cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cationic, thermally cured coatings using epoxidized soybean oil

Cycloaliphatic epoxy resins are used in coatings and inks because of their exceptionally low viscosity and reactivity with a variety of co-reactants, thus permitting high-solids and zero VOC coatings. The low viscosity of epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), its reactivity, and relatively low cost make it an inexpensive candidate co-resin in cationic thermally cured coatings and inks using blocked acid catalysts. Formulations with up to 40% ESBO in the epoxy resin blend were investigated. Blending of cycloaliphatic resin with 10% ESBO gave a bake coating with the same results as the standard formulation except pencil hardness was one unit lower when cured for 12 min at 120°C with a heat de-blocked catalyst. The hardness of coatings with ESBO is adjustable by changing the epoxy/polyol ratio, using harder polyols and harder epoxy resins.
The Dynamics of the Revenue–Expenditure Nexus: Evidence from US State Government Finances

Using data from the contiguous US states from 1951 to 2008, this study examines the dynamics of the intertemporal budget constraint to better understand persistent budget deficits. The direction of causality between tax revenues and expenditures is of primary interest in answering the four hypotheses set forth in the literature: tax-spend, spend-tax, fiscal synchronization, and institutional separation. Overall, the results convey evidence in favor of the tax-spend hypothesis. The dynamics differ, however, in that states with relatively higher debt levels respond slower to fiscal imbalances and rely more on expanding debt levels. These results present a clear illustration of the fiscal adjustment mechanism and how states adapt under various institutional restraints.
Baseline for Urdu IR evaluation

Goal of conferences like TREC, TIPSTER, NTCIR, CLEF is to judge the performance of different algorithms. Most of these conferences have tracks that deal with new and innovative information retrieval problems, but none has tackled to work with Urdu data, primarily because of the lack of resources. In this paper we present a baseline for Urdu IR evaluation along with resources necessary to do the task. The goal of this paper is to explore the strategy for creation of the test reference collection for Urdu Information Retrieval. A small test reference collection is presented composed of news articles from the Web along with some experiments to show its effectiveness.
Inhibition of neural tube closure by ionophore A23187 in chick embryos.

Ionophore A23187 inhibited closure of the chick neural tube through its effects on cytoskeletal components.
Circumstances of Onset of Chronic Headache in Patients Attending a Specialty Practice

In a data base of 1013 patients with chronic headache, 44.1% reported the onset of headaches before the age of 20 (preadult-onset headache) and 55.9% at or after that age (adult-onset headache). Circumstances of headache onset were mentioned significantly more frequently in the latter than in the former group (8.5% versus 38.2%, P < .001). The 10 most common circumstances of headache onset in adult-onset chronic headache, accounting for 87.9% of all circumstances mentioned, are further discussed. The 3 most common factors, accounting for 58.4% of all circumstances, were head, neck, or back injury; stress; and pregnancy. Illnesses, influenzalike and otherwise, and estrogen administration for birth control or hormone replacement shared the fourth place. It is concluded that in the etiology of chronic headache, other than genetic factors should be considered as well.
Diamond nanowire--a challenge from extremes.

Crystalline diamond nanowires have been grown in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process under 900 °C and atmospheric pressure – an extraordinary find in diamond growth. These diamond nanowires are straight, thin and long, and uniform in diameter (60–90 nm) over their entire lengths of tens of microns. Extensive characterizations including electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy were performed to confirm that the diamond nanowire has highly crystalline cubic diamond structure encased inside a graphitic or carbonaceous shell. Such a core–shell structure suggests a potential formation mechanism in the framework of an effectively lowered Gibbs free energy due to nano-capillary and surface charge pressure. The capillary pressure (inversely proportional to the wire radius) can be sufficiently high to allow the diamond phase to be thermodynamically favorable in the inner core while the outer shell takes on the graphitic phase. The properties of diamond can manifest themselves differently in the nanowire morphology. Examples include single-photon emission of nitrogen-vacancy and electron field-emission. Whereas the former has received much attention in the literature, the latter turned out to be just as impressive and is show-cased here for the first time.
Dynamic Stability of Cylindrical Shells Under Step Loading

A study has been made to determine the dynamic stability of an imperfect circular cylindrical shell subject to a step loading in the axial direction. In the analysis, the radial displacement of the shell is approximated by a finite degree of freedom system. To assure that the created model is proper, its static buckling behavior was studied. It was found that the model gives the proper imperfection sensitivity behavior. The dynamic analysis includes not only the effect of the radial inertia, but also that due to the axial inertia in an approximate manner. The critical loads are determined by numerical integration of the equation of motion. In addition a study is carried out to consider the effects of wave number of the radial mode shape, mass on the loaded edge of the shell and damping of the axial motion. Compared with the static case, there is a significant reduction of the dynamic buckling load for the high wave numbers of the radial modes. Also, there is a critical clamping value, above which the dynamic buckling load is close to the static buckling load. The dynamic buckling load approaches half of the static buckling load with increasing mass on the loading edge. Through the parametric studies of the wave number, mass, and damping factor it is concluded that due to frequency coupling between axial and radial motions, the axial inertia plays an essential role in characterizing the dynamic instability of a finite length shell.
Using functional features for 3-D object recognition

