cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of cellular resistance to cancer chemotherapy: drug retention and efflux.

Publisher Summary Methods for identification of multiple drug resistance (MDR) include molecular procedures for gene expression (mRNA) in situ polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods, use of monoclonal antibodies by immunocytochemistry (FCM), and flow cytometry. However, some of these methods cannot determine the heterogeneity of MDR marker expression or determine if the efflux protein is functional and active in reducing cellular drug retention. In several cases, phosphorylation of the P-glycoprotein, cell cycle stage, and proliferation can modulate the functionality of the efflux pump. This can result in discordance between the presence of the efflux proteins and the functional activity of the pump. Similarly, mutations could alter the specificity or activity of the efflux proteins, resulting in altered drug efflux. Analytical methods such as high-pressure liquid chromatography and spectrofluorometry can be used for monitoring of cellular drug retention and efflux, but of necessity these methods are slow, need large samples, and cannot measure drug retention in single cells. The flow cytometric functional assays that basically monitor the retention of a fluorescent drug and compare the total cellular drug content of the resistant versus sensitive cells, or of resistant cells with or without coincubation with an efflux blocker, overcome some of these obstacles.
Awareness of the US Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008: an online survey

Objective The US Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 prohibits discrimination in health insurance and employment in the USA based on genetic information and provides important protection to Americans who undergo genetic tests. Consumers need to understand GINA to take advantage of the protections it provides against genetic discrimination. However, research regarding people's awareness of this law is scant. This study used an online survey to evaluate people's awareness of the GINA 2008 in the USA. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed by Qualtrics to a general population panel of US residents in April 2011. The inclusion criterion for the study was adults aged 18–64. The 17-item survey included two multiple-choice questions to measure awareness and knowledge of the GINA. Key findings A total of 295 responses were collected over 4 days. Only 26 respondents (8.8%) indicated they had ever heard of the GINA 2008. When those who have heard of the Act were asked about further details, only 10 people (3.4%) could correctly identify that the GINA prohibits the improper use of genetic information in health insurance and employment. Respondents with male gender, family history of Alzheimer's disease and caregiving experience for Alzheimer's disease patients were more likely to be aware of the GINA 2008. Conclusion Three years after GINA 2008 was signed into US federal law, people's awareness of this law was found to be low. More effective dissemination of information related to this federal law may be required to improve protection against genetic discrimination.
Stochastic theory of scattering from idealized spinodal structures. II. Scattering in general and for the basic late stage model

Abstract Certain model late stage spinodal structures can be generated mathematically by the relation ΔCL(r) = G[ΔC09r], where ΔCL(r) is the composition deviation from the mean of the late stage structure and ΔC0(r) is a random superposition of waves. Then the autocorrelation function (ACF) of ΔCL(r) depends only on the ACF of ΔC0)r), and the latter is related simply to the distribution of wavelengths present. Coherent scattering (light, small-angle X-ray, etc.) can be computed from the ACF. The “basic late stage model” (BLSM) is defined by G(ΔC) = 2H(ΔC)−1, where H(x) is the Heaviside step function. This converts the smooth, wavy ΔC0(r) into a late stage structure having the same morphology but equilibrium compositions and sharp interfaces. The scattering theory formalism is developed generally and then applied to the BLSM using illustrative wavelength distributions. Scattering as a function of angle and wavelength is computed. It is also found that the BLSM turbidity ≌ Ck 4 w 3 , where w is the mean phase width and C depends only weakly upon the wavelength distribution of ΔC0(r).
79 Two dimensional nanomaterials for microRNA analysis

Targeting, silencing or imaging miRNA molecules have been considered promising methods for fighting cancer at the molecular level. microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA molecules (~22 nucleoti...
Masculine hierarchies in Roman ecclesiastical households

A specific genre of early-modern domestic-management handbook devoted to the running of cardinals' households enjoyed widespread popularity in late sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Europe. Such households were staffed by dozens of male servants whose requisites and tasks were minutely described in this literature. This article uses the descriptions of the types of men who should be hired for service posts in ecclesiastical households to analyse the construction of gender in the papal capital. It argues that the clerical ideal of manliness was an emergent but not hegemonic style of masculinity in Baroque Rome.
Fast Stimuli Generation for Design Validation of RTL Circuits Using Binary Particle Swarm Optimization

Generating high quality test sequences for complex digital circuits is known to be extremely challenging. In this paper, we introduce a test generation algorithm using Binary Particle Swarm Optimization (BPSO) to generate high-quality test sequences that achieve high branch coverage in short execution times for synthesizable RTL designs. Initially, a global search is conducted using Binary Particle Swarm Optimization which is later supported by a controlled graphical search method to reach target corner cases. The controlled search uses the control-flow graph to provide hints at critical points in the state space to reach hard corner cases. The fast convergence of BPSO allows the proposed method to deliver high coverage while generating short final test sequences. Substantial speedups over the state of the art methods have also been achieved.
Binding of cytochrome b5 to cholesterol-containing phosphatidylcholine vesicles

