cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Parathyroid hormone concentration and risk of cardiovascular diseases: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study

Background According to a recent meta-analysis, parathyroid hormone (PTH) excess is associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, but existing studies are limited. We examined in a prospective study the association of PTH with the incidence of CVD, taking into account vitamin D and other confounding variables. Methods The ARIC study measured PTH using a second-generation assay (Roche, Indianapolis, IN) in stored serum samples from 1990 to 1992 and related levels in 10,392 adults to incident cardiovascular outcomes (coronary heart disease [n = 808], heart failure [n = 1,294], stroke [n = 586], peripheral artery disease [n = 873], atrial fibrillation [n = 1,190], and CVD mortality [n = 647]) through 2010 (median follow-up 19 years). Results Contrary to the hypothesis, PTH level was not associated positively with any CVD outcome. The associations of incident heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and CVD mortality with PTH actually were weakly inverse ( P trend=.02-.04) in the most fully adjusted models. For example, the hazard ratios across PTH quartiles were 1.00, 1.07, 1.07, and 0.96 ( P trend=.74) for coronary heart disease incidence and were 1.00, 0.69, 0.74, and 0.74 ( P trend=.02) for CVD mortality. Patterns were similar when restricted to participants with normal baseline kidney function. Conclusions This large prospective study failed to support the hypothesis that elevated PTH is an independent risk marker for incident CVD. When our data were added to the previous meta-analysis, the pooled hazard ratio remained statistically significant but weakened.
Oculomotor Performance Identifies Underlying Cognitive Deficits in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective To evaluate cognitive control in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) using oculomotor tests of executive function.
Primary ovarian undifferentiated non-small cell carcinoma, neuroendocrine type.

Abstract Background . Non-small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (NSCNEC) of the ovary is a rare aggressive neoplasm, characteristically arising in association with a surface epithelial tumor. Case . A 27-year-old woman with no significant past medical history presented with a 17-cm left ovarian tumor. She underwent an exploratory laparotomy with resection of the pelvic mass. A diagnosis of stage IA non-small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma was rendered. She was subsequently treated with Taxol and Carboplatinum. Conclusion . This is a report of a rare primary ovarian non-small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. In contrast to prior reports, this neoplasm was not associated with a surface epithelial tumor.
TRAFFICKING OF CELL SURFACE BETA -AMYLOID PRECURSOR PROTEIN : RETROGRADE AND TRANSCYTOTIC TRANSPORT IN CULTURED NEURONS

Amyloid beta-protein (A beta), the principal constituent of senile plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD), is derived by proteolysis from the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta PP). The mechanism of A beta production in neurons, which are hypothesized to be a rich source of A beta in brain, remains to be defined. In this study, we describe a detailed localization of cell surface beta PP and its subsequent trafficking in primary cultured neurons. Full-length cell surface beta PP was present primarily on perikarya and axons, the latter with a characteristic discontinuous pattern. At growth cones, cell surface beta PP was inconsistently detected. By visualizing the distribution of beta PP monoclonal antibodies added to intact cultures, beta PP was shown to be internalized from distal axons or terminals and retrogradely transported back to perikarya in organelles which colocalized with fluid-phase endocytic markers. Retrograde transport of beta PP was shown in both hippocampal and peripheral sympathetic neurons, the latter using a compartment culture system that isolated cell bodies from distal axons and terminals. In addition, we demonstrated that beta PP from distal axons was transcytotically transported to the surface of perikarya from distal axons in sympathetic neurons. Indirect evidence of this transcytotic pathway was obtained in hippocampal neurons using antisense oligonucleotide to the kinesin heavy chain to inhibit anterograde beta PP transport. Taken together, these results demonstrate novel aspects of beta PP trafficking in neurons, including retrograde axonal transport and transcytosis. Moreover, the axonal predominance of cell surface beta PP is unexpected in view of the recent report of polarized sorting of beta PP to the basolateral domain of MDCK cells.
Planetary Systems Biology

Combining paleogenetics, protein engineering, synthetic biology, and metabolic modeling, a planetary biology perspective is brought to bear on adaptive evolutionary events in ancient bacteria.
Velocity-selective direct frequency-comb spectroscopy of atomic vapors

We present an experimental and theoretical investigation of two-photon direct frequency-comb spectroscopy performed through velocity-selective excitation. In particular, we explore the effect of repetition rate on the $5{S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5{D}_{3/2,5/2}$ two-photon transitions excited in a rubidium atomic vapor cell. The transitions occur via stepwise excitation through the $5{P}_{1/2,3/2}$ states by use of the direct output of an optical frequency comb. Experiments were performed with two different frequency combs, one with a repetition rate of $\ensuremath{\approx}925$ MHz and one with a repetition rate of $\ensuremath{\approx}250$ MHz. The experimental spectra are compared to each other and to a theoretical model.
Mortality of the Rice Weevil, the Indian-Meal Moth, and Trogoderma glabrum Exposed to Mixtures of Atmospheric Gases at Various Temperatures

