cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The novel proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib activates and enhances extrinsic apoptosis involving stabilization of death receptor 5

Carfilzomib (CFZ) is a second generation proteasome inhibitor approved for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma. It induces apoptosis in human cancer cells; but the underlying mechanisms remain undefined. In the present study, we show that CFZ decreases the survival of several human cancer cell lines and induces apoptosis. Induction of apoptosis by CFZ occurs, at least in part, due to activation of the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, since FADD deficiency protected cancer cells from undergoing apoptosis. CFZ increased total and cell surface levels of DR5 in different cancer cell lines; accordingly it enhanced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. DR5 deficiency protected cancer cells from induction of apoptosis by CFZ either alone or in combination with TRAIL. These data together convincingly demonstrate that DR5 upregulation is a critical mechanism accounting for CFZ-induced apoptosis and enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. CFZ inhibited the degradation of DR5, suggesting that DR5 stabilization contributes to CFZ-induced DR5 upregulation. In summary, the present study highlights the important role of DR5 upregulation in CFZ-induced apoptosis and enhancement of TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human cancer cells.
The function of mental practice in the acquisition of motor skills.

(1943). The Function of Mental Practice in the Acquisition of Motor Skills. The Journal of General Psychology: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 243-250.
Breast cancer stem cell markers - the rocky road to clinical applications

Lately, understanding the role of cancer stem cells in tumor initiation and progression became a major focus in stem cell biology and in cancer research. Considerable efforts, such as the recent studies by Honeth and colleagues, published in the June issue of Breast Cancer Research, are directed towards developing clinical applications of the cancer stem cell concepts. This work shows that the previously described CD44+CD24- stem cell phenotype is associated with basal-type breast cancers in human patients, in particular BRCA1 inherited cancers, but does not correlate with clinical outcome. These very interesting findings caution that the success of our efforts in translating cancer stem cell research into clinical practice depends on how thorough and rigorous we are at characterizing these cells.
Electronic Structure Description of the μ4-Sulfide Bridged Tetranuclear CuZ Center in N2O Reductase

Spectroscopy coupled with density functional calculations has been used to define the spin state, oxidation states, spin distribution, and ground state wave function of the μ4-sulfide bridged tetranuclear CuZ cluster of nitrous oxide reductase. Initial insight into the electronic contribution to N2O reduction is developed, which involves a σ superexchange pathway through the bridging sulfide.
Purification, Cloning, and Expression of an α/β-Galactoside α-2,3-Sialyltransferase from a Luminous Marine Bacterium, Photobacterium phosphoreum

A novel sialyltransferase, α/β-galactoside α-2,3-sialyltransferase, was purified from the cell lysate of a luminous marine bacterium, Photobacterium phosphoreum JT-ISH-467, isolated from the Japanese common squid (Todarodes pacificus). The gene encoding the enzyme was cloned from the genomic library of the bacterium using probes derived from the NH2-terminal and internal amino acid sequences. An open reading frame of 409 amino acids was identified, and the sequence had 32% identity with that of β-galactoside α-2,6-sialyltrasferase in Photobacterium damselae JT0160. DNA fragments that encoded the full-length protein and a protein that lacked the sequence between the 2nd and 24th residues at the NH2 terminus were amplified by polymerase chain reactions and cloned into an expression vector. The full-length and truncated proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli, producing active enzymes of 0.25 and 305 milliunits, respectively, per milliliter of the medium in the lysate of E. coli. The truncated enzyme was much more soluble without detergent than the full-length enzyme. The enzyme catalyzed the transfer of N-acetylneuraminic acid from CMP-N-acetylneuraminic acid to disaccharides, such as lactose and N-acetyllactosamine, with low apparent Km and to monosaccharides, such as α-methyl-galactopyranoside and β-methyl-galactopyranoside, with much lower apparent Km. Thus, this sialyltransferase is unique and should be very useful for achieving high productivity in E. coli with a wide substrate range.
Trace level determination of trichloroethylene in biological samples by headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography/negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A gas chromatography/negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC/NCIMS) method using headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) was developed for the determination of trichloroethylene (TCE) in blood, liver, kidney, lung and brain. The method was optimized with respect to several parameters including extraction time, extraction temperature, desorption time and salt addition. The method showed good linearity over the range of 0.025–25 ng/mL in blood and 0.075–75 ng/g in tissues with correlation coefficient (R2) values higher than 0.99. The precision and accuracy for intra-day and inter-day measurements were less than 10%. The relative recoveries of all matrices were greater than 52%. Samples showed no significant loss during 8 h in the autosampler and following three freeze/thaw cycles. Validation results demonstrated that selected-ion monitoring of the 35Cl and 37Cl isotopes using NCI resulted in reliable and sensitive quantitation. This validated method was successfully applied to study the toxicokinetics of TCE following oral administration of extremely low doses of this potential human carcinogen to small test animals (rats). Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biological effects of nanoparticulate materials

