cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Provenance and Diagenesis of Ivishak Sandstone, Northern Alaska: ABSTRACT

The Ivishak sandstone of northern Alaska is a regressive sequence of Lower Triassic fluvial and paralic deposits that constitutes an important hydrocarbon reservoir in the Prudhoe Bay area. A petrographic study of the formation, utilizing samples from wells from both reservoir and non-reservoir rocks, was undertaken to determine the provenance and diagenetic histories of the formation. The Ivishak sandstone can be characterized as a low-rank or lithic graywacke. The major detrital species it contains include: (a) quartz (46%), dominantly reworked sedimentary and volcanic monocrystalline quartz and metamorphic polycrystalline quartz; (b) chert (22%), containing variable amounts of inclusions (clay and carbonate); (c) sedimentary rock fragments (10%), largely mudstones and silty mudstones; and (d) metamorphic End_Page 504------------------------------ rock fragments (4%), mostly slate and phyllite. Feldspars are conspicuously absent in the sandstone. This detrital suite, and the overall decrease to the southwest in the grain size of the sandstone, indicate that the sands of the formation were derived from a northern landmass, exposed in the Late Permian and Early Triassic, which consisted of Precambrian schists and quartzites overlain by early Paleozoic marine sandstones and deep-water cherts and argillites. After deposition, the reservoir facies of the Ivishak sandstone underwent 4 consecutive diagenetic phases: (1) early carbonate cementation that prevented mechanical compaction, (2) dissolution of pore-filling carbonate and carbonate inclusions within chert grains, (3) precipitation of quartz as overgrowths, and (4) precipitation of authigenic kaolinite. At present, the intergranular porosity of the formation is high, averaging 11.5%, and is present in the forms of elongate and oversized secondary pores. Porosity also occurs as micropores associated with leached chert grains and with the kaolinite. In the more matrix-rich nonreservoir facies of the Ivishak, the clay matrix prevented complete carbonate cementation which allowed for greater mechanical compaction of the sandstones; in som places, this mechanical compaction, coupled with the precipitation of quartz overgrowths, reduced porosity to irreducible levels. End_of_Article - Last_Page 505------------
Observation of negative-differential-resistance in strained n-type Si/SiGe MODFETs

Abstract We observed negative-differential-resistance (NDR) in n -type Si/SiGe modulation-doped field effect transistors (MODFETs) with strained Si channel layers. It has been found that the NDR can only occur at gate biases above a certain voltage, and that the drain voltage for the onset of NDR is dependent on the Schottky gate bias. The observed NDR characteristics can be explained by a real space transfer of hot electrons from the strained Si channel to adjacent SiGe layers.
Kinetic stabilization of primary hydrides of main group elements. The synthesis of an air-stable, crystalline arsine and silane.

Two new, “user-friendly” derivatives of triptycene containing AsH2 and SiH3 fragments were synthesized. Both solids are crystalline, air-stable compounds characterized by elevated melting points and resistance toward moisture. The highly reactive As−H and Si−H bonds are protected by the presence of the surrounding phenylene hydrogen atoms, which ensure a remarkable kinetic stabilization of these primary hydrides. After X-ray irradiation of a single crystal of triptycenesilane, a persistent silyl radical was trapped and characterized.
Psychiatric Disorders in Sexually Abused Children

ABSTRACT Objective This study was designed to compare the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a clinical sample of sexually abused children referred for outpatient evaluation. Two a priori hypotheses were tested: (1) the sexually abused group would have more post-traumatic stress disorder than the non-sexually abused group and (2) non-sexually abused children referred for evaluation would have more diagnoses than the sexually abused group. Method Twenty-six sexually abused children and 23 non-sexually abused children referred for psychiatric outpatient evaluation at a medical school center were matched by age, sex, race, and socioeconomic status and compared to determine differences in prevalence of Axis I, DSM-III-R disorders. The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Epidemiologic Version was used for systematic diagnosis. Results Groups did not differ significantly in the number of diagnoses and, in both groups, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was the most frequent diagnosis. However, the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder among sexually abused children was significantly greater ( p Conclusions This study, using structured interviews and comparison groups, confirmed earlier findings suggesting that sexually abused children are at heightened risk for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Modal Response of Polymers With SMA Ribbon Reinforcements

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) based composites are unique because their static and dynamic characteristics can be controlled. Active modal modification and active strain energy tuning are two common techniques used to control the dynamics of SMA based composite materials. Using Active Modal Modification Technique (AMMT), the stiffness of the SMA composite can be modified by changing the temperature of the SMA. The stiffness change is a result of a reversible phase transformation, which is tempeature activated. The Active Strain Energy Tuning Method (ASETM) takes advantage of the SMA’s ability to impart forces to the structure thereby changing the stored strain energy within the composite. The result is a change in the modal characteristics of the composite material. This paper will present the results of the application of an AMMT used to modify the dynamic characteristics of an SMA composite. A rectangular example of quasi-isotropic SMA composite was used in this study. As a result of a temperature change, the stiffness of the composite changed. This change is stiffness altered the dynamic responses such as the resonant frequency of the composite. Time Average Opto-Electronic Holography (TAOEH) [6] was used to monitor the dynamic behavior of the structure. Analytical modeling was used along with the experimental results to obtain the temperature history of the composite as a result of the activation of the SMA.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Alteration of shock aversion thresholds during the menstrual cycle

