cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathways Mediating the Growth-Inhibitory Actions of Vitamin D in Prostate Cancer

Vitamin D is emerging as an important dietary factor that affects the incidence and progression of many malignancies including prostate cancer. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25(OH) 2 D 3 ], inhibits the growth and stimulates the differentiation of prostate cancer cells. We have studied primary cultures of normal and cancer-derived prostatic epithelial cells as well as established human prostate cancer cell lines to elucidate the molecular pathways of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 actions. These pathways are varied and appear to be cell specific. In LNCaP cells, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 mainly causes growth arrest through the induction of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 and also stimulates apoptosis to a much smaller extent. We have used cDNA-microarray analyses to identify additional genes that are regulated by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 and to raise novel therapeutic targets for use in the chemoprevention or treatment of prostate cancer. Less calcemic analogs of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 that have more antiproliferative activity are being developed that will be more useful clinically. In target cells, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 induces 24-hydroxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes its self inactivation. Cotreatment with 24-hydroxylase inhibitors enhances the antiproliferative activity of 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 . The combination of other anticancer agents such as retinoids with vitamin D offers another promising therapeutic approach. A small clinical trial has shown that 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 can slow the rate of prostate-specific antigen increase in prostate cancer patients, which demonstrates proof of the concept that vitamin D or its analogs are clinically effective. Our research is directed at understanding the mechanisms of vitamin D action in prostate cells with the goal of developing chemoprevention and treatment strategies to improve prostate cancer therapy.
Autonomy and the Very Limited Role of Advocacy in the Classroom

The phrase "left unmanipulated" deserves emphasis in the context of advocacy in the classroom. In some accounts, autonomy is presented simply as a quality of all rational beings. This can be made to look plausible in terms of a highly abstract image of rationality, in which rationality entails the ability to make rational decisions, which is then identified with autonomy. Diana T. Meyers has developed an elaborate and searching account of the skills of autonomy that people can acquire: in her account, a high degree of autonomy is an achievement that may require insight, inventiveness, and strength. The skills of autonomy—especially In relation to moral, political, and social issues—are part of what should be learned in college. There is a good deal to be said about the political importance of producing college graduates who both have reflective personal commitments and are good at understanding opposing points of view.
Stable hippocampal long-term potentiation elicited by 'theta' pattern stimulation.

The stability of long-term potentiation (LTP) elicited by a stimulation paradigm in which short high-frequency bursts of pulses were given in a 'theta' pattern (i.e. 5 bursts/s) was tested in a chronic recording study. Stimulation electrodes were implanted bilaterally in the Schaffer-commissural system while the recording electrode was placed in the apical dendritic field of the Ca1 zone of the hippocampus. Following 4 days of baseline testing, 'theta' stimulation was applied to one electrode for a total of 2 s (ten 30 ms bursts), after which testing was continued for 3 weeks or until the responses fell to below baseline levels. Data were collected from 25 animals and 3 types of results were obtained: (1) no LTP (n = 4), (2) LTP that decreased steadily from 24 h after high frequency stimulation onward (n = 4), and (3) LTP that was stable until recording was terminated or until the responses began a precipitous decrease to below baseline values (n = 17). The mean of the slopes of the curves relating degree of potentiation to days after 'theta' stimulation was less than 1%/day with a mean correlation coefficient of only 0.1 prior to the point at which the responses began their rapid decline. Control responses were unaffected by the induction of LTP in neighboring CA1 afferents and did not exhibit a reliable relationship with time. These results suggest that, for most rats, LTP elicited by theta pattern stimulation is stable until such time that stimulation-recording arrangements begin to deteriorate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Trace metal concentrations in offshore, deep-water seaweeds in the western North Atlantic ocean☆☆☆

Abstract Ambient, natural levels of selected heavy metals were assayed from deep, offshore populations of attached seaweeds from 1980 through 1983 from Pigeon Hill, 37 km from the nearest shoreline in the Gulf of Maine, and from Block Island, 23 km from the nearest mainland in Rhode Island Sound. Concentration levels of barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, lead and zinc were low when compared with concentration values published for a variety of seaweeds from the eastern and western North Atlantic. Values from Pigeon Hill and Block Island provide baseline data for long term monitoring of a relatively pristine, offshore, benthic community in the western North Atlantic.
Review of Deployable structures: Analysis and design by C. J. Gantes

Conventional structures ~bridges, buildings, rockets, or satellites! are designed to be strong, stable, and able to perform their desired function. The ability of structures to be folded in a compact form and deployed ~unfolded! when needed opens up new possibilities. Although this is not a recent development, such deployable structures have been the subject of growing interest for both terrestrial and space-based applications. Recently, in January 2000, a 60 m truss-like structure was deployed from the space shuttle Endeavor to map 80% of the earth’s topography in a week. The ability to make structures light, compact, and mobile without sacrificing their other attributes is desirable for a variety of applications such as temporary shelters, retractable domes and large satellite solar panels. NASA is designing a 6 m deployable telescope to replace the Hubble Space Telescope by the end of this decade. Such large sensors requiring submicron levels of precision impose new challenges for the structural engineer. These challenges can only be met by combining advances in different engineering disciplines and through the creation of new educational and research programs. This is an excellent reference book, perhaps the only one on deployable structures. It is fairly extensive in its treatment of the history and development of deployable structures and leads up to the most recent developments in its applications to space-based sensor systems and temporary structures. The book describes both
Definition Inclosed: A Reply to Zhong

