cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The management of pain in arthritis and the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: New paradigms and insights

Chronic pain from arthritis has been one of the biggest causes of disability and loss of function in the United States. This is still the case despite many new insights into the pathophysiology of pain, effective treatment approaches, and new safer medications that can be used for long-term use. There are many different types of arthritic problems. New diseasemodifying agents that are available for some of these types of arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis have the potential to have a substantial impact on improvement in the long-term prognosis. Despite this optimistic outlook, pain often is a significant problem and should be treated whenever it becomes a barrier to function.
A New Method for Studying the Dynamics of Spin Glasses

We describe a new method for analysing the relaxational dynamics of glassy systems, and apply it to the Ising spin glass in three and four dimensions with nearest-neighbor interactions, as well as to the infinite-range Sherrington-Kirkpatrick model. We recover previously known results with considerably less computer effort, and find new results for both the dynamic exponent (z = 4.8 ± 0.4) and the critical dynamic correlation function for the four-dimensional case.
Elastic and electronic properties of Ti2Al(CxN1−x) solid solutions

Abstract The elastic coefficients and mechanical properties (bulk modulus, shear modulus, Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio) of Ti 2 Al(C x N 1− x ) continuous solid solutions for x from 0 to 1 are calculated using ab initio DFT methods on 4 × 4 × 1 supercell models. It is shown that the properties of these solid solutions do not vary linearly with x . Although the lattice constant c is almost constant for x ≤ 0.5, a increases linearly. For x > 0.5, c starts to increase with x while the rate of increase in a slows down. For x between 0.5 and 0.85, the elastic coefficients and the mechanical parameters show interesting dependence on x and crossovers, signifying the complex interplay in the structure and properties in Ti 2 Al(C x N 1− x ) solid solutions. The nonlinear variations in mechanical properties are explained in terms of subtle difference in the electronic structure and bonding between nitrides and carbides in complex MAX phase compounds.
Attachments, Grievances, Resources, and Efficacy: The Determinants of Tenant Association Participation Among Public Housing Tenants

This study uses data from the Multi-City Study of Urban Inequality to examine variation in tenant association participation among public housing tenants in Boston and Los Angeles. Using logistic re...
A new model for the growth of basaltic shields based on deformation of Fernandina volcano, Galápagos Islands

Article history: Space-geodetic measurements of surface deformation produced by the most recent eruptions at Fernandina - the most frequently erupting volcano in the Galapagos Archipelago - reveal that all have initiated with the intrusion of subhorizontal sills from a shallow magma reservoir. This includes eruptions from fissures that are oriented both radially and circumferentially with respect to the summit caldera. A Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image acquired 1-2 h before the start of a radial fissure eruption in 2009 captures one of these sills in the midst of its propagation toward the surface. Galapagos eruptive fissures of all orientations have previously been presumed to be fed by vertical dikes, and this assumption has guided models of the origin of the eruptive fissure geometry and overall development of the volcanoes. Our findings allow us to reinterpret the internal structure and evolution of Galapagos volcanoes and of similar basaltic shields. Furthermore, we note that stress changes generated by the emplacement of subhorizontal sills feeding one type of eruption may control the geometry of subsequent eruptive fissures. Specifically, circumferential fissures tend to open within areas uplifted by sill intrusions that initiated previous radial fissure eruptions. This mechanism provides a possible explanation for the pattern of eruptive fissures that characterizes all the western Galapagos volcanoes, as well as the alternation between radial and circumferential fissure eruptions at Fernandina. The same model suggests that the next eruption of Fernandina will be from a circumferential fissure in the area uplifted by the 2009 sill intrusion, just southwest of the caldera rim. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Assessing Group Interaction During Hands-On LAN Projects

AbstractGroup work has long been an effective approach to solving organizational problems and making high-quality management decisions. This has been particularly true for information systems (IS) projects. This research effort looks at small group interaction variables in a highly complex project. Student subjects were placed into groups and then assigned a short technology-intensive LAN building project. Five group interaction factors were identified: (1) group cohesion; (2) group communication problems; (3) group conflict; (4) gatekeeping; and (5) group leadership. These factors were then contrasted with previous research on group interaction where the groups faced an intellectual (decision-making) task, not a short technology-intensive task. The factors comprising the constructs from the two studies were slightly different.
Influence of sediment source on the shapes and surface textures of glacial quartz sand grains

A study of the shapes and surface textures of glacial quartz sand grains that were largely derived from sediment sources of different rock types was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of the sediment source on these textures. The results show that the roundness and surface textures of glacial quartz sand grains are largely dictated by their sources and that surface textures may not always be reliable indicators of ancient glacial deposits.
Kallistatin Stimulates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration In Vitro and Neointima Formation in Balloon-Injured Rat Artery