A range of morphologically nanoparticulate materials including Ag, NiO, TiO2, multiwall carbon nanotubes, and chrysotile asbestos have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy. All but the TiO2 (anatase and rutile) were observed to exhibit some cytotoxicity at concentrations of 5 μg/ml for a murine macrophage cell line as a respiratory response model. Silver exhibits interesting systemic differences for animal and human toxicity, especially in light of its nanoparticulate materials, and should be avoided even if there is no detectable in vitro cytotoxic response, as a prudent approach to their technological applications.
Rates and heats of oxygen chemisorption on Saran chars at 100°C

Abstract Chemisorption of oxygen on samples of Saran char was followed at 100°C by differential scanning calorimetry (over a 28-min period) and thermal gravimetric analysis. The three samples used were: a Saran char prepared at 900°C; this char containing about 100 ppm of iron; and this char activated in air at 425°C to 63.8% carbon burn-off. A chemisorption temperature of 100°C was chosen since physical adsorption of O 2 and carbon gasification were negligible. Both the addition of iron to Saran char and its activation increase the rate and enthalpy ( ΔH ) of oxygen chemisorption. The ΔH and/or the rate of chemisorption on the activated char is also enhanced by increasing the degassing (desorption) temperature from 500 to 700°C, increasing the rate of heating to a desorption temperature of 600°C, and decreasing outgassing time at 600°C. With three cycles of desorption-chemisorption of oxygen on the activated char, the rate of oxygen chemisorption decreases for outgassing temperatures of 500, 600, and 700°C, but ΔH only changes following outgassing the char at 600 and 700°C. In all of these studies ΔH varied from a low of −42 to a high of −81 kcal/mole O 2 . For the original and activated Saran chars, the rate of heat produced as a result of oxygen chemisorption was first order in O 2 pressure at constant coverages.
Side Impact Performance of Structurally Integrated Space Frame Doors

About 8,000 fatalities and 69,000 serious to critical injuries occur in side impacts every year in U.S. Severe head trauma and spinal cord injuries are directly related to the extent of penetration or intrusion into the occupant’s space. In side impact crashes, lack of a strong side structure reduces the ability of the impacted vehicle to safely respond to the impacting vehicle or object. This structural weakness causes massive injuries to the occupant due to the excessive side intrusion. With the increasing number of larger and heavier vehicle such as SUVs on the road and the higher probability of being impacted by one, the need for side impact protective measures is becoming more critical.The main difficulty in designing for side impact collisions is the limited structure and energy absorption zone between the impacting vehicle and the impacted occupant. This paper discusses side impact occupant safety of space frame doors and their integration with vehicle body structure. The main objective is to explore the effect of space frame doors utilization on side intrusion and occupant response criteria. To study the effect, side impact crash tests of un-integrated and integrated space frame doors, with the vehicle body structure, are conducted.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Targeted gas separations through polymer membrane functionalization

Abstract Gas separation membranes have been studied for several decades and are starting to find commercial acceptance. This review will focus on polymer functionalization to improve gas separation performance, namely, permeability, permselectivity, or both. The review will cover both “diffusivity controlled” and “solubility controlled” functionalization strategies; each strategy refers to the different mode of gas transport through the membrane. Diffusivity controlled functionalization strategies mainly involve control over free volume elements in amorphous polymers via promotion or inhibition of chain packing through functional groups. As such, the effects of this functionalization are typically confined to the well-known selectivity/permeability tradeoff. Solubility controlled modification strategies utilize functional groups that have strong chemical interactions with some of the penetrant molecules and offers an enhanced solution-diffusion or a non-solution-diffusion permeation pathway. This functionalization can potentially exceed the Robeson upper bound, but is often challenged by impurities and deactivation of the chemical functionality.
Tree selection by the broad-headed skink, Eumeces laticeps: size, holes, and cover

Broad-headed skinks (Eumeces laticeps) are semiarboreallizards that are strongly associated with live oak trees (Quercus virginiana). Examination of the frequencies with which lizards occupied the largest of four nearest-neighbor trees and those having holes revealed a strong preference for large trees having holes. The presence of holes large enough for entry was a more important factor than tree size per se, as indicated by consistent occupation of smaller trees having holes when the largest of the four nearest neighbors lacked holes, although a significant preference for large size was demonstrated by the significantly greater than chance occupation of the largest of four nearest neighbor trees among those having holes. Large adults occupied significantly larger trees than did smaller adults, suggesting that larger individuals aggressively exclude smaller ones from preferred trees. Pairs consisting of an adult female and the male guarding her preferred trees surrounded by dense bushes, presumably because bushes limit detection and attack by predators and possibly because they harbor prey. Broad-headed skinks thus prefer large live oaks having holes and a fringe of dense cover.
Energy-momentum vector of the classical electron

