cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“I’ll Huff, and I’ll Puff, and I’ll Blow Your House Down”: Building the Resiliency of Education Departments in Nonprofit Theatre Organizations

This study identifies five indicators that reveal the relationships between nonprofit theatres and their education departments. These indicators are: (1) the education department's founding story; (2) the ability of the education director to connect with other departments within the organization; (3) the capability of the education department to find and foster contributions; (4) the capacity of the education programs to earn an income; and (5) the use of data to link the education department with a positive future of the organization. These indicators provide a way to increase educational advocacy within theatre organizations and protect the future of the education departments.
Cross-sectional structural analysis for 3D printing optimization

We propose a novel cross-sectional structural analysis technique that efficiently detects critical stress inside a 3D object. We slice the object into cross-sections and compute stress based on bending momentum equilibrium. Unlike traditional approaches based on finite element methods, our method does not require a volumetric mesh or solution of linear systems, enabling interactive analysis speed. Based on the stress analysis, the orientation of an object is optimized to increase mechanical strength when manufactured with 3D printing.
On the Connexion of a Certain Identity with the Extension of Conical Order to n Dimensions

1. In his book, A Theory of Time and Space , the writer showed that, contrary to the generally accepted view, the ideas of Congruence can be built up from purely ordinal considerations, provided that we do not confine ourselves to linear order, but admit what, for convenience, he has called Conical Order. This Conical Order is built up from the purely abstract asymmetrical relations of before and after and does not pre-suppose the existence of the cones which are used to illustrate it.
Nickel-on-charcoal-catalyzed aromatic aminations and Kumada couplings: mechanistic and synthetic aspects.

Protocols for aromatic aminations and Kumada couplings catalyzed by ‘heterogeneous' nickel-on-charcoal (Ni/C) have been revised, making them simpler and more time efficient. For both types of reactions, reduction of the catalyst precursor Ni(II)/C using n-BuLi prior to addition of a substrate can be avoided. Instead, in amination reactions, the amine in combination with lithium tert-butoxide was found to convert Ni(II)/C to active Ni(0). For Kumada couplings, direct reduction of Ni(II)/C by the Grignard reagent is easily achieved. Reactions run in the presence of triarylphosphine ligands of varying substitution patterns and with differing electronic properties provided insight into the mechanism of these nickel-catalyzed transformations. Ligandless Kumada couplings were facile with aryl Grignards, which may be a consequence of π-complexation of nickel by the aryl group in the reagent. Larger scale reactions of both types of couplings have been successfully performed, suggesting that Ni/C-based processes c...
Sciatic neuropathy secondary to total hip arthroplasty wear debris.

Abstract Sciatic neuropathy after total hip arthroplasty can result from several causes. We present a case in which a large cystic mass developed around a failed total hip arthroplasty. The lesion extended through the greater sciatic notch and into the pelvis producing sciatic nerve compression. The diagnosis was delayed, and the patient underwent a laminectomy without relief of symptoms before an abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed the mass. After revision of the components and excision of the accessible portion of the lesion, the symptoms improved. Resolution of the intrapelvic portion of the mass was demonstrated on follow-up CT scan, suggesting that retroperitoneal resection of this type of lesion may not be required at the time of revision of the components.
Kovats and lee retention indices determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for organic compounds of environmental interest

Retention indices of standard organic compounds of environmental interest were determined by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, using a DB-5 fused-silica capillary column. Retention indices are useful references for tentative compound identification by gas chromatography, or confirmation by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. They provide elution order for isomers that might be indistinguishable based on mass spectra. Modified Kovats and Lee retention indices are given for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; sulfur heterocycles; nitrogen heterocycles; aromatic amines; oxygen heterocycles; phenols; alcohols; ketones; alkanes; nitriles; and methylesters of fatty, dicarboxylic, and aromatic acids for comparison and reference. Retention index values for heterocycles by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry are comparable with gas chromatography values previously reported.
Self-Consciousness Cannot Be Programmed

We investigate the issue about whether a computer can be self-aware or self-conscious. We derive logically that if a machine can be copied or duplicated then it cannot be self-aware. Programs of a digital computer are copiable, therefore self-consciousness cannot be programmed. Self-awareness is an insurmountable stumbling block for a digital computer to achieve full range of human consciousness. A robot cannot be self-conscious unless it is not copiable.
Glass transition characteristics of poly(aryl ether ketone ketone) and its copolymers

