cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review: Solvent Systems Combining Neutral and Acidic Extractants for Separating Trivalent Lanthanides from the Transuranic Elements

Abstract This paper is a review of recent publications that have focused on combined extractant systems for separating trivalent actinides from the lanthanides. These mixed solvent systems combine an acidic extractant with a neutral extractant to achieve the actinide/lanthanide separation. Depending on the neutral extractant used, three categorizations of systems can be considered, including combinations of acidic extractants with 1) diamides, 2) carbamoylmethylphosphine oxides, and 3) polydentate nitrogen-donor ligands. This review of relevant publications indicates that, although there is significant potential for practical exploitation of mixed neutral/acidic extractant systems to achieve a single-step separation of trivalent actinides from acidic high-level waste solutions, the fundamental chemistry underlying these combined systems is not yet well understood. For example, although there is strong evidence suggesting that adducts form between the neutral and acidic extractants, the nature of these add...
The relationship between the frequency of alcohol use and suicide rates in young people.

BACKGROUND: Suicide is an important public health problem and one of the leading causes of death among adolescents. In the United States, the death rate from suicide amongst 15-19 year olds doubled between 1960 and 2001. It has been suggested that alcohol misuse contributed to this increase in suicide rates among young people. We examined the relationship between the percentage of frequently drinking high school students and suicide rates among 15-24 year olds in 17 countries. METHODS: Correlations were computed to examine the relationship between suicide rates in 15-24 year old males and females and the percentage of frequently drinking students in 17 countries. Using median split, countries were divided into two groups according to the percentage of frequently drinking students. Suicide rates in countries with the lower percentage of frequently drinking students were compared to suicide rates in countries with the higher percentage of frequently drinking students using t-test. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between the percentage of frequently drinking students and suicide rates in both males (n=17, r = -0.51, p = 0.037) and females (n=17, r = -0.55, p = 0.023). The countries with the lower percentage of frequently drinking students had higher suicide rates in both 15-24 year old males (t = 2.25, df=15, p = 0.005) and females (t = 4.03, n=15, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Suicide rates among 15-24 year old males and females were lower in the countries with the higher percentage of frequently drinking high school students. Our finding is consistent with the suggestion that "alcoholism tends to protect one against suicide early on, but after 20-25 years (if not earlier) it exacerbates suicide potential" (Maris, 1992). The results of this study should be treated with caution until replicated. Language: en
A NOTE ON QUADRATIC PREFERENCES AND GOAL PROGRAMMING

In a recent article, Shim and Siegel discuss goal programming with quadratic preferences. In attempting to illustrate the solution of such decision problems, they obtain incorrect solutions to simple problems by complicated means. This paper points out the errors in the previously published manuscript.
New research developments and insights from Metabolism

In a field of great importance to daily life and clinical care, metabolic-related research covers a wealth of information and knowledge. This broad field encompasses a number of physical states that are increasingly critical to study, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease. Additionally, the impacts of diet, nutrition, and exercise on these physical states are an area of ever-important and expanding research. With the latest advances in metabolic research, much knowledge has been gained. Here, we present the newest findings from research published in Metabolism. We hope that these results provide not only critical knowledge needed for clinical care and daily life, but also a platform for the continuing expansion of research into metabolic-related issues.
Neurochemical changes in a mouse model of Rett syndrome : changes over time and in response to perinatal choline nutritional supplementation

Rett syndrome (RTT), the second leading cause of mental retardation in girls, is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene for methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2), a transcriptional repressor. In addition to well-documented neuroanatomical and behavioral deficits, RTT is characterized by reduced markers of cholinergic activity and general neuronal health. Previously, we have shown that early postnatal choline (Cho) supplementation improves behavioral and neuroanatomical symptoms in a mouse model of RTT (Mecp2(1lox) mice). In this study, we use NMR spectroscopy to quantify the relative amounts of Cho, Glutamate (Glu), Glutamine (Gln), and N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) in the brains of wild type and mutant mice at 21, 35, and 42 days of age and in mice receiving postnatal Cho supplementation. We find that the mutant mice have reduced levels of Cho, Glu, and NAA, but elevated Gln levels, compared with their wild type littermates. These differences emerge at different developmental ages. Cho supplementation increases NAA levels, a marker of neuronal integrity, but has no effect on Cho, Glu, or Gln. These data suggest that postnatal nutritional supplementation may improve neuronal function and could serve as a therapeutic agent for human RTT patients.
Lentiviral vectors with CMV or MHCII promoters administered in vivo: immune reactivity versus persistence of expression.

