cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrochemical performance of a solid oxide fuel cell with an LSCF cathode under different oxygen concentrations

Abstract A new performance study has been performed on a commercially available anode supported planar SOFC containing an LSCF cathode. The SOFC cell is tested at different temperatures and different cathode gas compositions. The temperature and cathode gas dependence on the electrochemical performance is studied using voltage–current density curves and impedance spectroscopy at different cell voltages. The cell tested shows excellent performance at all temperatures and is not limited by diffusion losses for the tested conditions. This new study indicates that the cell impedance spectroscopy is comprised of at least four semicircles of which two are partially dependent on the cathode gas conditions. It was found that historical effects play a role in the impedance spectra, showing some scatter in the ohmic resistance as a function of applied voltage. The cell ohmic resistance decreases as the temperature increases and as the cathode gas conditions are switched from air to O 2 –He mixture. However, the cell ohmic resistance under pure O 2 was found to be higher than the O 2 –He mixture. In virtually all IS data, the cell ohmic resistance showed a maximum value around 0.8 V. The cell ohmic ASR shows that interfacial resistances are a significant portion of the total ohmic resistance. The total electrode polarization decreases as the temperature increases and as the cathode gas conditions are switched from air to O 2 –He mixture and to pure O 2 . Finally, the peak frequency of the largest semicircle observed at high frequency shows a linear dependence on the applied voltage in most cases. This behavior is related to the charge transfer that occurs in the high frequency range and indicates that the electrochemical reactions are occurring at faster rates as more current flows through the cell.
Mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene sequences support an Asian origin for the Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata

The Portuguese oyster Crassostrea angulata (Lamarck, 1819) was long assumed to be native to the northeastern Atlantic, however, a number of lines of evidence now indicate that it is a close relative, or identical, to the Asian Pacific oyster C. gigas (Thunberg, 1793). Three hypotheses have been proposed to explain how this strikingly disjunct geographic distribution may have come about: ancient vicariance events, recent anthropogenic introduction to Asia and recent anthropogenic introduction to Europe. We have performed a molecular phylogenetic analysis of C. angulata based on mitochondrial DNA sequence data for a 579-nucleotide fragment of cytochrome oxidase I. Our results show that Portuguese oyster haplotypes cluster robustly within a clade of Asian congeners and are closely related, but not identical, to C. gigas from Japan. The mitochondrial data are the first to show that Portuguese oysters are genetically distinct from geographically representative samples of Japanese Pacific oysters. Our phylogenetic analyses are consistent with a recent introduction of C. angulata to Europe either from a non-Japanese Asian source population or from a subsequently displaced Japanese source population. Genetic characterization of Pacific oysters throughout their Asian range is necessary to fully reveal the phylogenetic relationships among Portuguese and Pacific oysters.
Quantitative metabolic imaging using endogenous fluorescence to detect stem cell differentiation

Quantitative metabolic imaging using endogenous fluorescence to detect stem cell differentiation
Lithospheric sources of North Florida, USA tholeiites and implications for the origin of the Suwannee terrane

Abstract Sr, Nd, and Pb isotopic data for Mesozoic tholeiites from six drillholes in northern Florida (Suwannee terrane) indicate derivation of the magmas from a source that was slightly incompatible-element enriched with respect to bulk earth, probably continental lithospheric mantle variably contaminated by more enriched crust. Initial isotopic compositions of the Florida tholeiites show a considerable range: 87 Sr / 86 Sr =0.7059 to 0.7097, eNd=−4.6 to +0.1, 206 Pb / 204 Pb =18.30 to 18.65, 207 Pb / 204 Pb =15.57 to 15.66, and 208 Pb / 204 Pb =38.22 to 38.35. These compositions are distinctly different from those of Mesozoic alkali basalts from the subsurface of southwestern Florida [Heatherington, A.L., Mueller, P.A., 1991. Geochemical evidence for Triassic rifting in southwestern Florida. Tectonophysics 188, 291–302]. It is suggested that the North Florida tholeiites were derived from within the continental lithosphere, in contrast with Mesozoic volcanic rocks from southwestern Florida, which have been previously suggested to be related to a mantle plume. Sm–Nd isotope systematics suggest derivation of the tholeiites from a ∼1-Ga source, a similar age to that proposed by Pegram [Pegram, W.J., 1990. Development of continental lithospheric mantle as reflected in the chemistry of the Mesozoic Appalachian tholeiites, USA Earth and Planetary Science Letters 97, 316–331] for the source of tholeiitic basalts within the Carolina terrane. This supports Proterozoic tectonic models which suggest that both the Suwannee and Carolina terranes had affinities with South American portions of Gondwana containing ∼1 Ga crust, specifically, the Sunsas-Rondonian province [Nance, Murphy, 1996; Mueller, P.A., Kozuch, M., Heatherington, A.L., Wooden, J.L., Offield, T.W., Koeppen, R.P., Klein, T.L., Nutman, A.P., 1996. Evidence for Mesoproterozoic basement in the Carolina terrane and speculations on its origin. In: Nance, R.D., Thompson, M.D. (Eds.), Avalonian and Related Peri-Gondwanan Terranes of the Circum-North Atlantic, GSA Special Paper 304, pp. 207–218].
Nuclear envelope breakdown induced by herpes simplex virus type 1 involves the activity of viral fusion proteins

