cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endometrial and ovarian cancer in women with Lynch syndrome: update in screening and prevention

Women with Lynch syndrome have an additional need to address the substantial increased lifetime risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer. Endometrial or ovarian cancer can be the presenting cancer in individuals with Lynch syndrome, or can be a second cancer. Lifetime risk of endometrial cancer in women with MLH1 or MSH2 mutations is approximately 40 %, with a median age of 49. Women with MSH6 mutations have a similar risk of endometrial cancer but a later age of diagnosis. Lynch syndrome-associated endometrial cancers are primarily endometrioid, although non-endometrioid subtypes including clear cell, papillary serous and MMMT have been reported. In addition, endometrial cancers arising in the lower uterine segment, while rare in the general population, are enriched in women with Lynch syndrome. Ovarian cancer risk in women with Lynch syndrome is 6–8 %, and Lynch syndrome-associated ovarian cancers exhibit a variety of histopathological subtypes. Studies of endometrial cancer screening in Lynch syndrome have been small, and more recently have focused on the use of office endometrial biopsy to identify pre-malignant and early stage cancers. Prevention options include the use of oral contraceptives, which are known to be highly effective for decreasing risk of both endometrial and ovarian cancer in the general population, and prophylactic surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries.
Capture and emission of electrons at 2.4-eV-deep trap level in Si O 2 films

Capture, photoionization, and impact-ionization cross sections for a 2.4-eV-deep electron trapping center in the silicon-dioxide layer of a metal-oxide-semiconductor structure have been determined using the photoinjection-photodepopulation technique. The electric field dependence of both capture and impact-ionization cross sections have been determined for accelerating fields in the range 0.1-1.0 MV/cm. Capture cross sections are of order ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ and uv photoionization cross sections greater than ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. High-field impact-ionization rates are 1-10 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for filled trap densities of order 5 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$.
A simplified model of high pressure spray combustion

A simplified model of high-pressure spray combustion is examined. The analysis relies on a kappa-epsilon-g turbulence model in conjunction with the locally homogeneous flow (LHF) approximation of two-phase flow, which implies infinitely fast transport rates between the phases. High-pressure phenomena near the thermodynamic critical point are treated using the Redlich-Kwong equation of state. Predictions are compared with existing measurements of spray boundaries in a pressure-atomized n-pentane spray (Sauter mean diameter, approximately 30 microns) burning in stagnant air at 3, 6, and 9 MPa. The LHF model overestimates the rate of development of the flow, yielding spray lengths roughly 20% shorter than measured. Calibrated drop-life-history calculations suggest that finite interphase transport rates are the primary cause of the discrepancy.
Semantic Attention Management

Many possibilities exist for semantic technologies. Indeed, using over loaded terms correctly in a given context is a major challenge that semantics is attempting to meet, thus making it the technology of globalization. But in this column, we discuss applications that help us manage what we pay attention to: semantic attention management (SAM). Semantic technologies offer to make our niches of interest even narrower, more dynamic, and easier to manage, including giving us more fine-grained control over who gets our attention with their Internet content
On the reproductive success of early-generation hatchery fish in the wild

Large numbers of hatchery salmon spawn in wild populations each year. Hatchery fish with multiple generations of hatchery ancestry often have heritably lower reproductive success than wild fish and may reduce the fitness of an entire population. Whether this reduced fitness also occurs for hatchery fish created with local- and predominantly wild-origin parents remains controversial. Here, we review recent studies on the reproductive success of such ‘early-generation’ hatchery fish that spawn in the wild. Combining 51 estimates from six studies on four salmon species, we found that (i) early-generation hatchery fish averaged only half the reproductive success of their wild-origin counterparts when spawning in the wild, (ii) the reduction in reproductive success was more severe for males than for females, and (iii) all species showed reduced fitness due to hatchery rearing. We review commonalities among studies that point to possible mechanisms (e.g., environmental versus genetic effects). Furthermore, we illustrate that sample sizes typical of these studies result in low statistical power to detect fitness differences unless the differences are substantial. This review demonstrates that reduced fitness of early-generation hatchery fish may be a general phenomenon. Future research should focus on determining the causes of those fitness reductions and whether they lead to long-term reductions in the fitness of wild populations.
Optimizing study design for multi‐species avian monitoring programmes

