cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanism of Regulation of bcl-2 mRNA by Nucleolin and A+U-rich Element-binding Factor 1 (AUF1)

The antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, particularly leukemias. In some cell types this is the result of enhanced stability of bcl-2 mRNA, which is controlled by elements in its 3′-untranslated region. Nucleolin is one of the proteins that binds to bcl-2 mRNA, thereby increasing its half-life. Here, we examined the site on the bcl-2 3′-untranslated region that is bound by nucleolin as well as the protein binding domains important for bcl-2 mRNA recognition. RNase footprinting and RNA fragment binding assays demonstrated that nucleolin binds to a 40-nucleotide region at the 5′ end of the 136-nucleotide bcl-2 AU-rich element (AREbcl-2). The first two RNA binding domains of nucleolin were sufficient for high affinity binding to AREbcl-2. In RNA decay assays, AREbcl-2 transcripts were protected from exosomal decay by the addition of nucleolin. AUF1 has been shown to recruit the exosome to mRNAs. When MV-4-11 cell extracts were immunodepleted of AUF1, the rate of decay of AREbcl-2 transcripts was reduced, indicating that nucleolin and AUF1 have opposing roles in bcl-2 mRNA turnover. When the function of nucleolin in MV-4-11 cells was impaired by treatment with the nucleolin-targeting aptamer AS1411, association of AUF1 with bcl-2 mRNA was increased. This suggests that the degradation of bcl-2 mRNA induced by AS1411 results from both interference with nucleolin protection of bcl-2 mRNA and recruitment of the exosome by AUF1. Based on our findings, we propose a model that illustrates the opposing roles of nucleolin and AUF1 in regulating bcl-2 mRNA stability.
Seasonal variation in standing crop of the seagrassSyringodium filiforme and associated macrophytes in the Northern Indian River, Florida

Seasonal variation in the standing crop of the seagrassSyringodium filiforme and its associated macrophytes was studied in a northern basin of the Indian River, a large mesohaline lagoon in central Florida, near the northern distributional limit ofS. filiforme. The minimum standing crop occurred from February through April and the maximum in September. Two other seagrasses,Halodule wrightii andHalophila engelmannii, together with a drift algal community, occurred in the study quadrat, but were not major components of the macrophytic system. The formation of sizeable sandy patches within Indian River seagrass beds is partially due to the burrowing activities ofLimulus polyphemus. Thermal stresses associated with the northern geographicalS. filiforme range may contribute to this phenomenon by restricting annual production, hence limiting patch regrowth.
Detection of the diatomic dications SiH2+ and AlH2+

Abstract The diatomic dications SiH2+ and AlH2+ were produced by Ar+ sputtering of a hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) layer deposited on an Al substrate. These exotic dications were observed in positive SIMS mass spectra taken at low ( 30 Si 1 H 2+ at m/z 15.5) and at high mass resolution. More intense signals of SiH2+ or AlH2+ could be produced by toluene (C7H8) vapor flooding of an Ar+ bombarded Si or Al surface. The ion energy distributions of SiH2+ for both a-Si:H/Al and toluene-flooded Si show that it is formed at or near the sputtered surface. Ion formation by collisional processes in the gas phase several micrometers away from the surface is found to be negligible. Exposure of the sputtered a-Si:H surface to oxygen reduced the intensity of SiH2+. This argues strongly against an association of Si+ and H+ at or near the surface. It is conjectured that ion formation of SiH2+ may be caused by Auger shake-off decay of Si2p core-excited molecules of SiH* a few nanometers in front of the sputtered surface.
Friction and wear behavior of engineering materials in a simulated Martian (CO2) environment, a preliminary study

Abstract The friction and wear behavior of materials (primarily metals) is a strong function of operating environment. Ambient conditions provide a natural lubricating oxide on most metals that reduce friction and wear. In vacuum metals have been shown to have friction coefficients exceeding unity with significant adhesive forces. In space applications materials must be designed with adequate solid lubrication to prevent wear and seizure. In between total vacuum and STP lies the surface of Mars with a primarily CO 2 atmosphere at 10–15 Torr (∼1% earth's atm.). Recent exploration missions conducted by NASA involved a wheeled craft navigating the rocky, dusty surface (opportunity and spirit rovers). The materials used in these rovers were tested in dry nitrogen only. This preliminary study measures friction and wear behavior of several materials utilizing an atomic force microscope and a pin on disk wear tester in a controlled environment of air, CO 2 and nitrogen at 760 Torr. The objective was to demonstrate if friction and wear in CO 2 and N 2 are comparable and whether a difference can be measured. Wear surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Results indicated some change in frictional force and wear in the CO 2 atmosphere.
Sites of predicted stress-induced DNA duplex destabilization occur preferentially at regulatory loci

