cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Radon Emanation as a Possible Indicator of Crustal Deformation

(Accepted for publication March 24, 1978) ABSTRACT: Radon emanation has been monitored in shallow capped holes by a Tracketch method along several active faults and in the vicinity of some volcanoes and underground nuclear explosions. The measured emanation shows large temporal variations that appear to be partly related to crustal strain changes. This paper proposes a model that may explain the observed tectonic variations in radon emanation, and explores the possibility of using radon emanation as an indicator of crustal deformation. In this model the emanation variation is assumed to be due to the perturbation of near-surface profile of radon concentration in the soil gas caused by a change in the vertical flow rate of the soil gas which, in turn, is caused by the crustal deformation. It is shown that, for a typical soil, a small change in the flow rate (3 · 10 +4 cm sec +1 ) can effect a significant change (a factor of 2) in radon emanation detected at a fixed shallow depth (0.7 m). The radon concentration profile has been monitored at several depths at a selected site to test the model. The results appear to be in satisfactory agreement.
Toxicology at the Food and Drug Administration: new century, new challenges.

Dr. Schwetz is the Acting Deputy Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He was Director of FDA National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, AR, from 1993 to 1999. A diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology, Dr. Schwetz was acting Director of the Environmental Toxicology Program at the National Institutes of Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, NC, before coming to the FDA in 1993. He was also Associate Director of the National Toxicology program there. He had been Chief of the Institute Systems Toxicity Branch since 1982. Dr. Schwetz currently serves as Adjunct Professor, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology/Division of Interdisciplinary Toxicology, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He was editor of Fundamental and Applied Toxicology from 1986 to 1992, and serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of Environmental Health Perspectives and Critical Reviews in Toxicology. Dr. Schwetz is an invited member of the Canada Health Protection Branch Science Advisory Board, and an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine. He is a member of the Society of Toxicology (SOT) and the National Capitol Area Chapter, SOT; the American Veterinary Medical Association; National Society of Phi Zeta, Honor Society of Veterinary Medicine; Teratology Society; Behavioral Teratology Society; and the Reproductive Toxicology Specialty Section of the SOT. He is past president of the Reproductive Toxicology Specialty Section of the SOT and of the North Carolina and the South Central Chapters of the SOT. In addition to numerous other professional awards during his career, Dr. Schwetz received the U.S. Government 1998 Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award.
Thermodynamically self-consistent theory of structure for three-dimensional lattice gases

Recently, methods were developed to solve with high accuracy the equations that describe a thermodynamically self-consistent theory for the two-body correlation function, and preliminary results were reported for three-dimensional lattice gases with nearest-neighbor attractive interaction [R. Dickman and G. Stell, Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 996 (1996)]. Here we give a detailed description of our methods and of the results, which are found to be remarkably accurate for both the thermodynamics and structure of these systems. In particular, critical temperatures are predicted to within 0.2% of the best estimates from series expansions. Although above the critical temperature the theory yields the same critical exponents as the spherical model, this asymptotic behavior sets in only in a very narrow region around the critical point, so that the apparent exponents and the thermodynamics are well reproduced up to reduced temperatures of around ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. On the coexistence curve, on the other hand, the exponents are nonspherical, and considerably more accurate than the spherical ones. For instance, the exponent ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{\mathrm{coex}}$ predicted by the theory for the shape of the coexistence curve is ${\ensuremath{\beta}}_{\mathrm{coex}}=0.35$.
Students' self-estimated and actual knowledge of gender traditional and nontraditional occupations

Abstract This study investigated the degree and congruence of students' estimated and actual information about gender traditional and nontraditional occupations. Twenty-nine female and 29 male college students completed an instrument on which they rated how much they thought they knew about 18 male-dominant and 18 female-dominant occupations. They also completed an instrument measuring their actual knowledge of these and an additional wide variety of occupations. Results showed that subjects of each sex perceived themselves as less informed about nontraditional occupations. This result was much more pronounced for women than men. Each sex also tended to underestimate their actual knowledge of nontraditional occupations. Men and women did not differ in their actual knowledge, which was fairly limited for both sexes.
Tensile failure of crystalline polymers

Abstract In the creep experiment the brittle fracture of the unoriented semicrystalline polymers at very small and very high tensile load with the intermediate ductile region may be explained by the competition between crazing and shear band formation during the microcrack growth phase. The former type of microcrack growth leads to brittle fracture while the latter type yields necking which transforms the original lamellar structure into the final fibrous structure. The actual fate of the strained sample depends on the growth time of the craze, tg, and of the shear band formation time, ts. If tg ts, the material will deform plastically. The failure of the fibrous material seems to occur when the ratio between the average distance and diameter of the microcracks reaches a value about 3. The microcracks seem to form primarily at defects of the microfibrillar structure, i.e., at the ends of microfibrils where the axial connection of subsequent crys...
Endpoints of treadmill exercise testing for functional evaluation of patients with mitral stenosis