Abstract Cytochrome b 5 was found to bind readily to sonicated vesicles containing as much as 0.8 mol cholesterol per mol egg phosphatidylcholine. This observation conflicts with the suggestion of Enomoto and Sato ((1977) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 466, 136–147) that cholesterol prevents binding of this protein to erythrocyte membranes.
Training candidate selection for effective rejection in open-set language identification

Research in open-set language identification (LID) generally focuses more on accurate in-set modeling versus improved out-of-set (OOS) rejection. Unknown or OOS language rejection is a challenge, since research developers seldom commit equivalent OOS corpus development effort versus the desired in-set languages. To address this, we propose an OOS candidate selection method for universal OOS language coverage. Since effective selection always requires abundant knowledge of inter-language relationships, three broad measurements across world languages are considered. Finally, the advanced OOS selection method is evaluated on a database derived from a large-scale corpus (LRE-09) with a state-of-the-art i-Vector system followed by two back-ends. The baseline system is realized using a random selection of OOS candidates. With the proposed selection method and probabilistic linear discriminative analysis (PLDA) back-end, the OOS rejection performance is improved with false alarm and miss rates achieving a relative reduction of 32.6% and 4.4%, respectively. In addition, the overall classification performance are relatively improved 8.4% and 7.5% according to the two back-ends based on an average cost function.
The influence of step motion and two-dimensional nucleation on the rate of crystal growth: Some computer simulated experiments☆

Abstract Tn order to investigate the influence of two-dimensional nucleation and step motion on the rate of crystal growth, the growth of a surface has been simulated with a digital computer. Two different models were employed. In the first, only a section of the surface was simulated and in the second a two-dimensional surface was simulated. Surfaces having fourfold and threefold symmetry were examined, both close-packed and vicinal. The results allow an estimate of the relative importance of random nucleation and step density on the growth rate, as a function of the rate of nucleation and step velocity. The effect of nucleation superimposed to growth from spirals arising from screw dislocations is also discussed. It is concluded that growth rate can be affected significantly by nucleation only for small misorientations and relatively large values of the free energy available for the crystallization process.
Earthquake response analysis considering non‐proportional damping

Non-proportional damping may be defined as a form of linear viscous damping which introduces coupling between the undamped modal co-ordinate equations of motion. The standard mode superposition method of earthquake response analysis therefore cannot be employed with non-proportionally damped structures. In this paper, several methods for analysing the dynamic response of non-proportional damped structures are outlined. It is concluded that the most efficient procedure is to express the response in terms of a truncated set of undamped modal coordinates and to integrate directly the resulting coupled equations. The effectiveness of the method is demonstrated by a numerical example.
Measuring dissipation and dielectric constants

THE VARIATION of susceptance method of measuring dissipation factor has been described by Hartshorn and Ward.1 This article describes apparatus and technique designed to increase the speed and, under certain conditions, the accuracy of this method by reducing the number of manual adjustments and instrument readings normally required in its application. A recording meter is employed to obtain traces of the resonance curves for the circuit with and without the dielectric specimen. This is done by having a constant-speed motor-driven capacitor tune the circuit through resonance while a recording milliammeter operated from the vacuum-tube voltmeter traces the voltage resonance curve. Limit switches operate relays which reverse the motor at each end of the travel of the micrometer tuning capacitor, so that the circuit is automatically tuned back and forth through resonance. During the test it is necessary to make only two readings, the settings of the specimen capacitor with and without the specimen in place and to make only one accurate manual capacitor setting for resonance. The resonance curves can be examined at leisure and the computations can readily be made from them. A permanent record of the test is obtained.
A troublesome mold and its control in gas-purifying sponge

A certain mold-forming fungus, otherwise little known, has been found to be of economic importance by virtue of its peculiar ability to grow in the generally sterile and toxic sponge material used to purify illuminating gas.
Micromechanical Simulation of Dynamic Fracture Using the Cohesive Finite Element Method

Dynamic fracture in two-phase Al 2 O 3 /TiB 2 ceramic composite microstructures is analyzed explicitly using a cohesive finite element method (CFEM). This framework allows the effects of microstructural heterogeneity, phase morphology, phase distribution, and size scale to be quantified. The analyses consider arbitrary microstructural phase morphologies and entail explicit tracking of crack growth and arbitrary fracture patterns. The approach involves the use of CFEM models that integrate cohesive surfaces along all finite element boundaries as an intrinsic part of the material description. This approach obviates the need for any specific fracture criteria and assigns models the capability of predicting fracture paths and fracture patterns. Calculations are carried out using idealized phase morphologies as well as real phase morphologies in actual material microstructures. Issues analyzed include the influence of microstructural morphology on the fracture behavior, the influence of phase size on fracture resistance, the effect of interphase bonding strength on failure, and the effect of loading, rate on fracture.
Fiction: Transgressive treats