Abstract This paper describes a computational method to predict the sites on a DNA molecule where imposed superhelical stresses destabilize the duplex. Several DNA sequences are analyzed in this way, including the pBR322 and ColE1 plasmids, bacteriophage f1, and the polyoma and bovine papilloma virus genomes. Superhelical destabilization in these molecules is predicted to occur at small numbers of discrete sites, most of which are within regulatory regions. The most destabilized sites include the terminator and promoter regions of specific plasmid operons, the LexA binding sites of genes under SOS control, the intergenic control region of bacteriophage f1, and the polyadenylylation sites in eukaryotic viruses. These results demonstrate the existence of close correspondences between sites of predicted superhelical duplex destabilization and specific types of regulatory regions. The use of these correspondences to supplement string-matching techniques in the search for regulatory loci is discussed.
Recognition Memory for Visually Presented Homophones

Underwood's (1965) finding that undergraduate Ss would mistakenly recognize words (e.g., HARD) which had not actually occurred earlier in a 200-word list but which were strong verbal associates of words (e.g., SOFT) which had, in fact, occurred earlier in the list, was replicated. Also, using the same recognition memory task, when members of a homophone pair had different meanings (e.g., STEAK vs STAKE), false recognition frequencies were low. When members of the homophone pair elicited the same meaning (e.g., 12 vs TWELVE), false recognition rates were high.
Effects of calcium-channel blocking agents on left ventricular diastolic function in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and in coronary artery disease.

Abstract Abnormal left ventricular (LV) diastolic performance is a characteristic feature of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC) and an important contributor to the development of symptoms. Impaired diastolic filling of the hypertrophied left ventricle results from both diminished distensibility and prolonged or incomplete relaxation. LV distensibility is not only influenced by fixed anatomic abnormalities (such as fibrosis or hypertrophy) that determine the passive elastic properties of the left ventricle, but also is modulated by the dynamics of myocardial relaxation: prolonged or incomplete LV relaxation may restrict the rate and extent of LV filling and result in altered pressure-volume relations throughout diastole. Several studies indicate that impaired LV relaxation and filling in HC may be modified favorably by verapamil or nifedipine administered on a short-term basis in the catheterization laboratory, associated with improved diastolic pressure-volume relations. Verapamil also improves LV filling during oral therapy. Improved indexes of LV filling correlate with symptomatic improvement, both short-term and long-term: Approximately 80% of patients having a persistent increase in peak LV filling rate have persistent improvement in objective exercise tolerance compared with preverapamil values. Altered LV relaxation and filling are also often observed in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) after myocardial infarction or during acute ischemia. Moreover, impaired filling occurs under resting conditions in many patients who have normal systolic function and no evidence of previous infarction. Nifedipine improves indexes of LV relaxation and distensibility during pacing-induced ischemia and verapamil improves indexes of LV filling at rest and during exercise-induced ischemia. In both HC and CAD, improved LV diastolic function by nifedipine or verapamil may reflect reduced ischemia, improved coronary flow, alterations in LV loading conditions or primary myocardial effects. These changes may contribute to the improvement in symptoms in many patients during treatment with these drugs.
Lamb Production on Wheatgrasses and Wheatgrass‐Sainfoin Mixtures

Previous research indicate that wheatgrass (Agropyron and Thinopyron spp.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis spp.) produce high quality forage from early spring to summer on the Southern Great Plains. Little information is available on their potential for lamb (Ovis aries L.) production under grazing. Our objective was to determine levels of spring lamb production from three irrigated wheatgrasses, Hycrest' [A. cristatum (L.) Gaertner × A. desertorum (Fischer ex Link)Schulters], Luna' [T. intermedium subsp. barbulatum (Schur)Barkw. and D.R. Dewey], and Jose' [T. ponticum (Podp.) Barkw. and D.R. Dewey], grow alone and with Remunex' sainfoin (O. viciifolia Scop.) (...)
Efficient restricted estimators for conditional mean models with missing data

SUMMARY Consider a conditional mean model with missing data on the response or explanatory variables due to two-phase sampling or nonresponse. Robins et al. (1994) introduced a class of augmented inverse-probability-weighted estimators, depending on a vector of functions of explanatory variables and a vector of functions of coarsened data. Tsiatis (2006) studied two classes of restricted estimators, class 1 with both vectors restricted to finite-dimensional linear subspaces and class 2 with the first vector of functions restricted to a finite-dimensional linear subspace. We introduce a third class of restricted estimators, class 3, with the second vector of functions restricted to a finite-dimensional subspace. We derive a new estimator, which is asymptotically optimal in class 1, by the methods of nonparametric and empirical likelihood. We propose a hybrid strategy to obtain estimators that are asymptotically optimal in class 1 and locally optimal in class 2 or class 3. The advantages of the hybrid, likelihood estimator based on classes 1 and 3 are shown in a simulation study and a real-data example.
Metabolic myopathy produced by acute inhibition of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase with ortho-iodosobenzoic acid.