Lentiviral vectors (LVs) are potential tools for genetic vaccination. To improve the safety of LV vaccines, we evaluated the selectivity, bio-distribution, persistence of expression, and immune potency of vesicular stomatitis virus G (VSV-G)–pseudotyped vectors transcriptionally targeted to antigen presenting cells (APCs) through a major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) promoter. Control vectors contained the ubiquitous cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter. Bio-distribution studies after intravenous injections of LVs expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) or luciferase were conducted by a combination of flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-Q-PCR) and whole-body bioluminescence analyses. GFP-expressing vectors showed selective expression in MHCII+ cells of spleen and LV-CMV-GFP administration produced noticeable spleen inflammation, whereas LV-MHCII-GFP did not. Long-term optical imaging analyses of C57BL/6 mice injected with LV-CMV-LUC showed diminishing luciferase expression in the liver and spleen over time. Vaccination/boost with LV-CMV expressing the melanoma antigen tyrosinase–related protein 2 (TRP2) yielded dose-dependent antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell reactivity and high protection against B16 melanoma challenge. Unexpectedly, administration of LVs containing the MHCII promoter resulted in persistence of luciferase expression and viral integration in MHCII+ splenocytes and virtually no CD8+ T-cell responses against TRP2. These studies reveal that APC transduction by LVs could lead to immune reactivity (LV-CMV) or persistence of transgene expression (LV-MHCII), providing a relevant paradigm for vaccination and gene replacement approaches.
A prospective comparison of programmed ventricular stimulation with triple extrastimuli versus single and double extrastimuli during infusion of isoproterenol

This prospective study compared the yield of programmed ventricular stimulation with single and double extrastimuli during an infusion of isoproterenol with that of programmed stimulation with triple extrastimuli. The subjects of this study were 58 patients who underwent programmed stimulation and did not have inducible ventricular tachycardia (VT) with single or double extrastimuli at two basic drive cycle lengths and at two right ventricular sites; 17 patients had a history of uniform VT unrelated to exercise, and 41 had no history of documented or suspected VT or ventricular fibrillation (VF). Programmed stimulation was performed with triple extrastimuli at both right ventricular sites. Isoproterenol was infused as a dose titrated to increase the sinus rate by 25% or to a rate of 100 beats/min, whichever was greater, and stimulation then was repeated with single and double extrastimuli. Among the 17 patients with a history of uniform VT, the clinical VT was induced by three extrastimuli in five patients (29%) and by two extrastimuli during isoproterenol infusion in six patients (35%, p greater than 0.05). Among the total study population of 58 patients, nonclinical multiform VT or VF was induced by three extrastimuli in 29 patients (50%), and by two extrastimuli during isoproterenol infusion in 15 patients (26%, p less than 0.05). Therefore stimulation with two extrastimuli during isoproterenol infusion has the same probability of inducing a clinical form of VT as does stimulation with extrastimuli, but the former has a significantly lower probability of inducing nonclinical multiform VT and VF.
Empirical antimicrobial prescriptions in patients with Clostridium difficile infection at hospital admission and impact on clinical outcome.

Objective To determine, among patients with Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) at hospital admission, the impact of concurrent use of systemic, non-CDI-related antimicrobials on clinical outcomes and the risk factors associated with unnecessary antimicrobial prescribing. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting University-affiliated community hospital. Methods We reviewed computerized medical records for all patients with CDI at hospital admission during a 24-month period (January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2009). Colectomy, discharge to hospice, and in-hospital mortality were considered to be adverse outcomes. Antimicrobial use was considered unnecessary in the absence of physical signs and laboratory or radiological findings suggestive of an infection other than CDI or in the absence of antimicrobial activity against the organism(s) recovered from clinical cultures. Results Among the 94 patients with CDI at hospital admission, 62% received at least one non-CDI-related antimicrobial during their hospitalization for CDI. Severe complicated CDI (odds ratio [OR], 7.1 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.8-28.5]; [Formula: see text]), duration of non-CDI-related antimicrobial exposure (OR, 1.2 [95% CI, 1.03-1.36]; [Formula: see text]), and age (OR, 1.1 [95% CI, 1.0-1.1]; [Formula: see text]) were independent risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes. One-third of the patients received unnecessary antimicrobial therapy. Sepsis at hospital admission (OR, 5.3 [95% CI, 1.8-15.8]; [Formula: see text]) and clinical suspicion of urinary tract infection (OR, 9.7 [95% CI, 2.9-32.3]; [Formula: see text]) were independently associated with unnecessary antimicrobial prescriptions. Conclusions Empirical use of non-CDI-related antimicrobials was common. Prolonged exposure to non-CDI-related antimicrobials was associated with adverse clinical outcomes, including increased in-hospital mortality. Minimizing non-CDI-related antimicrobial exposure in patients with CDI seems warranted.
Caged oligonucleotides for studying biological systems.