Summary 1. Many monitoring programmes are successful at monitoring common species, whereas rare species, which are often of highest conservation concern, may be detected infrequently. Study designs that increase the probability of detecting rare species at least once over the study period, while collecting adequate data on common species, strengthen programme ability to address community-wide hypotheses about how an ecosystem functions or responds to management actions. Study design guidelines exist for single-species occupancy models, but practical guidance for monitoring species communities is needed. Single-species population-level designs are necessarily optimal for targeted species, whereas community study designs may be optimal for the assemblage of species, but not for every species within the community. Our objective was to provide a general optimization tool for multi-species models and to illustrate this tool using data from two avian community studies. 2. We conducted a simulation study with a Bayesian hierarchical model to explore design and cost trade-offs for avian community monitoring programmes. We parameterized models using two long-term avian studies from Arizona, USA and evaluated bias and accuracy for different combinations of species in the regional species pool and sampling design combinations of number of sites and sampling occasions. We optimized for maximum accuracy of species richness, detection probability and occupancy probability of rare species, given a fixed budget. 3. Statistical properties for species richness and detection probability of species within the community were driven more by sampling occasions, whereas rare species occupancy probability was influenced more by percentage of area sampled. These results are consistent with results from single-species models, suggesting some similarities between community-level and single-species models with occupancy and detection. 4. Synthesis and applications. Study designs must be cost-efficient while providing reliable knowledge. Researchers and managers have limited funds for collecting data. Our template can be used by researchers and managers to evaluate trade-offs and efficiencies for allocating samples between the number of occasions and sites in multi-species studies, and allow them to identify the optimal study design in order to achieve specific study objectives.
Hypoxia stimulates insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) gene expression in HepG2 cells: a possible model for IGFBP-1 expression in fetal hypoxia

IGFBP-1 is elevated in fetuses with long-term, chronic hypoxia and intrauterine growth restriction. We investigated the hypothesis that hypoxia regulates IGFBP-1 in the human fetus in vivo and IGFBP-1 gene expression and protein in vitro. Umbilical artery IGFBP-1 levels (mean ± SEM) from term babies with respiratory acidosis (acute hypoxia), normal babies, and those with mixed respiratory/metabolic acidosis (more profound and prolonged hypoxia) were measured using an immunoradiometric assay. IGFBP-1 levels were similar in normal (n = 12) and acutely hypoxic (n = 6) babies (189.1 ± 71.8 vs. 175.8 ± 45.9 ng /ml, respectively, P = 0.789). However, with more profound and prolonged hypoxia (n = 19), IGFBP-1 levels were markedly elevated (470.6 ± 80.0 ng /ml, P = 0.044). To investigate IGFBP-1 regulation by hypoxia in vitro, HepG2 cells were incubated under hypoxia (pO2 = 2%) and normoxia (pO2 = 20%). IGFBP-1 protein and mRNA increased 8- and 12-fold, respectively, under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia did not affect protein or mRNA levels of IGFBP-2 or -4. IGFBP-5 and -6 mRNAs, undetectable in control cells, were not induced by hypoxia, whereas minimally expressed IGFBP-3 mRNA increased twofold. Investigation into IGFBP-1 gene structure revealed three potential consensus sequences for the hypoxia response element (HRE) in the first intron. To investigate functionality, a 372-bp fragment of IGFBP-1 intron 1, containing putative HREs, was placed 5′ to a heterologous hsp70 promoter in a plasmid using luciferase as a reporter gene. Under hypoxia, reporter gene activity increased up to 30-fold. Mutations in the middle HRE abolished reporter activity in response to hypoxia, suggesting that this HRE is functional in the IGFBP-1 hypoxia response. Cotransfection of HRE reporter genes with a constitutively expressing hypoxia-inducible factor 1 plasmid in HepG2 cells resulted in a fourfold induction of reporter activity, suggesting a role for hypoxia-inducible factor 1 in hypoxia induction of IGFBP-1 gene expression. These data support the hypothesis that hypoxia regulation of IGFBP-1 may be a mechanism operating in the human fetus to restrict insulin-like growth factor-mediated growth in utero under conditions of chronic hypoxia and limited substrate availability.
A novel multi-objective instruction synthesis flow for application-specific instruction set processors

Application-Specific Instruction set Processor (ASIP) has become an increasingly popular platform for embedded systems. Traditional ASIP synthesis flows mainly target performance improvement, with other design metrics not being addressed appropriately. In this paper, we show that traditional custom instruction exploration algorithms and cost estimation methods for performance improvement only are not suitable for other design objectives, such as energy reduction and area minimization. We propose an ASIP design flow that can be adapted to different design objectives and achieve the balance between them. A novel design space exploration algorithm is developed to identify custom instructions for execution acceleration and energy reduction while reducing the hardware overhead.
Potentiostatic Start-Up of PEMFCs from Subzero Temperatures

Potentiostatic start-up of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) from subfreezing temperatures is explored in this work. Taking advantage of hydration of membrane and rising cell temperature, potentiostatic start-up features a drastic increase in current density in the course of a cold start, thus leading to substantially more heat generation and a more rapid cell warmup. It is noted that potentiostatic start-up is more advantageous over its galvanostatic counterpart only when the membrane is dry prior to a cold start with sufficient gas purge. In addition, it is found that lowering the cell thermal mass significantly improves the performance of potentiostatic start-up. Minimizing the heat loss from end plates to the ambient is less critical for start-up processes of short duration. Finally, numerical results indicate that it is possible to achieve a self-start from -30°C in ∼50 s under realistic conditions using the potentiostatic method. While potentiostatic start-up cannot be used directly for fuel cell stacks, it is a fundamental problem representing innovative current-ramping strategies.
Visible Light from a Silicon p − n Junction