Paul L. McEuen relishes Margaret Atwood's acerbic tales of sex, hallucinations and death by stromatolite.
1325 NONINVASIVE MONITORING OF OXYHEMOGLOBIN SATURATION IN CRITICALLY ILL INFANTS

A noninvasive method for continuously determining oxyhemoglobin saturation (02 sat) was compared with measured arterial 02 sat. Fifty-two critically ill infants (71 % Caucasian) were sequentially selected because of their need for arterial oxygen measurement. Concurrent readings were taken from a Nellcor Pulse Oximeter (P.O.) at the time of arterial sampling. Thirty-seven infants had samples from umbilical arterial catheters and fifteen from percutaneous arterial punctures. Arterial O2 sat was measured on a Radiometer OSM-2 Hemoximeter or an instrumentation Laboratory Model 282 CO-Oximeter. The infants were characterized as follows: Analysis performed by the method of least squares showed the regression line to be Arterial O2 sat = 22 + (0.72 × P.O. 02 sat) The Pearson Product-Moment Coefficient (r) was 0.89 with an r-square of 0.79. The standard error of the estimate was 4.6. In conclusion, the Nellcor Pulse Oximeter can reliably determine arterial O2 sat in the critically ill newborn.
Comparison between Factor Analysis from a Phenotypic and Genetic Correlation Matrix Using Linear Type Traits of Holstein Dairy Cows

Data on 18 linear type scores and production data for 43,428 records by 228 sires were used to compare two different factor-analyses procedures. Using a genetic correlation matrix to obtain a genetic factor matrix showed that the number of derived factors could be reduced to seven genetic factors vs. eight phenotypic factors. Genetic factors provided a good summary of the data and accounted for 79.3% of the total variation vs. 69.1% expressed by eight phenotypic factors. A comparison between the use of a genetic and phenotypic multiple regression analysis showed some difference for the basic rank of factor influence on production and herdlife.
The environmental and public health consequences of replacement electricity supply

Abstract The usual problem discussed by environmentalists is the total environmental impact of an electricity generating plant while it is generating electricity. However, a plant is part of a system and cannot be treated in isolation. Provided no generating shortage develops, almost the same amount of electricity will be generated in any case, but in different ways. Although a good case can be made for spending money on reducing electricity demand instead of on generating capacity, this is not well discussed in the context of an individual power station.
Structural requirements for the antitubercular quaternized triflupromazine pharmacophore.

Abstract Quaternized triflupromazine derivatives (QTDs) must possess benzyl groups attached to the quaternary nitrogen in order to have significant antitubercular potency. Replacing the quaternary amine with a triazole abolishes antitubercular activity. A modest halogen substitution effect exists, with the 4-bromophenyl QTD 3 having the best selectivity index (>21). All N-benzyl QTDs 1 – 4 similarly inhibit non-replicating, persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis with MIC 1 – 3 were all nontoxic to mammalian cells in vitro (IC 50 >128 μM).
Development of High Vacuum Flame Processes for Sliced Peaches and Pears

Clingstone peach and Bartlett pear slices were successfully sterilized by high vacuum flame processes without the conventional covering of syrup or water. The processes developed are simple and continuous, and applicable to commercial use. With the exception of blanching and deaeration, the processes use existing canning practices. Through 18 months storage, more of the original flavor and texture of the fresh fruit was retained by HVFS packs than by the comparable conventional packs. No spoilage was experienced in any of the packs.
Neutralization of Hydroxide Ion in Melt-Grown NaCl Crystals

Many recent studies of solid-state phenomena, particularly in the area of crystal imperfections, have involved the use of melt-grown NaCl single crystals. Quite often trace impurities in these materials have had a prominent effect on these phenomena. Trace amounts of hydroxide ion have been found in melt-grown NaCl crystals. This paper describes a nondestructive method of neutralizing the hydroxide ion in such crystals. Crystals of similar hydroxide content are maintained at an elevated temperature below the melting point of NaCl in a flowing atmosphere containing. dry hydrogen chloride. Heat treatment is continued until an analysis of the test specimens shows no excess hydroxide ion. A colorimetric method previously described4 is used for this analysis.
Compressive and tensile deformation behavior of consolidated Fe

Abstract The deformation behavior was investigated in a consolidated Fe with a grain size ranging from submicrometer to tens of micrometer values under uniaxial compression and tension. In compression, shear banding occurred significantly at grain sizes >500 nm while only a single band was observed in samples with grain sizes of ∼100 nm. For the samples with grain sizes ∼800 nm, the shear banding happened at an angle of 45° (in the maximum shear–stress plane). In tension, premature fracture happened in samples with grain sizes 1 μm, and the shear banding angle was also close to 45°. For the samples with grain sizes > 2 μm, homogeneous deformation took over in compression with a yield-point phenomenon being observed, but Luders banding localization occurred in tension.
FAMILIAL PERSISTENT THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE ELEVATION

