cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract #5669: Immune-regulation of non-small cell lung cancer development

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality in the U.S., accounting for more deaths than breast, prostate, colon, liver and kidney cancer combined. Five-year survival is poor at 15% with most patients experiencing only modest benefit from conventional therapies, thus highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches. Most human solid tumors bear antigens that are specifically recognized by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and tumor-specific CTLs have been reported in patients with malignant disease, including patients with non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). However, despite presence of tumor-specific CTLs, tumors still progress indicating that tumors utilize various mechanisms to evade CTL-mediated rejection and/or subversion of host anti-tumor immune responses. One plausible explanation for how this occurs is that accumulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and/or subsets of innate immune cells, e.g. immature myeloid cells (iMCs), indirectly contribute to cancer development via suppression of anti-tumor adaptive immunity and activation of pro-tumor bioactivities of iMCs. We have found that human NSCLC is associated with significant accumulations of CD45+ leukocytes as compared to adjacent normal lung tissue, where infiltrates are composed of CD4+FoxP3+ Tregs, but not of iMCs (CD45+CD34+; CD11b+CD14-CD15+ or CD14+HLA-DR-/low), indicating that local immunosuppression in NSCLC is likely imparted by Treg cells as opposed to iMCs. Moreover, in a mouse model of de novo NSCLC development, i.e. CC10-TAg mice, we also revealed accumulations of Tregs, but not of CD11b+Gr1+ iMCs. To reveal the functional significance of CD4+FoxP3+ accumulation, we evaluated dynamics and characteristics of NSCLC development by genetically manipulating CC10-TAg mice and rendered them deficient for all B and T lymphocytes (RAG1-/-), T-helper and Tregs (CD4-/-), CTLs (CD8-/-) and B cells (JH-/-). Our data indicate that complete absence of both B and T lymphocytes in CC10-TAg mice results in a significant acceleration of tumor development that is dependent on CD8+ CTLs, indicating that NSCLC progression is regulated by a balance of CTL-mediated rejection and Treg mediated immunosuppression. To be presented will be recent data evaluating the functional importance of CTLs and Tregs in NSCLC and approaches to utilize these novel observations for design of improved anti-cancer therapeutic approach for NSCLC. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr 5669.
T84 cell receptor binding and guanyl cyclase activation by Escherichia coli heat-stable toxin

Escherichia coli heat-stable enterotoxin (STa) induces intestinal secretion by binding to enterocyte receptors and activating the guanylate cyclase-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) system. The intermediate steps between binding of STa and secretion are poorly understood, due in part to the lack of a convenient system to study the effects of STa at the cellular level. To establish such a model, we investigated the binding of 125I-STa, STa activation of guanylate cyclase, and STa-induced increase in cGMP production in a well-characterized human colonic cell line, T84. Binding was specific, linear with cell number, and time, temperature and pH dependent, and reversible. ST may also be internalized by these cells. Addition of unlabeled STa competitively inhibited binding of 125I-STa. These parameters closely resemble those described in intact rat enterocytes and cell-free membrane preparations. STa stimulated guanylate cyclase and cGMP production in a dose-related manner. The similar dose-response relationships for binding, guanylate cyclase stimulation by STa, and cGMP production suggest that the guanylate cyclase-cGMP system is coupled to ST occupancy of specific receptors. These data, together with the fact that STa induces chloride secretion from T84 cells suggest that T84 cells are a suitable and convenient system to study the cellular mechanism of action of STa.
The expected fitness cost of a mutation fixation under the one-dimensional fisher model

This paper employs Fisher's model of adaptation to understand the expected fitness effect of fixing a mutation in a natural population. Fisher's model in one dimension admits a closed form solution for this expected fitness effect. A combination of different parameters, including the distribution of mutation lengths, population sizes, and the initial state that the population is in, are examined to see how they affect the expected fitness effect of state transitions. The results show that the expected fitness change due to the fixation of a mutation is always positive, regardless of the distributional shapes of mutation lengths, effective population sizes, and the initial state that the population is in. The further away the initial state of a population is from the optimal state, the slower the population returns to the optimal state. Effective population size (except when very small) has little effect on the expected fitness change due to mutation fixation. The always positive expected fitness change suggests that small populations may not necessarily be doomed due to the runaway process of fixation of deleterious mutations.
Adult sons' satisfaction with their relationships with fathers and person‐group (father) communication apprehension

The present study was designed to explore the empirical relationship between adult sons' communication apprehension regarding their fathers and satisfaction with those relationships. Results indicated that (1) apprehension and satisfaction were negatively correlated, (2) a descending nonlinear function best described the relationship, (3) both frequency and intensity of apprehension experiences contributed to the prediction of satisfaction, and (4) father communication apprehension was empirically distinct from general dyadic communication apprehension. These results were initially derived from the responses of a screening sample and were subsequently cross‐validated. Theoretical implications are discussed.
Catechol-o-methyl-transferase activity in dibutyryl cyclic AMP, prostaglandin and x-ray -induced differentiated neuroblastoma cell culture.

