cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of oxygenation and ph on tumor cell response to alkylating chemotherapy

Abstract In the present investigations we evaluated the consequence of changing the cellular microenvironment on the treatment efficacy of the alkylating chemotherapeutic agent melphalan. Human A549 adenocarcinoma and mouse KHT/iv sarcoma cells were treated with melphalan under aerobic or hypoxic conditions at pH 6.6 or 7.4. Both low oxygenation and acidic pH individually were found to increase tumor cell killing by this chemotherapeutic agent. However, the magnitude of the enhanced toxic effect was greatest when hypoxic conditions and acidic pH were combined during treatment. For example, A549 cells treated with melphalan under hypoxic conditions at pH 6.6 were ∼3 times more sensitive to this anticancer drug than were cells exposed in air at pH 7.4. Conditions of low oxygen and pH also increased the chemosensitization potential of the nitroimidazole misonidazole (MISO) when combined with this chemotherapeutic agent. Thus, when KHT/iv cells were treated with the combination of melphalan plus MISO, the resulting enhancement ratio increased from 1.8 to 2.5, when the pH maintained during the treatment was changed from physiologic (7.4) to acidic (6.6).
A consideration of curved interfaces in stress-assisted martensite formation

A purely mechanical, sharp interface model is developed to consider curved interfaces that have been observed between martensite phase variants. The approach is based on a theory of small strains as distinct from small displacement gradients. It admits a realistic characterization of each phase with standard elasticity tensors and allows for inhomogeneous states of strain within each phase including inhomogeneous, finite rotations. The model indicates that any signficant interface curvature must be due to material rotation because interfaces cannot be finitely curved with respect to the material lattice. It is also found that the interface driving traction is not influenced by local lattice rotations unless inertia affects the reaction.
Infrared reflectance absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS). Study of the thermal stability of perfluorinated sulphonic acid ionomers on Pt

Infrared Reflectance Absorption Spectroscopy (IRRAS) has been used to study the thermal stability of Nafion (du Pont, equivalent weight=1100) and a similar perfluorinated sulphonic acid ionomer (PFSI) made by the Dow Chemical Company (equivalent weight=560). Purified aqueous PFSI electrolytes solutions were prepared, PFSI films (0.5–5 μm) were cast from these aqueous PFSI solutions onto Pt foil substrates for spectral study after heating at various temperatures. Spectra were recorded at room temperature in a vacuum after a film on Pt had been heated at a particular temperature in the presence of air. The temperature range was 22–300°C. Spectral changes for a PFSI film on Pt were not significant when heated at up to 200°C in an air atmosphere; however, when heated at 300°C there was a significant decrease in intensity for S-O related bands indicating substantial loss of the sulphonic acid groups from these ionomers.
Perturbations of unitary representations of finite dimensional Lie groups

Abstract In quantum physical theories, interactions in a system of particles are commonly understood as perturbations to certain observables, including the Hamiltonian, of the corresponding interaction-free system. The manner in which observables undergo perturbations is subject to constraints imposed by the overall symmetries that the interacting system is expected to obey. Primary among these are the spacetime symmetries encoded by the unitary representations of the Galilei group and Poincare group for the non-relativistic and relativistic systems, respectively. In this light, interactions can be more generally viewed as perturbations to unitary representations of connected Lie groups, including the non-compact groups of spacetime symmetry transformations. In this paper, we present a simple systematic procedure for introducing perturbations to (infinite dimensional) unitary representations of finite dimensional connected Lie groups. We discuss applications to relativistic and non-relativistic particle systems.
Influence of Gender on Rates of Hospitalization, Hospital Course, and Hypercapnea in High-Risk Patients Admitted for Asthma: A 10-year Retrospective Study at Yale-New Haven Hospital

Study objectives: To compare the relative numbers andhospital course of men vs women admitted at least twice with asthma orstatus asthmaticus to Yale-New Haven Hospital (YNHH) during the periodfrom 1985 to 1994. Design: A retrospective chartreview. Setting: YNHH. Patients: High-risk men and women (age range, 18 to 50 years) admitted at leasttwice during the study period with the discharge diagnosis of asthma orstatus asthmaticus. Results: Of 561 adult asthmapatients admitted during the study period, 188 were admitted at leasttwice and accounted for 68% of the total asthma admissions. Onehundred three of the 188 patients were randomly selected, and all oftheir asthma admissions were retrospectively reviewed. The 103 patientsaccounted for 382 admissions. Seventy-two percent of these patients and68.6% of the admissions were women. The proportions of each genderrequiring admission to the medical ICU (15.65% women vs 11.67% men)or intubation (8.00% women vs 5.80% men) were not significantlydifferent. Women did exhibit a definite trend toward longer admissions(4.92 days vs 4.04 days; p co 2 levels (p co 2 levels than women (48.73 mm Hg vs41.04 mm Hg; p co 2 levels than their respective femalecounterparts (p Conclusions: At YNHH, 68% of all admissions for asthma in this age group are attributable tohigh-risk patients. High-risk female patients are admitted twice asoften as high-risk male patients and tend to have longer admissions. Once admitted, however, the proportion of men and women requiring themedical MICU or intubation were similar. High-risk male patients onpresentation are consistently more hypercapneic than high-risk femalepatients. Therefore, the mechanisms contributing to the genderdifferences in asthma admissions may include differences in theventilatory response to hypercapnea or in the tolerance to airwayobstruction.
Revolution versus evolution?: Understanding scientific and technological diffusion in synthetic biology and their implications for biosecurity policies

