cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Creation of a Femoral Cortical Window to Facilitate Total Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Sickle Cell Hemoglobinopathies

Patients with sickle cell hemoglobinopathies often have femoral head osteonecrosis with collapse, and can benefit greatly from total hip arthroplasty. However, numerous procedural challenges and perioperative complications make these cases difficult. More specifically, femoral canal preparation and proper component placement can be particularly challenging due to focal medullary sclerosis caused by repeated vascular insults to the bone. This study describes the creation of an anterior metaphyseal cortical bone window to aid in identification of the true femoral canal and to facilitate femoral component implantation.
Marijuana metabolites measured by a radioimmune technique

THE recent surge of interest in the pharmacology of cannabinoids has created a need for a rapid assay for Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and its metabolites in body fluids. A sensitive immune technique has proved elusive, and quantitation requires a multistep chromatographic and mass spectroscopic analysis1. Gas liquid chromatography with electron capture detection has also been used2,3. We describe here a simple rapid radio-immune assay for Δ9-THC utilising goat antiserum obtained as previously described4.
Towards Crowd-Based Needfinding in Medical Device Development

Public and private institutions invest over $100 billion annually in biomedical research [1]. These funds can be misused and the value diminished if the engineers and clinicians are not aligning work with areas of clinical need [2]. As medical device developers have pointed out, “Get (the clinical need) right and you have a chance, get it wrong and all further effort is likely to be wasted” [3, p. 3]. Needfinding is a formal tool within the design cycle used to fully understand the problem, particularly when involving human behavior [4]. While effective when used, these methods are reported to be underutilized in healthcare practice [5–7] due to unique challenges in healthcare [8,9]. This lack of early stage input can lead to unnecessary investment in new projects already destined to fall short of the potential clinical improvements motivating the work. The results reported here represent a preliminary feasibility study on a crowd-based method of needfinding. The long-term objective is to collect a broad, unfiltered list of potential unmet clinical needs from the point-of-view of technology users. This method can compliment data from existing observation-based methods currently used [3,4], but will have several advantages over existing methods, including: needs can be collected from a wider, more diverse sample of a surgeon population; individual time commitments can be minimized relative to in-depth interviews and observations; and the same data collection infrastructure can be leveraged to later prioritize unmet needs through formalized review and input from clinicians and professional medical societies. The study is designed to test the effectiveness of methods to overcome existing limitations of nonobservation-based interactions with users. Specifically, users are often unable to directly articulate how a technology fails to meet their needs because they have adapted to shortcomings and rarely consciously think of them [3].
Sources of energy for intestinal smooth muscle contraction.

SummaryA number of substances have been studied with respect to their influence on the contraction of excised segments of rabbit small intestine. The results have been discussed in relation to present concepts of intermediary metabolism. Particular attention has been given to fatty acids, from propionic through pelargonic. With the exception of propionic, all appear to provide energy for smooth muscle contraction; and the characteristics of their behaviour were compatible with the concept of β-oxidation.
Puromycin inhibits protein import into mitochondria by interfering with an intramitochondrial ATP-dependent reaction

We have performed experiments which demonstrate that puromycin inhibits the import of proteins into mitochondria in in vitro reactions containing mitochondria isolated from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and precursor proteins synthesized in a nuclease-treated rabbit reticulocyte lysate. Puromycin inhibited the import of several precursor proteins including; a fusion protein consisting of the first 22 N-terminal residues of yeast cytochrome oxidase subunit IV fused to mouse dihydrofolate reductase, both a destabilized and truncated form of this same fusion protein, the beta-subunit of the yeast mitochondrial F1-ATPase and yeast alcohol dehydrogenase III. The insertion of the yeast outer mitochondrial protein porin was not inhibited by puromycin. Puromycin-induced import inhibition could be overcome by adding additional ATP to the import reactions. However, if access of ATP to the mitochondrial matrix was prevented by blocking the adenine nucleotide translocase with carboxyatractyloside, ATP addition was unable to overcome the inhibitory effect of puromycin on protein import. Collectively, these results demonstrate that puromycin inhibits protein import into mitochondria by interfering with an ATP-dependent step in the import process and that the ATP-dependent component in the reaction is located inside the inner mitochondrial membrane. In addition to supporting the view that ATP is required in the matrix for efficient protein import, these results may provide a useful tool for identifying the ATP-binding components of the import apparatus.
Defending Wild Washington: A Citizen's Action Guide. E. Whitesell, ed. 2004. The Mountaineers Books, Seattle. 384 pp. $19.95 paperback.

