cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lenvatinib plus pembrolizumab in patients with advanced or recurrent uterine carcinosarcoma.

Abstract Objective(s) To investigate the efficacy of pembrolizumab plus lenvatinib as a second-line or later-line therapy in women with advanced or recurrent uterine carcinosarcoma (UCS). Methods A single-institution pharmacy database was queried for women with advanced or recurrent UCS who were prescribed concurrent pembrolizumab and lenvatinib. Patient demographic, oncologic, and immunotherapy outcomes data were recorded. Univariate analysis summarized progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results Seven patients with advanced or recurrent UCS were treated with combination pembrolizumab and lenvatinib, with a median age of 63.0 years. The majority had stage III or IV disease (n = 6, 85.7%) and had failed two or more lines of therapy (n = 7, 100.0%), and a minority were MMR deficient (n = 1, 14.3%) or PD-L1+ (n = 1, 14.3%). No partial or complete responses were observed. The median PFS was 2.6 months (95% CI, 0.9–11.2 months), and the median OS was 2.8 months (95% CI, 2.4-NE). Conclusions In this small, retrospective series, we demonstrate that pembrolizumab and lenvatinib combination therapy may not be highly active in UCS and may be associated with similar PFS and OS as traditional cytotoxic regimens. Further study is warranted to assess the efficacy of this regimen in more targeted cohorts of women with advanced or recurrent UCS.
System-Level Inverse Design for Stokes Receivers on a Commercial Foundry Platform

Using our novel inverse design methodology we design a compact silicon photonic Stokes vector receiver for a commercial foundry. The receiver is comprised of a polarization splitter, polarization rotator, power splitter, and 90° hybrid.
Five-Year Report of the Institutional Phase II Trial of Once Weekly Hypofractionated Whole Breast Irradiation for Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) Elderly and underserved patients often have difficulty completing a traditional course of conventional or hypofractionated breast irradiation after breast conserving surgery (BCS). We hypothesized that five-fraction once weekly hypofractionated whole breast irradiation (WH-WBI) would be safe and effective following BCS in this group of patients. We report a planned 5-year analysis of our institutional phase II trial. MATERIALS/METHODS Patients treated with WH-WBI after BCS were followed prospectively on an institutional IRB-approved protocol. Women included in this study had stage 0-II breast cancer treated with breast BCS with negative margins and met pre-specified criteria for being underserved. WH-WBI was 28.5 or 30 Gy delivered to the whole breast using tangential beams with no elective coverage of lymph nodes. Radiotherapy boost was utilized at the discretion of the treating radiation oncologist ranging from 5.7 Gy in one fraction to 10 Gy in five fractions. The primary endpoint was ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR). Secondary endpoints were distant disease-free survival (DDFS), recurrence free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), adverse events and cosmesis. RESULTS 158 patients received WH-WBI on protocol from 2011 to 2015. Median follow up was 5.5 years (range, 0.2-10.0). Stage distribution was DCIS 22%; invasive pN0 68%; invasive pN1 10%. 28% of patients had grade 3 tumors, 10% were estrogen receptor negative and 24% required adjuvant chemotherapy. 80 patients received 30 Gy and 78 received 28.5 Gy with median follow up times of 6.2 and 5.2 years, respectively. There were six IBTR events, five in the 30 Gy group. The 5-, 7- and 10-year risks of IBRT for all patients were 2.7% (95% CI 0.89-6.34), 4.7% (95% CI 1.4-11.0) and 7.2% (95% CI 2.4-15.8) respectively. The 5, 7 and 10-year rates of DDFS were 96.4, 96.4 and 86.4%, RFS were 95.8%, 93.6 and 80.7%, and OS were 96.7, 88.6 and 76.7%, respectively. Improvement in IBTR-free time was seen in DCIS, lobular histology, low grade tumors, T1 stage, Her2 negative tumors and 28.5 Gy dose (all P < 0.0001). The cosmetic outcomes have been reported in a separate publication. CONCLUSION WH-WBI after BCS had favorable disease-specific outcomes and comparable to those seen with conventional and other hypofractionated radiation techniques for a medically underserved population of women with stage 0-II breast cancer. This combined with prospective data from the FAST and FAST-Forward trials support a five-fraction whole breast irradiation approach after BCS.
Diffusing capacity: how to get it right.

The carbon monoxide diffusing capacity test (D(LCO)) is a commonly performed pulmonary function test that requires technical expertise and attention to detail to get acceptable results. With the advent of automated devices and powerful computer programs, D(LCO) measurement has rapidly gained wide clinical acceptance. But there are many subtle aspects to performing the test that can diminish its accuracy and repeatability. The clinician must ensure: that the D(LCO) instrument is correctly calibrated; that inhalation is least 90% of the largest previously measured vital capacity; that the patient executes a quick, smooth inhalation within 2 seconds; that the breath-hold is 9-11 seconds; that the breath-hold is without straining (no Valsalva or Muller maneuvers); that exhalation is quick and smooth; that a representative gas sample is obtained from the correct portion of the exhalation; and that at least 5 minutes elapse between D(LCO) tests. At least 2 but no more than 5 D(LCO) tests should be conducted, and testing is complete when 2 tests are within 10% or 3 D(LCO) units (mL CO/min/mm Hg) of each other. The reported D(LCO) value is the average of the first 2 tests that meet the reproducibility criteria, but if 5 tests are performed and no 2 meet the reproducibility criteria, the reported value is the average of the 2 tests with the highest inspiratory volumes. These quality controls will help laboratories achieve consistent high D(LCO) accuracy.
Similarities and Differences across Cultures: Questions to Inform a Third Generation for Health Promotion Research

