cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 5275: Cancer specific caloric restriction using novel small molecule improves the therapeutic regime for triple negative breast cancer

Hyperglycemic and hyper insulin condition are the signature symptoms for type two diabetes which is the most favorable condition for the development of cancer. Women having a type two diabetes has 20-27% high risk to develop breast cancer including triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). Microenvironment including hyperglycemic, hyper insulin condition leads to the therapy resistance. According to ‘Warburg’s effect’ cancer cells consume a high amount of glucose in comparison to normal cells via aerobic glycolysis process. To take care of this condition currently, several clinical studies are going on for the combination therapy of type 2 diabetes and chemotherapy drugs together including erlotinib and metformin. The major drawback of this kind of type 2 diabetes drugs is that they won9t affect cancer cells under hyperglycemic and hyper insulin conditions. These drugs including metformin work via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation to switch aerobic glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation. We have developed a novel AMPK activator (SU-18) who selectively induces an oxidative phosphorylation in TNBC cells and glycolysis in normal cells. We found that SU-18 induces G2/M phase arrest, mitochondrial stress and apoptosis in TNBC cells as same as metformin but at 1000 fold less concentration. It selectively reduces the glucose consumption, lactate and ATP production in TNBC cells where normal cells act opposite to this. SU-18 activity is through AMPK activation which got abolished in presence of AMPK inhibitor (Compound c). During mouse xenograft studies, it inhibits the tumor growth and progression. It also improves the blood glucose level in hyperglycemic mice. Comparative studies with metformin suggest that SU-18 works irrespective of hyperglycemia and insulin conditions, whereas metformin, is ineffective in this condition. FDG-PET scan analysis also supported to our in vitro glucose consumption data that treatment with SU-18 reduces the FDG accumulation in tumor cells. This study advocates the clinical candidature of SU-18 for TNBC patients. Citation Format: Dhanir Tailor, Angel Resendez, Vineet Kumar, Catherine Going, Sharon Pitteri, Sanjay Malhotra. Cancer specific caloric restriction using novel small molecule improves the therapeutic regime for triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5275.
Minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion incorporating tattoo lines in the incisions: Case report

Abstract Background Body tattoos spanning a surgical incision area are increasingly a common encounter, especially as the popularity of body tattoos increases in western cultures. Preserving the integrity of these tattoos after a surgical incision poses a challenge to the surgeon and if not done right, can be a source of distress to the patient regardless of how successful the surgery was in addressing the primary pathology. Case presentation The patient is a 38 year-old female with a 2 year history of mechanical back pain refractory to conservative therapy. A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed an L5-S1 disc desiccation, and a discography revealed strongly concordant pain at the L5-S1 level. The patient was taken to the operating room for an L5-S1 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using three-dimensional (3D) image guidance to mark the incisions in locations that gave good trajectory for the placement of the pedicle screws and the interbody cage. These locations were over her tattoo and the incisions were made incorporating her tattoo lines. At 3 month follow-up, the patient had complete relief of her pre-operative back pain and she was extremely satisfied with the appearance of her tattoo. Conclusions Incisions for minimally invasive spine surgery can be incorporated into tattoo lines to increase patient satisfaction with surgery.
The Effects of Asparagus Racemosus Supplementation Plus 8 Weeks of Resistance Training on Muscular Strength and Endurance

Previous studies have demonstrated that ayurvedic ingredients exhibit ergogenic (performance enhancing) properties, however, no previous studies have examined the ergogenic potential of Asparagus racemosus. The purpose of the present study was to examine the ergogenic efficacy of supplementation with 500 mg·d-1 of A. racemosus during bench press training. Eighteen recreationally trained men (mean ± SD; age = 20.4 ± 0.5 yrs; height = 179.7 ± 1.5 cm; weight = 84.7 ± 5.7 kg) were randomly assigned either 500 mg·d-1 of A. racemosus (n = 10) or placebo (n = 8). An overlapping sample of 10 participants were used to determine test-retest reliability. Pre- and post-training testing included bench press with one repetition maximum (1RM) and repetitions to failure at 70% of pre-training 1RM. The participants performed two sets of bench press to failure three times a week for eight weeks. Independent t-tests, Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), and regression analyses were used to analyze the dependent variables. The results demonstrated greater mean percentage (14.3 ± 7.7% vs. 7.8 ± 4.5%; p = 0.048) and individual (80% vs. 50%) increases in 1RM, mean (17.5 ± 2.2 repetitions vs. 15.2 ± 2.2 repetitions; p = 0.044) and individual (80% vs. 38%) increases in repetitions to failure, and a greater rate of increase in training loads for the Asparagus racemosus group than the placebo group. In conjunction with bench press training, supplementation with A. racemosus provided ergogenic benefits compared to placebo.
Toward Understanding the Simulated Phase Partitioning of Arctic Single-Layer Mixed-Phase Clouds in E3SM