We are investigating the feasibility of functional description as a knowledge representation for recognition of 3-D objects. This description can be used to recognize classes and identify subclasses of known categories of objects even if the specific object has never been encountered previously. Having conceptual models therefore allows the system the flexibility to learn new exemplars of a known class of object. The major goal of this work is to develop a knowledge representation which defines a class of objects in terms of its function. The system will interpret the possible functionality of an object by reasoning about its 3-D form. By using this more abstract conceptual representation instead of a concrete geometric representation, we feel we can reduce the potential search space involved in the recognition process and broaden the recognition capabilities of the vision system.
Sentence/vowel correlation in the evaluation of dysphonia

Summary Considering the widespread use of the sustained vowel in the evaluation of voice disorders, our objective was to study the degree to which the vowel is representative of voice in continuous speech. Phonatory samples were recorded from 20 normal subjects and 60 patients representing commonly occurring voice problems (nodules, unilateral paralysis, and functional). The phonatory samples were evaluated by 25 listeners on the basis of 12 bipolar, semantic differential scales. Factor analysis produced two perceptual dimensions with similar loadings for both vowels and sentences. A correlation of 0.78 was obtained between vowels and sentences on factor 1 scores, “vocal severity,” and a correlation of 0.77 was obtained between vowels and sentences on factor 2 scores, “pitch/quality.” Six of the 80 pairs of sentences and vowels differed by two scale points or more on vocal severity. Results suggest that although a relatively strong relationship exists between the two measures, sustained vowel sounds may not be an adequate clinical index to the dysphonic severity of continuous speech.
Acid Gradient across Plasma Membrane Can Drive Phosphate Bond Synthesis in Cancer Cells: Acidic Tumor Milieu as a Potential Energy Source

Aggressive cancers exhibit an efficient conversion of high amounts of glucose to lactate accompanied by acid secretion, a phenomenon popularly known as the Warburg effect. The acidic microenvironment and the alkaline cytosol create a proton-gradient (acid gradient) across the plasma membrane that represents proton-motive energy. Increasing experimental data from physiological relevant models suggest that acid gradient stimulates tumor proliferation, and can also support its energy needs. However, direct biochemical evidence linking extracellular acid gradient to generation of intracellular ATP are missing. In this work, we demonstrate that cancer cells can synthesize significant amounts of phosphate-bonds from phosphate in response to acid gradient across plasma membrane. The noted phenomenon exists in absence of glycolysis and mitochondrial ATP synthesis, and is unique to cancer. Biochemical assays using viable cancer cells, and purified plasma membrane vesicles utilizing radioactive phosphate, confirmed phosphate-bond synthesis from free phosphate (Pi), and also localization of this activity to the plasma membrane. In addition to ATP, predominant formation of pyrophosphate (PPi) from Pi was also observed when plasma membrane vesicles from cancer cells were subjected to trans-membrane acid gradient. Cancer cytosols were found capable of converting PPi to ATP, and also stimulate ATP synthesis from Pi from the vesicles. Acid gradient created through glucose metabolism by cancer cells, as observed in tumors, also proved critical for phosphate-bond synthesis. In brief, these observations reveal a role of acidic tumor milieu as a potential energy source and may offer a novel therapeutic target.
Differing Approaches to Religious Benefaction: The Late Third-Century Acquisition of the Sardis Synagogue

Although it was discovered in 1962 and its excavation was completed by the mid-1970s, the synagogue of ancient Sardis in western Asia Minor, with its nearly eighty Greek inscriptions, remains the single most important archaeological source for our knowledge of western diasporan Judaism and its relationship to the wider Greco-Roman world.1 Despite its historical importance, however, scholars have rarely questioned the assumptions and conclusions of its original interpreters, Andrew Seager and Thomas Kraabel. Yet, for example, on the crucial question of dating (that is, when the building actually became a synagogue) these authors clearly disagreed among themselves, as is evident from a careful reading of their jointly written analysis, published in 1983.2 Their long-awaited report on
The Multilateral Fund and China's Compliance With the Montreal Protocol:

International financial assistance can encourage developing countries to deal with global environmental problems, but there is little empirical study of the specific design features most important for success. This article examines the effect of the Multilateral Fund (MLF) on China's negotiation of and compliance with the Montreal Protocol. Access to the MLF was a major impetus for China's ratification of the protocol and the government's procedural compliance. Because it closed major loopholes, the sector-based approach to funding was far more effective than the project-by-project approach, leading to China's ultimate success in meeting the protocol's targets to freeze consumption and production of chlorofluorocarbons by 1999 and halons by 2002. China's experience suggests that effective international financial assistance mechanisms should make continuous fund eligibility contingent on evidence of successful compliance with treaty obligations, target sectors in which manufacturers have limited incentives...
Behavioral Evidence for a Glucose Polymer Taste Receptor That Is Independent of the T1R2+3 Heterodimer in a Mouse Model

