cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacokinetics and results of dose escalation in Cis -platin hyperthermic isolation limb perfusion

Background: We analyzed prospectively collected data on 145cis-platin hyperthermic isolation limb perfusion (HILPs) for melanoma and soft-tissue sarcoma to determine the pharmacokinetics and maximum tolerable dose ofcis-platin. There were 70 melanoma and 75 sarcoma patients. Dosages ranged from 26 to 265 mg/m2. Perfusate and systemiccis-platin levels were measured in patients perfused at doses of 190–200 mg/m2. Tissue levels were measured in patients perfused at 123–209 mg/m2. Methods: Cis-platin HILP was well tolerated up to doses of 250 mg/m2 for lower extremities. Higher doses produced toxicities of rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria, hyponatremia, and neuropathy. Systemic levels ofcis-platin were equivalent to those of routine intravenous administration, while perfusate levels were 33 times higher. Tissue levels ofcis-platin were five to six times higher than effective intravenous levels. Results: Six melanoma patients have developed local recurrences. All were perfused at doses <120 mg/m2. However, regional nodal recurrences have occurred in six other patients perfused at doses ≤2000 mg/m2. Four sarcomas have recurred locally, but three of them were present at the time of perfusion. Conclusions: We conclude that 250 mg/m2 is the maximum tolerable dose ofcis-platin for lower-extremity HILPs. Neoadjuvantcis-platin HILP may improve local control rates for sarcomas. However, no tolerable dose ofcis-platin provides control of nodal metastases from melanoma.
Disposition of Ibuprofen in Nephrectomized Dogs

The pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen were studied in four nephrectomized and three normal dogs after administration of 214.3–227.6 mg iv of ibuprofen. Blood samples were collected at various time intervals for up to 10 h and serum concentrations of ibuprofen were assayed by an HPLC method. The elimination of serum ibuprofen followed first-order kinetics, with mean half-lives of 2.51 ± 1.10 and 2.81 ± 0.72 h in normal and nephrectomized dogs, respectively. Mean serum clearance of ibuprofen in nephrectomized dogs, 31.0 ± 5.2 mL/h/kg, was higher than that in normal dogs, 12.2 ± 8.6 mL/h/kg, (p < 0.02). The difference may be attributed to the greater volume of distribution for ibuprofen in nephrectomized dogs, 125.2 ± 39.0 (88.8–160.4) mL/kg as compared with 53.4 ± 57.8 (26.0–119.9) mL/kg in the normal group (p < 0.2).
A 350-kb cosmid contig in 3p14.2 that crosses the t(3;8) hereditary renal cell carcinoma translocation breakpoint and 17 aphidicolin-induced FRA3B breakpoints.

Abstract The constitutive fragile site at human chromosomal band 3p14.2, FRA3B, has been described as the most active common fragile site in the human genome. FRA3B is cytologically indistinguishable from the chromosome 3 breakpoint observed in the hereditary renal cell carcinoma (hRCC) translocation t(3;8) (p14.2;q24.13). Previous work demonstrated that a 1330-kb YAC clone, YC850A6, spans both the t(3;8) translocation and FRA3B and also encompasses FRA3B-associated breakpoints induced in hamster–human hybrids. This YAC was used to construct a multi-hit cosmid library. Screening of this library resulted in a 350-kb cosmid contig that extends distally from the t(3;8) translocation breakpoint. Seventeen aphidicolin-induced 3p14.2 breakpoints derived from hamster–human hybrids were mapped within this cosmid contig. These breakpoints were found to localize as two distinct clusters, separated by 200 kb, which lie on either side of a region of frequent breakage within FRA3B as defined by FISH analysis using cosmids from the contigs. The most proximal of the breakpoint clusters lies approximately 100 kb distal to the hRCC t(3;8) breakpoint. The distribution of these breakpoints, together with the region of frequent chromosomal breakage mapped by FISH analysis, further confirms the position of FRA3B and helps to define the extent over which its fragility is exerted. These data indicate that FRA3B comprises several hundred kilobases of DNA sequence within 3p14.2. The 350-kb contig and the cosmid library constructed from YAC YC850A6 will be essential for further characterization of the region surrounding FRA3B and in experiments to determine the molecular basis of the fragility of FRA3B.
Understanding Directional Dependence Through Angular Correlation

In this article, we will suggest a way of understanding dependence structure depending according to direction in three-dimensional case. Directions will be associated with angles so that informative graphical displays can be produced.
Salivary estradiol, interleukin-6 production, and the relationship to substrate metabolism during exercise in females