Herpesvirus infection reorganizes components of the nuclear lamina usually without loss of integrity of the nuclear membranes. We report that wild-type HSV infection can cause dissolution of the nuclear envelope in transformed mouse embryonic fibroblasts that do not express torsinA. Nuclear envelope breakdown is accompanied by an eight-fold inhibition of virus replication. Breakdown of the membrane is much more limited during infection with viruses that lack the gB and gH genes, suggesting that breakdown involves factors that promote fusion at the nuclear membrane. Nuclear envelope breakdown is also inhibited during infection with virus that does not express UL34, but is enhanced when the US3 gene is deleted, suggesting that envelope breakdown may be enhanced by nuclear lamina disruption. Nuclear envelope breakdown cannot compensate for deletion of the UL34 gene suggesting that mixing of nuclear and cytoplasmic contents is insufficient to bypass loss of the normal nuclear egress pathway.
Potential scattering and the baryon-mass spectrum

A mass spectrum of the formm2=Ml(Ml+|αl|) is derived, whereαl is the imaginary part of thel-th singularity in the complex energy plane of aT-matrix which describes the interaction of a particle of initial rest massm with a potentialV(x,t), whereV(x,t)=0 in the limit |t|→∞. The same mass formula, withαl replaced by (αl/2), is obtained for two particles, each of initial rest massm, interacting via the potentialV(x,t) where herex is the relative distance between the particles. This spectrum is found to give, within 1%, the mass of all baryons less than or equal to the mass of the Ω− ifm is taken as 1747 MeV andαl (orαl/2) is a small integral multiple of the K and π meson masses. Comparison to the Gell-Mann-Okubo formula relates these integers to the hypercharge and the isotopic spin.
Cloud/Intercloud Structure from Nonlinear Magnetic Waves

One-dimensional numerical simulations of interacting plane-polarized Alfven waves including magnetic diffusion and thermal energy dissipation form structures between the sources of excitation that are analogous to clumpy cool diffuse clouds surrounded by a warm low-density intercloud medium. The cloud oscillates slightly after formation but has an average state that is in both thermal and total pressure equilibrium with the intercloud medium. The cloud substructure has a realistic size-line width relation, Δv ∝ R0.5, that is the result of a systematically decreasing correlation among random motions for increasingly large scales. The substructure also has a peak-density versus size relation ρ ∝ R-0.18 because of self-similar hierarchical structure. The gas continuously changes its temperature in response to density fluctuations in the turbulent medium, i.e., each region picks the temperature of the nearest equilibrium phase for the current density. The gas motions are generally less than the Alfven speed and comparable to the sound speed. This implies that supersonic turbulence in real clouds is probably the result of supersonic relative motions between very tiny clumps inside which the actual motions are nearly sonic. The magnetic field plays the important role of allowing energy from the perturbation to spread over a large distance with minimal dissipation.
An improved procedure for analysis of PM10 filters by X-ray powder diffraction

Abstract Speciation results from earlier methods of quantitative analysis of TSP, dichotomous, and PM 10 filters for compounds by XRD were often marginal to unacceptable because of very light loadings and the interfering effects of substrate fibres in cases of ultrasonic extraction and concentration. A method for analysis of very lightly loaded PM 10 filters has been developed, using ultrasonic particle stripping, X-ray transmission of unloaded blank filters, substrate diffraction X-ray analysis, and mass absorption balance, along with the usual X-ray diffraction scanning. Analysis of a set of filters having less than 105 μg m cm −2 sample load is used to illustrate the improved procedure.
Radiographically Documented Fecal Impaction Causing Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter Malfunction

ABSTRACTPeritoneal dialysis catheter malfunction is most commonly caused by infection or omental occlusion. To our knowledge we report the first case of radiologically confirmed fecal impaction resulting in peritoneal dialysis catheter malfunction, which resolved with medical management. In patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis fecal impaction should be considered in the differential diagnosis of catheter malfunction before surgical intervention.
Bronchoalveolar carcinoma: Factors affecting survival

Abstract One hundred thirty-four consecutive patients (65 men and 69 women) underwent pulmonary resection for bronchoalveolar carcinoma. Mean age was 65 years. Lobectomy was done in 100 patients, pneumonectomy in 10, segmentectomy in 5, and wedge excision in 19. Only 10 patients had lymph node metastases (7.5%). The neoplasm was solitary in 111 patients (82.8%); 97 were in stage I, 4 were in stage II, 9 were in stage IIIa, and 1 was in stage IIIb. There were two operative deaths (1.5%). Thirty-nine complications occurred in 31 patients. Median follow-up was 5.1 years. Recurrent bronchoalveolar carcinoma developed in 45 patients. Five- and 10-year survival for patients in stage I was 75.2% and 62.0%, respectively. Survival for patients with T1 N0 M0 neoplasms was identical to expected survival and was 90.5% at 5 years, as compared with 55.4% for patients with T2 N0 M0 disease, only 35.9% for patients with multiple bilateral disease, and 0.0% for patients with bilateral disease ( p
Telbivudine: an effective anti-HBV drug for chronic hepatitis B patients with early on-treatment responses.