In ‘Definability and the Structure of Logical Paradoxes’ (Australasian Journal of Philosophy, this issue) Haixia Zhong takes issue with an account of the paradoxes of self-reference to be found in Beyond the Limits of Thought [Priest 1995. The point of this note is to explain why the critique does not succeed. The criterion for distinguishing between the set-theoretic and the semantic paradoxes offered does not get the division right; the semantic paradoxes are not given a uniform solution; no reason is provided as to why the naive denotation relation is ‘indefinite’ (other than that its definiteness leads to contradiction); and the account of the denotation relation given clearly misses the mark, even by consistent standards.
Kinetic studies of temperature changes, oxygen utilization, pH, and potassium concentration changes in a differential calorimeter: the enthalpy of potassium accumulation by rat liver mitochondria.

Abstract This paper describes the application of a differential calorimeter equipped with oxygen, potassium, and pH electrodes to the study of valinomycin-stimulated potassium transport by rat liver mitochondria. For the aerobic, succinate-supported accumulation of potassium by mitochondria, the enthalpy of substrate oxidation was −36.2 ± 1.1 kcal per atom of oxygen. There were 3.35 ± 0.2 moles of potassium accumulated and 0.24 ± 0.04 moles of protons released per atom of oxygen utilized during such experiments. For uncoupler-stimulated, anaerobic potassium release, Δ H was −0.03 ± 0.5 kcal per mole of potassium released. There were 0.14 ± 0.01 moles of protons taken up per mole of potassium extruded during the anaerobic discharge of potassium by mitochondria. An energy balance using experimentally determined stoichiometries was constructed for the potassium movement, and it was calculated that the potassium movements were thermally neutral, i.e., Δ H = −0.6 ± 0.75 kcal per mole potassium, for inward movements of potassium. The enthalpy measurements demonstrate that the endogenous and transported potassium are in free solution in the inner mitochondrial water space. The implications of this measurement for three theories of cation transport by mitochondria are discussed.
Interband tunneling in InAs/GaSb/AlSb heterostructures

Abstract We report the experimental observation of negative differential resistance (NDR) at room temperature from a structure consisting of a single InAs(n)/GaSb(p) interface. The peak current densities ranged from 4.2×104 to 8.0×104 A/cm2 depending on how the structure is doped. The mechanism that causes the NDR is similar to that of an Esaki tunnel diode. We have also observed NDR at room temperature in a second class of novel devices. These structures consist of a thin layer of AlSb displaced from a single InAs(n)/GaSb(p) interface. NDR with peak current densities greater than 1.6×105 A/cm2 is seen in these structures. We attribute the increase in peak current densities with the addition of the AlSb barrier to the formation of a quasi-bound state between the AlSb layer and the InAs/GaSb interface. This quasi-bound state forms either in the conduction band of InAs or the valence band of GaSb, depending on where the AlSb barrier is placed and leads to a resonate enhancement of the current in the structures.
Griffonia simplicifolia I lectin mediates macrophage-induced cytotoxicity against Ehrlich ascites tumor

Abstract The concurrent administration of Griffonia simplicifolia lectin into the peritoneal cavity of mice has been reported to protect them from challenge with Ehrlich ascites tumor cells. This study demonstrates that the GS I lectin is capable of binding to the surface of both inflammatory macrophages and Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and can mediate macrophage lectin-dependent cytotoxicity to this tumor cell line. The lectin was not found to be toxic to Ehrlich ascites tumor cells directly or to nonspecifically initiate complement-mediated lysis of these target cells. The macrophage lectin-dependent cytotoxicity could be specifically inhibited by the haptenic sugar methyl α- d -galactopyranoside. Thus, this lectin appears to be able to provide a linkage between effector macrophages and Ehrlich ascites tumor cells resulting in the triggering of a cytolytic event.
Asymmetric modulation of band structures of graphene fluoride by electric field: A DFT study

We have studied the influence of an external electric field on the band structures of graphene fluoride in C 4 F stoichiometry using Density Functional Theory (DFT). The electric field was applied in two different directions, field pointing towards the fluorine layer and in opposite direction pointing towards the graphene layer, normal to the plane of the bilayers. Calculations reveal that the band gaps are tunable with electric field and are modulated based on the direction of the field. The gap increases by 35 meV in one direction and decreases by 35 meV in the opposite direction at a maximum applied field of 3.3 V/nm.
Prolongation of cardiac allograft survival by pretreatment of recipient mice with donor blood or spleen cells plus cyclophosphamide

