cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ionic requirements for the active ileal bile salt transport system.

Taurocholate transport by everted ileal gut sacs was studied in physiological media containing graded amounts of sodium ions. Significant uphill transport of taurocholate was observed when the bulk of NaCl was replaced by osmotic equivalents of mannitol or choline chloride. Seventy-seven percent of control transport activity was observed when 36 milliequivalents per liter of Na+ were present in the incubation medium with mannitol acting as the isosmotic replacement, and 74% of the control transport was retained when 31 milliequivalents per liter of Na+ were present in the incubation medium with choline chloride acting as the osmotic replacement. Lowering the Na+ concentration to 19 milliequivalents per liter (i.e., 84% replacement of Na+) still allowed for 69% of the uphill transport observed in the control incubations. Taurodehydrocholate transport by ileal everted sacs was more sensitive to decreased Na+ concentrations; 29% of control transport was observed at 31 milliequivalents per liter of Na+. A kinetic analysis comparing the transport of taurocholate with taurodehydrocholate, the triketo analogue, at different concentrations of Na+ indicated that the apparent affinity of the transport system for Na+ is greater in the presence of taurocholate than in the presence of taurodehydrocholate. The ability of taurodehydrocholate to depress taurocholate transport is less in media of low Na+ concentration. Finally, in vivo intestinal perfusion studies demonstrated that the depression of taurocholate absorption, following Na+ removal, is reversible. These results are in agreement with the idea that Na+ has a physiological role in intestinal bile salt transport, and that the affinities of the anionic bile salt and the sodium cation for the transport system appear to be cooperative in that one enhances the binding of the other.
Mechanism of H2 Production by Models for the [NiFe]-Hydrogenases: Role of Reduced Hydrides.

The intermediacy of a reduced nickel–iron hydride in hydrogen evolution catalyzed by Ni–Fe complexes was verified experimentally and computationally. In addition to catalyzing hydrogen evolution, the highly basic and bulky (dppv)Ni(μ-pdt)Fe(CO)(dppv) ([1]0; dppv = cis-C2H2(PPh2)2) and its hydride derivatives have yielded to detailed characterization in terms of spectroscopy, bonding, and reactivity. The protonation of [1]0 initially produces unsym-[H1]+, which converts by a first-order pathway to sym-[H1]+. These species have C1 (unsym) and Cs (sym) symmetries, respectively, depending on the stereochemistry of the octahedral Fe site. Both experimental and computational studies show that [H1]+ protonates at sulfur. The S = 1/2 hydride [H1]0 was generated by reduction of [H1]+ with Cp*2Co. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that [H1]0 is best described as a Ni(I)–Fe(II) derivative with significant spin density on Ni and some delocalization on S and Fe. EPR spectroscopy reveals both kineti...
Applications of Doubled Haploidy for Improving Industrial Oilseeds

Abstract Crop improvement is essential to meet the demands of a changing world (eg, increased population, climate change, and decreasing land base). Plant breeding programs are continuously striving to increase crop yield, enhance crop quality, and improve crop tolerance to diseases and pests. It takes approximately 10 years to develop a new crop variety, although this depends on the species. The traditional plant breeding methods involve the time-consuming process of self-fertilization or back-crossing in order to produce homozygous lines. Doubled haploid (DH) production is the quickest method for developing homozygous breeding lines (as reviewed in Ferrie and Mollers, 2011). The production of DH lines from microspores or ovules makes it possible to obtain stable homozygous lines in a single step. This chapter provides an overview of in vitro DH methods for improving oilseeds intended for industrial purposes. The focus will be on Brassica , other cruciferous, Apiaceae, and Compositae species, because little or no DH work has been done on other potential industrial oilseeds.
A decomposition-based uncertainty quantification approach for environmental impacts of aviation technology and operation

As a measure to manage the climate impact of aviation, significant enhancements to aviation technologies and operations are necessary. When assessing these enhancements and their respective impacts on the climate, it is important that we also quantify the associated uncertainties. This is important to support an effective decision and policymaking process. However, such quantification of uncertainty is challenging, especially in a complex system that comprises multiple interacting components. The uncertainty quantification task can quickly become computationally intractable and cumbersome for one individual or group to manage. Recognizing the challenge of quantifying uncertainty in multicomponent systems, we utilize a divide-and-conquer approach, inspired by the decomposition-based approaches used in multidisciplinary analysis and optimization. Specifically, we perform uncertainty analysis and global sensitivity analysis of our multicomponent aviation system in a decomposition-based manner. In this work, we demonstrate how to handle a high-dimensional multicomponent interface using sensitivity-based dimension reduction and a novel importance sampling method. Our results demonstrate that the decomposition-based uncertainty quantification approach can effectively quantify the uncertainty of a feed-forward multicomponent system for which the component models are housed in different locations and owned by different groups.
Energy Bands by the LCAO Cellular Method