Abstract A previously developed model of exercise-induced muscle contracture using iodoacetate to inhibit glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat hindlimb muscles produced selective type II myofiber damage. Utilizing a modification of the same model system, rats were given intra-aortic ortho -iodosobenzoic acid (700 nmol/kg body weight), which cleaves tryptophanyl peptides from glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Within 2–4 h, spontaneous electrically-silent contracture developed in the injected musculature resulting in a plantar-flexed position of the hindlimb. After 24 h, the extensor digitorum longus and tibialis anterior muscles appeared grossly swollen (edematous) and discolored. Microscopically, the extensor digitorum longus (composed predominantly of type II myofibers) contained many randomly scattered, damaged myofibers, reduced glycogen content, absent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, interstitial edema and focal collections of mononuclear phagocytes. Damaged fibers showed degenerative changes and contained stainable intracellular calcium. On modified trichrome-stained sections, an outer red staining rim of material was identifiable in many fibers. The fibers of the soleus muscle (composed predominantly of type I myofibers) were not damaged, indicating a preferential ortho -iodosobenzoic acid effect on type II myofibers.
Halting Regime Shifts in Floristically Intact Tropical Forests Deprived of Their Frugivores

Ecological restoration typically focuses on promoting vegetation recovery in degraded habitat or reintroducing endangered animals to enhance their regional or global persistence. Here, we argue that attention should also be devoted to vertebrate reintroductions in overhunted but floristically intact tropical forests in order to prevent insidious regime shifts in these systems. Growing evidence suggests that tropical forests deprived of seed-dispersing animals exhibit replacement of fleshy fruiting trees by species with abiotic seed dispersal. Left unchecked, this process could eventually render the forest uninhabitable by frugivores through reduced density and diversity of their food plants. In tropical areas where hunting can be controlled, we contend that frugivore reintroduction, regulation of wild fruit harvest by humans, and outplanting of native fruiting trees should be deployed as management tools long before the systems are in need of traditional habitat restoration.
Connectionism: past, present, and future

Research efforts to study computation and cognitive modeling on neurally-inspired mechanisms have come to be called Connectionism. Rather than being brand new, it is actually the rebirth of a research programme which thrived from the 40s through the 60s and then was severely retrenched in the 70s. Connectionism is often posed as a paradigmatic competitor to the Symbolic Processing tradition of Artificial Intelligence (Dreyfus & Dreyfus, 1988), and, indeed, the counterpoint in the timing of their intellectual and commercial fortunes may lead one to believe that research in cognition is merely a zero-sum game. This paper surveys the history of the field, often in relation to AI, discusses its current successes and failures, and makes some predictions for where it might lead in the future.
The Economic Effects of Climate Change

Greenhouse gas emissions are fundamental both to the world’s energy system and to its food production. The production of CO2, the predominant gas implicated in climate change, is intrinsic to fossil fuel combustion; specifically, thermal energy is generated by breaking the chemical bonds in the carbohydrates oil, coal, and natural gas and oxidizing the components to CO2 and H2O. One cannot have cheap energy without carbon dioxide emissions. Similarly, methane (CH4) emissions, an important greenhouse gas in its own right, are necessary to prevent the build-up of hydrogen in anaerobic digestion and decomposition. One cannot have beef, mutton, dairy, or rice without methane emissions. Climate change is the mother of all externalities: larger, more complex, and more uncertain than any other environmental problem. The sources of greenhouse gas emissions are more diffuse than any other environmental problem. Every company, every farm, every household emits some greenhouse gases. The effects are similarly pervasive. Weather affects agriculture, energy use, health, and many aspects of nature—which in turn affects everything and everyone. The causes and consequences of climate change are very diverse, and those in low-income countries who contribute least to climate change are most vulnerable to its effects. Climate change is also a long-term problem. Some greenhouse gases have an atmospheric life-time measured in tens of thousands of years. The quantities of emissions involved are enormous. In 2000, carbon dioxide emissions alone (and excluding land use change) were 24 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (tCO2).
Genomic Comparison of Escherichia coli K1 Strains Isolated from the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Meningitis

Escherichia coli is a major cause of enteric/diarrheal diseases, urinary tract infections, and sepsis. E. coli K1 is the leading gram-negative organism causing neonatal meningitis, but the microbial basis of E. coli K1 meningitis is incompletely understood. Here we employed comparative genomic hybridization to investigate 11 strains of E. coli K1 isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with meningitis. These 11 strains cover the majority of common O serotypes in E. coli K1 isolates from CSF. Our data demonstrated that these 11 strains of E. coli K1 can be categorized into two groups based on their profile for putative virulence factors, lipoproteins, proteases, and outer membrane proteins. Of interest, we showed that some open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the type III secretion system apparatus were found in group 2 strains but not in group 1 strains, while ORFs encoding the general secretory pathway are predominant in group 1 strains. These findings suggest that E. coli K1 strains isolated from CSF can be divided into two groups and these two groups of E. coli K1 may utilize different mechanisms to induce meningitis.
Are case management services associated with increased utilization of adolescent mental health treatment