Abstract Using six mouse strain combinations, we attempted to prolong cardiac allograft survival by pretreatment of recipients with a single iv injection of donor-specific whole blood or spleen cells plus a single ip injection of cyclophosphamide (Cy). Significant prolongation of cardiac allograft survival occurred in a small proportion of pretreated mice of some strain combinations, with some grafts surviving for periods longer than 6–9 months. Cy injected alone did not influence the normal cardiac allograft rejection time of between 1 and 2 weeks. Depending upon the strain combination, accelerated rejection of all or some of the grafts occurred in mice pretreated with blood or spleen cells or myocardial cells alone.
Annual breeding seasons of three sympatric species of tropical intertidal hermit crabs, with a discussion of factors controlling breeding

Abstract From 1960 through 1967 hermit crabs belonging to three species were collected in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands. The species are sympatric, with some variation in their distribution throughout the littoral zone. The breeding seasons were determined for each species. The term breeding is used here to mean the period when the females were ovigerous. Calcinus laevimanus (Randall) breeds from February into October with over 80% of the females carrying eggs during the warm summer months. Calcinus latens (Randall) has a bimodal breeding pattern with one peak in February and March, when about 60% of the females were ovigerous, and a secondary peak in late summer, August, when over 50% of the females in the population were carrying eggs. Clibanarius zebra Dana shows a similar pattern. About 20 % of the females were ovigerous from February to mid-April, and in August there is a second period of activity with about 60 % of the females carrying eggs. Data from other species of hermit crabs and related anomurans are discussed, and it is suggested that adaptations to local ecological conditions result in such a degree of variation in reproductive activity that generalizations on the temporal patterning of breeding seasons on the basis of any single factor such as temperature are not valid.
Preparation and Fungitoxicity of Some Dichloro-8-Quinolinols

2,5-, 3,5-, 3,6-, 3,7-, 4,5-, 5,6-, 5,7-, and 6,7-dibromo-8-quinolinols were prepared and tested against six fungi (Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus oryzae, Myrothecium verrucaria, Trichoderma viride, Mucor cirinelloides, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes) in Sabouraud dextrose broth. Most of the compounds were strongly antifungal, inhibiting five of the fungi below 1μg/cm3, but were somewhat less fungitoxic than the corresponding chloro analogues. M. cirinelloides was not inhibited by any of the compounds except 4,5-dibromo-8-quinolinol. This high level of fungitoxicity is attributed to intramolecular synergism.
Observations of the extreme ultraviolet radiation in the night sky using an atomic hydrogen filter

Abstract The Lyman α night-sky glow has been studied using an absorption cell in front of a Lyman-α detector flown in a rocket at White Sands. The absorption of Lyman-α over a width of some 0.08 A at half intensity was provided by hydrogen atoms in the cell, formed from the dissociation of hydrogen molecules by hot tungsten ribbons. The absorption reduced the intensity of the glow from above the rocket to 15 per cent and that from below the rocket to 2 per cent or less. The 15 per cent residual may be radiation from hydrogen in the exosphere with Doppler broadening, corresponding to a temperature of at least 7000°.
The withheld eye-roll sign.

Abstract Within the context and the assumptions of the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP), the eye-roll sign is understood to indicate a stable biologically based measure of potential hypnotic capacity. Serendipitous observations seemed to suggest that the eye-roll sign underwent significant changes in 14 particular patients. On exploration of these patients' subjective experiences, it was discovered that certain patients associated the eye-roll with incipient dyscontrol and consciously withheld a full and accurate response. In others, such withholding occurred as a conversion symptom. Furthermore, some patients were aware of the implications of the eye-roll and made efforts to represent themselves as unhypnotizable by withholding a full eye-roll. No genuine changes in eye-roll signs were noted. Clinical illustrations are offered and discussed.
Single molecule studies of quantum dot fluorescence intermittency: evidence for both dark and light-assisted blinking dynamics

The present work investigates single CdSe QD blinking behaviour in the absence of illumination, in order to elucidate the role of photoexcitation on the long time dynamics. The probability of a QD transitioning in the dark from a high quantum yield (‘on’) state to a low quantum yield (‘off’) state is found to be extremely low and essentially independent of dwell time from <100 ms to minute time scales. The absence of a dark pathway is consistent with many models, for example, in which ‘on’ to ‘off’ blinking is ascribed to photo-assisted Auger ionization and charging of the QD. On the other hand, blinking recovery statistics (from ‘off’ to ‘on’ state) reveal an approximate power law dependence on dwell time, consistent with non-photoactivated and highly distributed kinetics in the dark. Most importantly, such dark QD recovery is orders of magnitude slower than predicted by previous power law kinetic studies under constant illumination conditions, highlighting the presence of both (i) light-activated and (i...
Reduction of Intra-Aneurysmal Kinetic Energy by Intralumenal Flow Diverting Devices