Synthetic biology enthusiasts often tout the emerging field for its present and future potential to revolutionize the life sciences. In the biosecurity arena, which has received considerable government and non-government attention, many are concerned that synthetic biology may prove to be an easier and cheaper way to conduct bioterrorism. To evaluate these claims, this article will focus on contrasting two different frameworks that have been used for understanding the development, diffusion and adoption of synthetic biology. In contrasting these frameworks, I will draw on examples from biotechnology and information technology because they are often used as analogies in synthetic biology discussions. I conclude that the critical elements for successful development, transfer, and use of synthetic biology methodologies and tools for harm are not purely material or technical, but involve important social dimensions that underpin technical work, requiring time, teams of experts, appropriate political, legal, and funding structures, and the development of new (still unknown) techno-organizational processes. To date, there have been few studies that have explored these socio-technical mechanisms of synthetic biology diffusion through in-depth examination at a micro and macro level. However, by having a more nuanced understanding of various synthetic biology approaches and how they are (or are not) able to travel easily to new settings, one can create a more refined spectrum of factors shaping threats from state and non-state actors related to synthetic biology. This article ends by outlining new research agendas important to support and pursue in order to improve biosecurity policymaking.
Abstract 5191: Periostin signaling in breast cancer stem cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Recent evidence suggests that the molecular heterogeneity inherent to breast cancer, which underlies metastasis, resistance to treatment and disease recurrence, can be driven by a distinct subpopulation of tumor cells referred to as cancer stem cells. Breast cancer stem cells are associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the basal-like molecular subtype of tumors, exhibit a CD44+/CD24- expression profile and have an enhanced capacity to form mammospheres. However, the extracellular cues and intracellular pathways that cancer stem cells rely on remain unclear. Using a cell line model of breast cancer progression we found a carcinoma line that was enriched for cancer stem cells. Using microarray expression profiling we identified periostin, a secreted extracellular matrix protein, to be overexpressed in this cell line and numerous other basal-like cell lines. Periostin was also overexpressed in populations that were enriched for cancer stem cells through other means such as cell sorting or growth as mammospheres. Furthermore, cancer stem cell-like populations displayed increased surface levels of the alpha-v beta-3 integrin heterodimer, a known receptor for periostin, suggesting that hyperactivation of periostin signaling may be a common feature of the cancer stem cell state. In support of this, cells with high levels of alpha-v beta-3 integrin form significantly more mammospheres and exhibit an enhanced capacity for growth on soft agar, a surrogate marker of tumorigenesis. Conversely, treatment of cells with an alpha-V beta-3 inhibitory antibody decreased mammosphere formation in a dose-dependent manner. Knockdown of periostin expression does not seem to alter the proportion of CD44+/CD24- cells but it does influence their ability to grow as mammospheres and the activity of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), another marker of cancer stem cells. Finally, as periostin is a TGF-beta inducible gene, we are currently testing the role of periostin in TGF-beta induced EMT and have seen evidence for an attenuation of this process. Ongoing studies are aimed at characterizing the intracellular pathways regulated by periostin and determining the effect of periostin expression on chemotherapeutic resistance and metastasis, two properties which may be enhanced by the presence of cancer stem cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5191. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5191
What is Predictive Technology Model (PTM)

The minimum feature size of CMOS technology will reach 10nm in ten years. Beyond that benchmark, the present scaling approach may have to take a different route. The grand challenge to integrated circuit design community is to identify alternative technologies, such as carbon-based electronics, integrate them into the circuit architecture, and enable continuous growth of chip scale and performance. Predictive Technology Model (PTM), which bridges the process development and circuit simulation through device modeling, is essential in assessing potentials and limits of new technology and in supporting early design prototyping.
Bias Properties of Extragalactic Distance Indicators. VII. Correlation of Absolute Luminosity and Rotational Velocity for SC Galaxies over the Range of Luminosity Class from I to III-IV

