cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The methotrexate story: a paradigm for development of cancer chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract Methotrexate (MTX), one of the earliest cancer chemotherapy agents, continues to be used extensively in the treatment of leukemia and a variety of other tumors. The efficacy of this drug results from its facile uptake by cells, rapid polyglutamylation and virtually stoichiometric inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a key enzyme in cell replication. From the work of a multitude of biochemists, molecular biologists, organic chemists and pharmacologists, much is known about the mode of action of MTX and the mechanisms by which tumors exhibit inherent or acquired resistance to this drug. MTX enters cells primarily by a carrier-mediated active transport system whose principal substrate is 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, and additional glutamates are added to the γ-position of the parent glutamate moiety. The tight binding of MTX to DHFR is defined from NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies of the enzyme and its drug or substrate complexes, supplemented by site-directed mutagenesis to confirm specific interactions. Resistance to the drug, encountered in cell culture model systems or in cancer patients, can result from an increased level of DHFR (due to gene amplification), mutant DHFR with reduced affinity for MTX, or decreased uptake or polyglutamylation of the drug. Although DHFR is an extremely well-studied enzyme, there is still some uncertainty about its kinetics, mechanism for reduction of folate, multiple forms, and activation by a diverse group of agents. Prodrug forms of MTX, e.g., MTX α-phenylalanine, which can be activated by carboxypeptidase A-monoclonal antibody conjugates, offer promise for improved efficacy of the drug by selective targeting to tumors. The large body of information summarized above has aided in the development of other folate antagonists, provides a paradigm for assessing the status of other cancer chemotherapeutic agents in current use, and offers a platform from which to speculate about the future of the field.
Building a retargetable local instruction scheduler

While high-performance architectures have included some Instruction-Level Parallelism (ILP) for at least 25 years, recent computer designs have exploited ILP to a significant degree. Although a local scheduler is not sufficient for generation of excellent ILP code, it is necessary as many global scheduling and software pipelining techniques rely on a local scheduler. Global scheduling techniques are well-documented, yet practical discussions of local schedulers are notable in their absence. This paper strives to remedy that disparity by describing a list scheduling framework and several important practical details that, taken together, allow implementation of an efficient local instruction scheduler that is easily retargetable for ILP architectures. The foundation of our machine-independent instruction scheduler is a timing model that allows easy retargetability to a wide range of architectures. In addition to describing how a general list-scheduler can be implemented within the framework of our timing model, experimental results indicate that lookahead scheduling can profoundly improve a scheduler's ability to produce a legal schedule. Further experimental data shows that deciding to schedule a data dependence DAG (DDD) in forward or reverse order depends significantly upon that target architecture, suggesting the possibility of scheduling in each direction and using the best of the two schedules. In contrast, experiments demonstrate little difference in code quality for schedules generated by either instruction-driven or operation-driven schedulers. Thus, the inherent flexibility of operation-driven methods suggests including that approach in a retargetable instruction scheduler. List scheduling is, of course, a heuristic scheduling method. A variety of scheduling heuristics are presented. In addition, the paper describes a method, using a genetic algorithm search, to ‘fine-tune’ the weights of twenty-four individual heuristics to form a DDD-node heuristic tuned to a specific architecture. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The effect of light intensity and green water on survival and growth of cultured larval California yellowtail (Seriola lalandi)

Abstract Environmental parameters, such as light intensity and turbidity, have been shown to significantly influence the growth and survival of cultured larval finfish. Here, we study three light intensities (low: 360 lx; medium: 1675 lx; and high: 14,850 lx) and two turbidity conditions (with and without green water) to determine optimum growth and survival for California yellowtail ( Seriola lalandi ) larvae. The study lasted from 2 thru 16 days post hatch (dph). The high light intensity, green water treatment produced the largest larvae (865 ± 165 μg dry weight; 7.01 ± 0.07 mm notochord length), had the highest survival rate (9.2 ± 3.1%), and had the highest incidence of swimbladder inflation (68.8 ± 3.1%) among all treatments in this study. The low and medium light intensity, clear water treatments produced the smallest larvae (183 ± 60 μg dry weight; 5.58 ± 0.07 mm notochord length) and the lowest survival rate (0–0.10%). These results indicate that light intensity and turbidity are significant factors that affect growth and survival of Seriola lalandi larvae up to 16 dph.
Influence of Florida Current, gyres and wind-driven circulation on transport of larvae and recruitment in the Florida Keys coral reefs