Three affected members of a family with persistent TSH elevation, ages 2 1/12, 3 3/12 and 5 9/12 years were assessed at 9:00 a.m. for other pituitary tropic hormones and for their response to thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The two younger brothers had been off thyroid medication for over one year, and their older sister had never received thyroid. TRH was given IV at 7 mcg/kg, and TSH measured at times 0 and +30 and +60 minutes. Growth hormone, ACTH, LH and FSH were also measured at time 0 and prolactins measured following TRH.
Role of Quality of Life in Hypertension Therapy: Implication for Patient Compliance

Although the cardiovascular risk factors associated with hypertension are well established, the effects of the disease are usually transparent to the patient. However, the impact of diagnosis and trea
Experimental research on the influence of the air humidity conditions in an air conditioning system

Abstract The factors that have influence on the energy consumption of a small air conditioning system that are worth mentioning are the efficiencies of the compressor, evaporator and condenser, the form that the refrigerant flow is controlled, the fan model used, and climatic conditions. Within the climate issue, an interesting factor is that the relative humidity when it comes to the effect that it causes, especially in the performance of the air condenser, which generally is not considered in the projects. This study aims to evaluate the influence of humidity on the coefficient of system performance (COP), seeking to quantify their influence when it happens. The tests were performed on a testing bench, mounted at the Laboratory for Energy Efficiency (LAMOTRIZ) UNESP-Campus Guaratingueta. In the study, the wet bulb temperature was ranged, keeping the rotation of the scroll compressor with application of a frequency inverter in its best performance. The test bench is provided with a supervisory system of data collection that is also able to control all functions of the bench. In the results, there was a significant influence, particularly when comparing high humidity conditions with low humidity, noting that only over 65% relative humidity is that significant changes are observed in the COP of the system.
Relevance vector machine feature selection and classification for underwater targets

Feature selection is an important issue in detection and classification of underwater targets. Often feature selection is performed only indirectly linked to the ultimate objective: target classification. In this paper we consider several techniques for feature selection, applied to high-frequency side-looking sonar imagery of mine-like targets. An important tool in this context is the relevance vector machine (RVM), which adaptively determines which training examples are most important (or "relevant") for the ultimate classification task. In this paper we demonstrate how the RVM may also be employed for feature optimization, in which the RVM selects the optimal set of features for the ultimate detection and classification tasks. After presenting the basic formalism, we will present example results using data measured by the US Navy.
Properties of stearylamine liposomes containing tyrosine phenol-lyase.

Abstract The activity of tyrosine phenol-layse a chemotherapeutic enzyme with a dissociable pyridoxal phosphate cofactor, was studied after incorporation into multilamellar positively charged liposomes. Tyrosine phenol-lyase activity was assessed in the presence and absence of exogenous pyridoxal phosphate. A maximum of 75% total enzyme activity was associated with liposomes when prepared from a molar lipid ratio of egg lecithin, cholesterol, stearylamine (7 : 2 : 1, w/w). The total tyrosine phenol-lyase activity was comprised of 25% membrane-associated enzyme and 50% encapsulated enzyme. Encapsulation increased the stability of the enzyme under the in vitro conditions of cold storage at 4°C for 3 weeks and under elevated temperatures up to 61°C. Liposomal encapsulation afforded little protection against trypsin and no protection against whole mouse plasma in vitro. Heat-treated plasma (100°C for 1 h) had little effect on the activity of free and encapsulated tyrosine phenol-lyase. These results indicated that whole plasma contained a heat-labile factor(s) which destroyed both the liposomal and free tyrosine phenol-lyase activity. Plasma clearance after intraperitoneal injection of tyrosine phenol-lyase in B6D2F1 female mice was reduced by liposomal encapsulation, particularly when the animals were pre-treated with empty liposomes; however, only a small proportion of free and liposomal tyrosine phenol-lyase was absorbed. The free enzyme rapidly lost holoenzyme activity after absorption but the liposomes maintained holoenzyme activity. Even though liposomes preserved holo-tyrosine phenol-lyase activity, the holoenzyme was not present in sufficient concentration to sustain a reduced plasma tyrosine level.
An improved gas chromatographic method for measuring glucosamine and muramic acid concentrations

A method of simultaneously measuring glucosamine and muramic acid concentrations in marsh grass litter was developed. Spartina alterniflora samples were preextracted with acetone to remove lipids containing amino sugars and then hydrolyzed in 6 N HCl (100 degrees C, 4.5 h). Amino sugars in the hydrolysates were isolated by ion-exchange chromatography, which gave good recoveries (greater than 90%) and reproducibility (CV less than 5%). Isolated amino sugars were converted to O-methyloxime acetates. beta-Phenylglucose and N-methylglucamine were added as internal standards. Sample derivatives were quantified by capillary column gas chromatography. OV-101 and SE-54 capillary columns completely separated glucosamine and muramic acid from other amino sugars. The detection limit of glucosamine and muramic acid during gas chromatographic analysis was below 30 pmol using splitless-mode injection (SE-54 column). Filamentous fungal and procaryotic biomasses may be estimated simultaneously by using glucosamine and muramic acid biomass conversion factors in conjunction with this method.
Durability of central aortic valve closure in patients with continuous flow left ventricular assist devices.

