cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cellular functions of immunophilins

Immunophilins are members of a highly conserved family of proteins all of which are cis-trans peptidyl-prolyl isomerases. The prototypic members of the immunophilin family, cyclophilin A and FKPB12, were discovered on the basis of their ability to bind and mediate the immunosuppressive effects of the drugs cyclosporin, FK506, and rapamycin. However, the prolyl isomerase activity of these proteins is not involved in any of the immunosuppressive effects. Indeed, despite the fact that all members of the family are prolyl isomerases, the cellular role of this enzymatic function has not been clearly defined. In many cases, immunophilins are widely expressed and are present at high levels in some tissues. Moreover, while the number of proteins that belong to the immunophilin family continues to grow, the natural cellular functions of all but a few remain obscure. An example where immunophilins do appear to have a defined cellular role, in the absence of immunosuppressive ligands, is the modulation of intracellular calcium release channel function by FKBP12 and FKBP12.6. In this case, FKBPs are integral parts of three types of calcium release channel complexes, skeletal and cardiac ryanodine receptors and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. In each case, FKBPs modulate channel function possibly by enhancing the cooperativity between subunits.
Opposing regulatory functions of positive and negative elements in UASG control transcription of the yeast GAL genes

The yeast GAL1 and GAL10 genes are transcribed at a remarkably low basal level when galactose is unavailable and are induced by over 4 orders of magnitude when it becomes available. Approximately six negative control elements (designated GAL operators GALO1 to GALO6) are located adjacent to or overlapping four binding sites for the transcription activator GAL4 in the GAL upstream activating sequence UASG. The negative control elements contribute to the broad range of inducibility of GAL1 and GAL10 by inhibiting two GAL4/galactose-independent activating elements (GAE1 and GAE2) in UASG. In turn, multiple GAL4-binding sites in UASG are necessary for GAL4 to overcome repression by the negative control elements under fully inducing conditions. When glucose in addition to galactose is available (repressing conditions), the ability of GAL4 to activate transcription is diminished as a result of its reduced affinity for DNA and the reduced availability of inducer. Under these conditions, the negative control elements inhibit transcriptional activation from the glucose-attenuated GAL4 sites, thus accounting at least in part for glucose repression acting in cis. A normal part of transcriptional regulation of the GAL1 and GAL10 genes, therefore, appears to involve a balance between the opposing functions of positive and negative control elements.
Suicide among murderers: England and Wales 1901 to 1949.

From 1901 to 1949 in England and Wales, the suicide rate of murderers was associated with the overall English suicide rate, and both rates had similar social correlates. Language: en
A color-selectable and site-specific integrative transformation system for gene expression studies in the dematiaceous fungus Wangiella (Exophiala) dermatitidis.

To explore potential virulence factors in the dematiaceous (melanized) fungus Wangiella dermatitidis, we established a gene expression system with properties of homologous transformation and color identification. Using a polyketide synthase gene (WdPKS1) fragment for targeting, we found that 52% of transformants became albinos easily distinguishable from nonspecific transformants. Southern analysis confirmed that the integrations were at the WdPKS1 locus, which however did not affect transformant growth. With a heterologous promoter, P-glaA, enhanced expression of lacZ was found at 37 °C. Our results indicated that this system allows the efficient production of isogenic strains for gene function analysis in W. dermatitidis.
Optical properties of Cl-doped ZnSe epilayers grown on GaAs substrates

We have determined the optical properties of a series of Cl-doped ZnSe epilayers grown on GaAs substrates using ellipsometry and prism coupling. Initially, the carrier concentrations were determined using Hall measurements for samples between 6.30×1016 cm−3 and 9.50×1018 cm−3. Using a variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometer in the energy range between 0.7 eV and 6.5 eV, we then obtained experimental spectra for each of the samples. By incorporating a three-layer model to simulate the experimental data, we determined the complex dielectric functions for these Cl-doped ZnSe epilayers. In order to facilitate this modeling procedure, we have complemented the ellipsometric results with prism coupling experiments that measured the film thickness and the index of refraction (at discrete wavelengths) very precisely. For the fundamental band gap, we observe a blue shift with respect to the doping concentration, which can be explained by the Burstein-Moss effect. In addition, we have determined the critical point parameters related to these specimens by fitting the second derivatives of both the real and the imaginary parts of the dielectric functions. Similar to several doped III-V semiconductors reported thus far, we find that in Cl-doped ZnSe epilayers, both E1 and E1 + Δ1 red shift, as well as a broadening with respect to the doping concentration.
Size dependent transitions in grafted polymer brushes

