cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 4354: Dihydroartemisinin inhibits mTORC1 signaling in tumor cells.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) is a derivative of artemisinin, a natural product isolated from the plant, Artemisia annua. DHA is also the active metabolite of first-generation artemisinin derivatives (artemisinin, artesunate, artemether, etc.). Artemisinins have been clinically used to treat malaria for decades. Recent studies have demonstrated that artemisinin and its derivatives possess anticancer activity. This study was set to investigate the anticancer mechanism of DHA. We found that DHA inhibited proliferation in a spectrum of tumor cells, by arresting cells in G1/G0 and G2/M phases, which was linked to downregulation of cyclin D1, CDK4 and CDC25A, as well as CDK1 and CDC25C expression, respectively. We also observed that DHA induced caspase-dependent apoptosis, which was related to downregulation of survivin, Mcl-1 and Bcl2. As the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a master kinase that regulates cell proliferation and survival, we further tested whether DHA inhibits mTOR signaling. Interestingly, we observed that DHA inhibited phosphoryaltion of mTOR and its downstream effector molecules, p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E) binding protein 1 (4E-BP1), in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, but did not obviously affect mTORC2-mediated phosphorylation of Akt, which is in contrast to the conventional mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin. The results suggest that DHA may represent a novel class of mTORC1 inhibitor, and may execute its anticancer activity primarily by blocking mTOR-mediated signaling pathways in the tumor cells. Citation Format: Yoshinobu Odaka, Baoshan Xu, Shile Huang. Dihydroartemisinin inhibits mTORC1 signaling in tumor cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4354. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4354
Autotoxic effects of essential oils on photosynthesis in parsley, parsnip, and rough lemon

Many plant species contain essential oils with allelochemical properties, yet the extent to which these same chemicals can be autotoxic is unclear. In this study, we tested the toxicity of several essential oil components to three species that produce them—Pastinaca sativa and Petroselinum crispum (Apiaceae), and Citrus jambhiri (Rutaceae). The effects of exogenous application of small amounts of essential oil components to the surface of foliage, followed by a pinprick to allow entry into the leaf, were monitored by chlorophyll fluorescence imaging. Rapid and spatially extensive declines in photosynthetic capacity were detected within 200 s. The most toxic constituents were monoterpenes. Two sesquiterpenes, caryophyllene and farnesene, and the phenylpropanoid myristicin, by comparison, were not toxic. Autotoxicity of endogenous essential oil was investigated by slicing through containment structures (glands or tubes); significant toxicity, manifested by reduced photosynthetic activity, was observed in all three species but was most pronounced in P. sativa and P. crispum, both of which possess oil tubes.
Metal hydride batteries: Pd nanotube incorporation into the negative electrode

Abstract High quality bulk quantities of palladium nanotubes were synthesized using commercial track etched polycarbonate templates in two steps by electrodeposition. The template was dissolved in dichloromethane leaving the Pd nanotubes suspended in the solution. These nanotubes were incorporated into the negative electrode alloy of nickel–metal hydride batteries. The role of nanotube containing negative electrodes’ electrochemical performance at 2C and 4C rate of discharge has been characterized. The Pd nanotube-containing cell showed increased cell voltage and negative electrode potential compared to that of a regular cell. After 10 cycles, for a cut-off voltage of 1.0 V, the nanotube cell exhibited 32 and 67% higher capacity at 2C and 4C discharge rate, respectively.
Contribution of hydrolyzed nucleic acids and their constituents to the apparent amino acid composition of biological compounds.

Abstract Acid hydrolysis of protein-free mixtures of nucleotides, nucleosides, and nucleic acids yields amino acids, free bases, and possibly other unidentified fragments when analyzed by thin-layer chromatography and by standard amino acid analysis. Glycine is the predominant amino acid detected, which may constitute 47–97% of the apparent amino acid composition, depending on the type of material subjected to hydrolysis. Obviously, hydrolyzed nucleic acids or their constituents can therefore contribute to the apparent amino acid composition of a supposedly pure peptide or of other more complex mixtures of compounds mistakenly believed to contain only protein. To circumvent this problem, we suggest that nucleotides or nucleic acid moieties should be removed from any product for which the amino acid composition is desired, and that whenever a large glycine peak is noted in a hydrolyzed sample, the presence of nucleic acids or their constituents should be suspected.
An Empirical Analysis of the Relationship Between Capital Acquisition and Bankruptcy Laws

Ineffective capital acquisition decisions at start-up may lead to business failure and bankruptcy; a result which is both costly and disruptive to the owners and other stakeholders of the firm. To cope with the risk of failure, owners embark on a variety of risk-reducing activities whereas the U.S. government attempts to moderate the downside effects of such failures through the rules surrounding bankruptcy. Previous studies imply that as owners become more aware of the protections offered through the government regulation of bankruptcy, they should become less concerned with the effects of failure and be willing to raise higher levels of initial capital. Raising higher levels of initial capital, in turn, leads owners to take actions intended to reduce firm risk and to minimize the threat to their personal financial security. Data from a sample of small firms confirm our hypothesis by showing that as the level of initial capital acquisition increases, owners embark on activities intended to reduce firm risk. However, capital acquisition is not associated with the owner’s familiarity with bankruptcy regulations. As a result, governmental objectives in establishing these regulations may not be achieved. Our findings have implications for firms’ owners, consultants, and policymakers, in terms of the relationship between an entrepreneur’s knowledge of bankruptcy laws and the financing of their enterprises.
One-dimensional inhomogeneous Ising model with periodic boundary conditions.

