cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Meat and Colorectal Cancer: Associations and Issues

Epidemiologic studies indicate an association of modest strength between consumption of red meat and colorectal cancer risk. Candidate compounds in red meat implicated in this association include those derived from processing (heterocyclic aromatic amines [HAAs], polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs], and N-nitroso compounds [NOCs]), as well as heme. Questions regarding HAAs and PAHs as etiological agents include their low concentration in meat relative to high concentrations in experimental studies and differing colorectal associations between different HAA and PAH food sources. The role of added nitrite and nitrate meat preservatives in NOC formation, as well as the potential inhibitory effect of calcium on heme-stimulated NOC formation remain uncertain and warrant further investigation. Improvements in dietary exposure assessment methods for the exogenous compounds and a greater understanding of gene–diet interactions will be necessary to clarify the role of meat mutagens and to more firmly establish the relationship between meat consumption and colorectal cancer.
Inbreeding depression affects pollen performance in Cucurbita texana

Most studies of the effects of inbreeding focus on vegetative vigor and reproductive output through the female (fruit and seed) function. This study not only examines the effects of inbreeding on the female function but it also examines the effects of inbreeding on pollen performance both in vitro and in vivo. This study used Cucurbita texana, a wild gourd, and was performed under field conditions. In vivo performance was assessed by placing equal amounts of pollen from either the inbred or outcrossed plants onto a stigma together with pollen from a tester line. As with other studies, we found that outcrossed plants had greater reproductive output (male flowers and fruits) than plants produced from self pollinations. Unlike most studies of inbreeding depression, which mostly ignore the male function of plants, we also found that the pollen produced by outcrossed plants had faster pollen tube growth in vitro than the pollen produced on selfed plants. Moreover, pollen from selfed plants sired significantly fewer seeds than pollen from outcrossed plants under conditions of pollen competition (i.e. the number of pollen grains deposited onto the stigmas was larger than the number of available ovules). These findings indicate that inbreeding affects the performance of the resulting sporophytic generation and the microgametophytes they produce.
The Academic Advising Implications of the Self-directed Search and Holland's Theory: A Study of Kent State University Exploratory Students

The staff at the Kent State Student Advising Center has been using John Holland’s self-directed search (SDS) since the inception of the Exploratory program. The SDS measures activities, competencies, and occupational interests as they relate to Holland’s six personality types. We tested the utility of the SDS in advising, developed a profile of Exploratory students, and discerned if differentiation impacts major declaration and graduation. Increasing self-awareness, developing competencies, and clarifying values are keys to retaining and graduating undifferentiated, undecided students. By understanding student traits and levels of differentiation, advisors can develop intervention strategies and environments conducive to academic success.
WE‐D‐204B‐09: Interfraction Variability of Tumor Motion Trajectory from Serial 4D Cone‐Beam CT Imaging during Audio‐Visual Biofeedback

Purpose: To quantify interfraction variations in position, volume, and intrafraction breathing motion trajectory of lungtumors and critical structures with 4DCT and 4D cone beam CT (4D CBCT)images, for patients undergoing audiovisual biofeedback.Method and Materials: A pretreatment 4D fan beam CT (4DCT) and 35–40 daily 4D CBCTs were acquired daily throughout the treatment for 7 non‐small cell lungcancer patients. The tumor, esophagus, and trachea were contoured for all 10 phases of each CT. Each phase‐specific image was registered manually on bony anatomy to the end‐inhalation phase image from the 4DCT. The centroid and volume of each structure were calculated for each phase, and used to quantify the variability of the tumor and critical structure locations during each fraction. The tumor volume, relative to its end‐inhalation volume on 4DCT, was calculated for end‐inhalation and end‐exhalation phases for each fraction. The mean position of each organ, relative to the 4DCT, was calculated for each 4D CBCT scan. Results: Analysis has been completed for one patient to date consisting of 27 fractions, consisting of 7 4D CBCTs. Over the course of treatment, the tumor volume at end‐inhalation decreased by 31%. The systematic (random) error in mean tumor position was found to be 0.12cm (0.14 cm), 0.29cm (0.12 cm), and 0.31cm (0.62 cm) in the mediolateral, anterior‐posterior, and superior inferior directions respectively. These were large in comparison to the average range of tumor motion, which was 0.09cm, 0.21cm, 0.25cm in the corresponding axes. The corresponding ranges of motion over the treatment course, were 0.06–0.13cm, 0.14–0.26cm, and 0.12–0.42cm. Conclusion: For this patient, the interfractional variation in mean tumor position was the dominant variation with fraction‐to‐fraction changes as large as 2 cm. Audiovisual biofeedback did not adequately control these baseline variations. Supported by Grant P01 CA 116602
Resistance exercise-induced changes of inflammatory gene expression within human skeletal muscle.

