cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Release of cell surface proteoglycans from differentiating colon cells proceeds by cleavage of lipophilic anchor peptides.

Heparan sulphate proteoglycans are rapidly released from VACO 10MS colon cancer cells that are triggered with phorbol esters to undergo terminal differentiation. This lag-free temperature-sensitive process is correlated with a conversion of the lipophilic proteoglycans of the cell surface into non-lipophilic proteoglycans that accumulate in the culture medium. The released proteoglycans are very similar to their lipophilic precursors in size, buoyant density and glycosaminoglycan characteristics; however, they exhibit slightly smaller core proteins after chemical and enzymic deglycosylation. The lipophilicity of the larger-sized core proteins of the cell-associated proteoglycans is also correlated with the presence of an easily iodinatable domain; this domain is missing in the released proteoglycans. Exogenous proteases (i.e. chymotrypsin, V8, trypsin and proteinase K) readily cleave this segment from the larger protease-resistant region of the proteoglycan structure. It is also released intact by treatment of the isolated proteoglycans with methanolic HCl. This component appears to be peptide in character, in that proteases readily degrade it and release iodotyrosines when the precursor has been iodinated. No evidence for the presence of covalently attached fatty acids in the cell-associated proteoglycans was found. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the altered proteoglycan metabolism that is associated with the phorbol-ester-induced terminal differentiation of certain human colon cancer cells ensues upon the activation of a membrane-localized protease that cleaves a lipophilic anchor segment from the cell surface proteoglycans.
First recorded observations of conspecific egg and nestling consumption in common ravens (Corvus corax)

We observed cannibalism, the act of consuming a conspecific, of eggs and nestlings by Common Ravens (Corvus corax; hereafter “raven”) by video-monitoring nests in Nevada and California. Specifically, within the sagebrush steppe of Nevada, adult ravens killed and consumed raven chicks from an active nest. Additionally, on the coast of California, we observed adult ravens consume inviable eggs from their own nest following full-term incubation. To our knowledge, these observations represent the first documented cannibalistic behavior by ravens.
Prenatally Diagnosed Testicular Torsion: A Rare Condition That Causes Dilemma in Management.

Background Prenatal testicular torsion (PTT) is exceedingly rare in intrauterine development, often diagnosed at the time of birth and very rarely diagnosed in utero during routine gestational ultrasound. As a result, incidence is unknown, and there exists no consensus regarding the pathophysiology of this phenomenon nor universally recognized algorithms and guidelines regarding its diagnosis and management. Case Presentation. We present the case of an antenatally diagnosed torsion and our subsequent management which included ipsilateral orchiectomy and prophylactic contralateral orchiopexy via a scrotal approach. Conclusion While controversy regarding surgical intervention in patients with unilateral PTT exists due to poor salvage rates-estimated to be less than 1%-the risk of anorchia is higher in affected patients due to limitations in the accuracy of detecting bilateral testicular involvement. Risk of misdiagnosis of bilaterality may lead to lasting sequelae such as infertility and devastating psychological consequences for affected patients, supporting the need for surgical exploration, as was performed in our case.
HJC0416 Attenuates Fibrogenesis in Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells via STAT3 and NF-κB Pathways.

Abstract Background Hepatic fibrosis is wound-healing response that is the result of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and subsequent excess extracellular matrix deposition. HSCs can be activated by a variety of inflammatory stimuli as well as through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway. HJC0416 is a novel, orally bioavailable small-molecule inhibitor of STAT3 that was developed by our team using a fragment-based drug design approach. Previously, our team has shown that HJC0416 has antifibrogenic effects in activated HSCs. Recently, increasing evidence suggests that nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) plays an important role in the activation of HSCs. In the present study, we examined the role of NF-κB inhibition of HSC activation by HJC0416. Methods LX-2 (human) and HSC-T6 (rat) cell lines were used. Expression levels of extracellular proteins, NF-κB and STAT3 expression and DNA binding, and inflammatory cytokine levels were determined using western blot, ELISA, and immunofluorescence assay. Results HJC0416 decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner in both cell lines and arrested the cell cycle at the S phase. Increased apoptosis was seen in LX-2 cells through Yo-Pro-1 and propidium iodide immunofluorescent stating. HJC0416 significantly decreased expression of fibronectin and collagen I as well as markedly decreased α-SMA and laminin. HJC0416 inhibited the STAT3 pathway by decreasing phosphorylation of STAT3, as well as signal transduction pathway activation. Notably, HJC0416 also inhibited the classic and alternative pathways of NF-κB activation. HJC0416 inhibited LPS-induced p65 nuclear translocation and DNA binding, as well as prevented phosphorylation and degradation of inhibitory protein IκBα. HJC0416 also prevented phosphorylation of serine residue 536 on p65. Conclusions HJC0416, an inhibitor of STAT3, was found to have antifibrogenic properties in activated hepatic stellate cell lines. In addition, HJC0416 was found to inhibit the NF-κB pathway. Owing to this double effect, HJC0416 demonstrates promise for in vivo experimentation as an antifibrosis treatment.
Afforestation for carbon sequestration in the Lower Mississippi River Basin of Arkansas, USA: Does modeling of land use at fine spatial resolution reveal lower carbon cost?

