions

Specimens of electrolytic iron and electrolytic nickel were outgassed by intensive heat treatment in high vacuum and the contact potential difference between them measured by the Kelvin null method. An apparatus is described by means of which the photoelectric long wave limits could be determined on the same specimens and under identical conditions as used for the contact potential measurements. The photoelectric long wave limits were determined in one case by using filters in the path of the light and in a second case by the method of plotting the photoelectric sensitivity curves obtained using monochromatic illumination of the metals. The results remained unchanged between 300 and 750 hours of heating in the first case and between 400 and 600 hours in the second. The equilibrium value of the contact potential difference was Fe-Ni+0.21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01 volt. The photoelectric long wave limits determined by the second method were 2620A\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10A for the iron and 2500A\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10A for the nickel. The corresponding work functions are 4.71\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 volts for the iron and 4.93\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02 volts for the nickel. Using the method published by Fowler the work functions were 4.77 volts for the iron and 5.01 volts for the nickel. The difference in these work functions by either method is equal to the measured contact potential difference between the metals within the limits of error of the photoelectric measurements.
Asymmetry, uncertainty, and limits in a binary choice experiment with positive spillovers

Abstract This study examines behavior in binary choice games designed to characterize individual vaccination decisions. Subjects make decisions from a menu of one-shot games, deciding in each between a certain payoff option and an option with payoffs decreasing in the number of individuals that choose it. The certain payoff option represents the decision to vaccinate. The uncertain payoff option represents the decision not to vaccinate and potentially get sick, with one's likelihood of illness increasing with the number of unvaccinated individuals. Both symmetric and asymmetric treatments are considered with probabilistic and non-probabilistic payoffs. In some sessions, a theoretically non-binding limit on the certain payoff option is imposed, representing a limited stock of a vaccine. The results suggest that for symmetric, non-probabilistic treatments, subjects behave close to the inefficient equilibrium prediction, representing undervaccination. Subjects behave more efficiently for probabilistic treatments and asymmetric treatments with non-binding limits, representing an increase in vaccination following the announcement of a vaccine limit.
Insulin-like growth factor II in gynecological cancers: a preliminary study.

PROBLEM: We have previously reported elevated serum levels of cervical human papilloma viral proteins E6 and E7 and serum insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) in women with cervical cancer and advanced cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. As most women with cervical cancer have elevated levels of serum IGF-II, we sought to determine whether the cervical cancer and lymph node biopsies from these women demonstrated increased production of IGF-II and whether this elevation was also present in ovarian and endometrial cancers. METHOD OF STUDY: We used the semi-quantitative immunofluo- rescent antibody assay established in our laboratory to identify the levels of IGF-II in 21 cervical cancers (seven with matching lymph nodes), 18 benign cervical biopsies, 13 endometrial cancers, 15 benign endometrial biopsies, 5 ovarian cancers, and 15 benign ovarian biopsies. RESULTS: The immunofluorescent IGF-II levels (relative intensity per pixel) were the highest in cervical cancers; they were significantly higher than in matched controls. IGF-II levels were not higher in ovarian cancers and only slightly elevated in endometrial cancers. The presence of IGF-II in pelvic lymph nodes of women with cervical cancer paralleled with those in the cervical cancers. Interestingly, we could identify small nests of metastases of malignant cells in the nodes (pauci-cellular metastasis) by using IGF-II as the marker. CONCLUSION: We propose that measurement and identification of IGF-II in the cervical biopsy may be a sensitive method of detecting cervical cancer and metastatic spread in the lymph nodes.
Molecular Markers of Oxidative Stress Vulnerability