A distance-limited subset of the complete flux-limited sample of Sc galaxies in the Revised Shapley-Ames Catalog of Bright Galaxies is isolated by means of separate Spaenhauer diagrams for six individual van den Bergh luminosity class intervals from Sc I + I.2, .3 to Sc III–IV. The distribution functions of kinematic absolute B(220, 50) magnitudes and 21 cm line widths, W20, corrected to edge-on orientation, have been determined for the same six bins of luminosity class. The individual luminosity functions for each luminosity class are bounded on both the bright and faint ends, showing that the present sample includes no dwarf Sc spirals fainter than M(BT)(220, 50) = -18 belonging to luminosity classes I to III–IV, as defined by the regularity of the spiral pattern. Star-forming galaxies with spiral structures as regular as the ones found in these luminosity classes have absolute magnitudes brighter than MB(H = 50) = -18 and 21 cm line widths larger than W20/ sin i = 2vrot(max) = 165 km s-1. Furthermore, the 21 cm line-width distributions move toward smaller rotational velocities as the luminosity classes change from I to III, showing that rotation is a principal parameter determining the regularity of the spiral pattern. Whether it is the only parameter awaits a similar investigation for spirals of all luminosity classes along the complete Hubble sequence. In particular, it has not yet been proved that all Im and Sm galaxies, where, by definition, the spiral arms are either lacking or are semichaotic, have absolute magnitudes that are fainter than MB = -18 and whose 21 cm LWs are smaller than ~165 km s-1, presumably because of smaller mass than the high-luminosity, regular spirals. The Teerikorpi "cluster population incompleteness bias" is demonstrated again. Here, however, as in Papers II–IV of this series, we use field galaxies to show that the slope and zero point of the Tully-Fisher (T-F) relation are systematically incorrect for flux-limited samples, the error increasing with redshift. The data also support the possibility that the zero point of the T-F relation for Sc galaxies, even in the distance-limited sample, is a function of luminosity class, varying by 0.42 mag between Sc I + I.2, .3 and Sc III galaxies if the slope of the T-F relation for each class is taken to be that of the fundamental calibrating galaxies with Cepheid distances. If true, this is presumably due to differences in the mass distribution and, therefore, in the resulting rotational velocity field as a function of luminosity class even within a fixed Hubble type.
Suppression of liver cytochrome P450 by α-hederin : relevance to hepatoprotection

This study was designed to determine the protective effects of alpha-hederin on chemical-induced liver injury in CF-1 mice and to evaluate cytochrome P450 suppression by alpha-hederin as a means of protection. alpha-Hederin pretreatment (30 mumol/kg, sc x 3 days) protected mice from acetaminophen-, bromobenzene-, carbon tetrachloride-, furosemide-, and thioacetamide-induced liver injury, without affecting the hepatotoxicity of chloroform and dimethylnitrosamine. To examine the role of P450 in hepatoprotection by alpha-hederin, liver microsomes were prepared 24 hr following the last dose of alpha-hederin treatment (10 and 30 mumol/kg, sc x 3 days). Treatment of mice with alpha-hederin produced a dose-dependent suppression of liver cytochrome P450 (30-50%) and cytochrome b5 (20-30%) levels, as well as NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity (15-25%). alpha-Hederin treatment also decreased the activities of P450 enzymes, such as 7-ethoxyresorufin O-dealkylation (65%), 7-pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylation (50%), coumarin 7-hydroxylation (40%), 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylation (45%), caffeine N3-demethylation (30-50%), chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation (35-55%), and the oxidation of testosterone to 2 alpha-, 6 alpha-, 15 alpha-, 15 beta-, 16 alpha-, 16 beta-, and 18/12 alpha-hydroxyltestosterone, androstenedione, and 6-dehydroxytestosterone (25-60%). Consistent with these observations, the levels of CYP1A, CYP2A, and CYP3A enzymes were also suppressed, as determined by immunoblotting with antibodies against rat P450 enzymes. These results demonstrate that treatment of mice with alpha-hederin decreases the levels and activities of several P450 enzymes. The suppression of P450 appears to be one of mechanisms by which alpha-hederin protects mice from the hepatotoxicity of some chemicals.
Paraventricular area: critical focus of a longitudinal neurocircuitry mediating food intake.

Abstract Hyperphagia, obesity, and excessive linear growth, but not hyperdipsia, were produced by the asymmetrical combination of a parasagittal hypothalamic knife cut and a contralateral coronal knife cut. When the location of the coronal cut was varied systematically, it was found that cuts rostral to the coronal level of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neither produced nor prevented overeating, while cuts caudal to the PVN produced a robust hyperphagic response. Thus, the coronal level of the paraventricular nucleus was revealed as the rostral focus of a longitudinal satiety neurocircuitry.
Superiority of QTL-assisted selection in dairy cattle breeding schemes.

Abstract The superiority of selection schemes employing information about a known quantitative trait locus (QTL) over conventional schemes is examined for dairy cattle breeding schemes. Stochastic simulation of a dairy cattle population with selection practices, structures, and parameters similar to the US Holstein population was implemented. Additive genetic effects were estimated by an animal model. Two schemes were compared: a QTL-assisted selection scheme in which the genotype of a known QTL was accounted for in the animal model as a fixed factor, and a QTL-free selection scheme in which the QTL was simulated but was not fit separately in the animal model. Under the QTL-assisted selection scheme, all animals in the mixed model were assumed to be genotyped for the QTL. The effect of using QTL information on the genetic response, the frequency of the favorable QTL allele, and the accuracy of evaluation were examined. Moreover, the effect was studied in four distinct paths of selection: active sires, proven young bulls, bull dams, and first-lactation cows. Average superiority values of 4.6, 7.6, 11.7, and 1.1% for genetic response were observed over 16 yr of selection for active sires, young bulls, bull dams, and first-lactation cows, respectively. Frequency of the favorable QTL allele changed faster in bull dams than males, and was the slowest in first-lactation cows. Finally, accuracy of evaluation under the QTL-assisted selection scheme was higher than under the QTL-free selection scheme. Young bulls of the QTL-assisted selection scheme on average had 0.049 higher accuracy, and first-lactation cows had on average 0.185 higher accuracy than corresponding animals of the QTL-free selection scheme.
Thermodynamic and nonstoichiometric behavior of the lead-doped and lead-free Bi-2212 systems

