cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acetyl-CoA Metabolism Supports Multistep Pancreatic Tumorigenesis

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has a poor prognosis, and new strategies for prevention and treatment are urgently needed. We previously reported that histone H4 acetylation is elevated in pancreatic acinar cells harboring Kras mutations prior to the appearance of premalignant lesions. Since acetyl-CoA abundance regulates global histone acetylation, we hypothesized that altered acetyl-CoA metabolism might contribute to metabolic or epigenetic alterations that promote tumorigenesis. We found that acetyl-CoA abundance is elevated in KRAS mutant acinar cells and that its use in the mevalonate pathway supports acinar-to-ductal metaplasia (ADM). Pancreas-specific loss of the acetyl-CoA producing enzyme ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) accordingly suppresses ADM and tumor formation. In PDA cells, growth factors promote AKT-ACLY signaling and histone acetylation, and both cell proliferation and tumor growth can be suppressed by concurrent BET inhibition and statin treatment. Thus, KRAS-driven metabolic alterations promote acinar cell plasticity and tumor development, and targeting acetyl-CoA-dependent processes exerts anti-cancer effects.
Characterization of an alternatively activated IL-10 producing innate lymphoid type-2 effector cell population

Type-2 innate lymphoid (ILC2) cells share cytokine and transcription factor expression with CD4 + Th2 cells, but it is unknown if this ILC subtype undergoes functional diversification. Here, we report in vivo induction of a molecularly distinct subset of activated lung ILC2 cells, termed ILC2 10 cells, that produce IL-10 and downregulate genes associated with inflammation. Signals that generate ILC2 10 cells were distinct from those that induced IL-13 production and, along with transcriptome data, suggested an alternative pathway of activation. In vivo , IL-2 greatly enhanced ILC2 10 cell generation by IL-33 and was associated with decreased eosinophil recruitment to the lung. Unlike the majority of activated ILC2 cells, the ILC2 10 cell population underwent contraction following cessation of IL-33 stimulation in vivo, but with maintenance of a subpopulation of cells that can be recalled by restimulation, analogous to T cell effector cell and memory cell generation. Together, these data demonstrate previously unappreciated heterogeneity in the ILC2 cell response.
American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition staging-an improvement in prognostication in HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer?

Updates to the TNM staging system are needed in instances when clinical outcomes improve or patient demographics change. Since 1990, the incidence of HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has increased at a rate of 5% per year (1,2). These patients are distinct from HPV negative OPSCC counterparts as the demographic is younger, healthier, with less exposure to tobacco (1). Furthermore, patients with HPV-associated OPSCC have a disease that is highly responsive to treatment and portends a favorable prognosis (3). Given the dramatically improved survival of patients with HPV-associated OPSCC, it became clear that the seventh edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC 7 th ed) staging system was no longer accurate in predicting outcomes in this patient population (4).
Student Perception of Healthfulness, School Lunch Healthfulness, and Participation in School Lunch: The Healthy Communities Study.

Abstract Objective To increase understanding about the healthfulness of school lunch and participation, this study measured 3 school lunch variables, students’ perception of healthfulness, objective healthfulness, and participation, and examined associations between each pair of variables (3 associations). Methods Multilevel models were used for a secondary analysis of data from the Healthy Communities Study, a 2013–2015 observational study of schools (n = 423) and children (n = 5,106) from 130 US communities. Results Students who reported that school lunches were sometimes, often, or very often healthy ate school lunches more frequently per week (β = .71; P Conclusions and Implications Student perception of healthfulness of school lunch is positively associated with participation but not with objective school lunch healthfulness. Understanding how student perception is associated with participation can inform effective communications to students to increase participation in the school lunch program.
Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori and Gastric Cancer Cells by Lipid Aldehydes from Viburnum opulus (Adoxaceae)

A unique group of bioactive, naturally occurring lipid aldehydes were isolated from the fruits of Viburnum opulus, (family Adoxaceae). The natural occurrences of these fatty acid derived aldehydes are reported here for the first time. Helicobacter pylori is a prevalent gastroduodenal pathogen, a causal agent of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers and an important co-factor in gastric cancer development. We investigated the chemistry and bioactivity of these active constituents by evaluating their ability to inhibit the growth of H. pylori and to induce apoptosis in a gastric cancer cell line (CRL-5971) in vitro.
Standards, intercomparisons and performance evaluations for low-level and environmental radionuclide mass spectrometry and atom counting

Because of the demand for higher sensitivity radionuclide measurements,atom counting technology will become an increasingly used modality in geo-and bio-studies, and process control operations. It is anticipated that requestsfor standards, intercomparisons and performance evaluations services willsurge in the near future. In anticipation of such requests, the state-of-the-artneeded to be assessed for proactive planning purposes. The results of a workshopfocused on these issues indicated that there are several ongoing standards,intercomparisons and performance evaluations thrusts which are expected toexpand in the future. Furthermore, new projects were planned and the Councilon Ionizing Radiation Measurements and Standards (Public and EnvironmentalRadiation Protection subcommittee) was proposed as an information coordinator.
Simultaneous Control of Endogenous and User-Defined Genetic Pathways Using Unique ecDHFR Pharmacological Chaperones.