Abstract Retention in treatment is one of the strongest predictors of positive mental health outcomes. Adolescents, however, are particularly challenging to retain in mental health treatment. Concurrent case management services may offer one strategy for retaining youth in mental health treatment as it aims to reduce barriers to services, coordinate multiple services, and establish a consistent relationship between each client and a single contact person. This study combines three extant data sources from the state of Kansas to examine whether youths' participation in case management is associated with increased utilization of individual and group mental health treatment, controlling for client satisfaction, severity of mental health symptoms, and demographic factors. Linear regression results indicate that participation in case management services predicts increased utilization of both individual and group mental health treatment. Case management may be a useful tool for retaining adolescent clients in mental health services. Practical implications for community mental health service delivery are discussed.
Social Distance Aware Resource Allocation in Wireless Networks

Social connectivity networks and the associated socio-technical context are an important determinant of a user's resource requirements. Despite the recent attention on wireless network design, little quantitative work has been done in order to combine purely technical design methods with explicit dependencies on the social or business connectivity and utility concerns. In this paper, we quantify the effect of the sociotechnical context through the notion of effective distance, and then use this distance as a parameter in the user utility function. We explore the premise that efficient and targeted resource allocation can be achieved better if the network is aware of the effective distance and the expected quality at the receiver. We demonstrate this for the case of a 802.11e compliant WLAN, where users in the socio-technical context choose to communicate through VoIP. We determine a utility function for VoIP calls in the presence of background HTTP traffic in the WLAN. We then form an objective function which will achieve better resource optimization, with knowledge regarding the effective distance and expected quality requirements. Our results show that a network which is aware of the social context can almost double the utility of the network to the users in case of VoIP traffic.
Factors Controlling the Sintering of Ceramic Particulate Composites: I, Conventional Processing

The effect of processing and material parameters on the sintering and coarsening of model composites consisting of a fine-grained ZnO matrix and coarse, rigid, inert particulate inclusions of ZrO2 was investigated. The green composites were formed by two methods: (i) mixing the matrix and inclusion powders in a ball-mill followed by die-pressing and (ii) slip casting. For both forming methods, the inclusions caused a significant reduction in the density and the grain size of the composite matrix but had almost no effect on the grain size vs density relationship. The effects of inclusion volume fraction and sintering temperature were somewhat independent of the forming method. However, for the slip-cast composites, the effect of inclusion size was less severe and the packing of the matrix phase immediately surrounding the inclusion showed some improvement. The sintering kinetics and microstructural observations indicated that two main factors controlled the sintering of these composites: (i) interactions between the randomly distributed inclusion particles that created a constraint on the matrix and (ii) the packing of the matrix, especially in regions immediately surrounding the inclusion particles.
Influenza vaccination rates for hospitalised patients: a multiyear quality improvement effort

Background Influenza vaccination is the most effective method for preventing influenza virus infection. Adult hospitalised patients form a particularly high-risk group for severe influenza given their advanced age and comorbidities. We sought to improve the influenza vaccination rates of hospitalised patients at the White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Methods The improvement effort started in 2007 when our baseline vaccination rate was about 60%. An interprofessional team analysed the influenza vaccination process for hospitalised patients. During the course of six influenza seasons, eight Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were used including a hospital-wide flu campaign, embedded orders in the electronic medical record (EMR) to facilitate ordering vaccinations by providers, daily reminders from ward clerks and standing orders for influenza vaccination on discharge. The measure was the monthly percentage of patients discharged from the hospital with an up-to-date influenza vaccination. Results The percentage of veterans discharged with an up-to-date influenza vaccination increased to over 80% in February 2009 and has remained high. Conclusions Although we are confident that our local efforts helped to improve the vaccination rate, external factors such as the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and universal vaccination may have primed our system to respond more readily to the implemented changes. Understanding all of the relevant factors that lead to vaccination uptake can be applied to future hospital influenza vaccination campaigns. In addition, our work demonstrates that an interprofessional approach is still required to apply the functionality of the EMR effectively.
Entrepreneurs: the artists of the business world

Purpose – This paper relates the connection and influence of arts‐based training and practical experience to entrepreneurial endeavors.Design/methodology/approach – The paper was based upon anecdotal examples as well as author‐performed surveys and inquiries examining entrepreneurs who have arts backgrounds and use arts practices in their businesses.Findings – Many entrepreneurs have backgrounds in the arts and apply those practices in their businesses. Universities separately teach related arts practices and business practices in their respective departments but rarely combine the efforts in an interdisciplinary manner.Practical implications – By creating interdisciplinary approaches between arts and entrepreneurship, benefits can be achieved in both areas in the universities, small businesses and large‐scale corporate arenas.Originality/value – This paper is possibly the first to suggest a direct correlation between arts training and entrepreneurial endeavors. Businesspeople may be inspired to examine t...
TeamTag: exploring centralized versus replicated controls for co-located tabletop groupware