Importance of the field: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a significant hepatocarcinogen. HBV replication is a major cause for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Past studies have documented that lamivudine (LAM) therapy deterred progression to cirrhosis and HCC. This risk reduction is attributed to effective viral suppression. There is a need for as many effective anti-HBV drugs as possible.Areas covered in this review: Telbivudine, the fourth FDA-approved oral antiviral drug, is highly potent for viral suppression for HBV. It is more potent than LAM and adefovir; its therapeutic response is superior to that of LAM in both HBeAg-positive and -negative patients, and it produces higher HBeAg seroconversion in patients with baseline ALT ≥ 2 times normal. Telbivudine has a resistance rate lower than that of LAM and higher than that of entecavir or tenofovir.What the reader will gain: There is a specific group of patients who are likely to achieve good therapeutic response with telbivudine.Take home...
Raman spectroscopy of supercoiled and nicked ColE1 plasmid.

Native supercoiled and nicked Co1E1 DNA were examined using laser Raman spectroscopy. Co1E1 contains 6646 base pairs (bp) and, when supercoiled, approximately 47 negative supercoils. An analytical buoyant density gradient centrifugation technique developed by Burke and Bauer was scaled to preparative quantities, and used to isolate the supercoiled plasmid fraction from its nicked counterpart. This procedure allowed enriched fractions of the supercoiled plasmid to be extracted without the use of the optical contaminant ethidium bromide. The intensities of several Raman bands were altered between the spectra of the two topological forms. Notably absent were any changes in bands arising from cytosine and guanine vibrations. The observed changes are interpreted in terms of the polymorphic structures which have been observed in many DNA structural studies. The results of this study suggest that accommodation of supercoiling takes place chiefly in A-T base pairs and backbone moieties, without substantial modification of G-C base-pair structure. Premelting effects may account for the observed changes, including a slight shift to lower frequency of a band known to be responsive to base-pair disruption. Heteronomous ribose sugar pucker is evident in both supercoiled and nicked plasmid species. No gross conformational transitions were detected for native supercoiled DNA, and consequently, subtle rearrangements appear sufficient to absorb the supercoiling deformations.
Alteration Around the Active Site of Rhodanese during Urea-induced Denaturation and Its Implications for Folding

Abstract The enzyme rhodanese contains two globular domains connected by a tether region and associated by strong hydrophobic interactions. The protein has proven to be very difficult to refold without assistance to prevent oxidation and aggregation. For this study, the active site cysteine 247, near the interdomain region, was modified with the environmentally sensitive fluorescent probe, 2-(4′-(iodoacetamido)anilino)naphthalene-6-sulfonic acid (IAANS), to yield a derivative that reversibly unfolds. Structural transitions during urea unfolding/refolding were complex and multiphasic. Increasing urea concentrations increased the IAANS fluorescence intensity and polarization. Both values reached maxima at ≈4m urea, where there is a concomitant large exposure of hydrophobic sites as reported by both IAANS and the noncovalent fluorescent probe, bis-ANS. The exposure of the hydrophobic sites arises from the decrease in strong interaction between the domain interfaces, which lead to their partial separation. This correlates with the loss of activity of the unlabeled enzyme. Above 4.5m urea, there is progressive loss of rigid, hydrophobic surfaces, and both fluorescence and polarization of IAANS decrease, with accompanying loss of secondary structure. These results are consistent with a folding model in which there is an initial, rapid hydrophobic collapse of the denatured form to an intermediate with native like secondary structure, with exposed interdomain, hydrophobic surfaces. This step is followed by adjustment of the domain-domain interactions and the proper positioning of reduced cysteine 247 at the active site.
Contingency and Faithfulness: Francis Alÿs and the (Re)Presentation of St. Fabiola

‭As a European emigrant to (and now longtime resident of) Mexico City, contemporary artist Francis Alys is deeply sensitive to the ways that cultural systems shape and organize human lives. Over two decades, his work has become deftly efficient at instigating subtle social interferences that highlight and reconsider these organizing systems. Although much has been written about the social and political force of these interferences, the literature on Alys’s work has generally ignored the significant religious content and allusions recurring throughout his artistic practice. This essay is a critical meditation on the religious implications of his Fabiola project, a collection of more than 370 handmade copies of a lost nineteenth-century painting of a fourth-century Christian saint named Fabiola. By paying special attention to the ways that these “handmade readymades” ennoble the voices of others and revise the possible meanings of visual repetition (particularly in the context of mechanical mass-reproduction), this essay argues that Alys’s Fabiola is not only a profound study of cultural transmission but one that is particularly resonant with the Christianity that formed St. Fabiola’s own life and the forms by which she has been remembered.‬
Abstract algebraic-geometric subspace clustering