Abstract The glass transition characteristics of poly(aryl ether ketone ketone) (PEKK) have been investigated as a function of backbone structure and crystallization history; PEKK 100 0 homopolymer and PEKK 70 30 and 60 40 copolymers were examined, where the numbers represent the terephthalic/isophthalic (T/I) ratio. For the all- para -connected homopolymer, the presence of crystallinity had a significant influence on the calorimetric glass transition properties of the amorphous phase: T g was offset by as much as 20°C in the crystallized samples as compared to the wholly amorphous material, and a sizeable ( W RAP ∼ 0.30) rigid-amorphous-phase fraction was observed. In the copolymers, crystallinity had only a very minor effect on T g . The rigid-amorphous-phase fraction in the copolymer samples was smaller as compared to the homopolymer, and was negligible ( W RAP → 0) for samples prepared under less-restrictive crystallization conditions. Dielectric studies indicated progressive mobilization of the rigid-amorphous-phase fraction above T g for the copolymer samples, with full mobilization of the non-crystalline fraction observed for those samples crystallized at the highest temperatures. These results show that the introduction of 1,3-connected isophthalate moieties in the PEKK copolymers has a disrupting influence on the persistence of crystalline constraint into the amorphous phase. Similar observations have been reported for poly(phenylene sulfide) copolymers and thermoplastic polyimides that incorporate meta -phenylene linkages in the chain backbone.
The modified leung-griffiths model of vapor-liquid equilibrium: Extended scaling and binary mixtures of dissimilar fluids

Abstract Extended scaling or the Wegner correction has been added to a model of vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) designed for the extended critical region. The model, that of Leung and Griffiths as modified by Moldover, Rainwater and co-workers, has heretofore incorporated only simple scaling. The revised formalism has been applied to the abundant data on carbon dioxide + n-butane, where versions of the model with and without extended scaling have been optimized by the simplex method. With extended scaling, the average thermodynamic “distance” between a measured and calculated dew or bubble point decreases by approximately 30 percent.
Cost-analysis of prophylactic antibiotics in spontaneous bacterial peritonitis

Background & Aims: Antibiotic prophylaxis has been prophylactic orally administered antibiotics to selectively shown to decrease the incidence of spontaneous bac- decontaminate the intestine and decrease the incidence terial peritonitis (SBP) in patients with cirrhosis and of SBP in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. 11‐14 These ascites. The aim of this study was to test whether studies showed a significant decrease in the frequency antibiotic prophylaxis for SBP is cost-effective and to of SBP with prophylactically administered norfloxacin, compare the costs associated with different patient ciprofloxacin, or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. Congroups and treatment strategies. Methods: A cost-ef- troversy remains, however, concerning the cost-effectivefectiveness analysis was performed using a Markov ness of prophylactic antibiotic therapy to prevent SBP. 15 chain model. The costs incurred during 1-year treat- This study compares the direct costs of SBP incurred ment with prophylactic antibiotics vs. no prophylaxis in during 1-year treatment with and without antibiotic propatients with cirrhosis and ascites were calculated. phylaxis. Our aim was to determine whether antibiotic The incidence rates of primary and recurrent SBP and prophylaxis would decrease the overall cost of therapy in the mortality rate of SBP were obtained from the literature. Total direct costs of SBP treatment were deter- SBP in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. mined from the wholesale price of drugs and from Materials and Methods disbursements by the Health Care Financing Administration. Results: Norfloxacin prophylaxis resulted in Model savings between $2216 and $8545 per patient per A Markov chain was developed to model the events year, depending on the patient group studied. Trimetho- leading to SBP in patients with cirrhosis and ascites (Figure prim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis resulted in savings 1). Seven states were shown, three of which constituted the between $2934 and $9251 per patient per year. The entry points of separate analyses: patients without a previous groups that benefited most from prophylaxis were pa- history of SBP, patients without a history of SBP but an ascitic tients with an ascitic fluid total protein concentration fluid total protein concentration ofi1 g/dL, and patients with of i1 g/dL and those with a previous history of SBP. previous episodes of SBP. After entry into the model, patients Conclusions: The use of prophylactic antibiotics to de- were distributed among the remaining four states: the first crease the incidence of SBP is a cost-saving strategy episode of SBP (primary SBP), resolution of SBP, recurrent in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.
THE EFFECT OF CO2 ON THE VISCOSITY OF WHOLE BLOOD.

Exposure of whole blood to 100 per cent CO2 at a pCO2 of 90 mm. Hg results in an increase in blood viscosity which is shear dependent. At shear rates of 230 and 115 sec.−1 the increase in blood viscosity after exposure to CO2 was not found to be statistically significant. On the other hand at shear rates of 23 and 46 sec.−1 exposure of blood to CO2 resulted in a statistically significant increase in blood viscosity.
Neutronic Analysis and Fuel Cycle Simulation of the MIT Reactor Using MCODE-FM and Experimental Validation

A neutronic analysis of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor (MITR) is performed using state-of-the-art computational tools: the continuous-energy Monte Carlo code MCNP5 and the point-depletion code ORIGEN2.2. These codes are externally coupled by the in-house code package, MCODE (MCNP-ORIGEN Coupled Depletion Program), more recently, it being extended to MCODE-FM (Fuel Management). The latter features automated input file generation, data manipulation, and post-processing of the output data for the fuel cycle analysis, so that it is used to simulate the fuel management of the MITR. MCODE-FM also has an optional criticality search algorithm to simulate control blade movement.The code validation is carried out by comparing the calculated results to experimental data. Two sets of the comparisons are made in the present paper: 1) the Xe-135 reactivity effect during the reactor start-up and shutdown and 2) the thermal and fast neutron flux in an irradiation capsule in the reactor core. Good agreements have been found.The validated MCODE-FM is therefore useful for neutronic analysis and the fuel cycle simulation of the MITR. The time dependent variation of the key parameters, viz. the control blades’ axial position (maintaining criticality) and the fissile inventory in the fuel, is presented.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Topological correlation between the cell-recognition protein, R-cognin and α-bungarotoxin receptor in retinal plasma membrane

