cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of PIK3CA variants on glioma-related epilepsy and response to treatment.

Abstract Upregulation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway has been implicated in glioma-related epileptogenesis. In this retrospective analysis, epilepsy characteristics and response to treatment were evaluated in patients with gliomas harboring somatic mutation variants in PIK3CA. A cohort of 134 patients with 150 PIK3CA variants was extracted from previously validated databases. Patients with the hotspot H1047R, R88Q, E542K, and G118D variants comprised a subset (n = 41) for epilepsy phenotyping. In multivariate analysis, the presence of H1047R (n = 15) was associated with worse seizure control (p = 0.026). These results support preclinical findings and suggest that glioma PIK3CA variation may have promise as a biomarker for epilepsy severity and response to treatment.
Prediction of Neutronics Parameters Within a Two-Dimensional Reflective PWR Assembly Using Deep Learning

Traditional light water reactor simulations are usually either high fidelity, requiring hundreds of node-hours, or low fidelity, requiring only seconds to run on a common workstation. In current re...
Endogenous n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Delay Progression of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma in Fat-1-p48Cre/+-LSL-KrasG12D/+ Mice

Preclinical studies suggest that diets rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) may be beneficial for prevention of pancreatic cancer. Nutritional intervention studies are often complex, and there is no clear evidence, without potential confounding factors, on whether conversion of n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs in pancreatic tissues would provide protection. Experiments were designed using n-3 fatty acid desaturase (Fat-1) transgenic mice, which can convert n-6 PUFA to n-3 FAs endogenously, to determine the impact of n-3 PUFAs on pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasms (PanINs) and their progression to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Six-weekold female p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ andcompoundFat-1-p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice were fed (AIN-76A) diets containing 10% safflower oil for 35 weeks. Pancreata were evaluated histopathologically for PanINs and PDAC. Results showed a dramatic reduction in incidence of PDAC (84%; P Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice compared to p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice. Importantly, significant reductions of pancreatic ducts with carcinoma (90%; P P 85%; P Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice. Molecular analysis of the pancreas showed a significant down-regulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, cyclooxygenase-2, 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), 5-LOX-activating protein, Bcl-2, and cyclin D1 expression levels in Fat-1-p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice compared to p48 Cre/+ -LSL-Kras G12D/+ mice. These data highlight the promise of dietary n-3 FAs for chemoprevention of pancreatic cancer in high-risk individuals.
Evaluating the preconstruction phase in a Construction Manager/General Contractor project

ix Chapter 1—Introduction 1 Background 2 Project Delivery Methods 2 Preconstruction Phase 6 Independent Cost Estimate 11 Motivation 12 Problem Statement 13 Content Organization 14 Chapter 2—Overall Approach to Research Methodology and Validation 15 Chapter 3—Benefits and Challenges of Implementing Construction Manager/General Contractor Project Delivery: The View From the Field 18 Abstract 18 18 Introduction 19 Motivation 20 Literature Review 20 Results of the CMGC Peer Exchange Content Analysis 22 Benefits 26 Challenges 27 Conclusions 29 Acknowledgements 30
The Regulation of Lipogenesis by Cyclic Nucleotides in Intact Hepatocytes Prepared by a Simplified Technique

Abstract An improved, simplified procedure is described for the isolation of liver cells from rat or chicken. Livers were perfused in situ and then incubated in a solution of collagenase and hyaluronidase. Greater than 50% of the liver mass was converted into a suspension of intact parenchymal cells which excluded a vital stain and were undamaged when viewed with the electron microscope. The cells actively incorporated labeled precursors into lipids and proteins without specific cofactor requirements in both simple, ionic, and complex culture media. The chicken hepatocytes synthesized lipids and proteins for several days in suspension culture, but suspended rat hepatocytes had minimal biosynthetic activity after 24 hours. Both dibutyryl cyclic AMP (0.1 mm) and adenosine 3' : 5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) (0.1 mm) produced a similar striking inhibition of [1-14C]acetate incorporation into lipids in chicken hepatocytes. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP was less inhibitory to lipid synthesis by rat liver cells and cyclic AMP had no effect on this process. The inhibitory actions of dibutyryl cyclic AMP were probably not due to isotopic dilution of the label within the cells. Neither cyclic nucleotide had a lipolytic effect in vitro on hepatocyte lipids prelabeled in vivo. The inhibitory action of dibutyryl cyclic AMP on lipogenesis was significantly greater than the effect of twice the concentration of sodium butyrate, and 5'-AMP did not diminish hepatic lipid synthesis. It is postulated that hepatic lipid synthesis is inhibited specifically by cyclic nucleotides, and that hormonal stimulation of adenylate cyclase regulates hepatic lipid synthesis.
Effects of hatchery rearing on brain structures of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