Aversion thresholds for electrical shock were obtained from 5 males, 6 females who were taking oral contraceptives, and 12 females who were not. All subjects were volunteers from introductorylevel psychology courses. Measures were repeated 3 times per week for 5 weeks. Males and females taking oral contraceptives showed no cyclic fluctuations in threshold. The other female group had significant (p < .025) fluctuations in threshold, from a maximum at ovulation to a minimum 1 week after the onset of the menses.
Low dose, low-LET ionizing radiation-induced radioadaptation and associated early responses in unirradiated cells.

Numerous investigators have reported that irradiation of cells with a low dose of ionizing radiation (IR) can induce a condition of enhanced radioresistance, i.e. a radioadaptive response. In this report, we investigated the hypothesis that a radioadaptive bystander effect may be induced in unirradiated cells by a transmissible factor(s) present in the supernatants of cells exposed to low dose gamma-rays. Normal human lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) were irradiated with a 1 cGy dose of gamma-rays and their supernatants were transferred to unirradiated HFL-1 as a bystander cell model. Compared with the directly irradiated cells, such treatment resulted in increased clonogenic survival following subsequent gamma-irradiation with 2 and 4 Gy. This radioadaptive bystander effect was found to be preceded by early decreases in cellular levels of TP53 protein, increase in intracellular ROS, and increase in the redox and DNA repair protein AP-endonuclease (APE). The demonstration that radioadaptation can occur in unirradiated cells via a fluid-phase, transferable factor(s) adds to the complexity of the current understanding of mechanisms by which radioadaptive responses can be induced by low dose, low-LET IR.
Studies on the Metabolism of Streptococcus Pyogenes I. Oxygen Consumption in the Presence of Glucose and Certain Additional Substances

ferences have been made concerning the mechanisms of respiration of this organism. Fujita and Kodama (1935) and Farrell (1935) were not able to demonstrate cytochromes in hemolytic streptococci, and, in addition, noted that cyanide caused little inhibition of growth. Farrell reported an absence of catalase or indo-phenol-oxidase but: found that Str. pyogenes contained an iron-free peroxidase and suggested that this might function as a hydrogen acceptor in a dehydrase-peroxidase oxidation system. Several workers have investigated some aspects of oxidation of simple carbohydrates by the Streptococcus. Using glucose, about 75^0 of the initial substrate could be accounted for as lactic acid by Hewitt (1932). Barron and Jacobs (1938), who measured oxygen consumption with a Warburg apparatus reported significant uptake with hexose sugars, the oxidation of glucose being
Proinsulin binds to a growth peptide receptor and stimulates DNA synthesis in chick embryo fibroblasts.

Proinsulin, the biosynthetic precursor of insulin, has 3–5% the potency of insulin in various in vitro assays for insulin-like metabolicactivity. We now report that proinsulin was approximately 60% as potent as insulin and 20% as potent as the growth polypeptide, multiplication stimulating activity (MSA), in stimulating [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA in chick embryo fibroblasts (CEFs). The stimulation by maximally effective concentrations of proinsulin plus MSA or insulin was not additive. The [3H]thymidine incorporation data reflected DNA synthesis since proinsulin also stimulated DNA synthesis as measured by flow microfluorometry and promoted the multiplication of CEFs. Proinsulin also competed with [125I]- iodoMSA for binding to CEFs, and with 60% the potency of insulin. Moreover, MSA binding was inhibited by the same concentrations of proinsulin that were required to stimulate [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA. The activity of proinsulin in the [3H]thymidine incorporation and MSA radiorecepto...
Post-capillary fluorescence detection in capillary zone electrophoresis using o-phthaldialdehyde

Abstract A post-capillary fluorescence detection scheme for capillary zone electrophoresis is described using o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) as the tagging reagent. Use of a coaxial capillary reactor affords mixing of the OPA reagent with migrating zones without excessive zone broadening. The detector is linear over three orders of magnitude and shows detection limits for amino acids and proteins in the femtogram (attomol) range.
Cisplatin and the sensitive cell.

