cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
COMPUTERIZED IMAGE-ANALYSIS QUANTITATION OF HETEROGENEITY OF RESPONSE IN K562 HUMAN LEUKEMIA-CELLS AFTER METHOTREXATE EXPOSURE

Methotrexate (MTX) induces a concentration-dependent accumulation of cells in S-phase, an increase in average cell size and RNA and protein content ('unbalanced growth') and finally induces cell death. Even after high-dose MTX treatment, however, some cells escape the drug effect and this heterogeneity in response may play a major role in therapeutic outcome. We investigated heterogeneity in the response of K562 human leukemia cells, which exhibited population characteristics of unbalanced growth when treated with MTX, including a concentration-dependent increase in average-cell size and a block in S-phase of the cell cycle that correlated with growth inhibition. To investigate for the first time the response to MTX at the individual cell level, an individual colony formation assay (iCFA) was used. The iCFA revealed marked heterogeneity in both untreated K562 cells and their response to MTX treatment, as well as distinctive features of the response. Colonies of untreated K562 cells grew logarithmically with modal doubling times of 21.9 h (compared to 18.8+/-1.1 h in suspension culture), but there was over a 2-fold range of doubling times for individual cells. In addition, there was heterogeneity in the size of individual untreated K562 cells. Following MTX treatment, the iCFA detected shifts in the growth rate that were not detected in suspension culture and also drug-induced increased heterogeneity in growth rates at relatively nontoxic MTX concentrations. More importantly, the iCFA demonstrated that at a MTX concentration where no cells reproduced sufficiently to reach the threshold necessary to be counted as a colony, continued slow, logarithmic growth of a number of individual cells was observed. Thus, in addition to cytotoxicity, growth slow-down was a major effect exhibited in K562 cells treated with MTX. There was no correlation between MTX-induced unbalanced growth (as indicated by an increase in individual cell size) and the proliferative capacity of each cell. At cytotoxic MTX concentrations, there were individual cells that showed dramatically increased cell size but continued to proliferate, while other cells did not enlarge, but were still killed. These data show directly for the first time that the increase in cell size following MTX treatment is not likely to be the primary mechanism of cell kill. Similar changes were observed with gamma-fluoromethotrexate (FMTX), an MTX analog which is deficient in polyglutamylation. Since FMTX caused similar effects to MTX, we conclude that under these conditions poly(gamma-glutamate) synthesis is not the most significant factor in producing the observed effects in K562 cells. These results point out the utility of this approach as an alternative to the plating efficiency assay in order to identify approaches to arrest the growth of cells escaping primary drug effects.
GABA ρ2 receptor pharmacological profile: GABA recognition site similarities to ρ1

Abstract The ρ 2 receptor for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) induces GABA-gated currents when expressed as a homooligomer in Xenopus oocytes. ρ 2 responses display pharmacological profiles similar to those of expressed ρ 1 receptors, although responses were slower, most agonists were more potent at ρ 2 and I m values for the partial agonist imidazole-4-acetic acid were 7-fold higher. Amino acids important for most aspects of GABA agonist ligand recognition may not be among those that differ between ρ 1 and ρ 2 , including the 20% amino acid difference in the N-terminal region.
Porous crystalline ruthenium complexes are oxygen sensors.

Several highly emissive, crystalline salts (ClO4-, PF6-, BF4-, B(C6F5)4-, and tfpb-; B(C6F5)4- = tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate; tfpb- = tetrakis(bis-3,5-trifluoromethylphenylborate) of the Ru(pp)32+ (pp = bpy (2,2‘-bipyridine), phen (1,10-phenanthroline) or 4,7-Me2phen (4,7-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) lumophore have been tested as oxygen sensors. Oxygen detection by luminescence quenching correlates with the void space in the crystalline lattice, particularly in the case of [Ru(phen)3](tfpb)2 which has channels occupying approximately 136 A3 per Ru in the crystals. The emission intensity and lifetime quenching of [Ru(phen)3](tfpb)2 displayed strictly linear (R2 = 0.9996) Stern−Volmer behavior (plots of I0/I and τ0/τ vs mole fraction of oxygen) with a slope of 2.43. A single exponential (τ = 640 nsec, pure nitrogen; 190 nsec, pure oxygen) is observed for the emission intensity decay for all oxygen concentrations. The time dependence of the emission caused by a step function air pressure drop is signi...
Scale-dependent physical and geoacoustic property variability of shallow-water carbonate sediments from the Dry Tortugas, Florida