The increasing diversity of American communities raises an important question about the efficiency, appropriateness, and feasibility of tailoring messages and intervention strategies to target groups identified by race and ethnicity. To explore this issue, this article distinguishes race and ethnicity from culture and then discusses four questions: (1) What is the meaning of culture in health promotion? (2) What is the role of culture in understanding health behavior? (3) What is the role of culture in the design of interventions? and (4) What do the relationships of culture to behavior and to intervention mean for cultural tailoring? Based on this analysis, the authors suggest that effective health promotion will tailor interventions by culture as necessary but reach across cultures when possible and appropriate. A framework is presented to assess the need for cultural tailoring, and a new generation of health promotion research is proposed to facilitate cross-cultural comparisons.
Highly enantioselective syntheses of α-hydroxyacids using N-benzyl-4,4,7α-trimethyl-trans-octahydro-1, 3-benzoxazine as a chiral adjuvant

Abstract Addition of Grignard and organolithium reagents to as well as hydride reduction of 2α-benzoyl-N-benzyl-4,4,7α-trimethyl- trans -octahydro-1 ,3-benzoxazine (2, Y = C6H5CO) and addition of phenylmagnesium bromide to the corresponding 2-acetyl analog (11) proceed in highly diastereoselective fashion to produce virtually exclusively the diastereomer predicted on the basis of Cram's chelate rule if chelation involves the ring oxygen atom. Mild acid hydrolysis of the adducts followed by selective oxidation produces highly enantiomerically pure ρa-hydroxyacids with clean recovery of the chiral adjuvant.
Soft EHL Simulations of U-Cup and Step Hydraulic Rod Seals

A numerical soft elastohydrodynamic lubrication model of a reciprocating hydraulic seal has been used to simulate the performance of a U-cup seal and a step seal in a conventional actuator. The model consists of coupled steady state fluid mechanics, deformation mechanics, contact mechanics, and thermal analyses, with an iterative computational procedure. The results indicate that for a given seal roughness and stroke length there is a critical rod speed above which the seal will not leak. The critical speed is dependent on both seal roughness and sealed pressure.
Human SLC4A11-C functions as a DIDS-stimulatable H+(OH−) permeation pathway: partial correction of R109H mutant transport

The SLC4A11 gene mutations cause a variety of genetic corneal diseases, including congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy 2 (CHED2), Harboyan syndrome, some cases of Fuchs' endothelial dystroph...
Calorimetric Determination of the Average Total Kinetic Energy of Fragments from Fission of U 235 and U 238 by 14-Mev Neutrons

The fission yields of ${\mathrm{Mo}}^{99}$ from 14-Mev neutron bombardments of ${\mathrm{U}}^{235}$ and ${\mathrm{U}}^{238}$ were found to be (5.01\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.15)% and (5.86\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.16)%, respectively. The average total fragment kinetic energies released in fission of ${\mathrm{U}}^{235}$ and ${\mathrm{U}}^{238}$ were found to be 174\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4 and 175\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 Mev. respectively.
Regulatory Action on Rosiglitazone by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

There have been ongoing concerns about the safety of the diabetes drugs containing rosiglitazone (Avandia, Avandaryl, and Avandamet) — a thiazolidinedione antidiabetic agent indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. In 2007, a meta-analysis of controlled clinical trials found increases in the risk of myocardial infarction and a near-significant increased risk of death from cardiovascular causes when rosiglitazone was compared with placebo or with standard diabetes drugs.1 Following an advisory committee meeting held in July 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added information about the possibility . . .
Differential actions of vasopeptidase inhibition versus angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition on diuretic therapy in experimental congestive heart failure.

Background— Omapatrilat (OMA), a vasopeptidase inhibitor, simultaneously inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase, which degrades vasodilatory factors (eg, ADM) and na...
Jumpstarting the use of social technologies in your organization

Abstract How do you get your organization to start using social technologies to become more innovative and productive? Where and with whom should you begin? We interviewed over 70 managers across 30 companies and found that the most successful firms employ one of three jumpstart strategies, depending on the organization's mission, work processes, culture, and industry. Some start at the bottom of the organization, finding and enabling ‘young experimenters’ to use social technologies to enhance their individual productivity. Others start in the middle, finding and helping ‘corporate entrepreneurs’ in middle management to use social technologies to improve collaboration on teams and projects. Others begin at the top, finding ‘enlightened executives’ who are open to new technology and the potential of social tools to strengthen their organizational culture. We combine our research with concepts from change management, technology adoption, and social networks to suggest ways managers can best introduce social collaboration tools into their organizations.
Hot-Pressing and Hot-Forging of Polycrystalline Powder Particles with Unique Microstructures