Estradiol (E2) has been documented to have anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system. Interleukin-6 (IL-6), is classified as a “myokine”, and has known metabolic consequences. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of menstrual phase and exercise on the interaction of E2 and IL-6, and the role of IL-6 in substrate metabolism. Ten female subjects completed three separate testing sessions: baseline evaluation, and 1 h of treadmill exercise at 65% of peak \( \dot V {\text{O}}_{2} \) during both the midfollicular (MF) and midluteal (ML) menstrual phases. Saliva was collected prior to, during, and post-exercise for determination of E2 and IL-6. Expired gases and an additional saliva sample were collected 30 min post-exercise. No significant differences were observed in any of the measured variables across menstrual phase. Exercise resulted in an acute rise in estradiol and IL-6; however, E2 was not related to IL-6 at baseline or in response to exercise. IL-6 remained elevated at the end of exercise and was found to be related to energy expenditure from fat, and to total energy expenditure at 60 min, and 30 min post-exercise. No relationships were found between the anti-inflammatory estrogen E2 and the cytokine IL-6. However, relationships were found between IL-6 and indices of substrate metabolism. Based on the data from the current research, IL-6 likely plays a metabolic role in healthy individuals during exercise when released from the muscle as a result of reduced energy availability, acting as a “myokine”, in comparison to inflammation-induced IL-6 release.
INFLUENCE OF NEXT-NEAREST-NEIGHBOR ELECTRON HOPPING ON THE STATIC AND DYNAMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE TWO-DIMENSIONAL HUBBARD MODEL

Comparing experimental data for high-${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ cuprate superconductors with numerical results for electronic models, it is becoming apparent that a hopping along the plaquette diagonals has to be included to obtain quantitative agreement. However, the values for ${\mathit{t}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ discussed in the literature were obtained comparing theoretical results in the weak-coupling limit with photoemission data and band-structure calculations. The goal of this paper is to study how ${\mathit{t}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ gets renormalized as the interaction between electrons, U, increases. For this purpose, the effect of adding a bare diagonal hopping ${\mathit{t}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ to the two-dimensional Hubbard model Hamiltonian is investigated using numerical techniques. Spin-spin correlations, n(k), 〈n〉 vs \ensuremath{\mu}, and local magnetic moments are studied for several values of U/t and the electronic density. The spectral function A(k,\ensuremath{\omega}) is also discussed. We introduce a criterion to determine probable locations of Fermi surfaces at zero temperature. In general, we conclude that it is very dangerous to extract a bare parameter of the Hamiltonian (${\mathit{t}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$) from photoemission spectroscopy data where renormalized parameters play the important role.
The cost of regulation: More stringent staff regulations and nursing home financial performance

The implementation of regulation in the health care sector is often motivated by assuring a minimum level of quality, but there is little understanding of the cost of this regulation. This paper explores the cost of regulation in the nursing home industry. Using panel data on the same nursing homes from 1999 to 2004, this paper examines how financial performance is impacted by regulations that increased the minimum number of nurses that provide direct care to residents. While nursing homes attempt to increase revenues and mitigate the cost of responding to more stringent regulation, various measures of profitability show nursing homes are worse off financially. In fact, more stringent staffing regulations cause some nursing homes to lose money providing services.
Support Surface Prediction in Indoor Scenes

In this paper, we present an approach to predict the extent and height of supporting surfaces such as tables, chairs, and cabinet tops from a single RGBD image. We define support surfaces to be horizontal, planar surfaces that can physically support objects and humans. Given a RGBD image, our goal is to localize the height and full extent of such surfaces in 3D space. To achieve this, we created a labeling tool and annotated 1449 images with rich, complete 3D scene models in NYU dataset. We extract ground truth from the annotated dataset and developed a pipeline for predicting floor space, walls, the height and full extent of support surfaces. Finally we match the predicted extent with annotated scenes in training scenes and transfer the the support surface configuration from training scenes. We evaluate the proposed approach in our dataset and demonstrate its effectiveness in understanding scenes in 3D space.
A regime map for granule formation by drop impact on powder beds

“Tunneling,” “Spreading,” and “Crater Formation” are the three granule formation mechanisms known to occur when single drops impact static powder beds. To quantify the conditions under which each mechanism will occur, dimensional analysis was performed, and a new regime map was created that plots the powder bed porosity against the modified granular Bond number (Bog*), which is a ratio of the capillary force to the gravitational force acting on a particle. Tunneling occurred for Bog* > 65,000 for all values of bed porosity, whereas Spreading and Crater Formation occurred when Bog* < 65,000 for all values of bed porosity below the minimum fluidization porosity. The granule formation mechanism regime map provides a useful tool to design and predict wet granulation processes by predicting the granule formation mechanism, and thereby general granule shape, from a few key dimensionless groups involving formulation properties and process parameters that can be calculated a priori. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 59: 96–107, 2013
Homogenized Down-Up Algebras

This paper studies two homogenizations of the down-up algebras introduced in Benkart and Roby (Benkart, G., Roby, T. (1998). Down-up Algebras. J. Algebra 209:305–344). We show that in all cases the...
Vasopressin-induced intracellular redistribution of protein kinase D in intestinal epithelial cells.