One of the problems often attributed to the classical electron is that energy and linear momentum do not transform as components of a 4-vector under Lorentz transformations. It is shown (with the example of an uncharged balloon) that this problem is not unique to the classical electron with its electromagnetic field extending to spatial infinity. For the balloon model and the classical electron it is shown that the cohesive surface stress makes a contribution to the energy and momentum in such a way that they transform as 4-vector components. From these and other considerations it is shown that the classical electron may be treated in a self-consistent manner.
The role of phospholipid in Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract 1. 1. The role of phospholipid in Ca2+-stimulated ATPase activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles was reinvestigated using phospholipases A or C to degrade phospholipid. The byproducts of phospholipase A digestion were removed with a wash solution containing bovine serum albumin. Removal of 80–90 % of the phospholipid using phospholipase A led to loss of ATPase activity but had relatively little effect on the steady state level of phosphoenzyme. The formation of the phosphoenzyme, an intermediate in ATPase activity, was not blocked by the phospholipase A treatment, whereas the degradation of the intermediate was. Similar results were obtained with vesicles treated with phospholipase C. 2. 2. The requirement for phospholipid in the Ca2+-stimulated ATPase was clearly demonstrated. Both addition of phospholipid to the assay and rebinding of phospholipid restored ATPase activity of vesicles depleted of lipid by phospholipase A. 3. 3. Ca2+ is required for phosphoenzyme formation in both normal and lipid-depleted sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles.
Cimetidine Use in Nursing Homes: Prolonged Therapy and Excessive Doses

Patterns of cimetidine use were identified in a survey of 3032 patients in 31 nursing homes. Of these, 60 (2%) were receiving cimetidine. For these patients, ages ranged from 63 to 102 years (mean, 81 years). The patients received a range of 1 to 11 regularly scheduled medications (mean, 5.6 medications). Duration of cimetidine treatment averaged 19.6 months for 48 patients (81%) receiving the drug for longer than an eight-week course of therapy. Prescribing indications appeared unjustified in 54 of 60 patients (90%). Doses were rarely appropriately reduced for patient age, despite established reasons to do so and the well-known potential for adverse effects of cimetidine in the elderly. The risks associated with prolonged drug-induced suppression of gastric acid are not known. This study suggests that use of cimetidine without justifiable indication and for extended periods of time is common in nursing home patients. Studies are needed concerning the safety of long-term cimetidine use in elderly patients.
Got Evidence? Stem Cells, Bias, and the Level of Evidence Ladder

O hateful Error, Melancholy’s child, Why dost thou show to the apt thoughts of men The things that are not? Shakespeare, Julius Caesar Stem cells have captured the attention and imagination of the public, appearing to be a “magic bullet,” sexy and omnipotent, capable of curing health concerns from cancer and cardiac disease to warts and wrinkles. While the scientific enthusiasm for the potential therapeutic impact of stem cells seems justified, the great hope currently placed on stem cell therapies makes the public vulnerable to emotional manipulation, deceptive marketing, or even outright fraud. Concerned by the cacophony of marketing for the so-called stem cell facelift, stem cell breast augmentation, and other “stem cell” procedures, the leadership of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) established the Joint Stem Cell and Fat Grafting Task Force in 2010. The task force was charged with gathering information about current stem cell procedures and marketing claims, monitoring stem cell training courses, initiating a dialogue with the Food and Drug Administration, and developing collaborations with key stem cell scientists within and outside the plastic surgery field. In addition, the task force was directed to perform a systematic assessment of the world’s peer-reviewed literature on the clinical uses of stem cells in aesthetic procedures. The “ASAPS/ASPS Position Statement on Stem Cells and Fat Grafting” resulted from that systematic review and critical analysis.1 While the stem cell future may be bright, there is currently scant peer-reviewed evidence to substantiate marketing claims for stem cell aesthetic procedures. What little information is present is mostly of lower levels of evidence (LOE). But why do we consider LOE in the first place, and what purpose do they serve? What does “lower” really mean, why might such evidence be inadequate, and what …
Microwave reflectometry for the study of density fluctuations in tokamak plasmas

The effect of small scale density fluctuations on the propagation of electromagnetic waves in an inhomogeneous magnetized plasma in the presence of a cut-off is investigated. It is shown that, provided the fluctuation scale length is greater than the free space wavelength of an incident plane wave, the scattered field is strongly enhanced from fluctuations near the turning point. Numerical results for wave propagation in a Tokamak plasma demonstrate the feasibility of reflectometry for the localized measurement of density fluctuations in the range k perpendicular to rho i<<1.
More Reasons to Resist the Temptation of Power Indices in the European Union

Jan-Erik Lane and Sven Berg, and Manfred Holler and Mika Widgren, agree that power index analysis of the EU cannot take into account its institutional structure. For us, this is a sufficient condition for its failure as a research program. Nonetheless, they go on to argue that power indices are better suited than our analysis to address questions of institutional design under conditions of uncertainty. We demonstrate, however, that the way they model uncertainty (outcomes are uniformly distributed across the possible `states of the world') means that their conclusions depend heavily on the partition of these states of the world. As a result, power-index-based analyses of institutional design are not informed by the factors that should be included (institutions and strategies) and instead rely on a priori mathematical formulas and analysts' questionable assumptions about the partition of future states of the world.
Construction and use of λ PL promoter vectors for direct cloning and high level expression of PCR amplified DNA coding sequences

