Computational Methods and Results for Structured Multiscale Models of Tumor Invasion

We present multiscale models of cancer tumor invasion with components at the molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. We provide biological justifications for the model components, present computational results from the model, and discuss the scientific-computing methodology used to solve the model equations. The models and methodology presented in this paper form the basis for developing and treating increasingly complex, mechanistic models of tumor invasion that will be more predictive and less phenomenological. Because many of the features of the cancer models, such as taxis, aging and growth, are seen in other biological systems, the models and methods discussed here also provide a template for handling a broader range of biological problems

Vectors and Methods for Enhanced Cell Longevity and Protein Expression

It is the object of the current invention to provide methods and compositions relating to the expression of vankyrin proteins in cell lines to increase their viability, longevity and capacity for protein production. The inventors have discovered that the expression of P-ank-1 and I2-ank-3 proteins in cell culture has increased the cells\u27 longevity and capacity for endogenous and/or heterologous target protein production. Specifically, the present invention relates to the enhanced expression of endogenous and/or heterologous target proteins/polypeptides in recombinant cells that are also expressing P-ank-1 and/or I2-ank-3 protein compared to expression host cells that are not expressing P-ank-1 and/or I2-ank-3 protein

Viral and Insect Genes that Inhibit the Immune System and Methods of Use Thereof

Viral, endoparasitoid and/or host genes that specifically inhibit the immune response of insect pests, useful for broadening the host range of insect viruses. Symbiont viruses of insect pests are genetically modified to express immune-suppressing proteins or biologically active fragments thereof and, optionally toxins, to increase the virus host range and/or improve the efficacy of insect pathogens

Cell Lines Having Enhanced Cell Longevity and Protein Expression

It is the object of the current invention to provide methods and compositions relating to the expression of vankyrin proteins in cell lines to increase their viability, longevity and capacity for protein production. The inventors have discovered that the expression of P-ank-1 and I2-ank-3 proteins in cell culture has increased the cells\u27 longevity and capacity for endogenous and/or heterologous target protein production. Specifically, the present invention relates to the enhanced expression of endogenous and/or heterologous target proteins/polypeptides in recombinant cells that are also expressing P-ank-1 and/or I2-ank-3 protein compared to expression host cells that are not expressing P-ank-1 and/or I2-ank-3 protein

Criminal Law—Scarlet Letters: Traffic Stops Based on “Special” License Plates Must Follow the Letter of the Constitution—State v. Henning

The Minnesota Supreme Court recently addressed whether a Minnesota statute authorizing law enforcement to stop motorists based solely on the presence of special license plates issued primarily to repeat drunken drivers is proper under the United States and Minnesota Constitutions. In State v. Henning, the court held the statute unconstitutional by a 4-3 decision. Finding no persuasive reason to do otherwise, the court struck down the legislature\u27s attempt to eliminate the requirement that law enforcement have “reasonable articulable suspicion” to conduct an investigatory stop of a motor vehicle. This article provides a brief survey of similar laws in other states that require offenders to visually inform the police and public that they have been convicted of drunken driving or other crimes--a requirement reminiscent of centuries-old “scarlet letter” sentencing. The article then explains two constitutional issues key to the Henning decision: the United States Supreme Court\u27s “reasonable articulable suspicion” standard and its erosion, and the Minnesota Constitution\u27s strong protections against “seizure.” Next, the article traces the history and holding of the Henning case and focuses on the statutes involved. Finally, the article critiques the Minnesota Supreme Court\u27s majority opinion and dissent, noting that while the court has outlawed traffic stops based solely on special “WX,” “WY,” or “WZ” license plates, police are likely to receive the benefit of the doubt as long as they can provide any reasonable reason for the stop

Criminal Law—Scarlet Letters: Traffic Stops Based on “Special” License Plates Must Follow the Letter of the Constitution—State v. Henning

