cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of dipeptidyl peptidase II (Dpp II) in rat spinal cord

The histochemical localization of dipeptidyl peptidase II (Dpp II; E.C. 3.4.14.2) activity was demonstrated at the light microscope level in the rat spinal cord. Prominent staining was observed in motoneurons of the ventral horn and in medium to large neurons in the deep laminae of the dorsal horn, the intermediate gray, and in lamina X surrounding the spinal canal. Within neurons, Dpp II was localized largely in cell perikarya and large primary dendrites with no staining observed in cell nuclei. Neurons in the superficial dorsal horn lack Dpp II enzyme activity. Nonneuronal elements which also stained prominently were pericytes associated with blood vessels and ependymal cells lining the lumen of the spinal canal. A few oligodendrocytes and astrocytes were also stained, but they represented a minor component of the total amount of Dpp II activity. Following ventral root injury, Dpp-II-containing motoneurons degenerate; some glial cells in the region of degenerating neurons become Dpp II positive. The localized distribution of Dpp II in spinal cord neurons suggests that this proteolytic enzyme may play a role in the metabolism of an unidentified neuropeptide.
Determinants of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC in chronic spinal cord injury

Abstract Jain NB, Brown R, Tun CG, Gagnon D, Garshick E. Determinants of forced expiratory volume in 1second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC in chronic spinal cord injury. Objective To assess factors that influence pulmonary function, because respiratory system dysfunction is common in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). Design Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting Veterans Affairs Boston SCI service and the community. Participants Between 1994 and 2003, 339 white men with chronic SCI completed a respiratory questionnaire and underwent spirometry. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Forced expiratory volume in 1second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC. Results Adjusting for SCI level and completeness, FEV1 (–21.0mL/y; 95% confidence interval [CI], –26.3 to –15.7mL/y) and FVC (–17.2mL/y; 95% CI, –23.7 to –10.8mL/y) declined with age. Lifetime cigarette use was also associated with a decrease in FEV1 (–3.8mL/pack-year; 95% CI, –6.5 to –1.1mL/pack-year), and persistent wheeze and elevated body mass index were associated with a lower FEV1/FVC. A greater maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) was associated with a greater FEV1 and FVC. FEV1 significantly decreased with injury duration (–6.1mL/y; 95% CI, –11.7 to –0.6mL/y), with the greatest decrement in the most neurologically impaired. The most neurologically impaired also had a greater FEV1/FVC, and their FEV1 and FVC were less affected by age and smoking. Conclusions Smoking, persistent wheeze, obesity, and MIP, in addition to SCI level and completeness, were significant determinants of pulmonary function. In SCI, FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC may be less sensitive to factors associated with change in airway size and not reliably detect the severity of airflow obstruction.
Statistical treatment of the average resonance width

Abstract Saturation of hadron scattering amplitudes by direct channel resonances implies that the average level width Γ ( m ), level density ϱ ( m ), and number of open channels N ( m ) are related by Γ ( m ) ϱ ( m ) = N ( m )/2 π . From this relation and the dependence of N on ϱ there results, for any given ϱ ( m ), a definite Γ ( m ). We find that: 1. (i) A power law growth ϱ ( m ) ∼ m a results in an experimentally disfavored exponential growth of Γ ( m ). 2. (ii) The exponentially growing ϱ ( m ) of the statistical bootstrap model results in Γ ( m ) → constant. 3. (iii) The forms of ϱ ( m ) suggested by various versions of the dual resonance model result in Γ ( m ) → constant, or decreasing to zero, or at most a power law increase. Arguments are given why Γ ( m ) → constant is the most physically reasonable choice. Studies of Ericson fluctuations in reactions such as elastic πN scattering at a few GeV offer the best hope of experimentally determining the behavior of Γ ( m ).
Food chain chaos with canard explosion.

The “tea-cup” attractor of a classical prey–predator–superpredator food chain model is studied analytically. Under the assumption that each species has its own time scale, ranging from fast for the prey to intermediate for the predator and to slow for the superpredator, the model is transformed into a singular perturbed system. It is demonstrated that the singular limit of the attractor contains a canard singularity. Singular return maps are constructed for which some subdynamics are shown to be equivalent to chaotic shift maps. Parameter regions in which the described chaotic dynamics exist are explicitly given.
Phenol decomposition on Al(111)

The reaction of phenol on Al(111) was investigated between 100 and 800 K with temperature programmed desorption and Auger electron spectroscopy. Molecular phenol desorbed at 200 K from the multilayer. The first monolayer of phenol decomposed into hydrogen, benzene, and adsorbed oxygen and carbon as the surface was heated. The sequence of bond scission was determined using deuterium labeling. Three H2 desorption peaks were observed. The first H2 desorption peak was from the dissociation of the hydroxyl group and was observed around 380 K. The second H2 desorption peak, which started around 450 K and reached a maximum at 510 K, resulted from the scission of the CH bonds in the 2 or 6 positions on the ring. The third H2 desorption peak was observed at 680 K and was from scission of the CH bonds on the remaining hydrocarbon fragments on the surface. Benzene desorption occurred between 450 and 700 K with maxima at 490 and 630 K resulting from hydrogen addition to the phenyl group from OH and CxHy moieties, respectively. HD exchange with the hydrogen on the phenyl ring also was observed. However, there was no evidence for hydrogenation (saturation) of any of the double bonds of the ring. After heating to 800 K. some O and C remained on the surface.
The contraindication of restoration to centric relation: A clinical report