The partition function of a grafted polymer brush was calculated as a sum over all possible configurations, each of them being an ensemble of n1, n2, ...n(i), ... loops having 2, 4, ..., 2i, ... segments. A system of equations for the most likely configuration has been obtained, and it was concluded that no solution exists for an infinite chain, with nonvanishing interactions between segments and surface. This implies that an infinite chain is either collapsed on the surface (for attractive interactions) or is forming a stretched brush (for repulsive interactions). However, for finite chains, a solution could be found. When the attractive segment-surface interaction becomes sufficiently strong, the brush collapses on the surface (the "loops" to "trains" transition). When the interaction is repulsive and sufficiently strong, the brush becomes stretched, with most segments belonging to open loops which do not return to the surface (the "loops" to "tails" transition). The critical values of the segment-surface interaction, for which the above transitions occur, depend on the length of the polymer chain as well as on other physical properties of the brush, such as the segment-segment and segment-solvent interactions and the grafting density.
Structural-functional heterogeneity along the rabbit collecting tubule

Structural-functional heterogeneity along the rabbit collecting tubule. The possibility that the rabbit collecting tubule is heterogeneous with respect to electrical and morphologic properties was examined in isolated segments. Collecting tubules from rabbits treated with desoxycorticosterone acetate were dissected from various locations within the cortex and outer medulla, and the transepithelial potential was measured. The cortical collecting tubule always displayed a negative potential. In contrast, collecting tubules dissected from the inner stripe of the outer medulla displayed a positive potential. That this change is a function of position within the kidney is supported by the observation that some tubules generated a negative potential at the superficial (cortical) end and a positive potential at the deep (medullary) end of the same tubule. Histologic evaluation of tubules after perfusion resulted in a striking correlation between the existence of a negative potential and the presence of dark cells. The results of this study provide evidence that the collecting tubule is heterogeneous with respect to active transport processes and suggest that these functional differences may correlate with morphologic differences between the cortical segment and the medullary segment of the collecting tubule.
Low-temperature optical absorption spectra of hematoporphyrins☆

Abstract Low-temperature optical absorption spectra of both free base and metal complexes of hematoporphyrin have been obtained. Vibrational structure, inferred by others from MORD data, is observed here directly in bands III and IV of the free base. Structure is also observed in the β band of the Ni and Pd metallohematoporphyrins. Implications of these results on the presently accepted theory of porphyrin optical spectra are discussed.
Temperature Mapping in a Model Food Gel using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Two dimensional temperature maps of a model food gel (agar, mi-crocrystalline cellulose, and water, 1.95:6.55:200), were obtained by MRI during heating and cooling. The molecular pseudo self-diffusion coefficient of water was used as a temperature indicator. A two dimensional Fourier transform spin-echo imaging sequence was used for data acquisition. The self-diffusion coefficient at room temperature was 1.26 7times; 1O−3 mm2/sec. Two dimensional self-diffusion images were obtained, and temperature images were calculated. The error in MRI measurements, due to noise and temperature variation, was less than 1°C with 1.5 mm2 resolution. The average variation between MRI and thermocouple measurements was < 1.26°C. This new non-invasive technique can be used to study heat transfer and to measure thermal properties of foods.
Statistics on food and agriculture in China

Abstract During a recent visit to the People's Republic of China, the author was able to observe the way in which information about food production is collected and used. This article describes the statistical system operating in the Chinese countryside and compares it with methods of collecting agricultural statistics used in some countries in Africa.
CAM Photosynthesis in Submerged Aquatic Plants

Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is a CO2-concentrating mechanism selected in response to aridity in terrestrial habitats, and, in aquatic environments, to ambient limitations of carbon. Evidence is reviewed for its presence in five genera of aquatic vascular plants, includingIsoetes, Sagittaria, Vallisneria, Crassula, andLittorella. Initially, aquatic CAM was considered by some to be an oxymoron, but some aquatic species have been studied in sufficient detail to say definitively that they possess CAM photosynthesis. CO2-concentrating mechanisms in photosynthetic organs require a barrier to leakage; e.g., terrestrial C4 plants have suberized bundle sheath cells and terrestrial CAM plants high stomatal resistance. In aquatic CAM plants the primary barrier to CO2 leakage is the extremely high difrusional resistance of water. This, coupled with the sink provided by extensive intercellular gas space, generates daytime CO2(pi) comparable to terrestrial CAM plants. CAM contributes to the carbon budget by both net carbon gain and carbon recycling, and the magnitude of each is environmentally influenced. Aquatic CAM plants inhabit sites where photosynthesis is potentially limited by carbon. Many occupy moderately fertile shallow temporary pools that experience extreme diel fluctuations in carbon availability. CAM plants are able to take advantage of elevated nighttime CO2 levels in these habitats. This gives them a competitive advantage over non-CAM species that are carbon starved during the day and an advantage over species that expend energy in membrane transport of bicarbonate. Some aquatic CAM plants are distributed in highly infertile lakes, where extreme carbon limitation and light are important selective factors.
Purification and assay of kinesin from sea urchin eggs and early embryos

This paper describes the procedures used to purify the microtubule motor, kinesin, from mitotic cells, namely sea urchin eggs and cleavage stage embryos, and describes methods for assaying its motor activity.
Mineral content of the diet alters sucrose-induced obesity in rats