When low-voltage silicon $p\ensuremath{-}n$ junctions are biased in the reverse direction to breakdown, visible light is emitted from the junction region. The effects of surface treatment on the phenomenon are discussed. Two typical light output vs reverse current curves are shown. A typical spectral distribution curve in the 1.8-3.4 ev range is shown. The observations suggest that the light results from a radiative relaxation mechanism involving the high-energy carriers produced in the avalanche breakdown process.
SU‐E‐T‐177: Radiochromic Film: Towards a Public Calibration Function

Purpose: To assess the possibility of using a public calibration function for radiochromic film dosimetry in dose QA of highly conformal treatment plans. Methods: EBT3 film calibration strips (3.5×20cm2 from lots A101212 and A011713) were exposed on a Varian Trilogy at a facility to a 10×10cm2 open field at doses of 80,160,320 cGy using 6MV photons. Together with a strip of unexposed film from the same lot the exposed films were digitized in a single scan using different Epson 10000XL scanners at two different facilities. The dose‐response data for each color‐channel from each facility were generated using the same calibration function X(D) = a + b/(D‐c), where X(D) is the response at dose D and a, b and c are the coefficients. Different batches of EBT3 film were exposed to a VMAT beam. These films, plus two reference strips exposed to doses of zero and 160 cGy, were digitized on the scanners at the two facilities. Using the multi‐channel dosimetry method and One‐scan protocol (Med Phys, 39:6339‐49, 2012) the recorded doses on the VMAT films were calculated and the results were compared with the VMAT plan using a Gamma index of 3%/3mm. Results: The passing rates obtained for dose maps calculated for all combinations of VMAT images and calibration functions were nearly unchanged, using the One‐scan protocol. Also, in all cases a passing rate of >99% was obtained for Gamma index of 3%/3mm. On the other hand, if the One‐scan protocol was not employed, the dose maps for VMAT images and calibration functions from different scanners showed poor correlation with the treatment plan. This is probably due to the scan‐to‐scan variability. Conclusion: We have found that it is feasible to use a public calibration function for a given radiochromic film lot using the same methodology, One‐scan protocol, for patient‐specific QA. Two of the authors are the employees of Ashland Inc., the manufacturer of GafChromic film.
Optimization of diffusion-controlled free radical polymerizations in a distributed parameter system

Abstract This paper deals with open-loop optimal boundary control for free radical polymerizations of styrene in the casting process. The system is characterized by a set of parabolic partial differential equations, where the monomer conversion, initiator conversion, moments of dead polymers, and temperature (state variables) depend on both time and radial position in the reactor. The objective is to seek the optimal wall temperature that will minimize either reaction time or molecular weight distribution (MWD). A kinetic-diffusion model considering the gel effect and the glass effect is used. By using variational methods, the problems can be formulated via either “early discretization” or “late discretization” approach. The Min-H technique is applied to the problems formulated by the “early discretization” approach in obtaining optimal wall temperature profiles. For the system studied, it is found that variations of the optimal wall temperature profiles show great resemblance to those obtained for the corresponding lumped-parameter cases.
Adding and using structure in general arrays

Examples of pre-APL general arrays suggest uses for APL II. Two structure-creating functions are proposed. Using numerical or logical control arguments, they partition a level of an array regularly or irregularly, with or without reuse of items. The resulting arrays reduce string search to item search in two distinct ways. They can be used on arrays of any rank to simplify search for abstractly defined patterns of relationships between nearby elements or to construct a tessellation by repetition of a given pattern. The relationships between these techniques and programming techniques using operators is noted. Formal identities relate the two proposed functions to APL I functions and to each other.
General properties of surface modes in binary metal-dielectric metamaterials