The amount of the neural retina cell recognition protein, R-cognin, in the plasma membrane of chick embryo neural retina cells declined 43% between 10 and 17 days of embryonic development. Over this period there was a 27% increase in the plasma membrane content of the α-bungarotoxin receptor. Plasma membranes of both these ages were sonicated into vesicles and these vesicles partitioned on α-bungarotoxin agarose beads into those which contained detectable α-bungarotoxin receptor and those which did not. At 10 days, approximately 6% of the plasma membrane vesicles contained receptor. At 17 days, <2% did. At 10 days, 60% of the R-cognin was found in the α-bungarotoxin receptor-containing vesicles, at 17 days 86%. At 17 days, 6% of the retina membrane with a high concentration of both α-bungarotoxin receptor and R-cognin was of a density indicative of it being of synaptic origin. These results suggested that R-cognin and α-bungarotoxin receptor occurred close together in the plasma membrane of retina cells. However, the lack of competition between R-cognin gamma globulin and specific α-bungarotoxin binding indicated that the α-bungarotoxin receptor and R-cognin were not the same protein. Thus, R-cognin and the α-bungarotoxin receptor appear to be separate proteins which occur in close proximity on the retina plasma membrane.
Children as subjects in nutrition research: a retrospective look at their perceptions.

Abstract Objective To explore children's motivations for and perceived benefits and barriers to nutrition research participation. To explore children's perspectives on how to improve the research experience. Design Seven focus group sessions were conducted during March 2008 with research participants from a trial that examined the effects of pre-exercise snacks on physical activity and exercise stress in children. The Health Belief Model for Behavior Change served as the framework for understanding perceived benefits and barriers to research participation and cues to action to help children's readiness for future research participation. Setting Indoor sports center in Acton, Massachusetts. Participants Thirty-five children, 15 males and 20 females, aged 7–10 years. Phenomenon of Interest Children's participation in nutrition research. Analysis Transcripts were reviewed, coded, and sorted according to recurring trends and patterns using NVIVO software. Results Participants were overwhelmingly motivated to participate in research because of financial incentives. The biggest barrier to participation was anxiety over finger pricks. Children suggested demonstrating different aspects of data collection during recruitment to reduce trepidation and using distraction techniques to improve the experience during anxiety-provoking data collection. Conclusion and Implications Themes for benefits and barriers to research participation were identified. Data also provide a guide to promote readiness and to improve the research experience for children in future nutrition trials.
Volume-normalized uptake rates with robust transportability from PET dual-time and Patlak analyses.

The intention here is to enhance the usefulness of the Gjedde–Patlak plot of dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) tracer uptake. Two additional parameters closely related to the physiologically significant and diagnostically useful phosphorylation rate k 3 are therefore studied. Additionally, their inter-institutional transportability is examined. The two traditional parameters obtained from a Patlak plot are its slope Ki and its usually ignored tissue/plasma (=Q/Cp) axis intercept V. As a useful result, a normalized uptake rate may be defined as k = Ki /V. This is can be theoretically close to k 3. Similar to this an alternative normalized uptake rate is defined as k 3′ = Ki /V ′. Here, V ′ would be a composite of model rate constants, reasonably known a priori, and the measured V so as to depend less on errors in the latter. Parameter determination demonstrations utilize data from the 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose(FDG)-PET literature. Using median k i values from 24 FDG dynamic studies and algebraic relationships, on average: k = 1.07k 3 (r = 0.97), and k 3′ = 0.95k 3 (r = 0.91). A skeletal muscle case also demonstrates agreements with k 3. For liver malignancies k and k 3′ can be diagnostically slightly superior to Ki. Unaffected by institutionally dependent Q and Cp calibrations and methods, these can be more robust than Ki in a number of circumstances. Two studied physiologically meaningful parameters, close to the diagnostically important k 3, can supplement Ki and enhance Patlak analysis by appropriately utilizing normally ignored information. Hitherto, k 3 was obtainable only by complex nonlinear least squares compartmental model analysis. The additional parameters can have more robust inter-institutional transportability than Ki.
The Relative Influences of Ring Modes and Methyl Internal Rotation on the Cold Beam IVR of p-Fluorotoluene

