cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A note on stochastic elliptic models

Abstract There exist two types of commonly studied stochastic elliptic models in literature: (I) −∇ · (a(x, ω)∇u(x, ω)) = f(x) and (II) - ∇ · ( a ( x , ω ) ♢ ∇ u ( x , ω ) ) = f ( x ) , where ω indicates randomness, ♢ the Wick product, and a(x, ω) is a positive random process. Model (I) is widely used in engineering and physical applications while model (II) is usually studied from the mathematical point of view. The difference between the above two stochastic elliptic models has not been fully clarified. In this work, we discuss the difference between models (I) and (II) when a(x, ω) is a log-normal random process. We show that the difference between models (I) and (II) is mainly characterized by a scaling factor, which is an exponential function of the degree of perturbation of a(x, ω). We then construct a new stochastic elliptic model (III): - ∇ · ( ( a - 1 ) ♢ ( - 1 ) ♢ ∇ u ( x , ω ) ) = f ( x ) , which has the same scaling factor as model (I). After removing the divergence from the scaling factor, models (I) and (III) can be highly comparable for many cases. We demonstrate this by a numerical study for a one-dimensional problem.
A quasi-exclusive measurement of 12C(12C, 3α)X at 2.1 GeV/nucleon

Abstract A study of the reaction 12 C( 12 C, 3α)X at 2.1 GeV/nucleon has been completed. The energy and momentum transferred to the 12 C projectile and the cross section for the dissociation of 12 C into three alpha particles have been measured, 9.7 (+5.0/ −2.5) millibarns. It is found that the results from this analysis are inconsistent with the predictions of current theoretical models for peripheral relativistic heavy ion collisions.
Orbit-orbit resonances in the solar system - Varieties and similarities

Descriptions of various orbit-orbit resonance mechanisms in the solar system are brought together in such a manner that the physical processes underlying the traditional mathematical presentations are apparent. A simple qualitative model based on the resonance between Saturn's satellites Titan and Hyperion is presented, the same resonance is analyzed quantitatively, and the small-eccentricity mechanism is examined. The following resonances are investigated in detail: Enceladus-Dione, Mimas-Tethys, Neptune-Pluto, and Rhea-Titan (secular resonance). Coupled librations of several asteroids near mean motions commensurable with Jupiter's are modeled, the Laplace relation involving Io, Europa, and Ganymede is studied, and the 1:1 resonance between the Trojan asteroids and Jupiter is discussed. Some higher-order commensurabilities involving asteroids are considered, including the 3:1 resonance between Alinda and Jupiter, the 13:5 resonance of Toro with Venus, the 8:5 resonance of Toro with earth, and the 11:28 resonance of Ivar with earth.
Adrenocortical function, electrolyte metabolism, and blood pressure during prolonged adrenocorticotropin infusion in juvenile hypertension.

The effect of a continuous 5-day ACTH infusion (40 U/24 h) on adrenocorticoid function, electrolyte metabolism, and blood pressure was investigated in eight normotensive children and eight patients with hypertension of unknown origin. There was a continuous rise of plasma cortisol and deoxycorticosterone in all patients. Plasma aldosterone rose transiently in the normotensive and the hypertensive group. A transient kaliuresis and a continuous fall in serum K+ were observed in all patients. ACTH induced sodium retention and weight gain. The observed increase in systolic blood pressure correlated significantly with the cumulative sodium retention in the normotensive and the hypertensive groups. No correlation between sodium retention and diastolic pressure was found. ACTH on a low salt diet (10 meq/24 h) produced a blood pressure rise which was smaller than that on regular salt. The blood pressure rise did not correlate with any of the hormones measured. This study provides evidence for an unidentified ACTH...
An Evaluation of University Students as a Model Population in Predicting Performing Arts Attendance

In the present study, attitudinal and behavioral variables were found using university students as subjects which predicted attendance for ballet, interpretative dance, theater, art museums, and symphonies. The equations developed were tested for predictive accuracy on patrons of the ballet. The equations were found to predict even greater amounts of the variance in the ballet sample than for the student sample with the exception of the theater. The extent of the variance predicted, in the areas previously studied, i.e., symphony and theater, increased vis-a-vis these studies. Overall, prediction of variance ranged from a low of 44 percent to a high of 57 percent based on the performing arts group studied.
Ecological and inhost factors promoting distinct parasite life-history strategies in Lyme borreliosis

Understanding the ecology and evolution of tick-borne parasites is the foundation for preventing and managing tick-borne diseases. Tick-borne diseases such as Lyme borreliosis, are an emerging health threat in America, Europe, and Asia. Certain strains of Borrelia burgdorferi (the etiological agent of Lyme borreliosis) sampled in nature appear to be rapidly cleared by murine hosts. These strains, unlike their inhost-persistent counterparts, are unlikely to manifest severe disease. Their emergence and abundance in North America is unclear. Understanding why strains adopt a persistent or rapid-clearing phenotype is a crucial question in Lyme biology. Using dynamic, data-driven infectivity profiles in a competitive, two-strain mathematical model, we show that these phenotypes are differentially favored under distinct ecological conditions (i.e. vector phenology). We argue these two phenotypes represent distinct parasite life-history strategies, impacting regional Lyme disease severity across North America.
Localization of polylysine inhibition in a photosystem I subchloroplast particle.