The kinetics of hot pressing and the resulting microstructure of two types of polycrystalline spherical powders (beads) were studied. The first were spherical ZrO2 beads synthesized by sintering TOSOH spray dried ZrO2 powder loose in a crucible. The average bead diameter was 51 μm and contained 0.3 μm grains. The second were Al2O3-ZrO2(1%Y2O3) synthesized by plasma spraying spray dried powders into water to quench-in a partially amorphous, partially nanocrystalline structure. The particle size was
Evolution of Fermi-liquid behavior with doping in the Hubbard model: Influence of the band structure

We calculate the single-particle Green's function for a contact interaction with nearest-neighbor hopping on a square lattice as a function of chemical potential $\ensuremath{\mu}.$ This allows us to investigate the dependence of the leading Fermi-liquid dependencies on the band structure as the Fermi surface evolves from a circle at $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{-}4t$ to a square at $\ensuremath{\mu}=0.$ The form of the single-particle self-energy $\ensuremath{\Sigma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p},E)$ is determined by the density-density correlation function $\ensuremath{\chi}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{q},\ensuremath{\omega})$ which develops two peaks for $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\ensuremath{-}2.5t$ unlike the parabolic band case. Near half-filling, $\ensuremath{\chi}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{q},\ensuremath{\omega})$ becomes independent of $\ensuremath{\omega},$ one-dimensional behavior, at intermediate values of $\ensuremath{\omega},$ which leads to the one-dimensional behavior in $\ensuremath{\Sigma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p},E).$ However, with $\ensuremath{\mu}l~\ensuremath{-}0.1t$ there is no influence on the Fermi-liquid dependencies from the spin-density wave instability. We find that throughout the doping region $\ensuremath{\Sigma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p},E)$ remains qualitatively the same as for the isotropic Fermi surface with quantitative differences. The strong $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p}$ and E dependence of the off-shell self-energy $\ensuremath{\Sigma}(p,E)$ found earlier for the parabolic band is recovered for $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\lesssim}\ensuremath{-}t$ but deviates from this develop for $\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\ensuremath{-}0.1t.$ The resonance peak width of the spectral function $A(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p}E),$ has a linear dependence in ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p}}$ due to the E dependence of the imaginary part of $\ensuremath{\Sigma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p},E).$ We point out that an accurate detailed form for $\ensuremath{\Sigma}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p},E)$ would be very difficult to recover from angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy data for the spectral density. Since the leading corrections are determined by the long wavelength particle-hole excitations, the results found here for the Hubbard model carry over to Hamiltonians with finite range interactions.
Cimetidine inhibits renal procainamide clearance

Procainamide and cimetidine are eliminated in large part by the kidneys. Both are secreted by an active transport mechanism in the proximal tubule and each inhibits secretion of the other in the isolated, perfused rabbit tubule. In this study in man, cimetidine inhibited renal clearance of oral procainamide by 36%. This was associated with a 28% decrease in the ratio of systemic clearance of procainamide to bioavailability, an 18% decrease in the elimination rate constant, and a 24% prolongation of elimination t1/2. These results suggest that cimetidine increases plasma t1/2 and decreases systemic clearance of procainamide in part by inhibiting its active secretion by the kidneys.
End-tidal CO2 during aeromedical transport as a predictor of outcome in trauma patients

Abstract Introductory Sentence. In the trauma population intraoperative end tidal pCO 2 and derived calculations have been shown to predict outcomes and identify patients requiring further resuscitation. We sought to evaluate in-flight end tidal pCO 2 prior to arrival at a trauma center to predict outcome. Methods. After IRB approval, retrospective review was performed on all intubated adult trauma patients with complete records/end-tidal pCO 2 data, transported by aeromedical transport teams to our level I trauma center over 4 years. The data were collected in-flight as well as in the emergency room. Results. Ninety-one patients met inclusion criteria. They were divided into two groups: survivors (68) and nonsurvivors (23). All patients had an airway established during transport. Conclusions. There was a correlation between end-tidal pCO 2 during transport and patient survival. Low prehospital end-tidal pCO 2 identified patients at high risk for death. TABLE—ABSTRACT P101 . Inflight data Survivors Non survivors P value ∗ Blunt trauma 84% 87% 0.993 Heart rate (bpm) 107 ± 23 107 ± 26 0.957 Syst. BP (mmhg) 135 ± 35 126 ± 33 0.349 Resp rate 12 ± 11 12 ± 15 0.825 GCS 4 ± 2 3 ± 1 0.1 Head injury 37 (54%) 16 (69%) 0.303 RTS 4.08 ± 1.34 3.58 ± 0.75 0.096 TV 900 ± 134 895 ± 122 0.949 Min vent. (L/kg/min) 0.13 ± 0.03 0.17 ± 0.12 0.496 EtCO2 35 ± 7 29 ± 7 0.021 ∗∗ ∗ ANOVA, repeated measure ANOVA, chi squared tests, z test. ∗∗ statistically significant ( P
Early evolution of chili peppers ( Capsicum )

An hypothesis is advanced based upon geographical information and data from horizontal starch gel electrophoresis regarding the place and mode of evolution of the chili peppers (Capsicum). The hypothesis suggests a major portion of the genusCapsicum arose in a nuclear area in south central Bolivia with subsequent migration into the Andes and lowland Amazonia accompanied by radiation and speciation.
Thyrotropin-mediated induction of thyroidal iodothyronine monodeiodinases in the dog.

