cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 9925: Mixed Aortic Valve Disease: Natural History and Predictors of Adverse Events

Objectives: To determine freedom from symptoms and adverse events (AE) defined as aortic valve replacement (AVR) or death in patients (pt) with mixed aortic valve disease (MAVD). Methods: Reviewed pt with moderate/severe MAVD (moderate/severe aortic stenosis and regurgitation) at the Mayo Clinic from 1994-2013. Only asymptomatic pt with normal ejection fraction (>50%) and trileaflet aortic valves were included. Cox proportional-hazard models were used to determine predictors of AE. Event-free survival curves were generated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: We identified 213 pt (age=69±11 years, male=67%). AE occurred in 155 pt, and 71% of these AE occurred in moderate MAVD (peak velocity of 3 to 3.9 m/s). Mean follow-up was 10.1±3 years and time to AE was 2.9±2.1 years. Concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and/or aortic replacement during AVR was performed in 54/151 (36%). Early mortality was 0.7%. Freedom from AE was 30% and 15% at 5 and 10 years. Freedom from symptoms was 34% and 16% at 5 and 10 years. Predictors of AE were peak aortic velocity (hazard ratio [HR] 2.56 Confidence interval [CI] 2.24-2.93, p<0.0001) for every 1m/s increase in peak velocity, and having severe stenosis or regurgitation at presentation (HR 2.92; CI 2.73-3.14, p=0.001). Conclusion: MAVD had high rate of AE and development of symptoms, even in a subset of pt with only moderate MAVD. Peak aortic velocity and severe MAVD at presentation predict AE. Figure Legend: pVel: peak velocity group 1: moderate aortic stenosis and regurgitation Group ≥2: severe aortic stenosis or regurgitation ![][1] ![][2] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/graphic-2.gif
Longitudinal Assessment of Inflammatory Cytokines and Symptom Severity during 100 Days of Allogeneic BMT for AML/MDS Patients.

BMT patients develop multiple symptoms At nadir after transplantation that include pain, fatigue, poor appetite, and disturbed sleep. Animal models of sickness behavior suggest such symptoms may be related to increases in inflammatory cytokines. The objective of this study was to prospectively assess the relationship between symptom severity and changes in inflammatory cytokines. Methods: Weekly symptom assessment with the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory was done for 30 AML/MDS patients during the first 100 days of Allo-BMT. A panel of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, TNF-a) was assayed at several time points: pre BMT, conditioning, BMT day, BMT Day1, nadir, BMT day14, 21, 28, 60, 90–100. Results: Multiple symptoms peaked at nadir, with some symptoms (fatigue and pain) remaining at high levels after nadir. Figure 1 shows the Lowess curves for selected symptoms on MDASI. Physical symptoms had much larger fluctuation than affective symptoms during the study. Figure 2 presents Lowess curves of the serum levels of cytokines (log base 10). IL-6 and IL-8 showed significant increase during nadir, significantly correlating with fatigue, lack of appetite, drowsiness, dry month, and feeling physically sick (all P Conclusion: There is an observed relationship between increased symptom severity levels and increased inflammatory cytokine (mainly IL-6 and IL-8) levels during the acute phase of allo-BMT in AML/MDS patients. The question of a causal link between cytokine levels and symptom severity requires further study.
Revenue Driven Virtual Machine Management in Green Datacenter Networks Towards Big Data

The big data era is presenting unprecedented opportunities for generating new revenues in various sectors ranging from health care, economics, life science, to manufacturing. Datacenters (DCs) are widely deployed to provision various application services as well as to process big data. Since more and more servers are installed in DCs, the cost of electricity incurs a financial burden for the DC operators. Many DCs are equipped with renewable energy to reduce the electricity bill. However, the locations of the energy demands do not match the locations of the renewable energy generation. This mismatch may be addressed by virtual machine (VM) migration. The DCs, which lack renewable energy, can migrate their workloads to other DCs, which have abundant renewable energy. In addition, DC operators always want to maximize revenue and minimize operation cost. In this paper, the problem of maximizing revenue and minimizing operation cost of a green DC network enabled with and without VM migration is formulated by integer linear programming. Simulation results show that optimal results can be reached for small size problems. Two heuristic algorithms are proposed to efficiently solve large size problems. To our best knowledge, this is the first study of the revenue driven VM management problem in green DC networks towards big data with VM migration.
Isotropic Failure Criteria Are Not Appropriate for Anisotropic Fibrous Biological Tissues.

