cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequential versus concurrent treatment of breast cancer cell-lines using the farnesyl transferase inhibitor, manumycin A, and mebendazole

2137 Objective: To evaluate the potential synergistic effect of the combination compared to single drug treatment using Manumycin A (MA) and Mebendazole (Mbz). And to determine the significance of sequential over concurrent treatment using these two drugs. Methods: Three breast cancer cell-lines (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7 and MCF-7 Her-18) were grown in DMEM medium in 96-well microplates (at 5,000 cells in 100 μL culture medium). Drug stock solutions were separately prepared in sterile DMSO, and further diluted with 0.1% DMSO containing culture medium to achieve the IC25 concentrations of MA and Mbz previously determined for each cell-line. For concurrent treatment, MA was combined with Mbz and incubated at 37oC for 48 hours. For sequential treatments, either MA or Mbz was incubated at 37oC for 24 hours, then the cells were washed with PBS, MA treated cells received Mbz, while the Mbz treated cells received MA. Microplates were incubated for an additional 24 hours. Cell viability was determined using XTT assay, n= 16 for each treatment from 2-3 independent runs. Results: For treatment with MA as a single agent the percent viabilities (%+SD) were 63.3+10.7 for MDA-MB-231, 65.7+3.4 for MCF-7, and 67.9+ 10.2 for MCF-7 Her-18. Percent viabilities for Mbz as a single agent were 91.9+16.5, 76.7+3.7, and 93.3+6.2 for MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and MCF-7 Her-18, respectively. For concurrent treatment the percent viabilities (%+SD) were 60.0+7.6 for MDA-MB-231, 54.5+4.2 for MCF-7, and 61.1+ 26.0 for MCF-7 Her-18. The concurrent treatment did not enhance the effect of MA using a single agent, except in MCF-7 that the percent viability further decreased from 65.7 to 54.5%. For sequential treatment with MA first the percent viabilities were: 49.9+9.8, 27.0+4.8, and 20.0+ 9.6 for MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and MCF-7 Her-18 respectively. While the percent viabilities with Mbz-first treatment were: 48.3+28, 47.45+8.26, and 32.12+ 9.53 for MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, and MCF-7 Her-18 respectively. Sequential treatments significantly enhanced the cytotoxicity of individual agents. In all three cell lines, sequential treatments with the two protocols exerted enhancements. The MA-first sequence was more effective than Mbz-first. Greater enhancements were observed in MCF-7 and MCF-7 Her-18 than in MB-231for MA-first sequential treatment. The MCF-7 Her-18 is more susceptible than the other two lines when Mbz was used first. Conclusion: In all three cell lines, Sequential treatment was superior to concurrent treatment. MA first treatment was more effective compared to Mbz first in MCF-7 and MCF-7 Her18 cells. While the sequence did not have an effect in MDA-231 cells.
Risk factors and progression of systolic anterior motion after mitral valve repair.

Abstract Objectives The phenomenon of systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve (MV) was discovered 50 years ago, but to date only a few studies have identified risk factors for SAM following mitral repair. There are limited data on the necessity of surgical reintervention on the MV once SAM is discovered by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography. We sought to identify predictors of SAM in a large cohort of consecutive patients, assess the rate of early reintervention on the MV to address SAM, and follow the progression of SAM postdischarge. Methods Analysis of electronically stored echocardiographic exams of adults who underwent MV repair in a recent decade. Results Following MV repair, the incidence of SAM immediately after cardiopulmonary bypass was 13% (98 of 761 patients). Multivariable analysis revealed several preoperative risk factors of SAM development and progression, including a lower ratio of anterior to posterior leaflets heights, younger age, lower end-systolic left ventricular volume, presence of bileaflet prolapse, and male sex. SAM was managed conservatively in 91 patients (93%) and surgically in 7 patients (7%). In a majority of patients (70 of 98 patients [71%]) SAM resolved before hospital discharge. Conclusions Transesophageal echocardiography findings associated with SAM were excessive height of posterior to anterior mitral leaflet, smaller left ventricular end-systolic volume, and bileaflet prolapse. Conservative management of SAM was usually successful, and persistent hemodynamically significant SAM was uncommon. Prophylactic modification of the surgical technique to avoid SAM seems unnecessary for all but those at highest risk for developing SAM.
Making US MOIA Sustainable Institutions for Conducting City Diplomacy by Protecting Their Precarious Values