Although it is clear that the heterodimer formed by the T1R2 and T1R3 proteins serves as the primary taste receptor for sweeteners, there is growing evidence that responses to glucose polymers may be mediated by a different taste receptor. Here we report that although T1R2 knock-out (KO) and T1R3 KO mice displayed severely impaired responding to glucose, maltose, and maltotriose in an initial session of a brief-access taste test (5 s trials, 25 min sessions) relative to wild-type (WT) mice, they subsequently increased their licking as a function of concentration for maltose and maltotriose with continued testing, presumably due to associating weak oral cues with positive post-ingestive consequences. Interestingly, these KO mice displayed relatively normal concentration-dependent licking to Polycose, a mixture of glucose polymers, even in the first session. Importantly, the experience-dependent increase in responsiveness to the sugars observed with the T1R2 and T1R3 single KO mice was not statistically significant in the T1R2/3 double KO mice. The double KO mice, however, still displayed significant concentration-dependent responding to Polycose in the first test session, albeit lick rates were slightly lower than those seen for WT mice, perhaps because small amounts of glucose, maltose, and maltotriose found in Polycose were enhancing the signal in WT mice or because T1R2 or T1R3 can possibly heteromerize with another protein to form a fully functional glucose polymer receptor. These findings provide behavioral evidence that glucose polymers, with an optimal chain length greater than three glucose moieties, stimulate a taste receptor independent of the T1R2+3 heterodimer.
Molecular-genetic approaches to study photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport in thylakoids from cyanobacteria

Abstract Molecular-genetic techniques provide a powerful approach to study photosynthetic and respiratory electron transport pathways in thylakoids of the transformable cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Either or both of the photosystems can be genetically deleted from this organism, and resulting mutants can be propagated in the presence of glucose. This provides the opportunity for targeted mutagenesis of particular components of one of the photosystems, and analysis of resulting mutants has yielded useful information regarding residues or domains of protein subunits. In addition, by selection for secondary mutations neutralizing the functional impairment caused by an introduced mutation, the sequence flexibility and structural vicinity of domains can be determined. As an example, a preliminary characterization of a photoautotrophic pseudorevertant of the site-directed D2 mutant E69Q, which is an obligate photoheterotroph, will be presented here. Mutant analysis also has proven to be useful in the determination of the functional link between photosynthetic and respiratory electron transfer in cyanobacterial thylakoids. In Photosystem-I-less mutants, light-induced electron transport occurs involving water oxidation (oxygen production) in Photosystem II, and oxygen reduction by a terminal oxidase, thus without net oxygen production or consumption. The net result of this electron transport ‘cycle’ should be the generation of a proton gradient over the thylakoid membrane, which can be used for ATP production.
A Theoretical Design for SSD Texture Storage

Large textures are becoming ubiquitous in "good graphics". Modern textures are exceedingly beyond the size that can be stored on a GPU's memory. In this paper we present an idea for flash based texture storage on the graphics card, eliminating the need to traverse the system busses to get to hard disk or main memory.
Folate-mediated targeting of antineoplastic drugs, imaging agents, and nucleic acids to cancer cells

The receptor for the vitamin, folic acid, is overexpressed on a number of human tumors, including cancers of the ovary, kidney, uterus, testis, brain, colon, lung, and myelocytic blood cells. Conjugates of folic acid linked via its γ-carboxyl to either a single drug molecule or assembly of molecules can bind to and enter receptor-expressing cancer cells via folate receptor-mediated endocytosis. Because the affinity of folate conjugates for cell surface folate receptors is high (KD∼10−10 M), folic acid derivatization allows the selective delivery of diagnostic and therapeutic agents to cancer cells in the presence of normal cells. This review will summarize studies aimed at folate-mediated targeting of protein toxins, imaging agents, antisense oligodeoxynucleotides, genes, and liposomes specifically to cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.
Cervix Regression and Motion During the Course of External Beam Chemoradiation for Cervical Cancer

