cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of a modified material model for use with shell elements to improve the predictive accuracy of the thickness distribution in superplastic forming of sheet metals

Abstract The automotive industry has recently begun using the superplastic forming (SPF) process to fabricate complex aluminum and magnesium alloy panels that cannot be formed at room temperature due to insufficient formability. One of the manufacturing problems encountered during SPF is excessive thinning in the form of a localized neck; which can lead to fracture. Localized necking can be predicted with the use of continuum elements in finite element analysis (FEA); however, the use of these elements in simulating SPF of large automotive panels is computationally intensive and often computationally prohibitive due to convergence issues. This paper examines the use of a modified material model (developed by engineers at Livermore Software Technology Corporation (LSTC) that can be used with conventional Belytschko–Tsay shell elements. This model considers normal stresses during SPF, which is needed to predict necking locations. The paper reports the results on investigating means for improving computational efficiency with this new formulation (i.e. element size, mass scaling, and adaptive meshing) and compares the performance of the normal stress element formulation with that of Belytschko–Tsay shell element in simulating the SPF process. The findings indicate that the newly developed formulation can be used for predicting localized thinning under SPF conditions.
Circular dichroism of films of polynucleotides.

The CD spectra of films of the lithium salt of E. coli and calf thymus DNA, and alternating d-AT : AT were measured as a function of relative humidity. Films of the ammonium acetate salt of DNA were also measured. The ammonium films yield the previously reported A-form CD spectra. A possible explanation for the small magnitude of the 260-nm band of the A-form film spectra compared to double-stranded RNA spectra is that the film DNA is in a different conformation than RNA within the A family of conformations. At relative humidities of 92% or lower, a negative nonconservative CD spectrum with negative minima near 270 and 210 nm is observed with the lithium films. The magnitude of the minima varies from film to film. In films of DNA the magnitude ranges from a delta epsilon of −5 to −35; d-AT : AT films show magnitudes to −300. CD spectra of this type are designated Ψ spectra. Similar spectra have been reported from reconstituted complexes of DNA and polylysine or f-1 histone. If the origins of the film and protein–DNA complex spectra are similar, the complex spectra are not the result of specific secondary structural changes induced in the DNA by the protein fraction. Theoretical analysis suggests that Ψ spectra are not the result of changes in the secondary or tertiary structure of DNA. Instead, the previously proposed explanation based on liquid crystals is favored. The DNA could form asymmetric structures with long-range periodicity. It is likely that the observed CD spectra of f-1 complexes are artifacts of DNA aggregation. The possibility that some other previously published spectra of protein–DNA complexes also reflect artifacts is suggested.
Diuretic Function of the Labial Glands in Adult Giant Silk Moths, Hyalophora cecropia

DURING experiments on the water balance of pupal and mature Hyalophora cecropia (Schneider), it was observed that the facial area of the adult may become moist when the haemolymph is diluted. A similar, but spontaneous, discharge occurs when the adult is emerging, the watery exudate serving to soften the stiff matted silk of the emergence tunnel by which they escape from the cocoon. The fluid is released from labial glands which open through a medial pore situated on the labium between the rudimentary galeae. These glands, which secrete silk in the larva, survive metamorphosis to the non-feeding adult as a pair of tubes composed of a thick-walled posterior part lying ventrally in the prothorax and a thin-walled, much folded anterior part which unites with its counterpart and opens at the labial pore. The present experiments show that these glands not only persist, but also continue to secrete in the adult, where they become organs of diuresis. This work records the relationship of secretion to physical restraint, and the high rates of secretion caused by dilution of the haemolymph.
Interstitial pH and pO2 gradients in solid tumors in vivo: high-resolution measurements reveal a lack of correlation.

The partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) and pH play critical roles in tumor biology and therapy. We report here the first combined, high-resolution (≤10 μm) measurements of interstitial pH and pO2 profiles between adjacent vessels in a human tumor xenograft, using fluorescence ratio imaging and phosphorescence quenching microscopy. We found (1) heterogeneity in shapes of pH and pO2 profiles; (2) a discordant relation between local pH profiles and corresponding pO2 profiles, yet a strong correlation between mean pH and pO2 profiles; (3) no correlation between perivascular pH/pO2 and nearest vessel blood flow; and (4) well-perfused tumor vessels that were hypoxic and, consequently, large hypoxic areas in the surrounding interstitium. Such multiparameter measurements of the in vivo microenvironment provide unique insights into biological processes in tumors and their response to treatment.
Accurate Calibration of Doppler Winds for Their Use in the Computation of Mesoscale Wind FIELDS1