The study was performed on 122 patients proved by catheterization to have dominant mitral stenosis so as to define proper endpoints of exercise testing for functional evaluation. This represents the 14-year experience with mitral stenosis in our exercise laboratory. Of them, we investigated 126 who completed clinically event-free Naughton treadmill exercise tests. Excess peak exercise heart rates (over 150 beats per minute, 63%) and exertional hypotensive responses (59%, probably including factitious responses due to unreliable indirect pressure readings) did not correlate with the severity of mitral stenosis. Without limiting symptoms and major ventricular arrhythmias, either of the above as endpoints may cause the test to be halted prematurely in half the cases. Ventricular arrhythmias (60%; in complex forms, 20%; possibly contaminated by aberrancy in atrial fibrillation and aggravated by digitalis/diuretics) did not correlate with severity of stenosis either, but the only one major complication we met was secondary to ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Limiting symptoms (83%; of them 94% being dyspnea/fatigue correlating with severity at P less than 0.01) and complex ventricular arrhythmias as endpoints terminated 85% of the tests safely in this series. Atrial thrombuses (34%, all non-floating) did not cause any related complications. Thus, we concluded that limiting symptoms and complex ventricular arrhythmias are the proper endpoints in evaluating the exercise capacity of patients with mitral stenosis after prior echocardiographic exclusion of those with potentially risky floating thrombus.
Kindergarten Students’ Food Preferences are not Consistent with their Knowledge of the Dietary Guidelines

Abstract Objectives To evaluate kindergarten students' understanding of the concepts and terminology in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans; to determine whether kindergarteners could name food sources of fat, salt, and sugar; and to find out how well they understood the relationship between diet, exercise, body fat, and health. Additionally, food preference information was collected so that kindergarteners' knowledge about the Dietary Guidelines could be compared with their food choices. Design and subjects Focus-group interviews were conducted in two elementary schools with 12 groups of about five students each (n=62). Four classrooms were self-selected depending on the teacher's willingness to facilitate student participation; the sample was not random. Results Students understood the general relationship between food choices, exercise, body fat, and health. They were able to name foods high in salt, fat, and sugar and thought consumption of sugary or fatty foods should be limited. Nevertheless, their food preferences were not consistent with recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines to moderate foods high in these nutrients. Applications Nutrition educators should be aware that young children might not understand terms frequently used such as animal sources of foods or variety. Students know what to eat, but their practices are inconsistent with their knowledge. Providing information about what to do is not enough. To help students transfer factual information to personal dietary practices, nutrition educators need to teach them how to apply the Dietary Guidelines within their food environment while maintaining acceptability in regard to taste. J Am Diet Assoc. 1995; 95: 219-223.
Murine polyomavirus infection of 3T6 mouse cells shows evidence of predominant necrosis as well as limited apoptosis

The current study was developed to determine if polyomavirus infected 3T6 mouse cells evoked an apoptotic or a necrotic mechanism during infection. Infected cells were analyzed by flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DNA electrophoresis and by measuring caspase-3 enzymatic activity. Infected cells that were analyzed at 72 h post-infection showed the following: flow cytometry analysis revealed a 5% increase in apoptotic cells and a 46% increase in necrotic cells when compared to uninfected cells; electron microscopy showed 10% cells with characteristic apoptotic morphology and 40% with necrotic appearance; caspase-3 activity was found to increase two fold when compared to uninfected cells and DNA fragmentation (laddering) was clearly evident late in infection. It was concluded that infected cells predominantly showed necrosis, although some cells showed apoptosis in late infection. Recombinant capsid-like particles composed of the polyomavirus structural proteins were not able to induce cell death.
Informed consent revisited: An updated written question format

This article presents an updated version of M. Handelsman and M. Galvin's (1988) suggested written format for facilitating informed consent to psychotherapy. Significant changes in the psychotherapy profession during the past 15 years, and the revisions regarding informed consent in the American Psychological Association's (2002a) ethics code, form the rationale for this revision. Like the original, this form is a thorough list of questions that clients have a right to discuss with their psychologists. This revised version, which is intended to be illustrative rather than prescriptive, includes new questions addressing insurance/managed care issues, manualized and evidence-based psychotherapy, and psychopharmacology.
Defining the SNARE Complex Binding Surface of α-SNAP IMPLICATIONS FOR SNARE COMPLEX DISASSEMBLY

N-Ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) and its adaptor protein α-soluble NSF attachment protein (α-SNAP) sustain membrane trafficking by disassembling soluble NSF attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes that form during membrane fusion. To better understand the role of α-SNAP in this process, we used site-directed mutagenesis to identify residues in α-SNAP that interact with SNARE complexes. We find that mutations in charged residues distributed over a concave surface formed by the N-terminal nine α-helices of α-SNAP affect its ability to bind synaptic SNARE complex and promote its disassembly by NSF. Replacing basic residues on this surface with alanines reduced SNARE complex binding and disassembly, whereas replacing acidic residues with alanines enhanced α-SNAP efficacy in both assays. These findings show that the ability of NSF to take apart SNARE complexes depends upon electrostatic interactions between α-SNAP and the acidic surface of the SNARE complex and provide insight into how NSF and α-SNAP work together to drive disassembly.
Substance P-immunoreactive processes on 5HT/SP-immunoreactive medullary cells