In this paper, we focus on the essential difference between the inhomogeneous one-dimensional Ising model with open and periodic boundary conditions. We show that, although the profile equation in the periodic case becomes highly nonlocal, due to a topological collective mode, there exists a local free-energy functional in an extended space and one can solve the inhomogeneous problem exactly.
Monitoring shared health governance.

The concept of “shared health governance” (SHG) that Ruger promotes is a promising alternative approach to governing health care. For champions of individual responsibility there is the attraction ...
Laboratory investigation of indirect tensile strength using roofing polyester waste fibers in hot mix asphalt

Abstract The vast quantity of waste materials (such as roofing polyester waste fibers) accumulating throughout the world is creating costly disposal problem. The use of these materials was proved to be economical, environmentally sound and effective in increasing the performance properties of the asphalt mixture in recent years. The primary objective of this research was to determine whether homogeneously dispersed roofing waste polyester fibers improve the indirect tensile strength (ITS) and moisture susceptibility properties of asphalt concrete mixtures containing various lengths and percentages of the fiber in various aggregate sources. The experimental design included the use of three aggregate sources, two lengths (0.635 cm (1/4 in.) and 1.270 cm (1/2 in.)) of this fiber, and two fiber contents (0.35% and 0.50% by weight of total mixture). The results of the experiments found that, in general, the addition of the polyester fiber was beneficial in improving the wet tensile strength and tensile strength ratio (TSR) of the modified mixture, increasing the toughness value in both dry and wet conditions, and increasing the void content, the asphalt content, the unit weight, and the Marshall stability.
Resolving high precision U-Pb ages from Tertiary plutons with complex zircon systematics

Success in establishing high precision crystallization ages with the U/Pb zircon method is highly dependent on the ability to isolate or remove the effects of inherited xenocrystic components or secondary lead-loss, or the combined effects of both. Current “conventional” single crystal and ion probe (SHRIMP) methods are successfully applied to Paleozoic and older samples but typically suffer from imprecision when applied to younger (Mesozoic-Cenozoic) samples due to generally reduced radiogenic lead concentrations. Here we apply a series of intense partial dissolution steps to multigrain zircon fractions from a series of Paleocene tonalitic to granodioritic intrusive rocks from southeastern Alaska. The zircon systematics are complicated by both minor inheritance and postcrystallization lead-loss. Physical and isotopic evidence demonstrate that the partial dissolution steps preferentially remove outer layers susceptible to lead loss, as well as core regions containing inherited components. The final residues are often hollow shells of low-U primary igneous zircon that yield highly precise, reproducible, and concordant ages. The resulting age determinations commonly statistically differ at the 95% confidence level from ages based on apparently concordant, but less precise conventional isotope dilution analyses, the uncertainties of which masked minor, subtle isotopic complexities. This observation strongly cautions against basing age assignments of samples yielding slightly discordant data on (1) single “concordant” analyses accompanied by an array of discordant data or (2) the mean of several 206Pb/238U or 207Pb/206Pb ages. The step-wise dissolution technique allows age determinations on young, relatively low U and Pb zircons at a resolution not currently possible with techniques such as single-grain conventional or spot ion probe analyses. Widespread application of the technique will likely prove instrumental in resolving detailed magmatic histories of igneous complexes where zircon systematics are typically complex.
Modeling planar dislocation boundaries using multi-scale dislocation dynamics plasticity

Abstract Results pertaining to the formation and dynamics of planar dislocation boundaries in deformed fcc single crystals using a multi-scale analysis are presented. A pure tilt boundary and experimentally observed extended geometrically necessary boundaries (GNBs) are constructed within the representative volume element (RVE) for multi-scale simulations. The model couples discrete dislocation dynamics analysis with continuum finite element to correct for the boundary conditions and image stress. It is shown that the right boundary condition of the RVE is critical in modeling GNBs and their long-range stresses. Effects of various numerical factors such as domain length and mesh sensitivity are also discussed. The effect of changing the spacing between two dislocation boundaries on the self-stress field and the stability, particularly in the space between the two dislocation boundaries, is presented. Relaxed configurations using dislocation dynamics show formation of a uniform network stabilized by formation of junctions and dipoles.
Selective use of percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair in women leads to fewer groin complications.