Abstract Physical processes with high potential influence on the transport and recruitment of fish, lobster and other larvae in the Florida Keys are discussed using current measurements from standard moored instrumentation, plus bottom mounted Acoustic Doppler Current Profile observations, interdisciplinary surveys of water mass properties, nutrients and planktonic distributions, and satellite derived surface thermal patterns. A cold, cyclonic gyre forms over the Pourtales Terrace seaward of the middle and lower Keys where the Florida Current shifts from eastward to northward flow. Formation of the gyre appears to be related to offshore meander motion of the Florida Current and its cyclonic curvature. Prevailing easterly winds over the gyre circulation cause a convergence of Ekman transports into the coastal zone. The gyre circulation combined with the shoreward convergence of Ekman flow facilitates the transport of pelagic larvae from the Current to the fringing reefs. Duration of the gyre is approximately 1 month, which matches the planktonic stage of fish and slipper lobster larvae, and thus provides a mechanism for larvae retention and local recruitment. Abundant microzooplankton food supply for the larvae is available in the gyre interior due in part to concentration mechanisms and ecosystem response to gyre-induced upwelling of deeper, nutrient enriched waters. Gyre retention times are too short to be a factor in recruitment of locally spawned Florida spiny lobster larvae, which have a planktonic stage that may last up to 12 months. This indicates that Florida spiny lobster should recruit from remote upstream sources in the Caribbean or spend most of their long planktonic stage in Florida Bay of the southwest Florida shelf.
Immunity, age and loss of immunohomeostasis.

An interpretative discussion on the cellular basis of the association between immunosenescence and loss of immunologic homeostasis was developed from results of studies performed to resolve the issues (a) of whether cells in certain stages of differentiation are more vulnerable to aging than those in other stages and (b) whether the regulatory cells participating in modulating immune responses are prime targets of aging. Young and old mice were exposed to (1) 6-thioguanine (6-TG) to study the activity of their mitotically active and inactive cells and (2) 500R of irradiation to study regeneration of their immune cells. Many alterations were detected in old mice including the existence of a relatively large pool of mitotically inactive pluripotent stem cells in the bone marrow, heightened stem cell regenerative activity, and altered patterns of immunologic regeneration. These kinetic abnormalities reflect age-related changes in stem cells and their progenies, and in the lymphohematopoietic stromal cells.
The glaciation of northeastern Kansas

The traditional pre-Illinoian glacial stratigraphy in the central United States has been abandoned, which leaves a void in the Pleistocene stratigraphy of Kansas. The Independence Formation is proposed as a tithostratigraphic unit in northeastern Kansas. The Independence Formation consists of all diamictons and stratified sediments interbedded with diamictons. The Independence Formation vanes greatly in thickness and texture, but it always contains erratics derived from the Canadian Shield. At least two glacial advances took place in northeastern Kansas, first by the Minnesota lobe coming from the northeast, and later by the Dakota lobe from the northwest. During the first advance, glacial Lake Atchison was dammed in a now-buried valley. Overflow from this lake cut spillways that form parts of the Blue, Kansas, and Missouri valleys. During the later ice advance, the Kansas valley was blocked, and temporary lakes formed, from which catastrophic flooding took place. The age of the Independence Formation is interpreted as 0.7 to 0.6 million years BP. It is considered equivalent in age and stratigraphic position to type A2 and A3 tills of Nebraska and western Iowa and to the McCredie Formation of northern Missouri. This age range corresponds to oxygen-isotope stages W16.
Window join approximation over data streams with importance semantics

Load shedding techniques generate approximate sliding window join results when memory constraints prevent exact computation. The previously proposed random load shedding method drops input tuples without consideration for the number of outputs created, while the recently proposed semantic load shedding technique aims to produce the largest possible result set. We consider a new model in which data stream tuples contain numerical importance values relevant to the query source and seek to maximize the importance of the approximate join result. We show that both random load shedding and semantic load shedding are sub-optimal in this situation, while the techniques presented in this paper satisfy the objective function by considering both tuple importance and join attribute distributions. We extend the existing offline semantic approximation technique to make it compatible with our objective function and show that it is less space and time efficient than our new optimal offline algorithm for small and large join memory allotments. We also introduce four efficient online algorithms, which are quite promising in maximizing the importance of the approximate join result without foreknowledge of input streams.
Sex Differences in the Association Between Adiponectin and BMD, Bone Loss, and Fractures: The Rancho Bernardo Study

We evaluated sex differences in the prospective association between adiponectin with BMD, bone loss, and fractures. Adiponectin, an adipose-derived protein with insulin-sensitizing properties, is also expressed in bone-forming cells. Conflicting results and sex differences in the adiponectin-BMD association have been reported in cross-sectional studies. Serum adiponectin was measured in fasting blood samples obtained in 1984-1987 in 447 postmenopausal women (mean age: 76 yr) and 484 men (mean age: 75 yr). Four years later, BMD was measured at the midshaft radius by single photon absorptiometry and at the femoral neck, total hip, and lumbar spine by DXA. In 1992-1996, axial BMD was remeasured in 261 women and 264 men. Multivariable analysis adjusted for age, weight, calcium intake, type 2 diabetes, alcohol intake, and exercise. Among women, adiponectin was inversely associated with BMD at the femoral neck (beta = -0.002, p = 0.007), total hip (beta = -0.002, p = 0.009), lumbar spine (beta = -0.003, p = 0.008), and midshaft radius (beta = -0.002, p = 0.01) after 4.4 yr and at the femoral neck and total hip 8.6 yr later. Among men, adiponectin was inversely associated with BMD at the femoral neck, (beta = -0.002, p = 0.03), total hip (beta = -0.004, p < 0.001), and midshaft radius (beta = -0.003, p < 0.001) after 4.4 yr and at the hip 8.6 yr later. Adiponectin was not associated with 4-yr bone loss in either sex but was associated with vertebral fractures (adjusted OR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.08-1.23; p = 0.009) among men only. Adiponectin was inversely associated with BMD; however, sex differences were observed by anatomical site and with regards to vertebral fractures.
Cell-like images and UVm groups