M any dentists believe that an occlusion established with the condyles in the most retruded position in the glenoid fossa, near or accessible to centric relation (CR), is the best way to rebuild a seriously mutilated occlusion for all patients. l-4 However, there are some patients for whom access to CR unimpeded by the teeth is clearly contraindicated. A variety of patients have been treated successfully by positioning the mandible anteriorly in occlusion. Anterior mandibular placement has been used in the fabrication of complete dentures for many patients who had difficulty wearing conventional complete dentures.5 Dentulous patients have also been treated in this manner but have not been reported. Nine patients with idiopathic or spontaneous orofacial dyskinesia and one with a condylotomy have been the subjects of numerous articles.6-g Patients with tardive dyskinesia also require anterior mandibular positioning when the disorder is treated dentally. With many of these patients repeated attempts to use a mandibular retruded occlusion were ineffectual or unattainable or even exacerbated symptoms. In contrast, mandibular protruded occlusions helped these patients. This clinical report describes the treatment of a patient who was an exception to the use of CR as a true maxillomandibular registration record for removable partial dentures.
Characterization and phylogenetic significance of rhinoceros luteinizing hormone beta (LHβ) subunit messenger RNA structure, complementary DNA sequence and gene copy number

The luteinizing hormone (LH) beta subunit gene is expressed in the pituitary glands of all mammals, whereas the closely related chorionic gonadotropin (CG) beta subunit genes have been identified only in primates and equids, and are expressed in placenta. In the case of horses, there is a single-copy equine (e) luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin hormone beta subunit gene (eLH/CGbeta) that (1) is expressed in both pituitary gland and placenta, (2) encodes a characteristic carboxyl terminal peptide (CTP) extension, and (3) transcribes an atypically elongated 5'-untranslated region (UTR) in both pituitary and placenta. However, it is not known whether similar expression patterns and gene locus characteristics may be exhibited by other members of the order Perissodactyla (equid, rhinoceros and tapir species). To begin to investigate these possibilities, we undertook analysis of the rhinoceros (rn or rhino) LH/(CG?)beta gene locus and the rnLHbeta cDNA. Total RNA isolated from the pituitary gland of a female white rhino was used as template for amplifying rnLHbeta cDNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Following cloning of the amplified cDNA, nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid sequences were determined. The first in-frame stop codon occurred at codon position +122, suggesting that the rnLHbeta subunit does not contain a CTP. To assess gene copy number, Southern blot analysis of Indian rhino genomic DNA was performed. The resulting simple hybridization pattern indicated that, as in the horse and donkey, there is a single-copy gene at the rnLH/(CG?)beta gene locus. Primer extension mapping of the pituitary transcriptional start site of the rnLHbeta subunit gene revealed an 8 nt 5'-UTR which is similar to that reported for the majority of mammalian LHbeta transcripts. Northern analysis was consistent with the transcriptional start site findings. We postulate from these data that rhinos diverged from equids prior to the occurrence of the mutations causing CTP expression and adoption of a non-consensus 5'-UTR/proximal promoter region. However, these findings do not rule out the possibility of expression of a placental CGbeta subunit lacking a CTP in rhinos.
The microRNA miR-196 acts upstream of Hoxb8 and Shh in limb development

The discovery of microRNAs (miRNAs), the non-coding RNAs thought to be involved in many biological processes, is changing our perception of gene regulation. Little is known about their function in mammalian systems in vivo, but a newly developed group of compounds that silences miRNAs in mice should provide a powerful tool for the study of their function — and a potential therapeutic strategy for silencing miRNAs in disease. These ‘antagomirs’ are chemically engineered oligonucleotides with sequences that complement natural miRNAs. Intravenous administration of antagomirs to miR-16, -122, -192 and -194 in mice caused a marked reduction of corresponding miRNA expression in liver, lung, kidney, heart, muscle, intestine, fat, skin, bone marrow, ovaries and adrenals. In worms and flies, miRNAs play important developmental roles in the embryo. In vertebrates, various developmental genes have been shown to be targets of miRNA regulation, but there were no examples of miRNAs playing specific roles in known developmental processes. Now one such example has been found: miR-196 acts in mouse embryos as a mechanism to ensure accurate expression of genes primarily regulated by Hoxb8 and Shh transcription factors. This supports the idea that vertebrate miRNAs may function as a secondary level of gene regulation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are an abundant class of gene regulatory molecules (reviewed in refs 1, 2). Although computational work indicates that miRNAs repress more than a third of human genes3, their roles in vertebrate development are only now beginning to be determined. Here we show that miR-196 acts upstream of Hoxb8 and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in vivo in the context of limb development, thereby identifying a previously observed but uncharacterized inhibitory activity that operates specifically in the hindlimb. Our data indicate that miR-196 functions in a fail-safe mechanism to assure the fidelity of expression domains that are primarily regulated at the transcriptional level, supporting the idea that many vertebrate miRNAs may function as a secondary level of gene regulation.
The molecular structure of [Mo(S2P(OEt)2)3]2(μ-p-NC6H4N), a derivative of p-phenylenediamine