The von Mises (VM) stress is a common stress measure for finite element models of tissue mechanics. The VM failure criterion, however, is inherently isotropic, and therefore may yield incorrect results for anisotropic tissues, and the relevance of the VM stress to anisotropic materials is not clear. We explored the application of a well-studied anisotropic failure criterion, the Tsai–Hill (TH) theory, to the mechanically anisotropic porcine aorta. Uniaxial dogbones were cut at different angles and stretched to failure. The tissue was anisotropic, with the circumferential failure stress nearly twice the axial (2.67 ± 0.67 MPa compared to 1.46 ± 0.59 MPa). The VM failure criterion did not capture the anisotropic tissue response, but the TH criterion fit the data well (R2 = 0.986). Shear lap samples were also tested to study the efficacy of each criterion in predicting tissue failure. Two-dimensional failure propagation simulations showed that the VM failure criterion did not capture the failure type, location, or propagation direction nearly as well as the TH criterion. Over the range of loading conditions and tissue geometries studied, we found that problematic results that arise when applying the VM failure criterion to an anisotropic tissue. In contrast, the TH failure criterion, though simplistic and clearly unable to capture all aspects of tissue failure, performed much better. Ultimately, isotropic failure criteria are not appropriate for anisotropic tissues, and the use of the VM stress as a metric of mechanical state should be reconsidered when dealing with anisotropic tissues.
Context-aware and user-centric residential energy management

The Internet of Things (IoT) has brought increased sensing, monitoring and actuation capabilities to several domains including residential buildings. Residential energy management methods can leverage these capabilities and devise smarter solutions. This requires processing and reasoning data constantly generated by various IoT devices. In this paper, we use a hierarchical system model for IoT-based residential energy management, that includes a general purpose functional unit to drive data processing and reasoning. We apply this hierarchy to represent the electricity delivery structure from the utilities to individual residences. Our system captures additional data generated by various devices as user context and uses this context to determine user flexibility towards energy management. Our experiments show that modeling user context brings over 14% improvement in energy flexibility prediction accuracy and 12% reduction in annual grid energy cost.
Dreaming and Listening: A Final Journey

The following paper will examine the meaning of dreams and dream analysis from a classical psychoanalytic perspective, self-psychology, dream research, and current relational theory. Three consecutive dreams will be explored in the context of the client's terminal AIDS diagnosis and his eventual death. The dreams' latent meaning, as understood by this writer, and their manifest content as reported by the client will be contextualized within the therapeutic relationship and this client's struggle with the process of death and dying.
Utilization of Water Utility Lime Sludge for Flue Gas Desulfurization in Coal-Fired Power Plants: Part I. Supply–Demand Evaluation and Life Cycle Assessment

The feasibility of lime-softening sludge utilization for flue gas desulfurization in coal-fired power plants was evaluated through a supply–demand analysis and a life cycle assessment (LCA). To evaluate the demand and supply of lime sludge to replace limestone on a national scale, the annual amount of lime sludge generated by water treatment utilities in the United States was estimated and compared with the annual amount of limestone used by coal-fired power utilities. To evaluate the environmental sustainability of reusing lime sludge in power plants, an LCA study was performed in which the environmental impact and water footprint of the proposed approach were quantified, and these results were compared with the conventional approaches for limestone mining, grinding, and transportation to power plants and lime sludge disposal in landfills. Water utilities across the United States are currently generating approximately 3.2 million tons of lime sludge per year at an estimated disposal cost of approximately...
Streptobacillus moniliformis isolated from a case of Haverhill fever: biochemical characterization and inhibitory effect of sodium polyanethol sulfonate.

Sodium polyanethol sulfonate in a concentration of 0.0125% was inhibitory against Streptobacillus moniliformis isolated from a case of Haverhill fever. Identification of the organism was most expedient by the fluorescent antibody (FA) procedure. In the absence of specific FA conjugate, biochemical characterization was sufficient for identification. S. moniliformis fermented glucose to acetic, formic, lactic, and succinic acids as determined by gas chromatography.
From Trust to Inter-organizational Innovation: The Differential Mediating Roles of IT-based Process and Knowledge Assets

This study examines the relationship between trust, innovation and IT assets in the context of inter-organizational relationships (IORs). We parse two dimensions of inter-organizational IT-based assets – IT-based Process Institutionalizations and IT-based Knowledge Institutionalizations – based on the purposes for which these assets are deployed by the collaborating organizations. Based on prior literature, we also identify two dimensions each of trust, namely competence and benevolent trust; and of innovation, namely incremental and radical innovation. We then develop a model featuring two distinct pathways between trust and innovation: one pathway posits that competence trust between the parties will correspond with IT-based Process Institutionalizations between them and result in outcomes representing incremental innovation; the other pathway posits that benevolence trust between the parties will correspond with IT-based Knowledge Institutionalizations between them and result in outcomes representing radical innovation. We validate this model using meta-analysis and find support for all our hypotheses.
Effects of changing the random number stride in Monte Carlo calculations

A common practice in Monte Carlo radiation transport codes is to start each random walk a specified number of steps up the random number sequence from the previous one. This is called the stride in...
High Resolution Photoionization and Excitation Using Third Generation Synchrotron Radiation Sources

Atomic and molecular structure and dynamics can now be explored with unprecedented resolution with third generation synchrotron radiation sources. Insertion devices, like undulators and wigglers, coupled with well designed monochromators, make synchrotron radiation a powerful tool since it can offer tunability, intensity, polarization and time structure.
Broader Analysis of Scattering from a Subwavelength Dielectric Sphere

Forward and backward scattering from subwavelength dielectric spheres is analyzed in a broad frequency range with the focus on the impact of phase changes of resonance oscillations at magnetic and electric Mie resonances. The effects of sphere permittivity on the specifics of scattering are discussed.
Late aging-associated increases in L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia are accompanied by heightened neuroinflammation in the hemi-parkinsonian rat.

