cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract #5674: MCF-10A benign mammary epithelial cells enhance the malignant phenotype of MDA-231 breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo

Interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment play a critical role in cancer development. However, the influence of normal epithelial cells on the carcinogenesis process has not been extensively examined. The purpose of this study is to investigate the interactions between human normal mammary epithelial cells and breast cancer cells. As a model of breast cancer cells we used MDA-231-T1AS, a subline selected for high tumorigenicity in mice. The MCF-10A cell line served as a model of normal mammary epithelial cells. MDA-231 cells and MCF-10A cells were transduced with red and green fluorescent proteins, respectively, to serve as markers. We examined the interaction between the 2 cell lines in vitro using soft agar colony formation assay and in vivo , using the nude mouse xenograft assay. In the soft agar assay we set up mixed, normal-only and cancer-only cultures. We found that the number of colonies formed in the mixed culture was increased 4.6 fold in comparison to cancer-only. Using fluorescent microscopy, we determined that the colonies in the mixed culture were composed exclusively of cancer cells. Further experiments showed that medium conditioned by MCF-10A cells also increased the number of soft agar colonies formed by MDA-231 cells. Similar result was obtained with the MCF-12A non-transformed mammary epithelial cells. In the nude mouse tumorigenicity assay, we injected 1x10 6 of MDA-231 cells mixed with 4x10 6 of MCF-10A cells into mammary fat pads of nude mice (mixed tumors). As controls, we injected 1x10 6 of MDA-231 cells (cancer-only), and 4x10 6 of MCF-10A cells (normal-only). We determined that MCF-10A cells significantly accelerated the growth of tumors formed by MDA-231 breast cancer cells, although the normal cells did not contribute to the tumor mass. Proliferation rates in tumors harvested at days 7 and 14 post-inoculation were not different between mixed and cancer-only groups. To determine whether the normal cells actively secrete factors that enhance the tumorigenic growth of cancer cells we mixed cancer cells with paraformaldehyde-fixed normal cells. We observed that the growth of the tumors was equally enhanced by fixed cells. The results of soft agar assay indicated that MCF-10A cells provided factors that enhanced the survival and proliferation of MDA-231 cells. In the nude mouse assay, MCF-10A cells dramatically enhanced the growth of MDA-231 breast cancer cells. Similar effect was elicited by paraformaldehyde-fixed MCF-10A cells, suggesting that in this assay the normal cells need not be alive to enhance the tumorigenic growth of breast cancer cells. In conclusion, these studies show that the mechanism by which normal epithelial cells enhance the transformed phenotype of breast cancer cells is via secreted factors and cell-cell contact. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 5674.
Joint channel estimation and decoding of space-time trellis codes

In this paper, we discuss the application of sequential importance sampling (SIS) to joint channel estimation and decoding of space-time trellis codes (STTC). First, we present the dynamic state space model (DSSM) of the system, and then we briefly review the theory of SIS. A special case of SIS, a combination of SIS and Kalman filtering, is shown through simulations to be a viable approach to the problem which addresses time-varying flat-fading environments. Our solution is admissible if phase ambiguity can be avoided. We show that the phase ambiguity can be reduced by carefully designing the STTC modulation constellations.
The effect of divalent metal ions on the ATPase activity and ADP binding of H-meromyosin

Abstract The effects of Mg2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Ca2+, and Sr2+ upon the equilibrium constant (K) and formation rate constant (k1) of H-meromyosin-ADP complex were studied. The affinity constant of ADP binding decreases in the following order Mn > Mg > Zn > Ni > Co > Sr ∼- Ca. The calculated dissociation rate constant (k2) of the enzyme-ADP complex was similar to the rate of ATP hydrolysis with all divalent metals tested, except Sr2+. With Mg as predominant metal ion the following dissociation constants were obtained for the binding of various nucleoside diphosphates to H-meromyosin: ADP 1–2 × 10−6 m , UDP 2 × 10−5 m , CDP 3 × 10−5 m , IDP 10−4 m . The results are compatible with the suggestion that at 6 °C the dissociation of ADP from the active site limits the rate of ATP hydrolysis with Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+, and Ca2+.
Temporal Effects of the Detoxification Enzyme Inducer, Benzyl Isothiocyanate: Activation of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Prior to the Transcription Factors AP-1 and NFκB

Abstract Benzyl isothiocyanate (BIT), a microconstituent found in cruciferous vegetables, is known to be a potent inducer of the detoxification enzyme, NAD(P)H: quinone reductase (QR). QR catalyzes a two-electron transfer to a wide variety of redox-cycling species, including quinones, transforming them into dihydrodiols, thereby preventing the mutation of DNA and reducing cancer risk. The upstream signaling mechanisms that lead to the induction of QR remain unclear. The 5′ promoter region of the human QR gene contains the cis -acting AP-1 and NFκB transcription factor binding sites. When HT29 human colon cells were exposed to 25μM benzyl isothiocyanate, AP-1 binding increased, beginning at 3 hours and increasing until 16 hours. NFκB binding also increased, reaching a maximum at around 6 hours. We also found that c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), which phosphorylates c-Jun, a component of AP-1, was activated 9-fold over controls, beginning at 60 minutes. The temporal sequence of these events supports the idea that JNK is involved in the induction of QR and that this is an initial event preceding an increase in transcription factor binding and subsequent QR activity.
Castration resistant, taxane naïve metastatic prostate cancer: current clinical approaches and future directions.

