cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
n-Hexane cracking on binderless zeolite HZSM-5 coated monolithic reactors

Abstract The transformation of n-hexane to gasoline-range hydrocarbons over binderless zeolite HZSM-5 coated monolithic reactors is studied here. Experimental conversion and hydrocarbon product selectivity in these reactors are compared with results reported for conventional packed bed reactors consisting of catalyst pellets. A theoretical analysis reveals that the conversion of n-hexane in HZSM-5 coated monoliths is controlled by configurational counterdiffusion of reactant and product molecules in the intracrystalline zeolite catalyst pores. The average zeolite crystal size of 6 μm, used in this study, is within the range (0.01–20 μm) reported for configurational diffusion to occur in n-hexane cracking.
Putting the Design Back into Organizational Design: The Case of High Social Value-Creative Business Models

Currently there is no veritable role for design, designers, or design methodology associated with 'organizational design'. Rather, the design of an organization is a byproduct of tactics and management bureaucracy. In postmodern, post-industrial, and post-capitalist organizational entities the role of design is subordinate and residual at best. In this concept paper the authors demonstrate that a an entrepreneurial and organic perspective on design is challenged by the paradigmatic and transformational effects of information and information technology on firm; and b that the apparent problematic absence of a design theory and the existence of the firm can be reconciled via the involvement of design managers with their presumed design-methodological grounding. They advocate substituting the anachronistic evolutionary speciation of organizational design with a perspective based on 'intelligent design'.
Chiral Proton Catalysis: Enantioselective Brønsted Acid Catalyzed Additions of Nitroacetic Acid Derivatives as Glycine Equivalents

An unsymmetrical, bifunctional chiral proton catalyst (2) has been developed to enable the highly diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of epimerizable addition products from nitroacetic acid esters. The strategy is analogous to O'Donnell's glycine Schiff base alkylations that have been broadly applied to the synthesis of α-amino acids. In this regard, nitroacetic acid esters provide complementary products, namely, anti-α,β-diamino acids, derived from addition reactions. Products are obtained with high diastereoselection (generally 6−12:1) and enantioselection (generally >90% ee) using 5 mol% catalyst loading.
Differences among cell types in NAD+ compartmentalization: A comparison of neurons, astrocytes, and cardiac myocytes

Activation of the nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose)-1 leads to the death of neurons and other types of cells by a mechanism involving NAD(+) depletion and mitochondrial permeability transition. It has been proposed that the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) is required for NAD(+) to be released from mitochondria and subsequently consumed by PARP-1. In the present study we used the MPT inhibitor cyclosporine-A (CsA) to preserve mitochondrial NAD(+) pools during PARP-1 activation and thereby provide an estimate of mitochondrial NAD(+) pool size in different cell types. Rat cardiac myocytes, mouse cardiac myocytes, mouse cortical neurons, and mouse cortical astrocytes were incubated with the genotoxin N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in order to activate PARP-1. In all four cell types MNNG caused a reduction in total NAD(+) content that was blocked by the PARP inhibitor 3,4-dihydro-5-[4-(1-piperidinyl)butoxy]-1(2H)-isoquinolinone. Inhibition of the mitochondrial permeability transition with cyclosporine-A (CsA) prevented PARP-1-induced NAD(+) depletion to a varying degree in the four cell types tested. CsA preserved 83.5% +/- 5.2% of total cellular NAD(+) in rat cardiac myocytes, 85.7% +/- 8.9% in mouse cardiac myocytes, 55.9% +/- 12.9% in mouse neurons, and 22.4% +/- 7.3% in mouse astrocytes. CsA preserved nearly 100% of NAD(+) content in mitochondria isolated from these cells. These results confirm that it is the cytosolic NAD(+) pool that is consumed by PARP-1 and that the mitochondrial NAD(+) pool is consumed only after MPT permits mitochondrial NAD(+) to exit into the cytosol. These results also suggest large differences in the mitochondrial and cytosolic compartmentalization of NAD(+) in these cell types.
Iron bioavailability from Amaranthus species: 1 : In vitro dialysable iron for estimation of genetic variation

Green leafy vegetables have the potential to contribute significant amounts of iron to the diet, if the bioavailability of iron from these foods is improved. In order to determine the potential for genetic manipulation of this trait, 46 lines from 12 species of Amaranthus were evaluated for total and bioavailable iron in greenhouse and field experiments. Bioavailable iron was estimated using an in vitro assay for dialysable, low-molecular-weight iron compounds. Significant differences (P < 0·01) were detected among lines and species for total and bioavailable iron. Total iron ranged from 358 to 880 ppm (dry weight) in field-grown plants and 55 to 123 ppm (dry weight) in greenhouse-grown plants. Bioavailable iron ranged from 41 to 63 ppm in field-grown plants and from 24 to 51 ppm in greenhouse-grown plants. Amaranthus tricolor and A lividus had the highest total and bioavailable iron; A hypochondriacus had the lowest levels of the species tested. Although field-grown Amaranthus accumulated higher levels of total and bioavailable iron, a greater proportion of the total iron was sequestered in insoluble, unavailable forms. Generally, species with higher total iron had higher levels of bioavailable iron. These analyses indicated potential for genetic improvement of iron nutritional quality from Amaranthus, especially within the species A tricolor. © 1998 Society of Chemical Industry
Drug safety evaluation of apremilast for treating psoriatic arthritis