Abstract The effects of dietary mineral levels on caloric intake, nutrient choice, body weight, adipose tissue weight, interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT) weight, and thermogenic capacity, and plasma insulin and glucose levels were examined in adult male Sprague -Dawley rats. In Experiments 1 and 2, rats were fed a purified diet with zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and selenium (Se) added, or the same diet without the addition of these minerals. In Experiment 3, the effects of Zn and Cr were examined separately. In all experiments, half of the rats in each diet group were given a 32% sucrose solution in addition to their standard diet and water. Rats given sucrose consumed more calories and gained more weight than rats not given sucrose. However, mineral levels altered the effects of sucrose on these measures. Added minerals increased percent sucrose intake, reduced weight gain and feed efficiency, increased GDP binding in MAT mitochondria, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced plasma insulin levels. The reduction in weight gain and increased feed efficiency found when Zn alone was added to the diet was independent of sucrose condition. In comparison, the alterations observed in these measures when Cr alone was added to the diet varied as a function of sucrose availability.
Language-related cortex in deaf individuals: Functional specialization for language or perceptual plasticity?

In this issue of PNAS, Petitto et al. (1) report a positron emission tomography (PET) study of the regions of the brain that increase their regional cerebral blood flow when individuals process signed language. The essence of their results is that, in 11 profoundly deaf subjects, regional cerebral blood flow responses to a series of tasks involving signed language occurred in the same areas of the brain in which responses to similar tasks occur in hearing subjects processing spoken language. These brain regions are the auditory association cortex adjacent to the primary auditory koniocortex and the left inferior frontal cortex. Traditional views of the functional role of these areas, going back over 125 years and still widely accepted, maintain that the first of these areas is involved in speech perception and second in planning speech production. The results reported by Petitto et al. provide a quite different view of these brain regions—one that sees them as being involved in processing language, regardless of the modality in which it is presented.
Aromatization of n-octane over Pd/C catalysts

Abstract Gas-phase aromatization of n-octane was investigated using Pd/C catalyst. The objectives were to: (1) determine the effects of temperature (400–600 °C), weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) (0.8–∞), and hydrogen to hydrocarbon molar ratio (MR) (0–6) on conversion, selectivity, and yield (2) compare the activity of Pd/C with Pt/C and Pt/KL catalysts and (3) test the suitability of Pd/C for aromatization of different alkanes including n-hexane, n-heptane, and n-octane. Pd/C exhibited the best aromatization performance, including 54.4% conversion and 31.5% aromatics yield at 500 °C, WHSV = 2 h−1, and a MR of 2. The Pd/C catalyst had higher selectivity towards the preferred aromatics including ethylbenzene and xylenes, whereas Pt/KL had higher selectivity towards benzene and toluene. The results were somewhat consistent with adsorbed n-octane cyclization proceeding mainly through the six-membered ring closure mechanism. In addition, Pd/C was also capable of catalyzing aromatization of n-hexane and n-heptane.
Asynchrony of labyrinthine receptors as a physical factor in motion sickness

Evidence is presented to show that despite their effectiveness in producing motion sickness the actual frequencies and accelerations involved in ship motion are rather low. It is suggested that the disparity is due to the fact that ship motion is such as to cause an asynchrony between signals from the labyrinth and those from other motion receptors.
The purification of the three trimannosyl- N -acetylchitobiose pentasaccharides from the urine of swainsonine-intoxicated sheep

A simple method for the preparative resolution of three Man3GlcNAc2 isomers called Ia, Ib and II has been designed. It consists mainly of the use of concanavalin A-Sepharose which allowed the total purification of Man3GlcNAc2-Ia, and then of anion-exchange resin in borate buffer-gradient to separate the Ib and II isomers. The purity of each oligosaccharide was checked by two HPLC methods. The use of these oligosaccharides for different analytical and biosynthetic purposes is discussed, and the unexpected resistance of one of the Man3GlcNAc2 alditols to the action of endo-β-N-acetylglucosaminidase H is noted.
Stratospheric-Tropospheric Exchange Based on Radioactivity, Ozone and Potential Vorticity

Abstract Vertical cross sections of potential vorticity, computed and contoured by band, and hemispheric distributions of potential vorticity, computed and contoured by machine, are compared to both discrete and continuous measurements of radioactivity made during Project Springfield. Comparisons made in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere show a positive correlation between potential vorticity and radioactivity of stratospheric origin. The radioactivity measurements and machine-computed isentropic trajectories prove that stratospheric air from high latitudes is transported southward and downward into the troposphere as the tropopause folds. Changes in potential vorticity and the concentration of radioactivity along the trajectories also prove that subsynoptic-scale mixing destroys the extruded stratospheric layer in the troposphere. The mass outflow from stratosphere to troposphere associated with tropopause folding is compensated by a quasi-steady inflow along the tropopause. This inflow is nec...
Practice patterns and outcomes in retransplantation among pediatric kidney transplant recipients