Purpose: With the wide use of prostate specific antigen to detect response and disease progression resistance to androgen deprivation is being detected at an increasingly earlier stage. We focused on the current management and novel investigational strategies for the chemonaive patient population with castration resistant metastatic disease.Materials and Methods: We reviewed standard and investigational hormonal, chemotherapeutic, biological and immune based strategies for patients with castration resistant metastatic prostate cancer who have not yet received taxane based chemotherapy.Results: Our understanding of the natural history of this group of patients is evolving. A variety of standard and experimental treatment options are available for this group of patients. Manipulating the androgen receptor signaling axis, targeting antiapoptotic pathways, using antiangiogenic strategies, harnessing the immune system and optimizing docetaxel based regimens and novel cytotoxic agents are under investigation.Co...
Non-Iterative Control of Small-Radius Bend Angle

Abstract Controlling first-part quality in small-radius press brake bending operations is motivated by the need to produce small-lot parts of high quality. A new technique for angle control has been developed based on an experimentally measured model of material properties, tooling geometry variables, and on-line measurements of part deformation. This technique requires the off-line measurement of part thickness and hardness, plus the on-line measurement of loaded angle and press ram position. Linear regression and neural network techniques are compared to develop a robust model of springback. A control scheme is introduced that provides accurate first-part bend angles for small-lot sheet metal manufacture.
Effect of corticosteroids in hereditary spherocytosis

Prednisolone was administered to three children with hereditary spherocytosis. At the time corticosteroid therapy was started, two of the patients were suffering from severe hemolytic anemia and the 3rd patient had partially recovered from hemolytic anemia after splenectomy. All of the patients prednisolone produced a remarkable increase in the hemoglobin levels with a concomitant increase in reticulocyte counts. We conclude that corticosteroids might stimulate erythropoiesis and may be an alternative therapy to red cell transfusion in pre-operative states for patients with hereditary spherocytosis.
Granites of the batholiths of California: Products of local assimilation and regional-scale crustal contamination

We address on a regional scale the controversial problem of determining the source materials involved in the formation of the granites of southwestern North America. Compositional data on plutonic biotites, whole-rock chemistry, and mineral assemblages in rocks collected as part of sampling traverses across die batholiths of central and southern California are assessed for this purpose. We conclude that two distinct types of granites occur in California. One type, largely overlooked in the past and which we term I-SCR (strongly contaminated and reduced I type), is confined to narrow northwest-striking belts in the western Sierra Nevada and Peninsular Ranges batholiths in prebatholithic continental margin terrenes containing reduced pelitic roof pendants. We interpret the I-SCR magmas to have arisen from local-scale contamination of I-type magmas that intruded reducing pelitic material in sedimentary roof pendant terrenes. We conclude that cordierite-bearing S types are absent from the California batholiths, although sedimentary materials were required to produce the I-SCR plutons. The second type of granite, which we refer to as I-SC (strongly contaminated but not reduced I type), occurs on the eastern side of the California batholiths as part of a well-known regional west-to-east progression from quartz diorites to granites. These granites are the eastern variant of a sequence that is, from west to east, I-WC (weakly contaminated), I-MC (moderately contaminated), and I-SC This eastward progression is not controlled by pendant occurrence and probably reflects increasing contamination on a regional scale of mantle I-type magmas with F-rich igneous and metamorphic rocks, or their sedimentary derivatives, of the Precambrian continental craton. We demonstrate that the nature of prebatholithic terranes can strongly influence the composition and regional distribution of granitic rocks developed in an active continental margin.
Oxidation Phenomena in Coal Flotation Part I. Correlation Between Oxygen Functional Group Concentration, Immersion Wettability and Salt Flotation Response

Samples of bituminous and anthracite coals were oxidized under different conditions and their wetting behavior was assessed by measurement of the time for immersion into solutions of methanol and water. Flotation recoveries of the oxidized coals in concentrated salt solutions were determined using vacuum flotation cells. The extent of surface oxidation was quantified by titrating the carboxylic and phenolic functional groups. Correlations of notation recoveries, immersion time, and electrophoretic mobilities with the concentration of surface functional groups were made. Simple immersion-lime measurements may be a useful tool for rapidly assessing the surface properties of coals. Currently, Professor, Dept. of Mining and Mineral Process Engineering, University of British Columbia. Vancouver, B.C.
Genetics of Valvular Heart Disease