Good advice on saving wild Washington: Buy this book! Not only is it an invaluable guide to the practical politics of protecting wilderness areas in Washington State, but it also provides a compreh...
Fabrication Of 13 Inch Diameter F/0.77 Hyperbolic Mirror Using Ring Tool

The effective zonal correction using a ring tool off centered will be presented. The diameter of the ring polisher and shift of the tool center defines the zone under correction. The removal rate is consistent. An example of a 13 inch diameter F/0.77 beryllium mirror figuring procedure is described.
Binary analysis and automated hot patching for Web-based applications

Patching technologies are commonly applied to improve the dependability of software after release. This paper reports the design of an automated hot patching (AHP) framework that fully automates reasoning for the causes of failures and patching the binary code of Web-based applications. AHP admits the hardness for rooting out all faults before product release, and autonomously patches problems of application programs. By directly operating on binary code, AHP is universal to virtually all applications. A promising application of AHP is to shortcut a function of the remote maintenance center (RMC) and hence to reduce the turn around time for patches.
Green function treatment of electronic transport in narrow rough semiconductor conduction channels

We explore the effect of geometrical fluctuations on the electronic transport in rough Si nanowire (NW) thermoelectric devices of diameter D < 10 nm. At this scale, the quantum nature of transport is accounted in the computation of energy dependent transmission coefficients through a recursive green function algorithm. The rough 3D NW geometry is used as a direct input to simulations through the roughness height Δ and autocovariance length L. Using a non parabolic band structure, the channel conductance above 0.1 eV is drastically reduced in such NW with high D/Δ ratio. In addition, the roughness induced resistivity is only increased by 6% on the first energy level of 10 nm Si channels with Δ = 7.7 A, showing possible application for high thermoelectric figures of merit ZT.
A dispersion model for traffic produced turbulence in a two-way traffic scenario

Low wind speed conditions are often associated with poor air quality in urban areas, especially near roadways. Predictions of pollutant concentration under such conditions, i.e. low wind-speeds and near road locations, are, however, complicated by the role of traffic produced turbulence (TPT) on pollutant mixing and dilution. Existing dispersion models consider the effect of TPT on pollutant concentrations near roadways, accounting for parameters such as vehicle intensity, vehicle speeds, etc, but do not explicitly account for the contribution of two-way traffic interaction on the pollutant dispersion parameter. The turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) resulting from a two-way traffic condition will be higher than that with a one-way traffic pattern. Here, we obtain a simple formulation for TKE under a two-way traffic pattern from the balance of production and dissipation of turbulence. Considering the vorticity generated by the two-way traffic and determining the equivalent drag coefficient, an expression for TKE due to the two-way traffic interaction was obtained for three different traffic density regimes: light, intermediate, and heavy. The model predictions are validated by comparison with published data from a field study. An improved parameterization of the TPT considering the two-way traffic interaction effect is seen to significantly improve predictions of near roadway pollutant concentrations.
Point defects and the creep of metals

Abstract Basic concepts felt to be important in diffusion-controlled creep of metals are reviewed and it is suggested that such creep is controlled by edge-dislocation climb under a rather wide range of conditions. The effect of a damage-producing flux on such creep processes is explored. It is shown that processes such as Herring-Nabarro creep are unaffected by irradiation. Evidence is presented for a climb-plus-glide mechanism of radiation creep for stresses above unirradiated yield or flow stresses. At lower stresses a preferential dislocation loop nucleation model is suggested.
Genetic and Tagging Evidence for Movement of Walleyes Between Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair

Walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) from Lake Erie differed in allele frequencies from walleyes in Lake St. Clair (N = 1,680; 25 loci); however, only slight differences were found among walleyes from different spawning sites in each lake. Analyses of allele frequency data from samples of nonspawning walleyes taken in Lake St. Clair provided conditional maximum likelihood estimates that 86% of these walleyes were from Lake St. Clair and 14% from Lake Erie (SD = 19.7%) in 1983 and that 63% were from Lake St. Clair and 37% were from Lake Erie (SD = 20.0%) in 1984. About 30% of 1,159 recoveries of walleyes tagged in Lake Erie were taken from the Detroit River northward to southern Lake Huron, thus demonstrating extensive mixing of stocks from Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. Additionally, tags recovered from the upper half of the St. Clair River provided an estimate of mixed stock composition of 76% Lake St. Clair fish and 24% Lake Erie fish. Analyses of tags returned during successive spawning seasons showed that walleyes strongly tended to return to suspected natal spawning areas. The tagging data thus corroborate the genetic evidence that walleye stocks from Lake St. Clair and Lake Erie are different, and that large numbers of Lake Erie walleyes enter Lake St. Clair during nonspawning seasons and return to their Lake Erie spawning sites each year. Western Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair walleyes should be considered as separate stocks for management purposes.
Protease inhibitors as inhibitors of human cytochromes P450: high risk associated with ritonavir

Four protease inhibitor antiviral agents (ritonavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir) were evaluated as in vitro inhibitors of the activity of six human cytochromes using an in vitro model based on human liver microsomes. Ritonavir was a highly potent inhibitor of P450-3A activity (triazolam hydroxylation), having inhibitory potency slightly less than ketoconazole. Indinavir was also a potent 3A inhibitor, while nelfinavir and saquinavir were less potent. Ritonavir had high inhibition potency against cytochrome P450-2C9 (tolbutamide hydroxylation), -2C19 (S-mephenytoin hydroxylation), and -2D6 (dextromethorphan O-demethylation and desipramine hydroxylation), while the other protease inhibitors had one or more orders of magnitude lower inhibitory activity against these reactions. None of the protease inhibitors had important inhibitory potency against P450-1A2 (phenacetin O-deethylation) or -2E1 (chlorzoxazone hydroxylation). Thus, among available protease inhibitors, ritonavir carries the highest risk of incurring drug interactions due to inhibition of cytochrome P450 activity.
Spinally-mediated antinociception is induced in mice by an adenosine kinase-, but not by an adenosine deaminase-, inhibitor.