EMF measurements of oxygen fugacities as a function of stoichiometry were made on pb-doped and Pb-free superconducting ceramics at 700-815 C using oxygen titration. Equations of oxygen partial pressure vs composition and temperature were derived from the EMF measurements. Thermodynamic assessments of the partial molar quantities {Delta}{bar H}(O{sub 2}) and {Delta}{bar S}(O{sub 2}) for Pb-doped Bi- 2212 and Pb-free Bi-2212 indicate that the solid-state decomposition of these Bi cuprates at low oxygen partial pressure can be represented by the diphasic CuO-Cu{sub 2}O system. Comparison of these results with Pb-doped Bi-2223 in powder and silver sheath form is presented.
Species-specific accumulation of polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants in birds of prey from the Chesapeake Bay region, USA.

Abstract Compared to organochlorines, little is known about polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) contamination of birds of prey breeding in the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the U.S. This study examined and compared PBDE contamination in eggs of osprey, double-crested cormorant, brown pelican and peregrine falcon from this area. Several legacy persistent organic pollutants such as PCBs and DDE were also investigated. The level of urbanization of the landscape appeared to influence the level of PBDE exposure. PBDE congener distribution patterns varied between piscivorous and terrestrial-feeding birds. This suggests individual congeners may be subject to differences in bioaccumulation, biomagnification or metabolism in the aquatic and terrestrial food webs. Biomagnification of PBDEs was studied in the Bay aquatic food chains for the first time. A biomagnification factor of 25.1 was estimated for ΣPBDEs for the fish – osprey egg food chain. Hazard quotients, applied as a preliminary evaluation, indicated that PBDEs may pose a moderate hazard to ospreys and peregrine falcons through impairment of reproductive performance.
Intracellular calcium levels correlate with speed and persistent forward motion in migrating neutrophils

The relationship between cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and human neutrophil motility was studied by video microscopy. Neutrophils stimulated by a uniform concentration of an N-formylated peptide chemoattractant (f-Met-Leu-Phe) were tracked during chemokinetic migration on albumin, fibronectin, and vitronectin. [Ca2+]i buffering with quin2 resulted in significant decreases in mean speed on albumin. To further characterize the relationship between [Ca2+]i changes and motility we carried out a cross-correlation analysis of [Ca2+]i with several motility parameters. Cross-correlations between [Ca2+]i and each cell's speed, angle changes, turn strength, and persistent forward motion revealed (i) a positive correlation between [Ca2+]i and cell speed (p
Semiautomated gel chromatography to characterize broad molecular weight distributions of cytoplasmic extracts from coastal bermuda grass

Abstract A stable semiautomated gel chromatograph was developed and can fractionate globular molecules whose sizes range from 340 to 1,000,000 daltons. The instrument was used to characterize size distributions of molecules in the cytoplasmic fraction of coastal bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.). Distribution was continuous over the entire fractionating range of the gel. Further, the apparent molecular weight distribution depended upon the method of detection. Thus, the apparent first moment molecular weights were 5180, 10,800, and 32,000 daltons, as determined, respectively, by refractive index measurements and by absorbance readings at 254 and 206 nm.
Red cell alloimmunization after a bone allograft.

Background: Alloimmunization to blood group antigens other than ABH after bone allografting is uncommon. To date, examples of alloimmunization to blood group antigens other than ABH have been limited to the Rh system. Case Report: A 20-year-old woman received an allogeneic bone graft following resection of an osteosarcoma. The patient had received no blood components and denied any pregnancies. Alloimmunization was detected and alloantibodies were identified by standard serologic techniques. Fourteen months after the bone graft, anti-Fy a and anti-Jk b were identified in her serum. Conclusion: Alloimmunization to blood group antigens other than ABO and Rh may follow bone allografting
Measurement and evaluation issues in education: The value of multivariate techniques in evaluating an innovative high school reform program

