cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulation of the calcium release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum by adriamycin and other drugs.

Abstract The calcium release channel of sarcoplasmic reticulum mediates Ca 2+ release which triggers muscle contraction in excitation-contraction coupling. The channels have been identified morphologically with the feet structures, which are involved in junctional association of terminal cisternae of sarcoplasmic reticulum with the transverse tubules to form the triad junction. In this study, we further characterize the action of drugs on the calcium release channel from sarcoplasmic reticulum fused into planar bilayers. Adriamycin is an effective cancer chemotherapeutic drug, which is limited by its cardiotoxicity. The drug, when added to the myoplasmic side ( cis side), activates channel opening at μM concentrations in a dose dependent manner. Adriamycin together with ATP (mM) gives optimal activation, with an open probability ( P 0 ) of ≈1.0. Ruthenlum red added to the cis side, equivalent to the cytoplasmic (myoplasmic) domain, completely blocks channel opening. Qualitatively similar results are obtained with adriamycinol, the major metabollte of adriamycin. The inhibition by adriamycin is not reversed by reperfusion to wash out the drug. Silver ions are also found to activate the channel. The conductance of the channel activated by adriamycin, adriamycinol or Ag + is ≈100 ps, similar to that previously reported for activation of the channel with Ca 2+ and ATP. Ruthenium red has previously been observed to block channel activation from the cytoplasmic side. We now find that ruthenium red is also effective in blocking channel activity when added to the luminal ( trans ) side. The block from the luminal side is different in that: (1) subconductance levels can prominantly be observed; and (2) the block of ryanodine activation is complete.
Effects on Reproduction of Gamma Irradiated Laboratory-Reared Pink Bollworms and Their F1 Progeny After Matings with Untreated Laboratory Reared or Native Insects

Unirradiated or gamma-irradiated male laboratory-reared Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) failed to mate as frequently with native females as with laboratory-reared females. The same was true of the F1 male progeny of laboratory-reared females and native males. Unirradiated or irradiated laboratory-reared females mated as often with native males as with laboratory-reared males. The number of progeny produced by laboratory-reared males exposed to 15 krad or higher and paired with untreated females was reduced over 80% as compared to those produced by untreated pairs. Egg hatch from their F1 male or female progeny paired with untreated insects was reduced 68–100%. Fertility of F1 progeny of laboratory-reared males treated with 10 krad and paired with untreated insects was less affected. Also, sterility of F1 females from parents treated at higher doses appeared related to reduced mating as well as to inherited sterility. F1 progeny of laboratory-reared females treated with 5 or 10 krad and paired with native males were nearly as fertile as those from untreated moth pairs. However, no F1 progeny were produced by 20 krad treated females. Irradiation of male or female pink bollworms appeared to have little effect on mating frequency or longevity.
A hybrid approach for safety assessment of the double span masonry vaults of the Brooklyn Bridge

Brick masonry vaults for the approach structures of the Brooklyn Bridge were instrumented for remote monitoring. The objective of the project was to monitor and quantify safety of the structure, because of the longitudinal cracks at the crown of the double span vaults. A fiber optic sensor system was installed in the Brooklyn Bridge to monitor the crack opening displacements, wall rotations, temperature fluctuations, and vibrations. To quantify safety, a scaled model of the masonry vault was also tested in the laboratory in order to determine the failure crack opening displacement limits of the vaulted structure. Fiber optic crack sensors were mounted on the test vault to record the crack opening displacements under a range of base movements. Correlation of the in-service and failure crack opening displacements from the field measurements and laboratory tests provided the basis for the quantification of safety. This article provides a synopsis of activities to achieve these goals in terms of monitoring plans, instrumentation, and analysis of remote field data, laboratory experimental results and formulation of the safety assessment strategies.
The large-cell lymphomas

Diffuse large-cell and immunoblastic lymphoma (DLCL). considered together, are the most common histologic subtypes of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). There will be approximately 15,500 new cases of DLCL in 1995 and this represents a dramatic increase over the last 20 years. The cause of DLCL is unknown, but its association with acquired and inherited immunodeficiency syndromes implicates immune dysregulation as an etiologic factor. Combination chemotherapy is standard treatment for all stages of DLCL. The use of adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) in stage I–II patients remains controversial, but continues to play an important treatment role. Adjuvant RT may permit the use of fewer cycles of chemotherapy and may improve freedom from relapse and survival. The international NHL Prognostic Factors Project has derived a model that helps predict which patients with DLCL will have a poor outcome. This analysis reveals that there are certain early-stage patients with a poor prognosis who may benefit from more aggressive treatment. This review attempts to provide guidelines for the workup, treatment, and long-term prognosis of patients with early stage DLCL.
Treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Enterocolitis with Vancomycin