Abstract Doppler winds measured by an instrumented aircraft are of great value in determining the wind field accompanying large-scale atmospheric disturbances. When they are utilized in interpreting and computing the wind fields of so-called mesoscale disturbances with their horizontal dimensions of a few to a few hundred miles, slight errors in the vector quantities forming the navigation triangle result in fictitious winds which differ considerably from the real winds. In the first part of this paper, the wind velocity errors due to the backscattering water particles illuminated by Doppler beams, designated as wet, beams, are discussed. The influence of wet beams upon Doppler winds was calculated theoretically under various conditions to allow an estimate of maximum wind velocity error. Following the solution of wet-beam cases, theoretical consideration was given to the fluctuation of the measured winds caused by the constant errors in the true air speed, the aircraft heading, the Doppler ground speed, ...
CD36-positive stress reticulocytosis in sicle cell anemia

Vasooclusive episodes in sickle cell anemia may be initiated by adherence of erythrocytes to endothelium, one mechanism of which involves thrombospondin binding to CD36 on the red blood cell (RBC). We compared CD36 expression and its relationship to stress reticulocytosis in patients with sickle cell anemia and other chronic hemolytic disorders, including some after splenectomy. Adults with sicle cell anemia had significantly more CD36-positive cells (4.1% ± 3.4%, mean ± SD, n = 12) in unfractionated blood than did normal adults, who had almost none (0.13% ± 0.15%, n = 8, p < 0.05). In density-fractionated blood, sickle samples contained significantly more CD36-positive cells (39.8% ± 21.9% n = 10) in the lowest density layers than did splenectomized high-reticulocyte controls (8.5% ± 6.4%, n = 4, p < 0.05). “Stress” reticulocytes (identified by their unique morphology) were significantly more frequent in low-density layers from sickle blood (44.3% ± 23.9%, n = 10) than from nonsplenectomized high-reticulocyte controls (10.5% ± 14.8%, n = 5, p < 0.05). There was a strong correlation (r = 0.92) between stress reticulocyte count and number of CD36-positive cells for all patients except thalassemics, in whom CD36-positive cells were more frequent than stress reticulocytes. Flow cytometry confirmed that the maximal CD36 signal was found on immature reticulocytes. We conclude that CD36-positive stress reticulocytes occur more frequently in sickle cell anemia than in other chronic hemolytic states, even after surgical splenectomy, suggesting that this enhanced CD36-positive stress reticulocytosis does not simply reflect absent splenic function. These results explain why RBCs from high-reticulocyte control patients fail to show the significant CD36-dependent thrombospondin-medlated adhesion to endothelium that is exhibited by sickle red cells.
Differences in N-acetylation of the experimental antitumor agent batracylin in the mouse and the rat.

Batracylin (NSC-320846) is a quinalzolineone recently evaluated as a potential antitumor agent by the National Cancer Institute. The analog was active against a number of murine tumors, including colon adenocarcinoma 38 and multidrug resistant sublines of P-388 leukemia. Preclinical toxicity studies revealed that batracylin was much more toxic when administered orally to rats than to mice. The combined sex LD10 in mice was 5,655 mg/m2 while 576 mg/m2 was lethal to all rats treated at that dose. We determined that following oral administration of batracylin, systemic exposure of parent drug to the rat was only 14.9% of that to the mouse. It was subsequently noted that systemic exposure of a relatively non-polar metabolite was approximately 9 times greater in the rat than in the mouse. The metabolite was identified as N-acetylbatracylin by TLC, HPLC and mass spectral analyses. Observations by the National Cancer Institute that N-acetylbatracylin was not toxic following oral administration to mice or rats prompted evaluation of systemic exposure following oral administration to rats. Following oral administration of N-acetylbatracylin to rats, systemic exposure was almost nil. Indeed, exposure of rats to N-acetylbatracylin was several orders of magnitude greater following oral administration of six-fold lower doses of the parent drug, batracylin. Thus, N-acetylation may play a role in the toxicity of batracylin despite the lack of toxicity observed following oral administration of N-acetylbatracylin. In addition, further metabolism of the N-acetyl conjugate, analogous to that of other aromataic amines, may be involved in the pharmacology of batracylin and similar analogs.
Entropy generation in curved spaces as a diagnostic for particle creation

Abstract This paper defines a time-dependent entropy S ( t ) for a quantum field in a background cosmological spacetime, changes in which are connected directly with changes in the average particle number 〈 n p ( t )〉 in each mode. Here the existence of an arrow of time, d s /d t > 0 and d〈 n p 〉/d t >0, would not reflect the fact that the Universe is expanding, but, instead, the fact that the Universe started from a special state characterized either (a) very nearly by eigenstates of number, such as the vacuum, or (b) more generally, by very nearly random phases.
Molecular orbitals and Hadamard matrices

Abstract The orthogonal set of molecular orbitals can be constructed from Hadamard matrices. The nodal properties of molecular orbitals can be inferred from the sign changes in the rows of Hadamard matrices. Number of inequivalent sets of orthogonal MOs is given by the number of equivalence classes of Hadamard matrices.
Retention and Outcome at ACI, a Unique Therapeutic Community

A study was conducted of retention and outcome of the first 100 clients at ACI, a therapeutic community in New York City that is unique in its combination of a relatively short treatment cycle, fee for service funding, early reentry, use of guided scream therapy and bonding, and implementation of the Casriel theory of the New Identity Process. Retention rates at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months were 95%, 90%, 86%, and 80%, respectively. Excellent or good outcomes were achieved by 80 clients. Some reasons for these very favorable results are discussed, in terms of previous studies of therapeutic community procedures and results.
Discounting in judgments of delay and probability.