The spatio-temporal changes of signaling molecules in response to G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) stimulation is a poorly understood process in intestinal epithelial cells. Here we investigate the dynamic mechanisms associated with GPCR signaling in living rat intestinal epithelial cells by characterizing the intracellular translocation of protein kinase D (PKD), a serine/threonine protein kinase involved in mitogenic signaling in intestinal epithelial cells. Analysis of the intracellular steady-state distribution of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged PKD indicated that in non-stimulated IEC-18 cells, GFP-PKD is predominantly cytoplasmic. However, cell stimulation with the GPCR agonist vasopressin induces a rapid translocation of GFP-PKD from the cytosol to the plasma membrane that is accompanied by its activation via protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated process and posterior plasma membrane dissociation. Subsequently, active PKD is imported into the nuclei where it transiently accumulates before being exported into the cytosol by a mechanism that requires a competent Crm1 nuclear export pathway. These findings provide evidence for a mechanism by which PKC coordinates in intestinal epithelial cells the translocation and activation of PKD in response to vasopressin-induced GPCR activation.
Antisense p53 transduction leads to overexpression of bcl-2 and dexamethasone resistance in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a malignant proliferation of plasma cells which fail to undergo apoptosis. To understand events associated with lack of apoptosis in these cells, we studied effect of antisense p53 gene transduction in a multiple myeloma cell line, ARH77. Adeno-associated virus was used as a vector to introduce p53 cDNA in an antisense orientation driven by a herpes virus thymidine kinase promoter. We observed, that an antisense p53 (p53as) transduced cell line showed marked reduction in p53 mRNA and protein expression and increased growth when compared to the control cell lines transduced with neomycin-resistance gene or untransduced cells. There was a concomitant up-regulation of bcl-2 expression by over five-fold in p53as-transduced cells compared with controls; while there was no significant change in expression of c-myc and IL-6, genes implicated in myeloma growth. We measured apoptosis in the transduced cells by DNA end-labeling reaction which revealed decrease in apoptosis from 15.6% in control cells to 1.6% in p53as-transduced cells. Additionally, the p53as cells over expressing bcl-2 also showed resistance to killing by dexamethasone. In summary, our data demonstrates that loss of p53 function leads to myeloma cell progression and resistant phenotype through bcl-2-related mechanisms.
Sulfonamides do not reach the retina in therapeutic amounts after topical application to the cornea.

ABSTRACT Retinal drug concentrations were measured in treated and fellow eyes following topical administration of two potent and permeable carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, MK-927 and trifluoromethanesulfonamide (CF3SO2NH2) in the rabbit. Administration of 2 or 5 drops 2% MK-927 or 2% CF3SO2NH2 gave at 1 hr 1.5-3.9 μM drug in the retinas of treated eyes and 1.3-3.7 μM drug in retinas of the fellow eye. After allowance was made for the blood content of retinas (1.4-13%) and drug contained in whole blood due to systemic absorption, little (<1.4 μM) or no net accumulation in retina could be documented. In a second series of experiments animals were treated with 5 mg/kg i.v. of either MK-927 or CF3SO2NH2 in order to fully saturate red cell carbonic anhydrase prior to topical administration of drug. For MK-927 there was a net accumulation in retina 3 hrs following topical administration in both treated and fellow eyes (3-4 μM) which was approximately 1/4 the concentration in plasma, suggesting that some drug had ...
The rate of synthesis of histone mRNA during the development of sea urchin embryos (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)

Abstract The rates of synthesis of the mRNA molecules coding for histones of sea urchin embryos were determined. At different stages during the early development of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus , embryos were labeled for brief periods with a radioactive nucleoside. The specific activity of the precursor nucleoside triphosphate pool was measured, and the accumulation of radioactivity into histone mRNA molecules was monitored by separation of the RNA on polyacrylamide gels. The rate of histone mRNA synthesis was found to increase dramatically after the 16-cell stage, reaching a value of 80 × 10 −15 g/min/embryo at about the 128-cell stage and gradually declining to a value of 12 × 10 −15 g/min/embryo at the 300-cell stage. The maximal accumulation rates require that histone genes be transcribed at least once per minute.
Cytochemical and chromatographic demonstration of platelet histamine release by antigen-antibody reaction in vitro.

Einfache Farbemethode und Elektrophoresetechnik zum Nachweis von Thrombocyten-Histamin zur Aufdeckung einer allergischen Uberempfindlichkeit vom Sofort-Typ: zum Versuch dienten gegenuber Ei-Albumin uberempfindliche Kaninchen, zum Vergleich der Basophildegranulationstest.
A similarity scoring technique to analyse comparisons of real-world crashes to crash tests: initial results from a 12-point system

The most similar crash test was identified for each of 100 Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network (CIREN) cases. To quantify the best comparison pairs, a Similarity Scoring Methodology (SSM) with 12 parameters was developed. The results showed 18 comparisons with ‘low’ (0–6 points), 72 with ‘medium’ (7–9 points) and 10 with ‘high’ (10–12 points) similarity scores. Thirty-nine CIREN cases received a similarity point for deltaV (within range: ±16.1 kph [10 mph]). Thirty-seven CIREN cases had a lower deltaV than the crash test. For occupant parameters, seating position and airbag deployment received similarity points most frequently (86% each). Occupant height and weight received points least frequently (41% and 20%, respectively), typically because CIREN occupants were shorter and heavier compared with Anthropometric Test Device (ATD) sizes. This work establishes a standard SSM to be used with future studies and provides information about key differences between crash tests and real-world crashes.
THE SMALL INNER SATELLITES OF JUPITER