Light-activated (“caged”) compounds have been widely employed for studying biological processes with high spatial and temporal control. In the past decade, several new approaches for caging the structure and function of DNA and RNA oligonucleotides have been developed. This review focuses on caged oligonucleotides that incorporate site-specifically one or two photocleavable linkers, whose photolysis yields oligonucleotides with dramatic structural and functional changes. This technique has been employed by our laboratory and others to photoregulate gene expression in cells and living organisms, typically using near UV-activated organic chromophores. To improve capabilities for in vivo studies, we harnessed the rich inorganic photochemistry of ruthenium bipyridyl complexes to synthesize Ru-caged morpholino antisense oligonucleotides that remain inactive in zebrafish embryos until uncaged with visible light. Expanding into new caged oligonucleotide applications, our lab has developed Transcriptome In Vivo Analysis (TIVA) technology, which provides the first noninvasive, unbiased method for isolating mRNA from single neurons in brain tissues. TIVA-isolated mRNA can be amplified and then analyzed using next-generation sequencing (RNA-seq).
Delivering Library Services to Users: A Case Study of the Sooner Xpress Service at the University of Oklahoma

SUMMARY Sooner Xpress service arose out of a need to improve and expand services for library users at the University of Oklahoma. After several years of service for our distance education students, a decision was made to expand those services to include all campus and local users in an effort to streamline retrieval services in the library. Both returnable and non-returnable items are included in the Sooner Xpress service. This article presents the history of the Sooner Xpress service and reports the problems and solutions that have been encountered thus far.
Astrocytic acidosis in hyperglycemic and complete ischemia.

Nearly complete brain ischemia under normoglycemic conditions results in death of only selectively vulnerable neurons. With prior elevation of brain glucose, such injury is enhanced to include pancellular necrosis (i.e., infarction), perhaps because an associated, severe lactic acidosis preferentially injures astrocytes. However, no direct physiologic measurements exist to support this hypothesis. Therefore, we used microelectrodes to measure intracellular pH and passive electrical properties of cortical astrocytes as a first approach to characterizing the physiologic behavior of these cells during hyperglycemic and complete ischemia, conditions that produce infarction in reperfused brain. Anesthesized rats (n = 26) were made extremely hyperglycemic (blood glucose, 51.4 ± 2.8 mM) so as to create potentially the most extreme acidic conditions possible; then ischemia was induced by cardiac arrest. Two loci more acidic than the interstitial space (6.17–6.20 pH) were found. The more acidic locus [4.30 ± 0.19 ...
TRANSCENDING BUREAUCRACY: Feminist Politics at a Shelter for Battered Women

Some feminists in the battered women's movement have been striving to develop egalitarian and participatory organizational structures for shelters. The Family Crisis Shelter offers a case study of a feminist shelter that is operating with a counterbureaucratic organizational structure. The shelter has a staff of nonprofessionals, makes all policy decisions through consensus, pays all staff the same wages, and imposes minimal regulations and restrictions on residents, who are encouraged to take initiative and make decisions. The article discusses the successes and limitations of the nonbureaucratic structure for implementing the feminist goals of consensus and empowerment.
The effects of linoleic acid feeding on renal growth and function in uninephrectomized rats

Abstract Pharmacological inhibition of cyclooxygenase limits renal growth and function following uninephrectomy in rats. Chronic linoleic acid feeding augments renal prostaglandin and thromboxane synthesis in partially nephrectomized rats and slows the pace of development of glomerulosclerosis. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of linoleic acid feeding on the acute adaptive changes in renal mass and function which follow uninephrectomy in rats. Young adult male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a diet rich in linoleic acid or pair-fed a control beef tallow-rich diet. Two weeks after initiation of the diet, the animals underwent uninephrectomy. Two weeks later, urine was collected for prostaglandin E 2 excretion and the clearances of inulin and PAH were measured. Linoleic acid feeding enhanced excretion of prostaglandin E 2 , and dramatically reduced the clearances of inulin and PAH. Despite marked diminution in renal function, linoleic acid-fed rats had an identical renal growth response to beef tallow-fed controls. These data provide novel evidence against the "work hypertrophy" theory of renal growth, and support an important role for prostaglandins as mediators of both the functional and anatomical responses to a reduction in renal mass.
Combination of low dose of genistein and daidzein has synergistic preventive effects on isogenic human prostate cancer cells when compared with individual soy isoflavone

The reduced incidence of prostate cancer (PCa) in Asia countries has been attributed to high soy diets, and major soy isoflavones, in particular daidzein and genistein, are thought to be the source of the beneficial and anti-cancer effects of soy foods. However, attention has been drawn to the safety of using high levels of soy isoflavones in humans, which is especially the concern for consumers taking regular soy isoflavone dietary supplements. The main objective of this study is thus to identify a soy isoflavone combination with lower levels of daidzein and genistein to be a more efficacious and safer chemo-preventive agent for PCa. The anticancer effects of daidzein and genistein, and their combinations on early-stage androgen-dependent PCa cells (LNCaP) and bone metastatic LNCaP-derivative PCa cells (C4-2B) were compared. Cells were treated with varying concentrations of daidzein, genistein (25-200 μM) or their combinations (25 or 50 μM) and cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycles and cellular uptakes of the isoflavones were measured after 48 h. Daidzein and genistein showed a synergistic effect on inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis of both PCa cells. Twenty-five μM daidzein/50 μM genistein and 50 μM daidzein/50 μM genistein significantly increased the apoptotic effects on C4-2B cells although they did not show any effect when used individually. Except 50 μM daidzein/50 μM genistein, all other combinations had no impacts on cell cycles. For treatment with soy isoflavone combination, genistein was always better taken up than daidzein by both LNCaP and C4-2B cells.
Singularity Issue in Dimensional Variation Diagnosis of Multi-Station Assembly Processes