We explore how the placement of control widgets (such as menus) affects collaboration and usability for co-located tabletop groupware applications. We evaluated two design alternatives: a centralized set of controls shared by all users, and separate per-user controls replicated around the borders of the shared tabletop. We conducted this evaluation in the context of TeamTag, a system for collective annotation of digital photos. Our comparison of the two design alternatives found that users preferred replicated over shared controls. We discuss the cause of this preference, and also present data on the impact of these interface design variants on collaboration, as well as the role that orientation, co-touching, and the use of different regions of the table played in shaping users' behavior and preferences.
An Invasive Haemophilus haemolyticus Isolate

Haemophilus haemolyticus is generally considered a human commensal and is found in the nasopharynx of a minority of individuals as well as in subgingival plaque ([7][1]). Most authors consider H. haemolyticus to be either nonpathogenic ([2][2], [4][3], [7][1], [18][4]) or a rare pathogen ([1][5]).
The hospital‐sponsored ambulatory dental services program, part II: an evaluation of dental services

This paper examines the appropriateness and continuity of dental care rendered by the 25 hospital facilities participating in the Hospital-Sponsored Ambulatory Dental Services Program, a $10 million effort established by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation from 1979 to 1983. Record review data on 5,200 patients in 13 of the hospitals show that a substantially greater number of patients entered as episodic users of the system in the final phase of the evaluation than in the baseline visit; fewer of these episodic patients made the transition to initial care in the final phase. A followup study on baseline patients indicates that only 28% of the sample had a visit after the year of first contact. The trend toward episodic care is reflected in a reduced amount of preventive and operative services from baseline to final assessments. Compared with a study of private practices in California, the emphasis on surgery in the hospitals is dramatic: a dental patient accessing a hospital clinic will lose approximately one tooth as compared with a half tooth in private practice. Private practices also perform more crown and fixed partial denture services and more services across-the-board than the hospital clinics. Telephone interviews show that overall patient satisfaction with the hospital dental services remained high during the study (87% to 89%). Fewer patients in the final sample, however, planned to return to the hospital for all or part of their care. These findings reveal that continuity of care is a problem for hospital dental clinics. The preponderance of episodic care raises questions as to the breadth of experience offered by these hospitals to general practice residents.
Personality, coping, and coping effectiveness in an adult sample

Two studies of coping among community-dwelling adults (N= 255,151) were used to examine the influence of personality on coping responses, the perceived effectiveness of coping mechanisms, and the effects of coping and personality on well-being In both studies a wide range of potential stressors was examined, categorized as losses, threats, or challenges The personality dimensions of neuroticism, extraversion, and openness to experience, as measured by both self-reports and spouse- and peer-ratings, were systematically related to coping mechanisms in both studies There was general agreement across types of stressors on the use and perceived effectiveness of the 27 coping mechanisms, and individuals who used more effective ways of coping generally reported higher subsequent happiness and life satisfaction However, personality variables are also known to be determinants of well-being, and the associations between coping and well-being were reduced when personality measures were partialled out Some implications for the design and interpretation of coping effectiveness studies are discussed
Hiding and absorbing the power emitted by a dipole at the interface of an indefinite medium

The power emitted by a dipole at the interface between an indefinite (hyperbolic) medium and an isotropic medium is analyzed. The theoretical estimation is performed by using a transmission line method for time-harmonic fields in layered isotropic materials. The indefinite medium can be constructed in different ways; here we analyze, as an example, the case of alternating two subwavelength layers of isotropic materials. We compute the power spectrum of transverse electric and magnetic (TE and TM) waves and show that the power emitted by the dipole is mainly coupled into the indefinite medium underneath, opening up several application scenarios, such as innovative carpet cloaking implementations and super absorbers.
Spouse-assisted coping skills training in the management of osteoarthritic knee pain

Objective. To evaluate the effects of a spouse-assisted pain-coping skills training intervention on pain, psychological disability, physical disability, pain-coping, and pain behavior in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knees. Methods. Eighty-eight OA patients with persistent knee pain were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: 1) spouse-assisted pain-coping skills training, (spouse-assisted CST), 2) a conventional CST intervention with no spouse involvement (CST), or 3) an arthritis education-spousal support (AE-SS) control condition. All treatment was carried out in 10 weekly, 2-hour group sessions. Results. Data analysis revealed that at the completion of treatment, patients in the spouse-assisted CST condition had significantly lower levels of pain, psychological disability, and pain behavior, and higher scores on measures of coping attempts, marital adjustment, and self-efficacy than patients in the AE-SS control condition. Compared to patients in the AE-SS control condition, patients who received CST without spouse involvement had significantly higher post-treat- ment levels of self-efficacy and marital adjustment and showed a tendency toward lower levels of pain and psychological disability and higher scores on measures of coping attempts and ratings of the perceived effectiveness of pain-coping strategies. Conclusion. These findings suggest that spouse-assisted CST has potential as a method for reducing pain and disability in OA patients.
Phenotype and Specificity of MLR-Generated Suppressor Cells