Abstract Polylysine was found to increase the efficiency of electron donation from plastocyanin to P700 + in highly resolved Photosystem I subchloroplast particles. This increase in efficiency is due to a decrease in the Km for plastocyanin in the presence of polylysine and is similar to results obtained with divalent cations. Cytochrome f photooxidation is observed in the presence of plastocyanin and divalent cations but not in the presence of plastocyanin and polylysine. The results indicate that the binding of polylysine to plastocyanin prevents the reduction of plastocyanin by cytochrome f.
Ethical Criticism of the Bible: The Case of Divinely Mandated Genocide

Taking as a test case biblical texts in which the God of Israel commands the destruction other nations, the present paper defends the legitimacy and the necessity of ethical criticism of the Bible. It takes issue with the suggestions of several contemporary Christian philosophers who have recently defended the view that (in Israel’s early history) God had good and morally sufficient reasons for commanding genocide.
Plasmacytoma of the eye and orbit.

Background: Plasmacytomas of the ocular and adnexal tissue are rare. The variation in their clinical manifestations and potential association with multiple myeloma are not well appreciated. Methods: We reviewed the clinical features and laboratory data of five cases of plasmacytoma involving the eye and orbit. Results: Plasmacytomas involved the conjunctiva in one case, the orbit in three cases, and the iris in one case. Plasmacytoma was the solitary plasma cell neoplasm in a patient with a conjunctival lesion and another patient with an orbital lesion. Two other patients who developed plasmacytomas of the orbit and iris, respectively, had a known history of multiple myeloma. An orbital plasmacytoma preceded the onset of systemic plasma cell neoplasia in the final patient. Conclusion: Plasmacytomas of the eye and orbit are rare. They may or may not be associated with multiple myeloma.
Ito, stratonovich and other limits

The Wong-Zakai approximation theorem is valid when a specific sequence is chosen to approximate the white noises. By taking other sequences, one can obtain different limits. We study the class of these limits.
The relationship between self-rated health and depressive symptoms in an epidemiological sample of community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the association between depression and self-rated general health, independent of demographics, functional disability, physical illness burden, and health services utilization. DESIGN: Logistic regression analyses of data obtained in a cross-sectional epidemiological survey. SETTING: The mid-Monongahela Valley, a rural, nonfarm, low SES community. PARTICIPANTS: Random sample of 880 subjects aged 65 and older. MEASUREMENTS: The dependent variable was self-rated overall health, categorized as excellent, good, fair, or poor. The independent variables were demographics (age, gender, education), number of depressive symptoms, number of impaired instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), measures of physical illness burden (individual medical conditions, number of affected organ systems or disease processes, and number of prescription medications), and measures of health services utilization (number of visits to physicians, and acute hospitalization). RESULTS: Univariate analyses indicated that poorer self-rated health was associated with lesser education, higher numbers of depressive symptoms, impaired IADLs, prescription medications, physician visits, hospitalizations, and affected organ systems, and with the presence of several specific conditions. However, multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that only the following variables were associated independently with poorer self-rated health: age less than 75 years, education less than high school graduation, greater numbers of depressive symptoms, impaired IADLs, prescription medications, and physician visits. CONCLUSIONS: Even when controlling for physical illness and functional disability, subjective rating of overall health remains strongly and independently associated with depressive symptoms.
Superoxide radical: controversies, contradictions, and paradoxes

The study of free radical biology has engendered a great deal of controversy and apparently conflicting observations, particularly with regard to the use of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase as a protective or therapeutic agent. Slowly, the reasons behind the confusion are beginning to emerge. The superoxide radical, O2.-, has a number of paradoxical physiological and pathophysiological roles. Several examples of the radical's schizophrenic behavior include its roles in bactericidal action versus inflammation, as a modulator of cell division versus malignant transformation and apoptosis, and as both an initiator and a terminator of lipid peroxidation.
Bayesian two-stage optimal design for mixture models

In this paper, a Bayesian two-stage D–D optimal design for mixture experimental models under model uncertainty is developed. A Bayesian D-optimality criterion is used in the first stage to minimize the determinant of the posterior variances of the parameters. The second stage design is then generated according to an optimalityprocedure that collaborates with the improved model from the first stage data. The results show that a Bayesian two-stage D–D-optimal design for mixture experiments under model uncertainty is more efficient than both the Bayesian one-stage D-optimal design and the non-Bayesian one-stage D-optimal design in most situations. Furthermore, simulations are used to obtain a reasonable ratio of the sample sizes between the two stages.
The isolation and characterization of a troponin-C-like protein from the mantle muscle of the squid Loligo pealei

