cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prolonged biological half-life of sodium-22 in patients with essential hypertension.

IN the treatment of hypertension, the effectiveness of sodium depletion by either dietary restriction or natriuretic agents is now fully documented. It is sufficient to say that the response to such treatment led to the hypothesis that hypertensives might suffer from an abnormality in sodium metabolism. The first measurements of the sodium content of individuals with hypertension were done in 1951 by the technique of isotopic dilution using sodium-241. With the exception of one report these observations have been confirmed repeatedly by ourselves and by others: an increase in sodium was not evident. In the single discordant report2, some cases of severe hypertension were noted to have an increase in exchangeable sodium, but this was interpreted as being secondary rather than primary to the disease, because it was observed almost exclusively in individuals with advanced hypertension.
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF A CLINICAL BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER OPENING ULTRASOUND SYSTEM.

In this paper, we investigate the focalization properties of single-element transducers at intermediate frequencies (500 kHz) through primate and human skulls. The study addresses the transcranial targeting involved in ultrasound-induced blood–brain barrier (BBB) opening with clinically relevant targets such as the hippocampus and the basal ganglia, which are typically affected by early Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, respectively. The targeted brain structures were extracted from three-dimensional (3D) brain atlases registered with the skulls and used to virtually position and orient the transducers. The frequency dependence is first investigated and the capability of targeting of different structures is explored. Preliminary in vivo feasibility is investigated in mice at this frequency. A simple, affordable and convenient system is found to be feasible for BBB opening in primates and humans capable of successfully targeting the hippocampus, putamen and substantia nigra and could thus allow for its broader impact and applications.
EFFECTS OF PEANUT SHELL FLOUR ON, FIRMNESS, COLOR AND ACCEPTANCE OF PEANUT BUTTER

A flour was prepared from peanut shells and added to peanut butter at levels of 0–1%. The flour increased firmness, had only a slight effect on color, and produced no sensory preferences of the peanut butter. Results indidate that the flour may have usefulness as a stabilizer of peanut butter.
Extension of the stoney formula for film-substrate systems with gradient stress for MEMS applications

Using the Stoney formula and its modifications, curvature-based techniques are gaining increasingly widespread application in evaluating the stress in a film on a substrate. In principle, the formula applies only when the stress is uniform throughout the film thickness. The main purpose of this paper is to extend the Stoney formula when the residual strain in the film is no longer uniform, but dependent on the z position. To achieve this goal, a general theory was introduced for the elastic deformation of an arbitrary, multilayered system. By practicing this general theory, we used a polynomial function to describe the gradient stress in a film, and contributions by different elements of the polynomial to both the curvature and the bending strain were derived. A finite element simulation for a typical film–substrate structure was then carried out, leading to the verification of the theory developed in this paper. In the discussion section, we explored the relation between the surface curvature and the bending curvature as well as the difference between the stress in the constrained planar state and that in the relaxed state. In addition, the accuracy of the simplified formula, using thin film approximation, was evaluated. Finally, a SiNx-Al MEMS structure was studied by using the formula in this paper.
NLPIR: a theoretical framework for applying natural language processing to information retrieval

The role of information retrieval (IR) in support of decision making and knowledge management has become increasingly significant. Confronted by various problems in traditional keyword-based IR, many researchers have been investigating the potential of natural language processing (NLP) technologies. Despite widespread application of NLP in IR and high expectations that NLP can address the problems of traditional IR, research and development of an NLP component for an IR system still lacks support and guidance from a cohesive framework. In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework called NLPIR that aims at integrating NLP into IR and at generalizing broad application of NLP in IR. Some existing NLP techniques are described to validate the framework, which not only can be applied to current research, but is also envisioned to support future research and development in IR that involve NLP.
Tumorigenic Properties of Neurofibromin-Deficient Neurofibroma Schwann Cells

Dermal and plexiform neurofibromas are peripheral nerve sheath tumors that arise frequently in neurofibromatosis type 1. The goal of the present study was to examine the tumorigenic properties of neurofibromin-deficient human Schwann cells (SCs) that were found to represent a subset of SCs present in approximately half of the total neurofibromas examined. Highly enriched SC cultures were established from 10 dermal and eight plexiform neurofibromas by selective subculture using glial growth factor-2 and laminin. These cultures had low tumorigenic potential in classical in vitro assays yet several unique preneoplastic properties were frequently observed, including delayed senescence, a lack of density-limited growth, and a strong propensity to spontaneously form proliferative cell aggregates rich in extracellular matrix. Western blot analysis failed to detect full-length neurofibromin in any of the neurofibroma SC cultures, indicating that neurofibromin-deficient SCs had a substantial growth advantage. Immunohistochemical staining of the originating tumors showed the majority were comprised principally of neurofibromin-negative SCs, whereas the remainder contained both neurofibromin-negative and neurofibromin-positive SCs. Lastly, engraftment of neurofibromin-deficient SC cultures into the peripheral nerves of scid mice consistently produced persistent neurofibroma-like tumors with diffuse and often extensive intraneural growth. These findings indicate that neurofibromin-deficient SCs are involved in neurofibroma formation and, by selective subculture, provide a resource for the development of an in vivo model to further examine the role of these mutant SCs in neurofibroma histogenesis.
Fluorescence and liquid scintillation properties of 1,3,4-oxadiazoles. I. Excimer formation in 2-alkyl-5-(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles

Several 2-alkyl-5-(4-biphenylyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazoles have been synthesized and investigated as primary liquid scintillation solutes and are found to be excellent fluors. Fluorescence studies at varying concentrations and temperatures indicate that excimer formation is possible at high concentration and low temperatures.
Potential greenhouse gas benefits of transatlantic wood pellet trade.