Le complexe cristallise dans le systeme triclinique, groupe P1 et sa structure est affinee jusqu'a R=0,063. Coordination octaedrique deformee autour des atomes Mo, les coordinats dithiophosphate etant monodentes
Probabilities of occurrence and detection of damage in airframe materials

The reliability of airworthiness assessment and the effective management of ageing fleets of aircraft depend critically on the quality of tools for predicting damage nucleation and accumulation and its detection, i.e. on the interrelationship between the probabilities of occurrence and detection. To illustrate these interrelationships, a mechanistically based probability approach involving localized pitting corrosion and subsequent fatigue cracking is presented. A probability of detection based on a typical state-of-the-art technique for non-destructive evaluation is used for comparison and probabilistic assessment. The results suggest that the probability of detection is inadequate, and information on damage size should be included as part of an effective airworthiness assurance methodology. An appropriate target for detecting and sizing damage of ≈ 0.10 mm with a probability of detection and a confidence level of at least 90% is suggested, versus the current capability of 1.27 mm at only 50%
Subject and stimulus variables in short-term recall and span of apprehension

Research has suggested that subject and stimulus variables are related to differential performance in perceptual tasks involving short-term recall. This study explored sex, race, and stimulus-duration variables as they related to memory efficiency. Numbers of from two to eight digits were randomly presented at 1/30- and 1/60-sec exposures. College students (N = 86, with 17 of each sex/race combination) reproduced digits immediately after slide presentation for 14 trials. A three-way ANOVA indicated significant main effects of sex, race, and exposure and a significant interaction of sex and race. In seven of the eight group/exposure combinations, significant negative correlations between stimulus complexity and recall evidenced a span-of-apprehension phenomenon.
Stereospecific Approach to the Synthesis of Ring-A Oxygenated Sarpagine Indole Alkaloids. Total Synthesis of the Dimeric Indole Alkaloid P-(+)-Dispegatrine and Six Other Monomeric Indole Alkaloids

The first regio- and stereocontrolled total synthesis of the bisphenolic, bisquaternary alkaloid (+)-dispegatrine (1) has been accomplished in an overall yield of 8.3% (12 reaction vessels) from 5-methoxy-d-tryptophan ethyl ester (17). A crucial late-stage thallium(III) mediated intermolecular oxidative dehydrodimerization was employed in the formation of the C9–C9′ biaryl axis in 1. The complete stereocontrol observed in this key biaryl coupling step is due to the asymmetric induction by the natural sarpagine configuration of the monomer lochnerine (6) and was confirmed by both the Suzuki and the oxidative dehydrodimerization model studies on the tetrahydro β-carboline (35). The axial chirality of the lochnerine dimer (40) and in turn dispegatrine (1) was established by X-ray crystallography and was determined to be P(S). Additionally, the first total synthesis of the monomeric indole alkaloids (+)-spegatrine (2), (+)-10-methoxyvellosimine (5), (+)-lochnerine (6), lochvinerine (7), (+)-sarpagine (8), and...
SU‐D‐211‐04: Sector Intensity Modulated (SIM) Gamma Knife Stereotactic Radiosurgery

Purpose: The latest Gamma Knife (GK) system, Perfexion, consists of 192 Co‐60 sources divided into eight sectors. Treatment delivery includes multiple shots placed at different positions. For every shot, each sector can be either blocked or open with four different aperture sizes. However, the beam‐on time is designed to be fixed. We proposed an innovative concept, Sector Intensity Modulated (SIM) Gamma Knife by dynamically varying the beam‐on time for each individual sector to improve stereotactic radiosurgery planning quality. Methods: The anatomic structures and dose matrices from each sector for every shot were obtained from the GK workstation. The beam‐on time for each sector was decomposed with various discrete levels and brute‐force algorithm was used to get the optimal solution. The resulting SIM plan was then re‐entered into the GK workstation. Six indices were used to benchmark the plan quality: Coverage, Conformality, Gradient, Maximum Dose(s) to critical structure(s), Volume receiving over 8 and 12 Gy. All the SIM plans in comparison with the original plans were further reviewed by an experienced oncologist.Results: The simulations were tested on various pituitary adenoma cases. Results consistently showed that SIM yielded better plans with all quantitative indices improved compared to original plan. It provides better conformality, quicker drop off of the isodose line outside the tumor, lower doses to the critical structures as optical‐ nerve/chiasm while maintaining at least 99% coverage of the tumor. Results were more favorable according to oncologist's view. In particular, up to 20% or 0.6 cc volume decrease in healthy tissue receiving 8 Gy was observed. This may translate into clinically observable reduction in acute/late toxicities. Conclusions: Our preliminary results show that Sector Intensity Modulated Gamma Knife offers superior treatment plans compared to the originally delivered plans. Further works as adding dynamic shot location and dynamic shot shaping will be discussed.
The Optimal Cross-Sectional Shape of a Thin-Walled Composite Tube for Maximizing Torsional Rigidity*