A set of plasmid vectors which allow single-step cloning and expression of PCR-amplified DNA coding sequences has been constructed. The vectors contain the phage lambda PL promoter, a synthetic translation initiation region (TIR), and convenient cloning sites. The cloning sites provide all or part of an AUG translation initiation codon and facilitate the precise fusion of target DNA sequences to vector transcriptional and translational signals. The vectors were constructed with synthetic TIRs because there is evidence which suggests that the efficiency of the phage lambda cII gene TIR present in the parental vector depends strongly on information contained within the cII N-terminal coding sequence. Bovine brain 14-3-3 eta chain cDNA was PCR-amplified and used to demonstrate the expression capacity of the newly constructed vectors. A significant increase in expression of 14-3-3 protein was observed when synthetic TIRs were used in the place of the cII TIR. Expression levels vary from 15% to 48% of total cell protein. The effects of a reported translational enhancer from phage T7 on expression of the 14-3-3 protein are also discussed. The vectors should be generally useful for high level heterologous protein expression in Escherichia coli.
Differential binding of chromium(VI) and chromium(III) complexes to salmon sperm nuclei and nuclear DNA and isolated calf thymus DNA

The binding of CrCl3.6H2O, Cr(NO3)3.9H2O, [Cr(L-His)2] (NO3)3.H2O, [Cr(L-Cys)(L-His)].3.5H2O, [Cr(L-His)(D-Pen)].H2O, Na[Cr(L-Cys)2].2H2O, K2[Cr(GS)2].3H2O, Na2-CrO4.4H2O, and Na2Cr2O7.2H2O to salmon sperm nuclei and nuclear DNA was determined. The Cr(III)-amino acid complexes and Cr(VI) exhibited significantly lower Cr-nuclei and Cr-DNA binding levels relative to the inorganic complexes CrCl3.6H2O and Cr(NO3)3.9H2O. The binding of CrCl3.6H2O, Cr(NO3)3.9H2O and Na2Cr2O7.2H2O to salmon sperm nuclei and nuclear DNA in the presence of rat lung cytosol was determined under the same conditions. For those complexes studied in both buffer and cytosol, the Cr-DNA binding levels for Cr(III) complexes were higher in buffer than in cytosol, while a relatively higher binding level was observed for Cr(VI) in cytosol than in buffer. Slightly lower nuclear protein levels were present in Cr(VI) incubations than in Cr(III) incubations with nuclei both in the presence and the absence of cytosol. The relative binding of CrCl3.6H2O, Cr(NO3)3.9H2O, [Cr(L-His)2](NO)3.H2O, [Cr(L-Cys) (L-His)].3.5H2O, [Cr(L-His)(D-Pen)].H2O, Na[Cr(L-Cys)2].2H2O and Na2CrO4.4H2O to isolated calf thymus DNA in buffer was also determined. Positively charged, labile inorganic Cr(III) complexes, CrCl3.6H2O and Cr(NO3)3.9H2O, exhibited higher binding to DNA than [Cr(L-His) (D-Pen)].H2O, and no binding to DNA was observed with Cr(VI) and the other neutral, positively and negatively charged, inert Cr(III)-amino acid complexes. Although labile aquo chromium(III) complexes are quite reactive with DNA, the reactivity of chromium(III), formed upon intracellular reduction of carcinogenic chromium(VI), toward DNA will be diminished by complexation with cellular proteins, peptides and amino acids.
Evolving Genomic Metaphors: A New Look at the Language of DNA

Recent genome-sequencing efforts have confirmed that traditional "good-citizen" genes (those that encode functional RNA and protein molecules of obvious benefit to the organism) constitute only a small fraction of the genomic populace in humans and other multicellular creatures. The rest of the DNA sequence includes an astonishing collection of noncoding regions, regulatory modules, deadbeat pseudogenes, legions of repetitive elements, and hosts of oft-shifty, self-interested nomads, renegades, and immigrants. To help visualize functional operations in such intracellular genomic societies and to better encapsulate the evolutionary origins of complex genomes, new and evocative metaphors may be both entertaining and research-stimulating.
Organic solids produced by electrical discharge in reducing atmospheres: Tholin molecular analysis

The complex brown polymer produced on passage of an electrical discharge through a mixture of methane, ammonia, and water, is analyzed by pyrolytic GC/MS. Pyrolyzates include a wide range of alkanes, alkenes, aromatic hydrocarbons, aliphatic and aromatic nitriles, pyrroles, and pyridine. Similar pyrolyzates are obtained from polypeptides and polynucleotides with hydrocarbon moieties. This polymer is remarkably stable up to 950 C; its degradation products are candidate constituents of planetary aerosols in the outer solar system and the grains and gas in the interstellar medium.
The divergence of fluctuations for shape in first passage percolation