We present general properties of surface modes in binary metal-dielectric metamaterials. We show mechanism for surface mode formation and analyze their existence conditions for semi-infinite metamaterials in the frame of couple mode theory.
Quantitation of Potentially Undiagnosed Incidental Carcinoma of the Prostate in Patients Treated Non‐surgically for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Summary Prostatectomy is the standard treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and non-surgical treatment of prostatism would reduce the detection of Stage A prostate cancer. We wished to identify the number of potentially undiagnosed cancers resulting if non-surgical therapy were used to treat a presenting complaint of BPH. We also sought to identify the age group which would most clearly benefit from treatment of Stage A prostate cancer. Our series of transurethral prostatectomy specimens showed 92/996 patients (9.2%) positive for incidental carcinoma; 26/92 patients (28%) received further treatment and 25 of the 26 patients had Stage A2 disease. After evaluating life-tables and survival data on untreated A2 disease, the population aged 72 years had a relative benefit of treatment ratio > 1.0, i.e. had a greater likelihood of dying from prostate cancer than from natural causes; 17/616 (2.8%) of the population aged < 72 years had their A2 disease treated and would have potentially been denied early cancer treatment if non-surgical management of BPH had been employed. The above figures assume 100% non-surgical treatment of BPH and no screening for prostate cancer pre-treatment. Stage A2 patients in this study demonstrated no significant difference in cause-specific survival rates between treated and untreated study groups (both 0%) or between treated study patients and untreated historical patients. Treated A2 patients demonstrated a significantly lower 5-year progression rate (0 vs 32%) relative to untreated patients reported in the literature, and a trend toward a significantly lower progression rate (0 vs 25%) relative to untreated study patients.
Renewable energy in US federal buildings

Purpose – This research seeks to investigate sources of renewable energy into the everyday operation of federally owned facilities. The goal is to present comparisons of existing US federal buildings and analyze the savings and methodologies for acceptance of each project for the use of building and project managers within the US federal government or other researchers interested in similar analysis.Design/methodology/approach – Data were analyzed on several case studies where solar, wind, and geothermal sources of renewable energy have already been integrated in federally owned facilities. The analysis focused on cost due to available data and resources, and its scope was to estimate the potential for success or failure and possible outcomes.Findings – Current case studies of solar, wind, and geothermal projects within the US federal government suggest that cost savings are not the sole reason for adopting such technologies. Projects move forward based on additional motivations such as reduced environmen...
Effects du tumor necrosis factor (TNF) sur le métabolisme des acides aminés et des protéines

Resume Le TNF est un mediateur important de la reponse aigue au cours des etats infectieux ou d'agression. Au cours de la reponse de la phase aigue comme lors de l'administration de TNF, l'homme et l'animal presentent des modifications specifiques du metabolisme des acides amines et des proteines. Il existe une mobilisation des acides amines des muscles peripheriques et une augmentation de leur utilisation au niveau central dans la neoglucogenese, la production d'energie et la synthese des proteines de la reaction inflammatoire. L'administration de TNF aux animaux ou a l'homme conduit a un ensemble comparable d'alterations metaboliques : liberation accrue des acides amines par le tissu musculaire squelettique peripherique, augmentation du renouvellement proteique de l'organisme, et accroissement concomitant de la captation hepatique des acides amines. Certaines questions importantes demeurent sans reponse, en particulier le fait de savoir si les effets du TNF sont lies a une action directe du mediateur ou necessitent la participation d'autres cytokines, de prostaglandines ou d'hormones.
Liver Stem Cells, Where Art Thou?

Facultative liver stem cells have long been thought to be an important source of new hepatocytes during chronic liver injury. This longstanding paradigm is being challenged by two papers discussed herein (Schaub et al., 2014; Yanger et al., 2014).
Virus epizootics in californian populations of Spodoptera exigua: dominance of a single viral genotype

Abstract Thirty isolates of a multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus from larvae of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua , were collected during epizootics from a geographical area encompassing the Imperial, San Joaquin and southern Sacramento Valleys of California. Restriction enzyme analysis of viral DNAs with Bam Hi, Eco RI and Xho I revealed that one dominant viral genotype, similar to an isolate first described in 1978, was responsible for all epizootics in the areas sampled. Additionally, the genotype of an isolate collected in 1965 was dominant. Although variants of the dominant genotype were observed in isolates from several locations, the differences were minor in most cases. These results indicate that the annual epizootics which occur throughout California in populations of S. exigua are caused by a single virus and its closely related genotypic variants.
Government and Press in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the government-controlled mainstream newspapers present a version of reality in which the ruling coalition, the Barisan Nasional, stands in diametric contrast to its opposition. In press accounts, the Barisan is moderate while the opposition is extremist; the Barisan can guarantee harmony between ethnic groups while an opposition government would unleash the forces of ethnic conflict, and so on. Conveyed along with this study in contrasts is a more subtle, but no less politically useful, vision of the Malaysian social order as a productive arrangement between two inalienable categories of people: those who rule, and those who must be ruled. The press construction of reality thus mediates between the ideal of democracy, which Malaysia officially upholds, and the elitism that is the hallmark of a class society.
Evaluation of differential gene expression in Leishmania major Friedlin procyclics and metacyclics using DNA microarray analysis.