Aberrant local inflammatory signaling within skeletal muscle is now considered a contributing factor to the development of sarcopenia. Recent evidence indicates that chronic resistance training contributes to the control of locally derived inflammation via adaptations to repeated, acute increases in pro-inflammatory mRNA within muscle. However, only a limited number of gene transcripts related to the inflammatory process have been examined in the literature. The present study utilized an acute bout to examine the effects of resistance exercise on several inflammatory-related genes in 24 physically active, post-menopausal women not currently undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Following a standard warm-up, participants completed a lower-body resistance exercise bout consisting of 3 sets of 10 repetitions on machine squat, leg press, and leg extension exercises (80% intensity). Muscle biopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis of the dominant leg at baseline and 3 h following exercise. Significant (p < 0.05) up-regulation in mRNA content was observed for TNFα, IL1β, IL6, IL8, SOCS2, COX2, SAA1, SAA2, IKKB, cfos, and junB. Muscle mRNA content was not significantly altered at the 0.05 level for IL2, IL5, IL10, or IL12 (p35). Venous blood samples were also obtained at baseline as well as at 3, 24, and 48 h post-exercise. Serum was analyzed for circulating TNFα, IL1β, IL6, IL8, COX2, and SAA with no significant changes observed. These results indicate that resistance exercise is capable of up-regulating transcription of numerous inflammatory mediators within skeletal muscle, and these appear to be worthy of future examination in chronic studies.
In Vitro Antibacterial Activity and β-Lactamase Stability of SCE-129, a New Cephalosporin

SCE-129 [3-4-carbamoyl-1-pyridiniomethyl-7β- (d-α-sulfophenylacetamido)-ceph-3-em-4-carboxylate] is a cephalosporin that inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus . SCE-129 is tenfold more active than carbenicillin in inhibiting P. aeruginosa . SCE-129 has poor activity against Enterobacteriaceae compared with other cephalosporins and is 16-fold less active than the cephalosporins against streptococci. The activity of SCE-129 does not correlate with β-lactamase stability, although SCE-129 is resistant to hydrolysis by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The compound does not inhibit the hydrolysis of other cephalosporins. Although SCE-129 acts synergistically with gentamicin to inhibit some Pseudomonas , this cannot be predicted based on knowledge of resistance to one or more compounds.
Ultrastructural localization of calcitonin, somatostatin and serotonin in parafollicular cells of rat thyroid

Three hormones were demonstrated in ultrathin sections of the rat thyroid using immunocytochemical methods with either a PAP complex or a protein A-gold complex as the tabel. In control rats, calcitonin was found to be present in all parafollicular cells and somatostatin in occasional cells. In rats pretreated with 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin was detected in all parafollicular cells as well. In serial ultrathin sections, the three hormones were seen to be localized in the same secretory granules.
A Low Background Alpha Scintillation Counter

An alpha scintillation counter has been developed at this laboratory that exhibits unusually good characteristics for routine counting of low activity samples. The detector is a phoswich consisting of a .0008-inch thick CsI crystal mounted on .020-inch thick Pilot B discriminator. Optical coupling to the RCA 7746 photomultiplier is through a Lucite light pipe. The sensitive area of the detector is 2 inches in diameter, permitting use of a large sample pan. Counting efficiency, relative to that of a 2 ? windowless proportional counter, is about 86 per cent for a thin plutonium-239 source, and about 65 per cent for an infinitely thick alpha source (uranium-235 dispersed in lucite). Typical background for an uncontaminated detector ranges from 1/4 to 1/3 count per hour. The detector face can be decontaminated using tissue and. ethyl alcohol with no apparent deleterious effects. The electronic circuitry analyzes each pulse to determine rise time, peak current and integrated current. Since the ratio of peak to integrated current is a characteristic of the scintillator, and is quite different for pulses from the two materials utilized, it is possible to identify pulses occurring only in the CsI, where all of the alpha particles are stopped. The rise time circuit verifies absence of a simultaneous Pilot B pulse and aids in rejection of certain types of noise.
Childhood Antecedents Of Hypochondriasis

According to the interpersonal model of hypochondriasis, early environmental adversity may give rise to attachment insecurity that finds adult expression in care-seeking behavior. To identify antecedents of this disturbance, we interviewed general medicine patients and obtained from them self-reports of traumatic events, adverse circumstances, and symptoms experienced in childhood. Patients who met DSM-III-R criteria for hypochondriasis more often reported traumatic events and circumstances, including serious illness or injury. Among all patients, the level of hypochondriacal symptoms in adulthood was correlated with poor health, hypochondriacal worry, and separation anxiety in childhood. These findings are consistent with a growing literature that links childhood adversity to adult hypochondriasis; they support the interpersonal model.
Geometric mechanics of periodic pleated origami.

(Received 25 November 2012; revised manuscript received 16 February 2013; published 21 May 2013) Origami structures are mechanical metamaterials with properties that arise almost exclusively from the geometry of the constituent folds and the constraint of piecewise isometric deformations. Here we characterize the geometry and planar and nonplanar effective elastic response of a simple periodically folded Miura-ori structure, which is composed of identical unit cells of mountain and valley folds with four-coordinated ridges, defined completely by two angles and two lengths. We show that the in-plane and out-of-plane Poisson’s ratios are equal in magnitude, but opposite in sign, independent of material properties. Furthermore, we show that effective bending stiffness of the unit cell is singular, allowing us to characterize the two-dimensional deformation of a plate in terms of a one-dimensional theory. Finally, we solve the inverse design problem of determining the geometric parameters for the optimal geometric and mechanical response of these extreme structures.
Cost Effective Design of Corrosion Inhibitor Squeeze Treatments for Water Supply Wells