Studies in humans and hamsters have shown that Clostridium difficile is the most important cause of antibiotic-associated colitis. A toxin produced by the organism is responsible for the disease and can be detected in the stools of patients. Proctosigmoidoscopy is the quickest, as well as the most accurate, way to establish the diagnosis. The organisms are very susceptible to vancomycin, which is highly effective in treatment of the disease and also remarkably free of serious adverse effects when given orally.
Temperature-dependent phosphorus precipitation and chromium removal from struvite-saturated solutions

Abstract The effect of temperature from 25 to 300 °C on the precipitation of phosphorus (P) from struvite-saturated (MgNH4PO4⋅6H2O) solutions was explored. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed reduced particle size and a change in morphology from elongated to rhombohedral crystals with temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) indicated that at 25 °C, the precipitate was struvite, while newberyite (MgHPO4⋅3H2O) formed at 100 °C, and magnesium pyrophosphate (Mg2P2O7) at 300 °C. Increased temperature reduced the association of ammonium and water of crystallization with the solid and increased P polymerization. The behavior of dissolved chromium (Cr) under these conditions was also assessed. Removal of Cr with the solid phase from Cr(III) solutions was observed at all temperatures, whereas removal from Cr(VI) solutions was significant only at 300 °C. X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS) revealed that regardless of initial oxidation state in solution, Cr(III) was associated with the solid, interacting by the adsorption of short-range Cr polymers. Therefore, for struvite-saturated solutions, increasing the temperature changed both the mineralogy of the P phase recovered and enhanced the interaction of otherwise unreactive Cr(VI) with the substrate. These results have implications for the temperature-enhanced recovery of P from wastewater.
A power study of a sequential method of p-value adjustment for correlated continuous endpoints

In the course of clinical (or preclinical) trial studies, it is a common practice to conduct a relatively large number of tests to extract the maximum level of information from the study. It has been known that as the number of tests (or endpoints) increases, the probability of falsely rejecting at least one hypothesis also increases. Single-step methods such as the Bonferroni, Sida, or James (1) approximation procedure have been used to adjust the p-values for each hypothesis. To reduce the conservatism (i.e., underestimating type I error) possessed by the aforementioned methods Holm (2) proposed a so-called “free-step-down” procedure. This adjustment can be made even less conservative by incorporating the dependence structure of endpoints at each adjustment step of the procedure. That is done by sequentially applying James's approximation procedure for correlated endpoints at each step referred to as the Free-James method. This article primarily compares the power of the Free-James method to the power o...
The oral and subcutaneous administration ofp-aminomethylbenzenesulfonamide (sulfamylon)

Summary Single doses of Sulfamylon (hydrochloride) were administered to subjects and the blood levels followed at suitable intervals. Marked individual variations in absorption are evident after oral administration, with absorption apparently very poor in infants, while the data from subcutaneous administration present a relatively uniform picture. Sulfamylon is evidently excreted rapidly, and comparatively high dosage is required to attain appreciable concentrations in the blood serum. Immediate toxic symptoms of headache and nausea were reported by all patients taking Sulfamylon orally, while dizziness and mental confusion were experienced by three. No local or systemic reactions were produced by the subcutaneous infusion of one per cent Sulfamylon hydrochloride in lactate Ringer's solution. No evidence of renal damage or hematopoietic depression was found either in routine urinalyses and blood counts on all patients or on post-mortem examination of one patient receiving very intensive Sulfamylon therapy for one day.
Substrate inhibition of soluble and bound lactate dehydrogenase (isoenzyme 5)

Abstract Substrate inhibition of chicken lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) isoenzyme 5, was studied with the enzyme in the soluble phase and bound to muscle subcellular particulate structures. Inhibition studies were performed by incubating bound or soluble enzyme with NAD+ prior to measuring the reaction with a stopped-flow technique at 40 °C and a concentration of enzyme of 10−7 m . The value of V for soluble lactate dehydrogenase was 610 nmoles per sec, and for the bound enzyme it was 262. km (pyruvate) values were similar for both enzymes. Under our experimental conditions, up to 73% inhibition of the soluble enzyme was observed. On the other hand, there was no detectable inhibition of bound lactate dehydrogenase. It is suggested that the resistance to substrate inhibition of bound lactate dehydrogenase may possibly be due to the prevention of dissociation of the enzyme into monomeric or other subunits because of attachment to the particulate structures.
Attitudes toward mental health services among American Indians by two age groups

This study examined determinants of attitudes toward mental health services with a sample of American Indian younger-old-adults (aged 50-64, n = 158) and American Indian older-old adults (aged 65 and older, n = 69). Adapting Andersen's behavioral model of healthcare utilization, predisposing factors, mental health needs, and enabling factors were considered as potential predictors. Female and those with higher levels of social support tend to report more positive attitudes toward mental health services. Culture-influenced personal belief was associated with negative attitudes toward mental health services among American Indian younger-old -adults. Age and higher chronic medical conditions were significantly related to negative attitudes toward mental health services. Health insurance was positively associated with positive attitudes toward mental health services in the American Indian older-old adults. Findings indicate that practitioners should engage how culture, social support, and chronic conditions influence the response to mental health needs when working with older American Indians.
Impacts of rising tropospheric ozone on photosynthesis and metabolite levels on field grown soybean.