Epigenetic suppression of FANCF, a member of the Fanconi anemia gene family, is now implicated in some ovarian cancers. Might this suppression explain the sensitivity of such cancers to the cross-linking agent cisplatin (pages 568–574)?
Fatty Acid Transport Protein 4 Is the Principal Very Long Chain Fatty Acyl-CoA Synthetase in Skin Fibroblasts

Fatty acid transport protein 4 (FATP4) is a fatty acyl-CoA synthetase that preferentially activates very long chain fatty acid substrates, such as C24:0, to their CoA derivatives. To gain better insight into the physiological functions of FATP4, we established dermal fibroblast cell lines from FATP4-deficient wrinkle-free mice and wild type (w.t.) mice. FATP4 -/- fibroblasts had no detectable FATP4 protein by Western blot. Compared with w.t. fibroblasts, cells lacking FATP4 had an 83% decrease in C24:0 activation. Peroxisomal degradation of C24:0 was reduced by 58%, and rates of C24:0 incorporation into major phospholipid species (54–64% decrease), triacylglycerol (64% decrease), and cholesterol esters (58% decrease) were significantly diminished. Because these lipid metabolic processes take place in different subcellular organelles, we used immunofluorescence and Western blotting of subcellular fractions to investigate the distribution of FATP4 protein and measured enzyme activity in fractions from w.t. and FATP4 -/- fibroblasts. FATP4 protein and acyl-CoA synthetase activity localized to multiple organelles, including mitochondria, peroxisomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and the mitochondria-associated membrane fraction. We conclude that in murine skin fibroblasts, FATP4 is the major enzyme producing very long chain fatty acid-CoA for lipid metabolic pathways. Although FATP4 deficiency primarily affected very long chain fatty acid metabolism, mutant fibroblasts also showed reduced uptake of a fluorescent long chain fatty acid and reduced levels of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. FATP4-deficient cells also contained abnormal neutral lipid droplets. These additional defects indicate that metabolic abnormalities in these cells are not limited to very long chain fatty acids.
Model of charmonium absorption by light mesons

We calculate the cross sections for dissociation of $J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ by pions and \ensuremath{\rho} mesons within the framework of a meson exchange model. We find that these cross sections are small at center-of-mass energies less than 1 GeV above threshold, and that dissociation rates are less than $0.01\mathrm{fm}/c$ in a thermal meson gas at temperatures where such a description makes sense.
Influence of Ration Physical Form and Nitrogen Availability on Ruminal Morphology of Growing Bull Calves

Abstract Male Holstein calves were fed complete diets containing three physical forms (ground and chopped hay and all concentrate) and three rumen degradable protein percents. Calves were slaughtered at 20 wk of age. Weights of reticulorumen with and without contents were recorded. Proportions of mucosa and muscle and gross morphology were determined on excised rumen wall. From nine additional calves rumen epithelial tissue was obtained for light microscopic examination of papillae to determine length, width, surface area, and morphological condition. Weights of reticulorumen with contents were heaviest for calves fed ground hay and tissue weights heaviest for calves fed concentrate. Ruminal content volume was greater for calves fed diets containing hay compared to all concentrate. Hay contents tended to be drier and less dense than concentrate contents. Ruminal epithelial lining was heavier in concentrate-fed and had more mucosa to muscle compared to rumen of calves fed ground or chopped hay. However, papillary length, number of papillae per field, and surface area/field was greater in calves fed hay. Morphological abnormalities of the rumen epithelium occurred more frequently in calves fed concentrate. Reticulorumen measures were unaffected by degradable protein percent. Absorptive capacity of calves fed all concentrate diets decreased compared to calves fed diets with 40% hay.
Use of the polymerase chain reaction to detect hypermethylation in the calcitonin gene. A new, sensitive approach to monitor tumor cells in acute myelogenous leukemia

Abstract Based an the recent observations that, in a majority of patients with acute leukemia, the 5′ end of the calcitonin gene was hypermethylated and abnormal DNA fragments were observed following HpaII restriction digestion, we have developed a PCR-based method to sensitively detect this abnormal methylation of the calcitonin gene in AML. Applying the concept of competitive PCR, a semi-quantitative correlation was obtained between the amount of hypermethylation and the amount of leukemic cells present. These results suggest that this method will be useful to monitor the amount of tumor cells in bone marrow from patients with AML.
Complications of short versus long cephalomedullary nail for intertrochanteric femur fractures, minimum 1 year follow-up.

Hip fractures are becoming increasingly common resulting in significant morbidity, mortality and raising healthcare costs. Both short and long cephalomedullary devices are currently employed to treat intertrochanteric hip fractures. However, which device is optimal continues to be debated as each implant has unique characteristics and theoretical advantages. This study looked to identify rates of complications associated with both long and short cephalomedullary nails for the treatment of intertrochanteric hip fractures. We retrospectively reviewed charts from 2006 to 2011, and we identified 256 patients were identified with AO class 31.1–32.3 fractures. Sixty were treated with short nails and 196 with long nails. Radiographs and charts were then analysed for failures and hardware complications. Catastrophic failure and hardware complication rates were not statistically different between short or long cephalomedullary nails. The overall catastrophic failure rate was 3.1 %; there was a 5 % failure rate in the short-nail group compared with a 2.6 % failure rate in the long-nail group (p = 0.191). There was a 3.33 % secondary femur fracture rate in the short-nail group, compared with none in the long-nail cohort (p = 0.054). The rate of proximal fixation failure was 1.67 % for the short-nail group and 2.0 % in the long-nail group (p = 0.406). Our data suggests equivocal outcomes as measured by similar catastrophic failure rate between both short and long cephalomedullary nails for intertrochanteric femur fractures. However, there was an increased risk of secondary femur fracture with short cephalomedullary nails when compared to long nails that approached statistical significance.
Design of resilient processing plants—II Design and control of energy management systems