In this study, we contrast brain morphology from hatchery and wild reared stocks to examine the hypothesis that in salmonid fishes, captive rearing produces changes in brain development. Using rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, as a model, we measured eight regions of the salmonid brain to examine differences between wild and hatchery reared fish. We find using multiple analysis of covariance (MANCOVA), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and discriminant function analysis (DFA) that the brains of hatchery reared fish are relatively smaller in several critical measures than their wild counterparts. Our work may suggest a mechanistic basis for the observed vulnerability of hatchery fish to predation and their general low survival upon release into the wild. Our results are the first to highlight the effects of hatchery rearing on changes in brain development in fishes.
Genome-wide approaches (GWA) in oral and craniofacial diseases research

Oral Diseases (2012) Underlying molecular genetic mechanisms of diseases can be deciphered with unbiased strategies using recently developed technologies enabling genome-wide scale investigations. These technologies have been applied in scanning for genetic variations, gene expression profiles, and epigenetic changes for oral and craniofacial diseases. However, these approaches as applied to oral and craniofacial conditions are in the initial stages, and challenges remain to be overcome, including analysis of high throughput data and their interpretation. Here, we review methodology and studies using genome-wide approaches in oral and craniofacial diseases and suggest future directions.
Isozyme variation within and among populations of Rhynchosporium secalis in Europe, Australia and the United States

Isolates of Rhynchosporium secalis from diverse geographical origins in Australia, Europe, Japan and the United States were scored for genetic variability at eight isozyme loci. There were 21 putative alleles at the eight loci, and seven loci were polymorphic (frequency of the most common allele less than 0·99) in at least one of the 12 locations sampled. Allelic diversities within populations were generally high compared to most fungi, indicating that founder effects and genetic drift have not caused an extreme loss of genetic variation in most R. secalis populations. Population subdivision analysis revealed a moderate level of genetic differentiation among regions (GST = 0·16), although genetic differentiation among locations within regions was low (GST from 0·0 to 0·10). There was no genetic differentiation between isolates from Hordeum vulgare and H. leporinum in Australia (GST = 0·0), and isolates from other wild grass hosts had the same alleles as R. secalis from cultivated barley. Thus there was no genetic evidence for distinct R. secalis populations on different host species. There were 34 multilocus electrophoretic genotypes among the 150 isolates tested, and from 1 to 15 genotypes in each location sampled. Although the sample sizes were limited, these results are consistent with migration of R. secalis from a common centre of origin, and either recent specialization or continuing gene flow among R. secalis populations on different hosts.
Does brood reduction provide nestling survivors with a food bonus

Siblicide is common in many asynchronously hatching birds, including brown pelicans, Pelecanus occidentalisMost adaptive models of siblicide, and of brood reduction in general, tacitly assume that parental deliveries of food remain fixed, and therefore that supplies to seniors remain unchanged or increase after a junior's death. If parents match deliveries to brood size, however, then seniors may get less food following brood reduction. To test the assumption that parental deliveries remain constant, and to determine how brood reduction affected seniors, food deliveries to control (three-chick) and experimentally reduced (two-chick) broods of brown pelicans were compared. Parents brought less food to reduced than to control broods. Similarly, a literature review revealed that avian parents generally delivered less food to smaller than to larger broods of experimentally altered sizes. In brown pelicans, when food deliveries decreased following brood reduction, second-hatched ('B') chicks received less food, but first-hatched ('A') chicks' supplies remained unchanged. B-chicks may have gained more in control broods by appropriating the extra food that last-hatched ('C') chicks otherwise would have gained. If brood reduction decreases fighting, nestlings may gain more net energy even if they receive less food. Fighting did not decrease significantly in reduced broods, perhaps because fledging averaged one chick/brood, so A and B-chicks still competed intensely. Alternatively, small sample sizes may have prevented detection of differences in fighting. Seniors did not concentrate their attacks on C-chicks, perhaps because seniors may benefit by delaying the decreases in parental food deliveries that follow brood reduction.Copyright 1997 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour1997The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
Energetics of point defects in the two-dimensional Wigner crystal.

Calcul numerique de l'energie coulombienne de l'etat fondamental et de l'energie vibrationnelle au point zero, pour un cristal de Wigner bidimensionnel parfait ou contenant des interstitiels et des lacunes. Etude de l'interaction entre defauts de meme type, en fonction de la distance les separant; comparaison aux predictions de la theorie de l'elasticite. Chacun des types de defauts ponctuels abaisse l'energie vibrationnelle du systeme au point zero. Application au role des defauts ponctuels dans la fusion a la temperature nulle
Stereochemical Studies on Medicinal Agents III. Influence of Length of N-aralkyl Group on Configurational Selectivity of Receptors Toward Enantiomeric Basic Anilide Analgesics

Enantiomers of N -[2-( p -methylbenzylmethylamino)propyl]propionanilide and of the N -phenylpropyl analog have been prepared, and the S− (+)-isomers were found to possess greater analgesic potency. When the number of methylene groups in the N -aralkyl substituent is increased from one to three, the changes in the enantiomeric potency ratio which occur are considered as being reflective of a diminution in the stereoselectivity of the analgesic receptors. The decrease in stereoselectivity is attributed to differing modes of analgesic-receptor binding.
The relation between genetic recombination and base sequence complementarity.