The global role of nonstate and sub-state actors, from local businesses and diaspora groups to cities and municipalities, seems to be on the rise. Arguably, cities have legitimacy advantages over the nation-state and credibility advantages over the nonstate actors. This gives cities the “in-between” power to engage in global affairs. In the United States, the existing Mayor’s Offices of International Affairs (MOIA) exercise the “in-between” power of cities to advance the global interests of local constituents. MOIA are the only governmental organizations officially in charge of conducting foreign affairs on behalf of the cities in the United States. But how can US cities, through their MOIA, activate their in-between power more effectively to conduct international affairs? How can cities sustain the integrity and relevance of their Offices of International Relation? These are the questions addressed in this chapter by applying an analytical framework that is based on organizational theories and systems analysis. In other words, using organizational theory, this chapter explores how MOIA, as an element within the broader government system in the United States, could become more sustainable institutions that best serve as diplomatic actors on behalf of their constituents and in tandem with the Department of State.
Heme Causes Pain in Sickle Mice via Toll-Like Receptor 4-Mediated Reactive Oxygen Species- and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Induced Glial Activation

Aims: Lifelong pain is a hallmark feature of sickle cell disease (SCD). How sickle pathobiology evokes pain remains unknown. We hypothesize that increased cell-free heme due to ongoing hemolysis ac...
Mobile-Assisted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Negative Symptoms: Open Single-Arm Trial With Schizophrenia Patients.

Background: Negative symptoms are an important unmet treatment need for schizophrenia. This study is a preliminary, open, single-arm trial of a novel hybrid intervention called mobile-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy for negative symptoms (mCBTn). Objective: The primary aim was to test whether mCBTn was feasible and could reduce severity of the target mechanism, defeatist performance attitudes, which are associated with experiential negative symptoms and poor functioning in schizophrenia. Methods: Participants with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (N=31) who met prospective criteria for persistent negative symptoms were enrolled. The blended intervention combines weekly in-person group therapy with a smartphone app called CBT2go. The app extended therapy group skills, including recovery goal setting, thought challenging, scheduling of pleasurable activities and social interactions, and pleasure-savoring interventions to modify defeatist attitudes and improve experiential negative symptoms. Results: Retention was excellent (87% at 18 weeks), and severity of defeatist attitudes and experiential negative symptoms declined significantly in the mCBTn intervention with large effect sizes. Conclusions: The findings suggest that mCBTn is a feasible and potentially effective treatment for experiential negative symptoms, if confirmed in a larger randomized controlled trial. The findings also provide support for the defeatist attitude model of experiential negative symptoms and suggest that blended technology-supported interventions such as mCBTn can strengthen and shorten intensive psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03179696; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03179696
Hierarchical Multiscale Approach for Modeling the Deformation and Failure of Epoxy-Based Polymer Matrix Composites.

Coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations were conducted to characterize the molecular structure and mechanical properties in the epoxy matrix around fibers in polymer matrix composites...
Examining the incidence of reporting mental health diagnosis between college student athletes and non-athlete students and the impact on academic performance.

Objective: Compare collegiate athletes to non-athlete students for mental health diagnosis, treatment, and mental health impacts on academic performance. Participants: Students, including club and ...
Severe Shivering as an Adverse Effect of Regadenoson Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.

Regadenoson myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is a widely used screening study for patients with an intermediate pretest probability of coronary artery disease (CAD). Via selective agonism of the adenosine A2A receptor, regadenoson can induce coronary steal, revealing stenotic vessel territory through transient ischemia. Common side effects of this medication include chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, atrioventricular block, seizure, and allergic reactions. Here we present a case of severe shivering and chest tightness after the administration of regadenoson, along with a physiologic explanation and treatment.
Otitis Media and Hearing Loss in Patients With Nonsyndromic Craniosynostosis: A Multicenter Study.

Objectives:The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the prevalence of otitis media with effusion in patients with nonsyndromic craniosynostosis; (2) determine the prevalence of hearing l...
Place or Accesses in Banking 5.0

This chapter analyzes banking 5.0 from the point of view of distribution processes and accesses. The initial analysis is general. Then the chapter focuses on the banking marketplace and direct distribution. This chapter underlines the characteristics of the digital distribution typical of banking 5.0. Digital development is something that has an impact on various aspects of customers’ experiences and organizations. Banking 5.0 needs to adapt to customers’ new and increasingly demanding needs (such as e-commerce). Traditional financial institutions have considered few types of accesses. Banking 5.0 requires the organization to have a multiaccess strategy, always considering the possibility of direct contact with the end customers. Online accesses, websites, embedded banking, and mobile apps seem attractive to banking 5.0 customers. In this multiaccess strategy, the omnichannel approach is essential since it is critical to allow the customers to change accesses, get the same image, and reuse data already inserted.
Surveillance of the Incidence and Mortality of Oral and Pharyngeal, Esophageal, and Lung Cancer in Nevada: Potential Implications of the Nevada Indoor Clean Air Act