To investigate the effect of TSH administration on thyroidal iodothyronine-deiodinating activity, in vitro conversion of T4 to T3, T3 to 3,3′-diiodothyronine (T2), and rT3 to T2 by canine thyroid, liver, and kidney homogenate was examined, comparing tissues from TSH-treated dogs (3 IU bovine TSH daily for 3 days) with tissues from sex- and weight-matched saline-treated controls. The in vitro conversion activities were studied in the presence of 4 mM dithiothreitol at pH 6.5 for outer ring (T4 to T3 and rT3 to T2) and at pH 7.8 for inner ring (T3 to T2) deiodination. Iodothyronine-monodeiodinating activity in dog thyroid is heat labile (inactivated at 56 C × 5 min) and pH dependent, inhibited by propylthiouracil (0.2 mM) and ipodate (0.2 mM), unaffected by methimazole (up to 4 mM), ascorbate (up to 0.1 M), or KI (up to 4 mM), and is localized in the microsomal fraction. TSH markedly stimulated thyroidal inner and outer ring iodothyronine-monodeiodinating activities. Baseline rates of T4 to T3, T3 to T2, an...
FATIGUE CRACK TIP PLASTICITY RESULTING FROM LOAD INTERACTIONS IN AN ALUMINUM ALLOY

Displacements in the region very near to a fatigue crack tip have been observed using a stereoimaging technique. The results of changing the minimum/maximum stress ratio, for a single overload and a single underload are given for a powder metallurgy aluminum alloy. Material motions near the crack tip are complex and depend on the loading characteristic. Compressive strain fields near the crack tip in the unloaded state were found to be highly dependent on load characteristic due to variation in reversed plasticity.
Cloning of the rat Slc14a2 gene and genomic organization of the UT-A urea transporter.

Abstract We cloned the Slc14a2 gene and determined the genomic organization of the rat urea transporter UT-A. Slc14a2, the gene encoding the rat UT-A transporter, extends for more that 300 kb. The four known rat mRNA isoforms: UT-A1, UT-A2, UT-A3, and UT-A4 are transcribed from 24 exons. The Slc14a2 genomic map also accounts for 3′-untranslated sequences expressed alternatively in UT-A1, UT-A2, and UT-A3. We previously identified a TATA-less, tonicity-responsive promoter controlling the transcription of UT-A1, UT-A3, and UT-A4 from a single initiation site in the 5′-flanking region of the gene. Here, we describe a second, internal promoter in intron 12, which controls the transcription of UT-A2 starting from exon 13. This region contains a TATA motif upstream from the UT-A2 transcription start site, and shows consensus sequences for the cAMP response element (CRE) and for the tonicity enhancer (TonE) motif. Stimulation by cAMP induces UT-A2 mRNA expression in mIMCD3 cells, and luciferase activity in mIMCD3 cells transfected with those pGL3 constructs including the CRE sequences. Although long-term exposure to hypertonicity induces UT-A2 expression in mIMCD3 cells, hypertonicity does not induce significantly the activity of the promoter in intron 12. In summary, we describe the genomic structure of the rat UT-A urea transporter, encoded by the Slc14a2 gene. Our findings suggest that two promoters regulate transcription of the four UT-A isoforms, and that stimulation of transcription by vasopressin, mediated by cAMP and CRE sequences, and controlled by an intronic promoter, may contribute to the increase in UT-A2 expression during water deprivation.
Representations of coronal magnetic fields including currents

Coronal electric currents are superposed on the calculated large-scale current-free (potential) magnetic field of the solar corona and the new magnetic configurations are mapped. The results indicate that relatively large coronal electric currents are required before significant topological deviations from the potential magnetic field configuration can be noticed. Thus any agreement between coronal observations and calculated potential magnetic field configurations should not be interpreted to mean that coronal electric currents are necessarily absent or insignificant.
Conjecture Concerning the Properties of Nonrenormalizable Field Theories

A mathemtical model is proposed to show that it is possible to perform calculations with a local nonrenormalizable field theory and that nonrenormalizable interactions may have physical significance. (W.D.M.)
Morphometric variation in the hominoid orbital aperture: a case study with implications for the use of variable characters in Miocene catarrhine systematics.