Abstract A non-sliding and sliding model of illegitimate recombination utilizing recent experimentally determined free energies are presented. In each model two random sequences of nucleotide bases were brought into contact and the free energy of stabilization was computed. Combinatorial and Monte-Carlo versions were developed to investigate the role of base sequence complementarity in regions of non-homology over varying lengths. It was found that short sequences of complementarity enhanced the frequency of recombination. When the energy threshold wasequivalent to ten contiguous base pairs, the results conformed to experimental recombination frequencies. Recombination is slightly enhanced by increasing the size of exposed contact regions. Skewing the G-C composition does not significantly effect recombination. There was a significant difference in frequencies between sliding and non-sliding models. Application of the models to other genetic events such as nonhomologous sticking of circular DNA and hair-pin formation indicate that these events are essentially non-random processes.
Polarons and triplet excitons in C60 glasses and films: An optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR) study

Abstract The photoluminescence (PL) and X-band ODMR of C 60 films and C 60 isolated in a toluene/polystyrene glass matrix (C 60 :T/PS) is described. The delocalized triplet ODMR of C 60 :T/PS is similar to previously reported light-induced ESR. In films, however, the ODMR indicates that the delocalized triplet is larger and distorted by neighboring molecules. In addition, another, localized triplet, and a narrow PL-enhancing line at g = 2.0017 ± 0.0005 are observed. The Δ m S = 2 transitions of these triplets are clearly observed at half-field, i..e, at g ∼ 4. These features are similar to those observed in luminescent π-conjugated polymers. The former is attributed to a localized triplet of size similar to a 5- or 6-membered ring, possibly on a face adjacent to another C 60 molecule; the latter is believed to result from intermolecular polaron recombination. The possible existence of an additional spin-carrying excited state in films is also discussed.
cis-{Pt(NH3)2(L))2+/+ (L = Cl, H2O, NH3) binding to purines and CO: Does π-back-donation play a role?

The ability of cis-{Pt(NH3)2(L)}2+/+, a molecular fragment of the anticancer drug cisplatin, to bind to purines and CO by π-back-donation from Pt to the ligand was examined computationally. Optimized geometries and computed vibrational frequencies suggest that cis-{Pt(NH3)2(L)}2+/+ (L = Cl, H2O, NH3) is a poor π-donor and that π-back-donation does not play an important role for Pt(II)−ligand interactions in general.
1262 EEG ABNORMALITIES IN CHILDREN IN IDEM

We obtained EEGs on 74 children (39 F, 35 M) with IDDM ranging in age from 10,4-19.8 yrs (mean 15.3) and duration of IDDM from 1.2-17.1 yrs (mean 8.8). Abnormal EEGs were found in 14 (18.9%), one of whom had poorly controlled seizures. Abnormalities were paroxysmal, either focal 7 (50%) or generalized 2 (14%), while 5 (36%) exhibited background slowing. There was no difference between those with abnormal and normal EEGs comparing glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1) at the time of the study or the prior 2.1±1 yr (12.5% vs 12.9%). Nor were there differences in mean blood glucose (measured hourly over 48 hrs) or hypoglycemia (< 60 mg%) during this period, MAGE, or labile HbA1. We found no difference in mean duration of illness or age of onset in the 2 groups. However, those children developing IDDM before age 5 yrs were more likely to have abnormal EEGs (p=.01). Matching those with abnormal and normal EEGs by duration, age, and sex, there again were no differences in the above variables. Only 25% with abnormal EEGs also had abnormal fluorescein angiograms, compared to 60% in the normal EEC group. Thus, despite a lower prevalence of total EEC abnormalities than in prior reports in IDDM (25-60%) we find a similar increase in paroxysmal features (11%) compared to the 1-2% reported for normal children. These are more likely to occur in children with age of onset <5 yrs and appear to be unrelated to any available measure of glycemic control or microvascular complications. Prospective studies will be required to elucidate the etiology and clinical significance of these findings.
Alcohol interactions with lipids: a carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance study using butanol labeled at C-1.

Abstract The interactions of carbon-13 enriched butanol with dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) were studied using C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. It was found that above the gel to liquid crystal phase transition the resonance from the butanol could be resolved into two signals with similar chemiacl shifts but different T 1 values and line widths. In contrast, only one narrow resonance was observed for ethanol, which has considerably less solubility in the lipids than butanol. Thermodynamic analyses of the effects of butanol on the phase transition temperature predict much greater solubility for butanol when the lipid is above the phase transition temperature than when iti s below. It was concluded that the two butanol resonances represent two slowly exchanging populations, the free butanol in the aqueous phase and butanol dissolved in the liquid crystalline region of the lipid. No bound butanol was detected below the gel to liquid crystal phase transition. Relaxation studies were performed on the resonance of the bound butanol in DPPC and DMPC, including measurements of T 1 , line width, and nuclear Overhauser enhancement. Theoretical analysis of the relaxation parameters indicates that the lipid-bound alcohol has very high mobility within the fluid lipid bilayer. The data are consistent with butanol being present at the aqueous boundary or head group region of the lipid.
Initiation and structure of axisymmetric eddies in a rotating stream

