cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamics and crystal chemistry of the hematite–corundum solid solution and the FeAlO 3 phase

High-temperature oxide-melt calorimetry and Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction patterns were used to investigate the energetics and structure of the hematite–corundum solid solution and ternary phase FeAlO3 (with FeGaO3 structure). The mixing enthalpies in the solid solution can be described by a polynomial ΔHmix=WX hem(1−X hem) with W=116 ± 10 kJ mol−1. The excess mixing enthalpies are too positive to reproduce the experimental phase diagram, and excess entropies in the solid solution should be considered. The hematite–corundum solvus can be approximately reproduced by a symmetric, regular-like solution model with ΔG excess=(W H −TW S )X hem X cor, where W H= 116 ± 10 kJ mol−1 and W S =32 ± 4 J mol−1 K−1. In this model, short-range order (SRO) of Fe/Al is neglected because SRO probably becomes important only at intermediate compositions close to Fe:Al=1:1 but these compositions cannot be synthesized. The volume of mixing is positive for Al-hematite but almost ideal for Fe-corundum. Moreover, the degree of deviation from Vegard's law for Al-hematite depends on the history of the samples. Introduction of Al into the hematite structure causes varying distortion of the hexagonal network of oxygen ions while the position of the metal ions remains intact. Distortion of the hexagonal network of oxygen ions attains a minimum at the composition (Fe0.95Al0.05)2O3. The enthalpy of formation of FeAlO3 from oxides at 298 K is 27.9 ± 1.8 kJ mol−1. Its estimated standard entropy (including configurational entropy due to disorder of Fe/Al) is 98.9 J mol−1 K−1, giving the standard free energy of formation at 298 K from oxides and elements as +19.1 ± 1.8 and −1144.2 ± 2.0 kJ mol−1, respectively. The heat capacity of FeAlO3 is approximated as C p (T in K)= 175.8 − 0.002472T − (1.958 × 106)/T 2− 917.3/T 0.5+(7.546 × 10−6) T 2 between 298 and 1550 K, based on differential scanning calorimetric measurements. No ferrous iron was detected in FeAlO3 by Mossbauer spectroscopy. The ternary phase is entropy stabilized and is predicted to be stable above about 1730 ± 70 K, in good agreement with the experiment. Static lattice calculations show that the LiNbO3-, FeGaO3-, FeTiO3-, and disordered corundum-like FeAlO3 structures are less stable (in the order in which they are listed) than a mechanical mixture of corundum and hematite. At high temperatures, the FeGaO3-like structure is favored by its entropy, and its stability field appears on the phase diagram.
Bradycardial response inAplysia exposed to air

Heart rate was chronically monitored (Figs. 1, 3) in two species of the marine gastropodAplysia. The warm waterA. brasiliana have an average basal heart rate in water of 33 min−1, whereas the cold waterA. californica's heart rate is 20.6 min−1. The heart rate in both species shows a strong temperature dependence and the difference in basal heart rate is negligible when measured at the same temperature (Fig. 2). Both species show a consistent bradycardia when exposed to air (Fig. 4):A. brasiliana showed a 43% average decrease in air, whereasA. californica showed only a 16.5% decrease. Removal of the abdominal ganglion produced no significant decrease in heart rate in either species, nor did it reduce the bradycardial response to air exposure inA. californica (Fig. 8). However, it significantly reduced, but did not abolish, the bradycardia inA. brasiliana (Figs. 5, 6, 7). We conclude that the bradycardia has a significant central component inA. brasiliana, but is peripherally mediated inA. californica. The bradycardial response to air exposure may be analogous to the diving response in air breathing vertebrates.
Dynamic properties of human round window membrane in auditory frequencies running head: Dynamic properties of round window membrane

Abstract Round window is one of the two openings into cochlea from the middle ear. Mechanical properties of round window membrane (RWM) affect cochlear fluid motion and play an important role in the transmission of sound into cochlea. However, no measurement of mechanical properties of RWM has been reported because of the complication of its location and small size. This paper reports the first investigation on dynamic properties of human RWM using acoustic stimulation and laser Doppler vibrometry measurement. The experiments on RWM specimens were subsequently simulated in finite element (FE) model and an inverse-problem solving method was used to determine the complex modulus in frequency-domain and the relaxation modulus in time-domain. The results show that the average storage modulus of human RWM changes from 2.32 to 3.83 MPa and the average loss modulus from 0.085 to 0.925 MPa over frequencies of 200–8000 Hz. The effects of specimen geometry and experimental condition on complex modulus measurements were discussed through FE modeling analysis. Dynamic properties of RWM reported in this paper provide important data for the study of middle ear and cochlear mechanics.
Biosynthesis of the oligosaccharides of influenza viral glycoproteins