Conceptually, the most simple method for solving the energy band problem is the cellular method in which one solves the Schrodinger equation within the unit cell and imposes boundary conditions on the solution at the surface of the unit cell thereby introducing the wave vector dependence of the energy. Computationally, the implementation of this method and the subsequent use of the resulting wave functions suffer from complications associated with the shape of the unit cell. In terms of compactness and the functional form of the wave functions, the LCAO method as employed by Lafon and Lin is the most simple. Although the LCAO method is only an approximate method, these authors have shown that the conduction band of lithium can be reproduced using only the Bloch sums of atomic 1s, 2s and 2p functions to an accuracy of about 0.01 rydbergs1. Furthermore, the atomic functions used in this calculation were each linear combinations of two Slater orbitals with coefficients and orbital exponents chosen so as to approximate the numerical Hartree-Fock orbitals. It is reasonable to expect that considerably greater accuracy could be obtained without increasing the number of Slater orbitals used to represent the Bloch function at a given point in the Brillouin zone by varying the linear coefficients and orbital exponents at each point to minimize the one-electron energy.
Selectivity of nicosulfuron and primisulfuron in three annual grasses

Research was conducted to elucidate niechanism(s) of nicosulfuron and primisulfuron selectivity in com, woolly cupgrass and shattercane. Com absorbed less than one half the nicosulfiiron and primisulfuron that woolly cupgrass and shattercane absorbed. Acetolactate synthase (ALS) isolated from three species responded similarly to nicosulfuron and primisulfuron. Values for 50% (Ijo) inhibition of ALS for nicosulfuron were 36.9, 37.2 and 29.5 nM for com, woolly cupgrass and shattercane, respectively. Primisulfuron Ijo values were 13.8,11.5 and 10.0 nM for com, woolly cupgrass and shattercane, respectively. The shattercane I50 was statistically different than the com but not the woolly cupgrass IJQ. Com rapidly metabolized both nicosulfijron and primisulfuron, with a half-life of less than 4 h. Shattercane metabolized the herbicides more slowly, with a half-life of greater than 72 h for nicosulfiiron and 36 h for primisulfuron. Nicosulfuron and primisulfuron half-lives were greater than 72 h and less than 4 h in woolly cupgrass. Therefore, selectivity with *Grad. Res. Asst. and Prof, respectively. Agronomy Dept., Iowa State Univ., Ames, IA,50011-1010.
Sex-specific differences in primary neonatal murine lung fibroblasts exposed to hyperoxia in vitro: implications for bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease of the neonate characterized by impaired alveolarization and vascular growth. BPD is more common in premature male infants, but the reason...
An Early Investigation into Possible Alternatives to Stapled Hysterotomy in Open Fetal Surgery

Purpose We hypothesized that surgical energy could be used to create hysterotomies in open fetal surgery. Study Design Initial studies compared the LigaSure Impact and Harmonic ACE + 7 Shears in the efficiency of hysterotomy and thermal damage. Pregnant ewes at an estimated gestational age (EGA) of 116 to 120 days (term = 145; n = 7) underwent hysterotomy using either device. Hysterotomy edges were resected, and thermal injury extent was determined by histopathological assessment. Upon determining a superior device, subsequent studies compared this to the AutoSuture Premium Poly CS*-57 Stapler in uterine healing. Pregnant ewes (n = 6) at an EGA of 87 to 93 days underwent 6-cm hysterotomy in each gravid horn with either the stapler (n = 5) or Harmonic (n = 5) followed by closure and animal recovery. After 37 to 42 days, uterine healing was assessed by evaluating tensile strength and histopathology. Results Thermal damage was more extensive with the LigaSure (n = 11 hysterotomies) than with the Harmonic (n = 11; 5.6 ± 1 vs. 3.1 ± 0.6 mm; p Conclusion The Harmonic ACE + 7 caused less thermal injury than the LigaSure Impact and performed similar to the CS*-57 Stapler in uterine healing with continued gestation.
Monolithic integration of transition metal oxide multiple quantum wells on silicon (001)

The SrTiO3/LaAlO3 (STO/LAO) system has been the subject of intense research efforts since the discovery of a two-dimensional electron gas at the interface of these two band insulators. However, recent reports have focused on the system's optical properties arising from the huge 2.4 eV conduction band offset between STO and LAO and the ability to confine charge carriers in STO quantum wells. While the STO/LAO system shows promise for use in a variety of next-generation optical and electro-optical devices, the technological compatibility of such devices relies in large part on the successful integration of high-quality STO/LAO quantum structures on silicon. In this report, we demonstrate the monolithic integration of STO/LAO multiple quantum wells on silicon (001) with molecular beam epitaxy. Our electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy results indicate the excellent crystalline quality with which these heterostructures can be fabricated. We consider the correlated strain and thermal mechanisms at play in our heterostructures and how they contribute to heterostructure growth. Furthermore, we discuss general considerations for the deposition of other complex transition metal oxide heterostructures on silicon. Our results support the potential for STO/LAO quantum structures to find use in next-generation optical devices, including integrated sensors, light sources, and photonics.
The Role of Nitric Oxide in Hyperalgesia

There is now a great deal of evidence that nitric oxide (NO) plays a role in synaptic transmission in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. NO is a small, reactive, gaseous molecule with a short half-life that is, under most circumstances, produced on demand. In the CNS, the enzyme NO synthase (NOS) requires activation of a calmodulin-sensitive site on the enzyme by intracellular Ca2+ in the presence of NADPH, tetrahydorbiopterin, FAD and FMN to produce NO and L-citrulline from free L-arginine and molecular oxygen.13
Advancing Pharmacist Collaborative Care within Academic Health Systems.

