cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amyloid β-Protein Assembly: Differential Effects of the Protective A2T Mutation and Recessive A2V Familial Alzheimer’s Disease Mutation

Oligomeric states of the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) appear to be causally related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, two familial mutations in the amyloid precursor protein gene have been described, both resulting in amino acid substitutions at Ala2 (A2) within Aβ. An A2V mutation causes autosomal recessive early onset AD. Interestingly, heterozygotes enjoy some protection against development of the disease. An A2T substitution protects against AD and age-related cognitive decline in non-AD patients. Here, we use ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) to examine the effects of these mutations on Aβ assembly. These studies reveal different assembly pathways for early oligomer formation for each peptide. A2T Aβ42 formed dimers, tetramers, and hexamers, but dodecamer formation was inhibited. In contrast, no significant effects on Aβ40 assembly were observed. A2V Aβ42 also formed dimers, tetramers, and hexamers, but it did not form dodecamers. However, A2V Aβ42 formed trimers, unlike A2T or wild-type (wt) Aβ42. In addition, the A2V substitution caused Aβ40 to oligomerize similar to that of wt Aβ42, as evidenced by the formation of dimers, tetramers, hexamers, and dodecamers. In contrast, wt Aβ40 formed only dimers and tetramers. These results provide a basis for understanding how these two mutations lead to, or protect against, AD. They also suggest that the Aβ N-terminus, in addition to the oft discussed central hydrophobic cluster and C-terminus, can play a key role in controlling disease susceptibility.
Beyond manipulation : Lillian Gilbreth's industrial psychology and the governmentality of women consumers

Critical social histories of consumption often attribute the rise of consumer culture largely to the success of advertising and marketing while leaving unexplored a wide range of consumer education practices that aimed not to minimize but to maximize thoughtful consumer conduct. In this article I move beyond the manipulation hypothesis that I find embedded in these critical histories in order to investigate how one woman's consumer education practices contributed toward a discourse and subjectivity for the modem, urban, middle-class woman consumer. Lillian Gilbreth (1878–1972) developed her own psychology of work satisfaction as a scientific management consultant in the 1910s and applied this industrial psychology to women consumers in the late 1920s. Michel Foucault's image of “government” as “the conduct of conduct,” along with newer lines of analysis developed by scholars interested in governmentality, provide useful tools for showing how Gilbreth attempted to make women into careful organizers of fami...
Adrenal function testing in pediatric cancer survivors.

Background Central adrenal insufficiency is observed after cranial radiation therapy for cancer. Screening at risk patients is recommended, but the best screening strategy is unknown. Methods A retrospective review of pediatric cancer survivors who underwent hypothalamic/pituitary/adrenal axis testing was conducted. Data included: cancer diagnosis, radiotherapy dose, other endocrinopathies, and adrenal function testing. Adrenal testing included sequential low-dose corticotropin test (LDCT) and standard-dose corticotropin test (SDCT). 8 a.m. serum cortisol levels were compared to LDCT results. LDCT results were compared by radiotheroapy dose and according to the presence of endocrine comorbidities. Results Seventy-eight subjects (56% male, mean age at diagnosis 6.5 years) underwent testing. 67.9% had been treated with radiotherapy to the hypothalamus/pituitary. Mean time to diagnosis of adrenal insufficiency was 6.8 years after cancer diagnosis. Adequate adrenal function was found in 65% of patients by LDCT and 89% by SDCT. Only 21% of patients had basal serum cortisols collected at 8 a.m. Agreement between 8 a.m. baseline cortisol and LDCT was fair. Agreement between random baseline cortisol and LDCT was poor. Prevalence of central adrenal insufficiency diagnosed by LDCT increased with radiotherapy dose (8% for 10–19.9 Gy; 83% for ≥40 Gy) and the number of endocrine comorbidities. Conclusions In pediatric cancer survivors, central adrenal insufficiency was common even in patients receiving 30 Gy of radiotherapy and those with other central endocrinopathies. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009; 53:1302–1307. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Abstract 3391: Alteration of mammary tumor cell behavior by FLIZ1

Fetal liver zinc finger protein (FLIZ1, ZC3H8) was previously described as a negative regulator of GATA3 expression in T cells. GATA3 also is an important determinant of mammary cell fate and breast tumor cell behavior. We hypothesized that FLIZ1 also regulates GATA3 in the mammary gland, thereby influencing normal and tumor cell processes controlled by GATA3. We identified tumor cell lines with high levels of FLIZ1 expression, and transfected them with vectors driving expression of FLIZ1-interfering RNAs. Stable transfectants (Flizout cells) were evaluated for ability to migrate in a wound healing assay, and were found to have decreased mobility. Flizout cells also grew more slowly and with more pronounced epithelial morphology in media containing charcoal-stripped serum, suggesting increased dependence on steroid hormones. Flizout cells were compared to control cells in proliferation assays, and were found to grow at equivalent rates in standard media, but Flizout cells grew at decreased rates in the presence of tamoxifen. We implanted Flizout cells and controls into the mammary glands of syngeneic female mice, which were then treated with tamoxifen or peanut oil vehicle alone. Flizout cells grew more slowly in tamoxifen-treated animals, and tissue weights were significantly less than controls. In order to determine if FLIZ1 plays a role in the normal mammary gland, we assessed its expression during stages of mouse mammary gland development by immunoblot, and found FLIZ1 expression increased during mammary involution. These data are consistent with a role for FLIZ1 in regulation of mammary cell growth and tumor cell behavior. Citation Format: Torri Anderson, Christopher Cali, Katherine Bell, Keith G. Danielson, Ashley Klein, Christina Martin, Sara Radecki, Adam Santoro, John A. Schmidt, Janice E. Knepper. Alteration of mammary tumor cell behavior by FLIZ1. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3391. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3391
Self Processes in Adolescent Depression: The Role of Self-Worth Contingencies.