Abstract Let X and A be compact metric spaces. The main problem studied in this paper is that of finding conditions under which a map ƒ:A→X can be lifted to a cell-like space; i.e., conditions are sought under which there exist a cell-like continuum Z and continuous maps g:Z→X and ƒ′:A→Z such that g∘ƒ′=ƒ . A theorem is proved which spells out technical conditions on the embedding of A into X and on the homotopy pro-groups of X under which such a lifting exists. The main corollary asserts the following: If X is UVk+1, dim A⩽k, and ƒ′:A→X is continuous, then there exist a cell-like continuum Z and maps g:Z→X and ƒ′:A→Z such that g∘ƒ′= ƒ . An example is constructed which shows that the hypothesis cannot be weakened to UVk. The theorem and example are both applied to the problem of calculating UVm groups.
Multichannel intraluminal impedance and esophageal manometry data for unrestricted swallowing: establishing normal values.

SUMMARY. Standard esophageal manometric testing evaluates swallowing in the supine position using small boluses, with a recovery period imposed between swallows. Manometric tests of more physiologic unrestricted swallowing have had limited practical application due to highly variable results. The purpose of this study is to apply multichannel intraluminal impedance and manometry (MII-EM) to test esophageal function during unrestricted upright meal consumption, and to assess results in a normal healthy population. Ten healthy volunteers with normal esophageal impedance and manometry by published criteria underwent MII-EM testing using a combined 5-channel catheter. After transnasal placement of the catheter, each subject sat upright and consumed a meal that consisted of two pieces of toasted bread and two ounces of Gatorade. There were no restrictions placed on chewing, swallowing, or eating time. All data assessed by the MII-EM meal test were normally distributed. Impedance results with limited variability included the meal duration, number of swallows, postprandial emptying time and the percent of bolus presence times at 15, 10, and 5 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter. Manometric results with limited variability included the number of peristaltic sequences, mean time between these sequences and their distal esophageal amplitudes. MII-EM can be used to collect data with minimal variability in healthy subjects during unrestricted upright meal consumption. This technique may be used to identify abnormal motility patterns during physiologic swallowing.
On the refractive index correction in luminescence spectroscopy

Abstract The derivation of the refractive index ( n ) correction in luminescence spectroscopy is extended to cases with excitation beams. The accepted “l/ n 2 correction” is found to be valid for a large number of experimental arrangements in contrast to the analysis of a recent paper.
Adaptation of TCR expression vectors for the construction of mouse‐human chimeric MBP‐specific TCR transgenes

T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic mice have been used extensively to study T cell development in vivo. Such studies have demonstrated high levels of expression of the TCR transgenes. Although a number of human T cell receptors appear to play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases, in vitro studies have proven inadequate for investigation of their putative pathogenicity. Several groups have reported the isolation of myelin basic protein (MBP)-reactive T cell clones from patients with multiple sclerosis and many of the T cell receptors from such clones have been well characterized. Since a number of inbred mouse strains have demonstrated susceptibility to a similar T cell-mediated inflammatory demyelinating disease known as EAE, a useful animal model is likely to be generated by expressing human MBP-specific TCR in susceptible mice. As a first step toward this goal we have cloned a number of TCR genes into an expression vector previously used for murine TCR genes. Here we report the development of a rapid cloning system for the generation of mouse-human chimeric TCR transgene constructs and the use of this system for the production of MBP-specific TCR transgenes. Human MBP-specific TCR transgenic mice will provide a unique system for the investigation of T cell-mediated demyelinating disease in the central nervous system (CNS).
Regulation of protein synthesis by heme-regulated eIF-2α kinase

Abstract Protein synthesis is regulated by the phosphorylation of the α-subunit of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF-2α) in a variety of cells. At present, there are two distinct mammalian eIF-2α kinases that have been cloned, the double-stranded-RNA-dependent eIF-2α kinase (PKR) and the heme-regulated eIF-2α kinase (HRI). HRI is activated under conditions of heme deficiency in immature erythroid cells, and its activity is inhibited by heme. The high levels of HRI in reticulocytes indicate that its major physiological role is the regulation of protein synthesis, particularly of hemoglobin, according to the concentration of heme in these cells.
Psychometric Survey Methods for Measuring Attitudes toward Homeland Security Systems and Personal Privacy

A survey method for measuring attitudes regarding homeland security systems and personal privacy is described. By use of a simple rating scale method and factor analysis, insight can be gained regarding various technologies and the reasons people consider them more or less acceptable in terms of privacy issues.
Noise in voltage-biased scaled semiconductor laser diodes

Abstract Calculations predict a strong negative feedback between the chemical potential and injected current in scaled laser diodes excited by constant voltage through a series resistance. This causes the Relative Intensity Noise (RIN) of lasing emission in scaled laser diodes to be significantly enhanced at low frequencies and suppressed at the relaxation oscillation frequency.
Response of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Pseudanabaena limnetica to a potential biological control agent, bacterium SG-3 (Lysobacter cf. brunescens)