Background Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in women is often technically limited by smaller access vessel anatomy, particularly at the femoral and iliac artery levels. Percutaneous femoral artery access and closure using the “Preclose” technique (PERC) is a less invasive alternative to open surgical femoral arterial exposure and has been reported to be technically feasible, particularly in male cohorts. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and access-related outcomes of PERC in women undergoing EVAR. Methods We identified female patients in a prospectively maintained EVAR database from 2000 to 2009. An all-percutaneous approach was adopted in 2007 if technically feasible, based on preoperative computed tomography angiogram criteria including a femoral diameter >7 mm, Results In period 1 (2000–2006), most cases were performed with open femoral exposure. In period 2 (2007–2009), our group adopted a percutaneous-first approach. Of 736 EVARs performed during the study period, 120 (16.3%) were in women, leading to 178 femoral arteries requiring large sheath access. Period 1 included 90 women and period 2 included30 women who were evaluated for percutaneous access. During period 2, of the 47 eligible femoral arteries for possible PERC, 24 (51%) met appropriate criteria, and the Preclose technique was employed. The remaining 23 femoral arteries during period 2 were accessed with surgical exposure (OPEN). Technical success rate of PERC in period 2 was 96%, with one device pulling through a thin anterior arterial wall requiring open femoral conversion. During period 2, the OPEN cohort had a higher rate of total wound complications compared with PERC (34.8% vs. 8.3%, P = 0.02), including hematomas (8.7% vs. 0%), wound breakdowns (8.7% vs. 0%), and pseudoaneurysms (4.3% vs. 0%). There were two cases of femoral artery thrombosis in the PERC group requiring repair in the immediate postoperative period; however, this was not significantly different compared with the OPEN group (8.7% vs. 8.3%). Conclusions Selective percutaneous access of the femoral arteries for EVAR is safe and effective in the female population, with fewer wound complications than open exposure. Approximately one-half of femoral arteries in women are eligible for PERC access, and complications can be limited with careful selection based on preoperative imaging.
Physical Aggression in Unmarried Relationships: The Roles of Commitment and Constraints

Using commitment theory, the present study explored longitudinal associations between physical aggression and various aspects of commitment and relationship stability. Participants (N = 1,278) were unmarried adults between the ages of 18 and 35 who were in a heterosexual romantic relationship at the time of the initial assessment. Of these, 51.6% reported never experiencing physical aggression in their current relationship, 12.8% reported experiencing physical aggression in the past, but not in the last year, and 35.6% reported experiencing physical aggression in the last year. As hypothesized, those who had experienced aggression in the last year were more likely to have broken up 1 year later. They also generally reported lower levels of dedication and higher levels of constraint commitment compared with those with no history of physical aggression. Among those who had experienced aggression in the last year, constraints and other commitment-related variables explained more about who broke up over time than did relationship adjustment alone, indicating the importance of measuring commitment constructs in future research about which aggressive couples are most likely to end their relationships. Clinical implications of these results are discussed, particularly in regard to preventive relationship education programs.
Winds of time and place: How context has affected a 50–year marriage

To examine the effects of contexts on a relationship, we consider the case of our own 50-year marriage and its preliminaries. We employ a three-level conception of a couple’s environment. The macrocontext refers to the prevailing cultural winds in a society that affect all its residents during any given historical era. The mesocontext pertains to the settings in which a particular relationship operates, such as its family and other social networks, physical habitats, work settings, or institutional associations, often chosen by the partners themselves. The microcontext is the pair’s own intimate environment, constructed over time by the partners’ unique interactions. Each of these contexts has affected us. We describe and analyze instances of luck, choice, and dyadic interaction in our 52-year relationship.
The estrogen paradox.

Data from clinical trials have suggested that short-term treatment with estrogen ( 20 years) is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. The authors of this Viewpoint describe possible mechanisms to account for these seemingly paradoxical effects.
Introduction: Special issue on turbulent boundary layers at the AIAA 5th Theoretical Fluid Mechanics Conference

The articles included in this special issue represent some of the contributions, many of which were invited papers, presented at the 5th Theoretical Fluid Mechanics Conference of the American Insti...
Single and multiple giant resonances: Counterplay of collective and chaotic dynamics

Abstract The damping of collective states is a subject of broad interest, especially in finite manybody systems. We present a model to explain the saturation of the spreading widths of giant resonances in hot nuclei and the spreading widths of multiphonon states in terms of the chaotic dynamics governing the coupling of collective motion to incoherent degrees of freedom.
Kinematic Electron Bunching by Sinusoidal Travelling and Standing Waves in Short Extended Interaction Regions

The kinematic bunching of electron beams by sinusoidal traveling and standing waves of constant amplitude in the absence of space charge is treated on a large-signal basis, using the general theory developed by Wessel-Berg. The theory predicts a maximum fundamental r-f current of 1.4 times the d-c current for synchronous interaction. which may be increased a small amount for nonsynchronous interaction. In order to check the validity of the theory. the equations of motion were integrated numerically on a highspeed electronic computer; the theory agrees well with these computations if the electric field does not exceed a certain critical value. Although the increase in fundamental r- f current for nonsynchronous operation over the synchronous value is not very great, the velocity spread within the beam is considerably reduced. A calculation is included of beam-loading effects, which are compared with theoretica1 values. (auth)
Technicon Immuno 1® PSA assay measures both free and alpha‐1‐antichymotrypsin‐complexed prostate‐specific antigen on an equimolar basis