Water for pressure maintenance in oil producing reservoirs is often obtained from wells that are drilled in water aquifers. Aquifer brine is corrosive and leads to the corrosion of well tubing, manifolds and water injection system. Downhole squeeze treatments with corrosion inhibitors provide an effective means of controlling the corrosion problem in supply wells and injection system. Filming amine type corrosion inhibitors are squeezed into the aquifer and the chemical returned with the produced water provides the necessary protection. This paper presents an analysis and design study of corrosion inhibitor squeeze treatments for aquifer water supply wells. Laboratory and field data are presented for optimizing chemical usage and squeeze strategies. Corefloods conducted at reservoir conditions show that adsorption/desorption is the dominant mechanism of corrosion inhibitor retention and release from the formation. Squeeze treatments were simulated in the laboratory to determine the effect of important variables on squeeze life. These variables included the amount and concentration of inhibitor, volume of formation to contact, amount of overflush and the shut-in time. Laboratory testing and field trials have insured corrosion control at reduced operational costs. This has been attributed to the teamwork between laboratory personnel and operation engineers. Recommendations are made for optimizing future squeeze treatments.
Comparison of Toluene Adsorption Among Granular Activated Carbon and Different Types of Activated Carbon Fibers (ACFs)

Activated carbon fiber (ACF) has been demonstrated to be a good adsorbent for the removal of organic vapors in air. Some ACF has a comparable or larger surface area and higher adsorption capacity when compared with granular activated carbon (GAC) commonly used in respiratory protection devices. ACF is an attractive alternative adsorbent to GAC because of its ease of handling, light weight, and decreasing cost. ACF may offer the potential for short-term respiratory protection for first responders and emergency personnel. This study compares the critical bed depths and adsorption capacities for toluene among GAC and ACF of different forms and surface areas. GAC and ACF in cloth (ACFC) and felt (ACFF) forms were challenged in stainless steel chambers with a constant concentration of 500 ppm toluene via conditioned air at 25°C, 50% RH, and constant airflow (7 L/min). Breakthrough data were obtained for each adsorbent using gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. Surface areas of each adsorbent were...
Molecular diversity and ecology of microbial plankton

The history of microbial evolution in the oceans is probably as old as the history of life itself. In contrast to terrestrial ecosystems, microorganisms are the main form of biomass in the oceans, and form some of the largest populations on the planet. Theory predicts that selection should act more efficiently in large populations. But whether microbial plankton populations harbour organisms that are models of adaptive sophistication remains to be seen. Genome sequence data are piling up, but most of the key microbial plankton clades have no cultivated representatives, and information about their ecological activities is sparse.
Human capital, inequality, and growth: A local perspective

Abstract A recent body of work has demonstrated the crucial role played by local human capital externalities and local school funding in generating socio-economic segregation, persistent poverty, and low aggregate income or productivity growth. We present a simple model which captures the main insights from this literature, and prove three general propositions. First, minor differences in education technologies, preferences, wealth, or minor imperfections in capital markets, can lead to a high degree of stratification. Second, stratification makes inequality in education and income more persistent across generations; the same is true for total wealth, provided the rich succeed in capturing the rents created by their secession. Finally, this polarization or urban areas can be very inefficient, especially in the long run.
An Intubator and Control System for Intratracheal Inoculation of Dust in Chickens

Abstract Transmission of Marek’s disease (MD) a lymphoproliferative disease of chickens is usually achieved in the laboratory by parenteral inoculation of infective material into the abdomen or subcutis. However, work at this laboratory has involved intratracheal inoculation of dry dust material in studies of the airborne transmission of MD. This report describes an instrument and control system used to carry out inoculations of dry particulate material into the lungs of chickens. Although many designs of intubators were examined, the simple one shown schematically in Figure 1 was found to perform satisfactory. It was made from a 7 mm. glass tube approximately 12 cm. long formed at one end to fit into the laryngeal orifice of a day-old chick. Dust was placed in a small port, located in the undisturbed tube approximately 1 cm. from the formed section. By closing this port with a finger, a measured volume of dust weighing 5…
Receptor-mediated phosphoinositide metabolism in peripheral nerve and cultured Schwann cells

Peripheral nerve possesses muscarinic cholinergic receptors, predominantly of the M3 subtype, that stimulate phosphoinositide metabolism. Evidence suggests that one site of this response is the myelin sheath. Purified peripheral nerve myelin contains several heterotrimeric GTP-binding proteins. Furthermore, carbachol and guanosine-5′-(3-O-thio)triphosphate-stimulated hydrolysis of exogenous phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bis-phosphate that is blocked by atropine can be reconstituted in a purified peripheral myelin-rich fraction. Nerve phosphoinositide turnover is also stimulated by adenosine analogs and blocked by adenosine receptor antagonists in a pattern consistent with the presence of adenosine A2 receptors in the tissue. Receptor-mediated phosphoinositide metabolism has also been studied in a human tumor-derived Schwann cell line (NF1T) derived from a neurofibromatosis-1 patient. By the same experimental criteria, NF1T cells also appear to contain adenosine A2 receptors which upon activation stimulate phosphoinositide turnover. However, phosphoinositide metabolism in these cells is not increased by either carbachol or ATP. Our findings taken together with other reports suggest that Schwann cells may possess a variety of receptors which regulate phosphoinositide metabolism.
THE USE OF FORMALIN FIXATION IN THE CYTOCHEMICAL DEMONSTRATION OF SUCCINIC AND DPN- AND TPN-DEPENDENT DEHYDROGENASES IN MITOCHONDRIA

