cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
State the problem before describing the solution

The title says it all. This one-page note is as relevant today as when I wrote it. Replace “describing the solution” by “writing the program” and it becomes a practical recipe for improving software.
Catalytic asymmetric conjugate addition of simple alkyl thiols to alpha,beta-unsaturated N-acylated oxazolidin-2-ones with bifunctional catalysts.

In this communication, we describe an unprecedented highly enantioselective catalytic conjugate addition of simple alkyl thiols to α,β-unsaturated N-acylated oxazolidin-2-ones catalyzed by acid−base bifunctional catalysis. This reaction provides a useful catalytic method for the synthesis of optically active chiral sulfur compounds that are otherwise difficult to prepare by asymmetric catalysis. The successful development of this reaction resulted from a discovery that, upon proper modification, a cinchona alkaloid bearing a thiourea functionality at 6′ position can afford highly efficient catalysis for asymmetric conjugate additions.
Sequence, structure, and chromosomal mapping of the mouse Lgals6 gene, encoding galectin-6.

In the accompanying paper (Gitt, M. A., Colnot, C., Poirier, F., and Barondes, S. H., and Leffler, H. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273, 2954–2960), we reported that mouse gastrointestinal tract specifically expresses two closely related galectins, galectins-4 and -6, each with two carbohydrate recognition domains in the same peptide. Here, we report the isolation, characterization, and chromosomal mapping of the complete mouseLgals6 gene, which encodes galectin-6, and of a fragment of a distinct gene, Lgals4, which encodes galectin-4. The coding sequence of galectin-6 is specified by eight exons. The upstream region contains two putative promoters. Both Lgals6 and the closely related Lgals4 are clustered together about 3.2 centimorgans proximal to the apoE gene on mouse chromosome 7. The syntenic human region is 19q13.1–13.3.
The efficiency of simian foamy virus vector type-1 (SFV-1) in nondividing cells and in human PBLs.

Current retroviral vectors based on murine leukemia virus (MuLV) are unable to efficiently transduce nondividing cells. Lentiviruses, such as the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) are efficient at transducing nondividing, growth-arrested, and post-mitotic cells, but due to complex safety considerations, they may have limited potential for human clinical gene transfer. For this reason, alternatives to MuLV and HIV-1 vectors need to be explored. In this paper, we have found that simian foamy virus vector (SFV-1) containing a CMV-LacZ expression cassette is able to efficiently transduce multiple cell types of various species that include epithelial, lymphoid, and hematopoietic-derived human cell lines and fibroblast cell lines of several species. Previously it was reported that foamy virus replication is cell cycle dependent (P. D. Bieniasz, R. A. Weiss, and M. O. McClure, 1995. J. Virol. 69, 7295-7299). However, others studies demonstrated nuclear import of viral DNA in arrested cells (A. Saibi, F. Puvion-Dutilleul, M. Schmid, J. Peries, and H. d. The 1997. J. Virol. 71, 1155-1161). Here, we show efficient LacZ transduction by SFV-1 vectors in several chemically arrested cell lines and terminally differentiated human neurons. SFV-1 vector can transduce cell lines arrested in G1/S phase of the cell cycle by aphidicolin treatment with similar efficiencies to that of dividing cells. The terminally differentiated human neural cell line, NT2N, was transduced with 30-50% efficiency, corroborating our data obtained with the arrested cell lines. To further examine whether the SFV-1 vector can efficiently deliver a gene into clinically important cells for gene therapy, we transduced primary human peripheral blood cells (PBLs) in the presence and absence of phytohemagglutanin (PHA) stimulation. We observed 81% transduction efficiency in non-stimulated PBLs and 87% in PHA-stimulated PBLs with vector infection carried out twice in 8 hours intervals at a multiplicity of infection of 1. Together, these data indicate that SFV-1 based retroviral vectors may provide a safe, efficient alternative to current onco- and lentiviral vectors for gene transfer in cells from a broad spectrum of lineages across species boundaries.
Intracellular free zinc up-regulates IFN-γ and T-bet essential for Th1 differentiation in Con-A stimulated HUT-78 cells

Zinc deficiency impairs cellular immunity. Up-regulation of mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-12Rβ2, and T-bet are essential for Th(1) differentiation. We hypothesized that zinc increases Th(1) differentiation via up-regulation of IFN-γ and T-bet expression. To test this hypothesis, we used zinc-deficient and zinc-sufficient HUT-78 cells (a Th(0) cell line) under different condition of stimulation in this study. We also used TPEN, a zinc-specific chelator, to decrease the bioavailability of zinc in the cells. We measured intracellular free zinc, cytokines, and the mRNAs of T-bet, IFN-γ, and IL-12Rβ2. In this study, we show that in zinc-sufficient HUT-78 cells, mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL-12Rβ2, and T-bet in PMA/PHA-stimulated cells were increased in comparison to zinc-deficient cells. Although intracellular free zinc was increased slightly in PMA/PHA-stimulated cells, Con-A-stimulated cells in 5μM zinc medium showed a greater sustained increase in intracellular free zinc in comparison to cells incubated in 1μM zinc. The cells pre-incubated with TPEN showed decreased mRNA levels of IFN-γ and T-bet mRNAs in comparison to cells without TPEN incubation. We conclude that stimulation of cells by Con-A via TCR, release intracellular free zinc which functions as a signal molecule for generation of IFN-γ and T-bet, and IL-12Rβ2 mRNAs required for Th(1) cell differentiation. These results suggest that zinc increase Th(1) cell differentiation by up-regulation of IFN-γ and T-bet, and IL-12Rbβ2 mRNAs.
Dislocation substructure as a function of strain in a dual-phase steel

