cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Textural Changes in Ripening Peaches

Abstract Clingstone and freestone peaches of varying degrees of ripeness were subjected to a puncture test, a modified G. F. Texture Profile, and a set of rectangular punches that enable a compression coefficient (Kc), and a shear coefficient (Ks), to be evaluated. Adhesiveness and viscosity were absent in the G. F. Texture Profile. Cohesiveness was constant for clingstone peaches although the two areas whose ratio is the cohesiveness parameter decreased at the same rate as the puncture test. The other textural properties: fracturability, hardness, elasticity, chewiness, Kc, and Ks decreased at about the same rate as the puncture test. Correlation coefficients between these textural parameters and the puncture test were all significant. This leads to the conclusion that almost any kind of textural property can be used successfully as an index of textural quality of fresh freestone or clingstone peaches because the various textural parameters change in the same direction and at approximately the same rate as the fruit rlpens. The results also indicate that compression (Kc), is the major contributor to the puncture reading and that shear is a minor contributor.
Heat Production by Ultrasonic Equipment

Temperature profiles were developed for several ultrasonic instruments over varying time intervals with two volumes of water. A wide range of temperatures at different power levels was noted.
Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy Measurements of Fluorescent Molecular Probes Binding to Insulin Amyloid Fibrils

The binding of two amyloid fibril stain dyes, thioflavin T (ThT) and its neutral analog 2-[4′-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-benzothiazole (BTA-2), are measured using near-field scanning optical microscopy...
A faster polynomial algorithm for the constrained maximum flow problem

The constrained maximum flow problem is a variant of the classical maximum flow problem in which the flow from a source node to a sink node is maximized in a directed capacitated network with arc costs subject to the constraint that the total cost of flow should be within a budget. It is important to study this problem because it has important applications, such as in logistics, telecommunications and computer networks; and because it is related to variants of classical problems such as the constrained shortest path problem, constrained transportation problem, or constrained assignment problem, all of which have important applications as well. In this research, we present an O(n^2mlog(nC)) time cost scaling algorithm and compare its empirical performance against the two existing polynomial combinatorial algorithms for the problem: the capacity scaling and the double scaling algorithms. We show that the cost scaling algorithm is on average 25 times faster than the double scaling algorithm, and 32 times faster than the capacity scaling algorithm.
Racial and income disparities in childhood asthma in the United States.

Objective.—To examine racial and income disparities in asthma prevalence in US children, and disparities in morbidity and ambulatory health care use among children with asthma. Methods.—Using 1993–1996 National Health Interview Survey data, we measured asthma prevalence and morbidity in children aged 3 to 17 years (N = 14 211) stratifying by race and poverty status. Measures of morbidity included asthma-related activity limitation and number of bed days. We used the ratio of asthma-related doctor contacts to number of bed days in the past 2 weeks to measure health care use adjusted for severity of illness. Results.—An annual average of 7.4% of children aged 3 to 17 years had asthma. There were no significant differences in asthma prevalence between race and poverty groups. In contrast, asthma-related morbidity was higher among black and poor children. Black poor children were most likely to have activity limitations due to asthma: 49% were limited compared with about 20% of black nonpoor, white poor, and white nonpoor children. Among children with activity limitations, black children and white poor children were more likely to have severe limitations, and white nonpoor children were least likely. Finally, white nonpoor children had the highest level of ambulatory care use for asthma after accounting for disease severity, and black poor children had the lowest level. Conclusions.—We found no significant racial or income disparities in asthma prevalence among children in the United States. However, black children and poor children are at higher risk for activity limitation, more severe activity limitation, and relative underuse of ambulatory health care. Black children living in poverty are at highest risk. Targeted interventions to reduce the burden of asthma morbidity in this population are likely to reduce disparities in asthma morbidity as well as reduce overall childhood asthma morbidity.
The landscape genetics of syntopic topminnows (Fundulus notatus and F. olivaceus) in a riverine contact zone

The metapopulation dynamics of a species are influenced by the spatial arrangement of preferred habitats across a landscape. Increasing habitat patchiness can result in greater population subdivision, leading to more pronounced population genetic structure. Therefore, even subtle differences in habitat preferences among species could lead to substantial differences in genetic structure. Members of the Fundulus notatus species complex of topminnows include a headwater specialist and a large river specialist with broadly overlapping geographical distributions. Both species are often found in the same drainage systems, but partially isolated by divergent habitat preferences. The purpose of this research was to determine whether distribution along a stream continuum in a contact zone influences population genetic patterns in two species of topminnow (Fundulus olivaceus and Fundulus notatus). Fish were collected in the summers of 2010–2012, and habitat data were collected in summer 2012, within all major tributaries of the Saline River in southern Illinois. In total, 523 fish were genotyped using seven microsatellite loci to assess genetic variation. Species distributions in F. notatus and F. olivaceus were associated with habitat factors that covaried with cumulative drainage area. Populations of F. olivaceus showed a greater level of genetic structure reflected in a significant pattern of isolation by distance, while populations of F. notatus showed no such pattern. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed that at an individual level, both species became increasingly divergent with waterway distance. Overall, clear interspecific differences in habitat preferences were translated into measurable but relatively subtle differences in population genetic structure.
Is There a Link between the Development of Systemic to Pulmonary Collaterals and Stage III or Greater Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very Low Birth Weight Infants? A Prospective Evaluation

