cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A novel role of PRR14 in the regulation of skeletal myogenesis

Dysregulation of genes involved in organizing and maintaining nuclear structures, such as SYNE1, SYNE2, TREM43, EMD and LMNA is frequently associated with diverse diseases termed laminopathies, which often affect the muscle tissue. The PRR14 protein was recently reported to tether heterochromatin to nuclear lamina but its function remains largely unknown. Here, we present several lines of evidence demonstrating a critical role of PRR14 in regulation of myoblast differentiation. We found that Prr14 expression was upregulated during skeletal myogenesis. Knockdown of Prr14 impeded, whereas overexpression of PRR14 enhanced C2C12 differentiation. The pro-myogenesis activity of PRR14 seemed to correlate with its ability to support cell survival and to maintain the stability and structure of lamin A/C. In addition, PRR14 stimulated the activity of MyoD via binding to heterochromatin protein 1 alpha (HP1α). The results altogether support a model in which PRR14 promotes skeletal myogenesis via supporting nuclear lamina structure and enhancing the activity of MyoD.
Interaction parameters of polystyrene‐polyisoprene‐toluene systems at 45°c from gel permeation chromatography

Equilibrium phase diagrams of narrow molecular weight distribution samples of polystyrene and polyisoprene in the presence of toluene at 45°C and 1 atm pressure were established by means of gel permeation chromatography. The polymer-polymer interaction parameter was evaluated on the basis of the Flory-Huggins approach. The influence of polymer molecular weight and polymer-solvent interaction parameters on (i) the shape and location of the binodal curve, (ii) the location of the critical point, and (iii) the polymer-polymer interaction parameter was investigated.
Angiogenic signal during cardiac repair

Despite significant advances in myocardial revascularization and reperfusion, coronary artery disease and subsequently myocardial infarction, are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Strategies which improve the myocardial substrate during and following a myocardial infarction-such as the regrowth of functional blood vessels to the ischemic myocardium would be of great clinical importance. This review article attempts to address this important clinical issue through identifying potential signalling mechanisms by various mode of preconditioning that cause angiogenesis.
The molecular biology of swinepox virus I. A characterization of the viral DNA

Abstract Swinepox virus (SPV), the prototype member of the Suipoxvirus genus, is uncharacterized at the molecular level. We have analyzed the DNA of SPV and demonstrate that the genome is 175 kb in size and like the more commonly studied Orthopoxvirus, Avipoxvirus , and Leporipoxvirus genera, is terminally cross-linked and contains inverted terminal repetitions (ITRs). In addition, the ITRs are unstable, probably due to the presence of a variable number of direct repeats of approximately 70 by in length. Restriction enzyme cleavage maps for the enzymes Hin dlll, Ava l, Hae ll, Kpn l, Bgl l, Sal l, and Xho l are also presented.
Brachiopod Community Paleoecology, Paleobiogeography, and Depositional Topography of Devonian Onondaga Limestone in Eastern North America: ABSTRACT

The lower Middle Devonian Onondaga Limestone was deposited in a northwest-southeast elongated topographic basin and on the surrounding carbonate platform. Two sedimentary cycles are present in the Onondaga. The Edgecliff represents a transgression which spread epeiric seas over much of eastern North America. During the Nedrow-Lucas regression, the interior of the platform became restricted resulting in the deposition of evaporites. The Moorehouse transgression continued through the deposition of the Tioga Bentonite, followed by pre-Speeds-Dundee regression from the craton. Onondaga brachiopod communities, arranged from nearshore to offshore, include the Atrypid-Megakozlowskiella, Atrypid-Levenea, Chonetid, Atlanticocoelia, Ambocoeliid, and Truncalosia communities. The Onondaga-age Eastern Americas Realm is divided into the Appohimchi province in the Appalachian basin and the Michigan basin-Hudson Bay Lowland province in the midwest. The provincial assignment of the James Bay region of Ontario is uncertain; the eastern townships of Quebec are near the boundaries both of the two provinces of the Eastern Americas Realm, and of the Eastern Americas Realm and the Old World Realm. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1170------------
Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Contribute to Systemic but Not Local Antiviral Responses to HSV Infections

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) produce type I interferons (IFN-I) and proinflammatory cytokines in response to viruses; however, their contribution to antiviral immunity in vivo is unclear. In this study, we investigated the impact of pDC depletion on local and systemic antiviral responses to herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections using CLEC4C-DTR transgenic mice. We found that pDC do not appear to influence viral burden or survival after vaginal HSV-2 infection, nor do they seem to contribute to virus-specific CD8 T cell responses following subcutaneous HSV-1 infection. In contrast, pDC were important for early IFN-I production, proinflammatory cytokine production, NK cell activation and CD8 T cell responses during systemic HSV-2 and HSV-1 infections. Our data also indicate that unlike pDC, TLR3-expressing cells are important for promoting antiviral responses to HSV-1 regardless of the route of virus administration.
Packaging of a 128 by 128 liquid-crystal-on-silicon spatial light modulator using self-pulling soldering