Adults and larvae of Trogoderma glabrum (Herbst) and rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.), and pupae of Indian-meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), were exposed 3,7, 14 day to conditioned binary and ternary mixtures of N2, O2, and CO2, at 4.4°, 15.6°, 26.7°, and 37.8°C. Atmospheres were highly lethal to the moth pupae and, except at the lowest temperature, to the beetle adults when O2 concentration was reduced to about 13% and the CO2 concentration increased to at least 43%. However, for the atmospheres to be highly lethal to T. glabrum larvae, the O2 had to be reduced to about 7% and the CO2 increased to 60% or more. In the absence of CO2, atmospheres were not lethal to the insects until the O2 concentration was reduced to about 1%.
Decreased blood-brain barrier permeability to fluorescein in streptozotocin-treated rats

Investigations of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in diabetes have yielded contradictory results. It is possible that diabetes differentially affects paracellular and transcellular permeabilities via modulation of tight junction and transport proteins, respectively. Fluorescein (FL), a marker for paracellular permeability, is a substrate for the transport proteins organic anion transporter (OAT)-3 and multidrug resistance protein (MRP)-2 at the BBB. Furthermore, MRP-2-mediated efflux of FL can be upregulated by glucose. In this study, streptozotocin-induced diabetes led to decreased brain distribution of FL measured by in situ brain perfusion, consistent with activation of an efflux transport system for FL at the BBB. This change was paralleled by increased protein expression of MRP-2, but not OAT-3, in cerebral microvessels. These data indicate that diabetes may lead to changes in efflux transporters at the BBB and have implications for delivery of therapeutics to the central nervous system.
Modeling nitrogen-carbon cycling and oxygen consumption in bottom sediments

A model framework is presented for simulating nitrogen and carbon cycling at the sediment–water interface, and predicting oxygen consumption by oxidation reactions inside the sediments. Based on conservation of mass and invoking simplifying assumptions, a coupled system of diffusive–reactive partial differential equations is formulated for two-layer conceptual model of aerobic–anaerobic sediments. Oxidation reactions are modeled as first-order rate processes and nitrate is assumed to be consumed entirely in the anoxic portion of the sediments. The sediments are delineated into a thin oxygenated surface layer whose thickness is equal to the oxygen penetration depth, and a lower, but much thicker anoxic layer. The sediments are separated from the overlying water column by a relatively thin boundary layer through which mass transfer is diffusion controlled. Transient solutions are derived using the method of Laplace transform and Green’s function, which relate pore-water concentrations of the constituents to their concentrations in the bulk water and to the flux of decomposable settling organic matter. Steady-state pore-water concentrations are also obtained including expressions for the extent of methane saturation zone and methane gas flux. A relationship relating the sediment oxygen demand (SOD) to bulk water oxygen is derived using the two-film concept, which in combination with the depth-integrated solutions forms the basis for predicting the extent of oxygen penetration in the sediment. Iterative procedure and simplification thereof are proposed to estimate the extent of methane saturation zone and thickness of the aerobic layer as functions of time. Sensitivity of steady-state solutions to key parameters illustrates sediment processes interactions and synergistic effects. Simulations indicate that for a relatively thin diffusive boundary layer, d, oxygen uptake is limited by biochemical processes inside the sediments, whereas for a thick boundary layer oxygen transfer through the diffusive boundary layer is limiting. The results show an almost linear relationship between steady-state sediment oxygen demand and bulk water oxygen. For small d methane and nitrogen fluxes are sediment controlled, whereas for large d they are controlled by diffusional transfer through the boundary layer. It is shown that the two-layer model solution converges to the one-layer model (anaerobic layer) solution as the thickness of the oxygenated layer approaches zero, and that the transient solutions approach asymptotically their corresponding steady-state solutions.
Extreme video retrieval: joint maximization of human and computer performance

We present an efficient system for video search that maximizes the use of human bandwidth, while at the same time exploiting the machine's ability to learn in real-time from user selected relevant video clips. The system exploits the human capability for rapidly scanning imagery augmenting it with an active learning loop, which attempts to always present the most relevant material based on the current information. Two versions of the human interface were evaluated, one with variable page sizes and manual paging, the other with a fixed page size and automatic paging. Both require absolute attention and focus of the user for optimal performance. In either case, as users search and find relevant results, the system can invisibly re-rank its previous best guesses using a number of knowledge sources, such as image similarity, text similarity, and temporal proximity. Experimental evidence shows a significant improvement using the combined extremes of human and machine power over either approach alone.
Hydrophobicity and Subunit Interactions of Rod Outer Segment Proteins Investigated Using Triton X-114 Phase Partitioning