Abstract The purpose of this chapter is twofold. The first is to explore uses of new methods for the analysis of multilevel data in school effectiveness research with limited observed data, where the word “limited” is used because more often than not interesting information about changes in teaching styles and the influence of teachers on students is limited, and sometimes incomplete. The statistical and mathematical models we use to analyze our data should allow us to deal with these facts. Secondly a contribution is made to school effectiveness research by establishing that multilevel causes determine student achievement. The combination of student ability, a new curriculum and teacher satisfaction predict student achievement in a multilevel multivariate analysis. The rich data set contains 342 students, 20 teachers and more than 50 variables for each level, the student level and the teacher level. Half of the teachers were in an experimental condition, teaching a new type of class, called Humanitas, the other half taught history in a traditional way, and served as the control group in twelve schools in Los Angeles county. The statistical models used in this chapter can be described as (1) a data reduction model, where several observed variables are combined into a single scale, (2) a regression model for multilevel data, with a single dependent variable, and (3) a model for multilevel multivariate analysis. One of the conclusions of this chapter is that researchers should have a certain amount of knowledge of how the data are generated regarding the important relationships between the variables, before choosing a complicated model. It is advisable to explore the data, guided by a theoretical model, before fitting complicated hierarchical bilevel path models with latent variables. Above statements are in support of Rubin's statement (1991, p. 306): “that complicated analyses are often necessary in complicated problems, but unless their conclusions can be represented in clear summaries that can be supported by the real data and the observations in the field, they should not be trusted. Too often, the results of complicated analyses are summarized without making clear how the conclusions are consistent with the raw data”. The multilevel analyses in this chapter are such complicated analysis tools. The data are experimental data, collected under close observation by the researchers. The knowledge gained from the complicated data analysis is supported by observations, interviews and simple exploratory data analysis. The positive effect, on students and teachers, of an experimental curriculum in ten secondary high schools is revealed by multilevel path analysis with latent variables.
Netrin-1 improves post-injury cardiac function in vivo via DCC/NO-dependent preservation of mitochondrial integrity, while attenuating autophagy.

Reperfusion injury of the heart is a severe complication of angioplasty treatment of acute myocardial ischemia, for which no therapeutics are currently available. The present study aimed to identify whether and how a novel protein, netrin-1, induces cardioprotection in vivo during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Wild type (WT) C57BL6/J mice were subjected to a 30 min coronary occlusion followed by a 24 h reperfusion with vehicle (normal saline), netrin-1, UO126 (MEK1/2 inhibitor), PTIO (nitric oxide/NO scavenger), netrin-1/UO126 or netrin-1/PTIO intraventricularly. Some were injected of netrin-1 via tail vein. Netrin-1 at 5 μg/kg induced a substantial reduction in infarct size (19.7 ± 5.0% from 41.3 ± 1.8% in the controls), and markedly improved cardiac function as measured by ejection fraction and fractional shortening from echocardiography. Experiments with mice deficient in netrin-1 receptor DCC (deleted in colorectal cancer, DCC +/−), or reperfusion with netrin-1/UO126 or netrin-1/PTIO, attenuated the protective effects of netrin-1, implicating intermediate roles of DCC, ERK1/2 and NO. Netrin-1 induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and eNOS was abolished in DCC +/−mice. Electron spin resonance (ESR) determination of NO production from isolated left ventricles demonstrated that netrin-1 improves NO bioavailability, which was attenuated by UO126 or in DCC +/−mice, suggesting upstream roles of DCC and ERK1/2 in NO production. Netrin-1 further reduced mitochondrial swelling and mitochondrial superoxide production, which was absent when co-treated with PTIO or UO126, or in DCC +/−mice, indicating critical roles of DCC, ERK1/2 and NO in preserving mitochondrial integrity. In a permanent coronary ligation model of myocardial infarction (MI) to assess post-MI remodeling, netrin-1 abolished the marked increase in autophagy. In summary, our data demonstrate robust cardioprotective effect of netrin-1 in vivo, as shown by reduced infarct size and improved cardiac function. Mechanistically, this protection is mediated by netrin-1 receptor DCC, and NO dependent preservation of mitochondria. This work clearly establishes a therapeutic potential of netrin-1 for acute treatment of MI, perhaps also for chronic post-MI remodeling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Autophagy and protein quality control in cardiometabolic diseases.
A comparison of single and multiple applications of halcinonide cream

A double-blind paired comparison was made of once daily and three times daily regimens of 0.1% halcinonide cream in 149 patients with atopic dermatitis and 194 with psoriasis. In a simultaneously conducted study once daily application of 0.1% halcinonide was compared to the cream base alone (placebo) in 48 patients with atopic dermatitis and 78 with psoriasis. Results show that a once daily regimen can be an effective treatment in both conditions, and can be recommended as a starting regimen in certain circumstances such as the treatment of young children or pregnant women, or where long-term treatment is likely. The three times daily regimen, however, was superior overall, and is still recommended as the treatment of choice, at least in severe psoriasis.
Public support for the death penalty: Retribution as just deserts or retribution as revenge?

The U.S. Supreme Court has declared that capital punishment is not unconstitutional per se, in part because the high degree of public support for the death penalty indicates that the American public does not consider it to be cruel and unusual punishment. According to the Court, the public's desire for retribution is an appropriate basis for determining that the death penalty is an acceptable criminal sanction. This paper examines the degree of public support for the death penalty and the basis for that support. It also explores the differences between retribution as just deserts and retribution as revenge, and concludes by asking whether a public desire for revenge is an appropriate, enlightened basis for our capital punishment policy.
Feasibility of Determining the Composition of Planetary Ices by Far Infrared Observations: Application to Martian Cloud and Surface Ices

