cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrogen effects on neuronal responsiveness to electrical and neurotransmitter stimulation: an in vitro study on the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus.

Abstract To investigate the effects of estrogen on the activity of the neurons in the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN), the single-unit activity was recorded from in vitro brain tissue slices prepared from ovariectomized rats that were either treated or untreated with estrogen. In tissue slices continuously perifused with estrogen-free solution, half of the 348 VMN neurons studied were silent or nearly silent, and the rest fired spontaneously at low rates. Electrical stimulation of the periventricular region medial to the VMN evoked not only 3 types of orthodromic responses, but also antidromic responses from many VMN neurons, indicating that the VMN and the periventricular region are intimately and reciprocally connected. Neuronal responses to a battery of 6 neurotransmitters were studied by microinjecting 50 μl of a transmitter solution directly into the chamber where the tissue slice was being continuously perifused. When effective, glutamate (Glut) was almost exclusively excitatory; acetylcholine (ACh) and norepinephrine (NE) could be excitatory and/or inhibitory; 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) were predominantly inhibitory; and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) was exclusively inhibitory on neuronal activity. The overall resting neuronal activity and responses to the transmitter were very similar to those observed in in vivo studies, indicating that, for VMN at least, in vitro tissue slices can serve as a simplified model for studying neuronal activity and responses. Comparisons of results between estrogen-treated and untreated preparations showed that chronic, in vivo estrogen treatments, while having no effect on resting firing rate, selectively facilitated the responsiveness of silent (but not spontaneously active) neurons to excitatory orthodromic inputs, and the responsiveness to the excitatory action of ACh, the overall action of NE and the inhibitory action of 5-HT. These selective estrogen effects would no doubt alter the input-output relationships of VMN neurons evoked by the orthodromic inputs and ACh, NE and 5-HT. Since the VMN is crucial to many biological functions, and the cholinergic, adrenergic and serotonergic inputs to the ventromedial hypothalamus are involved in the estrogenic regulation of sexual behavior, reproductive neuroendocrine, and other biological functions, the alteration of the input-output relationships evoked by the orthodromic and transmitter inputs would affect the regulation of many functions.
Effect of pre-strain on the kinetics of isothermal martensitic transformation

Abstract A detailed study of the effect of pre-strain on the isothermal martensitic transformation kinetics in an Fe-23·2wt% Ni-2·8wt% Mn is reported. The activation energy for isothermal martensitic nucleation in pre-strained samples is derived by analysing the nuleation and overall transformation kinetics data in terms of a phenomenological model. A critical analysis of the literature data on the activation energy for martensitic nucleation in solid-solution-strengthened alloys at subzero temperatures, enables us to estimate the contribution of Mn and Ni to the thermal component of the interfacial frictional work. With knowledge of the athermal and thermal contributions to the interfacial frictional work due to these solute atoms, it is possible to make a quantitative estimate of the interfacial friction owing to dislocation forest hardening.
A novel active constellation extension algorithm with low peak power for pilot-aided OFDM systems

The active constellation extension (ACE) technique is attractive for reducing peak power in OFDM systems. It is simple and easy to implement and provides suboptimal gain in peak power reduction. However, its peak power reduction capacity is sensitive to low target clipping ratios. In this paper, we propose a novel ACE algorithm using pilot symbols. In contrast to the existing ACE techniques, our proposed algorithm can reach any desired target clipping level with low complexity, even when the clipping level is set below the initially unknown optimum value. Simulation results are utilized to compare our proposed algorithm with the existing ACE techniques. It is shown that our proposed algorithm provides better peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) reduction performance for low clipping ratios.
Mechanical and magnetic behavior of oligocrystalline Ni–Mn–Ga microwires

Abstract Ni–Mn–Ga wires with sub-millimeter diameter, either as individual wires or as part of 2D or 3D wire assemblies, are promising candidates for actuators, sensors, magnetic cooling systems and energy harvesting devices. Here, we report on Ni–Mn–Ga wires with 200–400 μm diameter fabricated by the Taylor method, followed by annealing at 1050 °C for 1 h to achieve grain growth. The mechanical behavior of these oligocrystalline wires with bamboo grains was studied by tensile tests at room temperature. Wires with martensitic structure exhibited a very low Young’s modulus of 5–8 GPa and superelastic behavior with twinning stresses of 22–30 MPa and maximum recoverable strain of 3.5%, and accumulated a plastic strain of ∼0.6% over 8 consecutive 0–50 MPa mechanical loading cycles. A 1 T rotating magnetic field caused the wire to bend to a curvature corresponding to a surface strain of 1.5%. During a full-field revolution, the wire deflected back and forth twice when the field direction was approximately perpendicular to the average wire direction. This effect was attributed to magnetic-torque-induced bending (MTIB) enabled by twinning.
Linearization strategies for a class of zero-one mixed integer programming problems