Abstract Glycosylation of influenza viral glycoproteins was investigated by pulse-labeling of infected BHK21-F cells with radioactive sugar precursors and by cell fractionation and analysis of Pronase-digested viral glycopeptides by gel filtration. The results with short pulses of [ 3 H]mannose suggested that the initial event in glycosylation is the en bloc transfer of oligomamiosyl cores to viral glycoproteins associated with rough membranes. The molecular weight of the glycopeptides which represent the cores was estimated to be approximately 1600–2200. Some mannose residues appear to be subsequently removed from oligosaccharide cores. [ 3 H]mannose-labeled glycopeptides obtained either from cells pulsed for brief periods or from rough membranes, which contain predominantly oligosaccharide cores, were sensitive to digestion by endo -β- N -acetylglucosaminidase H (endo-H). On the other hand, glycopeptides larger than oligosaccharide cores, which appeared during chases or after migration of viral glycoproteins from rough to smooth membranes, were resistant to endo-H treatment. The branched sugars (glucosamine, galactose, and fucose), which are contained only in the complex (type I) oligosaccharide chains of virions, appear to be added in a stepwise manner to the trimmed oligosaccharide cores primarily on smooth membranes. Mannoserich glycopeptides of virions (type II) are similar in size to oligosaccharide cores detected in infected cells and are totally sensitive to endo-H, suggesting that type II glycopeptides may represent oligomannosyl cores which escape trimming as well as addition of branched sugars. Comparison of glycopeptides of infected and uninfected BHK21-F cells suggests that influenza viral glycoproteins contain oligosaccharide chains similar in size to those of host cells except for the absence of sialic acid in viral glycoproteins. Further, we observed that intracytoplasmic membranes from infected cells contain much less sialic acid than those from uninfected cells, indicating that viral neuraminidase present in the interior of infected cells possesses enzymatic activity.
Quantitative versus subjective evaluation of mammography accreditation phantom images.

The precision of quantitative and subjective evaluations of phantom image quality has been studied. Twenty‐seven images of the American College of Radiology (ACR) mammography accreditation phantom were acquired under different x‐ray techniques and digitized. Several quantitative image quality measures were obtained from each image by analyzing microcalcification and nodule target objects in the phantom. All images were also scored subjectively by 8 observers, each of whom provided a count of the number of objects seen in each target class (fibrils, microcalcifications, and nodules). An analysis was performed to predict the subjective measurements from the quantitative measurements and to estimate their variabilities. It was found that the subjective measures could be well predicted by the quantitative measures and that the variance of the quantitative measures was significantly smaller than that of the subjective measure, by almost a factor of 10. The implication for the ACR accreditation program for mammography is that a substantial improvement is possible in the image quality evaluation process by performing computerized analysis of the phantom images in addition to subjective analysis.
Changes of psychophysiological reactivity in affective disorders.

Proceeding from a theoretical conception, it was attempted to classify intuitively—on the basis of skin resistance level (SRL) and skin resistance reaction (SRR)—depressive and depressive-anxious patients into four psychophysiological types. This was done in different settings of psychophysiological tests which measured activation or inhibition of the phasic activation system and lability or stability of the tonic activation system.
Mid‐latitude incoherent scatter observations of helium and hydrogen ions

We have successfully employed a constrained non-linear least squares analysis of incoherent scatter data from the topside ionosphere over Arecibo, Puerto Rico to simultaneously deduce concentrations of helium ions, protons, and oxygen ions as well as ion and electron temperatures. The constraint encourages smooth temperature profiles, and its use avoids unrealistic parameter values in regions where light ions are more than 80% of the total. Here we report proton concentrations that remain higher than helium ion concentrations, even though the latter reach 30% of the total and exceed the oxygen ion densities at altitudes as low as 700 km at night and 1500 km in the day-time. Before local sunrise the effects of conjugate-point photoelectrons are clearly seen, while after sunrise the transition height between oxygen and helium rises much more rapidly than does the transition from oxygen to hydrogen.
Membrane Tubulation by Lattices of Amphiphysin BAR Domains

Membrane compartments of manifold shapes are found in cells, often sculpted by cellular proteins. In particular, proteins of the BAR domain superfamily participate in membrane sculpting processes in vivo and reshape also in vitro low-curvature membrane liposomes into high-curvature tubes and vesicles, achieving their role by binding with their curved, positively charged surfaces to negatively charged membranes. Recent observations revealed that membranes are shaped actually through the concerted action of multiple BAR domains arranged in a lattice. However, information on the dynamics of membrane bending and an explanation of the lattice's role are still lacking. Here we show by means of coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations totaling over 1 millisecond, how lattices involving parallel rows of amphiphysin BAR domains sculpt flat membranes into tubes. A highly detailed, dynamic picture of the formation of membrane tubes by lattices of BAR domains over time scales of 100 microseconds is obtained. Lattice types inducing a wide range of membrane curvatures are explored. The results suggest that multiple lattice types are viable for efficient membrane bending. The lattices found to be optimal for producing high membrane curvature are composed of protein rows separated by 5 nm, stability of the rows being maintained through electrostatic interactions between BAR domains.
Hypolipidaemic effects of n-3 fatty acids in primary hyperlipoproteinaemia.