Subjects drew lines proportional in length to their subjective valuation of various amounts of money, available immediately and certainly, relative to a standard amount ranging across groups from $1,000,000 to $10. They also drew lines proportional to their subjective valuation of standard amounts with delays ranging from 1 day to 50 years and with probabilities ranging from 1/10 to 1/10,000,000. Amounts of certain‐immediate moneyequivalent (in terms of drawn line length) to delayed or probabilistic money were determined. The delay and probability discount functions thereby obtained were hyperbolic in form, rather than exponential, consistent with previous findings. Large money amounts were valued higherwhentheyweredelayedbyadaythanwhenavailableimmediately.Steepness of delay discounting was not systematically related to standard money amount but probabilistic discounting was steeper for higher standard amounts than for lower amounts. Some of these results diAer from those obtained with choice procedures. Possible reasons for the diAerences are discussed. Copyright #2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The microassay of hyaluronic acid concentration and hyaluronidase activity by capillary turbidity (CT) and capillary turbidity reduction (CTR) tests.

Abstract The Capillary Turbidity (CT) Test for quantitative estimation of hyaluronic acid concentrations in solutions is described. The standardized procedure permits assay of the visible reaction occurring between mucopolysaccharide and acidified albumin. The CT Test is reproducible, sensitive, simple, rapid, and economical in that it does not require the use of measuring instruments (e.g., spectrophotometer or viscosimeter) and is sparing of reagent materials. This test has led to the development of the Capillary Turbidity Reduction (CTR) Procedure for the semiquantitative microassay of hyaluronidase activity.
RADIOACTIVE TRACER STUDY OF SPOROPHYTE NUTRITION IN HEPATICS

Sporophytes of Fossombronia foveolata, Lophocolea heterophylla, Pellia epiphylla, Ptilidium pulcherrimum, and Riella affinis were surgically isolated from host gametophyte tissues and treated with 14CO2. Sporophytes of all five species are capable of fixing CO2 in the light. Sporophyte/gametophyte ratios for 14CO2 fixation/mg fresh weight range between 0.12 and 0.39. Corresponding ratios for chlorophyll content are 1.07 to 3.30. Of the total 14CO2 fixed by excised Lophocolea sporophytes, 40% can be attributed to the photosynthetic activity of haploid spores. Enveloping gametophytic tissues (calyptra and pseudoperianth) inhibit photosynthesis of attached sporophytes by as much as 50%. For sustained growth, sporophytes rely on organic nutrients supplied by the gametophyte: radioactivity of Lophocolea sporophytes increases significantly after application of 14C-glucose to host gametophytes. Surgically isolated sporophytes develop slowly in mineral culture, without significant increase in dry weight. The assumption that hepatic sporophytes are at least partly autonomous with respect to organic nutrition (an assumption that figures prominently in speculation on the evolutionary origin of the sporophyte) is confirmed. SPOROPHYTE NUTRITION in bryophytes has always been of considerable importance in speculation centered on the phylogeny of land plants. The "parasitic" nature of simple bryophyte sporophytes is a particularly emphasized aspect of their life cycle (Bower, 1908). In all other archegoniate groups, mature sporophytes outgrow parent gametophytes. The parasitic nature of bryophyte sporophytes was questioned by Bold (1938, 1940) with the
Picking Up the Mantle of “Expert”: Assigned Roles, Assertion of Identity, and Peer Recognition Within a Programming Class

Changing an established role in a classroom is difficult. It involves constructing a new set of relations within a community. In this article we investigate how students with newly developed interest and experience in programming developed outside the classroom pick up and establish their roles as experts in programming within the classroom community. More specifically, we focus on how two 11-year-old software designers shifted their established roles in their classroom to gain status as expert programmers. We use an identity lens to understand how peer expertise was established in the context of a classroom community, adopting a multifaceted perspective of identity by focusing on an individual's narrativization of self, full, or peripheral participation among a group of people, and individuals' social recognition by others. Our findings point to the importance of both positive positioning by authority figures in the classroom and activities and roles that provide opportunities to establish intersubjectiv...
A comprehensive study for advanced in situ contact dry cleaning

An advanced in situ pre-contact dry cleaning process with fluorine species has been comprehensively investigated to effectively remove the native oxide on the top surface of Ni-salicide layer for ensuring lower contact resistance (Rc) without the drawbacks, including the clipping of contact top opening, the formation of by-product re-deposition and severe Ni-salicide loss, of the conventional argon ion bombardment process. In this study, two kinds of in situ dry cleaning approaches, called saturation and low etch rate (LER) modes, have been evaluated to further reduce Rc and prevent the contact to poly short issue as keeping contact size scaling down to 28nm node. The Rc reduction of ~40% at 45nm and no contact to poly short issue at 28nm contact design rules can be simultaneously demonstrated by implementing optimized in situ saturation and LER dry cleaning conditions.
Electrochemiluminescence in aqueous solution of a ruthenium(II) bipyridyl complex containing a crown ether moiety in the presence of metal ions.