Abstract The response of leaf photosynthesis and metabolite profiles to ozone (O3) exposure ranging from 37 to 116 ppb was investigated in two soybean cultivars Dwight and IA3010 in the field under fully open-air conditions. Leaf photosynthesis, total non-structural carbohydrates (TNC) and total free amino acids (TAA) decreased linearly with increasing O3 levels in both cultivars with average decrease of 7% for an increase in O3 levels by 10 ppb. Ozone interacted with developmental stages and leaf ages, and caused higher damage at later reproductive stages and in older leaves. Ozone affected yield mainly via reduction of maximum rate of Rubisco carboxylation (Vcmax) and maximum rates of electron transport (Jmax) as well as a shorter growing season due to earlier onset of canopy senescence. For all parameters investigated the critical O3 levels (∼50 ppb) for detectable damage fell within O3 levels that occur routinely in soybean fields across the US and elsewhere in the world. Strong correlations were observed in O3-induced changes among yield, photosynthesis, TNC, TAA and many metabolites. The broad range of metabolites that showed O3 dose dependent effect is consistent with multiple interaction loci and thus multiple targets for improving the tolerance of soybean to O3.
Cation ordering in Na0.5Bi4.5Ti4O15

Abstract A simple x-ray method for characterizing mixed bismuth titanate crystals is described. Intensities derived from the experiments are used to determine ordering in Na 0.5 Bi 4.5 Ti 4 O 15 . Sodium occupies only the perovskite layer positions and does not substitute for Bi in the Bi 2 O 2 layers.
The effect of cold and hot extrusion on the structure and mechanical properties of polypropylene

The direct extrusion of isotactic polypropylene through a 90° die at 23, 65, 95 and 120° C has been studied. As a result of extrusion, the tensile strength and the elastic modulus of the material are considerably increased whereas the ductility is decreased. Owing to the deformation of the material occurring in the extrusion process, the c-axis of the monoclinic unit cell aligns itself parallel to the extrusion direction and the lamellar structure is orderly arranged. The tensile strength and the orientation of the material extruded at higher temperatures are much higher than those obtained by extrusion at room temperature. The changes in the density and the mechanical properties resulting from extrusion have been explained in terms of the structural changes occurring in the material. A method has been suggested for estimating the spring back of extruded material.
Patient-Provider Communication and Self-care Behavior Among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine whether diabetes self-care behaviors mediate the association between patient-provider communication (PPC) and diabetes outcomes.MethodsAn ethnically diverse sample of 752 patients with type 2 diabetes was recruited from 3 different health systems. Subjects were interviewed by telephone about their general and diabetes-specific PPC, diabetes self-care behaviors (medication use, glucose testing, eating, and physical activity), and functional status (physical and mental). Glycemic control was assessed with the HbA1c assay. Statistical tests of the hypothetical path model were adjusted for age, gender, marital status, income, ethnicity, medication regimen, and number of comorbid conditions.ResultsGeneral PPC was associated with mental functioning and physical functioning, and diabetes-specific PPC was associated with glycemic control. However, these associations were not mediated by self-care behaviors, which were independently associated with diabetes outcome...
A Scale-Aware Anticipated Potential Vorticity Method: On Variable-Resolution Meshes

AbstractA scale-aware formulation of the anticipated potential vorticity method (APVM), previously derived for quasi-uniform unstructured grids, is evaluated on multiresolution grids. Comparison is made to the original, nonscale-aware formulation of the APVM. Numerical experiments are performed using the shallow-water standard test case 5. The scale awareness of the new formulation is demonstrated by the following observations: (i) the range of optimal values for the single parameter of the new formulation is much less sensitive to grid resolution than that of the original formulation; (ii) within the optimal parameter range, the new formulation is able to maintain proper dissipation across scales and is thus able to produce better results in terms of errors in the potential enstrophy spectrum curves; and (iii) the new formulation is robust in that a single optimal parameter obtained for a specific grid can be safely used on other grids as well.
Selecting a best-fit temperature-dependent regression model for thin target HVI data

Abstract The results presented here are the culmination of a series of investigations to determine whether or not thin target hole diameters impacted from ∼2 to 7 km/s would be larger if the thin targets were subjected to elevated test temperatures. Extensive graphical and quantitative analyses were performed to determine if temperature has a statistically significant effect on the 21 hole diameters considered. Because two velocity measurement devices were used that possessed different measurement uncertainties, measures were taken to establish a statistically significant temperature effect independently of device bias and measurement uncertainty. Temperature was found to have a statistically significant effect for 12 of the data points whose velocities were collected by the laser system, but the effect was not statistically significant for the remaining nine data points whose velocities were collected by the flash X-ray system. Extensive statistical analyses also identified a best-fit model to the current data set, which is comprised by both a linear velocity term and a temperature term with a cumulative distribution functional form. Goodness-of-fit (GOF) was predominantly established by the model residual standard deviation, but a variety of graphical and analytical statistical tests were applied to support the conclusion. GOF statistics for the two best-fit, temperature-dependent regression models provided further support for the significance of the temperature term.
Rapidly solidified titanium alloys for high-temperature applications