Abstract Catechol-o-methyl-transferase (COMT) activity was present in mouse neuroblastoma cells in culture. X-irradiation which caused morphological differentiation increased COMT activity in the neuroblastoma cells by about three-fold. The increase in enzyme activity was first observed 2 days after irradiation; however, the maximal increase occurred 3 days after X-ray exposure. The increase in enzyme activity in the irradiated cells was blocked by cycloheximide and actinomycin D. N6O2′ dibutyryl adenosine 3′, 5′ cyclic monophosphate (dibutyryl cyclic AMP) and prostaglandin E1 which caused morphological differentiation did not increase COMT activity during the period of observation. 3′, 5′ cyclic AMP which inhibited cell division without causing morphological differentiation had no effect on the enzyme activity, but sodium butyrate which blocked cell division without causing morphological differentiation did increase COMT activity. Data suggest that the regulation of COMT level may not be strictly linked either with the growth rate or the morphological differentiation.
A Probabilistic Risk Assessment of the Effects of Methylmercury on Great Egrets and Bald Eagles Foraging at a Constructed Wetland in South Florida Relative to the Everglades

ABSTRACT This case study summarizes an assessment of risk of methylmercury (MeHg) exposure to fish–eating birds foraging at Stormwater Treatment Area–2 (STA–2). This assessment was required as a special condition for a permit modification authorizing flow–through operation of STA–2 Cell 1 without it first satisfying formal mercury start–up criteria. The assessment estimates the risks posed by MeHg to the great egret (Ardea albus) and the bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). Exposure models were based on literature–derived life history parameters combined with site–specific MeHg concentrations in water, sediment, and fish. To assess risk, daily MeHg intake by females and cumulative MeHg consumed by nestlings were compared to literature–derived effects thresholds. The results indicated the likelihood was low that MeHg exposures to birds foraging throughout STA–2 would exceed effects thresholds at the time of this assessment. Birds foraging exclusively from Cell 1 or the small discharge canal were predicte...
Female on Female Violence: A Look Into The Mixquiahuala Letters

In The Mixquiahuala Letters, Ana Castillo attempts to construct a subjective identity for the novel’s narrator amid political, social, and sexual conflict. These conflicts, innate to the experience...
Complex Text and New Common Standards in the United States: Pedagogical Implications for English Learners.

In the United States, new common state standards in English language arts and disciplinary literacy require K–12 students to “read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently.” Issues of text complexity have spurred debates in the mainstream literacy, educational practice, and policy communities. Issues raised for English learners (ELs)—and their teachers—are even more vexing. This article considers first language (L1) and second language (L2) reading theory and research to articulate challenges facing ELs as they engage with complex text and to evaluate instructional responses. Reviewing historical and contemporary perspectives on text complexity and reading comprehension, the authors argue that (a) the complexity involved in comprehending difficult text transcends textual features to include dimensions of the reader, task, and pedagogical support; and (b) the path to success for ELs will not be paved solely by attempting to match readers with “appropriate” texts or by modifying existing texts to meet perceived student reading levels. If what is “complex” about reading certain kinds of texts is the relationship among the text, its reader, the task the reader is being asked to perform, and the context in its multiple dimensions, then pedagogical responses for ELs must keep all of these in mind.
Solving gapped Hamiltonians locally

We show that any short-range Hamiltonian with a gap between the ground and excited states can be written as a sum of local operators, such that the ground state is an approximate eigenvector of each operator separately. We then show that the ground state of any such Hamiltonian is close to a generalized matrix product state. The range of the given operators needed to obtain a good approximation to the ground state is proportional to the square of the logarithm of the system size times a characteristic ``factorization length.'' Applications to many-body quantum simulation are discussed. We also consider density matrices of systems at non zero temperature.
The excretion of 17-ketosteroids, 11-oxycorticosteroids and "11-desoxycorticosteroids" in patients with bronchial asthma.

IN 1945, Rackemann (1) reported metabolic studies on a patient with bronchial asthma due to “depletion,” a nonspecific term introduced by him which designates bronchial asthma associated with exhaustion, chronic infection or emotional stress. In his report he writes: “Dr. Albright pointed out that the man had suffered repeated insults to his system and so might be compared with animals which had been exposed to repeated trauma until they were in the resistant or counter-shock stage of the “alarm reaction” as described by Selye and his co-workers. Dr. Albright found that this man excreted in the urine only 5.5 mg. of 17-ketosteroids in one day in place of the normal 15 mg., and he pointed out the probability that the patient suffered from a marked disturbance in the function of the adrenal cortex.” In view of the potential importance of this observation, it seemed necessary to study a series of patients with bronchial asthma in an attempt to establish whether the reported decrease in the excretion of 17-ke...
Abstract 2579: Bax345/BLyS: A novel, completely human fusion construct targeting malignant B cells and delivering a unique mitochondrial toxin