Endovascular coiling is an acceptable treatment of intracranial aneurysms yet long term follow-ups suggest that endovascular coiling fails to achieve complete aneurysm occlusion particularly in wide-neck and giant aneurysms. Flow diverting devices can serve as an alternative to coils in endovascular bypass of human brain aneurysms for their exclusion from the cerebral circulation. They can redirect flow away from the aneurysm distally into the parent vessel thereby reestablishing physiological flow patterns. Placing of a flow diverting device across the aneurysm neck may be sufficient to occlude the aneurysm by promoting intra-aneurysmal thrombosis, however, conclusive evidence of its efficacy are still lacking. In this study [1], we investigated in vitro the efficacy of custom designed flow diverting devices and develop indices of their performance in an elastomeric model of the elastase-induced aneurysm in rabbit. The efficacy of custom designed flow divertors is investigated in terms of reducing the flow activity inside the sac. These custom made devices possess porosities that are similar to available stents, however, their pore densities are much higher. The results will help optimize the device that will be used in the animal model.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Ability to delay neuropathological events associated with astrocytic MAO-B increase in a Parkinsonian mouse model: Implications for early intervention on disease progression

We previously demonstrated that elevation of astrocytic monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) levels in a doxycycline (dox)-inducible transgenic mouse model following 14 days of dox induction results in several neuropathologic features similar to those observed in the Parkinsonian midbrain (Mallajosyula et al., 2008). These include a specific, selective and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN), selective decreases in mitochondrial complex I (CI) activity and increased oxidative stress. Here, we report that the temporal sequence of events following MAO-B elevation initially involves increased oxidative stress followed by CI inhibition and finally neurodegeneration. Furthermore, dox removal (DR) at days 3 and 5 of MAO-B induction was sufficient to arrest further increases in oxidative stress as well as subsequent neurodegenerative events. In order to assess the contribution of MAO-B-induced oxidative stress to later events, we compared the impact of DR which reverses the MAO-B increase with treatment of animals with the lipophilic antioxidant compound EUK-189. EUK-189 was found to be as effective as DR in halting downstream CI inhibition and also significantly attenuated SN DA cell loss as a result of astrocytic MAO-B induction. This suggests that MAO-B-mediated ROS contributes to neuropathology associated with this model and that antioxidant treatment can arrest further progression of dopaminergic cell death. This has implications for early intervention therapies.
Ab initio calculations of the mechanical and electronic properties of strained Si nanowires

This paper reports a systematic study of the mechanical and electronic properties of strained small diameter (0.7\char21{}2.6 nm) silicon nanowires (Si NWs) using ab initio density functional theory calculations. The values of Young's modulus, Poisson ratio, band gap, effective mass, work function, and deformation potentials are calculated for $⟨110⟩$ and $⟨111⟩$ Si NWs. We find that quantum confinement in $⟨110⟩$ Si NWs splits conduction band valleys and decreases transport effective mass compared to the bulk case. Consequently, additional tensile strain should not lead to further significant electron mobility improvement. An interesting finding we report in this paper is that under compressive strain, there is a dramatic decrease in deformation potentials of $⟨110⟩$ Si NWs, which may result in a strong increase in electron mobilities, despite a concurrent increase in effective mass. We also observe a similar strain-induced counterplay of hole deformation potentials and effective masses for both $⟨110⟩$ and $⟨111⟩$ Si NWs. Finally, we do not see any significant effect of tensile or compressive strain on electron effective masses and deformation potentials in $⟨111⟩$ Si NWs. The sudden changes in effective mass and deformation potentials are concurrent with a change in the conduction and valence band edge states. In $⟨110⟩$ NWs, this change corresponds to a transition from direct-to-indirect band gap under strain.
Gay and Lesbian Households’ Perceptions of their Family Functioning: Strengths and Resiliency

This article presents information that supports the strengths and resiliency found within lesbian and gay families. Responses were collected through an Internet survey based on the Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI) developed by Beavers and Hampson (2000). The SFI is a 36-item self-report instrument which evaluates each family member's perception of the family's health/competence, conflict, cohesion, directive leadership, and emotional expressiveness. Overall family functioning was determined to be fairly high for the 167 respondents. The concept of expressiveness received the highest average scores on a 5-point Likert scale and conflict measured the lowest.
Gene clustering based on RNAi phenotypes of ovary-enriched genes in C. elegans.

Abstract Recently, a set of 766 genes that are enriched in the ovary as compared to the soma was identified by microarray analysis [1]. Here, we report a functional analysis of 98% of these genes by RNA interference (RNAi). Over half the genes tested showed at least one detectable phenotype, most commonly embryonic lethality, consistent with the expectation that ovary transcripts would be enriched for genes that are essential in basic cellular and developmental processes. We find that essential genes are more likely to be conserved and to be highly expressed in the ovary. We extend previous observations [2, 3] and find that fewer than the expected number of ovary-expressed essential genes are present on the X chromosome. We characterized early embryonic defects for 161 genes and used time-lapse microscopy to systematically describe the defects for each gene in terms of 47 RNAi-associated phenotypes. In this paper, we discuss the use of these data to group genes into "phenoclusters"; in the accompanying paper, we use these data as one component in the integration of different types of large-scale functional analyses [4]. We find that phenoclusters correlate well with sequence-based functional predictions and thus may be useful in predicting functions of uncharacterized genes.
Application of human pancreatic carcinoid BON cells for receptor-targeted drug development.

