cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 1357: Role of Natural Killer-cell Immunoglobulin-like receptors KIR2DL1 and KIR3DL1 in immune resistance

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of immune-escape and cancer metastasis by the natural killer (NK) cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIRs) subtypes (KIR2DL1 and KIR2DL1) in human lung cancer. We previously reported that metastatic cancer cells acquire immune-resistance by aberrantly expressing KIR on their surface (AACR 2009). In this project we forced expression two of KIR2DL1 and KIR3DL1 plasmids in some H2122-GFP parental lung cancer cells with null expression of KIR and investigated their function in conferring the immune-resistance against NK cell killing. Method: KIR2DL1 (LL454) and KIR3DL1 (LL456) plasmids were transfected into Phoenix Retroviral Expression system. Virus containing media were used to infect target cells (H2122-GFP) for individual KIR subtype or both KIR subtype expression. Stable transformants were enriched by cell sorting. H2122-GFP parental cells and KIR expressing cells were exposed to various amounts of human normal NK cells or transformed NK-92MI cell line. Anti-proliferative effects by NK cells were accessed with fluorescence intensity in microplate reader. IC50 was determined based on the Effector (NK) / Target Ratio (ETR). Result: Using cell sorting, single (2DL1 or 3DL1) or double (2DL1 and 3DL1) KIR expressing cells were separated into groups of low, medium and high level of KIR2DL1 or KIR3DL1 expression, based on their fluorescence intensity. When exposed to various amount of normal human NK cells, the parental line was most sensitive to NK killing with an IC50 ETR=2.2, followed by 2DL1-M (4.7), 3DL1-M (5.2), 2DL1-H (7.0), 3DL1-H (9.5), KIR2+ (10.1) and KIR3+(12). Interestingly, the transformed NK-92MI cell line seemed to be more effective than normal human NK cell in killing H2122-GFP and its derivatives and had down shifted the ETR by 10 fold. Nevertheless, the parental line was most sensitive to NK-92MI killing with an IC50 ETR = 0.23, followed by 2DL1-H (0.66), 3DL1-H (1.1), 3D/2DL1-L (1.5), KIR3+(1.8), 2D/3DL1-M (2.00), 2D/3DL1-L (2.20), 3D/2DL1-H (2.60), 3D/2DL1-M (2.90) and 2D/3DL1-H (3.0) respectively. Our data clearly demonstrated that forced expression of KIRs into lung cancer cells confers resistance to NK cytolytic killing and the degree of resistance increases progressively with the level of KIR expression. Double expression of both 2DL1 and 3DL1 in high level in lung cancer cells resulted in higher resistance than the metastatic KIR+3 line. Conclusion: Aberrant expression of KIR, either by in vivo immune-selection or by forced expression, is responsible for conferring immune-resistance against NK cytolytic killing of human lung cancer cells. 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 1357.
Movement and structure as determinants of spatial representations

It was hypothesized that the cognitive representation of distances between locations in an environment is a function not only of the environment's structure, but also of a person's pattern of travel within the environment. In the present study subjects were exposed to an experimental environment in which some locations were separated either by an opaque or a transparent barrier and other locations were not separated by any barrier. As subjects learned where the locations were, they were required to follow a specific route that allowed travel between some locations in each category but not others. Afterward subjects were asked to reproduce from memory the separation between pairs of locations. The results supported the hypothesis. Recalled distance between locations was significantly affected by both movement patterns of subjects and structural aspects of the environment (type of barrier and actual separation between locations). These results are interpreted in terms of the types of information made available through particular movement patterns and the corresponding salience of that information.
Demethylation in the 5'-flanking region of mouse cellular retinoic acid binding protein-I gene is associated with its high level of expression in mouse embryos and facilitates its induction by retinoic acid in P19 embryonal carcinoma cells.