The various Leishmania species are flagellated protozoans, responsible for a wide spectrum of human diseases. The sequence of the L. major genome is nearing completion and a large proportion of the identified genes have yet to be ascribed functions. DNA microarrays containing PCR-amplified DNA from a random amplified genomic library of L. major Friedlin (LmjF) [Mol. Biochem. Parasitol. 113 (2001) 337] were hybridized with fluorescent probes made from L. major Friedlin RNA from five time-points during differentiation from procyclics to metacyclics. The data were normalized for background and probe intensity and the relative abundance of RNA for each spot was calculated. Almost 15% (1387/9282) of the DNAs showed statistically significant (P<0.01) changes in expression (1.1–5-fold) during the transition, with 1.16% (108) showing up-regulation at two or more time-points and 0.14% (13) showing down-regulation. Northern blot analyses of selected genes confirmed these results. These studies confirmed the stage-specific expression of several known genes, as well as identifying a number of novel genes that are up-regulated in either procyclics or metacyclics.
The kinematics of cool metal-line white dwarfs and accretion in the local interstellar medium

The data base of spectroscopically identified white dwarfs is used to isolate a sample of cool degenerates with trace metals. The spatial distribution and space velocity components of the white dwarfs projected onto and perpendicular to the galactic plane are compared with the distribution of local interstellar hydrogen. The results are consistent with the metals having been accreted during recent encounters with local density enhancements. However, the limited availability of radial velocities, coupled with uncertainties in the derived abundances, the diffusion times, and in the three-dimensional structure of the local medium, prevent a definitive test of the accretion hypothesis at this time.
The effect of shedding on skin homografts in the garter snake, thamnophis sirtalis

All skin homografts shed a layer of keratin or an outer epidermal generation when shedding appeared in the recipient. Skin homografts did not express the timing of the shedding cycle found in the donor animal. It was concluded that the timing of shedding is determined by the recipient but not by the skin. The response of skin homografts was not affected by age, sex or the stage between sheddings when grafts were taken from donors. A review of mammalian work shows that skin homografts in the rat show the timing of the hair growth cycle found in the donor although eventually these homografts also become synchronized with the recipient. Less complex mechanisms seem to be involved in the shedding cycle in garter snakes than in the hair-growth cycle which evolved in mammals.
Evaluation of Endogenous Fluorescence and SHG Patterns of Neoplastic Lung Tissue with Multiphoton Microscopy

The two-photon excited endogenous fluorescence and SHG of alveolar tissue are determined in ex vivo murine samples. Morphological and spectral contrast is demonstrated between normal alveoli, inflammation sites with macrophage infiltration and neoplastic lung tissue.
Image Reconstruction From Double Random Projection

We present double random projection methods for reconstruction of imaging data. The methods draw upon recent results in the random projection literature, particularly on low-rank matrix approximations, and the reconstruction algorithm has only two simple and noniterative steps, while the reconstruction error is close to the error of the optimal low-rank approximation by the truncated singular-value decomposition. We extend the often-required symmetric distributions of entries in a random-projection matrix to asymmetric distributions, which can be more easily implementable on imaging devices. Experimental results are provided on the subsampling of natural images and hyperspectral images, and on simulated compressible matrices. Comparisons with other random projection methods are also provided.
Design of Monitoring System with Advanced Applications for Wind Farms

This paper introduces a monitoring system based on C/S mode which includes both basic SCADA functions and advanced analysis and control functions. Basic functions collect, process and store data from various devices; advanced functions provide data analysis, statistics, automatic control and operation management tools. The system is highly modularized that advanced functions can be integrated to the system easily. The system is running well in our test environment and will be implemented in a demonstration project this year.
Nosocomial urinary-tract infections in a skilled nursing facility.

Fifty-five documented infections reported from an admission unit of a large skilled nursing facility (SNF) during a five-month period were analyzed. Of these, 45 (82 percent) were urinary-tract infections (UTIs), chiefly asymptomatic bacteriuria. Sixty-three percent of the UTIs were acquired in the SNF, and the remainder were acquired during the preceding stay in a general hospital. Statistically, Proteus species infections were more common among the SNF-acquired UTIs, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections were the most common among the hospital-acquired UTIs. The following recommendations are made: 1) for previously hospitalized elderly patients in whom urinary-tract sepsis develops soon after admission to an SNF, treatment should start with an antibiotic active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa while the results of cultures are pending; 2) symptomatic lower urinary-tract infections caused by SNF-acquired Proteus species should be treated with nalidixic acid or trimethoprim**-sulfamethoxazole; 3) the term “nosocomial infection” should be broadened to include infections acquired in long-term care institutions; and 4) infection surveillance should be started in selected long-term care institutions for the elderly as part of an expanded National Nosocomial Infections Survey.
Persistent Activation of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase 1 (JNK1) in γ Radiation-induced Apoptosis