Although biased self-evaluation is a component of several disorders, most measures focus on the content of self-concepts or level of self-worth rather than the process by which self-worth is maintained. This longitudinal study examines the distinctive role of self-worth contingencies—the extent to which adolescents link self-worth to external feedback and success in four domains (social, academic, activities, and appearance) in the development of depressive symptoms among a sample of 110 adolescents (age mean=13.62, SD=.52; 58.2% girls). Contingencies predicted change in depressive symptoms over time, but depressive symptoms did not predict change in contingencies over time. This pattern did not hold for the association between self-worth and depression. Findings provide support for contingencies as a predictor, rather than a symptom, of depressive symptoms among adolescents. Evaluation of contingencies as a diathesis revealed an interaction effect for the social, but not academic domain. The findings have implications self-worth contingencies as an important cognitive vulnerability to depressive symptoms during adolescence.
Transmission of lymphoid leukaemia in new-born rats.

CELL suspensions from leukaemic tissues of the AKR strain of mice were transplanted into new-born Wistar rats1. Two consecutive intraperitoneal or intravenous injections, spaced one week apart, resulted in deaths from leukaemia of 40–50 per cent of the recipients. Two morphological variants of lymphoid leukaemia, ‘early’ and ‘late’ forms, were observed in the inoculated rats. The early leukaemias caused deaths within 4–8 weeks post partum by a rapid intra-abdominal or systemic proliferation of the injected leukaemic cells. The onset of late leukaemias was delayed to 12–24 weeks following injections. Morphologically, late leukaemias manifested as thymic lymphosarcomata followed by the appearance of primitive blast or lymphoid cells in the peripheral blood, hepatosplenomegaly and leukaemic lymphadenopathy. Subsequent transplantation assays disclosed a most interesting difference between the early and late leukaemias. Cell suspensions from early leukaemias were readily back-transplantable from the rat to young adult AKR mice. In contrast, grafts from late leukaemias failed to grow in similar AKR recipients but were fatal to new-born or weanling rats within 2–3 weeks after one intraperitoneal injection. Thus, late leukaemias were antigenically of the recipient rather than donor type. These different biological properties of the leukaemic cells suggested a differing aetiology in the two forms. Late leukaemias were considered viral neoplasms possibly caused by the leukaemogenic agent present in leukaemic tissues of AKR mice2. To substantiate this hypothesis several criteria must be fulfilled, such as: (a) induction of lymphoid leukaemia in rats by filtrates from either AKR leukaemic tissues or induced leukaemias of the C3H-strain; (b) transmissibility of the induced leukaemias by cell-free extracts in rats; (c) a very low spontaneous incidence of lymphoid leukaemia in rats to exclude acceleration of an inherent leukaemic potential. This communication is concerned with attempts to transmit late leukaemias in rats by serial cell-free passages.
Development of an Experimental Database and Kinetic Models for Surrogate Diesel Fuels

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations that include realistic combustion/emissions chemistry hold the promise of significantly shortening the development time for advanced high-efficiency, low-emission engines. However, significant challenges must be overcome to realize this potential. This paper discusses these challenges in the context of diesel combustion and outlines a technical program based on the use of surrogate fuels that sufficiently emulate the chemical complexity inherent in conventional diesel fuel. The essential components of such a program are discussed and include: (a) surrogate component selection; (b) the acquisition or estimation of requisite elementary chemical kinetic, thermochemical, and physical property data; (c) the development of accurate predictive chemical kinetic models, together with the measurement of the necessary fundamental laboratory data to validate these mechanisms; and (d) mechanism reduction tools to render the coupled chemistry/flow calculations feasible. In parallel to these efforts, the need exists to develop similarly robust models for fuel injection and spray processes involving multicomponent mixtures of wide distillation character, as well as methodologies to include all of these high fidelity submodels in computationally efficient CFD tools. Near- and longerterm research plans are proposed based on an application target of premixed diesel combustion. In the near term, the recommended surrogate components include n-decane, iso-octane, methylcyclohexane, and toluene. For the longer term, n-hexadecane, heptamethylnonane, n-decylbenzene, and 1-methylnaphthalene are proposed.
SiO(g) formation from SiC in mixed oxidizing-reducing gases