The allogeneic MLR is being used as a model for generation of suppressor T cells which induce feedback inhibition of naive responder cells. We have been employing monoclonal antibodies to lymphocyte subsets and HLA-typed panels of stimulator cells in order to discern the phenotype and antigen specificity of such suppressor cells. One-way (A + Bx) MLR bulk cultures at 106 cells/ml in 50- ml flasks were incubated for 8–10 days, 2 days after the peak of 3H-TdR incorporation had been reached. These primed cells were washed and added in various amounts to test micro-MLRs (A + Bx, A + Cx, A + Dx, etc.) and 3H-TdR uptake was measured at 6 days. Primed cells were affinity- fractionated, employing monoclonal antibodies, anti- T4, T8, and MOI. Negatively selected T4+ or T8+ cell populations contained 2%–5% cross-contamination. In most combinations in which two D/ DR incompatibilities were present in the generating culture, 50% suppression of the test MLR was produced at dilutions of 1: 8-1: 16 with respect to the total cells present, and all suppression was contained in the T8+ population, while the T4+ fraction caused augmentation.
Learning to Drive Among Obstacles

This paper reports on an outdoor mobile robot that learns to avoid collisions by observing a human driver operate a vehicle equipped with sensors that continuously produce a map of the local environment. We have implemented steering control that models human behavior in trying to avoid obstacles while trying to follow a desired path. Here we present the formulation for this control system and its independent parameters, and then show how these parameters can be automatically estimated by observation of a human driver. We present results from experiments with a vehicle (both real and simulated) that avoids obstacles while following a prescribed path at speeds up to 4 m/sec. We compare the proposed method with another method based on Principal Component Analysis, a commonly used learning technique. We find that the proposed method generalizes well and is capable of learning from a small number of examples.
3-D motion and structure estimation for arbitrary scenes from 2-D optical and sonar video

Imaging system are routinely deployed for underwater search, inspection and scientific surveys of manmade and natural structures, etc. Optical cameras, while providing high resolution and target details, have range limitation according to water visibility and become ineffective in turbid environments. In comparison, high-frequency (MHz) 2-D imaging sonar video systems, introduced to the commercial market in recent years, image targets at distances of 10's of meters in highly turbid waters. Visibility permitting, the integration of visual cues in 2-D optical and sonar data would enable better performance compared to deploying either imaging system alone. We address the problem of motion estimation- e.g., for vision-based navigation and target-based positioning of a mobile submersible platform- from 2-D optical and sonar images. The application of structure from motion paradigm in this multimodal imaging scenario also enables the 3-D reconstruction of scene features. We rely on the tracking of features in the sonar and optical motion sequences independently, without the need to establish multi-modal association between corresponding optical and sonar features. In addition to improving the motion estimation accuracy, advantages of the proposed method comprise overcoming certain inherent ambiguities of monocular vision, e.g., the scale-factor ambiguity, and although rare, up to three interpretations for certain scene structures and camera motion. Experiment with synthetic and real data are presented in support of our technical contribution.
Mode of Action of Diterpene and Characterization of Related Metabolites from the Soft Coral, Xenia elongata

Chemical and biological investigation of the cultured marine soft coral Xenia elongata led to the isolation of two new diterpenes (2, 3). Their structures were elucidated using a combination of NMR and mass spectrometry. Biological evaluations and assessments were determined using the specific apoptosis induction assay based on genetically engineered mammalian cell line D3 deficient in Bak and Bax and derived from a mouse epithelial cell. The diterpenes induce apoptosis in low micromolar concentrations. The results indicate that the previously isolated compound (1) affects cell in a manner similar to that of HSP90 and HDAC inhibitors and in a manner opposite of PI3 kinase/mTOR inhibitors. Compound (3) inhibits selectively HDAC6 in high micromolar concentrations.
The equivalence of L2-stability, the resolvent condition, and strict H-stability

Abstract The Kreiss matrix theorem asserts that a family of N × N matrices is L 2 -stable if and only if either a resolvent condition (R) or a Hermitian norm condition (H) is satisfied. We give a direct, considerably shorter proof of the power-boundedness of an N × N matrix satisfying (R), sharpening former results by showing that power- boundedness depends, at most, linearly on the dimension N . We also show that L 2 -stability is characterized by an H-condition employing a general H-numerical radius instead of the usual H-norm, thus generalizing a sufficient stability criterion, due to Lax and Wendroff.
6-(2-phenylethyl)nicotine : A novel nicotinic cholinergic receptor ligand

6-(2-Phenylethyl)nicotine (1b; K(i)=15 nM) was unexpectedly found to bind at alpha4beta2 nicotinic cholinergic (nACh) receptors. Although this compound failed to produce nicotine-like agonist action in several functional assays, 1b antagonized the antinociceptive effects of nicotine (mouse tail-flick assay) in a dose-dependent fashion when administered via an intrathecal route.
SYSTEM ENGINEERING IN SENIOR-DESIGN CAPSTONE PROJECTS