This paper is concerned with a new linearization strategy for a class of zero-one mixed integer programming problems that contains quadratic cross-product terms between continuous and binary variables, and between the binary variables themselves. This linearization scheme provides an equivalent mixed integer linear programming problem which yields a tighter continuous relaxation than that obtainable via the alternative linearization techniques available in the literature. Moreover, the proposed technique provides a unifying framework in the sense that all the alternate methods lead to formulations that are accessible through appropriate surrogates of the constraints of the new linearized formulation. Extensions to various other types of mixed integer nonlinear programming problems are also discussed.
Mechanical post-capture particle selection by suspension- and deposit-feeding Corophium

Abstract Three species of the estuarine amphipod genus Corophium employed oscillatory motions of the maxillipeds and maxillipedal palps to ingest selected particles and pass rejected particles anteriorly from the buccal mass. These species demonstrated strong, mechanical, post-capture selection for smaller particles over the size range of 5–53 μm (diameter) in both suspension- and surface-deposit-feeding modes. The logarithm of particle probability of ingestion was linearly related to particle diameter. Selectivity was unaffected by the presence of other experimental particles or ambient sediment grain size, but apparently increased with experimental particle abundance and time available for feeding. Corophium ingested 9-μm particles at a rate >20·s−1. Predictions from a setal brush model of selection are consistent with these Corophium data. Similarities in mouthpart movements and setal morphology suggest a post-capture sorting mechanism like that of Corophium may exist in a wide variety of crustaceans.
HGF- and KGF-induced Activation of PI-3K/p70 S6 Kinase Pathway in Corneal Epithelial Cells: its Relevance in Wound Healing

In this study we have investigated the involvement of PI-3K and its downstream target p70 S6K in the signaling response of corneal epithelial cells after HGF and KGF stimulation. HGF induced three- to five-fold increase in PI-3K activity in 5-10 min, whereas KGF stimulation resulted in two- to three-fold increase in activity in 2-10 min. Both growth factors also caused the phosphorylation of p70 S6K and stimulation of its activity. HGF increased p70 S6K activity by 300% and KGF by about 200%. Protein kinase C (PKC) activator TPA also induced the phosphorylation of p70 S6K. Both the PI-3K inhibitor wortmannin and PKC inhibitor calphostin C blocked the phosphorylation of p70 S6K mediated by the growth factors. However, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (p42/44 MAPK) cascade inhibitor PD98059 had no effect on p70 S6K activation. Furthermore, HGF and KGF increased the rate of corneal epithelial wound healing in an organ culture model, and wortmannin and rapamycin (the p70 S6K inhibitor) blocked corneal epithelial wound healing promoted by the growth factors. These studies suggest that PI-3K and p70 S6K are important signal transducers in the stimulation of corneal epithelial cells by HGF and KGF. PKC is involved in the PI-3K-dependent activation of p70 S6K but not MAPK. Inhibition of wound closure by PI-3K and p70 S6K inhibitors suggests these enzymes play a significant role in corneal wound repair stimulated by HGF and KGF.
Picosecond Carrier Dynamics and Laser Action in Optically Pumped Buried Heterostructure Lasers

We report the observation of picosecond optical pulses and unusual pulse structures from optically pumped buried heterostructure semiconductor lasers. A model which considers the hot electron and hole energy distributions dynamically accounts well for our experimental findings. The results are relevant to the problem of the limiting response time of semiconductor lasers.
The role of the wind-evaporation-sea surface temperature (WES) feedback in air-sea coupled tropical variability

The Wind-Evaporation-Sea surface temperature (WES) feedback is believed to play an important role in tropical climate variability. We report on studies using a modified version of the NCAR-Community Climate Model (CCM3) coupled to a slab ocean model, where the WES feedback is deliberately suppressed in the bulk aero-dynamic formulation for surface heat fluxes. A comparison of coupled integrations using the modified CCM3 to those carried out using the standard CCM3 conclusively identifies the role of the WES feedback in enhancing the inter-annual variability over deep tropical oceans. We are also able to clearly identify the role of the WES feedback in the westward propagation of the equatorial annual cycle. Our study also reveals an important role for near surface humidity in tropical climate variability, in enhancing inter-annual variability and in sustaining the equatorial annual cycle.
Maintenance therapy for central nervous system lymphoma with rituximab.