Significant changes are found in the modeled phase partitioning of Arctic mixed-phase clouds in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) Atmosphere Model versio...
Energetic materials: The preparation and structural characterization of melaminium dinitramide and melaminium nitrate

Two energetic salts of the melaminium cation have been prepared and structurally characterized from room temperature X-ray single crystal diffraction data. Melaminium dinitramide (I), triclinic, P1¯, a = 6.6861(11), b = 6.9638(16), c = 10.447(2) A , α = 99.07(3), β = 98.30(3), γ = 108.50(3)°, V = 445.6(2) A3, and Z = 2. Melaminium nitrate (II), monoclinic, P21/c, a = 3.5789(7), b = 20.466(4), c = 10.060(2) A, β = 94.01(2)°, V = 735.0(3) A3, and Z = 4. The crystal structures of both salts show distinct monoprotonated melaminium cations and dinitramide- or nitrate anions, respectively. Efficient packing in the solid state is achieved by extensive hydrogen bonding between two-dimensional zigzag ribbons of the melaminium cations and the respective anions resulting in high densities of the solid state structures of 1.74 (I) and 1.71 g/cm3 (II).
Cellular diversity of the regenerating caudal fin

Zebrafish faithfully regenerate their caudal fin after amputation. During this process, both differentiated cells and resident progenitors migrate to the wound site and undergo lineage-restricted, programmed cellular state transitions to populate the new regenerate. Until now, systematic characterizations of cells comprising the new regenerate and molecular definitions of their state transitions have been lacking. We hereby characterize the dynamics of gene regulatory programs during fin regeneration by creating single-cell transcriptome maps of both preinjury and regenerating fin tissues at 1/2/4 days post-amputation. We consistently identified epithelial, mesenchymal, and hematopoietic populations across all stages. We found common and cell type-specific cell cycle programs associated with proliferation. In addition to defining the processes of epithelial replenishment and mesenchymal differentiation, we also identified molecular signatures that could better distinguish epithelial and mesenchymal subpopulations in fish. The insights for natural cell state transitions during regeneration point to new directions for studying this regeneration model.
Alzheimer's disease and related dementias risk: Comparing users of non-selective and M3-selective bladder antimuscarinic drugs

Purpose Bladder antimuscarinic (BAM) drug use is associated with increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). It is hypothesized that BAMs with non-selective receptor binding may increase ADRD risk more than M3-selective BAMs. This study compared ADRD risk for users of non-selective and M3-selective BAMs and examines ADRD risk associated with overall BAM use. Methods Retrospective cohort study of Medicare claims for 71 688 individuals who used BAM drugs during 2007-2009 without an ADRD diagnosis. We compared ADRD incidence (2011-2016) between non-selective BAM users (fesoterodine, flavoxate, oxybutynin, tolterodine, trospium) and M3-selective BAM users (darifenacin, solifenacin). Logistic regressions compared individuals using target drugs in the same category of total standardized daily doses (TSDD) as a standardized measure of drug exposure, and adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, healthcare utilization, other medication use, socioeconomic status, and comorbidities. Secondary analyses compared ADRD risk associated with different doses of BAMs overall. Results Non-selective BAM use (compared to M3-selective) was not significantly associated with ADRD incidence. Odds ratios for non-selective use were 0.97 (CI: 0.89-1.04) for 1-364 TSDD, 0.94 (CI: 0.83-1.06) for 365-729, 1.00 (CI: 0.87-1.16) for 730-1094, and 1.03 (CI: 0.88-1.20) for >1094. Higher TSDD of BAMs overall (combining both non-selective and M3-selective BAMs), when compared to 1-364 TSDD, were associated with increased ADRD incidence (OR = 1.05 (CI: 0.99-1.10) for 365-729, OR = 1.11 (CI: 1.05-1.17) for 730-1094, and OR = 1.10 (CI: 1.04-1.15) for >1094). Conclusions Non-selective and M3-selective BAM users had similar odds of ADRD incidence, and BAM use overall was significantly associated with ADRD incidence.
A discrete interface in matrix stiffness creates an oscillatory pattern of endothelial monolayer disruption

ABSTRACT Intimal stiffening upregulates endothelial cell contractility, disrupting barrier integrity; however, intimal stiffening is non-uniform. The impact of local changes in intimal stiffness on proximal and distal cell–cell interactions is unknown. To investigate the range at which matrix stiffness heterogeneities impact neighboring endothelial cells within a monolayer, we built a micropillar system with adjacent regions of stiff and compliant matrix. The stiffness interface results in an oscillatory pattern of neutrophil transendothelial migration, symmetrical about the interface and well-fit by a sinusoid function. ‘Peaks’ of the sinusoid were found to have increased cellular contractility and decreased barrier function relative to ‘troughs’ of the sinusoid. Pharmacological modulation of contractility was observed to break symmetry, altering the amplitude and wavelength of the sinusoid, indicating that contractility may regulate this effect. This work illuminates a novel biophysical phenomenon of the role of stiffness-mediated cell–matrix interactions on cell–cell interactions at a distance. Additionally, it provides insight into the range at which intimal matrix stiffness heterogeneities will impact endothelial barrier function and potentially contribute to atherogenesis.
Combination of ARFI Excitation Powers and Acquisitions at Diastole and Systole for Improving Automatic Segmentation of Vulnerable Carotid Plaque Features