Purpose To evaluate the magnitude of cervix regression and motion during external beam chemoradiation for cervical cancer. Methods and Materials Sixteen patients with cervical cancer underwent computed tomography scanning before, weekly during, and after conventional chemoradiation. Cervix volumes were calculated to determine the extent of cervix regression. Changes in the center of mass and perimeter of the cervix between scans were used to determine the magnitude of cervix motion. Maximum cervix position changes were calculated for each patient, and mean maximum changes were calculated for the group. Results Mean cervical volumes before and after 45 Gy of external beam irradiation were 97.0 and 31.9 cc, respectively; mean volume reduction was 62.3%. Mean maximum changes in the center of mass of the cervix were 2.1, 1.6, and 0.82 cm in the superior-inferior, anterior-posterior, and right-left lateral dimensions, respectively. Mean maximum changes in the perimeter of the cervix were 2.3 and 1.3 cm in the superior and inferior, 1.7 and 1.8 cm in the anterior and posterior, and 0.76 and 0.94 cm in the right and left lateral directions, respectively. Conclusions Cervix regression and internal organ motion contribute to marked interfraction variations in the intrapelvic position of the cervical target in patients receiving chemoradiation for cervical cancer. Failure to take these variations into account during the application of highly conformal external beam radiation techniques poses a theoretical risk of underdosing the target or overdosing adjacent critical structures.
The Relationship Between Dietary Change Over 18 Months and the Aging Process

Abstract A random, geographically representative sample of Massachusetts subjects was proactively recruited for a study of dietary fat reduction. This study was restricted to the control group which received a single dietary feedback report and fat reduction educational materials at baseline then were followed for 18 months (87% retention rate). Dietary intake was assessed by the NCI/Block Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and self-reported number of servings of fruits and vegetables. In order to investigate the effect of aging on dietary response, the sample was restricted to subjects between the ages of 45 and 75 divided into group 1 (45–59 years; M=48±4; N=53) and group 2 (60–75 years; M=67±4; N=36). This predominantly female (67%), Caucasian (92%) sample had a baseline fat intake slightly below national averages (M=32±8.5% kcal fat) which decreased by an average of 1.1±6.3% kcal over 18 months. There was no group effect on fat intake at follow-up using Analysis of Covariance with baseline as a covariate (F 1.88 =1.2, p>. 1). However there was an effect on reported fruit and vegetable intake with group 1 increasing and group 2 decreasing number of servings (F 1.88 =4.17, p 2 =7, p 70 years of age. Older Americans, especially those concerned about fat intake, may benefit from interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
EFFECT OF BETA-BLOCKERS ON PROGRESSIVE AORTIC DILATATION IN PATIENTS WITH MARFAN’S SYNDROME

Marfan’s syndrome is a multi-systemic connective tissue disorder caused by a fibrillin-1 mutation. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of beta-blockers on aortic dilatation progression in patients with Marfan’s syndrome. We performed a systematic review of all prospective
Continual smoking of mentholated cigarettes may mask the early warning symptoms of respiratory disease.

Abstract Background Continual use of cold preparations including those containing menthol for relief from congestion, cough, or difficulty in breathing can mask the early warning symptoms of respiratory dysfunction. These products usually carry a warning label on the packaging that indicates that they are not for continuous use and may mask the early warning symptoms of a more serious condition. Menthol can be delivered in many dosage forms including the smoke of a mentholated cigarette. Methods Literature searches were done for the NLM databases (e.g., MEDLINE from 1966, TOXLINE, OLDMEDLINE (1958–1965), CANCERLIT), plus tobacco industry documents and hardcopy indices. The evidence was evaluated with application to mentholated cigarette smoking. Results A logical progression is presented to attempt to demonstrate that the continuous smoking of mentholated cigarettes may also mask the early warning symptoms of respiratory distress. The early warning symptoms caused by chronic irritation of the respiratory tract may be reduced in severity when the menthol found in a mentholated cigarette is continually delivered to the tract. Conclusion This masking of the symptoms of an underlying respiratory disease can lead to delays in seeking medical attention resulting in a poor prognosis, additional suffering, and eventual death.
Intrinsic bioconjugation for site-specific protein PEGylation at N-terminal serine

Recently developed chemical ligation protocols were elaborated for rapid N-terminal protein PEGylation. We introduce a PEG-salicylaldehyde ester and demonstrate its site-specific ligation to the N-terminus of the RNase S protein and to the therapeutic polypeptide PTH (1–34).
Current federal policies on school desegregation: Constitutional justice or benign neglect?

Despite judicial mandates to desegregate the nation's school systems, most minority students, particularly those in urban areas, are still being educated in segregated environments. Efforts of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government to provide an equal education are at best lax and at worst, and more frequently, contradictory and ineffectual. A consistent policy is needed to correct the deficiencies in the education minorities receive. Furthermore, this policy needs to take into consideration factors which have a significant impact on minorities, such as inaccessbility to equal housing and employment opportunities.
Effects of quantization and truncation strategies on image quality during lossy image compression

Alternative strategies used for wavelet-based lossy image compression can affect lesion detection differently at higher compression ratios. These effects were studied using three variants of a wavelet-based image compression algorithm: (1) unified quantization, (2) truncation of all coefficients at all subbands, and (3) truncation of coefficients subband by subband. The nonprewhitening- matched-filter-derived da, a deductibility index, was used to quantify the changes in detection performance as a function of compression ratio for each strategy. Based on this approach, the optimal compression strategy was determined. Two classes of images were generated to simulate signal-present and signal-absent cases for a liver imaged by CT. For each strategy, the performance in discriminating between the signal-present class and signal-absent class was quantified by da for varying compression ratios. Among the three strategies studied, truncation of all coefficients is the least desirable strategy for preserving small, low contrast signals; truncation of coefficients subband by subband yields the best result for subtle signals, but distorts high frequency edges between tissues; unified quantization is the best strategy if both low contrast objects and high frequency edges are to be preserved.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
STRATEGIES FOR TESTING SLOPE DIFFERENCES