Abstract A bacterium (SG-3) was reported by Walker and Higginbotham (2000) to lyse cells of filamentous planktonic species of cyanobacteria such as Anabaena, Oscillatoria and Lyngbya. We tested the efficacy of SG-3 in the laboratory to control Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, a species with the potential to produce toxins, and Pseudanabaena limnetica, a species that causes taste and odor problems in water. Both were susceptible to SG-3 concentrations of 1.5 × 107 PFU/mL (PFU = plaque forming units), which was consistent with the concentrations used by Walker and Higginbotham (2000). In tests with a range of SG-3 concentrations (15 to 1.5 × 107 PFU/mL), cell numbers of the Lake Yale and Lake Griffin (FL) isolates of C. raciborskii in relation to untreated controls were reduced by 89–99% at SG-3 concentrations of 1.5 × 105 PFU/mL. The Lake Griffin isolate was somewhat more sensitive to SG-3 than the Lake Yale isolate. The calculated EC50 and EC100 for the Lake Griffin strain were 1.2 × 103 PFU/mL and 3.3 × 1...
Plasma Progesterone, Luteinizing Hormone Concentrations, and Granulosa Cell Responsiveness in Heat-Stressed Hens

Plasma progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) profiles were obtained during the first ovulatory cycle of heat-stressed (HS, 35 C; n = 24) and unstressed (US, 17 to 27 C; n = 24) hens using 30-min sampling intervals beginning approximately 6 h prior to ovulation. Progesterone levels from HS hens were lower from 6 h [.07 +/- .01 (SE) versus 1.66 +/- .25 ng/mL; P = .008] to predicted ovulation (.06 +/- .006 versus .70 +/- .18 ng/mL; P = .07). Likewise, LH levels from HS hens were lower from 6 h (1.55 +/- .16 versus 3.86 +/- .34 ng/mL; P = .007) to predicted ovulation (1.63 +/- .18 versus 2.50 +/- .27 ng/mL; P = .01). Eggs from HS hens were more often laid early (less than 24 h) than eggs from US hens (71.42 versus 13.33%, respectively; P = .01), but US hens more often laid eggs of a normal oviposition interval length (24 to 26 h) compared with HS hens (73.34 versus 14.29%; P = .0005). The percentage of delayed eggs (greater than 26 h) was not different (US, 14.29 versus HS, 13.37%; P = .75) between the two treatment groups. Basal production of progesterone by dispersed granulosa cells from US hens was 97.62 +/- 16.01 ng/mL. Challenge by LH increased this to 417.50 +/- 53.38 ng/mL (P = .0001). In contrast, basal progesterone secretion by cells from HS hens was 40.25 +/- 6.60 ng/mL (P = .0001) and LH challenge failed to increase progesterone production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Teaching Writing in the Context of a National Digital Literacy Narrative

Abstract Despite commitments by composition studies and English education to using technology in the writing classroom and to developing teachers’ “critical technological literacy” ( Selfe, 1999 ), not much has been written about how graduate programs can help secondary English teachers develop their own critical perspective on digital literacy and on teaching with technology. Recognizing this gap in scholarship, I created a series of assignments (The National Digital Literacy Narrative Project) to engage aspiring secondary English teachers in critical considerations of how public rhetoric about technology and literacy complicates composition studies scholarship and the contexts in which they will teach. This article analyzes the NDLN Project and what it teaches writing teachers—and composition studies—about 1) the benefits of analyzing public rhetoric regarding technology and its impact on literacy practices, and 2) the need for graduate programs in composition studies to pay attention to writing teacher education for secondary English teachers. I present the results of the NDLN Project by sharing the stories of three students whose coursework and comments reflect the ideas, experiences, and changing views of the larger group.
Examination of dosimetry accuracy as a function of seed detection rate in permanent prostate brachytherapy

The variation of permanent prostate brachytherapydosimetry as a function of seed detection rates was investigated for I125 implants with seed activities commonly employed in contemporary practice. Post-implant imaging and radiation dosimetry data from nine patients who underwent PPB served as the basis of this simulation study. One-thousand random configurations of detected seeds were generated for each patient dataset using various seed detection levels from 30% to 99%. Dose parameters, including D90, were computed for each configuration and compared with the actual dosimetry data. A total of 108 000 complete sets of post-PPB dose volume statistics were computed. The results demonstrated that although the average D90 differed from the true value by less than 5% when 70% or more seeds were identified, the D90 of an individual case could deviate up to 13%. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of estimated D90 values differ by less than 5% from the actual value when 95% or more seeds are detected, or approximately a 7 Gy difference in the D90 value for a prescription dose of 144 Gy . Estimated target volume dose parameters tended to decrease with reduced seed detection rates. The most variable dose parameter was the prostate V100 in absolute scale while the urethral V100 was most variable in a relative sense. Based on this comprehensive simulation study, it is suggested that 95% or more seeds need to be localized in order to provide an accurate estimation of dose parameters for contemporary iodine 125 permanent prostate brachytherapy.
Distribution coefficients of Ca2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ in KBr

Abstract Distribution coefficients of Ca 2+ , Cd 2+ and Pb 2+ in KBr were found to be 0.13, 0.0025 and 0.0135, respectively. These coefficients were obtained by fitting the impurity distribution along crystals pulled from melts which initially contained various impurity concentrations. The pulling rates and thermal balance were such that a flat crystal-melt interface was maintained during growth. Both the KBr and impurities were extensively processed to remove H 2 O, OH - and organic impurities before crystal growth.
Arachidonate is an antagonist of platelet activation by the endoperoxide analog U46619.