The mouse cellular retinoic acid binding protein-I (CRABP-I) gene is specifically up-regulated by retinoic acid (RA) in P19 mouse embryonal carcinoma cells, and its expression in animals is spatially and temporally restricted to RA-sensitive tissues during embryonic development. This study demonstrates that, in adult mouse tissues and P19 cells where the expression of CRABP-I is detected at the basal level, the 5′- flanking region of the CRABP-I gene is hypermethylated at the C residues of all the Hpa II sites. Conversely, in mouse embryos during early stages of development when the expression of CRABP-I gene is detected at a much higher level, this region is demethylated at these Hpa II sites. In P19, enhancement on the RA-induced up-regulation of CRABP-I can be observed in cells treated with 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) in conjunction with RA, where partial demethylation in the 5′-flanking region of CRABP-I gene is observed. Nuclear run-on experiments indicate that increased message levels of CRABP-I in P19 cells can be accounted for, at least partially, by increases in its transcription rates. The induction of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) β by RA can also be enhanced by 5-AzaC, but to a much lesser degree. In contrast, all the Hpa II sites in the structural gene portion, at least in the first two exons, are fully demethylated at the C residues. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Safety of Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors for the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, highly pruritic, and frequently recurring inflammatory skin disease that can be burdensome to affected individuals as well as to their family members, the health care system, and society as a whole. Immunomodulatory agents, such as topical corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors (TCIs), target the underlying immunopathology of atopic dermatitis and are the foundation of pharmacologic treatment for disease exacerbations. Recent recommendations from the United States Food and Drug Administration prompted the addition of a black-box warning and medication guide for tacrolimus ointment and pimecrolimus cream (both TCIs). The recommendations were based on a theoretical risk of malignancy derived from safety profiles, animal data, and reported cases of malignancy from clinical trials and postmarketing safety surveillance of oral calcineurin inhibitors. We know of no data that suggest that TCI use increases the risk of malignancy. Several dermatologic associations have issued statements supporting the safety of TCIs, and independent oncology experts have concluded that reported lymphomas were not related to TCI use. The black-box warning added to the TCI prescribing information also states that no causal link has been established. Effective treatment of atopic dermatitis can help alleviate the burden this disease imposes, and TCIs remain important treatment options.
Compelling challenges and recommended solutions: developing a continuity of M&S education from public school to graduate studies

Modeling and Simulation education is fast becoming a recognized discipline within academe (as teachers of M&S) and industry (as users of M&S). And as a discipline it has experienced a top-down approach with regard to academic programs that have their origins at the graduate level. There is now a need to develop an education continuum that reaches back to the undergraduate level and into the public schools. This can only be done with input from educators and administrators at all levels of the education pipeline: public schools, community colleges / undergraduate institutions, and universities. In the fall of 2007 a workshop was convened that brought together this diverse group to focus on sorting through the challenges of developing the M&S education continuum and recommending solutions.This paper is a brief review of the Partners in M&S Education Workshop hosted by the Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center of Old Dominion University.
Copper-Mediated Nuclease Activity of a Tambjamine Alkaloid

The marine natural product tambjamine E (5) has been found to efficiently bind DNA and carry out DNA cleavage in the presence of Cu(II) and molecular oxygen without addition of an external reducing...
Increasing access to program information: a strategy for improving adolescent health.

Objectives: To identify existing programs serving 11- to 15-year-olds that aim to improve adolescent health in the areas of Health & Well-being, Fitness, Family & Peer Relationships, School Environment, Smoking, Alcohol Use, and Violence and to assess the utility of readily available resources in providing detailed program information. Methods: In Phase 1, publicly available program databases were searched to identify potential programs serving the target population. In Phase 2, an in-depth search of a limited sample of programs meeting the content and age criteria was performed to identify program descriptors. Results: Over 1,000 program names were identified in Phase 1. Information regarding programs is becoming more readily available through the internet; however, the program information that was publicly available only begins to draw the picture. Phase 2 revealed that a broad array of efforts are underway in all seven content areas, but found information on the program descriptors to be limited. Conclusions: Investment in programming is not enough; an upfront investment in communication and information sharing is critical in order to maximize the resources dedicated to the improvement of adolescent health. A well-publicized centralized program repository offered in conjunction with technical assistance would provide an efficient mechanism for this information sharing. We further suggest that the inherent gap between research and practice can be lessened by building a new body of practice knowledge. This would require improved program data collection by programs, the incorporation of program participation information in national surveys and enhanced evaluation efforts.
Lower Extremity Nerve Function, Calf Skeletal Muscle Characteristics, and Functional Performance in Peripheral Arterial Disease

Objectives: To determine whether poor lower extremity nerve function is associated with less-favorable calf muscle characteristics and greater functional impairment in people with and without peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Three Chicago-area medical centers. Participants: Four hundred thirteen participants with PAD (ankle-brachial index (ABI) < 0.90) and 255 without. Measurements: Electrodiagnostic testing of the peroneal nerve was performed. Calf muscle cross-sectional area and percentage fat were measured using computed tomography at 66.7% of the distance between the distal and proximal tibia. Six-minute walk performance was measured. Results: Adjusting for age, sex, race, ABI, leg symptoms, smoking, physical activity, comorbidities, and other covariates, lower peroneal nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was associated with lower calf muscle area (first quartile 4,770.3 mm2, fourth quartile 5,571 mm2, P < .001) and poorer 6-minute walk distance (first quartile 989.2 feet, fourth quartile 1,210.8 feet, P < .001) in participants without diabetes mellitus with PAD. Lower peroneal NCV was associated with lower calf muscle area (first quartile 5,166.0 mm2, fourth quartile 6,003.8 mm2, P = .01) and poorer 6-minute walk distance (first quartile 866.4 feet, fourth quartile 1,082.5 feet, P = .01) in participants with diabetes mellitus and PAD as well. In participants without PAD, lower peroneal NCV was not associated with lower calf muscle area but was associated with poorer 6-minute walk distance only in participants without diabetes mellitus (first quartile 1,317.0 feet, fourth quartile 1,570.4 feet, P-trend < .001). Conclusion: Lower peroneal nerve function is associated with smaller calf muscle area and greater functional impairment in individuals with PAD. Future study is needed to determine whether improving peroneal NCV prevents loss of calf muscle and functional decline in people with PAD.
Bi-layer structures as solid oxide fuel cell interconnections