Abstract The images of the four inner small jovian satellites obtained by the Galileo Solid State Imaging (SSI) experiment have much more detailed shape, color, and photometric information than were provided previously by Voyager images. The satellites are in synchronous rotation and show no binary or bifurcated shapes. Thebe and Amalthea have densities of large craters approximately at “empirical equilibrium” levels. The leading sides of Metis, Amalthea, and Thebe are all 25–35% brighter than their trailing sides; the global-average, clear-filter (λ = 0.64 μm) geometric albedos of these three satellites are 0.063, 0.091, and 0.049, respectively. A definite color gradient is observed, with the satellites closer to Jupiter being redder: the mean violet/green ratio (0.42/0.56 μm) decreases from Thebe to Metis. This ratio also is lower for the trailing sides of Thebe and Amalthea than for their leading sides. Bright spots on Amalthea and Thebe are small (
Evaluation of pulmonary function and polysomnography in obese children and adolescents

Obese adults have an increased prevalence of pulmonary disorders. Although childhood obesity is a common problem, few studies have evaluated the pulmonary complications of obesity in the pediatric population. We, therefore, performed pulmonary function tests (PFTs), polysomnography, and multiple sleep latency tests (MSLTs) in 22 obese children and adolescents [mean age, 10 +/- 5 (SD) years; 73 percent female; 184 +/- 36 percent ideal body weight], none of whom presented because of sleep or respiratory complaints. PFTs were normal in all but two subjects. Ten (46 percent) subjects had abnormal polysomnograms. There was a positive correlation between the degree of obesity and the apnea index (r = 0.47, P < 0.05), and an inverse correlation between the degree of obesity and the Sa0(2) nadir (r = -0.60, P < 0.01). The degree of sleepiness on MSLT correlated with the degree of obesity (r = -0.50, P < 0.05). We conclude that obese children and adolescents have a high prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing, although in many cases it is mild. Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) improved following tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. We recommend that pediatricians have a high index of suspicion for OSAS when evaluating obese patients, and that polysomnography be considered for these patients.
Constrained minimum vertex cover in bipartite graphs: complexity and parameterized algorithms

Motivated by the research in reconfigurable memory array structures, this paper studies the complexity and algorithms for the constrained minimum vertex cover problem on bipartite graphs (NIN-CVCB) defined as follows: given a bipartite graph G = (V, E) with vertex bipartition V = U ∪ L and two integers ku and kl, decide whether there is a minimum vertex cover in G with at most ku vertices in U and at most kl vertices in L. It is proved in this paper that the MIN-CVCB problem is NP-complete. This answers a question posed by Hasan and Liu. A parameterized algorithm is developed for the problem, in which classical results in matching theory and recently developed techniques in parameterized computation theory are nicely combined and extended. The algorithm runs in time O(1.26ku + kl + (ku + kl) |G|) and significantly improves previous algorithms for the problem.
Revitalizing mature packaged goods

Managers of mature or established brands have received little guidance regarding the strategic and tactical decisions they must make to keep their brands healthy. By focusing on how existing consumers perceive, choose, and use brands, this paper suggests how managers can generate and prioritize strategic and tactical opportunities for revitalizing their brands. Specific recommendations are presented as to how these strategies can be successfully implemented by brands with differing levels of market share and resources.
Soluble Sperm Extract Triggers Inositol 1, 4, 5-Trisphosphate-induced Ca2+ Release in the Oocytes of the Sea Urchin, Anthocidaris crassispina

The substance in sperm which induces the activation of eggs at fertilization has yet to be elucidated. Osawa et al. reported that the soluble extract of sperm (spex) causes inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-induced Ca2+ release (IICR) in fertilized eggs of sea urchins when externally applied [Osawa et al., (1992). Zool. Sci. 9: 1206a]. This paper reports that spex also caused IICR in immature oocytes of Anthocidaris crassispina at their germinal vesicle stage and induced a transient increase in their intracellular Ca2+ concentration (Cai-transient). The peak value of this Cai-transient was 160 +/- 16 nM, a small increase by about 60 nM from the basal intracellular Ca2+ concentration, [Ca2+]i, of 96 +/- 12 nM. This reaction was completely blocked by heparin, an IICR inhibitor. Furthermore, the active factor in spex was resistant to pronase and did not show species specificity. It was found that Cai-transient can also be induced in oocytes by sperm. The peak value of the Cai-transient in this case was dependent on sperm concentration and was a maximum of approximately 250 nM, which was significantly lower than that at normal fertilization, i.e., 941 +/- 136 nM. The Cai-transient induced by sperm in oocytes was not suppressed, though its time course was delayed, by heparin.
A small amount can make a difference: a prospective human study of the paradoxical coagulation characteristics of hemothorax

Abstract Background The evacuated hemothorax has been poorly described because it varies with time, it has been found to be incoagulable, and its potential effect on the coagulation cascade during autotransfusion is largely unknown. Methods This is a prospective descriptive study of adult patients with traumatic chest injury necessitating tube thoracostomy. Pleural and venous samples were analyzed for coagulation, hematology, and electrolytes at 1 to 4 hours after drainage. Pleural samples were also analyzed for their effect on the coagulation cascade via mixing studies. Results Thirty-four subjects were enrolled with a traumatic hemothorax. The following measured coagulation factors were significantly depleted compared with venous blood: international normalized ratio (>9 vs 1.1) (P 180 vs 24.5 seconds) (P Conclusions An evacuated hemothorax does not vary in composition significantly with time and is incoagulable alone. Mixing studies with hemothorax plasma increased coagulation, raising safety concerns.
Problem Localization and Quantification Using Formal Evidential Reasoning for Virtual Networks