Abstract In the presence of cyclooxygenase inhibitors, arachidonate inhibits platelet activation by the endoperoxide analog U46619. The degree of inhibition depends on the concentrations of U46619 and arachidonate. The mechanism apparently does not involve arachidonate metabolism, because (i) pre-incubation did not enhance inhibition, (ii) inhibition of lipoxygenase did not prevent inhibition, and (iii) eicosatetraynoate and dihomo-γ-linolenate were also inhibitory. Under similar conditions, activation of platelets by other agonists was only slightly inhibited.
Effective and Inexpensive Procedures for Decreasing Client Attrition in an Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Program

Dropout rates in alcohol treatment programs are typically quite high. Three studies with outpatient alcohol abusers investigated several different follow-through procedures designed to increase the return rate of clients who prematurely drop out of treatment. Subjects were also asked why they had abruptly left treatment. Inexpensive letter and telephone follow-through procedures were found to be effective at reducing early client attrition and at providing valuable information about the fate of dropouts.
Topoisomerase I Requirement for Death Receptor-induced Apoptotic Nuclear Fission

Topoisomerase I (Top1) is known to relax DNA supercoiling generated by transcription, replication, and chromatin remodeling. However, it can be trapped on DNA as cleavage complexes (Top1cc) by oxidative and carcinogenic DNA lesions, base damage, and camptothecin treatment. We show here that Top1 is also functionally involved in death receptor-induced programmed cell death. In cells exposed to TRAIL or Fas ligand, Top1cc form at the onset of apoptosis. Those apoptotic Top1cc are prevented by caspase inhibition and Bax inactivation, indicating that both caspases and the mitochondrial death pathway are required for their formation. Accordingly, direct activation of the mitochondrial pathway by BH3 mimetic molecules induces apoptotic Top1cc. We also show that TRAIL-induced apoptotic Top1cc are preferentially formed by caspase-3-cleaved Top1 at sites of oxidative DNA lesions with an average of one apoptotic Top1cc/100 kbp. Examination of Top1 knock-down cells treated with TRAIL revealed similar DNA fragmentation but a marked decrease in apoptotic nuclear fission with reduced formation of nuclear bodies. Thus, we propose that Top1 contributes to the full apoptotic responses induced by TRAIL.
Service Learning in Student Teaching: “What's Social Studies For?”

Abstract Education for a democratic society has been a powerful, long-standing rationale for the entire public school curriculum. But the idea has special relevance for social studies education. This study examined the extent to which notions of democratic citizenship developed in the personal theory of teaching held by one preservice social studies teacher during a student teaching semester. The research posed the question of whether this beginning teacher's incorporation of service learning into his curriculum would serve as a catalyst to help him develop ideas about the role of social studies and what it means to educate for democratic citizenship. Though he believed service-learning was his most powerful and effective teaching during the semester, this student teacher mostly failed to connect what he learned from service-learning to his developing rationale for social studies. The results raise questions about the possibilities for democratic projects in teacher education and the supports needed to fa...
HINTS ON 35 mm COLOUR PHOTOMICROGRAPHY, ESPECIALLY WITH THE LEICA CAMERA

Although this paper is based on a particular make of 35 mm camera, practically all the information contained herein will be of value to users of any 35 mm camera, irrespective of make.
Increased Blood Pressure During Inverse Ratio Ventilation in Two Patients With Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Inverse ratio ventilation (IRV) is increasingly used in the supportive treatment of patients with hypoxemic respiratory failure. A recent study suggests that IRV reduces cardiac output with minimal effect on mean arterial pressure. We report two cases in which IRV led to reproducible increases in mean arterial pressure. Concomitant hemodynamic measurements suggest that these responses occurred as a result of increased vascular resistance.
The Impact of the Adult–Child Relationship on School Adjustment for Children at Risk of Serious Behavior Problems

This study investigated the effect of the adult-child relationship on students’ social outcomes, academic competence and school engagement in a two-year Tier 2 intervention, the Check, Connect and ...
Vapor pressures and vaporization enthalpies of a series of esters used in flavors by correlation gas chromatography