BACKGROUND More than 25% of pediatric kidney transplants are lost within 7 years, necessitating dialysis or retransplantation. Retransplantation practices and the outcomes of repeat transplantations, particularly among those with early graft loss, are not clear. METHODS We examined retransplantation practice patterns and outcomes in 14,799 pediatric (ages <18 years) patients between 1987 and 2010. Death-censored graft survival was analyzed using extended Cox models and retransplantation using competing risks regression. RESULTS After the first graft failure, 50.4% underwent retransplantation and 12.1% died within 5 years; after the second graft failure, 36.1% underwent retransplantation and 15.4% died within 5 years. Prior preemptive transplantation and graft loss after 5 years were associated with increased rates of retransplantation. Graft loss before 5 years, older age, non-Caucasian race, public insurance, and increased panel-reactive antibody were associated with decreased rates of retransplantation. First transplants had lower risk of graft loss compared with second (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.80; P<0.001), third (aHR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49-0.78; P<0.001), and fourth (aHR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.24-0.78; P=0.005) transplants. However, among patients receiving two or more transplants (conditioned on having lost a first transplant), second graft median survival was 8.5 years despite a median survival of 4.5 years for the first transplant. Among patients receiving three or more transplants, third graft median survival was 7.7 years despite median survivals of 2.1 and 3.1 years for the first and second transplants. CONCLUSIONS Among pediatric kidney transplant recipients who experience graft loss, racial and socioeconomic disparities exist with regard to retransplantation, and excellent graft survival can be achieved with retransplantation despite poor survival of previous grafts.
Social and informational proxies in a fishtank

This paper describes an interactive fishtank that displays on a large screen in a shared space in our research lab. Fish represent people and informational resources. People can interact with fish by tapping on the tank or typing. Fish can be personalized or extended to reveal whatever a particular person wants to reveal about his or herself. Through this calm, pleasing interface, group awareness can be conveyed.
Failures in National Intelligence Estimates: The Case of the Cuban Missiles

SINCE World War II, two interrelated events have transformed the scope and character of foreign intelligence operations. Governments have become heavily dependent on intelligence estimates in choosing and implementing foreign and military policies. At the same time, intelligence work has become modernized, bureaucratized, and professionalized. The procurement of information has come to depend relatively less on cloak-and-dagger methods and more on the systematic gathering of data from essentially public sources. The professional intelligence bureaucracies-or the "intelligence community," as these services are called in Washington-have accordingly benefited from the infusion of both skilled personnel and conceptualization from a variety of professions, including notably history and the social sciences. The social science literature on problems of foreign intelligence is nevertheless extremely small.' This is regrettable because historians and social scientists have developed and are developing skills that should permit substantial contributions to the theory and even to the practice of intelligence. However, since the work of the intelligence services is necessarily classified, very little material appears in the public domain and academic scholars are deprived of the information on which to base relevant researches. Occasionally, an interesting document does reach the public. This is the case with the recent Stennis Report on the failure of the U.S. intelligence community to predict the deployment of Soviet intermediate and
The phosphorylation of troponin B by phosphorylase b kinase in skeletal muscle of mice carrying the phosphorylase b kinase deficiency gene

In skeletal muscle of animals with the phosphorylase b kinase deficiency gene there is < 1% of the normal activity to convert phosphorylase b to a in the presence of Ca++, Mg++, and ATP (1). Correspondingly, there is < 1% of the normal activity to phosphorylate phosphorylase b. Nevertheless, under the same conditions, these extracts catalyze the phosphorylation of troponin at a rate 57% of normal. Phosphorylase b converting activity can be sedimented from skeletal muscle of control mice by centrifugation. This fraction isolated from I strain skeletal muscle extracts phosphorylates troponin at a rate 29–39% of the control. EGTA1 (15 mM) inhibits troponin phosphorylation by 50–60% in this fraction from both strains. The EGTA inhibition is reversed by 15 mM Ca++. Thus the phosphorylase b kinase in skeletal muscle of animals with the phosphorylase b kinase deficiency gene can phosphorylate troponin B, although it shows little or no activity with phosphorylase as a substrate. This observation is consistent with the normal muscle contractility of I strain animals.
The lingering enigma of the allelic exclusion mechanism.