Background A competent aortic valve is essential to providing effective left ventricular assist device support. We have adopted a practice of central aortic valve closure by placing a simple coaptation stitch at left ventricular assist device implantation in patients with significant aortic insufficiency. We conducted a follow-up study to evaluate the efficacy and durability of this procedure. Methods The study included patients who had undergone continuous flow left ventricular assist device implantation. The patients were divided into 2 groups, those who did not require any aortic procedure because the valve was competent and those who underwent central aortic valve closure for mild or greater aortic regurgitation. The clinical endpoints were mortality, progression or recurrence of aortic insufficiency, and reoperation for aortic valve pathologic features. Aortic insufficiency was measured qualitatively from mild to severe on a scale of 0 to 5. Results A total of 123 patients received continuous flow left ventricular assist devices from February 2007 to August 2011. Of those, 18 (15%) underwent central aortic valve closure at left ventricular assist device implantation because of significant aortic insufficiency (1.8 ± 1.4) and 105 who did not (competent aortic valve, 0.15 ± 0.43; P P = .02). In addition, the proportion of patients with more than mild aortic insufficiency was significantly less in the central aortic valve closure group (0% vs 18%; P = .05). The patients in the central aortic valve closure group were significantly older and had a greater incidence of renal failure at baseline. The 30-day mortality was greater in the central aortic valve closure group, but the late survival was similar between the 2 groups. No reoperations were required for recurrent aortic insufficiency. Conclusions The results of our study have shown that repair of aortic insufficiency with a simple central coaptation stitch is effective and durable in left ventricular assist device-supported patients, with follow-up extending into 2 years. Although aortic insufficiency progressed over time in those with minimal native valve regurgitation initially, no such progression was noted in those with central aortic valve closure. Additional investigation is needed to evaluate whether prophylactic central aortic valve closure should be performed at left ventricular assist device implantation to avoid problematic aortic regurgitation developing over time, in particular in patients undergoing left ventricular assist device implantation for life-long (destination therapy) support.
Isolation and characterization of EMS16, a C-lectin type protein from Echis multisquamatus venom, a potent and selective inhibitor of the alpha2beta1 integrin.

We have isolated and characterized EMS16, a potent and selective inhibitor of the α2β1 integrin, from Echis multisquamatus venom. It belongs to the family of C-lectin type of proteins (CLPs), and i...
Prognostic factors for survival in terminal lung cancer patients

Objective: To determine the factors that are related to short-term survival and to develop a model that can be used to estimate prognosis in terminal lung cancer patients. Design: Longitudinal cohort study of hospice lung cancer patients followed from date of admission to hospice until death. Setting: Community-based nonprofit home hospice service. Patients: Three hundred ten consecutive lung cancer patients admitted to hospice, with a separate validation sample of 78 consecutive hospice lung cancer patients. Measurements: The relationships between survival and admission demographic characteristics, information from the history and physical examination, assessments of performance and nutrition, particular symptoms, and the presence of a living will were evaluated. Results: Mean survival was 51 days, with a median survival of 27 days. Shorter survival was independently associated with those who had no living will on admission to hospice (p=0.008), those who had tissue types other than squamous cell or adenocarcinoma (p=0.008), those who had liver metastases (p=0.04), those who were tachycardic (p<0.001), those who required assistance or were dependent in their toileting (p<0.001) and feeding (p=0.001), those who had dry mouths (p=0.01), and those who had severe or incapacitating pain (p<0.05). A model estimating survival time based on the number of these significant variables present is reported (r=0.53 in the original sample; r=0.38 in the validation sample). Conclusions: Multiple factors, including tissue type, the presence of metastases, assessments of functional status, specific symptoms, and the presence of a living will, were related to short-term survival in terminal lung cancer patients admitted to hospice. A model utilizing these specific factors allows useful estimates of short-term survival for these patients.
GaSb thermophotovoltaic cells grown on GaAs by molecular beam epitaxy using interfacial misfit arrays

There exists a long-term need for foreign substrates on which to grow GaSb-based optoelectronic devices. We address this need by using interfacial misfit arrays to grow GaSb-based thermophotovoltaic cells directly on GaAs (001) substrates and demonstrate promising performance. We compare these cells to control devices grown on GaSb substrates to assess device properties and material quality. The room temperature dark current densities show similar characteristics for both cells on GaAs and on GaSb. Under solar simulation the cells on GaAs exhibit an open-circuit voltage of 0.121 V and a short-circuit current density of 15.5 mA/cm2. In addition, the cells on GaAs substrates maintain 10% difference in spectral response to those of the control cells over a large range of wavelengths. While the cells on GaSb substrates in general offer better performance than the cells on GaAs substrates, the cost-savings and scalability offered by GaAs substrates could potentially outweigh the reduction in performance. By fu...
Novel Structural and Dynamical Features of Water Permeation through an Aquaporin Crystallized at Sub-Angstrom Resolution