Overlay (virtual) networks are mainly used to improve Internet reliability and facilitate a rapid deployment of new services. However, in order for overlay services to adapt to dynamic network conditions in a timely manner, efficient diagnosis of performance problems is required. Existing overlay diagnosis approaches assume extensive knowledge about the network and require invasive monitoring sensors or active measurements. In this paper, we propose a novel diagnosis technique to localize performance anomalies and determine the packet loss in each network component. Our approach is purely based on packet loss observations at the end-points to reason about the loss location and severity in the network without any active probing or sensor deployment. We formulate the problem as a constraint-satisfaction problem using network loss properties and end-user observations. Our diagnosis is robust against insufficient observations or malicious end-user participation. We evaluate our approach extensively using simulation and experimentation and demonstrate the accuracy, effectiveness, and scalability of our approach under various network sizes, participation ratio, and malicious observation ratio.
Effect of dietary vitamin B12 on methionine biosynthesis by chick liver homogenates.

SummaryLiver homogenates from B12-deficient chicks converted formate to methionine methyl at a reduced rate and converted formaldehyde to methionine methyl at an accelerated rate. These results suggest the involvement of Vit. B12 in reduction of formate to formaldehyde, a reaction mediated by methylene tetrahydrofolic dehydrogenase.
Activation of phasic pontine-wave generator in the rat: a mechanism for expression of plasticity-related genes and proteins in the dorsal hippocampus and amygdala

A number of behavioral studies have emphasized the importance of interactions between the pontine-wave (P-wave) generator and the dorsal hippocampus (DH) in two-way active avoidance (TWAA) memory processing; however, the direct involvement of the P-wave generator in the TWAA training trial-induced molecular events in the DH and amygdala has not been systematically evaluated. Here we demonstrate that the TWAA learning training trials activate P-wave generator, and increase phosphorylation of CREB (pCREB) and expression of activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated (Arc) protein, as well as messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNAs) of Arc, brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF) and early growth response-1 (Egr-1) in the DH and amygdala. Selective elimination of P-wave-generating cells abolished P-wave activity and suppressed TWAA learning training trial-induced expression of pCREB and Arc proteins and Arc, BDNF and Egr-1 mRNAs in the DH and amygdala. Following a session of TWAA training, all rats were equal in terms of time spent in wakefulness, slow-wave sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep irrespective of P-wave lesions. The second set of experiments demonstrated that localized cholinergic stimulation of the P-wave generator increased expression of Arc, BDNF and Egr-1 mRNAs in the DH. Together, these findings provide the first direct evidence that activation of P-wave-generating cells is critically involved in the TWAA training trial-induced expression of plasticity-related genes in the DH and amygdala. These findings are discussed in relation to the role of P-wave generator activation for the REM sleep-dependent development and cognitive functions of the brain.
The outfit planning problem: Production planning in shipbuilding

Abstract : Shipbuilding as currently practiced in U.S. commercial shipyards employs little quantitative modelling or analysis in production planning. This paper presents a brief discussion of the shipbuilding process and focusses on one major component which is referred to as outfitting. The outfit planning problem is described in detail and then formally modelled as a generalization of the resource constrained project scheduling problem. The value of the approach as well as barriers to its adoption are also discussed. (Author)
Application of Pulsed Spark Discharge for Mitigation of Mineral Fouling in a Heat Exchanger

One of the challenges in the production of electricity is the cooling water management because the calcium content in circulating cooling water continues to increase with time as pure water evaporates. Thus, the excessive mineral contents in water circulation systems could cause severe fouling in heat transfer equipment. To avoid the catastrophic failure in condensers, the cooling water is discharged after 3 cycles at a rate of 10 million gallons a day in a 1,000-MW thermoelectric power plant. The present study investigated the effect of pulsed spark discharges on the mitigation of mineral fouling in a concentric counterflow heat exchanger. Artificial hard water with calcium carbonate hardness ranging from 250 to 500 ppm was used with velocity varying over a range of 0.1–0.5 m/s and zero blowdown. Fouling resistances decreased by 50–88% for the plasma treated cases compared with the values for no-treatment cases. SEM photographs showed particle with larger sizes for the plasma treated cases comparing to smaller but more organized particles for the no-treatment cases. The different structures of particles were associated with pulsed spark discharge assisted precipitation of calcium carbonate in oversaturated hard water. X-ray diffraction data showed calcite crystal structures for all cases.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
From secondary to primary prevention of progressive renal disease: The case for screening for albuminuria