ABSTRACT ABSTRACT In this paper the optimal cross-sectional shape of a thin-walled composite tube for maximum torsional rigidity is studied. Optimality conditions are presented, using variational principles. Due to unknown end points, transver-sality conditions are used to find boundary conditions. It is shown that a circular section is the optimal shape for a tube with helically-wound reinforced composite material. For an orthotropic tube, the optimal shape is found to be C continuous only for cases in which the degree of orthotropism is less than or equal to a critical value. Otherwise, the optimal shape contains cusps at the end points.
Mechanisms underlying atriopeptin-induced increases in hematocrit and vascular permeation in rats.

Infusion of atriopeptin into humans and animals induces diuresis, natriuresis, hemodynamic changes, and an increase in arterial hematocrit. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism(s) responsible for the increase in hematocrit in rats given atriopeptin-24 (AP-24). Infusion of AP-24 for 30 minutes increased large vessel and total vascular hematocrits by 10-15% while decreasing microvascular hematocrits by 9-26% in numerous tissues. Regional vascular permeation by [131I] bovine serum albumin was markedly increased (2-5.6-fold) in many tissues, consistent with a 16% decrease in plasma volume. AP-24 infusion had no effect on extracellular fluid volume or the volume of circulating red cells. Vascular resistance was decreased and was associated with a significant increase in blood flow in many, but not all, tissues. In the atrium and in the small and large intestine the percentage decrease in microvascular hematocrit exceeded the increase in blood flow. These observations indicate that the increase in large vessel hematocrit induced by AP-24 infusion 1) is accompanied by a decrease in (microvascular) hematocrit in many tissues, 2) reflects an increase in overall (i.e., total vascular hematocrit), and 3) is the consequence of a decrease in plasma volume resulting from a marked increase in the rate of vascular permeation by plasma constituents in multiple tissues.
The influence of test conditions on the disintegration time of gelatin capsules

The British Pharmacopoeia test for capsule disintegration is basically the same test as that used to measure tablet disintegration and as such it has some shortcomings, particularly in the determination of the end point. The results were significantly affected by the capsule size, the nature of the test solution, the temperature, and whether single capsules were tested instead of groups of five. The effect of temperature on capsule solubility was demonstrated. A modified test was applied to both hard and soft capsule products selected from the British Pharmacopoeia. Recommendations are made for new specifications for an official pharmacopoeial test.
SU‐GG‐T‐98: An Exploration of the Use of Custom Compensators for Modulated Electron Radiotherapy

Purpose: To explore the use of custom compensators for modulated electron radiotherapy (MERT). Method and Materials: Several simple compensators, made of acrylic and paraffin, were placed in the 10×10 cm2 electron applicator of a Varian 2100C linear accelerator. Kodak EDR2 film was placed at various depths in a solid water phantom located at a SSD of 100 cm. Simulated treatments were delivered using either a single energy or multiple energies to demonstrate the effect of the compensator on the resulting dose distribution. Dose distributions for the compensator‐shaped fields were obtained from film measurements and compared to distributions measured for open 10 × 10 cm2 fields. Results: The use of compensators with multiple electron energies resulted in complex dose distributions that cannot be formed easily with standard electron cutouts. A relatively smooth gradient was observed at locations where compensator thickness changed rapidly. It was observed that the compensator‐ shaped fields exhibited more gradual dose drop‐off at the edges of the field. The penumbra for the compensator‐shaped fields was somewhat larger than that for the open single‐energy fields. Conclusion: The use of custom compensators for modulation of electron beam energy and intensity is a promising technique that may be of clinical use in MERT treatments.
Chronic pain and immunity: mononeuropathy alters immune responses in rats

Abstract In order to investigate the possible relationship between chronic pain and the immune system, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and humoral immunity were assessed in Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to unilateral peripheral mononeuropathy induced by sciatic ligation. Paw withdrawal latency (PWL) time was measured twice during the experiment in animals subjected to sciatic nerve ligation or sham surgery. Sciatic nerve-ligated animals showed hyperalgesia in the leg subjected to neural ligation when compared to the contralateral leg. No differences in PWL times existed in sham-operated animals. In order to exclude possible alterations in immune response due to the surgical procedure or to the hyperalgesia testing, a group of control animals, not subjected to surgical procedures or hyperalgesia testing, was also included in the experiment. Three days post-sciatic ligation or sham surgery, both experimental and control animals were sensitized to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). A secondary sensitization followed 1 week after the initial immunization. Fourteen days after the initial sensitization, KLH was injected into the hind foot pad and vehicle into the contralateral foot pad in order to assess DTH. One group of rats subjected to sciatic nerve ligation was tested for DTH in the hind foot pad ipsilateral to the ligated nerve, while another group was tested in the contralateral foot pad. Twenty-four hours following foot pad injections, the thickness of both paws was measured and animals were bled to test for anti-KLH immunoglobulins. Animals in which mononeuropathy was induced, but not sham-operated or control animals, exhibited an enhanced DTH response to KLH. This enhanced DTH response occurred both ipsilateral and contralateral to the ligated nerve. This increased response was blocked in both cases by the local anesthetic bupivicaine. Two sham-surgery groups and a normal control group were tested similarly. Gamma-immunoglobulin levels against KLH were significantly reduced in the hyperalgesic animals when compared to control animals but were similar when compared to sham-operated animals. This study suggests that chronic nociception causes significant alterations in immune function and strengthens the hypothesis that chronic pain can influence the immune system.
Species and age differences in accumulation of 36Cl-DDT by voles and Shrews in the field