Valvular heart disease is associated with significant morbidity and mortality and often the result of congenital malformations. However, the prevalence is increasing in adults not only because of the growing aging population, but also because of improvements in the medical and surgical care of children with congenital heart valve defects. The success of the Human Genome Project and major advances in genetic technologies, in combination with our increased understanding of heart valve development, has led to the discovery of numerous genetic contributors to heart valve disease. These have been uncovered using a variety of approaches including the examination of familial valve disease and genome-wide association studies to investigate sporadic cases. This review will discuss these findings and their implications in the treatment of valvular heart disease.
Isolated Sensory Impairment of the Thumb Due to an Intraneural Ganglion Cyst in the Median Nerve

We describe an unusual case of digital neuropathy of the thumb due to compression of the median nerve in the distal forearm by an extruded ganglion cyst originating from the radio-scaphoid joint of the wrist. Electrophysiologically, both conduction slowing and block of median motor and sensory axons were present across the cyst. These changes improved after surgery.
Disruption management in the defense ammunition industrial base

The uniqueness of military supplies and their functions, and the existence of a limited number of producers, makes many Single Points of Failure. A reliable Defense Ammunition Industrial Base (DAIB) is essential to a Department of Defense (DOD) seeking to improve capabilities to fight and prevail in multiple, simultaneous conflicts. This critical aspect of DOD success is poorly addressed in the current DAIB, and threat evaluation methods for what should be a secure supply chain are often inadequate. With replacement alternatives limited, what recourse would the DOD have for acquiring material from one-of-a-kind or limited suppliers should DAIB facilities be destroyed or severely damaged by acts of terrorism or natural or man-made disasters? Ammunition is the lifeblood of the military, and the availability of appropriate types of ammunition in required quantities is essential to combat effectiveness. This article focuses on inherent risks to existing DAIB facilities due primarily to their current locations and vulnerabilities. Within this discussion, several possible solutions arise, with redundant DAIB capabilities being the most viable.
Futures of Value and the Destruction of Human Embryos

Many people are strongly opposed to the intentional destruction of human embryos, whether it be for purposes scientifi c, reproductive, or other. And it is not uncommon for such people to argue against the destruction of human embryos by invoking the claim that the destruction of human embryos is morally on par with killing the following humans: (A) the standard infant, (B) the suicidal teenager, (C) the temporarily comatose individual, and (D) the standard adult. I argue here that this claim is false and do so as follows. First, I provide an account of the prima facie wrongness of killing individuals (A) – (D). Briefl y, I contend that individuals (A) – (D) have a certain property in common, that of having a future of value. An individual who has a future
Letheobia pauwelsi , a new species of blindsnake from Gabon (Serpentes : Typhlopidae) : original article

A new species of African blindsnake related to western Letheobia caecus and eastern L. acu- tirostratus is described from Gabon. It differs from both species in having an hourglass dorsal rostral shape, a ventrally angled corneal cutting edge, and a unicameral right lung. Externally it resembles L. caecus but differs in lacking rostral papillae, lacking a longitudinally enlarged frontal, lacking extended supranasals, and having the inferior nasal suture contacting the first supralabial. From L. acutirostratus it differs in having 22 midbody scale rows, a transversely elongated frontal, and frontal-supranasal con- tact. Internally it differs significantly from both speciesin nearly all of the visceral organ proportions.
US voter registration reform

Voter registration in the United States changed after the 2000 election with a requirement that states adopt statewide voter registries. However, these registries vary in design in practice, with some states having state managed “top–down” registries and other states having more decentralized “bottom–up” registries. I compare the effect of moving to a top–down registry with the adoption of Election Day registration – where voters can register to vote the day of the election – on voters saying that they are not registered because of election management problems or not voting because of a voter registration issue. EDR had a pronounced effect on reducing voter registration problems but the adoption of new voter registries had minimal effect on the same problems.
Cooperation and Culture: Students From China and the United States in a Prisoner's Dilemma:

An important question facing those interested in comparative eco nomic systems is how well the assumptions underlying market economic models fit in nonmarket contexts. Does individual eco nomic behavior vary across cultures? The authors brought together Chinese undergraduates and students from an American college to play the classic prisoner's dilemma game. Facing monetary payoffs, each student played the game several times with different partners. A probit analysis is used to examine what influenced the students' decisions to cooperate or defect in each game. The authors found that American students behaved in a more self-interested, less cooperative manner than the Chinese students did in the prisoner's dilemma experiment. They also found that when foreign students studying in the United States are included with the American students to create a sample of students who grew up in a variety of different market economies, these students also behaved in a less cooperative manner than their Chinese counterparts.
Flexor tendon-tendon sheath interaction after tendon grafting: a biomechanical study in a human model in vitro