The application of rapid solidification technology (RST) to titanium alloy systems is relatively new and became the subject of active research since it was demonstrated that novel titanium alloys of higher temperature capability can be synthesized through new alloy design based on rapid solidification processing. The effects of rapid solidification on the occurrence of metastable phases, microstructures and mechanical properties in binary and ternary titanium alloys are reviewed. In particular, earlier results from RSα-Ti alloy research have shown that many different novel dispersoids, some of which are coarsening-resistant at elevated temperatures (600 to 800° C), can be created in the matrix through RST. The alloys containing novel dispersoids also exhibit good creep resistance at elevated temperatures. Further studies onα/β- andβ-Ti alloys through RST, in conjunction with the development of various processing technologies for bulk alloy manufacturing, are clearly desirable.
Ethanol administration diminishes the endotoxin-induced increase in glucose metabolism.

The metabolism of ethanol (ETOH) is known to increase the cytosolic NADH/NAD ratio and consequently impairs hepatic glucose output in the fasted state. In contrast, one of the characteristic alterations in glucose metabolism produced by the administration of endotoxin is an increase in the de novo synthesis of glucose. Therefore, the present study tests the hypothesis that the acute administration of ETOH will prevent the endotoxin-induced increase in glucose production. In vivo glucose kinetics were determined by the infusion of [6-3H, U-14C]glucose in catheterized conscious rats. The intravenous infusion of tracer glucose, and ETOH (100 mg/100 g b.w./hr) or saline were started at the same time and both continued throughout the experiment. Two hours later the ETOH infusion rate was decreased to maintain the blood ETOH levels between 100 and 160 mg/dl. At 140 min, endotoxin (100 micrograms/100 g b.w.) was injected. ETOH alone did not alter basal values of plasma glucose (5 mM), glucose rate of appearance (Ra; 35 mumols/min/kg) or metabolic clearance (MCR; 7 ml/min/kg). Endotoxin alone increased plasma glucose (80%) and lactate (140%) concentrations, glucose Ra (60%) and recycling (40%) in saline-infused rats, whereas in ETOH-infused animals, plasma glucose and lactate levels were only elevated 40% and glucose Ra and recycling were unchanged. The results show that acute ETOH administration diminishes the increased glucose production and utilization seen in endotoxemia. The attenuation of the endotoxin effect by ethanol is due to inhibition of hepatic glucose production and peripheral glucose utilization.
Perfluorocarbon Infusion in Bleeding Patients Refusing Blood Transfusions

• Six severely anemic surgical patients who refused blood products were treated with a perfluorochemical (PFC) emulsion (Fluosol-DA 20%). When these patients received high inspired oxygen concentrations, the emulsion resulted in moderate increases of arterial oxygen content but considerable increases of oxygen consumption, suggesting improved microcirculatory oxygen distribution. The mean ± SD percentages of consumed oxygen transported by dissolved oxygen in PFC and PFC plus plasma emulsions were 22%±5% and 60% ±12%, respectively. Several adverse clinical effects were seen, however, including transient decreases in leukocyte counts, hypotension, and abnormal hepatic and pulmonary function. (Arch Surg1984;119:721-724)
On distributor commitment in industrial channels of distribution: A multicomponent approach

Despite a recent surge of interest in commitment, its conceptual scope and components in channel relationships remain equivocal. The authors suggest continuance, behavior, and affect as three essential components of distributor commitment and hypothesize that each component of commitment has a different set of driving forces. A proposed model was tested with data collected in a national survey of industrial distributors. Estimation results indicate that (a) three suggested components are interrelated, yet distinctive, elements of distributor commitment, and (b) each component of distributor commitment is driven by a different set of driving forces. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
An Algorithm Providing All-Attitude Capability for Three-Gimballed Inertial Systems

This paper describes an algorithm which protects a three-gimballed inertial system against gimbal lock while preserving the inertial reference. One sample of the gimbal angles and gimbal angle rates for a torque-free dynamic vehicle provides the information needed to determine whether or not gimbal lock will occur at some later time. When gimbal lock is imminent, the inertial platform is commanded to a new "safe" orientation, and knowledge of the inertial reference is updated accordingly. By iterating this process gimbal lock protection is extended to a vehicle subjected to torques. The results of digital simulations using the Apollo Primary Guidance, Navigation and Control System as a model are presented for various dynamic situations.
High receptor binding affinity of lipoproteins in atypical dysbetalipoproteinemia (type III hyperlipoproteinemia).

Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia (or type III hyperlipoproteinemia) is characterized by the presence of abnormal, cholesteryl ester-rich beta-very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL) in the plasma. Subjects with typical dysbetalipoproteinemia are homozygous for an amino acid substitution in apolipoprotein (apo-) E at residue 158 and have defective apo-E-mediated binding of both pre-beta-VLDL and beta-VLDL to apo-B,E(LDL) (or LDL) receptors (1988. Chappell, D.A., J. Clin. Invest. 82:628-639). To understand the effect of substitutions in apo-E at sites other than residue 158, nine dysbetalipoproteinemic (dys-beta) subjects who were either homozygous or heterozygous for substitutions in apo-E at atypical sites were studied. These substitutions occurred at residue 142 (n = 6), 145 (n = 2), or 146 (n = 1) and are known to cause less defective binding than does the 158 substitution. The chemical composition and electrophoretic mobility of pre-beta-VLDL and beta-VLDL from atypical and typical dys-beta subjects were indistinguishable. However, lipoproteins from atypical and typical dys-beta subjects differed in their affinity for the apo-B,E(LDL) receptor on cultured human fibroblasts. The pre-beta-VLDL and beta-VLDL from atypical dys-beta subjects had 640- or 17-fold higher affinity, respectively, than did corresponding lipoproteins from typical dys-beta subjects. The higher binding affinity of lipoproteins from atypical dys-beta subjects was associated with a higher ratio of apo-E to total apo-C. Since higher binding affinity should cause more rapid receptor-mediated clearance of beta-VLDL in atypical than in typical dys-beta subjects in vivo, the mechanism of beta-VLDL accumulation may differ in these two groups.
Heterogeneity in liver allocation

Context The Model for Endstage Liver Disease (MELD) score serves as the basis for the distribution of deceased-donor (DD) livers and was developed in response to “the final rule” mandate, whose stated principle is to allocate livers according to a patient's medical need, with less emphasis on keeping organs in the local procurement area. However, in selected areas of the United States, organs are kept in organ procurement organizations (OPOs) with small waiting lists and transplanted into less-sick patients instead of being allocated to sicker patients in nearby transplant centers in OPOs with large waiting lists. Objective To determine whether there is a difference in MELD scores for liver transplant recipients receiving transplants in small vs large OPOs. Design and Setting Retrospective review of the US Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients between February 28, 2002, and March 31, 2003. Transplant recipients (N = 4798) had end-stage liver disease and received DD livers. Main Outcome Measures MELD score distribution (range, 6-40), graft survival, and patient survival for liver transplant recipients in small ( or = 100 on the waiting list) OPOs. Results The distribution of MELD scores was the same in large and small OPOs; 92% had a MELD score of 18 or less, 7% had a MELD score between 19 and 24, and only 2% of listed patients had a MELD score higher than 24 (P = .85). The proportion of patients receiving transplants in small OPOs and with a MELD score higher than 24 was significantly lower than that in large OPOs (19% vs 49%; P < .001). Patient survival rates at 1 year after transplantation for small OPOs (86.4%) and large OPOs (86.6%) were not statistically different (P = .59), and neither were graft survival rates in small OPOs (80.1%) and large OPOs (81.3%) (P = .80). Conclusions There is a significant disparity in MELD scores in liver transplant recipients in small vs large OPOs; fewer transplant recipients in small OPOs have severe liver disease (MELD score >24). This disparity does not reflect the stated goals of the current allocation policy, which is to distribute livers according to a patient's medical need, with less emphasis on keeping organs in the local procurement area. (JAMA 2004;291:1871–1874.)
Effective mass and combination frequencies of de Haas-van Alphen oscillations in κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)2

Abstract De Haas-van Alphen (dHvA) measurements in the two dimensional organic superconductor κ-(BEDT-TTF) 2 Cu(NCS) 2 have been performed down to .44K in a wide magnetic field range up to 30T. In the range between 20T and 30T, we find dHvA frequencies corresponding to the closed (α) and magnetic breakdown (β) orbits, and many combination frequencies of α and β as well. The observation of the combination frequencies β-α and 2β-2α is not understood by conventional theories because both the torque and magnetic interaction effects are negligibly small. The effective masses and the field dependence of these oscillations are reported.
Should airguns be banned

In this article, we express concerns regarding the availability of airguns, the injuries that they cause and their abuse as weapons of assault. We wish to stimulate debate on this topic and report a 5-year retrospective analysis of all airgun injuries to the head and neck, presenting to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, Liverpool, from June 1998 to June 2003. We identified 16 patients who suffered such injuries with ages ranging from 5 to 15 years. The majority of cases were violent assaults, which is not in accordance with previous published reports. All of these occurred in public places outside the home. Most incidents occurred through the spring and summer period. Six patients required overnight stay in hospital. Nine patients required operative procedures to remove the airgun pellets. Two patients had serious eye injuries resulting in loss of vision. Two patients had penetrating neck injuries requiring exploration of the wound. The remaining group had either skin-penetrating injuries with lodgement of f...
Twelve weeks of endurance training increases FFA mobilization and reesterification in postmenopausal women.