The c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) are activated by various stimuli, including UV light, interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and CD28 costimulation. Induction of JNK by TNF-α, a strong apoptosis inducer, implies a possible role of JNK in the regulation of programmed cell death. Present studies show that lethal doses of γ radiation (GR) induced JNK activities at the early phase of apoptosis in Jurkat T-cells. We demonstrate that JNK1 was activated by either the T-cell activation signals, anti-CD28 monoclonal antibody plus phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), or the apoptosis-inducing treatment, GR; however, the induction patterns were different. In contrast to the rapid and transient JNK1 activation caused by CD28 signaling plus PMA, GR induced a delayed and persistent JNK1 activation. This implies a distinct regulatory mechanism and specific function of JNK1 in irradiated cells. The nuclear and cytosolic JNK1 activities were simultaneously increased in the irradiated cells without an evident change in the protein levels. The abilities of GR to induce JNK1 activation and DNA fragmentation were correlated. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were more sensitive to GR than Jurkat cells in JNK1 induction. The responsiveness of JNK1 to GR suggests the involvement of JNK1 in the initiation of the apoptosis process.
Neighboring aliphatic/aromatic side chain interactions between residues 9 and 10 in gramicidin channels.

The interactions between an aliphatic or phenyl side chain and an indole ring in a phospholipid environment were investigated by synthesizing and characterizing gramicidins in which Trp 9 was ring- labeled and D-Leu 10 was replaced by D-Val, D-Ala, or D-Phe. All three analogues form conducting channels, with conductances that are lower than that of gramicidin A (gA) channels. The channel lifetimes vary by less than 50% from that of gA channels. Circular dichroism spectra and size-exclusion chromatography show that the conformation of each analogue in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) vesicles is similar to the right-handed ‚ 6.3 -helical conformation that is observed for gA. 2 H NMR spectra of oriented samples in DMPC show large changes for the Trp 9 ring when residue 10 is modified, suggesting a steric interaction between D-Leu 10 and Trp 9 , in agreement with previous acylation studies (R. E. Koeppe II et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 9299-9307). The outer quadrupolar splitting for Trp 9 is unchanged with D-Phe 10 ,a t 153 kHz, but increases by 25 kHz with D-Val 10 and decreases by 10 kHz with D-Ala 10 . With D-Ala 10 or D-Val 10 , the outer resonance splits into two in a temperature-dependent manner. The NMR spectra indicate that the side chain torsion angles 1 and 2 for Trp 9 change when residue 10 is substituted. The changes in 1 are small, in all cases less than 10° ,a s is¢ 2 when D-Ala 10 is introduced, but with D-Val 10 and D-Phe 10 ¢ 2 is at least 25°. We conclude that D-Leu 10 helps to stabilize an optimal orientation of Trp 9 in gA channels in lipid bilayers and that changes in Trp orientation alter channel conductance and
A reduction in the spalling of zinc titanate desulfurization sorbents through the addition of lanthanum oxide

Initial results of introducing La2O3 into zinc titanate, a potential regenerable desulfurization sorbent, to reduce the spalling of zinc titanate and other similar type mixed metal oxide sorbents used in hot coal-derived fuel gas desulfurization are presented. Sorbents were tested in a bench scale high temperature−low pressure fixed bed reactor using simulated coal-derived hot fuel gas and then removed for analysis. No signs of spalling or physical degradation after five cycles with steam regeneration was observed. The reactivity and capacity of the sorbent was comparable to standard zinc titanate sorbents. Primary analysis consisted of scanning electron microscopy/ energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, total sulfur analysis, and X-ray diffraction.
FREEZE‐DRIED CARBOHYDRATE CONTAINING OIL‐IN‐WATER EMULSIONS: MICROSTRUCTURE AND FAT DISTRIBUTION

The structural relationships of fat and carbohydrate in the freeze-dried matrix of oil-in-water model emulsions were investigated by using a variety of microscopic techniques (optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron microprobe analysis) and solvent extraction methods. The separation of the lipid phase into surface and encapsulated fractions was quantitatively evaluated and the significance of this lipid distribution evaluated with respect to chemical stability of the dried emulsion. The degree of lipid encapsulation in the carbohydrate matrix is shown to depend on a number of process variables, including carbohydrate concentration and morphological characteristics, lipid concentration and freezing rate.
Spectrum and energy levels of singly ionized rubidium (Rb ii)

The spectrum of Rb ii has been observed in a pulsed radio-frequency discharge with the NBS 10.7-m normal-incidence vacuum spectrograph, the NBS 10.7 m Eagle spectrograph in air, and the NBS 3.34 m plane-grating spectrograph in air. The observations cover the regions 1489–2661 A and 4380–10 081 A. The wavelengths of the strong resonance lines in the 530–741 A region were accurately measured in the 3rd and 4th orders with a sliding-spark discharge. Analysis of the spectrum has provided the positions of the previously missing levels of the 4p5 4d, 4f, and 6d configurations. The energy-level system has been extended to include the complete 4p5 5f, 5g, 6f, and 6g configurations, most of the levels of the 4p5 6p, 7f, 7g, 8s, and 9s configurations, and parts of the 4p5 7d, 8d, 8f, 8g, 9d, and 9f configurations. 600 lines are classified as transitions between 165 levels. Most of the observed configurations have been theoretically interpreted. The energy parameters determined from least-squares fits to the observed levels are compared with Hartree–Fock calculations. The ionization energy, derived from the 4p5nf 3/2[9/2]5, n = 4–7, and 4p5ng 3/2[11/2]6, n = 5–8, series, is 220 105.0 ± 0.5 cm−1 (27.2898 ± 0.0001 eV).
Structure of the Al-GaAs(110) interface from an energy-minimization approach