Brief formalin fixation in the cold prior to histochemical assay of rat liver and pancreas for various dehydrogenases has been used successfully to circumvent the structural damage and enzymatic loss to which mitochondria of frozen sections would otherwise be subject. To obtain an optimal result a single set of conditions has been devised, including fixation prior to freezing of minute (finely diced) organ blocks in graded concentrations (0.7 to 2.0 per cent) of formaldehyde in chilled (1–4°C) Hanks' balanced salt solution, freezing at not higher than -70°C, and use of nitro-BT or, preferably, tetranitro-BT. The present histochemical study of hepatic and acinar cells indicates that not only are succinic and D-β-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenases located exclusively in the mitochondria but so are lactic, malic, and the isocitric dehydrogenases.
Characterization of multiple stable conformers of the EC5 domain of E-cadherin and the interaction of EC5 with E-cadherin peptides.

The objectives of this work were to express the EC5 domain of E-cadherin and determine its structural characteristics as well as to evaluate the binding properties of HAV and BLG4 peptides to EC5 using spectroscopic methods. Homophilic interactions of E-cadherins are responsible for cell-cell adhesion in the adherens junctions of the biological barriers (i.e., intestinal mucosa and blood-brain barriers). The EC5 domain of E-cadherin has an important role in T-cell adhesion to intestinal mucosa via αEβ7 integrin-E-cadherin interactions. In this study, the expressed EC5 has a high thermal stability (Tm = 64.3 °C); it also has two stable conformations at room temperature, which convert to one conformation at approximately 54.5 °C. NMR and FTIR showed that HAV and BLG4 peptides bind to EC5. HSQC-NMR showed that either Asn or Gln of EC5 was involved in the interactions with HAV and BLG4 peptides. EC5 underwent a conformational change upon interaction with the HAV and BLG4 peptides. Finally, the binding properties of both peptides were modeled by docking experiments, and the results suggest that Asn-46 and Asn-75 of EC5 could be involved during the interaction with the peptides and that the Ser and Trp residues of the HAV and BLG4 peptides, respectively, were important for binding to EC5.
The mass of 29S

Abstract the mass of 29 S has been measured with the 32 S(τ, 6 He) reaction at 70 MeV. The mass excess is −3.16 ± 0.05 MeV.
Melatonin excretion is not related to sleep in the elderly

We examined the association between 6-sulphatoxymelatonin (6-SMT) excretion and sleep in 68 volunteers 60-79 years of age who complained of insomnia or depression. An Actillume wrist monitor was worn for 5-7 consecutive days and nights in home-living conditions. Activity was used to estimate total sleep time (TST) and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Throughout two 24 hr periods, urine was collected approximately every 2 hr during the day and after any voidings during the sleep period. During the next week, subjects spent 5 nights and 4 days in the laboratory. Sleep was measured and scored with standard polysomnographic techniques. Urine was collected, as for home recording, on days 1 and 4. Urinary concentrations of 6-SMT were assayed. Cosine-fitting of urine data across both days at home and both laboratory collections established the mesors and amplitudes of 24 hr 6-SMT excretion rhythms, but neither was significantly correlated with sleep. Mean and peak 6-SMT excretion during the sleep period was also determined. Significant correlations were found between mean 6-SMT during the laboratory sleep period and TST and WASO. However, these associations were not independent of circadian timing: sleep was better when sleep occurred near the circadian acrophase of 6-SMT excretion. These data indicate that low melatonin production may not be an important factor in insomnia among the elderly.
Discrimination Between Schizophrenic and Brain-Damaged Patients with the Luria Nebraska Neuropsychological Test Battery.

One of the major tests facing psychiatrists and mental health professionals is identifying psychiatric disorders which are caused by structural damage to the brain. Many psychological tests have frequently been used to do this, but extensive research has found most psychological tests to be ineffective in populations consisting of chronic schizophrenic patients. The present study evaluates the ability of a new test, based on the work of the Russian neuropsychologist, A. R. Luria, to discriminate between chronic schizophrenic and neurological patients. Results from earlier studies suggested that the battery is 88% effective in making these discriminations. The present study compared 50 schizophrenic and 50 neurological patients on the test battery. The results found that the Luria Neuropsychological Battery was extremely effective in making this discrimination, achieving an overall accuracy rate of 87%, far higher than the results reported for any psychological tests using a comparable population. Other advantages of the standardized Luria Neuropsychological Examination and its uses in psychiatric practice are discussed.
Classical simulation of the Fermi gas

Abstract We demonstrate that it is possible to approximate the one-particle phase-space distribution of the excited Fermi gas within the framework of classical mechanics by employing a momentum-dependent two-body repulsion, to simulate the Pauli exculsion principle. For a suitable choice of the parameters in this potential, it is possible to achieve a quite good approximation to the momentum distribution over a broad range of temperatures and densities.
Fossil/hydrogen energy mix and population control