Power utility companies in the United Kingdom are using imported wood pellets from the southern region of the United States for electricity generation to meet the legally binding mandate of sourcing 15% of the nation's total energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. This study ascertains relative savings in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for a unit of electricity generated using imported wood pellet in the United Kingdom under 930 different scenarios: three woody feedstocks (logging residues, pulpwood, and logging residues and pulpwood combined), two forest management choices (intensive and non-intensive), 31 plantation rotation ages (year 10 to year 40 in steps of 1 year), and five power plant capacities (20–100 MW in steps of 20 MW). Relative savings in GHG emissions with respect to a unit of electricity derived from fossil fuels in the United Kingdom range between 50% and 68% depending upon the capacity of power plant and rotation age. Relative savings in GHG emissions increase with higher power plant capacity. GHG emissions related to wood pellet production and transatlantic shipment of wood pellets typically contribute about 48% and 31% of total GHG emissions, respectively. Overall, use of imported wood pellets for electricity generation could help in reducing the United Kingdom's GHG emissions. We suggest that future research be directed to evaluation of the impacts of additional forest management practices, changing climate, and soil carbon on the overall savings in GHG emissions related to transatlantic wood pellet trade.
Bilingual Health Communication: Distinctive Needs of Providers from Five Specialties

Understanding providers' expectations and needs for medical interpreters can provide important insight into the dynamics and process of interpreter-mediated medical encounters. This is one of the first mixed-methods studies on the similarities and differences of providers' views of interpreters across five specialties (i.e., obstetrics/gynecology, emergency medicine, oncology, mental health, and nursing). The two-stage studies include interview data with 39 providers and survey data with 293 providers. We used principal component analysis to identify three components in the survey data that represent providers' views of interpreters: Patient Ally, Health Care Professionals, and Provider Proxy. We then used the interview data as exemplars to illuminate the quantitative findings. Patient Ally was the only component that reached significant differences between different specialties. Providers from different specialty areas differ significantly in their expectations on interpreters' ability (a) to assist patients outside of medical encounters and (b) to advocate for the patient. In particular, nursing professionals place more importance on these two abilities than mental health providers and oncologists. Based on our findings, we proposed three research directions necessary to advance the field of bilingual health communication: to reevaluate and reconceptualize interpreters' appropriate performances with special attention to the Patient Ally dimension, to examine the commonly held attitudes for all providers and the potential tensions within these attitudes, and to identify contextual factors that influence participants' perceptions, evaluations, and choices of interpreters and their corresponding impacts.
SU-F-BRF-11: Dose Rearrangement in High Dose Locally Advanced Lung Patients Based On Perfusion Imaging

Purpose: The use of mean lung dose (MLD) limits allows individualization of lung patient tumor doses at safe levels. However, MLD does not account for local lung function differences between patients, leading to toxicity variability at the same MLD. We investigated dose rearrangement to minimize dose to functional lung, as measured by perfusion SPECT, while maintaining target coverage and conventional MLD limits. Methods: Retrospective plans were optimized for 15 locally advanced NSCLC patients enrolled in a prospective imaging trial. A priority-based optimization system was used. The baseline priorities were (1) meet OAR dose constraints, (2) maximize target gEUD, and (3) minimize physical MLD. As a final step, normal tissue doses were minimized. To determine the benefit of rearranging dose using perfusion SPECT, plans were reoptimized to minimize functional lung gEUD as the 4th priority. Results: When only minimizing physical MLD, the functional lung gEUD was 10.8+/−5.0 Gy (4.3–19.8 Gy). Only 3/15 cases showed a decrease in functional lung gEUD of ≥4% when rearranging dose to minimize functional gEUD in the cost function (10.5+/−5.0 Gy range 4.3−19.7). Although OAR constraints were respected, the dose rearrangement resulted in ≥10% increases in gEUD to an OAR in 4/15 cases. Only slight reductions in functional lung gEUD were noted when omitting the minimization of physical MLD, suggesting that constraining the target gEUD minimizes the potential to redistribute dose. Conclusion: Prioritydriven optimization permits the generation of plans that respect traditional OAR limits and target coverage, but with the ability to rearrange dose based on functional imaging. The latter appears to be limited due to the decreased solution space when constraining target coverage. Since dose rearrangement may increase dose to other OARs, it is also worthwhile to investigate global biomarkers of lung toxicity to further individualize treatment in this population. Partially supported by R01-CA142840 and P01-CA59827
899 IMMUNODEFICIENCY IN CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE (CHD)

DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS) consists of the association of CHD, immunodeficiency, and hypoparathyroidism. Since recent data suggest that DGS is more common than usually appreciated, we prospectively tested immune function during the first 3 months of life in 22 infants referred for evaluation of CHD and 7 age-matched controls. CHD patients as a group had T-cell rosettes (TCR) lower (mean ± SE = 48% ± 5) than age-matched controls (64% ± 4) or older normals (71% ± 2). Eight of the 22 CHD infants had TCR below 2 standard deviations from the mean for age-matched controls (<40%). Six of 21 CHD infants had low peak phytohema-glutinin (PHA) responses (<40,000 cpms); however the mean peak PHA response for CHD patients (78,000 cpms) was not different from age-matched controls (86, 100 cpms) or older normals (98,000 cpms). All CHD patients had B-cell numbers comparable to controls (8-20%). When grouped by cardiac abnormality, 8 of 12 infants who had lesions previously described in DGS (interrupted aortic arch, aortic atresia/hypoplasia, truncus arteriosus, tetralogy of Fallot, VSD), had low TCR or PHA, with 4 of the 8 having both low TCR and PHA. In contrast, 4 of 10 infants with CHD not associated with DGS had some evidence of immunodeficiency, with boarderline low TCR only in 3 of the 4. These findings suggest that about 75% of patients with congenital heart disease, especially those with aortic arch abnormalities or truncus arteriosus, may have laboratory evidence indicative of depressed immune function.
Hydrogenation of carbon monoxide over alkali metal-graphite intercalates. Reaction selectivity and catalyst deactivation characteristics

Abstract Alkali metal-graphite intercalates, NaC 64 and KC 8 , and an iron-containing potassium-graphite (4.5 wt% Fe) possess large adsorption capacities for carbon monoxide and exhibit high initial activities for CO hydrogenation at 300 °C and 1 atm pressure. Primary hydrocarbon products obtained over sodium-graphite include both paraffins and olefins, while the product distributions over both potassium-based intercalates are limited to saturated hydrocarbons, primarily C 1 C 3 , due to the olefin hydrogenation capabilities of these materials. Carbon dioxide generation by a shift reaction is prevented in all cases by the immediate and continuous removal of by-product water via interaction with intercalated alkali metal species. The latter process causes a complete and irreversible loss of catalytic activity after a cumulative conversion that, for KC 8 , is equivalent to one CO molecule per three interlamellar potassium atoms/ions, suggesting a lack of interlayer penetration by CO rectant. In the case of iron-containing potassium-graphite, no residual hydrogenation activity ascribable to the transition metal component remained following total destruction of intercalated potassium. Adsorption and subsequent reaction of carbon monoxide over all of these materials apparently occurs on sites associated with intercalated alkali metal species located primarily along the exposed edges of graphitic planes.
Microtubule-associated Protein 1S (MAP1S) Bridges Autophagic Components with Microtubules and Mitochondria to Affect Autophagosomal Biogenesis and Degradation

The ubiquitously distributed MAP1S is a homologue of the exclusively neuronal distributed microtubule-associated protein 1A and 1B (MAP1A/B). They give rise to multiple isoforms through similar post-translational modification. Isoforms of MAP1S have been implicated in microtubule dynamics and mitotic abnormalities and mitotic cell death. Here we show that ablation of the Map1s gene in mice caused reduction in the B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 or xL (Bcl-2/xL) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (P27) protein levels, accumulation of defective mitochondria, and severe defects in response to nutritive stress, suggesting defects in autophagosomal biogenesis and clearance. Furthermore, MAP1S isoforms interacted with the autophagosome-associated light chain 3 of MAP1A/B (LC3), a homologue of yeast autophagy-related gene 8 (ATG8), and recruited it to stable microtubules in a MAP1S and LC3 isoform-dependent mode. In addition, MAP1S interacted with mitochondrion-associated leucine-rich PPR-motif containing protein (LRPPRC) that interacts with the mitophagy initiator and Parkinson disease-related protein Parkin. The three-way interactions of MAP1S isoforms with LC3 and microtubules as well as the interaction of MAP1S with LRPPRC suggest that MAP1S isoforms may play positive roles in integration of autophagic components with microtubules and mitochondria in both autophagosomal biogenesis and degradation. For the first time, our results clarify roles of MAP1S in bridging microtubules and mitochondria with autophagic and mitophagic initiation, maturation, trafficking, and lysosomal clearance. Defects in the MAP1S-regulated autophagy may impact heart disease, cancers, neurodegenerative diseases, and a wide range of other diseases.
The Carrying Capacity of Drilling Fluids

One of the primary functions of drilling mud is to remove the cuttings from the bottom of the hole as the well is drilled. This paper reviews methods for estimating an acceptable minimum annular velocity to remove these cuttings.
Division algebras and the factorization of Einstein's field equations