A new approach for lower operating temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) interconnections (IC) consisting of a bi-layer structure is proposed and analyzed. The bi-layer structure consists of a p-type layer exposed to cathodic gas (air/oxygen) and an n-type layer exposed to anodic gas (fuel). It is theoretically shown that the interfacial oxygen partial pressure which is an important designing variable, is dependent primarily on the oxygen partial pressure gradient across the IC, the low level oxygen conductivities of the two layers and is largely independent of their electronic conductivities and the total current density through the IC material. By careful design of the composition and thicknesses of the two layers, one can, in principle, obtain an IC with a low cell-to-cell resistance.
Pneumococcal PspA and PspC proteins: potential vaccine candidates for experimental otitis media.

Objective Otitis media is the most commonly diagnosed disease in ambulatory care and Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to be the most common bacterial agent. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics underscores the need for better vaccines. Current pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are modestly protective against otitis media; however, limited serotype coverage and serotype replacement have led to the investigation of pneumococcal proteins as potential vaccine candidates. Two proteins, pneumococcal surface proteins A (PspA) and C (PspC) are important virulence factors, expressed by virtually all strains. Although a number of pneumococcal proteins have been investigated in other infection sites, these proteins can have diverse organ-specific effects. In this study, we investigated the viability and virulence of single (PspA– and PspC–) and double (PspA–/PspC–) mutants of pneumococcal PspA and PspC proteins in the chinchilla middle ear.
Site distribution of iron in staurolite

Abstract The Mossbauer spectrum of staurolite does not necessarily indicate that ferrous iron is distributed over both the tetrahedral Fe site and one or more of the octahedral sites, as previously thought. Two doublets are present in the spectrum, but their quadrupole spliting and isomer shift are more consistent with both being due to tetrahedrally coordinated ferrous iron. Smith's X-ray work has shown that cations in the Fe site actually assume several slightly different positions, and iron in each of these positions may give rise to a different Mossbauer doublet.
The search for neutrino–antineutrino mixing resulting from Lorentz invariance violation using neutrino interactions in MINOS

Abstract We searched for a sidereal modulation in the rate of neutrinos produced by the NuMI beam and observed by the MINOS far detector. The detection of such harmonic signals could be a signature of neutrino–antineutrino mixing due to Lorentz and CPT violation as described by the Standard-Model Extension framework. We found no evidence for these sidereal signals and we placed limits on the coefficients in this theory describing the effect. This is the first report of limits on these neutrino–antineutrino mixing coefficients.
Measurement of transient crack-tip deformation fields using the method of coherent gradient sensing

Abstract A shearing interferometric method (CGS) is proposed as a viable alternative to currently used experimental techniques for the study of dynamic crack propagation in both transparent and opaque media. CGS is a full-field optical technique that provides real-time fringes representing crack-tip deformation or stress state. The results of the experiments are interpreted on the basis of the conventional singular asymptotic analysis as well as a newly developed transient higher-order asymptotic analysis. The excellent agreement obtained between the experimental results and the higher-order asymptotic analysis clearly indicates that the contribution of the non-singular terms to the total stress and deformation fields is too important to be ignored.
Ultrasound-modulated optical imaging using a high-power pulsed laser and a double-pass confocal Fabry―Perot interferometer

We report the use of short ultrasonic bursts and high-peak-power laser pulses to detect absorbing objects in thick scattering media (SMs). The detection of ultrasound-tagged photons is performed with a double-pass confocal Fabry-Perot interferometer. Photons shifted by the fundamental and harmonic frequencies of the ultrasonic bursts were observed. Absorbing objects were detected in 30- and 60-mm-thick SMs including a sample of biological tissue.
The direct negative inotropic effect of gossypol

Abstract Gossypol, an effective male antifertility agent, had a minor but significant negative inotropic action in isolated ferret right ventricular papillary muscles at concentrations of 1–5 μg/ml. Reduction of peak developed force and maximum extent of shortening was readily demonstrable at three different resting control contractile states achieved through increases in extracellular calcium from 0.625 to 2.5 mM/l. Gossypol had no significant effect on maximum rate of tension rise nor on maximum velocity of shortening. These results suggest that gossypol reduces the toal number of crossbridges without significantly influencing the rate of making and breaking crossbridges and that its negative inotropic action is probably mediated through interactions at the myocardial cell surface.
Writing in Museums Toward a Rhetoric of Participation

The study takes a situated and material approach to texts and writing practices and examines writing ethnographically as it transpires and displayed in museums. The ethnography highlights the richn...
Embedding Service Learning in Engaged Scholarship at Research Institutions to Revitalize Metropolitan Neighborhoods