Abstract Relative involvement of adenosine deaminase and adenosine kinase in antinociception induced by endogenous adenosine was investigated. Antinociception induced by 5′-amino 5′-deoxyadenosine (5′-ADAdo; an adenosine kinase inhibitor) and deoxycoformycin (dCF; an adenosine deaminase inhibitor) administered i.t. was determined using the mouse tail-flick assay. Dose- and time-dependent antinociception was observed following i.t. administration of 5′- but not dCF. Antinociception induced by 5'-ADAdo was reversed by coadministration i.t. of theophylline, an adenosine receptor antagonist, in a dose-dependent manner. These data provide preliminary evidence that adenosine kinase plays a more significant physiological role than adenosine deaminase in the regulation of adenosine involved in spinally-mediated antinociception.
Effects of internal and external pressure on the structure and dynamics of micelles: A FTIR study of sodium and potassium decanoates in D2O1☆

Abstract Infrared spectra of aqueous micellar solutions of sodium and potassium decanoates were measured as a function of external pressure up to and exceeding 50 kbar. Counterion interactions also generate an internal pressure in these micellar systems which strongly affects the features and shape of the infrared spectra. The internal pressure-induced spectral changes are countercation dependent and are discussed in terms of countercation effects on the structural and dynamic properties of these aqueous surfactants. External pressure, on the other hand, induces a structural phase transition from the micellar state to a coagel state, which is also affected by the nature of the countercation. The critical coagelization pressure is 21.2 kbar for sodium decanoate and 22.5 kbar for potassium decanoate. The decanoate molecules in the micellar state are conformationally and orientationally highly disordered. External pressure cannot induce conformational ordering of the methylene chains in the micellar phase; on the contrary, the conformational disorder in this phase increases with increasing pressure. This is the first demonstration that disordered structures can exist in a methylene chain system at pressures as high as 20 kbar. The alkyl chains become fully extended and the reorientational fluctuation of the decanoate molecules are completely damped at the critical coagelization pressures. The structure of the pressure-induced coagel phases is different from that of the corresponding temperature-induced coagel phases due to the different magnitude of the counterion binding force under extreme conditions of temperature or pressure.
Lagrangian simulation of the unsteady near field dynamics of planar buoyant plumes

The unsteady dynamics of planar plumes is investigated numerically with particular emphasis on the pulsating instability characterizing the source (nozzle) near field. This instability manifests itself as the periodic shedding of vortical structures from the nozzle. The Lagrangian Transport Element Method is used to provide high resolution two-dimensional simulations of the unaveraged variable density flow. Comparison with experimental results verifies that the simulations capture the plume instantaneous behavior and reproduce the pulsation frequency. The latter is controlled by a Strouhal–Richardson number correlation which implies that the instability is inviscid in nature with a frequency that is mainly dependent on the gravitational acceleration and the nozzle width, f∼g/w. The presence of a horizontal wall surrounding the nozzle exit does not affect these results. Numerical results indicate that transition from nonpulsatile to pulsatile behavior obeys a Reynolds–Richardson number correlation of the f...
Impressions of Principal Training In Russia and Ukraine

An examination of the ways in which Russian school directors are trained has the potential to provide lessons useful to our own reform efforts.
Second cancers in patients with the Ewing sarcoma family of tumours.

Abstract Background Patients are at risk of second malignancies (SM) after treatment for Ewing sarcoma family of tumours (ESFT). Methods We performed a retrospective review of 237 patients with ESFT treated at our institution from September 1979 through to February 2004. Cumulative incidence (CI) of SM by the type of malignancy and treatment was estimated. Results Twelve patients with SM were identified. Secondary leukaemia (SL) developed in 8 patients (2 ALL, 6 MDS/AML), a median 2.6 years (range 1.4–19.6 years) after diagnosis of ESFT. Four patients had secondary solid tumours, a median 8.0 years (range 7.4–9.4 years) after the ESFT diagnosis. Five- and 10-year estimates of the CI of SM were 3.0 ± 1.1% and 4.7 ± 1.5%, respectively. Patients treated on recent protocols with higher cumulative doses or an increased dose intensity of alkylators and epipodophyllotoxins and the use of G-CSF had a higher estimated CI of SL than those in earlier studies (5-year CI 6.4 ± 2.4% versus 0.0 ± 0.0%, respectively, P = 0.004). Conclusions Patients with ESFT are at risk for SM after treatment. The cumulative incidence of SM is higher with the current treatment protocols and may be related to the intensification of chemotherapeutic agents.
Understanding the large librational motion of the methyl group in aspirin and acetaminophen crystals : Insights from density functional theory

Single-crystal neutron diffraction studies indicated that the terminal methyl groups of aspirin and acetaminophen crystals demonstrated large librational or torsional motions as compared to other atoms. Herein, we report a study using density functional theory for understanding the Hellmann−Feynman forces and how the nuclear Fukui function may provide the underlying cause for the large disorders of the methyl group.
Mark Smith: Pioneer of Alzheimer Disease Research