Abstract B lymphocytes produce diverse antibody specificities by "randomly" assembling antibody genes from germline segments. Yet, though each B lymphocyte has multiple allelic loci for the different antibody chains, each clonally derived mature B lymphocyte expresses a single species of antibody with a unique specificity via a process termed allelic exclusion. Despite some progress, the precise mechanism of allelic exclusion remains an enigma.
The Potential for Water Yield Augmentation from Forest Management in the Eastern United States

Generally high rainfall and extensive forests in the East combine to produce excellent potential for managing forests for increased water yield. Models are presented that allow prediction of streamflow increase from hardwood and pine forests on a year-by-year basis. They are being routinely applied in land management planning on National Forests in the Southeast. A recent, independent test indicates that cumulative water yield increases can be predicted within about 14 percent of the actual value. However, because of the diverse land ownership patterns and the economic objectives of owners, realizing the potential will be difficult at best. The opportunity for realizing the full potential appears greatest where the land is publicly owned, but demand for water in the East has not reached the point where need for water dictates management prescriptions.
Self-Reported Sexual Functioning in Elderly Blacks and Whites The Charleston Heart Study Experience

Nearly 50% of the elderly (260 years) survivors of the Charleston Heart Study Cohort reported problems with becoming sexually aroused. The problem was associated with age and ranged from 30% at age 60 to 69 to over 60% at ages 80 and above. Significant predictors of arousal problems were older age, lower pulmonary function, physical disability, an increased usage of prescription drugs, and a fair or poor perception of health. Among respondents reporting no problems with arousal, the age-adjusted proportions of those reporting a frequency of sexual activity three or more times per month were White men 36%, Black men 29%, high socioeconomic Black men 47%, and White and Black women 14%. After considering age and arousal problem, the most consistent and significant predictors of frequency of sexual activity across all race-sex groups were marital status and education or income.
Hormonal status of postmenopausal women with alcohol‐induced cirrhosis: Further findings and a review of the literature

The derangements of levels of sex hormones and gonadotropins in alcoholic cirrhotic men are well delineated. The countersituation in alcoholic cirrhotic women has not yet been fully described. This study was performed in postmenopausal women among whom menstrual cycle variations in hormones no longer occur; with such a study population, it is possible to control for confounding factors and thus optimize detection of differences in levels of hormones and hormone interrelationships. Both estradiol levels and a rough estimate of aromatization of testosterone to estradiol, the estradiol to testosterone ratio, were significantly elevated in the 20 alcoholic subjects with alcohol-induced cirrhosis, as compared with the 27 normal controls; similarly, testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were all significantly reduced in the alcoholic cirrhotic women. In addition, the normal relationships of estradiol with luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, body mass and the estradiol/testosterone ratio were detected in the control group but not in the group of cirrhotic women. Further, among the alcoholic cirrhotic postmenopausal women, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone and the estradiol/testosterone ratio were all significantly correlated with the Child's liver disease severity score. That the hormone levels and their interrelationships differ markedly between normal and alcoholic cirrhotic women extends previous findings in both men and postmenopausal women; the correlations of hormone levels and markers of liver disease will require further investigation.
Prospective evaluation of fluorouracil chemotherapy based on the genetic makeup of colorectal cancer

Evaluation of 5‐fluorouracil chemotherapy and survival, based on mismatch repair (MMR) status, indicates that patients with MMR proficient colorectal tumours benefit from 5‐fluorouracil treatment while patients with MMR deficient tumours do not
Drug interactions with azithromycin and the macrolides: an overview

Evidence interactions between individual macrolides and a number of pharmacologically active compounds that are frequently co-administered to patients with bacterial infections is reviewed. Theophylline is strongly associated with erythromycin interaction; clarithromycin may also interact with this drug. Azithromycin, spiramycin and rokitamycin, however, do not appear to have any effect on theophylline pharmacokinetics. The other therapeutic agents considered are cyclosporin, the antiepileptics, carbamazepine and phenytoin, terfenadine, warfarin, oral contraceptives, agents used in the management of gastritis and peptic ulcer and zidovudine. With the exception of interaction with antacids, there is no evidence that azithromycin, unlike most other macrolides, interacts with any of these agents to produce clinically significant adverse effects. The explanation for this variation appears to be azithromycin's inability to induce and bind to the cytochrome P450 IIIA enzyme system.
Intracellular calcium gradients in cultured human uterine smooth muscle: a functionally important subplasmalemmal space.

Abstract The plasma membrane contains the key elements for the control of coupling excitation to contraction in smooth muscle. The superficial calcium buffer barrier, initially proposed by van Breemen for vascular smooth muscle, may participate in the regulation of calcium entry in other smooth muscle types. To investigate the relationship between the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and the plasma membrane in myometrial smooth muscle cells, we performed experiments using videofluorescence imaging and cell-attached electrophysiology. The cell-attached patch was used as a reporter for the free calcium in the subplasmalemmal space by monitoring openings of the Maxi-K channel. Calcium green-1 was used to simultaneously monitor changes of the deep cytosolic calcium con centrations. The cell with the patch attached was stimulated via an intercellular calcium wave from an adjacent cell. In this fashion, release of SR calcium was accomplished with minimal disturbance of the plasma membrane and the subplasmalemmal space of the cell studied. With physiological bathing solution, six of seven calcium waves activated Maxi-K channels. Surprisingly, the Maxi-K channels began opening 6.3 ± 4.7s (range 2.6–15.0s) after the wave passed the pipette location. When plasma membrane calcium fluxes were inhibited with 100μM lanthanum, no Maxi-K channel openings were observed in six of seven experiments. These results are best explained by a subplasmalemmal space in which the calcium concentration is largely controlled by store-operated channels. These results suggest the superficial buffer barrier as merely one aspect of subplasmalemmal regulation of calcium dynamics, and emphasize the importance of store-operated calcium channels during dynamic calcium changes.
Influence of fineness of ground recycled glass on mitigation of alkali–silica reaction in mortars