In this study, we investigated the immunoreactivity of the Technicon Immuno 1® PSA assay, a monoclonal-polyclonal sandwich immunoassay, with free and ACT-complexed PSA. Assay calibrators prepared with free PSA (standard immuno 1 calibrators) and calibrators consisting of 90% ACT-complexed and 10% free PSA (90:10 calibrators) yielded virtually identical PSA recoveries at all concentrations tested. Concentrations of total PSA at ∼4 and 10 ng/mL, prepared in varying ratios of free PSA to PSA-ACT complex, recovered from 92–104% at 4 ng/mL and from 98–102% at 10 ng/mL. Additionally, an excellent correlation of serum total PSA values from a panel of 40 prostatic cancer patient samples was obtained using calibration curves generated with the standard Immuno 1 calibrators or the 90:10 calibrators. These results demonstrate that the Technicon Immuno 1® PSA assay measures free and ACT-complexed PSA on an equal molar basis. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Long-term survival after chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia: the experience of the Southwest Oncology Group.

BACKGROUND Reports on outcomes of chemotherapy trials in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have rarely included results of long-term follow-up beyond 10 years. The authors therefore chose to review long-term follow-up data from 3 studies conducted by the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) between 1978 and 1990. METHODS The analysis included data on 2083 patients enrolled in SWOG studies S7823, S8124, and S8600. The results were based on data available as of November 15, 1996. RESULTS The probability of survival 8 years after entry was 9% in Study S7823, 14% in S8124, and 15% in S8600. For patients age < 50 years, the probabilities were 14%, 24%, and 20%, respectively. For patients ages 50-64 years, the probabilities were 7%, 8%, and 8%, respectively. For those age < 50 years who achieved complete remission, the 8-year probability of disease free survival was 17% in Study S7823, 28% in S8124, 17% with standard dose cytarabine in S8600, and 26% with high dose cytarabine in S8600. Relapse was the major reason for failure after complete remission in all three studies. When the results of the 3 studies were combined, most of the 743 relapses had occurred by Year 3 and nearly all the rest by Year 5. Among the prognostic factors universally available for study, three were highly associated with survival in all three studies: age, French-American-British disease classification, and white blood cell count at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS In view of the fact that most deaths occurred during the first 3 years, it is appropriate to report the results of clinical trials after patients have been followed for 4 years. Despite modest gains, the results of chemotherapy for AML remain disappointing, especially in the treatment of older patients. Cancer 1997; 80:2199-204. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Wall mass transfer in laminar pulsatile flow in a tube

Wall mass transfer was measured in fully developed pulsating laminar flow in a tube using the diffusion-controlled electrode technique. The average Reynolds number, pulsating frequency and amplitude, and length of the mass transfer surface were the independent variables studied. The results are given in the form of the amplitude ratio and phase angle of the pulsating wall transfer rate. At lower frequencies the amplitude and phase were found to be correlated by the variable ωd2Gz−2/3 in accordance with theory. At higher frequencies an empirical correlation with the variable ωd2Gz−1/3(L/D)1/3 was found. While this may show some deficiency in the usual theoretical model, it is also possible that other causes such as nondevelopment of the flow are responsible. Time-averaged transfer rates were found to be only slightly different from the corresponding steady flow transfer rates in the range of variables investigated.
Miniature access pectus excavatum repair: lessons we have learned

Abstract Background Pectus excavatum (PE) is the most common chest well deformity seen in children. In 1997, the Miniature Access Pectus Excavatum repair (MAPER) was presented by Nuss et al, adding a new option for PE repair. This operation entails placing a custom bent metal bar across the chest to mechanically raise the sternum and remodel the cartilage. The authors have added modifications to Nuss’ original description of this operation in an attempt to optimize technique, minimize complications, and improve outcomes. Methods The authors have performed 52 MAPERs with an average operating time of 106 minutes, average length of stay of 3.9 days, and return to normal activities of 2 to 6 weeks. Modifications to Nuss’ original description include preoperative evaluation consisting of an echocardiogram and pulmonary function tests (PFTs; with and without exercise and with and without bronchodilators), abandoning the use of routine preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, the use of unilateral positive pressure insufflation of the hemithorax to provide visualization, and anesthesia using an epidural pain catheter (intraoperative and postoperative for 3 days). Intraoperatively, we use a 70° thoracoscope for optimal visualization, and we have modified their location for optimal visualization. Additionally, the bars are secured with surgical wire, not absorbable suture, to avoid bar slippage. Results Postoperatively, we leave our bars in for 3 years and have had no recurrences. Furthermore, these patients require significant support during the time their bars are in place and occasionally require reoperation to fix symptomatic problems with their bar. Conclusions Since the first description of the MAPER was presented more than 5 years ago, the operative treatment of PE has changed dramatically. The authors feel that the MAPER is superior to the open technique, and with the modifications they have implemented, complications have been minimized, and long-term results have been improved.
Meson-Theoretical Origin of the Spin-Orbit Coupling Between Two Nucleons