Abstract An energy system based on fossil fuels and synthetic hydrogen fuel, mixed at various ratios, has been considered as a function of some population growth controls. The results indicate that the increased use of hydrogen and slowing down the population growth would have beneficial effects on various world parameters such as pollution, resource conservation and the quality of life.
Fast V-V transfer in CH3F, v3-2v3 equilibration

Abstract The fast V-V step describing near resonant energy transfer “up the ladder” of the C-F stretching vibration in CH 3 F has been measured. The activation rate of the 2 v 3 vibrational level has been determined to be 1200 ms −1 torr −1 corresponding to 7 gas kinetic collisions. Comparison is made to other di- and triatomic molecules in which this fast V-V step has been previously measured and the general behaviour of near resonant “up the ladder” vibrational energy transfer is discussed.
Simulation and Control of Glucose Concentration in Hot-Water Blanching of Potatoes

The methodology for online monitoring and computer control of glucose concentration in potatoes during hot-water blanching is demonstrated. Process conditions, control parameters, and setpoints are determined with the aid of an unsteady-state model. Glucose concentration in the blanch water is monitored and maintained at a setpoint value by adjustment of the fresh water flow rate to the blancher, while the glucose concentration of the potatoes is calculated by mass balance. Control is effected through feedback and anticipatory feedback control. Results indicate that glucose concentration in potatoes exiting the blancher may be maintained within 10% of the setpoint value. The use of computers to control glucose concentration in potatoes should prove useful in the control of the color and therefore the quality of processed potato products.
Adjunctive Pharmacotherapy for Thrombotic Coronary Lesions

Patients with unstable coronary syndromes are often found to have intracoronary thrombus on angiography. Despite advancements in catheter-based treatments for coronary disease, these lesions remain challenging, as percutaneous coronary intervention of thrombus-containing lesions may be associated with worse outcomes. This article reviews the literature on adjunctive pharmacotherapy in the treatment of thrombotic coronary lesions with special focus on ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, lesions with high thrombus burden, and saphenous vein graft intervention.
Making evidence-based practice improvement more than a comforting sentiment

The study by Fine and colleagues (1) in this issue of the Journal is an excellent example of a carefully conducted “practice improvement trial.” This study design links two core constructs: the “practice improvement” component, which is a system-level intervention designed to create a sustainable change in the process of medical care; and the “trial” component, which employs randomization to make the assessment of the intervention as evidence based as possible. As fellow designers of practice improvement trials, we note that while the logic of each of these constructs is unassailable when considered individually, combining them into a scientifically sound study is by no means a trivial matter. We comment on each of these two components in turn.
Finite Element Analysis of Four-Point Bending of LCD Panels

The four-point bend test is one of the most popular strength testing methods used to test LCD panels. Traditionally, a panel is assumed to be either a monolithic piece of glass or two independent pieces of glass sliding against each other. This paper uses finite element analysis to show that a panel behaves like a monolithic piece of glass in the epoxy region (near the edges) but behaves like two pieces of glass at the center. Assuming a panel to be a monolithic piece of glass may overpredict the stresses by a factor of two at the center. Similarly, assuming a panel to be two pieces of glass may underpredict the stresses by a factor of two at the edges. During four-point testing of a panel, the stresses are not uniform in the load-span region and so finite element analysis is required to obtain an accurate stress distribution.
Calculation of age at formation of radiopaque transverse lines

A simple method for determining the age of an individual at the time of radiopaque transverse (Harris) line formation is presented. To use this method, only two measurements are required: total bone length and distance of line to nearest bone end; these are put into formulae that calculate the percent of total bone growth when the line appeared. The result of this calculation is compared with tables of percent bone growth per year (one to 16 years in females and one to 18 years in males) to arrive at estimations of age at line formation. Since these tables are presented for the femur, tibia, humerus, and radius, this technique can be used on any one of the major long bones exhibiting lines.
Temperature Dependence of the Fe 57 hfs in the Ordered Alloys Fe Pd 3 and FePd near the Curie Temperature

The temperature dependence of the $^{57}\mathrm{Fe}$ hfs in ordered Fe${\mathrm{Pd}}_{3}$, FePd, and a disordered ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{0.222}$${\mathrm{Pd}}_{0.778}$ alloy has been measured, using the M\"ossbauer effect near the Curie temperature ${T}_{c}$. These measurements yield values for the critical exponent $\ensuremath{\beta}$ of 0.371\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01, 0.377\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01, and 0.394\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02, respectively, in the temperature region $0.85l\frac{T}{{T}_{c}}l0.99$. The values of $\ensuremath{\beta}$ obtained for the ordered alloys are higher than the value $\ensuremath{\beta}=0.313\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.004$ predicted on the basis of a nearest-neighbor ising model but lie within the range of values $0.36\ensuremath{\le}\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\le}0.41$ derived from a Heisenberg model. The values indicate that the long-range magnetic exchange interaction, known to exist in dilute Fe-Pd alloys, if it exists in these concentrated alloys, does not have an appreciable effect on the value of $\ensuremath{\beta}$. The fact that the present values of $\ensuremath{\beta}$ are lower than those previously obtained ($\ensuremath{\beta}\ensuremath{\simeq}0.43$) for disordered Fe-Pd alloys containing \ensuremath{\simeq}10% iron verifies the suggestion that the latter higher values are due to the presence of a magnetization distribution arising from the spatial distribution of iron atoms in disordered alloys.
Increased Subventricular Zone Radiation Dose Correlates With Survival in Glioblastoma Patients After Gross Total Resection