Introduction: The scope of pharmacy practice has evolved over the last few decades to focus on the optimization of medication therapy. Despite this positive impact, the lack of reimbursement remains a significant barrier to the implementation of innovative pharmacist practice models. Summary: We describe the successful development, implementation and outcomes of three types of pharmacist collaborative care models: (1) a pharmacist with physician oversight, (2) pharmacist–interprofessional teams and (3) physician–pharmacist teams. The outcome measurement of these pharmacist care models varied from the design phase to patient volume measurement and to comprehensive quality dashboards. All of these practice models have been successfully funded by affiliated health systems or grants. Conclusions: The expansion of pharmacist services delivered by clinical faculty has several benefits to affiliated health systems: (1) significant improvements in patient care quality, (2) access to experts in specialty areas, and (3) the dissemination of outcomes with national and international recognition, increasing the visibility of the health system.
A 65-Year-Old Man with Asymmetrical Leg Weakness and Foot Tingling

Myofibrillar myopathies are a group of heterogeneous genetic myopathies that share distinct muscle pathology features. Age of symptom onset is variable, but many cases are of adult onset and the onset is often late. The disease may predominantly affect distal limb muscles especially the lower limbs. Serum creatine kinase level is normal or mildly elevated. Electromyography often shows myopathic changes in the affected muscles. A superimposed distal polyneuropathy is common. Cardiac involvement is also common, which requires a thorough cardiac evaluation and management. Muscle biopsy plays a key role in the diagnosis of a myofibrillar myopathy. Subsequent genetic testing can identify genetic causes in many patients but not all. Management is mainly supportive. Here we present a case of myofibrillar myopathy to illustrate the disease and muscle pathology features.
Quality information disclosure and health insurance demand: evidence from VA hospital report cards

This study examines the effect of public reporting of quality information on the demand for public insurance. In particular, we examine the effect of the introduction of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital quality report cards in 2008. Using data from the Current Population Survey in 2005-2015, we find that new information about the quality of a VA hospital had a significant effect on VA coverage among veterans living in the same Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). Despite the significant effect on VA coverage, the quality report did not have a spillover effect on veterans' labor supply. Moreover, updated quality information released in later years, which was presented in a less straightforward form, led to no additional changes in VA coverage. These findings suggest that quality reports for public insurance programs can be used as a policy lever to facilitate take up decision among potential beneficiaries.
Size Dependent Particle Removal Efficiency and Pressure Drop of a Dust Cleaning Material For Use as Facemask Filters for Protection during COVID-19

Abstract COVID-19 pandemic has caused a severe demand for facemasks, and this has resulted in the use of those made from alternate media. As SARS-CoV-2 spreads primarily due to airborne droplets, it is critical to verify the filtration efficiency of these alternate media based facemasks. While several media are being tested and used, commercially available dust cleaners have shown reasonable filtration efficiency. This may also be due to the potential electrostatic charge on the surface which enhances capture of the fine particles. In this manuscript, we report the size dependent filtration efficiency studied systematically in a filter holder-based system as 47 mm punches; and test results on a mannequin that was 3D printed wearing a bandana mask that was placed in a chamber.
Effective screening of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies in patient serum using lentivirus particles pseudotyped with SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein

Pseuodotyped particles have significant importance and use in virology as tools for studying the biology of highly pathogenic viruses in a lower biosafety environment. The biological, chemical, and serological studies of the recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 will be greatly aided by the development and optimization of a suitable pseudotyping system. Here, we pseudotyped the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein (SPG) on a traditional retroviral (MMLV) as well as a third generation lentiviral (pLV) vector and tested the transduction efficiency in several mammalian cell lines expressing SARS-CoV-2 receptor hACE2. While MMLV pseudotyped the vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoprotein (VSV-G) efficiently, it could not pseudotype the full-length SPG. In contrast, pLV pseudotyped both glycoproteins efficiently; however, much higher titers of pLV-G particles were produced. Among all the tested mammalian cells, 293Ts expressing hACE2 were most efficiently transduced using the pLV-S system. The pLV-S particles were efficiently neutralized by diluted serum (>:640) from recently recovered COVID-19 patients who showed high SARS-CoV-2 specific IgM and IgG levels. In summary, pLV-S pseudotyped virus provides a valid screening tool for the presence of anti SARS-CoV-2 specific neutralizing antibodies in convalescent patient serum.
Bayesian estimation of stochastic tail index from high-frequency financial data