Variable characters are ubiquitous in hominoid systematics and present a number of unique problems for phylogenetic analyses that include extinct taxa. As yet, however, few studies have quantified ranges of variation in complex morphometric characters within extant taxa and then used those data to assess the consistency with which discrete character states can be applied to poorly represented fossil species. In this study, ranges of intrageneric morphometric variation in the shape of the hominoid orbital aperture are estimated using exact randomization of average pairwise taxonomic distances (ATDs) derived from size-adjusted centroid, height-width, and elliptic Fourier (EF) variables. Using both centroid and height-width variables, 19 of the 21 possible ATDs between individuals representing seven extinct catarrhine taxa (Aegyptopithecus, Afropithecus, Ankarapithecus, Ouranopithecus, Paranthropus, Sivapithecus and Turkanapithecus) can be observed within a single extant hominoid subspecies, although generally with low probabilities. A resampling study is employed as a means for gauging the effect that this intrataxonomic variation may have on the consistency with which discrete orbital shape character states can be delimited given the small sample sizes available for most Miocene catarrhine taxa preserving this feature (i.e., n=1). For each type of morphometric variable, 100 cluster (UPGMA) analyses of pairwise ATDs are performed in which a single individual is randomly selected from each hominoid genus and analyzed alongside known extinct taxa; consensus trees are computed in order to obtain the frequencies with which different shape clusters appeared in each of the three analyses. The two major clusters appearing most frequently in all three consensus trees are found in only 57% (centroid variables), 49% (height-width variables), and 36% (EF variables) of these trees. If ranges of variation within represented extinct taxa could also be estimated, these frequencies would certainly be far lower. Hominoids clearly exhibit considerable intrageneric, intraspecific, and even intrasubspecific variation in orbit shape, and substantial morphometric overlap exists between taxa; consequently, discrete character states delimiting these patterns of continuous variation are likely to be highly unreliable in phylogenetic analyses of living and extinct species, particularly as the number of terminal taxa increases. Morphological phylogenetic studies of extant catarrhines that assess the effect of different methods (e.g., use of objective a priori weighting or frequency coding of variable characters, inclusion vs. exclusion of variable characters, use of specific vs. supraspecific terminal taxa) on phylogenetic accuracy may help to improve the techniques that systematists employ to make phylogenetic inferences about extinct taxa.
Tobacco use among married women in Nepal: the role of women's empowerment.

This study documented the prevalence and correlates of tobacco use among women of reproductive age in Nepal using nationally representative data. We utilized the 2006 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey that interviewed 10,793 women and 4,397 men. We analyzed the couple’s data or households (N = 2,600) in which both husband and wife were interviewed. We examined the effects of women’s empowerment—measured by education, employment, intra-household decisions, and age—on their tobacco use controlling for other individual and household characteristics. Women’s empowerment had mixed effects on tobacco use. While women’s education was inversely associated with their tobacco use, their age, employment and ability to make intra-household mobility decisions were positively associated with smoking. Women with primary and beyond primary education were 48 and 92 % less likely to smoke compared to women with no education, respectively. Tobacco use among women increased dramatically with age from 8 % in teen years to 42 % in their forties. A 1 year increase in age increased the odds of tobacco use by 6 %. Women whose husbands smoked were twice as likely to smoke. Nepal should not only restrict tobacco use in public places by implementing its Tobacco Control and Regulatory Act of 2010 but also focus on encouraging smoke-free homes by increasing awareness about the health consequences of tobacco use and secondhand smoke among populations most likely to smoke that include nearly all men, employed women, women with low levels of education, women whose spouses smoke and those who are 30 and above in age. Additionally, a long term goal should be to ensure at least 5th grade of education for all girls.
Transesterification of triacetin with methanol on Nafion® acid resins

Abstract Although homogeneous alkali catalysts (e.g., NaOH) are commonly used to produce biodiesel by transesterification of triglycerides (vegetable oils and animal fats) and methanol, solid acid catalysts, such as acidic resins, are attractive alternatives because they are easy to separate and recover from the product mixture and also show significant activity in the presence of fatty acid impurities, which are common in low-cost feedstocks. To better understand solid acid catalyst performance, a fundamental transesterification kinetic study was carried out using triacetin and methanol on Nafion® (perfluorinated-based ion-exchange resin) catalysts. In particular, Nafion® SAC-13 (silica-supported Nafion) and Nafion® NR50 (unsupported Nafion) were investigated, because both show great promise for biodiesel-forming reactions. The reaction kinetics for a common homogeneous acid catalyst (H2SO4) were also determined for comparison. Liquid-phase reaction was performed at 60 °C using a stirred batch reactor. The swelling properties of the resin in solvents of diverse polarity that reflect solutions typically present in a biodiesel synthesis mixture were examined. The initial reaction rate was greatly affected by the extent of swelling of the resin, where, as expected, a greater effect was observed for Nafion® NR50 than for the highly dispersed Nafion® SAC-13. The reaction orders for triacetin and methanol on Nafion® SAC-13 were 0.90 and 0.88, respectively, similar to the reaction orders determined for H2SO4 (1.02 and 1.00, respectively). The apparent activation energy for the conversion of triacetin to diacetin was 48.5 kJ/mol for Nafion® SAC-13, comparable to that for H2SO4 (46.1 kJ/mol). Selective poisoning of the Bronsted acid sites on Nafion® SAC-13 using pyridine before transesterification revealed that only one site was involved in the rate-limiting step. These results suggest that reaction catalyzed by the ion-exchange resin can be considered to follow a mechanism similar to that of the homogeneous catalyzed one, where protonated triglyceride (on the catalyst surface) reaction with methanol is the rate-limiting step.
EOSDIS support for the advanced spaceborne thermal emission and reflection radiometer (ASTER)