Delineating carotid plaque components that confer rupture risk is vital to stoke prevention. We have previously shown that combining temporal profiles of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI)-induced displacement, cross-correlation coefficient, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as the input feature set to a machine learning classifier enabled the classifier to differentiate intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH), lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC), collagen (COL), and calcium (CAL) plaque components, with accurate fibrous cap thickness measurement. We hypothesize that machine learning-based classification of carotid plaque structure and composition will be improved by including more information in the input feature set. This study analyzed six carotid plaques imaged in vivo in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy CEA). Data were acquired with ECG gating to diastole and to systole, with and without ARF excitation. From these data, temporal profiles of displacement, crosscorrelation coefficient (CC), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were generated and used as inputs to a support vector machine classifier. The classifier was trained and tested using spatially matched histology. Over all examined plaques, combining acquisitions at systole and diastole, with and without ARFI push, achieved CNRs that were statistically higher than any one or combination of two inputs. These results suggest that the performance of a machine learning classifier for automatic plaque feature delineation can be improved by optimizing the feature set, with clinical relevance to in vivo human carotid plaque feature delineation herein demonstrated.
Distress Intolerance Prospectively Predicts Traumatic Intrusions Following an Experimental Trauma in a Non-clinical Sample

Distress intolerance (DI) is a well-established cognitive-affective factor that reflects the inability to tolerate negative emotional experiences. DI has been consistently linked with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but no research to date has demonstrated whether DI confers pre-existing risk for PTSD-like symptoms following an analogue trauma. Participants (n = 70) were recruited based on either a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or elevations on a related emotional vulnerability. After completing self-report measures, participants watched a film depicting life-threatening car accidents and then monitored the occurrence of intrusions. Ambulatory assessments of film-related traumatic intrusions were then reported 3x/day for 7 days. As hypothesized, greater DI predicted a poorer ability to volitionally suppress intrusions during the lab-based monitoring period. DI also predicted greater naturalistic intrusions on average throughout the subsequent week, and this difference was largest at the beginning of the follow-up period. Unexpectedly, DI did not predict the trajectory (i.e., slope) of naturalistic intrusions during the follow-up period. TBI status was also not related to intrusions during the follow-up period. These findings provide critical support for DI as a pre-existing risk factor for the development of intrusive thoughts following an analogue trauma. Future research should seek to extend these findings to a clinical sample.
To end all wars: Woodrow Wilson and the quest for a new world order: by Thomas J. Knock, Princeton, Princeton University Press, 2019, v + 381 pp., $26.99 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-6911-9161-4

It should come as no surprise to historians of the First World War that Thomas Knock’s excellent book, To End All Wars: Woodrow Wilson and the Quest for a New World Order, has been re-released as a...
3D structural homology detection via NMR resonance assignment

One goal of the structural genomics initiative is the identification of new protein folds. Sequence-based structural homology prediction methods are an important means for prioritizing unknown proteins for structure determination. However, an important challenge remains: two highly dissimilar sequences can have similar folds - how can we detect this rapidly, in the context of structural genomics? High-throughput NMR experiments, coupled with novel algorithms for data analysis, can address this challenge. We report an automated procedure, called HD, for detecting 3D structural homologies from sparse, unassigned protein NMR data. Our method identifies 3D models in a protein structural database whose geometries best fit the unassigned experimental NMR data. HD does not use, and is thus not limited by sequence homology. The method can also be used to confirm or refute structural predictions made by other techniques such as protein threading or homology modelling. The algorithm runs in O(pn + pn/sup 5/2/ log (cn) + p log p) time, where p is the number of proteins in the database, n is the number of residues in the target protein and c is the maximum edge weight in an integer-weighted bipartite graph. Our experiments on real NMR data from 3 different proteins against a database of 4,500 representative folds demonstrate that the method identifies closely related protein folds, including sub-domains of larger proteins, with as little as 10-30% sequence homology between the target protein (or sub-domain) and the computed model. In particular, we report no false-negatives or false-positives despite significant percentages of missing experimental data.
Antimicrobial Resistance: Challenges and Perspectives