B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS) is crucial for B-cell survival and the biological effects of BLyS are mediated by three cell surface receptors BAFF-R, TACI, and BCMA. Increased expression of BLyS and its receptors has been identified in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). DLBCL and MCL are an aggressive sub-type of B-cell, non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma (NHL). Despite recent advances in the understanding of the molecular and cellular basis for their pathogenesis, these tumors are still associated with poor response to treatment and a fatal outcome. Bcl-2 associated x protein (Bax) is a proapoptotic protein of the Bcl-2 family and is a gateway protein to mitochondria dependent apoptosis. We generated a highly cytotoxic fusion protein designated Bax 345 /BLyS for receptor-mediated delivery to malignant B cells. The Bax 345 /BLyS fusion protein has the BH3 and BH1 domains of Bax and contains full-length BLyS. This fusion protein was generated in bacteria and purified by IMAC. The final material was shown to be highly cytotoxic to activated B cell (ABC)-subtype DLBCL (IC 50 ∼ 0.1 nM) and mantle cell lymphoma lines (IC 50 ∼ 0.1-1 nM). The cytotoxic effects of Bax 345 /BLyS were inhibited by pretreatment with free BLyS demonstrating that the effects of the fusion construct are mediated through interaction with the BLyS receptors. Treatment of cells with Bax 345 /BLyS induced down-regulation of Akt, p-Akt, Mcl-1, and survivn and triggered accumulation of cells in the sub G 1 phase of the cell cycle. In addition, treatment of cells with Bax 345 /BLyS induced up-regulation of Bax and apoptosis through caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, and DNA fragmentation. Our results suggest that BLyS has the potential to serve as an excellent targeting ligand for the specific delivery of the pro-apoptotic molecule Bax 345 to neoplastic B cells expressing the BLyS receptors, and Bax 345 /BLyS may be an excellent candidate for the treatment of the NHLs which are resistant to conventional chemotherapeutic regimens. This work was supported in part by the Clayton Foundation for Research and by LLS 6234-07 Translational Research Award from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2579.
Cardiac catheterization within 1 to 3 days of proximal aortic surgery is not associated with increased postoperative acute kidney injury

Objective Cardiac catheterization shortly before coronary artery bypass grafting or valve surgery has been associated with increased postoperative acute kidney injury. The relationship between catheterization timing and acute kidney injury after proximal aortic surgery remains unknown. Methods Between August 2005 and February 2011, a total of 285 consecutive patients underwent cardiac catheterization before elective proximal aortic surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass at a single institution. The association between timing of catheterization and postoperative acute kidney injury (defined as postoperative increase in serum creatinine ≥50% of baseline) was assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results Of 285 patients, 152 (53%) underwent catheterization on preoperative days 1 to 3 and 133 (47%) underwent catheterization on preoperative day 4 or before. Acute kidney injury occurred in 88 (31%) patients, 3 (1.1%) requiring dialysis. Acute kidney injury occurred in 37 (24%) patients catheterized on preoperative days 1 to 3, and 51 (38%) patients catheterized on preoperative day 4 or before. Catheterization on preoperative days 1 to 3 was not associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury relative to catheterization on preoperative day 4 or before (unadjusted odds ratio, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.31-0.86; P = .01; adjusted odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-0.73; P = .005). Conclusions Cardiac catheterization within 1 to 3 days of elective proximal aortic surgery appears safe and should be considered acceptable practice for patients at low risk of acute kidney injury.
Bundled execution of recurring traces for energy-efficient general purpose processing

Technology scaling has delivered on its promises of increasing device density on a single chip. However, the voltage scaling trend has failed to keep up, introducing tight power constraints on manufactured parts. In such a scenario, there is a need to incorporate energy-efficient processing resources that can enable more computation within the same power budget. Energy efficiency solutions in the past have typically relied on application specific hardware and accelerators. Unfortunately, these approaches do not extend to general purpose applications due to their irregular and diverse code base. Towards this end, we propose BERET, an energy-efficient co-processor that can be configured to benefit a wide range of applications. Our approach identifies recurring instruction sequences as phases of "temporal regularity" in a program's execution, and maps suitable ones to the BERET hardware, a three-stage pipeline with a bundled execution model. This judicious off-loading of program execution to a reduced-complexity hardware demonstrates significant savings on instruction fetch, decode and register file accesses energy. On average, BERET reduces energy consumption by a factor of 3-4X for the program regions selected across a range of general-purpose and media applications. The average energy savings for the entire application run was 35% over a single-issue in-order processor.
The genomes of simian varicella virus and varicella zoster virus are colinear