The United States Naval Academy (USNA) is an undergraduate-only institution whose mission is to educate future officers in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. The Naval Academy has participated in a number of project based learning efforts both in engineering classes (Design‐Build‐Fly) as well as in focused projects (e.g. SAE Formula-1 race car, Cockpit of the Future, and the Sailbot). We are currently participating in the Systems Engineering Research Center research topic “RT-19: Research on Building Education & Workforce Capacity in Systems Engineering” (RT-19) for the 2010‐2011 academic year. Research topic RT-19 is to develop Systems Engineering talent in the workforce through projects developing working solutions to real-world problems. USNA RT-19 participation includes sixteen students from four majors and three departments working on four independent senior-design capstone projects: ∞ Improving Surge Power Capabilities. ∞ Personnel Tracking. ∞ Portable Low-power Water Purification (interdisciplinary project). ∞ Portable Renewable Sea-based Power Generation, Storage, and Distribution (interdisciplinary project). Each team is developing a functioning artifact that could be delivered to the RT-19 sponsor as a prototype implementation. The projects were conceived to solve a specific problem, designed to be viable within senior-design course limitations, and implemented by the students. They will be demonstrated as part of capstone presentations in April. We have faced two challenges so far. The first challenge has been interdisciplinary project coordination in the presence of different senior-design sequences with different schedules, course content, and course requirements. The second challenge has been providing systems-engineering content without a common senior-design sequence for interdisciplinary project teams. In this paper, we provide a full accounting of our experiences to date including accomplishments, lessons learned, and our plans to improve the senior-design process to support both well-defined as well as quick-reaction project opportunities.
Individuals as Subjects of International Law

Publicists who consider individuals as objects of international law exclusively or in principle are almost too numerous to be quoted. However, in the opinion of this writer, one may speak about an individual as an object of international law only in exceptional cases, in which the spirit of the modern international law is flagrantly violated.
IL-33 mediates reactive eosinophilopoiesis in response to airborne allergen exposure.

Background Exposure to aeroallergens induces eosinophilic airway inflammation in patients with asthma and allergic airway diseases. The circulating number of eosinophils in peripheral blood is relatively small, leading us to hypothesize that bone marrow needs to be engaged quickly to meet the demands of the tissues. Methods To investigate the communication between the lungs and bone marrow, we used acute allergen exposure and airway inflammation models in mice. Gene-deficient mice and cytokine reporter mice as well as in vitro cell culture models were used to dissect the mechanisms. Results Naive BALB/c mice produced increased numbers of eosinophil precursors and mature eosinophils in the bone marrow when their airways were exposed to a common fungal allergen, Alternaria alternata. Expression of IL-5 and IL-33 increased rapidly in the lungs, but not in the bone marrow. Sera from allergen-exposed mice promoted eosinophilopoiesis in bone marrow cells from naive mice, which was blocked by anti-IL-5 antibody. Mice deficient in the IL-33 receptor ST2 (i.e., Il1rl1−/− mice) were unable to increase their serum levels of IL-5 and allergen-induced eosinophilopoiesis in the bone marrow after allergen exposure. Finally, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) in the lungs showed robust expression of IL-5 after Alternaria exposure. Conclusions These finding suggests that lung IL-33, through innate activation of ILC2s and their production of IL-5, plays a key role in promoting acute reactive eosinophilopoiesis in the bone marrow when naive animals are exposed to airborne allergens. Therefore, bone marrow eosinophilopoiesis may be affected by atmospheric environmental conditions.
Sunlight-driven photochemical halogenation of dissolved organic matter in seawater: a natural abiotic source of organobromine and organoiodine.

Reactions of dissolved organic matter (DOM) with photochemically generated reactive halogen species (RHS) may represent an important natural source of organohalogens within surface seawaters. However, investigation of such processes has been limited by difficulties in quantifying low dissolved organohalogen concentrations in the presence of background inorganic halides. In this work, sequential solid phase extraction (SPE) and silver-form cation exchange filtration were utilized to desalt and preconcentrate seawater DOM prior to nonspecific organohalogen analysis by ICP-MS. Using this approach, native organobromine and organoiodine contents were found to range from 3.2−6.4 × 10–4 mol Br/mol C and 1.1–3.8 × 10–4 mol I/mol C (or 19–160 nmol Br L–1 and 6–36 nmol I L–1) within a wide variety of natural seawater samples, compared with 0.6–1.2 × 10–4 mol Br/mol C and 0.6–1.1 × 10–5 mol I/mol C in terrestrial natural organic matter (NOM) isolates. Together with a chemical probe method specific for RHS, the SPE+I...
Malignant “Histiocytic” Lymphoma in Childhood