Abstract The “standard heat exchanger network problem” has been surprisingly difficult to solve. It is only now that simple and reliable methods have evolved to synthesize the most efficient network of heat exchangers to heat and cool known process streams between stated temperature bounds. This has taken over a decade of research and scores of publications. The “resilient heat exchanger network problem” requires a solution that can cope with the uncertainties of industrial design. Fixed flow rates and temperature bounds rarely occur industrially. Rather, an industrial heat exchanger network problem necessarily involves ranges of flow rates and ranges of temperature bounds, and must include ease of operation and control. In this paper we make several fundamental advances in the design of resilient heat exchanger networks. (1) An efficient design procedure is developed to yield resilient designs which handle fluctuations within the condition of maximum energy efficiency. (2) A control structure and operating policy are developed to adjust flow distributions in the network to meet temperature constraints with minimum utility usage. These developments are based on several new theorems concerning resiliency in network design.
Isolation and lipid analysis of lipoid granules from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

SummaryThe lipid composition of lipoid granules of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was analyzed using silicic acid column and gas-liquid chromatography. Triglycerides formed the largest single pool. Oleic and linoleic acids formed the largest pools in the steroid ester fraction whereas palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids predominated in the triglyceride fraction.
Local moments, contractive IFS, and multiresolution decompositions of 3D imagery

A system of local normalized image moments which are restricted to the support of the attractor of a contractive IFS are described. The supports of these moments can be chosen to be highly irregular (fractal), and their self-scaling properties can lead to an obvious multiresolved decomposition of an image in terms of the local normalized moments.
Quantitative high-throughput efficacy profiling of approved oncology drugs in inflammatory breast cancer models of acquired drug resistance and re-sensitization

Although there is no standard treatment protocol for inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), multi-modality treatment has improved survival. In this study we profiled the NCI approved oncology drug set in a qHTS format to identify those that are efficacious in basal type and ErbB2 overexpressing IBC models. Further, we characterized the sensitivity of an acquired therapeutic resistance model to the oncology drugs. We observed that lapatinib-induced acquired resistance in SUM149 cells led to cross-resistance to other targeted- and chemotherapeutic drugs. Removal of the primary drug to which the model was developed led to re-sensitization to multiple drugs to a degree comparable to the parental cell line; this coincided with the cells regaining the ability to accumulate ROS and reduced expression of anti-apoptotic factors and the antioxidant SOD2. We suggest that our findings provide a unique IBC model system for gaining an understanding of acquired therapeutic resistance and the effect of redox adaptation on anti-cancer drug efficacy.
Expert Testimony by Ethicists: What Should Be the Norm?:

The term, “bioethics” was coined in 1970 by American cancerologist V. R. Potter. In the few decades since, the field of bioethics has emerged as an important discipline. The field has attained a remarkable degree of public recognition in a relatively short period of time. The “right to die” cases such as In re Quinlan placed bioethical issues on the front pages. Although the discipline is of recent vintage, the past quarter century has witnessed a flurry of scholarly activity, creating a substantial body of bioethical literature. Moreover, the bioethics movement has manifested itself in institutional expressions. Universities and medical schools have added courses in bioethics to their curricula. In 1974, federal legislation and regulations mandated that federal grantees conducting human subjects research establish institutional review boards to safeguard subjects’ welfare, and even absent a legislative mandate numerous hospitals created ethics committees. Centers and institutes, devoted exclusively to the study of bioethical issues, have been founded.
Greenland ice sheet surface mass-balance variability: 1991–2003

The Polar MM5 mesoscale atmospheric model was run for 13 years (1991-2003) over Greenland at 24 km horizontal resolution (Box and others, 2004). The model physics were driven by satellite, station and weather-balloon observational data assimilation, i.e. European Centre for Medium- Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) operational analysis. The analysis in this study focuses on the response of the surface mass balance to its primary controls: temperature and precipitation. The results indicate coherent spatial patterns of variability and statistically significant links with temperature and precipitation and the North Atlantic Oscillation. Precipitation trends have the same spatial pattern and sign as temperature, suggesting an association of precipitation and temperature variability. Increasing temperatures contribute to an increasing ablation trend and expansion of the ablation zone despite increasing accumulation trends. The Pinatubo (Philippines) volcanic cooling in the early 1990s enhances this apparent warming trend. Only in the northeast does precipitation appear to dominate the surface mass balance, where both temperature and precipitation have decreased. There is little evidence for a total ice-sheet surface mass-balance trend, although the meltwater runoff has a positive trend and, combined with iceberg discharge and basal melting estimates, suggests the ice sheet as a whole is in a state of net mass loss over this period.
An inequality for Tchebycheff polynomials and extensions