Introduction: Apremilast is an orally available small molecule that targets PDE4. PDE4 modulates intracellular signaling and thereby can impact various proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory mediators. Apremilast has been approved by the USA FDA for the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and moderate-to-severe psoriasis (PsO). Although there are several therapies approved and used for the treatment of PsA, there is still an unmet need for additional effective and well-tolerated therapeutic options. In PsA clinical trials, apremilast has been shown to be efficacious and to have an acceptable safety profile.Areas covered: This review article covers the mechanism of action of apremilast, its efficacy in clinical trials and a detailed focus on its safety profile, mainly from Phase III clinical trials.Expert opinion: Based on the available literature, apremilast has proven to be an efficacious therapy for PsA and PsO. It may offer some advantage as compared to other therapeutic options given its favo...
Triphenylene-Fused Porphyrins

Triphenylene has been successfully fused to the porphyrin periphery through a convenient oxidative ring-closure reaction. Bistriphenylene-fused porphyrins and a dibenzo[fg,op]tetracene-fused porphyrin have also been obtained using a similar approach. These π-extended porphyrins exhibited broadened and bathochromic shifted UV–vis absorptions.
Dispersion viscosity of aluminum trihydroxide of various particle size distributions in an unsaturated polyester resin

The effect of filler particle size distribution on the viscosity of an aluminum trihydroxide/unsaturated polyester resin dispersion was studied. Four basic aluminum trihydroxides with distinctively different particle sizes were combined to generate various particle size distributions systematically. The particle size distribution producing the minimum viscosity was determined by employing a modified extreme vertices experiment design for mixtures to establish a quadratic model which was then optimized. The predicted viscosities in general as well as the particle size distribution corresponding to the minimum viscosity agreed well with the observed data.
The General Factor of Personality: A General Critique

Recently, it has been proposed that all non-cognitive measures of personality share a general factor of personality. A problem with many of these studies is a lack of clarity in defining a general factor. In this paper we address the multiple ways in which a general factor has been identified and argue that many of these approaches find factors that are not in fact general. Through the use of artificial examples, we show that a general factor is not: The first factor or component of a correlation or covariance matrix.The first factor resulting from a bifactor rotation or biquartimin transformationNecessarily the result of a confirmatory factor analysis forcing a bifactor solution We consider how the definition of what constitutes a general factor can lead to confusion, and we will demonstrate alternative ways of estimating the general factor saturation that are more appropriate.
The occurrence of biochemical metamorphic events without anatomical metamorphosis in the axolotl

Abstract Although the axolotl Ambystoma mexicanum is anatomically a larval amphibian, it does produce a small amount of endogenous thyroxine. According to the theory that different tissues have different thresholds of response to thyroxine, the axolotl may undergo certain biochemical metamorphic events without anatomical metamorphosis. Gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the hemoglobin and serum protein composition of the blood changed at approximately 125 and 210 days of normal development, respectively. Both events were prematurely inducible by thyroxine; metamorphosed animals had neotenous adult hemoglobin and serum protein electrophoretic patterns. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels, denatured neotenous adult hemoglobin fractionated into components of 15,000 and 19,000, and 24,500 molecular weight (relative to that of bovine hemoglobin monomer, 15,500). Larval hemoglobin possessed components of 13,800 and 19,500 molecular weight. It was concluded that (1) at 100–150 days of normal development, the production of new hemoglobin polypeptide subunits was stimulated whereas the synthesis of larval subunits was inhibited, (2) the axolotl is not biochemically neotenous for at least two normally metamorphic events, and (3) the tissues responsible for certain biochemical metamorphic events probably have a lower threshold of response to thyroxine than the tissues responsible for anatomical metamorphosis.
Hypoxic ventilatory response of adult rats and mice after developmental hyperoxia

Chronic postnatal hyperoxia attenuates the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) of rats. To determine whether the ability to detect deficits in the HVR depends on the degree of hypoxia, we assessed the HVR at several levels of hypoxia in adult rats reared in 60% O2 for the first two postnatal weeks. Hyperoxia-treated rats exhibited smaller increases in ventilation than control rats at 12% O2 (30±8 vs. 53±4% baseline, mean±SEM; P=0.02) but not at 10% O2 (83±11 vs. 96±14% baseline; P=0.47). Interestingly, 10% O2 was used as the test gas in the only study to assess HVR in mice exposed to developmental hyperoxia, and that study reported normal HVR (Dauger et al., Chest 123:530-8, 2003). Therefore, we assessed the HVR at 12.5% O2 in adult mice reared in 60% O2 for the first two postnatal weeks. Hyperoxia-treated mice exhibited smaller increases in ventilation (28±7 vs. 58±8% baseline; P<0.01) and smaller carotid bodies than control mice. We conclude that hyperoxia impairs the HVR in both rats and mice, but this effect is most evident at moderate levels of hypoxia.
Anomalies in polysome profiles caused by contamination of the gradients with Cu2+ or Zn2+