In astrocyte primary cultures of trisomy 16 mice, an animal model for Down's syndrome, protein oxidation was 50% higher than in diploid littermates. Exposure to 10 microM H2O2 or 50 microM kainic acid incremented protein oxidation in trisomic but not in diploid cultures. Studies on stress response genes showed that metallothionein (MT) level was 2-3 times higher in trisomy 16 than in diploid cultures. Kainic acid or H2O2 exposure increased the MT protein level in diploid cultures but failed to increase it in trisomy 16 mouse beyond its elevated basal level. The reduced responsiveness of MT to simulated oxidative stress may result in insufficient removal of ROS, which could partially explain the further increase of protein oxidation in trisomy 16 cultures. In contrast, Pb exposure increased MT in trisomy 16 and diploid primary cultures to a similar extent. The similar metal responsiveness of MT in both phenotypes indicated that MT in trisomic glial cultures was not yet maximally stimulated. The flawed redox sensitivity in trisomy 16 mouse suggests possible alterations in the binding activity of ROS-sensitive transcription factors on the MT promoter.
Depth-habitat reorganization of planktonic foraminifera across the Albian/Cenomanian boundary

New mid-Cretaceous stable isotope (δ18O and δ13C) records of multiple planktonic foraminiferal species and coexisting coccoliths from Blake Nose (western North Atlantic) document a major depth-ecology reorganization of planktonic foraminifera. Across the Albian/Cenomanian boundary, deep-dwelling Praeglobotruncana stephani and Rotalipora globotruncanoides adapted to living at a shallower depth, while, at the same time, the population of surface-dwelling Paracostellagerina libyca declined. Subsequently, the opportunistic species Hedbergella delrioensis shifted to a deep environment, and the deep-dwelling forms Rotalipora montsalvensis and Rotalipora reicheli first appeared. The primary paleoenvironmental cause of the observed changes in planktonic adaptive strategies is uncertain, yet their coincidence with an earliest Cenomanian cooling trend reported elsewhere implicates the importance of reduced upper-ocean stratification. Although there has been an implicit assumption that the species-specific depth habitats of fossil planktonic foraminifera were invariant through time, planktonic paleoecology is a potential variable. Accordingly, the possibility of evolutionary changes in planktonic foraminiferal depth ecology should be a primary consideration (along with other environmental parameters) in paleoceanographic interpretations of foraminiferal stable isotope data.
Differential Role of von Willebrand Factor and P-Selectin on Microvascular Thrombosis in Endotoxemia

Objective— Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) enhances microvascular thrombosis in mouse cremaster venules. Because von Willebrand factor (vWF) and P-selectin are suggested to mediate LPS-induced platelet–microvessel interactions, we determined whether vWF and P-selectin contribute to microvascular thrombosis in endotoxemia. Methods and Results— A light/dye-induced thrombosis model was used in cremaster microvessels of saline or LPS-injected mice (wild-type, P-selectin–deficient, vWF-deficient, or littermate controls). In each strain except vWF-deficient mice, LPS enhanced thrombosis in venules, resulting in ≈30% to 55% reduction in times to thrombotic occlusion. LPS had no effect on thrombosis in vWF-deficient mice, although these mice had similar systemic responses to LPS (tachycardia, thrombocytopenia, and plasma coagulation markers). vWF-deficient mice demonstrated prolonged times to thrombotic occlusion relative to littermates. LPS increased plasma vWF in each strain studied. While immunofluorescence in wild-type mice failed to detect LPS-induced differences in microvascular vWF expression, it revealed markedly higher vWF expression in venules relative to arterioles. Conclusions— vWF mediates light/dye-induced microvascular thrombosis and endotoxin-induced enhancement of thrombosis in mouse cremaster venules; P-selectin is not required for enhanced thrombosis in response to endotoxin. Enhanced vWF expression in venules relative to arterioles has potential implications for the differences in thrombotic responses among these microvessels.
The impact of chlorinated solvent co-contaminants on the biodegradation kinetics of 1,4-dioxane