Is There a Link between the Development of Systemic to Pulmonary Collaterals and Stage III or Greater Retinopathy of Prematurity in Very Low Birth Weight Infants? A Prospective Evaluation
Non-linear bandwidth reduction schemes for transmission of multivariate Gaussian sources over noisy channels

In this paper we investigate the design of bandwidth reduction non-linear schemes for the transmission of multivariate Gaussian sources over noisy channels. The non-linear mappings are designed utilizing an algorithm called “Power Constrained Channel Optimized Vector Quantization”(PCCOVQ). Practical examples for 2∶1, 3∶1 and 4∶2 systems are provided, and simulation results are compared with the respective Optimal Performance Theoretically Attainable (OPTA).
A novel glycine-rich cell wall protein gene in rice.

A genomic clone isolated from rice (Oryza sativa var. IR 36) contains a gene that encodes a glycine-rich cell wall protein. This gene is a member of a multi-gene family. Two transcripts with different 5′ termini are encoded by this gene and the expression of these two transcripts is differentially regulated. The amino acid sequence derived from the DNA sequence of this gene has a putative amino terminal signal peptide, and a highly repetitive structure in the putative mature protein. A model is proposed which describes the potential monomeric structure of this glycine-rich protein and how these monomers may be covalently linked to produce a network-like structure.
Abdominal hysterectomy practice patterns in the United States

Objective: To describe nationwide practice trends for two principal techniques of abdominal hysterectomy in the United States, numbers and rates of total (TAH) and supracervical (SCH) hysterectomy were reviewed with charges for each operation. Methods: Practice patterns for all inpatient TAH and SCH discharges in the US from 1991 to 1994 were studied using HCUP-3 NIS, a nationwide hospital discharge database. Hysterectomies performed for malignant disease, vaginally or with laparoscopic assistance were not sampled. For each year studied, the number and rate of TAH and SCH, average length of stay (LOS), and mean institutional charge were evaluated. Results: From 1991 to 1994, the US TAH rate (cases/10 000 females) decreased significantly from 25.7 to 20.5 (P = 0.02). During the same interval the SCH rate increased significantly from 0.16 to 0.41 (P = 0.04). Nevertheless, TAH accounted for >99% of all abdominal hysterectomies for each of the 4 years evaluated. The mean institutional charges for the two operations generally depicted SCH to be more costly than TAH. Conclusion: The national rates of TAH and SCH rates changed significantly in the United States from 1991 to 1994, with TAH declining and SCH increasing. This mix of cases continues to reflect a strong preference for TAH. Although hospital charges for both procedures increased during this study, these data show that SCH is more expensive than TAH. The much lower utilization of SCH renders nominal its impact on national healthcare expenditures, however. Further studies are needed to assess specific causative factors for these changes in US hysterectomy technique.
Effects of Protonation State on a Tyrosine-Histidine Bioinspired Redox Mediator

The conversion of tyrosine to the corresponding tyrosyl radical in photosytem II (PSII) is an example of proton-coupled electron transfer. Although the tyrosine moiety (TyrZ) is known to function as a redox mediator between the photo-oxidized primary donor (P680•+) and the Mn-containing oxygen-evolving complex, the protonation states involved in the course of the reaction remain an active area of investigation. Herein, we report on the optical, structural, and electrochemical properties of tyrosine−histidine constructs, which model the function of their naturally occurring counterparts in PSII. Electrochemical studies show that the phenoxyl/phenol couple of the model is chemically reversible and thermodynamically capable of water oxidation. Studies under acidic and basic conditions provide clear evidence that an ionizable proton controls the electrochemical potential of the tyrosine−histidine mimic and that an exogenous base or acid can be used to generate a low-potential or high-potential mediator, respe...
Toxicity of coal-conversion gasifier condensate to the fathead minnow.

The increasing need to supplement our dwindling supply of natural gas and yet maintain environmental quality has generated a need for bioassay of aquatic effluents from coal-conversion systems. One of the more promising coal-to-gas schemes is the Synthane process currently under study at the Bruceton Laboratories of the Pittsburgh Energy Research Center (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). This laboratory-scale Synthane operation provides product streams considered to be representative of those which will eventually be produced by commercial procedures (FORNEY et al. 1974). The major effluent and potential source of environmental pollutants is the contaminated condensate from the 40-atm fluid-bed gasifier (FORNEY et al. 1974). Chemical analyses of this aqueous effluent show that its composition varies with the type of coal used, but its major organic components are phenolic compounds and ammonia (FORNEY et al. 1974; HO et al. 1977). The purpose of the present paper is to examine the toxicity to the fathead minnow of the condensate water from the gasifier.
EFFECTS OF THREE PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZERS ON PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATIONS AND PHYTOPLANKTON PRODUCTION