In 2006, the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) published an Expert Report entitled "Antimicrobial Resis- tance: Implications for the Food System" (IFT 2006). That report summarized current scientific knowledge pertaining to the public-health impact of antimicrobial use in the food system and the development and control of antimicrobial resistance. Since that time, intense interest in this topic has continued within the regulatory and scientific communities as well as the general public. This IFT Scientific Status Summary serves to update that 2006 IFT Expert Report by briefly reviewing new scientific evidence relevant to the goals of the initial report and providing a number of key observations and conclusions. Executive Summary In the time since the publication of the IFT Expert Report, governmental and intergovernmental efforts to address the issue of antimicrobial resistance have seen much progress. In particular, concerns about the public-health implications of microbial resis- tance to antibiotics used in both human medicine and food-animal agriculture have led to the publication of the World Health Orga- nization's (WHO) List of Critically Important Antimicrobials for Human Medicine and the World Organisation for Animal Health's List of Antimicrobials of Veterinary Importance. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which led with its own tables in 2003, has used such lists as the basis for categorizing various classes of antimicrobials as: important, highly important, and critically important, and has since issued rules that prohibit most extra-label uses of some critically important antimicrobials such as fluoro- quinolones and cephalosporins in food animal species. This report concludes that, although more remains to be done to improve the utility of these designations, such categorization of antimicrobials is helpful in prioritizing and addressing public-health concerns and antimicrobial use. Other effortsto address threats posed by antimicrobial resistance include monitoring programs for antimicrobial-resistant microbes that integrate human, animal, and food sampling schemes. These programs, in various stages of development and implementation
Vibration of Cantilevered Right Triangular Plates

The use of tapered sheet stock is generating an increased demand for the design characteristics of tapered plates. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of various taper ratios on the first five natural frequencies of vibration for a series of cantilevered right triangular tapered plates.
Classical mechanics of nonconservative systems.

Hamilton’s principle of stationary action lies at the foundation of theoretical physics and is applied in many other disciplines from pure mathematics to economics. Despite its utility, Hamilton’s principle has a subtle pitfall that often goes unnoticed in physics: it is formulated as a boundary value problem in time but is used to derive equations of motion that are solved with initial data. This subtlety can have undesirable effects. I present a formulation of Hamilton’s principle that is compatible with initial value problems. Remarkably, this leads to a natural formulation for the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics of generic nonconservative systems, thereby filling a long-standing gap in classical mechanics. Thus, dissipative effects, for example, can be studied with new tools that may have applications in a variety of disciplines. The new formalism is demonstrated by two examples of nonconservative systems: an object moving in a fluid with viscous drag forces and a harmonic oscillator coupled to a dissipative environment.
Geophysical and Geochemical Signatures and Plate Tectonics

This chapter is essentially a continuation of the preceding chapter, and the introduction of that chapter serves also as an introduction to this chapter. As was stated there, the main topic of this chapter is the relationship of the geophysical signatures of the Nordic Seas to seafloor spreading (plate tectonics) and the igneous crust. Geophysical signatures discussed are earthquakes, past as well as recent volcanism, crustal and upper mantle structure determined by seismic reflection and refraction, time-varing electromagnetic fields and electrical resistivities, gravity anomalies, static magnetic-field anomalies, heat flow and hydrothermal processes, geochemistry, and hotspots. A related topic that ends this chapter’s discussion of geophysical signatures in relation to crustal makeup and motions is direct measurement of local motions on Iceland. The locations of vertical sections of crustal structures and profiles of geophysical signatures shown in this chapter and in chapter 10 are displayed in Fig. la. The locations of areas mapped in detail are displayed in Fig. lb.
Isolation of a bovine rotavirus with a "super-short" RNA electrophoretic pattern from a calf with diarrhea.

A rotavirus with a "super-short" RNA electropherotype was isolated from a calf with diarrhea and was designated VMRI strain. Segments 10 and 11 of this rotavirus migrated more slowly than did those of bovine rotavirus strains NCDV, B641, and B223. The electrophoretic pattern of the VMRI strain was similar to that reported for rotaviruses with super-short RNA electropherotypes from humans and rabbits. Northern (RNA) blot hybridization indicated that gene 11 of the VMRI strain was altered and migrated between gene segments 9 and 10. The subgroup of the VMRI strain was shown to be subgroup I. The VMRI strain of bovine rotavirus was neutralized by antisera containing polyclonal antibodies to rotavirus serotype 6 (bovine rotavirus serotype I) strains NCDV and B641 and by ascitic fluid containing monoclonal antibodies directed to VP7 of serotype 6 rotavirus. The VMRI strain was not neutralized by either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to strain B223 (bovine rotavirus serotype II). Collective data on the neutralization of the VMRI strain with monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies suggest that this virus is a member of the NCDV group (serotype 6) of rotaviruses (bovine rotavirus serotype I). Images
Change over Time in Police Interactions and HIV Risk Behavior Among Female Sex Workers in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Little is known about the effectiveness of intervening to change interactions between female sex workers (FSWs) and police in order to reduce HIV risk. Using data collected in the context of a HIV prevention intervention that included components to change policing practices (n = 1,680), we examine the association of FSWs’ reports of negative police interactions and HIV risk behaviors and whether these associations varied over time. Results show negative police interactions declined significantly over time. FSWs who had more than one negative police interaction were more likely to experience STI symptoms (AOR 2.97 [95 % CI 2.27–3.89]), inconsistently use condoms with their clients (AOR 1.36 [95 % CI 1.03–1.79]), and accept more money for condomless sex (AOR 2.37 [95 % CI 1.76–3.21]). Over time, these associations were stable or increased. Even where interventions have reduced the number of police incidents experienced by FSWs, stakeholders in HIV prevention must remain vigilant in challenging these incidents.
Atmospheric tides link stratosphere and ionosphere changes