Abstract Ices in the atmospheres and on the surfaces of planets and moons are thought to play important roles in the evolution and stability of, and in radiative transfer in, planetary atmospheres. In this paper, the capability of far-infrared spectral observations to determine the composition and characteristics of planetary ices is investigated with particular application to martian H2O and CO2ices. Thin film transmission spectra of crystalline (Ic) and amorphous H2O ice and crystalline CO2ice were measured using a Fourier transform spectrometer. The far-infrared refractive indices of these ices at temperatures from 77 to 150 K over the spectral range 50 to 500 cm−1were derived. These data are in generally good agreement with previously published indices. The refractive index data were incorporated into a radiative transfer model used to study the far-infrared properties of cloud and surface ices on Mars. Typical mid-latitude H2O ice clouds on Mars have vertical far-infrared optical depths on the order of 10−4, precluding their detection using an earth-based remote sensing instrument. However, model calculations of polar condensates showed observable H2O ice cloud spectral features near the 225 cm−1lattice absorption band. The presence of a CO2ice haze lowered the apparent surface brightness temperature by 10 to 20 K. Theoretical emission by CO2frost showed strong spectral contrast in the surface brightness temperature of 20 to 30 K near the 66 and 110 cm−1lattice bands in solid CO2. In the weakly absorbing inter-band region, CO2frost emissivity varied from approximately 0.4 to 0.7 with the incorporation of small amounts (0.1–1.0%) of dust or water ice. H2O frost exhibited poor spectral contrast with an emissivity close to unity. The detection of polar hood condensates and of the presence of H2O ice and dust in the CO2ice caps using an earth-based far-infrared instrument appears feasible, although a telescope with a mirror diameter on the order of 15 to 20 m or interferometric techniques are required to achieve adequate spatial resolution. It is speculated that these and other non-polar ices such as N2and CH4, present in the outer solar system, will exhibit far-infrared spectral characteristics similar to CO2ice, making their detection possible, but technically challenging.
Nutritional regulation of cholesterol synthesis and apolipoprotein B kinetics: studies in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia and normal subjects treated with a high carbohydrate, low fat diet

High carbohydrate, low fat diets decrease plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (apoB) mass in normal subjects and in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). To investigate the mechanisms for these effects, four normal, four FH heterozygous, and one FH homozygous subjects were studied on a basal (45% carbohydrate, 40% fat) diet and during continuous nasogastric infusion of Vivonex (90% carbohydrate, 1% fat). For the entire group, the mean changes in total cholesterol, LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides were -90, -95, -14 (all P less than 0.01) and +114 (P less than 0.02) mg/dl, respectively. Fecal sterol balance measurements demonstrated a 24% decrease in whole body cholesterol synthesis in normals, from 8.4 +/- 4.4 (mean +/- SD) to 6.4 +/- 1.3 mg/kg per day and in FH subjects, a 58% decrease, from 11.4 +/- 5.6 to 4.8 +/- 1.7 mg/kg per day (both P less than 0.05). ApoB kinetic studies were performed using a [3H]leucine tracer in two normals and three FH heterozygotes on both basal and Vivonex regimens, and the results were analyzed by compartmental modeling using the SAAM program. Total apoB production was not altered in a consistent manner by carbohydrate feeding. ApoB secretion, however, was shifted from the production of small VLDL/IDL-like particles to large VLDL by Vivonex, with an accompanying increase in intrahepatic assemblage time before secretion. In the two normal subjects, Vivonex induced an increase in apoB loss as VLDL/IDL; however, in the FH patients no such loss occurred. A decrease (P less than 0.05) in the residence time of LDL-apoB occurred for all subjects and was the primary determinant of the fall in plasma LDL concentration, since LDL-apoB transport did not change consistently. Thus, in FH patients, a high carbohydrate, low fat diet results in suppression of cholesterol synthesis and a fall in plasma LDL concentration due to an increased plasma clearance rate for LDL.
Influence of membrane skin morphology on CO2/N2 separation at sub-ambient temperatures

Abstract Matrimid® hollow fiber membranes with silicone rubber (PDMS) calked fused nodular selective layers display much higher CO2/N2 selectivity as well as higher CO2 permeance than those with isotropic dense selective layers at 253.15 K. Two kinds of asymmetric hollow fiber membranes were successfully spun: fibers with fused nodular skins and fibers with truly dense skins. The skin morphologies were confirmed with SEM images. CO2/N2 mixed gas permeation characterization was carried out within the temperature range of 253.15 K to 308.15 K. Permeation results showed that, at 253.15 K, the nodular-skinned fibers displayed CO2/N2 selectivity of 90.5, and CO2 permeance of 63.3 GPU after standard PDMS calking; while the dense-skinned fibers displayed CO2/N2 selectivity of 52.5, and CO2 permeance of 16.6 GPU. The PDMS calking had negligible effect on the dense-skinned fibers, but it was necessary for the fused nodular-skinned fibers. A hypothesis regarding the introduction of Langmuir sorption sites and a local orientation of polymer chain segments is proposed to explain the better performance of the calked nodular-skinned fibers. This work provides a promising method for improved hollow fiber membranes for the removal of CO2 from flue gas.
Conformational Change of Protein/SDS Complex in Low Ionic Strength Solution — A Study by Dynamic Light Scattering