Spatial variability of shallow-water carbonate sediments near Dry Tortugas, Florida, is scale-dependent. Wet bulk density, grain density, porosity, compressional wave velocity, and grain size variability generally increase down to 2.4 m vertically and 850 m laterally. Grain size is most variable, followed by porosity, wet bulk density, compressional wave velocity, and grain density bothvertically and laterally, consistent with Walther’s Law. Variability was empirically modeled by linear regression analysis to predict variability based on scale, characterize sediment property variability, and quantify sedimentisotropy.
Parametric Modeling Study of Nanoparticle Penetration Into Spherical Cell Clusters

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery is a promising cancer treatment method due to the ability to target tumor sites by preferential extravasation and to deliver higher loads of therapeutics. Although nanoparticle penetration in tumor tissue is limited due to diffusional restrictions, delivery can be improved by enzymatic degradation of extracellular matrix proteins at the tumor site. Here, a mathematical model describing transport of nanoparticles in non-uniformly porous spheroids is developed, accounting for binding of particles with cells and endocytosis. Results of parametric simulations for nanoparticle concentration inside spheroids highlight the influence of various system parameters. Preliminary experimental data show qualitative agreement with the theory. These results are useful for understanding nanoparticle delivery and for designing drug delivery strategies.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
An empirical examination of intraday volatility in on-the-run U.S. Treasury bills

Abstract We further the empirical research on U-shaped intraday volatility patterns by investigating the U.S. Treasury bill (T-bill) market. Using hourly T-bill yields for on-the-run 13-, 26-, and 52-week T-bills from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., New York time, over the period from January 1983 through December 2000 and using a variety of methods, we find a U-shaped intraday volatility pattern for each T-bill under each method. Our finding of a U-shaped intraday volatility pattern in the T-bill market suggests that previously identified U-shaped intraday volatility patterns in fed funds and euro-dollar deposits are not the result of unique behavior by depository institutions.
Expression of early lung cancer detection marker p31 in neoplastic and non-neoplastic respiratory epithelium

Abstract In an immunocytochemical study of sputum, two antibodies, including a mouse monoclonal antibody (703D4) to a 31 kDa protein (p31) antigen, have been previously shown to detect lung cancer earlier than routine cytomorphology or chest X-ray. To understand the basis of p31 expression, the distribution of this antigen in the respiratory epithelium of individuals known to have lung cancer was mapped. These individuals are likely to demonstrate extensive changes throughout the epithelium due to field cancerization. p31 immunoreactivity was examined in primary tumors and surrounding non-neoplastic lungs containing both histologically normal and abnormal areas obtained from 28 Stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Distribution and intensity of p31 expression was scored in three lung compartments (bronchi, bronchioli, alveoli). While p31 was present in histologically unremarkable bronchial and bronchiolar epithelium, no expression was detected in bronchi or bronchioli containing histologic abnormalities. Furthermore, in the peripheral lung p31 staining was frequently observed in alveolar type II cells and was most commonly detected in reactive, hyperplastic type II cells. When p31 immunoreactivity was correlated with clinicopathological features, a statistically significant increase in p31 expression was found both in bronchioli and alveoli of older individuals as well as in bronchioli of patients with most extensive smoking exposure. We conclude that p31 expression occurs in both non-neoplastic and neoplastic epithelium of the human respiratory tract. The increased expression of p31 in the peripheral lung may be potentially informative as to what critical cell populations are involved in the development of invasive cancers. Moreover, this study provides a model approach for analysis of the nature of early epithelial changes leading to the development of lung cancer.
Role of polyphenols in acrylamide formation in the fried products of potato tubers with colored flesh