Abstract Aging is a primary risk factor for the development of Parkinson's disease (PD), and aging differentially predicts the incidence of L-DOPA–induced dyskinesia (LID). The goal of this work was to establish whether late aging–associated exacerbation of LID would be related to neuroinflammation in the hemi-parkinsonian rat. Two studies were conducted in which adult (3 months) and aged (18 months) male Fischer 344 rats bearing unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine lesions of the medial forebrain bundle were injected acutely with vehicle or L-DOPA (6 mg/kg). LID was quantified, and neuroinflammation was assessed postmortem via gene expression markers in the striatum (experiment 1) or through concurrent large-molecule microdialysis (experiment 2). In addition to exacerbating LID despite similar levels of striatal dopamine loss, late aging was associated with persistently elevated IL-1β gene expression ipsilateral to lesion, as well as a trend toward greater extracellular concentrations of IL-1β in response to acute L-DOPA treatment. In contrast, aged sham-operated rats displayed greater extracellular IL-6. Taken together, these data demonstrate an age-related vulnerability to LID and highlight potential neuroinflammatory mediators associated with these effects.
Learning to Control Renewal Processes with Bandit Feedback

We consider a bandit problem with K task types from which the controller activates one task at a time. Each task takes a random and possibly heavy-tailed completion time, and a reward is obtained only after the task is completed. The task types are independent from each other, and have distinct and unknown distributions for completion time and reward. For a given time horizon τ, the goal of the controller is to schedule tasks adaptively so as to maximize the reward collected until τ expires. In addition, we allow the controller to interrupt a task and initiate a new one. In addition to the traditional exploration-exploitation dilemma, this interrupt mechanism introduces a new one: should the controller complete the task and get the reward, or interrupt the task for a possibly shorter and more rewarding alternative? We show that for all heavy-tailed and some light-tailed completion time distributions, this interruption mechanism improves the reward linearly over time. Applications of this model include server scheduling, optimal free sampling strategies in advertising and adaptive content selection. From a learning perspective, the interrupt mechanism necessitates learning the whole arm distribution from truncated observations. For this purpose, we propose a robust learning algorithm named UCB-BwI based on median-of-means estimator for possibly heavy-tailed reward and completion time distributions. We show that, in a K-armed bandit setting with an arbitrary set of L possible interrupt times, UCB-BwI achieves O(Klog(τ)+KL) regret. We also prove that the regret under any admissible policy is Omega(Klog(τ)), which implies that UCB-BwI is order optimal.
Restricted Water Intake Adversely Affects Rat Vocal Fold Biology

OBJECTIVES A holistic understanding of the many ways that systemic dehydration affects vocal fold biology is still evolving. There are also myriad physiologically relevant methodologies to induce systemic dehydration. To untangle the effects of systemic dehydration on vocal fold biology, we need to utilize realistic, clinically translatable paradigms of systemic dehydration in lab animals. Restricted access to water accommodates clinical translation. We investigated whether systemic dehydration via reduced water intake would negatively affect vocal fold biology. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, in vivo study design. METHODS Male Sprague Dawley rats (N = 13) were provided 4 mL/100 g of water/day for 5 days, whereas male control rats (N = 8) were given ad lib access to water. Following euthanasia, tissues were processed for histological staining, gene expression, and protein assays. RESULTS Renin gene expression level in kidneys increased significantly (P ≤ .05), validating dehydration. Dehydration induced by restricted water access downregulated the gene expression of interleukin-1α and desmoglein-1 (P ≤ .05). Hyaluronidase-2 gene expression increased after dehydration (P ≤ .05). The protein level of desmoglein-1 decreased after dehydration (P ≤ .05). Histological analyses suggested decreased hyaluronan (P ≤ .05) in the water-restricted rat vocal fold. CONCLUSION Reduced daily water intake for just 5 days impairs vocal fold biology by disrupting inflammatory cytokine release, reducing plasma membrane integrity, and disrupting the hyaluronan network. This is the first study investigating the dehydrating effects of restricted water intake on vocal fold tissue in an in vivo model. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE NA (prospective animal study). Laryngoscope, 131:839-845, 2021.
Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Western Experience

The etiology and management of hepatocellular carcinoma varies greatly across the United States and the world at large. Guidelines are continuously evolving, and there is currently no single standard of care for American patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Technical advances have made even complex minimally invasive therapies more feasible and widely available, while a variety of novel systemic therapies continue to be developed. Interventional Oncologists are increasing able to provide curative-intent treatments for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma patients. These developments have also contributed to improved outcomes and innovative, personalized treatment paradigms for patients with later stage disease.
ACCRETION AND EVOLUTION OF ∼2.5 M ⊕ PLANETS WITH VOLUMINOUS H/He ENVELOPES

Formation of planets in the Neptune size range with low-mass, but voluminous, H{sub 2}/He gaseous envelopes is modeled by detailed numerical simulations according to the core-nucleated accretion scenario. Formation locations ranging from 0.5 to 4 AU from a star of 1 M {sub ☉} are considered. The final planets have heavy-element cores of 2.2-2.5 M {sub ⊕} and envelopes in the range 0.037-0.16 M {sub ⊕}. After the formation process, which lasts 2 Myr or less, the planets evolve at constant mass up to an age of several Gyr. For assumed equilibrium temperatures of 250, 500, and 1000 K, their calculated final radii are compared with those observed by the Kepler spacecraft. For the particular case of Kepler-11 f, we address the question whether it could have formed in situ or whether migration from a formation location farther out in the disk is required.
Practice Transformation in HIV Primary Care: Perspectives of Coaches and Champions in the Southeast United States.