We examined the effects of exercise intensity and training on rates of lipolysis, plasma free fatty acid (FFA) appearance (Ra), disappearance (Rd), reesterification (Rs), and oxidation (RoxP) in po...
On the features of dislocation–obstacle interaction in thin films: large-scale atomistic simulation

Large-scale atomistic modelling has demonstrated that the dynamic interactions of dislocations in thin films have a number of remarkable features. A particular example is the interaction between a screw dislocation and a stacking fault tetrahedron (SFT) in Cu, which can be directly compared with in situ observations of quenched or irradiated fcc metals. If the specimen is thin, the dislocation velocity is slow, and the temperature is high enough, a segment of the original SFT can be transported towards the surface via a double cross-slip mechanism and fast glide of an edge dislocation segment formed during the interaction. The mechanisms observed in the simulations provide an explanation for the results of in situ straining experiments and the differences between bulk and thin film experiments.
N-(4-Hydroxylphenyl)retinamide (fenretinide, 4-HPR), a retinoid compound with antileukemic and proapoptotic activity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Abstract Background : Retinoids have been shown to regulate vital cellular processes including cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. N -(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-all- trans -retinamide (fenretinide, 4-HPR) is a synthetic ATRA derivative with chemopreventive and cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines including myeloid leukemia. Although several modes of action have been postulated, its mechanism of action in hematologic malignancies remains unclear. Furthermore, only limited information exists as to its activity in lymphoid malignancies. Methods and results : To test whether 4-HPR has activity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), we first analyzed its antiproliferative effect in five ALL (Z-33, Z-138, Z-119, Z-181, and Jurkat) cell lines. We found that 4-HPR inhibited the proliferation of all cell lines in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 μM. We further demonstrated by cell cycle analysis that 5 μM of 4-HPR blocked Z-119 cells in S phase thus preventing their progression through the cycle. Next we tested whether 4-HPR activated the caspase pathway and induced apoptotic cell death. We found that 4-HPR induced apoptosis in Z-119 cells through the activation of caspase-3 and subsequent cleavage of its substrate poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). We then asked whether 4-HPR could affect fresh ALL progenitor cells. Therefore, we obtained bone marrow and peripheral blood cells from five patients with newly diagnosed ALL and tested the effect of 4-HPR using the ALL blast colony culture assay. To supplement our results, we also performed the ALL blast assay on one ALL cell line (ALL-1). We found that 4-HPR significantly inhibited ALL colony-forming cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : Our data show that 4-HPR is a potent inhibitor of ALL cell proliferation and that it induces in vitro apoptotic cell death in ALL blasts. Further studies are warranted to establish the in vivo effect of 4-HPR particularly in patients with ALL.
Shear strength of unsaturated soil interfaces

Unsaturated soil interfaces exist where unsaturated soil is in contact with structures such as foundations, retaining walls, and buried pipes. The unsaturated soil interface can be defined as a lay...
Analyzing 3D Objects in Cluttered Images

We present an approach to detecting and analyzing the 3D configuration of objects in real-world images with heavy occlusion and clutter. We focus on the application of finding and analyzing cars. We do so with a two-stage model; the first stage reasons about 2D shape and appearance variation due to within-class variation (station wagons look different than sedans) and changes in viewpoint. Rather than using a view-based model, we describe a compositional representation that models a large number of effective views and shapes using a small number of local view-based templates. We use this model to propose candidate detections and 2D estimates of shape. These estimates are then refined by our second stage, using an explicit 3D model of shape and viewpoint. We use a morphable model to capture 3D within-class variation, and use a weak-perspective camera model to capture viewpoint. We learn all model parameters from 2D annotations. We demonstrate state-of-the-art accuracy for detection, viewpoint estimation, and 3D shape reconstruction on challenging images from the PASCAL VOC 2011 dataset.
Toward a More Complete (and Less Controversial) Understanding of Energy Expenditure and Its Role in Obesity Pathogenesis

The global obesity epidemic has stimulated intense interest in the study of homeostatic mechanisms governing the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure over time, and recent progress in gene targeting and related technologies has pushed mouse models to the forefront of this effort. Although current methods for the measurement of energy expenditure (EE) in mice are sensitive, reproducible, and widely available, their potential to inform the study of obesity remains limited by controversy regarding how best to control for the powerful, independent impact on EE of variation in body size per se (1,2). In this article, we briefly review the recent work that has fueled this controversy and propose an approach to its resolution. We also highlight aspects of EE measurement relevant to obesity pathogenesis that merit additional study. Although we focus on studies in mice, the principles presented can be applied to most other animal models. Dramatic increases in the prevalence of obesity and its burden of health and economic consequences heighten the need for new insights into mechanisms that govern energy balance. At a superficial level, the problem of obesity resolves to simple math: energy balance, defined as the difference between rates of EE and energy intake (EI), sums over time to determine body energy content stored as fat mass (FM). Hence, obesity can be seen as the consequence of a sustained increase of energy intake relative to energy expenditure. This simplistic thermodynamic explanation, however, belies a far more complex pathophysiology that is crucial for understanding why weight loss is so difficult to achieve and sustain in obese individuals. At the core of this complexity is a biological process termed energy homeostasis, through which energy intake and expenditure are matched over long time intervals to promote the stability of FM. This process is influenced by …
Recognition of β-strand motifs by RseB is required for σ(E) activity in Escherichia coli.