1,4-Dioxane (dioxane), a probable human carcinogen, is used as a solvent stabilizer for 1,1,1-trichloroethane (TCA) and other chlorinated solvents. Consequently, TCA and its abiotic breakdown product 1,1-dichloroethene (DCE) are common co-contaminants of dioxane in groundwater. The aerobic degradation of dioxane by microorganisms has been demonstrated in laboratory studies, but the potential effects of environmentally relevant chlorinated solvent co-contaminants on dioxane biodegradation have not yet been investigated. This work evaluated the effects of TCA and DCE on the transformation of dioxane by dioxane-metabolizing strain Pseudonocardia dioxanivorans CB1190, dioxane co-metabolizing strain Pseudonomas mendocina KR1, as well as Escherichia coli expressing the toluene monooxygenase of strain KR1. In all experiments, both TCA and DCE inhibited the degradation of dioxane at the tested concentrations. The inhibition was not competitive and was reversible for strain CB1190, which did not transform the chlorinated solvents. For both strain KR1 and toluene monooxygenase-expressing E. coli, inhibition of dioxane degradation by chlorinated solvents was competitive and irreversible, and the chlorinated solvents were degraded concurrently with dioxane. These data suggest that the strategies for biostimulation or bioaugmentation of dioxane will need to consider the presence of chlorinated solvents during site remediation.
Automatic evolution of signal separators using reconfigurable hardware

In this paper we describe the hardware evolution of analog circuits performing signal separation tasks using JPL's Stand-Alone Board-Level Evolvable System (SABLES). SABLES integrates a Field Programmable Transistor Array chip (FPTA-2) and a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) implementing the Evolutionary Platform (EP). The FPTA-2 is a second generation reconfigurable mixed signal array chip whose cells can be programmed at the transistor level. Its chip architecture consists of an 8×8 matrix of reconfigurable cells. The FPTA-2 is reconfigured by evolution to achieve circuits that can extract a target signal that is combined with an undesired component or to perform the separation of a combination of two signals. The paper considers also an adaptive filter where the fitness function depends on the input signal. The results demonstrate that SABLES is not only able to perform signal separation and extraction, but it is also flexible enough to adapt to different input signals without human intervention, such as in the case of self-tuning and adaptive filters.
IQ birth weight and number of sexual partners in White African American and mixed race adolescents.

Mean levels of three characteristics—verbal IQ, number of sexual partners, and birth weight—were examined in African American, White (European-descent) Americans, and Black/White mixed race American adolescents. The sample came from Wave 1 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The mean age was 16 years. According to their interviewers, the mixed race children had an African American physical appearance. The African American adolescents had a lower birth weight, a lower verbal IQ, and a higher number of sexual partners than did White adolescents. For each characteristic, the mixed race mean fell between the means of the two parental populations. Design extensions were proposed that include: (1) directly genotyping for individual racial admixture, (2) including parents of the mixed race children, and (3) including their cousins.
Marrow Stromal Cells and Osteoclast Precursors Differentially Contribute to TNF-α-Induced Osteoclastogenesis In Vivo

The marrow stromal cell is the principal source of the key osteoclastogenic cytokine receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) ligand (RANKL). To individualize the role of marrow stromal cells in varying states of TNF-alpha-driven osteoclast formation in vivo, we generated chimeric mice in which wild-type (WT) marrow, immunodepleted of T cells and stromal cells, is transplanted into lethally irradiated mice deleted of both the p55 and p75 TNFR. As control, similarly treated WT marrow was transplanted into WT mice. Each group was administered increasing doses of TNF-alpha. Exposure to high-dose cytokine ex vivo induces exuberant osteoclastogenesis irrespective of in vivo TNF-alpha treatment or whether the recipient animals possess TNF-alpha-responsive stromal cells. In contrast, the osteoclastogenic capacity of marrow treated with lower-dose TNF-alpha requires priming by TNFR-bearing stromal cells in vivo. Importantly, the osteoclastogenic contribution of cytokine responsive stromal cells in vivo diminishes as the dose of TNF-alpha increases. In keeping with this conclusion, mice with severe inflammatory arthritis develop profound osteoclastogenesis and bone erosion independent of stromal cell expression of TNFR. The direct induction of osteoclast recruitment by TNF-alpha is characterized by enhanced RANK expression and sensitization of precursor cells to RANKL. Thus, osteolysis attending relatively modest elevations in ambient TNF-alpha depends upon responsive stromal cells. Alternatively, in states of severe periarticular inflammation, TNF-alpha may fully exert its bone erosive effects by directly promoting the differentiation of osteoclast precursors independent of cytokine-responsive stromal cells and T lymphocytes.
Why do capuchin monkeys urine wash? An experimental test of the sexual communication hypothesis using fMRI