Simian varicella virus (SVV) causes an exanthematous disease in non-human primates which is clinically similar to varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection of humans. In this study, the genetic relatedness of SVV and VZV was confirmed and the location of SVV DNA sequences homologous to VZV restriction endonuclease (RE) fragments and viral genes was determined. VZV DNA RE fragments representing 98.3% of the VZV genome were 32P-labeled and hybridized to RE digested, immobilized SVV DNA. Homologous sequences were located throughout the viral DNAs in similar map positions, indicating a colinear relationship between the VZV and SVV genomes. 32P-labeled VZV glycoprotein (gp I, II, III, and IV) and gene 62 DNA probes also hybridized to SVV DNA in a colinear manner. The results suggest that the location of specific SVV genes may be predicted from the known map positions of homologous VZV genes. This study provides further support for SVV infection of non-human primates as a model for VZV infection of humans.
Noncontinuous use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of experimental bone marrow transplant nephropathy

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can be used to prevent the development of radiation nephropathy after BMT. In previous BMT nephropathy studies, ACE inhibitor therapy was started pre-BMT and continued indefinitely. In preparation for clinical trials, studies were designed to determine whether effective prophylaxis could be achieved if ACE inhibitor therapy was started after engraftment, and to determine whether ACE inhibitors needed to be given indefinitely. The present studies in our rat syngeneic BMT model showed that captopril therapy started 25 days post-BMT was as effective as therapy started prior to BMT. When ACE inhibitor therapy was discontinued 28 weeks after BMT, the protective effect was not lost if adequate control of azotemia had been maintained for 26 weeks. If adequate control of azotemia was not maintained for 26 weeks, BMT nephropathy progressed rapidly when ACE inhibitor therapy ended, and slowly when it was continued. Failure to control azotemia was a better predictor of renal failure than failure to control hypertension or proteinuria. Based on these preclinical studies, it would appear that ACE inhibitor therapy will be effective in the prophylaxis of BMT nephropathy even if begun after engraftment, and that ACE inhibitors may not need to be given indefinitely.
Capturing Environmental Affordances: Low-Income Families Identify Positive Characteristics of a Hotel Housing Solution

This qualitative study describes the positive characteristics of an extended-stay hotel as identified by low-income families that resided there. Interviews were conducted with ten hotel residents using a semi-structured interview guide and participant photographs to elicit a deeper understanding of experiencing home at a hotel. Framed in the theoretical perspective of environmental affordances, findings suggest that despite discomforts of the hotel environment, residents were still able to enjoy family independence, social engagement, a sense of safety and connection to a community context. The findings of this study may help practitioners gain a balanced perspective of non-ideal housing conditions for planning interventions. Even in these conditions, positive characteristics can be identified to reinforce family functioning and well-being. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A MICROPROCESSOR CONTROLLED INSTRUMENT FOR MEASURING THE TRANSMITTANCE AND REFLECTANCE OF OCEAN WATERS

The factors contributing to the visibility of submerged targets are discussed and the data requirements for calculating submerged contrast and contrast transmittance are developed. An instrument capable of making the measurements of the optical properties of seawater needed for visibility calculations is described. The instrument incorporates proven features of previous spectral transmissometers and oceanographic illuminometers into a single unit that can be operated through standard STD cables up to 8000 meters in length. It can, as a result, be used on most oceanographic vessels without requiring the addition of a special winch and cable. The instrument system utilizes a unique microprocessor-controlled, digital data acquisition and command system. This system performs the control and data transmission functions for eight underwater data channels through the armored, single wire STD cable. The total instrument system includes an HP9830B desk-top computer for data processing and recording, with an interconnected plotter for the real-time plotting of the measured variables.© (1978) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Photothermal detection of nicotine-induced apoptotic effects in pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the capability of a photothermal (PT) assay in determining the effects of graded doses of nicotine in a pancreatic acinar cell line (AR42J). The cellular response to nicotine was detected through the monitoring of PT signals from light-absorbing endogenous cellular structures that have been used as natural indicators for nicotine's action. It was demonstrated that introducing nicotine to cultured acinar cells in vitro leads to changes in cellular absorbing structures, thereby altering the microstructure of PT cell images and the temporal shape of PT signals. The results showed that the dependence of specific PT parameters was almost proportional to nicotine concentrations ranging from 1 nM to 100 μM, with the saturation maximum at and around 100 μM – 1 mM; thereafter, PT signals decreased rapidly to control levels and even lower, in the range of 1 – 50 mM. Conventional fluorescent tests (Annexin V – Propidium Iodide) performed in parallel showed no effect with nicotine at a concentration
Evidence for Four Distinct Major Protein Components in the Paraflagellar Rod of Trypanosoma cruzi

The major structural proteins present in the paraflagellar rod of Trypanosoma cruzi migrate on SDS-polyacrylamide gels as two distinct electrophoretic bands. The gene encoding a protein present in the faster migrating band, designated PAR 2, has been identified previously. Here we report the isolation and partial characterization of three genes, designated par 1, par 3, and par 4, that encode proteins present in the two paraflagellar rod protein bands. Peptide-specific polyclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibodies against the four proteins encoded by these genes shows that PAR 1 and PAR 3 are present only in the slower migrating paraflagellar rod band, and that PAR 2 and PAR 4 are present only in the faster migrating band. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence of these genes and the amino acid sequence of the conceptual proteins encoded by them indicates that par 2 shares high sequence similarity with par 3 and both are members of a common gene family, of which par 1 may be a distant member. Analysis of gene copy number and steady-state RNA levels suggest that the close stoichiometric ratio of the four PAR proteins is likely maintained by homeostatic regulation of RNA levels rather than gene dosage.
Coordinate invariance in stochastic dynamical systems