Axisymmetric flow of a rotating stream is examined numerically to determine conditions under which an isolated eddy will form on the axis of rotation. An explicit finite difference procedure is used to integrate the time dependent transport equations. Solutions provide details of the flow structure and are presented for a range of Reynolds numbers and swirl ratios. Calculated results are interpreted in terms of recent physical experiments insofar as is possible.
Ab initio molecular dynamics of pseudorotating Li5

Abstract The geometry of the Li5 cluster has been optimized at the generalized valence bond (GVB) and complete active space self-consistent field (CASSCF) levels of theory utilizing ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulated annealing. The cluster is found to have a planar structure and pseudorotates on a time scale of picoseconds or faster at temperatures as low as 77 K. It is therefore quite likely that the pseudorotating Li5 cluster observed in prior EPR experiments at 77 K is planar, though it was originally suggested to be a trigonal bipyramid. Vibrational frequencies have also been calculated for the optimized structure and for the pseudorotation transition state.
Survival, Efficacy, and Safety of Small Versus Large Doxorubicin Drug-Eluting Beads TACE Chemoembolization in Patients With Unresectable HCC

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall survival, efficacy, and safety of small (100–300 µm) versus large (300–500 and 500–700 µm) doxorubicin drug-eluting beads transarterial chemoembolization (DEB TACE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Ninety-four consecutive patients with unresectable HCC who underwent 269 DEB TACE procedures in 48 months were studied. DEB TACE procedures were performed using different DEB sizes: 100–300 µm (Group A, 59 patients) and with mixed 300–500 and 500–700 µm DEB (Group B, 35 patients). Survival rates were compared between the groups. RESULTS. The overall median survival in groups A and B were 15.1 and 11.1 months, respectively (p = 0.005). Both groups were similar in demographics, tumor burden, and differential staging (p > 0.5). Substratification of overall survival according to Child-Pugh class and Okuda, Cancer of the Liver Italian Program (CLIP), and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging...
Volcanic history and magmatic evolution of Seguam Island, Aleutian Island arc, Alaska

New 40 Ar/ 39 Ar dating coupled with detailed field mapping, stratigraphy, and chemical analyses have established an eruptive chronology that reveals and constrains the compositional and volumetric evolution of Seguam Island in the Aleutian Island arc, Alaska. Sixty new 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages from lavas, domes, and pyroclastic deposits were obtained using furnace incremental-heating techniques on replicate samples of whole-rock and ground-mass separates, and they constrain the duration of Pleistocene to Holocene subaerial volcanism to 318 k.y. The 40 Ar/ 39 Ar plateau ages indicate that over 85% of the complex, ∼68 km 3 of material, was erupted almost continuously between 318 ka and 9 ka. At ca. 9 ka, a stratocone on the eastern half of the island partially collapsed producing a 4-km-wide crater. Rhyolitic dome-forming eruptions followed from vents in the newly created crater, and were likely contemporaneous with 8.0 km 3 of basaltic and basaltic andesitic effusions from Pyre Peak, and a 1.4 km 3 basaltic eruption from a monogenetic cone on the far eastern end of the island. Geochemical changes over the last 318 k.y. are subtle. Most notably, the earliest eruptions from 318 to 142 ka produced no andesite, and basalt from this period has larger ranges in Zr/Rb and La/Yb than younger basalts. Small volumes of dacitic to rhyolitic magma were produced from basalt by a monotonic crystal-liquid fractionation process that varied only slightly in successive eruptive phases over 318 k.y. We identified minor geochemical changes in magma composition during each of the three main stages of volcanism, but overall the monotonic variations in major- and trace-element compositions of basaltic andesitic to rhyolitic lavas are consistent with an origin via closed-system fractional crystallization of basalt. Using the 40 Ar/ 39 Ar geochronology and estimates of individual flow volumes, we calculated a time-averaged eruptive rate at Seguam that is similar to growth rates of other well-dated arc volcanoes in the Cascades and Chilean Southern volcanic zone but less than that of Mount Katmai and Mount Mageik, which are located on the Alaska Peninsula. The eruptive flux at Seguam has been highly variable, fluctuating more than an order of magnitude, from 0.07 km 3 /k.y. during the early history of bimodal volcanism to 1.18 km 3 /k.y. over the past 9 k.y.
Strong coupling transmutation of Yukawa theory

In the strong coupling limit, it is shown that the Yukawa-type theory can be made to undergo a transmutation into an attractive separable potential theory, provided a single state is removed from the spectrum in the lowest nontrivial sector and the states at infinity which include a continuum in the next sector. If these states are not removed, the two theories are distinct. It is suggested that the full equivalence and the renormalization of four-fermion theories need further examination.
Three-dimensional effects on fatigue crack closure under fully-reversed loading