The presence of 30 μM Cu2+ or Zn2+ in sucrose gradients used to determine the extent of ribosome aggregation in rat liver preparations resulted in profiles which were abnormally aggregated. This problem was eliminated by inclusion of EDTA in the gradient or by the use of detergents other than deoxycholate.
A process-oriented numerical study of currents, eddies and meanders in the Leeuwin Current System

Abstract While observations provide insight for the basic nature of features in the Leeuwin Current System (LCS), process-oriented studies are useful for systematically investigating the characteristics and dynamical forcing mechanisms for the currents and eddies in the LCS. This process-oriented numerical study investigates the roles of wind forcing, thermohaline gradients and bottom topography on currents and eddy generation in the LCS with a terrain-following primitive equation model, in this case the Princeton Ocean Model (POM), on a beta-plane off the western and southwestern coast of Australia. Results show that the LCS is an anomalous Eastern Boundary Current that generates a surface poleward current predominantly over the shelf break, an equatorward surface current with upwelling next to the coast in localized regions, an equatorward undercurrent, and highly energetic mesoscale features such as meanders and eddies. Thermohaline gradient effects are shown to be the primary mechanism in the generation of a poleward (equatorward) current (undercurrent), eddies and meanders in the LCS. Inshore of the poleward surface flow, next to the coast, wind forcing plays an important role in generating an equatorward coastal current and upwelling. The major role of the wind is to slow the poleward surface flow, enhance eddy spin up and create localized upwelling regions, such as in the north near Shark Bay and just north of Cape Leeuwin. Bottom topography is shown to be an important mechanism for intensifying and trapping currents near the coast, weakening subsurface currents and intensifying eddies off capes. The surface poleward current is predominantly steered by the shelf break, frequently leaving the coast as it follows the 200-m depth contour southward to Cape Leeuwin and eastward into the Great Australian Bight. Overall, the results of this process-oriented study compare well with available observations in the LCS.
Cisplatin’s tumoricidal effect on human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells was not attenuated by American ginseng

Purpose We previously observed that American ginseng berry and ginsenoside Re attenuated cisplatin-induced emesis in a rat model, suggesting that the herb may have a value in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea/vomiting. However, it is not clear whether consuming ginseng concurrently with chemotherapy affects the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, we explored if the ginseng extract and its constituents, ginsenosides Rb1, Rb3, and Re, alter tumoricidal activity of cisplatin in human cancer cells.
Density–dose behavior of irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene

Room temperature density-dose behavior of neutron and gamma irradiated polytetrafluoroethylene /PTFE/ noting crystallinity variations
Renal cell carcinoma developing in the pediatric recipient of an adult cadaveric donor kidney

Renal cell carcinoma is an uncommon renal tumor in children, comprising between 1.8% and 6.3% of all malignant renal tumors of childhood (whereas renal cell carcinoma is the commonest renal tumor in adults). We describe a 15-year-old girl with chronic renal failure secondary to renal dysplasia and branchio-oto-renal syndrome, who received a cadaveric renal transplant at 8 years of age from a 25-year-old male donor. She developed severe chronic rejection 4 years after the transplant. A transplant nephrectomy was performed because of persistent gross hematuria. Histopathology of this graft showed chronic severe rejection and papillary necrosis. A fortuitous finding was a 1.5-cm renal cell carcinoma at one of the poles. We suggest that tumors which occur more commonly in adults and less commonly in children must be considered in children receiving adult organ transplants.
Tales of a Texas Cynic: Theodore O. Windt Remembered

In memory of Professor Ted Windt, this essay considers his significant contributions to rhetorical scholarship and pedagogy. It examines his unique contributions to our understandings of American presidential and protest rhetoric of the late 20th century, highlighting his application of Greek cynicism as explanatory schema for American protest rhetoric and then recounting Windt's framework for analyzing “crisis” rhetoric as appropriated by recent American presidents to advance their agendas. The essay then considers Windt's pedagogical perspectives and argues that Windt's teaching itself was acclaimed because it was rooted in the rhetorical and oratorical excellence. In conclusion, it is argued that Ted Windt was a unique and important rhetorical scholar and critic whose life and work provide lasting scholarly contributions and a robust model for achieving excellence in the college classroom.
SILCS diaphragm: postcoital testing of a new single-size contraceptive device☆☆☆

Abstract Background This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of a new, single-size silicone contraceptive diaphragm used with either spermicide [2% nonoxynol-9 (N-9)] or lubricant in preventing sperm from penetrating midcycle cervical mucus. Study design A crossover postcoital test (PCT) in healthy, sexually active women not at risk for pregnancy due to tubal occlusion was conducted. Couples had a baseline PCT without a device to verify normal fertility parameters. Qualified couples underwent up to two test cycles using the SILCS diaphragm with a metal spring. A subgroup of couples underwent a third test cycle with the SILCS polymer spring diaphragm used with N-9 gel. Results Fifteen couples completed a baseline cycle and were randomized to order of study gel. Of these, 14 couples completed a baseline cycle and at least one test cycle, 12 couples completed a baseline cycle and two test cycles and 8 couples completed a third test cycle with the polymer spring prototype. Sperm was detected in the vaginal pool in all completed test cycles. The SILCS metal spring diaphragms used with N-9 gel reduced the average number of progressively motile sperm per high power field in the cervical mucus from a baseline of 12.5 to 0, while use of this device with lubricant reduced the number to 0.5. The SILCS polymer spring diaphragm used with N-9 performed the same as the metal spring used with N-9. Conclusion The SILCS diaphragm used with N-9 gel performed well. It is likely that the SILCS diaphragm will give acceptable results in a contraceptive effectiveness study but that adjunctive use of a chemical barrier such as N-9 gel will be necessary for it to be most effective.
Randomized comparison of intravenous terbutaline vs nitroglycerin for acute intrapartum fetal resuscitation