This paper presents a new method of diagnosing variation components of process error sources in a manufacturing system. Quite often in a complex multi-station assembly system only limited numbers of sensors are present due to which complete information of fixture errors is unavailable. This makes the system of variance components singular and not solvable by using regular least-squares estimation. The method suggests reformulation of the original error propagation model into a variation relation by using a matrix transformation. With the development of a new variation estimator and its diagnosability condition, some singular systems that are not diagnosable using traditional least squares methods become diagnosable. Difference between the new approach and the traditional approaches has been elaborated. Modified procedures of the new estimator are also presented to enhance its estimation performance. The idea is presented in the specific context of panel assembly processes, but the application of the idea should not be limited therein. Conclusions can be extended to general discrete-part manufacturing processes where fixtures are extensively used to ensure dimensional accuracy of the final product.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Migration of Co-cultured Endothelial Cells and Osteoblasts in Composite Hydroxyapatite/Polylactic Acid Scaffolds

Regeneration of bone in large segmental bone defects requires regeneration of both cortical bone and trabecular bone. A scaffold design consisting of a hydroxyapatite (HA) ring surrounding a polylactic acid (PLA) core simulates the structure of bone and provides an environment for indirect and direct co-culture conditions. In this experiment, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC) and normal human primary osteoblasts (OB) were co-cultured to evaluate cell migration and interactions within this biphasic composite scaffold. Both cell types were able to migrate between the different material phases of the scaffold. It was also observed that OB migration increased when they were co-cultured with ECs, whereas EC migration decreased in co-culture. The results show that co-culture of ECs and OBs in this composite biphasic scaffold allows for migration of cells throughout the scaffold and that pre-seeding a scaffold with ECs can increase OB infiltration into desired areas of the scaffold.
Cloning and expression of a protein-tyrosine-phosphatase.

Abstract A rat brain cDNA library was screened by using a mixture of oligonucleotides whose sequences were deduced from the amino acid sequence of a human placental protein-tyrosine-phosphatase (PTPase; EC 3.1.3.48) reported by Charbonneau et al. [Charbonneau, H., Tonks, N. K., Walsh, K. A. & Fischer, E. H. (1988) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85, 7182-7186]. The isolated clones encode a PTPase of 432 amino acids having a mass of 49,679 daltons and showing 97% sequence identity to the corresponding 321 residues of the placental enzyme. The coding sequence of the PTPase was placed behind a bacteriophage T7 promoter and the protein was expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein had a molecular weight of 50,000 by SDS/PAGE analysis and showed an absolute specificity for phosphotyrosine-containing substrates. Northern analysis documented that there were two sizes of RNA, 4.3 and 2.0 kilobases, which encode the PTPase. Both transcripts were present in a number of tissues, and the smaller RNA appears to arise by the use of an alternative polyadenylylation signal. The PTPase was also localized by in situ hybridization in the rat central nervous system. A diffuse pattern of hybridization signal is seen in a number of brain areas, with the hippocampus showing the highest levels of mRNA. Sequences located at the C terminus of the rat brain PTPase contain possible sites for phosphorylation as well as signals which could serve for membrane attachment.
General distance domination

For any graph G=(V,E), a subset S⊆V dominates G if all vertices are contained in the closed neighborhood of S, that is N[S]=V. The minimum cardinality over all such S is called the domination number, written γ(G). For any positive integer k, a general k-distance domination function of a graph G is a function f:V→{0,1,…,k} such that every vertex with label 0 is at most distance j−1 away from a vertex with label j, for 2⩽j⩽k. We show some bounds for this function, produce a Vizing-like bound for the simplest case, and conjecture other more general bounds.
Damage detection from changes in curvature mode shapes

Abstract A damage in a structure alters its dynamic characteristics. The change is characterized by changes in the eigenparameters, i.e., natural frequency, damping values and the mode shapes associated with each natural frequency. Considerable effort has been spent in obtaining a relationship between the changes in eigenparameters, the damage location and the damage size. Most of the emphasis has been on using the changes in the natural frequencies and the damping values to determine the location and the size of the damage. In this paper a new parameter called curvature mode shape is investigated as a possible candidate for identifying and locating damage in a structure. By using a cantilever and a simply supported analytical beam model, it is shown here that the absolute changes in the curvature mode shapes are localized in the region of damage and hence can be used to detect damage in a structure. The changes in the curvature mode shapes increase with increasing size of damage. This information can be used to obtain the amount of damage in the structure. Finite element analysis was used to obtain the displacement mode shapes of the two models. By using a central difference approximation, curvature mode shapes were then calculated from the displacement mode shapes.
Matrix metalloproteinases and TIMPS in cultured C57BL/6J-cpk kidney tubules.