Tails of the return distribution of an asset are informative about the (financial) risk behavior of that asset. Stochastic tail index (STI) models are designed to quantify riskiness by estimating a time-varying tail index from the distribution of extreme values using high-frequency financial data. In this paper, we propose a computationally efficient Bayesian estimation method for STI models based on the recent advances in band and sparse matrix algorithms. We then show how the deviance information criterion (DIC) can be calculated from the integrated likelihood function for model comparison exercises. In a Monte Carlo study, we investigate the finite sample properties of the Bayesian estimator as well as the performance of two DIC measures. Our results show that the Bayesian estimator performs sufficiently well and the DIC measures based on the integrated likelihood function are useful for model selection exercises. In an empirical application, we illustrate calculation of the tail index using high-frequency data on IBM stock returns. Our estimation results indicate that the daily tail index of the return distribution of IBM stock has a time-varying feature: It tends to decline when there are large losses, whereas it tends to increase when there are small losses.
Place-Based Philosophical Activism on the US–Mexico Border

Before the Department of Homeland Security instituted the Migrant Protection Protocols in January 2019, as many as 1,000 Central American refugees passed each day through Catholic Charities’ Humanitarian Respite Center, where they received food, clothing, a shower, toiletries, and sandwiches for the road. Sister Norma Pimentel founded the Humanitarian Respite Center in 2014 to “restore human dignity” to refugees who had been degraded and vilified during their dangerous journeys north, not least by way of their processing by the US government. Sister Norma has inspired countless people, including me, to engage with the community as a form of place-based philosophical activism, that is, of situated and engaged teaching, scholarship, and service. In this essay I read Sister Norma as a feminist pragmatist in the historical and philosophical lineage of Jane Addams, and I aim to provide an example of how a feminist-pragmatist approach can support and encourage philosophical activism in our communities. Feminist scholars can learn from feminist pragmatism the importance of “being-with,” “sympathetic understanding,” and “a larger social impulse.” Feminist pragmatism encourages academics to become place-based philosophical activists who use their teaching, research, and service in order to press for social justice.
Molecular Evolution of Phototransduction Pathway Genes in Nocturnal and Diurnal Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae).

Most organisms are dependent on sensory cues from their environment for survival and reproduction. Fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) represent an ideal system for studying sensory niche adaptation due to many species relying on bioluminescent communication; as well as a diversity of ecologies. Here; using transcriptomics; we examine the phototransduction pathway in this non-model organism; and provide some of the first evidence for positive selection in the phototransduction pathway beyond opsins in beetles. Evidence for gene duplications within Lampyridae are found in inactivation no afterpotential C and inactivation no afterpotential D. We also find strong support for positive selection in arrestin-2; inactivation no afterpotential D; and transient receptor potential-like; with weak support for positive selection in guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(q) subunit alpha and neither inactivation nor afterpotential C. Taken with other recent work in flies; butterflies; and moths; this represents an exciting new avenue of study as we seek to further understand diversification and constraint on the phototransduction pathway in light of organism ecology.
Cosmopolitan philology

This essay studies the Arabic-English Lexicon (1863–1893), a monumental dictionary of classical Arabic created by Edward William Lane (1801–1876), in order to discuss the constitution of Arabic as a cosmopolitan language. And it examines parenthetically the efforts made by novelist and newspaperman Aḥmad Fāris al-Shidyāq (1804–1887) to rejuvenate Arabic as a modern cosmopolitan language. Because it is not connected to contemporary usage in a specific region, a cosmopolitan language – like literary Arabic – is able to maintain a dynamic connection between multiple historical eras. Its historical scope is viewed as a weakness by national language ideology, which promotes the mother tongue as the only viable literary language. The essay focuses instead on the celebration of the historical richness of the cosmopolitan language by its champions and practitioners, like Lane and al-Shidyāq.
Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition of α-Ga2O3 and α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 thin films on m-plane sapphire substrates

Single α-phase (AlxGa1−x)2O3 thin films are grown on m-plane sapphire (α-Al2O3) substrates via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. By systematically tuning the growth parameters including the precursor molar flow rates, chamber pressure, and growth temperature, the epitaxial growth of high-quality phase pure α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 films (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) is demonstrated with smooth surface morphologies and alloy homogeneities by comprehensive material characterization. The asymmetrical reciprocal space mapping reveals fully relaxed films for α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 films with x ≤ 0.5. The coherent growth of α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3/α-Al2O3 superlattice structures is demonstrated with abrupt interfaces and uniform Al distribution for higher Al compositions at x = 0.78 in the α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 layer. The influence of growth parameters, such as growth temperature and chamber pressure, on the phase stabilization and Al incorporation in the α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 films is investigated. While lower growth temperatures facilitate the phase stabilization of α-Ga2O3 thin films, lower chamber pressure leads to higher Al incorporation in α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 films. High resolution x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was utilized for determining the Al compositions and bandgaps of α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3. Furthermore, the evolution of the valance and conduction band offsets at α-Al2O3/α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3 heterojunctions is evaluated with the variation of Al compositions, which reveals the formation of type-I (straddling) band alignment between α-Al2O3 and α-(AlxGa1−x)2O3.
The Effect of Label Information on Farmers’ Pesticide Choice