Objective The purpose of this study was to compare terbutaline and nitroglycerin for acute intrapartum fetal resuscitation. Study Design Women between 32-, 42 weeks' gestation were assigned randomly to 250 μg of terbutaline or 400 μg nitroglycerin intravenously for nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings in labor. The rate of successful acute intrapartum fetal resuscitation and the maternal hemodynamic changes were compared. Assuming a 50% failure rate in the terbutaline arm, we calculated that a total of 110 patients would be required to detect a 50% reduction in failure in the nitroglycerin group (50% to 25%), with an alpha value of .05, a beta value of .20, and a power of 80%. Results One hundred ten women had nonreassuring fetal heart rate tracings in labor; 57 women received terbutaline, and 53 women received nitroglycerin. Successful acute resuscitation rates were similar (terbutaline 71.9% and nitroglycerin 64.2%; P = .38). Terbutaline resulted in lower median contraction frequency per 10 minutes (2.9 [25-75 percentile, 1.7- 3.3] vs 4 [25-75 percentile, 2.5- 5]; P P = .003). Maternal mean arterial pressures decreased with nitroglycerin (81-76 mm Hg; P = .02), but not terbutaline (82-81 mm Hg; P = .73). Conclusion Although terbutaline provided more effective tocolysis with less impact on maternal blood pressure, no difference was noted between nitroglycerin and terbutaline in successful acute intrapartum fetal resuscitation.
Hydrogen peroxide is a second messenger in phase 2 enzyme induction by cancer chemopreventive dithiolethiones

The ability of three dithiolethione cancer chemopreventives, oltipraz 1, anetholedithione (ADT) 2, 1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T) 3, and the major metabolite, 4, of 1, to induce the cytoprotective enz...
Photodissociation: isotope effects and comparisons between theory and experiment

Abstract The quantum theory of photodissociation of polyatomic molecules is applied to HCN and CO 2 to investigate the degree to which available experimental data can be employed to uniquely determine the gross features of the unbound potential energy surfaces. For HCN it is shown that availabe data on CN fragment vibrational distributions is totally inadequate to determine the repulsive potential. This fact is responsible for recent disagreements in predicted isotope effects and in the role of interfragment repulsions. Our calculations serve as models for understanding the dependence of isotope effects and interfragment repulsions on the gross qualitative features of the repulsive surface.
Risk Factors for Behavioral Abnormalities in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Alzheimer's Disease

Background: Behavioral symptoms are common in both mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: We analyzed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire data of 3,456 MCI and 2,641 mild AD National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center database participants. Using factor analysis and logistic regression we estimated the effects of age, sex, race, education, Mini-Mental State Examination, functional impairment, marital status and family history on the presence of behavioral symptoms. We also compared the observed prevalence of behavioral symptoms between amnestic and nonamnestic MCI. Results: Four factors were identified: affective behaviors (depression, apathy and anxiety); distress/tension behaviors (irritability and agitation); impulse control behaviors (disinhibition, elation and aberrant motor behavior), and psychotic behaviors (delusions and hallucinations). Male gender was significantly associated with all factors. Younger age was associated with a higher prevalence of distress/tension, impulse control and psychotic behaviors. Being married was protective against psychotic behaviors. Lower education was associated with the presence of distress/tension behaviors. Caucasians showed a higher prevalence of affective behaviors. Functional impairment was strongly associated with all behavioral abnormalities. Amnestic MCI patients had more elation and agitation relative to nonamnestic MCI patients. Conclusions: Younger age, male gender and greater functional impairment were associated with higher overall presence of behavioral abnormalities in MCI and mild AD. Marital status, lower education and race had an effect on selected behaviors.
EXPERIENCES OF GAMMA HYDROXYBUTYRATE (GHB) INGESTION: A FOCUS GROUP STUDY

Abstract GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate) is a significant new drug of abuse added to the United States Controlled Substance Act in 2000. The majority of the published literature on GHB consists of clinical case reports. mainly from emergency departments, and a collection of laboratory-based studies, focused mainly on anesthesia. While comments about the various experiences and behaviors of human users are often included in such studies or reports, these aspects of GHB are only just beginning to be systematically investigated or detailed. Reported here are data from a qualitative study using focus group methods on the consumption habits. experiences, and beliefs of GHB users. A total of 51 people, 30 men and 21 women, mean age of 31.1±7.6 years (range 18 to 52 years), who report having used GHB for an average of 4.3±2.5 years (range one to II years), were interviewed in 10 separate groups held in 2004. This article discusses broadly the general experience of the GHB high, major perceived benefits including sex...
Coarse-Graining Approach to Infer Mesoscale Interaction Potentials from Atomistic Interactions for Aggregating Systems