Over the past 2 decades, the form and function of teaching, research, and service activities labeled as community and civic engagement has increased. At the University of Memphis, the evolution of engaged scholarship has been strongly influenced by the grassroots-level participation of faculty who embraced service learning as an integral component of the engaged scholarship process centered on building community partnerships. In this article, we outline the history of service learning and community engagement at the University of Memphis resulting in the Strengthening Communities Initiative and suggest the role of internal social movements in transforming institutions of higher education and communities. Our model calls for program-initiated service learning, reciprocal partnerships, and institution-level changes to support engaged teaching and scholarship. Such a transformation requires visionary leadership at the institutional level, external demands for new thinking and acting, and a critical mass of e...
A compact and multichannel optical biosensor based on a wavelength interrogated input grating coupler

Abstract The design, fabrication and characterization of a compact optical biosensor based on an input grating coupler are presented. The sensor device consists of a waveguide-integrated single grating structure. The optical reader is based on the use of a largely tunable, small footprint infrared laser for wavelength interrogation of the sensor and on edge-detection of waveguided modes, resulting in a compact configuration. A multiplexing approach is illustrated and a two-output sensor system is demonstrated. The device is packaged in a microfluidic cartridge for sample handling. The volumetric sensing performance of the system is characterized and a limit of detection of 1 × 10−5 RIU is reported while the surface sensing capability is demonstrated by detection of protein diluted down to 200 ng/ml.
How Much is That Exam Grade Really Worth? An Estimation of Student Risk Aversion to Their Unknown Final College Course Grades

This study created an experimental design with which students can empirically assess their risk behavior with respect to exam grades within an expected utility framework. Specifically, the authors analyzed students’ risk preferences associated with taking exams and earning a “risky” unknown grade versus not taking exams and instead obtaining a “sure” grade. Students have grade-choice decisions in nonhypothetical situations that impact their actual exam grades. Estimates indicate that the more risk-averse a student is, the more willing he or she is to accept a lower certain grade and not take an exam than to run the risk of actually taking it. We believe that this experimental setup and its binding results make it an easy but effective way of teaching the obtuse concept of risk aversion.
The influence of surfactant in reflective HPDLC gratings

Abstract The use of highly functional acrylate monomers (large number of reactive bonds) as the precursor to the polymer-rich phase of holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (HPDLC) is well established as providing the best balance between fast polymerization, gelation, and vitrification. Monomers with >3 double bonds (typically between 4 and 5) yield films with the largest diffraction efficiency, all other things being equal. A consequence of this chemistry is that the HPDLC films formed require very high switching fields to dynamically varying their optical properties. These high switching fields are unappealing for many commercial applications. A potential solution has been to add a non-reactive surfactant-like molecule to the reactive syrup. A substantial lowering of the switching field has been attributed to a modification of the anchoring properties of the LC molecules and the polymer host. The dynamics of switching seem to support this supposition as much longer relaxation times are observed. We investigate differences in the polymerization kinetics using differential photocalorimetry (DPC) and relate these results to differences in HPDLC evolution using real-time scattering experiments. Herein, we present large differences in the final morphology of reflection gratings which are supported by optical measurements. We also indirectly show that the surfactant molecules reside near or at the polymer interface by examining contamination of PDLC droplets using polarized optical microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry.
Mainstreaming Modification Preferences of Parents of Elementary-Age Children with Learning Disabilities

One hundred twenty-nine parents of children with learning disabilities responded to a questionnaire designed to solicit information on the types of modifications deemed most facilitative of parents' acceptance of full-time mainstreaming. Responses indicated that parents' participation in the mainstreaming process was an important factor in successful integration of children with learning disabilities. Parents' preferences for mainstreaming modifications differed from their current options, and they were supportive of full-time mainstreaming for their children, contingent upon implementation of their mainstreaming-related recommendations. Results are discussed relative to mainstreaming and proposed educational reforms.
Artificial Disc Versus Fusion: Effect on Three-Dimensional Dynamic In Vivo Cervical Spine Motion