Abstract The influence of fish oils rich in n-3 fatty acids on plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations in patients with primary hyperlipoproteinaemia is reviewed. When used as a dietary supplement, n-3 fatty acids exert their greatest effect on the concentrations of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and these effects are dose dependent. Low doses of n-3 fatty acids reduce plasma triglyceride concentrations in patients with phenotypic type IV, type V and type IIB hyperlipoproteinaemia, but concurrently result in modest increases in the plasma concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL). With very high doses plasma concentrations of LDL cholesterol decrease in patients with the type IIB phenotype. At low doses n-3 fatty acids do not significantly lower concentrations of LDL cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolaemia whereas at higher doses a modest LDL lowering effect is achieved. The results indicate that the therapeutic potential of n-3 fatty acids as hypolipidaemic agents is greatest in patients with hypertriglyceridaemia.
Protein Nitration, Metabolites of Reactive Nitrogen Species, and Inflammation in Lung Allografts

This study investigated nitration and chlorination of epithelial lining fluid (ELF) proteins in patients (n = 29) who had undergone lung allotransplantation. We assayed lung lavage nitrotyrosine (NT) and chlorotyrosine (CT) by HPLC. We measured NT, nitrate (NO(3)(-)), and nitrate (NO(2)(-)) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and total nitrite (NO(2)(-) + NO(3)(-)) in serum of another group of lung transplant patients (n = 82). In the first group (n = 29), percent nitration of tyrosines (Tyr) (NT/total Tyr x 100) in BALF proteins was: patients, 0.01 (0.00-0.12)%; median (25th-75th% confidence interval), and control subjects 0.01 (0.00-0.02)%. CT (CT/ total Tyr x 100) occurred only in the patients' BALF: 0.01 (0. 00- 0.02)%. In the second group (n = 82), nitrotyrosine (NT) was detected by ELISA in the BALF of patients: 9 (0-41) pmol/mg pro and control subjects: 28 (26-33). Total nitrite (NO(2)(-) + NO(3)(-)) in BALF of the patients: 3.3 (1.9-5.1) microM significantly exceeded that in control subjects: 1.3 (0.8-1.3) microM; p = 0.0133. Serum nitrite also was significantly higher in patients: 37 (26-55) microM than control subjects: 19 (17-20) microM; p = 0.0037. Airway inflammation in transbronchial biopsies (B score) correlated with NT in BALF (p = 0.0369). Lung transplants have increased airway concentrations of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) metabolites. NT, a marker of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), is related to the degree of airway inflammation in lung transplants.
How do sound waves in a Bose-Einstein condensate move so fast?

Low-momentum excitations of a dilute Bose-Einstein condensate behave as phonons and move at a finite velocity ${v}_{s}.$ Yet the atoms making up the phonon excitation each move very slowly; ${v}_{a}=p/\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{m}0.$ A simple ``cartoon picture'' is suggested to understand this phenomenon intuitively. It implies a relation ${v}_{s}{/v}_{a}\ensuremath{\approx}{N}_{\mathrm{ex}},$ where ${N}_{\mathrm{ex}}$ is the number of excited atoms making up the phonon. This relation does indeed follow from the standard Bogoliubov theory.
Effects of feeding wet corn distillers grains with solubles with or without monensin and tylosin on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of fecal foodborne pathogenic and commensal bacteria in feedlot cattle

Distillers grains, a coproduct of ethanol production from cereal grains, are composed principally of the bran, protein, and germ fractions and are commonly supplemented in ruminant diets. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of feeding wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) and monensin and tylosin on the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibilities of fecal foodborne and commensal bacteria in feedlot cattle. Cattle were fed 0 or 25% WDGS in steam-flaked corn-based diets with the addition of no antimicrobials, monensin, or monensin and tylosin. Fecal samples were collected from each animal (n = 370) on d 122 and 136 of the 150-d finishing period and cultured for Escherichia coli O157. Fecal samples were also pooled by pen (n = 54) and cultured for E. coli O157, Salmonella, commensal E. coli, and Enterococcus species. Antimicrobial resistance was assessed by determining antimicrobial susceptibilities of pen bacterial isolates and quantifying antimicrobial resistance genes in fecal samples by real-time PCR. Individual animal prevalence of E. coli O157 in feces collected from cattle fed WDGS was greater (P < 0.001) compared with cattle not fed WDGS on d 122 but not on d 136. There were no treatment effects on the prevalence of E. coli O157 or Salmonella spp. in pooled fecal samples. Antimicrobial susceptibility results showed Enterococcus isolates from cattle fed monensin or monensin and tylosin had greater levels of resistance toward macrolides (P = 0.01). There was no effect of diet or antimicrobials on concentrations of 2 antimicrobial resistance genes, ermB or tetM, in fecal samples. Results from this study indicate that WDGS may have an effect on the prevalence of E. coli O157 and the concentration of selected antimicrobial resistance genes, but does not appear to affect antimicrobial susceptibility patterns in Enterococcus and generic E. coli isolates.
Estimating Age at Sexual Maturity from Flock Records