Two-color immunoperoxidase staining has been used to localize substance P (SP)-immunoreactive processes on neurons in the caudal medulla that exhibited both serotonin (5HT)- and SP-immunoreactivity (5HTI/SPI cells). The punctate SP-immunoreactive processes were present on 5HTI/SPI cells in the raphe nuclei and ventral reticular formation. This close association suggests that activity in bulbospinal 5HT/SP pathways, which can influence sympathetic preganglionic neurons, may be affected by the release of SP in the brainstem.
Sulfide, iron, manganese, and phosphate in the deep water of the Chesapeake Bay during anoxia

Abstract Concentrations of dissolved oxygen and sulfide, and of dissolved and particulate iron, manganese, and phosphate were measured as functions of salinity at a station in the Chesapeake Bay during stratification and deep water anoxia in spring and summer, 1981. The observed concentration/salinity profiles showed that oxygen was transported in a direction opposite to that of salt, while dissolved sulfide was transported in the same direction as salt through the anoxic water to be oxidized in oxygen consumption zones located below the steepest parts of the halocline. Both oxygen and sulfide were transported conservatively on 18 June. Their fluxes were 1·2 and 2 mol m −2 d −1 , respectively. The oxygen flux was 30% of that stoichiometrically needed to oxidize the sulfide transported, suggesting that the oxygen consumption zone was advancing to shallower, less saline water, thus increasing the volume of anoxic water. Although oxygen was transported conservatively, sulfide was produced as it was transported through the anoxic water on 8 July. The anoxic water was supersaturated with respect to ferrous sulfide on 18 June, but most of the anoxic water was saturated on 8 July. Precipitation of ferrous sulfide had little effect on the sulfide flux on 18 June. The manganese(II) concentration/salinity profile exhibited a maximum in the oxygen consumption zone on 18 June. On 8 July the profile was independent of salinity at high salinities. Iron(II) and manganese(II) consumed little if any oxygen in the oxygen consumption zone. Soluble reactive phosphate was transported conservatively through the anoxic water on 18 June. It was produced as it was transported on 8 July. All of the phosphate was consumed in the oxygen consumption zones by sulfide oxidizing bacteria. On 18 June its flux, estimated to be 2·8 mmol m −2 d −1 , was less than 10% of that required for bacterial oxidation of the sulfide reaching the oxygen consumption zone. The rest was oxidized chemically. The growth and activity of the bacteria were limited by the rate at which soluble reactive phosphate was transported to the oxygen consumption zone. Little or none of the sulfide, iron(II), or phosphate originated in the bottom sediment at the station. The results indicate that they were transported into the water sampled from deeper more saline water downstream, suggesting that they originated in the deep trough that extends along the spine of the Bay. Manganese(II), however, resulted from the reduction and dissolution of oxidized manganese particles as they sank into the anoxic water.
Testing a Political Economic Theory of the Media: How Were Steel Tariffs Covered?*

Objective. The objective of this article is to test Stromberg's (2001) prediction that newspapers will devote more space to costs of tariffs than to their benefits, using the recent steel tariff issue as a test case. Method. A content analysis was performed on a sample of 123 New York Times (NYT) and 177 Wall Street Journal (WSJ) articles published between January 1 and September 10, 2002. The articles were coded sentence by sentence for pro-, anti-, and neutral-tariff content. Comments or information deemed supportive of the tariffs, that is, touting their benefits, were coded +1, while those emphasizing the costs of tariffs were coded –1. A statement that was neutral with regard to the tariff issue was coded 0. The proportion of sentences coded –1 was then compared with the proportion coded +1. Results. The coders found 395 sentences devoted to the negative impacts of steel tariffs versus 124 sentences devoted to their benefits out of a combined total of 3,207 sentences. The results also reveal a mild “slant” toward free trade in the WSJ relative to the NYT. In the WSJ, the proportion of lines criticizing tariffs (0.11) exceeds the proportion supporting tariffs (0.02) by a wider margin than in the NYT (0.13 vs. 0.06). Conclusions. This article provides empirical support for Stromberg's (2001) political economy model of the media. The model implies that mass media will weaken the power of special-interest lobbies relative to unorganized interests. Specifically, the data support Stromberg's prediction that more newspaper space would be devoted to the costs of steel tariffs—which are widely dispersed—than to their benefits—which are narrowly targeted.
Theory of exciton recombination from the magnetically induced Wigner crystal.