The general objective of this study was to analyze the effect of labeling information on farmers’ herbicide choice. Herbicide choices made by farmers were used to estimate their willingness to pay for different herbicide attributes. Estimation results indicate that human health and environmental statements displayed on pesticide labels (which reflect higher level of risk) are important components in herbicide selection. For example, it is estimated that farmers are willing to pay, on average, $27 per acre to avoid using an herbicide with the word “Warning” and $38 per acre to avoid using an herbicide with the word “Danger.”
Controls on Fault‐Zone Architecture in Poorly Lithified Sediments, Rio Grande Rift, New Mexico: Implications for Fault‐Zone Permeability and Fluid Flow

We have studied the geometry and continuity of structures and diagenetic features of a normal growth fault in poorly lithified sediments. Fault-zone width and complexity vary spatially with the grain-size distribution of faulted beds. The fault zone is narrow and structurally simple where it cuts either thick beds with >20% clay and silt, or thin beds that alternate between >20% and ≤20% clay and silt. Where the majority of beds juxtaposed by the fault are ≥80% sand and gravel, and clay beds are thin and rare, the fault zone is wide and structurally complex. In all cases, the fault zone can be divided into three architectural elements. The core includes the primary slip surface(s) and a nearly continuous clay smear 0.3 - 32 cm wide. It is flanked by structurally and lithologically heterogeneous mixed zones, which include material derived from adjacent sediments during fault movement. Mixed zone sediments vary from little deformed to well foliated, tectonically mixed material within which bedding has been destroyed. The mixed zones are bound by damage zones, within which deformation was confined to minor faults and folds. Grain-size and structural variations among these elements lead us to conclude that they have hydrologic significance. In addition, the fault zone is preferentially cemented with respect to adjacent sediments. We use degree of cementation as a proxy for fluid flux, and patterns of cementation as a record of paleo-flow pathways. Extensive sparry calcite cement is typically confined to coarse-grained sediments in the hanging wall (basinward) mixed zone. Steeply plunging, elongate patterns of cement are interpreted to record subvertical groundwater flow at the time of precipitation. As regional flow is inferred to have occurred roughly from the margins to the center of the basin at the time of cementation, these relationships indicate a combination of cross-fault and subvertical, fault-parallel flow.
Silicon carbon alloy thin film depositions using electron cyclotron resonance microwave plasmas

Amorphous and microcrystalline silicon carbon films (a-SiC:H, mu c-SiC:H) have been deposited using SiH/sub 4/, CH/sub 4/ and H/sub 2/ mixed gas ECR (electron cyclotron resonance) plasmas. The optical bandgap of a-SiC:H films is not dependent on the hydrogen dilution in the ECR plasma. The deposition rate of a-SiC:H films is found to be strongly dependent on the ECR magnetic field and the hydrogen dilution The hydrogen dilution effect on the deposition rate indicates that the etching in ECR hydrogen plasmas plays an important role in the deposition of a-SiC:H films. The optical constants n and k of ECR-deposited a-SiC:H films in the wavelength region of 0.4 to 1.0 mu m are determined to be 2.03-1.90 and 0.04-0.00, respectively. The microstructures of ECR-deposited mu c-SiC:H films are shown by X-ray diffraction and SEM, (scanning electron microscopy) to be composed of 1000-A alpha -SiC microcrystallites and amorphous network structures. >
Phase II Clinical Investigation of Gemcitabine in Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcomas and Window Evaluation of Dose Rate on Gemcitabine Triphosphate Accumulation

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy, toxicity, and optimal dose rate of gemcitabine in adult patients with advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS) by comparing levels of gemcitabine triphosphate (GTP) in peripheral-blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients receiving two different dose rates. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six assessable patients with STS (17 gastrointestinal [GI] leiomyosarcomas and 39 other histologies) were treated on a two-arm phase II study. Gemcitabine was given at 1 g/m2 as a 30-minute infusion weekly for up to 7 weeks followed by 1 week of rest and reassessment of tumor. Subsequent cycles were given at 1 g/m2 weekly for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest. Nine patients underwent cellular pharmacologic studies at two different dose rates (1 g/m2 over a standard 30-minute infusion on week 1 and over pharmacologically based infusion of 150 minutes on week 2) to evaluate GTP levels in PBMCs. RESULTS: Seven partial responses were noted among 39 patients, for an overall response rate of 18% (95...
A Long-Term Study of Reversible and Progressive Urinary Bladder Cancer Lesions in Rats Fed N-[4-(5-Nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide

Hyperplasia and, ultimately, neoplasia of bladder epithelium were produced by feeding 0.2% N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT) to weaning male Fischer rats. Hyperplasia induced by FANFT feeding for 2, 4, or 6 weeks, followed by feeding control diet until the end of the 84-week experiment, was reversible, and at the end of the experiment bladder epithelium in these animals was normal by light and scanning electron microscopy. Hyperplasia produced by 8 or more weeks of FANFT feeding was irreversible and by 84 weeks had resulted in bladder tumors in all animals fed FANFT for 12 or more weeks and in 4 of 5 and 6 of 7 animals fed FANFT for 8 and 10 weeks, respectively. The epithelial changes after 6 and 8 weeks of FANFT were similar by light microscopy but different by scanning electron microscopy. Pleomorphic microvilli seen with scanning electron microscopy are the hallmark of irreversible, and possibly progressive, epithelial proliferative change.
Evaluation of modified body force (MBF) model for rapid air flow modeling through perforated tiles