Abstract AGE at sexual maturity has long been recognized as an important component of egg laying performance. However, in most random sample egg laying tests and other types of performance tests maturity cannot be measured directly on individual birds because only pen records are kept. In this case age at 50 percent egg production is usually taken as the criterion of maturity. We may argue that the 50 percent production level is a good choice because, for any level less than 50 percent, not as many birds will enter the estimate. Then it follows that 60 percent production should be better still because it would include more birds than the 50 percent production level. On the other hand, if the pen cannot reach 60 percent production because of disease or other causes, then the age at which the pen reaches some lower level would need to be used. Several different measures …
Overall throughput effectiveness (OTE) metric for factory-level performance monitoring and bottleneck detection

Seiichi Nakajima provided overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) to measure productivity and perform diagnostics at the equipment level. However, a literature review indicates that such metrics are lacking at the factory level. In order to address this gap, an overall throughput effectiveness (OTE) metric is developed. The purpose of OTE is twofold: it measures factory-level performance and can also be used for performing factory-level diagnostics such as bottleneck detection and identifying hidden capacity. The task of coming up with such a metric was achieved by defining a set of commonly occurring predefined subsystems including series, parallel, assembly and expansion. OTE was developed for each of these predefined subsystems. It also accounts for subsystems processing multiple products and performing rework. Any factory layout can be modelled using a combination of the predefined subsystems, which allows determination of the overall factory effectiveness (OFE). More importantly, OTE has the potential ...
Factor Substitution and Labor Productivity Growth in American Manufacturing, 1839–1899

The work of H. J. Habakkuk, Peter Temin, Robert Fogel, and Nathan Rosenberg on the effect of relative factor price differentials between America and England in the nineteenth century on the course of technological development has generated considerable interest in providing some empirical evidence on the labor scarcity hypothesis. Briefly stated, the hypothesis claims that relatively higher wages in America brought about the invention and use in production of a relatively capital intensive technology, and since “technical possibilities were richest at the capital intensive end of the spectrum,” this phenomenon was somehow responsible for the unique characteristics of American technology, that is, interchangeable parts, certain machine tool developments, and the proliferation of self-acting mechanisms.
Roentgen Treatment for Hodgkin's Disease and Lymphosarcoma of the Chest

Each variety of normal cell has a specific range of sensitiveness to roentgen rays. The different varieties of normal cells are listed in the order of their sensitiveness. The action of roentgen rays on cells is briefly described, lymphocytes being used as an example. Then the sensitiveness of different kinds of tumors is mentioned, and stress is laid on the close correspondence in sensitiveness between tumors and the normal cells from which different kinds of tumors are derived. Knowledge of the relative sensitiveness of different tumors often permits one to distinguish some tumors from others, and this is as true of thoracic and intrathoracic tumors as it is of tumors in general. The more common clinical and roentgenologic features of Hodgkin's disease or lymphosarcoma of the chest are reviewed. Then the treatment of these conditions is discussed with reference to the anatomic arrangement of the fields, the quality and quantity of the rays. Finally, the principal factors which govern prognosis are mentioned.
Effects of diphenylhydantoin on coronary and systemic haemodynamics in awake dogs.

In the intact conscious dog, DPH (5 mg/kg) produced an increase of 30 ± 4% in heart rate and 61 ± 10% in coronary blood flow. With the heart rate controlled by ventricular pacing, a similar dose of DPH produced an increase in coronary blood flow of 57 ±7%. There was no significant change in either aortic blood flow or peripheral vascular resistance. These haemodynamic effects were not altered by beta-receptor blockade. From these data it is concluded that DPH has a transient, direct vasodilating effect on the coronary circulation.
Plasma processes in the expansion of the solar wind and in the interplanetary medium

Recent research into plasma processes involved in the expansion of the solar wind and the interplanetary medium is reviewed. Emphasized topics deal primarily with processes that drive the solar wind, the gross expansion of the interplanetary medium between 0.5 and 5 AU, recent observational results in the vicinity of 1 AU, and the microstructure of the interplanetary medium. Satellite measurements of the radial profile of the interplanetary medium out to 5 AU are discussed together with model calculations of the solar wind and its possible driving mechanisms. Studies of Alfven and magnetoacoustic waves in the solar wind are summarized. Possible roles are considered for thermal conduction in coronal energy transport, and observations of ion velocity distributions near 1 AU are described.
The Cerebral Circulation

This presentation describes structural and functional properties of the cerebral circulation that are unique to the brain, an organ with high metabolic demands, and the need for tight water and ion homeostasis. Autoregulation is pronounced in the brain, with myogenic, metabolic, and neurogenic mechanisms contributing to maintain relatively constant blood flow during both increases and decreases in pressure. In addition, unlike peripheral organs where the majority of vascular resistance resides in small arteries and arterioles, large extracranial and intracranial arteries contribute significantly to vascular resistance in the brain. The prominent role of large arteries in cerebrovascular resistance helps maintain blood flow and protect downstream vessels during changes in perfusion pressure. The cerebral endothelium is also unique in that its barrier properties are in some way more like epithelium than endothelium in the periphery. The cerebral endothelium, known as the blood–brain barrier, has specialized tight junctions that do not allow ions to pass freely and has very low hydraulic conductivity and transcellular transport. This special configuration modifies Starling’s forces in the brain such that ions retained in the vascular lumen oppose water movement due to hydrostatic pressure. Tight water regulation is necessary in the brain because it has limited capacity for expansion within the skull. Increased intracranial pressure due to vasogenic edema can cause severe neurologic complications and death. This chapter will review these special features of the cerebral circulation and how they contribute to the physiology of the brain.
Damage and stress state influence on the Bauschinger effect in aluminum alloys