Abstract For extension of fatigue cracks at engineering length-scales, the increase in crack opening loads (Kop) caused by plasticity-induced closure plays a key role in estimates of growth rates in structural metals. Under conditions of small-scale yielding, our prior work reveals the existence of a similarity scaling parameter, K ¯ = K max / σ 0 B , that scales the effects of differing peak load (Kmax), specimen thickness (B), and material yield stress (σ0) on Kop/Kmax across varying materials and loading levels. This work explores the applicability of the scaling parameter to specimens under fully-reversed (i.e. R = −1) cyclic fatigue loading. Numerical results again show that the magnitude of Kop/Kmax at each location along the crack front remains unchanged when Kmax, thickness, and material yield stress all vary to maintain a fixed value of K ¯ .
Mass spectrometric analysis of 1 atm flames: Apparatus and the CH4O2 system

A mass spectrometric system is described for the measurement of reactive intermediates in 1 atm flames. The system has been tested on CH 4 O 2 and CH 4 O 2 N 2 flames and provides for the first time a complete analysis of such flames for species in excess of 10 −5 mole fraction concentration.
Local analytic hypoellipticity for □ b on nondegenerate Cauchy-Riemann manifolds

Abstract The local real analytic regularity of solutions to □b, the complex boundary Laplacian, and related operators is proved for (p,q) forms on a nondegenerate, abstract, real analytic Cauchy-Riemann (C-R) manifold of dimension 2n - 1 satisfying J. J. Kohn's condition Y(q). The problem is reduced to the study of general, “variable coefficient” operators, satisfying the same a priori estimates, on the Heisenberg group. L2 methods only are used.
Mossbauer study of cobalt ions adsorbed from solution onto activated charcoal

Abstract Both Co+2 and Fe+3 ions have been adsorbed onto activated charcoal from aqueous chloride solutions. Mossbauer measurements for both systems indicate that the adsorption site for both ions is identical, and that charge transfer with the substrate is rapid.
Localization of DNA methyltransferase in the chromatin of Friend erythroleukemia cells

Chromatin fragments released from intact Friend erythroleukemia cell nuclei during limited incubation with micrococcal nuclease, DNase II or DNase I were analyzed to determine the distribution of DNA methyltransferase in chromatin. The enzyme was released in a free form when internucleosomal DNA was digested with micrococcal nuclease but was found associated with Mg++-precipitable polynucleosomes after DNase II digestion. Less than 25% of the enzyme was released from nuclei incubated with DNase I under conditions where transcriptionally active chromatin should have been completely digested. These results indicated that the bulk of DNA methyltransferase was bound to "linker" DNA in condensed regions of chromatin. Preferential rebinding of free enzyme to linker DNA was also demonstrated in vitro. The possibility that chromatin proteins play a role in regulating access of DNA methyltransferase to specific sites in DNA is discussed in light of these findings.
Personal Authority and Women's Self-Stories

The current interest in the importance and use of narrative in family therapy has thus far developed without reference to the gender related aspects of narrative. This paper argues that women's self-stories reflect the prevailing narrative for women, a narrative that makes marriage seem the only legitimate female story. Unless therapists are able to challenge the legitimacy of this cultural narrative, their assessments of women clients will reflect the bias inherent within the narrative.
Clinical efficacy of vorinostat in a patient with essential thrombocytosis and subsequent myelofibrosis.

Dear Editor, At present, although myelofibrosis is a devastating disease, no treatment is available to control or reverse the underlying myelofibrotic process. Consequently, therapy is directed at ameliorating symptoms with the aim of improving patient quality of life. Here we report a beneficial effect of the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor vorinostat (Zolinza®, Merck & Co. Inc) in a 79-year-old male with myelofibrosis.
Chemical approaches to semiconductor nanocrystals

Abstract I discuss the chemistry and physics of semiconductor nanocrystals. Various physical size regimes are outlined in both spectroscopic and kinetic properties. There is a solvation effect on electron transport kinetics due to the electric field of the moving carrier. The importance of chemical synthesis is emphasized with regard to both single nanocrystals, and self-assembled ‘supercrystals’ of nanocrystals. The potential metastability of nanocrystals at standard temperature and pressure (STP), in unusual crystal structures thermodynamically stable only at high pressure, is suggested.
Neurite Extension by Mouse Neuroblastoma: Evidence for Two Modes of Induction

The induction of neurite extension by mouse neuroblastoma cells in vitro can be reversed by adding colchicine or cytochalasin B (CB) to the culture medium. The relative sensitivity of the neurites to retraction is a function of the method used to induce extension. Cells incubated in the absence of serum or in the presence of serum and dibutyryl cyclic-AMP are sensitive to both colchicine and CB; cells incubated in serum-free medium containing either cycloheximide or dimethylsulphoxide are sensitive only to colchicine.
The completed reproductive performances of 161 couples selected before marriage and classified by ABO blood group.