In our previous study, we found that several tumor cell lines displayed high receptor-specific binding affinity, one of which, the human pancreatic carcinoid BON cell line, demonstrates high affinity binding of the bombesin (BN) and somatostatin (SST) receptor-specific ligands. In the present study, BON cells, as a representative model, were further applied to evaluate various peptide analogs and cytotoxic receptor-targeted peptide conjugates. We observed quick ligand–receptor internalization in BON cells as well as high binding affinity. Furthermore, BON cells have high expression of multidrug resistance-associated genes (MDR1) and show camptothecin (CPT) resistance. Various receptor-specific cytotoxic conjugates were synthesized and evaluated in the BON cell model via in vitro and in vivo studies. We found that all the tested conjugates displayed potent antitumor ability in xenografts. Especially, the CPT conjugates, CPT-SST, and CPT-BN, are most likely to increase sensitivity to CPT-resistant BON cells...
Membranous cytoplasmic spirals in dilantin intoxication.

THE efficacy of diphenylhydantoin (dilantin) in the treatment of certain epileptic conditions is well established1. The earlier paper of Merritt and Putnam2 indicated that excessive doses of dilantin can produce ataxia in human beings, although this is a rare finding. Recently, Kokenge et al.3, following the earlier study of Utterback4, showed severe losses of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of rats and cats given toxic doses of dilantin. In the present investigations toxic doses of dilantin were given to rats and the ultrastructural changes occurring during Purkinje cell degeneration were studied. In addition, an especially peculiar phenomenon of membrane hyperplasia was observed in Purkinje cells with an apparent resistance to the drug.
Brief paper: Distributed discrete-time coordinated tracking with a time-varying reference state and limited communication

This paper studies a distributed discrete-time coordinated tracking problem where a team of vehicles communicating with their local neighbors at discrete-time instants tracks a time-varying reference state available to only a subset of the team members. We propose a PD-like discrete-time consensus algorithm to address the problem under a fixed communication graph. We then study the condition on the communication graph, the sampling period, and the control gain to ensure stability and give the quantitative bound of the tracking errors. It is shown that the ultimate bound of the tracking errors is proportional to the sampling period. The benefit of the proposed PD-like discrete-time consensus algorithm is also demonstrated through comparison with an existing P-like discrete-time consensus algorithm. Simulation results are presented as a proof of concept.
Prebiased microbending optical sensor

This paper presents a pre-biased fiber optic microbending sensor where perturbation is based on the number of microbends rather than the bending amplitude. The sensor uses a graded index fiber where a portion of the fiber is pre-bent to bias the sensor precisely at the peak of the loss curve. This can be achieved by matching the bending period of the pre-bent fiber to the resonance spatial frequency of the fiber itself. In principle, the sensor operates based on the conventional microbending sensing schemes, however, the emphasis on the bending amplitude is relaxed to prevent the rapid degradation of the fiber and to prolong the sensor lifetime. It also is shown that the proposed sensor shows higher sensitivity than the amplitude based sensor.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The distant core: social solidarity, social distance and interpersonal ties in core-periphery structures

Abstract We examine three hypotheses at the foundation of theories concerned with the organization of social space and social solidarity in differentiated groups. The most important of these hypotheses is that interpersonal ties between actors in different positions of a social structure foster social solidarity; however, the theories are silent on the question of whether this effect of interpersonal ties is maintained regardless of the distance that separates the positions of two actors in the group’s social space. In addition, the current zeitgeist on the organization of social space hypothesizes that interpersonal solidarity and ties are negatively associated with the distance that separates the positions of actors in social space. Although interpersonal ties foster solidarity, social distance reduces the likelihood of interpersonal ties and solidarity. Our evidence suggests unqualified support only for the first hypothesis. Surprisingly, the expected negative effects of social distance on interpersonal ties and solidarity appear to be properties of particular forms of social organization and are not ubiquitous implications of social differentiation. These negative effects are more or less pronounced (even reversible) in core–periphery structures depending upon the distance between the core and peripheral positions in the social space of the group.
Modeling of cracked thick metallic structure with bonded composite patch repair using three-layer technique

A finite element analysis involving three-layers of two-dimensional Mindlin plate elements, to model cracked plate, adhesive, and composite patch, was developed to characterize fatigue crack growth behavior of a thick metallic panel repaired with an adhesively bonded composite patch. Also, fatigue experiments were conducted with 6.35 mm thick specimens with a pre-crack repaired asymmetrically with adhesively bonded unidirectional boron/epoxy patch. Fatigue crack growth rates on the unpatched and patched faces (PF) were measured along with debond of the composite patch. Stress intensity factors obtained from the analysis were combined with the fatigue crack growth relationship for the unrepaired cracked material to obtain the analytical fatigue crack growth rates. The experimental and analytical fatigue crack growth rates on the unpatched face (UPF) were in a good agreement with each other when the proper consideration of the effective crack length and debond were incorporated in the analysis. Thus, the three-layer technique was found to be capable of characterizing the fatigue crack growth behavior of the repaired thick panels as in the case of repaired thin panels shown in the previous studies.
Immunoglobulin structure and function.