Kallistatin, a serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin), is expressed in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels. The potential function of kallistatin in vascular biology was investigated by studying its role in the proliferation and migration of cultured primary aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro and in neointima formation in rat artery after balloon angioplasty in vivo. Exogenous kallistatin induced a >2-fold increase of VSMC proliferation and cell growth as measured by [(3)H]thymidine incorporation and cell counts and a 2.3-fold increase of cell migration in modified Boyden chambers. In balloon-injured vessels, endogenous kallistatin mRNA and protein levels increased up to 10-fold as determined by competitive polymerase chain reaction and by ELISA. Intense staining of kallistatin mRNA was identified in the proliferating VSMCs of balloon-injured arteries during cell migration from media to neointima by in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry. We observed an induction of kallistatin expression by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and upregulation of p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity by kallistatin in cultured VSMCs. Conversely, adenovirus-mediated transfer of kallistatin antisense cDNA into cultured VSMCs inhibited PDGF-induced p42/44 MAPK activity and cell proliferation. Furthermore, local delivery of adenovirus carrying kallistatin antisense cDNA significantly downregulated kallistatin mRNA levels and attenuated neointima formation in balloon-injured rat arteries in vivo. These results indicate that kallistatin may play an important role in mediating PDGF-induced MAPK pathway on VSMC proliferation and in neointima formation after balloon angioplasty.
Notes on Rotenone as an Insecticide

This paper gives results of tests on the insecticidal value of rotenone as a contact material and internal poison. The effect of some materials on the stability of rotenone is given.
Neutrino emissivities and mean free paths of degenerate quark matter

Abstract The neutrino properties of quark matter are investigated by calculating the neutrino emissivities and mean free paths. It is shown that the simple β decay reactions, d → u + e − + v e and u + e− → d + ve, are kinematically allowed due to quark-quark interactions, and that as a consequence quark matter has a neutrino emissivity dramatically larger than that of ordinary neutron star matter, and comparable with that of matter with a pion condensate. In addition, simple β decay reactions are considered due to finite quark masses, β decay of s quarks, and order-of-magnitude estimates of the emissivities from the quark modified URCA process, quark neutrino pair bremsstrahlung and color plasmon decay are given. They all turn out to be relatively small compared with that from the β decay reactions due to quark-quark interactions. The possibility of detecting quark matter inside neutron stars from the recent data obtained by the Einstein X-ray Observatory is discussed. Neutrino mean free paths in quark matter from scattering and absorption processes for both degenerate and nondegenerate neutrinos are also calculated and compared with those of ordinary neutron star matter and matter with a pion condensate. It is found that for a given lepton fraction the mean free paths of degenerate neutrinos are similar for these three types of matter, while they differ by an order of magnitude or more for nondegenerate neutrinos for temperatures less than ∼ 1 MeV.
Round Trip to Hell in a Flying Saucer: The Relationship between Conventional Christian and Paranormal Beliefs in the United States*

In this paper we examine the relationship between conventional Christian and paranormal beliefs. Conventional Christian beliefs are those such as belief in Heaven, Hell, and the existence of God. Paranormal beliefs include belief in UFOs, astrology, haunting, communication with the dead, and Bigfoot. We test three hypotheses (deviance) (marginalization, small step, and compatibility) about the relationship between these two belief types with factor analysis and regression analysis. The data we use are from the Baylor Religion Survey, a national random sample collected by the Gallup Organization in fall 2005. The factor analysis results show that there are two well-defined spheres of supernatural beliefs, one conventional Christian and one paranormal. We find a net positive relationship between these two belief clusters. However, a test of the compatibility hypo- thesis shows that church attendance and religious tradition moderate the effects of conventional Christian beliefs on paranormal beliefs. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for theory and research.
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE RESPONSE OF ACTIVE BEND-TWIST PZT ACTUATOR

Army combat operations have placed a high premium on reconnaissance missions for micro air vehicles (MAVs). An analysis of insect flight indicates that in addition to the bending excitation (flapping), simultaneous excitation of the twisting degree-of-freedom is required to manipulate the control surface adequately. By adding a layer of angled piezoelectric segments to a Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (also referred to as PZT) bimorph actuator, a bend-twist coupling may be introduced to the flexural response of the layered PZT, thereby creating a biaxial actuator capable of driving wing oscillation in flapping wing MAVs. The present study presents numerical investigation of the response of functionally–modified bimorph designs intended for active bend-twist actuation of cm-scale flapping wing devices. The relationships of geometry and orientation of the angled segments with bimorph bend-twist response will be presented using results of finite-element analyses.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Acidochromicity of bisarylethynylbenzenes: hydroxy versus dialkylamino substituents.