It is generally agreed that the phenomenological analysis of p-p scattering data at high energies by means of a potential energy function suggests strongly the action of a spin-orbit force in triplet odd states. The situation with respect to the triplet even states is less conclusive, the existing evidence indicating that the spin-orbit coupling is at least weaker and perhaps appeciably weaker here. A conservative meson-theoretical approach is described which yields qualitative results in agreement with the above remarks. Though hardly definitive from a quantitative viewpoint, its essential elements should be contained in a more complete theory. (W.D.M.)
Determination of the shelf life of marinated sardine (Sardina pilchardus) stored at 4 °C

Abstract The shelf life of marinated sardine (Sardina pilchardus) was investigated. The fish were headed, gutted, filleted and immersed into marination solutions containing 2% or 4% acetic acid and 10% NaCl for 24 h. After the marination process, the fish were removed from the solutions, transferred into glass jars, covered with sunflower oil and stored at 4 °C. Sensory, chemical (total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), trimethylamine (TMA-N), pH) analyses were performed during the storage. TVB-N and TMA-N values significantly increased during the storage. While there were significant differences between acetic acid concentrations of 2% and 4% for TVB-N values, TMA-N values in the solution of 2% were higher than in 4%. As for pH values, differences between acetic acid concentrations were insignificant. Both of TVB-N and TMA-N values were lower than acceptable limits during the storage of 150 days but sensory scores showed unacceptable values after 120 days.
One-Trial Latent Learning Followed by Frustration and “Forgetting”

Repeating a famous old experiment shows rats do learn the location of food when thirsty, even in a T-maze design which provides reward with water in the opposite arm. Moreover, they learn it on the first trial. They then “forget” it when given more training trials. The experiment argues against the practice of habituation and shows that anticipatory-goal responses cannot explain maze results.
A single exposure to voluntary ethanol self-administration produces adaptations in ethanol consumption and accumbal dopamine signaling

In well-trained animals, accumbal dopamine release is stimulated during operant ethanol self-administration, but the time course of development of this dopaminergic response, particularly during the acquisition of ethanol drinking behavior, remains unknown. To examine this, we trained male Long-Evans rats to self-administer 10% ethanol plus 10% sucrose, using a protocol in which the concentration of ethanol was kept constant throughout the study. The animals were required to press the lever four times to gain continuous access to the drinking solution for 20 minutes, and microdialysis was performed on either the first or second day of 10% ethanol plus 10% sucrose self-administration or 10% sucrose as controls. Ethanol and dopamine were both analyzed in the dialysates. All groups (day 1 and 2 ethanol and their corresponding sucrose controls) showed an increase in accumbal dopamine during the transfer from the home cage into the operant chamber. Our main finding was an increase in dopamine in the nucleus accumbens core-shell border during the first 5 minutes of consumption on the second day but not on the first day of ethanol self-administration. Our results suggest that a single exposure to a 10% ethanol plus 10% sucrose drinking solution may be sufficient to learn the association between ethanol cues and its reinforcing properties. Furthermore, we speculate that the dopamine response during ethanol consumption likely reflects the reward-prediction role of the mesolimbic dopamine system.
Thermal Conduction in Liquid Helium II. I. Temperature Dependence

The thermal conductivity of liquid helium contained in a cylindrical stainless-steel capillary 0.080 cm in diam by 5.16 cm long has been studied between 0.9\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and the $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ point. The relation between temperature gradient and heat current density $W$ for heat currents greater than the critical heat current density ${W}_{c}$ is best expressed in the form $\mathrm{grad}T=D{W}^{n}$, where $D$ is a temperature-dependent constant and $n$ varies from about 3.0 at low temperatures to about 3.5 above 1.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Below ${W}_{c}$ the temperature gradient is much smaller, and is determined entirely by the viscosity of the normal component. ${W}_{c}$ was measured over the entire temperature range by a combination of two methods, which are in complete agreement in the region of overlap. The results suggest that, below about 1.7\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, ${W}_{c}$ is the result of some sort of normal turbulence describable by a Reynolds number involving the normal fluid velocity but the total density. At higher temperatures such an explanation is no longer adequate, and some other type of critical velocity must be invoked.
Cytokine-driven beta-cell production in vivo.

Transient treatment of diabetic mice with two cytokines induces acinar-to-beta-cell conversion to an extent sufficient to durably restore normoglycemia.
Effect of inorganic lead on some functions of the cerebral microvessel endothelium