A self-pulling soldering technology has been demonstrated for assembling liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulators (SLMs). Solder joints with different profiles and sizes are designed to provide vertical surface tension forces to control the gap accommodating the ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) layer in the range of a micron with sub-micron uniformity. This technology provides an automatic, batch assembly process for a LCOS SLM through one reflow process. The component designs and process optimization are described, and the first operational results are presented. >
Epitaxial growth and erosion on (001) crystal surfaces: Far-from-equilibrium transitions, intermediary states, and vertical asymmetry

General phenomenology of multilayer epitaxial growth and erosion on square symmetry crystal surfaces is discussed within a unified model. We elucidate recently observed 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} rotation transitions between pyramidal states on (001) surfaces. We predict and characterize novel intermediary states of many-sided pyramids ubiquitously intervening in these transitions and causing an enhanced roughening. We elucidate the actual effects of the elusive vertical (pyramid-pit) growth asymmetry on the multitude of states on (001) crystal surfaces.
Effect of unequal fuel and oxidizer Lewis numbers on flame dynamics

The interaction of non-unity Lewis number (due to preferential diffusion and/or unequal rates of heat and mass transfer) with the coupled effect of radiation, chemistry and unsteadiness alters several characteristics of a flame. The present study numerically investigates this interaction with a particular emphasis on the effect of unequal and non-unity fuel and oxidizer Lewis numbers in a transient diffusion flame. The unsteadiness is simulated by considering the flame subjected to modulations in reactant concentration. Flames with different Lewis numbers (ranging from 0.5 to 2) and subjected to different modulating frequencies are considered. The results show that the coupled effect of Lewis number and unsteadiness strongly influences the flame dynamics. The impact is stronger at high modulating frequencies and strain rates, particularly for large values of Lewis numbers. Compared to the oxidizer side Lewis number, the fuel side Lewis number has greater influence on flame dynamics.
Emotion Recognition Modulating the Behavior of Intelligent Systems

The paper presents an audio-based emotion recognition system that is able to classify emotions as anger, fear, happy, neutral, sadness or disgust in real time. We use the virtual coach as an application example of how emotion recognition can be used to modulate intelligent systems' behavior. A novel minimum-error feature removal mechanism to reduce bandwidth and increase accuracy of our emotion recognition system has been introduced. A two-stage hierarchical classification approach along with a One-Against-All (OAA) framework are used. We obtained an average accuracy of 82.07% using the OAA approach, and 87.70% with a two-stage hierarchical approach, by pruning the feature set and using Support Vector Machines (SVMs) for classification.
NUCLEAR SPIN OF ASTATINE-211

A nuclear spin of 9/2 was measured for 7.2-hr At/sup 211/ by the method of atomic beams. The At/sup 211/ was prepared by bombarding a bismuth target with 29-Mev alpha particles. (W.D.M.)
Tunable photodetectors and light-emitting diodes for wavelength division multiplexing

The authors propose and analyse a hybrid device structure which extends the dynamic tuning range of vertical-cavity photodiodes and emitters. The device consists of a conventional epitaxial PIN junction quantum-well diode grown on a quarter-wave mirror stack. The upper mirror is attached to the underside of a micromachined membrane fabricated on top of the epilayer. This configuration allows the upper mirror to be electrostatically deflected towards the episurface, reducing the overall vertical cavity length which tunes the resonance wavelength over the entire free spectral range of the cavity. Simulations of the device indicate that eight-channel operation between 900 and 1000 nm can be achieved with low crosstalk. It is expected that this device will find use in wavelength-division-multiplexing applications. >
The utility of naphthyl-keratin adducts as biomarkers for jet-fuel exposure.

We investigated the association between biomarkers of dermal exposure, naphthyl-keratin adducts (NKA), and urine naphthalene biomarker levels in 105 workers routinely exposed to jet-fuel. A moderate correlation was observed between NKA and urine naphthalene levels (p = 0.061). The NKA, post-exposure breath naphthalene, and male gender were associated with an increase, while CYP2E1*6 DD and GSTT1-plus (++/+−) genotypes were associated with a decrease in urine naphthalene level (p < 0.0001). The NKA show great promise as biomarkers for dermal exposure to naphthalene. Further studies are warranted to characterize the relationship between NKA, other exposure biomarkers, and/or biomarkers of biological effects due to naphthalene and/or PAH exposure.
An In Vitro Model System for the Study of the Induction of Cellular Immunity

The mixed lymphocyte interaction (MLI) observed when allogeneic lymphocytes are cultured together has been interpreted as an in vitro model system in which to study the alloimmune response. This interaction has been characterized by cell proliferation and transformation which are believed to be early events in the response. The demonstration of the development of specific effector cells in the MLI has been described (1).
Synthetische Nutzung von elektrolytisch gebildeten Basen, III. — Elektrocarboxylierung, III. Carboxylierung von schwachen CH-Säuren