Intervertebral disc degeneration in the cervical spine is a common condition that often manifests as cervical disc disease, resulting in pain, motor weakness and sensory deficits. The most common surgical treatment strategy involves removal of the diseased disc and fusion of the adjacent vertebrae. Although fusion typically relieves symptoms at the surgical site, evidence of degeneration in the adjacent disc has been reported in 25–92% of patients [1,2]. It has been hypothesized that the progression of adjacent segment degeneration is a result of increased motion at the segments adjacent to the site of fusion [3]. As a response to this proposed mechanism of degeneration, artificial discs were designed with the goals of preserving motion at the operative site and maintaining normal motion in the adjacent segments. However, the extent to which normal adjacent segment motion is maintained in artificial disc patients compared to fusion patients remains unknown. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the dynamic, three-dimensional (3D) motion of the cervical spine in fusion patients and artificial disc replacement patients.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Identification of an intermediate of delta-aminolevulinate biosynthesis in Chlamydomonas by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract The first committed intermediate of the chlorophyll biosynthetic pathway is δ-aminolevulinic acid (ALA). In plant cells, ALA is formed from glutamate by a pathway not yet clearly defined. One of the proposed pathways involves the reduction of glutamate to glutamate-1-semialdehyde (GSA) via a glutamyl-tRNA intermediate. GSA is then converted to ALA by an aminotransferase. We are studying this pathway using partially purified components from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in in vitro reactions with [3H] l -glutamate as the substrate and analysis of the radioactive reaction products via HPLC. In reactions either lacking GSA-aminotransferase or containing gabaculine (an inhibitor of aminotransferase), a radioactive intermediate is formed which cochromatographs with synthetic GSA. As observed previously for ALA synthesis, the synthesis of this intermediate has an absolute requirement for RNA, ATP, and active enzymes, while the requirement for NADPH is less stringent. Both the accumulated intermediate and the synthetic GSA can be converted to ALA by the aminotransferase without any additional substrates or cofactors. These results support previous observations that GSA or a very similar compound is an intermediate of ALA synthesis.
The effects of interstitials and hydrogen-interstitial interactions on low temperature hardening and embrittlement in V, Nb, and Ta

The effects of combined C and H on the temperature dependence of the yield stress and ductility of V, Nb, and Ta have been investigated at temperatures between 295 and 78 K. Because of the limited solubility of C in these metals, there was little solid solution hardening (S.S.H.). The combined effect of C and H on ductility was similar to that of H alone. There was no correlation between the ductile-brittle transition temperature (DBTT) and the temperature where hydrides formed (T s. Comparison of the effects of C, N, and O on strengthening in both nonhydrogenated and hydrogenated V, Nb, and Ta showed that in general the contributions of C, N, or O and H were additive. C, N, and O produced athermal S.S.H. whereas the H contribution to the strengthening was thermally activated. The effect of these interstitials on ductility in nonhydrogenated V, Nb, and Ta was minimal, while their effect in hydrogenated V, Nb, and Ta was to decreaseT s but have very little effect on the DBTT, which was determined primarily by the H content. There was no common correlation between the DBTT andT s or between the temperature where pronounced strengthening occurred andT s in the different alloys. Comparison of the results indicated that current models based on either hydride precipitates or H in solution as the cause of strengthening or embrittlement are incapable of explaining the observed effects of H on both the yield stress and the ductility in V, Nb, and Ta.
Dietary Research to Reduce Children’s Oral Health Disparities: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Analysis of Socioeconomic Status, Food Insecurity, and Fast-Food Consumption

Abstract Background Tooth decay is the most common childhood disease and it disproportionately affects low-income children. The dietary risk factors associated with socioeconomic status (SES), such as food insecurity and fast-food consumption, are poorly understood. Objective To better understand how upstream social factors are related to dietary behaviors by testing the hypothesis that food insecurity mediates the SES–fast-food consumption relationship. Design A 36-item survey was administered to caregivers of children younger than age 18 years (n=212). The predictor variable was SES, measured by whether the child was insured by Medicaid (no/yes). Food insecurity, the potential dietary mediator, was measured using the six-item US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey (food secure/food insecure without hunger/food insecure with hunger). The outcome variable was whether the household reported eating at a fast-food restaurant ≥2 times a week (no/yes). We used logistic structural equation and mediation models to test our hypothesis. Results About 63% of children were classified as low SES. Thirty percent of caregivers reported food insecurity (with or without hunger) and 18.6% of households consumed fast food ≥2 times per week. Lower SES was significantly associated with food insecurity (odds ratio [OR] 3.03, 95% CI 1.51 to 6.04; P =0.002), but SES was not related to fast-food consumption (OR 1.94, 95% CI 0.86 to 4.36; P =0.11). Food insecurity was not associated with fast-food consumption (OR 1.76, 95% CI 0.86 to 3.62; P =0.12). The mediation analyses suggest food insecurity does not mediate the relationship between SES and fast-food consumption. However, there are important potential differences in fast-food consumption by SES and food insecurity status. Conclusions Future dietary research focusing on tooth decay prevention in vulnerable children may need to account for the differential effects of SES on food insecurity and dietary behaviors like fast-food consumption. Studies are needed to further elucidate the mechanisms linking SES, dietary behaviors, and tooth decay in children.
Solubility of the antibiotic penicillin V in supercritical CO2

Abstract The solubility of the antibiotic penicillin V in C0 2 has been measured at temperature from 314.85 K to 334.85 K and pressures form 7.987 MPa to 28.02 MPa using a dynamic flow apparatus. The equilibrium mole fraction in this region ranged from 6.2 × 10 −5 to 5.7 × 10 −4 , which 9is about 10 6 to 10 8 times the ideal gas solubility. The vapor pressure of penicillin V, which has not been reported in the literature, was estimated from the solubility data so the latter could be correlated. Other unknown physical properties of penicillin V were estimated using group contribution methods. The experimental solubility data were correlated using a compressed gas model with the Peng-Robinson equation-of-state and a theoretical model based on Kirkwood-Buff solution theory. Solubility results are compared for this system and other complex biological molecules taken from the literature.
Magnesium stabilization of amorphous calcium phosphate: A kinetic study