Destabilizing domains (DDs), such as a mutated form of Escherichia coli dihydrofolate reductase (ecDHFR), confer instability and promote protein degradation. However, when combined with small-molecule stabilizers (e.g., the antibiotic trimethoprim), DDs allow positive regulation of fusion protein abundance. Using a combinatorial screening approach, we identified and validated 17 unique 2,4-diaminopyrimidine/triazine-based ecDHFR DD stabilizers, at least 15 of which were ineffective antibiotics against E. coli and S. aureus. Identified stabilizers functioned in vivo to control an ecDHFR DD-firefly luciferase in the mouse eye and/or the liver. Next, stabilizers were leveraged to perform synergistic dual functions in vitro (HeLa cell death sensitization) and in vivo (repression of ocular inflammation) by stabilizing a user-defined ecDHFR DD while also controlling endogenous signaling pathways. Thus, these newly identified pharmacological chaperones allow for simultaneous control of compound-specific endogenous and user-defined genetic pathways, the combination of which may provide synergistic effects in complex biological scenarios.
Temporal distribution of ions in ambient pressure drift tubes with turns

Abstract Ambient pressure DC-only drift tubes were constructed with one and two turns along the drift path using 3D printing and experimental data was compared to simulations. Turning was achieved using electrodes with 10°, 45° or 90° angles, arranged in various configurations. The performance of drift tubes comprised of nine (one turn) or eighteen (two turns) 10° electrodes was superior to those that achieved the same total angle but used 45° or 90° electrodes. Deviations in the spatial homogeneity of the electric field between the inside and outside of the turns in 45° and 90° electrode systems resulted in wide ion arrival time distributions. Drift tubes containing two turns in opposite directions improved ion arrival time distributions. Unlike the large reductions seen in performance using other geometries, a drift tube containing two opposite direction turns with 10° turning electrodes resulted in only a 1.4 times reduction in resolving power when compared to a straight drift tube of the same path length. Turned drift paths will allow for longer path lengths in a reduced size profile for drift tube ion mobility spectrometers operated at atmospheric pressure.
A Minimax Approach to Perturbation Attacks on Hierarchical Image Classifiers

Adversarial attacks on classification models were shown to drastically degrade the performance of simple one- stage classifiers. In this paper, we investigate the vulnerability of Hierarchical Classifiers to such attacks. We formulate a maximin problem to generate perturbations targeting these models. An algorithmic approach is proposed to alter the predicted super class - for instance, changing the prediction of a dog to a car rather than a cat, so that an ‘animal’ is classified as a ‘vehicle’. With the proposed algorithm, the relative loss in classification accuracy for super labels decreases significantly in comparison to perturbations generated for simple classifiers. We also examine the amount of perturbation needed for each case.
Stakeholder collaboration of a Texas Children’s Advocacy Center: An exploratory analysis of relations between law enforcement, Child Protective Services, and the children’s advocacy center

Abstract The child advocacy center (CAC) model utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to handle crimes against children cases, with child protective services (CPS) and law enforcement agencies working closely with CACs. Though the CAC model surfaced in the 1980s, the main stakeholders’ collaborations are not well studied. The purpose of this exploratory study is to examine the interagency collaboration and frictions between the main stakeholders in the CAC model: law enforcement, CPS, and the CAC using a nodal governance theoretical framework. Employing a qualitative research methods approach, the researchers interviewed 11 respondents about collaborations and frictions between stakeholders in the CAC. The researchers uncovered three themes: friction with law enforcement caseloads and case filings, friction between stakeholders, and training as a possible remedy to these frictions. These themes are detailed and discussed to offer more insight into the daily workings of this model. Despite this collaborative arrangement that collectively, in principle, has the common goal of protecting children, our nodal mapping exercise revealed frictions derived from structural and cultural divergences, such as different missions, priorities, investigative deadlines and time frames. In addition to training, the researchers offer suggestions to minimize these frictions.
Complement Component C3 Loss leads to Locomotor Deficits and Altered Cerebellar Internal Granule Cell In Vitro Synaptic Protein Expression in C57BL/6 Mice

Complement component 3 (C3) expression is increased in the cerebellum of aging mice that demonstrate locomotor impairments and increased excitatory synapse density. However, C3 regulation of locomotion, as well as C3 roles in excitatory synapse function, remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that constitutive loss of C3 function in mice evokes a locomotor phenotype characterized by decreased speed, increased active state locomotor probability, and gait ataxia. C3 loss does not alter metabolism or body mass composition. No evidence of significant muscle weakness or degenerative arthritis was found in C3 knockout mice to explain decreased gait speeds. In an enriched primary cerebellar granule cell culture model, loss of C3 protein results in increased excitatory synaptic density and increased response to KCl depolarization. Our analysis of excitatory synaptic density in the cerebellar internal granule cell and molecular layers did not demonstrate increased synaptic density in vivo, suggesting the presence of compensatory mechanisms regulating synaptic development. Functional deficits in C3 knockout mice are therefore more likely to result from altered synaptic function and/or connectivity than gross synaptic deficits. Our data demonstrate a novel role for complement proteins in cerebellar regulation of locomotor output and control.
Influence of fault zone maturity on fully dynamic earthquake cycles