Abstract 1. 1. Enzymatic, electrophoretic, and immunological studies were carried out on a troponin-C-like protein from squid mantle muscle. 2. 2. This protein has analogous characteristics to other troponins-C, suggesting that the mechanism of thin-filament-linked regulation in squid muscle is similar to that in other muscles.
Roscovitine regulates invasive breast cancer cell (MDA-MB231) proliferation and survival through cell cycle regulatory protein cdk5

Roscovitine, a purine analogue, has been considered for the treatment of cancer. Anti-cancer therapeutic efficacy is being evaluated in clinical trials. However, the mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, cyclic-dependent kinase 5 (cdk5) proved to be a molecular target for roscovitine-triggered apoptosis for highly invasive breast cancer cell death. Because our previous studies have shown a potential role of cdk5 in endothelial cell proliferation/apoptosis [Sharma, M.R., Tuszynski, G.P., Sharma, M.C. (2004). Angiostatin-induced inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation/apoptosis is associated with the down-regulation of cell cycle regulatory protein cdk5. J. Cell Biochem. 91, 398-409], here we not only demonstrate first that Cdk5, p35, and p25 proteins were all expressed in invasive breast cancer cells MDA-MB231 but also showed that cdk5 expression regulates MDA-MB231 cell proliferation. In addition, potent mitogen bFGF up-regulates cdk5 expression. Roscovitine specifically inhibits cdk5 expression/activity in a dose-dependent manner with concomitant inhibition of MDA-MB231 cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. By contrast, the roscovitine analog olomoucine, a specific inhibitor of cdk4, failed to affect MDA-MB231 cell proliferation and apoptosis which implies the specific involvement of cdk5 in roscovitine-triggered cell death/proliferation. Additionally, roscovitine-mediated inhibition of proliferation is irreversible. These data suggest that cdk5 may have a significant role in the regulation of breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis and extend beyond its role in neurogenesis. These results suggest that Cdk5 is a novel player in roscovitine-triggered breast cancer cell apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation, therefore, may be a potential therapeutic target.
Competitive Binding of Streptomycin and Magnesium with Escherichia coli Ribosomes

SEVERAL laboratories have presented evidence that streptomycin inhibits protein synthesis of sensitive bacteria1–4. Studies with cell free systems have clearly shown that the 30S sub-unit of the ribosomes derived from streptomycin-sensitive cells is the site of action of this antibiotic5–8. It has also been shown that one to two molecules of streptomycin bound to one ribosome particle suffice to exert an inhibitory effect on polypeptide synthesis9,10.
Dual-chamber rocket motor operating characteristics

An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the operating characteristics of the dual-chamber rocket motor. Axisymmetric and two-dimensional apparatuses were used with airflow to simulate the actual flow. Without special design considerations, the sustainer exhaust was found to always shock down within the booster cavity except for very short booster lengths. In shock-down operation thrust was found to be insensitive to booster cavity length. With nozzle throat area ratios and booster diameters sized properly, supersonic flow could be maintained within the booster cavity, substantially increasing thrust. Practical design geometries for actual motors operating in the supersonic flow mode appear quite feasible, especially for a nozzleless booster motor.
METHYL GERANATE IN HOP OIL

Methyl geranate has been identified with some certainty in oil from Bullion hops by comparison of infra-red absorption and mass spectral patterns with those of authentic methyl geranate. It has also been found that methyl geranate varies considerably in concentration in oils from different varieties, being almost completely absent from some varieties.
An Analytical Investigation of DC/DC Power Electronic Converters With Constant Power Loads in Vehicular Power Systems

Stability of multi-converter power systems, which exist in advanced more electric vehicles, is of great importance. The stability issue is investigated in this paper, and design considerations and limitations of the methods that stabilize the open-loop converters are presented. By stabilizing the open-loop converter, it is shown that the feedback loop design is usually translated into a conventional feedback design task. The behavior of the unstable converter is also discussed, and a method for decreasing the amplitude of the output voltage oscillations is proposed. The model of a tightly regulated practical converter is presented. This model is used to decide how much damping should be added to make the feeder converter stable. Furthermore, because we have this information about the load converter, the feeder converter can be redesigned so that it does not see the load converter as a constant power load.
A high radiation efficiency microstrip array feed for Ku band satellite communication

For satellite communications terminals, the radiation efficiencies typically achieved by microstrip antennas (MSA) are inadequate. To realize more efficient planar antennas for this application, the dependence of radiation efficiency on two key parameters, substrate relative dielectric constant and thickness, was investigated, and substrate selection guidelines were developed for high radiation efficiency antenna design. Based on the selected substrate, two types of MSA array feeds for Ku band satellite communication were designed, simulated, fabricated and measured for radiation efficiency comparison. One of the MSA arrays achieved a radiation efficiency of 93% at 12 GHz, which is among the best reported efficiencies for this frequency and class of antennas.
The tip of the iceberg: a distinctive new spotted-wing Megaselia species (Diptera: Phoridae) from a tropical cloud forest survey and a new, streamlined method for Megaselia descriptions.