Abstract We use optimization of a structural dynamic model to evaluate the cost of carbon sequestration when afforestation subsidies are used to encourage private landowners to switch from cropland to forestry. Our model allows for the planting of either softwood or hardwood forest types with flexible rotation lengths, in addition to irrigated crops. We apply the model to a portion of the Lower Mississippi River Basin in Arkansas where groundwater overdraft lowers the profitability of irrigated crops. In our baseline model with a 5% discount rate, a subsidy for afforestation from $1000 to $4500 per acre increases pine plantings, aquifer volume, and carbon sequestration above the levels without a subsidy. The average cost to sequester a ton of carbon increases from $13 ($3.55 per ton CO2eq) at the lowest subsidy to $36 ($9.84 per ton CO2eq) at the highest. Lower costs are achievable when soybeans are prominent on the landscape and high costs result when rice and corn dominate. Reducing the discount rate from 5% to 2% changes the afforestation type from fast growing softwoods to slow growing hardwoods, and this substantially lowers the cost of carbon sequestration. Delaying the implementation of an afforestation subsidy until irrigation costs rise from groundwater scarcity will increase the costs of carbon sequestration because many landowners will choose forest types with longer rotations without a subsidy. A carbon credit scheme leads to only afforestation by no harvest hardwoods.
Molecular markers of aging, exercise capacity, & physical activity in COPD.

Abstract Background Exercise capacity (EC) and physical activity (PA) are independent, potentially modifiable predictors of clinical outcomes in COPD. Molecular measures of biological age may help characterize variability in EC and PA observed among COPD patients. Methods Veterans with COPD (FEV1/FVC Results Subjects (n = 269) were predominantly male (98.5%), white (92.9%), and elderly (70.6 ± 8.5 years) with average FEV1% of 57.7 ± 21.1, 6MWD of 374.3 ± 93.5 m, and daily steps of 3043.4 ± 2374 at baseline. In adjusted models, multiple measures of baseline epigenetic age and age acceleration were inversely associated with 6MWD; only GrimAge was inversely associated with PA. Longitudinal change in Hannum-Age was inversely associated with change in EC at 12 weeks (n = 94). No measures of biological age were significantly associated with prospective AEs over 1.3 ± 0.3 years. Conclusions Epigenetic measures of biological age are independent predictors of EC and PA, but not AEs, among individuals with COPD.
Toward a Unified View of Dynamic Information Security Behaviors: Insights from Organizational Culture and Sensemaking

Extant information systems security research identified and examined a variety of individual as well as organizational factors influencing information security behaviors, but rarely offered sufficient theoretical insight into the interaction of the individual factors with the organizational context in impacting information security behaviors. To fill this gap, this study proposes a theoretical framework that builds on the concepts of organizational culture and sensemaking to show that: 1) information security behaviors are outcomes of sensemaking; and 2) sensemaking is enabled as well as constrained by organizational culture. This study further epitomizes that information security diagnosing, solving, and performing behaviors emerge as outcomes of sensemaking about information security during the organization's interactions with technology. Theoretical and pragmatic contributions of this framework and future research directions are also demonstrated.
Final Reflections on Faith and Positive Human Functioning

This chapter summarizes the key findings presented throughout the book. The focus is on the common themes in the research literature about what is known with regard to religious faith and its relationship to optimal psychological functioning. In particular, we point out what the strongest findings are relating faith to optimal human functioning and highlight areas in which findings are equivocal and cautionary. We also address common themes across the research literature, identifying potential mechanisms associated with faith and optimal human functioning. We also provide a summary of the clinical implications of this knowledge to the field of psychology generally, and to the field of Positive Psychology specifically. Finally, we address methodological limitations of current research and offer suggestions for further advancing this research field.
Fluctuating Pressure in Spillway Stilling Basins

Experimental data is presented on fluctuating pressures in models of spillway stilling basins. Of special interest are data on (1) Variation of pressure fluctuations with location in the basin, (2) variation of fluctuations with discharge, and (3) the growth of a pressure pulse as flow passes through the upstream portion of the hydraulic jump. Pressure fluctuations up to plus or minus 40% of the incident-velocity head were measured during the tests.
Genomes, Transcriptomes, Proteomes, and Bioinformatics