We consider the first passage percolation model on Zd for d ≥ 2. In this model, we assign independently to each edge the value zero with probability p and the value one with probability 1−p. We denote by T(0, ν) the passage time from the origin to ν for ν ∈ Rd and
Tuning the electronic structure of diboradiferrocenes

A series of diboradiferrocenes with different aryl substituents was prepared through reaction of B,B-dichlorodiboradiferrocene 2 with arylcopper and Grignard reagents. The mesityl and pentafluorophenyl derivatives, 3–Mes and 3–Pf, were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography, and their electronic structure was examined by UV-visible spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. A comparison of the data for 3–Mes and 3–Pf with those of the parent compound 3–Ph revealed the importance of electronic and steric effects of the substituents on the electronic structure of the compounds and ultimately the degree of electronic interaction between the two ferrocene moieties. An unusually large redox splitting of ΔE = 703 mV was determined from the cyclic voltammogram of 3–Pf.
The Effect of Organizational Conditions (Role Conflict, Role Ambiguity, Opportunities for Professional Development, and Social Support) on Job Satisfaction and Intention to Leave Among Social Workers in Mental Health Care

This study examined the relationships between the organizational conditions of social workers practicing in mental health agencies and their job satisfaction and intention to leave. A sample of 259 social workers, practicing in sixteen mental health agencies in New York State completed a questionnaire that included several measures: role conflict, role ambiguity, social support, extent of opportunities for professional development, type of work activities, job satisfaction and intention to leave. Results showed that the organizational conditions are strong predictors for job satisfaction and intention to leave. The author suggests that it is possible to find an appropriate balance between the professional expectations of social workers and the business-driven aspect of the mental health care environment.
Quality of care in surgery: The health services research perspective

THE PURSUIT OF IMPROVED quality of care is undertaken formally and informally by surgeons on a constant basis and on multiple levels. As a topic of study, quality of care is formidable in scope and complexity and is, therefore, best addressed with an organized approach. In this overview, the perspective of health services research as it pertains to quality of care in surgery will be defined. The goal of this effort will be to give nomenclature and structure to the topic and, in doing so, review important concepts, challenges, and directions for the future.
Identity of a common contaminant of Apollo 11 lunar fines and Apollo 12 York meshes.

Apollo 11 and 12 lunar soil samples common contaminant identified as diisopropyl disulfide, using chromatograph mass spectrometer
Local-density self-consistent energy-band structure of cubic CdS

Self-consistent ab initio studies of the electronic-energy-band structure of cubic CdS are reported within the local-density-functional (LDF) formalism. All electrons are included using our previously reported linear-combination-of-atomic-orbitals method in a numerical basis representation. In the first set of calculations we employ the same lattice constant, exchange (only) potential, and computational parameters as were used by Stukel et al. in their early self-consistent orthogonalized-plane-wave (SCOPW) investigation so that a direct comparison of results can be made and the validity of the SCOPW approach for covalently bonded $4d$ systems can be assessed. In the second set of calculations, the Stukel et al. computational restrictions are relaxed, a more accurate lattice parameter is employed, and the Kohn-Sham exchange and the Singwi et al. correlation potential are used to obtain the local-density formalism solutions to the band problem, including variation of the band structure and related properties with pressure (change of lattice constant). Comparison with optical and x-ray and uv photoemission experiments for excitations of both the $s\ensuremath{-}p$ and metal $d$ bands in the 5-19 eV region indicate very good agreement. The direct gap at $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$ is, however, found to be 0.5 eV (25%) too small, a discrepancy similar to that previously found in nonempirical studies for other heteropolar insulators (e.g., Ne and LiF). This is traced to the neglect of the different orbital relaxation at the ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{25}$ and ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}_{1}$ band edges and to the noncancellation of the self-interaction terms characteristic of the local-density potential. Simple atomic total-energy models for these effects are shown to bring this gap into good agreement with experiment. It is concluded that a first-principles (parameter-free) exchange and correlation LDF model describes very well the main electronic-structure features of the system.
Role of tfxE, but Not tfxG, in Trifolitoxin Resistance

Eight genes, tfxABCDEFG and tfuA, confer production of trifolitoxin (TFX), a ribosomally synthesized, posttranslationally modified peptide antibiotic, in TFX-sensitive α-proteobacteria. An in-frame deletion in tfxE significantly reduced a strain's resistance to TFX in comparison to that of an otherwise identical construct containing wild-type tfxE. The deletion of tfxG had no effect on TFX resistance. Nevertheless, RNase protection assays showed that tfxE and tfxG are transcribed, showing that the tfxDEFG mRNA was produced on the same transcript. Examination of the role of tfxG in TFX production showed that the tfxG mutant expressed slightly less TFX activity and produced only one TFX isomer while four are produced by the wild-type strain. Thus, tfxE plays an important role in TFX resistance while tfxG is important in optimal TFX production through the production of TFX isomers.
Central involvement of Rho family GTPases in TNF-α-mediated bovine pulmonary endothelial cell apoptosis