Reviews of national and state-specific cancer registries have revealed differences in rates of oral, esophageal, and lung cancer incidence and mortality that have implications for public health research and policy. Many significant associations between these types of cancers and major risk factors, such as cigarette usage, may be influenced by public health policy such as smoking restrictions and bans—including the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act (NCIAA) of 2006 (and subsequent modification in 2011). Although evaluation of general and regional advances in public policy have been previously evaluated, no recent studies have focused specifically on the changes to the epidemiology of oral and pharyngeal, esophageal, and lung cancer incidence and mortality in Nevada. Methods: Cancer incidence and mortality rate data were obtained from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program. Most recently available rate changes in cancer incidence and mortality for Nevada included the years 2012–2016 and are age-adjusted to the year 2000 standard US population. This analysis revealed that the overall rates of incidence and mortality from these types of cancer in Nevada differs from that observed in the overall US population. For example, although the incidence rate of oral cancer is decreasing in the US overall (0.9%), it is stable in Nevada (0.0%). However, the incidence and mortality rates from esophageal cancer are also decreasing in the US (−1.1%, −1.2%, respectively), and are declining more rapidly in Nevada (−1.5%, −1.9%, respectively). Similarly, the incidence and mortality rates from lung are cancer are declining in the US (−2.5%, −2.4%, respectively) and are also declining more rapidly in Nevada (−3.2%, −3.1%, respectively). Analysis of previous epidemiologic data from Nevada (1999–2003) revealed the highest annual percent change (APC) in oral cancer incidence in the US was observed in Nevada (+4.6%), which corresponded with the highest APC in oral cancer mortality (+4.6%). Subsequent studies regarding reduced rates of cigarette use due to smoking restrictions and bans have suggested that follow up studies may reveal changes in the incidence and mortality rates of oral and other related cancers. This study analysis revealed that oral cancer incidence rates are no longer increasing in Nevada and that mortality rates have started to decline, although not as rapidly as the overall national rates. However, rapid decreases in both the incidence and mortality from esophageal and lung cancer were observed in Nevada, which strongly suggest the corresponding changes in oral cancer may be part of a larger epidemiologic shift resulting from improved public health policies that include indoor smoking restrictions and bans.
MRI‐based prediction of pulsed high‐intensity focused ultrasound effect on tissue transport in rabbit muscle

Purpose To design an algorithm for optimizing pulsed high intensity focused ultrasound (p-HIFU) treatment parameters to maximize tissue transport while minimizing thermal necrosis based on MR image guidance.
Fine-structure variable?

Over the entire history of the Universe it is possible that even the known physical constants are not truly constant. The fine-structure constant — which characterizes the strength of the attraction between electrons and photons — is predicted by some theories to vary over time. New data from quasar spectra provide an upper limit on such variation.
Disruptive technologies in computer graphics: past, present, and future

The history and famous landmarks of computer graphics hardware are well known. Starting with Ivan Sutherland's Sketchpad system in the early 1960's, the first generation of computer graphics hardware consisted of calligraphic (vector) displays capable of drawing complex three-dimensional wireframe models at interactive rates. In the early 1970's expensive color frame buffers with the capability for displaying static color images were introduced. Although more and more intelligence was added to these frame buffers, Jim Clark's geometry engine and the first graphics workstations were not introduced until the 1980's. During the 1970's, only the very costly and specialized hardware used for military and aerospace simulations was capable of real-time surface color display.
Mental Health Services for the Poor

Experts are convinced that mental illness is vastly more prevalent than the statistics reveal, and that perhaps one person in ten in the United States suffers from some form of mental illness.2 Probably no more than ten to twenty per cent of those needing treatment receive it.3 The ones not getting it are primarily the poor-because they cannot afford it and because they are skeptical and even hostile toward psychiatry and social agencies generally. One alarming circumstance is the extent of such illness and related handicaps among our children and young people. The Department of Health, Education, and Welfare estimates that some five million handicapped children and young people,4 at least ten per cent of our school age population, need special educational opportunities, of which there are few. Three out of four retarded children today receive no special instruction
The Made Whole Doctrine: Unraveling the Enigma Wrapped in the Mystery of Insurance Subrogation

Subrogation exists in the law as a mechanism for insurers to recover the costs of reimbursing injured insured parties. The right of subrogation is extremely important to insurers. The inclusion of provisions recognizing the right of insurance companies to seek subrogation or reimbursement for payments made in the event of a loss are the norm for almost every type of insurance contract. It is not uncommon for insurers to include both subrogation and reimbursement provisions in a policy. Consequently, every insurance company has established within its claims process a procedure for enforcing its interest in being repaid through both subrogation and reimbursement. Application of the doctrine of subrogation often occurs at the expense of the insured. As a result, the common law developed the made whole doctrine, which limits the use of subrogation prior to an insured party receiving full compensation for damages. The primary purpose of this article is to explore the made whole doctrine as the principal weapon used by contemporary courts to curb the harsh effect of contractual subrogation on the rights of the insured. Section I of this article provides an overview of the expansion and use of subrogation in various types of insurance contracts. Section II examines the made whole doctrine, which has been utilized by modern courts to reign in the impact of subrogation on insured parties. This section identifies each jurisdiction that has adopted the doctrine and documents the circumstances and conditions required for its application on a state-by-state basis. While section II provides a comprehensive discussion of the made whole rule in the context of legal and conventional subrogation, a detailed discussion of the doctrine with regards to statutory subrogation on a state-by-state, statuteby-statute basis, is beyond the scope of this article. Section III attempts to catalog the various forms of the made whole doctrine and to identify the characteristics common to the respective forms. This section also associates each form with the jurisdictions that follow it.
Permanent and Transitory Macroeconomic Relationships between China and the Developed World