A coarse-graining (CG) approach is developed to infer mesoscale interaction potentials in aggregating systems, resulting in an improved potential of mean force for Langevin dynamics (LD) and Browni...
Outsmarting Terrorists in Turkey

This article describes preliminary findings of a research project on the attractiveness of targets for terrorist attacks in Istanbul, Turkey. Like crime, terrorist attacks can be prevented by reducing opportunities through situational prevention. We apply a target rating system developed by Clarke and Newman (2006), EVIL DONE, to targets in Istanbul. Targets were rated by analysts in the Turkish National Police Anti-terrorism department. Ratings were applied by analysts specializing in different terror groups, producing broadly similar results. Subsequent research will apply the rating retrospectively to a larger number of attacked premises to further assess the utility of the rating system.
One-Loop Renormalizability of Pure Supergravity and of Maxwell-Einstein Theory in Extended Supergravity

It is shown that the four-particle $S$ matrix of pure supergravity and of the recently constructed theory of extended supergravity with O(2) internal symmetry is one-loop finite. An explicit calculation of photon-photon scattering confirms this latter result.
Electron microscopic study of involuting thymus of "lethargic" mutant mice.

The thymus, which undergoes spontaneous involution three weeks after birth in “lethargic” mutant mice, was studied by electron microscopy. Ultrastructural alterations observed in the involuting thymus of “lethargic” mice resemble those of acute thymic involution induced by the administration of adrenal corticosteroids. The responsive cells in thymic involution of “lethargic” mice were cortical thymocytes, macrophages, and epithelial cells. The first indication of the involution was the appearance of a large number of degenerating thymocytes in the cortex. Pyknotic nuclei of degenerating thymocytes were observed within the macrophages. Macrophages of the involuting thymus were characterized by their content of thymocyte pyknotic nuclei as well as a variety of cytoplasmic inclusions. Cytoplasmic inclusions were also found in the epithelial cells. The inclusions were of two different types: (a) tonofibrils in markedly increased numbers in relation to a non-involuted thymus, and (b) large vacuoles with dense bodies and/or myelin figures, as found in a normal cell, but several times the number one would expect to find. A large number of lipid-laden cells were found in the involuted thymus. This type of cell was not seen in the normal thymus. Numerous Hassall's corpuscles were also found in the involuted thymus of “lethargic” mice.
Hyperammonemic Encephalopathy due to Valproic Acid and Topiramate Interaction

Valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy is a rare yet serious adverse drug reaction. Medication interactions such a valproic acid and topiramate can precipitate an event. We present the case of a 52-year-old female that presented with acute mental status change and hypersomnolence due to hyperammonemia caused by a valproic acid derivative. The patient improved after withdrawal of the offending medications and treatment with lactulose. Clinicians should remain hypervigilant in monitoring for valproic acid-induced hyperammonemic encephalopathy and risk factors such as polypharmacy.
Liquid Crystalline Supra-Nonlinear Optical Metamaterials with Tunable Negative-, Zero- and Positive- Refractive Indices

We demonstrate by theory and experiments the feasibility of realizing liquid crystalline supra-nonlinear optical metamaterials with tunable negative-zero-positive refractive indices and nonlinear coefficient far exceeding 1 cm2/W in the visible - infrared regime.
Differential actions of lamprey peptide methionine-tyrosine at Y1 and Y2 neuropeptide Y receptors.

Abstract Peptide methionine-tyrosine (PMY), a peptide of the neuropeptide Y (NPY) superfamily isolated from the brain and intestine of the sea lamprey, had the same maximum effect but was 11-fold less potent than pig NPY in inhibiting field-stimulated contraction of the rat vas deferens, an effect mediated through the Y 2 receptor. In contrast, PMY produced a 9-fold greater maximum effect but was 3-fold less potent than pig NPY in contracting the guinea pig mesenteric artery, an effect mediated through the Y 1 receptor. Molecular modelling has suggested that the conformation of PMY is appreciably different from NPY only in the β-turn region of the molecule (residues 9–14). Our data suggest, therefore, that modifications in this region of NPY may useful in the design of receptor selective analogs.
Validating an operational physical method to compute surface radiation from geostationary satellites

Models to compute global horizontal irradiance (GHI) and direct normal irradiance (DNI) have been in development over the last three decades. These models can be classified as empirical or physical based on the approach. Empirical models relate ground-based observations with satellite measurements and use these relations to compute surface radiation. Physical models consider the physics behind the radiation received at the satellite and create retrievals to estimate surface radiation. While empirical methods have been traditionally used for computing surface radiation for the solar energy industry, the advent of faster computing has made operational physical models viable. The Global Solar Insolation Project (GSIP) is a physical model that computes DNI and GHI using the visible and infrared channel measurements from a weather satellite. GSIP uses a two-stage scheme that first retrieves cloud properties and uses those properties in a radiative transfer model to calculate GHI and DNI. Developed for polar orbiting satellites, GSIP has been adapted to NOAA's Geostationary Operation Environmental Satellite series and can run operationally at high spatial resolutions. This method holds the possibility of creating high quality datasets of GHI and DNI for use by the solar energy industry. We present an outline of the methodology and results from running the model as well as a validation study using ground-based instruments.
A micromethod for the estimation of free and combined cholesterol using the monolayer film technic.