Abstract The vaporization enthalpies of a series of esters used commercially as flavor ingredients are reported as are their vapor pressures over the temperature range T/K = (298.15 to TB). Vaporization enthalpies and vapor pressures at T = 298.15 K ( Δ l g H m (298.15)/kJ ⋅ mol−1, p/Pa) for 3-methyl-2-butenyl acetate (47.8 ± 1.5, 468 ± 7.2), trans trans 2,4-hexadienyl acetate (54.7 ± 1.4, 89 ± 1.5), ethyl 2-methylpentanoate (48.4 ± 1.5, 410 ± 42), cis 3-hexenyl propionate (55.7 ± 1.0, 66.2 ± 3), allyl hexanoate (55.2 ± 1.6, 81.9 ± 10), pentyl butyrate (53.6 ± 0.6, 109 ± 1.1), isoamyl isobutyrate (51.7 ± 1.6, 180 ± 20), phenethyl acetate (61.3 ± 1.3, 13.2 ± 0.2), cis-3-hexenyl butyrate (59.9 ± 1.7, 25.7 ± 2.2), cis 3-hexenyl 2-methylbutyrate (61.5 ± 0.6, 15.3 ± 1), ethyl cinnamate (70.4 ± 1.4, 1.5 ± 0.03), phenethyl propionate (65.6 ± 1.6, 4.8 ± 0.09), cis-5-octenyl propionate (65.3 ± 1.6, 7.0 ± 0.1), heptyl butyrate (65.1 ± 1.1, 7.8 ± 0.05), phenethyl butyrate (69.7 ± 1.4, 1.9 ± 0.4), linalyl acetate (62.5 ± 0.6, 12.2 ± 0.2), citronellyl acetate (67.8 ± 1.8, 4.0 ± 0.4), and phenethyl hexanoate (78.8 ± 1.5, 0.23 ± 0.005) have been evaluated by correlation gas chromatography experiments. The vaporization enthalpies of the esters studied are reproduced within ±2.0 kJ ⋅ mol−1 using a simple additivity scheme. Constants for a third order polynomial are reported which reproduces vapor pressures and predicts normal boiling temperatures to within T = 3.0 K.
Carbon dots for multiphoton bioimaging

Carbon nanoparticles upon simple surface passivation exhibit bright photoluminescence. Reported here is a new finding that these carbon dots are also strongly two-photon luminescent with pulsed laser excitation in the near-infrared. The experimentally measured two-photon absorption cross-sections are comparable to those of the high-performance semiconductor quantum dots already available in the literature. The two-photon luminescence microscopy imaging of human breast cancer cells with internalized carbon dots is demonstrated.
A new set of semiconductor equations for computer simulation of submicron devices

Abstract A new set of semiconductor equations is proposed here which will be suitable for the numerical study of the carrier transport effects in submicron devices. With simplified models and comprehensive numerical techniques, the relative importance (on the device behavior) of several physical effects, such as velocity overshoot, intracollisional field effect, avalanche breakdown, carrier generation and temperature effect can be determined. The program that is capable of solving this set of equations will become an indispensible CAD tool if the current trend of the decreasing of the device dimensions continues.
Nitrated fatty acids reverse pulmonary fibrosis by dedifferentiating myofibroblasts and promoting collagen uptake by alveolar macrophages

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive, fatal disease, thought to be largely transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) driven, for which there is no effective therapy. We assessed the potential benefits in IPF of nitrated fatty acids (NFAs), which are unique endogenous agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a nuclear hormone receptor that exhibits wound-healing and antifibrotic properties potentially useful for IPF therapy. We found that pulmonary PPARγ is down-regulated in patients with IPF. In vitro, knockdown or knockout of PPARγ expression in isolated human and mouse lung fibroblasts induced a profibrotic phenotype, whereas treating human fibroblasts with NFAs up-regulated PPARγ and blocked TGFβ signaling and actions. NFAs also converted TGFβ to inactive monomers in cell-free solution, suggesting an additional mechanism through which they may inhibit TGFβ. In vivo, treating mice bearing experimental pulmonary fibrosis with NFAs reduced disease severity. Also, NFAs up-regulated the collagen-targeting factor milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 (MFG-E8), stimulated collagen uptake and degradation by alveolar macrophages, and promoted myofibroblast dedifferentiation. Moreover, treating mice with established pulmonary fibrosis using NFAs reversed their existing myofibroblast differentiation and collagen deposition. These findings raise the prospect of treating IPF with NFAs to halt and perhaps even reverse the progress of IPF.—Reddy, A. T., Lakshmi, S. P., Zhang, Y., Reddy, R. C. Nitrated fatty acids reverse pulmonary fibrosis by dedifferentiating myofibroblasts and promoting collagen uptake by alveolar macrophages.
Visibility-ordering meshed polyhedra

A visibility-ordering of a set of objects from some viewpoint is an ordering such that if object a obstructs object b, then b precedes a in the ordering. An algorithm is presented that generates a visibility-ordering of an acyclic convex set of meshed convex polyhedra. This algorithm takes time linear in the size of the mesh. Modifications to this algorithm and/or preprocessing techniques are described that permit nonconvex cells nonconvex meshes (meshes with cavities and/or voids), meshes with cycles, and sets of disconnected meshes to be ordered. Visibility-ordering of polyhedra is applicable to scientific visualization, particularly direct volume rendering. It is shown how the ordering algorithms can be used for domain decomposition of finite element meshes for parallel processing, and how the data structures used by these algorithms can be used to solve the spatial point location problem. The effects of cyclically obstructing polyhedra are discussed and methods for their elimination are described, including the use of the Delaunay triangulation. Methods for converting nonconvex meshes into convex meshes are described.
Block-Diagram Based SIMULINK Analysis for the Drop Impact Response of a Mobile Electronic System