Subspace clustering is the problem of clustering data drawn from a union of linear subspaces. Prior algebraic-geometric approaches to this problem required the subspaces to be of equal dimension, or the number of subspaces to be known. While an algorithm addressing the general case of an unknown number of subspaces of possibly different dimensions had been proposed, a proof for its correctness had not been given. In this paper, we consider an abstract version of the subspace clustering problem, where one is given the algebraic variety of the union of subspaces rather than the data points. Our main contribution is to propose a provably correct algorithm for decomposing the algebraic variety into the constituent subspaces in the general case of an unknown number of subspaces of possibly different dimensions. Our algorithm uses the gradient of a vanishing polynomial at a point in the variety to find a hyperplane containing the subspace passing through that point. By intersecting the variety with this hyperplane and recursively applying the procedure, our algorithm eventually identifies the subspace containing that point. By repeating this procedure for other points, our algorithm eventually identifies all the subspaces and their dimensions.
Kinetic studies of protein L aggregation and disaggregation

We have investigated the aggregation of protein L in 25% (vol/vol) TFE and 10 mM HCl. Under both conditions, aggregates adopt a fibrillar structure and bind dyes Congo Red and Thioflavin T consistent with the presence of amyloid fibrils. The kinetics of aggregation in 25% TFE suggest a linear-elongation mechanism with critical nucleus size of either two or three monomers. Aggregation kinetics in 10 mM HCl show a prolonged lag phase prior to a rapid increase in aggregation. The lag phase is time-dependent, but the time dependence can be eliminated by the addition of pre-formed seeds. Disaggregation studies show that for aggregates formed in TFE, aggregate stability is a strong function of aggregate age. For example, after 200 min of aggregation, 40% of the aggregation reaction is irreversible, while after 3 days over 60% is irreversible. When the final concentration of the denaturant, TFE, is reduced from 5% to 0, the amount of reversible aggregation doubles. Disaggregation studies of aggregates formed in TFE and 10 mM HCl reveal a complicated effect of pH on aggregate stability.
All-semiconductor plasmonic system in mid infrared range

The feasibility of an all-semiconductor plasmonic structure is studied using highly doped InAs for Mid infrared (MIR) wavelength range. We proposed an all-semiconductor active plasmonic system on-a-chip with integrated plasmonic source, waveguide, and detector.
trkC-Mediated NT-3 Signaling Is Required for the Early Development of a Subpopulation of Neurogenic Neural Crest Cells

Soon after they segregate from the neural tube, trunk neural crest cells disperse on two spatially and temporally distinct pathways. Only crest cells that migrate early and ventromedially give rise to neurons of the peripheral nervous system. It is also known that neural crest cell-derived populations require appropriate environmental cues early in development in order to generate neurons, and for the subsequent survival of differentiated neurons. We examined whether neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), a survival factor for subsets of peripheral neurons, is also involved in the regulation of neurogenesis by neural crest cells. First, we found that premigratory and migrating neural crest cells on the medial migration pathway of Embryonic Day 2.5 (E 2.5) embryos express mRNAs encoding multiple isoforms of the NT-3 receptor,trkC, as do cells in the neural tube and epithelial dermamyotome. On E4, a subpopulation of neurons in nascent sensory ganglia expresstrkC message. Second, we demonstrate thattrkC mRNA is only expressed in neural crest cell populations that possess neurogenic potential. Third, we show that the presence of NT-3, during the initial development of cultured neural crest cells, is required for neurogenesis by a subpopulation of neurogenic neural crest-derived cells. These results suggest that a subpopulation of neurogenic neural crest cells expresses functionaltrkC receptors and requires the timely availability of NT-3 for their development before reaching their final embryonic locations. We suggest that developmental heterogeneity exists in the identity and requirements of neural crest cell subsets that harbor neurogenic potential. We also suggest that the “paradoxical” expression oftrkC receptors by the somitic dermamyotome may, in fact, play a role in the exclusive development of crest-derived neurogenic precursors on the medial pathway by limiting the availability of NT-3 on the lateral pathway.
Synthesis, structure, anion binding, and sensing by calix[4]pyrrole isomers.

The synthesis, structure, and anion binding properties of chromogenic octamethylcalix[4]pyrroles (OMCPs) and their N-confused octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole isomers (NC-OMCPs) containing an inverted pyrrole ring connected via α‘- and β-positions are described. X-ray diffraction analyses proved the structures of two synthesized isomeric pairs of OMCPs and NC-OMCPs. The addition of anions to solutions of chromogenic OMCPs and NC-OMCPs resulted in different colors suggesting different anion-binding behaviors. The chromogenic NC-OMCPs showed significantly stronger anion-induced color changes compared to the corresponding chromogenic OMCP, and the absorption spectroscopy titrations indicated that chromogenic OMCPs and NC-OMCPs also possess different anion binding selectivity. Detailed NMR studies revealed that this rather unusual feature stems from a different anion-binding mode in OMCPs and NC-OMCPs, one where the β-pyrrole C−H of the inverted pyrrole moiety participates in the hydrogen-bonded anion−NC-OMCP comple...
The ISO 14001 EMS Implementation Process and Its Implications: A Case Study of Central Japan