The connection between sudden warming events in the stratosphere and changes in the density of electrons in the ionosphere has been established observationally for decades, but the physical mechanisms linking the stratosphere and the ionosphere are less well studied.
Chemical doping for threshold control and contact resistance reduction in graphene and MoS 2 field effect transistors

Two-dimensional materials such as graphene and MoS2 are promising materials for a wide range of electronic and photonic applications. Graphene has extremely high mobility, tunable optical absorption and strong quantum capacitance making it interesting for high-speed field-effect devices [1], optical modulators [2], and wireless sensors [3]. MoS2 has a 1.6-1.8 eV band gap and reasonable mobility, making it interesting for scaled logic devices [4]. In all transistors, doping is an essential element necessary for controlling the threshold voltage and minimizing extrinsic resistances. However, both graphene and MoS2 suffer from the difficulty of achieving chemical doping. In situ doping of graphene during growth [5] has been demonstrated, but limits the ability to spatially control doping, while electrostatic doping with gate electrodes [6] is unrealistic for practical circuit applications. Therefore, spin-on chemical doping emerges as an attractive method to control doping in 2D materials since it can be controlled spatially and candidate dopants for achieving both n-type and p-type doping [7,8] have been identified. Prior work on spin-on doping for graphene has involved either substrate-gated devices or the extension regions of FETs, but not involved threshold voltage control in practical device geometries [9,10]. To our knowledge, no reports of chemical doping in MoS2 have been reported. In this abstract, we report on two key aspects of chemical doping in 2D transistors. First, we demonstrate spin-on chemical doping using PEI of graphene FETs (gFETs) with local metal back gates and HfO2 gate dielectrics and show that the “natural” p-type doping can be overcome to reproducibly create n-type gFETs that operate in air. We further demonstrate n-type chemical doping of bi-layer MoS2 for the first time and show evidence of reduced contact resistance to buried metal electrodes.
The content and release of endogenous GABA in isolated horizontal cells of the goldfish retina

The endogenous amino acid content of intact retinas and isolated horizontal cells was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In both of these preparations, the concentration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) was approximately 2 mM. The endogenous GABA of the isolated horizontal cells was specifically released upon depolarization of the cells by elevated external K+ concentrations. This K+ induced release of endogenous GABA has two components. There is a saturable, Ca2+-dependent portion which predominates with small depolarizations, and a Ca2+-independent fraction which is linearly dependent upon the membrane potential of the horizontal cells. The data presented suggest the possibility of a dual scheme for the release of GABA from goldfish horizontal cells. The first is a Ca2+-dependent, conventional synaptic release; and the second a Na+-driven, carrier mediated release, which is linearly dependent upon the cellular membrane potential and functions in the absence of extracellular Ca2+.
Brownian dynamics study of cytochrome f interactions with cytochrome c6 and plastocyanin in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii plastocyanin, and cytochrome c6 mutants.

Using Brownian dynamics simulations, all of the charged residues in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cytochrome c6 (cyt c6) and plastocyanin (PC) were mutated to alanine and their interactions with cytochrome f (cyt f) were modeled. Systematic mutation of charged residues on both PC and cyt c6 confirmed that electrostatic interactions (at least in vitro) play an important role in bringing these proteins sufficiently close to cyt f to allow hydrophobic and van der Waals interactions to form the final electron transfer-active complex. The charged residue mutants on PC and cyt c6 displayed similar inhibition classes. Our results indicate a difference between the two acidic clusters on PC. Mutations D44A and E43A of the lower cluster showed greater inhibition than do any of the mutations of the upper cluster residues. Replacement of acidic residues on cyt c6 that correspond to the PC's lower cluster, particularly E70 and E69, was observed to be more inhibitory than those corresponding to the upper cluster. In PC residues D42, E43, D44, D53, D59, D61, and E85, and in cyt c6 residues D2, E54, K57, D65, R66, E70, E71, and the heme had significant electrostatic contacts with cyt f charged residues. PC and cyt c6 showed different binding sites and orientations on cyt f. As there are no experimental cyt c6 mutation data available for algae, our results could serve as a good guide for future experimental work on this protein. The comparison between computational values and the available experimental data (for PC-cyt f interactions) showed overall good agreement, which supports the predictive power of Brownian dynamics simulations in mutagenesis studies.
Uncertainty quantification of microclimate variables in building energy models

The last decade has seen a surge in the need for uncertainty analysis (UA) for building energy assessment. The rigorous determination of uncertainty in model parameters is a vital but often overlooked part of UA. To undertake this, one has to turn one's attention to a thriving area in engineering statistics that focuses on uncertainty quantification (UQ) for short. This paper applies dedicated methods and theories that are emerging in this area of statistics to the field of building energy models, and specifically to the microclimate variables embedded in them. We argue that knowing the uncertainty in these variables is a vital prerequisite for ensuing UA of whole building behaviour. Indeed, significant discrepancies have been observed between the predicted and measured state variables of building microclimates. This paper uses a set of approaches from the growing UQ arsenal, mostly regression-based methods, to develop statistical models that quantify the uncertainties in the following most significant mi...
Reactive aggression and functional, not neural,specificity

This article is an author response to Harenski and Kiehl's (2010) commentary on Blair (2010).
Astaxanthin in the Cedar Waxwing.