Abstract The levels of asparagine, reducing sugars and total phenolics in some potato cultivars and advanced selections with distinctive flesh color (white, yellow, red and purple) and their potential in acrylamide formation in French fries and potato chips have been investigated in this study. The range of asparagine and reducing sugars were 1.8–9.0 and 1.35–11.7 mg/g respectively. There was no significant correlation of asparagine and reducing sugars with flesh color of the potato tubers. Tubers with red and purple flesh had higher levels of total phenolics than the white and yellow ones. The amount of acrylamide formed in French fries and chips were ranged from 128.1 to 1651.3 μg/kg and from 2104.3 to 2978.5 μg/kg respectively. The levels of asparagine and reducing sugars were positively correlated with acrylamide formation while total phenolics and chlorogenic acid correlated negatively.
Recurrent and metastatic cystosarcoma phyllodes

During a 30 year period (1950 to 1980), 42 patients with cystosarcoma phyllodes were seen at the Mayo Clinic. Ten patients (24 percent) had recurrence of metastasis. The malignant or metastatic potential could not be identified or predicted by histologically evaluating tumor contour, stromal atypia, or mitotic activity. Spread was chiefly by a hematogenous route, and no patient with metastasis survived. Five of the 10 patients died from their disease 2 to 7 years after treatment. Simple mastectomy appears to be the surgical treatment of choice.
Equation of state of the photoionized intergalactic medium

We develop an efficient method to study the effects of reionization history on the temperature-density relation of the intergalactic medium in the low density limit (overdensity less than 5). It is applied to the study of photo-reionization models in which the amplitude, spectrum and onset epoch of the ionizing flux, as well as the cosmology, are systematically varied. We find that the mean temperature-density relation at z=2-4 is well approximated by a power-law equation of state for uniform reionization models. We derive analytical expressions for its evolution and exhibit its asymptotic behavior: it is found that for sufficiently early reionization, imprints of reionization history prior to z=10 on the temperature-density relation are washed out. In this limit the temperature at cosmic mean density is proportional to (\Omega_b h/\sqrt\Omega_0)^{1/1.7}. While the amplitude of the radiation flux at the ionizing frequency of HI is found to have a negligible effect on the temperature-density relation as long as the universe reionizes before z=5, the spectrum can change the overall temperature by about 20%, through variations in the abundances of helium species. However the slope of the mean equation of state is found to lie within a narrow range for all reionization models we study, where reionization takes place before z=5. We discuss the implications of these findings for the observational properties of the Lyman-alpha forest. In particular, uncertainties in the temperature of the intergalactic medium, due to the uncertain reionization history of our universe, introduces a 30% scaling in the amplitude of the column density distribution while the the slope of the distribution is only affected by about 5%. Finally, we discuss how a fluctuating ionizing field affects the above results. We argue that under
Cholesterolemia and cardiovascular abnormalities in rats caused by copper deficiency

The association of copper with cardiovascular disease and a possible involvement of copper in the metabolism of cholesterol prompted the study on hypercholesterolemia mediated by copper deficiency. Copper deficient rats were found to exhibit a highly significant cholesterolemia (P less than 0.001), and plasma cholesterol showed a significant correlation with hepatic copper concentration (P less than 0.03). Two copper deficient rats died with hemothorax. The hearts of copper deficient rats were hypertrophied with large areas of hemorrhage, inflammation and focal necrosis. Prominent subendocardial fibroplasia was evident in copper deficient animals. The myocardial arteries of copper deficient rats were normal, however, aortas showed large areas of distorted and depleted elastic fibers. The results are discussed in terms of a possible role for copper in cholesterol metabolism, and in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
The epidemiology of family meals among Ohio's adults.