We study the theory of itinerant-hole photoluminescence of two-dimensional electron systems in the regime of the magnetically induced Wigner crystal. We show that the exciton recombination transition develops structure related to the presence of the Wigner crystal. The form of this structure depends strongly on the separation $d$ between the photo-excited hole and the plane of the two-dimensional electron gas. When $d$ is small compared to the magnetic length, additional peaks appear in the spectrum due to the recombination of exciton states with wavevectors equal to the reciprocal lattice vectors of the crystal. For $d$ larger than the magnetic length, the exciton becomes strongly confined to an interstitial site of the lattice, and the structure in the spectrum reflects the short-range correlations of the Wigner crystal. We derive expressions for the energies and the radiative lifetimes of the states contributing to photoluminescence, and discuss how the results of our analysis compare with experimental observations.
Treatment of infertile patients by intrauterine insemination of washed spermatozoa.

Summary: Thirty-five couples with a variety of infertility problems were treated by a sperm-washing and intrauterine-insemination method. The husband's semen was washed with a modified Biggers, Whitten, and Whittingham's medium to obtain a seminal plasma-free, highly concentrated sperm suspension for intrauterine insemination. Couples receiving these inseminations were evaluated by semen analysis, zona-free hamster egg penetration test (EPT), post-coital test (PCT), antisperm antibody test (ASAT), and other appropriate infertility tests to determine the possible cause of infertility. The pregnancy rate as a group was 17%, while the spontaneous rate was found to be only 7%. Patients with a poor PCT result had a good success rate (25%) especially if the male's fertilizing ability appeared normal in the EPT (50% success). This treatment did not help men with poor EPT results or reduced sperm concentration (5% and 0% success). By excluding unsuccessful patients attempting less than three months, the calculated conception rate for this treatment is 33%. No infection or other serious complications were reported. It is concluded that this method is an uncomplicated and effective treatment for certain infertility patients. The patients most likely to be assisted by this method can be identified by using the EPT, PCT, and ASAT, and these patients should be treated for a minimum of three cycles. Intrauterine Insemination mit gewaschenen Spermatozoen zur Behandlung infertiler Patienten Zusammenfassung: 35 Paare mit unterschiedlichen Infertilitatsproblemen wurden mit gewaschenen Spermien intrauterin inseminiert. Das Sperma des Mannes wurde mit einem modifizierten Biggers, Whitten und Whittingsham-Medium gewaschen, um eine Samen-flussigkeitsfreie, hochkonzentrierte Spermatozoen-Suspension fur die intrauterine Insemination zu erhalten. Bei den Paaren, die diese Art der Insemination erhalten sollten, wurden Spermaanalysen, der Zona-free-Hamster-Eizellen-Penetrationstest (EPT), der Postcoitaltest (PCT), der Anti-Spermatozoen-Antikorper-Test (ASAT) und andere bewahrte Untersuchungen zur Ermittlung der moglichen Infertilitatsursache durchgefuhrt. Die Gesamtschwangerschaftsrate betrug 17% im Vergleich zur Spontanrate mit nur 7%. Patienten mit einem schlechten PCT-Resultat hatten eine gute Erfolgsquote (25%), speziell, wenn die Zeugungsfahigkeit des Mannes im EPT normal erschien (50%). Diese Methode konnte jedoch Patienten mit schlechten EPT-Ergebnissen oder reduzierter Spermatozoendichte nicht helfen (5 und 0% Erfolg). Unter Ausschlus erfolgloser Patienten, die sich weniger als drei Monate bemuhten, war die errechnete Konzeptionsrate dieser Methode 33%. Eine Infektion oder andere schwerwiegende Komplikationen wurden nicht beobachtet. Man kann daraus folgern, das es sich bei dieser Methode um eine einfache und erfolgversprechende Behandlungsart fur bestimmte infertile Patienten handelt. Die Indikation fur diese Methode kann mit Hilfe des EPT, des PCT und des ASAT gestellt werden. Die Behandlung sollte mindestens uber drei Zyklen durchgefuhrt werden.
Molecular-dynamics study of ductile and brittle fracture in model noncrystalline solids

Molecular-dynamics simulations of fracture in systems akin to metallic glasses are observed to undergo embrittlement due to a small change in interatomic potential. This change in fracture toughness, however, is not accompanied by a corresponding change in flow stress. Theories of brittle fracture proposed by Freund and Hutchinson indicate that strain rate sensitivity is the controlling physical parameter in these cases. A recent theory of viscoplasticity in this class of solids by Falk and Langer further suggests that the change in strain rate sensitivity corresponds to a change in the susceptibility of local shear transformation zones to applied shear stresses. A simple model of these zones is developed in order to quantify the dependence of this sensitivity on the interparticle potential.
Strategic communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR): Effects of stated motives and corporate reputation on stakeholder responses

Abstract This study examined stakeholder responses toward two communication strategies of CSR motives: stating both self- and society-serving motives or only society-serving motives. How the effect of stated motives differs by corporate reputation was studied as well. The study found that acknowledging a self-serving motive reduces skeptical attribution and enhances stakeholders’ favorable intent to support, seek employment with, invest in, and purchase from the company. Possible backlash effects were detected when companies with poor reputations emphasize only society-serving motives and omit self-serving motives.
Culture of plant somatic hybrids following electrical fusion.