Aquaporins are ubiquitous trans-membrane channels that maintain water homeostasis of the cell by facilitating selective diffusion of water across the membrane while preventing proton diffusion. The selectivity has been suggested to be achieved by two conserved regions located along the pore: the dual asparagine, proline, alanine (NPA) aquaporin signature motif, and the aromatic/arginine (ar/R) selectivity filter. Recently, our collaborators have crystallized a yeast aquaporin at sub-angstrom resolution, the highest resolution achieved to date for a membrane protein. The structure reveals a great deal of novel information on the structure of hydrogen-bonded network of water and protein side chains. In order to complement the experimental results by determining the dynamics and energetics of water diffusion along the channel, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of this impressively high quality crystal structure. The results show disruption of the water chain in both NPA and ar/R regions in this aquaporin, due to characteristic hydrogen-bonding patterns that dictate specific orientations to water molecules. The motion of water molecules is highly correlated on either side of the NPA region. On the other hand, the correlation is reduced at the NPA region, attesting yet another possible mechanism for this region to contribute to a barrier against proton transport. Besides, the NPA region appears as a barrier region with low occupancy for water, a feature not seen in other aquaporins. The correlated motion of adjacent water molecules along with their binary co-occupancies in the ar/R selectivity filter show that water molecules move in pairs in this region. Specific hydrogen-bonding patterns in the ar/R region may also play a role in exclusion of hydronium and/or hydroxide ions. These simulations have helped elucidate the dynamical basis of many intricate features revealed by this new structure.
Seasonal variability and controls on chromophoric dissolved organic matter in a large river-dominated coastal margin

The spring-to-summer seasonal transition in the spatial and vertical distribution of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) optical properties was examined during surveys conducted in March, May, July, and August of 2005 in the waters influenced by the Mississippi–Atchafalaya River system of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Strong seasonal river influences and a well-correlated inverse relationship between CDOM absorption at 412 nm and salinity during spring of 2005 suggests conservative mixing in the water column between the riverine freshwater sources and the oceanic end members. Trends in the CDOM absorption and the spectral absorption slope (S) and deviations from the end-member conservative mixing line in surface and bottom waters during the summer suggest apparent sources and sinks of CDOM. Elevated CDOM in lower-salinity surface waters at many stations appears to be linked to high concentrations of dissolved oxygen (DO; .10 mg L21) and elevated chlorophyll concentrations. Effects of photo-oxidation in surface waters were observed as increasing S and enhanced CDOM loss in the ,27–32 salinity range and were attributed to seasonal stratification and the increased solar radiation during the summer. In the bottom waters, elevated CDOM levels in the ,32–36 salinity range were associated with low DO and relatively higher bacterial abundance; this suggests a potential CDOM source due to microbial remineralization of organic matter in the hypoxic zone in bottom waters. Seasonal dynamics associated with CDOM loss in surface waters and CDOM gains in bottom waters may be another pathway influencing hypoxia in coastal waters. An important energy source in the microbial food web, dissolved organic matter (DOM) comprises a large fraction
A SIMPLE METHOD FOR PRODUCING DIFFERENT GROWTH FRACTIONS IN VITRO FOR USE IN ANTI‐CANCER DRUG STUDIES

A simple technique has been used experimentally to produce in vitro Chinese hamster ovary cells with growth fractions ranging from 0 to 100%. Known numbers of exponentially growing and plateau-phase tissue culture cells were mixed in various proportions to yield the desired final growth fraction. Cells attach to the culture flask surface within 1 hr of mixing. Treatment at that time with the nitrosourea compounds, CCNU and MeCCNU, resulted in differential drug survival sensitivities that were dependent upon the growth fraction of the population treated.
The Lived Experience of Race and Its Health Consequences

A growing body of research illuminates the mechanisms through which racism and discrimination influence the health status of people of color. Much of the focus of this research, however, has been on individually mediated racism (i.e., acts of discrimination and racial bias committed by White individuals against people of color).Yet research literature provides numerous examples of how racism operates not just at individual levels, but also at internalized, institutional, and structural levels. A more comprehensive model of the lived experience of race is needed that considers the cumulative, interactive effects of different forms of racism on health over the lifespan.Such a model must facilitate an intersectional analysis to better understand the interaction of race with gender, socioeconomic status, geography, and other factors, and should consider the negative consequences of racism for Whites.
Nonlinear Response of Fluid-Filled Membrane in Gravity Waves

This paper describes a time-domain model for the nonlinear response of fluid-filled membranes in gravity waves. A formulation based on the principle of virtual work provides an integral governing equation for membrane deformation that fully accounts for geometric nonlinearity, which is known to be important even for relatively small deformation. The incident wave amplitude and membrane deformation are considered to be small, to allow linearization of the hydrodynamic problems. The potential flows inside and outside the membrane are solved by two boundary element models, which are coupled to the finite element model of the membrane. An iterative scheme based on Newmark’s method integrates the resulting nonlinear equations of motion in time. The computed results for a bottom-mounted fluid-membrane system show favorable agreement with available experimental and numerical data. Membrane geometric nonlinearity increases the system stiffness due to strain-stiffening and gives rise to hysteresis response at some frequencies.
Smoking and Breast Cancer Recurrence after Breast Conservation Therapy