Manche elektrolytisch reduzierbaren organischen Verbindungen – die wir „Probasen” (PB) nennen mochten – bilden bei kathodischer Reduktion negativ geladene Zwischenprodukte, die fahig sind schwache CH-Sauren (RH) zu deprotonieren. Die enstandenen Carbanionen R⊖ konnen dann an verschiedenen in-situ-Folgereaktionen teilnehmen. Unter geeigneten Bedingungen konnen die „Probasen” auch wieder zuruckgebildet werden. Die Probleme um in sich widerspruchsfreie Reaktionsschemas aufzustellen, werden diskutiert. Es wird z. B. gezeigt wie Azobenzole 4 oder Tetraalkyl(ethentetracarboxylate) 5 als „Probasen” in Gegenwart von Ethyl(phenylacetat) (6a) oder 9-Phenylfluoren (7a) als schwache CH-Sauren reagieren und in situ eine Carboxylierung mit CO2 als Folgereaktion eingehen. Synthetic Utilization of Electrogenerated Bases, III. — Elektrocarboxylation, III. — Carboxylation of Weak CH-Acids1 Certain electroreducible organic compounds – named „probases” (PB) – cathodically form negatively charged species capable of deprotonating weak CH-acids (RH) to carbanions R⊖ which may then engage in various in situ follow-up reactions. Under appropriate conditions the „probases” may also be regenerated. The problems met in devising internally compatible reaction schemes are discussed. It is demonstrated, e. g., how the azobenzenes 4 or the tetraalkyl ethenetetracarboxylates 5 react as „probases” in presence of ethyl phenylacetate (6a) or 9-phenylfluorene (7a) as CH-acids and undergo carboxylation in situ with CO2 as follow-up reactions.
A Case of Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis With Respiratory Failure in an African American Woman

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is an acute endocrine emergency characterized by hyperthyroidism, profound muscle weakness and/or paralysis, and hypokalemia that is not due to potassium deficiency. Typically described in young males of Asian descent, it is becoming increasingly recognized outside of this demographic group and is believed to be an underrecognized cause of symptomatic hypokalemia. Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis usually manifests as acute onset of symmetrical distal extremity weakness and is treated with careful potassium replacement and nonselective β-blockers. In this case, a 43-year-old African American woman with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis had recurrent lower extremity myopathy and acute respiratory failure precipitated by noncompliance with treatment for Graves disease.
Theoretical Challenges in Studying Religious Experience in Gnosticism: A Prolegomena for Social Analysis

Several theoretical impediments face the ancient historian who wishes to embark on the study of religious experience within ancient cultures. While many of these difficulties face other religious studies scholars, the historical quality compounds these challenges. This paper explores several of these theoretical difficulties with a specific focus on the Valentinian, Sethian, and other so-called “Gnostic” groups in late antiquity. Specifically, the study of religious experience tends to give privileged interpretative position to insiders (evoking the etic/emic problem) and psychological analyses due to the “personal” or “individual” quality of such experiences (typified by perennialist approaches) (Otto, Wach, Eliade, Smart), or, following James and Jung, focus on the initial charismatic moment’s effect upon subsequent social structures. In contrast to such tendencies I suggest, by building on Fitzgerald’s lead in the Guide to the Study of Religion and largely agreeing with constructivist approaches, that we re-direct our focus toward the external social forces at play that discursively facilitate, shape, and direct experiential moments within the confines of social identity construction. This article builds on attachment theory from social psychology. Such analysis will allow us to better appreciate the experiential aspects of “Gnosticism” while appreciating the individual, communal, and (most importantly) discursive quality of the intersection of the individual and communal. Specific examples of such social facilitation will be briefly explored from Nag Hammadi, where ritual, narrative, and mythological discourse function to enable, and thereby define, religious experience.
Structure and function of mononuclear molybdenum enzymes

An account of recent advances in our understanding of enzymes possessing mononuclear molybdenum active sites is presented. On the basis of a variety of structural studies, and in conjunction with comparisons among the growing number of these enzymes for which the amino acid sequences are known, it is evident that these enzymes fall into three principal families as represented by xanthine oxidase, sulfite oxidase and DMSO reductase. Structural features of the active sites of these three families are compared and contrasted, and specific mechanistic implications of the recently reported crystal structure for the aldehyde oxidoreductase from Desulfovibrio gigas are discussed.
Low-power circuit challenges in cellular/molecular interfaces

In this paper, circuit challenges in cellular/molecular interfaces are discussed especially at the junction of signal conversion for recording neural activities and detecting charged biomolecules. An electrical double layer formed at the interface between electrode and electrolyte is reviewed to establish reliable recording of biopotentials. It is critical to achieve both low-power and small-area in the implementation of chronic wireless implantable neural interface systems. Subthreshold low-noise preamplifiers realized using pseudo-open-loop topologies are introduced for low-power front-end that consumes less than 1µW. An area-efficient 8-bit analog-to-digital converter is presented to achieve the area reduction by a factor of eight at &#60;800nW. Finally, a biomolecule sensor is reviewed for real-time quantification of DNA molecules using floating-gate field-effect transistors.
Determination of bone structural parameters from multiple projection DXA images