Electrically-induced protoplast fusion has been used to produce somatic hybrids between Nicotiana plumbaginifolia and Nicotiana tabacum. Following fusion of suspension culture protoplasts (N. plumbaginifolia) with mesophyll protoplasts (N. tabacum) heterokaryons were identified visually and their development was followed in culture. Because electrical fusion is a microtechnique, procedures were developed for culturing the heterokaryons in small numbers and at low density. The fusion and culture procedures described are rapid, uncomplicated and repeatable. Good cell viabilities indicate that the fusion procedure is not cytotoxic. Fused material was cultured 1–2 days at high density in modified K3 medium (Nagy and Maliga 1976). The heterokaryons were isolated manually and grown, at low density in conditioned media. Calli have been regenerated. Esterase isozyme patterns confirm the hybrid character of calli and clonally-derived plantlets recovered from these fusions.
Spatio-Temporal Hemodynamic Imaging using a with Non-contact NIR scanner

The possibility of hemodynamic tissue imaging without external contrast agents during non-contact NIR imaging is studied based on spatio-temporal feature extraction technique. The estimated NIR results show potential for various clinical applications.
Solidification Dynamics and Microstructure of Metals in Pulsed Laser Irradiation

As emphasized by many of the contributions to this volume, there is an important and growing technology in laser processing of metals. The more developed aspects of this technology include applications such as cutting, machining, welding, surface hardening, surface alloying, etc. These applications use primarily high-power cw lasers. In contrast, the technology for pulsed laser-metal interactions for laser pulse widths in the nanosecond or shorter time regime is not as well developed; however, studies in this time regime are providing important insight into the processes that control metastable and amorphous phase formation of importance for certain applications. Selected activities in this area will be reviewed in the present paper. When appropriate, systems produced by pulsed surface melting will be compared to related systems produced by ion implantation.
Kairos and the rhetoric of belief

New Testament rhetoric, especially proclamation, has more in common with Sophistic rhetoric than with the philosophical rhetorics of Plato and Aristotle. It can be characterized as kairotic rhetoric. Analysis of Gorgias’ Helen suggests three types of kairos: a moment of poetic creation, a stasis of indecision, and a release of irrational power in the form of logos. Similar meanings of kairos as times of inspiration can be discovered in the New Testament. The Sophistic and Christian concepts of kairos taken together suggest that the rhetoric of belief is a form of epideictic rhetoric, originally thought of as a type of impromptu speaking. Epistemologically different than epistemic or doxastic rhetoric, this form of rhetoric, aletheiac, is an alternative to both.
Lighting Required for Commercial-Airline Aircraft

LIGHTING plays as essential a role in the performance of a modern air-transport airplane as it traditionally does not the stage. It is the purpose of this paper to outline the extent of the subject and to acquaint the reader with the basic requirements of each of the specific apllications. Actual airline operating experience will form the basis for these requirements.
The new pediatric radiologist

This article discusses challenges in becoming a pediatric radiologist and contains words of advice from two young pediatric radiologists. Discussions include fellowship challenges and adjustment to being a new attending, including balancing work and life and difficult cases.
The Effectiveness of Global Prohibition Regimes Corruption and the Antibribery Convention

An increasing number of global policy regimes are intended to influence international business practices, but their effectiveness is uncertain. This article presents a conceptual framework for understanding the effectiveness of regimes, with seven propositions. The case of the evolving global anticorruption regime is described and used to test the propositions. Two key conclusions are (a) the difficulty of the problem being addressed is a key factor in limiting regime effectiveness and (b) this problem, as well as others, can be addressed in part by careful development of formal regime policies. Implications for scholarship and practice are presented.
Inferring decision making from preferences and behavior: An analysis of Aguaruna Jívaro manioc selection