In our recent studies, we defined a critical role for increased levels of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, a regulatory event in the interaction between actin and myosin in TNF-α-induced pulmonary endothelial cell actomyosin rearrangement and apoptosis. The Rho GTPase effector, Rho kinase is an important signaling effector governing levels of MLC phosphorylation which contributes to plasma membrane blebbing in several models of apoptosis. In this study, we directly assessed the role of Rho kinase in TNF-α-induced endothelial cell microfilament rearrangement and apoptosis. Inhibition of RhoA GTPase activity by the overexpression of dominant negative RhoA attenuates TNF-α-triggered stress fiber formation, consistent with Rho activation as a key event in TNF-α-induced cytoskeletal rearrangement. Furthermore, pharmacologic inhibition of Rho kinase as well as dominant negative RhoA overexpression dramatically reduced TNF-α-induced bovine endothelial apoptosis reflected by nucleosomal fragmentation as well as caspase 7, 3, and 8 activation. These results indicate that Rho kinase-dependent cytoskeletal rearrangement is critical for early apoptotic events, possibly in the assembly of the death-inducing signaling complex leading to initiator and effector caspase activation, and suggest a novel role for Rho GTPases in endothelial cell apoptosis.
Intensity correlation function for light elastically scattered from a randomly rough metallic grating

La statistique de la lumiere diffusee elastiquement par un reseau metallique a rugosite aleatoire, est calculee dans la limite de taches partiellement developpees. On determine specifiquement la fonction de correlation d'intensite pour la lumiere dispersee de facon diffuse, en utilisant une formulation de diffusion multiple qui tient compte des proprietes dielectriques du metal
Plume model for large particle fluidized-bed combustors

Abstract A model is proposed to represent the underfeed, fluidized coal combustor. Its assumptions are described and its mathematical representation developed. This model accounts for the possible rapid release of volatiles near the feed ports, particle reaction and shrinkage in the bed, elutriation of unburned fines and afterburning of volatiles above the bed. Design charts are then presented to predict the carbon efficiency of the combustor as well as the temperature jump above the bed in terms of the type of coal used, the number of feed ports in the bed, percentage excess air, gas velocity and the amount of secondary air needed to introduce the coal. As a special case, this model also represents the fluidized combustor with an overfeed of large coal particles or any combination of overfeed of large particles and underfeed of fines.
Tailorable low modulus, reversibly deformable elastomeric thiol–ene materials for microfluidic applications

Abstract The ability to form low-moduli materials with sensitive modulus control over a wide range is advantageous for a variety of applications, including membranes and valves for microfluidic devices. This paper examines the impact of monomer functionality and stoichiometry on the network properties of thiol–vinyl systems from both experimental and theoretical perspectives. Agreement is observed between the model predictions, based on the probability of forming finite polymer network chains, and the measured Young's modulus values for polymer networks ranging in moduli from 1 to 10 MPa. The highest modulus is obtained for polymers containing tetrathiol, and lower-modulus polymers were obtained by copolymerizing monothiol or dithiol monomers. These novel elastomeric systems are also shown to have strain-at-break values of over 1000%. To illustrate one application of these low-modulus materials, the contact liquid photolithographic polymerization (CLiPP) method was used to fabricate thiol–ene valves in a polymeric microdevice. For an applied pressure of 5 psi, the maximum deflection of the valve was varied from 100 to 320 μm simply by tailoring the modulus of the thiol–ene membrane.
Pharmaceutical bioaccumulation by periphyton and snails in an effluent-dependent stream during an extreme drought

Abstract Increasing evidence indicates that pharmaceutical bioaccumulate in fish collected downstream from municipal wastewater effluent discharges. However, studies of pharmaceutical bioaccumulation by other aquatic organisms, including primary producers (e.g., periphyton) and grazers (e.g., snails), are lacking in wadeable streams. Here, we examined environmental occurrence and bioaccumulation of a range of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants of emerging concern in surface water, a common snail (Planorbid sp.) and periphyton from an effluent-dependent stream in central Texas, USA, during a historic drought, because such limited dilution and instream flows may represent worst-case exposure scenarios for aquatic life to pharmaceuticals. Water and tissue samples were liquid–liquid extracted and analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with electrospray ionization. Target analytes included 21 pharmaceuticals across multiple drug classes and 2 pharmacologically active metabolites. Several pharmaceuticals were detected at up to 4.7 μg kg−1 in periphyton and up to 42 μg kg−1 in Planorbid sp. We then identified limitations of several bioconcentration factor and bioaccumulation factor models, developed for other invertebrates, to assist interpretation of such field results. Observations from the present study suggest that waterborne exposure to pharmaceuticals may be more important than dietary exposure for snails.
Spatial distribution profiles of Ca, Cu and Mn atoms and ions in an inductively coupled plasma by means of laser excited fluorescence