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare type of malignant non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that is confined to the brain, eyes, and cerebrospinal fluid. Response rates of >90% have been...
Ridge regression: biased estimation for nonorthogonal problems

In multiple regression it is shown that parameter estimates based on minimum residual sum of squares have a high probability of being unsatisfactory, if not incorrect, if the prediction vectors are not orthogonal. Proposed is an estimation procedure based on adding small positive quantities to the diagonal of X′X. Introduced is the ridge trace, a method for showing in two dimensions the effects of nonorthogonality. It is then shown how to augment X′X to obtain biased estimates with smaller mean square error.
The Buncefield explosion and fire–lessons learned

In December 2005, a succession of events triggered by the lack of redundant level control measures led to the release of large quantities of gasoline from a bulk storage facility in Buncefield near the Heathrow airport in United Kingdom. This article provides an analysis of the reasons behind the extent of the flammable vapor cloud that may have accumulated and the mechanism by which the overpressure was generated. This article also summarizes some of the past incidents involving open-air vapor cloud explosions and the apparent similarities and parallels with the Buncefield incident. The mechanism of the gasoline release and drop from height leads to vapor release and by the time the release hits the ground, most of the vapor is formed. The turbulence of the release itself created turbulence that caused air entrainment. After ignition, the well mixed fuel-air vapor cloud attained higher flame speeds caused by the congestion and turbulence thus further exacerbating the intensity of the explosion. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2011
Surface changes on Brugia pahangi microfilariae and their association with immune evasion in Aedes aegypti.

Abstract The sheath surface of Brugia pahangi microfilariae (mff) isolated from jird blood and following penetration of Aedes aegypti (black-eyed Liverpool strain) midguts in vitro was evaluated using (1) polyclonal antibody probes as a means of assessing the acquisition of mosquito midgut antigens on the surface of mff, and (2) cationic and anionic colloidal iron incubation to determine midgut-induced changes in surface electrostatic charge. Incubation of mff in antisera (generated in rabbits) to blood-fed or non-blood-fed midgut antigens and then in fluorescein conjugated goat anti-rabbit IgG revealed no significant fluorescence on the surface of either blood-isolated or midgut-penetrated mff. The surface of blood-isolated mff is strongly electronegative, but midgut-penetrated mff have little affinity for cationic iron. Neither group of mff binds significant amounts of anionic iron. Failure to detect midgut antigens on the surface of midgut-penetrated mff and the loss of surface electronegativity following midgut penetration are discussed in relation to evasion of the immune response by midgut-penetrated B. pahangi mff in A. aegypti .
Interstitial Contacts in an RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Lattice

Catalytic activities can be facilitated by ordered enzymatic arrays that co-localize and orient enzymes and their substrates. The purified RNA-dependent RNA polymerase from poliovirus self-assembles to form two-dimensional lattices, possibly facilitating the assembly of viral RNA replication complexes on the cytoplasmic face of intracellular membranes. Creation of a two-dimensional lattice requires at least two different molecular contacts between polymerase molecules. One set of polymerase contacts, between the "thumb" domain of one polymerase and the back of the "palm" domain of another, has been previously defined. To identify the second interface needed for lattice formation and to test its function in viral RNA synthesis, we used a hybrid approach of electron microscopic and biochemical evaluation of both wild-type and mutant viral polymerases to evaluate computationally generated models of this second interface. A unique solution satisfied all constraints and predicted a two-dimensional structure formed from antiparallel arrays of polymerase fibers that use contacts from the flexible amino-terminal region of the protein. Enzymes that contained mutations in this newly defined interface did not form lattices and altered the structure of wild-type lattices. When reconstructed into virus, mutations that disrupt lattice assembly exhibited growth defects, synthetic lethality or both, supporting the function of the oligomeric lattice in infected cells. Understanding the structure of polymerase lattices within the multimeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerase complex should facilitate antiviral drug design and provide a precedent for other positive-strand RNA viruses.
Loss of col8a1a function during zebrafish embryogenesis results in congenital vertebral malformations

abstract Congenital vertebral malformations (CVM) occur in 1 in 1000 live births and in many cases can causespinal deformities, such as scoliosis, and result in disability and distress of affected individuals. Manysevere forms of the disease, such as spondylocostal dystostosis, are recessive monogenic traits affectingsomitogenesis, however the etiologies of the majority of CVM cases remain undetermined. Here wedemonstrate that morphological defects of the notochord in zebraﬁsh can generate congenital-type spinedefects. We characterize three recessive zebraﬁsh leviathan/col8a1a mutant alleles ( m531 ,vu41 vu105 ) thatdisrupt collagen type VIII alpha1a (col8a1a), and cause folding of the embryonic notochord andconsequently adult vertebral column malformations. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a transientloss of col8a1a function or inhibition of Lysyl oxidases with drugs during embryogenesis was sufﬁcient togenerate vertebral fusions and scoliosis in the adult spine. Using periodic imaging of individual zebraﬁsh,we correlate focal notochord defects of the embryo with vertebral malformations (VM) in the adult.Finally, we show that bends and kinks in the notochord can lead to aberrant apposition of osteoblastsnormally conﬁned to well-segmented areas of the developing vertebral bodies. Our results afford a novelmechanism for the formation of VM, independent of defects of somitogenesis, resulting from aberrantbone deposition at regions of misshapen notochord tissue.& 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Electroantennogram responses of the mediterranean fruit fly,Ceratitis capitata, to a spectrum of plant volatiles