A human cadaver tendon sheath model was used to study the differences in excursion resistance of tendons that might be considered as sources of clinical tendon grafts. The flexor digitorum profundus and superficialis tendons, the extensor indicis proprius tendon used in its normal proximal-distal orientation, the extensor indicis proprius tendon used in a reversed distal-proximal orientation, and the palmaris longus tendon were studied in 7 fingers. The intrasynovial tendons (the flexor digitorum profundus and superficialis tendons and the reversed extensor indicis proprius tendon) produced less excursion resistance (p < .05) than the extrasynovial tendons (the normally oriented extensor indicis proprius tendon and the palmaris longus tendon). In contrast to studies measuring resistance against a single pulley, resistance within a complete tendon sheath may be affected by contact with other structures, particularly in joint extension.
Improved knot-tying methods for autonomous robot surgery

Robot Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery has been successfully used in many surgical procedures. With merits of fast recovery and reduced risk of infection, it has gained favor among patients and surgeons. However, due to the confined workspace for dexterity, poor endoscopic 2D vision, and sensorless instruments, robotic surgical procedures such as suture-pulling, knot-tying and needle-driving are tedious and time consuming. Ideally, these operations would be automated, leading to faster, more efficient robotic surgery. This paper presents two knot-tying methods suitable for automation. Experimental performance is comparable to human speeds with the potential for significant speed-up.
Changes in some properties of strained (Süzme) goat's yoghurt during storage

Abstract In this study, certain criteria pertaining to the quality of strained yoghurt produced from goat's milk were studied over a period of 45 days in storage. The titratable acidity of initial (set) and strained yoghurts was found as 56.04 and 108.91 °SH, respectively. The lactic acid and tyrosine values of the strained yoghurt were determined 1.38 mg 100 g −1 and 0.22 mg g −1 , respectively. These properties remained almost constant over the period of storage. The acetaldehyde, acetone, and butanone-2 content of strained yoghurt on the first day were found 8.36, 3.01 and 1.62 mg kg −1 , respectively, but diacetyl was detected in trace amounts. While the total amount of free fatty acids (FFA) in goat's initial yoghurt was 263.45 mg kg −1 , total amount of FFA in goat strained yoghurt was 468.60 mg kg −1 . The total amount of medium-long chain free fatty acids (293.16 mg kg −1 ) in strained yoghurt was significantly higher than those of short-chain (96.22 mg kg −1 ) and unsaturated free fatty acids (79.22 mg kg −1 ). Butyric, capric, myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acids were predominant free fatty acids in both yoghurts. Sharp decreases (except for C 6 ) were observed in the level of individual FFA in strained yoghurt over the first 15 days. After this period, the level of FFA remained almost unchanged or increased slightly. Aroma and flavour score of strained yoghurt was higher than that of initial yoghurt. Panelists did not perceive any off flavour in strained yoghurt until the 45th day of storage.
Molecular mechanism of transforming growth factor β–mediated cell-cycle modulation in primary human CD34+ progenitors

The mechanisms by which transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) exerts a negative effect on cell-cycle entry in primary human hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells were examined at the molecular and cellular levels. After treatment of primary human CD34+progenitors with TGF-β there was a decrease in the levels of cyclin D2 protein and an increase in levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKI) p15 as compared to the levels in untreated cells. The converse was true after addition of neutralizing anti–TGF-β antibody. Administration of TGF-β to CD34+ cells in the presence of cytokines prevented retinoblastoma protein (pRb) phosphorylation, which occurred in the same cells treated with cytokines alone or cytokines and anti–TGF-β antibody. Neutralization of TGF-β during 24 to 48 hours of culture with cytokines significantly increased the number of colony-forming progenitors, but did not modulate the human stem cell pool, as measured in 6- to 12-month xenotransplantation assays. Equivalent numbers of human B, T, and myeloid cells were obtained after transplantation of cells treated with or without neutralization of TGF-β.
Nek2-targeted ASO or siRNA pretreatment enhances anticancer drug sensitivity in triple‑negative breast cancer cells