Triton X-114 phase partitioning, a procedure used for purifying integral membrane proteins, was used to study protein components of the mammalian visual transduction cascade. An integral membrane protein, rhodopsin, and two isoprenylated protein complexes, cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase and Gtβγ, partitioned into the detergent-rich phase. Arrestin, a soluble protein, accumulated in the aqueous phase. Gtα distributed about equally between phases whether GDP (Gtα•GDP) or GTP (Gtα•GTP) was bound. Gtβγ increased recovery of Gtα•GDP but not Gtα•GTP in the detergent phase. Trypsin-treated Gtα, which lacks the fatty acylated amino-terminal 2-kDa region, accumulated to a greater extent in the aqueous phase than did intact Gtα. Trypsinized cGMP phosphodiesterase, which lacks the isoprenyl group, partitioned into the aqueous phase. A carboxyl-terminal truncated mutant (Val-331 stop) of Gtα accumulated more in the aqueous phase then did recombinant full-length Gtα, supporting the role of the carboxyl terminus in increasing its hydrophobicity. N-Myristoylated recombinant Goα was more hydrophobic than recombinant Goα without myristate. ADP-ribosylation of Gtα catalyzed by NAD:arginine ADP-ribosyltransferase, but not by pertussis toxin, increased hydrophilicity. Triton X-114 phase partitioning can thus semiquantify the hydrophobic nature of proteins and protein domains. It may aid in evaluating changes associated with post-translational protein modification and protein-protein interactions in a defined system.
The history of the calorimetry conference: 1946-1995

Abstract On its 50th anniversary, the Calorimetry Conference looks back on a history of accomplishment. Begun in 1946 by the late Hugh M. Huffman, the organization in 1995 provides a forum for members to discuss calorimetry and calorimetry-related subjects. Important activities of the Conference are the development of standards, the organization of symposia, and the recognition of outstanding achievements in calorimetry. The Conference gives three awards to individuals for superior attainments in calorimetry, and one award to aid students in attending the Conference. The Conference reflects changes in the field of calorimetry over the past half-century. During this time, commercial calorimeters and auxiliary equipment have become available, calorimeters have been interfaced with computers making acquisition and analysis of results rapid, and there has been increasing emphasis on the study of chemical interactions in a variety of media. The design and construction of novel calorimeters has enabled scientists to study a variety of reactions where energy or enthalpy changes occur.
Pharmacological evaluation of iodo and nitro analogs of Δ8-THC and Δ9-THC

One aspect of cannabinoid structure-activity relationships (SARs) that has not been thoroughly investigated is the aromatic (A) ring. Although halogenation of the side chain enhances potency, our recent observation that iodination of the A ring also enhanced activity was surprising. The purpose of this investigation was to establish the steric and electrostatic requirements at these sites of the cannabinoid molecule via molecular modeling, while determining pharmacological activity. Molecular modeling was performed using the Tripos molecular mechanics force field and the semiempirical quantum mechanical package AM1. The Ki values for novel cannabinoids were determined in a [3H]CP-55,940 binding assay and ED50 values generated from four different evaluations in a mouse model. The present studies underscore the increase in potency produced by a dimethylheptyl (DMH) side chain. Trifluoro substitutions on the pentyl side chain, or bromination of the DMH side chain, had little effect on the pharmacological activity. Any substitution at the C4 position of the aryl ring resulted in a loss of activity, which appears to be due to steric hindrances. Nitro, but not iodo, substitution at the C2 position essentially produces an inactive analog, and the drastic alteration of the electrostatic potential appears to be responsible. The altered pharmacological profile of the 2-iodo analog seems to be related to an alteration in the highest occupied molecular orbital because there is no alteration in the electron density map compared to Δ8-tetrahydrocannibinol.
A new energy aware performance metric

Energy aware algorithms are the wave of the future. The development of exascale systems made it clear that extrapolations of current technologies, algorithmic practices and performance metrics are simply inadequate. The community reacted by introducing the FLOPS/WATT metric in order to promote energy awareness. In this work we take a step forward and argue what one should aim for is the total reduction of the spent energy in conjunction with minimization of time to solution. Thus, we propose to use f(timetosolution)⋅energy (FTTSE) as the performance metric, where f(⋅) is an application dependent function of time. In this paper, we introduce our ideas and showcase them with a recently developed framework for solving large dense linear systems.
The influence of magnetic amplifier circuitry upon the operating hysteresis loops

THE scope of this paper will be limited to the steady-state characteristics of those high-performance magnetic amplifier circuits which are classed as single-phase self-saturated types. No attempt will be made to indicate when considerations presented herein are applicable to the 100-per-cent external feedback type. Only resistive loads will be considered.
Optical fibre microbending sensors by micromachining techniques

A practical tactile sensor using micromachined techniques has been implemented and evaluated. Optical fibres laid on the pedestals of micromachined silicon showed outstanding improvement in sensitivity, mechanical decoupling between fibres and excellent repeatability. The upper cover made from plastic and Cu-Be foils, not only provides a protective membrane to the sensor but also acts as the force concentrator, allowing better force point resolution. >
Tension and robustness in multitasking cellular networks.