Abstract Radial distribution profiles of ground state atoms and/or ions for calcium, manganese, and copper in an inductively coupled plasma have been measured using an excimer (XeCI) pumped dye laser as an excitation source of fluorescence. As a comparison, radial emission profiles also have been measured with an Abel-inversion procedure. In our low-flow nebulizer plasma system at low observation heights, the profiles of excited state atoms and ions resemble each other with a minimum in the center of the plasma. The profiles of ground state atoms and ions, however, possess a bell shape except for calcium ground state ions which have a double-peaked distribution.
Electronic structure of azidomyoglobin and associated magnetic and hyperfine properties

The electronic structure of azidomyoglobin has been investigated for understanding the observed magnetic and hyperfine properties of this system. The results of our investigation show that a configuration with five electrons in d-like molecular orbital states, as in the case of ferricytochrome c but unlike nitrosylhemoglobin, provides a satisfactory explanation of the observed strongly rhombic g-tensor, the 57m Fe quadrupole splitting from Mossbauer measurements and the porphyrin 14N quadrupole interactions. For the magnetic hyperfine interactions of the 57m Fe and porphyrin 14N nuclei, there are significant differences between theory and experiment. For the 57m Fe nucleus, after incorporating the influence of spin-orbit effects, which leads to unquenching of the orbital angular momentum through admixture of excited state configurations to the ground state one, very good agreement is found with single crystal Mossbauer data. For 14N hyperfine interactions associated with the pyrrole group however, where spin-orbit effects are expected to be much less pronounced, the theoretical values of the hyperfine constants are found to be less than a fifth of those derived from ENDOR measurements. It is suggested that the difference between theory and experiment could be bridged through incorporation of exchange polarization contribution to the 14N hyperfine interaction from the sizeable valence electron spin density (about 65 per cent of the total) on the iron atom. The need for additional experimental measurements is pointed out, among them ENDOR measurements to determine the hyperfine properties of the azide nitrogens for which the end nitrogens are predicted from the present work to have sizeable magnetic hyperfine constants (about −10 MHz).
Temporal Data Constructs for Multidimensional Transportation Geographic Information System Applications

Presented are the essential temporal data constructs for providing solutions for transportation applications that use dynamic data, such as facility management systems, safety and incident management, transportation planning, and intelligent transportation systems. These temporal data constructs are categorized as time stamps, temporal topology, and temporal referencing. The characteristics of these constructs are described, and two geospatial standards that appear to support these constructs are reviewed. A new approach specialized for transportation applications that builds on the temporal data constructs of these standards is provided through the multidimensional location referencing system data model.
CITIZEN CRIME STEREOTYPES—NORMATIVE CONSENSUS REVISITED

This paper examines the extent of agreement about complex perceptions of crime—crime stereotypes. The literature addresses crime seriousness. Crime perception is a complex phenomenon including much more than judged seriousness. Crime stereotypes are shown to be coherently organized around a few basic perceptions such as level of violence, amount of property harm, level of sex relatedness, and perhaps a few others. While the data affirm that there is agreement about judged seriousness, it suggests significant disagreement regarding crime stereotypes. Different people adopt different crime stereotypes. These differences are related to social variables. The most important theoretical conclusion is that agreement about any single crime perception, including seriousness, does not imply agreement about other features.
Time-resolved light scattering studies of Spin-coated titanium dioxide

Spin coating of titanium alkoxides is a fast and straightforward method of forming compact and durable titanium dioxide thin films. In this report, an optical interference technique is used to understand the dynamics of titanium dioxide thin film formation during the spin coating process of titanium (IV) ethoxide sols, and a 4-stage thinning model is proposed. Optical monitoring of interference fringes as a function of time enables determination of the time-dependent film thickness through measurement of the interference fringe separation while the sol to gel transition can be monitored by analyzing the fringe visibility. For films that are spun at 2,000 rpm or faster, a spin duration of 5 s is sufficient for the film to reach its final thickness. At a given spin speed, spin times longer than 5 s do not affect the final film thickness. However, thinner final film thicknesses can be achieved by increasing the spin speed. All films were found to densify on annealing with an annealed thickness approximately 0.4 times that of the pre-anneal thickness regardless of spin speed. Spin-coated titanium dioxide films are expected to play an important role in low-cost and scalable next generation solar cells employing dyes and quantum dots as the light harvesting agents.
Techniques to facilitate provisionalization of implant restorations.

Purpose The aim of this article was to review current methods for immediate provisionalization of single unit implant restorations. Methods Four methods are discussed and illustrated in detail, including: preoperative preparation of an abutment and provisional crown using diagnostic models; abutment placement and modification at the time of implant placement; the use of 1-piece or non-prepable abutments; and methods of indexing. Material characteristics for indexing are presented to provide the clinician with an understanding of material handling in relation to accuracy of indexing. Conclusion Depending on clinician and patient case specific criteria, immediate provisionalization of implant restorations can be performed in an efficient manner.
Robust and efficient estimation under data grouping