This contribution investigates the electronic difference of dibutylamino/dibutylammonium and phenol/phenolate groups in four simple distyrylbenzenes and bisarylethynylbenzenes. The compounds and their protonated and deprotonated species, respectively, were investigated by UV−vis and emission spectroscopies. While the anilinium and phenol compounds displayed similar spectroscopic properties, this was less so the case for the comparison of the dialkylanilines with the corresponding phenolates. In this case, the hydrogen bonding ability of the phenolates distorted the results as the hydrogen donating/accepting properties of the investigated solvents have a disproportional influence on the electronic properties of the phenolates when compared to the dialkylamines. If one uses acetonitrile as solvent, these effects disappear, as acetonitrile is neither a good hydrogen bond acceptor nor a hydrogen bond donor. The results are in line with the para-Hammet constant for OH (σ = −0.37) being significantly smaller th...
Evaluation of Alternative Samples for Sterility Testing of HPC-CB Products

Evaluation of Alternative Samples for Sterility Testing of HPC-CB Products Maria S. Albano , Nela-Ludy Dobrila , Rodica Ciubotariu , Margely DeLeon , Pablo Rubinstein , Andromachi Scaradavou . 1 National Cord Blood Program, New York Blood Center, New York, NY, Albania; 2 The New York Blood Center, New York, NY; National Cord Blood Program, New York Blood Center, New York, NY; National Cord Blood Program, New York Blood Center, New York, NY
The international wildlife conservation regime and the convention on international trade in endangered species

Abstract Regime analysis is a particularly useful tool to apply in understanding the human and institutional dimensions of international wildlife conservation. The wildlife conservation regime includes governments, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, secretariats, commissions, committees, technical experts, academics, and interested citizens. Several treaties, including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), provide linkages between regime members and wildlife conservation issues. Members have a variety of roles to play within the regime and have multiple mechanisms available to encourage wildlife treaty parties to comply more fully with their obligations under the agreement and with regime standards.
Pregnancy enhances cocaine's actions on the heart and within the peripheral circulation

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine whether cocaine's enhanced cardiovascular actions in pregnancy are cardiac alone or involve the peripheral vascular system. STUDY DESIGN: Six pregnant and five nonpregnant ewes chronically instrumented for heart rate, blood pressure, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance were given cocaine at 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg and monitored for 60 minutes. Blood samples for cocaine levels were taken at 5, 15, 30, and 60 minutes. RESULTS: Cocaine initially (first 60 seconds) produced increased heart rate, decreased cardiac output, decreased stroke volume, and increased cardiac oxygen consumption, which were greater in pregnant than nonpregnant ewes. After 1 minute recovery of cardiac responses was accompanied by increased systemic vascular resistance, which was greater at each dose in pregnant than nonpregnant ewes. Cocaine levels at 5 minutes for pregnant ewes were eightfold to tenfold higher than for nonpregnant ewes. CONCLUSION: Cocaine produces cardiovascular alterations that are dose and time related but, in each case, enhanced in pregnant ewes. Cocaine metabolism may contribute to this pregnancy-related phenomenon. (AM J OBSTET GYNECOL 1994; 170:1027-35.)
Education and experience impact leadership development psychological empowerment

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to shed light on psychological empowerment in a leadership development context by addressing two questions. First, what is the role of leadership experience and education value in the psychological empowerment of leadership development? Second, are there significant differences in leadership development implications depending on the extent of psychological empowerment? Design/methodology/approach – These research questions are addressed in an empirical study of n=256 individuals taking part in a leadership development course. The first question was analyzed with regression analysis and the second question was analyzed with analysis of variance and covariance after the individuals were categorized based on their psychological empowerment of leadership development. Findings – As hypothesized, leadership experience and leadership education value are significantly, positively related to the psychological empowerment of leadership development. Additionally, a higher psych...
An iterative method for solution of a boundary value problem in non-Newtonian fluid flow

Abstract The boundary value problem arises in boundary layer equations for the steady flow of a power-law fluid over an impermeable, semi-infinite flat plane. The parameter μ is equal to 1 n where n is the exponent of the strain rate in the expression for the shear stress. We develop and prove the convergence of an iterative method for the solution of the given boundary value broblem for dilatant fluids (0 y (0), an important parameter which is related to the drag at the plate. The iterative method works well computationally not only for 0 n > 1 4 ), as well.
Cu complexes that catalyze the oxygen reduction reaction

Abstract The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is employed in a large number of systems such as fuel cells and air batteries. Currently, the catalyst with the lowest overpotential for the ORR is the enzyme laccase. Laccase only functions at a very narrow pH range, and its large size prevents high current densities. Using copper based catalysts to mimic the ORR activity is an area with many spectroscopic results, but relatively few electrochemical studies. This review catalogs the various copper based ORR catalysts and their activities.
Leukemic involvement of the ovaries in childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia.