Purpose Neural progenitor cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) have a controversial role in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) as potential tumor-initiating cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between radiation dose to the SVZ and survival in GBM patients. Methods and Materials The study included 116 patients with primary GBM treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between 2006 and 2009. All patients underwent surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiation therapy with intensity modulated radiation therapy (60 Gy/30 fractions) and concomitant temozolomide. Ipsilateral, contralateral, and bilateral SVZs were contoured on treatment plans by use of coregistered magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Multivariate Cox regression was used to examine the relationship between mean SVZ dose and progression-free survival (PFS), as well as overall survival (OS). Age, Karnofsky Performance Status score, and extent of resection were used as covariates. The median age was 58 years (range, 29-80 years). Results Of the patients, 12% underwent biopsy, 53% had subtotal resection (STR), and 35% had gross total resection (GTR). The Karnofsky Performance Status score was less than 90 in 54 patients and was 90 or greater in 62 patients. The median ipsilateral, contralateral, and bilateral mean SVZ doses were 48.7 Gy, 34.4 Gy, and 41.5 Gy, respectively. Among patients who underwent GTR, a mean ipsilateral SVZ dose of 40 Gy or greater was associated with a significantly improved PFS compared with patients who received less than 40 Gy (15.1 months vs 10.3 months; P =.028; hazard ratio, 0.385 [95% confidence interval, 0.165-0.901]) but not in patients undergoing STR or biopsy. The subgroup of GTR patients who received an ipsilateral dose of 40 Gy or greater also had a significantly improved OS (17.5 months vs 15.6 months; P =.027; hazard ratio, 0.385 [95% confidence interval, 0.165-0.895]). No association was found between SVZ radiation dose and PFS and OS among patients who underwent STR or biopsy. Conclusion A mean radiation dose of 40 Gy or greater to the ipsilateral SVZ was associated with a significantly improved PFS and OS in patients with GBM after GTR.
A scaling law near the primary resonance of the quasiperiodic Mathieu equation

We analyze the quasiperiodic damped Mathieu equation $$\ddot{x}+ \gamma\dot{x}+ x \bigl( 1 + \delta+ \epsilon q(t) \bigr )=0 ,$$ with $$q(t) = \frac{1}{2} \bigl( (1+ \kappa) \cos(\omega_1 t ) +( 1- \kappa) \cos(\omega_2 t) \bigr),$$ where ω 1=2+α/2 and ω 2=2−α/2. In this equation, κ determines the relative weight of the two frequencies, and α determines how close the two frequencies are to each other. After applying the method of averaging to remove the fastest time scale in the problem, we analyze the averaged equations assuming that the parameter κ is small. That is, the two frequencies have nearly the same amplitude. We find a simple scaling law for e ⋆=e/α as a function of the other parameters in the system. The scaling law shows that it gets more difficult to excite an instability (α must be smaller) the smaller κ becomes.
Strength degradation in γ‐aminopropyl triethoxy silane primed α‐Al2O3/nylon 6 peel joints in a wet environment

Unprimed sapphire/nylon 6 peel joints (2.13 ± 0.27 Kg/cm) are found to be stronger than sapphire/polyethylene joints (0.06 ± 0.02 Kg/cm). Priming the sapphire with γ-aminopropyl triethoxy silane (γ-APS) improves the strength significantly resulting in adherend failure in the nylon. The rate and extent of degradation is lower with priming. The optimal silane thickness is about 1900 A, obtained with a 0.3 percent γ-APS solution, for a five day exposure to water at 25°C. Peel joints made with 0.3 percent γ-APS film, both dried at 25°C (standard conditions) and dehydrated at 110°C under vacuum, fail cohesively when exposed at 25°C. Increasing the exposure to 55°C in a second step results in strength degradation only with dehydrated films. Lower joint strengths are obtained with five days exposure as compared to one day exposure. However, if the temperature is raised to 65°C the joints primed with standard dried films now begin to degrade and lose 90 percent of their strength in five days. Further, the nylon 6 peel joints made with a 0.3 percent γ-APS film, dehydrated for three days prior to lamination, show 10 times greater wet strengths than the corresponding PE joints. Failure surface analyses by ESCA and SEM suggest that failure locus due to water degradation is within the γ-APS layer and the failure mode is cohesive. Failure mechanics during testing the wet peel joints may also cause a partial interfacial failure mode. The effects of the silane film thickness, dehydration condition, time, and temperature dependence of the peel strength degradation indicates that the structure of the γ-APS layer plays an important role in the promotion and retention of adhesion with a thermoplastic polymer system capable of limited primary interactions through possible interdiffusion with the silane layer.
Alkaloids ofConoclinium coelestinum (L.) DC.,Eupatorium compositifolium walt., andE. altissimum L.: Isolation of crystalline intermedine fromC. coelestinum