Abstract Concentrations of DDT plus metabolites (DDT residues) were compared between stomach contents and whole bodies of voles Microtus pennsylvanicus and shrews Blarina brevicauda for three years in an old pasture treated with 36 Cl-DDT. Mean levels of 6·0 and 7·8 mg kg −1 in stomach contents of adult and juvenile voles were the same as those of the whole bodies; in adult and subadult Blarina , mean levels were 13·2 mg kg −1 , compared with whole body levels of 17·6 mg kg −1 in adults and 23·0 mg kg −1 in subadults, indicating that residues were being concentrated in shrews but not in voles. Residues in the faeces of both species were the same as those in stomach contents. Whereas DDT residues in whole bodies of voles were a linear function of residues in the stomach contents, the correlation did not occur in shrews. Residues in Blarina, Sorex cinereus and Microtus were similar in embryos and breeding adults, increased to peak levels in nestlings 5–6 days old, began to decline with weaning, and continued to decline with increasing body weight.
Risk return and the three-moment capital asset pricing model: another look

Abstract Most studies on three-moment capital asset pricing models have found a strong and consistent relationship between an asset's returns and its higher statistical moments. Other studies report results which are opposite to what the theory would suggest. This paper re-examines the empirical evidence of the three-moment capital asset pricing model on 43 randomly selected mutual funds from 1970–1986. The results indicate that trade-offs of risks for returns on the selected mutual funds are less than predicted and inconsistent.
A CRY in the Night.

CRY1 is essential for normal circadian clock function, but its transcriptional regulation by the clock has not been considered an important feature for its function. However, reporting in Cell, Ukai-Tadenuma et al. (2011) now show that rhythmic Cry1 expression in the early night is critical for clock function.
Stacking fault reduction in Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) islands produced by Selective Epitaxial Growth (SEG) of Silicon using a thermally nitrided SiO2 field insulator

Abstract A method to fabricate silicon-on-insulator (SOI) device sized islands, using Epitaxial Lateral Overgrowth (ELO) from the Selective Epitaxial Growth (SEG) of Silicon, has ≈96.3% stacking fault-free SOI islands when SiO 2 was used as the field insulator. When a nitrided thermal SiO 2 was used ≈99% of the small islands were defect-free. Islands with rounded corners and nitrided oxide had stacking fault defects of less than 500/cm 2 .
Development of an ultrasensitive noncompetitive hybridization-ligation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the determination of phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide in plasma.

An ultrasensitive noncompetitive hybridization-ligation heterogeneous enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for the quantitation of antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides in plasma using a 96-well plate format. The principle of the assay is based on heterogeneous noncompetitive binding of the analyte to a template probe, followed by addition of signal probe via ligation and detection using a fluorescence microtiter plate reader. The result showed no significant interference noted from untreated human plasma. In addition, the method is selective for the specific sequence tested (ISIS 2302) and cross-reactivity toward the 3'-metabolites is minimal ( 0.99) was obtained in human plasma for ISIS 2302. Intraday and interday accuracy for the method was found to be within 80-120% of actual value. Intraday and interday precision has a percentage coefficient of variation less than 20%. The lower limit of quantitation of the method was 0.05 nM (0.05 pmol/ml) with 100 microL plasma or an absolute amount of 5 fmol. In summary, the assay was demonstrated to be specific, accurate, precise, and sensitive for the quantitation of ISIS 2302 in human plasma and was applied to the analysis of plasma samples in pharmacokinetic studies.
Metal‐Rich Sulfides of Mixed Tantalum and Niobium: A New Chemical Concept

The structures of the metal-rich sulfides of Nb and Ta are briefly reviewed, and it is suggested that the differences between the structures containing Nb and those containing Ta indicate the possibility of novel ternary compounds. The existence of four unique compounds of this type and their structures are discussed. The interplay of first-order bonding energy and configurational entropy are shown to lead to a plausible explanation for the formation of the unsual materials. The explanation is supported with extended Huckel calculations and consideration of metal-metal interactions scaled by the Pauling bondorder equation.
High aerobic capacity does not attenuate aortic stiffness in hypertensive subjects.