This issue of Neurotoxicity Research honors Mark A. Smith. While we will never know the plan that suddenly took him from us almost 2 years ago, his pioneering work and original ideas will live on and influence contemporary thought in Alzheimer disease (AD) research. Mark defined the first oxidative modifications found in AD and pioneered the foundation for cell cycle alteration and metabolic changes. He was also known for questioning the amyloid cascade hypothesis, providing evidence that amyloid-b (Ab) and tau are protective responses to brain injury. Consequently, his efforts were concentrated on connecting AD to biology, leading to the two-hit hypothesis and other theories which focused on the pleiotropic threshold between pathology and physiology. In his early work, Mark demonstrated oxidative modification of every category of biological macromolecule: protein, carbohydrate, lipids, and nucleic acids. But it was Mark’s rapid comprehension that oxidative damage is countered by an antioxidant response that bound his ideas. Coincident with pathology he reported protective physiological responses and cell cycle re-entry. These findings defined a new concept in oxidative stress, one of homeostasis where radicals do not breach defenses, but a new balance is reached, designed to protect cells from death. Mark’s work on neuronal death changed the view of neuronal apoptosis; rather than dying, neurons in AD resist death through induction of many of the pathways linked to apoptosis, but without completion of the death response these changes played a role in neuronal survival. In this special issue, we have been fortunate to gather foremost experts in the field to discuss the current state of these exciting areas. We thank the contributors that remind us of Mark’s great vision and contributions to understanding the pathogenesis of AD. We also owe a great debt of gratitude to Dr. Richard Kostrzewa for the opportunity to compile this issue. Lastly, we hope that the contributions from Mark’s legacy will continue to contribute to further research on finding the cure for AD.
Longitudinal and Transverse 1H−15N Dipolar/15N Chemical Shift Anisotropy Relaxation Interference: Unambiguous Determination of Rotational Diffusion Tensors and Chemical Exchange Effects in Biological Macromolecules

High-resolution proton-detected heteronuclear correlation NMR spectroscopy allows the measurement of 15N spin relaxation rates at multiple sites throughout a biological macromolecule. The rate constants are determined by stochastic internal motions on time scales of picoseconds to nanoseconds, overall molecular rotational diffusion on time scales of nanoseconds, and chemical exchange rates on time scales of microseconds to milliseconds. A new method has been developed for distinguishing the contributions of chemical exchange from the contributions due to anisotropic rotational diffusion by measuring both longitudinal and transverse interference between the 1H−15N dipolar and 15N chemical shift anisotropy interactions. The spectroscopic experiment for measuring the longitudinal cross-correlation rate constant for 1H−15N dipolar/15N chemical shift anisotropy interference is based on the approach for measuring the transverse cross-correlation rate constant (Tjandra, N.; Szabo, A.; Bax, A. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1...
Fast protein separation and characterization by hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) and low angle laser light scattering photometry (LALLS)

Fast gradient HIC has been interfaced with low angle laser light scattering photometry (LALLS) to separate and characterize proteins. Molecular weights (MWs) have been determined on-line for a set of four proteins. A fast HIC column has been used to elute proteins under fast (5 min) and conventional (10 min) gradients. Certain variables used in the calculation of MW, such as refractive index of the mobile phase (RI) and differential refractive index (dn/dc) have been calculated offline. The MWs for three of the four proteins studied matched literature values at any given gradient time. One of the proteins, β-lactoglobulin-A (β-LACT), was a dimer when injected. Our results have indicated that fast gradient HIC can be easily interfaced with LALLS in spite of a significant change in RI across the gradient.
Creatine kinase-BB isoenzyme in rat plasma after chronic lead intoxication

Creatine kinase (CK) activity in plasma obtained non-invasively from adult healthy, Sprague-Dawley, male rats was found to be 528 +/- 270 U/L (N = 17), a value which was 7 times that obtained in human specimens. Agarose gel electrophoresis revealed that the only detectable CK isoenzyme present was CK-BB, in contrast to the human serum isoenzyme which was CK-MM. Furthermore, it was found that the rat CK-BB could be detected using an RIA technique designed to quantitate human CK-BB occasionally present in blood after brain injury (rat CK-BB = 84.5 +/- 55.2 micrograms/L, N = 17, human CK-BB: Not detectable). It was thus possible to calculate the CK-BB specific activity (SA) in rat plasma using total CK assay and RIA (rat CK-BB SA = 6.25 +/- 3.87 U/micrograms, N = 17). When six rats (156 +/- 23 g) were treated with lead acetate in the drinking water (26 mM) for 3 weeks, the CK-BB SA rose to 18 +/- 5.8 U/micrograms (P less than .02). At this point the electrophoresis pattern of the CK-BB showed a transient change from a single band to a doublet. The dose was then increased to 52 mM for 6 weeks, during which time the CK-BB SA declined steadily to 1.6 +/- 0.6, a level significantly less than that of the untreated animals (p less than .02). The results suggest that chronic lead treatment evokes a biphasic response in CK-BB SA with the initial release of enzyme of high SA from tissues. Further treatment apparently results in an inactivation of the enzyme within lead sensitive tissues.
Monitoring conformational dynamics with solid-state R1ρ experiments