To more precisely measure and monitor bone health, The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab and School of Medicine have developed the Advanced Multiple Projection Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (AMPDXA) scanner. This system provides improvements over conventional DXA scanners in image resolution and multiple projection capability. These improvements allow us to determine structural information about the bone in addition to the standard bone mineral density (BMD) measurements. Algorithms and software were developed to process data acquired from the AMPDXA scanner and to determine important structural parameters, such as the center of mass axis in three dimensions and cross-sectional moments of inertia. The analysis operates on three projections about 15 degrees apart, calculates BMD for each projection, and then combines the data into a three dimensional coordinate system. By knowing the patient position in three dimensions, bone structural parameters are calculated more precisely. Using repeated testing of cadaver bones, the precision of determining these structural parameters is approximately the detector pixel size of 0.127 mm. Data on artificial bone cylinders indicate accuracy of about 3%. Comparisons between bone structural parameters derived from AMPDXA and CT scans show very similar results.
Probabilistic fracture mechanics for nonlinear structures

Abstract A probabilistic methodology has been developed for fracture-mechanics analysis of nonlinear cracked structures. The methodology involves nonlinear finite element analysis using well-known commercial codes; statistical models for uncertainty in material constitutive law, fracture toughness, and loads; and standard reliability methods for evaluating probabilistic characteristics of elastic–plastic fracture parameter. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the proposed methodology for two- and three-dimensional cracked structures. The results from these examples show that the methodology is capable of predicting accurate deterministic and probabilistic characteristics of the J -integral for use in elastic–plastic fracture mechanics (EPFM).
Counseling and Psychotherapy With Difficult Clients/Family Members: An Interview With Fred Hanna

Dr. Fred Hanna has developed expertise working with difficult clients and is the author of the book Therapy with Difficult Clients: Using the Precursors Model to Awaken Change as well as numerous articles on the topic. He has also been featured as a master therapist in APA's Psychotherapy Video Series on a DVD entitled Treatment with Defiant and Aggressive Adolescents. The goal of this interview is to have Dr. Hanna explain the precursors of change and how they would apply working with difficult adolescents, a population family counselors often have as clients. The interview also explores how he became familiar with systems theory, his interest in therapeutic change, and how his life evolved to become a counselor educator.
Rapid Inactivation of Brain Glutamate Decarboxylase by Aspartate

In the absence of its cofactor, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (pyridoxal-P), glutamate decarboxylase is rapidly inactivated by aspartate. Inactivation is a first-order process and the apparent rate constant is a simple saturation function of the concentration of aspartate. For the beta-form of the enzyme, the concentration of aspartate giving the half-maximal rate of inactivation is 6.1 +/- 1.3 mM and the maximal apparent rate constant is 1.02 +/- 0.09 min-1, which corresponds to a half-time of inactivation of 41 s. The rate of inactivation by aspartate is about 25 times faster than inactivation by glutamate or gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Inactivation is accompanied by a rapid conversion of holoenzyme to apoenzyme and is opposed by pyridoxal-P, suggesting that inactivation results from an alternative transamination of aspartate catalyzed by the enzyme, as previously observed with glutamate and GABA. Consistent with this mechanism pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate, an expected transamination product, was formed when the enzyme was incubated with aspartate and pyridoxal-P. The rate of transamination relative to the rate of decarboxylation was much greater for aspartate than for glutamate. Apoenzyme formed by transamination of aspartate was reactivated with pyridoxal-P. In view of the high rate of inactivation, aspartate may affect the level of apoenzyme in brain.
Transcriptional Responses in the Hemiparasitic Plant Triphysaria versicolor to Host Plant Signals

Parasitic plants in the Scrophulariaceae use chemicals released by host plant roots to signal developmental processes critical for heterotrophy. Haustoria, parasitic plant structures that attach to and invade host roots, develop on roots of the hemiparasitic plant Triphysaria versicolor within a few hours of exposure to either maize (Zea mays) root exudate or purified haustoria-inducing factors. We prepared a normalized, subtractive cDNA library enriched for transcripts differentially abundant in T. versicolor root tips treated with the allelopathic quinone 2,6-dimethoxybenzoquinone (DMBQ). Northern analyses estimated that about 10% of the cDNAs represent transcripts strongly up-regulated in roots exposed to DMBQ. Northern and reverse northern analyses demonstrated that most DMBQ-responsive messages were similarly up-regulated in T. versicolor roots exposed to maize root exudates. From the cDNA sequences we assembled a unigene set of 137 distinct transcripts and assigned functions by homology comparisons. Many of the proteins encoded by the transcripts are predicted to function in quinone detoxification, whereas others are more likely associated with haustorium development. The identification of genes transcriptionally regulated by haustorium-inducing factors provides a framework for dissecting genetic pathways recruited by parasitic plants during the transition to heterotrophic growth.
Spontaneous interfacial cellular convection accompanying mass transfer: Ethylene glycol-acetic acid-ethyl acetate