Abstract Results of studies in earthen ponds and mud-water systems in plastic pools indicated that applications of liquid phosphorus fertilizer were more effective in increasing phosphorus concentrations and phytoplankton production than broadcast applications of triple superphosphate and diammonium phosphate. The effectiveness of triple superphosphate was increased by dissolving it in water before application.
ENDOTHELIAL PROTEOGLYCANS INHIBIT BFGF BINDING AND MITOGENESIS

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a known mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells and has been implicated as having a role in a number of proliferative vascular disorders. Binding of bFGF to heparin or heparan sulfate has been demonstrated to both stimulate and inhibit growth factor activity. The activity, towards bFGF, of heparan sulfate proteoglycans present within the vascular system is likely related to the chemical characteristics of the glycosaminoglycan as well as the structure and pericellular location of the intact proteoglycans. We have previously shown that endothelial conditioned medium inhibits both bFGF binding to vascular smooth muscle cells and bFGF stimulated cell proliferation in vitro. In the present study, we have isolated proteoglycans from endothelial cell conditioned medium and demonstrated that they are responsible for the bFGF inhibitory activity. We further separated endothelial secreted proteoglycans into two fractions, PG-A and PG-B. The large sized fraction (PG-A) had greater inhibitory activity than did PG-B for both bFGF binding and bFGF stimulation of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The increased relative activity of PG-A was attributed, in part, to larger heparan sulfate chains which were more potent inhibitors of bFGF binding than the smaller heparan sulfate chains on PG-B. Both proteoglycan fractions contained perlecan-like core proteins; however, PG-A contained an additional core protein (approximately 190 kDa) that was not observed in PG-B. Both proteoglycan fractions bound bFGF directly, and PG-A bound a significantly greater relative amount of bFGF than did PG-B. Thus the ability of endothelial heparan sulfate proteoglycans to bind bFGF and prevent its association with vascular smooth muscle cells appears essential for inhibition of bFGF-induced mitogenesis. The production of potent bFGF inhibitory heparan sulfate proteoglycans by endothelial cells might contribute to the maintenance of vascular homeostasis.
Differential accumulation of a protein kinase homolog in Trypanosoma brucei

Using degenerate oligonucleotide primers derived from conserved regions in the catalytic domains of protein kinases, we have identified transcripts of the protein kinase families in Trypanosoma brucei by the polymerase chain reaction technique. From the cDNAs synthesized from poly(A)+ RNA purified from the bloodstream form of the pathogen, we have obtained seven distinct partial cDNA sequences. Deduced amino acid sequences of these seven clones contain conserved regions characteristic of catalytic domains of eukaryotic protein serine/threonine kinases, DNA gel blots showed that one of the clones, TbPK-A4 is most likely a member of a subfamily in the protein kinase gene family, whereas the other six are probably each encoded by a single gene in the genome of T. brucei. The full-length cDNA of TbPK-A1 was cloned, sequenced, and found to encode an open reading frame of 350 amino acid residues. Its gene (designated KFR1) demonstrated high sequence similarity to KSS1 and FUS3 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and rat MAP kinase at the amino acid level. There are a 3- to 4-fold higher level of KFR1 transcript and a 2-fold increase of KFR1 protein in the bloodstream form when compared with the insect form of T. brucei. This preferential expression of KFR1 in the bloodstream form of T. brucei may play a role in controlling the cell cycle and thus the growth rate of the organism.
Exploring Metropolitan Accessibility and Urban Structure

Location-based assessments of accessibility gauge the attraction of a place relative to other places. These approaches have been used extensively in models of commuting and urban structure. Even though locational accessibility measures are integral to such efforts, they may also be used to explore aspects of urban spatial structure. As such, this paper presents a GIS-based analysis of locational accessibility for a sample of U.S. metropolitan areas. Indices of accessibility based on spatial interaction models are developed for intraurban residential and employment locations. Results show that residential accessibility patterns are similar across cities, taking a concentric pattern where the central urban area is most attractive. However, employment accessibility varies more from city to city; moreover, the areas of highest employment accessibility tend to be decentralized within their respective regions. Overall, location-based accessibility indices are useful for exploring urban form, particularly with r...
The Effects of Carbon on Czochralski Silicon Used for Dynamic Random Access Memory Production

Czochralski silicon with constant controlled oxygen level of 15+/-0.5 ppma (ASTM F121–80) and varying carbon content intentionally doped at five different levels from 0.1 ppma to 4.1 ppma (ASTM F123–81) was used to fabricate 16K dynamic random access memories, MOS test capacitors with guard rings, and pn junctions. The results of the experiment have been analyzed for relative yield to functional and refresh characteristics, MOS generation and bulk recombination lifetime, pn junction leakage, and both surface and bulk defect densities. Peak performance of the silicon did not occur at the lowest carbon level, but was dominated by the oxygen precipitate defect density and depth of the denuded zone near the active device regions. The results of the capacitor measurements, the DRAM yield measurements, the junction leakage measurements and the bulk and surface lifetime measurements are self-consistent and emphasize the need for control of the oxygen precipitation whether it is nucleated by carbon or other homogeneous and heterogeneous processes. There is no evidence that carbon has any impact on the device performance other than its impact on the precipitation kinetics of the interstitial oxygen.
Huntington’s Disease Genetics