We study the mechanical response of two-dimensional vertical strike-slip fault to coseismic damage evolution and interseismic healing of fault damage zones by simulating fully dynamic earthquake cycles. Our models show that fault damage zone structure evolution during the seismic cycle can have pronounced effects on the mechanical behavior of locked and creeping fault segments. Immature fault damage zones promote small and moderate subsurface earthquakes with irregular recurrence intervals and abundance of slow-slip events during the interseismic period. In contrast, mature fault damage zones host pulse-like earthquake ruptures that can propagate to the surface and extend throughout the seismogenic zone, resulting in large stress drop, characteristic rupture extents, and regular recurrence intervals. Our results suggest that interseismic healing and coseismic damage accumulation in fault zones can explain the observed differences of earthquake behaviors between mature and immature fault zones and indicate a link between regional seismic hazard and fault structural maturity.
Superconductive IC Manufacturing

Manufacturing integrated circuits is a complex and intricate process, both for semiconductor and superconductive electronics. Despite the minimum feature size and number of layers in modern SCE technology being less deeply scaled as compared to semiconductor technologies, numerous additional challenges exist in manufacturing superconductive electronics. The materials used during the different fabrication steps interact in complex mechanical, chemical, and electrical ways, requiring adjustments to the manufacturing process. These issues are exacerbated by the high sensitivity of superconductive circuits to process variations. In this chapter, different steps and materials used in the manufacturing process of superconductive circuits are described. Challenges unique to superconductive electronics are highlighted. Important features of modern superconductive fabrication technologies are discussed and compared to the fabrication of semiconductor integrated circuits.
Helping users develop mental models of products and interfaces

Payne's discussion of mental representations of representational artifacts has consequences in the context of Monk's discussion of common ground. The author calls for a focus on users' mental models when designing interfaces for electronically mediated communication and argue that simply designing for common ground without considering a user's understanding of such common ground is limiting. The author also argues that new and interesting communication devices could emerge if we consider that for all mental representations of data, even data in the minds of speakers in real-time conversations, there exists a theoretical device space that would model and therefore assist with the manipulation of such data. Common ground informs not generally considered possible might emerge if we find ways to put such device spaces into practice.
Enhancement of the N-methyl-d-aspartate response in spinal dorsal horn neurons by cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Glutamate-gated ion channels mediate excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system and are involved in synaptic plasticity, neuronal development and excitotoxicity (5,24). These ionotropic glutamate receptors were classified according to their preferred agonists as AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid), KA (kainate), and NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors [Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 11 (1990) 25-33]. The present study of NMDA receptor channels expressed in acutely isolated spinal dorsal horn (DH) neurons of young rat reveals that they are subject to modulation through the adenylate cyclase cascade. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recording mode was used to examine the effect of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase (PKA) on the responses of DH neurons to NMDA. Whole-cell current response to NMDA was enhanced by 8 Br-cAMP, a membrane permeant analog of cAMP or by intracellular application of cAMP or catalytic subunit of PKA.
A Novel Product-Level Human Metal Model Characterization Methodology

A new methodology for characterizing product-level failures due to the human metal model (HMM) stress is proposed and developed. This characterization framework is superior to the conventional leakage current-based approach, and it enables early wafer-level assessment of integrated circuits' HMM robustness. The new method is demonstrated in two amplifiers and is benchmarked versus the conventional leakage current method and the industry standard system-level IEC gun testing.
Stabilization of gaze during circular locomotion in darkness. II. Contribution of velocity storage to compensatory eye and head nystagmus in the running monkey