Background It is unknown whether increased physical fitness reduces aortic stiffness in hypertensive individuals. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine, in a cohort of community-dwelling subjects with no history of cardiac events, differences in the impact of aerobic capacity on aortic stiffness between normotensive and hypertensive subjects. Methods The study sample included 275 subjects representing a large age range (21-85 years). Of these, 61 subjects (hypertensive cohort) were either hypertensive at enrollment or were taking antihypertensive medication. The remaining 214 subjects (normotensive cohort) had no history of hypertension. The study protocol included maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing (determination of maximal oxygen consumption, or Vo 2 max) and measurement of aortic wave velocity (AWV) using a novel magnetic resonance–based method. Results Overall, the hypertensive cohort exhibited significantly elevated AWV in comparison to a subset of normotensives matched for age, sex, and aerobic fitness. Each cohort was then subdivided according to the percentage of predicted Vo 2 max achieved ( t test. In the normotensive cohort, AWV was significantly lower in the fit versus the unfit subgroup. However, in the hypertensive cohort, AWV was not significantly different between fit and unfit subgroups nor between treated and untreated subgroups. Conclusion Unlike the situation in healthy normotensive subjects, higher peak aerobic capacity is not associated with lower aortic stiffness in hypertensive individuals.
Characterizing moldic and vuggy pore space in karst aquifers using borehole-wall, slabbed-core and thin-section images

Abstract Carbonate aquifers are prolific and important sources of potable water in many parts of the world owing to enlarged dissolution features that enhance porosity and interconnectivity. To better understand the variations of pore space in different karst aquifers, image and geospatial analyses are used to analyze pore attributes (i.e., pore area and perimeter) in images of vuggy aquifers. Pore geometry and 2D porosity derived from images of the moldic Castle Hayne and vuggy Biscayne aquifers are analyzed at three scales of observation: borehole televiewer, core and thin-section. The Castle Hayne and Biscayne aquifers are the foci of this study because the pore spaces that control the hydrologic properties in each of these aquifers are markedly different even though both of these carbonate reservoirs are prolific aquifers. Assessments of pore area, perimeter and shape index (a measure of shape complexity) indicate that pore geometries and pore complexities vary as a function pore type and scale of observation. For each aquifer type, the areas, perimeters and complexities of pores are higher at the larger scale of observation (e.g., borehole) than the smaller scale of observation (e.g., thin section). When the complexity of the moldic pores is compared to the complexity of vuggy pores, the results indicate that moldic pores are generally more complex than vuggy pores at the same scale of observation. Whereas estimates of 2D porosity from the borehole televiewer image of the vuggy aquifer are higher than those derived from the moldic aquifer, the range of 2D porosities is larger in core and thin section images for the vuggy aquifer than the moldic aquifer. A model for the development of pores is presented that suggests that the coalescence of small pores with simple shapes leads to the growth of larger pores with more complex shapes. The model suggests that the younger Biscayne aquifer is a more mature karst than the Castle Hayne aquifer.
MUC1-C Induces the LIN28B→LET-7→HMGA2 Axis to Regulate Self-Renewal in NSCLC.

The LIN28B→let-7 pathway contributes to regulation of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and stem cell self-renewal. The oncogenic MUC1-C transmembrane protein is aberrantly overexpressed in lung and other carcinomas; however, there is no known association between MUC1-C and the LIN28B→let-7 pathway. Here in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), silencing MUC1-C downregulates the RNA-binding protein LIN28B and coordinately increases the miRNA let-7. Targeting MUC1-C function with a dominant-negative mutant or a peptide inhibitor provided confirming evidence that MUC1-C induces LIN28B→let-7 signaling. Mechanistically, MUC1-C promotes NF-κB p65 chromatin occupancy of the LIN28B first intron and activates LIN28B transcription, which is associated with suppression of let-7. Consistent with let-7–mediated inhibition of HMGA2 transcripts, targeting of MUC1-C also decreases HMGA2 expression. HMGA2 has been linked to stemness, and functions as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) of let-7–mediated regulation of the TGFβ coreceptor TGFBR3. Accordingly, targeting MUC1-C suppresses HMGA2 mRNA and protein, which is associated with decreases in TGFBR3, reversal of the EMT phenotype, and inhibition of self-renewal capacity. These findings support a model in which MUC1-C activates the ⇑LIN28B→⇓let-7→⇑HMGA2 axis in NSCLC and thereby promotes EMT traits and stemness. Implications: A novel pathway is defined in which MUC1-C drives LIN28B→let-7→HMGA2 signaling, EMT, and self-renewal in NSCLC. Mol Cancer Res; 13(3); 449–60. ©2014 AACR .
Differentiating greenbug resistance genes in barley

The greenbug [Schizaphis graminum (Rondani)] is an extremely damaging pest of barley (Hordeum vulgare L), particularly in the southern Great Plains of the USA. Two greenbug resistance genes, Rsg1a (in ‘Post 90’) and Rsg2b (in PI 426756), available for developing resistant barley cultivars, have similar phenotypes when challenged by various greenbug biotypes. This study was conducted to separate these two resistance genes via differential plant reactions to a recently collected field isolate of greenbug. Four barley entries and one wheat germplasm were challenged with two greenbug isolates and damage ratings were recorded for each combination. One greenbug isolate used in this study (TX1) was able to differentiate Rsg1a from Rsg2b through dramatically different plant responses (Rsg2b conferred resistance, Rsg1a did not). The results indicate the potential vulnerability of greenbug resistance genes in barley. Based on these and other reported results, we propose that gene symbol designations for greenbug resistance in barley be changed from Rsg1a to Rsg1 and Rsg2b to Rsg2.
Efficient Sensitivity Analysis of Structures with Local Modifications. II: Transfer Functions and Spectral Densities