Huntington's disease (HD) is a dominantly transmitted neurodegenerative disorder with wide variation in onset age but with an average age at onset of 40 years. Children of HD gene carriers have a 50% chance of inheriting the disease. The characteristic symptoms of HD are involuntary choreiform movements, cognitive impairment, mood disorders, and behavioral changes which are chronic and progressive over the course of the illness. HD is a "trinucleotide repeat" disorder, which is caused by an increase in the number of CAG repeats in the HD gene. Repeats of 40 or larger are associated with disease expression, whereas repeats of 26 and smaller are normal. Intermediate numbers of repeats, between 27 and 35, are not associated with disease expression but may expand in paternal transmission, resulting in the disease in descendents. Repeats of 36-39 are associated with reduced penetrance whereby some develop HD and others do not. The identification of the genetic defect in HD permits direct genetic testing for the presence of the gene alteration responsible for the disease. Tests may be performed in three circumstances: (1) confirmation of diagnosis, (2) predictive testing of persons at genetic risk for inheriting HD, and (3) prenatal testing. Testing is widely available and much experience has been gained with protocols that assist the individual in making an informed choice about test options, and minimize the occurrence of adverse emotional outcomes.
Diesel vehicles and sustainable mobility in the U.S.

Concerns regarding global warming and energy security have increased the importance of decreasing emissions of CO2 from vehicles. Diesel vehicles have higher fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions than their gasoline counterparts. On a well-to-wheels per vehicle per km basis it has been estimated that diesel light-duty vehicles in 2015 will emit 14–27% less CO2 than their gasoline counterparts. We estimate here that on a gCO2/kWh at peak torque, diesel medium-duty vehicles currently have an approximately 10% CO2 advantage over their gasoline counterparts. At light and moderate loads the CO2 advantage for medium-duty diesels with SCR after-treatment will be greater than 10% (reflecting pumping losses when gasoline engines are operated at low and moderate loads). Emission of NOx, HCs, and PM from diesel (and gasoline) vehicles has decreased substantially over the past decade and further reductions are anticipated in the future. In addition to the heavy-duty segment, which diesels currently dominate, modern diesel engines are likely to continue to play an important role in the medium-duty segment, and perhaps also in the light-duty segment in a transition to more sustainable mobility.
Appendectomy in the pre- and postlaparoscopic eras.

The role of laparoscopic appendectomy remains controversial since many authors have suggested that overall morbidity is primarily a function of the degree of appendicitis rather than the operative approach. We have reviewed our appendectomy experience to determine the advantages and/or disadvantages of the laparoscopic technique in cases of acute appendicitis, and furthermore to ascertain whether the extent of disease should affect the surgical approach used. Data were accumulated for all 1158 patients who underwent appendectomy at a single institution during the following three time periods that span the pre- and postlaparoscopic eras: period I (1987 to 1990), period II (1991 to 1993), and period III (1994 to 1997). Cases were categorized with regard to pathologic findings and operative approach (i.e., open or laparoscopic appendectomy). The percentage of appendectomies performed laparoscopically increased with time (0%, 27%, and 79% for periods I, II, and III, respectively). Overall, the total operating room time was slightly shorter for laparoscopic compared to open appendectomy (99 vs. 102 minutes; P 8 hours) (21%, 5%, and 5%) over the three time periods, but the rate of "negative" appendectomies was similar (10%, 8%, and 8%). The complication rates following laparoscopic and open appendectomies during period II were 5.4% and 7.5%, respectively (P >0.05). Laparoscopic appendectomy results in a marked decrease in the length of hospital stay and similar postoperative morbidity compared to open appendectomy. In cases of gangrenous or perforated appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy appears to be especially worthwhile in regard to both operating room time and hospital stay.
Blood coagulation after a fat meal.

The influence of meals on the coagulability of blood was studied in experiments on 20 men with parallel nonfed controls. The whole blood clotting time in siliconized tubes was not altered by a low-fat meal or by continued absence of a meal, but it was significantly shortened after a meal containing 100 Gm. of butterfat. The degree of lipemia did not determine the degree of shortening. There was no important effect on prothrombin time of the fatty meal as contrasted with the nonfatty meal or with no meal. Heparin tolerance results were difficult to interpret.
Numerical simulations of the North Atlantic subtropical gyre: Sensitivity to boundary conditions