From secondary to primary prevention of progressive renal disease: The case for screening for albuminuria. Many subjects nowadays present with end-stage renal failure and its attendant cardiovascular complications without known prior renal damage. In this report we review the evidence available to strongly suggest that the present practice of secondary prevention in those with known prior renal disease should be extended to primary prevention for those subjects in the general population who are at risk for progressive renal failure, but who had never suffered from a primary renal disease. We show that such subjects can be detected by screening for albuminuria. Elevated urinary albumin loss is an indicator not only of poor renal, but also of poor cardiovascular prognosis. In addition to diabetic subjects who are at risk for albuminuria, we also show that hypertensive, obese, and smoking subjects are more susceptible. We suggest that therapies that have been shown to lower albumin excretion, such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, and statins be started early in such patients to prevent them from developing clinical renal disease and its attendant cardiovascular complications.
ATP scavenging by the intracellular pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis inhibits P2X7-mediated host-cell apoptosis

The purinergic receptor P2X(7) is involved in cell death, inhibition of intracellular infection and secretion of inflammatory cytokines. The role of the P2X(7) receptor in bacterial infection has been primarily established in macrophages. Here we show that primary gingival epithelial cells, an important component of the oral innate immune response, also express functional P2X(7) and are sensitive to ATP-induced apoptosis. Porphyromonas gingivalis, an intracellular bacterium and successful colonizer of oral tissues, can inhibit gingival epithelial cell apoptosis induced by ATP ligation of P2X(7) receptors. A P. gingivalis homologue of nucleoside diphosphate kinase (NDK), an ATP-consuming enzyme, is secreted extracellularly and is required for maximal suppression of apoptosis. An ndk-deficient mutant was unable to prevent ATP-induced host-cell death nor plasma membrane permeabilization in the epithelial cells. Treatment with purified recombinant NDK inhibited ATP-mediated host-cell plasma membrane permeabilization in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, NDK promotes survival of host cells by hydrolysing extracellular ATP and preventing apoptosis-mediated through P2X(7).
William James, Gustav Fechner, and Early Psychophysics

American psychologist and philosopher William James devoted the entirety of his career to exploring the nature of volition, as expressed by such phenomena as will, attention, and belief. As part of that endeavor, James's unorthodox scientific pursuits, from his experiments with nitrous oxide and hallucinogenic drugs to his investigation of spiritualist mediums, represent his attempt to address the "hard problems" of consciousness for which his training in brain physiology and experimental psychology could not entirely account. As a student, James's reading in chemistry and physics had sparked his interest in the concepts of energy and force, terms that he later deployed in his writing about consciousness and in his arguments against philosophical monism and scientific materialism, as he developed his "radically empiricist" ideas privileging discontinuity and plurality. Despite James's long campaign against scientific materialism, he was, however, convinced of the existence of a naturalistic explanation for the more "wayward and fitful" aspects of mind, including transcendent experiences associated with hysteria, genius, and religious ecstasy. In this paper, I examine aspects of James's thought that are still important for contemporary debates in psychology and neuroscience: his "transmission theory" of consciousness, his ideas on the "knowing of things together," and, finally, the related concept of "the compounding of consciousness," which postulates the theoretical possibility for individual entities within a conscious system of thought to "know" the thoughts of others within the system. Taken together, these ideas suggest that James, in spite of, or perhaps because of, his forays into metaphysics, was working toward a naturalistic understanding of consciousness, what I will term a "distributive model," based on his understanding of consciousness as an "awareness" that interacts dynamically within, and in relation to, its environment.
Crimes and violence in Mexico: Evidence from panel data

Drug-related violence is now an everyday occurrence in Mexico's northern border-states. While it often appears that all crimes are on the rise in the border region, the actual number of alleged offenders caught and brought to court differs significantly for different types of crime. Using panel data for Mexico's 31 states plus the Federal District from 2004 to 2008, it was found that there were more alleged offenders caught per 100,000 inhabitants involving theft, property damage, and carrying prohibited arms, in Mexico's northern border-states compared to interior states. The effects of other socioeconomic variables on crime in Mexico, such as GDP, incarceration rates, births to single mothers and expenditures on public security, were also examined.
Pontin, a new mutant p53-binding protein, promotes gain-of-function of mutant p53

Tumor-suppressor p53 is frequently mutated in human cancers. Many tumor-associated mutant p53 (mutp53) proteins gain new functions in promoting tumorigenesis, defined as gain-of-function (GOF). The mechanisms for mutp53 GOF are not well understood. Here, we report Pontin, a highly conserved AAA+ ATPase important for various cellular functions, as a new mutp53-binding protein. This Pontin-mutp53 interaction promotes mutp53 GOF in invasion, migration and anchorage-independent growth of tumor cells. The ATPase domain of Pontin is crucial for its promoting effect on mutp53 GOF; blocking the ATPase activity of Pontin by a Pontin-specific ATPase inhibitor or an ATPase-deficient dominant-negative Pontin expression vector greatly diminished mutp53 GOF. Pontin promotes mutp53 GOF through regulation of mutp53 transcriptional activity; knockdown of Pontin abolished the transcriptional regulation of mutp53 toward a group of genes. Furthermore, overexpression of Pontin in tumors is associated with the poor survival in cancer patients, especially those containing mutp53. Our results highlight an important role and mechanism for Pontin, a new mutp53 partner, in promoting mutp53 GOF in tumorigenesis.
Terminal arbors of individual, physiologically identified geniculocortical axons in the tree shrew's striate cortex.