Matrix metalloproteinases and TIMPs in cultured C57BL/6J-cpk kidney tubules. Restructuring of basement membranes is a hallmark of the pathology of renal cystic disorders. Here, we present findings consistent with the view that basement membrane degradation by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may contribute to abnormal basement membrane structure in polycystic kidney disease. Cells from cystic kidney tubules embedded in collagen gels appeared to migrate through the gel. This migration through collagen indicated that these cells could degrade the matrix. To examine this activity, we cultured cystic kidney tubules derived from the C57BL/6J cpk / cpk mouse, a hereditary model of polycystic kidney disease, and assayed conditioned medium for the presence of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The conditioned medium from the cystic tubules contained higher than normal levels of MMP-9, MMP-2, and MMP-3 as well as TIMP-1 and TIMP-2. A 101kDa protease was present equally in cystic and control cultures and although inhibited by EDTA, it was not inhibited by TIMPs, nor activated by the mercurial compound APMA. These data suggest that cystic kidney tubules synthesize and secrete high levels of MMPs which may then participate in the restructuring of the tubular basement membrane.
Transphyseal Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Mesenchymal Stem Cells

BackgroundConventional techniques for reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature patients risk potential iatrogenic growth disturbance because of drilling across the physis. Animal models have demonstrated mixed results regarding growth disturbances from soft tissue grafts across the physis.HypothesisMesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow may be effective in preventing growth arrest after intraarticular anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.Material and MethodsThe anterior cruciate ligament was removed from 15 skeletally immature rabbits, which were divided into 3 groups: 5 rabbits (group 1) had only drilling of tunnels through the distal femoral and proximal tibial physes 5 (group 2) underwent drilling of the tunnels and reconstruction with an extensor digitorum communis autograft; and 5 (group 3) had drilling and reconstruction with an extensor digitorum communis autograft that had been seeded with mesenchymal stem cells. ...
Use of GIS in Optimizing Timber Thinning Strategies in the Eastern Sierra Nevada

This paper demonstrates the use of a Geographic Information System (GIS) to develop timber thinning strategies on the Kyburz Planning Area of the Tahoe National Forest in northeastern California. The primary criteria used in an assessment of selective thinning potential were forest health and fire hazard ratings. By eliminating environmentally sensitive, economically unfeasible, or low fire hazard areas from consideration, the use of GIS reduced the area that was considered appropriate for thinning by approximately 58%. GIS offers considerable potential for improving resource management strategies.
Comparison of dilute acid and ionic liquid pretreatment of switchgrass: Biomass recalcitrance, delignification and enzymatic saccharification.

The efficiency of two biomass pretreatment technologies, dilute acid hydrolysis and dissolution in an ionic liquid, are compared in terms of delignification, saccharification efficiency and saccharide yields with switchgrass serving as a model bioenergy crop. When subject to ionic liquid pretreatment (dissolution and precipitation of cellulose by anti-solvent) switchgrass exhibited reduced cellulose crystallinity, increased surface area, and decreased lignin content compared to dilute acid pretreatment. Pretreated material was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and chemistry methods. Ionic liquid pretreatment enabled a significant enhancement in the rate of enzyme hydrolysis of the cellulose component of switchgrass, with a rate increase of 16.7-fold, and a glucan yield of 96.0% obtained in 24 h. These results indicate that ionic liquid pretreatment may offer unique advantages when compared to the dilute acid pretreatment process for switchgrass. However, the cost of the ionic liquid process must also be taken into consideration.
2-Deoxyglucose-induced toxicity is regulated by Bcl-2 family members and is enhanced by antagonizing Bcl-2 in lymphoma cell lines

Targeting altered cancer cell metabolism with the glycolysis inhibitor, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), is a viable therapeutic strategy, but the effects of 2DG on lymphoma cells and the mechanism of action are unknown. Five T-cell lymphoma lines and two B-cell lymphoma lines were shown to be highly sensitive to 2DG. Examination of the cell death pathway demonstrated pro-apoptotic protein Bax 'activation' and caspase cleavage in 2DG-treated cells. However, Q-VD-OPh, a potent inhibitor of caspase activity provided minimal protection from death. In contrast, overexpressing the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 dramatically enhanced the survival of 2DG-treated cells that was negated by a Bcl-2 antagonist. BH3-only members, Bim and Bmf, were upregulated by 2DG, and shRNAs targeting Bim protected from 2DG toxicity demonstrating that Bim is a critical mediator of 2DG toxicity. 2DG also induced GADD153/CHOP expression, a marker of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and a known activator of Bim. Mannose, a reagent known to alleviate ER stress, transiently protected from 2DG-induced cell death. Examination of the effects of 2DG on energy metabolism showed a drop in ATP levels by 30 min that was not affected by either Bcl-2 or mannose. These results demonstrate that ER stress appears to be rate limiting in 2DG-induced cell death in lymphoma cells, and this cell killing is regulated by the Bcl-2 family of proteins. Bcl-2 inhibition combined with 2DG may be an effective therapeutic strategy for lymphoma.
Leiomyoma of the maxilla - report of a case

Leiomyoma is a rare tumor in this location. It probably arises from the tunica media of blood vessels. Electron microscopy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Local excision of the lesion is adequate treatment.
Precipitation of magnesium ferrite from MgO-FexO solid solutions

Debye-Scherrer X-ray powder photographs and photomicrographs of samples in the MgO-FexO system have revealed the possible presence of spinodal decomposition.
Genetic relationship between grain yield and the contents of protein and fat in a recombinant inbred population of rice.