As CrlILDRBN with acute lYmphocytic leukem!a survive longer, leukemic involvement of the testes is being recognized more frequently 1-3 and testicular biopsy, even in asymptomatic patients, is being performed on a routine basis. '-5 However, leukemic involvement of the ovaries has received little attention, and the significance of ovarian-associated relapse in relation to the eventual outcome of the patient has not been investigated. We describe two female patients with ALL who completed three years of chemotherapy. Both developed ovarian-related relapses after cessation of therapy.
Somatic and heritable effects of environmental genotoxins and the emergence of evolutionary toxicology

The genetic effects of environmental pollutants include mutations in somatic cells or germinal cells that are the direct result of exposure to toxicants. Biomarkers that detect such mutagenic effec...
A computer program for ordering-theoretic data analysis

Ordering theory, a measuremen t model which ex­ tends scalogram analysis to include nonlinear item or task hierarchies in unidimensional as well as multidimensional configurations, allows for both the determination of an item or task hierarchy and the testing of a hypothesized hierarchy among a set of items or tasks. The prerequi­ site relation employed to generate the hierarchy is derived from formal logic: Item i is prerequisite to item j if and only if the response pattern (0,1), where °rep­ resents a failure on item i and 1 represents a success on item j, occurs infrequently. That is, the response pattern (0,1) is disconfirmatory of the hierarchical relation, item i is prerequisite to item j. To overcome the deterministic limitation shared with scalogram analysis concerning an inability of the model to consider random error occurrences in the item or task response data, ordering-theoretic analysis in­ corporates preset tolerance levels to establish the num­ ber of disconfirmatory response patterns that will be accepted in defining a prerequisite relation between two items. A prerequisite relation, whether hypothesized a priori or generated by the analysis, is accepted only if the frequency of disconfirmatory response patterns is less than or equal to the frequency of such response patterns established by the tolerance level. Detailed discussions of ordering-theoretic data analysis have been provided elsewhere. Airasian and Bart (1973, Note 1) articulated the general nature of order­ ing theory. Bart and Krus (1973) described an ordering­ theoretic technique by which item or task hierarchies could be determined. Krus and Bart (1974) discussed an application of the technique to multidimensional item scaling. Moreover, the technique has been applied to diverse data, including Piagetian task responses (Bart & Airasian, 1974), propositional logic game item responses (Airasian, Bart, & Greaney, 1975), and various attitudinal data (Bart, 1972a, b). The program discussed in this paper searches out all of the prerequisite relations between all item pairs as described above, employing a user preset tolerance level(s) for each testing. Input. The job deck consists of the following cards: title cards, a problem parameters card, tolerance level card(s), output options card, a data format card, a
Large-scale preparation of the Δ10 form of staphylokinase by in vitro processing of recombinant staphylokinase with purified human plasminogen

The authors have developed a rapid and convenient method for purification of a low molecular weight form (Δ10) of the bacterial plasminogen activator, staphylokinase. Recombinant staphylokinase is expressed inEscherichia coli, with an amino terminal extension that facilitated purification by immobilized metal-affinity chromatography. Purified staphylokinase is treated with human plasminogen, and the resulting truncated form is purified using a combination of immobilized metal affinity chromatography and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Purified protein is characterized by amino terminal sequencing and in vitro plasminogen activation assay.
Electrical Discharge Machining Techniques for Evaluating the Effects of Tritium on Materials

In this investigation, new ways to evaluate the long-term effects of tritium on the structural properties of components were developed. Electric discharge machining (EDM) techniques for cutting tensile and fracture toughness samples from the tritium-exposed regions of returned reservoirs were demonstrated. An existing electric discharge machine was used to cut sub-size tensile and fracture toughness samples from the inside walls of reservoir mock-ups. Tensile properties from the EDM tensile samples were similar to those measured using full-size samples cut from similar stock. Although the existing equipment could not be used for machining tritium-exposed hardware, off-the-shelf EDM units are available that could. With the right equipment and the required radiological controls in place, similar machining and testing techniques could be used to directly measure the effects of tritium on the properties of material cut from reservoir returns. Stress-strain property data from tritium-exposed reservoirs would improve finite-element modeling of reservoir performance because the data are representative of the true state of the reservoir material in the field. Tensile data from samples cut directly from reservoirs complement existing shelf storage and burst test data of the Life Storage Program and help answer questions about a specific reservoir's processing history and properties.
TU-E-217BCD-07: Pilot Study on Consistency in Size Metrics for a Multimodality PEM/MR Breast Imaging Approach.