Spontaneous interfacial cellular convection accompanying the extraction of acetic acid out of ethylene glycol with ethyl acetate was studied photographically with a Schlieren technique. A flat liquid-liquid interface at room temperature was photographed straight down with motion-picture and still cameras. The interface exhibited a dominant pattern of stationary and propagating polygonal cells, accompanied by stripes, cell cluster boundaries, and confined or unconfined ripples. The time-dependence of the average wave length (size) of the different patterns, their average speed of propagation, and their frequency was determined by means of an initial acetic acid concentration range of 0.1 to 10%, over a time span of 72 hr. The average wave lengths of cells, stripes, and ripples ranged from 0.02 to 0.14, 0.065 to 0.155, and from 0.03 to 0.10 cm., respectively. Cell and ripple velocities ranged from 0.27 to 1.33, and from 0.27 to 1.10 cm./min. respectively. The relation between the observed interfacial cellular convection and the Sternling-Scriven theory of interfacial turbulence is discussed.
Multiskilling: A Survey of Occupational Therapy Practitioners’ Attitudes

OBJECTIVE Multiskilling has been identified as one means of reducing she cost of health care. This study examined occupational therapy practitioners' knowledge of multiskilling, how it is affecting service delivery and quality of care, and how therapists believe the addition of skills should occur. METHOD A questionnaire was constructed for the survey and mailed to a random sample of 200 occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, all of whom were members of the American Occupational Therapy Association. RESULTS The 117 respondents had a moderate understanding of multiskilling. They responded that multiskilling is beneficial to both the occupational therapy profession and the clients it serves, but they were also aware of its potential risks or disadvantages. According to respondents, multiskilling occurs formally through defined protocol and; more commonly, informally, driven by necessity and the desire to treat the client most effectively. CONCLUSION The results indicate a need for the occupational therapy profession to define multiskilling and cross training; develop ways of serving clients that respond to administrative needs and constraints while preserving the uniqueness of occupational therapy; and monitor treatment outcomes of all service delivery methods to provide information regarding efficiency, effectiveness, and client satisfaction.
Labor Market Discrimination: Vietnamese Immigrants

Vietnamese and East European immigrants face similar obstacles in the U.S. labor market. This provides for an interesting test of racial discrimination in the labor market. Does it make any difference if an immigrant is Asian or White? When Vietnamese immigrants are compared to East European immigrants, Vietnamese men earn 7-9% less than comparable East European men, with more discrimination among the less educated, and in the larger Vietnamese population centers like California. Vietnamese women earn as much as comparable East European women. Vietnamese immigrants, male and female, are much less likely to hold managerial and supervisory positions than comparable East European immigrants.
Activity Coregulates Quantal AMPA and NMDA Currents at Neocortical Synapses

AMPA and NMDA receptors are coexpressed at many central synapses, but the factors that control the ratio of these two receptors are not well understood. We recorded mixed miniature or evoked synaptic currents arising from coactivation of AMPA and NMDA receptors and found that long-lasting changes in activity scaled both currents up and down proportionally through changes in the number of postsynaptic receptors. The ratio of NMDA to AMPA current was similar at different synapses onto the same neuron, and this relationship was preserved following activity-dependent synaptic scaling. These data show that AMPA and NMDA receptors are tightly coregulated by activity at synapses at which they are both expressed and suggest that a mechanism exists to actively maintain a constant receptor ratio across a neuron's synapses.
The Effects of Biological Sex and Diet on the Development of Heart Failure

Biological sex and gender1,* have emerged as prominent players in cardiovascular health. It is widely appreciated that male and female hearts are different both at baseline and in response to numerous stimuli (for a recent review see Llamas et al2). In general, male hearts respond less well to pressure or volume overload, to myocardial infarction (MI), and to aging. In considering the mechanisms that underlie sexually dimorphic cardiac traits, estrogen is an obvious candidate. However, data in the literature conflict on this point. The findings that cardiovascular risk increases when estrogen production ceases and that ovariectomy prevents the more beneficial outcome of volume overload or aging in females argues in favor of a protective role of estrogen.3,4 In contrast, the finding that estradiol-treated female rodents have a greater post-MI rate of death argues against a protective role.5,6 Recent human studies on hormone replacement therapy similarly question the cardioprotective role of estrogen.7,8 Clearly, the role of estrogen in cardiovascular disease (CVD) is complex, and further study is necessary. More significantly, it seems unlikely that the male/female dimorphisms in CVD can be attributed to a single factor such as estrogen. This review will consider the impact of estrogen, estrogen receptors (ERs), and diet on heart disease. The relationship between diet and CVD has traditionally focused on the consumption of fat and its impact on blood triglycerides and cholesterol.9–11 This review will not focus on these well-studied nutritional factors but will focus instead on a group of nutritional factors, phytoestrogens, that can mimic the actions of endogenous estrogens and seem likely to have profound effects on CVD in a sex-specific manner. Although the vast majority of clinical and laboratory studies have been carried out in males, a growing body of literature directly addresses sex-specific differences …
Material handling in a flexible manufacturing system processing part families