A new Megaselia species, M. shadeae, with a large, central, pigmented and bubble-like wing spot and a greatly enlarged radial wing vein fork, is described from Zurqui de Moravia, Costa Rica. As part of the Zurqui All Diptera Biodiversity Inventory (ZADBI) project, it represents the first of an incredible number of new phorid species to be described from this one Costa Rican cloud forest site. A new, streamlined method of description for species of this enormous genus of phorid flies is presented.
Thermal mapping of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia.

BACKGROUND: Acute and long-term success of catheter ablation of right ventricular outflow tract tachycardia (RVOT VT) may be limited by the inability to reproduce the arrhythmia at the time of activation (AM) and pace mapping (PM). We have observed early initiation of the clinical VT when subtherapeutic radiofrequency (RF) energy was applied to the target area (TA), defined as a 2-cm(2) area around a pace match. We describe a novel approach using thermal mapping (TM) to guide the ablation of RVOT VT. METHODS: Thirteen patients (10 female, mean age 46.2 +/- 13.7 years) with symptomatic VT of left bundle branch block (LBBB) inferior axis morphology and no structural heart disease underwent standard electrophysiologic evaluation with PM (n = 13), AM (n = 13), and 3D noncontact mapping (n = 4). Thermal mapping was performed after standard techniques failed to induce stable sustained VT for mapping in all 13 patients: RF was applied for 5-10 seconds in the TA to achieve a tip temperature of 45-50 degrees C. At sites where morphologically consistent with the clinical VT was induced, RF was applied at target temperature between 50 and 60 degrees C for 30-60 seconds. TM was repeated before and after intravenous Isoproterenol infusion until no further VT could be induced by low temperature application. RESULTS: Noninducibility was achieved in all 13 patients. During a mean follow-up of 29 months (9-69 months), all patients remain arrhythmia-free, off antiarrhythmic medications. CONCLUSION: Thermal mapping is a safe and effective adjunctive technique for the mapping and ablation of RVOT VT when sustained tolerated clinical VT cannot be induced.
“And Who Is My Neighbor?” Religion and Immigration Policy Attitudes

This study explores immigration reform as a possible new "moral" issue upon which American religious elites and organizations take public positions. It is argued that religion is a key independent variable necessary for understanding the determinants of public attitudes regarding immigration policy. Theoretical expectations are formed from the ethnoreligious, religious restructuralism, and minority marginalization frameworks. Quantitative evidence is presented, that demonstrates that those who attend religious services more frequently are more likely to support liberal immigration reform policies. Members of minority religions, notably Jews and Latter-day Saints, are also more likely to empathize with the plight of undocumented immigrants and support liberal immigration reform measures.
Cytokine Induction of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 2 Is Mediated by STAT3 in Colon Cancer Cells

The IL-6/STAT3 and TNFα/NFκB pathways are emerging as critical mediators of inflammation-associated colon cancer. TNFR2 expression is increased in inflammatory bowel diseases, the azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS) model of colitis-associated cancer, and by combined IL-6 and TNFα. The molecular mechanisms that regulate TNFR2 remain undefined. This study used colon cancer cell lines to test the hypothesis that IL-6 and TNFα induce TNFR2 via STAT3 and/or NFκB. Basal and IL-6 + TNFα-induced TNFR2 were decreased by pharmacological STAT3 inhibition. NFκB inhibition had little effect on IL-6 + TNFα-induced TNFR2, but did inhibit induction of endogenous IL-6 and TNFR2 in cells treated with TNFα alone. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) revealed cooperative effects of IL-6 + TNFα to induce STAT3 binding to a -1578 STAT response element in the TNFR2 promoter, but no effect on NFκB binding to consensus sites. Constitutively active STAT3 was sufficient to induce TNFR2 expression. Over-expression of SOCS3, a cytokine-inducible STAT3 inhibitor, which reduces tumorigenesis in preclinical models of colitis-associated cancer, decreased cytokine-induced TNFR2 expression and STAT3 binding to the -1578 STAT response element. SOCS3 over-expression also decreased proliferation of colon cancer cells and dramatically decreased anchorage-independent growth of colon cancer cells, even cells over-expressing TNFR2. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that IL-6 and TNFα-induced TNFR2 expression in colon cancer cells is mediated primarily by STAT3, and provide evidence that TNFR2 may contribute to the tumor-promoting roles of STAT3.
Towards Secure and Effective Utilization over Encrypted Cloud Data