In this paper, we show that the Bauschinger effect is intimately tied not only to plasticity as is historically understood but to the damage state as well. We illustrate the plasticity and damage influence on the Bauschinger effect by employing different definitions (Bauschinger stress parameter, Bauschinger effect parameter, the ratio of forward-to-reverse yield, and the ratio of kinematic-to-isotropic hardening) for two differently processed aluminum alloys (rolled and cast) in which specimens were tested to different prestrain levels under tension and compression. Damage progression from second phase particles and inclusions that were generally equiaxed for the cast A356-T6 Al alloy and elongated for the rolled 7075 Al alloy was quantified from interrupted experiments. Observations showed that the Bauschinger effect had larger values for compression prestrains when compared to tension. The Bauschinger effect was also found to be a function of damage to particles/inclusions, dislocation/particle interaction, and the work hardening rate.
Distributed Multi-Agent Online Learning Based on Global Feedback

In this paper, we develop online learning algorithms that enable the agents to cooperatively learn how to maximize the overall reward in scenarios where only noisy global feedback is available without exchanging any information among themselves. We prove that our algorithms' learning regrets-the losses incurred by the algorithms due to uncertainty-are logarithmically increasing in time and thus the time average reward converges to the optimal average reward. Moreover, we also illustrate how the regret depends on the size of the action space, and we show that this relationship is influenced by the informativeness of the reward structure with regard to each agent's individual action. When the overall reward is fully informative, regret is shown to be linear in the total number of actions of all the agents. When the reward function is not informative, regret is linear in the number of joint actions. Our analytic and numerical results show that the proposed learning algorithms significantly outperform existing online learning solutions in terms of regret and learning speed. We illustrate how our theoretical framework can be used in practice by applying it to online Big Data mining using distributed classifiers.
Creating a Demonstration Video Showcasing Informatics Skills: A Systematic Approach

Abstract Nursing informatics courses provide valuable learning experiences related to the discovery and use of information and technology in clinical care situations. However, there is often limited hands-on application of course-specific skills and content. As a result, students may not connect the dots between the tools and skills acquired in the course with the actual clinical environment. Video-recorded human patient simulation scenarios (HPSS) may offer unique opportunities to share information with larger numbers of student nurses at varying levels of study in a cost-effective and less time-consuming manner. Minimal information exists to provide guidance for the development of video-recorded HPSS. The purpose of this article is to outline the process of a collaboration, including faculty with expertise in informatics, simulation, media, and library sciences to produce a real-life–based HPSS video for use in a nursing informatics course.
Congregational Health Ministries: A National Study of Pastors' Views

Objectives: Since the 1980s, there has been a growing, but little studied, movement that organizes church-based health services under the direction of a coordinator, usually a registered nurse. These Congregational Health Ministries (CHMs) emphasize health promotion and disease prevention. We compared the perceptions of pastors with and without organized CHMs and the characteristics of their congregations' health ministries. Design: We used a quantitative, cross-sectional survey design. Sample: We surveyed a national multidenominational sample of 349 pastors representing over 80 Christian denominations. Results: With limited resources, CHMs provide significant health promotion, disease prevention, and support services. Pastors with CHMs were significantly more involved in health promotion and disease prevention activities. Pastors without CHMs perceived a need for congregations to be involved in health-related services and were willing to become involved if they have adequate resources. Conclusions: Because of long-term trusting relationships that exist between congregants and those who minister to them, religious congregations may be ideally suited to provide cost-effective, community-based health promotion and disease prevention services as well as health-supporting services to community-dwelling elderly and persons with chronic illnesses.
Micromechanics of Composites Using a Two-Parameter Model and Response Surface Predictions

A novel method involving the use of micromechanical analysis to predict elastic constants of a unidirectional fiber-reinforced composite is proposed. The method revolves around a model called the two-parameter model. The two parameters are obtained by performing one micromechanical analysis of the composite unit cell along one of its transverse directions. The method involves construction of response surfaces that act as surrogate models, for the prediction of the two parameters, corresponding to any fiber-reinforced composite design that uses a transversely isotropic fiber and an isotropic matrix. Using the two parameters, four of the five elastic constants can be computed. The fifth elastic constant, longitudinal shear modulus, is predicted using a separate response surface. The results indicate that the two-parameter model in conjunction with the response surface makes accurate prediction of composite elastic constants.
Your Drug, My Drug, or Our Drugs: How Aggressive Should We Be With Antihypertensive Therapy?