ABSTRACT The end-to-end ground data system supporting the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer(ASTER) consists of elements provided by both Japan ASTER Ground Data System and the highly distributed EarthObserving System Data and Information System (EOSDIS). These two systems must interoperate to provide complexmission operations support and process high-rate (approximately 8 Megabits/sec) data into standard Level 1, Level 2 andhigher data products. The EOS Data and Operations System (EDOS) will provide ground data capture, rate buffering, andLevel 0 data processing. The EQS Operations Center will provide the operational interface between the Japanese InstrumentControl Center and the spacecraft and will monitor the instrument health and safety. The Land Processes Distributed ActiveArchive Center (DAAC) at the EROS Data Center will produce higher-level products based on software provided by theASTER Science Team and systems provided by the EOSDIS Core System. Higher4evel data product quality assurance, aswell as U.S. Science Team support for instrument scheduling, will be performed at a Science Computing Facility located atthe Jet Propulsion Laboratory. All of these elements are being developed together to assure that this international missionproduces data which will serve the needs of the science community.1. INTRODUCTIONIn 1998, the first of the Earth Observing System (EOS) spacecraft, EOS AM-i, will be launched into a 705 km sun-synchronous orbit, and carry with it the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER).Development of the EOS spacecraft is being managed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. ASTER development isbeing managed by the Japan Resources Observation Systems (JAROS) organization within the Japanese Ministry ofInternational Trade and Industry (MITI). ASTER will provide high resolution (15m-90m) images with a 60 km swath width,in 15 spectral bands. Because of its along-track stereo and multi-spectral thermal capabilities it will represent a unique civilspaceborne capability (Yamaguchi, et. a!., 1994; Fujisada, 1994).The success of ASTER depends not only on flight segment performance, but also on the smooth, reliable operation of theground data system. The ground system processing elements must meet performance and storage challenges because of thehigh data volume and complex Level 1 data processing requirements. ASTER will have a duty cycle limited by numerousinstrument and spacecraft constraints and a cross-track pointing ability, both of which will result in very complex schedulingoperations in order to obtain maximum scientific utility. The ground system supporting ASTER will be developed in bothJapan and the U.S., presenting significant interoperations and management challenges.
Exploiting User Patience for Scaling Resource Capacity in Cloud Services

An important feature of cloud computing is its elasticity, that is, the ability to have resource capacity dynamically modified according to the current system load. Auto-scaling is challenging because it must account for two conflicting objectives: minimising system capacity available to users and maximising QoS, which typically translates to short response times. Current auto-scaling techniques are based solely on load forecasts and ignore the perception that users have from cloud services. As a consequence, providers tend to provision a volume of resources that is significantly larger than necessary to keep users satisfied. In this article, we propose a scheduling algorithm and an auto-scaling triggering technique that explore user patience in order to identify critical times when auto-scaling is needed and the appropriate volume of capacity by which the cloud platform should either extend or shrink. The proposed technique assists service providers in reducing costs related to resource allocation while keeping the same QoS to users. Our experiments show that it is possible to reduce resource-hour by up to approximately 8% compared to auto-scaling based on system utilisation.
Armstrong Mouse Adapted Poliomyelitis Virus Effect of pH of Inoculum, and of “Enteric Organism Filtrate”

SummaryIt has been demonstrated that in the mouse, employing the Armstrong mouse adapted Lansing strain of virus, a definite quantity of virus can be rendered more effective in producing infection by suspending it in a menstruum of low pH. By progressively decreasing the pH from 7.0 to 4.0 the effectiveness of the virus was increased in a step-like manner. The virus suspension at pH 4.0 appeared to be as effective as from 4 to 16 times as much virus at pH 7.0. At present the mechanism is not understood, although numerous conjectures might be made both in respect to local and possible systemic effects. Experiments to investigate the mechanism are in progress.We have not compared the effect of neutralized enteric filtrate to that of neutral saline in monkeys and cotton rats, as was done by Toomey and by Toomey and Takacs, since these animals were not readily available in sufficiently large numbers to permit clear-cut evaluation of results. However, in the mouse, the effect of the Armstrong virus was not alt...
Tandem mass spectrum of a growth hormone secretagogue: Amide bond cleavage and resultant gas-phase rearrangement

Compound 1 [N-[1(R)-[(1,2-dihydro-1-methylsulfonylspiro[3H-indole-3,4'-piperidin]-1'-yl)carbonyl]-2-(phenylmethyloxy)ethyl]-2-amino-2-methylpropanamide](MW 528) is an orally-active growth hormone secretagogue (GHS). As part of a continual effort to analyze the ESI/MS and MSn data of novel drugs, the ESI/MS and MS/MS data of protonated 1 (m/z 529) are analyzed and reported here. The analyses reveal that under low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) in an ion trap or a quadrupole collision cell, protonated 1 undergoes a gas-phase rearrangement to form protonated 3 (m/z 357) which competes with the y- and b-type product ions during the amide bond cleavages of protonated 1. It is proposed that when the b-type ion is formed by cleavage of the piperidine amide bond, piperidine (a neutral species) and the b-ion (a cation) form an ion-neutral complex. In this complex, piperidine functions as a nucleophile to attack the benzylic carbon of the b-ion, and the protonated ether group in the b-ion acts as a leaving group, which results in the migration of the benzylic group to the piperidine amine to form protonated 3. Protonated 2 (an analog of 1) was studied under the same experimental conditions. The results show that protonated 2 undergoes a similar rearrangement to form protonated 3. While this rearrangement is a relatively minor fragmentation process for protonated 1, it is a predominant process for protonated 2. This phenomenon is explained in terms of the proposed ion-neutral-complex mechanism.
Spectroscopic characterization of a series of platinum acetylide complexes having a localized triplet exciton