/ This study aims to investigate the ISO 14001 implementation process and its implications for regional environmental management. The region of Central Japan (known as Chubu in Japanese, which literally means center) was chosen for this case study. The study focuses on selected issues such as the: (1) trends and motives of private firms in the implementation of an ISO 14001-based environmental management system (EMS); (2) obstacles during system implementation; (3) role of the system in enhancing environmental performance within the certified organization; and (4) relation between the major stakeholders, local citizens, governments, and firms after adopting the system. To achieve these objectives, a questionnaire survey was mailed to all certified firms in the region. A 58% response was achieved overall. The results show that the main aims behind the adoption of ISO 14001 by firms in the Chubu region are to improve the environmental aspects within the enterprises and to enhance the employees' environmental awareness and capacity. The results have also shown that the ISO 14001-based EMS has had a great effect on a firm's environmental status as certified firms have claimed that natural resources such as fuel, water, and paper consumption have been more efficiently managed after adopting the system. Implementation of the system causes the firms to consider the role of the local people and the government in more effectively involving the local people in the firm's daily environmental activities. It also helps to enhance the environmental awareness among the local people. Adopting the system also promotes a better relation within the enterprises affiliated to the same group, such as more attention given by the parent firms (head offices) towards other firms working for the same group, or branches-mainly small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs)-in the field of EMS. Finally, the results show that firms give serious consideration to their final products' impacts on the environment. In other words, attention is given to life cycle analysis (LCA) among certified firms.
PHARMACOLOGY OF PROSTAGLANDINS IN THE PULMONARY MICROCIRCULATION

In unanesthetized sheep, arachidonate infusion increases lung microvascular pressure and augments pulmonary transvascular filtration without altering lung vascular permeability. Pulmonary vascular effects of arachidonate are caused by its conversion to highly active cyclooxygenase products, including PGH2 and, perhaps, thromboxane A2. Cyclooxygenase blockers inhibit pulmonary vascular actions of arachidonate. Most prostaglandins derived from PGH2 [i.e., PGB2, PGD2, PGE, and PGF2 alpha] are vasoconstrictors that exhibit potency intermediate between PGH2 and arachidonate. Vasoconstrictor prostaglandins cause increased flow of protein-poor lung lymph with no indication of altered lung vascular permeability. Vasodilator prostaglandins [i.e., PGE1, PGI2] cause changes in lung lymph formation that are not explained by microvascular hydrostatic-pressure effects alone. Whether lung lymph responses to PGE1 and PGI2 resulted from changes in perfused pulmonary vascular surface area or vascular permeability effects was tested with infusions during near-maximal pulmonary vascular recruitment with increase pressure. Maintaining mechanically increased left atrial pressure constant should minimize changes in lung lymph formation due to pulmonary vascular recruitment and derecruitment, and exaggerate lymph responses due to changes in vascular permeability. When infused during mechanically increased pressure, PGE1 and PGI2 produce similar pressure-mediated decreases in steady-state lung lymph flow, despite increases in pulmonary blood flow, heart rate, and respiratory rate with PGI2 and not with PGE1. In conclusion, PGE1 and PGI2 cause hemodynamic changes that can increase [PGI2] or decrease [PGE1] lung lymph flow. Prostaglandins do not directly alter lung vascular permeability.
Optical measurements on TbPO4 near the bicritical point

Abstract High accuracy linear optical birefringence measurements on TbPO 4 are reported. The magnetic field was oriented parallel to the [001] direction. The magnetic phase boundaries near the bicritical point [ T b = (1.90 ± 0.02) K, H b = (3.67 ± 0.03) kOe] have been determined. A good agreement was obtained comparing the experimental results to predictions of the extended scaling theory.
An Efficient Parallel Algorithm for the Multiple Longest Common Subsequence (MLCS) Problem

Finding the multiple longest common subsequence (MLCS) is an important problem in the areas of bioinformatics and computational genomics. Approaches that are more efficient than the standard dynamic programming method have been introduced and successfully parallelized for the special cases of 2 sequences. However, the increasing complexity and size of biological data require an efficient method applicable to an arbitrary number of sequences as well as its efficient parallelization. A recently developed dominant points method for a general MLCS problem has been shown a significant performance improvement over the dynamic programming method, when number of sequences is larger than two. At the same time, the approach has revealed strong demand for its parallelization, in order to be applied to the larger families of sequences or sequences of the greater lengths. In this paper, we introduce an efficient parallel algorithm to find a MLCS for an arbitrary number of sequences, which is based on the dominant points method. When the number of processors is not greater than the size of alphabet multiplied by the number of sequences, the parallel algorithm is estimated to have the asymptotically linear speed up. We experimentally tested the algorithm using sets of randomly generated sequences over different alphabets as well as the protein sequences from a family of homologous proteins. We found that the performance of the algorithm increases with the number of input sequences and reaches a near-linear speedup for eight sequences.
Responding to sex-based discrimination: Gender differences in perceived discrimination and implications for legal decision making

The present studies examine responses to individual and institutional sex-based discrimination and how these responses vary as a function of the perceiver’s gender. In Study 1A, women perceived mor...
Smoking cessation and cancer