Perforated floor tiles are used to supply cooling air from a subfloor pressurized plenum to server racks in raised floor data centers. Consideration of momentum rise due to acceleration of air through pores is critical for correctly predicting the flow field downstream of a perforated tile. The momentum rise could be captured by either directly resolving the tile pore structure (geometrical resolution model, GR) or simulated by artificially specifying a momentum source above the tile surface (modified body force model, MBF). Artificial specification of the momentum source obviates the need of resolving the tile pore geometry and hence requires considerably lower computational effort. In our previous investigation, we showed close agreement between the MBF and the GR model for different pore sizes, porosities and edge blockages. In this paper we further evaluate the MBF model for different pore patterns, air flow rates, tile thickness, small pore sizes, anterior blockage and presence of an adjacent server rack. From the GR model, it was observed that the flow field was very similar for staggered and aligned pores and for the range of air flow rates investigated. Thicker tiles resulted in lower pressure loss and lower air entrainment in the downstream. Small tile pores resulted in minimal excess downstream momentum and hence very low air entrainment. Anterior dampers increased the tile pressure loss but had negligible effect on air entrainment. MBF model was able to capture the trends predicted by the GR model and a close agreement between the two models was obtained. MBF model showed promise for modeling complex tile geometries with significantly lower computational effect.
Pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD enhances cell death in RAW246.7 macrophages

Even though the pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD has been widely used as an anti-apoptotic agent, inefficient prevention or even enhancement of cell death has been reported in certain cells. To further investigate its effects on cell death, three different cell types were exposed to various apoptotic stimuli in the presence or absence of zVAD. In Jurkat cells, zVAD protected against cell death induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and etoposide, whereas in L929 cells cell death was increased. In RAW246.7 macrophages, zVAD showed similar effects as in L929 cells. However, unlike L929 cells, in which the cell death by TNF is known to be necrosis, RAW246.7 cells manifested features of apoptosis such as chromatin condensation and nuclear fragmentation. Induction of cell death by zVAD in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW246.7 cells also showed the same features as those observed in SNP- and etoposide-treated cells. Initiation of an apoptotic process by zVAD not only disputes the sole role of caspases in apoptosis but also suggests an anti-apoptotic function of certain caspase(s). Death of LPS-activated macrophages may be controlled by an anti-apoptotic caspase.
Behavioral evidence for the rapid release of CNS serotonin by PCA and fenfluramine.

Abstract Administration of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) (2.5–10.0 mg/kg) or fenfluramine (FF) (5.0–15.0 mg/kg) to rats induces a behavioral syndrome — consisting of tremor, rigidity, Straub tail, hindlimb abduction, lateral head weaving and reciprocal forepaw treading — which is a reflection of the activity of central serotonin-mediated synapses. The syndrome appears within 3–5 min following i.p. administration of PCA or FF, and the syndrome-inducing effects of PCA and FF are blocked by prior depletion of serotinin with p-chlorophenylalanine. By contrast, the syndrome-inducing effect of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-M-DMT), which directly stimulates postsynaptic serotonin receptors, is not changed by prior serotonin depletion. Catecholamine depletion with α-methyl-p-tyrosine produces essentially no change in the syndrome-inducing effects of PCA, FF or 5-M-DMT. These data indicate that the initial effect of PCA or FF administration is the rapid functional release of stored serotonin/
Competitive Athletes: Preinjury and Postinjury Mood State and Self-Esteem

In a prospective study, we determined whether preinjury and postinjury differences existed in the mood state and self-esteem of competitive athletes. The influence of severity of injury, gender, level of participation in sports, and type of sport on these dependent variables was also measured. Among 238 male and 38 female athletes from hockey, basketball, baseball, and volleyball teams, 36 sustained 43 injuries. Significant postinjury increases were noted for depression (P
Semantic-Based Access Control for Data Resources in Open Grid Services Architecture: Data Access and Integration OGSA-DAI

This paper proposes a semantic-based access control system for the data resources in the Open Grid Services Architecture-Data Access and Integration OGSA-DAI. OGSA-DAI is a widely used middleware for integrating data resources in Grids. However, the identity-based access control in OGSA-DAI causes substantial overhead for the resource providers in virtual organizations VOs, because the access control information of individual users has to be maintained by each resource provider. To solve these problems, the authors propose a semantic-based access control system using Shibboleth and ontology. Shibboleth, an attribute authorization service, is used to manage the user attributes, and the Web Ontology Language OWL is used to represent the ontology of the data resources and users. By using ontology, VOs can resolve the differences in their terminologies and specify access control policies based on concepts and user roles, instead of individual resources and user identities. As a result, the administration overhead of the resource providers is reduced considerably. In addition, the eXtensible Access Control Markup Language XACML is used to specify the access control policies uniformly across multiple VOs. The authors also developed an XACML policy administration tool that allows the administrators to create, update, and manage XACML policies. The performance analysis shows that our proposed system adds only a small overhead to the existing security mechanism of OGSA-DAI.
Examining the Landscape of Indiana’s Nonprofit Sector Does What You Know Depend on Where You Look?