We studied the terminal patterns of single, physiologically identified geniculocortical axons in the striate cortex of the tree shrew by using intracellular recording and labeling methods. Axons were classified by their response to the onset (ON-center) or offset (OFF-center) of a light stimulus presented to the ipsilateral or contralateral eye. Then, we attempted to penetrate each axon for labeling with horseradish peroxidase. We recovered 23 axons and studied 16 of these in detail. Light microscopic reconstructions of these axons revealed several distinct terminal patterns within cortical layer IV. ON-center axons had terminal arbors that ended mainly in the upper part of layer IV (IVa), while OFF-center axons ended in the lower part of layer IV (IVb). Within layers IVa and IVb, axons driven by the ipsilateral eye and those driven by the contralateral eye had overlapping distributions. However, their terminal arbors differed in size, in shape, and in the number of boutons. Compared with contralateral eye arbors, ipsilateral eye axons were on average three times larger in lateral extent (925 microns vs. 325 microns), spread over four times the surface area (0.13 mm2 vs. 0.03 mm2), and supported one and one-half times as many terminal boutons (1,647 vs. 1,086). The ipsilateral eye axons had more boutons at the edges of layer IV (i.e., the upper part of layer IVa and the lower part of layer IVb), while those from the contralateral eye axons were more evenly distributed. These results show that each functional class of geniculocortical fiber has a different laminar and areal arrangement of boutons and we consider the significance of these differences for visual cortical function.
Tomasch-effect study of the Fermi surface of lead

The relationship between the period of Tomasch oscillation in superconducting, single crystal Pb films and the fermi surface is investigated. A new analysis of Tomasch oscillation data is employed which yields values of the renormalised fermi velocity of lead crsytals different in some cases both in value and in the number of discrete velocities present for a given tunneling direction from earlier measurements. The effective mass of electrons with phonon renormalisation is derived and compared with the calculation of Anderson, O'Sullivan and Schirber (1972). 14 refs.
Trace Element Mobility and Lithium Isotope Exchange During Hydrothermal Alteration of Seafloor Weathered Basalt: An Experimental Study at 350°C, 500 Bars

Abstract The relative mobility of trace incompatible elements and exchange of lithium isotopes during alteration of basalt previously altered by exposure to seawater at low temperatures (seafloor weathered) were experimentally determined at 350°C, 500 bars. These data are important as a means to test models calling for hydrothermal alteration of weathered basalt as a source of alkali elements for hot spring vent fluids at mid-ocean ridges. Weathered basalt used for the experiment was characterized by high Cs, Rb, B, K, and Li concentrations, high Cs/Rb, and low K/Rb and Ba/Rb ratios, respectively, relative to fresh basalt. The basalt is enriched in 7Li consistent with a history involving Li uptake during seafloor weathering. The experiment involved a Na-Ca-K-Cl fluid and flexible cell hydrothermal equipment, which permitted periodic sampling of the fluid phase at experimental conditions. The extraction efficiency of all trace incompatible elements was significant and ranged from 40 to 80%. Cesium, rubidium, lithium, and boron were particularly mobile, whereas Ba, Sr, and to a lesser degree, K were taken up by alteration minerals. Early stage release of Li was dominated by 7Li, most probably as a consequence of the dissolution of low temperature alteration phases in the weathered basalt that were rendered unstable at the elevated temperatures of the experiment. Subsequently, however, an increase in 6Li in solution was observed owing to a combination of mineral dissolution (from Li-bearing components in fresh basalt) and isotopic equilibration effects. Owing to the mobility of Li during hydrothermal alteration of weathered basalt, it is unlikely that dissolution of weathered basalt components in subseafloor reaction zones (350–400°C) could occur without noticeably affecting the lithium isotope composition of vent fluids, as inferred previously from field studies. Thus, the relatively high Cs/Rb ratios of some vent fluids, which were thought to be the result of hydrothermal alteration of weathered basalt, may be caused by other effects, such as partitioning of Rb relative to Cs into hydrothermal minerals at temperatures in excess of 400°C. Cs/Rb ratios in vent fluids from a wide range of Pacific and Atlantic-ridge localities, however, reveal relatively large variations in space and time, which suggest that a single process is unlikely to account for all of the data. The relative mobility of trace alkali elements in weathered basalt not only constrains models of alkali element enrichment in hot spring vent fluids at mid-ocean ridges, but also provides data bearing on potential sources of alkali elements for arc magmas in subduction zones.
Templating hollow polymeric spheres from catanionic equilibrium vesicles: Synthesis and characterization

Hollow polymer spheres of styrene and divinyl benzene can be templated from catanionic equilibrium vesicles formed by cetyltrimethylammonium tosylate (CTAT) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium octyl sulfate (SOS). Characterization by many methods suggests the microstructure of the equilibrium vesicle template is left largely intact in the final polymer product. The particles have an average radius of ca. 60 nm and a membrane shell less than 10 nm thick. The cross-linked hollow polymer vesicles are robust and withstand complete drying and resuspension in water with no apparent change in microstructure. The polymer membrane surfaces can be functionalized by sulfonation or surfactant adsorption, and this functionalization prevents aggregation of the polymer particles when they are resuspended in water.
Data base selection in toxicological risk assessment and management