Abstract The inequality T n ( xy ) ⩽ T n ( x ) T n ( y ), x , y ⩾ 1, where T n ( x ) is the Tchebycheff polynomial of the first kind, can be proven very easily by use of one of the extremal properties of these polynomials. It also follows from ( d 2 du 2 ) log T n (e u ) ⩽ 0, u ⩾ 0 . Various proofs are given for these inequalities and for generalizations to other classes of polynomials.
Effects of wetland depth and flow rate on residence time distribution characteristics

Abstract The residence time distribution (RTD) representing the hydraulics of a wetland is an important tool for modeling and designing treatment wetlands for optimal constituent removal. To correctly use RTD results, it is necessary to understand the conditions under which this distribution remains stable. Dye tracer experiments were conducted on a stormwater treatment wetland to investigate hydrologic factors affecting RTD characteristics. Dye was introduced into the inflow under normal flow conditions and during simulated storm flows, providing a range of flow rates and water levels. Dye distribution in the outlet was measured using an in situ fluorometer. Results indicate that flow rates did not have a significant effect on RTD characteristics. The RTDs normalized for volume and flow demonstrated a greater amount of short-circuiting and a larger mixing scale when water depth increased, demonstrating that water level can have a direct impact on the RTD of a wetland. This effect suggests that more than one RTD may be necessary for analyzing a wetland subject to changing water levels. For the wetland in this study, increasing the water depth elicited a decrease in hydraulic efficiency. Understanding such factors that affect hydraulic efficiency will aid in the design and management of wetlands.
Function in Device Representation

We explore the meanings of the terms ‘structure’, ‘behaviour’, and, especially, ‘function’ in engineering practice. Computers provide great assistance in calculation tasks in engineering practice, but they also have great potential for helping with reasoning tasks. However, realising this vision requires precision in representing engineering knowledge, in which the terms mentioned above play a central role. We start with a simple ontology for representing objects and causal interactions between objects. Using this ontology, we investigate a range of meanings for the terms of interest. Specifically, we distinguish between function as effect on the environment, and a device-centred view of device function. In the former view, function is seen as an intended or desired role that an artifact plays in its environment. We identify an important concept called mode of deployment that is often left implicit, but whose explicit representation is necessary for correct and complete reasoning. We discuss the task of design and design verification in this framework. We end with a discussion that relates needs in the world to functions of artifacts created to satisfy the needs.
Rapid tooling using SU-8 for injection molding microfluidic components

In this work we present an injection molding tool fabricated using current micromachining techniques. The process was used to fabricate micro fluidic channels in a plastic substrate with depths of approximately 27 micrometers . The process can easily be altered to form channels of varying depths ranging from a few microns to approximately 100 micrometers . The tool was made using a photosensitive epoxy (SU-8) on silicon. Complex two-dimensional micro channel / chamber shapes and intersections are also achievable because the process for defining SU-8 is lithography. Two polymers were successfully used for injection molding the channels, clear rigid polycarbonate and opaque flexible polypropylene. Plastic replications of the inverse pattern of the SU-8 tool were made with the described process. Fabrication time of the tool was approximately 30 minutes and survived without failure, 22 shots for polypropylene and eight shots for polycarbonate (Lexan). Some deformities of the channels were observed and were more pronounced in the PP channels. Channel height was increased by 2-3 micrometers due to a ridge that was formed due to shear forces generated during the release stage of the process. The channel width shrunk approximately 7.9% maximum for polypropylene after release from the mold.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Using Alpha Shapes to Approximate Signal Strength Based Positioning Performance

Received signal strength (RSS) is a common tool for locating a transmitter via a sensor network. It is considered common knowledge that RSS performs well if the transmitter is inside the convex hull of the sensor network, and poorly otherwise. However, this positioning rule of thumb is binary, vague, and not always accurate. In this letter, we consider the alpha shape, which is a generalization of the concept of a convex hull. We show that the alpha shape gives a more accurate estimate of localization performance than the convex hull, and we show how to use it to obtain a quasi-continuous and quantitative (rather than binary and qualitative) estimate of a sensor network's performance. We then compare this rule of thumb to more detailed, computationally intensive performance limits generated by the Cramer-Rao lower bound, with very good agreement.
Structural Dynamics of a Southwestern Pine Forest under Chronic Human Influence

Abstract This paper examines the impact of several synchronous disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic, on the development of the Navajo ponderosa pine forest in the Chuska Mountains of the American Southwest during the past several hundred years. The specific objective is to determine the relative importance of historical factors, grazing, and fire regime alteration, as well as climate fluctuations, in changing the forest pattern. Evidence indicates that the open, parklike pine forest of the past underwent major structural change to become significantly denser and younger today. A comparison of reconstructed stand-age structure of fifty years ago with present structure quantifies this change. GIS analysis comparing aerial photomosaics confirms the change at the landscape scale. A history of Navajo pastoralism, beginning by the eighteenth century, suggests that grazing pressure fluctuated but often exceeded carrying capacity. Fire scar analysis reveals that the early regime of light, frequent fire ex...
Low molecular weight hyaluronan, via AP-1 and NF-κB signalling, induces IL-8 in transformed bronchial epithelial cells.