Purpose: In this study, we evaluated the degree of consistency between size metrics obtained from PEM and MRI to determine the intrinsic effectiveness of a multimodality approach using these two systems for breast imaging.Methods: Under an IRB‐approved protocol, 42 cases were considered (16 patients with 28 lesions), each consisting of an MRI data set and corresponding PEM data set, with an inclusion criterion of being obtained within 2 weeks of each other. Lesions were delineated manually on the PEMimages and semi‐automatically on the MRIimages for efficiency. In addition to volume, equivalent sphere diameter (ESD) was evaluated for each lesion. This metric describes the diameter of a sphere with the same volume as that of the lesion, and is useful for minimizing the cubic impact of a single voxel contribution inherent to volume calculations. Results: The relationship between PEM based volumes and MRI based volumes showed a linear trend around VolMRI=VolPEM demonstrating a degree of consistency in the two volumes. The correlation between VolMRI and VolPEM was calculated as 0.547 with a corresponding p‐value of 0.00018 demonstrating a significant correlation. The associated concordance was calculated as 0.534. The ESD metric showed a more significant linear trend with correlation 0.733 and corresponding p‐value 3.5×10−8, indicating consistency in lesion size. The concordance is 0.717, indicating high reproducibility. Conclusion: Multimodality PEM/MRI breast imaging has the potential to combine functional and molecular imaging information for a powerful tool in cancer staging and evaluation of response to therapy. The resulting, expanded data set is of use only if fundamental size metrics are consistent between the two modalities. Our pilot data demonstrates that size metrics as we extracted from the image data are consistent between PEM and MRI breast image sets.Maryellen Giger is a stockholder in R2 Technology/Hologic, has equity in Quantitative Insights, and receives royalties from Hologic, GEMedical Systems, MEDIAN Technologies, Riverain Medical, Mitsubishi and Toshiba. It is the University of Chicago Conflict of Interest Policy that investigators disclose publicly actual or potential significant financial interest that would reasonably appear to be directly and significantly affected by the research activities.
Temperature-dependent isomer shift and anharmonic binding of Sn119 in Nb3Sn

Abstract We have studied the temperature dependence of the Mossbauer recoil-free fraction and the line shift of Sn119 in Nb3Sn. The results indicate anharmonic binding and a temperature-dependent band structure.
Memory function for cyclotron resonance of two-dimensional electron systems

Abstract Coulomb effects on cyclotron resonance in two-dimensional electron systems are investigated based on a self-consistent approach which improves the random-phase approximation. The memory function in the dynamic magnetoconductivity depends on the electron density not only through the filling factor v but also on its combination with the dimensionless density parameter rs in the form r s v 3 2 . The memory function reproduces the data of Wilson, Allen and Tsui for intermediate densities.
Decomposition of organic matter and mineralization of nitrogen in brookston silt loam and alfalfa green manure

C14 and N15 doubly labelled alfalfa tissue at addition rates of 5 and 1 ton per acre was incubated in the laboratory for 72 days with virgin and cultivated Brookston silt loam. The alfalfa tissue was more extensively decomposed in the virgin soils than in cultivated soil, but retention of tissue carbon was not affected by rate of addition. Percentage decomposition of organic matter in the virgin soil was greater than that in the cultivated soil. Addition of alfalfa tissue reduced decomposition of soil organic matter in proportion to the rate of addition and resulted in a gain of carbon in the incubation mixture. No “priming action” was noted. An increase in the rate of tissue addition caused an increase in the amount of nitrogen mineralized from the tissue but had little effect on the amount of nitrogen mineralized from the soil. Nitrogen mineralized from the soil organic matter was preferentially immobilized during the latter part of the incubation period. It appears that the organic matter content of the soil as well as the rate of tissue addition may regulate the “priming action” of green manures.
Fat and Fatty Acid Concentrations in Some Green Vegetables

Petroleum ether is the solvent recommended by AOAC for fat determination using the Soxhlet method. However, hexane has also been used for defatting and for analysis of fat, lipids, and fatty acids in oil seeds, cereals, milk, and vegetables. This study compares the concentrations of fat and fatty acids in some green vegetables extracted by hexane or petroleum ether. Fat in dried cabbage, collard, purslane, peanut, and sweetpotato greens was extracted with hexane or petroleum ether by the Soxhlet method. Fatty acids in the extracts of peanut and sweetpotato greens were converted to methyl esters and analyzed by gas chromatography. The percentage of fat was higher when hexane was used and ranged from 0.9 to 3.4% for hexane and 0.5 to 2.8% for petroleum ether on a dry weight basis. For each vegetable, some fatty acid concentrations varied according to the extractant used and palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic acids generally had high values.
Abstract 2469: Increased cathepsin B expression in cultured tuberous sclerosis skin tumor cells and patient tumor tissues