Room temperature (300 K) experiments have earlier established that the replacement of a fluorine atom in p-difluorobenzene (pDFB) with a methyl group to make p-fluorotoluene (pFT) generates a qualitative difference in intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) characteristics as seen in the S1 states. Here we report S1–S0 fluorescence excitation and dispersed single vibronic level (SVL) fluorescence spectra that have been obtained for IVR comparisons in the cold (5 K) environment of supersonic expansions. As in the 300 K experiments, the cold beam S1 vibrational energy threshold for IVR is substantially lower in pFT. The vibrational congestion in dispersed fluorescence that reveals extensive S1 level interactions first appears after pumping an S1 pFT level near 800 cm−1. In contrast, congestion in pDFB spectra is still absent from levels with twice this energy. Attention is directed to the relative S1 ring level structures as a potential contributor to the distinctive IVR behaviors. Dispersed fluorescence from the S1 zero point levels and fluorescence excitation spectra are combined with published information about S1 fundamentals to show that the S1 vibrational level structures of the two molecules are as closely related as those of an isotopomer pair. It is argued that the small differences in S1 fundamentals cannot be a principal contribution to the qualitative IVR differences.
Measurement Of Faraday Rotation In Twisted Optical Fiber Using Rotating Polarization And Analog Phase Detection

We have demonstrated phase modulation of rotating linearly polarized light by current-induced Faraday rotation in a single mode optical fiber and used the technique to measure the current in ZT-40M, a Reversed-Field Pinch. We have also demonstrated the practicality of using twisted sensing fiber to overcome the problems associated with linear birefringence.
Germination and early growth of Nymphaea odorata at different water depths

Abstract We experimentally determined the effects of water depth on seed germination and seedling growth and morphology, and we documented the transition from submerged to emergent plants in the white water lily, Nymphaea odorata . Seeds of N. odorata were germinated at 30, 60, and 90 cm water depth in outdoor mesocosms and percent germination and morphology measured after a month. The presence of self-seeded seedlings in pots at the same 3 water levels was also recorded over two years. To examine juvenile growth, seeds planted in soil were placed at the same mesocosm depths; germination and growth were monitored for three months, when the plants were harvested for morphological and biomass measurements. N. odorata germinated equally well in 30, 60 and 90 cm water; seedlings grew as submerged aquatics. After one month, seedlings in 90 cm water had less biomass than those in 30 cm (1.1 vs. 3.3 mg and 1.0 vs. 1.8 mg for different seed sources, respectively) and allocated relatively more biomass to shoots (97.5 vs. 67.8% and 73.1 vs. 58.0%, respectively). Seedlings in 60 cm water were intermediate. After 3 months of submerged growth, plant biomass remained less in 90 vs. 60 and 30 cm water (22.5 vs. 36.4 and 33.3 mg, respectively). Plants in 90 and 60 cm water had greater biomass allocation to shoots than plants in 30 cm water (85.7 and 72.6% vs. 64.4%, respectively) and produced larger laminae on longer petioles (lamina length = 33.3 vs. 25.2 mm in 90 vs. 30 cm; petiole length = 99.0 vs. 36.0 mm, respectively). After about 3 months, submerged plants produced floating leaves that had 39% shorter laminae but 267% to 1988% longer petioles than submerged leaves on the same plant. Lamina length to width allometric relations of submerged leaves were >1 at all water levels, distinguishing them from the equal allometry of adult floating leaves. The switch from production of submerged to emergent leaves resembles submergence-escape growth in other aquatics, but because the seedlings have been submerged throughout their life, submergence itself cannot be the stimulus to produce emergent leaves in these totally immersed plants. Our data show that N. odorata plants can establish from seeds in up to 90 cm water and that seedlings grow as submerged aquatics until they switch abruptly to production of floating leaves.
Stabilization of the output signal of thermopile sensors in the thermal environment of automotive applications

Thermopile pyrometer modules are the state of the art for contactless temperature measurements in automotive applications. In such an application, the thermopile has to operate precisely in a challenging thermal environment. While the compensation of the steady state ambient temperature is a well known technique when using thermopiles for temperature measurments, transient thermal effects are still an issue. The change of the ambient temperature as well as temperature flow through the sensor can lead to substantial errors due to unwanted thermal gradients within the device. In the thermopile chip they lead to an error signal since the measurement principle is based on quantifying thermal gradients of the chip that result from the detected IR-radiation. Thermal gradients in the cap and between the cap and the thermopile chip will lead to an exchange of heat radiation between the thermopile chip and the cap, which also leads to measurement errors. Different methods were developed that separately or in combination allow for a significant improvement of the accuracy and signal stability. The methods are based on the reduction of thermal gradients within the thermopile chip and the entire sensor device (isothermal, high thermal mass cap), reduction of radiation exchange between the sensor chip and the housing (low emissive inner cap surface) and prediction and software compensation of the error signal.
The Variation in Size and Pattern of the Heat-Sensitive Areas in Melanoplus Keeleri Luridus (Dodge) Males (Orthoptera, Acrididae)