Cognitive models of natural decision making (Quinn, 1978; Gladwin, 1980; Gladwin and Murtaugh, 1980) work well for decision situations in which the decisions are made infrequently, the number of alternatives to be evaluated is small compared with the number of constraints that affect the decision, and the alternatives to be decided among are mutually exclusive of one another. However, it is difficult to apply these models to a decision-making situation that lacks any of these characteristics, such as in the case of Aguaruna Jivaro manioc selection. As an alternative to a cognitive model, this paper infers the process of Aguaruna manioc selection by comparing the properties attributed to the varieties with the actual frequency with which the varieties occur in Aguaruna gardens. It thereby reduces the possibility that the reasons elicited from informants for their choices are instead post hoc rationalizations of decisions reached on other grounds. Although more modest in its objectives than the cognitive approach, it is argued that this use of a linear model provides a more accurate description of a decision situation in which the diversity of alternatives is maintained for its own sake.
Abstract 2311: NDN, an imprinted tumor suppressor gene inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth and motility and is downregulated by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA NDN is a maternally imprinted gene on chromosome 15q11.2 that is consistently expressed in normal ovarian epithelium, but dramatically downregulated in the majority of ovarian cancer cell lines and surgical specimens, determined by gene expression array and RT-PCR analysis. On tissue microarrays, little or no NDN protein could be detected by immunohistochemical analysis in73% of 351 epithelial ovarian cancers. Loss of NDN expression could be attributed, in part, to LOH in 28% of 18 informative cases and to hypermethylation of CpG sites 1 and 2 in the NDN promoter region in 21% and 27% of 43 ovarian cancers, respectively. All hypermethylated cases were associated with NDN down-regulation. Promoter hypermethylation and decreased NDN expression were also found in 7 of 10 ovarian cancer cell lines. Treatment with the demethylating agent decitabine increased NDN expression in 4 of 7 hypermethylated cell lines. Treatment with the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) increased NDN expression in 2 cell lines with normal or reduced methylation. However, when the two drugs were combined, they didn't show additive or synergistic effect. Re-expression of NDN in ovarian cancer cell lines such as SKOv3 and HEY significantly inhibited cell growth, associated with apoptosis, but not autophagy or necrosis. Re-expression of NDN also inhibited cell migration. These observations support the hypothesis that NDN is an imprinted tumor suppressor gene and its loss of function can be caused by multiple mechanisms in ovarian cancer. Citation Format: Hailing Yang, Partha Das, Yinhua Yu, Keith Baggerly, Ying Wang, Weiqun Mao, Rebecca T. Marquez, Zhen Lu, Jinsong Liu, Robert C. Bast. NDN, an imprinted tumor suppressor gene inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth and motility and is downregulated by genetic and epigenetic mechanisms. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2311. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2311
Flow Regime Characteristics in Porous Media Flows at High Reynolds Numbers

An experimental study on the turbulent flow characteristics in a randomly packed porous bed is presented and discussed. Time resolved PIV measurements, taken in specific pore spaces are used to evaluate transitional and developed turbulent flow statistics for pore Reynolds numbers from 54 to 3964. Three different regimes of steady laminar, transitional and turbulent flow are presented. Small scale coherent vortical structures are examined, using large eddy scale (LES) decomposition, for pore Reynolds number of greater than 1000. Integral length scales were found to reach asymptotic values of approximately 0.1 times the hydraulic diameter of the bed. The integral Eulerian time scales are found to reach an asymptotic value of approximately 0.3 times the convective time scale in the bed. Mean velocity vector maps show flattening of the velocity distribution due to increased momentum mixing. Turbulent stresses show increasing level of homogeneity at higher pore Reynolds numbers.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Technical Note-An Improved Implementation of Conditional Monte Carlo Estimation of Path Lengths in Stochastic Networks

This note suggests an improvement to the Monte Carlo simulation technique of Sigal, Pritsker and Solberg for estimating the distribution of the shortest/longest path length in a stochastic network. This improvement also applies in network reliability estimation and PERT analysis.
Myocardial infarction and stroke associated with diuretic based two drug antihypertensive regimens: population based case-control study

Objective To examine the association of myocardial infarction and stroke incidence with several commonly used two drug antihypertensive treatment regimens. Design Population based case-control study. Setting Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, WA, USA. Participants Cases (n=353) were aged 30-79 years, had pharmacologically treated hypertension, and were diagnosed with a first fatal or non-fatal myocardial infarction or stroke between 1989 and 2005. Controls (n=952) were a random sample of Group Health members who had pharmacologically treated hypertension. We excluded individuals with heart failure, evidence of coronary heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease. Exposures One of three common two drug combinations: diuretics plus β blockers; diuretics plus calcium channel blockers; and diuretics plus angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers. Main outcome measures Myocardial infarction or stroke. Results Compared with users of diuretics plus β blockers, users of diuretics plus calcium channel blockers had an increased risk of myocardial infarction (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.98, 95% confidence interval 1.37 to 2.87) but not of stroke (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.64). The risks of myocardial infarction and stroke in users of diuretics plus angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers were slightly but not significantly lower than in users of diuretics plus β blockers (myocardial infarction: OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.52 to 1.11; stroke: OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.46 to 1.10). Conclusions In patients with hypertension, diuretics plus calcium channel blockers were associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction than other common two drug treatment regimens. A large trial of second line antihypertensive treatments in patients already on low dose diuretics is required to provide a solid basis for treatment recommendations.
Parametric dependence of particle breakage mechanisms

Abstract It has been observed that the pattern of particle impact breakage in two-dimensional systems is a result of two mechanisms. “Mechanism I” accounts for the breakage induced by the stresses that appear in unbroken particles. “Mechanism II” breakage is due to the buckling of the Mechanism I fragments. The purpose of this paper is to try and understand the parameters that govern the magnitude of the breakage induced by the various mechanisms—in particular, to understand the specific effects of impact velocity on the size distribution. To that end, a dimensionless parameter that governs the magnitude of the breakage induced by Mechanism I in both two and three dimensions is developed. The two-dimensional analysis demonstrates a velocity dependence for the Mechanism I breakage that accounts for the observed velocity effect on the generated size distributions. However, the three-dimensional analysis demonstrates no such velocity effect. Both findings are supported by simulation results.
How hepatitis C virus counteracts the interferon response: the jury is still out on NS5A.