Urine washing (UW) consists of depositing urine on the hands and vigorously rubbing the body. As urine contains chemical and pheromonal cues, UW may convey socially relevant information. Although ritualized UW is observed in many New World primates, including capuchin monkeys, the functional significance of UW remains unclear. In this experiment, we investigated the social signaling hypothesis of UW. Specifically, we hypothesized that UW by males conveys socially relevant signals that females can detect. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to test whether adult female capuchins show differential brain activation in response to adult male and juvenile male capuchin urine. We expected to see changes in activation of structures involved in olfactory processing, including the piriform cortex, medial preoptic and anterior hypothesis, orbitofrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Data were acquired from four adult female capuchin monkeys. Presentations of odor stimuli (obtained from unfamiliar males) were made during fMRI acquisition using a standard ON-OFF design. All fMRI data were spatially normalized to a template and analyzed using the FMRI Expert Analysis Tool Version 5.98, part of the FMRIB's Software Library (www.fmrib.ox.ac.uk/fsl). Whole brain analyses revealed significant activations in the inferior temporal cortex, parahippocampal gyrus, precuneus, hippocampus, pulvinar, and cerebellum when females were presented with the adult male urine. Notably, significantly greater signal activation was observed in several regions associated with olfactory processing, when subjects were presented with adult male urine as compared with urine from juvenile males. Our results indicate that UW serves a social communicative function in capuchins, providing support for the sexual signaling hypothesis. Am. J. Primatol. 73:578-584, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Information delivery in support of learning reusable software components on demand

An inherent dilemma exists in the design of high-functionality applications (such as repositories of reusable software components). In order to be useful, high-functionality applications have to provide a large number of features, creating huge learning problems for users. We address this dilemma by developing intelligent interfaces that support learning on demand by enabling users to learn new features when they are needed during work. We support learning on demand with information delivery by identifying learning opportunities of which users might not be aware. The challenging issues in implementing information delivery are discussed and techniques to address them are illustrated with the CodeBroker system. CodeBroker supports Java programmers in learning reusable software components in the context of their normal development environments and practice by proactively delivering task-relevant and personalized information. Evaluations of the system have shown its effectiveness in supporting learning on demand.
A variational multiscale method for incompressible turbulent flows: Bubble functions and fine scale fields

This paper presents a residual-based turbulence model for the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations. The method is derived employing the variational multiscale (VMS) framework. A multiscale decomposition of the continuous solution and a priori unique decomposition of the admissible spaces of functions lead to two coupled nonlinear problems termed as the coarse-scale and the fine-scale sub-problems. The fine-scale velocity field is assumed to be nonlinear and time-dependent and is modeled via the bubble functions approach applied directly to the fine-scale sub-problem. A significant contribution in this paper is a systematic and consistent derivation of the fine-scale variational operator, commonly termed as the stabilization tensor that possesses the right order in the advective and diffusive limits, and variationally projects the fine-scale solution onto the coarse-scale space. A direct treatment of the fine-scale problem via bubble functions offers several fine-scale approximation options with varying degrees of mathematical sophistication that are investigated via benchmark problems. Numerical accuracy of the proposed method is shown on a forced-isotropic turbulence problem, statistically stationary turbulent channel flow problems at ReT = 395 and 590, and non-equilibrium turbulent flow around a cylinder at Re = 3,900.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy for the pancreas: a critical review for the medical oncologist

With recent advances in imaging modalities and radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has allowed for the delivery of high doses of radiation with accuracy and precision. As such, SBRT has generated favorable results in the treatment of several cancers. Although the role of radiation has been controversial for the treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) due to rather lackluster results in clinical trials, SBRT may offer improved outcomes, enhance the quality of life, and aid in palliative care settings for PDAC patients. This review delineates the role of SBRT in the treatment of PDAC, presents the defining principles of radiation biology and the radiation oncology work flow, and discusses the prospects of new treatment regimens involving tumor immunology and radiation therapy.