Recently, a method has been developed for estimating lipids by measuring the spread of these compounds as a monolayer film on water under controlled conditions (1-3). This method has the advantage of simplicity, sensitivity, and speed. In this paper a modification of this technic for the estimation of free and combined cholesterol in samples as small as 0.1 ml. of blood or serum is considered. The method may be adapted, as well, to other tissues.
Synthesis of 3,9b‐dihydro‐5H‐pyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoindoles and 3,5,6,10b‐tetrahydropyrrolo[2,1‐a]isoquinolines with 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reactions

The title classes of compounds have been prepared using a sequence of two ring-forming reactions. Initial 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition with an azomethine ylide gave N-acylated 3-pyrrolines which were further elaborated to the target compounds by a tandem deprotection/cyclization reaction.
Essential Role for Mitogen-activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Phosphatase-1 in Stress-responsive MAP Kinase and Cell Survival Signaling

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatases (MKPs) constitute a family of 11 dual-specificity phosphatases that inactivate the MAPKs by dephosphorylation. Although the contribution of MAPKs to cell growth and cell death has been examined extensively, it remains unclear whether MKPs play an essential role in the regulation of these processes. To clarify the role of MKP-1, we determined the effects on the MAPKs and cell growth and death in primary fibroblasts derived from mice lacking MKP-1. Here we have shown that MKP-1 is critical for the inactivation of p38 MAPK and JNK following stimulation with serum, anisomycin, and osmotic stress. In addition, MKP-1 was identified as a critical negative regulator of the cAMP-mediated p38 MAPK pathway. MKP-1-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) displayed enhanced p38 MAPK activity and cAMP-response element-dependent transcriptional activation in response to forskolin. Surprisingly, MKP-1-deficient fibroblasts exhibited reduced cell growth compared with wild type MEFs as a result of enhanced cell death. The enhanced level of cell death in MKP-1-deficient MEFs was rescued by SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK. MKP-1-deficient MEFs were also sensitive to anisomycin-induced apoptosis. Collectively, these data demonstrate that MKP-1 promotes cell survival by attenuating stress-responsive MAPK-mediated apoptosis.
Protective effect of amiloride during hypothermic hyperkalemic preservation: A 31P NMR study in isolated pig hearts

To assess the possible role of Na + /H + exchange in ischemia-reflow damage during cold preservation, pig hearts retrogradely perfused with Krebs—Henseleit (KH) bicarbonate buffer were arrested by increasing [K + ] (to 17 m m ), cooled (10°C) and subjected to no flow ischemia for 15 h in the absence (C, n = 5) and in the presence of 0.5 m m amiloride (A, n = 5). A was added 7 min prior to ischemia and removed after 3 min reflow. 31 P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra were continuously acquired and functional indices were assessed prior to and after ischemia. Before reflow, the levels of phosphocreatine (PCr), ATP, inorganic phosphate (Pi) + phosphomonoesters (PME) and cytosolic pH in C and A did not differ: C, 12 ± 7, 56 ± 13, 427 ± 75% of initial and 5.90±0.20; A, 15±4, 82±21, 371±60% and 5.90±0.19, respectively; no contracture occurred. Upon reflow with hyperkalemic buffer PCr recovery in A-treated hearts was greater than in C (73±21 v 49±13%, P 2 ) was higher in A than in C (79±18 v 59±6%, P v 38±11% in C) and LVEDP (16±11 in A v 24±7 mmHg in C) did not reach statistically significant levels. Adjusting LVEDP in both groups to the same levels (19±6 v 21±9 mmHg in C) by changing balloon volume resulted in significant difference in PRP (61±19% v 42±6% in C, P v 57±11 mmHg/(ml/min g), P =0.04). To estimate contractile and metabolic reserves post-ischemic hearts were challenged by increasing [Ca 2+ ] in the perfusate from 1.0 to 1.6 m m . PRP and VO 2 increased; PRP reached 71±32 (A) and 54±10% (C) and VO 2 remained higher in A: 90±16 (A) v 62±4% (C) ( P =0.01) of preischemic levels. We suggest that Na + /H + exchange may contribute to ischemia-reflow damage during cold preservation of isolated pig hearts.
A hydrogen-bonded 'trimer' of two symmetric dipyridones.

The isomers 3,3′-(1,2-ethynediyl)­bis­(2-pyridone), (I), and 6,6′-(1,2-ethyne­diyl)­bis­(2-pyridone), (II), were designed to form a hydrogen-bonded pair through alignment of their complementary cyclic lactam moieties. Instead, an equimolar mixture of (I) and (II) dissolved in methanol produced crystals of 3,3′-(1,2-ethynediyl)­bis(2-pyridone)–6,6′-(1,2-ethynediyl)­bis(2-py­ri­done)–methanol (1/2/2), 0.5C12H8N2O2·C12H8N2O2·CH4O, in which one mol­ecule of (I), situated at a center of symmetry, is hydrogen bonded to two mol­ecules of (II) and to two mol­ecules of methanol.
Proton pump inhibitors and histamine 2 blockers are associated with improved overall survival in patients with head and neck squamous carcinoma