The formation of SiO(g) from SiC by either active oxidation or an oxidation-reduction process is discussed. The Wagner criterion for the transition from active to passive oxidation is generalized for any oxidant. Kinetic modeling of both active oxidation and oxidation-reduction is described.
The long‐term management of ulcerative colitis

Summary After the induction of remission, the second priority of therapy for ulcerative colitis is sustained clinical remission, defined as the absence of inflammatory symptoms (diarrhoea, bleeding, rectal urgency) and the maintenance of an intact mucosa, with the absence of ulcers, friability or significant granularity at endoscopy. The ‘optimal’ maintenance strategy will depend on the therapy needed to induce remission. Thus, the transition from induction to maintenance therapy will be determined by the intensity of acute therapy necessary to induce remission and the duration of therapy required to complete the resolution of clinical symptoms. There are few controlled clinical trials pertaining to maintenance after each induction regimen. However, experience dictates that aminosalicylates are efficacious after aminosalicylate-induced remissions, that steroids should be tapered according to the time required to induce remission, that patients requiring ciclosporin will benefit from the addition of long-term immunomodulation with azathioprine or mercaptopurine, and that many patients with distal colitis who require topical mesalazine (mesalamine) will continue to need topical therapy to maintain remission, albeit at reduced frequency. The expectations for maintenance therapy require patient adherence to the prescribed treatment regimen. Patients require education with regard to the long-term goals of maintenance therapy (e.g. prevention of relapse, reduction of long-term complications of disease activity or risks of acute therapy with steroids), and should be warned against the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cautioned about the cessation of smoking, when applicable, due to potential risks of relapse or chronic activity.
Enhanced noscapine delivery using uPAR-targeted optical-MR imaging trackable nanoparticles for prostate cancer therapy.

Abstract The tubulin-binding anticancer activity of noscapine, an orally available plant-derived anti-tussive alkaloid, has been recently identified. Noscapine inhibits tumor growth in nude mice bearing human xenografts of hematopoietic, breast, lung, ovarian, brain and prostate origin. Despite its nontoxic attributes, significant elimination of the disease has not been achieved, perhaps since the bioavailability of noscapine to tumors saturates at an oral dose of 300 mg/kg body weight. To enable the selective and specific delivery of noscapine to prostate cancer cells, we have engineered a multifunctional nanoscale delivery vehicle that takes advantage of urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) overexpression in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate epithelia and can be tracked by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and near-infrared (NIR) imaging. Specifically, we employed the human-type 135 amino-acid amino-terminal fragment (hATF) of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), a high-affinity natural ligand for uPAR. Noscapine (Nos) was efficiently adsorbed onto the amphiphilic polymer coating of uPAR-targeted nanoparticles (NPs). Nos-loaded NPs were uniformly compact-sized, stable at physiological pH and efficiently released the drug at pH 4 to 5 within a span of 4 h. Our results demonstrate that these uPAR-targeted NPs were capable of binding to the receptor and were internalized by PC-3 cells. uPAR-targeted Nos-loaded NPs enhanced intracellular noscapine accumulation as evident by the ~ 6-fold stronger inhibitory effect on PC-3 growth compared to free noscapine. In addition, Nos-loaded iron oxide NPs maintained their T2 MRI contrast effect upon internalization into tumor cells owing to their significant susceptibility effect in cells. Thus, our data provide compelling evidence that these optically and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-trackable uPAR-targeted NPs may offer a great potential for image-directed targeted delivery of noscapine for the management of prostate cancer.
Development and application of very high temperature mass spectrometry. Vapor pressure determinations over liquid refractories

Existing thermodynamic and vaporization data for liquid refractories are based either on estimates or on data extrapolated from studies on the solids obtained at much lower temperatures. Previously, we have shown that pulsed laser heating, coupled with time-dependent mass spectrometry of the free-expansion vapor plume, can be used for semi-quantitative measurements of vaporization thermochemistry. The present work extends this approach with the development of (a) more direct, and more accurate, methods for determining the system temperature and pressure; (b) improved experimental and theoretical determinations of key parameters such as ionization cross sections: and (c) improved characterization of the gas dynamic expansion and thermal equilibration processes. Example material systems considered include C, SiC, Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 -7% Y 2 O 3 , and Y 2 O 3 at temperatures and total pressures typically in the range of 3000 to 5000 K and 0.01 to 10 bar, respectively (1 bar = 10 5 Nm - 2 ).
Percutaneous gastrojejunostomy versus Nissen fundoplication for enteral feeding of the neurologically impaired child with gastroesophageal reflux.