The pigment on the secondary feathers of the cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) is deposited as an amorphous layer upon a supporting medullary structure. The pigment was extracted with alkali and analyzed by chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods. The results indicate that the pigment is astacene (3,39,4,49-tetra-keto-β-carotene), the oxidation product of astaxanthin.
Natural cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro and inhibition of tumor growth in vivo by murine lymphoid cells cultured with T cell growth factor (TCGF).

Lymphoid cells obtained from the spleen, thymus, bone marrow, peripheral blood, and peritoneal exudate of normal mice (BALB/c, BALB/c nude, C57BL/6, C3H) and from spleens of mice bearing a transplantable lung carcinoma or primary mammary carcinoma were expanded in culture for 1–9 months, with an increase in cell number of 105- to 106-fold per month, in crude or lectin-depleted medium containing T cell growth factor (TCGF). All these cultured lymphoid cell (CLC) lines exhibited strong cytotoxic activity in vitro (assessed by 51Cr-release assays) toward a variety of freshly harvested and cultured syngeneic, allogeneic, and xenogeneic tumor target cells, both lymphoid and solid (including metastatic growths) in origin. Extensive killing was observed against tumor targets that were resistant to lysis by natural killer (NK) cells as well as to NK-sensitive tumor lines. Low levels of cytotoxic reactivity were also demonstrated against fresh and cultured normal lymphoid cells. The CLC had some characteristics of NK cells but also expressed some typical T cell markers. In local Winn-type neutralization assays, CLC delayed or completely inhibited the growth of lymphomas and carcinomas in syngeneic and allogeneic recipients. In mice with metastatic growth of a second-generation transplant of mammary carcinoma, CLC were shown to have some therapeutic effect when administered IV 1 day after cyclophosphamide. No significant beneficial action of IV administered CLC was observed in the absence of chemotherapy in mice implanted with a lung carcinoma. The possibilities of employing TCGF-propagated cytotoxic effector cells in adoptive immunotherapy of human malignancies are discussed.
Mutagenicity of alkyl and nitroso-alkyl compounds acting on tobacco mosaic virus and its RNA

Abstract Typical methylating agents are low level mutagens for TMV and TMV-RNA. Diethyl sulfate is not mutagenic, but ethyl alkylsulfonates resemble methylating agents in their mutagenicity. The very high mutagenicity of N -methyl- N -nitroso- N ′-nitroguanidine (“nitrosoguanidine”) when acting on TMV, as contrasted to TMV-RNA, has been observed at both pH 4 and 5.5. N -Isobutyl- N -nitroso- N′ -nitroguanidine also is more mutagenic for the virus than for the RNA, but this is not the case for N -amyl- N -nitroso- N′ -nitroguanidine. Methyl nitrosourethane behaves like typical methylating agents both chemically and biologically.
Therapy Dogs on Campus: Recommendations for Counseling Center Outreach.

This article describes the design and implementation of a dog therapy outreach program through the counseling center at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. Two main goals were identified for this program: (a) provide stress relief and comfort to students across campus, and (b) increase potential access to counseling services and improve perceptions of the department by providing students with the opportunity to interact with department members outside of the office. Collected student responses appear to support the stated goals. Recommendations for other counseling centers are provided in developing this type of outreach programming.
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in asthma: effect of asthma severity, allergen challenge, and inhaled corticosteroids.

Background Asthma is associated with remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and increased airway obstruction, and the mechanisms of this process are unknown. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of enzymes capable of degrading the ECM. They are released along with their inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP). Study objectives To determine whether severe, persistent asthma is associated with increased levels of MMP-9 in the airway compared with mild asthma, and to assess the effect of both allergen exposure and steroid treatment on MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels. Design Prospective analysis of levels and activity of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in BAL fluid (BALF) and induced sputum obtained from asthmatics of differing disease severity. In patients with mild asthma, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were studied in induced sputum following allergen challenge and in BALF after inhaled steroid therapy. Patients Eighteen patients with mild asthma, 10 patients with severe asthma, and 10 nonsmoking, atopic subjects had their sputum studied. Fourteen of the patients with mild asthma underwent allergen challenge. BAL was collected from 16 patients with mild asthma before and after 4 weeks treatment with inhaled budesonide, 800 μg bid, or placebo. Results Patients with severe asthma had increased levels and activity of sputum MMP-9 in their sputum compared with patients with mild asthma and normal subjects. Allergen challenge increased the MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio and MMP-9 activity. Inhaled budesonide had no effect on MMP-9 or TIMP-1 in patients with mild asthma. Conclusions MMP-9 may play a role in chronic airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma, as concentrations are increased in severe, persistent asthma and following allergen challenge. Inhaled steroids may not affect MMP-9 and TIMP in patients with mild asthma, and additional studies in patients with more severe asthma are needed.
Brief history of the Martian 'violet haze' problem.