Introduction/Objectives:Across the United States, and particularly in the South, there is an urgent need to improve health outcomes for people with HIV. In response, the Southeast AIDS Education & ...
Outcomes of an interprofessional SBIRT training program: Knowledge attainment and perceived competence for practice

One way to address substance misuse is to train health professional students in Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT), an early intervention strategy. This study evaluate...
Allografts and Spinal Fusion.

ABSTRACT Background: Back pain is a common chief complaint within the United States and is caused by a multitude of etiologies. There are many different treatment modalities for back pain, with a frequent option being spinal fusion procedures. The success of spinal fusion greatly depends on instrumentation, construct design, and bone grafts used in surgery. Bone allografts are important for both structural integrity and providing a scaffold for bone fusion to occur. Method: Searches were performed using terms “allografts” and “bone” as well as product names in peer reviewed literature Pubmed, Google Scholar, FDA-510k approvals, and clinicaltrials.gov. Results: This study is a review of allografts and focuses on currently available products and their success in both animal and clinical studies. Conclusion: Bone grafts used in surgery are generally categorized into 3 main types: autogenous (from patient9s own body), allograft (from cadaveric or living donor), and synthetic. This paper focuses on allografts and provides an overview on the different subtypes with an emphasis on recent product development and uses in spinal fusion surgery.
A phase 2 study of cabozantinib in combination with atezolizumab as neoadjuvant treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HCRN GU18-343) ABATE study.

TPS4591Background: ABACUS and PURE-01 trials demonstrated the activity of single agent atezolizumab and pembrolizumab respectively as neoadjuvant therapy for muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma (M...
Innovative solutions to improve protection from airborne pathogens during retinal imaging and examination

Purpose : To develop and evaluate custom solutions for ophthalmologists when performing retinal examination on patients with airborne communicable disease. Methods : Two solutions were developed for viewing and imaging patients with airborne communicable disease. The first solution was a custom indirect ophthalmoscope barrier shield consisting of a 3D printed bracket and laser cut shield. The shields were mounted using a rubber band fastening device to allow easy removal and cleaning. The bracket spaced the shield from the user to prevent fogging and heat generation. The central aperture allowed an unobstructed view of the retina. The second solution was a hand-held off the shelf portable fundus camera used with a Controlled Air-Purifying Respirator (CAPR) for providers examining patients in negative pressure rooms. Clinical viability was assessed with a survey completed by providers. Results : Providers completed the survey after use. No fogging obscured view of the retina. Ergonomically, the provider was able to maneuver and perform indirect ophthalmoscopy to the periphery. Spacing of the shield allowed use with a N95 and prevented heat buildup. The portable fundus camera was used with a CAPR successfully allowing the user to maintain full PPE while taking fundus photos of patients on airborne precautions. It was possible to use an N95 mask with the CAPR to prevent transmission of airborne particles from the user. Conclusions : There is a need for improved personal protective equipment due to the spread of COVID-19. Both solutions allowed ophthalmologists to maintain airborne precautions when examining patients. The first solution was compatible with a N95 mask and provided an additional face shield. This solution allowed viewing of the macula as well as far periphery. The second solution allowed use of a CAPR, making it suitable for providers who do not fit N95 masks. Photographs of the macula and mid-peripheral retina were possible with this option and dilation was not needed for examination. However, peripheral retinal viewing was more limited compared with the first option.
Neuroregulatory abnormalities of growth hormone secretion

Although GH-secreting tumors of the pituitary and the rarer ectopic GHRH-secreting tumors are the most obvious and serious disorders of GH hypersecretion in man, there are a number of pathological states in which excess secretion of GH occurs, due mainly to abnormalities in the normal neuroendocrine basis of GH regulation (Table 1; see Molitch 1986 for review). These GH secretory states differ in their pathobiological implications; the most common and important is diabetes, in which GH hypersecretion aggravates metabolic abnormalities and possibly contributes to the adverse course of retinal microangiopathy. Other metabolic disorders in which GH hypersecretion occurs are starvation (Hintz et al. 1978; Clemons et al. 1981) including anorexia nervosa (Garfinkel 1987), hepatic cirrhosis (Shankar et al. 1986), and renal failure (Bessarione et al. 1987). GH hypersecretion is a cardinal feature of Laron-type dwarfism (Laron et al. 1968), is commonly seen in the diencephalic syndrome (Drop et al. 1980), and occurs in stress (Glick et al. 1965; Reichlin 1968). One rare cause of GH hypersecretion is the syndrome of polyostotic fibrous dysplasia, in which an intrinsic growth-regulatory disorder, expressed in multiple tissues including the pituitary, can lead to the syndrome of acromegaly (Kovacs et al. 1984; Rodman et al. 1988). In this paper I have focused on GH dysregulation in diabetes, because more is known about this disorder than about the other conditions and because it may be the most common form of GH hypersecretion.
The H(+)-ATPase from reticulocyte endosomes reconstituted into liposomes acts as an iron transporter.