It has been postulated that gastroesophageal reflux plays a role in the etiology of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) and contributes to complications after surgery or during radiotherapy. Antacid medications are commonly used in patients with HNSCC for the management of acid reflux; however, their relationship with outcomes has not been well studied. Associations between histamine receptor-2 antagonists (H2RA) and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) use and treatment outcomes were determined in 596 patients with previously untreated HNSCC enrolled in our SPORE epidemiology program from 2003 to 2008 (median follow-up 55 months). Comprehensive clinical information was entered prospectively in our database. Risk strata were created on the basis of possible confounding prognostic variables (age, demographics, socioeconomics, tumor stage, primary site, smoking status, HPV16 status, and treatment modality); correlations within risk strata were analyzed in a multivariable model. Patients taking antacid medications had significantly better overall survival (OS; PPI alone: P
Combined sewer overflow control using storage in seawater

Abstract This paper describes the flow balance method facility (FBM) used to control a combined sewer overflow (CSO) and a statistically based efficiency evaluation for the system. The FBM uses containment within a receiving water body (in this case seawater) to store CSO followed by pumpback to the wastewater treatment plant for treatment. The efficiency evaluation uses a mass balance incorporating measured specific conductivity and flow volumes with their probability distributions in a Monte Carlo model to calculate probable volumes of seawater in the pumpback and hence efficiency of the system. The methods described in the paper refer to phase 1 and form the basis for monitoring phase 2 of the project. Important aspects of this analysis for phase 2 of the FBM demonstration included: confirmation of the reliability of specific conductivity to determine the volume of seawater in the pumpback; an indication of the sensitivity of the predicted efficiency to variation in the parameters used; and therefore, identification of the relative importance of the different data distributions to allow more effective data collection in phase 2.
Pediatric histiocytoses in the United States: incidence and outcomes

Abstract Background Histiocytoses are rare disorders affecting the pediatric population. Materials and methods Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was searched for pediatric cases ( Results A total of 828 cases were identified. Overall incidence was 0.142/100,000 persons per annum. Incidence was highest in younger children and those of Asian or Native American descent. Class III disease had a higher incidence versus class I. Adolescents tended to present with class III, whereas young children presented with class I. Disseminated disease was present in most cases of class III, whereas class I had more localized cases. Surgical excision was more likely to be performed in class I. Overall median survival was 349 mo. Patients 15–19 y old and children Conclusions Class I disease had localized cases and showed benefit from surgical intervention. Class III disease had a higher incidence and was associated with disseminated disease and lower survival. Radiation therapy did not affect survival. Overall survival increased over the previous 40 y.
Continuous production of acetate by Clostridium thermoaceticum in a cell-recycle membrane bioreactor

Abstract A mutant strain of Clostridium thermoaceticum was studied in a cell-recycle membrane bioreactor for production of acetate from glucose. With 20–30 g l −1 glucose in the feed and a cell concentration of 5 g l −1 , dilution rates up to 0.25 h −1 resulted in complete utilization of substrate, resulting in a productivity of 4 g l −1 h −1 and acetate concentration of 16 g l −1 in the broth. This productivity was 10-fold higher than that of the batch fermenter. Higher cell concentrations allowed higher glucose concentrations to be used, resulting in acetate concentrations of 44 g l −1 (52.5 g l −1 Na acetate) in the fermentation broth, although the dilution rate had to be lowered to 0.01 h −1 . High dilution rates resulted in lactate accumulation and a decrease in yield of acetate. The membrane bioreactor was run continuously under varying operating conditions for 54 days without any significant problems.
The Human and Ethical Aspects of Big Data

Every line of code represents a moral decision; every bit of data collected, analyzed, and visualized has moral implications. The Web extra at http://youtu.be/iY7mU1mtQ08 is an audio podcast of author Grady Booch reading his On Computing column, in which he discusses how every line of code represents a moral decision and how every bit of data collected, analyzed, and visualized has moral implications.
Agonist-Antagonist Actions and Stereoselectivity of Optical Pairs of Some N-substituted α-N-Normetazocines

α-(-)-, (+)-, and (−)-N-4-Methylpentyl-, (-)- and (+)-N-cis-3-chloroallyl-, and (-)- and (+)-N-propynyl-N-normetazocine (I, II, and III, respectively) have been prepared from α-(-)-, (+)-, and (−)-N-normetazocine (IV) and tested for antinociceptive activity in mice and in morphine-dependent rhesus monkeys. The results obtained with Ia and b somewhat resemble the results obtained with the corresponding phenazocine isomers, whereas those observed with IIa and b more nearly correspond with those reported for (+)- and (-)-N-allyl-N-normetazocine (SKF 10,047; NANM). The propynyl isomers (IIIa and b) display profiles of activity more closely like the corresponding isomers of metazocine. Evidence is considered which suggests that some of the (+)-isomers merit closer scrutiny in animal and human studies.
CYP19A1 single nucleotide polymorphism associations with CYP19A1, NFκB1, and IL6 gene expression in human normal colon and normal liver samples