Cloud computing enables an economic paradigm of data service outsourcing, where individuals and enterprise customers can avoid committing large capital outlays in the purchase and management of both software and hardware and the operational overhead therein. Despite the tremendous benefits, outsourcing data management to the commercial public cloud is also depriving customers' direct control over the systems that manage their data, raising security and privacy as the primary obstacles to the adoption of cloud. Although data encryption helps protecting data confidentiality, it also obsoletes the traditional data utilization service based on plain text keyword search. Thus, enabling an encrypted cloud data search service with privacy-assurance is of paramount importance. Considering the large number of data users and huge amount of outsourced data files in cloud, this problem is particularly challenging as it is extremely difficult to meet also the practical requirements of performance, system usability, and high-level user searching experiences. This paper investigates these challenges and defines the problem of fuzzy keyword search over encrypted cloud data, which should be explored for effective data utilization in Cloud Computing. Fuzzy keyword search aims at accommodating various typos and representation inconsistencies in different user searching input for acceptable system usability and overall user searching experience, while protecting keyword privacy. In order to further enrich the spectrum of secure cloud data utilization services, we also study how the notion of fuzzy search naturally supports similarity search, a fundamental and powerful tool that is widely used in information retrieval. We describe the challenges that are not yet met by existing searchable encryption techniques and discuss the research directions and possible technical approaches for these new search functionalities to become a reality. The investigation of the proposed research can become the key for cloud service providers to securely and effectively deliver value from the cloud infrastructure to their enterprise and individual customers, and thus significantly encourage the adoption of Cloud Computing in a large scale.
The State and the Nuclear Waste Crisis: An Institutional Analysis of Policy Constraints

The U.S. government has failed to provide for the reprocessing of radioactive waste despite the fact that commercial reactors have produced several million pounds of it over the last thirty years. I analyze this policy-making failure by focusing on the important institutional constraints that limited the ability of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission to implement its reprocessing plan. I show how competition in the private reprocessing industry, the extreme vulnerability of policymakers to conflicting political demands, the legislation limiting state intervention into the private sector, produced this policy failure. I also show how a different institutional context in France produced a successful reprocessing policy outcome. This study stands in contrast to others about nuclear policy that describe the state as being extremely successful in nuclear policy-making. This has important implications for both the historical analysis of nuclear energy policy, theories of the state, and policy analysis.
Spontaneous superfluid current generation in the kaon condensed color flavor locked phase at nonzero strange quark mass

We find that for a large enough strange quark mass, ${m}_{s}^{2}/4\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\Delta}g2/3(1\ensuremath{-}0.023)$ ($\ensuremath{\mu}$ is the quark number chemical potential, $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ is the superconducting gap), the kaon condensed color flavor locked (CFL) phase of asymptotically dense strongly interacting 3 flavor quark matter is unstable with respect to spontaneous generation of currents of Nambu Goldstone bosons due to spontaneous breaking of baryon number symmetry and hypercharge symmetry in the $\mathrm{CFL}{K}^{0}$ ground state. The total baryon and hypercharge currents vanish in the ground state. We find that $\mathrm{CFL}{K}^{0}$ and the new state are separated by a first order phase transition. The result is derived in the mean field approximation of high density effective theory with electromagnetic interactions turned off.
Midterm outcomes of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement after previous coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES: Redo cardiac surgery for aortic valve replacement (AVR) after previous coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is technically challenging and carries a high incidence of peri-operative complications. However, experience in the field continues to evolve generating reproducible, and increasingly safer results. We anticipate an increased future role for catheter-based valve procedures and review our operative results to maintain current surgical outcomes for comparison. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted from 1996 through 2010 of patients undergoing AVR as a re-operation after previous CABG. Data were obtained through query of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) database and chart review. Patient outcomes were compared with STS-predicted risk scores. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-two patients met inclusion criteria (male 83%, female 17%). Average age was 76 (±7). Thirty-seven patients (28%) required concomitant CABG. Average ejection fraction was 45 (±14). Comorbid conditions included: diabetes 37% (49/ 132), hypertension 87% (115/132), NYHA class III/IV 83% (110/132), smoking 51% (67/132), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 21% (27/132), history of myocardial infarction 61% (80/132), renal failure 16% (21/132) and peripheral arterial disease 38% (50/132).Operative (30-day + hospital) mortality was 6.1% (8/132; 95% CI = 2.9–12.0%), and 30-day mortality was 3.8% (5/132; 95% CI = 1.4–9.1%). One, three and five-year survival rates were 86, 74 and 62%, respectively. Complication rates were as follows: re-operation for bleeding 2.3% (3/132), permanent stroke 0.8% (1/132), prolonged ventilator requirement 18.2% (24/132), deep sternal wound infection 0% (0/132; CI = 0.0–3.5%) and renal failure 9.1% (12/132; none required dialysis). The mean STS-predicted mortality risk score was 7.8% for 111 (applicable) patients for whom actual operative (30-day + hospital) mortality was 3.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Low initial operative mortality suggests that surgery is safe and reproducible. However, older age and multiple comorbidities in this patient population may significantly influence late outcomes. The data reported in this study: (i) support open surgical technique as a safe, reliable approach for redo AVR in patients who have undergone previous CABG, and (ii) add to the large body of evidence suggesting that STS scores overestimate risk.
Pericardial Pressure during Transverse Acceleration in Dogs without Thoracotomy