Interferons (IFNs) induce an antiviral state in the cell through complex and indirect mechanisms, which culminate in a direct inhibition of viral replication and stimulation of the host adaptive responses. Viruses often counteract with elaborate strategies to interfere with the induction as well as action of IFN effector molecules. This evolutionary battle between viruses and IFN components is a subject of intense research aimed at understanding the immunopathogenesis of viruses and the molecular basis of IFN signaling and action. In the case with hepatitis C virus (HCV), this may have profound implications for the therapeutic use of recombinant IFN in treating chronic hepatitis C. Depending on the subtype of HCV, current IFN-based treatment regimens are effective for only a small subset of chronic hepatitis C patients. Thus, one of the Holy Grails in HCV research is to understand the mechanisms by which the virus may evade IFN antiviral surveillance and establish persistent infection, which may eventually provide insights into new avenues for better antiviral therapy. Despite the lack of an efficient tissue culture system and an appropriate animal model for HCV infection, several mechanisms have been proposed based on clinical studies and in vitro experiments. This minireview focuses on the HCV NS5A nonstructural protein, which is implicated in playing a role in HCV tolerance to IFN treatment, possibly in part through its ability to inhibit the cellular IFN-induced PKR protein kinase.
Regulation of purine metabolism: A comparative study of the kinetic properties of adenylosuccinate synthetases from various sources

1. Adenylosuccinate synthetase has been partially purified from rat liver, fetal rat liver, Novikoff ascites cells, Walker carcinoma 256 solid tumors, chicken liver and muscle, rabbit muscle and pig brain. 2. Considerable differences exist in Michaelis constants among the various species and the changes possibly reflect differences in regulation. 3. The kinetic properties of the enzyme are generally consistent with proposed metabolic roles in various tissues.
Activated THP-1 cells depress mitochondrial respiration in Hep G2 cells infected with influenza B virus.

Influenza B virus has been aetiologically linked to Reye Syndrome (RS), but the mechanism(s) by which this pathogen could disrupt liver metabolism and produce the hepatic mitochondrial injury characteristic of the syndrome are unknown. In this study, two mechanisms by which infection of hepatocytes with influenza B virus could disrupt cellular metabolism were investigated. (1) virus-induced increase in pro-oxidant iron with subsequent iron-induced lipid peroxidation (LP) and (2) increased membrane permeability. Hep G2 cells, a well-differentiated continuous human liver cell line derived from a hepatoblastoma, were infected with allantoic-fluid derived influenza B Lee/40 virus (AFDV) at a multiplicity of infection of 10 for 24 h; productive infection was confirmed by both haemagglutination of chick erythrocytes and by plaque assay. Infection of Hep G2 cells preloaded with 59Fe-transferrin resulted in increased release of 59Fe (153 ± 17% of controls, P <0·03). However, the iron released did not result in increased LP (assessed by thiobarituric acid reactive substances; TBARS). To confirm that this lack of increase in TBARS was not due to insensitivity of the cell line to pro-oxidant iron, cells were exposed to 15 μM iron ascorbate for 60 min. Production of TBARS was increased (122 ± 4%) of controls, P <0·0003). Release of 51Cr from infected cells was also increased (128 ± 12% of controls, P<0·05); thus the infected cells exhibited a generalized increase in membrane permeability. However, infection did not depress mitochondrial respiration (as assessed by the formation of MTT-f3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide-formazan. To determine if the combination of viral infection and soluble products of activated macrophages would affect mitochondrial respiration, infected hepatocytes were expose to the supernatant fluid from THP-1 cells which had previously been incubated with lipopolysaccharide at 100 ng ml-1 for 18 h. This supernate did depress the formation of MTT-f (81 ± 5% of controls, P<0·03). We conclude that influenza B virus does productively infect Hep G2 cells, and does increase hepatocyte membrane permeability. This effect does not impair mitochondrial respiration directly. However, infection does act in concert with soluble products of activated macrophages to depress hepatic mitochondrial respiration. Whether this interaction can be explained by virus-induced permeability changes and/or other effects of infection deserves further investigation.
CLINICAL COURSE AND OUTCOME IN CHILDREN WITH RARE CONNECTIVE TISSUE DISEASES: A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW OF A 17-YEAR EXPERIENCE