Abstract Objectives To provide an overview of scientifically based smoking cessation interventions for delivery to all tobacco-dependent users. Data sources Research studies, published articles, and government reports. Conclusion Smoking cessation interventions for patients with cancer remain poorly described with only a few studies investigating the efficacy of smoking cessation among this population. However, data suggest that quitting smoking after the diagnosis of cancer improves survival and quality of life. Implications for nursing practice Nurses serve a critical role in tobacco-dependence treatment. Innovative interventions for cessation, such as quit lines, telephone counseling, web-based information, and computerized cessation materials are now available.
Synthesis and purification of [2‐13C]‐5‐fluorouracil

[2-13C]-5-Fluoropyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione ([2-13C]-5-fluorouracil or [2-13C]-5-FU) is a potential diagnostic agent for measuring 5-FU-induced toxicity in cancer patients. It was prepared and purified with isotopic and chemical purity of>99% on a multigram scale in a two-step synthesis from [13C]-urea. Preparative separation of [2-13C]-FU and [2-13C]-uracil was carried out by automated medium pressure silica gel column chromatography. The method is applicable to a broader range of 5-FU isotopic analogs derived from labeled uracil. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On energy efficiency and optimum resource allocation of relay transmissions in the low-power regime

Relay links are expected to play a critical role in the design of wireless networks. This paper investigates the energy efficiency of relay communications in the low-power regime under two different scenarios: when the relay has unlimited power supply and when it has limited power supply. A system with a source node, a destination node, and a single relay operating in the time division duplex (TDD) mode was considered. Analysis and simulations are used to compare the energy required for transmitting one information bit in three different relay schemes: amplify and forward (AnF), decode and forward (DnF), and block Markov coding (BMC). Relative merits of these relay schemes in comparison with direct transmissions (direct Tx) are discussed. The optimal allocation of power and transmission time between source and relay is also studied.
Hot Money Flows, Commodity Price Cycles and Financial Repression in the USA and China: The Consequences of Near‐zero US Interest Rates

Under near-zero US interest rates, the international dollar standard malfunctions. Emerging markets with naturally higher interest rates are swamped with hot money inflows. Emerging market central banks intervene to prevent their currencies from rising precipitately. They lose monetary control and domestic prices begin inflating. Primary commodity prices rise worldwide unless interrupted by an international banking crisis. This cyclical inflation on the dollar's periphery only registers in the US core consumer price index with a long lag. The zero interest rate policy also fails to stimulate the US economy as domestic financial intermediation by banks and money market mutual funds is repressed. Because China is forced to keep its interest rates below market-clearing levels, it also suffers from financial repression, although in a form differing from that in the USA.
Groups as dynamical models

Felix Klein classified geometries by their group structure. It is pointed out that a similar program has been in place for particle physics and canonical quantum mechanics.
Modeling primary user emulation attacks and defenses in cognitive radio networks

Primary user emulation attacks are a potential security threat to cognitive radio networks. In this work, we attempt to characterize an advanced primary user emulation attack and an advanced countermeasure against such an attack. Specifically, we show that both the attacker and the defender can apply estimation techniques and learning methods to obtain the key information of the environment and thus design better strategies. We further demonstrate that the advanced attack strategy can defeat the naive defense technique that focuses only on the received signal power, whereas the advanced defense strategy that exploits the invariant of communication channels can counteract the advanced attack effectively.
A variant of the alpha-methyl-acyl-CoA racemase gene created by a deletion in exon 5 and its expression in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) is a mitochondrial and peroxisomal enzyme that is overexpressed in prostate cancer. Alternatively spliced variants of AMACR have recently been reported, however, their role in prostate cancer pathogenesis is unclear. METHODS Using PCR techniques we have identified a novel variant of AMACR. RESULTS This transcript arises by an alternative splicing event in the 5th exon of the gene whereby a 749 base sequence is deleted causing a shift in the reading frame. The protein encoded by this transcript has a predicted molecular weight of 43,833 kDa and a pI of 7.01 and therefore differs in size and physical characteristics from the main form of AMACR. The carboxyl terminus of this variant does not contain the peroxisomal targeting signal found in the main form of AMACR. Using real time PCR it was demonstrated that this transcript also occurs in normal prostate tissue and is elevated in prostate cancer. Coordinate expression of this transcript with the other forms of AMACR was shown. This transcript was expressed as a FLAG fusion protein in Cos-7 cells and probed with relevant antibodies. CONCLUSION A deletion event in exon 5 of the AMACR gene creates a novel transcript that is coordinately expressed with the other forms of AMACR but with different biochemical characteristics. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A compressible finite volume formulation for large eddy simulation of turbulent pipe flows at low Mach number in Cartesian coordinates

A finite volume formulation for large eddy simulation (LES) of turbulent pipe flows based on the compressible time-dependent three-dimensional Navier-Stokes equations in Cartesian coordinates with non-Cartesian control volumes is presented. The small scale motions are modeled by a dynamic subgrid-scale (SGS) model. A dual-time stepping approach with time derivative preconditioning is employed to enable the simulations to run efficiently at low Mach numbers. The equations with primitive variables, (p,u,v,w,T), are solved with an implicit lower-upper-symmetric-Gauss-Seidel (LU-SGS) scheme. An isothermal turbulent pipe flow at two Reynolds numbers, and a turbulent pipe flow with a low heat transfer are simulated to evaluate this compressible LES finite volume formulation. The results agree very well with the experimental data and DNS results, verifying the accuracy of the present scheme.
PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA AND EPITHELIAL PERMEABILITY : ROLE OF VIRULENCE FACTORS ELASTASE AND EXOTOXIN A