The relationships between the economic fluctuations of the US and China, the largest developed and developing countries respectively, are very important not only to both countries but also to the world economy. This paper applies a two-country correlated unobserved components model to explore the relationships between the real output fluctuations for the US and China over the period 1978q1-2008q4. The model allows us to distinguish cross-country correlations driven by permanent movements, caused by real shocks such as changes in technology and institutions, from those due to transitory movements. We find that the two countries share approximately half of their permanent and transitory shocks. With information from the real output of China, the magnitude of estimated transitory components fluctuations of the US real GDP is larger, while the transitory component of Chinas real GDP does not change much with the addition of US information and other alternative external information sets such as real GDP of Hong Kong as well.
Studies on pollen and pollen extracts: XI. The chemical nature of pollen allergens

Abstract Protein and polysaccharide fractions of pollens have been prepared and studied with the view of determining their relative importance as allergens. The preparation of nitrogen-free pollen polysaccharides has not yet been successful. Comparative skin tests upon sensitized rabbits or upon hay fever patients gave no conclusive evidence of difference in activity of the two fractions from ragweed pollens. Precipitin tests with immune rabbit serum which precipitated with 1:200 whole pollen extracts failed to show any precipitins for the polysaccharide fractions of ragweed or grass pollens; while precipitation occurred with a much more dilute solution of giant ragweed pollen protein. Rabbits skin tested soon after an intravenous injection of ragweed pollen protein showed less reaction to the homologous polysaccharide than to the protein solution. Passive transfer tests with the serum of ragweed sensitive patients were carried out. Passively sensitized sites failed to react to the polysaccharide solution after desensitization to the homologous protein. On the contrary, sites desensitized to polysaccharides gave 100 per cent positive reactions to the homologous protein. All the evidence points toward to conclusion that the allergen in ragweed and grass pollens is protein in nature and that the polysaccharide fraction plays no part in the specific activity.
Negative capacitance for control of gap-closing electrostatic actuators

Negative capacitance extends the stable range of a gap-closing actuator beyond the voltage-controlled and the charge-controlled limits. One parallel-plate actuator design stably deflects more than 80% of the gap despite the presence of destabilizing parallel capacitance. A second design, in agreement with a two-degree-of-freedom model, is stabilized while tipping and achieves a maximum deflection of 1.4 /spl mu/m or 91% of the gap using less than 3 V.
Differential inhibition of cellular glutathione reductase activity from isocyanates generated by the antitumor prodrugs Cloretazine and BCNU

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 1379 The antitumor, DNA-alkylating agent BCNU (1,3-bis[2-chloroethyl]-2-nitrosourea; Carmustine), which generates chloroethylisocyanate upon decomposition in situ , inhibits cellular glutathione reductase (GR) activity by up to 90% at pharmacological doses. Glutathione reductase requires a cysteine thiol that is susceptible to attack from exogenous electrophiles, particularly carbamoylation from alkylisocyanates, rendering the enzyme unable to catalyze the reduction of oxidized glutathione. Evidence implicates inhibition of GR as a cause of the pulmonary toxicity often seen in high-dose BCNU-treated animals and human cancer patients. Herein we demonstrate that the prodrug Cloretazine™ (1,2-bis[methylsulfonyl]-1-[2-chloroethyl]-2-[(methylamino)carbonyl]hydrazine; VNP40101M), which yields methylisocyanate and chloroethylating species upon activation, does not produce similar inhibition of cellular GR activity, despite BCNU and Cloretazine™ being equally potent inhibitors of purified human GR (IC50 values of 50.8 μM and 54.2 μM, respectively). Human erythrocytes, following exposure to 50 μM BCNU for 1 hour at 37°C, had an 84% decrease in GR activity, whereas 50 μM Cloretazine™ caused less than 1% inhibition under the same conditions. Similar results were found using L1210 murine leukemia cells, with 50 μM BCNU or Cloretazine producing 94% and 28% inhibition of GR, respectively. The disparity between these compounds remained when cells were lysed prior to drug exposure and could be partially recapitulated using purified enzyme when 1 mM reduced glutathione was included during the drug exposure. The superior antineoplastic potential of Cloretazine™ compared to BCNU in animal models could be attributed in part to the contribution of the methylisocyanate, which is synergistic with the co-generated, cytotoxic alkylating species, while at the same time unable to significantly inhibit cellular GR.
The association of rheumatoid arthritis and its treatment with sinus disease.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if rates of sinus disease are increased in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and whether RA treatment alters the risk of sinus disease. METHODS: As part of a longitudinal study of rheumatic disease outcomes, 7,243 patients with RA, 1,667 with osteoarthritis (OA), and 447 with fibromyalgia (FM) were evaluated for important sinus problems in 2003. We defined an important sinus problem as one that required a physician visit. RESULTS: The lifetime prevalence of sinus disorders among all patients was 42.9%. During the previous 6 months 22.3% of patients with RA, 23.9% with OA, and 25.1% with FM visited a physician for a sinus problem and 22.4%, 23.9%, and 25.1% , respectively, received a prescription medication for a sinus problem. After adjustment for age and sex, the rate of physician visits for a sinus problem was significantly lower for patients with RA (22.1%) compared to patients with OA (24.8%). The strongest predictor of sinus problems among all patients was a history of allergy or asthma. Sinus problems were more common among users of etanercept: odds ratio (OR) 1.2; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0-1.4 univariably, and OR 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.4 multivariably. Sulfasalazine (OR 0.7; 95% CI: 0.5-0.9) and leflunomide (OR 0.8; 95% CI: 0.7-1.0) had a protective effect on sinus problems. CONCLUSIONS: Sinus problems are decreased in patients with RA compared to OA and FM. Slight protective effects on sinus problems are noted with sulfasalazine and leflunomide, and a slight increase in risk of sinus problems is noted with etanercept.
A centralized reinforcement learning approach for proactive scheduling in manufacturing