Abstract The effect of inorganic lead on two functions of cerebral microvessel endothelium, cell division and glucose analog uptake, was investigated. Lead concentrations considered to be toxic in humans inhibited both functions in cultured endothelial cells. Both effects were dependent on the length of lead exposure and dose over the range of 10 −4 to 10 −6 m lead acetate. After 4 days of exposure there were 76% fewer cells in 10 −4 m lead-exposed cultures relative to control cultures. After 4 days of exposure to 10 −5 m lead there were 55% fewer cells, and after 10 −6 m lead exposure there were 15% fewer cells. Two days after 10 −4 m lead exposure [ methyl - 3 H]thymidine incorporation into endothelial cells was inhibited by 71%. Incorporation was inhibited 47% by 10 −5 m lead but 10 −6 m lead did not inhibit incorporation after 2 days of exposure. Glucose analog uptake was inhibited in both contact-inhibited and log-phase cells; however, the latter were more sensitive to lead and this increased sensitivity correlated with a higher lead content in this cell population. Both the specific carrier-mediated and the nonspecific components of glucose analog uptake were inhibited by exposure of the endothelial cells to lead. A lead exposure of 40 min produced a significant effect on the uptake mechanism. In order to manifest its effects the lead had to be present in serum-containing medium, suggesting that some serum component was necessary to present the lead to the endothelial cells. These findings imply that the initial target of inorganic lead in the CNS may be the plasma membrane of the capillary endothelial cells, and that lead may act by altering the physiological function of these membranes.
Unstable Polymer Bilayers. 2. The Effect of Film Thickness

The dewetting of a polycarbonate (PC) film from a poly(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (SAN) film on a silicon substrate is studied at 180 °C, a temperature above the glass transition temperatures of PC and SAN. The viscosity ratio of PC to SAN is ∼10. Using optical microscopy and video image analysis, the hole diameter D is measured at SAN layer thicknesses L from 125 to 1850 nm. For a PC thickness H of 200 nm, D varies linearly with time, which signifies a constant hole velocity. Initially, the hole velocity increases linearly with L and then becomes nearly constant for L > 1000 nm, which is the dissipation depth. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies show that the SAN thickness inside the hole is less than the original L. Analysis of the hydrostatic and dynamic pressures acting on the SAN inside and outside the hole is used to explain this result. For a very thin SAN film (i.e., L ∼ 50 nm), D initially increases quickly with time, slows down, and then increases again. Using AFM, the retarded intermediate gro...
Interleukin-10 Delivery via Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Novel Gene Therapy Approach to Prevent Lung Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury

Ischemia reperfusion (IR)-induced lung injury is a major cause of primary graft failure after lung transplantation. In this study, Manning and colleagues examine whether bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells engineered to secrete IL-10 can prevent lung IR injury in a rat model.
Spontaneous Trait Generation: A New Method for Identifying Self-Schemas

In three studies subjects spontaneously generated lists of self-descriptive traits using a new measure of self-schemas the trait generation task In Study 1 subjects had higher ratings, faster reaction times, and better recall to self-generated traits than to traits generated by another subject, demonstrating that the trait generation task does identify self-schemas In Study 2 subjects generated a list of traits characteristic of their self-ideal They had faster reaction times to self-ideal traits than to traits generated as part of another subject's self-ideal, suggesting that traits in the ideal self are also represented as self-schemas In Study 3 freshman subjects generated self-descriptive traits early in the academic year and again several months later Comparisons of their reaction times and ratings at the two points in time suggest that during a time of transition self-knowledge develops from an undifferentiated to a more differentiated form Because the identification of self-schemas using the trait generation task, unlike standard measures, is not confounded with extremity of self-rating, it was possible to show that the effects obtained for self-schemas could not be attributed to self-perceived extremity in a particular domain
Migration of deuterium during hydroxylation of aromatic substrates by liver microsomes: I. Influence of ring substituents

Abstract The hydroxylation of a variety of specifically deuterated aromatic substrates by liver microsomes has been investigated. Labeled substrates which cannot readily ionize by loss of a proton from the ring substituent display deuterium retentions varying from 40 to 64% upon hydroxylation at the ring position bearing the isotopic label. These substrates include compounds with either electron-donating or electron attracting substituents (anisole-4- 2 H, diphenyl ether-4- 2 H, biphenyl-4- 2 H, N -methyl- N -(phenyl-4- 2 H)-benzenesulfonamide, toluene-4- 2 H, fluorobenzene-4- 2 H, chlorobromobenzene-4- 2 H, benzonitrile-4- 2 H, benzamide-4- 2 H, and nitrobenzene-4- 2 H). Substrates that can, however, ionize by loss of a proton from the ring substituent exhibit lower retentions ranging from 0 to 30% at pH 8. This class of compounds includes phenols such as salicylic-5- 2 H acid, aniline-4- 2 H, N -(phenyl-4- 2 H)-benzenesulfonamide, and various N -acylanilines-4- 2 H. As the acidity of the amide hydrogen increases in the acylanilines, migration and retention of deuterium decreases. A mechanism is presented which accommodates the retention values observed for both classes of substrates. The degree of retention for acetanilide-4- 2 H is strongly dependent upon the pH of the incubating medium ranging from 21 (pH 10) to 44% (pH 6). N -(Phenyl-4- 2 H)-benzamide shows a similar pH dependence whereas nonionizable substrates (biphenyl-4- 2 H or anisole-4- 2 H) do not display this dependence. The relative reactivity of the substrates studied toward the microsomal hydroxylating system correlates well with their reactivity toward chemical reagents which cause electrophilic substitution: i.e., reactive or electron-rich rings act as the best substrates. In chemical terms, the microsomal hydroxylating system acts as though it is a weak, selective electrophile.
Second-order DMOC using projection