Dislocation structures in the ferrite of a C-Mn-Si dual-phase steel intercritically annealed at 810°C were characterized at various tensile strains by transmission electron microscopy At strains which corresponded to the second stage on a Jaoul-Crussard plot of strain hardening behavior, the dislocation density in the ferrite is inhomogeneous, with a higher density near the martensite. The third stage on a Jaoul-Crussard plot corresponds to the presence of a well-developed dislocation cell structure in the ferrite. The average cell size during this stage is smaller than the minimum size reported for deformed iron, and the cell size was inhomogeneous, with a smaller cell size near the martensite.
Dynamical System Modeling of Immune Reconstitution after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Identifies Patients at Risk for Adverse Outcomes.

Abstract Systems that evolve over time and follow mathematical laws as they evolve are called dynamical systems. Lymphocyte recovery and clinical outcomes in 41 allograft recipients conditioned using antithymocyte globulin (ATG) and 4.5-Gy total body irradiation were studied to determine if immune reconstitution could be described as a dynamical system. Survival, relapse, and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were not significantly different in 2 cohorts of patients receiving different doses of ATG. However, donor-derived CD3+ cell reconstitution was superior in the lower ATG dose cohort, and there were fewer instances of donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI). Lymphoid recovery was plotted in each individual over time and demonstrated 1 of 3 sigmoid growth patterns: Pattern A (n = 15) had rapid growth with high lymphocyte counts, pattern B (n = 14) had slower growth with intermediate recovery, and pattern C (n = 10) had poor lymphocyte reconstitution. There was a significant association between lymphocyte recovery patterns and both the rate of change of donor-derived CD3+ at day 30 after stem cell transplantation (SCT) and clinical outcomes. GVHD was observed more frequently with pattern A, relapse and DLI more so with pattern C, with a consequent survival advantage in patients with patterns A and B. We conclude that evaluating immune reconstitution after SCT as a dynamical system may differentiate patients at risk of adverse outcomes and allow early intervention to modulate that risk.
A Quantitative Procedure for Estimating Cotton Fiber Growth

An improved procedure for quantitation of cotton fiber development, the “stain-destain” method, is reported. Toluidine blue 0 was used to selectively stain fibers subsequently destained in an acid-alcohol solution. Absorbance of the dyecontaining destaining solution was used as a measure of fiber development, and expressed in terms of total fiber units (TFU), one OD unit at 624 nm having been assigned the value of one TFU. Optimum conditions for the procedure, including staining and destaining times and solution to ovule ratios were determined: (1) 20 ovules with associated fibers stained for 15 sec in 80 ml 0.018% toluidine blue O, (2) nonabsorbed dye removed by 60 sec wash, (3) ovuls destajned in 100 ml glacial acetic acid-ethanol-water (10:95:5), (4) absorbance determined after one hr destaining. The procedure is deemed accurate and precise for the purpose intended—quadtation of fiber development as modified by phytohormones or other treatments. Data are shown correlating TFU with fiber length through ...
There Are No Differences in Short- to Mid-term Survivorship Among Total Hip-bearing Surface Options: A Network Meta-analysis.

Background Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is increasingly being performed in patients with long life expectancies and active lifestyles. Newer implant bearing surfaces, with superior wear characteristics, often are used in this cohort with the goal of improving longevity of the prosthesis, but comparisons across the numerous available bearing surfaces are limited, so the surgeon and patient may have difficulty deciding which implants to use.
Formation of sulfatoglucosides from exogenous aldoximes in plant cell cultures and organs

Abstract Feeding of 2-nitrobenzaldoxime to Brassica species led to the accumulation of the artificial 2-nitrophenylglucosinolate as well as several unknown sulfated side products. Isolation, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and hydrolysis by sulfatase and β-glucosidase led to the identification of these compounds as E- and Z-2- nitrobenzaldoxime -β- d -(6- sulfato )- gycopyranoside and 2-nitrobenzyl alcohol-β- d -sulfatoglucopyranoside. The alcohol conjugate arose via hydrolysis of the aldoxime and subsequent reduction of the aldehyde. A variety of aryl and aliphatic aldoximes were converted to sulfatoglucosides. Screening of a number of unrelated crop plants showed that the ability to form sulfatoglucosides of exogenous aldoximes occurs widely. Among the plants that tested positive were Brassica spp, Arabidopsis, nasturtium, flax, sorghum, carrot, bromegrass, soybean and sunflower.
Hydroperoxide-induced damage to alveolar macrophage function and membrane integrity: alterations in intracellular-free Ca2+ and membrane potential.