Changes in electrochemiluminescence (ECL) properties of a ruthenium polyazine compound containing a crown-ether moiety have been investigated in aqueous buffered solution. The electrochemistry, photophysics and ECL of (bpy)2Ru(AZA-bpy)2+ [bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; AZA-bpy = 4-(N-aza-18-crown-6-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine)] in the presence of Pb2+, Hg2+, Cu2+ and Ag+ are reported. Oxidation of (bpy)2Ru(AZA-bpy)2+ produces ECL in the presence of tri-n-propylamine (TPrA; 0.2 M KH2PO4). Increases in ECL efficiency (photons generated per redox event) greater than 2-fold have been observed that depend on both the concentration and nature of the metal ion, allowing the determination of ions not directly involved in the ECL reaction sequence.
Evaluation of Deformation Mechanisms at Mineral-Protein Composite Interface Using Steered Molecular Dynamics Simulations

In the area of clay-polymer nanocomposites, recently montmorillonite is extensively used because of its unique characteristics of swelling. In this work, steered molecular dynamics is used to evaluate the mechanical behavior of a new class of nanocomposites, using amino acids to intercalate clay interlayers. Two positively charged amino acids, lysine and arginine, are used here. Our simulation indicates that both the amino acids have preferred orientation inside the clay interlayer. Our simulations also indicate that the clay-amino acid interlayer is about three times stiffer under tension as compared to under compression. On the other hand, dry montmorillonite shows similar stiffness under tension and compression. The fundamental mechanism of deformation during tension and compression is intrinsically different in the amino acid-clay composite. The stress-strain behavior of this clay-amino acid interlayer is predominantly linear until a stress of 1.5 GPa. This study is a first step towards the potential use of biomacromolecules as modifiers in clay nanocomposites.
BREAKING OF IMMUNOLOGICAL PARALYSIS BY INJECTION OF A SPECIFIC DEPOLYMERASE.

THE elaboration by the soil organism Bacillus palustris of a depolymerase (D3) specific for the long-chained capsular polysaccharide of type III Diplococcus pneumoniae (SIII) (ref. 1) provides an opportunity to explore some of the mechanisms of immunological paralysis induced by SIII. The polymerase when incubated in vitro for prolonged periods with SIII cleaves it to hexasaccharides and smaller units2. It could readily be shown that when the products of this reaction are injected into adult mice they do not elicit an immune response. Thus, 5/5 mice injected with 0.5 ml. of a 21-h reaction mixture containing 40 µg SIII and 50 viscosity units of D3 failed to form antibodies. When these mice were later injected with 0.1 µg SIII they all formed antibodies against the SIII. When D3 is injected intravenously into mice which 12 h previously had received 100 µg SIII it rapidly clears the antigen from the circulation so that within 12 h SIII is no.sk>nger detectable by either the micro-precipitin or the complement fixation tests. The former test detects 0.1 µg and the latter 0.01 µg antigen. Although no a priori evidence existed it seemed just possible that the enzyme might even enter the cells containing the SIII and relieve the immunological paralysis caused by the injection of relatively large amounts of SIII.
Chemical vapor deposition of thin semiconductor films for solar energy conversion

Abstract The surfaces intercepting the incident radiation in solar energy converters must have a spectral profile that is properly matched to the solar emission and thermal reradiation properties, they must withstand high temperatures without harmful changes of their optoelectronic characteristics and they must operate for long enough to be economically viable. Multilayer systems deposited by chemical vapor deposition offer attractive features. The paper reviews methods of preparation and the optical performance of thin semiconductor films deposited from the vapor phase that meet all three requirements, in particular for applications at temperatures of 500°C. If developed further, chemical vapor deposition will be particularly well adapted to the requirements imposed on the thin semiconductor films used in photothermal converters.
MarketNet: protecting access to information systems through financial market controls

Abstract This paper describes novel market-based technologies that uniquely establish quantifiable and adjustable limits on the power of attackers, enable verifiable accountability for malicious attacks, and admit systematic and uniform monitoring and detection of attacks. These technologies, incorporated in the MarketNet system, establish a financial economy to regulate the trade and use of access rights in information systems. Resources are instrumented to use currency for access control and monitoring, establishing accountability in their use. Domains control access to their resources through resource prices and budgets available to clients. Domains control and fine tune their exposure to attacks; adjust this exposure in response to emerging risks; detect intrusion attacks through automated, uniform statistical analysis of currency flows; and tune their exposure to resource unavailability by purchasing protection through financial-like instruments.
Internal fixation for atlanto-axial instability in children