Objective The epidemiology of family meals among adults at a population level is poorly characterized and whether living with children impacts this health behaviour is uncertain. We determined the prevalence of family meals among US adults in a mid-western state whose families did and did not include minor children and described how it varied by sociodemographic characteristics. Design The cross-sectional 2012 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey is representative of Ohio adults and included questions on their sociodemographic characteristics and the frequency with which they eat family meals at home. Setting Trained interviewers administered landline and cell phone surveys to adults sampled from Ohio’s non-institutionalized population. Subjects We analysed data from 5766 adults living with minor children and 8291 adults not living alone or with children. Results The prevalence of family meals was similar for adults who did and did not live with minor children: 47 % (95 % CI 46, 49 %) of adults living with and 51 % (95 % CI 50, 53 %) of adults living without children reported eating family meals on most (six or seven) days of the week. Family meal frequency varied by race/ethnicity, marital and employment status in both groups. Non-Hispanic African-American adults, those who were not married and those who were employed ate family meals less often. Conclusions Adults in Ohio frequently shared meals with their family and family meal frequency was not strongly related to living with children. Broadening the scope of future studies to include adults who are not parents could enhance our understanding of the potential health benefits of sharing meals.
Dialog codes for secure wireless communications

We investigate the feasibility of achieving perfect secrecy in wireless network communications without shared secrets. We introduce a secure coding problem in which not only the sender but also the receiver participates in the coding. In essence, the receiver's role is to selectively jam the sender's transmission at the level of bits, bytes, or packets. We then design a class of secure codes, which we call dialog codes, for diverse channel models and receiver models. Our codes are simple and efficient, with only O(1) complexity in both the encoding and the decoding process, and achieve optimal coding rate in some channel models. This, along with their potential for augmenting security and/or simplifying security bootstrapping, makes them worthy of consideration for resource-constrained wireless sensor network devices. By way of experimental validation, we study the channel jamming characteristics of extant mote radios — specifically, CC2420 (IEEE 802.15.4) and CC1000— in experiments, observe their time-varying channel behavior, and demonstrate the correctness and robustness of implementations of our dialog codes at the byte-level and at the packet-level in the presence of dynamic channel fluctuations.
Wireless technologies and the mobile workforce

Summary form only given. This presentation discusses wireless technologies that can be used in developing mobile work force solutions for both WAN and LAN environments. Recent wireless LAN product announcements from IBM's Networking Systems are also covered and positioned with these technologies, highlighting IBM's strengths. First, market segmentation and opportunities are reviewed along with customer benefits and value. Next, three wireless WAN technologies (circuit switched cellular, cellular digital packet data, and radio data networks) are discussed with their advantages and disadvantages. This is followed by wireless LAN technologies discussion, which includes important customer considerations and IBM strengths. Finally, the topic closes with a review of Networking System's wireless products and positioning relative to other IBM wireless products.
AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC CYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF MACROPHAGES DURING UTERINE INVOLUTION

Acid phosphatase was localized at the fine structural level in rat endometrial phagocytes during the period of postpartum involution. These cells showed intense phagocytotic and pinocytotic activities, which were accompanied by the development of abundant lysosomes. Phagosomes acquired their enzymatic complement by fusion with lysosomes; the same appeared to be true in the case of pinocytotic vesicles, but, because of the small size of these vesicles, this point could not be established with certainty. Digestion within some phagolysosomes led to the formation of electron-lucent vacuoles containing solubilized products. Other phagolysosomes showed accumulation of lipid residues in the form of droplets and myelin figures, and the structures acquired the appearance of residual bodies. In many macrophages, overfeeding led to the formation of unusually large numbers of phagolysosomes, which occupied almost the entire cytoplasm with exclusion of other cell organelles. In these cells the presence of abundant lead deposits, apparently free in the cytoplasm suggested an intracytoplasmic release of hydrolases.
Simulations of the rf heating rates in a linear quadrupole ion trap