To study the genetic relationship between grain yield and the nutrient contents in rice, 209 recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between indica rice Xieqingzao B and Milyang 46 were used to determine quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the yields and contents of the two major nutritional components in brown rice. Seven traits were analyzed, including brown rice recovery (BRR), protein content (PC), fat content (FC), grain yield (GYD), brown rice yield (BRYD), protein yield (PYD) and fat yield (FYD). The nutrient contents were significantly negatively correlated with BRR, GYD and BRYD, and the variations on nutrient yield were mainly ascribed to GYD. A total of 22 QTLs distributed on 10 regions of eight chromosomes were detected. Two QTL clusters were found on the short arm of chromosome 6 and the long arm of chromosome 10, respectively. The former was responsible for all the seven traits, and the latter for all the traits except BRR and FC. In both regions, the maternal alleles decreased nutrient contents, but they increased the yields of grain, brown rice, protein and fat. Implication of these results for the breeding of rice varieties with enhancing nutritional capacity is discussed.
Alcohol Decreases Baseline Brain Glucose Metabolism More in Heavy Drinkers Than Controls But Has No Effect on Stimulation-Induced Metabolic Increases

During alcohol intoxication, the human brain increases metabolism of acetate and decreases metabolism of glucose as energy substrate. Here we hypothesized that chronic heavy drinking facilitates this energy substrate shift both for baseline and stimulation conditions. To test this hypothesis, we compared the effects of alcohol intoxication (0.75 g/kg alcohol vs placebo) on brain glucose metabolism during video stimulation (VS) versus when given with no stimulation (NS), in 25 heavy drinkers (HDs) and 23 healthy controls, each of whom underwent four PET-18FDG scans. We showed that resting whole-brain glucose metabolism (placebo-NS) was lower in HD than controls (13%, p = 0.04); that alcohol (compared with placebo) decreased metabolism more in HD (20 ± 13%) than controls (9 ± 11%, p = 0.005) and in proportion to daily alcohol consumption (r = 0.36, p = 0.01) but found that alcohol did not reduce the metabolic increases in visual cortex from VS in either group. Instead, VS reduced alcohol-induced decreases in whole-brain glucose metabolism (10 ± 12%) compared with NS in both groups (15 ± 13%, p = 0.04), consistent with stimulation-related glucose metabolism enhancement. These findings corroborate our hypothesis that heavy alcohol consumption facilitates use of alternative energy substrates (i.e., acetate) for resting activity during intoxication, which might persist through early sobriety, but indicate that glucose is still favored as energy substrate during brain stimulation. Our findings are consistent with reduced reliance on glucose as the main energy substrate for resting brain metabolism during intoxication (presumably shifting to acetate or other ketones) and a priming of this shift in HDs, which might make them vulnerable to energy deficits during withdrawal.
Mathematical aspects of fluid and plasma dynamics

The mathematical aspects of fluid and plasma dynamics — in paradise! The setting was so beautiful that most of the conference participants quickly embraced the word — paradise — used by natives and...
Distribution of early life history stages of fishes in selected pools of the upper Mississippi River

Effective management of the fishery resources of the Upper Mississippi River and successful mitigation of the loss of critical habitat depend in part on an understanding of the reproductive and early life history requirements of the affected fishes. However, little is known about the use of nursery areas by fishes in the river. Of the nearly 130 species identified in the adult ichthyofauna, only a few are represented proportionally in the available data on early life stages because study designs have not included consideration of the early stages, collection gears have not adequately sampled the young, and eggs and larvae of some species are difficult to sample by conventional approaches. For the species collected, information is available on seasonal variations in total densities, composition, and catch among different habitat types. However, the data are most accurate for species with buoyant early life stages, such as freshwater drum (Aplodinotus grunniens) and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum). Eggs and larvae of freshwater drum dominate collections made in the main channel, whereas other larval fishes are usually most abundant in backwater habitats. The species found there usually deposit eggs on the substrate or on vegetation. Habitat preferences (as indicated by relative abundance) often shift as development proceeds and physical and behavioral changes occur in the larvae. Only limited information is available on the distribution of larvae within habitats, but it is clear that variations within habitats are significant.
Proximity and Production Fragmentation

Cross-border production chains tend to include geographically proximate countries. This suggests that increases in fragmentation should be largest among nearby trading partners, and thus may serve to localize gross trade. Using data on gross and value added trade from 1970-2009, we present three results supporting this conjecture. First, value added to export ratios are lower and falling more rapidly within geographic regions than between them. Second, gross trade travels shorter distances from source to destination than value added trade, and this gap is growing over time. Third, bilateral value added to export ratios have fallen most among nearby trading partners.
Particle transport in electrostatic precipitators