In the prevention of hypertensive complications, especially stroke and kidney disease, “lower is better” because for each decrease of 20 mm Hg systolic or 10 mm Hg diastolic pressure in the population, cardiovascular risk is halved. Ideally, the goal for each patient should be to reach the lowest blood pressure that is well tolerated, a value that may be well below the arbitrary threshold value of 140/90 mm Hg. For the majority of “uncomplicated hypertensives,” the question of single-drug therapy is essentially moot, because more than one agent is almost always required to optimally control blood pressure. In individuals who already have heart or kidney disease, there are compelling indications for the use of drugs that block the renin-angiotensin system, but the large outcome studies that spawned these recommendations are themselves combination trials. Thus, in virtually all patients, more than one drug is indicated. The best combinations take advantage of long durations of action and complementary mechanisms of action of the component and are not only able to effectively lower blood pressure, but also to favorably affect the natural history of hypertensive complications. Regimens—including fixed-dose combination products—that combine a thiazide diuretic or calcium antagonist with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker are most efficient. In summary, why would an astute clinician (or informed patient) be satisfied with the relatively limited effects of any single class of antihypertensive agents when better overall protection is possible?
Potentiation of ara-C induced cytotoxicity by hydroxyurea in LoVo colon carcinoma cells.

Abstract The present study was undertaken to determine whether cytotoxicity by 1-β-D-arab-inofuranosylcytosine (ara-C) in LoVo colon carcinoma cells, which are resistant to high concentrations of ara-C, would be enhanced by concurrent exposure to hydroxyurea (HU). Since mechanisms underlying the effects of HU on ara-C induced cytotoxicity are unclear, we also evaluated the effect of HU on the incorporation of ara-C into DNA, as well as potential consequences of misincorporation. Our results demonstrate that HU synergistically enhances cytotoxicity by ara-C in these cells. This effect was not present when HU was combined with aphidicolin, an agent that resembles ara-C in competing with dCTP for binding to polymerase alpha but that is not incorporated into DNA. Further, cells exposed to HU and ara-C incorporated up to 5-fold as much ara-C into DNA as cells solely treated with ara-C. While the extent of inhibition of DNA synthesis was comparable with cells exposed to HU and aphidicolin as those treated with HU and ara-C, recovery of DNA synthesis was delayed more significantly by the latter combination. These findings suggest that HU synergistically potentiates ara-C induced cytotoxicity by enhancing incorporation of ara-C in LoVo cell DNA.
A Robust Framework for Adaptive Multiscale Modeling of Biopolymers Using Highly Parallelizable Methods

For many biopolymers (RNA, DNA, enzymes and proteins) the nature of the molecules interaction within the cell has been determined to be highly a function of its conformational structure. Understanding how to influence and control this structure thus is of critical importance if one wishes to manipulate the intercellular processes of which these biopolymers play such a central role. In molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, a fully atomistic model represents the system at the finest scale and as such captures all the dynamics of the system. If the simulation is permitted to run sufficiently long important emergent behaviors can develop and show themselves. Such MD simulations represent a direct applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion to the individual atoms in the system, and are conceptually the easiest to implement. An advantage of this procedure is that the simulation yields important information not only about the intermediate states and the mechanisms which produced them, but also provides the rates at which these processes occur. These intermediate conformational states have repeatedly been implicated in many known biological function [1], [2]. Unfortunately, this albeit correct, but naive approach quickly leads to intractable models and prohibitive computational expense when applied to systems involving many atoms. As a result, researcher often grossly over simplify the system move to non-deterministic methods such as Monte Carlo, which effectively remove dynamics from the system, or use undesirably gross model simplification. Because of these forward dynamics performance difficulties, potentially important mechanisms governing biopolymer structure have not been adequately explored and/or identified. The methods and algorithms described in this paper are intended to extend the capabilities of the simulation techniques for such systems so that the forward dynamics can better predict the non-equilibrium behavior of these systems, thus complementing Monte Carlo, while retaining much useful intermediate process and temporal information.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Targeting the B7 family of co-stimulatory molecules: successes and challenges.