Due to rapid development of information and communications technology (ICT) and the impetus for more effective, efficient and adaptive manufacturing, the concept of ICT based advanced manufacturing has increasingly become a prominent research topic across academia and industry during recent years. One critical aspect of advanced manufacturing is how to incorporate real time information and then optimally schedule manufacturing processes with multiple objectives. Due to its complexity and the need for adaptation, the manufacturing scheduling problem presents challenges for utilizing advanced ICT and thus calls for new approaches. The paper proposes a centralized reinforcement learning approach for optimally scheduling of a manufacturing system of multi-stage processes and multiple machines for multiple types of products. The approach, which employs learning and control algorithms to enable real time cooperation of each processing unit inside the system, is able to adaptively respond to dynamic scheduling changes. More specifically, we first formally define the scheduling problem through the construction of an objective function and related heuristic constraints for the underlying manufacturing tasks. Next, to effectively deal with the problem we defined, we maintain a distributed weighted vector to capture the cooperative pattern of massive action space and apply the reinforcement-learning approach to achieve the optimal policies for a set of processing machines according to a real time production environment, including dynamic requests for various products. Numerical experiments demonstrate that compared to different heuristic methods and multi-agent algorithms, the proposed centralized reinforcement learning method can provide more reliable solutions for the scheduling problem.
Pupillary Membrane Excision and Anterior Vitrectomy in Eyes after Uveitis

Three patients with uveitis and dense pupillary membranes, total synechial closure of the angle, and low or normal pressure, underwent membranectomy and anterior vitrectomy via a limbal approach using scissors and a vitrectomy instrument. Postoperatively all regained useful vision that has been maintained for over two years despite the persistence of angle closure in all cases and severe hypotony in two.
Pervasiveness, severity, and remediation of internal control material weaknesses under SOX Section 404 and audit fees

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the association between pervasiveness, severity, and remediation of internal control material weakness (ICMW) reported by the SEC registrants pursuant to SOX Section 404 and audit fees.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs multivariate regression models for a sample of 854 firms that disclosed ICMW for the first time in 2004, 2005, or 2006, to investigate the empirical relationship of pervasiveness and severity of ICMW and its subsequent remediation with audit fees.Findings – The analyses demonstrate that audit fees are significantly positively related to the severity (and pervasiveness) of ICMW in the years of ICMW disclosures and are significantly negatively related to the remediation of internal control weaknesses in the years when ICMW remediation took place. The test results further demonstrate that the remediation of systematic control weaknesses has a greater effect on reduction of audit fees compared to the remediation of nonsystematic (t...
Bill W. goes to Hollywood: the rise and fall of recovering addiction experts.