To determine the optimal method of providing enteral feeding to neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux, Nissen fundoplication with simultaneous gastrostomy tube placement (NGT) was compared with anterograde percutaneous gastrojejunostomy (APGJ), a nonsurgical procedure performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The records of 112 neurologically impaired children with gastroesophageal reflux were retrospectively reviewed; 68 had undergone NGT and 44 APGJ. Follow-up data were avallable for 45 NGT patients (mean age, 6.4 years) and 34 APGJ patients (mean age, 7.9 years). Mean follow-up was 1.8 years in the NGT group and 2.5 years in the APGJ group. Complications resulting from either procedure were classified either as major, which included treatment failures or morbidity resulting in prolonged hospitalization, or as minor, those requiring outpatient treatment only or not directly caused by the procedure. The NGT group had a significantly higher incidence of major complications in comparison with the APGJ group (33.3% vs 11.8%, p p =not significant). No death occurred within 30 days of either procedure. We conclude that APGJ is a safe alternative method for feeding the neurologically impaired child with gastroesophageal reflux.
Gender Differences in Risk of Bloodstream and Surgical Site Infections

BACKGROUND Identifying patients most at risk for hospital- and community-associated infections is one essential strategy for preventing infections.
Ferulic acid: a substrate for two isoperoxidases from Nicotiana tabacum tissue cultures

Abstract An anodic isoperoxidase (A 2 ) from tobacco tissue culture W-38 and a cathodic isoperoxidase (C 4 ) from tobacco tissue suspension culture WR-132 have been separated and characterized. Both isoperoxidases catalysed oxidation of ferulic acid in the presence of H 2 O 2 . When the reaction mixture was subjected to TLC, ferulic acid was found to have been converted to an unknown compound which, after treatment with ammonia, fluoresces green in UV light. Both the isoperoxidases A 2 and C 4 appear to follow simple Michaelis-Menten kinetics with respect to guaiacol as the substrate. The K m s for guaiacol are 4 and 4·5 mM for isoperoxidases C 4 and A 2 , respectively. The pH optimum for both enzymes is about 6·0. The effect of various phenolic and related compounds on the activity of each isoperoxidase is reported and discussed.
Confocal imaging of benign and malignant proliferative skin lesions in vivo

Near-infrared confocal reflectance microscopy (CM) provides non- invasive real-time images of thin en-face tissue sections with high resolution and contrast. Imaging of cells, nuclei, other organelles, microvessels, and hair follicles has been possible at resolution comparable to standard histology, to a maximum depth of 250-300 μm in human skin in vivo. We have characterized psoriasis as a prototype of benign proliferative skin conditions, and non-pigmented skin malignancies in vivo based on their unstained, native histologic features using CM. Our data shows that reflectance CM may potentially diagnose and morphometrically evaluate proliferative skin lesions in vivo.
Synthesis and properties of a new fluorescent analog of ATP: Adenosine-5′-triphosphoro-γ-1-(5-sulfonic acid) napthylamidate

Abstract An analog of ATP has been synthesized which contains the fluorophore, 1-aminonapthalene-5-sulfonate attached via a γ-phosphoamidate bond. This analog is strongly fluorescent (quantum yield = 0.63) with an emission maximum at 460 nm; the excited state lifetime is 20 nsec. It is a substrate for DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of E. coli and wheat germ RNA polymerase II. It is also a substrate for E. coli valyl t-RNA synthetase, venom phosphodiesterase, and potato apyrase. Cleavage of the α-β phosphoryl bond as a result of RNA synthesis or by venom phosphodiesterase produces a 15 nm red shift in the fluorescence emission spectrum. This property should make this nucleotide useful for studies of the mechanisms of enzymatic reactions involving cleavage of the α-β phosphoryl bond.
Parametric Mass Modeling for Mars Entry, Descent and Landing System Analysis Study

This paper provides an overview of the parametric mass models used for the Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems Analysis study conducted by NASA in FY2009-2010. The study examined eight unique exploration class architectures that included elements such as a rigid mid-L/D aeroshell, a lifting hypersonic inflatable decelerator, a drag supersonic inflatable decelerator, a lifting supersonic inflatable decelerator implemented with a skirt, and subsonic/supersonic retro-propulsion. Parametric models used in this study relate the component mass to vehicle dimensions and mission key environmental parameters such as maximum deceleration and total heat load. The use of a parametric mass model allows the simultaneous optimization of trajectory and mass sizing parameters.
Analysis of the physiological control of replication of ColE1-type plasmids

The physiology of ColE1-type plasmid replication in a growing host has been examined both theoretically, using computer simulation, and experimentally, by observing replication of the plasmid pBR322 after a nutritional shift-up from glycerol minimal medium (doubling time 71 min) to LB medium (doubling time 24 min). The theory was based on a negative control model and uses three rate equations: for the accumulation of cell mass, for the accumulation of the replication inhibitor, and for the rate of plasmid synthesis. The implications of the theory were explored by simulating the effects of changes in the expression of replication control genes. The nutritional shift-up experiment showed that plasmid replication was blocked immediately after the shift for about half a mass doubling time; after that time, replication rapidly increased until plasmid numbers per unit volume of culture parallelled the increase in culture mass. After the establishment of steady-state growth in the post-shift medium, the plasmid concentration (plasmids per cell mass) was reduced in comparison to pre-shift growth in the same proportion as the culture doubling time. The results showed that plasmid replication factors are under metabolic control and that the changes in the control of these factors compensate one another during steady-state growth, but not immediately after the medium shift.
Does the Multiple Marker Screening Test Identify Chromosomal Abnormalities in the First Trimester