A division algebra of highest possible dimension is the eight-dimensional Cayley algebra. This remarkable property of mathematics suggests an intimate fundamental connection between Cayley algebras and descriptions of the physical universe. On this basis, it is suggested that Einstein's field equations with the huge Λ proposed by this author elsewhere be factored by use of such an algebra. This factorization promises to yield Diraclike spinor quantum wave equations.
The effects of pathogen infection and mutation on life-history characters in Arabidopsis thaliana

The nature of the interaction among deleterious mutations is important to models in many areas of evolutionary biology. In addition, interactions between genetic and environmental factors may affect the predictions of such models. Individuals of unknown genotypes of Arabidopsis thaliana, ecotype Marburg, were exposed to five levels of chemical (EMS) mutagenesis and three levels of Pseudomonas syringae infection. Survival, growth and flowering characteristics of each individual were measured. The logarithm of fitness is expected to be a linear function of mutation number if mutations act independently. Furthermore, the expected number of mutations should be approximately a linear function of time of exposure to mutagen. Therefore, nonlinear effects of mutagen exposure on the logarithm of fitness characters would suggest epistasis between mutations. Similarly, if pathogen infection and mutation act independently of each other, their effects should be additive on a log scale. Statistical interactions between these factors would suggest they do not act independently; particularly, if highly mutated individuals suffer more when infected than do less mutated individuals, this suggests that pathogens and mutations act synergistically. Pseudomonas-infected individuals were shown to have an increased probability of flowering under conditions of short day length, but to ultimately produce fewer flowers than uninfected individuals. This suggests a plastic response to stress and, despite that response, an ultimately deleterious effect of infection on fitness. Leaf rosette growth was negatively and linearly related to the expected number of mutations, and the effects of mutation on different life-cycle stages appeared to be uncorrelated. No significant interactions between pathogen and mutation main effects were found. These results suggest that mutations act multiplicatively with each other and with pathogen infection in determining individual fitness.
Evaluation of low-leakage design techniques for field programmable gate arrays

In this paper we evaluate the trade-offs between various low-leakage design techniques for field programmable gate arrays (FGPAs) in deep sub-micron technologies. Since multiplexers are widely used in FPGAs for implementing look up tables (LUTs) and connection and routing switches, several low-leakage implementations of pass transistor based multiplexers and routing switches are proposed and their design trade-offs are presented based on transistor-level simulation, physical design, and impact on overall system performance. We find that gate biasing, the use of redundant SRAM cells, and integration of multi-Vt technology are ideal for FPGAs, and they can reduce leakage current by 2X-4X compared to an implementation without any leakage reduction technique. For some of the potential low-leakage design techniques being evaluated in our study, the impact on chip area is very minimal to an increase of 15%-30%.
Predictors of persistent detrusor overactivity after transvaginal sling procedures

Objective Determine predictors of persistent postoperative detrusor overactivity and urge urinary incontinence after sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence Study Design Three hundred five women with mixed urinary incontinence underwent sling procedures for stress urinary incontinence. Risk factors for persistent detrusor overactivity and urge urinary incontinence were examined using logistic regression models. Results Women (31.5%) who had postoperative resolution of detrusor overactivity. Transobturator slings had the lowest rate of persistent detrusor overactivity (53%), followed by retropubic (SPARC = 66%; TVT=64%) and bladder neck slings (86%). Predictors for persistent detrusor overactivity included age (odds ratio [OR], 1.38; P = .001), prior hysterectomy (OR, 1.95; P = .012), paravaginal repair (OR, 0.46; P = .015), nocturia (OR, 1.91; P = .013), maximum cystometric capacity (OR, 0.79; P P = .006), urethral closure pressure (OR, 0.83; P P = .014). Persistent urge urinary incontinence was predicted by sling type ( P Conclusion When treating women with mixed urinary incontinence, age, nocturia, maximum cystometric capacity, and choice of sling procedure impact persistence of detrusor overactivity and urge urinary incontinence.
Reflectance and transmittance characteristics of selected green and blue-green unialgae

Obtained reflectance properties of green and blue-green unialgae are evaluated for determining the feasibility of using selected wavelengths in differentiating between green and blue-green algae. The attempt is made to establish selected wavelengths and ratios that would delineate relative concentrations of the algal suspensions. The results should prove helpful in the selection of spectral bands usable in conjunction with multispectrum scanners for qualitative and quantitative studies of algae in bodies of water.
Review: New Directions in the Optimization of Ocular Drug Delivery

The main effort in ocular drug delivery during the past two decades has been on the design of systems to prolong the residence time of topically applied drugs in the conjunctival sac. Four recent developments promise to chart a new course in ocular drug delivery research: collagen shield as a topical ocular drug delivery system, in-situ activated gel-forming systems, noncorneal route of ocular drug penetration, and need for minimizing the systemic absorption of topically applied drugs.
A CFD Validation of Historical Production Studies Comparing Plug-and-Perf to Openhole Sleeve Completion Methods in Horizontal Multi-Stage Fractured Wells