Publisher Summary Genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics are intimately linked by the central dogma of molecular biology and bioinformatics is a unique blend of basic biology, genetics, and information sciences and it refers to the use of digital technology to analyze DNA sequence data, RNA (and cDNA) sequence data, and protein sequence information. Genomics elucidates the precise stretches of DNA that constitute discrete genes. One of the primary methods used to accomplish this goal is to examine sequencing data for an open reading frame (ORF). Proteomics as a discipline has an important role in discerning gene function, and has evolved into the global study of patterns of protein expression in cells and tissues, rather than the analysis of one protein at a time. Metabolomics, essentially compound profiling in the cell, in the blood, or in another fluid, is the logical extension of proteomics. Unlike proteomics, metabolomics is concerned with the changes that are wrought by the various proteins produced by the cell. These changes correlate directly with the precise posttranslational modification(s) of the protein and the local environment. The field of metabolomics originated more than three decades ago, and is now enjoying something of a resurgence because of the large amount of protein sequencing information being added to protein databases daily. Protein informatics has become a specialized, formidable subdivision of bioinformatics. Bioinformatics tools are also used to predict the folding of proteins, based on the 1° structure (the order of amino acids), from which it may be possible to infer function.
AN APPROACH TO FORMALIZING POLICY MANAGMENT

ABSTRACT Interaction between humans and computers is part of everyday life. Office systems, home and school computers, military systems, and aircraft navigation systems all influence our daily lives whether we consider ourselves computer users or not. The mode of interaction (such as: screen, printer, loudspeaker, microphone, keyboard, buttons, or pointing device) implements a set of limitations on the communication—what can be said and how it is said. The way this interaction works implements a policy set by the designers or implementors of the system and the user is forced to work under the policy. But what happens when an exception is required? What happens when an unanticipated condition arises. Is there a way to tell the automatic teller machine, “Stop the transaction. Give me back my card.”? Can the pilot force the autopilot to give up control? If the policy implemented is not flexible, annoyance (with the bank) or disaster (with the aircraft) can occur. This article looks at the way policy might be specified in a manner sufficiently formal that systems implementors could make use of the specification. It considers the objects that are relevant and what operations might be applied.
The relationship between dietary intake and the six dimensions of wellness in older adults

The purpose of this review was to provide older adults with a clear idea of how dietary patterns can improve wellness, and how wellness can improve dietary patterns. A large portion of the US population is advancing in age and there is potential for an associated plateau or decline in wellness with age. Therefore, strategies to improve personal wellness and dietary patterns should be considered. This review examined the associations between dietary intake and each of the six dimensions of wellness, as defined by the National Wellness Institute, in adults 50 years old or older. A cause-and-effect relationship of specific dietary patterns on intellectual, occupational, emotional, and physical wellness was explored. In addition, studies regarding the cause-and-effect relationship of spiritual and social wellness on dietary choice were evaluated. Essentially, dietary intake and wellness were closely related. The research suggests that intellectual, occupational, emotional, and physical wellness may improve with dietary changes. Nutrition status may improve with enrichment in social and spiritual wellness. Overall, older adults can enhance wellness by following a few simple guidelines: increase the intake of plant-based foods, avoid processed foods, engage in a spiritual community that encourages healthy lifestyles, and seek dining companions in order to increase caloric intake.
Activated protein C modulates cardiac metabolism and augments autophagy in the ischemic heart.

Summary. Background: Modulation of energy substrate metabolism may constitute a novel therapeutic intervention against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has emerged as a key regulator of favorable metabolic signaling pathways in response to myocardial ischemia. Recently, we demonstrated that activated protein C (APC) is cardioprotective against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury by augmenting AMPK signaling. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine whether the APC modulation of substrate metabolism contributes to its cardioprotective effect against I/R injury. Methods: An ex vivo working mouse heart perfusion system was used to characterize the effect of wild-type APC and its signaling-proficient mutant, APC-2Cys (which has dramatically reduced anticoagulant activity), on glucose transport in the ischemic heart. Results: Both APC and APC-2Cys (0.2 μg g−1) augment the ischemic stress-induced translocation of the glucose transporter (GLUT4) to the myocardial cell membrane, leading to increased glucose uptake and glucose oxidation in the ischemic heart (P < 0.05 vs. vehicle). Both APC derivatives increased the autophagic flux in the heart following I/R. The activity of APC-2Cys in modulating these metabolic pathways was significantly higher than APC during I/R (P < 0.05). Intriguingly, APC-2Cys, but not wild-type APC, attenuated the I/R-initiated fatty acid oxidation by 80% (P < 0.01 vs. vehicle). Conclusions: APC exerts a cardioprotective effect against I/R injury by preferentially enhancing the oxidation of glucose over fatty acids as energy substrates in the ischemic heart. Given its significantly higher beneficial metabolic modulatory effect, APC-2Cys may be developed as a potential therapeutic drug for treating ischemic heart disease without risk of bleeding.
Structure and Function of Phycobilisomes: Light Harvesting Pigment Complexes in Red and Blue-Green Algae