In this paper, the block diagram based SIMULINK models were developed to evaluate the dynamic response of a portable electronic product with various impact configurations. The visual interfaces of the developed models present results in a way that people can immediately identify the effects of changing system parameters. It was found that time durations of the input profiles play an important role in the dynamic response. The system response can be designed by carefully choosing the impact time. Certain input pulse time results in the response with very low ringing after first or second peaks.
Circumsporozoite proteins of malaria parasites contain a single immunodominant region with two or more identical epitopes

We have used panels of monoclonal antibodies to circumsporozoite (CS) proteins of Plasmodium falciparium, P. vivax, and P. knowlesi to determine the number of topographically independent epitopes of these antigens. The results of competition binding assays indicated that single regions of the CS molecules were recognized by the homologous monoclonal antibodies. Competition binding assays were also used to study the specificity of antibodies contained in the sera of humans and monkeys that had developed sterile immunity after immunization with irradiated, intact sporozoites. We found that single monoclonal antibodies inhibited 70-95% of the specific binding of the polyclonal antibodies to crude extracts of sporozoites. It appears, therefore, that CS proteins are among the most immunogenic constituents of sporozoites, and that a single region of these molecules contains most of the immunogenic activity. An additional finding was that the immunodominant region of CS molecules is multivalent with regard to the expression of a single epitope. This was demonstrated by the ability of monomers of CS proteins to bind simultaneously two or more molecules of the same monoclonal antibody.
The Polaris military essentiality system

Abstract : One of the major requirements for military systems has been the need for a measure of the relative importance of stocking one item rather than another. The present study develops one such system which has been implemented for the Polaris weapons system. Considerable emphasis is placed on systematic development of underlying principles. It is concluded that the present approach could readily be adapted to other weapons systems. (Author)
Graphic display techniques in the automated interconnection process

At present, it is necessary to negotiate a manual completion phase in wiring multi-layer interconnection boards used in aerospace computers. This phase occurs after automatic placement of logic modules and routing of the greater majority of the requisite wiring. The GAPE (Graphic Aids to Packaging Engineering) System utilizes an IBM 2250 to minimize not only time-consuming and error-prone functions in the wiring completion process but also the total amount of computer time required. Selection and routing of wires in an n-plane environment is controlled using a displayed set of functions which are activated by light pen and function keyboard. Routing is enhanced by the ability of the system to rapidly switch between planes and subsections of the planes. The system also permits re-routing of wires already placed either in their entirety or portions thereof. Description of the physical board to be wired is supplied at execution time for maximum system flexibility and minimum user intervention. System tape output interfaces with printed circuit generator functions.
Collaborative learning: Effects of student expectations and communication apprehension on student motivation

This study examines the effects of students' communication expectations and communication apprehension on the development of student motivation in collaborative learning (CL) group activities. The central question addressed here concerns the ways in which such communication predispositions promote or detract from individual students' motivation relative to their groups. Upper‐division undergraduates (N = 96) worked in small groups on three CL tasks in sessions which featured different communication modalities (group discussion, writing/peer commentary, and interactive computer conferencing). Measures of pre‐session expectancies and channel‐specific apprehension were combined to classify students into four categories of optimal challenge predispositions. Post‐session measures of emergent motivation or intrinsic rewards included: (a) expectancy fulfillment; (b) state anxiety; (c) communicative activity; and (d) satisfaction with the CL interaction. Results showed distinctive patterns of emergent motivation ...
Gas chromatography—mass spectrometry characteristics of methylated perfluoroacyl derivatives of cytosine and 5-methylcytosine

Abstract Pentafluorobenzoyl and heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of cytosine and pentafluorobenzoyl-5-methylcytosine have been examined by mass spectrometry following permethylation. Electron impact mass spectra were used to confirm the structures of the derivatives. The permethylated pentafluorobenzoyl derivatives of cystosine and 5-methylcytosine are sensitive for quantitative analysis by capillary gas chromatography—mass specrometry. Under negative ion chemical ionization conditions 1 femtogram of each is detected.
Voluntary drinking of ethanol by the rat: biogenic amines and possible underlying mechanism.

The present study evaluates the possible relationship between certain biogenic amine metabolites-produced changes in voluntary drinking of ethyl alcohol (ET) solution by the rat and their in vivo effects on the enzymes primarily involved in the hepatic metabolism of ET, i.e., liver alcohol-(L-ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (L-ALDH). In experiments on voluntary intake of ET solution by the rat, compounds selected were injected, 0.5 mM/kg, IP. Administration of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) markedly reduced ET drinking. Similar significant effects were seen after administration of the neutral metabolites of the biogenic amines tested, after injection of metanephrine or 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid. Threodihydroxyphenylserine but not L-dopa reduced ET intake by the rat. Treatment with peripheral decarboxylase inhibitors, i.e., carbidopa, 50 mg/kg, IP, significantly reduced ET drinking as contrasted with nonsignificant decline in ET consumption following benserazide, 500 mg/kg, IP. In the biochemical study, short-term administration of the compounds selected produced varied effects on L-ADH and L-ADH. It is suggested that alteration of hepatic ADH by the compounds tested might account for the observation reduced ET drinking thereby, indicating the contribution of peripheral sources rather than central factors in mediating the behavioral effects studied.
Cholecystokinin innervation of rat thalamus, including fibers to ventroposterolateral nucleus from dorsal column nuclei.