The structure of the Al-GaAs(110) interface at the initial stages of Al deposition has been studied. In this system, the adatom-substrate and the adatom-adatom interactions are not necessarily weak, and the interface region may be strongly perturbed. The pseudopotential-energy minimization method is ideally suited for determining the stable structure of such systems involving significant energy change, and this method is successfully applied to the Al-GaAs system in the present study. By the calculation of the chemisorption energy of the Al atom at different sites on the entire GaAs surface, an energy contour map is obtained for the first time. Favorable channels of migration of Al atoms on this map are identified, which suggests preferential surface diffusion along the Ga\char22{}As bonding chain direction. The calculated surface hopping diffusion is sufficiently high even at room temperature so that Al atoms frequently encounter and interact with other Al atoms to form Al clusters. The Al clusters are found to have lower free energy than chemisorbed Al atoms. Al atoms eventually replace substrate Ga atoms and form Al\char22{}As bonds in the interface region to minimize the energy of the system.
Cutaneous markers of disorders affecting adult horses

In adult horses, skin lesions and changes in the haircoat may serve as primary owner complaints for underlying systemic diseases. Cutaneous markers of systemic disorders of adult horses may include crusting or nodular dermatopathies (eg, photosensitization consequent to liver disease, purpura hemorrhagica, idiopathic granulomatous disease, multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease, or lymphoma) or haircoat changes (eg, alopecia or hirsutism) that should alert equine practitioners and dermatologists alike to search for underlying primary disease processes. Diseases with skin manifestations range from those in which the skin is one of the primary organs affected (eg, idiopathic granulomatous disease or multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease) to those for which dermatological lesions are secondary and resolve with treatment of the underlying disease (eg, photosensitization consequent to liver disease). This review focuses on disorders for which skin lesions or haircoat changes are markers for systemic diseases in adult horses.
Modeling microbiological and chemical processes in municipal solid waste bioreactor, Part I: Development of a three-phase numerical model BIOKEMOD-3P.

Abstract The numerical computer models that simulate municipal solid waste (MSW) bioreactor landfills have mainly two components – a biodegradation process module and a multi-phase flow module. The biodegradation model describes the chemical and microbiological processes. The models available to date include predefined solid waste biodegradation reactions and participating species. Some of these models allow changing the basic composition of solid waste. In a bioreactor landfill several processes like anaerobic and aerobic solids biodegradation, nitrogen and sulfate related processes, precipitation and dissolution of metals, and adsorption and gasification of various anthropogenic organic compounds occur simultaneously. These processes may involve reactions of several species and the available biochemical models for solid waste biodegradation do not provide users with the flexibility to simulate these processes by choice. This paper presents the development of a generalized biochemical process model BIOKEMOD-3P which can accommodate a large number of species and process reactions. This model is able to simulate bioreactor landfill operation in a completely mixed condition, when coupled with a multi-phase model it will be able to simulate a full-scale bioreactor landfill. This generalized biochemical model can simulate laboratory and pilot-scale operations in order to determine biochemical parameters important for simulation of full-scale operations.
Diabetic bullae: 12 cases of a purportedly rare cutaneous disorder.

Background Spontaneous bullae are a characteristic type of skin lesion occurring in patients with diabetes mellitus. These diabetic bullae are considered to be a rare phenomenon; only about 100 cases have been described in the literature since the disorder was first reported 70 years ago. Methods We collected a series of patients with diabetic bullae who were referred to us at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center Clinic specializing in diabetic foot problems. We then reviewed the medical literature for similar cases and summarized the available information. Results We saw 12 patients with typical diabetic bullae over an 8-year period in our clinic. The clinical presentation and outcome of the lesions in these patients were similar to those in previously reported cases. The patients were mostly elderly, all but one had lesions located on the lower extremities, all had peripheral neuropathy, two had secondary staphylococcal infection of their bullae, and in all patients the lesions healed without scarring. Although most of the patients had had previous similar lesions, the diagnosis of diabetic bullae had not been previously reported in any of them. Conclusions We have reviewed the clinical syndrome of diabetic bullae and presented brief clinical details of these cases; we offer several vignettes and photographs of these lesions to remind clinicians of what we believe is a not so rare cutaneous disorder.
Europe's 2003 heat wave: a satellite view of impacts and land–atmosphere feedbacks