Proteins are macromolecules which contain a polypeptide backbone (strongly hydrophilic) and many side chains which are generally hydrophobic. In order to minimize its energy a protein molecule in an aqueous solution tends to form a globular structure which buries as many hydrophobic side chains in the interior as possible. But a complete removal of the hydrophobic side chains from their contact with water is impossible and these hydrophobic patches (if sufficiently large) can constitute some binding sites for other hydrocarbon or amphiphilic molecules. The detergents are known to be good protein denaturing agents. When these detergent molecules attach themselves to the binding sites and neutralize the hydrophobic effect, it becomes energetically favorable for some new interior hydrophobic side chains to expose themselves to the water molecules and thus form some new binding sites. This kind of cooperative effect has been discussed by Reynolds and Tanford.1
A case against routing-integrated time synchronization

To achieve more accurate global time synchronization, this paper argues for decoupling the clock distribution network from the routing tree in a multihop wireless network. We find that both flooding and routing-integrated time synchronization rapidly propagate node-level errors (typically due to temperature fluctuations) across the network. Therefore, we propose that a node chooses synchronization neighbors that offer the greatest frequency stability. We propose two methods to estimate a neighbor's stability. The first approach selects the neighbor whose Frequency Error Variance, or simply FEV, is smallest with respect to the local clock. The second approach selects the neighbor that reports the lowest FEV relative to its synchronization parent. We also propose the node-level time-variance FEV as an additive metric for selecting more stable clock trees than either naive flooding or routing-integrated time synchronization can provide. We incorporate these techniques into FTSP, a widely-used time synchronization protocol, and show that the mean error in global time significantly improved (by a factor of five) when some nodes are warmed and others are not.
Analysis of 94 Candidate Genes and 12 Endophenotypes for Schizophrenia From the Consortium on the Genetics of Schizophrenia

Genes affecting glutamate neurotransmission featured prominently in associations between 94 genes and 12 inherited physiological or cognitive characteristics of schizophrenia. Of 16,620 possible SNP-trait associations, 47 showed strong significance.
Magnetic and RF-electromagnetic absorbing study of aluminum doped nickel ferrites prepared by two techniques

Pure phase aluminum doped nickel ferrite nanoparticles [NiAl x Fe2?x O4] with x?=?0.0, 0.25 and 0.5 have been investigated for magnetic and electromagnetic absorbing properties in S band and influence of Al3+ ions has been studied. Nickel aluminum ferrites have been synthesized by co-precipitation and sol?gel auto combustion routes. Magneto-dielectric properties were measured in terms of complex permeability (?*) and complex permittivity (?*) at 300 K in the frequency range of 1 MHz to 3 GHz using RF material/impedance analyzer. Dielectric permittivity (?? and ??) has been observed to decrease with the increase in applied frequency and concentration of aluminum ions (x?=?0.0?0.5). Magnetic permeability (?? and ??) has been found to decrease with the increase in aluminum ions concentration. Electromagnetic absorbing properties were studied for all the samples by calculating the reflection losses (RL) in the frequency range of 1 MHz?3 GHz using the permittivity and permeability measurements in accordance with the transmission line theory. RL (dB) values lie in the range of ?42 dB to ?57 dB. RL values (>??10 dB) confirm more than 90% absorption of electromagnetic waves incident normal to the material surface. Aluminum doping has increased the RL values from ?45 dB to ?57 dB along with the shift of RL dip towards the higher frequency side for the samples prepared by sol?gel auto combustion technique. Magnetic properties have been studied by vibrating samples magnetometer (VSM) at room temperature and a decrease in magnetic properties has been observed due to increase in x from 0.0?0.5.
Can we isolate the pulmonary veins

Ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) ranks as one of the greatest successes and a perplexing failure of contemporary cardiac electrophysiology. Despite tremendous continued enthusiasm, several experienced interventional electrophysiologists consider AF ablation as a palliative rather than a curative procedure. This likely reality has resulted from the increasingly documented high rates of recurrence of AF following ablation. The cornerstone for AF ablation is pulmonary vein (PV) isolation, which involves some form of circumferential atrial ablation. The lack of uniform long-term success has prompted 2 important questions: (1) Do we need to isolate the PVs or are other targets more appropriate? (2) Can we effectively and permanently isolate the PVs? It is essential to answer the latter question before we can address the former. In this issue of HeartRhythm, McClellan et al enlighten us on the potential relationship of specific PV anatomy and AF ablation outcomes. One hundred two patients underwent PV anatomy assessment with cardiac magnetic resonance or computed tomography. The authors report the correlation between anatomic variance, such as common left-sided PVs and the characteristic of the left atrial endocardial ridge, and recurrences following ablation. In most other cardiac arrhythmias, although topology (infarction, surgical scar, etc.) correlates with arrhythmogenesis in outcomes, the fact that anatomy impacts outcomes is not entirely intuitive. Possible questions that arise include whether varying pulmonary anatomy is a cause for AF or whether it simply represents a more difficult landscape for successful ablation. More generally, a fundamental question emerges: Is there anatomic and spatial fixity or altered atrial electrophysiology?
Butterfat feeding in early infancy in african populations: New hypotheses