Immunoglobulins, the genes that encode them and the genetic machinery necessary to generate antibody diversity and assemble functional immunoglobulin genes are so complex that many years of intense research activity have left numerous unanswered questions concerning immunoglobulin structure and function. In recent years progress has been rapid on several different fronts as new areas have been explored. The most exciting result of recent immunoglobulin structural studies is the availability of high-resolution X-ray structures for three antibody Fab fragments, complexed to their natural protein antigens (Amit et al., Science 1986, 233:747-753) [1,2]. This report will concentrate on four other areas of major progress: (1) auto-antibodies; (2) control of immunoglobulin gene transcription; (3) immunoglobulin gene rearrangements, and (4) new genes in the A light chain complex.
Heat capacity of high-pressure ice polymorphs

Abstract The isobaric heat capacity C P of high-pressure water ice polymorphs (ices III, V, VI, and VII) is calculated using P – V – T equations of state of ices, jump condition for C P on the lines of phase transition, and the equations of the lines of phase transition on the P – T diagram of water substance.
Treatment of malathion pesticide wastewater with nanofiltration and photo-Fenton oxidation

Abstract Pesticide industry wastewater treatment combining nanofiltration (NF) and advanced oxidation process (AOP) using photo-Fenton's reagent was investigated in the laboratory. During the first stage of study, NF and AOP were used independently to treat malathion as a model substrate in pesticide industry wastewater (10 mg/L) to produce high quality effluent (less than 0.1 mg/L). Of the three types of NF membranes used (NF-A, NF90, and NF270), NF270 membrane has the largest water flux, but did not meet the desired effluent concentration of 0.1 mg/L. NF90 and NF-A membranes could reduce the malathion concentration to 0.06 mg/L, but provided a lower flux rate compared to NF270 membrane. AOP experiments were conducted at pH 3 to determine the optimum initial ratios of chemicals, which were malathion: H2O2 = 1:100 and H2O2:Fe(II) =40:1. Experiments were also carried out at different initial malathion concentrations to determine the reaction time for the desired effluent under the optimum conditions. It took 1 h, 2.25 h and 3 h to reduce the malathion from different initial concentrations (1, 10, and 33 mg/L) to the desired level. During the second stage of study, a specific energy consumption was determined for each treatment scheme to evaluate the economic feasibility of the NF–AOP combination. AOP is the significant energy consumer in the combined process and hence should be minimized by enhancing NF.
Mediastinal and Subcutaneous Emphysema Complicating Acute Bronchial Asthma

Pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema are unusual complications of acute bronchial asthma. The diagnosis may be suspected by the onset of precordial chest pain, a “crunching” precordial systole sound and may be confirmed by the roentgenographic evidence of air in the mediastinum. Treatment should include 100 percent oxygen atmosphere and careful treatment of the underlying asthma.
Genetic and evolutionary consequences of symbiosis

Abstract Permanent stable symbioses, primarily microbial, are analyzed as parasexual phenomena from the evolutionary point of view. Such associations bring together in single individuals heritable traits of high selective advantage in certain environments. By convergent evolution several types of associations have repeatedly arisen: motile photosynthetic forms, nitrogen fixing and wood digesting complexes, and so forth. Many examples are discussed from the point of view of the number of originally independent genomes that comprise the recognizable individuals. The level of partner integration in many associations is analyzed. Examples of many levels: genic, gene product, metabolite, behavioral, and the methods by which they can be distinguished are discussed. The literature concerning a large number of associations is reviewed: Methanobacillus; predatory and consortia bacteria; blue green algal sheath dwelling bacteria; anaerobic worm-bacterial; algal, and foreign chloroplast retention by heterotrophic eukaryotes (ciliates, coelenterates, mollusks); the double nucleated photosynthetic dinoflagellate (Peridinium balticum); hindgut microbes in termites and woodroaches (Pyrsonympha, Barbulanympha and their associated spirochetes and other bacteria); sand dwelling and other ciliates and their associated bacteria; and so forth. The status of observations and artificial systems claiming evidence for transfer of genes between very distantly related organisms is critically discussed. A continuum from nearly completely autonomous partners (e.g., zoochlorellae in invertebrate animals) to nearly unrecognizable merged components (e.g., gamma particles in Blastocladiella) is found to exist among examples of extant organisms. The diversity and prevalence of such associations support the concept that there are many precedents for the steps hypothesized in the serial endosymbiotic theory of the origin of eukaryotic cells.
Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy of GaAs/InAs(100) strain layer modulated structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy

Abstract We report some results of cross-sectional transmission electron microscope (XTEM) studies on GaAs/InAs multiple quantum wells and superlattices grown under a variety of unusual growth conditions via molecular beam epitaxy. These growth conditions cover the usual dynamic shuttering of group III fluxes, interrupted growth, and the first usage of growth under group V controlled growth rate conditions. The modulated structures vary in individual layer thickness from 3 monolayers (ML) to 30 ML and total thickness from 200 A to 1.2 microm. Results show the presence, and consequences, of both intrinsic strain and strain effects due to XTEM specimen thickness. They also indicate the possibility of realizing good quality interfaces in such highly lattice mismatched systems (Δ/ a = 7%) via the use of some unusual and novel growth conditions.
Automated functional imaging for assessment of left ventricular mechanics in the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Background Increased left ventricular (LV) mass is a well-known independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Even though these patients have an increased risk of LV diastolic dysfunction; recent data have suggested the presence of subtle LV systolic abnormalities. This study sought to demonstrate if a novel speckle tracking automated functional imaging (AFI) tool would be useful in identifying differences in strain generation between patients with normal and increased LV wall mass. Methods Standard measures of LV systolic and diastolic function were collected from 90 patients divided into Group I with LV mass index <100 g/m2 and Group II with LV mass index values ≥100 g/m2. AFI was also obtained to measure peak global LV myocardial strain. Results As expected, patients with an increased LV mass index had significant LV diastolic abnormalities. However, in addition these patients in Group II not only had significantly lower peak systolic strain values but also significantly lower mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) and MA tissue Doppler imaging systolic velocity values than patients in Group I despite having comparable estimates of LV ejection fraction, based on the Simpson's method. Conclusion Based on these results, AFI provides prompt point of care information regarding LV function and mechanics and identifies differences in longitudinal strain generation between patients with normal and increased LV wall mass. Additional studies are now required to prospectively determine if AFI measures of LV function might be useful to identify patients with an increased LV mass that will develop symptomatic systolic or diastolic heart failure.
Development and Application of HPLC Methods with Tandem Mass Spectrometric Detection for the Determination of Hydrochlorothiazide in Human Plasma and Urine Using 96‐Well Liquid‐Liquid Extraction

Abstract Sensitive and selective methods for the determination of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in human plasma and urine were developed. Both methods were based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) detection. HCTZ and hydroflumethiazide (HFTZ), used as an internal standard, were isolated from human plasma and urine by liquid‐liquid extraction in the 96‐well plate format using a Tomtec Quadra 96 workstation. The MS/MS detection was performed on an Applied Biosystems‐Sciex API 3000 tandem mass spectrometer interfaced with a heated nebulizer probe and operated in the negative ionization mode. The developed methods were validated in the concentration ranges of 1–100 ng/mL and 0.05–20 µg/mL in human plasma and urine, respectively. The precision of both methods, as expressed by the coefficients of variation (C.V.), was less than 5.6% at all concentrations within the standard curves with acceptable accuracy. The plasma and urine methods provided sufficient sensiti...
Coordination of uridine and adenosine to Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes

Abstract Uridine (and thymidine) undergo proton loss at N3 and coordinate as anions to displace all water molecules from dienPd(OH 2 ) 2+ , dienPt(OH 2 ) 2+ , enPd(OH 2 ) 2 2+ and enPt(OH 2 ) 2 2+ to form fully substituted complexes in neutral solutions. Though favored at equilibrium at low pH, the reactions of the ligands with the Pt(II) complexes proceed slowly because of the sluggishness of Pt(II) substitutions and the small fractions of ligands with p K a from 9.3 to 9.8 in the anionic basic form. Both dienPd(OH 2 ) 2+ and dienPt(OH 2 ) 2+ form two mononuclear complexes with the metal ion at N1 and N7 of adenosine and a binuclear complex with metal ions at both sites. In the mononuclear complexes dienPd(II) favors N1 over N7 coordination by 5 to 1 while dienPt(II) is nearly equally distributed between the two sites when reacting with a neutral adenosine molecule.
Laser degradation of polymer coatings on reflective heat sinks

The 10.6 μm laser-induced degradation and volatilization of thin non-char forming organic polymer coatings on aluminum heat sinks has been investigated. Volatilization rates were determined from coating absorptivities measured as a function of irradiation time at 110 W/cm2. First order volatilization rate constants (kJ−1) were: poly(ethylene-co-ethyl acrylate) 0.30, polystyrene 0.85, poly(ethyl methacrylate) 1.6, poly(methyl methacrylate) 2.1, and nitrocellulose 3.1. Residual coating thicknesses at infinite irradiation time are reported. Degradation results from exposure to the thermal environment provided by the heat sink as well as by the direct absorption of laser radiation. Relative polymer thermal stabilities measured at this laser irradiance level and by conventional heating methods are in agreement.
Carbohydrate consumption during cycling increases in vitro NK cell responses to IL-2 and IFN-γ