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the multiple marker screening test (MMST) might be used as a screening test to detect chromosomal abnormalities during the first trimester. We p...
Salt effects on germination, emergence, and seedling mortality of onion

Germination exceeded 80% within 10 d at solution salinity of 20 dS m −1 or less. cultivar effects on germination appeared initially, but diminished after approximately 1 wk. Seedling emergence from potted and subirrigated loamy sand declined significantly when salinity of irrigation water exceeded 4.9 dS m −1 . This decline was apparently caused by hypocotyl mortality when the cotyledon came into contact with the salts accumulated at the soil surface, but not by reduced seed germination
Baddeleyite inclusion in the Martha's Vineyard tektite

Abstract -The Martha's Vineyard tektite is an enigmatic specimen that is unique in two ways. It is the only specimen from the island of Martha's Vineyard, and it contains an inclusion of baddeleyite, monoclinic ZrO 2 . Baddeleyite defects are well known in artificial glass and have recently been observed in impactite. This is its first occurrence in a tektite. The baddeleyite inclusion was identified by the use of reflected light microscopy, electron microscopy, and electron microprobe studies. This data is sufficient to establish the identification, even though it was not possible to study the inclusion in thin-section or to obtain an X-ray diffraction pattern. The morphology of the inclusion is discussed and shown to be different than that for baddeleyite inclusions reported in impactite. The presence of baddeleyite in the Martha's Vineyard tektite suggests another similarity between tektites and impactites.
PCG-based game design: enabling new play experiences through procedural content generation

This paper discusses the concept of procedural content generation-based (PCG-based) game design as a way to create new kinds of playable experiences. We examine the different ways that PCG is currently used in games, and how that use impacts the meaning of the game and the player's experience. Finally, we discuss the design and implementation of an experimental PCG-based 2D platformer called Rathenn, which provides the player with control over the level they are playing while they explore both the physical and generative spaces of the game.
Effect of Cenosphere Fly Ash on the Thermal, Mechanical, and Morphological Properties of Rigid PVC Foam Composites

Cenosphere fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion processes of power plants. It is composed of hollow, hard shelled, minute spheres, which are made up of silica, iron, and alumina. In this study, cenosphere fly ash is incorporated into rigid PVC foam to improve thermal and mechanical properties of their composites. Microstructural, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of rigid PVC foam extruded with different loadings of cenosphere fly ash (6, 12, 18phr) are characterized. The measured density of the extruded PVC foam composites increased with cenosphere content, indicating a hindrance to the foaming process. Tensile and flexural mechanical properties improved at higher cenosphere content, while the impact strength decreased at initial loading of 6 phr of cenosphere particles and remained steady at higher loadings. Thermal characterization of the extruded samples showed that glass transition temperature remained almost unaffected, while TGA analysis revealed no change in the initial degradation temperature and significant improvement in the final degradation temperature. Thermo-mechanical properties measured by DMA revealed a remarkable improvement in the viscoelastic properties of the composites reinforced with cenosphere particles. SEM analysis of the composites microstructure confirmed that the cenosphere particles were mechanically interlocked with good interfacial interaction in the PVC matrix.
The importance of platelet-derived serotonin in mediating hepatic regeneration

Platelet-derived serotonin mediates liver regeneration. Lesurtel M, Graf R, Aleil B, Walther DJ, Tian Y, Jochum W, Gachet C, Bader M, Clavien PA. Platelet-derived serotonin mediates liver regeneration. The liver can regenerate its volume after major tissue loss. In a mouse model of liver regeneration, thrombocytopenia, or impaired platelet activity resulted in the failure to initiate cellular proliferation in the liver. Platelets are major carriers of serotonin in the blood. In thrombocytopenic mice, a serotonin agonist reconstituted liver proliferation. The expression of 5-HT2A and 2B subtype serotonin receptors in the liver increased after hepatectomy. Antagonists of 5-HT2A and 2B receptors inhibited liver regeneration. Liver regeneration was also blunted in mice lacking tryptophan hydroxylase 1, which is the rate-limiting enzyme for the synthesis of peripheral serotonin. This failure of regeneration was rescued by reloading serotonin-free platelets with a serotonin precursor molecule. These results suggest that platelet-derived serotonin is involved in the initiation of liver regeneration. [Abstract reproduced by permission of Science 2006;312:104–107].
Effects of ketoconazole on the acquisition of intravenous cocaine self-administration under different feeding conditions in rats.