Abstract In recent years, there has been increasing awareness of the differences in maximum allowable levels developed by the various federal regulatory agencies. It has generally been presumed that the variation in levels arises from differences in risk management decisions, i.e., how the data are used. This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that differences in choice of data to utilize also have a significant impact on interagency variation. To test this hypothesis, a comparison was made between the data bases used by the EPA Office of Drinking Water and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in setting maximum levels for pesticides in drinking water and workplace air, respectively. The results show that the same data are only infrequently used as bases for both types of regulatory levels. The study also indicates that the differences in data selection cannot be ascribed to factors related to the applicability of different data for the two types of exposures—drinking water and workplace air. There are essentially no differences in the data with respect to route of exposure, species (laboratory animals vs humans), or length of exposure. No obvious scientific basis for the differences was found. Other possible selection factors are discussed.
MESUR: usage-based metrics of scholarly impact

The evaluation of scholarly communication items is now largely a matter of expert opinion or metrics derived from citation data. Both approaches can fail to take into account the myriad of factors that shape scholarly impact. Usage data has emerged as a promising complement to existing methods o fassessment but the formal groundwork to reliably and validly apply usage-based metrics of schlolarly impact is lacking. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation funded MESUR project constitutes a systematic effort to define, validate and cross-validate a range of usage-based metrics of schlolarly impact by creating a semantic model of the scholarly communication process. The constructed model will serve as the basis of a creating a large-scale semantic network that seamlessly relates citation, bibliographic and usage data from a variety of sources. A subsequent program that uses the established semantic network as a reference data set will determine the characteristics and semantics of a variety of usage-based metrics of schlolarly impact. This paper outlines the architecture and methodology adopted by the MESUR project and its future direction.
Solution Structure of the Sortase Required for Efficient Production of Infectious Bacillus anthracis Spores

Bacillus anthracis forms metabolically dormant endospores that upon germination can cause lethal anthrax disease in humans. Efficient sporulation requires the activity of the SrtC sortase (BaSrtC), a cysteine transpeptidase that covalently attaches the BasH and BasI proteins to the peptidoglycan of the forespore and predivisional cell, respectively. To gain insight into the molecular basis of protein display, we used nuclear magnetic resonance to determine the structure and backbone dynamics of the catalytic domain of BaSrtC (residues Ser56–Lys198). The backbone and heavy atom coordinates of structurally ordered amino acids have coordinate precision of 0.42 ± 0.07 and 0.82 ± 0.05 A, respectively. BaSrtCΔ55 adopts an eight-stranded β-barrel fold that contains two short helices positioned on opposite sides of the protein. Surprisingly, the protein dimerizes and contains an extensive, structurally disordered surface that is positioned adjacent to the active site. The surface is formed by two loops (β2−β3 and...
Nuclear fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) isoforms inhibit bone marrow stromal cell mineralization through FGF23/FGFR/MAPK in vitro

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is responsible for phosphate wasting and the phenotypic changes observed in human diseases such as X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH). Targeted overexpression of nuclear high-molecular weight fibroblast growth factor 2 isoforms (HMW isoforms) in osteoblasts resulted in a transgenic mouse with phenotypic changes similar to XLH, including increased FGF23, hypophosphatemia, and rickets/osteomalacia. The goal of this study was to assess whether HMW isoforms also reduced mineralized bone formation via phosphate-independent effects in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) by modulating FGF23/FGF receptor (FGFR)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling. To determine if decreased bone formation in BMSC cultures from HMW transgenic mice could be rescued by blocking this pathway, an FGF23 neutralizing antibody, the FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor SU5402 and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor PD98059 were used. FGF23 levels in the conditioned medium of HMW BMSC cultures were dramatically increased compared to BMSC from control (Vector) mice. Mineralized nodule formation was significantly decreased in HMW BMSC cultures compared with control cultures. The decreased nodule formation in HMW cultures was partially rescued by the FGF23 neutralizing antibody, SU5402 and PD98059. mRNA levels for the osteoblast-related genes, osteocalcin, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and osterix, and the osteocyte-related gene dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 (Dmp1) were significantly decreased in HMW cultures compared with control cultures, and the decreases were partially rescued by SU5402 or PD98059 treatment. Matrix-gla-protein (Mgp) mRNA was significantly higher in HMW cultures compared with control cultures, reduced by SU5402, but further increased by PD98059. Our results suggest that phosphate-independent effects of HMW isoforms in vitro may be directly mediated in part via FGF23 and that HMW isoforms signal via FGF23/FGFR/MAPK to inhibit bone formation in vitro.
Contribution of ice sheet and mountain glacier melt to recent sea level rise

Altimeter data suggest that sea level rose by about 2.4 mm per year from 2005 to 2011, but estimates of the relative contributions of ocean warming and increased ocean mass are equivocal. An analysis of ocean temperature and satellite gravity data suggests that the delivery of meltwater from ice sheets and mountain glaciers contributed 75% of the observed sea-level rise.