Gram-negative bacteria react to misfolded proteins in the envelope through a myriad of different stress response pathways. This cohort of pathways allows the bacteria to specifically respond to different types of damage, and many of these have been discovered to have key roles in the virulence of bacterial pathogens. Misfolded outer membrane proteins (OMPs) are typically recognized by the σE pathway, a highly conserved envelope stress response pathway. We examined the features of misfolded OMPs with respect to their ability to generate envelope stress responses. We determined that the secondary structure, particularly the potential to form β strands, is critical to inducing the σE response in an RseB-dependent manner. The sequence of the potential β-strand motif modulates the strength of the σE response generated by the constructs. By understanding the details of how such stress response pathways are activated, we can gain a greater understanding of how bacteria survive in harsh environments.
In Situ Imaging of Water Distribution in a Gas Diffusion Layer by Neutron Radiography

In this study, neutron imaging was used to study water transport in a gas diffusion layer (GDL) during liquid water imbibition and drainage. It was shown that the liquid water saturation level in the GDL above the ribs was less than that above the channels, illustrating the role of the flow field elements on the local water distribution in the GDL. The difference in the liquid saturation level was attributed to the higher compression level of the GDL above the ribs leading to different morphological properties and, consequently, transport properties. Once liquid water breakthrough was reached, water was observed to flow through a single pathway. These results demonstrate that the assumption of isotropic transport properties of the GDLs in PEM fuel cell models needs to be reconsidered.
Inhibition studies on the metallo-beta-lactamase L1 from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

In an effort to identify a competitive inhibitor that can be used in future spectroscopic and crystallographic studies and to better understand the interaction of a mercaptoacetic acid-thiolester-containing compound with metallo-beta-lactamase L1 from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, inhibition studies using two thiol-containing compounds were conducted. N-(2'-Mercaptoethyl)-2-phenylacetamide is a competitive inhibitor of L1 with a K(i) of 50 +/- 3 microM, and this compound is not a time-dependent inactivator of L1. N-Benzylacetyl-d-alanylthioacetic acid is a competitive inhibitor of L1 with a K(i) of 1.6 +/- 0.3 microM. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric studies revealed that 2 mol of mercaptoacetate covalently bind to L1 upon incubation of the enzyme with N-benzylacetyl-d-alanylthioacetic acid; however, this covalently modified enzyme has the same activity as wild-type L1. Last, inhibition studies were used to demonstrate that 4-morpholinoethanesulfonic acid does not inhibit L1, even at concentrations up to 300 mM. This work identifies two possible competitive inhibitors which can be used in future structural studies and further demonstrates inhibitory heterogeneity among the metallo-beta-lactamases.
Anaesthetic Uptake by the Goldfish: Effect of Respiratory Rate

In order to assess the uptake of halothane by the goldfish, the respiratory rate of six fish was studied when water temperature was varied with and without changes in oxygen or carbon dioxide tension. The effective dose 50 of halothane (ED-50-H) and the time taken to reach it (T-ED-50-H) at an FIO2 of 0.35 in nitrogen, were studied when temperature and CO2 tension were varied. Nomograms were drawn to predict respiratory rate as a function of water CO2 tension, when CO2 was bubbled in air or in oxygen, and with changes in water temperature. At low temperatures (5 degrees C to 7.5 degrees C), respiratory rate remained below 10 per min, irrespective of CO2 partial pressure. At 28 degrees C, a CO2 partial pressure of 8 +/- 0.2 kPa produced a respiratory rate of 125 +/- 3/min in air, and in oxygen unexpectedly 140 +/- 3/min. Halothane ED-50 varied with temperature (0.8% at 10 degrees C and 1.6% at 23 degrees C). Time to reach ED-50-H decreased with increases in respiratory rate, but increased as water temperature was elevated.
Reclaiming Gender: Transgressive Identities in Modern Ireland

Reclaiming Gender: Transgressive Identities in Modern Ireland. Marilyn Cohen and Nancy J. Curtin. eds. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999. + 298 pp., notes, references, index.
Strontium and neodymium isotopic analyses of marine barite separates