Abstract We discuss the transport of particles in a precipitator due to the combined effects of mobility and eddy diffusion in the gas flow. For an idealized model of a duct precipitator, the convective diffusion equation is solved analytically for the monodisperse particle concentration n(x, z) as a sum of normal modes which can represent any entrance profile n(x = 0,z). These modes decay exponentially in the flow direction, x, with the lowest (dominant) mode having the slowest decay and, therefore, controlling the efficiency in long ducts. The dominant mode yields the fractional efficiency formula η = 1 − exp − ( w E L ud )F = 1 − exp − ( w E A Q )F , which reduces to the Deutsch result when F = 1. The multiplier F which is a function of P E = ( w E d D ) (a measure of the relative effects of migration velocity wE and diffusivity D) is evaluated for different assumed boundary conditions. It appears that F values significantly greater than unity are possible, particularly for PE ⪢ 1. Numerical solutions of the convective diffusion equation have also been computed for a uniform entrance profile (n(x = 0,z) = n0, which agree with the analytic results and show the entrance profile decaying to the self-similar dominant mode profile for ( w E A Q ) ⪸ 1 . The implications of the results to precipitator performance and design are discussed. In particular, it is argued that the efficiency can be significantly higher than the Deutsch value, and that by improving gas flow quality to minimize turbulence, significant reductions of precipitator length could be achieved.
Chemistry of a Metallathiaborane Cluster. 5.† Reaction of [8,8-(η2-dppm)-8-(η1-dppm)-nido-8,7-RhSB9H10] and Its Derivatives with Organotransition-Metal Reagents

The phosphine ligands on [8,8-(PPh 3 ) 2 -nido-8,7-RhSB 9 H 1 0 ] (2) may be replaced by the bidentate phosphine dppm {dppm = [(CH 2 )(PPh 2 ) 2 ]} to form the species [8,8-(η 2 -dppm)-8-(η 1 -dppm)-nido-8,7-RhSB 9 H 1 0 ] (3). The latter reacts with [Ru(η 6 -p-cym)(μ-Cl) 2 ] 2 to afford [8,8-η 2 -{(μ-Cl) 2 Ru(η 6 -p-cym)(dppm)}-nido-8,7-RhSB 9 H 1 0 ] (4), which contains the group [(μ-Cl) 2 Ru-(η 6 -p-cym)(dppm)] that coordinates in a multidentate mode to Rh, in 77% yield. Similar chemistry using [Cp*Ir(μ-Cl) 2 ] 2 {Cp* = [η 5 -C 5 (CH 3 ) 5 ]} affords the related species [8,8-η 2 -{(μ-Cl) 2 Cp*Ir(dppm)}-nido-8,7-RhSB 9 H 1 0 ] (5), and [8,8-η 2 -{(μ-Cl) 2 Cp*Rh(dppm)}-nido-8,7-RhSB 9 H 1 0 ] (6) is obtained from the reaction between 2 and [Cp*RhCl 2 (η 1 -dppm)]. Reactions of 3 with [IrCl(CO)(PPh 3 ) 2 ] or [RhCl(PPh 3 ) 3 ] result in removal of dppm. [RhCl(PPh 3 ) 3 ] reacts with 3 to afford [1-PPh 3 -{1,3-(μ-dppm)}-closo-1,2-RhSB 9 H 8 ] (7), but on reaction for extended periods [8-Cl-{8,9-(μ-dppm)}-10-PPh3-nido-8,7-RhSB9H7] (8) is also formed. Reaction between 7 and dppe {dppe = [(CH 2 ) 2 (PPh 2 ) 2 ]} gives [1,1-(η 2 -dppe)-3-(η 1 -dppm)-closo-1,2-RhSB 9 H 8 ] (9), which when treated with [Ru(η 6 -p-cym)(μ-Cl) 2 ] 2 , affords [1,1-(η 2 -dppe)-3-η 1 -{(dppm)Ru(η 6 -p-cym)Cl 2 )}-closo-1,2-RhSB 9 H 8 ] (10), in which the rhodathiaborane cage has a pendent metal-ligated dppm group at the 3-position. A rationale for the formation of 7 and 8 in the reaction of 3 with [RhCl(PPh 3 ) 3 ] is presented, and it provides evidence for the pathways for reactions of the other metal-containing moieties with 3. The existence of 8 provides support for some earlier proposals concerning the chemistry of 3. The new species 4, 5, 6, 8, and 10 are characterized by NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and in the case of 4, 8, and 10, crystal structure determinations.
Geographic's variation impact on chemical composition, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of essential oils from wood and leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters

The present study reports the variation of the essential oils composition from wood and leaves of Tetraclinis articulata (Vahl) Masters, collected from four locations in Algeria as well as compares their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. 34 compounds were identified, accounting for 90.6–97.6% of the leaves oils. The predominant compounds were α-pinene (16.3–25.3%), camphor (17.2–21.4%) and bornyl acetate (17.6–20.6%). 29 compounds were identified, accounting for 91.2–95.5% of the total wood oil. Camphene (15.5–18.8%), cedrol (10.5–12.7%) and α-acorenol (8.2–10.4%) were the main compounds. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed chemical variability in the studied essential oils. Although the main components are common, their percentages are different. The investigated essential oils showed substantial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Although the two assays yielded quantitatively different values, the best antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities was observed for oil from Zeddine region flowed by that from Mansoura region, while, the lowest activities was observed for oil from Tazoult region. In this work, we revealed significant differences in the yields and chemical composition. Furthermore, our study demonstrates a high variation in the biological activity potentials according to parts of species and populations. This variability points out the importance of the geographic origin of the populations and the growing conditions which could affect significantly the oil compounds both in quantitative or qualitative extent and by there the biological activities. It offers also the opportunity to choose essential oils with preferential compound for pharmaceutical, perfume and food industries.
Angels of memory: photography and haunting in Guatemala City

This article explores the relationship between historical memory, urban space, and photography by way of a case study: the place-specific public art of the Guatemalan photographer and human rights activist, Daniel Hernandez-Salazar. As one of a growing number of Latin American artists committed to combating the “institutionalized forgetfulness” of human rights violations throughout the hemisphere, Hernandez-Salazar deploys geographically-rich photographic installations to help his society remember its difficult past. The installations, known as Street Angel, are like ghosts haunting the graves of the murdered, fortresses of the powerful, bastions of the complicit. By shedding light on these ghostly angels, this article reveals the important role of photography, as a crucial vehicle of memory, in bearing witness to the unimaginable horrors that consumed much of the twentieth century, as well as that technology’s limitations. It also shows how remembrances of those atrocities depend on urban space for their grounding, articulation, and maintenance. Finally, by probing the artistic impulse and political sensibility that created Guatemala City’s angels of memory, it makes the case that, in the combustible political climate of post-war Central America, the work of remembering the past is not an antiquarian exercise: the labor of memory is a fundamental component of building a just society.
Effect of Preference for Assigned Lecture Notes on Student Achievement

AbstractCollege students were assigned to either take their own personal notes or to use full or partial notes that had been distributed to them while listening to a lecture in order to determine the effect of using a preferred or nonpreferred lecture note method on multiple- choice and essay test scores and on post-lecture note preference. The use of personal or partial notes resulted in higher scores on the essay test and students preferring personal or partial notes scored better on the multiple-choice exam suggesting the importance of personally encoding notes. Partial notes preference was most popular both before and after the lecture.
Resolving Anatomical Details in Lung Parenchyma: Theory and Experiment for a Structurally and Magnetically Inhomogeneous Lung Imaging Model

Lung parenchyma is, structurally and magnetically, a very inhomogeneous system. The strong local field gradients due to magnetic susceptibility variation across the air-tissue interfaces impose a spatially dependent phase on spins that are inhomogeneously distributed. As a result, the slice selection process can cause destructive interference and corresponding partial cancellation of the NMR signals from different parts of the slice. The mechanism of this effect was studied by expanding the internal magnetic field gradient as a Fourier series and determining the Fourier components with a foam model, which consists of air bubbles preferentially at the alveolar diameter. The effect of signal cancellation as a function of slice thickness is characterized by a sinc-like function with destructive interference of higher orders shown as lobes and the zeroth order as the main peak. Computer simulation of the slice selection process was conducted to illustrate the combined effects of signal cancellation and spatial average, and their dependence on slice thickness. Finally, images of rat lungs are presented to demonstrate the significant improvement in image quality by avoiding the high order destructive interference of NMR signals in the slice selection process.
Langerhans cells and melanocytes share similar morphologic features under in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy: a challenge for melanoma diagnosis

Background Intraepidermal Langerhans cells (ILC) are difficult to differentiate from melanocytes under reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) and their presence may simulate pagetoid spread of melanocytes on RCM images. Objective We sought to correlate bright round and dendritic cells in a pagetoid pattern identified on RCM with findings of conventional histopathology and immunohistochemistry for lesions that were falsely diagnosed as melanoma by RCM. Methods This retrospective study included histopathologically proven nevi, imaged by RCM, which displayed bright cells in a pagetoid pattern (BCPP) under RCM, resulting in the incorrect RCM diagnosis of melanoma. Morphological comparisons were made between RCM images of nevi showing BCPP, histopathologically proven melanomas displaying BCPP, and biopsy-proven nevi without BCPP. Results We identified 24 nevi that were falsely diagnosed as melanoma by RCM because of the presence of BCPP. These pagetoid cells on RCM corresponded on histopathology to ILC with a high density in 23 of the 24 nevi (95%) and to melanocytes in 7 of the 24 nevi (29%). Among 6 melanomas displaying BCPP on RCM, ILC with high density were observed histopathologically in 5 of the 6 cases (83%) and pagetoid melanocytes were seen in all 6 cases (100%). Limitations The results cannot be generalized to clinically banal-appearing nevi. Conclusions Although the finding of BCPP is a useful RCM feature for the diagnosis of melanoma, it does not always imply the presence of pagetoid melanocytes but may at times represent ILC.