Although historians of addiction have long debated whether an oral culture of “sharing” or “Big Book”-based reading practices are foundational to 12-step recovery culture, the role other types of media have played in the development of contemporary recovery discourse has remained largely unexplored. This essay compares the production, reception and formal elements of the films The Lost Weekend and Smash Up in relation to the popularization of the disease concept of alcoholism. Through an analysis of archival sources, addiction narratives, and nascent alcoholism research, this paper argues that, by emphasizing the importance of popular representations of alcoholics above scientific inquiry, early recovering “experts” successfully promulgated the disease concept of alcoholism, but the testimonials of later recovering alcoholics became relegated to the sphere of popular culture.
Selective monochlorination of methane over solid acid and zeolite catalysts

Chlorination of methane was studied over amorphous silica-alumina, silicalite as well as H-mordenite, X, Y, NaL and H-ZSM-5 zeolite catalysts. The heterogeneous transformations were carried out in a continuous flow reactor in the 200–425 °C temperature range, under atmospheric pressure (methane to chlorine ratio 4:1, GHSV 600 ml/ g h). Chlorination of methane over zeolites in the 200–300 °C temperature range proceeds without selectivity indicating a radical mechanism. Above 300–350 °C, depending on the nature of zeolite, selective monochlorination takes place indicating the dominance of an ionic mechanism. H-mordenite was found to give the best monochlorination at the lowest temperature (99.2% CH3Cl at 350 °C). The observed selectivity of the investigated zeolites is strongly time limited. All investigated catalysts lose their selectivity after five hours on-stream due to extraction of aluminum from the framework of zeolites by hydrogen chloride. Amorphous silica-alumina above 350 °C also catalyzes ionic chlorination. The chlorination of methane over silicalite proceeds via the nonselective radical pathway at the investigated temperatures.
Lactosylceramide: Lateral Interactions with cholesterol

Abstract Lactosylceramide (LacCer) is a key intermediate in glycosphingolipid metabolism and is highly enriched in detergent-resistant biomembrane fractions associated with microdomains, i.e., rafts and caveolae. Here, the lateral interactions of cholesterol with LacCers containing various homogeneous saturated (8:0, 16:0, 18:0, 24:0) or monounsaturated acyl chains (18:1, 24:1) have been characterized using a Langmuir-type film balance. Cholesterol-induced changes in lateral packing were assessed by measuring changes in average molecular area, i.e., area condensations, and in lateral elasticity, i.e., surface compressional moduli ( C S − 1 ) with emphasis on high surface pressures (≥30mN/m) that mimic biomembrane conditions. Cholesterol most dramatically affected the lateral packing elasticity of LacCers with long saturated acyl chains at sterol mole fractions ≥0.3, consistent with liquid-ordered (LO) phase formation. The lateral elasticity within the LacCer-cholesterol LO-phase was much lower than that observed within pure LacCer condensed, i.e., gel, phase. The magnitude of the cholesterol-induced reduction in lateral elasticity was strongly mitigated by cis monounsaturation in the LacCer acyl chain. At identical high sterol mole fractions, higher lateral elasticity was observed within LacCer-cholesterol mixtures compared with galactosylceramide-cholesterol and sphingomyelin-cholesterol mixtures. The results show how changes to sphingolipid headgroup and acyl chain structure contribute to the modulation of lateral packing elasticity in sphingolipid-cholesterol LO-phases.
Immuno-gene therapy with interferon-β before surgical debulking delays recurrence and improves survival in a murine model of malignant mesothelioma

Abstract Objectives Immuno-gene therapy of mesothelioma with an adenovirus encoding interferon-β mediated strong antitumor responses in murine models with low but not high tumor burden. Our goals were to determine the mechanisms responsible for this loss of efficacy and to test the hypothesis that the combination of preoperative adenovirus encoding interferon-β and surgical resection would be effective in treating bulky tumors. Methods Flank tumors of a mouse mesothelioma cell line were treated with adenovirus encoding interferon-β or adenoviral vector encoding the bacterial protein β-galactosidase. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes and tumor infiltration by T lymphocytes were measured. Tumors were surgically excised 72 hours later and tumor cells were injected in the contralateral flank to create a model of a metastatic focus. Tumor-free survival and distant metastatic disease were assessed. Results Immuno-gene therapy effectively treated small tumors ( 3 ) but did not reduce the size of large (>800 mm 3 ) flank tumors. Although treatment with adenovirus encoding interferon-β resulted in the generation of tumor-neutralizing splenocytes in large tumors, the number of T cells visualized within the tumors was minimal. Tumors treated with adenovirus encoding interferon-β (versus adenoviral vector encoding the bacterial protein β-galactosidase or phosphate-buffered saline solution) prior to debulking increased long-term tumor-free survival and resulted in two- to sixfold smaller foci of implanted tumor cells at 2 weeks postoperatively. Conclusions The use of adenovirus encoding interferon-β or surgical debulking alone is ineffective in treating large tumors, but combining preoperative adenovirus encoding interferon-β and surgical debulking significantly reduces tumor recurrence and improves long-term tumor-free survival. We postulate that adenovirus encoding interferon-β amplifies the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antitumor response, allowing elimination of residual tumor cells.
Metabolism of prostaglandins in human saphenous vein