1. Yaw eye in head (Eh) and head on body velocities (Hb) were measured in two monkeys that ran around the perimeter of a circular platform in darkness. The platform was stationary or could be counterrotated to reduce body velocity in space (Bs) while increasing gait velocity on the platform (Bp). The animals were also rotated while seated in a primate chair at eccentric locations to provide linear and angular accelerations similar to those experienced while running. 2. Both animals had head and eye nystagmus while running in darkness during which slow phase gaze velocity on the body (Gb) partially compensated for body velocity in space (Bs). The eyes, driven by the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR), supplied high-frequency characteristics, bringing Gb up to compensatory levels at the beginning and end of the slow phases. The head provided substantial gaze compensation during the slow phases, probably through the vestibulocollic reflex (VCR). Synchronous eye and head quick phases moved gaze in the direction of running. Head movements occurred consistently only when animals were running. This indicates that active body and limb motion may be essential for inducing the head-eye gaze synergy. 3. Gaze compensation was good when running in both directions in one animal and in one direction in the other animal. The animals had long VOR time constants in these directions. The VOR time constant was short to one side in one animal, and it had poor gaze compensation in this direction. Postlocomotory nystagmus was weaker after running in directions with a long VOR time constant than when the animals were passively rotated in darkness. We infer that velocity storage in the vestibular system had been activated to produce continuous Eh and Hb during running and to counteract postrotatory afterresponses. 4. Continuous compensatory gaze nystagmus was not produced by passive eccentric rotation with the head stabilized or free. This indicates that an aspect of active locomotion, most likely somatosensory feedback, was responsible for activating velocity storage. 5. Nystagmus was compared when an animal ran in darkness and in light. the beat frequency of eye and head nystagmus was lower, and the quick phases were larger in darkness. The duration of head and eye quick phases covaried. Eye quick phases were larger when animals ran in darkness than when they were passively rotated. The maximum velocity and duration of eye quick phases were the same in both conditions. 6. The platform was counterrotated under one monkey in darkness while it ran in the direction of its long vestibular time constant.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
SKIN TURGOR AS A QUANTITATIVE INDEX OF DEHYDRATION IN RATS

ADMISSIONS to hospitals in many areas of the world are still composed to a great extent of infants with severe dehydration secondary to diarrhea, vomiting, heat prostration and the like. Laboratory facilities are sometimes unavailable; frequently even when at hand, their analytic results are not returned with sufficient promptness to help in the initial therapeutic decisions. Thus, there are needed easy and at least semiquantitative methods of estimation of the extent of dehydration. Preferably these methods should be such that they can be carried out at the patient9s bedside. In pediatric and medical textbooks1-3 loss of skin turgor is often mentioned as a sign of dehydration. Apparently few efforts have been made to see whether there is a quantitative correlation between changes in skin turgor and extent of water boss. In the experiments to be reported, skin turgor has been quantitatively related to the extent of dehydration in rats. The correlation has been studied in two types of deficiency state, primary water depletion with relatively small loss of solute and, alternatively, primary solute depletion with concomitant water deficiency. The results obtained suggest that a standardized clinical technique of estimation of skin turgor may be of value in assessing degrees of dehydration and fill the aforementioned need for a simple bedside index. MATERIAL AND METHODS Albino rats weighing 230 to 310 gm were used. Two groups were studied: Group I consisted of 36 rats dehydrated for periods up to 50 hours by simple water deprivation, dry rat chow* being offered ad libitum meanwhile in order to reduce weight loss from inanition.
Expression of c-fos in cultured human nevus cells: an increase over melanocytes and melanoma cells.

Nevus cells exhibit growth characteristics in culture which differentiate them from melanocytes and melanoma cells. We examined the expression of c-jun, c-fos and jun-B mRNA levels in cultures of different melanocytic cell types to determine if biologic differences among these cells was due to their level of proto-oncogene expression. Because cell growth and differentiation are also known to be affected by serum conditions, the expression of c-jun, c-fos and jun-B was examined under normal serum conditions and serum starved and repleted conditions which stimulates proto-oncogene expression. Expression of c-jun and jun-B was not significantly different among the cell types studied under normal serum conditions, or serum starved and refed conditions and c-fos was not detectable in any of the unstimulated cell types. In contrast, when the cells were serum starved and refed, the level of c-fos expression was uniformly increased (2-10 fold) in 3 different nevus ceil lines. This increase was not seen in normal melanocyte cultures or 2 melanoma cell lines. With serum deprivation and repletion, c-fos was also elevated in 1 melanoma cell line. We conclude that the regulation of the proto-oncogene c-fos is different in nevus cells than in normal melanocytes, which may contribute to the different growth characteristics seen with nevus cells.
Key Learning from Quanta ICT Low resistance Failure Issue

Quanta reported high failure due to Montara ICT low resistance. The issue is described in details, as well as the solving procedure. Some of the key learning is shared
Taking Things Personally, and Publicising the Private: Encountering Erasure on the Frontlines of Academia

Abstract What impact does being on the receiving end of ‘culturally insensitive’ questions have on those occupying the ‘Other’ position in academia? Are these questions a means of interrogating one's legitimacy in a given location, a way to dislocate an academic ‘Other’ from feeling a sense of belonging within a privileged location? And what does the subsequent behaviour of one's colleagues tell one about an encounter intended to police and erase an academic nomad's legitimacy to contested landscapes? As an ‘ex-colonial’ scholar, I have had to negotiate through many encounters that are displacing on both a personal and professional level: the more ‘mobile’ I've become, the more debilitating (and more frequent) the encounters I've experienced. Official, well-scripted performances or texts produced by academics are often clever about covering obvious traces of political problems and ‘isms’; anecdotal evidence comes in to capture remarks and performances in less-guarded moments, where political and ideologic...
Spontaneous symmetry breaking in rotating nuclei