Abstract The use of waste glass, both as a crushed glass aggregate and in a finely ground form, as a pozzolanic material in concrete has been extensively studied in the past. However, the combined use of finely ground glass powders with crushed glass aggregates has not been previously explored, as this presents a unique opportunity to not only maximize the use of waste glass in concrete but also potentially address the alkali–silica reaction issues, often associated with the use of crushed glass aggregates in concrete. This study focused on studying the influence of fineness of glass powder in mitigating alkali–silica reaction in mortar specimens containing crushed glass aggregate and a natural reactive aggregate. In these studies the glass powders were used both as a cement replacement material and as an aggregate replacement material. Two different fineness of glass powder were evaluated in this study, with an average particle size of 17 and 70 microns. Mortar bars prepared with glass powder as aggregate replacement material at 10%, 20% and 30% replacement levels were evaluated in the standard ASTM C1260 test method. Mortar bars prepared with glass powder as cement replacement material at 10% and 20% were evaluated in the standard ASTM C1567 test method. The results from these studies showed that the finer glass powder showed significantly improved ability to mitigate ASR, particularly when used as an aggregate replacement material, both in the case of crushed glass and natural reactive aggregates. This study shows that an aggregate comprised of 100% glass material can be produced without any deleterious consequences of alkali–silica reaction, provided sufficient quantity of fine glass powder is used in the mixture.
Origin of stratiform sediment-hosted manganese carbonate ore deposits: Examples from Molango, Mexico, and TaoJiang, China

Abstract Carbonate and sulfide minerals from the Molango, Mexico, and TaoJiang, China, Mn deposits display similar and distinctive δ34S and δ13C patterns in intervals of manganese carbonate mineralization. δ13C-values for Mn-bearing carbonate range from −17.8 to +0.5‰ (PDB), with the most negative values occurring in high-grade ore zones that are composed predominantly of rhodochrosite. In contrast, calcite from below, within and above Mn-carbonate zones at Molango has δ 13 C ≈0‰ (PDB). Markedly negative δ13C data indicate that a large proportion of the carbon in Mn-carbonates was derived from organic matter oxidation. Diagenetic reactions using MnO2 and SO2−4 to oxidize sedimentary organic matter were the principle causes of such 12C enrichment. Pyrite content and sulfide δ 34S-values also show distinctive variations. In unmineralized rocks, very negative δ34S-values ( avg. CDT ) and abundant pyrite content suggest that pyrite formed from diagenetic, bacteriogenic sulfate reduction. In contrast, Mn-bearing horizons typically contain only trace amounts of pyrite (e.g., Similar isotopic and mineralogic characteristics from both the Molango and TaoJiang deposits, widely separated in geologic time and space, suggest they were formed similarly by MnO2 precipitation at the margins of dysaerobic to anoxic marine basins. Mn-carbonate formed predominantly by early-diagenetic reduction of Mn-oxides via oxidation of organic matter in near-surface sediments. In addition to MnCO3 precipitation, organic matter oxidation reactions resulted in oxidation of FeS to Fe-oxides such as magnetite, maghemite and hematite. The latter process explains anomalously low pyrite content and abundant Fe-oxide minerals in ore zones dominated by rhodochrosite.
Multiple Metachronous Fibroepithelial Polyps in Children

Purpose: We present our experience with a new phenotype of fibroepithelial polyps recurring in the urinary tract in children after robotic or laparoscopic pyeloplasty, and discuss the most appropriate treatment for these multiple metachronous neoplasms.Materials and Methods: At our institution 14 children had fibroepithelial polyps as the cause of ureteropelvic junction obstruction at pyeloplasty. Of the patients 12 had at least 1 additional polyp in the ureter, necessitating concomitant ureteroscopy at either robotic or laparoscopic pyeloplasty. Of these 12 patients 9 had followup of at least 1 year.Results: In 6 patients with at least 1 year of followup neoplasms were seen on retrograde pyelography and ureteroscopy that were not present on ureteroscopy at pyeloplasty. At 6 months after stent removal following the first recurrence 2 patients (33%) showed a second recurrence on imaging at a different location in the upper tract requiring laser ablation. One of these patients had a third recurrence that re...
Theoretical Studies of the XY-FP Seismic Isolation Bearing for Bridges