Molecular dynamics simulations of the ion clouds stored in a linear quadrupole rf ion trap are performed at low temperatures (0.1 mK--15 K). The introduction of periodic boundary conditions allowed us to study the translationally uniform ion cloud geometry. The time evolution of the kinetic energy of the ion cloud is monitored during the simulation and the increase in the kinetic energy of the cloud (rf heating) is determined; its dependence on temperature, trapping voltage, and the number of ions is studied. The dependence of rf heating rate on temperature shows that rf heating is undetectable until the temperature reaches approximately 0.5 K; it then increases rapidly until it reaches a maximum at around 2 K. It starts to decrease slowly at higher temperatures. The rf heating rate is shown to increase very sharply with the amplitude of the trapping voltage. The dependence of the rf heating rate on the number of ions shows the influence of the ion crystal shell structure at low temperatures, and has a simple linear dependence at higher temperatures.
Control strategies and design guidelines for planar latch-less metamorphic robots based on analysis of dynamics

Modular robotic systems with no fixed mechanical contacts have the ability to adopt and reconfigure very rapidly, but are very difficult to control dynamically. Moving module solely with electro-magnetic or -static forces can lead to unwanted slipping or even loss of contact. This paper presents a strategy to design controller for such modules based on the limits derived by combining the contact constraints and the actuator saturation. We demonstrate the design of a simple but effective controller for two module motions. We also present guidelines for the design of the modules based on the controller limitations.
Major Compositional Units of the Moon: Lunar Prospector Thermal and Fast Neutrons

Global maps of thermal and fast neutron fluxes from the moon suggest three end-member compositional units. A high thermal and low fast neutron flux unit correlates with the lunar highlands and is consistent with feldspathic rocks. The South Pole-Aitken basin and a strip that surrounds the nearside maria have intermediate thermal and fast neutron flux levels, consistent with more mafic rocks. There appears to be a smooth transition between the most mafic and feldspathic compositions, which correspond to low and high surface altitudes, respectively. The maria show low thermal and high fast neutron fluxes, consistent with basaltic rocks.
A distinct class of internal ribosomal entry site in members of the Kobuvirus and proposed Salivirus and Paraturdivirus genera of the Picornaviridae.

The 5′-untranslated regions (5′ UTRs) of picornavirus genomes contain an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) that promotes the end-independent initiation of translation. Picornavirus IRESs are classified into four structurally distinct groups, each with different initiation factor requirements. Here, we identify a fifth IRES class in members of Kobuvirus, Salivirus, and Paraturdivirus genera of Picornaviridae: Aichi virus (AV), bovine kobuvirus (BKV), canine kobuvirus (CKoV), mouse kobuvirus (MKoV), sheep kobuvirus (SKV), salivirus A (SV-A), turdivirus 2 (TV2), and TV3. The 410-nucleotide (nt)-long AV IRES comprises four domains (I to L), including a hairpin (L) that overlaps a Yn-Xm-AUG (pyrimidine tract/spacer/initiation codon) motif. SV-A, CKoV, and MKoV also contain these four domains, whereas BKV, SKV, and TV2/TV3 5′ UTRs contain domains that are related to domain I and equivalent to domains J and K but lack an AV-like domain L. These IRESs are located at different relative positions between a conserved 5′-terminal origin of replication and divergent coding sequences. Elements in these IRESs also occur elsewhere: domain J's apical subdomain, which contains a GNRA tetraloop, matches an element in type 1 IRESs, and eIF4G-binding motifs in domain K and in type 2 IRESs are identical. Other elements are unique, and their presence leads to unique initiation factor requirements. In vitro reconstitution experiments showed that like AV, but in contrast to other currently characterized IRESs, SV-A requires the DExH-box protein DHX29 during initiation, which likely ensures that the initiation codon sequestered in domain L is properly accommodated in the ribosomal mRNA-binding cleft.
Brief Component Analysis to Identify the Active Variable in the Maintenance of Tolerance for Delay of Reinforcement Intervention for an Adolescent with Autism