Publisher Summary Phycobilisomes are specialized aggregated structures composed of phycobiliproteins, which are photosynthetic accessory pigments in red and blue-green algae. Phycobiliproteins, which can account for as much as 24% of the dry weight of blue-green algal cells and 40–60% of the total soluble protein, are the major light harvesters in these organisms. Chlorophyll a, which absorbs light primarily in the blue region and the red region of the visible spectrum, leaves a large absorption gap. This is filled in by the phycobiliproteins, which have an absorption range of 500–660 nm. These pigments work in conjunction with chlorophyll a to optimize light harvesting for photosynthesis, particularly under light limiting conditions. The only phycobiliprotein in higher plants is phytochrome, which occurs in very small amounts and serves as a photoregulatory receptor. In cryptophyte algae (flagellated unicells of indefinite taxonomic position), phycobiliproteins also serve as major photosynthetic accessory pigments, but phycobilisomes are absent. There are three major classes of phycobiliproteins—the red-colored phycoerythrins (PEs), the blue-colored phycocyanins (PCs), and allophycocyanins (APCs). This chapter focuses on the phycobilisome characteristics, their relationship to the photosystems in the thylakoid membrane, and major problems to be addressed in future investigations.
Mine detection under rough ground surfaces using 2-D FDTD modeling and hypothesis testing

Summary form only given. This paper attempts to investigate hypothesis test performance in mine detection, based on numerically simulating the wideband scattering of experimentally measured ground penetrating radar (GPR) signals by realistic, dispersive soil interfaces. We employ a 2D finite difference time domain (FDTD) method to analyze the delay and amplitude characteristics of ground-scattered waves as a function of roughness parameters. In addition, we apply binary hypothesis tests to the signals obtained using physics-based signal processing techniques to investigate the presence of the target at certain depth. We quantify the detection performance in terms of the spatial distribution of transmitter and receiver.
Abstract 15570: A Novel Ex Vivo Test System to Assess Cardiovascular Toxicity of HIV-Nef in PBMC From HIV Positive Donors

Background: To address how cardiovascular disease is increased in HIV patients with and without therapy, we have tested the effects of HIV-infected T cell when in contact to human coronary endothelial cells (HCAEC). We found that these T cells could induce endothelial dysfunction and cell death at a much larger extent than free virus itself. We could identify HIV-Nef protein, a major pathogenic factor in HIV disease progression and HIV-induced end organ disease, as the mechanism for this finding. Because of our finding that HIV-Nef is transferred from T cells to HCAEC to induce cell death, we asked whether PBMC form HIV-infected patients can recapitulate these findings. Methods: PBMC were isolated from either healthy donors or from untreated HIV patients or from those on ART using standard Ficoll purification, and intracellular Nef was determined by flow cytometry and ELISA. PBMC were co-cultivated with HCAEC for 24 hours, washed off and HCAEC were analyzed for Nef by immunofluorescence microscopy represe...
ID: 163: Contribution of the JAK/STAT pathway to neurodegenerative diseases

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the CNS, characterized by inflammation, demyelination and axonal damage. Cells of the innate (macrophages, microglia, neutrophils) and adaptive (T-cells, B-cells) immune system contribute to both the pathology and repair of MS. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by the deterioration of motor activities that are controlled by the nigrostriatal system. The motor symptoms of PD result from the progressive and selective loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the midbrain substantia nigra pars compacta. Additionally, the PD brain is characterized by cytoplasmic and neuritic fibrillar α -synuclein ( α -syn) inclusions (known as Lewy bodies (LB) and Lewy neurites (LN), respectively). Recently, an impressive number of publications have implicated inflammation as a major pathogenic factor in PD, with involvement of both innate and adaptive immune cells. MS and PD are characterized by abundant production of cytokines that activate and regulate the functions of immune and glial cells. The Janus Kinase (JAK)/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (STAT) pathway is the major signaling system utilized by cytokines, and is critical for development, regulation and termination of innate and adaptive responses. Dysregulation of the JAK/STAT pathway has pathological implications for a number of autoimmune and neuroinflammatory diseases. We have documented aberrant activation of the JAK/STAT pathway in pre-clinical models of both MS and PD. We will discuss the efficacy of inhibitors of the JAK pathway, known as Jakinibs, in these pre-clinical models, and describe the mechanisms that underlie their beneficial effects on neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative responses.
Actions That We Ought, But Can't

It is commonly assumed that ‘ought’ implies ‘can’, that is, that if we ought to do something, then it must be the case that we can do it. It is a frequent quip about this thesis that any account must specify three things: what is meant by the ‘ought’, what is meant by the ‘implies’, and what is meant by the ‘can’.1 Something is missed, though, when we state the thesis in its shortened, three-word form. We overlook what it means to do something. It is, I think, not mere coincidence that nobody has discussed this issue: It is very difficult to specify what it means to do something in the relevant sense. This paper is devoted to fleshing out one way of doing something that is a problem for the thesis.
Midtrimester amniocentesis: An analysis of 923 cases with neonatal follow-up