The Minnesota Supreme Court recently addressed whether a Minnesota statute authorizing law enforcement to stop motorists based solely on the presence of special license plates issued primarily to repeat drunken drivers is proper under the United States and Minnesota Constitutions. In State v. Henning, the court held the statute unconstitutional by a 4-3 decision. Finding no persuasive reason to do otherwise, the court struck down the legislature\u27s attempt to eliminate the requirement that law enforcement have “reasonable articulable suspicion” to conduct an investigatory stop of a motor vehicle. This article provides a brief survey of similar laws in other states that require offenders to visually inform the police and public that they have been convicted of drunken driving or other crimes--a requirement reminiscent of centuries-old “scarlet letter” sentencing. The article then explains two constitutional issues key to the Henning decision: the United States Supreme Court\u27s “reasonable articulable suspicion” standard and its erosion, and the Minnesota Constitution\u27s strong protections against “seizure.” Next, the article traces the history and holding of the Henning case and focuses on the statutes involved. Finally, the article critiques the Minnesota Supreme Court\u27s majority opinion and dissent, noting that while the court has outlawed traffic stops based solely on special “WX,” “WY,” or “WZ” license plates, police are likely to receive the benefit of the doubt as long as they can provide any reasonable reason for the stop

Discovery of a quiescent neutron star binary in the globular cluster M13

We have discovered with XMM-Newton an X-ray source in the core of the globular cluster M13, whose X-ray spectral properties suggest that it is a quiescent neutron star X-ray binary. The spectrum can be well fitted with a pure hydrogen atmosphere model, with T=76 +/- 3 eV, R=12.8 +/- 0.4 km and an X-ray luminosity of 7.3 +/- 0.6 x 10^{32} erg/s. In the light of this result, we have discovered a strong correlation between the stellar encounter rate and the number of quiescent neutron stars found in the ten globular clusters observed so far by either XMM-Newton or Chandra. This result lends strong support to the idea that these systems are primarily produced by stellar encounters in the core of globular clusters.Comment: 4 pages, 2 B&W figures and 1 color figure. Accepted for publication in A&A Letters. Revised reference list and minor correction

Phosphine Functionalization of GaAs(111)A Surfaces

Phosphorus-functionalized GaAs surfaces have been prepared by exposure of Cl-terminated GaAs(111)A surfaces to triethylphosphine (PEt3) or trichlorophosphine (PCl3), or by the direct functionalization of the native-oxide terminated GaAs(111)A surface with PCl3. The presence of phosphorus on each functionalized surface was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. High-resolution, soft X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to evaluate the As and Ga 3d regions of such surfaces. On PEt3 treated surfaces, the Ga 3d spectra exhibited a bulk Ga peak as well as peaks that were shifted to 0.35, 0.92 and 1.86 eV higher binding energy. These peaks were assigned to residual Cl-terminated Ga surface sites, surficial Ga2O and surficial Ga2O3, respectively. For PCl3-treated surfaces, the Ga 3d spectra displayed peaks ascribable to bulk Ga(As), Ga2O, and Ga2O3, as well as a peak shifted 0.30 eV to higher binding energy relative to the bulk signal. A peak corresponding to Ga(OH)3, observed on the Cl-terminated surface, was absent from all of the phosphine-functionalized surfaces. After reaction of the Cl-terminated GaAs(111)A surface with PCl3 or PEt3, the As 3d spectral region was free of As oxides and As0. Although native oxide-terminated GaAs surfaces were free of As oxides after reaction with PCl3, such surfaces contained detectable amounts of As0. Photoluminescence measurements indicted that phosphine-functionalized surfaces prepared from Cl-terminated GaAs(111)A surfaces had better electrical properties than the native-oxide capped GaAs(111)A surface, while the native-oxide covered surface treated with PCl3 showed no enhancement in PL intensity

Composition and Methods for Pest Control Management

Disclosed are genetically modified nudiviruses capable of being sexually transmitted by an insect useful for controlling pest populations. The genetically modified nudiviruses are capable of causing sterility in a target population of insects. Also disclosed are insects infected with the disclosed genetically modified nudiviruses, methods of making the genetically modified nudiviruses, and methods of using the genetically modified nudiviruses to control an insect pest population

Arctic–CHAMP: A program to study Arctic hydrology and its role in global change

The Arctic constitutes a unique and important environment that is central to the dynamics and evolution of the Earth system. The Arctic water cycle, which controls countless physical, chemical, and biotic processes, is also unique and important. These processes, in turn, regulate the climate, habitat, and natural resources that are of great importance to both native and industrial societies. Comprehensive understanding of water cycling across the Arctic and its linkage to global biogeophysical dynamics is a scientific as well as strategic policy imperative