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Skin hamartomas in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are disfiguring red tumors that contain fibroblast-like cells, vessels, fibrous tissue, and elongated hair follicles. Our recent studies show that TSC skin tumor cells induce angiogenesis and hair follicle neogenesis in a xenograft mouse model. These morphogenic changes are likely caused by altered expression of proteins involved in tissue remodeling. To identify such factors, we carried out 2-D gel analysis of cell extracts of TSC2-null fibroblasts derived from a TSC periungual fibroma (PF) compared to fibroblasts from patient normal-appearing skin (NL). PF cells had greater levels of all three forms of cathepsin B than TSC normal fibroblasts. Cathepsin B, a member of the lysosomal cysteine proteases family that has been implicated in angiogenesis and extracellular matrix remodeling, exists in pro-, single chain and double chain forms, and these were increased in PF cells by 1.6-, 2.3- and 8.3-fold, respectively. Western blot analysis of TSC skin tumor fibroblasts from 5 patients showed dramatically greater levels of active cathepsin B than in paired patient NL fibroblasts. Tumor cells from PFs showed greater intracellular cathepsin B enzyme activity than NL controls. Western blot and ELISA analysis showed that media conditioned by TSC skin tumor cells from 5 different patients contained 4.1- to 36-fold more procathepsin B than media conditioned by NL fibroblasts. Immunohistochemical staining of TSC patient angiofibromas and PFs showed greater numbers of cathepsin B-positive cells than patient normal-appearing skin. These results suggest that TSC skin tumor cells may induce hamartoma morphogenesis through expressing and releasing high level of cathepsin B. 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 2469. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2469
Field Determination of Cr(VI) in Water At Low PPB Level

Methods for determining chromium (VI) at the ppb level, in tap water and ground water, were developed. These make use of anion exchange resin beads or anion exchange membrane filters to preconcentrate the Cr(VI) and separate it from interfering cations. The color is developed by reaction with diphenylcarbazide and the quantitation is carried out using a portable UV/Vis spectrometer, in the liquid or solid phase, or by visual color matching. These methods are suitable for use in the field.
Long-term groundwater contamination after source removal—The role of sorbed carbon and nitrogen on the rate of reoxygenation of a treated-wastewater plume on Cape Cod, MA, USA

Abstract The consequences of groundwater contamination can remain long after a contaminant source has been removed. Documentation of natural aquifer recoveries and empirical tools to predict recovery time frames and associated geochemical changes are generally lacking. This study characterized the long-term natural attenuation of a groundwater contaminant plume in a sand and gravel aquifer on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, after the removal of the treated-wastewater source. Although concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and other soluble constituents have decreased substantially in the 15 years since the source was removed, the core of the plume remains anoxic and has sharp redox gradients and elevated concentrations of nitrate and ammonium. Aquifer sediment was collected from near the former disposal site at several points in time and space along a 0.5-km-long transect extending downgradient from the disposal site and analyses of the sediment was correlated with changes in plume composition. Total sediment carbon content was generally low (
The Ethics of Patient Risk Modification Prior to Elective Joint Replacement Surgery.

There are multiple risk factors for complications following elective total joint replacement (TJR) surgery. Certain risk factors, including operating time, implant choice, component positioning, and intraoperative difficulties (e.g., fracture, nerve and vascular damage), are related to the surgeon’s experience and decision-making and are not patient dependent1,2. However, many risk factors for complications after TJR are patient dependent. Bacterial colonization, diabetes control, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, fall risk, narcotic and/or alcohol dependence, physical conditioning, neurocognitive disorders, nutritional status, cardiovascular status, nongenetic thromboembolic risk, and anemia all represent potentially modifiable factors that increase the risk of complication with TJR1-8. Orthopaedic surgeons routinely perform TJR on patients who have one or more of the above-mentioned risk factors. However, this is elective surgery, and some of these risk factors are modifiable prior to surgery. As a result, ethical questions arise. Should patients address these risk factors prior to undergoing TJR, and to what extent should the physician, payer, and health-care institution require the patient to do so? Furthermore, should payers and health-care institutions require that surgeons and patients attempt to modify risk factors prior to these interventions that improve quality of life? If modification of risk is in the best interest of both the patient and the health-care delivery system, the criteria of sufficient patient participation that should be required and what should be done for patients unable to accomplish sufficient risk modification remain unclear. Additionally, who pays for risk factor modification and just how surgeons and patients can be incentivized to maximize the health status of the patient prior to surgery remain unclear. For example, heavy smokers and patients with uncontrolled diabetes have good reasons to improve their health status before surgery. However, is there a moral obligation to ensure that the patient …
The Temperature Dependence of the Viscoelastic Behavior of Poly(vinyl acetate)