In this work, we describe the spectroscopic properties of a series of platinum complexes containing one acetylide ligand per platinum, having the chemical formula trans-Pt(PBu(3))(2)((C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4))(n)()-H)Cl, n = 1-3 (designated as half-PEn-Pt) and compare their spectroscopic behavior with the well-characterized series trans-Pt(PBu(3))(2)((C[triple bond]CC(6)H(4))(n)-H)(2), n = 1-3 (designated as PEn-Pt). This comparison aims to determine if the triplet state of PEn-Pt is confined to one ligand or delocalized across the central platinum atom. We measured ground-state absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, phosphorescence spectra, and triplet-state absorption spectra. The ground-state absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra both showed a blue shift when comparing half-PEn-Pt with PEn-Pt, showing the S(1) state is delocalized across the platinum. In contrast, the phosphorescence spectra of the two types of compounds had the same 0-0 band energy, showing the T(1) state was confined to one ligand in PEn-Pt. The triplet state absorption spectra blue shifted when comparing half-PEn-Pt with PEn-Pt, showing the T(n) state was delocalized across the central platinum. This comparison supports recently published work that suggested this confinement effect (Rogers, J. E et al. J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122, 214701).
SUPPRESSION OF ALLERGIC UVEITIS BY 6-MERCAPTOPURINE

Experimental uveitis in rabbits was induced by single intraocular antigen injection. Treatment with 6-MP for 14 days suppressed the allergic inflammation and antibody response. A good correlation was demonstrated between the degree of uveitis and the antibody titer.
Counter immunoelectrophoresis for detection of human prostatic acid phosphatase

An immunochemical method f or detection of prostatic acid phosphatase is described. Acid phosphatase was obtained from benign human prostatic tissue. A specific antiserum to this enzyme was produced in rabbits. A counter immunoelectrophoretic method utilizing the specific antiserum with a chemical staining technique has been developed. Clinical trials have indicated the usefulness of this method for the specific determination of prostatic acid phosphatase.
Potential for prebiotic chemistry at the poles of the Moon

The samples returned from the lunar surface by Apollo were devoid of organic material, an observation that satisfied the scientific community that the Moon is irrelevant to the topic of life in the universe. However, the equatorial regions of the Moon sampled by Apollo and Luna are not representative of the Moon as a whole. The lunar poles harbor a microenvironment which possess conditions utterly unlike those of the lunar equator. These conditions may allow in situ production of organics on the Moon from indigenous inorganic material. If this is the case, the Moon may allow field-testing of models of inorganic synthesis which have been invoked for many surfaces in the solar system, and even interstellar clouds.
Enrichment and Fractionation by Foaming

Abstract In a binary mixture of surface-active sodium salts of dodecylsulfate, benzenesulfonate and dodecylbenzenesulfonate, each substance appeared to act independently over the range of concentrations examined. There was no evidence of competition like that reported earlier for a system that involved ion-pairing. In cases such as those in the present study, degradation of the separation may result when the less surface-active species is initially much lower in concentration. Measurements of the volume of solution in the flask during a foaming experiment confirmed the expectation that faster gas flows and higher concentrations of surface-active species lead to higher holdup and longer time to reach a steady state.
On the Ethics of Selective Omission and/or Inclusion of Relevant Information in School Drug Education Programs

Tradition, community pressures and personal biases can contribute to a drug education program that may be more indoctrination than education. There are some basic ethical issues that need to be cla...
Evolutionary Genetics: Desperate Times Call for More Sex

A new study has found that strains of the fungus Aspergillus nidulans produce more of their spores sexually in environments where they are less fit, resembling a hypothesized transitional stage in the evolution of sex.
Correction for Nuclear Motion in H 2

The forced separation of variables usually employed in the quantum-mechanical treatment of molecular problems introduces certain small errors into the wave function. If the exact Hamiltonian is used, energy values can be computed very accurately because first-order errors in a wave function give rise to second-order errors in the energy. The energy of $\mathrm{H}_{2}^{}{}_{}{}^{+}$ is ordinarily computed by using a separable, approximate Hamiltonian instead of an exact one. From a consideration of the terms which must be added to the approximate Hamiltonian to make it exact, Van Vleck has derived the correction terms needed to reduce the first-order error in the computed energy to a second-order error. The correction term is a function of $R$, the internuclear distance, and its calculation requires a knowledge of the wave function. In this paper the ground state wave function of $\mathrm{H}_{2}^{}{}_{}{}^{+}$ is accurately determined over values of $R$ from 1.20 to 2.75 atomic units and a table of the wave function coefficients is given, along with the corresponding energy values. Then, correction terms are calculated for a set of values of $R$. Including the proper correction term, the total negative energy of $\mathrm{H}_{2}^{}{}_{}{}^{+}$ for the equilibrium internuclear distance is found to be $1.20472\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.00001{E}_{H}=132,132\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. This result is compared with the consequences of certain experimental data.
The high-resolution structure of 3-deoxy-D-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase reveals a twist in the plane of bound phosphoenolpyruvate.