A new application of solid-state rotating frame (R 1ρ) relaxation experiments to observe conformational dynamics is presented. Studies on a model compound, dimethyl sulfone (DMS), show that R 1ρ relaxation due to reorientation of a chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) tensor undergoing chemical exchange can be used to monitor slow-to-intermediate timescale conformational exchange processes. Control experiments used d 6 -DMS and alanine to confirm that the technique is monitoring reorientation of the CSA tensor rather than dipolar interactions or methyl group rotation. The application of this method to proteins could represent a new site-specific probe of conformational dynamics.
Genotype and Phenotype Concordance for Pharmacogenetic Tests Through Proficiency Survey Testing

Context.—Pharmacogenetic testing is becoming increasingly important for drugs such as irinotecan, warfarin, clopidogrel, codeine, and the tricyclic antidepressant drugs. Laboratories certified to perform pharmacogenetic testing must demonstrate successful performance on proficiency testing surveys. Objectives.—To examine the performance of laboratories subscribing to pharmacogenetic proficiency testing surveys for genes that encode CYP2C9, VKORC1, UGT1A1, CYP2C19, and CYP2D6. Data Sources.—College of American Pathologists Pharmacogenetic Proficiency Survey (PGX), 2007–2011. Conclusions.—For all 5 genes challenged, there was good performance among participating laboratories for reporting wild types (95.4%–99.1% correct). For CYP2C9, VKORC1, and UGT1A1, there was no statistical difference in the percentage correctly detected for variant alleles compared to wild type. For CYP2C19, participating laboratories were greater than 90% successful in detecting variant genotypes of *1/*2, *1/*8, and *2/*3. However, s...
Simultaneous Noise Suppression and Signal Compression Using a Library of Orthonormal Bases and the Minimum Description Length Criterion

Abstract We describe an algorithm to estimate a discrete signal from its noisy observation, using a library of orthonormal bases (consisting of various wavelets, wavelet packets, and local trigonometric bases) and the information-theoretic criterion called minimum description length (MDL). The key to effective random noise suppression is that the signal component in the data may be represented efficiently by one or more of the bases in the library, whereas the noise component cannot be represented efficiently by any basis in the library. The MDL criterion gives the best compromise between the fidelity of the estimation result to the data (noise suppression) and the efficiency of the representation of the estimated signal (signal compression): it selects the “best” basis and the “best” number of terms to be retained out of various bases in the library in an objective manner. Because of the use of the MDL criterion, our algorithm is free from any parameter setting or subjective judgments. This method has been applied usefully to various geophysical datasets containing many transient features.
α9 and β8 integrin expression correlates with the merger of the developing mouse eyelids

As previously reported, α9 integrin is expressed between the merged or fused eyelids of mice at birth, and changes in α9 localization occur during lid opening. To determine whether α9 and/or additional integrin subunits mediate the emergence and temporary fusion of the eyelids, immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy were used to evaluate the localization of various integrin subunits in the developing ocular surface of the mouse. No detectable β5, β6, or β7 integrins were observed on the epithelia of the ocular surface. α2, α3, αv, and β1 integrins were most abundant in the basal cells beginning at 13.5 days post conception and remained primarily localized to the basal cell layers throughout development. β4 was localized at the basal surface of the epidermal basal cells beginning at 13.5 days post conception but was not found on the corneal epithelial basal cells until after birth. α9 and β8 integrins were present on suprabasal cells of the epidermis at the leading edge of the eyelid before merger and on the epithelial bridge that forms immediately after these tissues merge, suggesting that they play a role in the initial fusion of the epithelial tissues of the eyelid and in stabilizing the epithelial junction. After birth and into adulthood, β8 was retained within the suprabasal cell layers of the epidermis, whereas α9 became localized to the basal cells of the epidermis, the conjunctiva, and the limbus. The lack of co-localization of β4 with either α9 or β8 in double-labeling studies suggests that α9 and β8 are restricted to the lateral and apical aspects of those cells in which they are expressed. The presence of tenascin-C and laminin-5 at the epithelial junction site suggests that α9: tenascin-C and β4: laminin-5 interactions may play a role in stabilizing the fusion between lids early on but do not appear to be involved in the movement of the lids across the cornea. The data presented identify specific integrins and matrix proteins that are likely to mediate eyelid fusion. Dev Dyn 1999;214:216–228. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reactivity of Alumina toward Phosphoric Acid

Reaction between alumina and 33.3 wt% orthophosphoric acid was investigated by monitoring the heat liberated under isothermal conditions at temperatures from 25° to 90°C. In a separate set of experiments, the H3PO4 concentration was varied from 0 to 50 wt%, at 25°C. Reactivities of five aluminas (three anhydrous and two hydrated) differing in particle size, surface area, and crystallinity were studied. Relationships between the properties of the aluminas and their reactivities toward phosphoric acid were established. The aluminas with the highest surface areas and the lowest degrees of crystallinity react more rapidly and produce overall more heat. Increasing the temperature and phosphoric acid concentration were also shown to increase heat evolution. However, increasing the H3PO4 concentration beyond 33.3 wt% (molar Al/P ratio = 1.0) for the anhydrous aluminas, and beyond 40 wt% for boehmite, does not result in a significant increase in the amount of heat evolved. Gibbsite continues to release greater amounts of heat when reacting with increasing concentrations of H3PO4 (up to 50 wt%). The anhydrous aluminas generally react faster than do the hydrates. Within the range of H3PO4 concentrations from 0 to 33.3 wt% the hydrates and the most reactive anhydrous alumina exhibit approximately the same degree of reactivity on a per mole of Al2O3 basis.
Lessons learned and ideas formed from early studies of pA collisions