Background. Prior studies have shown earlier recurrence and decreased survival in patients with head and neck cancer who smoked while undergoing radiation therapy. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether smoking status at the time of partial mastectomy and radiation therapy for breast cancer affected recurrence or survival. Method. A single institution retrospective chart review was performed to correlate smoking status with patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and outcomes for patients undergoing partial mastectomy and radiation therapy. Results. There were 624 patients who underwent breast conservation surgery between 2002 and 2010 for whom smoking history and follow-up data were available. Smoking status was associated with race, patient age, and tumor stage, but not with grade, histology, or receptor status. African American women were more likely to be current smokers (22% versus 7%, P < 0.001). With a mean follow-up of 45 months, recurrence was significantly higher in current smokers compared to former or never smokers (P = 0.039). In a multivariate model adjusted for race and tumor stage, recurrence among current smokers was 6.7 times that of never smokers (CI 2.0-22.4). Conclusions. Although the numbers are small, this study suggests that smoking may negatively influence recurrence rates after partial mastectomy and radiation therapy. A larger study is needed to confirm these observations.
Biofuel cell controlled by enzyme logic network - approaching physiologically regulated devices.

A "smart" biofuel cell switchable ON and OFF upon application of several chemical signals processed by an enzyme logic network was designed. The biocomputing system performing logic operations on the input signals was composed of four enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), amyloglucosidase (AGS), invertase (INV) and glucose dehydrogenase (GDH). These enzymes were activated by different combinations of chemical input signals: NADH, acetaldehyde, maltose and sucrose. The sequence of biochemical reactions catalyzed by the enzymes models a logic network composed of concatenated AND/OR gates. Upon application of specific "successful" patterns of the chemical input signals, the cascade of biochemical reactions resulted in the formation of gluconic acid, thus producing acidic pH in the solution. This resulted in the activation of a pH-sensitive redox-polymer-modified cathode in the biofuel cell, thus, switching ON the entire cell and dramatically increasing its power output. Application of another chemical signal (urea in the presence of urease) resulted in the return to the initial neutral pH value, when the O(2)-reducing cathode and the entire cell are in the mute state. The reversible activation-inactivation of the biofuel cell was controlled by the enzymatic reactions logically processing a number of chemical input signals applied in different combinations. The studied biofuel cell exemplifies a new kind of bioelectronic device where the bioelectronic function is controlled by a biocomputing system. Such devices will provide a new dimension in bioelectronics and biocomputing benefiting from the integration of both concepts.
Pharmacological profiles of tonazocine (Win 42156) and zenazocine (Win 42964).

The effects of tonazocine and zenazocine, two mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics, have been evaluated in a range of antinociceptive assays and in isolated tissue preparations in vitro. Both tonazocine and zenazocine were antinociceptive in writhing tests and in the i.a. bradykinin test, and were antagonists in the rat tail flick test. Additionally, zenazocine demonstrated some antinociceptive activity in the rat tail flick test. In vitro, both tonazocine and zenazocine demonstrated agonist and antagonist properties at mu receptors in the GPI and agonist properties at delta receptors in the MVD. In general, the agonist properties of zenazocine were more marked than those of tonazocine, and the antagonist properties of tonazocine were more marked than those of zenazocine.
Dendritic length in aged rats' occipital cortex: an environmentally induced response.

Abstract The present investigation was the first to measure the lengths of dendrictic segments from aged animals in different environments to determine if the rates of retraction that occur with age can be influenced by the external environment. Our results show that the sixth-order segments, which represent the segments most distal to the cell body, are 86% longer in animals which have spent their final 30 days in an enriched environment compared with their littermates from standard laboratory conditions.
Effects of retinoic acid on the growth and morphology of hamster tracheal epithelial cells in primary culture.