Although the anticancer drugs paclitaxel and doxorubicin are commonly used to treat many solid tumors, their effectiveness is highly variable due to tumor cell resistance. Therefore, it is important to find mechanisms that can be targeted to increase the sensitivity of cancer cells to current chemotherapeutic agents. NIMA-related kinase 2 (Nek2), a serine/threonine kinase is emerging as an important oncogene because of its regulatory role in mitosis. Thus, regulation of the Nek2 expression levels may prove important as a target for cancer treatment. The purpose of our study was to determine whether drug sensitivity was increased in the triple negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 by using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and antisense oligo-nucleotides (ASOs) against Nek2. To this end, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells transfected with Nek2 siRNA or ASO were exposed to various concentrations of paclitaxel and doxorubicin. Cell viability, cell cycle distribution and apoptosis were evaluated. We observed that drug susceptibility in these transfected cells was dramatically increased compared with either agent alone. FACS results showed that apoptosis was induced in siRNA- and ASO-transfected cells as expected due to the regulatory function of Nek2 in centrosome duplication. Interestingly, the cell cyle was not arrested in transfected cells. We found that siRNA and ASO against Nek2 worked synergistically with paclitaxel and doxorubicin by promoting cell apoptosis. Our results suggest that these drugs in combination with Nek2 siRNA or ASO treatment may improve the sensitivity of cancer cells during chemotherapy treatments.
Discrepancy in the expression of autoantibodies in healthy aged individuals

Sera from 50 healthy old subjects and from 51 young controls were tested by ELISA assays for a panel of autoantibodies, including IgM RF, anti-DNA, anti-F(ab′)2, anti-thyroglobulin, anti-human albumin, anti-human hemoglobin, anti-secretory component from human IgA, and anti-gliadin. In vitro production of anti-DNA as well as anti-F(ab′)2 antibodies were measured after stimulation of PBMC by pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in 12 healthy elderly subjects and 11 young controls. Sera from elderly donors contained threefold higher amounts of IgM RF than young controls (P < 0.001). On the contrary, the levels of anti-DNA as well as anti-F(ab′)2 antibodies were similar in both groups (P < 0.3 for the two determinations). Anti-DNA and anti-F(ab′)2 antibodies were also measured in supernates of PWM-stimulated glass nonadherent PBMC cultures from both old and young healthy donors without finding any significant difference between the two groups. Additional ELISA tests were also performed in both elderly and young control sera to detect antibodies against six other different antigens. No significant difference was found in the percentages of positive sera between the two groups. This discrepancy in production of IgM RF compared to other autoantibodies in healthy elderly subjects does not provide support for a general increase of autoantibodies with aging. The biological significance of an increase in IgM RF with aging remains to be determined.
pMORE: Exploiting Partial Packets in Opportunistic Routing

Opportunistic routing improves the performance of multi-hop wireless networks by exploiting the overhearing opportunities. However, without special hardware support, the current opportunistic routing protocols cannot exploit partial packets, i.e., packets with errors but still containing much useful information. In this paper, we present pMORE, a software-only opportunistic routing protocol capable of exploiting partial packets. pMORE performs random network coding at the granularity of blocks and uses block checksum test to efficiently locate correct information in a partial packet and avoid the risk of propagating errors. We design an algorithm to assemble packets with partial packets to add maximum fresh information while maintaining a low overhead. The experiment results from a 12-node indoor wireless testbed show that pMORE achieves higher throughput than MORE with a median throughput gain of 1.34×.
On a fluorescent component of deoxyribonucleic acid hydrolyzates

Abstract The detection and isolation of a white fluorescing compound from hydrolyzed deoxyribonucleic acids from a wide variety of sources is described. The compound is not found in ribonucleic acid (RNA). Its characteristics suggest that it is a purine hitherto not considered as being a DNA component.
Guidelines for preventing opportunistic infections among hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients: Focus on community respiratory virus infections

Abstract Guidelines for preventing opportunistic infections among hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients, cosponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and the American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, were issued in October 2000. The guidelines recommend that to minimize transmission of community respiratory virus (CRV) infection, health care workers and visitors with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection be restricted from having contact with HSCT recipients and candidates undergoing conditioning therapy. To screen HSCT recipients for CRVs, active clinical surveillance for CRV disease should be conducted on all hospitalized HSCT recipients and candidates undergoing conditioning therapy, including daily monitoring for signs and symptoms of CRV infections. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most important CRV because it is the most prevalent and because RSV pneumonia has a high case-fatality rate. For this reason, it is recommended that respiratory secretions of any hospitalized HSCT candidate or recipient with signs and symptoms of CRV infection be tested promptly for RSV. If test results are positive, the patient should be treated early and aggressively. Early preemptive therapy with such treatments as aerosolized ribavirin has been proposed, but limited data preclude a recommendation as to the optimal strategy. Lifelong seasonal influenza vaccination is recommended for all HSCT recipients. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2001;7 Suppl:19S-22S.
The use of stainless steel and nickel alloys as low-cost cathodes in microbial electrolysis cells