Electroantennograms (EAGs) were recorded from unmated, laboratory-reared, male and femaleCeratitis capitata (medfly) in response to a range of C1 and C2 to C12 carbon chain-length aliphatic alcohols, aldehydes, acetates, and acids, and lactones, some of which are known volatiles from leaves and fruits. A large degree of EAG response uniformity between the sexes was observed, with only eight of the 70 compounds tested eliciting significantly larger amplitude EAG responses from female than male antennae. In general, for the five functional-group series tested, aldehydes and alcohols elicited greater responses than acetates, lactones, and acids. The unsaturated alcohols, aldehydes, acetates, and acids elicited equal or larger amplitude EAG responses than their comparable saturated compounds. For four of the functional-group series tested, the EAG response amplitude was significantly greater for a particular carbon chain length, with responsiveness to primary alcohols and aldehydes peaking at C6, acids peaking at C5-6, and acetates peaking at both C5 and C8. The EAG responses to both the 2- and 3-position monoenic alcohols peaked at C6 and C8, while the secondary alcohols peaked at C7. The greatest EAG responses of all compounds tested were elicited by monoenic C6 alcohols and aldehydes that are constituents of the "general green-leaf odor" that emanates from most plants. The potential adaptive benefit of selective sensitivity to green-leaf volatiles is discussed in regard to foraging behavior of medflies.
New aporphinoid 5-HT2A and α1A antagonists via structural manipulations of nantenine.

Abstract A series of C1, C2, C3 and N 6 analogs of nantenine ( 2 ) was synthesized and evaluated in 5-HT 2A and α 1A receptor functional assays. Alkyl substitution of the C1 and N 6 methyl groups of nantenine provided selective 5-HT 2A and α 1A antagonists, respectively. The C2 alkyloxy analogs studied were generally selective for α 1A versus 5-HT 2A . The C3 bromo analog 15 is one of the most potent aporphinoid 5-HT 2A antagonists known presently.
Scleroderma: considerations for dental hygienists

Scleroderma, the general name of a group of progressive diseases affecting the connective tissues is the most deadly of the varying connective tissue disorders. Characterized by abnormal thickening of the skin, this collagen-vascular disease is associated with immune dysfunction. Hallmark signs of scleroderma include fibrosis, vascular instability and initial inflammation resulting from excessive collagen deposition. Oral facial involvement is considerable, necessitating adaptations in patient oral self-care and influencing oral hygiene. Appropriate dental hygiene management of patients with this autoimmune disorder requires an understanding of clinical characteristics, the recognition of oral facial involvement, treatment considerations and pharmacological interventions. With this information, dental hygienists will be better prepared to provide compassionate, safe and effective dental hygiene management and care to patients with scleroderma.
Macrophage inflammatory protein-1α shows predictive value as a risk marker for subjects and sites vulnerable to bone loss in a longitudinal model of aggressive periodontitis.

Improved diagnostics remains a fundamental goal of biomedical research. This study was designed to assess cytokine biomarkers that could predict bone loss (BL) in localized aggressive periodontitis. 2,058 adolescents were screened. Two groups of 50 periodontally healthy adolescents were enrolled in the longitudinal study. One group had Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), the putative pathogen, while the matched cohort did not. Cytokine levels were assessed in saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Participants were sampled, examined, and radiographed every 6 months for 2-3 years. Disease was defined as radiographic evidence of BL. Saliva and GCF was collected at each visit, frozen, and then tested retrospectively after detection of BL. Sixteen subjects with Aa developed BL. Saliva from Aa-positive and Aa-negative healthy subjects was compared to subjects who developed BL. GCF was collected from 16 subjects with BL and from another 38 subjects who remained healthy. GCF from BL sites in the 16 subjects was compared to healthy sites in these same subjects and to healthy sites in subjects who remained healthy. Results showed that cytokines in saliva associated with acute inflammation were elevated in subjects who developed BL (i.e., MIP-1α MIP-1β IL-α, IL-1β and IL-8; p<0.01). MIP-1α was elevated 13-fold, 6 months prior to BL. When MIP-1α levels were set at 40 pg/ml, 98% of healthy sites were below that level (Specificity); whereas, 93% of sites with BL were higher (Sensitivity), with comparable Predictive Values of 98%; p<0.0001; 95% C.I. = 42.5-52.7). MIP-1α consistently showed elevated levels as a biomarker for BL in both saliva and GCF, 6 months prior to BL. MIP-1α continues to demonstrate its strong candidacy as a diagnostic biomarker for both subject and site vulnerability to BL.
Complementary and alternative medicine use among American women: findings from The National Health Interview Survey, 2002.