Summary QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: New evidence demonstrated that high tidal volume mechanical ventilation results in substantial bronchial airway mechanical strain. In addition, high tidal volume mechanical ventilation has been shown to increase IL-8 production in a mechanism mediated, at least in part, by low molecular weight hyaluronan (LWM-HA). In the present study, it was investigated whether LMW-HA synthesised in the lung, in response to cyclic stretch, increased IL-8 production in the bronchial epithelium. METHODS: This question was approached by stimulating a transformed human bronchial epithelial cell line with LMW-HA isolated from stretched human lung fibroblasts and probed for the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathways. RESULTS: LMW-HA increased IL-8 secretion in transformed bronchial epithelial cells. Additionally, LMW-HA augmented the levels of phospho c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and phospho extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and also mobilised nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. The inhibition of JNK, ERK1/2 and NF-κB blocked IL-8 secretion in response to LMW-HA. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that LMW-HA produced by lung fibroblasts in response to cyclic stretch increases the secretion of IL-8 in transformed bronchial epithelial cells via AP-1 and NF-κB signalling pathways. These findings support the hypothesis that LMW-HA plays an active role in acute lung inflammation triggered by mechanical strain.
Exploring the origins of cementoblasts and their trigger factors

Future directions for designing periodontal regenerative therapies hinge on characterization of cells associated with periodontal tissues and on signals instrumental in regulating their behavior. Studies here focused on determining the responsiveness of putative cementoblast progenitor cells (follicle cells), periodontal ligament cells, and cementoblasts to specific factors. Cementoblasts (OCCM), periodontal ligament (SVPDL) cells, and follicle cells (SVF4) were isolated from mouse tissues and immortalized, where SV indicates the use of SV-40 for immortalization. Cultured cells were examined for response to parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), and enamel matrix derivative (EMD) using RT-PCR, Northern analysis, and in vitro and in vivo mineralization assays. Results showed that the three cell lines varied in their expression of bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OCN), and in their capacity to promote mineralization. RT-PCR indicated that all cell lines had PTH/PTHrP-R1 and BMP receptors; however, the response of individual cell lines to PTHrP, BMP-2, and EMD was quite different. Such dissimilarities in responsiveness associated with cell type may need to be considered when designing regenerative therapies.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of the Promoter for the Chinese Hamster DNA Topoisomerase IIα Gene

To investigate the mechanisms governing the expression of DNA topoisomerase II alpha, the Chinese hamster topoisomerase II alpha gene has been cloned and the promoter region analyzed. There are several transcriptional start sites clustered in a region of 30 base pairs, with the major one being 102 nucleotides upstream from the ATG translation initiation site. Sequencing data reveal one GC box and a total of five inverted CCAAT elements (ICEs) within a region of 530 base pairs upstream from the major transcription start site. Sequence comparison between the human and Chinese hamster topoisomerase II alpha gene promoter regions shows a high degree of homology centered at the ICEs and GC box. In vitro DNase I footprinting results indicate protection by binding proteins at and around each ICE on both DNA strands. However, no obvious protection was observed for the GC box. Competition gel mobility shift assays with oligonucleotides containing either the wild-type or mutated ICE sequences suggest that identical or similar proteins specifically bind at each ICE, although with different affinities for individual ICE sequences. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase assays employing nested 5'-deletions of the 5'-flanking sequence of the gene demonstrate that the sequence between -186 and +102, which contains three proximal ICEs, is sufficient for near wild-type level of promoter activity. When these three ICEs were gradually replaced with sequences which do not interact with the binding proteins, reducing promoter activity of the resulted constructs was observed. In conjunction with results from footprinting and gel mobility shift studies, the transient gene expression finding suggests that the ICEs are functionally important for the transcriptional regulation of the topoisomerase II alpha gene.
En Bloc Retroperitoneoscopic Removal of Horseshoe Kidney for End-stage Renal Disease

Horseshoe kidney (HSK) is the most common renal fusion anomaly. There have been reports of an association of HSKs with medical renal disease. We report a case of a child with nephrotic-range proteinuria and a HSK. As the patient was on peritoneal dialysis, the entire HSK was removed en bloc via a retroperitoneoscopic approach with early postoperative reinitiation of peritoneal dialysis.
Comparison of cholecystectomy cases after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding

Abstract Background Rapid weight loss after bariatric surgery has been a factor of inducing gallstones postoperatively. Many studies have reported increased gallstone formation after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). However, not many studies have compared symptomatic gallstone frequencies between LRYGB, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The aim of our study is to evaluate symptomatic cholelithiasis cases requiring cholecystectomy after each bariatric procedure. Methods Between January 2009 and August 2011, a total of 937 patients underwent bariatric surgery at our institution. Of these patients, 598 had primary LRYGB, 197 had LSG, and 142 had LAGB. We excluded patients with previous cholecystectomy or concomitant cholecystectomy at the time of bariatric procedure. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed for all patients. Results Of 367 LRYGB patients, 5.7% (n = 21) had symptomatic gallstones. Of 115 LSG patients, 6.1% (n = 7) required cholecystectomy, and of 104 LAGB patients, .0% (n = 0) developed symptomatic gallstones. The differences in the occurrences of symptomatic gallstones between LRYGB and LSG were not statistically significant ( P >.88). However, statistical significance was present between LRYGB and LAGB ( P P Conclusions Frequency of symptomatic gallstones after LRYGB and LSG was not significantly different and after LAGB was significantly lower. Slow and less amount of weight loss would have contributed to the low rate of symptomatic gallstone formation in the LAGB patients. (Surg Obes Relat Dis 2013;0:000–00.) © 2013 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. All rights reserved.
Defect dynamics and damage of concrete under repeated compression, studied by electrical resistance measurement

The electrical resistance of concrete in the stress direction increased during compressive loading in the first cycle, due to defect generation. It decreased during loading in all subsequent cycles, due to defect diminution. It increased during unloading in the first and all subsequent cycles, due to defect extension. The baseline resistance and the amplitude of resistance variation increased with cycling, due to minor damage. The interface between mortar and coarse aggregate contributed to the defect dynamics, particularly defect diminution.
Effect of Floating-Body and Stress Bias on NBTI and HCI on 65-nm SOI pMOSFETs

Grounded-body (GB) core-logic/high-speed (HS) and input/output (I/O) silicon-on-insulator pMOSFETs from 65-nm technology are shown to degrade more than floating-body (FB) devices under negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) stress. However, in both cases, worst case degradation occurs when stressed under equal gate and drain voltages (Vg = Vd), whereby degradation is simultaneously induced by both NBTI and hot carrier injection (HCI) simultaneously ("concurrent HCI-NBTI"), the relative importance of each mechanism depending on the type of device and the bias level. The degradation of I/O pMOSFETs stressed under Vg = Vd at room temperature shows predominantly NBTI-like behavior at higher stress voltages, whereas it shows concurrent HCI-NBTI behavior at lower stress voltages. By contrast, the degradation of HS pMOSFETs stressed under Vg = Vd shows concurrent HCI-NBTI behavior over the entire stress bias range. In both cases, FB devices degrade more than GB devices for higher stress voltage values, but the FB effects weaken and the degradations become comparable for lower stress bias.
Business Cycles and the Sense of Time in Medieval Genoa

A great deal has been written about the perception of time before the invention of mechanical timepieces, but the nature of the evidence has led much of this literature to take on an impressionistic, even metaphysical, cast. In the following article, Professor Epstein uses specific data gleaned from the cartularies of thirteenth–century Genoese notaries to investigate more concretely the uses of time and the structure of the business day in Genoa. He concludes that, in this early center of Western commercial activity at least, an impulse toward greater precision in marking the time of day preceded the arrival of the clock.
Phase I and correlative biology study of cilengitide in patients with recurrent malignant glioma

Purpose This multi-institutional phase I trial was designed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of cilengitide (EMD 121974) and to evaluate the use of perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with recurrent malignant glioma. Patients and Methods Patients received cilengitide twice weekly on a continuous basis. A treatment cycle was defined as 4 weeks. Treatment-related dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was defined as any grade 3 or 4 nonhematologic toxicity or grade 4 hematologic toxicity of any duration. Results A total of 51 patients were enrolled in cohorts of six patients to doses of 120, 240, 360, 480, 600, 1,200, 1,800, and 2,400 mg/m2 administered as a twice weekly intravenous infusion. Three patients progressed early and were inevaluable for toxicity assessment. The DLTs observed were one thrombosis (120 mg/m2), one grade 4 joint and bone pain (480 mg/m2), one thrombocytopenia (600 mg/m2) and one anorexia, hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia (800 mg/m2). The MTD was not reached. Two ...
Investigation of fuel and media flexible laminar flow-based fuel cells

We investigate the performance of air-breathing laminar flow-based fuel cells (LFFCs) operated with five different fuels (formic acid, methanol, ethanol, hydrazine, and sodium borohydride) in either acidic or alkaline media. The membraneless LFFC architecture enables interchangeable operation with different fuel and media combinations that are only limited by the actual anode catalyst used. Furthermore, operating under alkaline conditions significantly improves methanol and ethanol oxidation kinetics and stabilizes sodium borohydride. LFFCs operated with hydrazine and sodium borohydride as fuels exhibit power densities of 80 and 101 mW/cm 2 , respectively. To optimize anode performance, particularly for ethanol electro-oxidation, we introduced a hydrogen cathode to the membraneless LFFC design which renders the cell an ideal platform for anode investigation. Here, we highlight two simple diagnostic methods, in situ single electrode studies and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), for characterizing and optimizing the performance of a direct ethanol LFFC anode.
Selected Disorders of Skin Appendages—Acne, Alopecia, Hyperhidrosis

This article reviewed some of the more common diseases of the skin appendages that are encountered in medicine: hyperhidrosis, acne, AA, FPHL, AGA, and TE. The pathophysiology behind the conditions and their treatments were discussed so that the clinician can make logical therapeutic choices for their affected patients.
Randomised trial of laparoscopic exploration of common bile duct versus postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for common bile duct stones.