The concept of spontaneous symmetry breaking is applied to the rotating mean field of nuclei. The description is based on the tilted-axis cranking model, which takes into account that the rotational axis can take any orientation with respect to the deformed density distribution. The appearance of rotational bands in nuclei is analyzed, focusing on weakly deformed nuclei at high angular momentum. The quantization of the angular momentum of the valence nucleons leads to new phenomena. Magnetic rotation represents the quantized rotation of the anisotropic current distribution in a near spherical nucleus. The restricted amount of angular momentum of the valence particles causes band termination. The discrete symmetries of the mean-field Hamiltonian provide a classification scheme of rotational bands. New symmetries result from the combination of the spatial symmetries of the density distribution with the vector of the angular momentum. The author discusses in detail which symmetries appear for a reflection-symmetric density distribution and how they show up in the properties of the rotational bands. In particular, the consequences of rotation about a nonprincipal axis and of breaking the chiral symmetry are analyzed. Also discussed are which symmetries and band structures appear for non-reflection-symmetric mean fields. The consequences of breaking the symmetry with respect to gauge and isospin rotations are sketched. Some analogies outside nuclear physics are mentioned. The application of symmetry-restoring methods to states with large angular momentum is reviewed.
Four-Hour Voiding Observation in Healthy Infants

AbstractPurpose: We present the 4-hour voiding observation as a method for basic assessment of bladder function in infants and nontoilet trained children.Materials and Methods: Voiding pattern, including number of voidings, voided volume, bladder capacity and residual urine for 4 hours, was determined noninvasively in 43 healthy infants.Results: The infants voided an average of 1 time per hour but with great variability. Bladder capacity increased with age according to the formula, 38 + 2.5 × age (months). Mean residual urine plus or minus standard deviation was 4.6 plus/minus 3.0 ml. In all infants residual volume was less than 5 ml. at least once during observation.Conclusions: The 4-hour voiding observation is an easy noninvasive method of characterizing the voiding pattern, focusing especially on emptying difficulties, in infants and nontoilet trained children.
Transcription of the blk Gene in Human B Lymphocytes Is Controlled by Two Promoters

Genomic DNA containing the first exon and 5′-flanking region of the human protein tyrosine kinase, blk, was isolated. Sequence analysis identified a TG repeat element in this region with enhancer activity, but no TATA or CCAAT sequences were found. Two blk transcripts of 2.2 and 2.5 kilobases were identified in various B-cell lines by Northern blot analyses, and primer extension experiments demonstrated two clusters of multiple transcription start sites. Subsequent promoter analyses by transient transfection assays with a reporter gene identified two promoter elements in the human blk gene. Promoter P1 contains sequences that have been shown to regulate the expression of immunoglobulin genes and promoter P2 contains elements that are highly conserved in the promoter of major histocompatibility complex class II genes, as well as a B-cell-specific activator protein- (BSAP) binding site. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that the binding of a protein to the BSAP-binding site was correlated with the presence of the 2.5-kilobase blk transcript. These data suggest that the two human blk RNAs arise from the transcription of the blk gene by two distinct promoters and that these promoters may be subject to regulation by different trans-acting factors.
Comparison of amino acid digestibility coefficients for corn, corn gluten meal, and corn distillers dried grains with solubles among 3 different bioassays

The objective of this study was to determine standardized AA digestibility of corn, corn gluten meal, and 3 distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) using the precision-fed cecectomized rooster assay (PFR), the standardized ileal AA broiler chicken assay (SIAAD), and a newly developed precision-fed ileal broiler chicken assay (PFC). For the PFR, cecectomized roosters were precision-fed approximately 30 g of feed sample, and excreta were collected 48 h postfeeding. For the SIAAD, 16-d-old broilers were ad libitum fed a semi-purified diet containing the feed samples as the sole source of protein from 17 to 21 d, with ileal digesta collected at 21 d. For the PFC, 22-d-old broiler chickens were precision-fed 10 g of feed and ileal digesta were collected at 4 h postfeeding. For corn, the PFC yielded significantly higher digestibilities than the SIAAD and PFR for several AA. For corn gluten meal, the PFR yielded significantly higher values than the PFC for the majority of the AA, with the SIAAD yielding intermediate values. When 3 DDGS samples were evaluated, the PFR produced higher digestibilities than the PFC for all 3 DDGS samples for most of the AA. When comparing the PFR and the SIAAD, the PFR yielded higher values than the SIAAD for one DDGS, whereas there was generally no significant difference between these 2 methods for the other 2 DDGS samples. The results of this study indicate there were differences among standardized AA digestibility values for the PFR, SIAAD, and PFC in some instances. The differences among methods were not consistent; however, the PFR yielded higher digestibility values than the PFC for 4 of the 5 ingredient samples.
A flap over bird flu

Mediawatch: Bernard Dixon looks at the differing Scottish and English newspaper responses to the first confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu in the UK.
Imine hydrogenation catalyzed by iridium complexes comprising monodentate chiral phosphoramidites and N-donor ligands