Natural gas production from unconventional gas reservoirs in North America rely on the technologies of horizontal drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. The cased and cemented completion technique, Plug-and-perf (P-n-P), has been utilized as a traditional completion in horizontal wells for many years. However, the openhole completion technique, Open Hole Sleeve Multi-stage System (OHMS), has gained favor in the past decade, because of its cost and time efficiencies. Production comparisons between these two completion methods remain a controversial subject, with ongoing debate regarding which method yields more gas production. Historical studies compare production indicators, typically from a limited set of sample wells. These historical studies indicate either insignificant differences between the two completion methods, or that OHMS systems significantly outperform P-n-P. However, these historical studies are limited in a number of ways. A computational fluid dynamics model (CFD) has been developed to compare P-n-P completions with OHMS for horizontal, multi-stage fractured wells. The numerical model uses a 6-inch borehole draining a tight gas reservoir (0.01 mD), under steady state flow with no formation damage. The P-n-P completion assumes 0.22 in., 180 o phased perforations connecting to a planar fracture penetrating the height of the reservoir. The OHMS completion assumes sandface flow, and no orifice effect from the sleeve openings. Both completions assume the planar fracture intersects at the center of the reservoir model. The results of the CFD analyses compare the productivity index ratio (J/Jo) verses dimensionless fracture conductivity (Cfd) for each completion over a range of fracture conductivity (kfw) obtained from commercial proppant data. Parametric studies were performed varying propped fracture width, fracture half-length and vertical to horizontal permeability ratio (kv/kh), to investigate the effects of these parameters on the completion comparison. This paper presents the results of the numerical modeling and compares productivity index results to historical, production-based studies of the P-n-P and OHMS completions in horizontal, multi-stage fractured wells. This work verifies a slight production advantage in OHMS systems versus P-n-P completions used in horizontal wells today. The work is significant because few, if any, numerical models have been developed to study and compare performance of these completions. Introduction Industry has been able to economically develop the unconventional shale gas and tight gas reservoirs within United States and Canada in the past decade. The technologies of horizontal drilling with the continuous advancements in the multi-zone completion placing the multiple fractures along the wellbore have proven to be the significant keys to URTeC 2014 Page 1469
A Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 Regulatory Element Enhances the Immunogenicity of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 DNA Vaccines in Mice and Nonhuman Primates

Plasmid DNA vaccines elicit potent and protective immune responses in numerous small-animal models of infectious diseases. However, their immunogenicity in primates appears less potent. Here we investigate a novel approach that optimizes regulatory elements in the plasmid backbone to improve the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. Among various regions analyzed, we found that the addition of a regulatory sequence from the R region of the long terminal repeat from human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) to the cytomegalovirus (CMV) enhancer/promoter increased transgene expression 5- to 10-fold and improved cellular immune responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) antigens. In cynomolgus monkeys, DNA vaccines containing the CMV enhancer/promoter with the HTLV-1 R region (CMV/R) induced markedly higher cellular immune responses to HIV-1 Env from clades A, B, and C and to HIV-1 Gag-Pol-Nef compared with the parental DNA vaccines. These data demonstrate that optimization of specific regulatory elements can substantially improve the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines encoding multiple antigens in small animals and in nonhuman primates. This strategy could therefore be explored as a potential method to enhance DNA vaccine immunogenicity in humans.
Optimal sequencing of double-gripper gantry robot moves in tightly-coupled serial production systems

This study addresses the problem of scheduling double-gripper gantry robots and provides a structure for analyzing scheduling problems in a tightly-coupled automated serial production line with deterministic processing time. Literature to date indicates that there has been no documented effort dealing with the scheduling problem of double-gripper gantry robots. This paper presents an optimal schedule by analyzing the cycle time formula for two-station (m=2) tightly-coupled production lines served by a double-gripper gantry robot. The result is then generalized to the problem of scheduling a gantry robot in a production line with m (where m>2) workstations, and finally an optimal schedule for the m-station case is developed. The effectiveness of using double-gripper gantry robots is discussed and some analytical insights into the employment of double-gripper gantry robot are provided for manufacturing system designers.
Vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of glutamic acid residues to γ-carboxyglutamic acid in lung microsomes

Abstract Vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of glutamic acid residues to γ-carboxyglutamic acid was demonstrated in proteins of lung microsomes. The carboxylation was 12% of that in liver microsomes per milligram of mierosomal protein. Carboxylation was very low with microsomes of untreated rats but increased with time up to 42 h after warfarin administration. Carboxylation was highest with microsomes from rats fed a vitamin K-deficient diet. This suggests that a protein(s) accumulates which can be carboxylated in vitro/J. Lung microsomes also catalyzed the vitamin K-dependent carboxylation of the peptide Phe-Leu-Glu-Glu-Leu. The peptide carboxylase activity was 9% of that obtained with liver microsomes. Vitamin K-dependent protein carboxylation required NADH or dithioerythritol, suggesting that vitamin K had to be reduced to the hydroquinone. Accordingly, vitamin K 1 hydroquinone had carboxylating activity without added reducing agents. Menaquinone-3 was considerably more active than phylloquinone. The temperature optimum for carboxylation was around 27 °C.
THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF A MANNOLIPID CONTAINING A METABOLITE OF RETINOIC ACID BY 3T12 MOUSE FIBROBLASTS