Abstract Maternal, fetal, and neonatal results and complications were analyzed after 923 genetic amniocenteses. Maternal age of 35 years and beyond was associated with a 2.0% risk of fetal trisomy 21 and a 3.0% risk of all major chromosome abnormalities. Comparable rates for women aged 40 and beyond were 4.8% and 7.2%. Neural tube defects were detected in 0.15% of procedures done for maternal age and 3.4% of those done for a previous involved child. The risk of spontaneous abortion as a result of amniocentesis was 0.2% to 1.4%. Mahogany or green fluid was associated with a 29% rate of fetal loss. Unexplained midtrimester elevations of maternal serum α-fetoprotein were associated with a 38% risk of a subsequent low-birth weight infant. The only neonatal complication associated with amniocentesis was an apparent marked increase in the incidence of lower-extremity orthopedic abnormalities.
Influence of CpG methylation and target spacing on V(D)J recombination in a transgenic substrate.

Abstract We have previously described a line of transgenic mice with multiple head-to-tail copies of an artificial V-J recombination substrate and have shown that the methylation of this transgene is under the control of a dominant strain-specific modifier gene, Ssm-1. When the transgene array is highly methylated, no recombination is detectable, but when it is unmethylated, V-J joining is seen in the spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, and Peyer's patches but not in the thymus or nonlymphoid tissues, including brain tissue. Strikingly, in mice with partially methylated transgene arrays, rearrangement preferentially occurs in hypomethylated copies. Therefore, V-J recombination is negatively correlated with methylated DNA sequences. In addition, it appears that recombination occurs randomly between any two recombination signal sequences within the transgene array. This lack of target preference in an unselectable array of identical targets rules out simple mechanisms of one-dimensional tracking of a V(D)J recombinase complex.
R & D SUBSYSTEM CLIMATE AS A FUNCTION OF PERSONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS

Professional-technical employee perceptions of the R and D subsystem climate were believed to be influenced by personal, joint personal-situational, and situational characteristics. One hundred and five professional-technical employees, above the technical level, from seven organizations cooperated in a study to ascertain the factors which contribute to the formation of subsystem climate perceptions. The findings failed to support the expected relationship between personal characteristics and subsystem climate, but did indicate that joint personal-situational factors accounted for significant amounts of variance in climate perceptions.
EFFECTS OF GENOTYPE AND PRODUCTION AREA ON THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION, TOTAL OIL AND TOTAL PROTEIN IN PEANUTS

WORTHINGTON and co-workers (1972) reported considerable differences in fatty acids composition of 82 peanut genotyps grown in the same area during three seasons Not only were there marked variations in the genetic differences of the genotypes,but the yearly variations of the fatty acids with in the same genotype were also significant
Rheological studies of coal-oil mixtures

Samples of stable coal-oil mixtures were prepared with coal concentrations ranging from 30–50% by weight. Extensive rheological data were obtained using capillary and cone-plate viscometers for samples of coal-oil mixtures and fuel-oil which served as a reference fluid. Viscosity measurements show coal-oil mixtures to be shear-thinning suspensions, i.e., the viscosity decreases moderately with increasing shear rates. In the concentration range of 30–40% coal, the coal-oil mixture shows a predominantly Newtonian behavior. For mixtures with coal concentrations higher than 40%, a yield point was observed. The study of these samples with the rotating-rod viscometer indicated a migration of coal particles away from the rotating rod with no noticeable rod climbing, thus no evidence of normal stress effects. The rheological data can be represented by any of the three two-parameter models: Power Law, Bingham Plastic, or Casson, with the last two models being more realistic and consistent with the observations.
Antitumor efficacy of 26-fluoroepothilone B against human prostate cancer xenografts.

Background: Epothilone compounds (e.g. epothilones A and B) represent a new structural class of microtubule inhibitors with the remarkable ability to inhibit tumor growth of multidrug-resistant cell lines at low nanomolar or even subnanomolar concentrations. Unfortunately, this therapeutic efficacy has only been achieved to date with a narrow therapeutic window. Hence, other structural analogs of compounds such as epothilone B are currently being synthesized in the hope that they will demonstrate equivalent antitumor efficacy with reduced systemic toxicity. Purpose: To evaluate the relative efficacy and toxicity of selectively modified epothilone compounds. Methods: Compounds were initially screened for relative cytotoxicity against the human prostate cancer cell lines PC3, LNCaP, MDA PCa 2a and MDA PCa 2b. Growth inhibitory IC50 values of 0.5 to 4 nM were obtained. From this initial screen, one epothilone compound, 26-fluoroepothilone B, was chosen for further evaluation against the growth of s.c.-implanted MDA PCa 2b- and PC3-derived prostate tumors in athymic nude mice. The compound was administered intravenously at 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg after the tumors had reached 300 mm3. Two control groups were used: paclitaxel (40 mg/kg) and saline. Results: Following treatment with 10 mg 26-fluoroepothilone B/kg, there was a sustained decrease in tumor size for 30 days reaching a maximal reduction of 80% when compared with tumor growth in the saline control group. Sustained suppression (>20 days) of tumor growth was observed following the second drug injection. Although a maximal body weight loss of 30% occurred after the second injection, all mice completely regained their initial body weight in 20 days. A lower dose (2 mg/kg) produced a 58% maximal reduction in tumor size and a 20% body weight loss. Minimal inhibition of tumor growth, however, was obtained with paclitaxel at a maximally tolerated dose (40 mg/kg). Other epothilones tested were either less effective and/or more toxic than 26-fluoroepothilone B. This new fluorinated epothilone compound supports the growth of paclitaxel-dependent Tax-18 mutant CHO cells and produces microtubule bundles similar to those produced by paclitaxel, indicating that the two drugs share a similar mechanism of action. Conclusion: A new fluorinated epothilone compound, 26-fluoroepothilone B, has been described that stabilizes microtubule structures based on its support of growth of a mutant paclitaxel-dependent CHO cell line. Its antitumor activity against human prostate cancer in nude mice is superior to that of paclitaxel at equivalent toxic doses. Further research is required to determine optimal dosing strategies and to fully assess the compound's activity against other malignant diseases.
Modeling of a Solid/Liquid Thermal Storage System