Abstract A series of simulations have been carried out with the Miami Isopycnic Coordinate Ocean Model (MICOM) in the context of the Data Assimilation and Modeling Evaluation Experiment-North Atlantic Basin (DAMEE-NAB), in order to explore the model's ability to reproduce the wind- and thermohaline-driven circulations in the North Atlantic subtropical gyre. This paper addresses the constraints imposed on the simulations by the domain size and by the position of the ocean lateral boundaries. Comparisons between simulations performed in a large CME-like domain (28°S to 65°N) and in a smaller DAMEE-NAB domain (6°N to 50°N) are discussed in detail. In the large configuration, the flow into the subtropics is related to the model circulation in the subpolar and equatorial regions, while in the smaller configuration, that flow depends solely on the interaction between the circulation in the subtropics and the restoring forcing at the boundaries. Despite the fact that the boundaries in the small domain are located adjacent to the region of interest, and that these boundaries intersect strong meridional surface flows in the western basin (in contrast to the situation in the large domain), the restoring force is able to generate appropriate inflow and outflow conditions without significantly disrupting the circulation in the subtropical gyre. The impact of grid spacing is also assessed by doubling the horizontal resolution. This increase in resolution implies an increase in the number of grid points inside the buffer zones, which modifies the vertical mass transfer within the boundaries and consequently the efficiency of the buffer zones. This is shown to be particularly important in the sponge layer located in the Gulf of Cadiz to simulate the outflow of salty Mediterranean waters into the North Atlantic, which under certain circumstances, can significantly modify the interior water mass properties. Furthermore, changes in the flow conditions in the Gulf of Cadiz, associated with this increase in resolution, also have an important impact upon the model's ability to simulate the Azores Current.
Post-Injury Medical and Psychosocial Care in Children: Impact of Traumatic Stress Symptoms

This study examined after-hospital medical and psychosocial care parents sought for their child following an injury and how this was affected by parent and child traumatic stress symptoms. Whereas the majority of parents (> 70%) reported seeking after-hospital pediatric medical services, less than one-third sought psychosocial assistance. More severe child or parent acute traumatic stress within the first month post injury was associated with a greater number of subsequent outpatient medical visits. Level of child or parent acute stress was also related to the type of psychosocial help sought. Results support trauma-informed care and symptom screening in children and parents post injury.
Infrared Fiber Optic Sensors For The Remote Detection Of Hydrocarbons Operating In The 3.3 To 3.36 Micron Region

A novel class of spectrochemical sensors for remote sensing of hydrocarbons is investigated. This class of sensors exploits the excellent near infrared transmission properties of commercial zirconium fluoride optical fibers that have only recently been available. Several different remote spectrochemical sensors are discussed which incorporate these IR transmitting fiber optics; they include a gas absorption cell, a photoacoustic cell, and an inexpensive FT-IR interface to a remote gas analysis cell. Design characteristics and experimental data on sensitivity and linearity are presented. Potential areas of application for the new class of sensors are also discussed.
Characterization of particulate matter in California

The size, composition, and concentration of particulate matter (PM) vary with location and time. Several monitoring/sampling programs are operated in California to characterize PM less than 2.5 and 10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5 and PM10). This paper presents a broad summary of the spatial and temporal variations observed in ambient PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in California. Many areas that have high PM10 concentrations also have relatively high PM2.5 concentrations, and data indicate that a significant portion of the PM10 air quality problem is caused by PM2.5. To develop effective plans for attaining the ambient PM standards, improved understanding of these unique problems is needed. Since 1989, pollution control efforts-whether specifically targeted for particulate matter or indirectly via controls on gaseous emissions-have caused annual average PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations to decline at most sites in California.
The Effect of Penetrator Geometry on the Dynamic Response of Woven Graphite/Epoxy Composites

The primary focus on this paper is to study the high energy penetration/perforation damage propagation of composite plates using the perforation split Hopkinson pressure bar. The objectives include: investigation of propagation of penetration and surface crack damage in the vicinity perforation threshold velocity; investigation of energy absorption and strain intensity profiling; and quantitative analysis of the interactive effects of penetrator geometry and sample thickness on the perforation damage of woven graphite-epoxy composite plates. The results show that strain rate increased with damage energy threshold levels and decreased with sample thickness from below to above the perforation limit velocity on the average. There was a significant difference between penetrator geometries on a specimen strain rate, and penetrator size other than shape was a more important factor. As the size of the penetrator increased, the perforation energy thresholds increased accordingly. Thus, for the same energy level, the larger penetrator delivered more energy to the target. The mode of perforation failure was localized with obliquely shaped cracks for the woven specimens. It was conceivable that the cracks first initiate at the point of intersections of the weave and move in both directions. These results would provide some instructions in building, designing, and evaluating protective structures that undergo any penetration type of impact.
Effect of external pH on heat sensitization by local anesthetics.