Abstract The distribution of cholecystokinin octapeptide immunoreactive fibers and puncta in the adult rat thalamus was studied using immunocytochemical methods. Small to moderate numbers of immunoreactive fibers were present in the lateral habenular nucleus, ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, zona incerta, parataenial, mediodorsal, medioventral, and submedial nuclei, the rhomboid, paracentral, central lateral and parafascicular nuclei, and in the medial geniculate and dorsal lateral geniculate nuclei. Moderate to large numbers of cholecystokinin (CCK)-positive fibers were present in the paraventricular nuclei, the reticular nucleus, the anteroventral, anteromedial, and central medial nuclei, and in the rostral extension of the internal medullary lamina between the parataential and anteroventral nuclei. Dense concentrations of immunoreactive fibers were also found in a principal sensory relay nucleus, the ventroposterolateral nucleus (VPL), of the ventrobasal complex. The number of CCK-positive fibers in VPL showed a marked unilateral decrease in rats which had received lesions of the contralateral gracile and cuneate nuclei. The results of this study demonstrate that CCK-immunoreactive fibers and puncta are widely distributed in the rat thalamus, and that the source of these fibers in VPL is probably the dorsal column nuclei.
Self-consistent symmetries of the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov equations in a rotating frame☆

Abstract The self-consistent symmetries σx (reflection through the yz plane) and TRz(π) and their eigenfunctions are employed to reduce the dimension of the Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov equations in a rotating frame by a factor of two. In the canonical or BCS representation, σx, maps each single-particle orbital into itself.
Concepts to facilitate a combined program of clinical pharmacology and clinical toxicology.

(1980). Concepts to Facilitate a Combined Program of Clinical Pharmacology and Clinical Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology: Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 371-376.
Growth of Mannheimia haemolytica: Inhibitory agents and putative mechanism of inhibition

Leukotoxin-producing Mannheimia haemolytica consistently causes fatal pneumonia in bighorn sheep (BHS) under experimental conditions. Surprisingly, by culture methods, it has been isolated from pneumonic BHS lungs less frequently than other bacteria. However, in one study PCR assays detected M. haemolytica from over 70% of the pneumonic lung samples that were negative for this organism by culture, suggesting that the growth of M. haemolytica is inhibited by other bacteria. Previously, we have shown that Bibersteinia trehalosi inhibits the growth of M. haemolytica. Herein we report that 100% of a diverse panel of B. trehalosi isolates (n=55) tested in a bacterial competition assay inhibited the growth of M. haemolytica, suggesting that the inhibitory phenotype is conserved. Further, no plasmids were isolated from any of the 30 B. trehalosi isolates tested, suggesting that the effectors are chromosomally encoded. An earlier study by us showed that Pasteurella multocida also inhibits the growth of M. haemolytica. However, M. haemolytica has not been isolated even from pneumonic BHS lungs that did not carry B. trehalosi or P. multocida. Consequently, we tested Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and Escherichia coli, the bacteria that have been detected frequently in pneumonic BHS lungs, for possible inhibition of M. haemolytica. Neither the Staphylococcus spp. nor the Streptococcus sp. strains inhibited the growth of M. haemolytica. E. coli inhibited the growth of M. haemolytica by a proximity-dependent mechanism. Growth inhibition of M. haemolytica by several bacterial species is likely to contribute to the infrequent detection of this bacterium from pneumonic BHS lungs by culture.
A posteriori design of crystal contacts to improve the X-ray diffraction properties of a small RNA enzyme

The hairpin ribozyme is a small catalytic RNA comprising two helix–loop–helix domains linked by a four-way helical junction (4WJ). In its most basic form, each domain can be formed independently and reconstituted without a 4WJ to yield an active enzyme. The production of such minimal junctionless hairpin ribozymes is achievable by chemical synthesis, which has allowed structures to be determined for numerous nucleotide variants. However, abasic and other destabilizing core modifications hinder crystallization. This investigation describes the use of a dangling 5′-U to form an intermolecular U·U mismatch, as well as the use of synthetic linkers to tether the loop A and B domains, including (i) a three-carbon propyl linker (C3L) and (ii) a nine-atom triethylene glycol linker (S9L). Both linker constructs demonstrated similar enzymatic activity, but S9L constructs yielded crystals that diffracted to 2.65 A resolution or better. In contrast, C3L variants diffracted to 3.35 A and exhibited a 15 A expansion of the c axis. Crystal packing of the C3L construct showed a paucity of 61 contacts, which comprise numerous backbone to 2′-OH hydrogen bonds in junctionless and S9L complexes. Significantly, the crystal packing in minimal structures mimics stabilizing features observed in the 4WJ hairpin ribozyme structure. The results demonstrate how knowledge-based design can be used to improve diffraction and overcome otherwise destabilizing defects.