Abstract The H(+)-ATPase from reticulocyte endosomes was purified and reconstituted into liposomes, and protein-dependent iron transport was observed. Reconstitution of the H(+)-ATPase into liposomes was performed by sonicating a lipid mixture, with a composition similar to the reticulocyte plasma membrane, in a buffer containing ferric citrate. The nonencapsulated iron:citrate was removed by gel filtration and the proteoliposomes diluted into 1 mM FerroZine. Upon addition of ascorbate, an initial efflux of 2.9 +/- 0.3 x 10(-2) mumol of iron/mg of ATPase/min and 56 +/-7% of total internal Fe(II) was detected by formation of the Fe(II)-FerroZine complex with an absorbance at 562 nm or radioactivity of 59Fe(II)-FerroZine following separation using gel filtration. Both thiosulfate and ferrocyanide could substitute for ascorbate. Citrate or EGTA could substitute for FerroZine. The initial rate of Fe(II) efflux was decreased by 41 or 17% using 100 microM of the cation channel inhibitor N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or 70 microM of the ATP hydrolysis inhibitor N-ethylmaleimide, respectively, but was unaffected by the presence of ATP. The amount of iron transported was decreased 51 or 39% by 100 microM N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or 70 microM of the ATPase inhibitor 7-chloro-4-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazole. The amount of Fe(III) transport was 80% lower than Fe(II) when reductants were not present internally or externally although the apparent rate constants were identical when ascorbate was externally present. These results suggest that this vacuolar H(+)-ATPase may transport iron.
Recovery of high power water switches

The recovery of water switches is determined by the expansion and decay of a vapor bubble that is generated and driven by the energy dissipated in the switch medium during switch closure. Shock waves that also carry away energy propagate through the switch volume much faster and have faded away before the vapor bubble reaches its maximum expansion. For water switches operating at energy levels of 1 J, we previously found a recovery time on the order of 1 ms, which is in agreement with the decay time of the vapor bubble. This allows for a repetitive switch operation at 1 kHz. We have extended the study of water switch recovery to higher energy levels, up to 50 J. As the energy is increased, it takes about 10 ms for the switch gap to become clear again. Although the absolute energy dissipated in shockwaves increases with the switching energy, the percentage of energy converted into kinetic energy decreases (20% for 15 J and 8% for 50 J)
Multi-sample particle flux collector

A nonmetallic, conical fibreglass sediment trap has been designed to collect uncontaminated, preconcentrated samples compatible with trace element analytical requirements. The sediment trap has a 0.5-m/sup 2/ collecting area and a 15-multiple sample cup mechanism to allow the sediment trap to collect gram-size monthly samples during a typical year-long deployment and to isolate them until recovery. The sample acquisition timing is controlled by a programmable CMOS microprocessor for variable sampling intervals from 32 s to tens of months. In addition, the microprocessor stores a permanent event record of trap performance. Particular emphasis has been directed at keeping the trap modular for ease of sample handling and trap manufacturing. Components of the trap are compatible for moorings to 6000 m depth. >
Fatty acid synthase inhibition down-regulates HER2 expression and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells via induction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)

4485 We have previously reported that tumor-associated fatty acid synthase (FAS) plays a critical role in breast cancers, especially those overexpressing HER2. A bi-directional cross-talk between FAS and HER2 has been suggested. We and other groups previously reported that the inhibition of HER2 can suppress FAS expression via Ras-MAPK and PI-3’K signaling pathways. However, the mechanism underlying the down-regulation of HER2 by FAS inhibition is still unclear and how FAS inhibition induces apoptosis remains to be determined. Up to date, there are two model theories for the apoptosis induced by FAS inhibition: 1) the accumulated substrate malonyl-CoA or 2) decreased product palmitate of FAS mediates FAS inhibition-induced apoptosis. An understudied area of research in this field is to explore the role of NADPH, another substrate of FAS, in FAS-induced apoptosis. It is known that FAS is a NADPH-dependent enzyme and synthesizes one mole of palmitate, concomitantly oxidizing fourteen moles of NADPH. Therefore, overexpression of FAS is critical to maintain the redox balance in cancer. It is plausible to postulate that while FAS is blocked, a large quantity of NADPH is accumulated to produce oxidative stress, promoting the activation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-generating enzymes. Here we determine whether ROS plays a role in down-regulation of HER2 and apoptosis induced by FAS inhibition. Two cell lines overexpressing HER2and FAS (SK-Br3 and BT474) were selected for the study. FAS activity was inhibited utilizing increasing concentrations of the pharmacological inhibitor cerulenin (0-10 μg/ml). The levels of ROS in cerulenin treated and untreated cells were measured by flow cytometry. The level o FAS and HER2protein expression were determine using western blotting analysis. Our results demonstrate that FAS inhibition rapidly induces ROS and specifically downregulates the expression of HER2 protein which in turn leads to apoptosis of SK-Br3 and BT474 cells. In order to assess the direct relationship between ROS, generated by the inhibition of FAS, and HER2 downregulation, we utilized an NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitor (diphenylene iodonium) that significantly suppresses ROS production. This demonstrates that NOX plays a critical role in ROS production induced by FAS inhibition. Moreover, we determined that treatment of HER2 overexpressing cells with N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, can restore the expression HER2 protein reduced by FAS inhibition and furthermore, rescue apoptosis induced by FAS inhibitors, suggesting a fundamental role of ROS in FAS inhibition-mediated apoptosis in HER2overexpressing cells. Our data indicate that the accumulated NADPH resulting from FAS inhibition activates NOX, a ROS-producing enzyme, to, in turn, promote ROS to repress the expression of oncoprotein HER2 and induce the apoptosis.
Condition-Based Maintenance: Algorithms and Applications for Embedded High Performance Computing