SUMMARY The minimum Hellinger distance estimator is known to have desirable properties in terms of robustness and efficiency. We propose an approximate minimum Hellinger distance estimator by adapting the approach to grouped data from a continuous distri bution. It is easier to compute the approximate version for either the continuous data or the grouped data. Given certain conditions on the model distribution and reason able grouping rules, the approximate minimum Hellinger distance estimator is shown to be consistent and asymptotically normal. Furthermore, it is robust and can be asymptotically as efficient as the maximum likelihood estimator. The merit of the estimator is demonstrated through simulation studies and real data examples.
Computational Approaches for Bad Data Handling in Power System Synchrophasor Networks

Abstract The state estimators used in real-time power system control centers now process bad data as a standard routine. With the introduction and deployment of phasor measurement units (PMUs), it is possible to model power systems, even with their time-varying nature, in real-time. However, PMUs remain vulnerable to providing bad data for several reasons. In this paper, a new intelligent framework, the cellular computational netwo rk (CCN), is introduced for the decentralized predictive modeling and dynamic state estimation (DSE) of a power system with PMU data. The CCN-based DSE is resilient to interactions between multiple segments of bad data from one or more PMUs.
Behavior Problems in 5− to 11-Year-Old Children from Low-Income Families

ABSTRACT Objective The aims of the present study were to survey the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) scores (behavioral section) in a nonclinical population of US urban children from low-income families and to compare the distribution and pattern of scores with the normative data in the CBCL manual (1991). Method The sample consisted of 890 low-income children and a mother or female guardian selected randomly from among Seattle public school students aged 5 to 11 years. Results In this sample the total CBCL score as well as all subscale scores were significantly higher than the norms. The proportion of children who scored in the clinical/borderline range was also higher than the norm. Conclusions These findings support previous work showing that poverty is a risk factor for mental distress in children. They also raise questions about the validity of the CBCL norms for screening or research purpose for low-income families.
Antiangiogenic effects of noscapine enhance radioresponse for GL261 tumors.

Purpose: To assess the effects of noscapine, a tubulin-binding drug, in combination with radiation in a murine glioma model. Methods and Materials: The human T98G and murine GL261 glioma cell lines treated with noscapine, radiation, or both were assayed for clonogenic survival. Mice with established GL261 hind limb tumors were treated with noscapine, radiation, or both to evaluate the effect of noscapine on radioresponse. In a separate experiment with the same treatment groups, 7 days after radiation, tumors were resected and immunostained to measure proliferation rate, apoptosis, and angiogenic activity. Results: Noscapine reduced clonogenic survival without enhancement of radiosensitivity in vitro. Noscapine combined with radiation significantly increased tumor growth delay: 5, 8, 13, and 18 days for control, noscapine alone, radiation alone, and the combination treatment, respectively (p < 0.001). To assess the effect of the combination of noscapine plus radiation on the tumor vasculature, tubule formation by the murine endothelial 2H11 cells was tested. Noscapine with radiation significantly inhibited tubule formation compared with radiation alone. By immunohistochemistry, tumors treated with the combination of noscapine plus radiation showed a decrease in BrdU incorporation, an increase in apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling, and a decrease inmore » tumor vessel density compared with tumors treated with radiation alone. Conclusion: Noscapine enhanced the sensitivity of GL261 glioma tumors to radiation, resulting in a significant tumor growth delay. An antiangiogenic mechanism contributed to the effect. These findings are clinically relevant, particularly in view of the mild toxicity profile of this drug.« less
The binding of ions and the shortening of glycerol-treated muscle fibers

Since 1948 when Riseman and Kirkwood (6) originated it and 1952 when Morales and Botts (5) modified it, the so-called “binding theory” to account for the ATP-induced contraction of biological models of muscular contraction has been in and out of popularity. In the past, the milieux into which the models of contraction were put were modified and, except for differences of physical form, models have not been altered. This communication reports experiments in which the models of contraction (glycerol-treated rabbit psoas muscle fibers) were methylated and acetylated before use as an enzyme or as a model of contraction.
A Study of the Fundamental Relationships between Deformation-Induced Surface Roughness and Strain Localization in AA5754

Three-dimensional, matrix-based statistical analysis methods were developed and integrated with high-resolution topographical imaging, to assess how microstructural changes influence the evolution of plastic deformation and strain localization in a commercial AA5754-O aluminum sheet in three in-plane strain modes. Analysis of the raw surface data revealed that the general composition of the surface roughness was highly sensitive to strain mode and strain level. The microstructural conditions that promote strain localization were assessed by extending a profile-based surface roughness parameter (Rt) to matrix form. Both analyses revealed that different strain modes produce characteristic dissimilarities in the deformation at the grain level. The localization data can be well characterized with a two-parameter Weibull distribution, suggesting that strain localization is a stochastic process that can be modeled reliably with Weibull statistics. This study clearly demonstrates that an accurate and straightforward probabilistic expression that captures the microstructural subtleties produced by plastic deformation can be developed from rigorous analyses of raw topographic data. Because variations in surface morphology profoundly influence the reliability of the numerical models used to predict strain localization, incorporating expressions of this type could greatly enhance the accuracy of these models.