The increasing interest in the mechanisms of oxidant injury, such as occurs during inflammation, ischemia reperfusion, hyperoxia, and other oxidant stresses, has generated many studies in which the effects of exogenous hydroperoxides have been used as a model (1-18). In most of these studies concentrations in excess of h mM peroxide have been used. The rationale for using such high concentrations is to be able to observe, within several hours of exposure, damage to cells, such as bleb formation, diminished vital dye exclusion, and release of the cytosolic enzyme LDH.3 These studies, including the present one, are done with the caveat that some of the alterations in cell function, which occur at high concentrations of hydroperoxides, may not occur in even those pathophysiologically relevant processes in which hydroperoxides have been well implicated. The processes that have been
(2 × 1) Reconstructed patterns of diamond (100) surface

Abstract Calculations were carried out in this investigation to analyze energies and structural properties for (2 × 1) restructured patterns of the (100) surface of diamond. Two different model functions developed recently for carbon were employed in the calculations. Three differently reconstructed (2 × 1) patterns (one dimer model and two different missing row models) for the exposed surface layer were taken into consideration. Results obtained in this investigation support the stability of the dimer model over the unreconstructed (1 × 1) surface. Calculated energies and structural properties for the dimer model were found to be in agreement with values obtained in other theoretical calculations. While one of the potential functions, in accordance with common belief, predicted the dimer model for the (2 × 1) restructured surface to be energetically the most stable structure, the other function produced one of the missing row models as the most favorable form.
A compact ultra-wideband self-complementary antenna with optimal topology and substrate

The focus in this paper is to design a compact ultra-wideband self-complementary antenna (SCA) optimized for bandwidth constrained by size. The concept of frequency independent self-complementary geometries is applied to achieve the highest bandwidth possible, and a genetic algorithm (GA) optimization method is used to provide the optimal planar antenna topology and substrate design in an available finite space. An FDTD technique is used to fully analyze the complex antenna structures. It is demonstrated that a GA-optimized SCA can provide a wide bandwidth ratio of about 1:5 which occupies an area as small as /spl lambda//4/spl times//spl lambda//4 at the lowest frequency. An equally spaced alternate-leaves SCA on an optimized meta-substrate is also proposed that provides ultra-wideband bandwidth characteristics (bandwidth ratio 1:8) with as small dimensions as /spl lambda//3/spl times//spl lambda//3.
Evidence for a regulatory function related to the expression of the polyoma genome following the onset of virus DNA replication

Summary Mouse embryo cells infected with the 3049 strain of polyoma virus contain more virus-specific polyadenylated nuclear and polysomal RNA following the onset of viral DNA synthesis when compared to cells infected with a control, wild-type virus. Prior to the onset of DNA synthesis, no difference in the quantity of virus-specific, polyadenylated RNA is observed. This finding is consistent with a theory postulating the existence of a function regulating the expression of the polyoma genome following the onset of viral DNA synthesis.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Interstellar Dust

IR spectroscopy is the premier tool to study the composition of interstellar dust. Broad absorption and emission bands provide direct identification of the solid compounds present in space and allow measurement of accurate abundances. Systematic studies of large samples of sources allow then inferences on the origin and evolution of dust in space. Overall, the observed infrared spectra of interstellar and circumstellar dust reveals an incredibly rich and varied composition. This chapter briefly reviews the principles of infrared spectroscopy. This is then applied to the composition of circumstellar oxides and minerals and interstellar Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon molecules.
Changes in serum adipokine levels during pioglitazone treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: relationship to histological improvement.

Background & Aims: Thiazolidinedione (TZD) therapy improves liver histology in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) through a mechanism possibly related to its insulin-sensitizing or anti-inflammatory activity. This study was conducted to assess changes in serum levels of selected adipokines and proinflammatory cytokines and to relate these changes to the improved liver histology resulting from pioglitazone therapy for NASH. Methods: Serum samples from 18 patients with NASH obtained at day 0 and week 48 of therapy during an open-label study of pioglitazone were tested for adiponectin, leptin, interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels. Paired liver biopsy specimens were scored (0–4) for steatosis, parenchymal inflammation, cell injury, and fibrosis. Results: Adiponectin levels increased from 3.7 to 10.3 μg/mL at week 48 (P .05 for all). Pioglitazone therapy was associated with improvements in steatosis (2.5 vs 1.0), parenchymal inflammation (3.3 vs 2.1), cell injury (2.2 vs 0.9), and fibrosis (2.0 vs 1.4). The change in adiponectin level was associated with the improvement in steatosis (P = .03) as well as in a summary NASH activity index score (P = .01). Changes in IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and leptin levels did not correlate with improvements in the histological features. Conclusions: Improvements in liver histology during TZD therapy may be modulated by an adiponectin-mediated effect on insulin sensitivity and hepatic fatty acid metabolism rather than by changes in proinflammatory cytokines.
The use of polarized light scattering for the study of the dynamics of the spinodal decomposition

Abstract Due to the fact that in a system undergoing spinodal decomposition the long wavelength fluctuations are enhanced, we expect that multiple events can be observed when the passage of light through the sample is measured. We study here the intensity of double scattering for both polarized and depolarized measurements, as a function of time and angle of detection. The time dependence is nonexponential and the dependence on the scattering wave vector is less pronounced than in the case of single scattering. For systems with spherical molecules it is possible to separate double and single scattering contributions if both polarized and depolarized measurements are made. This increases the amount and quality of information about the dynamics of the spinodal decomposition that can be obtained from light scattering experiments.
Continuous time representation in batch/semicontinuous process scheduling: Randomized heuristics approach