Condition based maintenance (CBM) seeks to generate a design for a new ship wide CMB system that performs diagnoses and failure prediction on Navy shipboard machinery. Eventually, a variety of shipboard systems will be instrumented with embedded high-performance processors to monitor equipment performance, diagnosis failures, and predict anticipated failures. To illustrate the general principles of our design, we are currently building a research prototype of the CBM system that applies to the shipboard chilled water system.
Selection in a subdivided population with local extinction and recolonization.

In a subdivided population, local extinction and subsequent recolonization affect the fate of alleles. Of particular interest is the interaction of this force with natural selection. The effect of selection can be weakened by this additional source of stochastic change in allele frequency. The behavior of a selected allele in such a population is shown to be equivalent to that of an allele with a different selection coefficient in an unstructured population with a different size. This equivalence allows use of established results for panmictic populations to predict such quantities as fixation probabilities and mean times to fixation. The magnitude of the quantity N e s e , which determines fixation probability, is decreased by extinction and recolonization. Thus deleterious alleles are more likely to fix, and advantageous alleles less likely to do so, in the presence of extinction and recolonization. Computer simulations confirm that the theoretical predictions of both fixation probabilities and mean times to fixation are good approximations.
Temporal and spatial patterns of net photosynthesis in 12-year-old loblolly pine five growing seasons after thinning

Physiological parameters were measured under natural light conditions and needle orientation from towers and walkways erected in the canopy of a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation. Four silvicultural treatments were randomly assigned to the twelve plots in the fall of 1988. Plots were thinned to a density of 731 trees per hectare or left unthinned, at a density of 2990 trees per hectare. The plots were left unfertilized or fertilized with 744 kg/ha of diammonium triple superphosphate was applied. During the fifth growing season (1993) following thinning and fertilization, needle level physiology was not different with respect to the thinning treatment for fertilized or unfertilized plots. In contrast, upper crown levels within the fertilized and unfertilized plots had significantly higher light levels and photosynthetic rates than lower crown foliage. Light levels were greater in the thinned, fertilized plots than in the unthinned, fertilized plots. In contrast, no effect of thinning on canopy light levels was found in the unfertilized plots. Within crown variation in photosynthesis was strongly dependent on canopy light levels. A strong interaction of canopy level with thinning was apparent for net photosynthesis. Loblolly pine, being a shade intolerant species, showed only small physiological differences between needles from different parts of the crown. Because of the variability found in this study, more extensive sampling is needed to correctly describe the physiology of a forest canopy with adequate precision.
Schmerz in der postoperativen Phase Medizinische und ökonomische Aspekte

Akuter Schmerz kann schadliche Wirkungen auf beinahe jedes Organsystem im Korper ausuben. Storungen des respiratorischen, kardiovaskularen und neuroendokrinen Systems sind unmittelbar erkennbar. Nicht sofort erkennbar sind Veranderungen in der Genexpression von Neuropeptiden, Zytokinen, Wachstumsfaktoren, u.a. Diese konnen zu Storungen fuhren, die spater einsetzen und langer andauern. Interaktionen zwischen dem Immun- und Nervensystem tragen gleichermasen zur Entstehung wie auch zur Kontrolle des Entzundungsschmerzes bei. Ein Gewebstrauma triggert eine Kaskade an lokalen Vorgangen, die in einer erhohten Sensibilitat und Schmerzhaftigkeit resultieren. Etwa zur gleichen Zeit werden Mechanismen aktiviert, die dieser Entwicklung entgegenwirken. Sie fuhren durch zentrale wie auch lokale Wirkungen von endogenen Opioidpeptiden zu einer zunehmenden Inhibition des Entzundungsschmerzes. Der Ubergang von akutem in chronischen Schmerz hangt moglicherweise einerseits von Storungen dieser intrinsischen Kontrollmechanismen, andererseits von dem rechtzeitigen Einsetzen wirkungsvoller Therapiemasnahmen ab.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARENT SELF-EVALUATION INSTRUMENT'

Sttmmay.-Parenting measures have been used most commonly €or research and chical evaluation, with little practical application for parent self-evaluation and educauon. To help parents assess their parenting strengths and skills and be better directed in their information seeking the Parent Self-evaluation Instrument was developed. The framework and dimensions of this scale are based on the National Extension Parent Education Model. A panel of 23 parenring experts reviewed the scale for content vahdiry. Evaluations of the scales' validty were consisten~l~ high.
Nuclear collisions from AMeV to ATeV: from nuclear to quark matter