AbstractThe deterministic frequency response analysis and the stationary random vibration of large, linear structural models are often computationally intensive tasks. The computational expense is only exacerbated when stiffness and damping variabilities are present in the system’s description. This paper proposes an approach for the highly computationally efficient and accurate computation of the sensitivities, to changes in design parameters that are spatially localized within some small portion of the computational model, of the transfer functions (TFs), power spectral densities, and mean-square responses of a structural system. The proposed method is derived, first for system TFs and then their sensitivities; the corresponding spectral densities are then derived using the TF approach. Finally, the proposed method is applied to two examples, one simple model where exact solutions can be computed, and a second, more realistic, building example with a high-order model that causes significant difficulties...
Late regrowth of pituitary adenomas after irradiation and/or surgery. Hazard function analysis

A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with pituitary adenomas treated at the Radiation Oncology Center, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, St. Louis, Missouri. Of 210 patients treated from April 1954 through December 1982, 70 were treated with radiotherapy alone (RT), 121 received immediate postoperative RT (2 to 6 weeks), and 19 received RT following surgical failure. The mean follow-up time from the date of diagnosis for those patients alive at the time of last follow-up was 13.0 years (range, 3.0 to 30.0 years). Actuarial progression-free survival was analyzed up to 30 years. The 10-, 20-, and 30-year progression-free survival was 80.5%, 73.5%, and 73.5% for those patients treated with irradiation alone and 92.8%, 71.2%, and 44.0% for those treated with immediate postoperative irradiation. The median time to first failure from initial diagnosis by original treatment was 3.8 years for surgery alone, 4.2 years for RT only, and 10.2 years for surgery plus postoperative RT. Analysis for risk of recurrence per 5-year interval was performed using a hazard function analysis. The risk of recurrence after radiotherapy alone was greatest during the first 5-year interval after treatment and decreased to zero by 20 years. However, the risk of recurrence after primary surgery and postoperative radiotherapy revealed an increasing risk for recurrence up to 30 years after treatment. The concept of "cure" for pituitary adenomas requires extended follow-up.
Analysis of growth in Sorghum callus cultures and association with a 27 kd peptide

Abstract A 27 Kd peptide was produced upon inducing callus formation from excised seedling tissues and immature embryos in vitro of Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. Callus formation was always preceded by production of this callus-associated peptide (CAP1), as detected by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE). CAP1 and a second callus-associated peptide, CAP2, are more abundant in callus tissue which has lost the ability to regenerate organ primordia in comparison to organogenic callus. Anti-serum developed to CAP1 was found to be reactive with both CAP1 and CAP2. Concanavalin A (Con A) bound both CAP1 and CAP2, indicating the presence of glycosyl residues associated with these peptides. CAP1 has been detected in crown tissues of whole plants and was quantitatively enhanced in crown tissues following treatment of plants with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). CAP1 was not detected during a sampling of other whole plant tissues. The relationship of callus initiation frequency, callus dry weight and CAP1 accumulation was examined for eight genotypes of sorghum and is discussed.
Parental Influence and Socialization Into Sport for Male and Female Intercollegiate Athletes

The purpose of this study was to compare the childhood socialization influences of male and female intercollegiate athletes in order to ascertain whether there were dif ferences in the sport socialization process between the sexes. The data indicated that parents of both male and female intercollegiate athletes tend to be involved in sports themselves, with parents of male athletes being more involved in a variety of ways than parents of female athletes. While parents of both groups are supportive of their offsprings' sports involvement, fathers tend to be more supportive of their sons than of their daughters. There is little difference in the support accorded sons and daughters by mothers. There is a weak positive relationship between socio-economic status (SES) and parental expectations, encouragement, and time spent participating with their offspring.
Newton's method under mild differentiability conditions

We study Newton's method for determining the solution of f(x) = 0 when f(x) is required only to be continuous and piecewise continuously differentiable in some sphere about the initial iterate, x^(0). First an existence, uniqueness and convergence theorem is obtained employing the modulus of continuity of the first derivative, f_x(x). Under the more explicit assumption of H6lder continuity several other such results are obtained, some of which extend results of Kantorovich and Akilov [1] and Ostrowski [5]. Of course, when Newton's method converges, it is now of order (1 + α), where a is the Ho1der exponent. Other results on Newton's method without second derivatives are given by Goldstein [2], Schroeder [3], Rheinboldt [6], and Antosiewicz [7], to mention a few. It seems clear that the error analysis for Newton's method given by Lancaster [4] can be extended to the present case.
Watching systems in action: security at the periphery