Abstract The sensitization of asynchronous Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to 43°C by procaine, lidocaine, and tetracaine was examined, with the pH of the medium carefully controlled at ≈pH7 and 8. Thermal enhancement factors for 43°C were calculated for the surviving fraction of 0.01. The thermal enhancement factors of the local anesthetics were increased at ≈ pH8 by factors of 2–12, depending on the local anesthetic and its concentration. The concentration of the uncharged free base form of the local anesthetic in the culture medium correlated positively with the thermal enhancement factors of each local anesthetic and in a near linear fashion with the thermal enhancement factors for procaine. However, the concentration of the cationic form of the local anesthetics in the growth medium did not correlate with heat sensitization. We conclude that the ability of local anesthetics to sensitize cells to heat killing is dramatically influenced by the extracellular pH, with increased sensitization at the more basic pH's. Secondly, it is the extracellular concentration of the free base form of the local anesthetics that correlates with heat sensitization.
Anisotropic conductivity in a channel-structured superionic conductor: Li2Ti3O7

Abstract From measurements on single crystals of Li2Ti3O7, the conductivity is determined to be predominately ionic with an anisotropy of σ b σ a ≈4 and σ c σ b ≈7 . This anisotropy is significant but is not sufficient to classify this channel-structured ramsdellite material as a one-dimensional conductor. A conduction path through the ramsdellite crystal structure consistent with the determined anisotropy is presented.
Systematics in lanthanide and actinide solids

Abstract Generalized phase diagrams have been available for about ten years for both the lanthanides and actinides, and these have proven to be quite useful in understanding the phase relationships in the two series of elements and in predicting the existence of phases when experimental data are lacking. The two generalized phase diagrams are examined for their similarities and differences. The application of systematics in lanthanide compound series has been useful in predicting crystal structures (phase relationships), melting points, and enthalpies and free energies of formation. Analyses of these data indicate that there is 4f hybridization with the other valence and/or bonding electrons. It is most likely that the 4f hybridization involves the empty 4f level(s) just above the Fermi surface and not the filled localized 4f levels. Systematics has also been applied to the actinide metals. Since the experimental data are primarily limited to Th, U and Pu, and since the valence changes from 3 to 7 in the early actinides, the usefulness of these techniques, which have been so successful for the lanthanides, has been limited. If more experimental data were available for actinium and its alloy systems, much more progress could be made in our understanding of actinide alloys and compounds. In addition, as a result of applying systematics, it is thought that the lattice parameters reported for Ac and AcH 2 are quite likely to be wrong. It is proposed that the correct lattice parameter for f.c.c. Ac metal is 5.670 A, about 6.7% larger than the value which has been accepted up to now.
Diabetes Care in Health Maintenance Organisation and Fee-For-Service Settings

This article evaluates an outcome measure (glycated haemoglobin levels) and 5 process measures (retinal examinations, proteinuria, glycated haemoglobin, foot examinations and lipids) for diabetes care in both health maintenance organisation (HMO) and fee-for-service settings. The mean glycated haemoglobin levels were very similar in 3140 patients followed in a fee-for-service setting (9.59%) and 4449 patients seen in an HMO setting (9.51%).
Abstract 3183: Modulation of NLRP3 by chemotherapeutics: Potential application in mesothelioma treatment

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a deadly cancer and inflammation plays an important role in this carcinogenesis. In about 80% of cases, asbestos is the cause of MM development. We have previously shown that asbestos-induced NLRP3 priming and activation plays a significant role in MM development. We have also demonstrated that MM cells and tumor tissues show decreased levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1 activity as compared to normal mesothelial cells or tissue. Here using various human MM lines and two chemotherapeutic agents, doxorubicin and cisplatin, we show that chemotherapeutic agents can prime and activate NLRP3 in various MM cell lines, resulting in caspase-1 activation which may help in reducing drug resistance and increase tumor toxicity. The process of NLRP3 priming/activation was in part based on reactive oxygen species generated by these chemotherapeutic agents, as N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) was able to block these responses partly but significantly. The process of NLRP3 activation by these drugs also resulted in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and IL-18. Our current studies are focused on blocking IL-1 receptor by an antagonist to find out if this can attenuate the release of IL-1-related cytokines like IL-6, IL-8 and VEGF. If successful, the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs and IL-1 receptor antagonists may have potential in MM treatment. This work is supported by NIH RO1 grant and a fellowship from the Department of Pathology, UVM. Citation Format: Arti Shukla, Catherine Westbom, Joyce Thompson, Maximilian MacPherson, Stacie Beuschel. Modulation of NLRP3 by chemotherapeutics: Potential application in mesothelioma treatment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3183. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3183
Charge-symmetry breaking and n-n scattering lengths

Abstract Recent experimental and theoretical investigations of ρ-ω and η-π mixing have caused us to re-examine the effects of these mixings on the charge-symmetry breaking of nuclear forces. The charge asymmetry of the nucleon-nucleon force in the singlet S-state is used to predict the n-n scattering length in terms of the measured p-p one. The extra attraction of the n-n potential in the 1 S 0 state gives rise to a change of roughly −0.8 fm in the corresponding scattering length. The magnitude (and sign) of the charge asymmetry is approximately that required to understand the binding-energy differences of the mirror nuclei 3 He- 3 H and 41 Sc- 41 Ca.
Thrombin stimulates proliferation of liver fat-storing cells and expression of monocyte chemotactic protein-1: Potential role in liver injury