A computational model utilizing the finite difference method was developed to simulate the behavior of a simple thermal storage system. The system analyzed utilizes the deposition of heat from a fluid to a solid matrix in the initial part of cycle followed by heat removal in the latter part. The storage system was divided into perpendicular slices with respect to the direction of the heat transfer fluid (HTF) flow. To further reduce the area of the slice on which the calculations were performed, the symmetry of the design was then used. Two dimensional conduction and convection calculations were performed within the plane generated by each slice. Interaction between the slices was limited to only the HTF flow rate. It was assumed that the system would experience no losses to the ambient and the HTF contained in each slice would be fully mixed. First and Second Law analysis were incorporated as a means of evaluating different configurations of the storage system design. A technique that allows the designer to choose between design options is discussed.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF INFORMATION IN MAINTAINING EFFICIENCY ON AN AUDITORY MONITORING TASK

Eight subjects were required to respond as rapidly as possible to brief, infrequent. randomly occurring auditory signals over eight fifty minute sessions. In four of the sessions, the sensation level of the signals was 10d B and in four, 60 dB above threshold. In one session at each intensity, subjects were informed after each response (except the first) whether they responded more rapidly or more slowly than they had to the preceding stimulus. In another session, at each intensity, the experimenter pretended to give this information, but actually gave information uncorrelated with efficiency of responding. In still another, at each level, the response was merely acknowledged. Latency and failures to respond under these conditions were compared with comparable measures under control conditions at each level, in which no information was given or acknowledgment made. It was found that latency remained fairly constant and failures of detection were negligible for all conditions in which subjects were respond...
Paleoclimatic trends in early and middle pliocene deep-sea sediments of the antarctic

Abstract Detailed micropaleontological investigation has established the distribution of major radiolarian assemblages in the Early to Middle Pliocene deep-sea sediments of the Antarctic region, with particular emphasis on the Gilbert Reversed Magnetic Epoch ( t = 5.18 to 3.32 m.y. B.P.). Inter-core correlations, based on paleomagnetic stratigraphy and detailed radiolarian biostratigraphy, has provided a chronological framework for a detailed paleoclimatic investigation of the Gilbert Epoch. Early Gilbert sediments ( t = 5.18 to 4.6 m.y. B.P.) contain a warm-Subantarctic assemblage marked by the presence of Anthocyrtidium ehrenbergi, “Eucyrtidium” spp., Carpocanium sp., Stylatractus universus and several collosphaerid species. Sediments of middle Gilbert age ( t = 4.6 to 3.7 m.y. B.P.) contain a cool-Subantarctic assemblage marked by the presence of Stylodicta validispina, Cenosphaera cristata, Antarctissa longa, Triceraspyris pacifica and Lychnocanium grande rugosum . The late Gilbert—early Gauss sediments ( t = 3.7 to 3.0 m.y. B.P.) contain an Antarctic assemblage marked by the presence of Antarctissa strelkovi, Antarctissa denticulata, Helotholus vema, Demospyris spongiosa and Eucyrtidium calvertense . The transition from a warm to a cold assemblage suggests a climatic deterioration occurring over a period of 1.6 m.y., significantly longer than the rapid climatic oscillations of the Pleistocene. Factor curves, produced by subjecting total faunal data to multivariate statistical analysis, have been interpreted in terms of paleoclimatic controls, resulting in a relative paleotemperature curve for the entire Gilbert Epoch. The maximum abundances of the Antarctic assemblage in the Gilbert and Gauss occurs between 3.7 and 3.2 m.y. ago coinciding closely with the 3.5 m.y. age of the first reported Patagonian glaciation in southernmost South America.
Synthesis of ether-linked fluorocarbon surfactants and their aggregational properties in organic solvents