Background: The prevalence of use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among Americans is high, especially among women, but a national profile of women CAM users has yet to be characterized. This study identified sociodemographic, health, and lifestyle factors associated with use of various types of CAM among women in the United States and examined health conditions and reasons for use. Methods: Data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, were analyzed (n = 17,295 women). Any recent use of CAM as well as specific types of CAM (e.g., biologically based therapies) use were analyzed; prayer was considered separately. Prevalence estimates and logistic regression results were weighted, and variance estimates were adjusted for complex sample design. Results: About 40% of women reported any recent CAM use. Biologically based therapies (23.8%) were the most frequently reported CAM type, followed by mind-body therapies (20.9%). User char...
Finite Simple Groups of Bounded Subgroup Chain Length

Abstract Given a finite group G, we denote by l(G) the length of the longest chain of subgroups of G. We study whether certain sets of non-isomorphic finite simple groups S with bounded l(S) are finite or infinite. We prove, in particular, that there exists an infinite number of non-isomorphic non-abelian finite simple groups S with l(S) bounded.
Nanostructured ceramic materials: Applications in gas sensors and solid-oxide fuel cells

Abstract Two applications of nanostructured ceramic materials developed at CINSO in recent years are reviewed, including the synthesis and properties of these materials: (i) Application of nanostructured SnO2-based semiconductors for gas sensors, showing the increase of their sensitivity and the decrease of their operating temperature if the sensor is built with nanomaterials in comparison to sensors prepared with conventional microcrystalline materials. The sensing mechanism is discussed in order to explain the different behavior. (ii) Application of nanocrystalline ZrO2–CeO2 solid solutions as novel anodes for solid-oxide fuel cells operated using hydrocarbons as fuel. Other applications of nanoceramics in these devices, recently investigated at CINSO, are also discussed.
Cesium chromate, Cs2CrO4: high-temperature enthalpy increments and other thermodynamic properties☆

Abstract High-temperature enthalpy increments and derived heat capacities are reported for Cs 2 CrO 4 . There is a solid-to-solid transition at (1031 ± 3) K and the melting temperature is (1236 ± 5) K. The enthalpies of transition and fusion are (2.9 ± 0.6) and (35.3 ± 0.7) kJ mol −1 , respectively, and the entropies of transition and fusion are (2.8 ± 0.6) and (28.6 ± 0.5) J K −1 mol −1 , respectively. Results obtained in this study are combined with other recent data to produce a table of the thermodynamic functions of Cs 2 CrO 4 to 1500 K.
Synopsis based load shedding in XML streams

Stream systems are susceptible to variations in data arrival rate. At times, data arrival rate may spike up to cause unacceptable output latencies and unpredictable system behavior. Recently, load shedding systems have been proposed to deal with this situation. But almost all these systems are for relational data streams and, to the best of our knowledge, none has been proposed for XML data streams so far except [15]. Dropping data randomly may have been an effective method for load shedding in the relational context, due to the uniformity of relational data. But in the XML context, the same method will lead to much invasive negative effect on processing of XML queries due to the recursive and nested structure of XML data. We propose a load shedding framework for XML data streams. We explore the effectiveness of various load shedding techniques based on a general load shedding strategy that takes into account QoS parameters and relative accuracy of the query results. We implement various load shedding strategies and present their result.
Incongruent effects of sad mood on self- conception valence: it's a matter of time

A new hypothesis is proposed to account for the relation between sad mood and selfconception valence, the first, congruency; then, incongruency' hypothesis. According to this hypothesis, sad mood initially influences the valence of open-ended self-descriptions in a mood-congruent fashion, but after a short period of time self-descriptions become mood-incongruent. Subjects were placed into a sad, neutral, or happy mood state, and were subsequently asked to freely describe themselves in writing. The results were consistent with the hypothesis. Sad mood affected the valence of the first half of self descriptions in a congruent manner, but affected the valence of the second half of self descriptions in an incongruent manner. That is, with the passage of time sad mood led to increasingly positive self-descriptions (i.e. equally positive as neutral mood did). Implications of the findings are discussed.
Risk-based multiobjective resource allocation in hierarchical systems with multiple decisionmakers. Part II. A case study

This paper demonstrates an application of the Multiobjective Multi-decisionmaker Resource Allocation (MOMDRA) risk management framework proposed in Part I. A case study of a pumping system, which is a critical component of the hurricane protection system, in the greater New Orleans area during the Katrina event, is discussed. Based on the MOMDRA methodology, the case study models how pumping capacity might be allocated during the initial construction or subsequent enhancement of a pumping system as a multiobjective resource allocation process for managing hurricane risks. Pareto optimal risk management alternatives are generated, and tradeoff analyses are performed across different levels of decisionmakers. The case study demonstrates the applicability and effectiveness of the MOMDRA methodology in risk-based modeling and management of real-world large-scale systems. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Eng 14: 17–28, 2011 © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fluorescence of dietary porphyrins as a basis for real-time detection of fecal contamination on meat.