Liver fat-storing cells (FSC) proliferate and secrete extracellular matrix in experimental models of liver injury. In this study, we determined if thrombin, a serine protease produced during acute and chronic tissue injury, modulates the functions of FSC. Thrombin stimulated DNA synthesis and proliferation of FSC, as assessed by [3H]-thymidine incorporation assay and measurement of cell number, respectively. Thrombin also increased the secretion of monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in a time- and dose-dependent fashion. The effect of thrombin on both DNA synthesis and MCP-1 secretion was neutralized by pretreatment of thrombin with hirudin. The increased MCP-1 secretion was associated with increased steady-state levels of MCP-1 messenger RNA. Pretreatment of FSC with 5 mumol/retinol for 48 hours inhibited the mitogenic effects of thrombin but not the induction of MCP-1 secretion. FSC express specific transcripts encoding for the human thrombin receptor, as shown by Northern blot analysis of poly(A)+ RNA. Proteolytic activation of the thrombin receptor results in the formation of a new N-terminus that functions as a tethered ligand. We studied the effects of a thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP) corresponding to the newly formed N-terminus on FSC. TRAP mimicked the effects of thrombin on [3H]-thymidine incorporation, MCP-1 secretion, and MCP-1 gene expression. This study suggest that thrombin may be involved in modulating FSC proliferation and monocyte chemotaxis during human liver disease, through proteolytic activation of its receptor.
Neue Reaktionen des Ketens, I Acetylierung reaktiver CH-Bindungen mit Keten

Bei Umsetzungen des Ketens mit Acetessigsaureestern, Malonsaure-Derivaten der allgemeinen Formel XCH2CO2R (X CO2R, CN), Methantricarbonsaureestern und Acetylaceton erhalt man als Hauptprodukte Diacetylessigsaureester, Triacetylessigsaureester (2), Diacetylmalonsaureester (6), α-Cyan-β-acetoxy-buten-(2)-saureester (9), Acetylmethantricarbonsaureester (10) bzw. Triacetylmethan (11). Die Acetylierung des β-[N-Methyl-amino]-crotonsaure-athylesters fuhrt zum γ-Acetyl-β-[N-methyl-amino]-crotonsaureathylester (13). Es werden die NMR-Daten der genannten Hauptprodukte und einiger Nebenprodukte angegeben. Novel Reactions of Ketene, I. Acetylation of Reactive CH-Bonds with Ketene Reaction of ketene with acetoacetic esters, malonic acid derivatives of the general formula XCH2CO2R (X CO2R, CN), methanetricarboxylic esters, and acetylacetone gives diacetylacetic esters, triacetylacetic esters (2), diacetylmalonic esters (6), α-cyano-β-acetoxy-butenoic esters (9), acetylmethanetricarboxylic esters (10), and triacetylmethane (11), respectively, as main products. Ethyl-β-(N-aminomethyl)-crotonate is acetylated to the ethyl-α-acetyl-β-(N-aminomethyl)-crotonate (13). NMR spectroscopic data of the main products mentioned and of some of the by-products formed are given.
Structure and energetics of an allele-specific genetic interaction between dnaJ and dnaK: correlation of nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift perturbations in the J-domain of Hsp40/DnaJ with binding affinity for the ATPase domain of Hsp70/DnaK.

The molecular chaperone machine composed of Escherichia coli Hsp70/DnaK and Hsp40/DnaJ binds and releases client proteins in cycles of ATP-dependent protein folding, membrane translocation, disassembly, and degradation. The J-domain of DnaJ simultaneously stimulates ATP hydrolysis in the ATPase domain and capture of the client protein in the peptide-binding domain of DnaK. ATP-dependent binding of DnaJ to DnaK mimics DnaJ-dependent capture of a client protein. The dnaJ mutation that replaces aspartate-35 with asparagine (D35N) in the J-domain causes a defect in binding of DnaJ to DnaK. The dnaK mutation that replaces arginine-167 with alanine (R167A) in the ATPase domain of DnaK(R167A) restores binding of DnaJ(D35N). This genetic interaction was said to be allele-specific because wild-type DnaJ does not bind to DnaK(R167A). The J-domain of DnaJ binds to the ATPase domain of DnaK in its capacity as modulator of DnaK ATPase activity and conformational behavior. Surprisingly, the mutations affect the domainw...
Reward contingency, unemployment, and functional turnover

Abstract Based on the valence model of expectancy theory and the Cornell model of job satisfaction, this field study investigated the relationship between reward contingency, unemployment, pay satisfaction, job satisfaction, and functional turnover. The latter of which separates turnover into four categories: poor performing leavers, good performing leavers, poor performing stayers, and good performing stayers. It was conducted with a geographically dispersed sample of sales representatives (i.e., from 25 states and 66 cities), resulting in unemployment rates that ranged from 2 percent to 12 percent. The sales representatives were employed by four companies that paid different combinations of salary and commissions, ranging from mostly salary and little commission to 100 percent commission. A discriminant analysis accounted for 62 percent of the variance in functional turnover and achieved an overall classification hit rate of 67 percent across the four functional turnover groups. Follow-up univariate analyses indicated that objective reward contingency ( R 2 =.34), state unemployment ( R 2 =.11), state sales unemployment ( R 2 =.08), education ( R 2 =.09), and tenure ( R 2 =.08) accounted for most of the variance in functional turnover. Perceived reward contingency, pay satisfaction, job satisfaction, age, and gender were not related to functional turnover.
Purification of a brain-specific astroglial protein by immunoaffinity chromatography.