Stochastic dynamical systems have been used to model a broad range of atmospheric and oceanicphenomena. Previous work has focused on the stochastic differential equation formulation of thesesystems, has largely remained in a single coordinate system, and has highlighted the role of nonnormalityof the deterministic dynamics. Here, the coordinate independent properties of stochasticdynamical systems are studied. The properties previously attributed to non-normality, which can beremoved by a coordinate transformation, are more fundamentally seen to be coordinate-dependentmanifestations of violations of detailed balance. Systems violating detailed balance can both amplifyand rectify the random forcing.Newcoordinate-invariant measures of noise amplification are introducedand shown to achieve their lower bound when detailed balance is satisfied. Rectification results in acoherent phase space velocity which gives rise to a structured nonzero flux of all physically importantquantities such as energy and momentum. The qualitative and quantitative features of these fluxesprovide new predictions which can be used to further validate previously proposed stochastic modelsof geophysical systems. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.2003.00014.x
The Middle to Late Woodland Transition in the Lower/Middle Delaware Valley:

The transition between Middle and Late Woodland cultures is a gradual one in terms of changes in adaptations. A stylistic/typological boundary between the periods can be drawn sometime between A.D. 700 and A.D. 900 and involves the persistent use (after this date) of triangular projectile points and the manufacture and use of a suite of ceramic types different from those of earlier times. Alterations of adaptive strategies, as reflected in settlement patterns, do not seem to appear until later, ca. A.D. 1200–1300. The most dramatic change is seen in lowland aspects of settlement patterns. Large group settlements of the Middle Woodland period (and presumably the early Late Woodland period), oriented around portions of fresh water tidal marshes, shift to broad floodplain settings sometime during the Late Woodland period. This article provides detail on the noted changes and similarities at the Middle to Late Woodland transition. Hypotheses dealing with explanations for these changes are also explored.
Resonances, radiation damping and instabilitym in Hamiltonian nonlinear wave equations

We consider a class of nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations which are Hamiltonian and are perturbations of linear dispersive equations. The unperturbed dynamical system has a bound state, a spatially localized and time periodic solution. We show that, for generic nonlinear Hamiltonian perturbations, all small amplitude solutions decay to zero as time tends to infinity at an anomalously slow rate. In particular, spatially localized and time-periodic solutions of the linear problem are destroyed by generic nonlinear Hamiltonian perturbations via slow radiation of energy to infinity. These solutions can therefore be thought of as metastable states. The main mechanism is a nonlinear resonant interaction of bound states (eigenfunctions) and radiation (continuous spectral modes), leading to energy transfer from the discrete to continuum modes. This is in contrast to the KAM theory in which appropriate nonresonance conditions imply the persistence of invariant tori. A hypothesis ensuring that such a resonance takes place is a nonlinear analogue of the Fermi golden rule, arising in the theory of resonances in quantum mechanics. The techniques used involve: (i) a time-dependent method developed by the authors for the treatment of the quantum resonance problem and perturbations of embedded eigenvalues, (ii) a generalization of the Hamiltonian normal form appropriate for infinite dimensional dispersive systems and (iii) ideas from scattering theory. The arguments are quite general and we expect them to apply to a large class of systems which can be viewed as the interaction of finite dimensional and infinite dimensional dispersive dynamical systems, or as a system of particles coupled to a field.
Ironing out the phosphorus problem

Control of serum phosphorus remains a vexing problem in chronic kidney disease. Although novel dialysis regimens may provide excellent phosphorus control, phosphate binders remain necessary for most dialysis patients. Block et al. present a phase I clinical trial examining the safety and efficacy of SBR759, a novel non-calcium, iron-based phosphate binder. Although the risks of iron accumulation and hypocalcemia must be addressed, this phosphate binder appears to be well tolerated and effective and offers a powder-based formulation.
DEPRENYL STIMULATES THE RELEASE OF LUTEINIZING HORMONE FROM THE PITUITARY IN VITRO

The direct effects of deprenyl on the pituitary were investigated by measuring the release of luteinizing hormone (LH) from the pituitary glands of male Sprague-Dawley rats in vitro. Basal release of LH was determined by incubating the pituitaries in Krebs-Ringer Henseleit (KRH) solution with 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 mM of deprenyl for 1 h. In the control group, LH release was not different in pre- and posttreatment periods. In contrast, in the 10 mM group, LH release increased by 436% (p<0.01). Incubation of pituitaries with 0.1 or 1 mM deprenyl did not alter LH release. It is concluded that deprenyl a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, can also act directly on the pituitary.
Renal hemodynamics during pregnancy in chronically catheterized, conscious rats