The robustness and power of 9 strategies for testing the differences in groups' regression slopes were assessed under nonnormality and residual variance heterogeneity. For the conditions considered, the most robust strategies were the trimmed and Winsorized slope estimates used with the James second-order test, the Theil-Sen slope estimates used with James, and the Theil-Sen estimates used with percentile bootstrapping. The use of Theil-Sen slope estimates produced more powerful tests than the use of trimmed and Winsorized slopes.
Epigenomics of T cell activation, differentiation and memory

Activation of T cells is an essential step in the immunological response to infection. Although activation of naive T cells results in proliferation and slow differentiation into cytokine-producing effector cells, antigen engagement with memory cells leads to cytokine production immediately. Even though the cell surface signaling events are similar in both the cases, the outcome is different, suggesting that distinct regulatory mechanisms may exist downstream of the activation signals. Recent advances in the understanding of global epigenetic patterns in T cells have resulted in the appreciation of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in processes such as activation and differentiation. In this review we discuss recent data suggesting that naive T cell activation, differentiation, and lineage commitment result in epigenetic changes and a fine balance between different histone modifications is required. On the other hand, memory T cells are poised and do not require epigenetic changes for short-term activation.
A Six-View Perspective Framework for System Security: Issues, Risks, and Requirements

To secure information systems, the security risks and requirements must be clearly understood before the proper security mechanisms can be identified and designed. TodayA¢â¬TMs security requirement specifications are generally incomplete and narrowly focused, which leads to ineffective security designs of information systems. The author asserts that multiple viewsA¢â¬"management, threat, resource, process, assessment, and legalA¢â¬"of information systems provides an opportunity for a better understanding of security risks and requirements. In this paper, the author proposes a six-view perspective of a system security framework to identify a more complete set of security risks and requirements. The proposed framework presents a synergistic view of the system security in which the author presents an extensive list of heuristics/guidelines under each view, discussing security issues, risks, and requirements. Through a case study, the authors shows that a multiple view perspective of system security is effective in determining a more complete set of security requirements than the traditional approach of focusing on threats alone.
Acute intraoperative pulmonary embolism: an unusual cause of hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation.

s e p ONE-LUNG VENTILATION (OLV) induces an obligate right-to-left shunt in the nonventilated lung and is assoiated with an impairment of arterial oxygenation. Pulmonary lood flow through the ventilated lung during OLV is augented by hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), which imits blood flow to the nonventilated lung1,2 and by positional and gravitational effects.3-7 The authors report a case in which xygenation after the institution of OLV was impaired by acute ntraoperative pulmonary emboli (PE) directed selectively to he ventilated lung.
Human motion recognition using a wireless sensor-based wearable system

The future of human computer interaction systems lies in how intelligently these systems can take into account the user's context. Research on recognizing the daily activities of people has progressed steadily, but little focus has been devoted to recognizing jointly activities as well as movements in a specific activity. For many applications such as rehabilitation, sports medicine, geriatric care, and health/fitness monitoring the importance of combined recognition of activity and movements can drive health care outcomes. A novel algorithm is proposed that can be tuned to recognize on-the-fly range of activities and fine movements within a specific activity. Performance of the algorithm and a case study on obtaining optimal features from sensor and parameter values for the algorithm to detect fine motor movements are presented.
Alternative Hierarchies of the Attitude-Behavior Relationship: The Impact of Brand Commitment and Habit

The theory of reasoned action and the low-involvement hierarchy model were tested using cross-lagged panel correlation. It was proposed that the low-involvement hierarchy model would more accurately reflect the behavior of low-brand-committed individuals and that the theory of reasoned action would more accurately reflect the behavior of high-brand-committed individuals. Although the findings did not completely support these hypotheses, the general thrusts of the hypotheses appear to be supported. Additionally, behavior was hypothesized and shown to influence habit for all individuals.
Subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma treated with systemic chemotherapy, autologous stem cell support, and limb amputation

Subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma is an unusual variant of peripheral T-cell lymphoma in which the malignant infiltrate preferentially involves the subcutis. The disease is often initially misdiagnosed as a benign inflammatory panniculitis or a granulomatous disease. We describe subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma in a 39-year-old man who was treated with systemic chemotherapy, autologous stem cell support, and amputation of the limb primarily involved with the lymphomatous infiltrate. This is the first report of amputation being included in the treatment regimen of subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Because preferential involvement of the extremities often occurs in patients with subcutaneous T-cell lymphoma, surgical debulking of refractory disease by partial or complete limb amputation may be a useful therapeutic adjunct.
Molecular Targets and Mechanisms of Cancer Prevention and Treatment by Withaferin A, A Naturally Occurring Steroidal Lactone