Intrapericardial pressures were recorded via a saline-filled Teflon catheter (o. d., 1.3 mm) in 11 anesthetized dogs studied without thoracotomy. Seven animals were studied before, during, and after 1-min exposures to transverse accelerations that ranged from 1G (normal gravitational environment) to 7G when in the supine (+Gj), prone (-Gx), left decubitus (+Gv), and right decubitus (-Gy) positions. Four additional animals were studied at 1G only, while in these same body positions. Pressures also were recorded from both atria, right ventricle, aorta, esophagus, and the potential pleural space. Mean end-expiratory intrapericardial pressure varied directly with the vertical height of the recording site in the thorax during all conditions studied, as would be expected in a hydrostatic system. Transpericardial pressures were not significantly different from zero at all levels of acceleration studied. Transmural left and right atrial pressures were independent of the height of the recording site in the thorax ...
2-Hydroxybenzoic acid salt of physostigmine

Physostigmine, C15H22N3O2, is the major alkaloid found in the seeds of Calabar beans. It was the first anticholinesterase used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and is still used in the treatment of glaucoma. The structure of its 2-hydroxy­benzoate salt, viz. 5-carbamoyl­oxy-1,2,3,3a,8,8a-hexa­hydro-1,3a,8-tri­methyl­pyrrolo­[2,3-b]­indol-1-ium benzoate, C15H22N3O2+·C7H5O3−, is reported.
Depression‐like behaviour in mice is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms in nucleus accumbens and periaqueductal grey

An association between circadian rhythms and mood regulation is well established, and disturbed circadian clocks are believed to contribute to the development of mood disorders, including major depressive disorder. The circadian system is coordinated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master pacemaker in the hypothalamus that receives light input from the retina and synchronizes circadian oscillators in other brain regions and peripheral tissues. Lacking the tight neuronal network that couples single-cell oscillators in the SCN, circadian clocks outside the SCN may be less stable and more susceptible to disturbances, for example by clock gene mutations or uncontrollable stress. However, non-SCN circadian clocks have not been studied extensively in rodent models of mood disorders. In the present study, it was hypothesized that disturbances of local circadian clocks in mood-regulating brain areas are associated with depression-like behaviour in mice. Using the learned helplessness procedure, depression-like behaviour was evoked in mice bearing the PER2::LUC circadian reporter, and then circadian rhythms of PER2 expression were examined in brain slices from these mice using luminometry and bioluminescence imaging. It was found that helplessness is associated with absence of circadian rhythms in the nucleus accumbens and the periaqueductal grey, two of the most critical brain regions within the reward circuit. The current study provides evidence that susceptibility of mice to depression-like behaviour is associated with disturbed local circadian clocks in a subset of mood-regulating brain areas, but the direction of causality remains to be determined.
A Unification between Dynamical System Theory and Thermodynamics Involving an Energy, Mass, and Entropy State Space Formalism

In this paper, we combine the two universalisms of thermodynamics and dynamical systems theory to develop a dynamical system formalism for classical thermodynamics. Specifically, using a compartmental dynamical system energy flow model involving heat flow, work energy, and chemical reactions, we develop a state-space dynamical system model that captures the key aspects of thermodynamics, including its fundamental laws. In addition, we show that our thermodynamically consistent dynamical system model is globally semistable with system states converging to a state of temperature equipartition. Furthermore, in the presence of chemical reactions, we use the law of mass-action and the notion of chemical potential to show that the dynamic system states converge to a state of temperature equipartition and zero affinity corresponding to a state of chemical equilibrium.
Cadmium accumulation and distribution in human lung fibroblasts

An investigation was conducted on cadmium accumulation and its molecular distribution in growing cultures of human fetal lung fibroblasts (IMR-90). For the first 24-48 h post-exposure, the amount of cadmium per cell remained low and relatively constant; more than 50% of the intracellular Cd was associated with molecular weight components less than 2000 daltons. The presence of a Cd-binding component with a molecular weight of 11,800 daltons was also detected during this initial period. Based upon its molecular size, sensitivity to trypsin, and ability to coincorporate 35S along with 115Cd, we have concluded that this component is a protein. Its similarity to metallothionein was suggested by its molecular size, low level in cells never exposed to Cd, spectral properties, and heat stability. During the late log phase of growth, accumulation of Cd by fibroblasts occurred at a near-linear rate and the intracellular Cd level was proportional to the exogenous concentration. There was a corresponding increase in the amount of the fibroblast Cd-binding protein present, accompanied by a reduction in the amount of Cd associated with low molecular weight components. Synthesis of the Cd-binding protein appeared to occur at a more rapid rate than accumulation suggesting that its presence may be necessary for Cd transport and/or accumulation, an interpretation strengthened by the finding that cells previously passaged in Cd exhibited no lag in accumulation and accumulated 8-10-fold more Cd. By 168 h post-exposure, a plateau occurred in the intracellular Cd level as well as the amount of Cd-binding protein present. After this period, a redistribution of Cd from the metallothionein-like protein to high molecular weight proteins occurred. It is possible that this redistribution might be the cellular event that triggers the pathological changes known to occur after Cd-grown cultures have reached confluency.
Effects of methylphenidate on processing negativities in patients with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