Cellular networks multitask by exhibiting distinct, context-dependent dynamics. However, network states (parameters) that generate a particular dynamic are often sub-optimal for others, defining a source of “tension” between them. Though multitasking is pervasive, it is not clear where tension arises, what consequences it has, and how it is resolved. We developed a generic computational framework to examine the source and consequences of tension between pairs of dynamics exhibited by the well-studied RB-E2F switch regulating cell cycle entry. We found that tension arose from task-dependent shifts in parameters associated with network modules. Although parameter sets common to distinct dynamics did exist, tension reduced both their accessibility and resilience to perturbation, indicating a trade-off between “one-size-fits-all” solutions and robustness. With high tension, robustness can be preserved by dynamic shifting of modules, enabling the network to toggle between tasks, and by increasing network complexity, in this case by gene duplication. We propose that tension is a general constraint on the architecture and operation of multitasking biological networks. To this end, our work provides a framework to quantify the extent of tension between any network dynamics and how it affects network robustness. Such analysis would suggest new ways to interfere with network elements to elucidate the design principles of cellular networks.
Performance Evaluation of NAS Parallel Benchmarks on Intel Xeon Phi

NAS parallel benchmarks (NPB) are a set of applications commonly used to evaluate parallel systems. We use the NPB-OpenMP version to examine the performance of the Intel's new Xeon Phi co-processor and focus in particular on the many core aspect of the Xeon Phi architecture. A first analysis studies the scalability up to 244 threads on 61 cores and the impact of affinity settings on scaling. It also compares performance characteristics of Xeon Phi and traditional Xeon CPUs. The application of several well-established optimization techniques allows us to identify common bottlenecks that can specifically impede performance on the Xeon Phi but are not as severe on multi-core CPUs. We also find that many of the OpenMP-parallel loops are too short (in terms of the number of loop iterations) for a balanced execution by 244 threads. New or redesigned benchmarks will be needed to accommodate the greatly increased number of cores and threads. At the end, we summarize our findings in a set recommendations for performance optimization for Xeon Phi.
Test of Electron Delocalization Effects on Water-Proton Spin-Lattice Relaxation by Bromination of [Tetrakis(4-sulfonatopheny)porphine]manganese.

The potential value of electron spin delocalization as a means for substantially increasing the ability of a paramagnetic metal complex to induce nuclear spin relaxation of water protons has been examined by covalent attachment of bromine atoms in the β-pyrrole positions of the [5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)-21H,23H-porphine]manganese complexes[MnIIITPPS]3- and [MnIITPPS].4- The water-proton spin−lattice relaxivities are reported as a function of magnetic field strength for the brominated and nonbrominated metalloporphyrins over the range of magnetic field strengths corresponding to proton Larmor frequencies between 0.01 and 30 MHz. The brominated metalloporphyrins increase the water-proton relaxativities compared to the nonbrominated metalloporphrins, and, at low magnetic field strengths, the brominated [MnIITPPS]4- complex rivals the efficiency of the hexaaquomanganese(II) ion. Attempts to fit the experimental data to theories for paramagnetic relaxation, which are based on the point-dipole app...
Crystal structure of firefly luciferase in a second catalytic conformation supports a domain alternation mechanism.

Beetle luciferases catalyze a two-step reaction that includes the initial adenylation of the luciferin substrate, followed by an oxidative decarboxylation that ultimately produces light. Evidence for homologous acyl-CoA synthetases supports a domain alternation catalytic mechanism in which these enzymes’ C-terminal domain rotates by ∼140° to adopt two conformations that are used to catalyze the two partial reactions. While many structures exist of acyl-CoA synthetases in both conformations, to date only biochemical evidence supports domain alternation with luciferase. We have determined the structure of a cross-linked luciferase enzyme that is trapped in the second conformation. This new structure supports the role of the second catalytic conformation and provides insights into the biochemical mechanism of the luciferase oxidative step.
High-radiance diode-pumped solid-state laser technology development in the United States

An overview of how high energy laser system illuminator requirements are developed, along with a short history and current status of diode-pumped solid-state laser illuminator technology development in the United States, will be provided.
Acoustic radiation from multiple spheres

Abstract A significant part of the current research effort in acoustic radiation theory is concerned with transducer arrays and the effects of the interaction therein. There exist two broad sub-classes of the total problem: (i) one or more vibrating elements on a single common surface (baffle); and (ii) one or more vibrating elements on multiple surfaces. Problems within the first sub-class have been treated extensively. Few solutions exist for problems within the second sub-class and those that do are very restricted. This exposition seeks to extend the list of analytic developments to include solutions to certain multiple surface problems. Initially, we obtain a formal solution to the radiation and multiple scattering problem of two vibrating spheres using the method of Green's functions. The extension to N vibrating spheres, of arbitrary radii and location, follows, and is obtained directly from the two sphere problem. To demonstrate the practicality of the method, the problem of “two pulsating spheres” is carried through to completion. Numerical results are obtained which demonstrate the effects of interaction (scattering) on the near- and far-field pressure and the dependence of the radiation impedance of one sphere on the presence of the other. Comparisons are shown between these theoretically derived results and those obtained from experimental studies now being conducted at the Catholic University of America.
The enthalpy of formation of UPd3 by fluorine bomb calorimetry