Renal hemodynamics during pregnancy in chronically catheterized, conscious rats. Two types of experiments were performed, cross-sectional and longitudinal. In the cross-sectional studies, rats were mated, later prepared surgically, and then 5 or more days after surgery, each examined twice during days 11 to 15 or days 18 to 20 of gestation. Nonpregnant rats matched for age and prepregnant weight served as controls. In the longitudinal studies, rats were catheterized and, starting 6 days later, examined twice; then the same rats were mated and each was studied on days 5, 8, 12, 16, and 20 of gestation, as well as on day 5 postpartum. In the cross-sectional studies, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) were elevated by approximately 26% and 20%, respectively, above nonpregnant controls at 11 to 15 days of gestation (GFR, 2739 ± 94 vs. 2181 ± 134 µl · min -1 , P -1 , P -1 , and then returned to nonpregnant levels by day 20 of gestation. Because these changes in GFR and ERPF resemble those of human pregnancy, the chronically prepared, conscious, pregnant rat can serve as a useful model in which to investigate the mechanisms underlying the changes. Hemodynamique renale pendant la gravidite chez des rattes eveillees, avec un catheter chronique. Deux types d'experiences ont ete entrepris: (1) Transversales . Des rattes ont ete fecondees, preparees ensuite chirurgicalement, puis 5 jours ou plus apres la chirurgie, chacune a ete examinee deux fois aux jours 11 a 15 et 18 a 20 de la gestation. (2) Longitudinales . Les rattes etaient catheterisees, puis, au bout de 6 jours, examinees deux fois; ensuite les memes rattes etaient fecondees, et chacune etait etudiee aux jours 5, 8, 12, 16, et 20 de la gestation, ainsi qu'au 5e jour du post-partum. Dans les etudes transversales, le debit de filtration glomerulaire (GFR) et le debit plasmatique renal efficace (ERPF) etaient eleves de 26% et 20% environ, respectivement, au-dessus des controles non gravides, a 11 a 15 jours de gestation (GFR, 2739 ± 94 contre 2181 ± 134 µl · min -1 , P -1 , P -1 , puis revenaient aux niveaux non gravides au 20e jour de gestation. Puisque ces modifications de GFR et ERPF ressemblent a celles de la grossesse humaine, la ratte gravide, preparee de facon chronique et eveillee peut servir de modele utile pour chercher les mecanismes sous-jacents a ces modifications.
Mound Formation, Coarsening and Instabilities in Epitaxial Growth

An introductory review of the central ideas in the kinetics of multilayer epitaxial growth is presented. A realistic model for multilayer homoepitaxial growth on fcc(100) and bcc(100) surfaces which takes into account the correct crystal structure is discussed. The effects of instabilities which lead to mound formation and coarsening are discussed, and a unified picture of the effects of attractive and repulsive interactions at ascending and descending steps on surface morphology and island nucleation is presented. An accurate prediction of the observed mound angle for Fe/Fe(100) deposition is obtained analytically and by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. The general dependence of the mound angle and mound coarsening behavior on the temperature, deposition rate and strength of the step barrier in bcc(100) and fcc(100) growth is also presented, and compared with recent experiments.
DoubleGuard: Detecting Intrusions in Multitier Web Applications

Internet services and applications have become an inextricable part of daily life, enabling communication and the management of personal information from anywhere. To accommodate this increase in application and data complexity, web services have moved to a multitiered design wherein the webserver runs the application front-end logic and data are outsourced to a database or file server. In this paper, we present DoubleGuard, an IDS system that models the network behavior of user sessions across both the front-end webserver and the back-end database. By monitoring both web and subsequent database requests, we are able to ferret out attacks that an independent IDS would not be able to identify. Furthermore, we quantify the limitations of any multitier IDS in terms of training sessions and functionality coverage. We implemented DoubleGuard using an Apache webserver with MySQL and lightweight virtualization. We then collected and processed real-world traffic over a 15-day period of system deployment in both dynamic and static web applications. Finally, using DoubleGuard, we were able to expose a wide range of attacks with 100 percent accuracy while maintaining 0 percent false positives for static web services and 0.6 percent false positives for dynamic web services.
SPECTROGRAPHIC DETERMINATION OF BERYLLIUM IN AIR, BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS, AND ORES USING THE SUSTAINING A.C. ARC.