Strontium and neodymium isotopic data are reported for barite samples chemically separated from Late Miocene to Pliocene sediments from the eastern equatorial Pacific. At a site within a region of very high productivity close to the equator, 875r/86Sr ratios in the barite separates are indistinguishable from those of foraminifera and fish teeth from the same samples. However, at two sites north of the productivity maximum barite separates have slightly, but consistently lower (averaging 62 × 10 -6) ratios than the coexisting phases, although values still fall within the total range of published values for the contemporaneous seawater strontium isotope curve. We examine possible causes for this offset including recrystallization of the foraminifera, fish teeth or barite, the presence of non-barite contaminants, or incor- poration of older, reworked deep-sea barite; the inclusion of a small amount of hydrothermal barite in the sediments seems most consistent with our data, although there are difficulties associated with adequate production and transportation of this phase. Barite is unlikely to replace calcite as a preferred tracer of seawater strontium isotopes in carbonate-rich sediments, but may prove a useful substitute in cases where calcite is rare or strongly affected by diagenesis. In contrast to the case for strontium, neodymium isotopic ratios in the barite separates are far from expected values for contemporary seawater, and appear to be dominated by an (unobserved) eolian component with high neodymium concentration and low 143Nd( ~44Nd. These results suggest that the true potential of barite as an indicator of paleocean neodymium isotopic ratios and REE patterns will be realized only when a more selective separation procedure is developed.
Trajectories of functional change among long stayers in nursing homes: does baseline impairment matter?

Objectives: To describe the degree of loneliness among the visually impaired elderly and to make a comparison with a matched reference group of the normally sighted elderly. In addition, we examined self-management abilities (SMAs) as determinants of loneliness among the visually impaired elderly. Method: In a cross-sectional study, 173 visually impaired elderly persons completed telephone interviews. Loneliness and SMAs were assessed with the Loneliness Scale of De Jong Gierveld and the SMAS-30, respectively. Results: The prevalence of loneliness among the visually impaired elderly was higher compared with the reference group (50% vs. 29%; p < .001). Multivariate hierarchical regression analysis showed that the SMA self-efficacy, partner status, and self-esteem were determinants of loneliness. Severity and duration of visual impairment had no effect on loneliness. Discussion: The relationship between SMAs (i.e., self-efficacy) and loneliness is promising, as SMAs can be learned through training. Consequently, self-management training may reduce feelings of loneliness.
Optimal advertising in a time-varying market

The optimal synthesis for a Vidale-Wolfe advertising model with a time-varying market is described. >
Skull base chordoma.

Purpose. Our purpose was to discuss the optimal treatment and outcomes for patients with skull base chordomas. Methods. We reviewed the pertinent literature for this study. Results. Skull base chordomas usually arise in the clivus and are rarely completely resectable. Therefore, most are treated with radiotherapy (RT). Because of the risk of severe late com- plications, the dose is often limited with conventional photon RT, and the probability of cure is low. Proton RT alone or combined with photon RT (proton/photon RT) offers the advantage of improved dose distribution and the ability to treat the tumor to a higher dose without exceeding normal tissue tolerance. The 10-year local control rate after proton/photon RT is approx- imately 40% to 50%. The probability of local control is related to minimum tumor dose and dose inhomogeneity. Conclusions. Skull base chordoma is a rare neoplasm that is rarely cured after surgery alone or combined with conventional RT. Proton/photon RT offers the advantage of increasing the tumor dose while minimizing the dose to normal tissues, thus reducing the risk of late complications. The optimal treatment may be photon/proton RT alone or combined with a gross total resection, when feasible. A 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 27: 159-165, 2005
“Play it again, Sam”—a new approach to simulation

During the two weeks that medical students spend in anesthesia, we have scheduled them for two one-hour sessions in our simulator lab. During the first session, they are taught to perform a routine anesthetic induction and then a rapid-sequence induction. During the second session, they are presented with a case of ventricular fibrillation (VF) during general anesthesia. This scenario is followed by a debriefing session during which the students are introduced to the basic concepts of crisis resource management (CRM). A similar scenario is then run to reinforce the learning experience. The students complete an evaluation at the end of the clerkship and rate the lectures and simulation on a scale of one (low) to five (high). These assessments were then collected for analysis and evaluation. Results The average score for the lectures was 4.3 (from a possible score of 5). The average score for the simulation was 4.8. Comparison of these results using a student’s t-test indicated a significant difference (p<0.013). This indicates that the medical students prefer this method of learning to formal lectures. Discussion Simulation typically involves a scenario and debriefing session aimed at correcting errors and providing insight into why those errors occurred. However, allowing the trainee the opportunity to repeat the scenario and “get it right” has both academic and psychological advantages for both the trainee and the instructor. The instructor is able to verify that the material is understood and can be applied. The trainee benefits from the satisfaction of being able to demonstrate that he now knows how to perform the task successfully, thus reinforcing the material just learned, while also gaining confidence to deal with a similar clinical situation in the future. Thus, repeating the scenario resulted in a positive learning experience that was reflected in the high scores received in the evaluations.