Discrete mechanics and optimal control (DMOC) is a recent development in optimal control of mechanical systems that takes advantage of the variational structure of mechanics when discretizing the optimal control problem. Typically, the discrete Euler-Lagrange equations are used as constraints on the feasible set of solutions, and then the objective function is minimized using a constrained optimization algorithm, such as sequential quadratic programming (SQP). In contrast, this paper illustrates that by reducing dimensionality by projecting onto the feasible subspace and then performing optimization, one can obtain significant improvements in convergence, going from superlinear to quadratic convergence. Moreover, whereas numerical SQP can run into machine precision problems before terminating, the projection-based technique converges easily. Double and single pendulum examples are used to illustrate the technique.
Invisible business information: the selection of invisible Web sites in constructing subject pages for business

Addressing the selection of invisible Web sites for business subject pages as part of collection development, this discussion begins with defining the invisible Web and examining why certain Web pages are “invisible.” Followed by an acknowledgement of problems concerning the use of terminology, implications for the process of collection development and a brief examination of the criteria in selecting the items for subject Web pages are addressed. Upon using strategies to locate these materials in order to create useful subject pages, selection criteria for the Web sites include determining the credibility of the source, and examining the scope and quality of content.
A 58-year-old woman with ST-segment elevation, seizures, and altered mental status in the setting of opiate withdrawal.

(CHEST 2009; 135:1098–1101) A 58-year-old woman with history of fibromyalgia and opiate dependence presented after being unable to obtain prescription opiates for 1 week. She had been experiencing dysphoria, rhinorrhea, diaphoresis, nausea, and vomiting, and was brought to the emergency department in a post-ictal state after having a witnessed seizure. She was intubated on arrival for airway protection. Physical examination and laboratory evaluation were unremarkable. Findings on ECG, noncontrast computerized axial tomographic scan of the head, and lumbar puncture were unrevealing. She was empirically started on IV vancomycin, ceftriaxone, and fentanyl based on a working diagnoses of meningoencephalitis, toxin-induced seizures, and opiate withdrawal. She was triaged to the medical ICU. Eight hours later in the medical ICU, a repeat ECG (Fig 1) showed diffuse STsegment elevation in precordial leads V2 through V6. Laboratory evaluation revealed elevated cardiac biomarker levels: creatine kinase, 4,294 units/L; creatine kinase MB, 30.6 ng/mL; relative index, 0.7%; and troponin, 10.2 ng/mL. A diagnosis of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction was entertained and treated initially with aspirin, metoprolol, simivastatin, heparin, and an IV eptifibatide. Emergent coronary angiography was performed, which revealed patent
Low-voltage on-chip cache architecture using heterogeneous cell sizes for high-performance processors

To date dynamic voltage/frequency scaling (DVFS) has been one of the most successful power-reduction techniques. However, ever-increasing process variability reduces the reliability of static random access memory (SRAM) at low voltages. This limits voltage scaling to a minimum operating voltage (V DDMIN ). Larger SRAM cells, that are less sensitive to process variability, allow the use of lower V DDMIN . However, large-scale memory structures, e.g., the last-level cache (LLC) (that often determines the V DDMIN of the processor), cannot afford to use such large SRAM cells due to the die area constraint. In this paper we propose low-voltage LLC architectures that exploit 1) the DVFS characteristics of workloads running on high-performance processors, 2) the trade-off between SRAM cell size and V DDMIN , and 3) the fact that at lower voltage/frequency operating states the negative performance impact of having a smaller LLC capacity is reduced. Our proposed LLC architectures provide the same maximum performance and V DDMIN as the conventional architecture, while reducing the total LLC cell area by 15%–19% with negligible average runtime increase.
Fostering Literacy Learning in Supportive Contexts

Young children with learning disabilities typically encounter difficulty with academic tasks requiring intentional effort and effective use of metacognitive skills—qualities that competent readers and writers possess. In response to these difficulties, special educators often modify literacy instruction, isolating the “basic skills” of literacy (such as decoding and penmanship) from meaningful reading and writing activities. Such instruction contributes to impoverished notions of literacy and exacerbates problems of metacognition. The two research programs reported here challenge the conventional literacy instruction provided to many young students with LD. The programs are rooted in developmental and cognitive theory and research, as well as emergent literacy theory. The social nature of learning is emphasized, with a focus on the role of the teacher, the form of discourse, and the role of text in literacy instruction. Results show that children with learning disabilities benefit from strategy instructio...
Neuromyelitis optica pathology in rats following intraperitoneal injection of NMO-IgG and intracerebral needle injury.