Abstract A series of single- and double-tailed hydrocarbon–fluorocarbon (HF) surfactants were prepared to evaluate the effect of molecular structure on aggregate formation in organic solvents. The molecules were designed with ether linkages to permit facile syntheses of both sets of molecules. Solvent foaming studies were used to rapidly assess the surface-active properties of the surfactants, while dynamic light scattering provided quantitative critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and hydrodynamic radius (Rh) measurements of the aggregates in solution. The single-tailed surfactants did not produce any foaming action in a number of hydrocarbon solvents, nor was any micellar formation observed up to 100 mM concentrations. Double-tailed surfactants, on the other hand, gave low CMC values in dodecane but with Rh values that indicated a tight micelle structure. Bilayer formation was expected but not observed for these molecules, which is believed to be due to their unusual structural geometry, imparted by the glycerol backbone. No thermotropic liquid crystalline (LC) behavior was observed for any of the single- or double-tailed molecules. These data contrast with the known behavior of perfluorinated alkanes and other fluorinated surfactants, suggesting that the ether linkage plays an important role in the self-organizing behavior of these molecules.
Green tea epigallocatechin gallate shows a pronounced growth inhibitory effect on cancerous cells but not on their normal counterparts

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a catechin polyphenol compound, represents the main ingredient of green tea extract. Although EGCG has been shown to be growth inhibitory in a number of tumor cell lines, it is not clear whether the effect is cancer-specific. In this study we compared the effect of EGCG on the growth of SV40 virally transformed WI38 human fibroblasts (WI38VA) with that of normal WI38 cells. The IC50 value of EGCG was estimated to be 120 and 10 microM for WI38 and WI38VA cells, respectively. Thus, EGCG at 40 microM completely inhibited the growth of WI38VA cells, but had little or no inhibitory effect on the growth of WI38 cells. Similar differential growth inhibition was also observed between a human colorectal cancer cell line (Caco-2), a breast cancer cell line (Hs578T) and their respective normal counterparts. EGCG at a concentration range of 40-200 microM induced a significant amount of apoptosis in WI38VA cultures, but not in WI38 cultures, as determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase assay. After exposure to EGCG at 200 microM for 8 h, more than 50% of WI38VA cells in a confluent culture became apoptotic. In contrast, less than 1% of WI38 cells displayed apoptotic labeling under the same condition. EGCG did not affect the serum-induced expression of c-fos and c-myc genes in normal WI38 cells. However, it significantly enhanced their expression in transformed W138VA cells. It is possible that differential modulation of certain genes, such as c-fos and c-myc, may cause differential effects of EGCG on the growth and death of cancer cells.
The Ising model and real magnetic materials

The factors that make certain magnetic materials behave similarly to corresponding Ising models are reviewed. Examples of extensively studied materials include Dy(C2H5SO4)3.9H2) (DyES), Dy3Al5O12 (DyAlG), DyPO4, Dy2Ti2O7, LiTbF4, K2CoF4, and Rb2CoF4. Various comparisons between theory and experiment for these materials are examined. The agreement is found to be generally very good, even when there are clear differences between the ideal Ising model and the real materials. In a number of experiments behavior has been observed that requires extensions of the usual Ising model. These include the effects of long range magnetic dipole interactions, competing interaction effects in field-induced phase transitions, induced staggered field effects and frustration effects, and dynamic effects. The results show that the Ising model and real magnetic materials have provided an unusually rich and productive field for the interaction between theory and experiment over the past 40 years.
Catalytic fast pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass in a process development unit with continual catalyst addition and removal

Abstract Catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) of wood was studied using a spray-dried ZSM-5 catalyst in a process development unit (PDU) consisting of a bubbling fluidized bed reactor with on-stream particle input and output. The PDU was capable of maintaining constant product yield of aromatics over an extended reaction period (6 h) with continuous catalyst addition and removal. The yields and selectivity for aromatics and olefins were dependent on temperature, biomass weight hourly space velocity (WHSV), catalyst to biomass ratio, fluidization gas velocity, and catalyst bed weight. The overall aromatic yield increased up to 15.5 carbon% with decreasing gas velocities due to the increased vapor residence time and the improved mass transfer from smaller bubble sizes. A simulated recycle stream of CFP product gases consisting of CO, CO 2 and olefins was used to test the viability of subsequent olefin aromatization in the presence of CO and CO 2 . Olefins were converted into additional aromatics while CO and CO 2 remained inert during CFP. The spray-dried ZSM-5 catalyst was stable in a series of 30 reaction/regeneration cycles.
Quasi-particle interactions in even spherical nuclei

Abstract The residual terms arising from Bogolyubov-Valatin transformations are studied and their roles in even spherical nuclei are examined by means of simple perturbation theory. Simplified equations for the quasi-particle interactions through such terms are examined and certain conditions are considered to be necessary for the agreement with experiments to be obtained. The approximate formulas are applied to some 82-neutron nuclei and the results show qualitative agreement with experiments.
Experimental Study of Debonded Sandwich Panels under Compressive Loading