BACKGROUND Estrogen is known to decrease the risk of colon cancer in postmenopausal women, and may exert its actions by decreasing interleukin-6 (IL6) production via stabilization of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB). Estrogens are biosynthesized by CYP19A1 (aromatase), so it is possible that genetic variations in CYP19A1 influences the risk of colon cancer by altering expression of CYP19A1. Further, studies on gene-gene interactions suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms in one gene may affect expression of other genes. The current study aims to explore the role of CYP19A1 single nucleotide polymorphisms on CYP19A1, NFκB1 and IL6 gene expression. METHODS Phenotype-genotype associations, cross-associations between genes, and haplotype analyses were performed in both normal human colon (n=82) and liver (n=238) samples. RESULTS CYP19A1 rs10459592, rs1961177, and rs6493497 were associated with CYP19A1 expression in colon samples (P=0.042, P=0.041, and P=0.013, respectively). CYP19A1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs12908960, rs730154, rs8025191, and rs17523880) were correlated with NFκB1 expression (P=0.047, P=0.04, P=0.05, and P=0.03, respectively), and CYP19A1 rs11856927, rs2470152, and rs2470144 (P=0.049, P=0.025, P=0.047, respectively) were associated with IL6 expression in the colon. While rs730154 and rs17523880 could not be analyzed in the liver samples, none of the other associations with the colon were replicated in the liver samples. Haplotype analysis revealed three separate haplotypes of the CYP19A1 single nucleotide polymorphism that were significantly associated with CYP19A1, NFκB1, and IL6 gene expression. CONCLUSION CYP19A1 single nucleotide polymorphisms are associated not only with CYP19A1 expression but also with NFκB1 and IL6 expression. These data demonstrate the possible functional consequences of genetic variation within the CYP19A1 gene on other genes in a biologically plausible pathway.
The United States Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: understanding the real-life circumstances underlying resident complaint data

One of the most important concerns of people living in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, is the quality of care they receive. In the 1970s, recognition of the need for improvements in...
Model estimates of climate controls on pan-Arctic wetland methane emissions

Abstract. Climate factors including soil temperature and moisture, incident solar radiation, and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration are important environmental controls on methane (CH4) emissions from northern wetlands. We investigated the spatiotemporal distributions of the influence of these factors on northern high-latitude wetland CH4 emissions using an enhanced version of the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) land surface model. We simulated CH4 emissions from wetlands across the pan-Arctic domain over the period 1948–2006, yielding annual average emissions of 36.1 ± 6.7 Tg CH4 yr−1 for the period 1997–2006. We characterized historical sensitivities of CH4 emissions to air temperature, precipitation, incident long- and shortwave radiation, and atmospheric [CO2] as a function of average summer air temperature and precipitation. Emissions from relatively warm and dry wetlands in the southern (permafrost-free) portion of the domain were positively correlated with precipitation and negatively correlated with air temperature, while emissions from wetter and colder wetlands further north (permafrost) were positively correlated with air temperature. Over the entire period 1948–2006, our reconstructed CH4 emissions increased by 20 %, the majority of which can be attributed to an increasing trend in summer air temperature. We estimated future emissions in response to 21st century warming as predicted by CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) model projections to result in end-of-century CH4 emissions 38–53 % higher than our reconstructed 1997–2006 emissions, accompanied by the northward migration of warmer and drier than optimal conditions for CH4 emissions, implying a reduced role for temperature in driving future increases in emissions.
General features of lipid organization

Abstract In block systems made of long chair molecules (lipids, detergents, copolymers), attached by one end at an interface, the steric interactions impose a non zero chain alignment even if the chains are very flexible. This may explain why, in recent experiments on deuterated lammellar lipids, the quadrupolar order parameter S appears to be the same for most of the CD2 groups.
When Care Trumps Justice: The Operationalization of Black Feminist Caring in Educational Leadership.

In this study, I discuss the benefits of Black feminist caring (BFC) in educational leadership. I suggest that the ethic of care in educational leadership is a manifestation of strength when serving disadvantaged student populations. This article is based on a qualitative, exploratory, multicase study that examines the ethic of care in the leadership of five African-American women serving in various capacities of educational leadership. This study employs a BFC framework because the women in this study were selected because of their reputation for caring and addresses the following guiding question: how do the African-American women educational leaders in this study operationalize caring? Findings in this study indicate that caring African-American women educational leaders display the characteristics of BFC. Their experience of marginalization stirs empathy and encourages them toward an activist leadership style. As such, they are compelled to act as other mothers and activist risk-takers in their roles ...
Ab initio density functional studies of the restructuring of graphene nanoribbons to form tailored single walled carbon nanotubes

A method based on density functional theory calculations is proposed for the preparation of chiral controlled single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by tailoring the edges of bi-layered graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). We find that armchair edged bi-layered GNRs are highly stable and need to be compressed to overcome the energy barrier to form zigzag SWCNTs, while the zigzag edged bi-layered GNRs are intrinsically highly unstable and immediately form armchair SWCNTs. We have investigated the rehybridization of orbitals of carbon atoms in the process of nanotube formation. Nanotube formation is found to be assisted by the edge ripples along with the intrinsic edge reactivity of different types of bi-layered GNRs. Utilizing these results we show that it may be possible to produce high specificity chiral controlled SWCNTs and pattern them for nanoscale device applications.