Lung injury in bacterial infection is a multifactorial phenomenon that involves bacterial metabolites and host factors. Primary isolates of type II pneumocytes and established cultures of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were used to study effects of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exoproducts on epithelial paracellular permeability. The results indicate that elastase (PE) and exotoxin A (Exo A) have different, but complementary, actions that diminish epithelial barrier function. We measured transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and permeability coefficient for mannitol (Pm) across cell monolayers plated on tissue culture membranes. Application of 100 ng/ml of Exo A to the basal side decreased TER from 1,405 +/- 106 to 462 +/- 50 ohm (omega) and increased Pm for mannitol 6-fold in 16 h (P < 0.05). Application of Exo A to the apical side did not affect either TER or Pm. In contrast, PE (6.5 U/ml) applied either apically or basolaterally reduced TER to 353 +/- 66 omega and increased Pm by 10-fold within ...
Morphological Clustering and Analysis of Continuous Intracranial Pressure

The continuous measurement of intracranial pressure (ICP) is an important and established clinical tool that is used in the management of many neurosurgical disorders such as traumatic brain injury. Only mean ICP information is used currently in the prevailing clinical practice, ignoring the useful information in ICP pulse waveform that can be continuously acquired and is potentially useful for forecasting intracranial and cerebrovascular pathophysiological changes. The present study introduces and validates an algorithm of performing automated analysis of continuous ICP pulse waveform. This algorithm is capable of enhancing ICP signal quality, recognizing non artifactual ICP pulses, and optimally designating the three well-established subcomponents in an ICP pulse. Validation of the proposed algorithm is done by comparing non artifactual pulse recognition and peak designation results from a human observer with those from automated analysis based on a large signal database built from 700 h of recordings from 66 neurosurgical patients. An accuracy of 97.84% is achieved in recognizing non artifactual ICP pulses. An accuracy of 90.17%, 87.56%, and 86.53% was obtained for designating each of the three established ICP subpeaks. These results show that the proposed algorithm can be reliably applied to process continuous ICP recordings from real clinical environment to extract useful morphological features of ICP pulses.
[Bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methyl]benzene

[40906-82-9] C9H6F6O4S2 (MW 356.26) InChI = 1S/C9H6F6O4S2/c10-8(11,12)20(16,17)7(6-4-2-1-3-5-6)21(18,19)9(13,14)15/h1-5,7H InChIKey = ZMWKYYJODBYKHO-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent is an acid) Physical Data: mp 101–101.5 °C.1 Solubility: [bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methyl]benzene is soluble in apolar, nondonating solvents such as methylene chloride and toluene.2 Purification: sublimation (85 °C, 0.05 Torr)3 followed by recrystallization (hexanes)1 provides high-purity crystals. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: nonoxidizing, nonhygroscopic, and readily handled in air.2 Avoid contact with eyes, skin, and clothing. Avoid prolonged or repeated exposure. Storage: keep tightly closed.
Cytomegalovirus-Related Hospitalization Is Associated With Adverse Outcomes and Increased Health-Care Resource Utilization in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Cytomegalovirus-Related Hospitalization Is Associated With Adverse Outcomes and Increased Health-Care Resource Utilization in Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Abstract 4310: Gene expression analysis of axial and appendicular osteosarcoma in the canine model

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Spontaneously occurring canine osteosarcoma (OSA) is considered an excellent model of the human disease. Canine axial and appendicular osteosarcoma appear histopathologically identical. The clinical course of the two forms, however, seems to diverge. Following surgery, the axial form may be associated with a lower metastatic rate and longer survival than the appendicular form. Identifying gene expression profiles associated with decreased metastatic potential may be crucial for the development of targeted therapies for the human disease. We hypothesized that there are distinct gene expression patterns for canine axial and appendicular OSA. Six axial osteosarcoma tumor samples and six age, breed, and weight matched appendicular osteosarcoma clinical tumor samples were selected from the Center for Comparative Oncology, Michigan State University tissue bank. RNA extraction, amplification and labeling were performed using standard techniques. Raw gene expression values were obtained using the Affymetrix GeneChip Canine Genome 2.0 Array. Background correction, normalization, PM correction, summarization, and expression analysis were performed using the R software with the affy/limma/sva packages. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed using GSEA software. All RNA samples passed quality control and were included in the data set. The expression analysis took into account RNA degradation, which was similar in all tumor samples. A total of 184 genes were differentially expressed by >16-fold, between the two groups. Surrogate variable analysis did not result in any statistically significant differences in gene expression. Gene set enrichment analysis resulted in 9 gene sets enriched in axial, and 4 gene sets enriched in appendicular osteosarcoma samples at FDR < 25%. Gene ranking was similar between the two methods of analysis, with MMP1, ATP6AP1, SLC6A8, and dysadherin expression increased in axial tumor samples, while ICAM2 expression increased in appendicular samples. Expression analysis indicates no statistically significant differences in gene expression between the axial and appendicular OSA. Gene set enrichment analysis indicates potential differences in gene set enrichment between the two types of osteosarcoma. Further quantitative RT-PCR analysis is required to confirm our results. These data will guide hypothesis-driven translational studies, which may have direct clinical implications on the treatment of osteosarcoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4310. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4310
Shared Medical Decision Making in Lung Cancer Screening: Experienced versus Descriptive Risk Formats.