The isolation of crystalline intermedine fromConoclinium, coelestinum (L.) DC., notmixed with the diastereoisomeric congener base lycopsamine, is reported.E. compositifolium Walt. yielded the usual mixture of intermedine and lycopsamine; fromE. altissimum L. rinderine and 7-angelylheliotridine have been isolated.
Algorithmic construction of optimal symmetric Latin hypercube designs

Abstract We propose symmetric Latin hypercubes for designs of computer experiment. The goal is to offer a compromise between computing effort and design optimality. The proposed class of designs has some advantages over the regular Latin hypercube design with respect to criteria such as entropy and the minimum intersite distance. An exchange algorithm is proposed for constructing optimal symmetric Latin hypercube designs. This algorithm is compared with two existing algorithms by Park (1994. J. Statist. Plann. Inference 39, 95–111) and Morris and Mitchell (1995. J. Statist. Plann. Inference 43, 381–402). Some examples, including a real case study in the automotive industry, are used to illustrate the performance of the new designs and the algorithms.
Breast cancer increases osteoclastogenesis by secreting M-CSF and upregulating RANKL in stromal cells.

Abstract Background. Breast cancer metastasis to bone causes resorption of the mineralized matrix by osteoclasts.Macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF)and receptor activator of the NF-κB ligand (RANKL) are produced by stromal cells and are essential for osteoclast formation. The human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, reliably forms bone metastases in a murine model and stimulates osteoclast formation in culture. We hypothesized that MDA-MB-231 stimulates osteoclast formation through secretion of M-CSF and/or RANKL. Materials and methods. We cocultured MDA-MB-231 and a bone marrow derived cell line, UAMS-33, and evaluated the expression of M-CSF and RANKL mRNA. Osteoclast formation was assessed using these cells added to hematopoietic cell cultures. Results. MDA-MB-231 exhibited constitutive expression of M-CSF mRNA. As expected, addition of recombinant M-CSF (30 ng/ml) and RANKL (30 ng/ml) to hematopoietic osteoclast precursors supported osteoclast formation, while the addition of soluble RANKL alone or MDA-231 without added RANKL did not. Notably, coculture of MDA-231 with hematopoietic cells and added soluble RANKL stimulated significant osteoclast formation, indicating that MDA-231 served as an effective source for M-CSF. MDA-231 did not express RANKL. However, when cocultured with the murine bone marrow stromal cell line UAMS-33, RANKL expression was significantly increased in the latter cells. MDA-231 also stimulated osteoclast formation in coculture with UAMS-33 and hematopoietic cells. Conclusions. We conclude that MDA-MB-231 increases osteoclast formation by secreting adequate amounts of M-CSF protein and enhancing the expression of RANKL by stromal support cells. The ability to stimulate osteoclasts may explain the ability to metastasize to bone.
Effect of RGD secondary structure and the synergy site PHSRN on cell adhesion, spreading and specific integrin engagement

The relationship between the form of cell adhesion, ligand presentation, and cell receptor function was characterized using model Langmuir-Blodgett supported films, containing lipid-conjugated peptide ligands, in which isolated variables of the ligand presentation were systematically altered. First, the conformation of an adhesive Arginine-Glycine-Aspartic acid (RGD) peptide was varied by synthesizing linear and looped RGD peptide-containing amphiphiles and subsequently measuring the impact on the function of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Secondly, the contribution of non-contiguous ligands to cellular engagement was assessed using multi-component biomimetic films. The peptide amphiphiles were composed of fibronectin-derived headgroups--GRGDSP, and its synergy site Pro-His-Ser-Arg-Asn (PHSRN)--attached to hydrocarbon tails. The peptide amphiphiles were diluted using polyethylene glycol (PEG) amphiphiles, where PEG inhibited non-specific cell adhesion. Cells adhered and spread on GRGDSP/PEG systems in a dose-dependent manner. The presentation of GRGDSP influenced integrin cell surface receptor specificity. Results demonstrated that beta1-containing integrins mediated adhesion to the linear GRGDSP presentation to a greater extent than did the alphavbeta3 integrin, and looped GRGDSP preferentially engaged alphavbeta3. GRGDSP/PHSRN/PEG mixtures that closely mimicked the RGD-PHSRN distance in fibronectin, enhanced cell spreading over their two-component analogues. This study demonstrated that controlling the microenvironment of the cell was essential for biomimetics to modulate specific binding and subsequent signaling events.
Evaluating cancer clusters.

We have had considerable success in identifying cancer causing agents in the workplace using epidemiologic methods. This success had made us very sensitive to the occurrence of cancer clusters among workers in the belief that identification of some common exposure could reveal the presence of a carcinogen and lead to preventive measures. This intense surveillance is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, it is a proven way of discovering environmental causes of cancer. On the other, it leads to false alarms or does not always lead to identification of a causal agent. It is easy to demonstrate, using tables of random number 5, how clusters can occur by chance and to demonstrate that when the number of comparisons made in identifying clusters is known there is a basis for their evaluation. Unfortunately, in most instances, when cancer clusters are detected in the workplace the number of comparisons made is unknown and the statistical significance of the cluster cannot be evaluated. Moreover, it is no...
Parenteral Fluid Therapy in Diabetic Coma