Abstract The kinetics of the conversion of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to hydroxyapatite (HA) at pH 8 at 26.0°, 37.5 and 48.0 C, in the presence of Mg has been studied in two sets of experiments in which (a) Mg-free ACP was added to solutions containing different amounts of Mg, or, (b) ACP precipitated in the presence of Mg was left in contact with its mother liquor. If the Mg/Ca ratio in the system exceeded 0.2 no conversion was observed. In the range of Mg/Ca ratios found in bones and teeth (mole ratios from 0.004 to 0.04), the induction period of the transformation (time before first HA crystals observed) increased with increasing Mg concentration, but the rate of the first order transformation was independent of Mg content. It is shown that the Mg effects the transformation by reducing the ACP solubility.
Four‐frame gated Wolter x‐ray microscope

A four‐frame gated x‐ray microscope has been developed for the study of inertial confinement fusion. Four x‐ray images were obtained by introducing flat, grazing incidence mirrors into the converging annular ray bundle of a previously developed Wolter x‐ray microscope system. Gated microchannel plate detectors and associated drive electronics were developed which can record a sequence of gated images of less than 100 ps duration, with an interframe timing accuracy of ±50 ps. The resulting diagnostic can record one time‐resolved image and four gated images simultaneously. The system is described, and images of an imploding capsule are presented which demonstrate the unique capabilities of the instrument.
A pilot study of the effects of d-alpha-tocopherol on hepatic stellate cell activation in chronic hepatitis C.

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oxidative stress mediates activation and stimulates collagen production of cultured hepatic stellate (Ito) cells. The aim of this study was to assess whether oxidative stress contributes to hepatic fibrogenesis in chronic hepatitis C. METHODS: In liver biopsy specimens of patients with chronic hepatitis C, the following fibrogenesis cascade was analyzed: (1) oxidative stress, determined by the presence of malondialdehyde protein adducts; (2) activation of stellate cells as indicated by their expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin; (3) stimulation of c-myb expression in stellate cells, a critical step in the activation of these cells; and (4) induction of collagen gene expression as detected by in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Treatment with d-alpha-tocopherol (1200 IU/day for 8 weeks) in 6 of these patients, who were refractory to interferon therapy, prevented the fibrogenesis cascade observed before antioxidant treatment. In addition, d-alpha-tocopherol treatment significantly decreased the carbonyl modifications of plasma proteins, a sensitive index of oxidative stress. However, 8 weeks of d-alpha-tocopherol treatment did not significantly affect serum alanine aminotransferase levels, hepatitis C virus titers, or histological degree of hepatocellular inflammation or fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that enhanced oxidative stress initiates a fibrogenesis cascade in the liver of patients with chronic hepatitis C. (Gastroenterology 1997 Oct;113(4):1069-73)
Validation of schizoid personality scales using indices of schizotypal and borderline personality disorder in a criminal population

The external validity of 10 schizoid personality scales was assessed against dimensional measures of DSM-III borderline (BPD) and schizotypal (SPD) personality disorders in a sample of 37 top-security prisoners. Significant relationships with SPD or BPD emerged for schizophrenism, withdrawn-disturbed relationships, hallucinatory predisposition, schizoidia, disordered thinking and perceptual aberration (r = 0.30-0.66). The first four of these scales were significantly related to SPD (r = 0.29-0.51) after partialling out the effects of BPD, indicating an intrinsic link between these scales and SPD which may constitute the genetic affinity of SPD with schizophrenia. It is suggested that scales which assess the construct of schizophrenism or 'interpersonal aversiveness' may be the most central to Meehl's (1962) 'integrative neural defect' or genetic predisposition to schizotypy.
A simple method for hyperfine-selective heteronuclear pulsed ENDOR via proton suppression