Abstract An immunoaffinity chromatography procedure for the isolation of bovine glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein is described. Degraded GFA protein isolated by hydroxyapatite chromatography from human spinal cord was used to prepare the antiserum. The immunoglogulin G fraction of the antiserum was covalently linked to CNBr-activated Sepharose, and columns of the immuno-affinity gel were used to adsorb bovine GFA protein from brain extracts. Elution was accomplished with a solution of 1 m acetic acid, 5 m urea, 0.8 m sodium chloride, pH 2.5. The yield of about 0.5 mg of highly purified protein/g of cerebral white matter could be increased to 1.5 mg/g of tissue by lowering the ionic strength of the extracting buffer from 50 m m to 1 m m sodium phosphate. Isolation in the presence of EDTA prevented the formation of an oxidation product migrating as a dimer of the monomeric species on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.
Internal field distributions in model spin glasses

The zero temperature probability distribution P(h) of internal magnetic fields is studied, both in the Sherrington-Kirkpatrick random Ising model of a spin glass and in its natural extension to classical vector spins. Theoretical predictions and computer simulations agree that P(h) is linear for small h in the Ising case, and has a hole-P(h)=0 for h< eta -in the vector spin case.
An integrated groundwater study for Chasnigua, Honduras Measurements and thoughts

This paper is an update on a project initiated last year with a grant from SEG's Geoscientists Without Borders program. The project benefited from prior established relationships with water and sanitation administrators in the Municipality of Villanueva and with faculty and students from the Universidad Autonoma de Honduras, campus Valle Sula. The project rationale was the substantial need for a clean, reliable source of potable water for people living in the village of Chasnigua and the interesting geophysical challenges of an area complicated with volcanic/limestone terrain. Because of the geological complexity of this region, a suite of magnetic, magnetic gradient, direct current (dc)resistivity, and frequency-domain electromagnetic studies were performed. Soil and water sampling and testing, and topographic mapping of the terrain augmented this geophysical study. Through this effort, a site was identified that holds substantial promise for a sustainable subterranean water source. However, challenges h...
Spirituality and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: Stress Counter-balancing Effects on the Well-being of Older Adults

The goal of this study was to examine stress-ameliorating effects of religiosity, spirituality, and healthy lifestyle behaviors on the stressful relationship of chronic illness and the subjective physical well-being of 221 older adults. We also investigated whether the intervening variables functioned as coping behaviors and orientations or as adaptations in late life. Guided by the stress paradigm, path analysis was used to assess these relationships in a stress suppressor model and a distress deterrent model. No suppressor effects were found; however a number of distress deterrent relationships were detected. Spirituality, physical activities, and healthy diet all contributed to higher subjective physical well-being, as counter-balancing effects, in the distress deterrent model. The findings have implications for future research on the role of spirituality, religiosity and lifestyle behaviors on the well-being of chronically ill older adults. Findings also support the need for studying different dimensions of religiosity and spirituality in an effort to understand coping versus adaptation in behaviors and orientations.
Mobile ADVICE: an accessible device for visually impaired capability enhancement

The visually impaired have limited access to the world of mobile devices. Our goal was to design a handheld mobile device to overcome limitations such as reliance on visual display and lack of audio and tactile feedback. We built a prototype handheld device using a combination of tactile feedback and auditory display based on preliminary research and testing. Our hypothesis was that this device would provide users with an interface with which they would be able to access advanced functions of a mobile device. This prototype was evaluated by both blind and sighted users. Based on both quantitative and qualitative measures, the results suggest that such a device can enhance the capabilities of visually impaired users of handheld mobile devices.
B2B e-commerce adoption decisions in Taiwan: the interaction of organizational, industrial, governmental and cultural factors

Business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce has become an important initiative among firms in the last few years. The factors affecting IT adoption decisions have been well-documented but few of the studies investigate how or whether culture plays a role in IT decisions. Using exploratory methods we examine whether the factors previously identified by researchers influence B2B e-commerce adoption in Taiwan and the extent to which culture plays a role in the adoption decision. This study is based on data derived from over 20 interviews with CEOs, CIOs, and MIS managers in electronics and textile companies in Taiwan. This study contributes to existing literature by describing the degree to which various organizational, industrial, governmental and cultural factors influence B2B e-commerce adoption decisions in Taiwan. It is one of the first studies investigating B2B e-commerce adoption decision factors in an emerging economy. Results indicate that organizational, industrial and governmental factors do indeed influence B2B e-commerce adoption decisions and cultural factors moderate the direct influence of government policies and industry pressures.