INTRODUCTION: Juvenile dermatomyositis/juvenile polymyositis (JDM/JPM), juvenile systemic scleroderma (JSCL-SYST), and juvenile mixed connective tissue disease (JMCTD) are rare in childhood. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of the rare connective tissue diseases (RCTDs) in children, METHODS: We reviewed the medical charts of children with a diagnosis of RCTD since 1989 and a minimum follow-up of 5 years. RESULTS: Twenty-four (16 female, 8 male) children with JDM/JPM, JSCL-SYST, and JMCTD were studied. The age at disease onset ranged from 4 to 13 years. The follow-up duration was 5 to 12 years. Sixteen children had JDM, and 2 had JPM. Four had JSCL-SYST, and 2 had JMCTD. Until now, 13 children have reached clinical remission, lasting >3 years after stopping drug therapy. Twelve children had JDM/JPM, and 1 had JMCTD. Persistent disease activity was noted in 11 children: 4 with JSCL-SYST, 6 with JDM/JPM, and 1 with JMCTD. Severe pulmonary disease developed in 3 children: 2 with JSCL-SYST and 1 with JMCTD. None of the children with JDM had pulmonary disease. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was found in 2 children with JMCTD or JSCL-SYST. The child with JSCL-SYST and PH died. Persistent scleroderma pattern by wide-field capillaroscopy was noted in 4 children who had JDM and had had skin ulcerations and have developed subcutaneous calcifications. One of them has also had marked muscle atrophy and severe contractures. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent activity and/or severe pulmonary involvement may be present during the clinical course of RCTD. The presence of PH indicates very poor prognosis in JSCL-SYST/JMCTD cases. Capillaroscopy may identify children who have JDM and are candidates for aggressive therapy.
A formal asymmetric synthesis of apratoxin D via advanced-stage asymmetric ACC α,α-bisalkylation of a chiral nonracemic ketone

Abstract A formal asymmetric synthesis of the marine natural product apratoxin D, a highly potent inhibitor of H-460 human lung cancer cell growth (IC 50 value of 2.6 nM), is described. The key feature of the synthesis is an advanced-stage asymmetric ACC α,α-bisalkylation of a chiral nonracemic methyl ketone to provide access to an advanced intermediate as a single diastereomer that has previously been advanced to apratoxin D.
Serum cholesterol levels in Southwestern American Indians.

Abstract In an evaluation of 746 southwestern Indians, 70 non-southwestern Indians and 163 Caucasians, the mean serum cholesterol levels of both Indian groups were significantly lower than for the whites. The southwestern Indians were further characterized as a low serum cholesterol population by the lack of increasing blood cholesterol with aging. Some tribal differences were noted, with the Athapascan ethnic group (Apache and Navajo tribes) having higher mean circulating cholesterol values than the Hohokam (Pima and Papago tribes). Although the tribes in whom excessive body weight is most prevalent had lower mean serum cholesterol levels than those with less frequent occurrence of obesity, there was no significant correlation of the overweight status with blood cholesterol content in an individual evaluation of the two largest tribes studied—the Pima and Apache. The findings of this investigation suggest that some influence is operative among southwestern Indians, preventing progressive accumulation of cholesterol with aging, but this factor is unidentified. Perhaps an inherited mechanism exists, comparable to that which produces their partial lack of end-organ responsiveness to androgenic stimuli. A paucity of sustained, stressful, competitive, interpersonal activities may have relevance. Although most southwestern tribes apparently have a comparatively low fat diet, the fat they consume is predominantly of the saturated type. Evidence at present is insufficient to distinguish the role of heredity and environment, either in regard to the lower blood cholesterol levels of the Indians than for the Caucasians or in relation to the tribal variations in this serum lipid level.
Zeolitization of intracaldera sediments and rhyolitic rocks in the 1.25 Ma lake of Valles caldera, New Mexico, USA

Abstract Quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis of about 80 rhyolite and associated lacustrine rocks has characterized previously unrecognized zeolitic alteration throughout the Valles caldera resurgent dome. The alteration assemblage consists primarily of smectite–clinoptilolite–mordenite–silica, which replaces groundmass and fills voids, especially in the tuffs and lacustrine rocks. Original rock textures are routinely preserved. Mineralization typically extends to depths of only a few tens of meters and resembles shallow “caldera-type zeolitization” as defined by Utada et al. [Utada, M., Shimizu, M., Ito, T., Inoue, A., 1999. Alteration of caldera-forming rocks related to the Sanzugawa volcanotectonic depression, northeast Honshu, Japan — with special reference to “caldera-type zeolitization.” Resource Geol. Spec. Issue No. 20, 129–140]. Geology and 40Ar/39Ar dates limit the period of extensive zeolite growth to roughly the first 30 kyr after the current caldera formed (ca. 1.25 to 1.22 Ma). Zeolitic alteration was promoted by saturation of shallow rocks with alkaline lake water (a mixture of meteoric waters and degassed hydrothermal fluids) and by high thermal gradients caused by cooling of the underlying magma body and earliest post-caldera rhyolite eruptions. Zeolitic alteration of this type is not found in the later volcanic and lacustrine rocks of the caldera moat (≤ 0.8 Ma) suggesting that later lake waters were cooler and less alkaline. The shallow zeolitic alteration does not have characteristics resembling classic, alkaline lake zeolite deposits (no analcime, erionite, or chabazite) nor does it contain zeolites common in high-temperature hydrothermal systems (laumontite or wairakite). Although aerially extensive, the early zeolitic alteration does not form laterally continuous beds and are consequently, not of economic significance.