Abstract The energy of the reaction between F2(g) and UPd3(c) to give Pd(PdF6)(c), about 15 mass per cent Pd(c) and UF6(g), has been measured in a bomb calorimeter. After removal of F2(g) and UF6(g), but without dismantling the combustion bomb, the energy of the reaction between gaseous PF3(g) and the {Pd(PdF6)(c) + Pd(c)} left in the bomb, to give Pd(c) and PF5(g), has been measured in the calorimeter. Combining these reactions, the standard enthalpy of formation: ΔHfo(UPd3, c, 298.15 K) = −(524 ± 31) kJ·mol−1 has been derived.
Phenological synchronization drives demographic rates of populations

Phenology is increasingly recognized as an important factor structuring communities because it determines when and at what life stage organisms interact. Previous work indicates that changes in first or mean timing of a phenological event can affect populations and communities, but little is known about the consequences of changes in the distribution (e.g., synchrony) of a phenological event. We conducted an experiment using an anuran study system to determine how synchrony of reproduction and egg hatching affects offspring performance, whether the effects are density dependent, and how hatching synchrony influences the synchrony of a subsequent phenological event (metamorphosis). Changes in hatching synchrony altered survival, development rates, and body size at metamorphosis, which can affect post-metamorphosis performance. The degree of synchrony at hatching also affected the degree of synchrony at metamorphosis, indicating that timing of one stage can carry over to affect that of later ones. Importantly, these effects were all density dependent, likely because decreasing hatching synchrony switched intraspecific interactions from scramble to contest competition. This study demonstrates that phenological synchrony has important consequences for ecological interactions and population dynamics, emphasizing the need to develop a comprehensive understanding of how shifts in phenological distributions affect communities.
Coronary Artery Perfusion with a New Self-Retaining Catheter

Abstract A new, improved cannula for coronary artery perfusion during aortic valve replacement is described and the experience with this device is presented.
Anorexia nervosa masking the diagnosis of spinal meningioma: A case report

A case report of an adolescent female with signs and symptoms of both anorexia nervosa and high thoracic spinal cord meningioma is presented. Similarities in the presentation of both conditions are discussed, with emphasis on the early diagnosis of anorexia nervosa masking and delaying diagnosis of the thoracic meningioma. The contribution of the family and doctor-patient relationship in delaying the diagnosis are discussed. Pertinent literature is also reviewed.
Evaluation of the pitting corrosion of carbon steels and other ferrous metals in soil systems

Abstract Carbon steel containers are widely used in the disposal of low-level radioactive wastes in the United States. On metals in soils, the maximum pit depth due to corrosion is often expressed by h m = kt n , where t is the exposure time, k is the pitting parameter, and n is a parameter related to aeration properties of the soil. This investigation determined the dependence of k and n on soil properties based on data on carbon steels and ferrous metals obtained by the National Bureau of Standards. A linear correlation analysis of k as a function of the pH value and the resistivity revealed that k is principally influenced by the pH value of the soil. The resistivity of the soil is found to play a minor role. The following two relationships were derived: k a = 5.74(9.9 − pH) for pH k b = 5.05(2 pH − 10.3) for pH > 7.2, for acidic and alkaline soils, respectively. A linear correlation analysis of n as a function of moisture content, 0, and clay content, CL, led to the following relationship: n = A 1 0 + A 2 ( CL ) + A 3 . The values for A 1 , A 2 , and A 3 are dependent on the degree of soil aeration. Comparison of the present expressions with another available in the literature and experimental data are presented. Comparison of pitting in carbon steels and in wrought ferrous metals indicated that these materials pitted at similar rates in similar environments.
A Neurochemical Pattern Generator SoC With Switched-Electrode Management for Single-Chip Electrical Stimulation and 9.3 µW, 78 pA rms , 400 V/s FSCV Sensing

This paper describes a system-on-chip (SoC) fabricated in AMS 0.35 μm 2P/4M CMOS for high-fidelity neurochemical pattern generation in vivo. The SoC uniquely integrates electrical stimulation with embedded timing management for generation of neurochemical patterns and 400 V/s fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) sensing for subsequent assessment of fidelity in the generated profiles, and manages a novel switched-electrode scheme that eliminates the possibility of large stimulus artifacts adversely affecting electrochemistry. The SoC also leverages the discontinuous sampling inherent in FSCV to reduce the sensing power consumption by 87.5% to 9.3 μW from 2.5 V using a duty-cycled, 3rd-order, continuous-time, ΔΣ modulator (CT-ΔΣM) with an input-referred noise current of 78 pArms (dc - 5 kHz) within an input current range of ±950 nA. Utilizing a transfer function that relates electrical stimulation of dopamine axons traversing the medial forebrain bundle (MFB) to evoked extracellular dopamine dynamics in the dorsal striatum of the forebrain, the correlation coefficient between predicted and measured dopamine temporal profiles was found to be 0.95 in an anesthetized rat.
Activation of Transcription Factor NF-κB Is Suppressed by Curcumin (Diferuloylmethane)