An experimental study of the in-plane compression failure of sandwich panels consisting of glass/epoxy face sheets over a range of PVC foam cores (H45, H100, and H200) and a balsa wood core containing one or two circular or square interfacial debonds is conducted. For the great majority of the specimens, failure occurred by local buckling of the debonded face sheet followed by rapid debond growth towards the panel edges, perpendicular to the applied load. Panels with the largest debond (10 cm diameter or 9 cm length) displayed some post-buckling strength. Examination of the face and core failure surfaces after total separation showed that the tendency for interface (core/resin) failure increases with increasing core density. It was found that the compression strength strongly decreases with decreasing core stiffness and increasing debond size. The compression strength of panels with H45 core decreased with reduced core thickness. Failure loads for panels with symmetric debonds at both face/core interfaces...
Metalorganic vapor phase growth of quantum well structures on thick metamorphic buffer layers grown by hydride vapor phase epitaxy

Abstract The hydride vapor phase epitaxy technique (HVPE) can deposit uniform materials at high growth rates, making it suitable for the formation of metamorphic buffer layers (MBLs). HVPE was used to form In x Ga 1− x As-based MBLs as substrates in the metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) of superlattice (SL) structures. Samples were grown over a range of deposition temperatures and reactant flows and their effect on the ternary alloy composition and growth rate was determined. Over the compositional range of x InAs P InCl ). A compositionally step-graded MBL consisting of nine intermediate steps followed by a thick, constant composition layer of x InAs ∼0.23 was grown. The MBL was characterized by high-resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD) and reciprocal space mapping. The topmost layer was highly relaxed, exhibiting a residual strain of −0.0011±0.0002. Chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) was used to reduce the surface cross hatching, affecting a decrease in rms roughness from 2.10 to 1.39 nm. A 20 period, In 0.33 Ga 0.67 As (3.1 nm)/Al 0.90 In 0.10 As (7.2 nm) strain-balanced superlattice (SL) structure was grown by MOVPE on the as-grown and CMP-prepared MBL and characterized by HRXRD. The diffraction pattern of the SL grown on the CMP-prepared MBL was significantly more intense with narrower x-ray diffraction peaks when compared with the SL on as-grown MBL.
A contemporary review of endoscopic sinus surgery: Techniques, tools, and outcomes

Chronic rhinosinusitis is estimated to nearly 25 million people annually in the United States alone. The medical management of these patients is often successful; however, when medical management fails, surgery may be indicated to bring relief. Unfortunately, surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis is not standardized and we remain without a consensus on both the extent of surgery required and the manner in which it is performed. In the past 25 years, three philosophies or schools of thought have arisen to help guide the surgical treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery aims to surgically treat problem areas by ventilating the sinuses through the natural ostia and addressing all diseased sinuses when necessary. This procedure is not standardized and is patient and surgeon dependent. The minimally invasive sinus technique has been proposed as a method whereby each surgical procedure is standardized regardless of disease severity. Lastly, balloon catheter dilatation of the sinus ostia, which by itself is not truly a procedure, is also discussed as a separate philosophy since these specific tools used during endoscopic sinus surgery have quickly energized the sinus community. All three schools of thought possess benefits and drawbacks, even when used appropriately. The concepts, tools, and technologies will be reviewed here as well as outcomes in the hopes that this article will provide an understanding of the surgical options to successfully treat chronic rhinosinusitis. Laryngoscope, 2009
FlowBroker: Market-driven multi-domain SDN with heterogeneous brokers

We present an enhanced market-driven multi-broker architecture for multi-domain SDN forwarding, in which heterogeneous brokers compete for domain customers and can peer with one another to provide enhanced services if economically beneficial.
The development of two-dimensional target images from ultrawideband radar systems

The development of ultrawideband radar systems has led to the production of echo waveforms with high resolution in range. The Valley Forge Research Center has studied the problem of extending this capability by adding the angular dimension to produce a 2-D image of the radar target. The system currently in use combines adaptive beamforming (ABF) phased array processing with a UWB radar to provide high resolution images of a variety of target configurations. The images were produced using the dominant scatterer ABF algorithm developed at VFRC over the past two decades. The tests were conducted at three frequencies (S, X and Ku bands) in order to allow diversity techniques to enhance the image quality. The formation of a monostatic synthetic aperture array with a 1 GHz bandwidth radar set allows the system to achieve a resolution of 15 cm. This permits fine detail to be observed on images of targets such as cars and trucks. Several examples are presented.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Lidocaine and Atrial Tachyarrhythmias

Excerpt To the editor: I read with interest the report (Ann Intern Med84:44-45, 1976) by Josephson, Kaster, and Kitchen on the use of lidocaine to slow the ventricular rate in a patient with atrial...