Abstract A spectrographic method has been developed, using a sustaining a.c. arc, for the quantitative determination of beryllium in amounts as low as 0.001 microgram. The method is based upon the excitation of beryllium volatilized from a chloride matrix which is prepared from a lithium chloride-graphite buffer, liver ash, and the ashed or fused sample. Experiments with Be7 have provided quantitative recoveries of the radioactive tracer from urine samples and from bertrandite and beryl ores. Application of the method to samples of beryllium ores provided, in six out of eight cases, less than 10% deviations from the results of the chemical analyses reported by the U. S. Bureau of Mines.
Operability and Efficiency Performance of Ultra-Compact, High Gravity (g) Combustor Concepts

Future gas turbine engines are required to be more capable than their predecessors. This often implies severe demands on the engine that translate into increasing compressor and combustor exit temperatures, higher combustion pressures and higher fuel/air ratio combustors with greater turn-down ratios (wider operating limits between idle and maximum power conditions). Major advances in combustor technology are required to meet the conflicting challenges of improving performance, increasing durability and maintaining cost. Unconventional combustor configurations are one promising approach to address these challenges. Ultra-short combustors to minimize residence time, with special flame-holding mechanisms to cope with increased through-velocities are likely in the future. Engine cycles other than the standard Brayton cycle may also be used for special applications in order to avoid the use of excessive combustion temperatures, and to extract additional power from the system. This paper focuses on vortex-stabilized combustor technologies that can enable the design of compact, high-performance combustion systems. Compact combustors weigh less and take up less volume in space-limited turbine engine for aero applications. This paper presents a parametric design study of the Ultra-Compact Combustor (UCC), a novel design based on TVC work that uses high swirl in a circumferential cavity to enhance reaction rates via high cavity g-loading on the order of 3000 g’s. Increase in reaction rates translates to a reduced combustor volume. Three combustor geometric features were varied during experiments which included (1) high-g cavity flame-holding method, (2) high-g cavity to main airflow transport method, and (3) fuel injection method. Experimental results are presented for these combustor configurations and results have shown promise for advanced engine applications. Lean blowout fuel-air ratio limits at 25–50% the value of current systems were demonstrated. Combustion efficiency was measured over a wide range of UCC operating conditions. This data begins to build the design space required for future engine designs that may use these novel, compact, high-g combustion systems.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Review article: pH, healing and symptom relief with rabeprazole treatment in acid-related disorders.

Summary Control of gastric acid secretion by antisecretory agents has been the cornerstone of therapy in the successful management of all acid-related disorders, including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and duodenal and gastric ulcer. Treatment efficacy has been strongly correlated with degree and duration of acid suppression within the 24-h period and with total duration of therapy. All proton pump inhibitors are highly effective for the healing of ulcers and erosive oesophagitis. All have closely similar mechanisms of action, yet important pharmacological differences exist, which can significantly impact certain aspects of their clinical efficacy. Rabeprazole's rapid activation over a wide pH range may be the explanation for its early onset of effective acid inhibition compared with other proton pump inhibitors such as omeprazole, lansoprazole and pantoprazole. Like rabeprazole, esomeprazole is also a potent inhibitor of gastric acid at steady state, although it is thought that rabeprazole may provide enhanced first-day acid suppression compared with esomeprazole. First-day antisecretory efficacy should produce faster symptom relief, a hypothesis supported by clinical data. Moreover, drugs with pharmacological profiles that include both rapid onset and potent antisecretory effects should help control healthcare costs by reducing the need for otherwise commonly used twice-daily proton pump inhibitor administration.
The Iron Intern

Abstract By a simple adaptation, the malleable retractor has been found useful in providing optimal exposure in transthoracic operations involving the esophagus. Its most frequent application has been in hiatal hernia repairs, Heller procedures, and esophagogastrectomies.
Tilorone hydrochloride in the treatment of T cell lymphoproliferative cutaneous disease

Tilorone hydrochloride was used to treat eleven patients with T cell cutaneous disease ranging from pre-Sezary syndrome to tumor-stage mycosis fungoides. Cutaneous histologic study, Sezary counts, delayed skin tests, patch tests, and quantitative T cell counts were monitored. The study revealed that the response to tilorone depends in part on the type and stage of disease, as well as the characteristics and responsiveness of the individual lymphocyte population. Patients with pre-Sezary syndrome are most likely to benefit from tilorone. The effect of tilorone on the T cell population is manifested by changes in responses to patch and skin tests, as well as histologic improvement, Intact immune responses and elevated levels of IgE may be important prognostic clinical parameters in these patients. Tilorone is ineffective in patients with mycosis fungoides and advanced Sezary syndrome. Keratopathy can be a limiting but reversible complication of therapy. The drug may provide an effective therapeutic step in the treatment of early T cell cutaneous disease or an adjunctive therapy to leukapheresis and chemotherapy. (J AM ACAD DERMATOL 7:468-477, 1982.)
Nonequilibrium sorption of organic contaminants during flow through columns of aquifer materials