Abstract This paper address the short-term scheduling problem for multipurpose/multiproduct batch and semicontinuous processing systems. The nonuniform time discretization model (NUDM) of Reklaitis and Mockus (1995b), under which binary variables are used to represent occurrence of start and stop events for the various recipe tasks, is extended to accommodate sequence dependent changeovers, non-dedicated storage, and semicontinuous tasks. Since the short term scheduling problem of large batch/semicontinuous plants may be expensive to solve because of its high combinatorial complexity, we adapt and test a bayesian approach to discrete optimization, namely the randomized heuristics technique of Mockus et al (1994). Under this approach, instead of solving the original problem with its large number of binary variables, one solves low a dimensionality heuristics calibration problem which has embedded in it a heuristic solver to the discrete optimization problem. Although any of a number of heuristics suitable for a specific class of problems can be employed within this framework, three different heuristics are tested in this work: simulated annealing, a general polynomial scheme, and a specialized heuristics tailored to the batch scheduling problem structure. The proposed framework readily lends itself to parallelization. Computational comparisons are also reported to solutions obtained via an existing uniform discretization based MILP formulation. It is shown that for test problems proposed formulation and bayesian solution approach consistently outperforms the UDM formulation solved via conventional branch and bound based solution techniques. The results suggest that the NUDM/bayesian approach shows considerable promise for the solution of a class of large and realistic batch scheduling problems.
DC current transformer

A general purpose, magnetically isolated current sensor is described. Based upon the flux nulling technique, this sensor uses a novel flux detector, instead of a Hall effect device, to achieve improved performance at lower cost.
Liquidus phase relations on the join diopside-forsterite-anorthite from 1 atm to 20 kbar: Their bearing on the generation and crystallization of basaltic magma

In the system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2, the tetrahedron CaMgSi2O6(di)-Mg2SiO4(fo)-SiO2-CaAl2 SiO6(CaTs) forms a simplified basalt tetrahedron, and within this tetrahedron, the plane di-fo-CaAl2Si2O8(an) separates simplified tholeiitic from alkalic basalts. Liquidus phase relations on this join have been studied at 1 atm and at 7, 10, 15, and 20 kbar. The temperature maximum on the 1 atm isobaric quaternary univariant line along which forsterite, diopside, anorthite, and liquid are in equilibrium lies to the SiO2-rich side of the join di-fo-an. The isobaric quaternary invariant point at which forsterite, diopside, anorthite, spinel, and liquid are in equilibrium passes, with increasing pressure, from the silica-poor to the silica-rich side of the join di-fo-an, which causes the piercing points on this join to change from forsterite+diopside+anorthite+liquid and forsterite +spinel+anorthite+liquid below 5 kbar to forsterite +diopside+spinel+liquid and diopside +spinel+anorthite+liquid above 5 kbar. As pressure increases, the forsterite and anorthite fields contract and the diopside and corundum fields expand. The anorthite primary phase field disappears entirely from the join di-fo-an between 15 and 20 kbar. Below about 4 kbar, the join di-fo-an represents, in simplified form, a thermal divide between alkalic and tholeiitic basalts. From about 4 to at least 12 kbar, alkalic basalts can produce tholeiitic basalts by fractional crystallization, and at pressures above about 12 kbar, it is possible for alkalic basalt to be produced from oceanite by crystallization of both olivine and orthopyroxene. If alkalic basalts are primary melts from a lherzolite mantle, they must be produced at high pressures, probably greater than about 12 kbar.
Structure and dynamics of the water/MgO interface

A pairwise additive potential energy expression for the water/MgO interaction was obtained by fitting the parameters to ab initio electronic structure energy data, computed using correlation-corrected periodic Hartree−Fock (PHF) theory, at selected adsorbate/surface geometries. This potential energy expression was used in molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations to elucidate the water/MgO interaction. Energy minimization reveals a nearly planar adsorbate/surface equilibrium geometry (−15° from the surface plane with the hydrogens pointing toward the surface oxygens) for an isolated water on perfect MgO (001), with a binding energy of 17.5 kcal/mol; subsequent PHF calculations on this system confirmed that this is a potential minimum. Rate constants for desorption (kdsorb), intersite hopping (khop), intrasite rotation (krot), and intrasite flipping (kflip) were estimated for an isolated water on the surface using simple transition state theory. The computed rates (at T = 300 K) are kdsorb = 1.1 × 105...
Obesity does not adversely affect the outcome of laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS)

Background: Because it has been suggested that obesity adversely affects the outcome of LARS, it is unclear how surgeons should counsel obese patients referred for antireflux surgery. Methods: A prospective database of patients undergoing LARS from 1992 to 2001 was used to compare obese and nonobese patients. Patients were surveyed preoperatively and annually thereafter. Questionnaires were completed regarding global symptoms and overall satisfaction. Results: Of the 505 patients, the body mass index (BMI) was 30 (obese) in 42%. Although the operative time was longer in the obese group than in the normal weight group (137 ± 55 min vs 115 ± 42 min, p = 0.003), the time to discharge and rate of complications did not differ. At a mean follow-up of 35 ± 25 months, there were no differences in symptoms, overall improvement, or patient satisfaction. Further, the rates of anatomic failure were similar among the obese, overweight, and normal weight groups. Conclusions: Although the operative time is longer in the obese, complication and anatomic failure rates are similar to those in the nonobese at long-term follow-up. Obese patients have equivalent symptom relief and are equally satisfied postoperatively. Therefore, obesity should not be a contraindication to LARS.
40Ar/39Ar systematics and argon diffusion in amber: implications for ancient earth atmospheres