When activated, NF-κB, a ubiquitous transcription factor, binds DNA as a heterodimeric complex composed of members of the Rel/NF-κB family of polypeptides. Because of its intimate involvement in host defense against disease, this transcription factor is an important target for therapeutic intervention. In the present report we demonstrate that curcumin (diferuloylmethane), a known anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic agent, is a potent inhibitor of NF-κB activation. Treatment of human myeloid ML-1a cells with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) rapidly activated NF-κB, which consists of p50 and p65 subunits, and this activation was inhibited by curcumin. AP-1 binding factors were also found to be down-modulated by curcumin, whereas the Sp1 binding factor was unaffected. Besides TNF, curcumin also blocked phorbol ester- and hydrogen peroxide-mediated activation of NF-κB. The TNF-dependent phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα was not observed in curcumin-treated cells; the translocation of p65 subunit to the nucleus was inhibited at the same time. The mechanism of action of curcumin was found to be different from that of protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors. Our results indicate that curcumin inhibits NF-κB activation pathway at a step before IκBα phosphorylation but after the convergence of various stimuli.
Comments on "On Binary DPSK Detection"

This brief correspondence notes the equivalence between the optimum M -ary DPSK receiver given recently by Park and another form of this receiver suggested earlier in the literature but not referenced in Park's paper.
Metformin and prostate cancer: reduced development of castration-resistant disease and prostate cancer mortality.

Background In vitro data and early clinical results suggest that metformin has desirable antineoplastic effects and has a theoretical benefit on castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC).
Performance and control of a 30-cm-diam, low-impulse, Kaufman thruster

30 cm diameter mercury bombardment low impulse thrustor development for potential space applications, discussing performance and control
Autographa californica MNPV nucleocapsid assembly: Inhibition by cytochalasin D

Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (AcMNPV) is a large, double-stranded DNA virus of lepidopteran insects. It replicates in the nucleus of host cells and produces two different infectious forms. One of them buds from the plasma membrane and is responsible for systemic infection in insects and for the spread of infection in cell culture. Earlier we reported that cytochalasin D (CD) inhibited the production of this form of the virus in infected IPLB-SF-21 cells by a mechanism other than the prevention of budding [L. E. Volkman, P. A. Goldsmith, and R. T. Hess (1987). Virology 156, 32-39]. Herein we present evidence that CD interferes with proper nucleocapsid assembly which indicates that microfilaments are involved in this nuclear process. The observation that phalloidin localizes in the nuclei of 24-hr infected cells in the absence, but not in the presence, of CD supports this hypothesis. Viral DNA replication and synthesis of the major capsid antigen and its transport to the nucleus are not inhibited by CD.
Analytical solution for the transient temperature distribution in a moving rod or plate of finite length with surface heat transfer

Abstract An analytical solution for the transient temperature distribution in a wide flat plate and in a cylindrical rod of finite length moving at a constant speed and subjected to convective heat transfer at the surface is obtained. The analytical solution is obtained as an infinite series. However, inclusion of the first 25 terms of the series was found to be sufficient to obtain a converged solution in most cases. The analytical solutions are compared with previously obtained numerical solutions for this moving boundary problem. Excellent agreement between the analytical and numerical results is obtained, indicating the importance of the analytical solution for the validation of numerical schemes. The variation of the temperature field within the material with time is investigated. Even though this is one of the first attempts to solve, analytically, the problem of a finite-length moving material subjected to surface heat transfer, the analytical solutions are found to be of limited use at moderate or large times. However, at very small times, following the start of the process, numerical solutions are often quiet inaccurate. Then the analytical results are particularly useful. The versatility and ease of application of the numerical method are discussed.
Systemic administration of an Fcγ–Fcε-fusion protein in house dust mite sensitive nonhuman primates☆

Crosslinking Fc(epsilon)RI and FcgammaRIIB receptors inhibits mast cell and basophil activation, decreasing mediator release. In this study, a fusion protein incorporating human Fcgamma and Fc(epsilon) domains, hGE2, was shown to inhibit degranulation of human mast cells and basophils, and to exhibit efficacy in a nonhuman primate model of allergic asthma. hGE2 increased the provocative concentration of dust mite aeroallergen that induced an early phase asthmatic response. The treatment effect lasted up to 4 weeks and was associated with reduction in the number of circulating basophils and decreased expression of Fc(epsilon)RI on repopulating basophils. Repeat hGE2 dosing induced production of serum antibodies against human Fcgamma and Fc(epsilon) domains and acute anaphylaxis-like reactions. Immune serum induced histamine release from human IgE or hGE2-treated cord blood-derived mast cells and basophils in vitro. These results indicate that repeat administration with hGE2 induced an antibody response to the human molecule that resulted in activation rather than inhibition of allergic responses.
Diagnosis of Food Allergy: Epicutaneous Skin Tests, In Vitro Tests, and Oral Food Challenge