The segmentally-arranged, paired, sharply-defined areas, with a distinctive microscopic structure, which are found on the head, thorax and abdomen of members of the family Acrididae, and which have been shown to be particularly sensitive to heat (Slifer, 1951), exhibit some variation in relative size and pattern in individuals which belong to the same species and sex. Before data which had been collected during studies of these structures in a large number of species could be evaluated it was desirable to know the extent of the variation within each species. Since this was an impractical task, for the 100 or more species concerned, it was decided to study the variation within a single species in the hope that this would provide an approximate idea of the variation to be expected in other members of the family.
Some phases of the resistance of the Earth's material to changes

The rocks in the crust of the earth are constantly undergoing readjustment as a result of metamorphism, thermal changes, and redistribution of load. Apart from the evidence afforded by shore lines and regions of seismic activity, there is perhaps no well-authenticated evidence of surface movements now in progress. Artificial movements are oftentimes developed in the rocks beneath stone quarries as a result of diminishing the vertical cross section over which the stresses are distributed. It is found in this way that the rocks in certain areas are in a state of ease—practically no strain—while in other areas the stresses approach the elastic limit.
Behind the curtain: lessons learned from a Wizard of Oz field experiment

Large scale, organization-wide groupware systems are high risk development efforts. Requirements gathering and early evaluation are constrained by the need for the system to attain a critical mass of users and content. One approach to mitigate this risk is to employ Wizard of Oz style system simulations during the requirements gathering phase. While this method has historically been used to test quasi-functional system prototypes, we have found it to be a useful method for assessing organizational feasibility. After introducing this adaptation of the Wizard of Oz method, our approach is grounded with a case study in which it is was successfully used as a proof-of-concept requirements gathering exercise for an expertise recommender and organizational memory system project. Transferable lessons learned are distilled and discussed.
Charged surface coatings for capillary electrophoresis

Fused-silica capillaries with specially designed charged surface coatings were developed for the control of electroosmotic flow and for the separation of peptides and proteins in capillary electrophoresis. Cryptand moieties were immobilized onto the capillary surface through a crosslinking reaction of a cryptand-containing polymer and copolymerization of a cryptand-containing monomer. The resultant coatings provided switchable electroosmotic flow from low to high pH due to the complexing ability of the cryptand moieties with the metal ions from the buffer solution. A positively charged quaternary amine surface-coated column was found to be very effective in reversing the electroosmotic flow compared to an untreated fused silica capillary, and to be suitable for separation of proteins whose pI values are greater than the buffer pH. Also, a negatively charged sulfonic acid surface-coated column could be used to stabilize the electroosmotic flow from pH 3 to 9, and the magnitude of the electroosmotic flow could be controlled by varying the concentration of sulfonic acid groups in the coating solution. This negatively charged surface coating gave excellent reproducibility for the separation of a tryptic digest of β-casein.
Testing Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes on Ion Erosion for Advanced Space Propulsion

Are carbon nanotubes more resistant than diamonds against ion erosion? Here, we report an evaluation of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as the protective coating against plasma erosion in advanced space propulsion systems. We have compared polycrystalline diamond films with MWNTs, amorphous carbon (a-C) and boron nitride (BN) films. Two types of MWNTs were investigated including vertically aligned (VA) MWNTs, and those horizontally laid on the substrate surfaces. Only diamond films and VA-MWNTs survived erosion by 250 eV krypton ions of a flight-quality Hall-effect thruster. VA-MWNTs are found to bundle at their tips after ion erosion.
Association of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 with the multichain high-affinity interleukin 2 receptor.

Abstract Previously, using flow cytometric resonance energy transfer and lateral diffusion measurements, we demonstrated that a 95-kDa protein identified by two monoclonal antibodies (OKT27 and OKT27b) interacts physically with the 55-kDa alpha protein of the high-affinity interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor. In the present study, this 95-kDa protein (p95) was purified and amino acid sequence data were obtained that showed strong homology to the human intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). The identity of the p95 protein with ICAM-1 was confirmed by sequential immunoprecipitations using OKT27 and an antibody, WEHI-CAM-1, that is directed toward ICAM-1. We confirmed the physical proximity of p95/ICAM-1 to the IL-2 receptor alpha subunit by demonstrating that radiolabeled IL-2 could be cross-linked to this protein expressed on activated T cells. In functional studies, the antibodies OKT27 and OKT27b inhibited T-cell proliferative responses to OKT3, to soluble antigen, and to heterologous cells (mixed lymphocyte reaction). However, these antibodies did not inhibit IL-2-induced proliferation of an IL-2-dependent T-cell line. Taken together with our previous observations, the present studies suggest that ICAM-1 is in proximity and interacts physically with the high-affinity IL-2 receptor. The association of ICAM-1 with the IL-2 receptor may facilitate the paracrine IL-2-mediated stimulation of T cells expressing IL-2 receptors by augmenting homotypic T-T-cell interaction, by receptor-directed focusing of IL-2 release by helper T cells, and by focusing IL-2 receptors of the physically linked cells to the site of lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1-ICAM-1-IL-2 receptor interaction.
The role of chemically induced glutathione and glutathione S-transferase in protecting against 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal-mediated cytotoxicity in vascular smooth muscle cells.