A brief but thorough survey of the literature on the Martian 'violet haze' problem is presented. It is evident that both the normal lack of contrast of the surface features in violet light and their occasional appearance are phenomena intrinsic to Mars. Models involving simple uniform layers of scattering or absorbing materials are inadequate to account for the observations. We suggest that the role of haze has historically been misinterpreted. The blank disk of Mars in violet light occurs when the atmosphere is relatively free of haze. The formation of optically thin white hazes over the bright areas increases the contrast and produces 'blue clearing.'
Vectors for gene therapy: A place for DNA transposon

Gene therapy offers important perspectives in current and future medicine but suffers from imperfect vectors for the delivery of the therapeutic gene. Most preclinical and clinical trials have been based on the use of viral vectors, which have evident advantages but also some serious disadvantages. In the past decade the use of DNA transposon-based systems for gene delivery has emerged as a non-viral alternative. DNA transposon vector engineering remains largely in a preclinical phase but some interesting results have been obtained. This mini-review aims to provide the current state of the art on DNA transposon vectors used in a gene therapy perspective.
Evaluation of brittle failures of polyethylene by subjection to biaxial stress

First and second order effects of density and melt index were found to be significant with stress level a significant factor in determining failure time using Maltese Cross shaped specimens. Stress and temperature had the greater influence on failure. Influence of temperature-viscosity interaction is of concern along with transition in the mode of failure from ductile to brittle type. Reduction in the effect of melt index with increasing density is in accord with new theories on polyethylene crystal structure. It was also shown that higher modulus materials fail more rapidly.
Kaon modification in hot hadronic matter

Abstract We calculate the momentum-dependent potentials (both real and imaginary parts) for K mesons propagating in hot hadronic matter. If the matter is sufficiently dulute, collisions are binary and we may use experimentally known scattering amplitudes. Therefore, our results are essentially model-independent. The meson-induced potential is about twice as large as that found previously using only the K ∗ (892) resonance. The interaction with nucleons is attractive for K − and further increases the potential, but is repulsive for K + , significantly compensating the mesonic contribution at break-up conditions at AGS. We also discuss the effect of the kaon potential on the width of φ meson decaying inside the matter. In particular, the K + emerges with momentum which is slightly larger than that of K − .
Nanoporous poly(lactide) by olefin metathesis degradation.

We describe an approach to ordered nanoporous poly(lactide) that relies on self-assembly of poly(butadiene)–poly(lactide) (PB–PLA) diblock copolymers followed by selective degradation of PB using olefin metathesis. The block copolymers were obtained by a combination of anionic and ring-opening transesterification polymerizations. The molar mass of each block was tailored to target materials with either a lamellar or cylindrical microphase-separated morphology. Orientation of these nanoscale domains was induced in thin films and monolithic samples through solvent annealing and mechanical deformation, respectively. Selective degradation of PB was achieved by immersing the samples in a solution of Grubbs first-generation catalyst in cyclohexane, a nonsolvent for PLA. Successful elimination of PB was confirmed by size-exclusion chromatography and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Direct imaging of the resulting nanoporous PLA was obtained by scanning electron microscopy.
Numerical simulation of turbulent jets with rectangular cross-section

Three-dimensional turbulent jets with rectangular cross-section are simulated with a finite-difference numerical method. The full Navier-Stokes equations are solved at low Reynolds numbers, whereas at the high Reynolds numbers filtered forms of the equations are solved along with a subgrid scale model to approximate effects of the unresolved scales. A 2-N storage, third-order Runge-Kutta scheme is used for temporal discretization and a fourth-order compact scheme is used for spatial discretization. Computations are performed for different inlet conditions which represent different types of jet forcing. The phenomenon of axis-switching is observed, and it is confirmed that this is based on self-induction of the vorticity field. Budgets of the mean streamwise velocity show that convection is balanced by gradients of the Reynolds stresses and the pressure.
The influence of centrally acting cholinolytic drugs on brain acetylcholine levels

A number of centrally acting cholinolytic drugs reduced levels of cerebral acetylcholine in the rat. Among its naturally occurring analogues, hyoscine had the greatest potency, producing a decrease of 31% at a dose of 0.63 mg/kg. Atropine methyl nitrate, which acts as a cholinolytic drug in the periphery, had no effect on brain acetylcholine levels. The fall in acetylcholine produced by hyoscine was greatest after 60 min and disappeared at about 120 min. The animals tended to show a partial tolerance to this effect of hyoscine when the drug was administered repeatedly. The reduction in acetylcholine after hyoscine was restricted to the cerebral hemispheres, and did not appear in subcortical regions of the brain. Hyoscine had no influence on the net synthesis of acetylcholine by acetone-extracted powder of rat brain. In a series of four synthetic cholinolytic drugs, only the two with conspicuous psychotomimetic actions in man produced a decrease in brain acetylcholine comparable to that seen with hyoscine and related alkaloids.
Rapid synthesis of [18F]SR46349B, a potent and selective 5‐HT2 receptor antagonist