Food allergy is becoming an increasingly common diagnosis. Because of this increase in prevalence, it is imperative that physicians evaluating patients with possible adverse reactions to foods understand the currently available assays and how they should best be used to accurately diagnose the disease. Simple tests such as skin prick testing (SPT) and serum food-specific IgE testing are the most commonly used diagnostic tests to evaluate for IgE-mediated food reactions. However, these tests, which measure sensitization and not clinical allergy, are not without pitfalls, and their utility must be appreciated to avoid over- and underdiagnosis. Although the physician-supervised oral food challenge remains the gold standard for food allergy diagnosis, a careful medical history paired with SPT and serum food-specific IgE testing often can provide a reliable diagnosis. In this review, we examine the usefulness and pitfalls of SPT and serum food-specific IgE levels, as well as examine atopy patch testing and other emerging tests, such as component-resolved diagnostics and the basophil activation test. Finally, we describe the use of the double-blind, placebo-controlled oral food challenge as the current gold standard for food allergy diagnosis.
Dipsticks en urineweginfecties bij vrouwen

Onlangs verscheen de nieuwe NHG-Standaard Urineweginfecties.1 Hierin staan duidelijke stroomdiagrammen over de aanpak van (mogelijke) urineweginfecties bij verschillende patientengroepen.
Hypnosis in the management of postherpetic neuralgia: three case studies.

Abstract This article is designed to stimulate research on the effectiveness of hypnosis in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Such effectiveness has not yet been documented in the literature. PHN and its precursor, acute herpes zoster (HZ), are described as distinct clinical entities with separate courses of development and forms of treatment. Criteria for generating convincing documentation of treatment effectiveness are emphasized. Three case studies are presented, with hypotheses regarding the medical, therapeutic, environmental, and psychodynamic elements contributing to the relative success and failure in each case. Treatment response was consistent with that found in pharmacologically based treatment: the longer the duration of the condition, the poorer the response.
Phase equilibrium behavior of the binary systems CO2 + nonadecane and CO2 + soysolv and the ternary system CO2 + soysolv + quaternary ammonium chloride surfactant

Liquid phase and molar volume data were measured for the binary system CO 2 + soysolv at (298.15, 313.15, 323.15, 333.15, and 343.15) K and the ternary system CO 2 + soysolv + quaternary ammonium chloride surfactant at (298.15, 313.15, and 333.15) K, where the composition of soysolv to the surfactant is 99:1 wt % and 80:20 wt % on a CO 2 -free basis. Data were collected stoichiometrically with a high-pressure Pyrex glass cell, where no sampling or chromatographic equipment is required. The accuracy of the experimental apparatus was tested with phase equilibrium measurements for the system CO 2 + nonadecane at 313.15 K. A pressure-decay technique was used to calculate the mass of CO 2 loaded into the equilibrium section of the apparatus, and its accuracy was verified with a blank nitrogen experiment. The generated data show that CO 2 modified soysolv is an effective transport medium for the quaternary ammonium chloride surfactant.
Reactions in the Niobium‐Hydrogen System

Equilibria in the niobium- hydrogen system were determined in the range 100 to 900- deg , 0.1 to 1000 mm of mercury hydrogen pressure, and hydrogen/ niobium atomic ratios of 0.01 to 0.85. X-ray measurements were obtainpd at 25 to 400 deg C at hydrogen/niobium ratios up to 0.54. The studies showed thnt a solid solution of hydrogen in niobium is produced throughout most of the system. A miscibility gap was found at low temperatures and pressures, with a critical point at about a temperature of 140 deg C, a hydrogen pressure of 0.01 mm of mercury, and a hydrogen/niobium ratio of 0.3. Sorption rates at 300 to 550 deg C wore initially linear. At higher temperatures, sorption rates were controlled by diffusion in the metal matrix. Diffusion coefficients at 600 to 700 deg C can be expressed by D = 0.0215 exp STA(-9370 plus or minus 600)/RT!. Desorption rates were lower than those predicted by diffusion. (auth)
The fourth amendment and aerial surveillance: Searching for guidelines

Advances in technology have given law enforcement agencies additional capabilities when performing surveillance activities. One area in particular—aerial surveillance—especially demonstrates the possible intrusiveness of police investigatory activity. One of the most important considerations in the area of aerial surveillance is striking a balance between the necessity of police activities and protections guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment. Cases relating to aerial surveillance have sought to develop guidelines for police agencies in this expanding area of search and seizure inquiry.
High-voltage measurement

A SIMPLE METHOD for accurately measuring voltages present on high-voltage systems during both transient and steady-state conditions without modifying the conditions producing the voltage to be measured has been developed.
Conjugates of Magnetic Nanoparticle—Actinide Specific Chelator for Radioactive Waste Separation

A novel nanotechnology for the separation of radioactive waste that uses magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) conjugated with actinide specific chelators (MNP-Che) is reviewed with a focus on design and process development. The MNP-Che separation process is an effective way of separating heat generating minor actinides (Np, Am, Cm) from spent nuclear fuel solution to reduce the radiological hazard. It utilizes coated MNPs to selectively adsorb the contaminants onto their surfaces, after which the loaded particles are collected using a magnetic field. The MNP-Che conjugates can be recycled by stripping contaminates into a separate, smaller volume of solution, and then become the final waste form for disposal after reusing number of times. Due to the highly selective chelators, this remediation method could be both simple and versatile while allowing the valuable actinides to be recovered and recycled. Key issues standing in the way of large-scale application are stability of the conjugates and their dispersion in...
Toward a neurometric foundation for probabilistic independent component analysis of fMRI data.