The feeding of butterfat and animal milk to infants during their first 6 months has been documented in a number of pastoralist populations in Africa and elsewhere. In the view of the majority of nutrition scientists and physicians, this practice heightens the risk of malnutrition and infection for the infant. Where these nonbreastmilk foods are used to replace breastmilk, this view certainly is justified. In high-risk populations who use foods such as butterfat as complements to unrestricted breastfeeding, however, the relationship between early supplementation and infant growth and morbidity may be complex. Moreover, it may be mediated by the nutritional status of mothers and the nutritional adequacy of their breastmilk. In this work, the ecological context of butterfat feeding in Turkana, Kenya, is examined. It is argued that butterfat promotes positive infant energy balance prior to the critical period of the transition to active immunity, which occurs during the stressful dry season. Breastmilk alone may be inadequate to sustain growth and fat storage of young infants, since the diet and nutritional status of Turkana mothers suggest that fat content of their milk may be at the low end of the human range. In an environment where selection pressure is assumed to be high, a strategy of complementing the fat in human milk with butterfat may prolong positive energy balance of infants and enhance their resistance to infection and their survival during the critical period. Hence, it is an important component of human adaptation in Turkana. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 10:163-178, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
NADPH Oxidase and Nrf2 Regulate Gastric Aspiration–Induced Inflammation and Acute Lung Injury

Recruitment of neutrophils and release of reactive oxygen species are considered to be major pathogenic components driving acute lung injury (ALI). However, NADPH oxidase, the major source of reactive oxygen species in activated phagocytes, can paradoxically limit inflammation and injury. We hypothesized that NADPH oxidase protects against ALI by limiting neutrophilic inflammation and activating Nrf2, a transcriptional factor that induces antioxidative and cytoprotective pathways. Our objective was to delineate the roles of NADPH oxidase and Nrf2 in modulating acute lung inflammation and injury in clinically relevant models of acute gastric aspiration injury, a major cause of ALI. Acid aspiration caused increased ALI (as assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid albumin concentration) in both NADPH oxidase-deficient mice and Nrf2(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice. NADPH oxidase reduced airway neutrophil accumulation, but Nrf2 decreased ALI without affecting neutrophil recovery. Acid injury resulted in a 120-fold increase in mitochondrial DNA, a proinflammatory and injurious product of cellular necrosis, in cell-free bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Pharmacologic activation of Nrf2 by the triterpenoid 1-[2-cyano-3-,12-dioxooleana-1,9 (11)-dien-28-oyl]imidazole limited aspiration-induced ALI in wild-type mice and reduced endothelial cell injury caused by mitochondrial extract-primed human neutrophils, leading to the conclusion that NADPH oxidase and Nrf2 have coordinated, but distinct, functions in modulating inflammation and injury. These results also point to Nrf2 as a therapeutic target to limit ALI by attenuating neutrophil-induced cellular injury.
Rewards and Punishments as Selective Incentives: An Apex Game

Apex games place weak players in the formal equivalent of a multiperson prisoner's dilemma in which each weak player must choose between competing against the other weak players for the opportunity to coalesce with the strong player or cooperating with the other weak players to produce a jointly preferable outcome. Punishments, not rewards, are predicted to be effective for enforcing cooperation by the weak players. Fifty-four groups of four subjects each played the weak role in a five-person apex game with a confederate playing the apex (strong) role in a 3×3 design with factors of low, medium, and high levels of rewards and punishments available as incentives. As predicted, punishments but not rewards had a significant impact on increasing cooperation. Despite this effect, many groups experienced harmful effects of punishment availability that increased the risk of retaliatory spirals. It is concluded that a second-order dilemma may be seen in prisoner's dilemmas, since punishments are both necessary fo...
Transsulfuration Is a Significant Source of Sulfur for Glutathione Production in Human Mammary Epithelial Cells

The transsulfuration pathway, through which homocysteine from the methionine cycle provides sulfur for cystathionine formation, which may subsequently be used for glutathione synthesis, has not heretofore been identified as active in mammary cells. Primary human mammary epithelial cells (HMEC’s) were labeled with -methionine for 24 hours following pretreatment with a vehicle control, the cysteine biosynthesis inhibitor propargylglycine or the gamma-glutamylcysteine synthesis inhibitor buthionine sulfoximine. Cell lysates were prepared and reacted with glutathione-S-transferase and the fluorescent labeling compound monochlorobimane to form a fluorescent glutathione-bimane conjugate. Comparison of fluorographic and autoradiographic images indicated that glutathione had incorporated -methionine demonstrating that functional transsulfuration occurs in mammary cells. Pathway inhibitors reduced incorporation by roughly 80%. Measurement of glutathione production in HMEC’s treated with and without hydrogen peroxide and/or pathway inhibitors indicates that the transsulfuration pathway plays a significant role in providing cysteine for glutathione production both normally and under conditions of oxidant stress.
Gaussian Mixture Language Models for Speech Recognition

We propose a Gaussian mixture language model for speech recognition. Two potential benefits of using this model are smoothing unseen events, and ease of adaptation. It is shown how this model can be used alone or in conjunction with a a conventional N-gram model to calculate word probabilities. An interesting feature of the proposed technique is that many methods developed for acoustic models can be easily ported to GMLM. We developed two implementations of the proposed model for large vocabulary Arabic speech recognition with results comparable to conventional N-gram.