Digestion of green plants in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract produces degradation products from chlorophyll that cause ingesta and feces to be highly fluorescent. This property was exploited for development and construction of instruments to noninvasively detect minute quantities of feces on meat samples in real time. The presence of feces on meat products is a primary source of foodborne pathogens, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. This new technology provides a rapid and accurate alternative to the practice of visual inspection and augments more time-consuming biological testing methods. This innovation can assist meat processors and government inspectors in their efforts to provide safe and wholesome food to consumers. Keywords: Real-time detection; fluorescence spectroscopy; fecal contamination; food safety; chlorophyll degradation
Substrate Stiffness Regulates PDGF-Induced Circular Dorsal Ruffle Formation Through MLCK

As atherosclerosis progresses, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) invade from the medial layer into the intimal layer and proliferate, contributing to atherosclerotic plaque formation. This migration is stimulated in part by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), which is released by endothelial cells and inflammatory cells, and vessel stiffening, which occurs with age and atherosclerosis progression. PDGF induces the formation of circular dorsal ruffles (CDRs), actin-based structures associated with increased cell motility. Here we show that mechanical changes in matrix stiffness enhance the formation of CDRs in VSMCs in response to PDGF stimulation. Our data indicate that matrix stiffness increases cellular contractility, and that intracellular pre-stress is necessary for robust CDR formation. When treated with agonists that promote contractility, cells increase CDR formation, whereas agonists that inhibit contractility lead to decreased CDR formation. Substrate stiffness promotes CDR formation in response to PDGF by upregulating Src activity through myosin light chain kinase. Together, these data indicate that vessel stiffening accompanying atherogenesis may exacerbate VSMC response to PDGF leading to CDR formation.
the adaptive dimensions of leisure

One response to scarcity is to invest more effort in subsistence activities. It is also possible to respond by adjusting the level of effort in nonwork, or leisure, activities. The authors examine the concept of a “Zen road to affluence” using time-allocation data from four closely related Indian communities in central Brazil. Two of the groups live in relatively degraded environments, where yield per unit of work is lower. Total time spent working is about the same for all four groups; however, for the two groups living in degraded environments, the proportion of nonwork time spent in “low energy cost” activities is higher. This strategy of reducing needs is probably a response to resource depletion.
Size dependence of the ferroelectric transition of small BaTiO3 particles: Effect of depolarization.

A theory has been developed to examine the depolarization effect on the ferroelectric transition of small ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ particles. To reduce the depolarization energy, a crystal would break up into domains of different polarization. In this study, we consider cubic particles with alternating domains separated by 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} domain walls. The depolarization energy and the domain-wall energy were incorporated into the Landau-Ginzburg free-energy density. Assuming a hyperbolic tangent polarization profile across the domain wall, the domain-wall energy \ensuremath{\gamma} and the domain-wall half thickness \ensuremath{\xi} can be obtained by minimizing \ensuremath{\gamma} with respect to \ensuremath{\xi}. To account for ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ not being a perfect insulator, a Schottky space charge layer beneath the particle surface that shields the interior of the crystal from the depolarization field was considered. The equilibrium polarization P and domain width D can be obtained by minimizing the total free-energy density with respect to both P and D. The results of the calculations show that the ferroelectric transition temperature of small particles can be substantially lower than that of the bulk transition temperature as a result of the depolarization effect. Consequently, at a temperature below the bulk transition temperature, the dielectric constant \ensuremath{\epsilon} can peak at a certain cube size L. These results agree with the existing experimental observations. Finally, the theory can also be applied to other ferroelectric materials such as ${\mathrm{KH}}_{2}$${\mathrm{PO}}_{4}$ or ${\mathrm{PbTiO}}_{3}$.
Statistical properties of single-mode oscillations in photorefractive ring resonators

We investigate the statistical properties of the optical field that arises from two-wave mixing in a single-mode unidirectional photorefractive ring resonator. Two cases are considered: additive noise produced by generation-recombination fluctuations in the photorefractive material's ionized donor concentration and multiplicative noise produced by fluctuations in the cavity detuning and losses. Like the homogeneously broadened two-level laser near threshold, the photorefractive resonator has Gaussian and Rayleigh-like intensity distributions in the additive and multiplicative noise cases, respectively. The equations describing the linewidths associated with the intensity fluctuations for the two cases and those describing the linewidth and frequency shift associated with the amplitude fluctuation in the multiplicative noise case also have the same form as the laser equations. The descriptions of the linewidth and frequency shift associated with the amplitude fluctuation in the additive noise case are, in general, different from those of the laser. >
EVALUATION AND COMPARISON OF AN INDIRECT FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY TEST FOR DETECTION OF ANTIBODIES TO SARCOCYSTIS NEURONA, USING SERUM AND CEREBROSPINAL FLUID OF NATURALLY AND EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED, AND VACCINATED HORSES