The plants used in Ayurvedic medicine, which has been practiced in India for thousands of years for the treatment of a variety of disorders, are rich in chemicals potentially useful for prevention and treatment of cancer. Withania somnifera (commonly known as Ashwagandha in Ayurvedic medicine) is one such medicinal plant whose anticancer value was realized over four decades ago after isolation of a crystalline steroidal compound (withaferin A) from the leaves of this shrub. The root and leaf extracts of W. somnifera are shown to confer protection against chemically-induced cancers in experimental rodents, and retard tumor xenograft growth in athymic mice. Anticancer effect of W. somnifera is generally attributable to steroidal lactones collectively referred to as withanolides. Withaferin A (WA) appears most active against cancer among structurally divergent withanolides isolated from the root or leaf of W. somnifera. Cancer-protective role for WA has now been established using chemically-induced and oncogene-driven rodent cancer models. This review summarizes the key in vivo preclinical studies demonstrating anticancer effects of WA. Molecular targets and mechanisms likely contributing to the anticancer effects of WA are also discussed. Finally, challenges in clinical development of WA for the prevention and treatment of cancer are highlighted.
Observation of a water-depletion region surrounding loblolly pine roots by magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract Magnetic resonance imaging was used to study sand containing various amounts of water and roots of loblolly pine planted into similar sand. Spin-lattice (T1) relaxation times of sand with water contents ranging from 0 to 25% (wt/wt) ranged from 472 to 1265 ms and increased with water content. Spin-spin (T2) relaxation times ranged from 54 to 76 ms and did not change in a discernible pattern with water content. Based on water content and measured T1 and T2 values, the signal intensity of sand/water images was predicted to increase with water content in a linear fashion, with the slope of the lines increasing with the time of acquisition repetition (TR). Measured signal intensity from images of sand with various water contents was found to follow a similar pattern. This allows interpretation of dark images of sand/water to be regions of low water content, and bright images to have comparatively greater water content. Images of loblolly pine seedling roots planted in identical sand showed the formation of a distinct water-depletion region first around the woody taproot and later showed the region extended and expanded around the lateral roots and clusters of mycorrhizal short roots. This observation strongly suggests that water uptake is occurring through the suberized region of the woody taproot.
Effector functions of NLRs in the intestine: innate sensing, cell death, and disease

Nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain-like receptors (NLRs) are central regulators of pathogen recognition, the induction of innate immune effectors and inflammation with utmost importance in human diseases such as inflammatory bowel diseases. Most NLRs are key mediators of inflammasome complexes that activate caspase-1 and drive proteolytic processing of pro-inflammatory cytokines; however, a few tightly regulate inflammasome-independent activation of nuclear factor-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. NLR signaling has evolved in intestinal epithelial cells to avoid overactive inflammatory responses toward the resident microbiota and to preserve epithelial barrier integrity and functions by maintaining homeostasis. In the present review, I examine new insights into the role of the NLRs in antimicrobial defenses. I pay particular attention to the emerging role of these receptors in engaging a complex cross talk between cell death and innate immunity pathways. Furthermore, I discuss the physiological functions of the NLRs in shaping the innate immune response within the intestine, maintaining homeostasis, inducing tissue repair following injury and promoting tumorigenesis.
Chemisorbed hydrogen: Electron scattering, resonance levels, and vibration frequency

Abstract Several physical properties of atomic hydrogen chemisorbed on tungsten are computed on the basis of our earlier density functional calculations. The differential scattering cross-section of 50–100 eV electrons by a chemisorbed hydrogen atom is computed and compared with that of an isolated hydrogen atom. The relevance of this cross-section to LEED experiments is discussed. An electronic resonance level associated with the hydrogen atom is found at 5.6 eV below the Fermi level, in very good agreement with recent photo-emission data. The vibrational excitation energy perpendicular to the metal plane is calculated to be 200 meV, compared to the observed 140 meV.
Hepatocyte growth factor is a mitogen for olfactory ensheathing cells.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent mitogen for mature hepatocytes, and it has multi-functional effects in a variety of cells in various organs. HGF stimulates DNA synthesis and promotes cell migration and morphogenesis in several cell types including the olfactory system. To characterize the potential mitogenic activity of HGF that might contribute to olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) proliferation, we tested the ability of HGF to stimulate OEC division in vitro. OECs were obtained from adult rat olfactory bulbs and cultured in serum-free medium, and were identified by double immunostaining for p75 and S-100 antibodies. DNA synthesis assayed by pulsing BrdU for 24 hr showed that HGF at the concentration of 5–100 ng/ml elicited a 5–10-fold increase of OEC proliferation. By immunocytochemical analysis, we demonstrated that c-Met-immunoreactivity was present in cultured OECs, and c-Met anti-serum significantly sequestered the activity of HGF on OECs proliferation, suggesting that HGF-induced proliferation of OECs is mediated by the c-Met receptor. The mitogenic activity of HGF was potentiated by addition of heregulin (HRG), but inhibited by addition of forskolin. These results demonstrate that HGF is a novel mitogen for rat OECs in vitro, and HGF/c-Met system is involved in regulating OECs growth and development.
The oxidation resistance of fine-grained sputter-deposited 304 stainless steel