Rationale: Ketoconazole, an inhibitor of corticosterone synthesis, has been reported to decrease the self-administration of low doses of cocaine and prevent stress-induced reinstatement of cocaine-reinforced behavior in rats. Objectives: The effects of ketoconazole were extended to the acquisition of i.v. cocaine self-administration during food restriction, a form of stress. Food restriction accelerates the acquisition of cocaine self-administration, and the purpose of this experiment was to determine whether ketoconazole would block the food-restriction effect. As control conditions, the effects of ketoconazole on the acquisition of cocaine self-administration in food-satiated rats and acquisition of food-reinforced responding were also evaluated. Methods: Six groups of rats (groups 1–6) were trained to self-administer i.v. cocaine (0.2 mg/kg; groups 1–4) or food pellets (45 mg; groups 5 and 6) under a fixed-ratio 1 (FR 1) schedule. Food availability was restricted to 20 g per day in groups 1, 2, 5, and 6, while groups 3 and 4 were fed ad libitum. Daily sessions included a 6-h autoshaping component followed by a 6-h self-administration component. During autoshaping, 10 infusions or food pellets were delivered each h under a random interval 15-s schedule after extension and retraction of a lever. During self-administration, the lever remained extended and infusions or food pellets were available under an FR 1 schedule. The criterion for acquisition was a 5-day period during which a mean of 100 cocaine infusions or 150 food pellets was obtained during the self-administration component. Rats were given 30 days to reach this criterion. They were pretreated with ketoconazole (25 mg/kg, i.p.; groups 1, 3, and 5) or vehicle (i.p.; groups 2, 4, and 6) 30 min prior to the autoshaping and self-administration components. Results: Pretreatment with ketoconazole decreased both the rate of acquisition of cocaine self-administration and the percentage of rats meeting the acquisition criterion but only under food-restricted conditions. Ketoconazole had no effect on the acquisition of food-reinforced responding. Conclusions: These results extend previous findings of the suppressant effects of ketoconazole on cocaine-reinforced responding in rats to the acquisition of cocaine self-administration using food restriction as a stressor.
System identification for a photodiode-based monitoring system

Abstract A laser-based system to monitor fiber load level in carding has been developed based on silicon PIN-photodiodes. It is desirable to establish more accurately the dynamic characteristics of the sensing system and in particular the interaction between the sensors, the sensing circuitry and the data acquisition equipment. An experimental set up that allows to evaluate the dynamics of the entire monitoring system is here presented, along with experimental results. This set up allows to determine an experimental transfer function and frequency response curves for the sensing system. In addition to this, results from the system identification procedure can be extended to develop a linearized transfer function of the sensor. Additional input-output tests can then be used to determine the parameters of such linear model from an analysis of the impulse response; a linear model of the sensor can then be used on the feedback path of a controller design based on these sensors. This technique can be extended to other processes on which controller design is under consideration and dynamic characteristics of the corresponding sensors are unknown.
On-chip coherent combining of angled-grating broad-area diode lasers

Simultaneous modal control and on-chip coherent combining of broad-area diode lasers have been demonstrated in a novel laser structure which can be expanded to a monolithic coherently combined laser array for high-power high-brightness applications.
Joining advanced ceramics by plastic flow

Al2O3/Y2O3-stabilized ZrC2 (YSZ) and La0.85Sr0.15MnO3 ceramics were joined by plastic deformation at 1200-1350 °C. Pieces were joined directly to each other or with an interlayer. For some of the Al 2 O 3 /YSZ specimens, the interlayer was applied by spraying of powders entrained in an organic vehicle. All final joints were as dense as the host ceramics and generally featured finer grain sizes. When dissimilar compositions were joined, thermal residual stresses were generated. Choice of composition could tailor these stresses and produce joints that were as strong as the surrounding ceramics. Strength of the Al 2 O 3 /YSZ joints and the electrical resistivity of a joint in La 0.85 Sr 0.15 MnO 3 were as good as those of the host ceramics.
An Update on Implementation of Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration under OPA

Abstract This paper is an update and review of natural resource damage assessment (NRDA) and restoration under the US Oil Pollution Act of 1990. The paper is a review and overview of the damage assessment process, as well as descriptions of efforts being taken to further refine that process and encourages more cooperative work in the future. It also presents two case studies (The World Prodigy oil spill that occurred in June of 1989, and restoration projects that began in 1996 and the Lake Barre oil spill which occurred in May of 1997, with restoration projects beginning in the summer of 2000.) demonstrating the current NRDA approach.
An information channel model of a neuron encoder and possible microwave radiation effects on capacity

A popular neuron encoder model is cast into the form of an information channel, and the encoder state is shown to be measured in probability by a Markov chain. Channel capacity of the model is calculated under the assumption that the neuron threshold follows an approximately Gaussian distribution. The model is also shown to be characterized in information theory terms as a finite-state indecomposable channel subject to intersymbol interference and fading. From experiments on snail neurons which were the stimulus for the modelling efforts, the hypothesis is suggested that, to the extent the model captures the actual performance of neurons, microwave radiation could significantly alter the information processing ability of neurons.
Making Meaningful Connections: Interactive Computer Hypertext in Art Education

Abstract When interactive computer technology is used in meaningful and connective ways, it both enhances and provokes the focus and purpose of art instruction and learning to be expansive and personally relevant. In this paper, we describe an approach to interpretation and curriculum design that requires users to make visual and conceptual associations among examples of visual culture, works of art, and content from various disciplines for the purpose of making meaning. A theoretical foundation for using hypertext authoring software to promote an empowering form of art education is provided, as are strategies for constructing rich interpretations of works of art and meaningful curricula. The use of hypertext authoring software by teachers and students to create interactive readings and on-going interpretations makes explicit their function as Type II applications. We believe that better ways of teaching and learning result from such interactive, hypertextual experiences with works of art, as they require...
Elements of Buddhist Economics