A major reason for the importance of ENDOR spectroscopy ( 1) in the study of metal complexes is that the technique is inherently broad-banded: all coupled nuclei having spin I > 0 can be detected with comparable sensitivity (2). Unfortunately, at X-band magnetic fields ( -0.3 T at g = 2) the proton ENDOR spectrum often overlaps with and obscures the spectra of important heteronuclei such as 14N, 13C 57Fe or 33S. One solution is to work at higher microwave frequency (2, 3). In adiitioi, three elegant, two-dimensional pulsed-ENDOR techniques (4) have been developed to address this problem by hyperfine selection at X band (57). We now describe a simple one-dimensional pulsed-ENDOR method for hyperfine selection of heteronuclear ENDOR signals through the suppression of the proton pattern. As the technique also leads to enhancement of the intensities of heteronuclear signals, we call it POSHEENDOR (proton suppression, heteronuclear enhancement). Two of the currently available pulsed-ENDOR techniques for hyperiine selection are formally equivalent and can be loosely grouped as ELDOR-ENDOR experiments. Buhlmann et al. (5) used field jumps within a Davies ENDOR sequence (4, 8) to achieve selection, whereas Thomann and Bernard0 (6) used microwave frequency jumps. However, these methods require two-dimensional experiments to obtain a complete hyperfme-selected spectrum and thus need large blocks of time for data acquisition. In addition, they require equipment beyond that necessary for ordinary Davies ENDOR. The third technique, developed by de Beer et al. ( 7)) utilizes a Mims ENDOR sequence (4, 9). In this method, hyperfine selection is achieved by systematic variation of time between the first and second microwave pulses in a stimulated-echo sequence. This procedure is restricted by the time required for a 2D experiment as well as by limitation of the Mims sequence to smaller hypetine couplings. The hyperfine selection technique we describe employs the fact that in a Davies ENDOR sequence,
Constrained mutual coupling estimation for array calibration

The presence of unknown mutual coupling between array elements is known to degrade the performance of high resolution direction-finding and space-time adaptive processing (STAP) methods. It is also known that the mutual coupling between array elements is inversely related to their separation and may be negligible for elements separated by a few wavelengths. This results in a sparse coupling matrix structure for even moderately large arrays and a resultant sparse array distortion matrix that also includes gain and phase errors. This paper develops a method for estimating the sparse distortion matrix subject to linear constraints that force zeros in known positions in the estimated distortion matrix. This results in a substantial reduction of the unknown parameters to be estimated, with attendant improvement in estimation accuracy and reduced computation. Comparative computer simulation results are presented that demonstrate this improvement and also the resulting improvement in high resolution direction-finding methods.
Structure and Proposed Activity of a Member of the VapBC Family of Toxin-Antitoxin Systems: VapBC-5 FROM MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS.

In prokaryotes, cognate toxin-antitoxin pairs have long been known, but no three-dimensional structure has been available for any given complex from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here we report the crystal structure and activity of a member of the VapBC family of complexes from M. tuberculosis. The toxin VapC-5 is a compact, 150 residues, two domain α/β protein. Bent around the toxin is the VapB-5 antitoxin, a 33-residue α-helix. Assays suggest that the toxin is an Mg-enabled endoribonuclease, inhibited by the antitoxin. The lack of DNase activity is consistent with earlier suggestions that the complex represses its own operon. Furthermore, analysis of the interactions in the binding of the antitoxin to the toxin suggest that exquisite control is required to protect the bacteria cell from toxic VapC-5.
Regional mapping of human genes for hexosaminidase B and diphtheria toxin sensitivity on chromosome 5 using mouse × human hybrid cells

Mouse 3T3 (TK−) cells were fused to human leukocytes containing a balanced translocation [ins(3;5) (q27;q13q15)] in which part of the long arm of a chromosome 5 has been inserted into the long arm of a chromosome 3. Two independent, primary hybrid clones (XVI-10C; XVI-18A) retained the deleted chromosome 5 [del(5) (q13q15)] translocation product and were informative for regional mapping on chromosome 5 of genes involved in expression of hexosaminidase B (HEX B ) and diphtheria toxin sensitivity (DTS). Both XVI-10C and XVI-18A clones were sensitive to diphtheria toxin. Toxin-resistant derivatives of these clones (XVI-10C DTR; XVI-18A DTR) were analyzed for chromosome content and expression of Hex B activity, as were XVI-10C and XVI-18A cells which had not been exposed to diphtheria toxin. The results of this study provide evidence for localization ofDTS to region 5q15→5qter on the long arm of chromosome 5, and localization ofHEX B to region 5pter→5q13.
Analytical and Computational Study of Radial Loads in Volutes and Collectors

The physical mechanism of the radial load generation in discharge volutes and collectors of a centrifugal compressor is analytically studied. A new equation is presented enabling prediction of radial load magnitude and direction based on compressor geometry and operational conditions. The analytical approach is compared with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results utilizing different rotor-stator interface models and test data measurements. The effect of a low solidity vaned diffuser on radial load attenuation is presented.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Predictive Modeling with Longitudinal Data: A Case Study Of Wisconsin Nursing Homes

Abstract The recent development and availability of sophisticated computer software has facilitated the use of predictive modeling by actuaries and other financial analysts. Predictive modeling has been used for several applications in both the health and property and casualty sectors. Often these applications employ extensions of industry-specific techniques and do not make full use of information contained in the data. In contrast, we employ fundamental statistical methods for predictive modeling that can be used in a variety of disciplines. As demonstrated in this article, this methodology permits a disciplined approach to model building, including model development and validation phases. This article is intended as a tutorial for the analyst interested in using predictive modeling by making the process more transparent. This article illustrates the predictive modeling process using State of Wisconsin nursing home cost reports. We examine utilization of approximately 400 nursing homes from 1989 to 2001...
A UNIVERSITY EXAMINATION-SCHEDULING MODEL TO MINIMIZE MULTIPLE-EXAMINATION DAYS FOR STUDENTS