The air oxidation of free standing 0.1 cm thick sputter-deposited and wrought 304 stainless steel specimens was studied and the long term oxidation weight gains of the sputterdeposited material were much less than weight gains for the wrought material at 800, 900, and 1000°C. The amount of scaling was also much less on the sputtered material and a thin, adherent oxide formed. The oxide on the sputtered material was more uniform in composition and was higher in chromium and manganese compared to oxide on wrought stainless and eventually formed MnCr2O4 after long periods of exposure. No stratified oxide layers, as typically observed in wrought stainless steel, formed on the fine-grained sputtered material. The improved scaling resistance of the sputter-deposited steel was attributed to a combination of grain boundary enhancement of chromium diffusion, reduced stresses in the oxide and mechanical keying of the oxide to closely spaced grain boundaries. The stability of grain size for the sputtered material (grain size ≤ 6 μm) also contributed to the better oxide adherence.
Mask fabrication towards sub-10 nm imprint lithography

We report for the first time the use of orientation dependent etching (ODE) of (110) c-Si in sidewall thin film technology for imprint mask fabrication with low line edge roughness (LER) over a large area. Oxidation is used for sidewall thin film formation with a good critical dimension control. 2-dimensional oxidation effects are discussed. Features down to 12 nm have been fabricated successfully. Simulation shows that the fabricated oxide line is strong enough to imprint both thermoplastic and photo-curable imprint resists.
"Me siento orgullosa de ser negra y ¡que viva el bullerengue!": identidad étnica en una nación multicultural. El caso del Festival Nacional del Bullerengue en Puerto Escondido, Colombia

Este articulo analiza procesos de construccion de identidad y representacion etnica en un festival folclorico enmarcado por las politicas multiculturales del estado colombiano. Asimismo, da cuenta de como el bullerengue –una tradicion musical local, fuerte actualmente en la zona de Uraba– es utilizado como herramienta para dicha construccion, tanto desde el sector institucional como desde las comunidades afrocolombianas de base. En este sentido, mi argumento es que los festivales –apoyados por administraciones locales y la empresa privada– han delimitado y contenido estas practicas culturales, generando procesos de objetificacion, escenicacion y folclorizacion, si bien, simultaneamente, fomentan procesos de construccion de identidad etnica. Este estudio esta sustentado en trabajo de campo, asi como en investigaciones en tres frentes: representacion etnica en contextos de multiculturalismo, festivales folcloricos y procesos de construccion de identidad etnica afrocolombiana.
Organic Phosphorus Compounds 56. The addition of hypophosphite esters to activated olefins, a new method for preparing 2‐substituted ethyl phosphinates

The addition of methylhypophosphite, H2P(O)OCH3, to acrylic acid derivatives, CH2CHX (X CONH2, CN, CO2R), is described and the physical properties of three new 2-substituted ethylphosphinates are reported.
Lymphatics as a New Active Player in Reverse Cholesterol Transport

Reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), a key function of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), prevents excess cholesterol in tissues. A study in this issue (Lim et al., 2013) suggests that lymphatic vessels are critical for normal RCT and mediate the active trans-endothelial transport of HDL via the HDL receptor SR-BI.
Frequency up-conversion of electromagnetic radiation with use of an overdense plasma.

We investigate the effects of quickly creating a plasma around a monochromatic electromagnetic source wave, on time scales on the order of a cycle of the wave. It is found that this results in an upward shifting of the wave frequency, which can be varied by changing of the plasma density. It is also found that a substantial fraction of the magnetic field associated with the initial wave can be sustained in the plasma as a time-independent magnetic field. Computer simulations have been used to study this process in detail, including the effects of finite ionization time. For long ionization times, strong plasma heating results.
Safety Effects of Exclusive Left-Turn Lanes at Unsignalized Intersections and Driveways

This article presents an investigation of the safety effects of exclusive left-turn lane installation at unsignalized intersections. Selected intersections were categorized by area type, the number of lanes, and the number of approach legs, because these characteristics could potentially affect the number of crashes as well as the crash type and severity. Crash data were collected from 1995 to 2004 for each intersection and categorized by (1) same-direction crashes, (2) intersecting crashes, and (3) others. Fatal and injury crashes were also collected. Crash prediction models were estimated using crash and volume data from intersections without left-turn lanes by intersection category. Negative binomial modeling was used with generalized estimation equations to account for the correlation among the crash counts for an intersection through the years. The expected number of crashes was predicted using the prediction models for intersections with left-turn lanes assuming no left-turn lanes were present. If the observed crash counts were significantly lower than the predicted, then there was evidence that the left-turn lane created a safer condition. The results showed that the intersections were safer for same-direction crashes and fatal and injury crashes with some exceptions in urban areas.
An ultrastructural study of fixation artifacts in lens epithelium.