Abstract I discuss ideas that were developed in the early studies of high energy proton nucleus collisions.
The influence of contact-inhibited growth and of agents which alter cell morphology on the levels of G- and F-actin in cultured cells

The amounts of G-actin and F-actin were measured in cultured cells grown under various conditions. The percent of total actin as F-actin in monolayer cultures of asynchronous cells was 72.4% in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, 57.7% in HeLa cells, 69.8% in V79 cells, and 79.5% in 1080 cells. Actin comprises 2.4-3.1% of the total protein in these cell lines. Treatment of cells with 20 microM cytochalasin B (CB) caused different cytological effects from treatment with 10 microM colchicine, but the effects characteristic of each drug were observed throughout the range of cell lines used. Of the five cell lines treated with CB only the V79 and CHO cells showed a decrease (5-8%) in the level of F-actin. Colchicine treatment of HeLa cells resulted in a 13% increase in the percent F-actin, but similar treatment of CHO cells caused no significant change in F-actin. Therefore, a change in the steady state level of F-actin is not necessary for the observed cell shape change. The F-actin levels in CHO cells treated with 7 mM procaine decreased from 72 to 65% over the first 15 min of exposure, a time during which the cells rounded. After continuous exposure of the cells to procaine for 1 h, the F-actin percentage returned to control levels and the cells, though abnormal in appearance, flattened on the culture dish. The relationship between the level of F-actin and cell density was studied on the culture dish. The relationship between the level of F-actin and cell density was studied in the 10T 1/2 cells, a cell line which demonstrates density-dependent growth regulation. While contact inhibition was accompanied by a decrease in the F-actin percentage (from greater than 95% to about 60%) in one strain of 10T1/2 cells, two other strains of the same cells progressed from log phase growth (highly motile) to late plateau phase (non-motile, contact-inhibited) with a constant level of F-actin (about 60%). A spontaneous transformant of this cell line, which no longer demonstrated contact-inhibited cell growth, also maintained the same constant F-actin (60%). Thus, the maintenance of contact-inhibited growth control does not appear to depend upon the net distribution of actin between the globular and filamentous forms.
Lunar and Terrestrial Ilmenite Basalt

A basalt hornfels from the Keweenawan Duluth complex in Minnesota contains 7 percent by weight of titanium dioxide and is similar in many respects to the Apollo 11 samples. Hornfels texture, as well as primary textures in lunar rocks, resemble those in Keweenawan rocks.
Oesophageal motility disorders

Summary Oesophageal motility disorders comprise various abnormal manometric patterns which usually present with dysphagia or chest pain. Some, such as achalasia, are diseases with a well defined pathology, characteristic manometric features, and good response to treatments directed at the pathophysiological abnormalities. Other disorders, such as diffuse oesophageal spasm and hypercontracting oesophagus, have no well defined pathology and could represent a range of motility changes associated with subtle neuropathic changes, gastro-oesophageal reflux, and anxiety states. Although manometric patterns have been defined for these disorders, the relation with symptoms is poorly defined and the response to medical or surgical therapy unpredictable. Hypocontracting oesophagus is generally caused by weak musculature commonly associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Secondary oesophageal motility disorders can be caused by collagen vascular diseases, diabetes, Chagas' disease, amyloidosis, alcoholism, myxo-oedema, multiple sclerosis, idiopathic pseudo-obstruction, or the ageing process.
Diseases Associated with Thrombosis

Coagulation abnormalities are commonly encountered in critical illness. Traditionally, clinically relevant coagulation disorders have consisted mostly of bleeding associated with advanced stages of disseminated intravascular coagulation or toxin ingestion. However, advances in critical care have highlighted hypercoagulability as a clinically relevant state that must be recognized and treated to optimize the chances of a positive outcome. Retrospective studies of dogs with confirmed thrombosis in varying locations have identified populations most likely to experience hypercoagulable states. Diseases most frequently complicated by thrombosis include immune-mediated disease, neoplasia, systemic inflammation and sepsis, cardiac disease, protein-losing states, and infectious diseases. In this report, the existing retrospective studies will be discussed along with a review of specific disease processes that predispose to a hypercoagulable state. Studies targeting those populations most at risk for thrombotic complications are necessary for better understanding the need for prophylactic anticoagulant therapy.
Review essay: Reading, rhetoric, and the texture of public memory