The described methodology allows for analysis of metabolism of the prostaglandin PGH2 in subcellular fractions (microsomes) obtained from human saphenous veins. Prostacyclin (PGI2) synthetase as identified by its stable breakdown product 6-keto-PGF1a is present in human saphenous vein. Thromboxane A2 is absent. The enzymatic formation of PGE2 was demonstrated by the addition of glutathione (GSH) indicating the presence of an active PGE2 isomerase. The data suggest that the enzymatic endoperoxide-metabolizing pathways in human saphenous vein microsomes are prostacyclin synthetase and prostaglandin E isomerase. It is suggested that the ability of the vein graft to produce prostacyclin and PGE2 may contribute to short- and long-term graft patency.
Near optimal solutions for product line design and selection: beam search heuristics

Many practical product line design problems have large numbers of attributes and levels. In this case, if most attribute level combinations define feasible products, constructing product lines directly from part-worths data is necessary. For three typical formulations of this important problem, Kohli and Sukumar Kohli, R., R. Sukumar. 1990. Heuristics for product-line design using conjoint analysis. Management Sci.36 1464-1478. present state-of-the-art heuristics to find good solutions. In this paper, we develop improved heuristics based on a beam search approach for solving these problems. In our computations for 435 simulated problems, significant improvements occur in five important performance measures used. Our heuristic solutions are closer to the optimal, have smaller standard deviation over replicates, take less computation time, obtain optimal solutions more often and identify a number of "good" product lines explicitly. Computation times for these problems are no more than 22 seconds on a PC, small enough for adequate sensitivity analysis. We also apply the heuristics to a real data set and clarify computational steps by giving a detailed example.
Convergence among measures of interpersonal attraction

The purpose of this research was to determine whether Rubin's (1970) Liking and Love scales, the Interpersonal Jealousy scale of Mathes and Severa (1981), and a measure of sexual attraction, the Sexual Attraction scale, measure the same or independent dimensions of interpersonal attraction when applied to same- and opposite-sex friends rather than dating partner. It was found that the Liking and Love scales appeared to measure the same dimension of interpersonal attraction. However, this dimension was independent of the dimension measured by the Interpersonal Jealousy scale and the dimension measured by the Sexual Attraction scale. The latter two dimensions were also independent of each other.
Physical literacy and Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this paper is to make a case for Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) to be the organizational framework for providing physical activity opportunities for children that is most likely to result in physical literacy. Method Beginning in 2010, the authors used multiple search engines to ascertain the existent literature surrounding physical literacy and physical activity interventions to identify common approaches to providing physically activity in and around school. Grounded in the Health Belief Model and the idea that physical literacy is a desired outcome of physical education, publications focused on each of the components of the CSPAP were synthesized to describe evidence-based practice. Results There is adequate evidence to suggest that quality physical education, before/after school, during school, staff involvement, and family and community engagement can serve as logical points of intervention to provide increased opportunities for physical activity participation leading to physical literacy among children. Conclusions Since only 6% of all children participate in daily physical education classes and only six states offer K-12 physical education, the implementation of CSPAP may be the most logical avenue for providing greater opportunities for physical activity engagement that fosters physical literacy as a health-oriented educational goal.
Effect of Mars atmospheric pressure on percussive excavation forces

Abstract Percussive excavation tests were performed at Earth atmospheric pressure, 101 kPa, and at Martian atmospheric pressure, 600 Pa. The experimental set-up included a replica surveyor scoop attached to a custom-built, vacuum-rated hammering system. The excavation system was attached to a six axis load cell to measure excavation forces and torques. All tests were conducted in JSC-1A soil. Comparisons were made between the Earth atmospheric test data and the Martian atmospheric test data to determine how atmospheric pressure influences the effectiveness of percussion in reducing the shear strength of JSC-1A soil during excavation. Test data showed a similar reduction profile in excavation force magnitude for various percussion test permutations at both 101 kPa and 600 Pa. For both test pressures the force reduction profile is attributed to degradation in the in situ soil dilatancy. Overall, it was observed that the baseline excavation force and penetrometer Cone Index magnitude were lower at 600 Pa than at 101 kPa. This reduction in both force measurements could be attributed to one or a combination of the following: reduction in adhesion between the tool and the soil, reduction in coefficient of friction between the tool and the soil, reduction in soil cohesion, and/or reduction in soil internal friction coefficient. From the practical stand point, reduction of excavation forces at Mars pressure directly translates to lower excavation energies on Mars.
Panini: a capsule-oriented programming language for implicitly concurrent program design

This demonstration will present Panini, a new programming language designed with an objective to help programmers with concurrent programming. Current abstractions for concurrency fall into two categories: explicit abstractions for concurrency such as threads, and implicit abstractions for concurrency such as actors.Explicit concurrency abstractions are hard to use, reason about, and error prone. Implicit abstractions like actors help solve these problems, but they require programmers to adapt to the asynchronous style of programming. Many programmers find this adaptation hard. We will demonstrate the notion of capsules in Panini. A capsule is an implicit abstraction for concurrency that has many properties of actors, but provides a logically synchronous programming model to programmers. Main technical challenge in realizing capsules was to maximize concurrency while minimizing overhead and abstracting away all the details of concurrency from the Panini programmer. We will also demonstrate scalability benefits of Panini programs without writing a single line of explicitly parallel code, and compile-time checking of concurrency-related properties such as confinement violation, and sequential consistency.
Reference intervals for select hematologic and plasma biochemical analytes of wild Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) from the St. Lawrence River in New York.