Abstract The relatively inexpensive chiral monodentate phosphoramidite ( S )-MONOPHOS may be used in combination with pyridines to prepare iridium complexes effective for catalysis of asymmetric imine hydrogenation with comparable enantioselectivity to some of those containing more costly chiral bidentate phosphines. [Ir(cod)(( S )-MONOPHOS)(L)]BArF (cod = 1,5-cyclooctadiene; L = 3-methylisoquinoline, acridine, 2,6-lutidine, acetonitrile, or 2,3,3-trimethylindolenine; BArF = tetrakis[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]borate) are efficient catalysts for the asymmetric hydrogenation of 2,3,3-trimethylindolenine. An important observation is that the catalyst containing acridine is more enantioselective than the catalyst derived from 2,3,3-trimethylindolenine which suggests that the other N-donor ligands are not readily displaced by the substrate during the catalytic cycle.
Aerobic biodegradation kinetics of four anionic and nonionic surfactants at sub- and supra-critical micelle concentrations (CMCs)

Abstract Aerobic biodegradation of four representative commercial surfactants under a range of concentrations (i.e., sub- and supra-critical micelle concentrations, CMCs) beyond those ordinarily used in biodegradation studies was investigated. Of the four surfactants tested, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) showed no biodegradation and foam degradation. At a sub-CMC (500 mg/l), primary biodegradation, as measured by methylene blue active substances (MBAS) for an anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and by cobalt thiocyanate active substances (CTAS) for a nonionic surfactant Witconol, followed Monod kinetics, substrate depletion being a function of both microbial growth and substrate concentrations. However, primary biodegradation at supra-CMCs (500 for Tergitol and 2500 mg/l for SDS and Witconol) and ultimate biodegradation (mineralization) at both sub- and supra-CMCs were best described by first-order kinetics, the degradation rate being a sole function of substrate concentrations. Parameters for the kinetic models ( K s, Y , μ max , and k ) were estimated using non-linear least squares methods. Increasing surfactant concentrations from sub- to supra-CMCs significantly decreased primary biodegradation, ultimate biodegradation, and foam degradation. This decrease may be attributed to the limited bioavailability of surfactants in the micellar phase as compared to the monomeric surfactants. The results are of significance for surfactant-based remediation, since the concentrations of surfactants employed in remediation are typically much higher than CMCs, while surfactant concentrations of primary interest in biodegradation work are in the neighborhood of and below 10 mg/l, which is usually 10–100 times lower than CMCs.
Effects of Mold Contamination and Ultrafiltration on the Color Stability of Strawberry Juice and Concentrate

Juices made from both good quality and mold-contaminated strawberries (cultivar Benton) were clarified by conventional filtration and ultrafiltration and processed into concentrates. Compositional and color analyses were done on the single-strength juices, the juice concentrates immediately after processing, and the same concentrates after 6 wk storage at 20°C. Color and appearance were also evaluated by sensory procedures after storage. Mold contamination induced significant increases in polymeric color, browning and haze, the changes being more pronounced in the stored concentrates. Ultrafiltration resulted in an accelerated loss of monomeric anthocyanins during juice concentration. Stored concentrates from juices prepared by conventional filtration had more acceptable color and appearance than those processed by ultrafiltration.
Breakdown of Time−Temperature Superposition Principle and Universality of Chain Dynamics in Polymers

Detailed comparison of temperature dependences of segmental (τα) and chain (τn) relaxation times shows that decoupling of these relaxation processes occurs (the ratio τn/τα starts to drop) at a similar range of τα ∼ 10-5−10-7 s regardless of a polymer and its molecular weight. The degree of decoupling depends on polymer and is stronger in more fragile systems. The most intriguing result is a rather universal temperature dependence of τn observed for the analyzed polymers when it is plotted vs Tg/T. These observations call for a revision of current models describing the microscopic friction coefficient in polymer melts.
Dissociation constants of calcite and CaHC03+ from 0 to 50°C

Abstract From conductance measurements, the negative logarithm of the dissociation constant of the CaHCO 3+ ion pair, p K ( CaHCO 3 + ), is 0.7, 1.0 and 1.35 within ±0.05 units at 0, 25 and 60°C, respectively. A revaluation of published and unpublished data yields p K ( CaCO 3 0 ) ≈ 3.2 at 25°C. Use of these p K 's to compute the dissociation constant of calcite ( Kc ) from published calcite solubility measurements in pure water gives p Kc values which increase markedly with ionic strength. However, if the ion pairs are ignored, computed p Kc values are nearly constant with ionic strength. All reasonable attempts to eliminate the trend in p Kc by adjusting ion activity coefficients, and/or values of K ( CaCO 3 0 ) failed, so the dilemma remains. Kc values computed from the most reliable published calcite solubility data are in good agreement with such values based on solubility data measured in this study at 5, 15, 35 and 50°C. Study results ignoring ion pairs are accurately represented by the equation log Kc = 13.870 — (3059/ T ) −0.04035 T , and correspond to −8.35, −8.42, and −8.635 at 0, 25 and 50°C, respectively. The logarithmic expression leads to ΔH r o = −2420 ± 300 cal/mol, ΔCp = −110 ± 2 cal/deg mol, and ΔS r o = −46.6 ± 1.0 cal/deg mol for the calcite dissociation reaction at 25°C. The dependence of Kc on temperature when CaCO 3 0 and CaHCO 3 + are assumed, is described by log Kc = 13.543 − (3000/ T ) − 0.0401 T which yields −8.39, −8.47, and -8.70 at 0, 25 and 50°C. This gives ΔH r o = −2585 ± 300 cal/mol, ΔCp = −109 ± 2 cal/deg mol, and ΔS r 0 = −47.4 ± 1.0 cal/deg mol at 25°C.
Chemotherapy for ovarian cancer: current concepts.