A combination of satellite imagery, meteorological station data, and the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis has been used to explore the spatial and temporal evolution of the 2003 heat wave in France, with focus on understanding the impacts and feedbacks at the land surface. Vegetation was severely affected across the study area, especially in a swath across central France that corresponds to the Western European Broadleaf (WEB) Forests ecological zone. The remotely sensed surface temperature anomaly was also greatest in this zone, peaking at +15.4 °C in August. On a finer spatial scale, both the vegetation and surface temperature anomalies were greater for crops and pastures than for forested lands. The heat wave was also associated with an anomalous surface forcing of air temperature. Relative to other years in record, satellite-derived estimates of surface-sensible heat flux indicate an enhancement of 48–61% (24.0–30.5 W m−2) in WEB during the August heat wave maximum. Longwave radiative heating of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) was enhanced by 10.5 W m−2 in WEB for the same period. The magnitude and spatial structure of this local heating is consistent with models of the late twenty-first century climate in France, which predict a transitional climate zone that will become increasingly affected by summertime drought. Models of future climate also suggest that a soil-moisture feedback on the surface energy balance might exacerbate summertime drought, and these proposed feedback mechanisms were tested using satellite-derived heat budgets. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society.
Effect of aging and dietary salt and potassium intake on endothelial PTEN (Phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome 10) function.

Aging promotes endothelial dysfunction, defined as a reduction in bioavailable nitric oxide (NO) produced by the endothelial isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS3). This enzyme is critically regulated by phosphorylation by protein kinase B (Akt), which in turn is regulated by the lipid phosphatase, PTEN. The present series of studies demonstrated a reduction in bioavailable NO as the age of rats increased from 1 to 12 months. At 12 months of age, rats no longer demonstrated increases in phosphorylated NOS3 in response to high dietary salt intake. Endothelial cell levels of PTEN increased with age and became refractory to change with increased salt intake. In contrast to the reduction in NO production, endothelial cell production of transforming growth factor-s (TGF-s) relative to NO increased progressively with age. In macrovascular endothelial cells, PTEN was regulated in a dose-dependent fashion by TGF-s, which was further regulated by extracellular [KCl]. When combined with prior studies, the present series of experiments suggested an integral role for PTEN in endothelial cell pathobiology of aging and an important mitigating function of TGF-s in endothelial PTEN regulation. The findings further supported a role for diet in affecting vascular function through the production of TGF-s and NO.
Human Replication Protein A Melts a DNA Triple Helix Structure in a Potent and Specific Manner

Alternate DNA structures other than double-stranded B-form DNA can potentially impede cellular processes such as transcription and replication. The DNA triplex helix and G4 tetraplex structures that form by Hoogsteen hydrogen bonding are two examples of alternate DNA structures that can be a source of genomic instability. In this study, we have examined the ability of human replication protein A (RPA), a single-stranded DNA binding protein that is implicated in all facets of DNA metabolism, to destabilize DNA triplexes and tetraplexes. Biochemical studies demonstrate that RPA efficiently melts an intermolecular DNA triple helix consisting of a pyrimidine motif third strand annealed to a 4 kb duplex DNA fragment at protein concentrations equimolar to the triplex substrate. Heterologous single-stranded DNA binding proteins (Escherichia coli SSB, T4 gene 32) melt the triplex substrate very poorly or not at all, suggesting that the triplex destabilizing effect of RPA is specific. In contrast to the robust activity on DNA triplexes, RPA does not melt intermolecular G4 tetraplex structures. Cellular assays demonstrated increased triplex DNA content when RPA is transiently repressed, suggesting that RPA melting of triple helical structures is physiologically important. On the basis of our results, we suggest that the abundance of RPA known to exist in vivo is likely to be a strong deterrent to the stability of triplexes that can potentially form from human genomic DNA sequences.
Case Report: Reversible cabergoline-associated cardiac valvulopathy post drug discontinuation

We present a case of a 21 year old male patient diagnosed with a 2.2 cm prolactin-secreting adenoma in contact with the optic chiasm. The patient was treated with up to 6mg/week of cabergoline (total cumulative dose 814 mg) and developed mild valvulopathy. Valvulopathy was subsequently reversed after discontinuation of cabergoline therapy.
Inter-Seasonal Variation in Soybean and Maize Yields under Global Environmental Change

Projected global environment changes will have major influences on crop yields. A very important aspects of crop yields, and societal adjustments to environmental changes, may well be altered year-to-year stability in yields. Simulations for three locations in the Midwest with mechanistic growth models for maize (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] showed important species differences in projected yield stability. Maize yields under global environment changes were approximately equal to current levels and the year-to-year yield variability was unchanged. Soybean, however, had higher mean yields under changed global environments as compared to the current environment, and there was substantially greater year-to-year variability under possible future environments. This disparity among maize and soybean in mean yield changes and stability across years may have important consequences on crop management and stabilization of food and feed supplies.