Summary One hundred and sixty-one engaged white couples, resident in the eastern United States, were blood grouped and, after about 18 years, supplied detailed information on their reproductive history. After classifying the couples by ABO mating type, the possible effect of blood groups on (1) number of pregnancies, (2) number of livebirths, (3) number of stillbirths, (4) number of spontaneous abortions, and (5) interval between marriage and birth of first child was explored. No differences between incompatible (i.e. the husband has A and/or B agglutinogen which is lacking in the wife) and compatible matings were found which were significant at the 0–05 level. However, for the proportion of births which were stillbirths, the probability of the difference between incompatible and compatible matings is 0–0588, the proportion being over three times as high in incompatible matings. These findings and other aspects of the data are discussed. An appendix describing each couple is given.
Comparison of Mechanical, Corrosion, and Hydrogen Permeation Properties of Electroless Ni-Zn-P Alloys with Electrolytic Zn-Ni and Cd Coatings

Abstract Novel Ni-Zn-P alloys containing 74 wt% Ni was prepared from a sulfate electrolyte using an electroless process. The mechanical, corrosion, and hydrogen permeation resistance characteristics of the developed Ni-Zn-P alloys were studied and compared with those of electrodeposited Cd and Zn-Ni coatings. Comparison of the mechanical properties shows that the developed alloy possesses engineering attributes comparable to those of Cd coatings. Corrosion studies in a 0.5-M sodium sulfate (Na2SO4) + 0.5-M boric acid (H3BO3) solution at pH 7.0 reveals that the dissolution rate of Ni-Zn-P alloys is five times lower than that of Zn-Ni and Cd coatings. In addition to the corrosion and engineering properties, comparison of the hydrogen permeation characteristics of the developed coating was made with that of Cd and Zn-Ni coatings. The exchange current density, i0; thickness dependent adsorption-absorption rate constant, k″; recombination rate constant, k3; and the surface hydrogen coverage, θs, that character...
Design and implementation of a real-time NURBS surface interpolator

In recent years, various parametric curve interpolators have been proposed for high-speed and high-accuracy machining. However, these methods are based on a constant cutter location (CL) velocity. Hence, the cutter contact (CC) velocity along the surface tends to vary, resulting in a nonuniform machining performance. Furthermore, machining complex surfaces requires the provision of a large number of tool paths and therefore the associated NC data files are generally very large. To overcome these limitations, the current study presents a novel real-time NURBS surface interpolator which ensures a constant CC velocity along the CC paths and its intervals. A PC-based real-time motion control network utilizing SSCNET is developed to achieve the goal of multi-axis synchronous motion. In this study, both the NURBS surface interpolator algorithms and the SSCNET communication protocols are realized by Embedded XP with the RTX real-time kernel. The experimental results confirm that the proposed real-time NURBS surface interpolator is capable of achieving a satisfactory performance.
Traumatic liver rupture in pregnancy

Two pregnant women, 1 in the second trimester and 1 in the third trimester, sustained blunt liver trauma as unrestrained drivers in motor vehicle accidents. One patient had an overt injury that was apparent on computerized tomography and underwent surgical exploration when nonreassuring fetal monitoring occurred. The second patient, discharged after 23 hours of normal observation, returned a day later with overt intra-abdominal hemorrhage from an obvious liver laceration.
ACM SRC poster: a merge-and-split mechanism for dynamic virtual organization formation in grids

Executing large scale application programs in grids requires resources from several Grid Service Providers (GSPs). These providers form Virtual Organizations (VOs) by pooling their resources together to provide the required capabilities to execute the application. We model the VO formation in grids using concepts from coalitional game theory and design a mechanism for VO formation. The mechanism enables the GSPs to organize into VOs reducing the cost of execution and guaranteeing maximum profit for the GSPs. Furthermore, the mechanism guarantees that the VOs are stable, that is, the GSPs do not have incentives to break away from the current VO and join some other VO. We perform extensive simulations to characterize the properties of the proposed mechanism. The results show that the mechanism produces VOs that are stable yielding high revenue for the participating GSPs.
Medications That Affect Calcium

ABSTRACT Objective To review medications that can affect serum calcium concentrations. Methods The literature was reviewed for articles pertaining to medications that affect calcium concentrations. Results The serum calcium concentration is tightly regulated because of the importance of this mineral in diffuse cellular processes. Many medications have been reported to cause changes in serum calcium levels by influencing intestinal calcium absorption, renal calcium resorption, and bone remodeling or through altering parathyroid or 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D-mediated regulation. Some medications are used specifically to alter serum calcium as a therapeutic intervention. With others, the calcium disturbances are viewed as a side effect of the treatment. Conclusion It is important to be aware of the influence that medications can have on serum calcium levels when evaluating patients with disorders of calcium homeostasis. (Endocr Pract. 2011;17 [Suppl 1]:26-30)
The Urban School Crisis in New Orleans: Pre- and Post-Katrina Perspectives

This article provides a case study of the Algiers Charter School Association, a new organization formed in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The Association coordinated the start-up of charter schools on the West Bank of the city, a high-ground neighborhood that escaped the massive flooding that engulfed New Orleans. I situate the case study in the broader social, political, context of state takeover, rapid-fire school crisis and reform, and deepening privatization.
TDT-association analysis of EKN1 and dyslexia in a Colorado twin cohort.