The XY-friction pendulum (XY-FP) bearing is a modified friction pendulum that consists of two perpendicular steel rails with opposing concave surfaces and a connector. The connector resists tensile forces, allows independent sliding in the two orthogonal directions and enables small relative rotation of the rails about a vertical axis. Theoretical analyses were undertaken to study applications of XY-FP bearings to bridges. Two of the key features of the XY-FP bearing for the seismic isolation of bridges are: (1) resistance to tensile axial loads and (2) opportunity to provide a different period of isolation in each principal direction of the isolated structure. Numerical analyses on an XY-FP isolated bridge with different isolation periods in the principal directions subjected to near-field ground motions demonstrated the effectiveness of XY-FP bearings. Furthermore, numerical analyses that investigated the sensitivity of XY-FP isolation system response to differences in the coefficients of friction of the bearings demonstrated that bounding analysis using upper and lower estimates of the coefficients of friction will generally provide conservative estimates of displacements and shear forces for isolation systems with nonuniform isolator properties.
VML: A class of virtual multi-level iterative methods for solving partial differential equations

We introduce virtual multi-level iterative methods (VML) which attempt to remove the low frequency errors by conducting some special smoothing (residual norm minimization) procedure with respect to the coarse grids. However, there is no coarse grid formed explicitly, no inter-grid transfer operator is needed, and even the smoothing procedure can be done almost locally. These properties are attractive to parallel computers. VML with different relaxation schemes and different smoothing techniques constitute a class of VML iterative methods. They may be used to accelerate general (single-level) iterative methods or be used with the standard (real) multi-grid method to alleviate the inherent lack of parallelism. Numerical experiments with some relaxation and smoothing techniques are used to show how the VML iterative methods work.
Muon number nonconservation in a simple gauge model

Abstract Assuming that a charged heavy lepton τ exists at a mass of about 1.8 GeV, we propose a simple gauge model of muon number nonconservation via a single neutral scalar boson. The branching ratios for μ → eγ , μ → 3 e , and K L → eμ are estimated to be about 2.5 × 10 −9 , 10 −10 , and 10 −14 respectively . A unique prediction of this model is that σ ( μ N → τ N) should be unusually large, of the order 10 −6 times σ ( μ N → ν N′).
Long-term intraspinal infusions of opioids in the treatment of neuropathic pain

Long-term intraspinal infusions of opioid drugs are being increasingly utilized in patients with noncancer pain. Despite this, there is a lack of long-term information, including success and failure rates for pain relief and technical problems. During a 5-year period, 18 noncancer patients underwent implantation of programmable infusion pumps for long-term intrathecal opioid infusion. Patients had (a) neuropathic pain, (b) had failed or been ineligible for noninvasive treatments, and (c) obtained greater than 50% pain relief with intrathecal trial infusions of morphine sulfate or sufentanil citrate. A disinterested third-party reviewer evaluated patients at the most recent follow-up. Sixty-one percent (11/18) of patients had good or fair pain relief with mean follow-up 2.4 +/- 0.3 years (0.8-4.7 years). Average numeric pain scores decreased by 39% +/- 4.3%. Five of the 11 responders required lower opioid doses (12-24 mg/day morphine) and the remaining six patients required higher opioid doses (> 34 mg/day morphine). Failure of long-term pain relief occurred in 39% (7/18) despite good pain relief in trial infusions and the use of both morphine and sufentanil. Technical problems developed in 6/18 patients but appeared to be preventable with further experience. Long-term intrathecal opioid infusions can be effective in treatment of neuropathic pain but might require higher infusion doses.
Phase diagram for electron-hole droplets

Abstract The phase diagram for electron-hole droplets is obtained using a phenomenological spin one lattice gas model treated in mean field approximation. Very good agreement with experimental data can be obtained.
An improved single-phase watt-hour meter

THE PURPOSE of this paper is to present the design considerations of a new single-phase or single-stator watt-hour meter with marked improvement in performance, and lower inherent manufacturing costs than a conventional meter of the same heavy load capacity. A limited discussion of design problems on present ratings is included to clarify the comparisons made.
A survey of conventional and unconventional methods for imaging GEOS with ground based interferometers and large aperture telescopes

This paper presents a survey conventional and unconventional methods for imaging objects in space, specifically GEOS. The goal is to gather in one place details regarding existing facilities and methodologies so as to be able to better appreciate the capabilities - strengths, weakness, and appropriateness - of each.
The Learning About My Pain study protocol: Reducing disparities with literacy-adapted psychosocial treatments for chronic pain, a comparative behavioral trial.