The authors examine technical aspects of surveying nonprofits to determine whether inferences about characteristics of the sector depend on how samples are selected. Using a stratified sample drawn from a comprehensive nonprofit database, they analyze how major profile features of the nonprofit sector vary by sampling source and by how broadly researchers define the sector. The results reveal significant differences in the accuracy, completeness, and response rates associated with alternative sampling sources. Nonprofits found on multiple listings respond at higher rates and are more formalized than those found on only one sampling source, and sampling sources vary in the profiles they generate for the nonprofit sector. The authors conclude that researchers who wish to generalize their findings to the full nonprofit sector should consider the list of incorporated nonprofits as a sampling frame—it is among the most efficient and produces the fewest distortions in nonprofit profile features.
Creating an academic library for the twenty-first century

The UC Merced library is not wed to any particular technology and will abandon any technology when its time has passed.
Accumulation of Rhodopsin in Late Endosomes Triggers Photoreceptor Cell Degeneration

Progressive retinal degeneration is the underlying feature of many human retinal dystrophies. Previous work using Drosophila as a model system and analysis of specific mutations in human rhodopsin have uncovered a connection between rhodopsin endocytosis and retinal degeneration. In these mutants, rhodopsin and its regulatory protein arrestin form stable complexes, and endocytosis of these complexes causes photoreceptor cell death. In this study we show that the internalized rhodopsin is not degraded in the lysosome but instead accumulates in the late endosomes. Using mutants that are defective in late endosome to lysosome trafficking, we were able to show that rhodopsin accumulates in endosomal compartments in these mutants and leads to light-dependent retinal degeneration. Moreover, we also show that in dying photoreceptors the internalized rhodopsin is not degraded but instead shows characteristics of insoluble proteins. Together these data implicate buildup of rhodopsin in the late endosomal system as a novel trigger of death of photoreceptor neurons.
Volcano Plots and Effective Reversible Potentials for Oxygen Electroreduction

It has recently been found that there are ideal values for O, OH, and OOH Gibbs adsorption bond strengths to a catalyst that will allow each electron transfer step to have 1.23 V for its reversible potential. In the case of Pt(111), the bond strengths are too high by ~0.9 eV for O and ~0.7 eV for OH and too small by ~0.4 eV for OOH. These discrepancies result in OOH(ads) dissociation to O(ads) + OH(ads) being ~1.2 eV exergonic. The lost Gibbs energy causes the reversible potential for the four-electron reduction on Pt(111) to have a value of ~0.9 V, which is called the effective reversible potential. Volcano plots of activity measured at around 0.9 V depend on the adsorption energies scaling, that is, if one increases they all increase, or if one decreases they all decrease. Volcano plots have been drawn for several transition metal catalysts and platinum and platinum alloy catalysts in the pioneering work of Appleby, Mukerjee, and Adzic and have been seen by many other workers. Although they allow grading the active catalysts in the high overpotential region where reduction current flows, they do not point the direction to better catalysts that will operate at potentials approaching 1.23 V. The search should be for new catalysts which with the right balance of OOH, O, and OH adsorption energies.
Entry force and intra-abdominal pressure associated with six laparoscopic trocar-cannula systems: a randomized comparison.

Abstract Objective: In trocar-cannula systems, increased entry force could result in loss of operator control, a potential cause of serious visceral and vascular injuries. We developed a system to measure entry force and intraperitoneal pressure to evaluate and compare trocar-cannula systems. Methods: Six laparoscopic trocar-cannula systems of similar diameter (12 mm) were tested (two pyramidal, two cutting-dilating, and two blunt conical) using a white swine model. All six systems were inserted into each of 12 subjects with location designated by random allotment (72 insertions). During each insertion, intraperitoneal pressure and entry force were measured using a system consisting of a gas-gas transducer, a 50-lb load cell, and a multichannel data acquisition board. Mean entry force and intraperitoneal pressure were compared using mixed-model analysis of variance. Results: Mean entry force measurements were as follows: pyramidal 9.01 lb and 13.48 lb, cutting-dilating 9.94 lb and 16.46 lb, and blunt conical 19.15 lb and 31.91 lb. Intraperitoneal pressure changes generally reflected measured entry force. Conclusion: The system successfully measured both entry force and resultant intraperitoneal pressure. Pyramidal trocar-cannula systems required the lowest force for entry. These differences in entry force have potential clinical implications related to the risk of visceral and vascular injury. Intraperitoneal pressure measurement could be used as a surrogate for insertional force measurement.
Biochemical composition of the blue crab Callinectes sapidus exposed to the water-soluble fraction of crude oil