Abstract Argon isotope data indicate retained argon in bulk amber (matrix gas) is radiogenic [ 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ≃32o] than the much more abundant surface absorbed argon [ 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ≃295.5]. Neutron-induced 39 Ar is retained in amber during heating experiments to 150° -250°C, with no evidence of recoiled 39 Ar found after irradiation. A maximum permissible volume diffusion coefficient of argon in amber (at ambient temperature) D≤1.5 x 10 −17 cm 2 S −1 is calculated from 39 Ar retention. 40 Ar/ 39 Ar age calculations indicate Dominican Republic amber is ≃ 45 Ma and North Dakota amber is ≃ 89 Ma, both at least reasonable ages for the amber based upon stratigraphic and paleontological constraints and upon the small amount of radiogenic 40 Ar. To date, over 300 gas analyses of ambers and resins of Cretaceous to Recent age that are geographically distributed among fifteen noted world locations identify mixtures of gases in different sites within amber (Berner and Landis, 1988). The presence of multiple mixing trends between compositionally distinct end-members gases within the same sample and evidence for retained radiogenic argon within the amber argue persuasivley against rapid exchange by diffusion of amber-contained gases with moder air. Only gas in primary bubbles entrapped between successive flows of tree resin has been interpreted as original “ancient air”, which is an O 2 -rich end-member gas with air-like N 2 /Ar ratios. Gas analyses of these primary bubbles indicate atmospheric O 2 levels in the Late Cretaceous of ≃ 35%, and that atmospheric O 2 dropped by early Tertiary time to near a present atmospheric level of 21% O 2 . A very low argon diffusion coefficient in amber persuasively argues for a gas in primary bubbles trapped in amber being ancient air (possibly modified only by O 2 reaction with amber).
Regional And Watershed-Scale Coherence In the Stable-Oxygen and Carbon Isotope Ratio Time Series In Tree Rings Of Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens)

Abstract Coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) ecosystems are strongly influenced by the presence of summer marine fog, and variation in fog frequency is closely linked to climate variation in the NE Pacific region. Because oxygen isotope composition (δ18O) of organic matter records distinct water sources (e.g. summertime fog vs. winter precipitation) and carbon isotopes (δ13C) are typically sensitive to humidity and water status, it then follows that inter-annual variation in tree-ring isotope ratios, which are coherent across multiple sites, should preserve a potentially powerful proxy for climate reconstruction. Here we present an analysis of a 50-year time series for both δ18O and δ13C values from subdivided tree rings obtained from multiple redwood trees at multiple sites. Within-site and between-site correlations were highly significant (p < 0.01) for the δ18O time series indicating a regionally coherent common forcing of δ18O fractionation. Within-site and between-site correlation coefficients were ...
Role of αvβ5 integrin receptor in endocytosis of crocidolite and its effect on intracellular glutathione levels in human lung epithelial (A549) cells

Crocidolite, containing 27% iron by weight, is the most carcinogenic form of asbestos. Crocidolite fibers are endocytized by alphavbeta5 integrin receptors in rabbit pleural mesothelial cells. We show here that crocidolite fibers are endocytized in human lung epithelial (A549) cells and in primary small airway epithelial (SAEC) cells. Presence of the integrin alphavbeta5 blocking antibody, P1F6, significantly reduced the uptake of crocidolite fibers in A549 cells. Thus, the integrin alphavbeta5 receptor is involved in endocytosis of crocidolite fibers in A549 cells as well. Previously, it has been observed that asbestos fibers lead to changes in the intracellular redox environment, i.e. a marked decrease in intracellular glutathione concentrations and an increase in the extracellular glutathione in A549 cells. In addition, the decrease in intracellular glutathione was found to be largely independent of iron present on the surface of the fiber. A549 cells were treated with crocidolite in the presence of endocytosis inhibitor cytochalasin D. Our data indicate that, upon preventing endocytosis, we were able to reverse the decrease in total intracellular glutathione. The decrease in total intracellular glutathione could also be prevented in the presence of the monoclonal antibody P1F6. Thus, we observed that endocytosis of crocidolite fibers via integrin alphavbeta5 receptor is linked to the marked decrease in total intracellular glutathione in A549 cells.
Treatment with Probucol of Children with Familial Hypercholesterolemia

Nine children with familial hypercholesterolaemia, age range 2 to 12 years, were treated with a low cholesterol diet and probucol (10 mg/kg/day). The year before, the children received, as only treatment, a low fat-cholesterol diet. During this period their mean plasma total cholesterol level fell from 8.2 +/- 1.45 mmol/l to 7.17 +/- 0.84 mmol/l (12.6%). This level was further reduced to 5.92 +/- 0.63 mmol/l (17.1%) after the addition of probucol. Plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lowered in absolute terms but not in relation to total cholesterol. No apparent side effects were observed. However, the use of probucol should be restricted for the moment to severe cases of hypercholesterolaemia as the long-term excretion of the drug in children is not yet known.
EFFECTS OF SUGARS ON POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE ACROSS WALL OF SMALL INTESTINE OF RODENTS.