Retinol and retinoic acid (RA) increase the adhesive properties of spontaneously transformed mouse fibroblasts (BALB/c 3T12-3 cells) and the incorporation of [2-3H]mannose into cellular glycoconjugates. Therefore we searched for a mannolipid of retinoic acid similar to mannosylretinylphosphate (MRP) in these cells. Radioactively labeled RA was incorporated into a compound of chromatographic characteristics similar to those of standard MRP. This metabolite contained the same 3H:14C ratio as the precursor [11, 12-3H, 15-14C]retinoic acid, demonstrating that no decarboxylation had occurred. A doubly labeled mannolipid was obtained from cells incubated with [2-3H]mannose and [15-14C]retinoic acid. This mannolipid was readily cleaved by mild acid, yielding [3H]mannosephosphate and a compound that migrated as standard anhydroretinol on thin layer of silica gel in toluene:chloroform:methanol (4:1:1) at Rf 0.93. Standard all trans-MRP yields all-trans-anhydroretinol under these conditions. An ion pair reverse phase HPLC system was developed to further characterize the mannolipids obtained from retinol and retinoic acid in 3T12 cells. [15-3H]Retinol and [15-14C]retinoic acid were incorporated into mannolipids that cochromatographed upon HPLC with standard MRP. The mixture of the [15-3H]retinol and [15-14C]retinoic acid derived mannolipids was subjected to mild acid hydrolysis, after purification by HPLC. Nearly 100% of the compounds was hydrolyzed, yielding all-trans-[3H]anhydroretinol and a 14C]labeled product which was eluted from HPLC as a slightly more polar compound than all-trans-anhydroretinol. The retinoic acid-derived mannolipid (MXP) represented approximately 4% of the total radioactivity in the methanolic extract of 3T12 cells incubated for 20 hours in the presence of labeled retinoic acid. However, if the cells were incubated for an additional 20 hours in the absence of the radioactive precursor, MXP represented 40% of the total extracted radioactivity. These results demonstrate that 3T12 cells synthesize mannosylretinylphosphate from retinol and a mannosylretinoidphosphate (MXP) from retinoic acid. These results exclude the possibility of a reduction of retinoic acid to retinol, but suggest that a closely related compound is formed from RA and that this retinol-like compound (X) is incorporated into MXP.
James Harlan: A case study of early republicanism

The author advances the premise that the newly created Republican party of 1854 owed much of its enduring success to “the moderate, middle‐class, ambitious practical politicians” who formed its central core. He discusses James Harlan of Iowa as one whose background and political career, expressed convictions on the issues, and noted rhetorical abilities mark him as a representative spokesperson of early Republicanism
Fudr as an adjuvant to surgery in cancer of the large bowel

In a controlled trial the Veterans Administration Surgical Adjuvant Group studied 735 patients with carcinoma of the large bowel in an effort to determine the possible benefits of using FUDR as an adjuvant to surgical resection. Patients randomized to treatment received a reduced course of the drug on the first, second, and third postoperative days, and a second standard therapeutic course approximately six weeks later. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications or 30 day mortality. The second course of chemotherapy was an apparent contributory factor in the death of six patients. Long term follow-up studies showed no difference in survival between patients receiving the drug and those treated by surgery alone.
Use of surrogate endpoints: a practical necessity in lipid-altering and antiatherosclerosis drug development

Apparently favorable effects of antiatherosclerosis drugs as assessed by changes in surrogate markers of cardiovascular disease risk are frequently relied upon for drug approval and labeling. Surrogates must be biologically plausible and adequately validated but are, by definition, imperfect as predictors of ultimate outcome (i.e., serious morbidity and mortality). Surrogate markers utilized in the study of drugs for the treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease may be classified as laboratory/biochemical, anatomic/morphologic, and functional. The places for various surrogates in all three categories in the development of lipid altering drugs are discussed.
Signaling pathways regulating murine cardiac CREB phosphorylation.

Abstract Using the mouse Langendorff heart perfusion model, the signaling pathways that regulate cardiac CREB-S133 phosphorylation have been defined. In mouse hearts stimulated with isoproterenol (ISO) (10−8 M), endothelin-1 (ET-1) (10−8 M), and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (TPA) (10−7 M), CREB-S133 phosphorylation was attained only by TPA-treatment. Activation of protein kinase A (PKA) was achieved by ISO. ISO- and ET-1-stimulation activated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). Protein kinase C (PKC) and p90RSK were activated with all three stimuli. Inhibition of ERK1/2 with PD98059 (10−5 M) completely inhibited the activation of p90RSK, but did not block CREB-S133 phosphorylation in TPA-perfused heart, indicating that PKA, CaMKII, and p90RSK do not phosphorylate CREB-S133 in the murine heart. PKC activation is signal specific. Analyses of PKC isoforms suggest that CREB phosphorylation is mediated by PKCe translocating into nucleus only with TPA stimulation. These results, unlike those reported in other tissues, demonstrate that cardiac CREB is not a multi-signal target.
Organometallic acetylenes of group iva elements. Synthesis and spectral data of tetrakis(tert-Butylethynyl) derivatives