The system performance of a six-machine flexible manufacturing system cell in which a material handling system is to be incorporated is analyzed. The analysis focuses on determining the production potential of the cell by grouping common parts into families. To accomplish this, computer simulation models are developed using the SIMAN simulation language. Initially the manufacturing cell is modeled with no material handling system to get an upper bound estimate of production output. The authors explore the impact that an automatic guided vehicle (AGV) has on system performance of the manufacturing system cell. A final analysis is performed in which a conveyor system is implemented as the material handling device. Upon examination of the simulation results, the authors's recommendation is to implement a conveyor system for material handling. Using an AGV in the flexible manufacturing cell creates a bottleneck which causes production output to dramatically decrease. >
Musubi: disintermediated interactive social feeds for mobile devices

This paper presents Musubi, a mobile social application platform that enables users to share any data type in real-time feeds created by any application on the phone. Musubi is unique in providing a disintermediated service to end users; all communication is supported using public key encryption thus leaking no user information to a third party. Despite the heavy use of cryptography to provide user authentication and access control, users found Musubi simple to use. We embed key exchange within familiar friending actions, and allow users to interact with any friend in their address books without requiring them to join a common network a priori. Our feed abstraction allows users to easily exercise access control. All data reside on the phone, granting users the freedom to apply applications of their choice.In addition to disintermediating personal messaging, we have created an application platform to support multi-party software with the same respect for personal data. The SocialKit library we created on top of Musubi's trusted communication protocol facilitates the development of multi-party applications and integrates with Musubi to provide a compelling group application experience. SocialKit allows developers to make social, interactive, privacy-honoring applications without needing to host their own servers.
On the development of a compact sub-nanosecond tunable monocycle pulse transmitter for UWB applications

Development of a new sub-nanosecond monocycle pulse transmitter with tunable pulse duration for short-range low-power ultra-wideband radar and communication systems is presented along with detailed design and analysis. The developed pulse transmitter is simple, compact, and can be realized using planar or uniplanar integrated circuits. A novel RC coupling circuit along with a high driving current, provided by a high-speed amplifier and buffers, are used to obtain an increase in the output power. A decoupling circuit is implemented to reduce ringing on the monocycle pulse and provide necessary pulse clamping. Tuning of the output monocycle-pulse duration is achieved by using two distributed delay lines, coupled together by the decoupling network, each spatially loaded with antiparallel p-i-n diodes that are alternately switched on and off. Measurement results show tunable monocycle pulse durations in range of 0.4-1.2 ns, approximately corresponding to the operating frequency range of 0.15-3.7 GHz, and 200-400 mW of pulse peak power. The calculated and measured pulse durations also agree reasonably well
Identification of a Ca(2+)-binding light chain within Chlamydomonas outer arm dynein.

We describe here the molecular cloning of the M(r) 18,000 dynein light chain from the outer arm of Chlamydomonas flagella. In vivo, this molecule is directly associated with the gamma dynein heavy chain. Sequence analysis indicates that this light chain is a novel member of the calmodulin superfamily of Ca2+ binding regulatory proteins; this molecule is 42, 37 and 36% identical to calmodulin, centrin/caltractin and troponin C, respectively, and also shows significant similarity to myosin light chains. Although four helix-loop-helix elements are evident, only two conform precisely to the EF hand consensus and are therefore predicted to bind Ca2+ in vivo. In vitro Ca2+ binding studies indicate that this dynein light chain (expressed as a C-terminal fusion with maltose binding protein) has at least one functional Ca2+ binding site with an apparent affinity for Ca2+ of approximately 3 × 10(−5) M. Within the Chlamydomonas flagellum, the transition from an assymmetric to a symmetric waveform (which implies an alteration in dynein activity) is mediated by an increase in intraflagellar Ca2+ from 10(−6) to 10(−1) M; this transition is altered in mutants that lack the outer arm. The data presented here suggest that a Ca(2+)-dependent alteration in the interaction of this dynein light chain with the motor containing heavy chain may affect outer arm function during flagellar reversal.
Dependence of tensile strength of vulcanized rubber on degree of cross‐linking