Summary1. The potential difference across the wall of the middle section of the small intestine was determined with rats, golden hamsters, and guinea pigs in vitro. The value obtained when normal R...
Hepatitis B seroprevalence and disease characteristics in an urban Chinatown community.

Background & Aims Chronic HBV infection is prevalent among Asian immigrants and is an important cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the HBsAg seroprevalence and to characterize hepatitis B in persons who presented to an urban Chinatown internal medicine practice. Methods Records were reviewed retrospectively from 4671 adult patients who had at least 1 office visit during a 2-year period. Demographic information and laboratory data were collected. An elevated ALT level was defined as >19 IU/mL for women and >30 IU/mL for men. Results All patients were ethnically Chinese, and 97% were born in Asia. HBsAg testing was available in 64% (3012/4671) of cases. The HBsAg seroprevalence rate was 11.1% (335/3012) overall and 14.9% in persons aged 30–39 years. HBeAg testing was available for 75% (250/335) of HBsAg+ cases. Seventy-five percent (188/250) were HBeAg–. Sixty percent (26/43) of HBeAg+ patients with available data had HBV DNA >105 copies/mL and an elevated ALT level. Sixteen percent (21/128) of HBeAg– patients with available data had HBV DNA >104 copies/mL and an elevated ALT level. Conclusions The HBsAg seroprevalence was high (11.1%) in Chinese immigrants presenting for general medical care. A majority (75%) of HBsAg+ patients were HBeAg–. Sixty percent of HBeAg+ cases and 16% of HBeAg– patients with available data had both HBV DNA and ALT levels that would prompt consideration of antiviral therapy. These findings highlight the importance of testing and medical management of hepatitis B in Chinese Americans.
Integrity Assessment of Spherical Pressure Components With Local Corrosion and Hot Spots

Corrosion damage and hot spots are typical of damages that can occur in ageing pressure vessels and pipelines used in industrial processes. Internal and external corrosion could be the result of corrosive products stored inside or harsh environmental conditions on the outside. Hot spots are caused by damage due to loss of refractory lining on the inside wall of pressure components or due to maldistribution of flow containing catalyst and reactive fluids. The structural integrity of such ageing components needs to be evaluated periodically to establish the continued suitability of the vessels under operating conditions. The present paper develops a method for Level 2 (as categorized by API 579) structural integrity evaluations of spherical pressure vessels containing local corrosion damage or hot spot. The decay lengths for spherical shells subject to local damages have been studied based on stretching and bending effects using elastic shell theories so as to identify the reference volume participating in plastic action. A limit for “local” corroded spot or hot spot is defined by the size of damage that an onset of pure membrane action occurs inside the damaged area. The size of damage indicating the crossover from dominance of stretching effects on the damage behavior to that of bending effects is also presented. The lower bound recommended “remaining strength factors” for spherical pressure vessels containing corrosion or hot spot are formulated by application of Mura’s integral mean of yield criterion and the improved lower bound mα -multiplier. Three alternative recommendations are proposed. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is evaluated and demonstrated through illustrative examples and comparison with inelastic finite element analyses.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Poisson's ratio for rigid plastic foams

Poisson's ratio for several low-density plastic foams has been determined in both tension and compression. For polystyrene bead foams and a polyurethane foam, Poisson's ratio is greater in tension than compression. In compression, Poisson's ratio is not linear, showing a larger value below the yield strain and a value near zero for high strains. For 0.05 and 0.10 g/cc polystyrene bead foam, Poisson's ratios are 1/3 in tension and 1/4 in compression below the yield strain; at higher strains, the value in compression is in the range 0.03–0.07.
Rearfoot and forefoot footfall patterns: implications for barefoot running

Approximately 75-80% of runners initiate contact with the running surface on their heel and thus have a rearfoot or heel-toe footfall pattern. The remaining 20-25% initially contact the ground with the foot flat with a subsequent heel contact (midfoot pattern) or on their forefoot with no heel contact (forefoot pattern). It is unclear why different footfall patterns exist or why some runners naturally use different patterns. Some contemporary training programs advocate the adoption of a mid- or forefoot footfall pattern but there is little scientific evidence that a particular strike pattern is more efficient or less injury-prone than other patterns. In this presentation, several studies that investigated differences among the footfall patterns relative to oxygen consumption, impact characteristics, surface alterations and lower extremity coordination will be presented. In addition, two modeling studies will also be discussed. One study will determine, using optimization techniques, the passive and active characteristics on the triceps surae. The other study is a forward dynamics study with different cost functions describing the different footfall patterns. Our basic premise in these studies is that different footfall patterns serve different functional roles in human running: a heel- or midfoot strike is used for endurance running, and a forefoot strike is used for sprinting. We propose that one’s footfall pattern is an intrinsic dynamic and thus difficult to alter. However, the change from shod to barefoot running often requires an alteration in footfall pattern that may ultimately lead to injury.
Practical Methods of Feeding Distillers Grain Solubles to Growing Pullets