Abstract The maximum energy density achieved in nuclear collisions is estimated in this energy range. Stopping power and longitudinal growth are discussed. We show that for lab energies > 100 AGeV. energy densities high enough to produce a plasma can be reached. Cosmic-ray data support these calculations and suggest a possible novel signature of the plasma phase transition.
Observation of human low density lipoproteins in the STEM and FE-CTEM

Abstract Low density lipoproteins (LDL) of d = 1.030 to 1.040g/ml from human serum were studied by electron microscopy. Negatively stained preparations were observed in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and a conventional transmission microscope equipped with a field emission tip (FE-CTEM). The diameter of LDL was found to be 216 A ± 22 A . The LDL particle exhibits a substructure consisting of spherical units with a diameter of approximately 20–35A. As many as 33 of these structures are seen and they appear to be distributed evenly over the LDL particle.
A boundary‐layer model of fluid‐particle mass transfer in fixed beds

The process of fluid-particle mass transfer in fixed beds at Reynolds numbers less than 1,000 is viewed in terms of transient molecular diffusion within a boundary layer which is developed and destroyed repeatedly as the fluid journeys through the bed. Literature data support the j factor derived from the premises of the model. The theory predicts a Schmidt number exponent of 2/3 for NSc ≧ 1; however this exponent should approach 1/2 for NSc < 1.
Accelerating science gateway development with Web 2.0 and Swift

A Science Gateway is a computational web portal that enables scientists to run scientific simulations, data analysis, and visualization through their web browsers. The major problem of building a science gateway on TeraGrid is how to deploy scientific applications rapidly on computational resources and expose these applications as web services to scientists. In this paper we propose a novel science application framework that can greatly accelerate the development cycle of science gateway systems. This framework enables science gateway developers to import their domain-specific scientific workflow scripts and generate Web 2.0 gadgets for running these application workflows and visualizing the output from workflow executions without writing any web related code. By assembling these application-specific gadgets and some common gadgets predefined in the framework for workflow management, developers can easily set up a customized computational science gateway to meet community requirements. We demonstrate the utility of the framework with an example from computational biochemistry.
Kinetic Model for the Acid-Catalyzed Formation of Difurfuryldiamines from Furfurylamine and Aldehydes

The effects of temperature, acid concentration, and reactant concentration on the rate of formation of difurfuryldiamines from the reactions of furfurylamine with formaldehyde and acetaldehyde were experimentally investigated. On the basis of the data from these experiments, a semimechanistic reaction model network was proposed and a mathematical model which describes the observed kinetic behavior was derived. Rate constants for the model reactions were found to depend exponentially both on the reciprocal of the absolute temperature and on the acid concentration. The mathematical model predicts concentration versus time profiles for reactants, intermediate, and product for the reaction of furfurylamine and acetaldehyde under the following conditions: 20 °C < temperature < 50 °C, 3 M < nominal acid concentration < 6 M, 1.17 M < [furfurylamine] < 1.2 M, and 0.303 M < [acetaldehyde] < 1.17 M. For the reaction of furfurylamine with formaldehyde the model is applicable for 30 °C < temperature < 50 °C, 3 M < n...
Starlab ultraviolet /UV/ astronomy telescope facility

The paper describes a 1-m high-resolution wide field-of-view telescope (Starlab) to be used on board the Space Shuttle. The purpose of Starlab is to obtain optical astronomical observations in the UV domain of the spectrum. The discussion focuses on scientific programs and technical description of the Starlab. The use of photographic film and rapid reconfiguration is possible because Starlab is flown in the Shuttle-attached mode. The Starlab uses an f/15-modified Ritchey-Chretien telescope, followed by an instrument selector that gives access to the conventional Cassegrain focus or, by inserting a diagonal mirror, to a radial focal plane. Results of five critical subsystem-design studies confirm the feasibility of using state-of-the-art design practices in meeting the Starlab science and engineering requirements.
Real-time inspection of polymer composites during consolidation

The goal of this work was to design and implement a noncontact, nondestructive method for evaluating interlaminar bonding during in-situ consolidation of composites. A sensor which detects poorly bonding areas in the topmost ply was developed. This sensor consists of two piezoelectric transducers mounted in a 'pitch-catch' arrangement. Plate waves and Rayleigh surface waves were generated by orienting the pitch transducer at an angle. Received signals were analyzed for frequency shift, frequency filtering, attenuation and wave speed to develop a criteria for determining poorly bonded areas. Poorly bonded specimens were manufactured and evaluated by the proposed non destructive test method. After undergoing nondestructive evaluation, the specimens were mechanically loaded to failure and the bond strength recorded. Nondestructive test predictions of bond strength will be compared with mechanical tests of bonding. Data will be presented which demonstrate the poor bond identification criteria.
Dietary vitamin E and selenium and toxicity of nitrite and nitrate