Ovarian cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer and has the highest case-fatality rate of all gynecologic malignancies: over one-half of all women diagnosed with ovarian cancer die of their disease. Chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian carcinoma has evolved rapidly during the last 15 years. Demonstrations that combination chemotherapy was superior to single-agent therapy began to improve outcome among women with this disease. By 1990, the advent of the platinum compounds had improved response rate, and the new standard of care combined platinum with alkylating agents. Recently, more significant progress has been made with utilization of the taxanes, which demonstrate not only improved response rates, but significantly prolonged survival as well. The most current clinical trials have established that taxane/platinum combination chemotherapy should be the standard of care for epithelial ovarian cancer. Recent and ongoing studies also address such issues as relative efficacy of different doses of taxanes and platinum, length of infusion for the taxanes, and interchangeability of the platinum compounds. This broad overview of the development of current standards of treatment also will address unresolved issues in this field, including intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy and dose intensification. Semin. Surg. Oncol. 17:181–188, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Risk factors for abruptio placentae and eclampsia: analysis of 445 consecutively managed women with severe preeclampsia and eclampsia.

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to characterize the clinical presentation or laboratory variables predictive of either abruptio placentae or eclampsia in women with severe preeclampsia. Study Design: Prospective collection of perinatal data from 445 consecutively managed women with severe preeclampsia and eclampsia. Univariate analysis was used to determine which of the independent variables were significantly different between the groups (abruptio placentae vs no abruptio placentae; eclampsia vs no eclampsia). Those with significant differences were then entered into multiple logistic regression analysis to determine those characteristics that were independently related to the outcome variable (abruptio placentae or eclampsia). Before multivariate analysis, the independent variables with an interval scale of measurement were converted to a dichotomous scale, with the receiver-operator characteristic curve used to determine a cutoff level. Results: Univariate analysis revealed statistical significance for the following variables associated with eclampsia: uric acid concentration, > 8.1 mg/dL; proteinuria (>3+); headache; visual symptoms; deep tendon reflexes >3+; serum albumin concentration, 1.3 mg/dL. However, with subsequent multivariate analysis, only headache and deep tendon reflexes >3+ remained significant. Univariate analysis for variables associated with abruptio placentae revealed an association between bleeding and platelet count 3 . There was no association between abruptio placentae and eclampsia and systolic, diastolic, or mean arterial pressure, quantitative proteinuria, epigastric pain, bleeding, gestational age at delivery, history of preeclampsia, or chronic hypertension. Conclusion: Quantitative proteinuria and degree of blood pressure elevation were not predictive of either abruptio placentae or eclampsia, as has previously been suggested. The greatest morbidity associated with eclampsia occurred in women with preterm gestations not receiving medical attention. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;180:1322-9.)
Choosing flow conditioners and their location for orifice flow measurement

Abstract Three different tube bundles, a zanker, and an etoile flow conditioner have been tested in a 100 mm orifice flowmeter. The tube bundles included a seven- and a 19-tube configuration. Tests were designed to determine a location for the flow conditioner that would remove the effects of flow disturbances and keep the length of the meter tube as short as possible. The disturbances included an inlet tee, two out-of-plane elbows, and a single elbow. All disturbances were preceded by another long radius elbow located 12 pipe diameters upstream. Results indicate that it may be possible to move the conditioner closer to the disturbance than current standards permit.
Delayed xenograft rejection

Despite considerable progress in understanding the mechanisms of discordant xenograft rejection, and overcoming hyperacute rejection through targeting of complement or antibody, vascularized xenografts are typically rejected within days. Here, Fritz Bach and colleagues discuss the importance of endothelial cell activation, platelet aggregation and other aspects of thrombosis, as well as the contribution of host natural killer cell and monocyte activation in overcoming this next barrier to prolonged xenograft survival.
Theory of the dilute interacting quadrupole glass: Four-orientational tunneling quadrupoles.