Summary Background The management of stones in the common bile duct in the laparoscopic era is controversial. The three major options are preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP), laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct (LECBD), or postoperative ERCP. Methods Between August, 1995, and August, 1997, 471 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were done in our department. In 427 (91%), satisfactory peroperative cholangiography was obtained. In 80 (17%) of these cases there were stones in the common bile duct. 40 patients were randomised to LECBD and 40 to postoperative ERCP. If LECBD failed, patients had either open exploration of the common bile duct or postoperative ERCP. If one postoperative ERCP failed, the procedure was repeated until the common bile duct was cleared of stones or an endoprosthesis was placed to prevent stone impaction. The primary endpoints were duct-clearance rates, morbidity, operating time, and hospital stay. Analyses were by intention to treat. Findings Age and sex distribution of patients was similar in the randomised groups. Duct clearance after the first intervention was 75% in both groups. By the end of treatment, duct clearance was 100% in the laparoscopic group compared with 93% in the ERCP group. Duration of treatment was a median of 90 min (range 25–310) in the laparoscopic group (including ERCPs for failed LECBD) compared with 105 min (range 60–255) in the postoperative ERCP group (p=0·1, 95% Cl for difference -5 to 40). Hospital stay was a median of 1 day (range 1–26) in the laparoscopic group compared with 3·5 days (range 1–11) in the ERCP group (p=0·0001, 95% Cl 1–2). Interpretation LECBD is as effective as ERCP in clearing the common bile duct of stones. There is a non-significant trend to shorter time in the operating theatre and a significantly shorter hospital stay in patients treated by LECBD.
Rising Food Prices, Food Price Volatility, and Social Unrest

Can food prices cause social unrest? Throughout history, riots have frequently broken out, ostensibly as a consequence of high food prices. Using monthly data at the international level, this article studies the impact of food prices – food price levels as well as food price volatility – on social unrest. Because food prices and social unrest are jointly determined, data on natural disasters are used to identify the causal relationship flowing from food price levels to social unrest. Results indicate that for the period 1990–2011, food price increases have led to increases in social unrest, whereas food price volatility has not been associated with increases in social unrest. These results are robust to alternative definitions of social unrest, to using real or nominal prices, to using commodity-specific price indices instead of aggregated price indices, to alternative definitions of the instrumental variable, to alternative definitions of volatility, and to controlling for non-food-related social unrest.
Regulated exocytosis and SNARE function (Review)

The pairing of cognate v- and t-SNAREs between two opposing lipid bilayers drives spontaneous membrane fusion and confers specificity to intracellular membrane trafficking. These fusion events are regulated by a cascade of protein-protein interactions that locally control SNARE activity and complex assembly, determining when and where fusion occurs with high efficiency in vivo. This basic regulation occurs at all transport steps and is mediated by conserved protein families such as Rab proteins and their effectors and Sec1/unc18 proteins. Regulated exocytosis employs auxiliary components that couple the signal (which triggers exocytosis) to the fusion machinery. At the neuronal synapse, munc13 as well as munc18 control SNARE complex assembly. Synaptotagmin and complexin ensure fast synchronous calcium-evoked neurotransmitter release.
Applications of Microdosimetry in Biology

The interaction of ionizing radiation with matter is invariably followed by an involute chain of processes. Thus the chemical consequences of irradiation of as simple a substance as pure water are still not entirely understood. It might therefore appear to be futile to attempt to account for the observed effects on the vastly more complex biological organisms in terms of the pattern of absorption of radiant energy. The justification for useful activity in what has been termed radiation biophysics is that in all their intricacy biological processes can be governed by simple fundamental mechanisms. An outstanding example is Mendelian genetics in which the general rules of inheritance were identified. This preceded knowledge of the organization and indeed even of the existence of DNA.
Precipitation Enhancement Program for Illinois

Study of possible solutions to such problems has shown that precipitation enhancement is one potential solution. The 5-yr planning and research program is composed of 10 studies to obtain information adequate to decide and design a future experiment. The current Illinois Precipitation Enhancement Program is composed of four study-activity areas addressed to answering the question of desirability, five study-project areas concerned with the scientific feasibility of obtaining useful rain increases, and one that summarizes the results with regard to the design of future enhancement experiments. The desirability studies include the potential economic benefits, ecological effects, public information, and legal aspects so that Illinois citizens can understand and make wise judgments relating to weather modification. The five scientific feasibility studies involve cloud and storm sampling, numerical modeling, consideration of downwind effects, seeding technologies, and relevant chemistry measurements.