4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) has been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. One of the major metabolic transformation pathways of HNE involves conjugation with glutathione (GSH) catalyzed by GSH S-transferase (GST). In this study, we have characterized the induction of GSH and GST by 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione (D3T) and the protective effects of the D3T-elevated cellular defenses on HNE-mediated toxicity in rat aortic smooth muscle A10 cells. Incubation of A10 cells with D3T resulted in a marked concentration-dependent induction of both GSH and GST. The induction of cellular GST by D3T also exhibited a time-dependent response. Pretreatment of A10 cells with D3T led to a dramatic decrease of HNE-induced cytotoxicity, as assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction assay and scanning electron microscopy. Incubation of A10 cells with HNE for 0.5 h and 1 h resulted in a significant depletion of cellular GSH, which preceded the decrease of cell viability. To further demonstrate the involvement of GSH and GST in protecting against HNE-induced cytotoxicity, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and sulfasalazine were used to inhibit cellular GSH biosynthesis and GST activity, respectively. Either depletion of GSH by BSO or inhibition of GST by sulfasalazine caused great potentiation of HNE-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, cotreatment of A10 cells with BSO was found to completely block the D3T-mediated GSH induction and to largely reverse the cytoprotective effects of D3T on HNE-induced toxicity. Taken together, this study demonstrates that D3T can induce both GSH and GST in aortic smooth muscle cells, and that the D3T-augmented cellular defenses afford a marked protection against HNE-induced vascular cell injury.
Effects of cycloheximide and actinomycin D on the amino acid transport system of tetrahymena

Tetrahymena pyriformis were grown in axenic culture to late logarithmic and stationary phases, resuspended in an inorganic medium, and the rates of transport of α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) and of the decarboxylation of L-[1-14C]leucine and L-[1-14C]tyrosine were measured. There was a rapid loss of each of these measures of amino acid transport in both late log phase and stationary phase cells. Addition of actinomycin D to the washed cells caused a small increase in the rate of loss of capacity to decarboxylate tyrosine and leucine. Addition of cycloheximide to the washed cells caused a reduction in the rates of loss of capacity to transport AIB and to decarboxylate leucine and tyrosine except that in late log phase cells cycloheximide markedly increased the rate of loss of capacity to decarboxylate leucine. When cells that had been pretreated with chlorpromazine to reduce their amino acid transport capacity were washed and resuspended in proteose peptone the capacity to decarboxylate tyrosine and leucine increased to control values within 1.5 hours. Addition of actinomycin D reduced the rate of recovery of transport capacity, but addition of cycloheximide caused transport capacity to decrease further. These results raised the possibility that there were two amino acid transport systems in this cell. The finding that AIB and N-methylaminoisobutyrate are both taken up by Tetrahymena, the latter at one-eighth the rate of the former, but that neither one alters the rate of uptake of the other provides preliminary support for this possibility. The present results further suggest that the transport system(s) has a short lifetime and that the balance between rate of synthesis and rate of loss of the transport system is controlled in part by the presence of exogenous amino acids.
MK801 pretreatment reduces kainic acid-induced spontaneous seizures in prepubescent rats

MK801 is a noncompetitive blocker of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors which has antiepileptic properties. To evaluate whether MK801 pretreatment in immature rats affects the future spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) rate or seizure susceptibility in a model of limbic epilepsy, MK801 (0.2 or 1.0 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline was administered to prepubescent rats 30 min prior to kainic acid (KA; 10 mg/kg, i.p.). With or without MK801 pretreatment, KA caused prolonged status epilepticus. SRS rate over the next 4 weeks, as assessed by intermittent video monitoring, was significantly lower in MK801 treated rats than in those which received KA alone. In addition, fewer MK801 treated rats (43%) developed SRS than those which got KA alone (88%). Susceptibility to generalized seizures was then tested using the volatile convulsant flurothyl; at both doses of MK801, flurothyl seizure latency was significantly greater in pretreated animals. These results show that MK801 pretreatment prior to KA induced status epilepticus reduces subsequent SRS frequency and flurothyl seizure susceptibility, while not substantially altering the acute epileptogenic effects of KA.
Formation of silicon carbide and amorphous carbon films by pulse biasing silicon to a high voltage in a methane electron cyclotron resonance microwave plasma

Silicon was pulse biased to −45 kV in a methane plasma generated by microwave excitation in the electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) mode. Hydrocarbon ions were accelerated in the electrical field and implanted into the silicon. Rutherford backscattering (RBS) measurements showed that it is possible to incorporate a concentration of up to 95 at.% C into the Si. Cross-section transmission microscopy (XTEM) showed that the resulting surface layer was amorphous. Annealing at 1250 °C resulted in the formation of 10 to 60 nm thick, crystalline SiC layers.
A Probabilistic Method for Predicting Velocities and Accelerations of Water Wave Particles