3-Deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (DAHPS), the first enzyme of the aromatic biosynthetic pathway in microorganisms and plants, catalyzes the aldol-like condensation of phosphoeno...
Nerve Growth Factor Sensitizes Superior Cervical Ganglion Neurons to Bradykinin

The sympathetic nervous system plays a role during chronic inflammation. Since levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) are high in inflamed tissues and, in sensory neurons, NGF controls nociception by regulating neuronal sensitivity to noxious stimuli, we hypothesize that NGF also sensitizes sympathetic neurons to bradykinin (BK), a proinflammatory peptide. We cultured rat superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons in the presence or absence of NGF. To assess the response of SCG neurons to Bk, we measured cytoplasmic Ca2+ elevations induced by an acute application of Bk. We found Ca2+ elevation to be increased 3-fold in the presence of NGF. These Ca2+ elevations in the presence of NGF depended on external Ca2+ and depolarization of the plasma membrane. Next, we assessed the effect of Bk on the membrane potential by electrophysiological recordings. NGF-treated neurons were significantly depolarized after Bk application, while neurons cultured in the absence of NGF showed no change in membrane potential with Bk. How does NGF render SCG neurons more responsive to a Bk stimulus? We first tested whether NGF application alters BK-induced M current inhibition. Interestingly, we observed full inhibition of M current upon application of BK with and without culture in NGF. Next, we asked whether incubation of SCG neurons with NGF alters activity of other ion channels. One of the ion channels tested, KCa1.1 (Maxi K+ channel), was reduced in current density by 50% in neurons cultured in the presence of NGF. In addition, inhibition of KCa1.1 channels with iberiotoxin in SCG neurons cultured in the absence of NGF depolarized the plasma membrane potential after Bk application. In conclusion, NGF increased Bk-induced electrical excitability of rat SCG neurons by reducing a repolarizing current mediated by KCa1.1 channels. Supported by NIH grant NS008174.
Pathways for membrane trafficking during cytokinesis

The molecular mechanisms underlying targeted deposition of new membrane at the advancing furrow of a dividing cell have long been intriguing to cell biologists. Three recent studies have made use of Drosophila cellularization to explore current questions in this field. These findings indicate that both the secretory pathway and endosomal recycling contribute membrane to the advancing furrow. Furthermore, new work reveals that vesicles derived from the Rab11 recycling endosome (RE) promote actin remodeling at the furrow.
Biological potential of fungal inocula for bioaugmentation of contaminated soils

The suitability of the fluorescein diacetate hydrolyzing activity (FDA) assay for determining the biological potential (ie fungal biomass produced per unit of substrate) of solid pelleted fungal inoculum intended for use in the bioaugmentation of contaminated soils with white-rot fungi, was evaluated. FDA activity of the white-rot fungusPhanerochaete chrysosporium grown on pelleted substrates and on agar was found to be proportional to quantities of fungal ergesterol and fungal dry matter, respectively. Inoculum biological potential was found to be greatly influenced by substrate formulation and structure, and temperature. Biological potential and the type of carrier influenced the ability ofP. chrysosporium to tolerate pentachlorophenol (PCP).Phanerochaete chrysosporium andTrametes versicolor introduced into PCP-contaminated soil on pellets with higher biological potential and higher nitrogen content (C:N ratio of 50∶1), did not remove PCP more efficiently than when the fungi were introduced on pellets with a lower biological potential (C:N ratio of 309∶1). However, under the latter conditions most of the PCP was transformed to pentachloroanisole (PCA). In soil inoculated withT. versicolor on pellets with high biological potential, higher manganese peroxidase activity was detected compared to soil inoculated with pellets with a lower biological potential.
Hydration of ZrW2O8 nanopowders under ambient conditions

Abstract We report hydration of ZrW 2 O 8 under ambient conditions, and its effect on the negative coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of ZrW 2 O 8 . On storing under ambient conditions for six months, about 66% of the outer annular volume was hydrated to ZrW 2 O 8 ·0.35H 2 O, while after one year of storage the sample was hydrated to ZrW 2 O 8 ·0.72H 2 O. The CTE was determined by in-situ high temperature X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements in the temperature range from 25 to 200 °C. XPS and TGA were used to characterize the nature of bonding of the water in the ZrW 2 O 8 structure. The negative CTE behavior of partially hydrated ZrW 2 O 8 ·0.35H 2 O remained intact, while on further hydration to ZrW 2 O 8 ·0.72H 2 O, negative CTE was not observed. The bonding of the water molecules to the ZrW 2 O 8 structure were stronger than those of adsorbed water molecules but weaker than those of the structural hydroxyl ions.
Response surfaces of vulnerability to climate change: the Colorado River Basin, the High Plains, and California

We quantify the vulnerability of water supply to shortage for the Colorado River Basin and basins of the High Plains and California and assess the sensitivity of their water supply system to future changes in the statistical variability of supply and demand. We do so for current conditions and future socio-economic scenarios within a probabilistic framework that incorporates the inherent uncertainties in the drivers of vulnerability. Our analysis indicates that the most sensitive basins to both current and future variability of demand and supply are the Central California and the San Joaquin-Tulare basins. Large sensitivity is also found for the Kansas basin of the High Plains. Within the Colorado River Basin, the Lower Colorado and Gila were found to be the most vulnerable and sensitive sub-basins. By accounting for future uncertainty within the above probabilistic framework, this study unveils and isolates the individual responses of a given basin to changes in the statistical properties of demand and supply and offers a valuable tool for the identification of policy strategies and adaptation measures.