MYSTIC CHORDS OF MEMORY: THE TRANSFORMATION OF TRADITION IN AMERICAN CULTURE. By Michael Kammen. New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1991; pp. viii + 864. $40.00; paper $20.00. RECLAIMING THE PAST: LANDMARKS OF WOMEN'S HISTORY. Edited by Page Putman Miller. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1992; pp. vii + 232. $35.00. REMAKING AMERICA: PUBLIC MEMORY, COMMEMORA TION, AND PA TRIOTISM IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY. By John Bodnar. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1992; pp. xviii + 296. $29.95; paper $14.95. THE RITES OF ASSENT: TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE SYMBOLIC CONSTRUCTION OF AMERICA. By Sacvan Bercovitch. New York and London: Routledge, 1993; pp. viii + 424. $15.95 paper.
Symptom subtypes of obsessive-compulsive disorder and their relation to dissociation

We examined relations between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms and dissociation in three studies. Studies 1 and 2 established a strong level of convergence between our two OCD symptom measures. Specific types of symptoms showed a clear convergent/discriminant pattern, indicating that they can be meaningfully distinguished from one another. In both studies, dissociation correlated more strongly with checking and obsessive intrusions than with cleaning, ordering, and hoarding. Moreover, these associations remained substantial even after controlling for neuroticism (Study 1) and other types of anxiety (Study 2). In Study 3, we replicated our key findings in a psychiatric outpatient sample, indicating that they are generalizable to clinical participants. Taken together, our results (a) establish a strong link between dissociation and OCD, and (b) illustrate the importance of analyzing different types of OCD symptoms separately.
Mass dependence of the diffraction peak in resonance production and the multipoint Veneziano model

Abstract It is shown that the multipoint Veneziano model predicts that the diffraction peak in resonance production should smoothly broaden as the resonance mass increases in qualitative agreement with experiment. Comparisons with “non-dual” models are made.
[Ca2+]i Oscillation Frequency Regulates Agonist-stimulated NF-κB Transcriptional Activity

In nonexcitable cells, stimulation by high agonist concentrations typically produces a biphasic increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) ([Ca(2+)](i)). This response is characterized by a transient initial increase because of intracellular Ca(2+) release followed by a sustained elevation which varies in amplitude depending on the nature of the stimulus. In contrast, low-level stimulation often evokes oscillatory changes in [Ca(2+)](i). The specific information provided by repetitive [Ca(2+)](i) spikes appears to be encoded in the frequency rather than in the amplitude of [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations. The specific, membrane-permeable inositol 1,4, 5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P(3)) receptor blocker Xestospongin C (XeC, 2-20 microM) was used to affect [Ca(2+)](i) signaling in human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) during an established response to low-level (1 microM) histamine stimulation. XeC produced a dose-dependent decrease in the frequency of [Ca(2+)](i) oscillations during histamine stimulation without affecting oscillation amplitude. Histamine stimulated a 14-fold increase in NF-kappaB-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene activity that was dose-dependently decreased by XeC. Thus, during low-level agonist stimulation, [Ca(2+)](i) oscillation frequency regulates nuclear transcription in HAEC.
The effects of β-C2S/class H cement mixed fillers on the kinetics and mechanical properties of polymer concretes

The effects of the inclusion of a hydraulic cement-type filler prepared with a beta dicalcium silicate (β-C2S) to Class H cement ratio of 1:1 on the hydrothermal stability of polymer concrete (PC) containing vinyl-type polymers having carboxylate groups in their molecules was evaluated. Studies were made of the mechanical properties, fracture energy, and kinetics of the cement-filled composites before and after exposure to a 25% simulated geothermal brine at 240°C. Excellent physical properties of the PC, developed by the appearance of a Ca-copolymer complex structure and hydration products formed during exposure to hot brine, were obtained. The results indicated 103.9 MPa compressive strength, 7.3 MPa tensile strength, 6.0 MPa shear bond strength, 4.40 × 104 MPa modulus of elasticity, and 3.15 × 103 erg/cm2 fracture energy. In addition, the activation energy for the thermal decomposition of the Ca-copolymer complex was calculated using an Arrehenius plot method to be 44.0 kcal/mole.
Coherence length and noise properties of GaAlAs broad-band sources

The coherence length of two types of GaAlAs broad-band sources have been measured as a function of current. The noise properties of these devices were also measured in short path-length difference interferometers.
Evaluation of the influence of diabetes mellitus on antipyrine metabolism and CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 activity.

Study Objective. To evaluate the metabolism of antipyrine, a general metabolic probe, caffeine, a probe for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2 and N-acetyltransferase activity, and dextromethorphan, a specific probe for CYP2D6 activity in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus. Design. Prospective, controlled study. Setting. Research facility. Patients. Fifteen patients with type 1 and 16 with type 2 diabetes, and 16 healthy controls. Intervention. Each subject simultaneously received antipyrine 10 mg/kg, caffeine 100 mg, and dextromethorphan 30 mg. Measurements and Main Results. The pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and its primary metabolites were determined from saliva and urine samples. Type 1 diabetes had marked effects on antipyrine metabolism whereas type 2 disease did not alter the metabolism of any of the probe drugs. The apparent oral clearance of antipyrine was increased 72% in patients with type 1 disease compared with controls (p=0.0001). In addition, formation clearances of 4-hydroxyantipyrine and 3-hydroxymethylantipyrine were increased by 74% and 137% in those patients relative to controls. The caffeine metabolic index (paraxanthine/caffeine) was increased 34% (p=0.11), and N-acetylation and CYP2D6 phenotype were not altered. Conclusion. The metabolism of antipyrine is increased in patients with type 1 diabetes. Based on in vitro reports of antipyrine metabolism and current caffeine metabolic index data, the predominant effect of type 1 diabetes appears to be an increase in CYP1A2 activity. Assessment of the effect of the disease on other specific CYP metabolic pathways is warranted.
On the American scene: Cytology proficiency testing symposium overview