The accurate prediction of water wave particle velocities and accelerations is needed for the calculation of wave forces on ocean structures. The method used here is free from theoretical assumptions about wave mechanisms and hence, explains the behavior of experimental results. Water particle velocities and accelerations are considered random variables. Morison's and Elliot's data are utilized. Multiple linear regression analysis is applied for the calculation of the mean value functions and all related statistics. The assumption of the lognormal distribution of both variables is resonably well verified. For this purpose error and normal probability graphs are plotted. Partial correlation coefficients and regression coefficients indicate the importance of the independent variables.
Temporal encoding in nervous systems: A rigorous definition

We propose a rigorous definition for the term temporal encoding as it is applied to schemes for the representation of information within patterns of neuronal action potentials, and distinguish temporal encoding schemes from those based on window-averaged mean rate encoding. The definition relies on the identification of an encoding time window, defined as the duration of a neuron's spike train assumed to correspond to a single symbol in the neural code. The duration of the encoding time window is dictated by the time scale of the information being encoded. We distinguish between the concepts of the encoding time window and the integration time window, the latter of which is defined as the duration of a stimulus signal that affects the response of the neuron. We note that the duration of the encoding and integration windows might be significantly different. We also present objective, experimentally assessable criteria for identifying neurons and neuronal ensembles that utilize temporal encoding to any significant extent. The definitions and criteria are made rigorous within the contexts of several commonly used analytical approaches, including the stimulus reconstruction analysis technique. Several examples are presented to illustrate the distinctions between and relative capabilities of rate encoding and temporal encoding schemes. We also distinguish our usage of temporal encoding from the term temporal coding, which is commonly used in reference to the representation of information about the timing of events by rate encoding schemes.
Phase II Evaluation of a Novel Capecitabine Schedule in Combination with Lapatinib for Patients with HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Refractory to Trastuzumab.

BackgroundCapecitabine (C) administered for 14 days followed by a 7 day rest (14—7) in combination with lapatinib (L) improved TTP in patients with HER2(+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) that progressed following trastuzumab (T). We applied mathematical methods to C dosing which predicted 7 days of treatment (Tx) followed by 7 days of rest (7—7) to be optimal. In animal models, C(7—7) was better tolerated than C(14—7) at higher doses and led to improved survival. A phase I study in patients (pts) with MBC concluded the MTD of C(7—7) is 2,000mg BID. To optimize the combination of C+L, we are testing C(7—7) + L.MethodsEligible pts have measurable, HER2(+) MBC with progression following trastuzumab. HER2(+)=3+ or FISH-amplified. Pts have normal LVEF by MUGA, ECOG performance status (PS) ≤2 and normal organ function. Prior therapy is limited to 6 months and PFS. Using a Simon optimal 2-stage design, with alpha 10% and power 90% to discriminate between RR 10% and 25%, 21 pts will be accrued to the 1st stage. If >2 patients respond, 29 additional pts will be enrolled. If >7/40 pts respond, then C(7—7) + L will be considered worthy of further study.ResultsAs of 5/28/09, 12 pts are enrolled; 6 are evaluable for response. Median (med) age 61 years (41-71), med ECOG PS 0 (0-2), ER/PR(+) 5, HER2(+) 12. Sites of MBC: Viscera 5, Brain 2. Med LVEF 64% (51-71%). Prior Tx: Adjuvant: CRx (7), hormone Tx (3), T (4); MBC: CRx (6), hormone Tx (4), T (8). After a med of 3 cycles (1-8), 6 pts are evaluable for response: CR 0, PR 1, SD>6mo 2, SD 10% of pts includes: hand-foot syndrome (Gr 3: 8%, Gr 2: 17%) and diarrhea (Gr 2: 17%). There were no declines in LVEF.ConclusionCapecitabine (7—7) plus lapatinib appears well-tolerated and demonstrates activity in pts with HER2(+) MBC that has progressed following trastuzumab based therapy. Additional efficacy and safety data is expected prior to this meeting. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5113.
Properties of nonthermal capacitively coupled plasmas generated in narrow quartz tubes for synthesis of silicon na-noparticles

Results from a computational investigation of the fundamental properties of plasma synthesis of silicon nanocrystals (SNCs) using the 2-dimensional hybrid plasma equipment model (HPEM) were discussed. The model reactor comprised quartz tube excited by the two ring electrodes at 25 MHz. Most of SiH4 dissociated in transitioning through the plasma zone. The dissociation products produced mostly Si2H6, SiH3, and SiH2 on the exit.
The use of integral methods in solving partial differential equations — I. drying of very moist soil

Abstract An integral method technique is used in solving the governing partial differential equation which models the processes of drying very moist soil. The solution is in the form of a series of convenient closed-form equations.
The value of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the treatment of breast cancer