A candidate gene, EKN1, was recently described in a cohort from Finland for the dyslexia locus on chromosome 15q, DYX1. This report described a (2;15) (q11;21) translocation disrupting EKN1 that cosegregated with dyslexia in a two-generation family. It also characterized a sequence polymorphism in the 5′ untranslated region and a missense mutation that showed significant association in 109 dyslexics compared to 195 controls (p=0.002 and p=0.006, respectively). To confirm these results we interrogated the same polymorphisms in a cohort of 150 nuclear families with dyslexia ascertained through the Colorado Learning Disabilities Research Center. Using QTDT analysis with nine individual quantitative tasks and two composite measures of reading performance, we could not replicate the reported association. We conclude that the polymorphisms identified in the Finland sample are unlikely to be functional DNA changes contributing to dyslexia, and that if variation in EKN1 is causal such changes are more likely to be in regulatory regions that were not sequenced in this study. Alternatively, the published findings of association with markers in EKN1 may reflect linkage disequilibrium with variation in another gene(s) in the region.
Lubricants With Non-Newtonian Rheology and Their Degradation in Line Contacts

A plane isothermal elastohydrodynamic problem for a line contact lubricated by a degrading fluid with non-Newtonian rheology is studied. The lubricant is represented by a base stock with a polymer additive which undergoes stress-induced degradation caused by scission of polymer molecules. The polymer molecules are considered to be of linear structure. The effective lubricant viscosity experiences reversible and irreversible losses. The reversible loss of the effective lubricant viscosity (shear thinning) is due to the non-Newtonian rheology of the fluid and variations in the fluid shear rate. The irreversible loss of the effective lubricant viscosity is caused by the degradation process of the polymer additive dissolved in the lubricant. The degradation process of the polymer additive while it passes through the contact is described by a kinetic equation. The kinetic equation is solved along the lubricant flow streamlines. The solution of the kinetic equation predicts the density of the probabilistic distribution of the polymer molecular weight versus polymer molecule chain length. The changes in the distribution of polymer molecular weight affect local lubricant properties. In particular, the lubricant viscosity experiences reversible and irreversible losses and, in general, is a discontinuous function. The changes in the lubricant viscosity alter virtually all parameters of the lubricated contact such as film thickness, friction stresses, pressure, and gap. The considered non-Newtonian rheology of the lubricant causes a small reversible loss of its viscosity As a result of the polymer additive degradation the lubricant may experience a significant irreversible loss of its viscosity which, in turn, leads to a noticeable reduction in the lubrication film thickness in comparison with the case of a non-degrading lubricant with similar rheology. Some comparisons between the cases of lubricants with Newtonian and non-Newtonian rheologies with and without lubricant degradation are considered.
Exposure of human cells to low-frequency electromagnetic fields results in quantitative changes in transcripts

The exposure of human cultured cells to electromagnetic signals with extremely low repetition rates resulted in an increased level of selected RNA transcripts. RNA with homology to beta-actin, histone H2B, and v-myc DNA was monitored by dot blot hybridization following 20 min exposures of HL60 cells to five different electromagnetic signals. The experiments used three asymmetric electromagnetic signals with different repetition rates, and two symmetric sinusoidal signals, delivered at 60 and 72 Hz. The degree of increase in homologous transcripts was dependent on the signal characteristics.
Silt heavy-mineral distributions off the Southeastern United States

Until recently heavy-mineral studies of marine sediments were largely restricted to sand fractions. New techniques permitting analysis of decalcified silt fractions have been applied to sediments off the southeastern United States. Our data, which confirm predictions from the basic relationship among grain size, specific gravity, and equivalent hydraulic transport behavior, show that concentrations and average diameters of the silt heavy minerals progressively decrease seaward. Heavy minerals always constitute a substantially greater weight percent of the silt than of the sand fraction. Despite corroded surface textures suggestive of extensive weathering and dissolution, spatial trends in the detrital heavy-mineral populations are predominantly controlled by source and hydraulic factors.
Serial and parallel equilibration of large-scale constrained matrix problems with application to the social and economic sciences

We have considered the computation of large-scale con strained matrix problems, which arise in numerous ap plications in the social and economic sciences-in par ticular, the general quadratic problem that permits alter native weighting mechanisms on the data and includes the much-studied diagonal problem. The procedure uti lized is row equilibration, column equilibration RC, which exploits the bipartite network structure of the problem by decomposing it into simpler subproblems that can be solved exactly and in parallel. We compared the efficiency of the RC algorithm to that of a well- known algorithm and established that RC was faster. We used serial RC as a benchmark for our parallel experi mentation and investigated its absolute efficiency on economic data sets and on very large quadratic diagonal problems. We implemented the RC algorithm using Par allel Fortran Prototype on the IBM 3090-600E. The results demonstrate that a constrained matrix problem with as many as a million variables can be solved using RC in minutes of CPU time in a serial environment. Speedups with the parallelized RC algorithm were substantial for the diagonal problems and moderate for the general problems. These computational results broaden the po tential domain of constrained matrix applications.
Effects of gadolinium chloride on slowly adapting and rapidly adapting receptors of the rabbit lung