This study compared the impact of methylphenidate on patients with Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with and without aggressive/noncompliant features in an oddball test consisting of a randomly ordered series of loud (frequent) tones, soft (rare) tones, bright (frequent) lights, and dim (rare) lights. In alternate conditions, subjects were required to respond to either the rare tones or the rare lights. These tasks were administered in a drug-free baseline session and after a counterbalanced treatment of 14 days each of methylphenidate (0.3 mg/Kg b.i.d.) and placebo (lactose b.i.d.). In comparison with placebo, methylphenidate resulted in greater accuracy and speed of reactions to targets of both modalities. The amplitude of N1 to auditory nontargets was larger when the target was a rare tone as opposed to a rare light, and this attention-related effect was increased by methylphenidate. The same differential amplitude enhancement by stimulant treatment was found for an early area measure of difference ERPs. In contrast, for N1 to visual nontargets the effect of selective attention (larger amplitude when the target was a rare light vs. a rare tone) was not significant and was not affected by stimulant medication. All these findings were comparable for the three ADHD subgroups, a result attesting to the generality of stimulant effects on information processing.
Enhancing the Efficiency of and Equity in Transplant Organ Allocation via Incentivized Exchange

Within the last decade kidney exchange has become a mainstream paradigm to increase the number of kidney transplants. However, compatible pairs do not participate, and the full benefit from exchange can be realized only if they do participate. In this paper, we propose a new incentive scheme that relies on incentivizing participation of compatible pairs in exchange via insurance for the patient for a future renal failure. Efficiency and equity analyses of this scheme are conducted and compared with efficiency and equity outcomes of live donation and living donor organ exchange. We also present the potential role of such an incentive scheme to strengthen the national kidney exchange system.
Modulation of osmolytes in MDCK cells by solutes, inhibitors, and vasopressin

MDCK cells accumulate organic osmolytes in response to hyperosmotic NaCl-supplemented medium. We examined time course and inhibitor sensitivity of myo-inositol, sorbitol, and glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) accumulation in MDCK cells exposed to hyperosmotic NaCl-, D-glucose-, or mannitol-supplemented media. In NaCl medium, cells preferentially accumulated inositol and GPC. In comparison, in glucose medium cells preferentially accumulated sorbitol and GPC. Inositol demonstrated a late (72-96 h) accumulation in glucose medium, although less than in NaCl medium. Mannitol medium did not significantly stimulate accumulation of any of these three osmolytes at 24 h, suggesting that hyperosmolality alone is not sufficient stimulus for their accumulation in this time frame. GPC accumulation was very rapid in glucose medium, and fell to the level induced by NaCl medium at 96 h (approximately 50 nmol/mg protein). Inositol and sorbitol accumulated more gradually, each reaching greater than 400 nmol/mg protein after 96 h. Sorbitol was still accumulating at 96 h, whereas inositol plateaued at 72-96 h. Phlorizin or sorbinil blocked accumulation of inositol or sorbitol, respectively. Sorbitol and GPC accumulation in glucose medium were partially inhibited in absence of serum or in presence of 1 microM vasopressin. Thus NaCl and glucose appear to stimulate specific cellular mechanisms responsible for accumulation of inositol, sorbitol, and GPC in MDCK cells. This accumulation is also modulated by constituents of serum.
The nature of ultrabrightness of nanoporous fluorescent particles with physically encapsulated fluorescent dyes

Here we investigate the phenomenon of ultrabrightness of rhodamine 6G dye physically encapsulated in nanopore of silica particles, both of nano- and micro-size. We demonstrate that the dye can be packed inside nanoporous silica up to rather high concentrations (∼50 mM) without noticeable dimerization, which is several orders of magnitude higher than for free dye in water. Fluorescence and absorbance spectra of the dye, its fluorescence lifetime, quantum yield, brightness, and anisotropy before and after encapsulation are studied for different dye concentrations. The temperature dependence of fluorescence reveals the mechanism of dye homo-quenching. Interestingly, the mechanisms of self-quenching of the dye inside discoids and nanoparticles turned out to be different for large concentrations. The mechanism is defined mostly by the dynamic quenching inside the nanoparticles up to the maximum concentration observed of 50 mM, whereas the quenching of the dye inside the discoids is driven by the static quenching above several mM. Both types of particles demonstrate collisional quenching for small concentrations of encapsulated dyes. All measurements are consistent with low dimerization of the encapsulated dye, and the consequent high fluorescence brightness. Physical reasons of such behavior are discussed.
Program Death 1 Immune Checkpoint and Tumor Microenvironment: Implications for Patients With Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Program death 1 (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) have been identified as potential therapeutic targets for solid and hematologic malignancies. The current study aimed to assess PD-L1 expression in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and relate clinical outcomes to its expression. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor specimens were obtained for patients undergoing surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1991 and 2011. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess PD-L1 expression in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) and within the tumor front (TF). Of 54 tumor samples analyzed, 34 stained positive for PD-L1 expression on TAMs (TAMs+), and 39 stained positive for PD-L1 expression on cells within the tumor front (TF+). The TF+ patients were less likely to present with metastatic lymph nodes (N1 patients: 26.7 vs 7.7 %; p = 0.011), whereas all tumors with intrahepatic metastasis failed to demonstrate staining for PD-L1 around the tumor front (p = 0.020). Patients with tumors shown to be TAMs+ were less likely to present with multiple lesions (35.0 vs 8.8 %; p = 0.017). Patients with tumors exhibiting PD-L1 expression around the tumor front demonstrated a worse overall survival than TF patients (p = 0.008). Multivariable analysis showed that patients with tumors staining for PD-L1 in the tumor front had a 59.5 % reduced survival (TF− vs TF+: time ratio, 0.405; 95 % confidence interval, 0.215–0.761; p = 0.005). Expression of PD-L1 was noted among a majority of patients, and PD-L1 expression within the tumor front was associated with a 60 % decreased survival. Future clinical trials are necessary to assess the safety and efficacy of anti-PD-L1 therapies among patients with ICC.
The in-situ sensor-guided process characterization of advanced composite materials