A new and simple method for the operative treatment of atlanto-axial instability in children is described. The technique involves a metal rectangle wired in place between the occiput and cervical spine to act as an internal fixation device. Onlay bone grafts subsequently produce bony fusion. A synchronous decompression of the cervical canal can be performed and there is no need for complex or prolonged external fixation.
Gibbs energies of formation of Mn3C, M(Fe, Mn)3C and Mn23C6 from the ternary phase equilibria in the FeMnC system

Abstract The high temperature phase relations in the FeMnC system have been analyzed in light of the recently developed thermodynamic method by the authors to obtain the Gibbs energies of formation of Mn23C6 and Mn,C. A new thermodyn/amic treatment is outlined and applied to obtain the stability of the ternary carbide M(Fe,Mn)3C without any a priori assumption of a solution model for the M3C phase. The recommended Gibbs energies of formation for the Mn carbides, Mn3C and Mn23C6 With γ-Mn (graphite) as the Standard states are: Δ G 0 Mn 3 C =−16.9−0.015 T kJ 1243≤ T ≤1323 K Δ G 0 Mn 23 C 6 =−133.7−0.090 T kJ 873≤ T ≤1273 K The present method can be extended to obtain a consistent set of thermodynamic data for binary and ternary carbides from various ternary metal-metal-carbon phase relations.
Coral recruitment and juvenile mortality as structuring factors for reef benthic communities in Biscayne National Park, USA

Coral communities of Biscayne National Park (BNP) on offshore linear bank-barrier reefs are depauperate of reef corals and have little topographic relief, while those on lagoonal patch reefs have greater coral cover and species richness despite presumably more stressful environmental regimes closer to shore. We hypothesized that differences in rates of coral recruitment and/or of coral survivorship were responsible for these differences in community structure. These processes were investigated by measuring: (1) juvenile and adult coral densities, and (2) size-frequency distributions of smaller coral size classes, at three pairs of bank- and patch-reefs distributed along the north-south range of coral reefs within the Park. In addition, small quadrats (0.25 m2) were censused for colonies <2 cm in size on three reefs (one offshore and one patch reef in the central park, and one intermediate reef at the southern end), and re-surveyed after 1 year. Density and size frequency data confirmed that large coral colonies were virtually absent from the offshore reefs, but showed that juvenile corals were common and had similar densities to those of adjacent bank and patch reefs. Large coral colonies were more common on inshore patch reefs, suggesting lower survivorship (higher mortality) of small and intermediate sized colonies on the offshore reefs. The more limited small-quadrat data showed similar survivorship rates and initial and final juvenile densities at all three sites, but a higher influx of new recruits to the patch reef site during the single annual study period. We consider the size-frequency data to be a better indicator of juvenile coral dynamics, since it is a more time-integrated measurement and was replicated at more sites. We conclude that lack of recruitment does not appear to explain the impoverished coral communities on offshore bank reefs in BNP. Instead, higher juvenile coral mortality appears to be a dominant factor structuring these communities.
The Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI) Space Experiment

Abstract : The Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI) space experiment was an operational prototype for a new class of white light heliospheric imager. SMEI was launched on the Coriolis spacecraft in January, 2003, and was deactivated in September, 2011, thus operating almost continuously for more than eight years. Its primary objective was the detection and tracking of interplanetary transients, typically coronal mass ejections (CMEs), in the inner heliosphere. Towards this goal it was immediately effective, observing and tracking several CMEs in the first month of mission operations, with almost 400 detections to follow. SMEI also contributed to many and varied scientific fields, including studies of corotating interaction regions, the high-altitude aurora, zodiacal light, Gegenschein, comet tail disconnections and motions, and variable stars. It was also able to detect and track Earth-orbiting satellites and space debris. Along with its scientific achievements, SMEI also enabled a significantly improved ability to forecast the arrival of CMEs at Earth, thereby establishing the operational utility of heliospheric imaging. This report reviews the SMEI mission and instrument, its scientific and technical accomplishments, and provides a summary discussion of potential next steps for future heliospheric imagers.
An Enhanced Gene Targeting Toolkit for Drosophila: Golic+

Ends-out gene targeting allows seamless replacement of endogenous genes with engineered DNA fragments by homologous recombination, thus creating designer “genes” in the endogenous locus. Conventional gene targeting in Drosophila involves targeting with the preintegrated donor DNA in the larval primordial germ cells. Here we report gene targeting during oogenesis with lethality inhibitor and CRISPR/Cas (Golic+), which improves on all major steps in such transgene-based gene targeting systems. First, donor DNA is integrated into precharacterized attP sites for efficient flip-out. Second, FLP, I-SceI, and Cas9 are specifically expressed in cystoblasts, which arise continuously from female germline stem cells, thereby providing a continual source of independent targeting events in each offspring. Third, a repressor-based lethality selection is implemented to facilitate screening for correct targeting events. Altogether, Golic+ realizes high-efficiency ends-out gene targeting in ovarian cystoblasts, which can be readily scaled up to achieve high-throughput genome editing.
Dopamine Transporter Ligand Binding Domains STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES REVEALED BY LIMITED PROTEOLYSIS