The torsional creep and creep recovery behavior of a high molecular weight (Mw=6.5×105) poly(vinyl acetate) is reported for the temperature range, 37.5°C to 154°C. The results for the recoverable compliance, Jr(t), reveal the usual two dispersions seen between glassy and steady state behavior. The intermediate rubbery plateau compliance, JN, has a value of 2.8×10−7 cm2 dyn−1, reflecting a molecular weight per entangled unit of 8,500. Though the specimen studied was a fraction, the terminal dispersion was extensive. The steady-state recoverable compliance, Je°, was approximately 80 times larger than JN. Because there was considerable information on the terminal dispersion, it was possible to independently determine its temperature dependence, which was found to be indistinguishable from that of the viscous deformation. However, this temperature dependence is significantly different from that of the softening dispersion. The differences observed are in the same sense as that found previously for the softening dispersion and viscous flow dependences of polystyrene.
Pathways of Innovation: a history of the first effective treatment for sickle cell anemia

The promise of molecular medicine is the prevention and treatment of illness. Understanding the mechanism of the disease should allow one to "fix" it. For sickle cell anemia, however, knowledge of the biochemical basis of the disease was only partly responsible for finding a means of treating the disease--of equal value were hypotheses and conclusions generated from clinical observations. This article describes the research path that led to the first effective treatment for sickle cell anemia, hydroxy-urea. Rather than exemplifying the "bench-to-bedside" model commonly used to describe the process of therapeutic innovation, this history of this research reveals that the critical advances for the development of treatment came not from basic research, but instead from clinical and patient-oriented research. Given that the linear approach is the prevailing paradigm of therapeutic innovation, this history is important because it indicates the inadequacy of this approach for a relatively straightforward single-gene mutation disease such as sickle cell anemia and suggests the need for multiple models of innovation for more complex diseases. Thus, this article questions the expectations of molecular medicine and the dominance of a linear model of therapeutic innovation, which often excludes or subordinates other models of developing treatments.
Genetic variations in HLA-B region and hypersensitivity reactions to abacavir

Summary Hypersensitivity to abacavir affects about 4% of patients who receive the drug for HIV-1 infection. We did a retrospective, case-control study to identify multiple markers in the vicinity of HLA-B associated with hypersensitivity reactions. HLA-B57 was present in 39 (46%) of 84 patients versus four (4%) of 113 controls (p HLA-B57 for predicting hypersensitivity to abacavir identified in this study compared with a previous report highlights that predictive values for markers will vary across populations. Clinical monitoring and management of hypersensitivity reactions among patients receiving abacavir must remain unchanged.
Evaluation of interface stability and melt-processing techniques of Ni3Al/SiC particulate composites

Abstract Nickel aluminides, in particular Ni3Al, are potential matrix materials for high temperature composites. Several powder metallurgy and melt-processing routes to fabricate such composites have been investigated to date. A major concern has been the excessive interfacial reaction between the matrix and the reinforcement. This paper addresses issues related to the selection of the proper processing technique and to the development of diffusion barriers on the reinforcement to minimize such reactions. Melt-processing techniques such as liquid metal infiltration and mechanical mixing for fabrication of Ni3Al/SiC particulate composites are evaluated. The effectiveness of surface oxidation of SiC to minimize the extent of interfacial reaction is also investigated. Sessile drop experiments indicate an increment in contact angle due to surface oxidation of SiC. Further, differential thermal analysis results suggest the formation of reaction products for untreated SiC as compared with surface-oxidized SiC. Electron probe microanalysis has identified nickel as the major diffusing element in the case of untreated SiC. The diffusion of nickel is significantly reduced when an oxide layer exists on the SiC. Finally, it is concluded that, depending on the reaction kinetics, it is not only necessary to provide a diffusion barrier but is equally important to employ a processing technique that minimizes the contact time between molten Ni3Al and the SiC reinforcement. It was indeed found that, while complete dissolution of SiC particles occurs during liquid mixing, Ni3Al/SiC composites can be produced through liquid infiltration.
Competition and the cost of liquidity to investors

Abstract The Congressional mandate to develop competitive securities markets in the United States has focused attention on the cost of liquidity to investors. Prior studies have emphasized the impact of external competition in the form of competing markets and/ or competing dealers on the bid-ask spread of the dealer. However, the spread of the specialist (dealer) on the NYSE may or may not be observable because of the interaction between public limit orders and the specialist's quotes. Our study develops a model of this interaction, and empirically verifies that internal competition in the form of limit orders has an important impact on the cost of liquidity to investors.
Amniocentesis for selection before rescue cerclage