Batch equilibrium and miscible displacement studies were conducted to investigate sorption and transport of trichloroethylene (TCE) and p-xylene in two sand aquifer materials low in organic carbon content. The utility of a bicontinuum (two-site) sorption model to describe the extent of sorption nonequilibrium during transport in saturated columns was evaluated. Model parameters estimated from the breakthrough curves (BTC) obtained at a high pore-water velocity (v = 24 cm/h) were used successfully to describe the BTC measured at a lower pore-water velocity (v = 6 cm/h). The assumption of local sorption equilibrium was valid at the lower velocity, and the measured BTC could be described by an equilibrium sorption model coupled to a convective-dispersive transport model. Values for column retardation factors estimated by fitting the two-site model to the BTC were comparable with those estimated from equilibrium sorption isotherms. BTC measured for displacement of binary mixtures (TCE plus p-xylene) and single-solute (TCE or p-xylene alone) were identical, suggesting that there is no competitive sorption between these two solutes. These column observations were consistent with sorption isotherm data.
Vacuum Ultraviolet And Extreme Ultraviolet Radiometry Using Synchrotron Radiation At The National Bureau Of Standards

Synchrotron radiation is a source of continuum radiation ranging from the x-ray or soft x-ray region (depending on machine energy) to beyond the visible region. The amount of radiation emitted is a calculable function of machine operating parameters. This makes it possible to use synchrotron radiation from electron synchrotrons and electron storage rings as an absolute source particularly in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and soft x-ray regions where other standards are difficult to find. At the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), an electron storage ring (SURF-II) has been used to calibrate spectrometers and photometers used in solar and aeronomy research and in fusion plasma diagnostics. A large chamber has recently been completed to facilitate such calibrations. The radiation incident on these spectrometers can be calculated to uncertainties of 3%. A technique to exactly determine the number of electrons orbiting in the ring is currently being developed to reduce this uncertainty. Detector calibrations between 5 to 55 nm (50 to 550 A) are routinely carried out at SURF-II, and transfer standard detec-tors with 6 to 10% uncertainties over the range of 5 to 254 nm (50 to 2540 A) are supplied. Special studies of "practical," high efficiency, and disposable photodiodes have been made by NBS in collaboration with other groups.
Solution Synthesis and Characterization of Lithium Manganese Oxide Cathode Materials

A nonaqueous coprecipitation process has been developed to prepare controlled stoichiometry lithium manganese oxalate precipitates. The process involved mixing a methanolic Li-Mn nitrate solution with a methanolic solution containing tetramethylammonium oxalate as the precipitating agent. The resulting oxalates were readily converted to a variety of phase pure lithium manganese oxides at moderate temperatures ({le}600{degrees}C), where the phase formed was determined by the initial Li/Mn ratio in the starting solution. Metal cation dopants have been incorporated into the oxalate precipitate by dissolving the appropriate metal nitrate in the Li-Mn precursor solution The various starting solutions, oxalate precipitates, and calcined oxides have been extensively characterized using a variety of techniques, including {sup 7}Li NMR, TGA/DTA, SEM, and XRD. Results indicate that a strong interaction occurs between Li and Mn in the nitrate solution which carries over into the oxalate phase during precipitation. The morphology and the crystallite size of the oxide powders were shown to be controlled by the morphology of the oxalate precursor and the oxalate calcination temperature, respectively. The results of initial cathode performance tests with respect to dopant type (Al, Ni, Co) and concentration for LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4} are also reported.
Further chemical characterization and biological activities of fluorescent I,N6-ethenoadenosine derivatives☆

Abstract The fluorescent 1,N6-ethenoadenosine derivatives of adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate, adenosine monophosphate, 3′:5′-cyclic adenosine monophosphate, adenosine and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide have been prepared. Paper and thin layer chromatographic purification methods have been developed. Nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrum data indicate that only the purine ring has been modified. The 1,N6-ethenoadenosine triphosphate had about 70% of the activity of adenosine triphosphate as a substrate for total adenosine triphosphatase activity of hypophysectomized rat liver membranes. The 1,N6-ethenoadenosine diphosphate had about 86% of the activity of adenosine diphosphate as a substrate for adenosine diphosphatase of hypophysectomized rat liver membranes. The 1,N6-etheno derivative of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide had about 8% of the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as a substrate for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide glycohydrolase and about 54% of the activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as a substrate for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide pyrophosphatase of hypophysectomized rat liver membranes. Km's for the ATPase, ADPase and yeast alcohol dehydrogenase using e-ATP and e-ADP and e-NAD as substrates are presented.
Parametric cost analysis of photovoltaic systems

Abstract A parametric cost analysis of photovoltaic systems based on different design philosophies has been carried out. The analysis takes into account the fixed costs involved in a photovoltaic installation (such as site preparation, array foundations and structure, inversion equipment, backup capacity, etc.) the cost of concentrators at different concentration ratios ranging from unity (i.e. flat plate array) to 103, solar cell cost-per-unit area, system efficiency, etc. Resulting parametric curves allow the determination of the cost of electricity for a given set of system constraints. They also allow one to determine the optimum concentration ratio for a given solar cell cost per unit area. The analysis confirms many of the accepted conclusions, presents them in a concise form, and, in addition, allows one to see the relationship between the various system design regimes and the sensitivity of the total cost of electricity produced to the cost of the various system components.