Tensile strengths of natural rubber samples quantitatively crosslinked with decamethylene dis-methyl azodicarboxylate have been determined. The proportion of the azo vulcanizing agent was varied 80-fold, the fraction p of cross-linked units in the products ranging from 0.10x 10−2 to 8.0 x 10−2. In spite of the small dimensions of the test specimen (cross section 0.10 in. by about 0.005 in.), the average error for a single observation is similar to that obtained in conventional testing procedures applied to specimens vulcanized with sulfur and accelerators. Deviations from the mean for 262 tests on 15 different cures are well represented by a Gaussian error function; a slight intimation of skewness is evident only at the extremities of the distribution of deviations. These results are incompatible with the commonly held view that rupture of the sample takes place at the “weakest link” in the series of flaws inevitably occurring along the specimen. It would appear that the ability to withstand tensile stress (applied in a specified manner) is an inherent characteristic of the bulk material. The rapid increase in tensile strength with the degree of crosslinking p for small values of this quantity is consistent with the conclusion, previously reached in the investigation of the physical properties of butyl rubber (6) that the tensile strength is directly related to the fraction of the structure which is permanently oriented by stretching. At higher degrees of cross-linking (at ρ x 100 = 1.0 to 1.5, depending on the molecular weight of the rubber) the tensile strength passes through a maximum and then declines steadily to quite low values for higher ρ's. This adverse effect of higher degrees of cross-linking is believed to result from the diminished elongation at which crystallization sets in and, hence, the smaller fraction of the network elements sufficiently oriented to participate in crystallite formation. Modification of up to 7% of the isoprene units of the rubber with the monofunctional compound, ethyl azodicarboxylate, depresses the tensile strength of the disazo vulcanized rubber relatively little. Evidently, the limited extent to which these modified (or copolymer) chains may enter into crystallization is adequate to bring about high tensile strength. Lack of direct correlation between modulus and tensile strength for rubbers vulcanized with various sulfur-accelerator combinations can only be explained by assuming that conventional vulcanization processes are accompanied to varying degrees by chain scission reactions. When vulcanized rubber is “over-cured,” or heat aged, chain scission becomes excessive.
Ang-1 Gene Therapy Inhibits Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α)-Prolyl-4-Hydroxylase-2, Stabilizes HIF-1α Expression, and Normalizes Immature Vasculature in db/db Mice

OBJECTIVE— Diabetic impaired angiogenesis is associated with impairment of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) as well as vasculature maturation. We investigated the potential roles and intracellular mechanisms of angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) gene therapy on myocardial HIF-1α stabilization and vascular maturation in db/db mice. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS— db/db mice were systemically administrated adenovirus Ang-1 (Ad-CMV-Ang-1). Myocardial HIF-1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), Akt, and HIF-1α–prolyl-4-hydroxylase-2 (PHD)2 expression were measured. Vasculature maturation, capillary and arteriole densities, and cardiac interstitial fibrosis were analyzed in the border zone of infarcted myocardium. RESULTS— Systemic administration of Ad-CMV-Ang-1 results in overexpression of Ang-1 in db/db mice hearts. Ang-1 gene therapy causes a significant increase in Akt and eNOS expression and HIF-1α stabilization. This is accompanied by a significant upregulation of VEGF and HO-1 expression. Intriguingly, Ang-1 gene therapy also leads to a significant inhibition of PHD2 expression. Smooth muscle recruitment and smooth muscle coverage in the neovessels of the border zone of infarcted myocardium are severely impaired in db/db mice compared with wild-type mice. Ang-1 gene therapy rescues these abnormalities, which leads to a dramatic increase in capillary and arteriole densities and a significant reduction of cardiac hypertrophy and interstitial fibrosis at 14 days after ischemia. Taken together, our data show that Ang-1 increases myocardial vascular maturation and angiogenesis together with suppression of PHD2 and the upregulation of HIF-1α signaling. CONCLUSIONS— Normalization of immature vasculature by Ang-1 gene therapy may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of the diabetes-associated impairment of myocardial angiogenesis.
Effects of hazard exposure and roadway complexity on young and older driver situation awareness and performance

Few previous studies of driver situation awareness (SA) have focused on behavior in hazard negotiation. The objective of this research was to assess the effect of hazard exposure on driver SA and interactions with age and roadway complexity. Ten young (18-25 yrs) and ten older (65-81 yrs) participants drove in a simulator under two levels of environment complexity (simple - rural vs. complex - city) with two types of hazard exposure (static vs. dynamic). Situation awareness was measured using real-time probes posed by a confederate passenger. Driving performance was assessed in terms of lane maintenance and speed control. Results revealed hazards to cause degradations in high level of driver SA and speed control or to trigger adaptation, and vulnerability to hazard type was dependent on driver age. Older drivers exhibited greater speed reduction in response to dynamic hazards; whereas, young driver maintained higher speed, as compared to normal driving, when confronted with static hazards. In addition, increased roadway environment complexity compounded decrements in performance caused by hazard exposure. These findings are applicable to modeling driver behavior and SA under hazardous conditions and may support the design of new in-vehicle assistive technologies for hazard avoidance.
Understanding Public Reaction to Energy Proposals: An Application of the Fishbein Model1