Political and social economists are interested in understanding a connection between Buddhism and economics. The link can be found in Buddhist ethics; the resulting economics is both scientific, in the modern American sense, and normative. Buddhist economics may be regarded as syncretic and its principles may have universal application.
Supernova theory and the neutrinos from SN1987a

Abstract A summary of the physical processes occurring in gravitational collapse supernovae is presented. Special emphasis is placed on those areas of nuclear physics in which experimental results will play the biggest role. The character of neutrino emissions in a supernova event is also detailed. Studies of the afternath of a supernova explosion, the birth of a neutron star, are examined: this is the phase in which most of the neutrino emissions occur. Finally, an analysis of the observed neutrino events is presented. The general conclusion is that the standard supernova and neutron star cooling calculations are in remarkably good agreement with experiment. There seems to be no reason to assume the observed bunching in the data is real. The observed low energy neutrinos, and the signal duration of several seconds, attest to the diffusion, not streaming, of the neutrinos from the lepton-rich neutron star. The deduced total energy emitted is about 3 × 10 53 ergs to within 50% or so, just what is expected for a 1.4 M ⊙ neutron star.
Interfacial tension of blends containing thermotropic liquid crystalline polymers

A method is proposed to determine the interfacial tension of immiscible blends containing a liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) and a flexible-molecule polymer, under flow conditions. The method is based on Taylor's theorem for immiscible fluids, i.e., that a suspended drop of liquid A in liquid matrix B is deformed in shear or elongational flow in proportion to the ratio of interfacial to viscous stresses. Taylor's theorem, as originally derived, applies to low concentrations, Newtonian fluids and small deformations. Thus, the theorem was modified to account for “Power Law” fluids in elongational flow and large deformations, more applicable to the system under investigation. The elongational viscosities of the LCP and the flexible polymer (polycarbonate) as a function of elongational rate were determined using converging type flow. The two polymers exhibited a Power-Law behavior in elongational flow and, hence, the experimental constitutive equations of state were used to quantify the viscous stresses. The interfacial stresses were modified for large deformations by taking into consideration the deformed shape and hence increased surface area of the elongated LCP particle. Using the modified expression, the interfacial tension of LCP and PC was determined to be in the range of 5–6.6 dyne/cm.
Time-dependent deterioration of FRP bridge deck under freeze/thaw conditions

A FRP bridge deck is composed of several constituent materials with different characteristics. Under weathering conditions, individual constituents can degrade at different rates. As described in this paper, a mechanics model has been formulated to simulate the changes in load capacity and structural stiffness of FRP decks over time. A key element in these simulations is to include the quantitative effect of sustained loads and environmental exposures on the deterioration rates of the strength and stiffness of the constituent materials. Such data can be generated from accelerated laboratory testing and input as constitutive laws in finite element analyses for the deck design. The results indicate that the reductions in strength and stiffness of the glass/vinyl ester composites are substantial after 10,000 h freeze/thaw cycles only when the composites were also subjected to a sustain load of 25% strain, whereas the reductions are insignificant when the composites were not preloaded. For a thin wall sandwich structure deck, local buckling failure is most likely the dominant cause of the deck failure.
Key analogs of the tetrapeptide subunit of RA-VII and deoxybouvardin

Abstract The synthesis and evaluation of two key analogs 3 and 4 of the potent antitumor antibiotics deoxybouvardin (1) and RA-VII (2) which contain fundamental modifications in the tetrapeptide subunit are described. Unlike the natural products, these agents 3 and 4, which substitute (Gly)4 and (Gly)3 for the d -Ala-Ala-NMe-Tyr(OMe)-Ala tetrapeptide subunit, adopt conformations in which the central amide in the cycloisodityrosine subunit adopts its inherently preferred trans stereochemistry and both were found to be biologically inactive.
Oncogenic tyrosine kinase NPM/ALK induces activation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway independently of c-Raf

The mechanisms of cell transformation mediated by the highly oncogenic, chimeric NPM/ALK tyrosine kinase remain only partially understood. Here we report that cell lines and native tissues derived from the NPM/ALK-expressing T-cell lymphoma (ALK+ TCL) display phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) 1/2 complex. Transfection of BaF3 cells with NPM/ALK induces phosphorylation of EKR1/2 and of its direct activator mitogen-induced extracellular kinase (MEK) 1/2. Depletion of NPM/ALK by small interfering RNA (siRNA) or its inhibition by WHI-154 abrogates the MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. The NPM/ALK-induced MEK/ERK activation is independent of c-Raf as evidenced by the lack of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation upon c-Raf inactivation by two different inhibitors, RI and ZM336372, and by its siRNA-mediated depletion. In contrast, ERK1/2 activation is strictly MEK1/2 dependent as shown by suppression of the ERK1/2 phosphorylation by the MEK1/2 inhibitor U0126. The U0126-mediated inhibition of ERK1/2 activation impaired proliferation and viability of the ALK+ TCL cells and expression of antiapoptotic factor Bcl-xL and cell cycle-promoting CDK4 and phospho-RB. Finally, siRNA-mediated depletion of both ERK1 and ERK2 inhibited cell proliferation, whereas depletion of ERK 1 (but not ERK2) markedly increased cell apoptosis. These findings identify MEK/ERK as a new signaling pathway activated by NPM/ALK and indicate that the pathway represents a novel therapeutic target in the ALK-induced malignancies.
Hydrogeomorphic processes of thermokarst lakes with grounded-ice and floating-ice regimes on the Arctic coastal plain, Alaska