Abstract Introduction Exercise has been shown to lower blood natural killer cell concentration and activity for up to 24-h after exercise; however, the mechanism underlying this effect is not clearly defined. We have speculated that an exercise-induced change in T-cell control of NK cells is at least partly responsible for the post-exercise suppression. As a follow-up to our previous research, the purpose of this study was to examine the T and NK cells responses during and following moderate/high-intensity endurance exercise. Methods Eight male subjects (20 ± 1 y; VO 2peak = 67.22 ± 2.79 mL·kg −1 ·mL −1 ) were recruited to complete two 1-h (75–80% VO 2peak ) cycling trials in a random counterbalanced order: carbohydrate (CHO) and placebo (PLA). Venous blood samples were collected before (PRE), immediately (POST), 2-h (2H), and 4-h (4H) after exercise. NK (CD3 − /56 + ) and activated NK (CD3 − /56 + /69 + ) number were measured using flow cytometry. NK cell activity (NKCA) was determined using both a 51 Cr release assay (NKCA-51) and activated NK cell number (NKCA-69). Whole blood samples were stimulated with IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-12, and no stimulation for 12-h and then analyzed for NK cell activity using a 51 Cr release assay (NKCA-51). Results Leukocyte counts and unstimulated NKCA were not different between CHO and PLA; however, exercise significantly increased NKCA ( P P Discussion The fold change in IL-2-stimulated NKCA is consistant with our previous published work. The drink effect for Th1 (but not Th2) cytokines suggests they may play a more significant role in modulating NKCA following a strenuous bout of aerobic exercise when CHO is consumed.
Performance evaluation of a neural network for weapon-to-target assignment

This paper describes a neural network for assigning weapons to targets and compares its execution time on four distinct machines. The network employs more than 46,000 neural elements and more than 49 million connections. It has produced excellent results for a realistic test scenario. Not only has the neural network produced high quality assignments for a realistic test scenario, the neural approach can potentially deliver results in real-time. The machines employed to evaluate the execution speed of the neural algorithm for assigning weapons to targets were: a DEC VAX 8810, a Neural Emulation Tool (NET) neural network accelerator from Loral Corporation, an Intel iPSC/2 Hypercube and a Cray Y-MP4/464.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The refined structures of goose lysozyme and its complex with a bound trisaccharide show that the "goose-type" lysozymes lack a catalytic aspartate residue.

The structure of goose egg-white lysozyme (GEWL) has been refined to an R-value of 15.9% at 1.6 A resolution. Details of the structure determination, the refinement and the structure itself are presented. The structure of a complex of the enzyme with the trisaccharide of N-acetyl glucosamine has also been determined and refined at 1.6 A resolution. The trisaccharide occupies sites analogous to the B, C and D subsites of chicken (HEWL) and phage T4 (T4L) lysozymes. All three lysozymes (GEWL, HEWL and T4L) display the same characteristic set of bridging hydrogen bonds between backbone atoms of the protein and the 2-acetamido group of the saccharide in subsite C. Glu73 of GEWL is seen to correspond closely to Glu35 of HEWL (and to Glul1 of T4L) and supports the established view that this group is critically involved in the catalytic mechanism. There is, however, no obvious residue in goose lysozyme that is a counterpart of Asp52 of chicken lysozyme (or of Asp20 in T4L), suggesting that a second acidic residue is not essential for the catalytic activity of goose lysozyme, and may not be required for the activity of other lysozymes.
Peritoneal dialysis: A review

Peritoneal dialysis has become a commonly practiced technique for the treatment of both acute and chronic kidney failure and for removal of dialyzable exogenous and endogenous poisons. With the increased availability of medical services today and the further increases expected in the future, peritoneal dialysis likely will find ever widening use, particularly for elderly patients.
The Nuclear Receptor Corepressors NCoR and SMRT Decrease Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ Transcriptional Activity and Repress 3T3-L1 Adipogenesis *

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a central regulator of adipogenesis and recruits coactivator proteins in response to ligand. However, the role of another class of nuclear cofactors, the nuclear receptor corepressors, in modulating PPARγ transcriptional activity is less clear. Such corepressors include the nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) and the silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid hormone receptors (SMRT). Our data suggest that PPARγ recruits SMRT and NCoR in the absence of ligand and that these corepressors are capable of down-regulating PPARγ-mediated transcriptional activity. The addition of the PPARγ ligand pioglitazone results in dissociation of the PPARγ-corepressor complex. To define the role of SMRT and NCoR in PPARγ action, 3T3-L1 cells deficient in SMRT or NCoR were generated by RNA interference. When these cells are exposed to differentiation media, they exhibit increased expression of adipocyte-specific genes and increased production of lipid droplets, as compared with control cells. These data suggest that the nuclear receptor corepressors decrease PPARγ transcriptional activity and repress the adipogenic program in 3T3-L1 cells.