Dopamine transporters (DATs) are members of the Na+- and Cl−-dependent neurotransmitter and amino acid transporter family predicted by hydrophobicity analysis to have 12 transmembrane-spanning helices. The structure of DAT was studied using the photoaffinity compounds [125I]1-[2-(diphenylmethoxy)-ethyl]-4-[2-(4-azido-3-iodophenyl)ethyl]piperazine ([125I]DEEP), a 1-(2-diphenylmethoxy)-ethyl-4-(3-phenyl propyl)piperazine (GBR analog), and [125I]-3β-(p-chlorophenyl)tropane-2β-carboxylic acid, 4′-azido-3′-iodophenylethyl ester ([125I]RTI 82), a cocaine analog, which had been shown in a previous study to become incorporated into different regions of the DAT primary sequence. The proximity of the photolabeled binding sites to integral membrane structures was investigated by subjecting photolabeled membrane suspensions to limited proteolysis with trypsin and separately analyzing the resulting membranes and supernatants for the presence of photolabeled DAT fragments. Trypsin treatment of [125I] DEEP-labeled membranes generated labeled 45- and 14-kDa DAT fragments that immunoprecipitated with an epitope-specific antiserum generated against amino acids 42-59 near the first putative transmembrane domain, whereas [125I]RTI 82 was found in 32- and 16-kDa tryptic fragments that precipitated with an antiserum directed against a sequence near transmembrane domain 4 (amino acids 225-238). All of the photolabeled fragments were recovered in the protease-treated membranes, indicating that they possess integral membrane structures that prevent their release from the membrane as soluble forms. The size of the two smallest fragments in conjunction with their retention in the membrane suggests that incorporation of the photoaffinity ligands occurs in or near membrane spanning regions and delineates the maximum possible distance between the transmembrane structures, incorporated photolabel, and antibody epitopes. Carbohydrate analysis of the fragments identified sialic acids and N-linked oligosaccharides exclusively on the 45-kDa [125I]DEEP-labeled fragment, which, based on size, would be expected to contain four consensus glycosylation sites between putative transmembrane domains 3 and 4. Photoaffinity labeling after trypsin treatment of membranes showed that the larger but not the smaller fragments retain binding capacity, as the 45- and 32-kDa fragments were capable of becoming photolabeled. Binding of photoaffinity ligands at these fragments was displaced with the same pharmacology as that of intact DATs. These results verify numerous aspects of DAT structure and topology heretofore only predicted from theoretical considerations and extend our knowledge of DAT structure-function properties.
Neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer: a role for short-term fasting?

443 ISSN 1758-1923 10.2217/BMT.13.49 © 2013 Future Medicine Ltd Breast Cancer Manage. (2013) 2(6), 443–446 Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the USA. An estimated 232,340 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013, with approximately 90% of women with breast cancer presenting with loco-regional disease [1]. Traditionally, most women undergo a definitive surgical procedure that allows for accurate staging followed by treatment plans consisting of systemic chemotherapy and radiation commensurate with staging and guideline recommendations. Systemic chemotherapy is critical to eradicate occult micrometastatic disease after surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy regimens have gone through rigorous head-tohead comparison in the past three decades, with anthracycline–taxane combinations regarded as the most active chemotherapy regimens for HER2-negative breast cancer [2]. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has been established as a reasonable alternative for adjuvant chemotherapy, since multiple large randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that neoadjuvant chemotherapy provides identical disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS) benefits as adjuvant chemotherapy administered with the same regimens [3,4]. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy has also been shown to increase the breast conservation rate and decrease the rate of complete axillary lymph node dissection. Often, neoadjuvant chemotherapy represents the only reasonable option for women who present with more locally advanced disease and desire breast conservation. More importantly, response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy portends a good prognosis. Women with breast cancer that achieves a pathological complete remission (pCR) are expected to have excellent DFS and OS [5]. Irrespective of the different definitions of pCR in various clinical trials, the absence of invasive disease in both the breast and lymph nodes provides the best overall outcome. Evaluation of tumor responses to neoadjuvant regimens in patients who have not previously been exposed to any other systemic therapies could offer an efficient testing strategy to different regimens or interventions. Unfortunately, up to 75% of women do not achieve pCR when they are treated with anthracycline–taxane-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy [5]. Among those with four to nine positive axillary lymph nodes
Structure and metabolism of lipoprotein (a)

An understanding of the complex structural and metabolic features of lipoprotein (a) is essential because this lipoprotein particle, with poorly recognized physiological functions, has been implicated in both thrombogenesis and atherogenesis. Studies aimed at investigating the structure-function relationship of apolipoprotein (a) have generated new useful information. In-vivo and in-vitro studies have provided insights into the synthesis, secretion, and association of apolipoprotein (a) with apolipoprotein B100 and the mechanisms regulating the lipoprotein (a) concentration in the bloodstream.
A useful modification of the technique for measuring capacitance as a function of voltage