(1949). Practical Methods of Feeding Distillers Grain Solubles to Growing Pullets. World's Poultry Science Journal: Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 170-172.
“To Wielderfight His Penisolate War”: “The Lover's Discourse” in Postmodern Fiction

(1992). “To Wielderfight His Penisolate War”: “The Lover's Discourse” in Postmodern Fiction. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 34, No. 1, pp. 63-79.
Immunization with Hexon Modified Adenoviral Vectors Integrated with gp83 Epitope Provides Protection against Trypanosoma cruzi Infection

Background Trypanosoma cruzi is the causative agent of Chagas disease. Chagas disease is an endemic infection that affects over 8 million people throughout Latin America and now has become a global challenge. The current pharmacological treatment of patients is unsuccessful in most cases, highly toxic, and no vaccines are available. The results of inadequate treatment could lead to heart failure resulting in death. Therefore, a vaccine that elicits neutralizing antibodies mediated by cell-mediated immune responses and protection against Chagas disease is necessary. Methodology/principal findings The "antigen capsid-incorporation" strategy is based upon the display of the T. cruzi epitope as an integral component of the adenovirus' capsid rather than an encoded transgene. This strategy is predicted to induce a robust humoral immune response to the presented antigen, similar to the response provoked by native Ad capsid proteins. The antigen chosen was T. cruzi gp83, a ligand that is used by T. cruzi to attach to host cells to initiate infection. The gp83 epitope, recognized by the neutralizing MAb 4A4, along with His6 were incorporated into the Ad serotype 5 (Ad5) vector to generate the vector Ad5-HVR1-gp83-18 (Ad5-gp83). This vector was evaluated by molecular and immunological analyses. Vectors were injected to elicit immune responses against gp83 in mouse models. Our findings indicate that mice immunized with the vector Ad5-gp83 and challenged with a lethal dose of T. cruzi trypomastigotes confer strong immunoprotection with significant reduction in parasitemia levels, increased survival rate and induction of neutralizing antibodies. Conclusions/significance This data demonstrates that immunization with adenovirus containing capsid-incorporated T. cruzi antigen elicits a significant anti-gp83-specific response in two different mouse models, and protection against T. cruzi infection by eliciting neutralizing antibodies mediated by cell-mediated immune responses, as evidenced by the production of several Ig isotypes. Taken together, these novel results show that the recombinant Ad5 presenting T. cruzi gp83 antigen is a useful candidate for the development of a vaccine against Chagas disease.
Research joint ventures: A cooperative game for competitors

Abstract A firm considering a research joint venture with its competitors, balances potential benefits of cooperation with conflicting interests. I model firms as players in a game in coalitional form – the Joint Venture Game , and study asymmetries with respect to ability to fund, market power, and technological capital. In a duopoly between firms that are symmetric in all respects, I show that cooperation is always optimal. When firms are asymmetric, cooperation may not be optimal for a firm with an advantage when the other firm can be outright barred from entry into the market. Cooperation may also not be optimal for a firm with a disadvantage, when that firm can be barred from making a financially viable entry into the market. Finally, in an oligopoly, the necessary conditions for cooperation imply that optimally, all firms which cannot be excluded from competing in the product market should cooperate in a single joint venture.
Self-similar microstructural evolution of dendritic solid–liquid mixtures during coarsening

The microstructural evolution of equiaxed dendritic Al–Cu microstructures of two different solid volume fractions (46% and 72%) during isothermal coarsening was studied. We found that the microstructures evolved self-similarly, both morphologically and topologically, while the inverse specific surface area increased as the cube root of time. The differences in scaled morphologies and topologies could be attributed to the difference in solid volume fraction, with the higher volume fraction sample exhibiting a more compact interface shape distribution and a smaller scaled genus.
Immune complex glomerulonephritis in C4- and C3-deficient mice

Immune complex glomerulonephritis in C4- and C3-deficient mice. In this study, we examined the roles of C4 and C3 in immune complex glomerulonephritis by actively immunizing C4-deficient (C4 –/–), C3 deficient (C3 –/–) and wild-type mice with apoferritin. Wild-type animals with an intact complement system produced anti-apoferritin IgG and IgM antibodies, and developed mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis characterized by hypercellularity, matrix expansion, deposition of IgG, IgM, IgA and C3, and the presence of electron dense deposits. In the majority of animals, the peripheral capillaries also contained IgG, C3 and subendothelial and subepithelial electron dense deposits. In contrast to wild-type animals, all apoferritin-immunized C4 –/– and C3 –/– mice had serum cryoprecipitates containing polyclonal IgM and the variable presence of polyclonal IgG. These animals also developed immune complex glomerulonephritis, but their disease manifestations were distinctly different from that of their wild-type littermates. In apoferritin-immunized C4 –/– and C3 –/– mice, IgG was either absent or present in reduced quantities in glomeruli, yet IgM and IgA were present in greater intensity in glomeruli. Capillary wall IgG deposits were absent in all C4 –/– and C3 –/– animals. C4 –/– animals also had significant glomerular C3 deposition, hypercellularity and neutrophil infiltration, which were not present in C3 –/– animals. These results illustrate the complex interplay between the effects of complement to process immune complexes and to lead to inflammation and tissue injury.
Selection criteria for technical options available in electronic publishing — networks, CD‐ROM and micro‐products