Animal models of neuromyelitis optica (NMO) are needed for drug testing and evaluation of NMO disease pathogenesis mechanisms. We describe a novel passive-transfer model of NMO in which rats made seropositive for human anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) immunoglobulin G antibody (NMO-IgG) by intraperitoneal (IP) injections were subject to intracerebral needle injury. Following a single IP injection, NMO-IgG distributed rapidly to peripheral AQP4-expressing cells (kidney collecting duct, gastric glands, airways, skeletal muscle) and area postrema in brain, but not elsewhere in the central nervous system; however, no pathology was seen in brain, spinal cord, optic nerve or peripheral tissues. After testing various maneuvers to produce NMO-IgG-dependent pathology in brain, we found that transient puncture of brain parenchyma with a 28-gauge needle in NMO-IgG seropositive rats produced robust NMO pathology around the needle track, with loss of AQP4 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, granulocyte and macrophage infiltration, centrovascular deposition of activated complement, and blood–brain barrier disruption, with demyelination by 5 days. Pathology was not seen in rats receiving control (non-NMO) human IgG or in NMO-IgG-seropositive rats made complement-deficient by cobra venom factor. Interestingly, at 1 day a reversible, multifocal astrocytopathy was seen with loss of AQP4 and GFAP (but not myelin) in areas away from the needle track. NMO-IgG-seropositivity alone is not sufficient to cause NMO pathology in rats, but a single intracerebral needle insertion, without pre-existing inflammation or infusion of pro-inflammatory factors, was sufficient to produce robust NMO pathology in seropositive rats.
treatment of Hypotension after Hyperbaric Tetracaine Spinal Anesthesia : a Randomized, Double-blind, Cross-over Comparison of Phenylephrine and Epinephrine

BACKGROUND Despite many advantages, spinal anesthesia often is followed by undesirable decreases in blood pressure, for which the ideal treatment remains controversial. Because spinal anesthesia-induced sympathectomy and management with a pure alpha-adrenergic agonist can separately lead to bradycardia, the authors hypothesized that epinephrine, a mixed alpha- and beta-adrenergic agonist, would more effectively restore arterial blood pressure and cardiac output after spinal anesthesia than phenylephrine, a pure alpha-adrenergic agonist. METHODS Using a prospective, double-blind, randomized, cross-over study design, 13 patients received sequential infusions of epinephrine and phenylephrine to manage hypotension after hyperbaric tetracaine (10 mg) spinal anesthesia. Blood pressure, heart rate, and stroke volume (measured by Doppler echocardiography using the transmitral time-velocity integral) were recorded at baseline, 5 min after injection of tetracaine, and before and after management of hypotension with epinephrine and phenylephrine. Cardiac output was calculated by multiplying stroke volume x heart rate. RESULTS Five min after placement of a hyperbaric tetracaine spinal anesthesia, significant decrease in systolic (from 143 +/- 6 mmHg to 125 +/- 5 mmHg; P < 0.001), diastolic (from 81 +/- 3 to 71 +/- 3; P < 0.001), and mean (from 102 +/- 4 to 89 +/- 3; P < 0.001) arterial pressures occurred. Heart rate (75 +/- 4 beats/min to 76 +/- 4 beat/min; P = 0.9), stroke volume (115 +/- 17 to 113 +/- 13; P = 0.9), and cardiac output (8.0 +/- 1 l/m to 8.0 +/- 1l/m; P = 0.8) did not change significantly after spinal anesthesia. Phenylephrine was effective at restoring systolic blood pressure after spinal anesthesia (120 +/- 6 mmHg to 144 +/- 5 mmHg; P < 0.001) but was associated with a decrease in heart rate from 80 +/- 5 beats/min to 60 +/- 4 beats/min (P < 0.001) and in cardiac output from 8.6 +/- 0.7 l/m to 6.2 +/- 0.7 l/m (P < 0.003). Epinephrine was effective at restoring systolic blood pressure after spinal anesthesia (119 +/- 5 mmHg to 139 +/- 6 mmHg; P < 0.001) and was associated with an increase in stroke volume from 114 +/- 12 ml to 142 +/- 17 (P < 0.001) and cardiac output from 7.8 +/- 0.6 l/m to 10.8 +/- 1.1 l/m (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Epinephrine management of tetracaine spinal-induced hypotension increases heart rate and cardiac output and restores systolic arterial pressure but does not restore mean and diastolic blood pressure. Phenylephrine management of tetracaine spinal-induced hypotension decreases heart rate and cardiac output while restoring systolic, mean, and diastolic blood pressure.
Temperatures and Thermal Diffusivity within a Rangeland Soil Near Oracle, Arizona

ABSTRACT Soil temperatures are typically measured at shallow depths near the soil surface where large diurnal variations occur. For depths deeper than about 50 cm analytical and numerical models are often used to simulate the annual variations in daily temperature, which require information about the soil thermal diffusivity (D). An analytic solution to the onedimensional Fourier heat conduction equation was used by Matthias and Warrick (1987) to simulate daily soil temperatures at 20 and 100 cm depths at Safford, Arizona, and at 20 cm depth at Yuma, Arizona, using observed daily soil temperatures at 10 cm depth at each location and an estimate of the average soil thermal diffusivity as inputs. The solution was the sum of a deterministic (mean annual wave) component and a stochastic (daily fluctuations about the mean wave) component. The purpose of the research described in this paper is to use the model described by Matthias and Warrick (1987) to calculate the average thermal diffusivity for a semi-arid ...