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the accuracy of the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of horses naturally and experimentally infected with Sarcocystis neurona, to assess the correlation between serum and CSF titers, and to determine the effect of S. neurona vaccination on the diagnosis of infection. Using receiver-operating characteristic analysis, the areas under the curve for the IFAT were 0.97 (serum) and 0.99 (CSF). Sensitivity and specificity were 83.3 and 96.9% (serum, cutoff 80) and 100 and 99% (CSF, cutoff 5), respectively. Titer-specific likelihood ratios (LRs) ranged from 0.03 to 187.8 for titers between <10 and 640. Median time to conversion was 22-26 days postinfection (DPI) (serum) and 30 DPI (CSF). The correlation between serum and CSF titers was moderately strong (r = 0.6) at 30 DPI. Percentage of vaccinated antibody-positive horses ranged from 0 to 95% between 0 and 112 days after the second vaccination. Thus, the IFAT was reliable and accurate using serum and CSF. Use of LRs potentially improves clinical decision making. Correlation between serum and CSF titers affects the joint accuracy of the IFAT; therefore, the ratio of serum to CSF titers has potential diagnostic value. The S. neurona vaccine could possibly interfere with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis diagnosis.
Path-based scheduling for synthesis

A novel path-based scheduling algorithm is presented. It yields solutions with the minimum number of control steps, taking into account arbitrary constraints that limit the amount of operations in each control step. The result is a finite state machine that implements the control. Although the complexity of the algorithm is proportional to the number of paths in the control-flow graph, it is shown to be practical for large examples with thousands of nodes. >
A game-theoretical model for inter-organisational collaboration in information systems development

This paper develops a game-theoretical model to address different levels of cooperation between two firms that share their knowledge/information systems as a local public good. The model shows that the collaboration between two firms can lead to the creation of new knowledge/information technology, and that a higher speed of creating new knowledge can change the structure of the game from a prisoners' dilemma game to a coordination game as an evolutionary process. Therefore, despite the knowledge-sharing dilemma, it is possible for both firms to reach the stable and more efficient full-collaboration equilibrium than the Nash collaboration equilibrium.
Lineage diversification on an evolving landscape: phylogeography of the California newt, Taricha torosa (Caudata: Salamandridae)

We used mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences (up to 778 bp) and starch gel electrophoresis (45 loci) to examine the phylogeographical history of 39 populations of the California newt, Taricha torosa. Phylogenetic and population genetic methods were integrated to infer history at deep and shallow time depths. Using a molecular clock, the subspecies T. t. torosa and T. t. sierrae were estimated to have diverged 7–13 Mya. Within T. t. torosa, genetically differentiated groups were identified along coastal California, in southern California, and in the southern Sierra Nevada. The coastal group exhibited isolation by distance, but a lack of genetic variation north of present-day Monterey was indicative of a recent range expansion. In southern California, a disjunct population in central San Diego County was genetically diverged from coastal populations to the north (Nei’s genetic distance of 0.113). However, mtDNA and protein data were geographically discordant regarding the boundary between the coastal and southern Californian groups, and a biogeographical scenario was developed to account for this discordance. The southern Sierran clade of T. t. torosa was weakly diverged from coastal populations for mtDNA sequence variation, yet was strongly differentiated for allozyme variation (Nei’s genetic distance of 0.17–0.20). Populations of T. t. sierrae exhibited substantial population structure, and showed a steeper pattern of isolation by distance than did coastal populations of T. t. torosa. These results are interpreted in consideration of the known geomorphological history of California. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 89, 213–239.
War against the Idols: The Reformation of Worship from Erasmus to Calvin

Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction 1. The state of lay devotion in the late middle ages 2. Erasmus as critic of late medieval piety 3. Early reformers and the question of idolatry 4. Iconoclasm, revolution, and the reformation in Switzerland and Geneva, 1527-1536 5. Humanism and reform in France: the seeds of calvinism 6. John Calvin's attack on idolatry 7. Calvin against the nicodemites 8. From iconoclasm to revolution: the political dimensions of the war against idolatry Conclusion Index.
Web-based gerontology courses: how do they measure up?

This study compared Web-based and lecture-based Gerontology and Psychology of Aging courses in terms of student performance, demographic and academic characteristics of students enrolled in the courses, and extent to which these characteristics differentially predicted outcomes of learning in the two course types. Participants for this study were 289 undergraduate students who completed a Psychology of Aging or Gerontology course, taught in either a Web-based or lecture-based format. Evaluation of student performance indicated percentage of points earned in the two course types did not differ significantly. Although students in Web-based courses tended to be older and were more likely to be upperclassmen than students in lecture-based courses, student profiles did not differ in terms of gender, race, grade point average, and Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) scores. Additionally, demographic and academic variables did not differentially predict course performance. The results of this study suggest a simil...
A Norm-Independent Technique for Assessing Physical Ability of the Severely Disabled:

A new technique for assessing the physical ability of the severely disabled was developed. One of the distinguishing properties of this technique is that it is norm-independent. That is, it does not reference a normal scale of performance, thus it does not compare the performance of a disabled person to a standard established by able-bodied persons.
Non-relation of parathyroid hormone gene polymorphisms to secondary hyperparathyroidism in Chinese hemodialysis patients.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between parathyroid hormone (PTH) gene polymorphisms and secondary hyperparathyroidism in Chinese hemodialysis (HD) patients. Materials and Methods: 210 patients in one HD unit were enrolled as the study group and 203 age‐matched health subjects were enrolled as controls. PTH genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restricted fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of BstBI and DraII. B and b or D and d were indicated by the presence or absence, respectively, of BstBI and DraII at restriction sites on the PTH gene. Serum iPTH levels and serum total calcium (Sca), phosphate (Sp), bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase (bAlk), and aluminum (Al) levels across different genotypes were compared. Results: When polymorphisms at the BstBI the restriction site were investigated, the patients' BB, Bb, and bb genotype frequencies were 62%, 37%, and 1%, respectively. At the DraII restriction site, the patients' DD, Dd, and dd genotype frequencies were 78%, 17%, ...
Simultaneous inference for multiple testing and clustering via a Dirichlet process mixture model

We propose a Bayesian nonparametric regression model that exploits clustering for increased sensitivity in multiple hypothesis testing. We build on the recently proposed BEMMA (Bayesian Effects Models for Microarrays) method which is able to model dependence among objects through clustering and then estimates hypothesis-testing parameters averaged over clustering uncertainty. We propose several improvements. First, we separate the clustering of the regression coefficients from the part of the model that accommodates heteroscedasticity. Second, our model accommodates a wider class of experimental designs, such as permitting covariates and not requiring independent sampling. Third, we provide a more satisfactory treatment of nuisance parameters and some hyperparameters. Finally, we do not require the arbitrary designation of a reference treatment. The proposed method is compared in a simulation study to ANOVA and the BEMMA methods.
A Knowledge-based Interface To Promote Software Understanding

A prerequisite to the reuse and maintenance of a software system is the study and understanding of that system. Understanding a software system requires extensive expertise and knowledge in the problem domain and in design and programming techniques. Knowledge-based tools offer promising support for this effort. We describe a system called KBSUNG which emphasizes both the representation and presentation of knowledge for software. The knowledge analysis used by KBSUNG is based on the text comprehension theory of microstructure and macrostructure. The representation and presentation techniques emphasize the use of multiple perspectives. We discuss an evaluation of the KBSUNG tool in the context of an advanced LISP programming class. We also compare KBSUNG to related tools and research.
Aldosterone Blockers (Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism) and Potassium‐Sparing Diuretics

Spironolactone, a nonselective mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonist, has been in clinical use for several decades. A selective MR antagonist (eplerenone) has also been developed and is now in clinical use. Before proceeding to review the use of these drugs in clinical practice, we will briefly review how the aldosterone paradigm and current concepts of the mineralocorticoid receptor have changed.
Individual differences and the neural representations of reward expectation and reward prediction error

Reward expectation and reward prediction errors are thought to be critical for dynamic adjustments in decision-making and reward-seeking behavior, but little is known about their representation in the brain during uncertainty and risk-taking. Furthermore, little is known about what role individual differences might play in such reinforcement processes. In this study, it is shown behavioral and neural responses during a decision-making task can be characterized by a computational reinforcement learning model and that individual differences in learning parameters in the model are critical for elucidating these processes. In the fMRI experiment, subjects chose between high- and low-risk rewards. A computational reinforcement learning model computed expected values and prediction errors that each subject might experience on each trial. These outputs predicted subjects’ trial-to-trial choice strategies and neural activity in several limbic and prefrontal regions during the task. Individual differences in estimated reinforcement learning parameters proved critical for characterizing these processes, because models that incorporated individual learning parameters explained significantly more variance in the fMRI data than did a model using fixed learning parameters. These findings suggest that the brain engages a reinforcement learning process during risk-taking and that individual differences play a crucial role in modeling this process.
Price setting in forward-looking customer markets

Abstract If consumers form habits in individual goods, firms face a time-inconsistency problem. Low prices in the future help attract customers in the present. Firms, therefore, have an incentive to promise low prices in the future, but price gouge when the future arrives. In this setting, firms benefit from “committing to a sticky price.” If consumers have incomplete information about costs and demand, the firm-preferred equilibrium has the firm price at or below a “price cap.” The model therefore provides an explanation for the simultaneous existence of a rigid regular price and frequent “sales”.
Gateway placement for throughput optimization in wireless mesh networks

In this paper, we address the problem of gateway placement for throughput optimization in multi-hop wireless mesh networks. Assume that each mesh node in the mesh network has a traffic demand. Given the number of gateways to be deployed (denoted by k) and the interference model in the network, we study where to place exactly k gateways in the mesh network such that the total throughput is maximized while it also ensures a certain fairness among all mesh nodes. We propose a novel grid-based gateway deployment method using a cross-layer throughput optimization, and prove that the achieved throughput by our method is a constant times of the optimal. Simulation results demonstrate that our method can effectively exploit the available resources and perform much better than random and fixed deployment methods. In addition, the proposed method can also be extended to work with multi-channel and multi-radio mesh networks under different interference models.