Scheduling university examinations is often done with the objective of spreading a student's required examinations over an examination week. That is the equivalent of the problem of minimizing the number of examinations a student must take on any one day. An approach to scheduling exams which relates the problem to the classical assignment problem is discussed. The model developed is a symmetry-constrained assignment model, and the solution method requires use of a branch-and-bound algorithm. Results from application of the algorithm to six semesters of actual data are presented.
Direct comparison of oxygen transfer by iron bleomycin and zinc bleomycin

Abstract A direct comparison has been made of the oxygen transfer abilities of Fe(III), Zn(II), and their respective bleomycin (BLM) complexes. These (chelated) metal ions were treated with iodosobenzene in aqueous methanol containing cis or trans -stilbene. It was found that oxygen transfer was observed only when redox active Fe(III).BLM was employed. Benzaldehyde was the only product observed in the above systems in the absence of Fe(III).BLM; the available evidence suggested that it resulted from electron abstraction by iodosobenzene alone. The results of the present study suggest that a metal-oxo intermediate is the species most likely to be involved in oxygen transfer following admixture of Fe(III).BLM and iodosobenzene in the presence of cis -stilbene.
Percentage of Shortening of the Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Dimension: Its Use in Determining Ejection Fraction and Stroke Volume

The percentage of shortening of the echocardiographic left ventricular dimension (%ΔD) was prospectively evaluated in 42 patients without detectable asynergy during diagnostic cardiac catheterization and was found to correlate well with angiographic ejection fraction (r = 0.90). Ejection fraction was calculated as the product of %ΔD × 1.7 or as %Δ 2 ), both formulae having similar degrees of accuracy and a better correlation with the angiographic determination dum conventional formulae. Ejection fractions (angiographic and echocardiographic) of 51 percent or greater were always associated with a %ΔD of 30 percent or more. In five patients the echocardiographically derived ejection fractions were normal (≥51 percent), while the angiographic ejection fractions were reduced; four of these patients had valvular regurgitation. End-diastolic volumes were calculated from end-diastolic echocardiographic dimensions utilizing a linear regression equation derived from correlating the end-diastolic echocardiographic dimension with the end-diastolic volume in 27 patients without valvular regurgitation (end-diastolic echocardiographic dimension ranged from 3.7 to 8.2 cm). The value for stroke volume determined as the product of calculated end-diastolic volume times ejection fraction correlated with the angiographically determined stroke volume (r = 0.88; standard error of estimate, ±11 ml) better than the value for stroke volume derived from conventional echocardiographic formulae.
An analytical study of transport in Stokes flows exhibiting large-scale chaos in the eccentric journal bearing

In the present work, we apply new tools from the field of adiabatic dynamical systems theory to make quantitative predictions of various important mixing quantities in quasi-steady Stokes flows which possess slowly varying saddle stagnation points. Many of these quantities can be obtained before experiments or numerical simulations are performed using only knowledge of the streamlines in steady-state flows and the externally determined flow parameters. The location and size of the main region in which mixing occurs is determined to leading order by the slowly sweeping instantaneous stagnation streamlines. Tracer patches get stretched by an amount O(l/e) during each period, and the average striation thickness of the patch decreases by a factor of e in the same time. Also, the rate of stretching of material interfaces is bounded from below with an analytically obtained exponentially growing lower bound. Finally, the highly regular appearance of islands in quasi-steady Stokes’ flows is explained using an extension of the KAM theory. As an example to illustrate these results, we study the transport of passive scalars in a low Reynolds number flow in the two-dimensional eccentric journal bearing when the angular velocities of the cylinders are slowly modulated, continuously and periodically in time, with frequency e. In contrast to the flows usually studied with dynamical systems, these slowly varying systems are singular perturbation (apparently far from integrable) problems exhibiting large-scale chaos, in which the non-integrability is due to the slow, continuous O( 1) modulation of the position of the saddle stagnation point and the two streamlines stagnating on it.
Negotiating Activity Restriction: A Grounded Theory of Home Management of Preterm Labor

Preterm birth, preceded by preterm labor, is a significant perinatal problem. This article describes a qualitative, grounded theory study in which 25 women treated at home for preterm labor were interviewed. The purpose was to investigate how women managed this treatment, specifically bed rest, within the context of their day-to-day life. Three management phases were identified: Phase 1, the diagnostic phase, encompassed the circumstances around the diagnosis and subsequent realization that one was at risk to deliver preterm; in Phase 2, the negotiation phase, the women confronted their multisituated reality and negotiated their needs and wants that conflicted with it; and in Phase 3, the preparation phase, the women shift their focus from prevention of preterm delivery to preparation for parenthood. The proposed theory that women manage their activity restriction through negotiations in which they attempt to balance their perceived risk against a calculus of salient variables represents a new perspective...