The conditions providing for optimal preservation of the ultrastructure of the lens epithelium of embryonic and young chicks were sought, especially with regard to avoiding fixation artifacts and to enhancing the lens cytoskeleton. The optimal fixative/buffer solution for these purposes was found to consist of 2% glutaraldehyde in 0.05M phosphate buffer containing 0.2% tannic acid and 0.002% CaCl2, pH 7.2, whose total osmolarity is about 340 mOsm, and postfixation in 1% osmium. As the osmolarity was increased by use of 0.075M or 0.1M phosphate buffer, intercellular spaces and myelin-like figures appeared along the cell membranes of the epithelial cells and superficial cortical fibers. As the osmolarity was decreased, using 0.02M phosphate buffer, plasma membranes became flaccid and interrupted, nuclei underwent severe shape changes, and the cytoplasm became electron-lucent. Delays of 30 minutes or one hour before fixation caused swelling of cytoplasmic organelles and the nuclear envelope. Primary fixation...
Anisotropic Solar Reflectance over White Sand, Snow and Stratus Clouds

Anisotropic solar reflectance over white sand, snow and stratus clouds using Nimbus F-3 radiometer and silicon cell pyranometer on Piper Twin Comanche
Computational study of [10]annulene NMR spectra.

High-level theoretical methods are applied to calculate the 13C NMR chemical shifts of three isomers of [10]annulene. Comparison with experiment clearly shows that the carrier of NMR signals of the so-called B form is the “twist” isomer. The results of this study strongly support predictions of relative energies of mono-trans [10]annulene isomers at the CCSD(T) level, which in turn are in qualitative disagreement with DFT and MP2 calculations.
Effects of antimony on myocardial performance in isolated and intact canine hearts.

Abstract The effects of sodium antimony and potassium antimony on contractility, coronary blood flow, and electrocardiogram were studied in isolated perfused dog hearts as well as in intact open-chested dogs. The isolated heart preparation used was a spontaneously beating dog heart perfused with blood from a donor animal. Myocardial contractility was measured by strain gauge arches sutured to the myocardial surface. Coronary vasomotor effects were investigated by observing changes in the amplitude of the perfusion pressure at constant flow. Antimony in doses of 10 to 15 mg/kg of body weight injected as a single dose into the coronary circulation of the isolated heart produced a progressive decrease in myocardial contractile force which was not reversible. The same dose injected intravenously was fatal in intact open-chested dogs. Antimony decreased the perfusion pressure at constant flow in the isolated heart, which indicates decreased coronary vasomotor tone. In the normally perfused heart this decreased...
Diverse mechanisms of control of aromatase gene expression.

Abstract The synthesis of estrogens from androgens is catalyzed by a microsomal cytochrome P450 termed aromatase (P450arom). The expression of this enzyme is highly regulated in both a developmental and cell-type specific fashion. We have chosen to examine the molecular basis of aromatase gene regulation by studying two models of aromatase expression: the Sebright bantam chicken and the R2C rat Leydig tumor cell line. In the first model, affected (Sebright) chickens express aromatase in many extragonadal tissues, while normal Leghorn chickens express aromatase only in the ovary and hypothalamus. Our studies have demonstrated that in normal chickens the site of transcription initiation is located approx. 147 nucleotides upstream of the initiator methionine. While Sebright animals also express aromatase mRNA initiated at an analogous initiation site in the ovary, a distinctive species of aromatase mRNA is also detected and is present in ovary and extragonadal tissues. This mRNA contains an identical coding sequence, but contains an alternatively spliced 5′ noncoding exon that is derived from a distinctive promoter. The second model, the R2C Leydig tumor cell line, provides ample contrast. This cell line expresses high basal levels of aromatase (150–200 pmol/h/mg protein) that is suppressed with administration of 8 bromo cAMP or forskolin but the activity is not altered by glucocorticoids or epidermal growth factor treatment. Despite this distinctive pattern of regulation, at least three species of aromatase mRNA are detected in Northern blots, each of which is also detected in rat ovary. Primer extension and S1 nuclease assays indicate that both granulosa cells and R2C cells utilize a promoter that is located approx. 97 nucleotides upstream of the initiator methionine. These studies suggest that the “ovarian” promoter is evolutionatily conserved in both rats and chickens. These results further imply that the genetic mechanisms controlling the diversity of aromatase expression among tissues and among different species are likely to fall into two groups: those that employ distinctive promoters and alternative splicing and those that effect different patterns of regulation through a common (“ovarian”) promoter.