Abstract Objective: To determine whether diagnostic amniocentesis should be part of evaluations of women under consideration for rescue cerclage. Methods: We reviewed the obstetric records of 25 candidates for rescue cerclage seen between June 30, 1995, and July 1, 1997. Rescue cerclage was defined as a procedure on a cervix with an internal os dilated at least 2 cm and 50% effaced, with membranes visible at the external os. Transabdominal amniocentesis was offered as part of the preoperative evaluation, and amniotic fluid (AF) was sent for glucose and lactate dehydrogenase level determinations, Gram staining, and culture for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Placentas were examined for histopathologic evidence of inflammation. The women were divided into three groups. Eleven women had rescue cerclage after amniocentesis, seven had rescue cerclage after declining amniocentesis, and seven had amniocentesis but were treated conservatively because of AF markers of infection. Analysis of variance and χ 2 statistics were used. Results: The group that had rescue cerclage after amniocentesis had a significantly longer mean admission-to-delivery interval, higher mean gestational age at delivery, higher mean birth weight, and higher neonatal survival rate than did the group that had rescue cerclage without amniocentesis and the group that had no cerclage after amniocentesis ( P Conclusion: Amniocentesis before rescue cerclage placement identified women with subclinical chorioamnionitis who would not benefit from cerclage.
Identification and functional characterisation of the promoter of the calcium sensor gene CBL1 from the xerophyte Ammopiptanthus mongolicus.

CBL1 is a calcium sensor that regulates drought, cold and salt signals in Arabidopsis. Overexpression of CBL1 gene in Arabidopsis and in Ammopiptanthus mongolicus showed different tolerant activities. We are interested in understanding the molecular mechanism of the upstream region of the CBL1 gene of A. mongolicus (AmCBL1). We investigated and characterized the promoter of the AmCBL1 gene, for promoters play a very important role in regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. A 1683-bp 5' flanking region was isolated from A. mongolicus. The sequence was identified as AmCBL1 promoter. Analysis of the promoter sequence indicated a 690-bp intron and some basic cis-acting elements were related to various environmental stresses and plant hormones. To identify the functional region of the AmCBL1 promoter, five plant expression vectors fused with the GUS (β-glucuronidase) gene, driven by series deleted fragments of AmCBL1 promoter at different lengths from -1659, -1414, -1048, -296 to -167 bp relative to the transcriptional start site were constructed and transformed into Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. 89. Functional properties of each promoter segment were examined by GUS staining and fluorescence quantitative analyses using at least three single-copy PCR-positive plants of transgenic tobacco, treated with various environmental stresses and plant hormones for different times. We demonstrated that the AmCBL1 promoter was a vascular-specific and multiple-stress-inducible promoter. Our results further imply that the promoter fragment B1S3 possessed sufficient essential cis-acting elements, accounting for vascular-specific and stress-induced expression patterns. It may also indicate that for response to some stresses certain cis-elements are required in tissues outside the region of the B1S3 construct. To help resolve uncertainties about the upstream regulatory mechanism of the CBL1 gene in desert plants, we suggest that the function of the AmCBL1 promoter, particularly under conditions of abiotic stress, to be examined for possible usefulness in molecular breeding. Regardless of the outcome, the allocation and relative quantification of the GUS-fusion AmCBL1 promoter segments at transcriptional levels in different tissues under various stresses across separate promoter segments suggests that the AmCBL1 promoter is a phloem-specific and multiple-stress-inducible promoter. These data coupled with the ongoing AmCBL1 5' UTR intron analyses provide a solid foundation for their future use in molecular breeding as new promoters of stress-resistance genes from desert plants.
A randomised controlled study of the effect of cholinesterase inhibition on colon function in patients with diabetes mellitus and constipation

Objectives Chronic constipation in diabetes mellitus is associated with colonic motor dysfunction and is managed with laxatives. Cholinesterase inhibitors increase colonic motility. This study evaluated the effects of a cholinesterase inhibitor on gastrointestinal and colonic transit and bowel function in diabetic patients with constipation. Design After a 9-day baseline period, 30 patients (mean±SEM age 50±2 years) with diabetes mellitus (18 type 1, 12 type 2) and chronic constipation without defaecatory disorder were randomised to oral placebo or pyridostigmine, starting with 60 mg three times a day, increasing by 60 mg every third day up to the maximum tolerated dose or 120 mg three times a day; this dose was maintained for 7 days. Gastrointestinal and colonic transit (assessed by scintigraphy) and bowel function were evaluated at baseline and the final 3 and 7 days of treatment, respectively. Treatment effects were compared using analysis of covariance, with gender, body mass index and baseline colonic transit as covariates. Results 19 patients (63%) had moderate or severe autonomic dysfunction; 16 (53%) had diabetic retinopathy. 14 of 16 patients randomised to pyridostigmine tolerated 360 mg daily; two patients took 180 mg daily. Compared with placebo (mean±SEM 1.98±0.17 (baseline), 1.84±0.16 (treatment)), pyridostigmine accelerated (1.96±0.18 (baseline), 2.45±0.2 units (treatment), p Conclusions Cholinesterase inhibition with oral pyridostigmine accelerates colonic transit and improves bowel function in diabetic patients with chronic constipation. Clinical trial registration number TrialRegNo (NCT 00276406).