Abstract The tetrakis(tert-butylethynyl) derivatives of group IVA elements have been synthesized via the reaction of the tert-butylethynyllithium with the tetrachlorides or hexachloro salt in tetrahydrofuran at low temperatures. The expected products were obtained in excellent yields. The tetrakis(tert-butylethynyl) derivatives of silicon, germanium, tin, and lead exhibited a remarkably greater thermal and hydrolytic stability than other corresponding tetraacetylenic derivatives.
Ion Concentration and Stress in a Chemically Tempered Glass

Diffusion and stress profiles were determined in an Na-for-Li exchanged Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 glass as a function of the time of reheating in air. Comparison of the two sets of data by a thermal-stress analogy gave a fair correlation, although the depth of the compressive layer was overestimated by about 16%. Stress data alone were used to obtain an interdiffusion coefficient at 400°C which agreed well with the diffusivity obtained directly. The stress and concentration fractions were related graphically; the relation suggests that there is a slight accommodation of the larger ion by the glass structure without stress buildup during the early stages of exchange. These results led to a method of predicting the modulus of rupture of an exchanged glass after it is reheated in air
Post-lumpectomy intracavitary retention and lymph node targeting of 99mTc-encapsulated liposomes in nude rats with breast cancer xenograft

Liposomes are recognized drug delivery systems with tumor-targeting capability. In addition, therapeutic or diagnostic radionuclides can be efficiently loaded into liposomes. This study investigated the feasibility of utilizing radiotherapeutic liposomes as a new post-lumpectomy radiotherapy for early-stage breast cancer by determining the locoregional retention and systemic distribution of liposomes radiolabeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) in an orthotopic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer xenograft nude rat model. To test this new brachytherapy approach, a positive surgical margin lumpectomy model was set up by surgically removing the xenograft and deliberately leaving a small tumor remnant in the surgical cavity. Neutral, anionic, and cationic surface-charged fluorescent liposomes of 100 and 400 nm diameter were manufactured and labeled with 99mTc-BMEDA. Locoregional retention and systemic distribution of 99mTc-liposomes injected into the post-lumpectomy cavity were determined using non-invasive nuclear imaging, ex vivo tissue gamma counting and fluorescent stereomicroscopic imaging. The results indicated that 99mTc-liposomes were effectively retained in the surgical cavity (average retention was 55.7 ± 24.2% of injected dose for all rats at 44 h post-injection) and also accumulated in the tumor remnant (66.9 ± 100.4%/g for all rats). The majority of cleared 99mTc was metabolized quickly and excreted into feces and urine, exerting low radiation burden on vital organs. In certain animals 99mTc-liposomes significantly accumulated in the peripheral lymph nodes, especially 100 nm liposomes with anionic surface charge. The results suggest that post-lumpectomy intracavitary administration of therapeutic radionuclides delivered by 100-nm anionic liposome carrier is a potential therapy for the simultaneous treatment of the surgical cavity and the draining lymph nodes of early-stage breast cancer.
Mechanical Ventilation Competencies of the Respiratory Therapist in 2015 and Beyond

The evolution of critical care and mechanical ventilation has been dramatic and rapid over the last 10 years and can be expected to continue at this pace into the future. As a result, the competencies of the respiratory therapist regarding mechanical ventilation in 2015 and beyond are expected to also markedly increase. Respiratory therapists are expected to be the experts on the mechanical ventilator and all aspects of the application of mechanical ventilation. They will be considered consultants on all aspect of ventilatory support. This requires an expanded education in a number of areas. To achieve these levels of competency, as recommended by the third "2015 and Beyond" conference, the entry level education of the respiratory therapist of the future must be at the baccalaureate level.
Total Factor Productivity Change in the New England Groundfish Fishery: 1964–1993

Abstract We develop estimates of total factor productivity (TFP) change in the New England groundfish fishery from 1964 to 1993, using a procedure similar to Squires' (1992, Rand J. Econom.23(2), 221–236) method, which extends standard TFP measurement by including the effect of fluctuations in stock abundance. The results indicate that TFP increased on average by 4.4% per year from 1964 to 1993. A higher average rate of increase occurred between 1964 and 1982, possibly due to new technologies (e.g., fishfinders). TFP declined at 0.33% annually from 1983 to 1993 due to stringent output and effort control measures.
THIAMINE, RIBOFLAVIN, NIACIN AND COLOR RETENTION IN CANNED SMALL WHITE AND GARBANZO BEANS AS AFFECTED BY SULFITE TREATMENT

The sulfite soaking process was applied to canning of dry beans for color improvement. The process involves presoaking California small white (CSW) and Garbanzo beans in water containing 0.05—0.15% sodium bisulfite for 12 hr, followed by thorough washing, blanching, rinsing and canning. Canned CSW and garbanzo beans showed an improvement in color through the sodium bisulfite soaking process. The level of residual SO2 in the canned beans increased as the concentration of NaHSO3 in the soaking water was increased. The residual SO2 content was 3.1-3.4 ppm in the canned CSW presoaked in 0.15% NaHSO3, and 9.2-9.8 ppm in the canned garbanzo beans. Data presented in this investigation show the loss of more thiamine at higher concentrations of NaHSO3 (0.10—0.15%). Riboflavin and niacin were largely retained in the NaHSO3 soaking treatment prior to canning.
ASYMMETRIC LOSS FUNCTION AND OPTIMAL POLICY UNDER UNCERTAINTY: A SIMPLE PROOF