Background. Annual lung cancer screening using low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans is associated with a survival benefit, but it is also associated with potential harm. Unlike descriptive probability formats, experienced tasks have been shown to decrease perceptions of rare events. The objective of this study was to compare descriptive versus experienced probability formats on patients’ knowledge, beliefs, endorsement of screening for heavy smokers, and preference (choice predisposition) to undergo screening. Methods. A total of 276 patients attending an outpatient pulmonary practice were randomized to learn about screening using 1 of 3 formats: numbers only, numbers + icon arrays, numbers + a set of slides illustrating LDCT scans of 250 people in random order that displayed the number of normal scans, false-positive lung nodules, cancers found leading to a life saved, and cancers found leading to death despite treatment. Results. Knowledge differed between the 3 formats (P = 0.001), with participan...
The effect of repetitive subconcussive collisions on brain integrity in collegiate football players over a single football season: A multi-modal neuroimaging study

The cumulative effect of repetitive subconcussive collisions on the structural and functional integrity of the brain remains largely unknown. Athletes in collision sports, like football, experience a large number of impacts across a single season of play. The majority of these impacts, however, are generally overlooked, and their long-term consequences remain poorly understood. This study sought to examine the effects of repetitive collisions across a single competitive season in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision athletes using advanced neuroimaging approaches. Players were evaluated before and after the season using multiple MRI sequences, including T1-weighted imaging, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), arterial spin labeling (ASL), resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI), and susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI). While no significant differences were found between pre- and post-season for DTI metrics or cortical volumes, seed-based analysis of rs-fMRI revealed significant (p < 0.05) changes in functional connections to right isthmus of the cingulate cortex (ICC), left ICC, and left hippocampus. ASL data revealed significant (p < 0.05) increases in global cerebral blood flow (CBF), with a specific regional increase in right postcentral gyrus. SWI data revealed that 44% of the players exhibited outlier rates (p < 0.05) of regional decreases in SWI signal. Of key interest, athletes in whom changes in rs-fMRI, CBF and SWI were observed were more likely to have experienced high G impacts on a daily basis. These findings are indicative of potential pathophysiological changes in brain integrity arising from only a single season of participation in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision, even in the absence of clinical symptoms or a diagnosis of concussion. Whether these changes reflect compensatory adaptation to cumulative head impacts or more lasting alteration of brain integrity remains to be further explored.
A new species of Cecidomyiidae (Diptera) injurious to Protea flowers in South Africa

Resseliella proteae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), a pest of Protea flowers in South Africa, is descriptionbed and illustrated. R. proteae is occasionally intercepted in cut flowers at United States ports of entry.
P2X7 Receptor-NOX2 Axis Mediates Tryptophan Oxidation in Murine and Human Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Tryptophan oxidative metabolite kynurenine is known to be proinflammatory in neurodegeneration, autoimmune disease and sepsis. NAFLD is a proinflammatory condition where resident liver macrophages play a significant role in progression of the disease. With NAFLD being increasingly considered an epidemic in the western world and no suitable therapy available, it is important that novel approaches be studied for possible therapy. The present study shows that P2X7r causes the oxidation of tryptophan via NOX2 induced oxidative stress signaling. Further it may do so by the involvement of JAK/STAT pathway in the diseased liver macrophages. Results in both mouse (MCD Diet) and human liver biopsies showed an increase in tryptophan oxidation product n-formyl kynurenine (NFK) when compared to relevant controls. P2X7r KO mice or use of p47 phox deleted mice significantly decreased NOX2 activation and NFK immunoreactivity. Mechanistically, experiments conducted in immortalized Kupffer cells showed a significant upregulation of STAT3 phosphorylation in LPS-treated and P2X7r-Agonist-treated groups while use of P2X7r antagonist or Apocynin (NOX inhibitor) significantly decreased it. Concomitant use of apocynin and P2X7r agonist significantly decreased STAT3 phosphorylation suggesting that NOX2 acts downstream to P2X7r in these cells. Kynurenine levels in Kupffer cells decreased significantly in groups incubated with P2X7r antagonist, Apocynin or Ruxolitinib (JAK/STAT inhibitor). NASH Histology scores were significantly higher in wildtype MCD fed mice with a normal P2X7r phenotype while p47 phox KO or a P2X7r KO showed a decreased disease pathology. In conclusion, tryptophan metabolite NFK can be a strong indicator of NAFLD inflammation and can predict the stage of the disease based on the evidence in this study.