Computer security is maintained in many ways. New systems are developed with an eye towards protecting against known techniques for bypassing system controls. New methods of fraud, especially in point of sale systems, appear in spite of these protections. Consequently, there is a continuing need to examine how systems are used in practice and to implement new controls to prevent the incidence and recurrence of fraud. This paper cites examples of new frauds, suggests general techniques for protecting against the original appearance and recurrence of such frauds, and proposes that the maintenance of computer systems include continuing attention to these controls.
Advances in the Treatment of Hypertension

Nonpharmacological Treatment of Hypertension The JNC VI paid much more attention than have previous JNC reports to nonpharmacological treatment of hypertension, particularly the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. The traditional recommendations for controlling blood pressure by dietary means are to restrict salt and to lose weight. However, vegetarians generally have low blood pressure, and there is some evidence, albeit inconsistent, that dietary supplementation with potassium, calcium, and magnesium may also have beneficial effects on blood pressure. The DASH study showed that a combination diet rich in fruits and vegetables and in which saturated fat was replaced by low-fat dairy products produced a greater reduction of blood pressure than did the intervention in most other dietary studies. The DASH diet has high potassium, calcium, and magnesium content but is not low in sodium. One reason for this may have been that it was a “feeding” study rather than a “counseling” study—the subjects were provided with all their meals. Apart from its inclusion of low-fat dairy products, the DASH diet resembled the Mediterranean diet, which has gained support as the ideal diet for general health. What is particularly exciting about the DASH diet is that it may have benefits beyond lowering blood pressure. The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been tested in only 1 experimental human study, the Lyon Diet Heart Study, which found that deaths from both cardiovascular disease and cancer are reduced in subjects consuming the Mediterranean diet. Further indirect evidence for benefits from the DASH diet beyond blood pressure reduction comes from a prospective study of the relationships between the dietary intake of minerals and stroke performed in 43 738 men who were participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The intake of potassium, magnesium, and fiber (but not of sodium or calcium) was inversely associated with the risk of stroke during an 8-year follow-up period. The DASH diet had the same amount of potassium, magnesium, and fiber as the highest quintiles of intake reported in the Health Professionals Study. Another important study of the nonpharmacological treatment of hypertension was the Trial of Nonpharmacologic Interventions in the Elderly (TONE). Most of the trials of the effects of salt restriction and weight loss on blood pressure have been conducted in middle-aged people, although there is evidence that older people may be salt sensitive. TONE showed that modest salt restriction and weight loss enables a substantial number of elderly hypertensive patients to discontinue antihypertensive medication.
Flame temperature measurements by radar resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization of molecular oxygen

Here we report nonintrusive local rotational temperature measurements of molecular oxygen, based on coherent microwave scattering (radar) from resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) in room air and hydrogen/air flames. Analyses of the rotational line strengths of the two-photon molecular oxygen C(3)Π(v=2)←X(3)Σ(v'=0) transition have been used to determine the hyperfine rotational state distribution of the ground X(3)Σ(v'=0) state. Rotationally resolved 2+1 REMPI spectra of the molecular oxygen C(3)Π(v=2)←X(3)Σ(v'=0) transition at different temperatures were obtained experimentally by radar REMPI. Rotational temperatures have been determined from the resulting Boltzmann plots. The measurements in general had an accuracy of ~±60 K in the hydrogen/air flames at various equivalence ratios. Discussions about the decreased accuracy for the temperature measurement at elevated temperatures have been presented.
Multi-robot monitoring in dynamic environments with guaranteed currency of observations

In this paper we consider the problem of monitoring a known set of stationary features (or locations of interest) in an environment. To observe a feature, a robot must visit its location. Each feature changes over time, and we assume that the currency, or accuracy of an observation decays linearly with time. Thus, robots must repeatedly visit the features to update their observations. Each feature has a known rate of change, and so the frequency of visits to a feature should be proportional to its rate. The goal is to route the robots so as to minimize the maximum change of a feature between observations. We focus on the asymptotic regime of a large number of features distributed according to a probability density function. In this regime we determine a lower bound on the maximum change of a feature between visits, and develop a robot control policy that, with probability one, performs within a factor of two of the optimal. We also provide a single robot lower bound which holds outside of the asymptotic regime, and present a heuristic algorithm motivated by our asymptotic analysis.
An examination of the relevance of the individual differences (a-trait) formulation of the tension-reduction theory to the etiology of alcohol abuse in young males

An 11-item factor labeled Emotional Tension was recently located within a pool of 24 items which had been found to differentiate both adult male alcoholics and nonsubstance-abusing adult male psychiatric outpatients from putatively normal male adults and college students in a highly significant fashion. The item-unit-weighted scores on this factor of the following five male samples were compared: young alcohol offenders, adult outpatient alcoholics young and adult nonsubstance-abusing psychiatric outpatients, and an unselected run of college students. While the scores of the young nonsubstance-abusing psychiatric outpatients were found to be indistinguishable from those of both adult patient groups, the scores of the young alcohol offenders were indistinguishable from those of college students. Scores on a similarly located, 11-item factor of Depression yielded identical results.