Abstract Nitrites and nitrates are important antimicrobial and flavoring/coloring agents in meat and fish products. However, nitrites and nitrates may cause methemoglobinemia and other illness, and may react with certain amines to form carcinogenic nitrosamines. The nutritional status of vitamin E and selenium has long been associated with nitrite and nitrate toxicity, although the mechanism involved is not yet clear. Information available recently shows that nitrites and nitrates are both oxidation products and ready sources of nitric oxide (NO ), that NO reacts rapidly with superoxide to form highly reactive peroxynitrite (ONOO−), and that vitamin E may mediate the generation and availability of superoxide and NO . Increased formation of ONOO− resulting from nitrite treatment and low intake of vitamin E and selenium may thus be the critical event leading to tissue damage and animal mortality observed previously. The protection against the adverse effects of nitrites/nitrates by vitamin E is attributed to its ability to reduce ONOO− formation, while selenium exerts its protective effects via seleno-enzymes/compounds, which reduce ONOO− formed.
Effects of High Pressure on Isotope Effects and Hydrogen Tunneling

Kinetic isotope effects arising from transition state phenomena such as tunneling are sensitive to changes in pressure, whereas those arising from differences in zero point energies in the reactant state are not (Isaacs, N. S. Isotope Effects in Organic Chemistry; Buncel, E., Lee, C. C., Eds.; 1984; Vol. 6, pp 67−105). A new equation is derived which differentiates between the two origins as a function of pressure. Fitting published isotope effects on hydride transfer between chloranil and leucocrystal violet (Isaacs, N. S.; Javaid, K.; Rannala, E. J. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 2 1978, 709−711) to this equation yields ΔVQ = 36.5 ± 3.0 mL/mol for the apparent volume difference between the transition states of hydride versus deuteride transfer, kH/kD = 7.8 ± 0.1 for the semiclassical isotope effect due to differences in zero point energies, and QH/QD = 1.44 ± 0.02 for the transition state effect. Thus, tunneling accounts for 33 ± 1% of the observed deuterium isotope effect at atmospheric pressure. Incorporat...
Conversion of Signals from Ion-specific Electrodes to Linear Concentrations

This paper describes the assembly (from commercially available components) of an antilog converter, which transforms the output signals of ion-specific electrodes to ionic concentrations suitable for a linear recorder. It responds linearly to cation concentrations from 10 μm to at least 10 mm and can be used for electrodes kept at any temperatures (0 to 50 C). The leakage of K+ from a unicellular algae (Chlorella sorokiniana) can be induced by Triton X-100, heating, or suspension in a tris buffer and is used to demonstrate the operation of this device.
Proof by catheterization of mitral valvular origin of a systolic click

A patient with a loud intermittent midsystolic click presented a problem in differential diagnosis between mitral valve prolapse (intracardiac origin of the click) and left pneumothorax (extracardiac origin). External phonocardiography performed at the time of cardiac catheterization revealed that this loud midsystolic click disappeared whenever a catheter was positioned across the mitral valve. It reappeared whenever the catheter was removed from the transmitral position. Selective left ventriculography confirmed the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse.
Protein synthesis in rabbit reticulocytes XX: A supernatant factor (TDI) inhibits ternary complex (Met-tRNAf·EIF-1·GTP) dissociation and Met-tRNAf binding to 40S ribosomes*

Summary A protein synthesis initiation inhibitor, TDI has been partially purified from the reticulocyte cell-supernatant. TDI inhibits the dissociation of the ternary complex, Met-tRNA f ·EIF-1·GTP and also Met-tRNA f binding to 40S ribosomes. TDI inhibition requires Mg ++ and the inhibition is also observed when GTP is replaced by a non-hydrolyzable analog, GMP-PNP.
Hemodynamic effects of vasodilators and long-term response in heart failure

Hemodynamic responses to vasodilators are commonly assessed when starting long-term vasodilator treatment in patients with chronic left ventricular failure, although the relation between short- and long-term responses is not established. Thus, short- and long-term hemodynamic responses to placebo and vasodilators (isosorbide dinitrate, minoxidil and enalapril or captopril) were measured and long-term clinical efficacy was assessed by changes in exercise capacity after 1 to 5 months of vasodilator administration (plus digitalis and diuretic agents) in 46 patients with New York Heart Association functional class II to IV heart failure caused by cardiomyopathy. There were no significant changes in hemodynamics or exercise capacity during placebo treatment. After initial doses and during long-term administration of vasodilator drugs, hemodynamics were significantly improved. After long-term vasodilator treatment, maximal oxygen uptake during exercise increased by 2.9 ± 5.7 ml/min per kg from a control value of 14.1 ± 5.6 ml/min per kg (p Thus, hemodynamic measurements at initiation or during follow-up of vasodilator therapy do not relate to long-term clinical efficacy assessed by exercise capacity in patients with chronic left ventricular failure. Therefore, the rationale for making invasive hemodynamic measurements before initiating long-term vasodilator therapy for heart failure is questioned.
Sensitivity of Female Inbreds of Cucumis sativus to Sex Reversion by Gibberellin.

Two female inbred cucumbers were developed by substituting gene Acr for acr in the genetic backgrounds of the monoecious races Marketer and Tokyo, which exhibit weak and strong male tendency respectively. Marketer females are resistant and Tokyo females are sensitive to sex reversion in response to treatments with gibberellin A3. Resistance and sensitivity of this type appear to depend upon the genetic system which controls sex tendency.