Improved fMRI data analysis methods hold promise for breakthroughs in cognitive and affective neuroscience. Group probabilistic independent component analysis (pICA), such as that implemented by MELODIC (Beckmann & Smith IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging 23:137–152, 2004), is one popular technique that typifies this development. Recently pICA has been proposed to be a reliable method for studying connectivity networks (Zuo et al. NeuroImage 49:2163–2177, 2010); however, there is no “standard” way to complete a pICA, and the full impact of the options on neurometric properties of resulting components is unknown. In the present study, we sought to assess the robustness, reproducibility, and within-subject test–retest reliability of ICA in two data sets: The first included 30 subjects imaged 3 weeks apart while completing a cognitive control task, and the second included 27 subjects imaged 9 months apart during rest. In addition to examining the impact of analytic parameters on the neurometrics, this study was the first to simultaneously investigate within-subject reliability of ICA-derived components from rest and task fMRI data. Results suggested that for both task and rest, meta-level analyses using 25 subject orders optimized robustness of the components. The impact of dimensionality and voxel threshold for components was subsequently examined regarding properties of reproducibility and within-subject retest reliability. Component thresholds between 0.2 and 0.6 of the maximum value optimized reproducibility across multiple dimensionalities and produced generally fair to moderate reliability estimates (Cicchetti & Sparrow American Journal of Mental Deficiency 86:127–137, 1981). These guidelines strengthen the foundation for this data-driven approach to fMRI analysis by providing prescriptive findings and a descriptive set of neurometrics for resting-state and task fMRI.
Formation of ohmic contacts to III–V semiconductors, using a laser beam

Abstract This paper reports on the use of a focused laser beam to form ohmic contacts on the surfaces of III–V semiconductors. We have produced “ohmic” contacts on several III–V compounds (GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InAs and InSb) using a pulsed ruby laser (λ = 0·6943 μm), a pulsed YAG laser (λ = 1·06 μm) and a burst of pulses from a Q-switched CO2 (λ = 10·6 μm) laser. The initial results show that only those lasers whose wavelengths fall within the absorption band of the semiconductor (free carrier absorption or band to band transition region) can be successfully used for this purpose. Contacts produced in this manner show ohmic characteristics similar to that obtained with conventional techniques. The method does not require any special surface preparation, and since the heating is limited to a localized surface region it has no effect on the junction properties of a device.
Mobile Sampling of Sensor Field Data Using Controlled Broadcast

Mobile objects can be used to gather samples from a sensor field. Civilian vehicles or even human beings equipped with proper wireless communication devices can be used as mobile sinks that retrieve sensor-data from sampling points within a large sensor field. A key challenge is how to gather the sensor data in a manner that is energy efficient with respect to the sensor nodes that serve as sources of the sensor data. In this paper, an algorithmic technique called Band-based Directional Broadcast is introduced to control the direction of broadcasts that originate from sensor nodes. The goal is to direct each broadcast of sensor data toward the mobile sink, thus reducing costly forwarding of sensor data packets. The technique is studied by simulations that consider energy consumption and data deliverability.
Successful identification of key chemical structure modifications that lead to improved ADME profiles

The results of a new method developed to identify well defined structural transformations that are key to improve a certain ADME profile are presented in this work. In particular Naive Bayesian statistics and SciTegic FCFP_6 molecular fingerprints have been used to extract, from a dataset of 1,169 compounds with known in vitro UGT glucuronidation clearance, those changes in chemical structure that lead to a significant increase in this property. The effectiveness in achieving that goal of the thus found 55,987 transformations has been quantified and compared to classical medicinal chemistry transformations. The conclusion is that on average the new transformations found via in silico methods induce increases of UGT clearance by twofold, whilst the classical transformations are on average unable to alter that endpoint significantly in any direction. When both types of transformations are combined via substructural searches (SSS) the average twofold increase in glucuronidation is maintained. The implications of these findings for the drug design process are also discussed, in particular when compared to other methods previously described in the literature to address the question 'Which compound do I make next?'
Semi-numerical transient analysis of Markov models

We present a new O(n3) algorithm for seminumerical transient analysis of continuous time Markov chains with n states. The algorithm is based on spectral decomposition of the transition rate matrix in combination with partial fraction expansion based on Laplace transforms. The algorithm acknowledges the inherent numerical difficulties associated with illconditioned problems and finite machine precision by incorporating a realistic assessment of the condition and sensitivity of the problem. It is more efficient and provides more accurate solutions in the face of round-off error when compared to similar algorithms in the literature. We demonstrate the performance of the algorithm on many ill-conditioned applications.