Measurements of small signal capacitance as a function of applied bias voltage are widely used for the determination of information about metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) capacitors. The information that can be derived from the measurements includes interface-state density and flat-band charge density at the insulator-semiconductor (IS) interface, semiconductor doping, and charge stability under bias-temperature stress. A limitation on the use of this measurement method which has until now prevented its even more general application is the requirement that in order to determine C s , the semiconductor space-charge capacitance, with reasonable accuracy the ratio of C s to C I , the insulating layer capacitance, must be ∼ 10. In the present work it is shown that a modification of the usual method can significantly relax this restriction and allow the accurate determination of C s when the ratio C s /C r is as large as 100 or more, In fact, the inherent limit is no longer directly dependent on this ratio but on the noise level in the capacitance measurement. In some cases C s /C I ≥ 1 due to a thick insulating layer, A very large bias voltage is then required to span the capacitance range of interest; commercially available capacitance meters which typically have applied bias capabilities of ±600 V or less may be inadequate. A simple circuit modification has been employed to allow much larger bias voltages (up to ± 7 kV in the present Work) to be applied to the sample without alteration of or damage to the capacitance meter.
Factors Associated with Prolonged Wound Drainage After Primary Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Prolonged wound drainage following total hip or total knee arthroplasty has been associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacologic, surgical, and patient-specific factors that are associated with prolonged wound drainage and the relationship of this complication to the length of hospital stay and the rate of wound infections. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 1211 primary total hip arthroplasties and 1226 primary total knee arthroplasties. Prospectively collected data included body mass index, intraoperative blood loss, surgical time, type of prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis, and length of hospital stay. The association of these factors with the duration of postoperative wound drainage was analyzed. An acute infection developed after fifteen primary total hip arthroplasties and ten primary total knee arthroplasties. The patients with an acute postoperative infection were compared with their uninfected counterparts, and an odds ratio was determined to estimate the risk of prolonged wound drainage resulting in a wound infection. Results: Morbid obesity was strongly associated with prolonged wound drainage in the total hip arthroplasty group (p = 0.001) but not in the total knee arthroplasty group (p = 0.590). An increased volume of drain output was an independent risk factor for prolonged wound drainage in both groups. Patients who received low-molecular-weight heparin for prophylaxis against deep venous thrombosis had a longer time until the postoperative wound was dry than did those treated with aspirin and mechanical foot compression or those who received Coumadin (warfarin); this difference was significant on the fifth postoperative day (p = 0.003) but not by the eighth postoperative day. Prolonged wound drainage resulted in a significantly longer hospital stay in both groups (p < 0.001). Each day of prolonged wound drainage increased the risk of wound infection by 42% following a total hip arthroplasty and by 29% following a total knee arthroplasty. Conclusions: Morbid obesity, the use of low-molecular-weight heparin, and a higher drain output were associated with a prolonged time until the postoperative wound was dry following a primary total hip arthroplasty, whereas a higher drain output was the only risk factor associated with prolonged drainage following a primary total knee arthroplasty. Prolonged drainage was associated with a higher rate of infection following a primary total hip arthroplasty, whereas obesity was the only identified independent risk factor for postoperative infection following a primary total knee arthroplasty. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level II. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Confidence bands for survival curves under the proportional Hazards model

SUMMARY In this paper, we show how to construct simultaneous confidence bands for the subjectspecific survival curve under the Cox proportional hazards model. The idea is to approximate the distribution of the normalized cumulative hazard estimator by a zero-mean Gaussian process whose distribution can be easily generated through simulation. Numerical studies indicate that the proposed bands are appropriate for practical use. A liver disease example is presented.
Exploring the factors affecting the identification standards adoption process in the US healthcare supply chain

The adoption of identification standards and its associated technology in the healthcare supply chain has been slow over the past twenty five years despite the evidence of the benefits that can be achieved. The widespread use of identification standards in the form of barcode labeled medical supplies and medical devices can contribute to the reduction of point of care errors and can increase the efficiency of healthcare supply chain related processes. This paper reports on the findings related to the exploration of the factors affecting the adoption of product and location identification standards. The identification standards adoption process is compared with the adoption of Electronic Health Records EHR and Electronic Data Interchange EDI. The main conclusions from the identification standard's literature are presented and a conceptual model to explain the identification standards adoption process is proposed. The limitations and implications of current findings are explained followed by a discussion on the integration of these findings with subsequent modeling efforts.
Exertional Hypotension in Cardiac Patients

Hemodynamic studies during steady states of sitting and walking on a treadmill have shown a fall in mean arterial pressure in 10 of 16 cardiac patients. This was associated with a greater increase in peripheral resistance during sitting, and a failure to increase stroke index during walking. Cardiac index during exercise increased somewhat, largely because of greater acceleration of heart rate.
On hybrid diffusions

For the pressing needs in control and optimization using hybrid systems, this work focuses on weak stochastic stability and ergodicity of regime-switching diffusions. Using Liapunov functions, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for weak stability. Then, ergodicity of weakly stable regime-switching diffusions is obtained by constructing cycles using the associated discrete-time Markov chains.
Metabolic and electrical oscillations: partners in controlling pulsatile insulin secretion.