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) are used to produce hydrogen gas from the current generated by bacteria, but low-cost alternatives are needed to typical cathode materials (carbon cloth, platinum and NafionTM). Stainless steel A286 was superior to platinum sheet metal in terms of cathodic hydrogen recovery (61% vs. 47%), overall energy recovery (46% vs. 35%), and maximum volumetric hydrogen production rate (1.5 m3 m−3 day−1 vs. 0.68 m3 m−3 day−1) at an applied voltage of 0.9 V. Nickel 625 was better than other nickel alloys, but it did not perform as well as SS A625. The relative ranking of these materials in MEC tests was in agreement with cyclic voltammetry studies. Performance of the stainless steel and nickel cathodes was further increased, even at a lower applied voltage (0.6 V), by electrodepositing a nickel oxide layer onto the sheet metal (cathodic hydrogen recovery, 52%, overall energy recovery, 48%; maximum volumetric hydrogen production rate, 0.76 m3 m−3 day−1). However, performance of the nickel oxide cathodes decreased over time due to a reduction in mechanical stability of the oxides (based on SEM–EDS analysis). These results demonstrate that non-precious metal cathodes can be used in MECs to achieve hydrogen gas production rates better than those obtained with platinum. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Influence of hyperthyroidism on glycerol-extracted cardiac muscle from rabbits

The mechanism responsible for the enhancement of myocardial contractility in hyperthyroidism is unclear. The possibility that this mechanism may involve a direct effect on the contractile proteins was investigated using the glycerol-extracted muscle strip from right ventricular papillary muscles of euthyroid rabbits and rabbits made hyperthyroid by the intraperitoneal injection of 0.25 mg/kg 1-thyroxine for 10 d. Intact papillary muscles from the hyperthyroid rabbits had an enhanced rate of tension development, a decreased time to peak tension, and a slight though insignificant increase in active tension compared to control animals. Maximal isometric contractions were induced in glycerol-extracted cardiac muscle strips from the two animal groups by the addition of 5 mmol/litre ATP and 5 mmol/litre MgCl in a buffer solution containing 0.15 mol/litre Tris-HCl (pH 7.1) at 26°C. Peak isometric tension was increased in glycerinated muscle strips from hyperthyroid rabbits (1.52±0.10 vs 1.26±0.13 g/mm2), but the differences did not reach statistical significance. However, there was a marked increase in the rate of tension development in the hyperthyroid group (62.5±5.4 vs 41.8±4.7 mg·mm−2/s, P<0.01). This increase in the rate of isometric tension development in both intact and glycerinated muscles from hyperthyroid rabbits may be related to changes in the intrinsic turnover of actomyosin cross-bridge links in this condition. Thus, these findings suggest that thyroid hormone may influence cardiac muscle function by a direct effect on the contractile proteins.
Intramolecular trapping by epoxides of intermediates generatedby organocuprate additions to propiolate esters.

Abstract The facility with which intramolecular trapping of the intermediates generated by conjugate addition of organocopper nucleophiles to propiolate esters may be effected by internal epoxides is critically dependent on the nature of the nucleophile.
The regulation of gastrointestinal immune responses

cigarette smoke is due to oxidation reactions 9. The report indicates that inactivation of %-antitrypsin depended in part on O> H20 2 and myeloperoxidase. Monocytes and leucocytes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease, in whom the generation of O 2 and H20 2 are depressed, did not inactivate the antiprotease after exposure to PMA. The effect of cigarette smoke on alveolar macrophage activity suggests that these cells produce reactive oxygen species which should result in enhanced inactivation
Cdc7-Dbf4 Is a Gene-Specific Regulator of Meiotic Transcription in Yeast

Meiosis divides the chromosome number of the cell in half by having two rounds of chromosome segregation follow a single round of chromosome duplication. The first meiotic division is unique in that homologous pairs of sister chromatids segregate to opposite poles. Recent work in budding and fission yeast has shown that the cell cycle kinase, Cdc7-Dbf4, is required for many meiosis-specific chromosomal functions necessary for proper disjunction at meiosis I. This work reveals another role for Cdc7 in meiosis as a gene-specific regulator of the global transcription factor, Ndt80, which is required for exit from pachytene and entry into the meiotic divisions in budding yeast. Cdc7-Dbf4 promotes NDT80 transcription by relieving repression mediated by a complex of Sum1, Rfm1, and a histone deacetylase, Hst1. Sum1 exhibits meiosis-specific Cdc7-dependent phosphorylation, and mass spectrometry analysis reveals a dynamic and complex pattern of phosphorylation events, including four constitutive cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk1) sites and 11 meiosis-specific Cdc7-Dbf4-dependent sites. Analysis of various phosphorylation site mutants suggests that Cdc7 functions with both Cdk1 and the meiosis-specific kinase Ime2 to control this critical transition point during meiosis.
T-wave amplitude: relationships to phasic RSA and heart period changes