As more patient data is cross-referenced with animal models of disease, the primary focus on Th1 autoreactive effector cell function in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, has shifted towards the role of Th17 autoreactive effector cells and the ability of regulatory T cells (Treg) to modulate the pro-inflammatory autoimmune response. Therefore, the currently favored hypothesis is that a delicate balance between Th1/17 effector cells and Treg cell function is critical in the regulation of inflammatory autoimmune disease. An intensive area of research with regard to the Th1/17:Treg cell balance is the utilization of blockade and/or ligation of various co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory molecules, respectively, during ongoing disease to skew the immune response toward a more tolerogenic/regulatory state. Currently, FDA-approved therapies for multiple sclerosis patients are all aimed at the suppression of immune cell function. The other favored method of treatment is a modulation or deletion of autoreactive immune cells via short-term blockade of activating co-stimulatory receptors via treatment with fusion proteins such as CTLA4-Ig and CTLA4-FasL. Based on the initial success of CTLA4-Ig, there are additional fusion proteins that are currently under development. Examples of the more recently identified B7/CD28 family members are PD-L1, PD-L2, inducible co-stimulatory molecule-ligand (ICOS-L), B7-H3, and B7-H4, all of which may emerge as potential fusion protein therapeutics, each with unique, yet often overlapping functions. The expression of both stimulatory and inhibitory B7 molecules seems to play an essential role in modulating immune cell function through a variety of mechanisms, which is supported by findings that suggest each B7 molecule has developed its own indispensable niche in the immune system. As more data are generated, the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of the above B7 family-member-derived fusion proteins becomes ever more apparent. Besides defining the biology of these B7/CD28 family members in vivo, additional difficulty in the development of these therapies lies in maintaining the normal immune functions of recognition and reaction to non-self-antigens following viral or bacterial infection in the patient. Further complicating the clinical translation of these therapies, the mechanism of action identified for a particular reagent may depend upon the method of immune-cell activation and the subset of immune cells targeted in the study.
CINA — A program for complete instrumental neutron activation analysis with a PC-type minicomputer

A program has been developed to use a PC-type minicomputer for instrumental neutron activation analysis. The program has the capacity for photopeak search, peak area computation, and element concentration determination using the single comparator method. Analysis time for a 4096-channel spectrum containing 20 photopeaks is about 4 minutes.
Effect of a bradykinin antagonist on the local inflammatory response following thermal injury

Partial and full thickness burns with intervening zones of stasis were created on the backs on New Zealand White rabbits (n = 23). Either saline or the bradykinin receptor antagonist, NPC 17731, was administered. Skin blood flow was measured hourly using a laser Doppler blood flowmeter. After 4 h skin samples were harvested for assessment of tissue oedema (wet/dry weights) and leucocyte accumulation (immunohistochemistry). Statistical analysis was performed using Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Mann-Whitney U test with a level of significance at P < 0.05. It was found that blood flow was decreased postburn in all groups. Bradykinin antagonist resulted in increased blood flow in partial thickness burns and zones of stasis compared to saline-treated animals (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with bradykinin antagonist showed reduced tissue oedema in full thickness burns (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in leucocyte accumulation between both groups. These data suggest a role for bradykinin in the pathogenesis of postburn microvascular changes which is independent of leucocyte-mediated injury.
A fundamental investigation of tilt control systems for narrow commuter vehicles

One way of addressing traffic congestion is by efficiently utilizing the existing highway infrastructure. Narrow tilting vehicles that need a reduced width lane can be part of the solution if they can be designed to be safe, stable, and easy to operate. In this paper, a control system that stabilizes the tilt mode of such a vehicle without affecting the handling of the vehicle is proposed. This control system is a combination of two different types of control schemes known as steering tilt control (STC) and direct tilt control (DTC) systems. First, different existing variations of both STC and DTC systems are considered and their shortcomings analysed. Modified control schemes are then suggested to overcome the deficiencies. Then a new method of integrating these two control schemes that guarantees smooth switchover between the controllers as a function of vehicle velocity is proposed. The performance of the proposed STC, DTC, and integrated systems is evaluated by carrying out simulations for different operating conditions and some experimental work. The design of a second-generation narrow tilting vehicle on which the developed control system has been implemented is presented.
Experimental study of nonadiabatic core interactions in Rydberg states of calcium

Nonadiabatic contributions to the core polarization in calcium Rydberg states have been investigated experimentally by microwave spectroscopy of $F$ and $G$ states. Transitions $4snf^{1}F_{3}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}4sng^{1}G_{4}$ have been measured for $n=23\ensuremath{-}25$. The transition frequencies are in good agreement with calculations based on a dynamical model of the core interaction, but differ by approximately a factor of 2 from the usual adiabatic treatment. The dipole core polarizability of calcium (the polarizability of ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{+}$) is found to be ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{1}=87(2)$ (atomic units). The quantum defect for the $4sng^{1}G_{4}$ series is 0.0310(5). General formulas are presented for the quantum defects of the high-angular-momentum states.
Effect of Morphine and n-Allylnormorphine on Cerebral Hemodynamics and Oxygen Metabolism

The cerebral metabolic response to intravenously administered morphine was studied in human volunteers. Cerebral blood flow and cerebral vascular resistance were not altered by this drug although cerebral oxygen uptake was markedly depressed as a result of a decreased extraction of oxygen from the blood circulating through the brain. This response was rapidly reversed following the administration of n-allylnormorphine.
High Temperature Low Sag Upgrades and Payback for the Economic Operation Improvement of Power Transmission Systems