Forty-one cases of childhood “histiocytic” lymphoma were studied morphologically and immunologically to determine whether this tumor type is composed of true histiocytic cells. Lysozyme and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin were used as markers for histiocytes, and cytoplasmic immunoglobulins were used as markers for B cells. Both indirect immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase methods were used for functional characterization of tumor cells. Eight different subgroups were identified in the series, and only one case was proved to be true histiocytic lymphoma. When survival was evaluated for different subgroups, excluding convoluted lymphocytic, unclassified, and true histiocytic lymphomas, mixed follicular cell lymphoma had the most favorable prognosis; six of seven patients survived for at least one year. Immunoblastic lymphoma, by contrast, had an unfavorable prognosis; none of four patients were alive one year after diagnosis. The difference is statistically significant ( P < 0.05) by chi-square analysis. Other groups of lymphoma (large cleaved, large noncleaved, and small noncleaved) had an intermediate prognosis (three of five, six of nine, and five of nine patients surviving at one year). Our results indicate that “histiocytic” lymphoma is a morphologically heterogeneous group of neoplasms, mostly not related to true histiocytes, and that morphologic subclassification may be useful in predicting prognosis.
Calculating the Cost of Heating and Cooling Loss for Building Diagnostics Using EPAR (Energy Performance Augmented Reality Models)

Successful building diagnostics requires quick and reliable identification of energy performance problems, and an accurate assessment and cost analysis of the associated energy loss. Today, most auditors rely on thermal imagery for analyzing energy performance problems. Nonetheless, current thermographic inspections are qualitative and thus mainly focus on the visual detection of thermal irregularities. As a result, the quality of the retrofit decision-makings is based on how these images are interpreted by the auditors. To overcome these challenges, this paper presents a new method for calculating the cost associated with potential building energy performance problems. First, based on the Energy Performance Augmented Reality (EPAR) modeling method, actual and expected 3D spatio-thermal models of the buildings under inspection are generated and integrated in a 3D environment. This method leverages thermal and digital images captured by a thermal camera for actual energy performance modeling, in addition to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis for expected energy performance simulation. Based on thermal 3D mesh modeling and threshold-based assessments of temperature deviations, building areas with potential performance problems are detected within the EPAR models. By locating a small crumbled aluminum foil on an inspection surface, the reflected apparent temperature is measured. For areas with potential performance problems within EPAR models, this measurement is used to calculate the actual R-value at the level of 3D points. This information is finally used to calculate both heat loss and gain and also estimate the associated energy costs. The presented method is tested on several interior locations of an existing residential building. Experimental results and the benefits of converting temperature data sensed from building surfaces into actual R-values and the cost of heating and cooling loss are discussed.
Testicular Scan, Diagnosis and Followup for Torsion of Testis

Testicular scan is an important method to improve the preoperative diagnosis of torsion of the testis. We used this method to diagnose torsion of the testis and for 3-month followup studies we correlated the followup scanning with testicular biopsy. We believe that one should always attempt to leave the twisted testicular portion in the scrotum because some vital cells might still be functioning.
c-myb affects intracellular calcium handling in vascular smooth muscle cells

The protooncogene c-myb is responsible for elevating intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) at the G1/S interface in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). However, the molecular components of this pathway are undefined, and the biological effects of increased levels of divalent cation are unknown. We have demonstrated that growth-arrested c-myb-transfected VSMC, compared with wild type VSMC, exhibit a fourfold increased number of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptors, increased amount of secreted IGF-I activity, and a twofold increased level of [Ca2+]. The c-myb transfected cells, compared with wild type cells, also possess a twofold increased rate of calcium influx and a twofold decreased rate of calcium efflux. The elevated calcium influx rate of transfected cells is decreased to that of wild type cells with IGF-I neutralizing antibody, whereas the decreased calcium efflux rate of transfected cells is increased to that of wild type cells with antisense c-myb oligonucleotides. Proliferating wild type VSMC exhibit an increased calcium influx rate in late G1, which is dependent on production of augmented amounts of IGF-I activity but not increased levels of IGF-I receptors. The wild type VSMC also show a decreased calcium efflux rate at the same point in the cell cycle, which is dependent on expression of c-myb. The treatment of wild type cells with antisense c-myb or IGF-I receptor oligonucleotides induces a late G1 block in cell proliferation, which can be overcome by exposure to the calcium ionophore, 4-bromo-A-27318, in amounts sufficient to raise [Ca2+]i to levels observed at the G1/S interface. We conclude that IGF-I/IGF-I receptors and c-myb are involved in control of [Ca2+]i at the G1/S interface by separately regulating the rates of calcium influx and efflux and that elevated levels of divalent cation are necessary for progression of VSMC into the S phase of the cell cycle.
Arteriovenous Malformations: Presenting Symptoms, Treatment, and Outcome

The records of 39 patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVM) treated at the University of Utah during a 15-year period (1989-2004) were reviewed and analyzed for presentation,