The current and future status of cytology proficiency testing (PT) was the focus of a symposium held in Atlanta November 16–17, 1993. Sponsoring organizations were the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the College of American Pathologists (CAP), and the Cytopathology Education Consortium [American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP), American Society of Cytology (ASC), American Society of Cytotechnology (ASCT)]. The February 28, 1992 Final Rule implementing CLIA 1988 had specified that laboratories evaluating gynecologic cytology specimens had to be enrolled in an approved PT program by January 1994. A contract request had no responses by the April 1993 deadline, however.
The Community Reinforcement Approach to the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders

Empirical support is presented for the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA), a broad-spectrum cognitive-behavioral treatment for substance use disorders. At the core of CRA is the belief that an individual's environment can play a powerful role in encouraging or discouraging drinking and drug use. Consequently, it attempts to rearrange contingencies so that sober behavior is more rewarding than substance-abusing behavior. Originally tested in the early 1970s with a small sample of alcohol-dependent inpatients, it has repeatedly proven to be successful over the years with larger, diverse populations. Empirical backing is also presented for a new variant of CRA that works through family members to engage treatment-resistant individuals into substance abuse treatment.
Properties of chloroplast dispersions in the presence of detergents.

Abstract Chloroplastin solubilized with dodecyl sulfate migrates more slowly chromatographically and more rapidly electrophoretically than phycoerythrin and phycocyanin. Chlorosplastin from Nostoc adn from spinach chloroplasts is indistinguishable by these methods. The cholorphylls and caroteneoids migrate with the solubilized lipoprotein in dodecyl sulfate sulfate solutions, and migrate separately in Tween 20 solutions; protein-free carotenoid rapidly separates from the chlorophyll-lipoprotein when aqueous α-picoline is employed as solvent and developing solution. The chlorophylls and carotenoids in Chlorella and chloroplast suspensions are rendered completely extractable with benzene by very low concentrations of the cationic detergent zephiran chloride, which simultaneously inactivates photpsynthesis and the Hill reaction. Anionic and neutral synthetic detergents as well as saponins had little efffect on photosynthesis in Cholorella due to poor penetration, but inhibited the Hill reaction at lower concentrations than are required for chloroplast dispersion. Their inhibiting action resembles that of the surface active urethanes. It is concluded that the physical site of their inhibiting action is the pigment films within the laminated grana.
Role of hypoxia and extracellular matrix-integrin binding in the modulation of angiogenic growth factors secretion by retinal pigmented epithelial cells.

The retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) is a monolayer of polarized cells located between retinal photoreceptors and blood vessels of the choroid. The basal surface of RPE cells rests on Bruch's membrane, a complex extracellular matrix structure which becomes abnormal in several disease processes, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Ruptures or abnormalities in Bruch's membrane are frequently accompanied by choroidal neovascularization. Disturbed interaction of RPE cells with their extracellular matrix (ECM) could play a role in this process. The present study was undertaken to examine the complex interactions between hypoxia, integrin, and ECM in the regulation of RPE functions. Antibody blocking experiments demonstrated that RPE cell adhesion to vitronectin is mediated primarily through αvβ5 and adhesion to fibronectin occurs through α5β1. RPE adhesion to immobilized laminin demonstrated highest level of non-RGD-mediated adhesion as compared to that with collagen IV or the RGD matrices such as vitronectin (αvβ5) , fibronectin (α5β1), or thrombospondin (α5β1 + αvβ5). Addition of soluble vitronectin, or fibrinogen to RPE cell cultures resulted in a small to moderate increase in VEGF and FGF2 in the media, while each of these growth factors was dramatically increased after addition of thrombospondin 1 (TSP1). In contrast, soluble fibronectin resulted in differential upregulation of VEGF but not FGF2. Similarly, immobilized TSP1 resulted in differential greater upregulation in VEGF but not FGF2 release from RPE as compared to other ECMs under either normoxic or hypoxic conditions. Additionally, Hypoxia resulted in a time-dependent increase in VEGF, but not FGF2 release in the media. RPE cells grown on TSP1-coated plates showed increased VEGF and FGF2 in their media compared to cells grown on plates coated with type IV collagen, laminin, vitronectin, or fibronectin. The TSP1-induced increase in secretion of growth factors was partially blocked by anti-α5β1, anti-αvβ3, and anti-αvβ5 antibodies indicating that it may be mediated in part by TSP1 binding to those integrins. These data suggest that alterations in oxygen levels (hypoxia/ischemia) and ECM of RPE cells, a prominent feature of AMD, can cause increased secretion of angiogenic growth factors that might contribute to the development of choroidal neovascularization. These data also suggest the potential modulatory role of VEGF release from RPE by ECM and αvβ5 and α5β1 integrins. J. Cell. Biochem. 74:135–143, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.