This article describes the multifunctional use of fibers as reinforcements and acoustic waveguides for sensing the fiber-matrix interfacial conditions during processing. It is shown that monitoring the ultrasonic signal response through a reinforcing fiber in a composite material yields on-line information that is related to the densification of the composite in the vicinity of the interface. Leakage of ultrasound from the fiber to the matrix is shown to be a function of the density of the matrix at the interface. It is also shown that these data can then be used to feed back to the process for optimization and control.
The Malpighian Tubules in the Adult Melanotus Communis Gyll. (Elateridae: Coleoptera)

Although there are many embryological and morphological studies of the Malpighian tubules of insects, the questions still remain as to whether the tubules in different insects enter the hind-intestine or the mid-intestine, whether the edge of the cell toward the lumen is striated or covered with a chitinous intima and whether the tubules are ectodermal or endodermal in origin. In Melanotus communis four tubules enter the mid-intestine just anterior to the pyloric valve. These tubules are united in pairs by the peritoneal epithelium so that they appear as two continuous loops. The striated border epithelium lining the tubules can be divided into two types: (a) small columnar cells near the insertion of the tubule and (b) large pyramidal cells along the rest of the tubule.
Preparation of a homologous series of tetraalkylammonium graphite intercalation compounds.

Graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) of a series of symmetric or asymmetric tetraalkylammonium (TAA) intercalates are obtained from stage-1 [Na(en)1.0]C15 via cation exchange. The prepared dull-black TAA-GICs contain either flattened monolayer or bilayer galleries, with significant cointercalation of the dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solvent in the bilayer galleries. The TAA-GIC products obtained are characterized by X-ray diffraction and related structural modeling, compositional analyses, and Raman spectroscopy. [(C4H9)4N]C43 is obtained as a pure stage-1 GIC with the flattened monolayer structure. The larger symmetric TAA cations, (C6H13)4N, (C7H15)4N, (C8H17)4N, and the asymmetric TAA cations, (C12H25)(CH3)3N, (C18H37)(CH3)3N, (C18H37)2(CH3)2N, all form pure stage-1 GICs with flattened bilayer conformations. Thermogravimetric analyses combined with mass spectrometry and elemental analyses indicate the presence of ∼1–2 DMSO cointercalates per bilayer cation. The intercalate layers in these TAA-GICs have ...
Meeting the challenges of β-lactamases

A wide variety of beta-lactamases are found in clinical isolates of bacteria and, when present, these enzymes often result in resistance to one or more beta-lactam antibiotics. The prevalence of organisms with these enzymes has increased as beta-lactams have been increasingly used in clinical practice. This paper defines the nature of these enzymes and details the attempts to overcome the problem of resistance mediated by beta-lactamase, efforts which have culminated in the development of a series of effective beta-lactamase inhibitors which can be combined with beta-lactam antibiotics. The currently available compounds, clavulanic acid, sulbactam, and tazobactam are very effective inhibitors of many types of beta-lactamases, but there are additional enzymes which are resistant even to these inhibitors and which pose continuing challenges for the pharmaceutical chemist and clinician alike.
A consistent direct-iterative inverse design method for high-speed flows

A new consistent direct-iterative method is proposed for the solution of the aerodynamic inverse design problem. These popular design procedures couple analysis and shape-prediction methods to iteratively determine the design geometry. The proposed method includes a new shape-prediction technique; this unique method uses the identical governing equations and numerical techniques as those used in the analysis portion of the design procedure. The new design method was evaluated with an upwind cell-centered finite-volume formulation of the two-dimensional Euler equations. Inverse design test problems were conducted with a symmetric channel for which the design variable was a channel-wall ramp angle, theta, that is nominally 5 deg. Target geometries were defined with ramp-angle perturbations of delta theta = 2, 10, and 20 percent. With a supersonic inlet Mach number of 2, the new design method accurately predicted all target geometries. The inverse design solutions were obtained in a computationally efficient manner; the average design solution required less than seven iterations and approximately twice the computational effort as a comparable analysis solution. (Author)