Chronic pain is a critical public health problem that affects over 100 million Americans. Medical pain treatments carry undesirable side effects, whereas low-risk psychosocial treatments offer notable benefits, in combination or in isolation. This report presents the protocol for the Learning About My Pain study, one of the first comparative-effectiveness trials funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. Adhering to published standards for clinical trials (e.g. Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Intervention Trials), it provides an overview of the trial (n = 294), comparing cognitive-behavioral and education pain interventions to usual care, and a detailed description of how its methodology reduces the risks from bias.
Formation of heterostructure devices in a multichamber processing environment with in-vacuo surface analysis diagnostics and in-situ process monitoring

This paper addresses issues related to multichamber and in-situ processing of heterostructure electronic devices. We discuss the design and operation of two UHV-compatible multichamber systems one designed for one-inch wafers and a second for three-each wafers. Each of these provides: i) substrate introduction via a load-lock chamber ii) surface preparation by a plasma-assisted surface cleaning process iii) thin film deposition of semiconductors and dielectrics by remote plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (remote PECVD) iv) surface analysis by Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and either reflection high energy or low energy electron diffraction (RHEED or LEED) and v) inter-chamber substrate transfer in a UHV compatible environment (1O8 Torr). These systems have been designed exploit the low temperature ( deposition of electronic-quality thin film dielectrics and semiconductors produced by the remote PECVD process. The combination of remote PECVD film deposition coupled with in-vacuo substrate processing has defined processing windows for the formation of heterojunction devices including: i) gate stacks for crystalline silicon c-Si field effect transistors FET''s ii) amorphous silicon a-Si thin film transistors TFT''s and simple TFT circuits and iii) amorphous and microcrystalline sic-Si silicon p-i-n photovoltaic devices. The effectiveness of single-wafer processing is measured by the ability to produce and to maintain electronic-quality interfaces between the various dielectric and semiconductor films that are utilized in these device structures.
Document image representation using XML technologies

Electronic documents have gained wide acceptance due to the ease of editing and sharing of information. However, paper documents are still widely used in many environments. Moving into a paperless and distributed office has become a major goal for document image research. A new approach for form document representation is presented. This approach allows for electronic document sharing over the World Wide Web (WWW) using Extensible Markup Language (XML) technologies. Each document is mapped into three different views, an XML view to represent the preprinted and filled-in data, an XSL (Extensible style Sheets) view to represent the structure of the document, and a DTD (Document Type Definition) view to represent the document grammar and field constraints. The XML and XSL views are generated from a document template, either automatically using image processing techniques, or semi-automatically with minimal user interaction. The DTD representation may be fixed for general documents or may be generated semi-automatically by mining a number of filled-in document examples. Document templates need to be entered once to create the proposed representation. Afterwards, documents may be displayed, updated, or shared over the web. The merits of this approach are demonstrated using a number of examples of widely used forms.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Potential applications of polymers in the delivery of drugs to the central nervous system

Abstract There is increased need and increased efforts being placed on the discovery of new therapeutic agents effective against central nervous system diseases. Concomitant with the central nervous system drug discovery efforts, there is a need for improved methods for delivering drugs to the brain. The present report reviews the general strategies that have been employed to improve the delivery of drugs across the blood–brain and blood–cerebral spinal fluid barriers, and discusses the potential applications of polymeric drug delivery systems for enhancing the delivery of drugs to the brain.
Surgical repair of gastroesophageal reflux with sliding hiatal hernia

A controlled prospective study of forty-two patients shows it is feasible to correct gastroesophageal reflux complicating sliding hiatal hernia by modifying Allison's repair, using the technic of vertical mattress sutures and Dacron pledgets to approximate the crura and reattach the esophagus to the narrowed hiatus. There was no operative mortality and minimal morbidity. The follow-up period ranges from six to eighty-two months (mean, 38.5 months). One recurrence was noted clinically and verified by esophagogram, esophagoscopy, and motility studies. The remainder have no symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux, and no recurrence has been seen on repeat esophagograms.
Probing red blood cell mechanics, rheology and dynamics with a two-component multi-scale model.

This study is partially motivated by the validation of a new two-component multi-scale cell model we developed recently that treats the lipid bilayer and the cytoskeleton as two distinct components. Here, the whole cell model is validated and compared against several available experiments that examine red blood cell (RBC) mechanics, rheology and dynamics. First, we investigated RBC deformability in a microfluidic channel with a very small cross-sectional area and quantified the mechanical properties of the RBC membrane. Second, we simulated twisting torque cytometry and compared predicted rheological properties of the RBC membrane with experimental measurements. Finally, we modelled the tank-treading (TT) motion of a RBC in a shear flow and explored the effect of channel width variation on the TT frequency. We also investigated the effects of bilayer–cytoskeletal interactions on these experiments and our simulations clearly indicated that they play key roles in the determination of cell membrane mechanical, rheological and dynamical properties. These simulations serve as validation tests and moreover reveal the capabilities and limitations of the new whole cell model.
Targeted therapies: Afatinib--new therapy option for EGFR-mutant lung cancer.

On 15 July 2013, the FDA approved afatinib as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer whose tumours harbour exon 19 deletions or exon 21 (L858R) EGFR substitution mutations. We discuss three recent studies investigating afatinib in this molecular subset of patients.