Thermokarst lakes cover > 20% of the landscape throughout much of the Alaskan Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) with shallow lakes freezing solid (grounded ice) and deeper lakes maintaining perennial liquid water (floating ice). Thus, lake depth relative to maximum ice thickness (1·5–2·0 m) represents an important threshold that impacts permafrost, aquatic habitat, and potentially geomorphic and hydrologic behaviour. We studied coupled hydrogeomorphic processes of 13 lakes representing a depth gradient across this threshold of maximum ice thickness by analysing remotely sensed, water quality, and climatic data over a 35-year period. Shoreline erosion rates due to permafrost degradation ranged from < 0·2 m/year in very shallow lakes (0·4 m) up to 1·8 m/year in the deepest lakes (2·6 m). This pattern of thermokarst expansion masked detection of lake hydrologic change using remotely sensed imagery except for the shallowest lakes with stable shorelines. Changes in the surface area of these shallow lakes tracked interannual variation in precipitation minus evaporation (P − EL) with periods of full and nearly dry basins. Shorter-term (2004–2008) specific conductance data indicated a drying pattern across lakes of all depths consistent with the long-term record for only shallow lakes. Our analysis suggests that grounded-ice lakes are ice-free on average 37 days longer than floating-ice lakes resulting in a longer period of evaporative loss and more frequent negative P − EL. These results suggest divergent hydrogeomorphic responses to a changing Arctic climate depending on the threshold created by water depth relative to maximum ice thickness in ACP lakes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Summary-based data-flow analysis that understands regular composite objects and iterators

Today's industrial-strength compilers do not take advantage of the semantics of user-defined types and operations when analyzing code involving objects of user-defined types. We show that user-defined types that are both "regular" and "composite" (roughly corresponding to what is casually known as "value semantics") can, however, be analyzed efficiently and effectively. The notion of regularity comes from generic programming and C++. Programmers routinely rely on regularity when reasoning about generic code and manually performing (optimizing) code transformations and rewrites. Stepanov suggests that compilers, too, should take advantage of regularity to expand the opportunities for applying optimizing transformations. This paper exploits the properties of regular composite objects to produce concise procedure summaries for summary-based analyses, thus taking a step towards Stepanov's goal. In addition to regularity and compositeness, we also make our analysis aware of the prevalent "iterator" abstraction, which expands the applicability of our approach. We target the C++ language, and use the LLVM framework to implement the analysis.
Possible Selves among Urban Youths of Color: An Exploration of Peer Beliefs and Gender Differences.

Drawing from possible selves theory (H. Markus & P. Nurius, 1986), this study explored the roles of peer beliefs about school and gender differences in the development of academic and occupational visions of the future among 216 urban youths of color. Peer beliefs were not related to career and educational possible selves. No gender-based differences were found in educational possible selves; however, boys were more likely to report hoped-for and expected possible selves with lower occupational prestige than were girls. Directions for future research and the implications for practice in counseling urban youths of color are discussed.
Short-duration-focused ultrasound stimulation of Hsp70 expression in vivo

The development of transgenic reporter mice and advances in in vivo optical imaging have created unique opportunities to assess and analyze biological responses to thermal therapy directly in living tissues. Reporter mice incorporating the regulatory regions from the genes encoding the 70 kDa heat-shock proteins (Hsp70) and firefly luciferase (luc) as reporter genes can be used to non-invasively reveal gene activation in living tissues in response to thermal stress. High-intensity-focused ultrasound (HIFU) can deliver measured doses of acoustic energy to highly localized regions of tissue at intensities that are sufficient to stimulate Hsp70 expression. We report activation of Hsp70-luc expression using 1 s duration HIFU heating to stimulate gene expression in the skin of the transgenic reporter mouse. Hsp70 expression was tracked for 96 h following the application of 1.5 MHz continuous-wave ultrasound with spatial peak intensities ranging from 53 W cm(-2) up to 352 W cm(-2). The results indicated that peak Hsp70 expression is observed 6-48 h post-heating, with significant activity remaining at 96 h. Exposure durations were simulated using a finite-element model, and the predicted temperatures were found to be consistent with the observed Hsp70 expression patterns. Histological evaluation revealed that the thermal damage starts at the stratum corneum and extends deeper with increasing intensity. These results indicated that short-duration HIFU may be useful for inducing heat-shock expression, and that the period between treatments needs to be greater than 96 h due to the protective properties of Hsp70.