Effects of gadolinium chloride, an inhibitor of stretch-activated channels, on the responses of slowly adapting receptors (SARs) and rapidly adapting receptors (RARs) to hyperinflation were investigated. The increase in activity of RARs resulting from sustained elevations of left atrial pressure (LAP) was also assessed with gadolinium chloride application. Action potentials (AP) of SARs and RARs during hyperinflation were recorded from the vagus nerve of anesthetized New Zealand White rabbits before and after application of gadolinium chloride (20mM) directly on the receptor area of the nerve endings. There was a significant reduction of activity in SARs (n = 9) and RARs (n = 7) after application of gadolinium chloride. Activity of RARs (n = 6) increased when the LAP was elevated by 5 and 10 mmHg. This effect was abolished after gadolinium chloride was applied to receptor endings and the activity was restored when gadolinium chloride was removed. This suggests that stretch-activated channels play a role in SARs and RARs activity.
Effects of grain growth on dynamic surface scaling during the deposition of Al polycrystalline thin films

Evolution of surface structure during the growth of sputter-deposited polycrystalline Al films is studied by means of atomic force microscopy and dynamic scaling by power spectral density and image variography analyses. We incorporate the effects of grain growth based on quantitative measurements of grain size, morphology, and texture orientation through transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction pole figure texture measurements. Temporal regimes of early surface smoothing followed by roughening are explained by the effects of grain-boundary grooves and grain growth during deposition. Three distinct surface morphologies described as flat grains, hillocks, and ridges develop during film growth. The ridges are periodic structures with constant spacing during growth that form along 〈110〉 directions on vicinal (111)-oriented grains and are due to spontaneous development and growth of steps along 〈110〉 directions induced by the Schwoebel-barrier mechanism. The spacing of ridge structures and the well-characterized median grain size correspond to characteristic dimensions that define transitions between regimes of combinations of physical processes responsible for surface evolution. We found a surface-diffusion-dominated anomalous scaling growth mode $(\ensuremath{\alpha}g1)$ at short length scales and a nonlinear KPZ type mode $(\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\approx}0.35)$ at longer length scales.
Lumican, an extracellular matrix proteoglycan, is a novel requisite for hepatic fibrosis

Lumican, an extracellular matrix proteoglycan was previously shown to be upregulated with increasing severity of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although lumican is involved in collagen fibrillogenesis in extra-hepatic tissues, little is known about the role of lumican in hepatic disease. We therefore determined lumican expression in etiologies other than clinical NASH. Our results indicated that lumican is upregulated in clinical samples of hepatitis C virus infection, in experimental rodent models of chronic and acute liver injury and could additionally be induced in vitro in response to the pro-fibrotic cytokine transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and to lipotoxic palmitic acid. Together, these results suggested a role for lumican in hepatic fibrosis. To investigate the functional role of lumican in hepatic fibrosis, lumican null (Null) and wild-type (WT) littermates were administered carbon tetrachloride intra-peritoneally. Serum and liver tissue were analyzed for indices of liver injury, fibrosis, matrix turnover, and proliferation. Hepatic fibrosis was greatly reduced in null animals (P<0.05). Paradoxically, gene expression of fibrosis-related genes such as TGFβ1 and collagen 1 was numerically higher in null animals though statistically insignificant from WT animals. On the other hand, α smooth muscle actin expression (α-SMA), a marker for activated fibroblasts, the main contributors of collagen production was significantly higher (P<0.05) in null animals as compared with WT littermates. Among the matrix metalloproteases (MMP), MMP13 was significantly increased (P<0.05) in null animals. Ultra-structural imaging indicated differences in the organization and spatial distribution of hepatic collagen fibrils of null and WT mice. Cell proliferation was significantly increased (P<0.05) in null animals. We conclude that lumican is a prerequisite for hepatic fibrosis. The protective effect of lumican deficiency in hepatic fibrosis appears to be downstream of collagen production and mediated through the combined effects of impaired collagen fibrillogenesis, increased matrix turnover, and an enhanced proliferative response.
Sediment transport down a seamount flank by a combined current and gravity process

Abstract A photographic study of the Gilliss Seamount reveals that gravity-induced processes, suggested by downslope-trending anastomosing tongues of varying-size material (volcanic rubble, organic debris, pelagic material), as well as currents, indicated by ripple marks and other features, prevail on its upper- to mid-flank sectors. Long-term current activity has dominated sediment dispersal on the lower slope to the base of this mount. A sediment transport model is proposed in which detritus is moved progressively downslope over a complex terrace-like topography by a sequence dominated alternately by current traction and gravity-influenced mechanisms. This mode of transport may be applicable to other submarine topographic highs.
Diminished hypercalcemic response to parathyroid extract in prepartum cows.

Abstract Parathyroid extract was administered to five cows shortly before and after parturition in addition to postpartal injections only in two other cows. Plasma calcium concentration was measured in each experiment before and after administration of the extract. The postpartal response to parathyroid extract, as assessed by elevation of plasma calcium concentration, occurred more consistently and appeared to be greater than that observed before parturition. The possible mechanisms responsible for diminished prepartal responsiveness and its potential significance in relation to parturient paresis are discussed.