Summary The extra- and intracellular losses incident to diabetic coma are presented. Maintenance requirements during the first 21 hours of therapy are estimated. The repair and maintenance needs thus defined by metabolic balance data and clinical experience indicate the unphysiologic nature of so-called physiologic saline in the parenteral fluid therapy of diabetic coma. The total parenteral fluid therapy to repair the losses and meet the maintenance requirements during rehydration is indicated. The manner of providing the pareiiteral rehydration is described. Resume Description des pertes extra- et intracellulaires accompagnant le coma diabetique. Les besoins vitaux peiidaiit les premieres 24 heures de la thehapeutique sont estimes. Les besoins vitaux et reparateurs ainsi detfinis par les donnees de la balance metabolique et l'experience clinique revelent la nature non-physiologique de la saline dite physiologique dans la therapeutique fluide parenterale du coma diabetique. La therapeutique fluide parenterale totale pour reparer les pertes et pour satisfaire aux besoins vitaux pendant la rehydratation sont indiques. Et la maniere d'assurer la rehydratation parenterale est decrite. Zusammenfassung Die extra- und intra-zellularen Verluste, die beim diabetischen Koma vorkommen, werden dargestellt. Der Erhaltungsbedarf wahrend der ersten 24 Stunden der Behandlung wird untersucht. Der Wiederherstellungs- und Erhaltungsbedarf, genau definiert durch Angaben uber das Stoffwechsel-Gleichgewicht wie clurch klinische Beobaehtnng, zeigt die unphysiologische Natur cler sog. physiologischeii Salz-Losung bei der parenteraleii Flussigkeits-Therapie des diabetischen Komas. Die gesamte parenterale Flussigkeits-Therapie zum Ausgleich der Verluste und zur Sicherung des Erhaltungsbedarfes wahrend der Rehydration wird angegeben. Die Methode der parenteralen Rehydration wird beschrieben. Sumario Se informa sobre las perdidas extra e intercelulares ocasionaclas por coma diabetica. Se estiman las iiecesiclacles de mantenimiento durante las primeras 24 horas de terapia. Las necesidades de reparo y mantenimiento, asi definidas mediante datos de equilibrio metabolico y experiencia clinica, indican la caracteristica no fisiologica de la llamada sal fisiologica en la terapia del flulido parenterico de la coma diabetica. Se indica la terapia del fluido completamente parentetico para reparar las perdidas y para cumplir con las necesidades de mantenimiento durante la rehidratacion. Se describe la manera de proporcionar la rehidratacion parenterica.
Thermal conductivity and thermopower of vapor-grown graphite fibers.

Values for the thermal conductivity and thermopower of graphite fibers grown by pyrolysis of natural gas are reported between 10 and 370 K. The measurements were made along the fiber axis on both as-grown fibers and fibers heat treated to 3000 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. It is shown that heat treatment improves the thermal conductivity by a factor of 50: at room temperature highly heat-treated fibers rank among the very best thermal conductors available. We quantitatively interpret our low-temperature thermal conductivity data using the phonon dispersion relation for graphite. Remarkable agreement is achieved between the phonon mean free paths we deduce from our measurements and defect structures we identify in electron micrographs. The thermopower data we report on the highly heat-treated fibers are very similar to those obtained on single-crystal graphite.
Educating for change. HIV/AIDS & the Zambian church.

NEARLY THIRTY YEARS after teaching nursing in Zambia 1 was privileged to return there for nine weeks in 2002. May June and July are winter months in this country of South Central Africa so the weather was pleasant even a bit cool. The Sikalongo Bible Institute invited me to reach Christian ethics to pastors. While in Zambia we conducted five seminars on Christian ethics for pastors and church leaders at different locations in the country. One topic "The Church: Compassion Ministry and Social Disease" sparked the most interest. Every family in Zambia has been touched by AIDS - along with the resultant declining health of spouses children and parents. (excerpt)
Role of parathyroid hormone in mediating nocturnal and age-related increases in bone resorption

PTH has been postulated to play a role in both nocturnal and age-related increases in bone resorption. We tested this hypothesis directly in 10 young (ages 24-35 yr) and 10 elderly (ages 71-78 yr) normal women by measuring the cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx), a marker for bone collagen breakdown, in 4-h urine collections before and during suppression of PTH secretion by a 24-h iv infusion of calcium. Serum ionized calcium and PTH levels were also measured every 2 h before and during the infusion. In both groups of women, serum PTH levels and urinary NTx excretion followed a circadian pattern before calcium infusion (analysis of variance, P = 0.0001) with peaks in the afternoon and at night for PTH and at night for urinary NTx. During the calcium infusion, the nocturnal urinary NTx excretion peak persisted (P = 0.0001), despite elimination of both PTH peaks. Urinary 24-h NTx excretion (nanomoles per millimoles of creatinine) at baseline was higher in the elderly women (mean +/- SEM, 25.7 +/- 2.1) than in the young women (19.3 +/- 1.7) (P < 0.01), and the decrease during calcium infusion was greater (7.5 +/- 1.9 vs. 4.1 +/- 1.5, P < 0.05). Therefore, the increase in serum PTH levels with age is one of the major factors responsible for the age-related increase in bone resorption. PTH does not mediate the circadian pattern of bone resorption but does play a role in setting the absolute level of bone resorption at which this pattern occurs.