The Fishbein attitude model was applied to voter decision-making on an energy ballot proposal. Questionnaires were sent to a random sample of potential voters in Oregon's 1976 general election and dealt with the Nuclear Safeguards Initiative, a measure that would place restrictions on future nuclear power plants. Questionnaire items probed the attitude toward the act of voting “Yes” on the measure (Aact), perceived likelihood of various consequences of voting “Yes” (Bi), evaluations of these consequences (ei), the subjective norm (SN), normative beliefs (NBi), motivation to comply with several referents (Mci), and voting intention (VI). A follow-up interview determined the actual voting behavior (VB) of persons responding to the questionnaire. The following model predictions were tested and strongly supported by the data: (a) VB=VI; and (e) external variables have a nonsignificant relation to VB once VI is partialled out. It was concluded that the Fishbein model should be extremely useful in understanding public reaction to future energy proposals.
Intravitreal cidofovir for the maintenance treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of multiple intravitreal cidofovir (HPMPC) injections given every 5 to 6 weeks for the maintenance treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. Methods: A prospective consecutive case series of 53 eyes in 35 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome and CMV retinitis was treated with maintenance intravitreal injections of cidofovir (20 μg) at one referral center between April 1994 and September 1995. Twenty-four eyes received intravitreal cidofovir as their initial treatment for CMV retinitis (group A), and 29 eyes previously had received systemic therapy (group B). None of the patients in either group received systemic anti-CMV therapy at any time during the study period. Progression of retinitis was the primary end point. Results: All eyes with active retinitis healed in response to treatment. None of the 24 eyes in group A demonstrated any progression during the study period. Four (14%) of the 29 eyes in group B had one episode each of retinitis progression (mean followup, 15 weeks; range, 0-58 weeks). In 1 (1.9%) of the 53 eyes, a retinal detachment developed. A mild iritis was observed after 14% of injections, which were prophylaxed with oral probenecid. Irreversible visually significant hypotony developed in two eyes (3.8%). Conclusion: Treatment and subsequent maintenance therapy of CMV retinitis with 20 μg intravitreally injected cidofovir, given at 5- to 6-week intervals, is highly effective, with only rare episodes of re-activation and progression.
Cure Kinetics and Rheology Characterization of Soy-Based Epoxy Resin System

A novel soy-based epoxy resin system was synthesized by the process of transesterification and epoxidation of regular soy bean oil, which has the potential to be widely usable in various composite manufacturing processes. Cure kinetics and rheology are two chemical properties commonly required in process modeling. In this work, the cure kinetics and rheology of the soy-based resin system were measured by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and viscometer. DSC was used to measure the heat flow of dynamic and isothermal curing processes. The cure kinetics models of the different formulations were thus developed. A Brookfield viscometer was used to measure the change in viscosity under isothermal conditions. A novel neural network-based model was developed to improve modeling accuracy. The models developed for cure kinetics and rheology for soy-based epoxy resin system can be readily applied to composite processing. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3168–3180, 2006
Paging strategies in an object oriented environment

Paging issues which arise in object-oriented programming systems are considered. Unlike conventional virtual memory systems, object-oriented system provide clues about the underlying structure of the executing programs. This fact is used to suggest improved memory management strategies for object-oriented systems. These strategies are modeled using a kind of simple game on graphs. This game allows estimation of the performance needed to ensure object-fault-free computation. >
Sustaining computer-mediated communication in university courses

In the second of two graduate classes with the same title and content, the volume of on-line messages per person, in the four weeks sampled, was more than seven times higher than in the first. Between weeks l-2 and weeks 5-6, the total number of messages per person dropped in the first class and rose in the second. Each class had a different computer-mediated communication (CMC) system and was given different guidelines for use. This paper analyses differences in volume and hypothesises a relationship between system characteristics, guidelines for use, and the perpetuation of verbal interaction in settings where CMC is mandated.
Incidence Angle Considerations for Spacecraft Imaging Radar

The value of radar imagery for most geologic applications is greatest when obtained with relatively large incidence angles. It is infeasible to attain these large angles from spacecraft altitudes. A study is being conducted to assess the usefulness of imagery collected at smaller angles. Radar image simulation is employed to create imagery for platform scenarios at numerous angles of incidence for specific geologic features. Preliminary analyses and results are provided.
Waveform characterization of microwave power heterojunction bipolar transistors

Time-domain waveform characterization has been successfully applied to microwave power heterojunction bipolar transistors, for extraction and verification of their large-signal nonlinear characteristics. Compared to the conventional DC and small-signal techniques, this new technique is inherently more accurate and allows insight into the transistor operation. >
2-Aminothiophene. Heterocyclization of benzylthionitriles

Synthesis of unstable 2-aminothiophene by way of its hydrochloride salt has been achieved in excellent yield. The key reaction in the scheme involves a novel heterocyclization of benzylthionitriles, which would appear to have general utility. Spectral and physical properties are tabulated and a possible mechanism is proposed.
Regulation of developmental senescence is conserved between Arabidopsis and Brassica napus.

SAG12 is a developmentally controlled, senescence-specific gene from Arabidopsis which encodes a cysteine protease. Using SAG12 as a probe, we isolated two SAG12 homologues (BnSAG12–1 and BnSAG12–2) from Brassica napus. Structural comparisons and expression studies indicate that these two genes are orthologues of SAG12. The expression patterns of BnSAG12–1 and BnSAG12–2 in Arabidopsis demonstrate that the senescence-specific regulation of this class of cysteine proteases is conserved across these species. Gel-shift assays using the essential promoter regions of SAG12, BnSAG12–1, and BnSAG12–2 show that the extent of binding of a senescence-specific, DNA-binding protein from Arabidopsis is proportional to the expression levels of these genes in Arabidopsis. Therefore, the expression levels of these genes may reflect the affinities of the senescence-specific DNA-binding protein for the promoter element.