Impairment of insulin secretion from the β-cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans is central to the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and has therefore been the subject of much investig...
Optimizing Video Transmission for Broadband Cable Networks

This paper presents the key issues and challenges associated with the optimization of switched digital video and video on demand services for the emerging DOCSIS 3.0 cable access network. In our optimization framework, we will consider the video program access pattern, rate-limited video smoothing, and scheduling policies. These three items, when considered together with efficient QAM allocation at the physical layer, will ultimately determine the cost for deploying the broadband cable access network.
Tsetse fly microbiota: form and function.

Tsetse flies are the primary vectors of African trypanosomes, which cause Human and Animal African trypanosomiasis in 36 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. These flies have also established symbiotic associations with bacterial and viral microorganisms. Laboratory-reared tsetse flies harbor up to four vertically transmitted organisms - obligate Wigglesworthia, commensal Sodalis, parasitic Wolbachia and Salivary Gland Hypertrophy Virus (SGHV). Field-captured tsetse can harbor these symbionts as well as environmentally acquired commensal bacteria. This microbial community influences several aspects of tsetse’s physiology, including nutrition, fecundity and vector competence. This review provides a detailed description of tsetse’s microbiome, and describes the physiology underlying host-microbe, and microbe-microbe, interactions that occur in this fly.
A Program for Calculating the Cochran-Orcutt Transformation

A review of the influence of an autoregressive one (ARI) process on ordinary least squares modeling is briefly explored. A Minitab macro is then discussed that provides diagnostics for the ARI process and iteratively transforms the data using the Cochran-Orcutt procedure.
CD4 T Cell-Mediated Protection from Lethal Influenza: Perforin and Antibody-Mediated Mechanisms Give a One-Two Punch

The mechanisms whereby CD4 T cells contribute to the protective response against lethal influenza infection remain poorly characterized. To define the role of CD4 cells in protection against a highly pathogenic strain of influenza, virus-specific TCR transgenic CD4 effectors were generated in vitro and transferred into mice given lethal influenza infection. Primed CD4 effectors conferred protection against lethal infection over a broad range of viral dose. The protection mediated by CD4 effectors did not require IFN-gamma or host T cells, but did result in increased anti-influenza Ab titers compared with untreated controls. Further studies indicated that CD4-mediated protection at high doses of influenza required B cells, and that passive transfer of anti-influenza immune serum was therapeutic in B cell-deficient mice, but only when CD4 effectors were present. Primed CD4 cells also acquired perforin (Pfn)-mediated cytolytic activity during effector generation, suggesting a second mechanism used by CD4 cells to confer protection. Pfn-deficient CD4 effectors were less able to promote survival in intact BALB/c mice and were unable to provide protection in B cell-deficient mice, indicating that Ab-independent protection by CD4 effectors requires Pfn. Therefore, CD4 effectors mediate protection to lethal influenza through at least two mechanisms: Pfn-mediated cytotoxicity early in the response promoted survival independently of Ab production, whereas CD4-driven B cell responses resulted in high titer Abs that neutralized remaining virus.
Association of classroom participation and examination performance in a first-year medical school course

The advent of internet-based delivery of basic medical science lectures may unintentionally lead to decreased classroom attendance and participation, thereby creating a distance learning paradigm. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that classroom attendance/participation may be positively correlated with performance on a written examination for first-year medical school instruction. The study subjects consisted of 115 first-year medical students. The introductory respiratory structure-function instruction was designed to include one noncompulsory pretest, four short postinstruction noncompulsory self-evaluation tests that were unannounced as to date and time, and one compulsory comprehensive examination. The relationship between attendance/participation, measured by the number of noncompulsory tests taken, and performance on the comprehensive examination was determined by Pearson's correlation coefficient, one-way ANOVA, and a chi(2)-test of significance. The average score on the pretest was 28%; for the same items on the comprehensive examination (posttest), the average score was 73%. For the 80 students who took the pretest, this translated to an overall score increase of 161%. Attendance/participation in four or five of the noncompulsory tests resulted in an 83.3% pass rate on the comprehensive exam compared with a rate of 52.9% for attendance/participation in three, two, one, or none of the five noncompulsory tests; the overall pass rate was 60.9%. There was a significant association between a high rate of classroom attendance/participation and a high score on the comprehensive examination (Pearson's chi(2) = 8.599, P < 0.01). These findings suggest that classroom attendance/participation may be a significant determinant of performance of medical students on comprehensive examinations in first-year basic medical science courses. It is concluded that a substantial number of first-year medical students in this study could be at risk for poor performance because they may believe that there is an equivalency between internet- and classroom-based instruction in basic medical science courses.