T-Wave Amplitude (TWA) has been suggested as an indicator of sympathetic influence on myocardial performance, but critics have argued that TWA is confounded by parasympathetic influence or that it is a non-specific feature of tachycardia. To help clarify the issue, we examined TWA as a function of parasympathetic activity, using cardiac vagal control as measured by high frequency components of heart period variability (respiratory sinus arrhythmia) and of interbeat intervals (IBI), across several stressful tasks. Sixteen male subjects were exposed to Valsalva, Serial Subtraction and Cold-Pressor tasks. After controlling for between-person variance, it was found that RSA did not contribute to TWA and that IBI contributed dependably to TWA only during the Valsalva maneuver, when heart rate was driven very high. In light of these results, we recommend that TWA continue to be considered a candidate indicator of sympathetic influence on myocardial performance, although caution should be used if heart rate is dramatically elevated.
Fullerene based n-type organic thin-film transistors

Abstract Significant progress has been made in the area of p-type organic field effect transistors while progress in developing n-type materials and devices has been comparatively lacking, a limiting factor in the pursuit to develop complementary organic electronic circuits. Given the need for n-type organic semiconductors we have carried out studies using two different fullerene molecules, C60 and C70. Here, we report mobilities for C60 ranging from 0.02 cm2/V s up to 0.65 cm2/V s (depending on channel length), and mobilities from 0.003 cm2/V s up to 0.066 cm2/V s for C70. All devices were fabricated with organic films deposited under high vacuum but tested at ambient pressures under nitrogen.
Ferrofluid meniscus in a horizontal or vertical magnetic field

An optical system using reflections of a narrow laser beam to measure the height and shape of a ferrofluid meniscus in response to uniform applied magnetic fields finds that meniscus height on a vertical flat wall decreases in horizontal applied field and increases in vertical applied field. An approximate energy minimization analysis predicts meniscus height in directional agreement with measurements. This study is a first step in calculating the tangential surface force acting in flows where magnetization magnitude and direction lag a changing magnetic field direction, and the meniscus shape is magnetically perturbed.
Great Lakes Beginning-of-Month Water Levels and Monthly Rates of Change of Storage☆

Abstract Time series of beginning-of-month water levels and rates of change of lake storage were determined for each of the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair for 1941-1975 period. The Thiessen polygon procedure was used to compute the beginning-of-month levels because it provides more representative over-all lake levels than straight averaging and requires minimum subjectivity. The effect of crustal movement on the rate of change of lake storage was investigated and found to be negligible. A gage density analysis showed good agreement between various size gage networks with the maximum deviation between networks decreasing with increasing gage density. Thiessen polygon weighting factors are presented for the current gage networks to enable future extension of the time series.
The hypothermic effect of pentobarbital in the rat: Sites and mechanisms of action

Summary Systemic administration of pentobarbital to the rat leads to a fall in body temperature. The hypothermia is due to a combination of decreased metabolic heat production and increased heat loss through the skin as a result of peripheral vasodilation. There was no direct correlation between the rate of fall in temperature and the decrease in oxygen consumption. The rate of fall in temperature was determined primarily by the temperature gradient between the animal and the environment. The known effects of pentobarbital in decreasing oxidative processes in the tissues and in blocking transmission in autonomic ganglia could account for these changes. Microinjection of pentobarbital into the hypothalamus and the medullary vasomotor centers was without effect on the core temperature. It is concluded that the fall in temperature during barbiturate anesthesia is not due to a direct effect on the thermoregulatory centers in the hypothalamus.
Pediatric Genitourinary Emergencies

Pediatric medical complaints and differential diagnoses often vary from adults, requiring a specialized knowledge base and behavioral skill set. This article addresses a variety of congenital and acquired pediatric genitourinary disorders. Genitourinary emergencies include paraphismosis, priapism, serious infection, significant traumatic injury and gonadal torsion.
Images of Difference: Deaf and Hearing in the United States

Deaf people and hearing people in the United States pose unusually difficult referencing problems for each other despite the fact that most deaf people are born into hearing families. Because the deaf and the hearing do not readily or easily share a language, communication issues are at the center of a larger social debate about whether the deaf are a separate culture, and whether they have a medical disability. This article looks at threads of history that have shaped this cultural debate, including the American egalitarianism that has led to the creation and standardization of separate categories of people such as the Deaf.
Stability and change in personality assessment: the revised NEO Personality Inventory in the year 2000.

The Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R) consists of 30 facet scales that define the broad domains of the Five-Factor Model of personality. No major revisions of the basic model are anticipated in the near future. Despite their popularity, social desirability and inconsistency scales will not be added to the NEO-PI-R because their validity and utility have not yet been demonstrated. Among possible changes are minor modifications in wording and more extensive adaptations for adolescents and for populations with low reading levels. Contextualized (e.g., work-related) versions of the instrument will be further explored. Many changes are more easily implemented on the computer than the print version of the instrument.
The sunshine state: investigating external drivers of sky conditions

Following rapid population growth and urbanization in Florida, there is an increased demand for energy. The state currently gets more than 50% of its electricity from burning imported natural gas. As the future of fossil fuels is uncertain and their impact on climate has proven negative, one could expect great potential and interest in further developing the solar industry, which utilizes the most prominent of renewable energy sources in Florida. Solar energy production is dependent on the supply of clear skies and plentiful insolation. This paper seeks to explain variations in the number of clear sunny days by identifying the months with clearest (cloudiest) sky conditions during the years 1950–2009 in relation to some of the most dominant low frequency climate patterns of variability in the Northern Hemisphere. The hypergeometric distribution is used to test for significant association between the phases of El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), North Atlantic Oscillation, Pacific-North American, and Atla...
Particle analysis using forward scattering data.

A novel approach to the inversion of optical scattering data is proposed and investigated. The proposed technique uses only forward scattering data as opposed to the previous research where angle scattering was used. Our method does not use scattering attenuation; in fact, only relative values of the measured signals are important in the suggested technique. Nevertheless, both the scattering coefficient and the scattering particle size may be effectively estimated. The proposed method relies on the fact that, as coherent light travels through a random scattering medium, its coherence deteriorates. The degree of coherence degradation may be described in terms of the mutual intensity function (MIF). The shape of the MIF depends on the scattering particle size and on the scattering coefficient. If a coherent receiver is used to detect forward scattered radiation, its output signal depends on the receiver diameter and on the MIF. Dependence of the receiver output signal on the receiver diameter carries information about the MIF and therefore about the scattering particle size and the scattering coefficient. This information may be extracted by means of the techniques suggested in this paper. Several possible realizations of the proposed device are discussed and analyzed. The results of our study imply that the suggested method can be conveniently implemented. For example, if the technique is used to measure a path-averaged raindrop size, the power needed at the receiver is <1 μW, the propagation path should be of the order of 1 km, and the measurement time required may be of the order of 10 sec. The data processing required is also relatively straightforward and may be handled by a microprocessor. The analysis was performed under the assumption that all the scattering particles have the same size. However, it was also shown that the suggested technique may be generalized to handle an arbitrary large number of groups of scattering particle having distinctly different sizes. Further generalization of the proposed technique to the case of continuous particle size distributions is described in a subsequent paper ( Appl. Opt.23, 455 ( 1984).
Discontinuity of trichopteran (caddisfly) communities in regulated waters of the clearwater river, Idaho, U.S.A.

Riverine trichopteran (caddisfly) communities were sampled seasonally at eight locations over a two-year period to determine if a multiple-level release hydroelectric dam created a faunal discontinuity along the longitudinal profile of the Clearwater River in northern Idaho. The confluence of a non-regulated river with a regulated reach provided an unusual opportunity to examine the recovery of community parameters in a semi-regulated river. A marked discontinuity in the caddisfly community occurred in the regulated reach immediately below the dam, reflected by greatly reduced diversity and abundance values, and by shifts in functional relationships. These faunal changes are primarily attributable to the modified temperature, discharge, and food resources induced by river regulation. The non-regulated river exerted a major mitigative effect on the trichopteran fauna below its confluence with the regulated reach, despite maintenance of semi-regulated conditions. Trichopteran community parameters approached near normal levels concomitant with partial reductions in flow fluctuations, and partial recovery of temperature and food resources. In addition, the non-regulated river provided an important colonization pathway for riverine species to enter the semi-regulated lower reaches.
Long-term blood pressure control in patients undergoing adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosteronism.

Background Data on long-term blood pressure (BP) control after adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosteronism are limited. We analyzed long-term outcomes to identify factors predictive of cure. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosteronism (1997–2013). BP and antihypertensive medications were assessed at long-term follow-up (≥12 months). Primary outcome was cure, defined as normotension off antihypertensives. Results Of 85 patients, 15.3% ( n = 13) were cured, 54.1% ( n = 46) were normotensive while remaining on anti-hypertensives, and 30.6% ( n = 26) were hypertensive. Younger age ( P = .011), female sex ( P P = .018), shorter duration of hypertension ( P = .002), lower creatinine ( P = .001), and fewer preoperative antihypertensive medications ( P 2 , hypertension n = 61) the cure rate was 3%; 100% of patients with a score of 4–5 ( n = 3) were cured. This scoring system performed comparably to the Aldosterone Resolution Score, which has been used to evaluate short-term postoperative outcomes. Conclusion This is the largest study to identify factors associated with long-term BP control after adrenalectomy and incorporate these into a scoring system. These data provide a potential tool to guide preoperative patient counseling.