F-18 labeled SR46349B, a highly potent and selective 5-HT 2 receptor antagonist, was synthesized as a potential radioligand for PET studies of brain 5-HT 2 receptors. Nucleophilic aromatic substitution of trans-1-(2-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-methoxymethoxyphenyl)-2-propenone (10) with NCA [ 18 F]fluoride in the presence of potassium carbonate and kryptofix-222, followed by HCl hydrolysis, gave F-18 labeled 12, which was purified by a novel combination of C-18 Sep-Pak and silica column chromatography. Subsequent condensation of [ 18 F]ketone 12 with Me 2 NCH 2 CH 2 ONH 2 gave a mixture of [ 18 F]SR46349B and its geometric isomer, which was separated by high performance liquid chromatography. The three step hot synthesis of [ 18 F]SR46349B required 170 min. and gave a specific activity of 1140 Ci/mmol, 5% radiochemical yield (EOB) and 96% radiochemical purity
Thermochemical and Kinetic Analysis of the H, OH, HO2, O, and O2 Association Reactions with Cyclopentadienyl Radical

Reaction pathways and kinetics for cyclopentadienyl radical association with H, OH, HO2, O, and O2 are presented in the temperature range 900−1300 K and atmospheric pressure. Thermochemical data for reactants, intermediate, and product species are evaluated from literature data and from group additivity with hydrogen bond increments. High-pressure limit rate constants for the radical combination reactions and decomposition of the energized adducts are estimated. Pressure-dependent rate constants for each channel in the reaction systems are calculated using bimolecular quantum Rice Ramsperger Kassel, QRRK, for k(E) with a modified strong collision approach for falloff. A submechanism of important cyclopentadienyl radical reactions is assembled and tested in an elementary reaction model for combustion of benzene, where the cyclopentadienyl radical is a key intermediate in the stepwise (C6 → C5 → C4) decomposition. Modeling results are compared with limited literature data on species profiles for appropriate...
Stationary vortex sheets in a stirring flow

Stationary vortex sheets in a two-dimensional stirring flow may be approximated by arrays of stationary point vortices arranged along the support of the sheets. These vortices lie at the roots of a polynomial that satisfies a generalized Lame differential equation; the polynomial itself (not the roots) determines the complex potential and stream function. In this paper, sufficient conditions for the stirring flow are found so that the differential equation has two independent polynomial solutions with simple closed-form expressions, analogous to hypergeometric polynomials. The corresponding point vortex array then depends on a complex parameter that controls the location of the sheet, so that it may pass through any selected point. Stationary sheets in a periodic flow are approximated by the same method.
K-shell ionization by high energy electrons

Abstract It is shown that the data of Middleman, Ford and Hofstader on K-shell ionization by electrons with energy from 150 to 900 MeV is fit very well by a relativistic form of Bethe's theory of ionization.
Differential access to digital communication technology: association with health and health survey recruitment within an African-American underserviced urban population.

Digital communication technologies (DCT), such as cell phones and the internet, have begun to replace more traditional technologies even in technology-poor communities. We characterized access to DCT in an underserved urban population and whether access is associated with health and study participation. A general probability community sample and a purposive high-turnover housing sample were recruited and re-interviewed after 3 months. Selected characteristics were compared by sample type and retention. Associations between DCT access and self-reported health were examined using multivariable logistic regression. Of 363 eligible individuals, 184 (general community = 119; high-turnover housing = 65) completed the baseline survey. Eighty-four percent of respondents had a cell phone and 62% had ever texted. Ever use of the internet was high (69%) overall, but frequency and years of internet use were higher in the general community sample. Self-reported fair or poor health was more common for residents of cell phone–only households and those with less frequent internet use. Technology use was similar for those retained and not retained. Overall, access to DCT was high in this underserved urban population but varied by sample type. Health varied significantly by DCT use, but study retention did not. These data have implications for incorporating DCT into health-related research in urban populations.
Psychotherapy of refractory depressions

Psychotherapy is a potentially valuable intervention for treatment-resistant depression. This review provides a brief, general overview of the use of psychotherapy to treat depression and more focused consideration of time-limited interpersonal, behavioral, and cognitive behavioral strategies for patients who are not responsive to antidepressant medication. Effective strategies emphasize individualized assessment, psychoeducation, a high level of structure and therapist activity, operationalized short-term goals, self-help and homework activities, and an empirical-collaborative approach to treatment. Although some treatment-resistant patients respond to therapy alone, more promising evidence is emerging from studies of combined strategies.