The choice of strategy and the evolution of policy for electronic publishing as an aid to information dissemination are at present complicated by the variety of technical options and by uncertainty about the proper balance between relatively high risk innovative and more predictable conservative approaches. This paper is intended to provide a set of ‘route maps’ through the technical options available now and in the near future, and to indicate the criteria which would guide choice of technology for various application categories and investment priorities. A lucid and accessible guide to the publication and availability of scientific and technical papers will be found in Line, 1992; this paper has been followed in several places below, but Line's discussion of the impact of new technology on publishers is not repeated.
P01.25. Classification of L6 muscle spindle afferents in the anesthesized cat

Purpose Patients with low back pain demonstrate proprioceptive difficulties including spinal repositioning errors and impaired lumbosacral proprioceptive acuity. Few data are available regarding proprioceptive properties of muscle spindles in the low back. Muscle spindle afferents can originate from 2 types of receptive endings which terminate and respond to mechanical changes in 3 types of intrafusal fibers. Receptive endings may be primary or secondary. They terminate on dynamic bag (b1) static bag (b2 )a nd/or chain (c) intrafusal fibers. We sought to classify lumbar paraspinal muscle spindle afferents based upon their receptive endings and intrafusal terminations. Classification was based on their responses to ramp and hold vertebral movement before and after intrafusal activation using succinylcholine (SCH, 100-300ug/kg.ia). Afferents terminating in primary endings are especially responsive to the dynamic ramp stimulus. During intrafusal activation, afferents terminating on b1 fibers further increase their discharge to the dynamic ramp whereas those terminating on b2 fibers increase their static resting discharge. Methods Electrophysiological recordings from spindle afferents (n=195) were obtained from L6 dorsal root filaments with receptive fields in the L6 longissimus and multifidus muscles in an anesthetized cat preparation. Controlled vertebral actuations that stretched the paraspinal muscles were applied to the L6 spinous process in a dorsal-ventralward direction [1.5mm (n=120), 1.6mm (n=21), or 1.7mm (n=54) using a feedback motor system. Instantaneous discharge frequency was averaged and compared over three ramp cycles pre- and postSCH injection.
Four Lessons from Global Health Drug Discovery: Medicine for an Ailing Industry?

In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has faced many challenges to its business model, undergoing tremendous change and turmoil to survive. Are there any lessons to be drawn from drug discovery focused on Global Health, where there is little market incentive?
Myocardial Perfusion and Exercise Capacity 12 Years After Arterial Switch Surgery for D-Transposition of the Great Arteries

Peak exercise myocardial perfusion was eval- uated in patients with D-transposition of the great arteries 12 years after the arterial switch operation (SWITCH) to evaluate coronary perfusion. Gas-exchange measurements were used to assess cardiac limiting factors to exercise capacity in SWITCH patients when compared to healthy gender-matched controls (CON). Peak myocardial perfu- sion was evaluated in 42 patients 12 years post-SWITCH, using technetium-99 m (Tetrofosmin). SWITCH exercise data was compared to 42 gender-matched controls (CON). One symptomatic and one asymptomatic SWITCH patient had abnormal exercise myocardial perfusion; both patients had variant coronary anatomy preoperatively. SWITCH patients had lower VO2peak (p \ 0.01), peak heart rates (p = 0.01), percentages of age-predicted peak heart rates (p \ 0.01), and peak oxygen pulses indexed to body sur- face area (p \ 0.01) than CON patients. Exercise testing with myocardial perfusion imaging helped to identify the rare SWITCH patient with coronary insufficiencies. This study demonstrates that exercise testing with myocardial perfusion scans can help identify patients at risk for myo- cardial events. This study also demonstrated that SWITCH patients have a mildly diminished VO2peak when compared to CON patients.
Cognitive coaching has an exciting place in nursing education

Effective teaching is a complicated intellectual process involving continuous decision making to engage students. Cognitive coaching (CC) is focused on improving the teaching practitioner's cognitive performance. CC has been used with great success in K-12 and postsecondary education in the United States and internationally to improve both teacher's and student's classroom success but has never been used in nursing education. CC is an exciting avenue to pursue innovation, change, and research in nursing education.
Dural marginal zone lymphoma with massive amyloid deposition: rare low-grade primary central nervous system B-cell lymphoma. Case report.

✓ The authors report the case of a 63-year-old woman who presented with a primary dural extranodal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) associated with massive kappa light chain amyloidosis of the meninges. Extranodal MZL is a low-grade B-cell lymphoma that may show variable degrees of plasmacytic differentiation. Like solitary plasmacytoma of soft tissue, which can also be associated with amyloid, extranodal MZL generally responds well to local therapy and has a good prognosis. It is important to distinguish these entities from high-grade primary central nervous system (CNS) B-cell lymphomas and more aggressive and/or widespread, potentially amyloidogenic conditions such as multiple myeloma, lymphoplasmacytoid lymphoma, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. To the authors' knowledge this is the first reported case of dural MZL associated with massive meningeal amyloid deposition. Extranodal MZL is a rare low-grade primary CNS B-cell lymphoma that may be associated with amyloidosis. It shou...