Hamster tracheal epithelial cells were grown in primary culture on a collagen gel substrate in hormone-supplemented serum-free Ham’s F12 medium with 10-8 M retinoic acid (RA +), or without retinoic acid (RA -). On days 1 and 2, the colonies were composed of large (secretory) cells and lesser numbers of small (basal) cells; ciliated cells were rare. At these times, cell number, thymidine incorporation, and total labelling indices (small and large cells, combined) were similar in RA+ and RA-cultures, but the large cells became flat in RA-medium on day 2. On days 3–5, thymidine incorporation and total labelling indices were less in RA-than RA+ cultures, and on days 4–6, cell numbers were decreased in RA-cultures. On day 3, the large cells of the RA-colonies had flattened further and clusters of small basal cells had formed. On day 4, the RA+ colonies were composed of densely-packed cuboidal secretory cells, small basal cells were inconspicuous; the total labelling index was about 27%. The RA-colonies were composed of large flat secretory cells and numerous small basal cells which were clustered in groups; the total labelling index was about 7%. Since large and small cells could be discriminated by size in RA-colonies, a labelling index was generated based on cell size. On days 2, 3 and 4, the labelling index of the small basal cells in the RA-colonies was 44%, 43% and 24% respectively, whereas the labelling index of the large secretory cells fell rapidly over the same period (56%, 14% and 2%). On days 5 and 6, the cuboidal secretory cells in the RA + cultures had differentiated further and the cells were stratified focally. Some new ciliated cells had formed on day 6. In RA cultures, mucous granules were not observed in the large flat cells and ciliated cells were not seen. The total labelling indices were 11% and 0.35% in RA+ cultures, and 0.5% and 0.25% in RA-cultures on days 5 and 6, respectively. The study shows that the target cell for vitamin A in the hamster tracheal epithelium is the secretory (mucous) cell. When retinoic acid was deficient, the secretory cells flattened and their capacity to divide was greatly diminished. Since the basal cells continued to replicate when the secretory cells did not, the population density of the basal cells increased disproportionally, which could be interpreted erroneously as a “basal cell hyperplasia.” Real hyperplasia and epidermoid metaplasia were late secondary events which occurred in this study following focal disintegration of the epithelial cell sheet. Then the large secretory cells became keratinized and expressed an epidermoid phenotype.
Symbolic Calculus and the Transposes of Bilinear Pseudodifferential Operators

Abstract A symbolic calculus for the transposes of a class of bilinear pseudodifferential operators is developed. The calculus is used to obtain boundedness results on products of Lebesgue spaces. A larger class of pseudodifferential operators that does not admit a calculus is also considered. Such a class is the bilinear analog of the so-called exotic class of linear pseudodifferential operators and fail to produce bounded operators on products of Lebesgue spaces. Nevertheless, the operators are shown to be bounded on products of Sobolev spaces with positive smoothness, generalizing the Leibniz rule estimates for products of functions.
Alteration of hepatic lipid by mirex in rats

Abstract The dose-dependent hepatic hypertrophy and lipid accumulation, caused by dietary mirex, is associated with alteration of ratios of various components of simple lipid and phospholipid in rat liver. The concentration of diacylglycerol (which amounts to about 70% of the simple lipid), phosphatidylcholine (which amounts to about half of the phospholipid), and fatty acids decreased in lipid of the liver of mirex-treated rats (15,000 ppm for 3 days). The decreases accompanied concomitant increases in triacylglycerol, monoacylglycerol, and cholesteryl esters in simple lipid, and phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine in phospholipid. Analyses of fatty acids of the components indicated an overall decrease in saturated acids and an increase in unsaturated arachidonic acid in both simple and phospholipid, as well as an increase in palmitoleic in simple lipid of livers of mirex-treated rats (15,000 ppm for 3 days). The changes in relative proportions and acyl composition of hepatic lipid by this toxic dose of mirex indicate that structural and functional integrity of hypertrophied hepatocytes may be compromised in mirex-treated rats.
Amiloride inhibits the growth of human colon cancer cells in vitro

Abstract Cytoplasmic alkalinization induced by activation of the Na + H + antiport plays an essential role in the initiation of cell proliferation. In the present study we examined the effects of amiloride, a specific and reversible inhibitor of Na + H + antiporter, on the growth of human colon cancer cells (HT-29). Amiloride (50–800 μm) inhibited the growth of HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Forty-three percent inhibition of growth was found at an amiloride concentration of 400 μm after 4 days of treatment. The inhibitory effect of amiloride on growth of HT-29 cells was reversible since removal of amiloride by a media change after 48 h treatment lead to rapid regrowth to control levels. The reversibility of growth inhibition suggests that amiloride is not a non-specific cytotoxin for HT-29 cells. We examined the possible mechanisms for the inhibitory effects of amiloride. Amiloride (400 μM) completely abolished serum-stimulated ODC activity and inhibited difluoromethylornithine (DMFO)-stimulated putrescine uptake by 56%. We conclude that amiloride inhibits the in vitro growth of human colon cancer cells; since ODC-activity and polyamine transport were both inhibited, the inhibitory effects may be mediated in part by polyamine-dependent processes. Amiloride may be a useful agent in the treatment of colon cancer.
Absorption spectroscopy in scattering samples using integrated optics

Conventional spectrophotometric methods for measuring the concentration of light-absorbing material in a sample require that the sample be transparent. If scatterers are present they disturb the absorption measurement. An example of this sort is the determination of the constituents in blood plasma. Red blood cells interfere with a direct optical measurement if they are not removed. Theory and experimental results are presented for an integrated optics device which can perform absorption spectroscopic measurements of blood plasma with scatterers present. For a device which measured plasma bilirubin concentration, guided wave attentuation of less than 0.01 dB/cm due to red cell scattering was observed.