The biochemical composition of juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, exposed to sublethal concentrations of the water-soluble fraction of South Louisiana crude oil (0 to 2 504 ppb) for 21 d were examined. Although growth took place in all crabs, tissue content varied inversely with exposure concentration while percentage tissue water varied directly with exposure concentration. Total protein, lipid and RNA content of crabs exposed to crude oil were significantly less than that of control crabs by Day 21. DNA content was not significantly different from that of control crabs, suggesting that the difference in tissue content was due to differences in cell volume and not cell number. There were no consistent differences in the concentration of the major biochemical components, indicating that the relative contribution of each of the components remained stable during the period of sublethal stress. Ratios of RNA:DNA and protein:DNA decreased in exposed crabs and were positively correlated with scope for growth and observed growth. The ratios may be useful as indirect indicators of physiological condition. Analysis of lipid classes indicated that structural lipids in stressed crabs were less affected than were lipids used for energy storage. The changes in biochemical composition suggest that the pattern of energy utilization was altered in crabs exposed to crude oil. Growth in size without comparable growth in tissue resulted in decreased tissue content. Available energy was used for growth, with little being stored in lipid reserves.
The .NET Compact Framework

The .NET Compact Framework lets developers easily and efficiently build robust applications that call XML Web services, thereby letting end users effectively access remote data, cache it locally for use when offline, and interact with it via rich user interfaces. This paper highlights the .NET Compact Framework's design goals, sheds light on what the first version contains, and speculates on future directions.
FACTORS RELATED TO LONGISSIMUS TENDERNESS AMONG ALTERNATE METHODS OF LEAN BEEF PRODUCTION

A 23 factorial arrangement of treatments comparing bull versus steer, Angus versus Limousin, and zeranol implanted versus nonimplanted controls was used as a data source for this trial. Bulls had less intramuscular lipid and more total collagen than steers. Limousin had less intramuscular lipid, shorter sarcomere lengths and a higher percentage of fast-twitch glycolytic fibers than Angus cattle. Limousin and implanted cattle had more rapid postmortem temperature declines. Chemical, physical and histological traits as well as yield and quality grade traits were used in correlation procedures to examine their relationship with sensory panel tenderness and Warner-Bratzler shear force values of longissimus muscle steaks. The results of this trial indicate that postmortem muscle temperature decline plays a role in longissimus palatability and must be considered in the production of leaner beef.
Simultaneous curve registration and clustering for functional data

Study of dynamic processes in many areas of science has led to the appearance of functional data sets. It is often the case that individual trajectories vary both in the amplitude space and in the time space. We develop a coherent clustering procedure that allows for temporal aligning. Under this framework, closed form solutions of an EM type learning algorithm are derived. The method can be applied to all types of curve data but is particularly useful when phase variation is present. We demonstrate the method by both simulation studies and an application to human growth curves.
Dynamics of drop deformation and formation during secondary breakup in the bag breakup regime

Secondary drop breakup in the bag breakup regime was studied experimentally. The properties of the parent drop, as well as the properties of drops formed by secondary breakup, were measured as a function of time for shockwave-initiated disturbances in air at normal temperature and pressure. The test liquids included water, ethyl alcohol, and various glycerol mixtures to yield Weber numbers of 13-20, liquid/gas density ratios of 633-893, Ohnesorge numbers of 0.0043-0.0427, and Reynolds numbers of 1550-2150. Measurements involved single- and double-pulse shadowgraphy and holography to yield the structure, size, and velocity of the parent drop, and the sizes and velocities of drops produced by secondary breakup, as a function of time during the breakup process. The parent drop undergoes significant deformation and lateral growth during breakup, forming a thin bag having a basal ring that is characteristic of the bag breakup regime. The ring contains roughly 60 percent of the initial drop volume and eventually yields drops having mean diameters of roughly 30 percent of the initial drop diameter by a Rayleigh breakup process; drop size variations of these ring drops increase with increasing Weber numbers due to the formation of large 'node' drops that are characteristic of the onset of the multimode breakup regime. (Author)
Nanoscale amphiphilic macromolecules with variable lipophilicity and stereochemistry modulate inhibition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein uptake.

Amphiphilic macromolecules (AMs) based on carbohydrate domains functionalized with poly(ethylene glycol) can inhibit the uptake of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and counteract foam cell formation, a key characteristic of early atherogenesis. To investigate the influence of lipophilicity and stereochemistry on the AMs’ physicochemical and biological properties, mucic acid-based AMs bearing four aliphatic chains (2a) and tartaric acid-based AMs bearing two (2b and 2l) and four aliphatic chains (2g and 2k) were synthesized and evaluated. Solution aggregation studies suggested that both the number of hydrophobic arms and the length of the hydrophobic domain impact AM micelle sizes, whereas stereochemistry impacts micelle stability. 2l, the meso analogue of 2b, elicited the highest reported oxLDL uptake inhibition values (89%), highlighting the crucial effect of stereochemistry on biological properties. This study suggests that stereochemistry plays a critical role in modulating oxLDL uptake and mus...