Abstract—The increase of transmission line thermal ratings by reconductoring with high temperature low sag conductors is a comparatively new technology introduced for transmission expansion. A special design permits high temperature low sag conductors to operate at higher temperatures, therefore allowing passage of higher current and, thus, increasing the thermal rating of the transmission line. The comparatively high cost of high temperature low sag conductors may be an obstacle to its large-scale implementation. This article evaluates the expenditures for transmission line reconductoring using high temperature low sag, the consequent benefits obtained from the potential decrease in operating cost for thermally limited power transmission systems. Estimates of the “payback period” are used to evaluate the cost effectiveness of reconductoring with high temperature low sag. The evaluation is performed using a 225 bus equivalent of the 2012 summer peak Arizona portion of the Western Electricity Coordinating ...
Investigation of PC36 (BoCD45R)

Eight monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) clustered together in a statistical analysis of data submitted to the Third Workshop on Ruminant Leucocyte Antigens to form provisional cluster (PC) 36. PC36 included the CD45R workshop control mAb CC76. The mAbs were compared by two-colour immunofluorescence with mAbs against other leucocyte subpopulation antigens. The flow cytometry results indicated that all of the mAbs identified CD45R.
Schools as host environments: Toward a schoolwide reading improvement model

Despite vast differences among school districts across the country, all students must learn how to read in a complex "host-environment" called a school. A challenge in beginning reading, therefore, is to transcend these differences and focus, instead, on the essential task of teaching reading in schools. Teaching reading involves attending to what we know about beginning reading and the alphabetic writing system, the difficulties of reading, and the challenges associated with dyslexia. Teaching reading in a school requires that interventions be tailored to the unique needs of an individual school and implemented and sustained at the school building level. In this article, we outline the Schoolwide Reading Improvement Model (SRIM). This model is characterized by the strategic integration of research-based practices in assessment, instructional design, and beginning reading instruction. Additionally, the SRIM acknowledges the specific needs of individual schools and is customized to provide the best fit with each unique "host-environment." First we provide a description of each major stage of the SRIM and then an example of its application in a school district in western Oregon.
Physical and Functional Interaction between Myeloid Cell Leukemia 1 Protein (MCL1) and Fortilin: THE POTENTIAL ROLE OF MCL1 AS A FORTILIN CHAPERONE *

Myeloid cell leukemia 1 protein (MCL1) is an anti-apoptotic protein that is structurally related to Bcl-2. Unlike other Bcl-2 family proteins that are constitutively expressed, MCL1 is inducibly expressed in cells that are recently exposed to growth and differentiation stimuli. Here, we report the identification of fortilin as a novel MCL1-interacting protein by screening of a yeast two-hybrid library with MCL1 as bait. Fortilin specifically interacted with MCL1 both in vitro andin vivo. The intracellular localization of fortilin was predominantly nuclear and identical to that of MCL1, as shown by immunostaining and confocal microscopy analysis. Fortilin, like MCL1, was rapidly inducible in serum-stimulated human aortic vascular smooth muscle cells. Although the depletion of intracellular fortilin by small interfering RNA (siRNA) against fortilin (siRNA-fortilin) did not affect intracellular MCL1 level, the depletion of intracellular MCL1 by siRNA-MCL1 was associated with the significant reduction of the fortilin protein level, without affecting the fortilin transcript numbers. In addition, a pulse-chase experiment showed that the depletion of MCL1 by siRNA-MCL1 was associated with the rapid degradation of fortilin protein, which was found quite stable in the presence of MCL1. Furthermore, the half-life of fortilinR21A, a point mutant of fortilin lacking the binding to MCL1, was significantly shorter than that of wild-type fortilin as shown by a pulse-chase experiment. These data suggest that MCL1, in addition to being an anti-apoptotic molecule, serves as a chaperone of fortilin, binding and stabilizing fortilin in vivo. Taken together with our previous observation that fortilin overexpression prevents cells from undergoing apoptosis (Li, F., Zhang, D., and Fujise, K. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 47542–47549), it is likely that MCL1, an anti-apoptotic protein inducible by growth and differentiation stimuli, stabilizes another anti-apoptotic protein fortilin maximizing the prosurvival environment in cells.
Acylation and deacylation of phospholipids in isolated bovine rod outer segments

Isolated bovine rod outer segments (ROS) were incubated under different conditions with radiolabeled fatty acid-Coenzyme A (CoA) compounds, fatty acids and phospholipids in order to further investigate the rates, mechanisms and function of phospholipid metabolism within that organelle. ROS contain acyl CoA synthetase, acyl transferase, acyl CoA hydrolase, and phospholipase A activities. Although different radiolabeled fatty acid CoAs were esterified to the major ROS phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine) at the same rate, different free fatty acids were esterified at different rates. There was no correlation between these estimates of in vitro rates of incorporation of fatty acids and the fatty acid composition of ROS phospholipids. Both the deacylation of radiolabeled phospholipids (phospholipase A activity) and the acylation of endogenous phospholipids (acyl transferase activity) were maximally stimulated when ATP, CoA, Mg2+ and Ca2+ were present, and both processes were stimulated by pro-oxidizing conditions and exposure to light. Under phospholipase A-stimulatory conditions, there was preferential hydrolysis of polyenoic fatty acids from endogenous ROS phospholipids. Both the acylation and deacylation reactions were primarily at the sn-2 position of ROS phospholipids.