Background Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) is a long-lived freshwater fish distributed throughout the Great Lakes region and is a threatened species in New York State. The species' unique life cycle makes it useful as an indicator of ecosystem health, and efforts to repatriate Lake Sturgeon to their historic range are underway. However, comprehensive hematologic and biochemical reference intervals that would be valuable for assessing the health status of individual animals have not been reported. Objectives The objective of this study was to determine normal hematologic and plasma biochemical reference intervals for healthy wild Lake Sturgeon. Methods Blood samples were collected from 52 wild Lake Sturgeon caught in gill nets in the St. Lawrence River. Heparinized whole blood and plasma samples were analyzed using standard techniques. Reference intervals were calculated using the robust method following elimination of outliers and Box–Cox transformation of data. Results Hematologic reference intervals were as follows: PCV 17–38%, estimated WBC count 2740–23,150/μL, neutrophils 193–6121/μL, eosinophils 0–558/μL, other granulocytes/heterophils 0–488/μL, lymphocytes 1447–14,044/μL, and monocytes 55–1684/μL. Plasma biochemical reference intervals were as follows: aspartate aminotransferase 333–1746 U/L, calcium 1.85–2.80 mmol/L, chloride 95–123 mmol/L, creatine kinase 776–35,536 U/L, glucose 2.94–14.76 mmol/L, glutamate dehydrogenase 6–30 U/L, phosphate 2.03–5.81 mmol/L, potassium 2.34–4.24 mmol/L, sodium 122.9–151.1 mmol/L, total protein 2.0–4.4 g/dL, triglycerides 1.07–5.12 mmol/L, and uric acid 1–251 μmol/L. Conclusion Reference intervals reported here will be useful for health assessment of wild and repatriated Lake Sturgeon.
Nitric oxide and superoxide interactions in the kidney and their implication in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension.

1. Enhanced superoxide (O - 2 ) activity as a result of the inhibition of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme results in vasoconstrictor and antinatriuretic responses in the canine kidney; these responses were shown to be greatly enhanced during inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Glomerular filtration rate remained mostly unchanged during SOD inhibition in the intact nitric oxide (NO) condition, but was markedly reduced during NOS inhibition. These findings indicate that endogenous NO has a major renoprotective effect against O - 2 by acting as an anti-oxidant. Nitric oxide synthase inhibition was also shown to enhance endogenous O - 2 activity. 2. Experiments in our laboratory using dogs, rats and gene knockout mice have shown that renal vasoconstrictor and antinatriuretic responses to acute or chronic angiotensin (Ang) II administration are mediated, in part, by O - 2 generation. In the absence of NO, enhanced O - 2 activity largely contributes to AngII-induced renal tubular sodium reabsorption. Acute or chronic treatment with the O - 2 scavenger tempol in experimental models of hypertension (induced by chronic low-dose treatment with AngII and NO inhibitors) causes an improvement in renal haemodynamics and in excretory function, abolishes salt sensitivity and reduces blood pressure. 3. The present mini review also discusses related studies from many other laboratories implicating a role for O - 2 and its interaction with NO in the development of salt-sensitive hypertension. 4. Overall, the collective data support the hypothesis that an imbalance between the production of NO and O - 2 in the kidney primarily determines the condition of oxidative stress that alters renal haemodynamics and excretory function leading to sodium retention and, thus, contributes to the development of salt-sensitive hypertension.
De Brazza's monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus) in Kenya: Census, distribution, and conservation.

The population of De Brazza's monkeys (Cercopithecus neglectus) in Kenya, East Africa, was surveyed from May to September of 1983 to estimate its numbers, distribution, and conservation status. A small number of De Brazza's monkeys are protected within Saiwa National Park; however, the vast majority of the population is endangered because they are restricted to small, isolated pockets of forests amid expanding farmland within the Trans-Nzoia area of western Kenya. A few animals are found on the slopes of Mt. Elgon and on the Cherangani Hills, although these areas offer little protection. The pressures now facing this population are loss of habitat, reproductive isolation, and a decline in numbers as the result of being killed, either as a food source or as agricultural pests. If the current situation continues and no attempt is made to conserve the remaining De Brazza's monkeys, the species faces almost certain extinction in Kenya.