Given an asymmetric quasi-convex loss function and a symmetric quasi-concave probability density function, both continuous, an extremely simple proof is suggested that shows that a policy maker will minimize expected loss by choosing a policy value on the less-damaging side of the loss function. This proof, which is compatible with a wide variety of loss functions and probability density functions, is extended to include cases where a symmetric loss function is matched against an asymmetric probability density function and where an asymmetric loss is matched with an asymmetric probability density function.
Robust optimal decision policies for servicing targets in acyclic digraphs

This paper considers a class of scenarios where targets emerge from some known location and move towards some unknown destinations in a weighted acyclic digraph. A decision maker with knowledge of the target positions must decide when preparations should be made at any given destination for their arrival. We show how this problem can be formulated as an optimal stopping problem on a Markov chain, which sets the basis for the introduction of the BEST INVESTMENT ALGORITHM. Our strategy prescribes when investments must be made conditioned on the target's motion along the digraph. We establish the optimality of this policy and examine its robustness against changing conditions of the problem which allows us to identify a sufficient condition that determines whether the solution computed by the BEST INVESTMENT ALGORITHM remains optimal under changes in the problem data. Several simulations illustrate our results.
Room-temperature near-infrared tunable laser operation of Cr(4+):Ca(2)GeO(4).

Large crystals of highly doped Cr4+:Ca2GeO4 were grown by a top-seeded solution growth method. Absorption and emission measurements for various crystal orientations have been performed. From the spectroscopic measurements, the only optically active center was identified as tetrahedrally coordinated Cr4+. Gain-switched, tunable laser operation of Cr4+:Ca2GeO4 crystal was demonstrated. Pulse energies of 0.4 mJ at 1.4 μm have been generated at a repetition rate of 100 Hz. Tunability over the 1348–1482-nm spectral range has been demonstrated.
Ultrastructural study of transganglionic degeneration following dental lesions

Transganglionic degeneration in the trigeminal main sensory nucleus (MSN) and pars interpolaris (PI) was studied in cats following dental lesions. At early survival times, three types of terminal alteration were seen in both MSN and PI: (1) flocculent degeneration, (2) neurofilamentous hyperplasia and, (3) glycogen accumulation. With longer survival times, the magnitude of these terminal alterations increases. Electron dense degeneration was only seen in the ventral half of PI. Phagocytosis of the altered terminals was also observed. The study suggests a plausible explanation for the variations observed in the CNS projection of primary afferents with degeneraton and with HRP transport studies.
Efficacy and tolerance of Ethmozine (moricizine HCl) in placebo-controlled trials.

Abstract To investigate the tolerance and efficacy of moricizine HCl, single-blind placebo-controlled trials were conducted. The early protocols involved patients hospitalized for 14 days, and daily Holter monitoring was used to document efficacy and the degree of spontaneous variability of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs). Moricizine HCl was given orally from 2.9 to 15.3 mg/kg 3 times daily. Patients with lethal ventricular arrhythmias were excluded. Additional outpatient trials were conducted to define long-term efficacy and safety. A dose-response relation between moricizine HCl and the percentage of reduction in frequency of benign or potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias was documented. Eighty-five percent of patients achieved a reduction in VPCs > 75% with daily dosages ranging from 10.1 to 15 mg/kg. This corresponded to a 95% decrease in mean frequency of VPCs. Long-term studies demonstrated no evidence of compromise in left ventricular function, and the proarrhythmic rate was only 2%. Symptomatic side effects were mild and usually well tolerated. Nausea, the most common, occurred in 11% of patients and dizziness in 9%. These results indicate that moricizine HCl is an effective and well-tolerated antiarrhythmic agent.
Competition and co-operation: toward understanding industrial districts 1

The central feature of the ‘industrial district’ is the balance between competition and co-operation among firms. This paper addresses the role of competition and co-operation in the organization of economic activity. We first compare Alfred Marshall's notion of industrial district and that of contemporary writers. We then discuss the limits of competition in the presence of such problems as asset specificity, measurement problems and externalities. We argue that under such circumstances industrial success depends on the effectiveness of collective institution-mediated co-operation. We further discuss various factors that might foster for hinder development of such institutions.
A Two-Sided Contracting Stefan Problem

We study a novel two-sided Stefan problem—motivated by the study of certain 2D interfaces—in which boundaries at both sides of the sample encroach into the bulk with rate equal to the boundary valu...
What causes autism? Exploring the environmental contribution.

Purpose of reviewAutism is a biologically based disorder of brain development. Genetic factors – mutations, deletions, and copy number variants – are clearly implicated in causation of autism. However, they account for only a small fraction of cases, and do not easily explain key clinical and epidem