The estrogen receptor (ER) assay has become a standard practice in the management of advanced breast cancer. Tumors lacking ER respond infrequently to endocrine therapy, whereas response rates of 50 to 60 percent are observed in ER+ tumors. Recent studies indicate that the ER status of the primary tumor is a good predictor of the endocrine dependence of metastatic tumors at the time of clinical relapse. Furthermore, the absence of ER in the primary tumor is an important independent prognostic indicator of higher rate of recurrence and shorter survival. Quantitative analysis of Er and an assay for progesterone receptor (PgR) are two methods for increasing the accuracy of selecting or rejecting patients for hormonal therapy; tumors with a high quantitative ER content or those with a positive PgR display the highest objective response rates. Preliminary analysis suggests that the presence of PgR may be a better marker of tumor hormone dependence than quantitative ER.
Active Site Distortion Is Sufficient for Proteinase Inhibition by Serpins STRUCTURE OF THE COVALENT COMPLEX OF α1-PROTEINASE INHIBITOR WITH PORCINE PANCREATIC ELASTASE

We report here the x-ray structure of a covalent serpin-proteinase complex, α1-proteinase inhibitor (α1PI) with porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE), which differs from the only other x-ray structure of such a complex, that of α1PI with trypsin, in showing nearly complete definition of the proteinase. α1PI complexes with trypsin, PPE, and human neutrophil elastase (HNE) showed similar rates of deacylation and enhanced susceptibility to proteolysis by exogenous proteinases in solution. The differences between the two x-ray structures therefore cannot arise from intrinsic differences in the inhibition mechanism. However, self-proteolysis of purified complex resulted in rapid cleavage of the trypsin complex, slower cleavage of the PPE complex, and only minimal cleavage of the HNE complex. This suggests that the earlier α1 PI-trypsin complex may have been proteolyzed and that the present structure is more likely to be representative of serpin-proteinase complexes. The present structure shows that active site distortion alone is sufficient for inhibition and suggests that enhanced proteolysis is not necessarily exploited in vivo.
Instabilities and pattern formation in crystal growth

Several common modes of crystal growth provide particularly simple and elegant examples of spontaneous pattern formation in nature. Phenomena of interest here are those in which an advancing nonfaceted solidification front suffers an instability and subsequently reorganizes itself into a more complex mode of behavior. The purpose of this essay is to examine several such situations and, in doing this, to identify a few new theoretical ideas and a larger number of outstanding problems. The systems studied are those in which solidification is controlled entirely by a single diffusion process, either the flow of latent heat away from a moving interface or the analogous redistribution of chemical constituents. Convective effects are ignored, as are most effects of crystalline anisotropy. The linear theory of the Mullins-Sekerka instability is reviewed for simple planar and spherical cases and also for a special model of directional solidification. These techniques are then extended to the case of a freely growing dendrite, and it is shown how this analysis leads to an understanding of sidebranching and tip-splitting instabilities. A marginal-stability hypothesis is introduced; and it is argued that this intrinsically nonlinear theory, if valid, permits aone to use results of linear-stability analysis to predict dendritic growth rates. The review concludes with a discussion of nonlinear effects in directional solidication. The nonplanar, cellular interfaces which emerge in this situation have much in common with convection patterns in hydrodynamics. The cellular stability problem is discussed briefly, and some preliminary attempts to do calculations in the strongly nonlinear regime are summarized.
Kernel density estimation with stream data based on self-organizing map

We investigate the kernel density estimation (KDE) problem with stream data in this paper. Specifically, we analyze the characteristics of stream data density estimation, and propose an approach based on self-organizing map (SOM) to tackle the challenges of traditional KDE techniques for stream data analysis, such as computational cost, processing time, and memory requirement. Our proposed approach first generates SOMs for chunks of the data along the data streams, which obtains summaries of the data streams. Then, the probability density functions (pdfs) over arbitrary time periods along the data streams can be estimated with the generated SOMs. We compare our method with two other data stream KDE methods, the M-kernel and cluster kernel methods, in terms of accuracy and processing time. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Overnight increases in haematocrit: additional evidence for a nocturnal fall in plasma volume.

Talan, M. I., Engel, B. T. & Kawate, R. 1992. Overnight increases in haematocrit: additional evidence for a nocturnal fall in plasma volume. Acta Physiol Scand144, 473–476. Received 2 September 1991, accepted 20 November 1991. ISSN 0001–6722. National Institute on Aging, NIH, Gerontology Research Center, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA. Our previously published studies with monkeys describe a characteristic nocturnal haemodynamic pattern consisting of a monotonic decline in cardiac output and central venous pressure, and a concomitant rise in total peripheral resistance. These findings led us to hypothesize that there is a reduction in total plasma volume during the night. Since a fall in plasma volume should cause an increase in haemoglobin and plasma protein concentration, we designed this experiment to test the hypothesis that haematocrit levels would be significantly greater in the morning than in the evening. In a study of five monkeys, the levels of haematocrit were measured at 1700 h and at 0900 h the next morning for 14 days. The average morning haematocrit levels were 6S0h higher than the average evening values. Lower plasma volume and possibly greater blood viscosity could contribute to the pathophysiology of the morning increase in the incidence of ‘silen’ ischaemia and catastrophic vascular events such as sudden cardiac death, myocardial infarctions and strokes in man.