The free energy F for dilute, interacting, four-orientational tunneling quadrupoles (TQ's) randomly distributed in a nonpolar medium is derived for low fractional TQ concentrations c. F is developed into a virial expansion in c and is evaluated exactly up to terms in ${\mathit{c}}^{3}$. From the microscopic free energy we obtain the low-energy excitation spectrum for dilute interacting four-orientational TQ's from fundamental considerations and show that the low-energy excitations arise from strongly interacting TQ's. The derivations give (a) a constant density of excitation energies for low energies, (b) a specific heat linear in T for low temperature T, and (c) a strong broadening of the Schottky specific heat even for very low TQ concentrations. Properties (a) and (b) are similar to those observed in glasses. The predicted specific heat is compared with experiments on dilute ${\mathrm{CN}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ dissolved in KBr.
A note on the death penalty as the best bet

(1991). A note on the death penalty as the best bet. Criminal Justice Ethics: Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 7-10.
Preservation of non-covalent associations in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: Multiply charged polypeptide and protein dimers

The ‘softness’ of the electrospray ionization (ESI) method provides a direct link between solution chemistry and the inherent gas-phase environment of mass Spectrometry. Available results related to the preservation of non-covalent associations into the gas phase after ESI are reviewed. These associations include the possible retention of elements of higher order protein structure, non-covalent polypeptide–heme associations and enzyme complexes. Experimental results are presented showing that non-covalently bound polypeptide and protein dimer ions are relatively common as low level contributions to ESI mass spectra. It is argued that these dimers are reflective of multimeric species in solution since Coulombic barriers preclude dimerization after ESI although uncertainty remains regarding whether they exist prior to the formation of highly charged droplets. The dissociation of dimers is facile and for proteins can yield monomers having a broad distribution of charge states. The detection of non-covalently associated dimers requires gentle ESI mass spectrometer interface conditions, yielding relatively low levels of internal excitation. Under such conditions incomplete molecular ion desolvation can result in experimental artifacts for tandem mass spectrometric experiments. ESI mass Spectrometry may have broad potential for the study of noncovalent liquid phase associations.
Supervised acoustic concept extraction for multimedia event detection

Because of the popularity of online multimedia videos, there has been much interest in recent years in acoustic concept detection and classification for the improvement of online video search. In this paper, we present our acoustic concept annotation effort in user-submitted quality videos. We decide on the acoustic concept categories so that their labels can be used as low-level features to distinguish higher-level video events in a multimedia event detection (MED) task. Using thorough acoustic concept annotations, we train acoustic concept models and use these to generate features for a MED task in the form of what we refer to as a segmental GMM-based co-occurrence feature vector.
PKA: Lessons learned after twenty years☆

The first protein kinase structure, solved in 1991, revealed the fold that is shared by all members of the eukaryotic protein kinase superfamily and showed how the conserved sequence motifs cluster mostly around the active site. This structure of the PKA catalytic (C) subunit showed also how a single phosphate integrated the entire molecule. Since then the EPKs have become a major drug target, second only to the G-protein coupled receptors. Although PKA provided a mechanistic understanding of catalysis that continues to serve as a prototype for the family, by comparing many active and inactive kinases we subsequently discovered a hydrophobic spine architecture that is a characteristic feature of all active kinases. The ways in which the regulatory spine is dynamically assembled is the defining feature of each protein kinase. Protein kinases have thus evolved to be molecular switches, like the G-proteins, and unlike metabolic enzymes which have evolved to be efficient catalysis. PKA also shows how the dynamic tails surround the core and serve as essential regulatory elements. The phosphorylation sites in PKA, introduced both co- and post-translationally, are very stable. The resulting C-subunit is then packaged as an inhibited holoenzyme with cAMP-binding regulatory (R) subunits so that PKA activity is regulated exclusively by cAMP, not by the dynamic turnover of an activation loop phosphate. We could not understand activation and inhibition without seeing structures of R:C complexes; however, to appreciate the structural uniqueness of each R2:C2 holoenzyme required solving structures of tetrameric holoenzymes. It is these tetrameric holoenzymes that are localized to discrete sites in the cell, typically by A Kinase Anchoring Proteins where they create discrete foci for PKA signaling. Understanding these dynamic macromolecular complexes is the challenge that we now face. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Inhibitors of Protein Kinases (2012).
La pragmática de la razón comunicativa

El autor, conocido representante de la Teoria Critica en EE. UU. y divulgador de la obra de Habermas, intenta hacerse cargo de las criticas postmodernas al caracter abstracto de la concepcion de la razon comunicativa de este ultimo. Para ello realiza un acercamiento a las lecciones que acerca de la interaccion comunicativa nos ofrece, extramuros la filosofia, la etnometodologia. La idea que intenta defender McCarthy es que la trascendencia e idealizacion centrales para la concepcion de la razon comunicativa de Habermas puede combinarse de forma fructifera con la indexicalidad y practicidad subrayadas en los estudios de Garfinkel
Synthesis of 3-Alkylsydnone-4-Carboxylic Acids

The synthesis of the first of the alkylsydnone carboxylic acids is reported. A brief review of the effects of 3-isopropylsydnone-4-carboxylic acid on urinary output and blood pressure is included.