This study adopted a brief component analysis to examine the active variable in a tolerance for delay of reinforcement (TFD) intervention procedure to decrease tangible-maintained problem behavior for a male adolescent with autism. Antecedent-based functional analysis suggested that problem behavior occurred most when access to tangible items or activities was restricted. With the introduction of a TFD intervention procedure using a combination of a general delay cue and an explicit delay cue, the learner’s problem behavior decreased to a low level and he quickly learned to wait for access to preferred items for 10 min with no problem behavior. Two weeks after the learner met the mastery criterion, a component analysis was conducted through a brief ABA withdrawal design, to separate the relative contributions of the general delay cue and the explicit delay cue in the maintenance of the TFD intervention. The combination of general and explicit delay cues resulted in low levels of problem behavior and higher toleration of delays to reinforcement relative to the general delay cue alone. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Collagen induced arthritis increases secondary metastasis in MMTV-PyV MT mouse model of mammary cancer

Several studies have demonstrated that sites of chronic inflammation are often associated with the establishment and growth of various malignancies. A common inflammatory condition in humans is autoimmune arthritis (AA). Although AA and cancer are different diseases, many of the underlying processes that contribute to the disorders of the joints and connective tissue that characterize AA also affect cancer progression and metastasis. Systemically, AA can lead to cellular infiltration and inflammation of the lungs. Several studies have reported statistically significant risk ratios between AA and breast cancer. Despite this knowledge being available, there has been minimal research linking breast cancer, arthritis, and metastasis associated with breast cancer. Notably both diseases are extremely prevalent in older post-menopausal women. To establish the novel link between arthritis induced inflammation and secondary metastasis associated with breast cancer, PyV MT mice that spontaneously develop mammary gland carcinoma were injected with Type II collagen (CII) to induce arthritis at 9 and 18 weeks of age for pre-metastatic and metastatic condition. The sites of secondary metastasis and the associated inflammatory microenvironment were evaluated. A significant increase in breast cancer-associated secondary metastasis to the lungs and bones was observed in the arthritic versus the non-arthritic PyV MT mice along with an increase in primary tumor burden. We report significant increases in the levels of interstitial cellular infiltrates and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-17 (IL-17), interleukin-6 (IL-6), Pro- Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (Pro-MMP9), insulin like growth factor-II (GF-II) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) in the arthritic lung and bone milieu as well as in the circulation. These pro-inflammatory cytokines along with the inflammatory microenvironment may be the underlying factors facilitating tumor progression and metastasis in arthritic PyV MT mice. This was further substantiated by treatment with celecoxib, an anti-inflammatory drug + αIL-17 antibody that significantly reduced the secondary metastasis to lung and bone. The data generated not only reveal the underlying mechanism of high susceptibility to bone and lung metastasis in an arthritic condition but our combination therapies may lead to treatment modalities that will be capable of reducing tumor burden, and preventing relapse and metastasis in arthritic patients with breast cancer.
Inheritance of Traits Mediating a Major Host Shift by a Seed Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae)

The genetic basis by which insects adapt to novel host plants is poorly understood, in part because genetic changes that accompany host-range expansions often cannot be distinguished from those that occurred well after the shift. We examined the inheritance of traits mediating rapid adaptation to a poor host by the seed beetle Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Bruchinae). For an Asian beetle population, larval survival in lentil, Lens culinaris Medikus, was initially ≈1%, but three separate mass-selection experiments produced lines with >80% survival in 90% in all L lines versus 0% in the M line. Survival of reciprocal F1 and F2 progeny suggested additive (intermediate) inheritance, with a small dominance deviation toward the M-line parent (in the L1 cross) or the L-line parent (in the L2 and L3 crosses), and no evidence of sex-linkage or cytoplasmic effects. Progeny from backcrosses to the M line survived at a much lower rate than would be expected by additive inheritance, but the survival of L1-backcrossed progeny was consistent with simple additivity. A potential explanation for this asymmetry is that larvae deriving 75% of their genes from the M line only rarely reach a threshold of enzymatic activity needed to detoxify lentil seeds. Two other fitness components, egg-to-adult developmental time and adult mass, also were intermediate in hybrids, but quantitative comparisons were precluded by a lack of M-line adults emerging from lentil. Additive expression of initially rare alleles can account for rapid colonization of a marginal host.
Modeling the Cooperation Between Malicious Codes

Due to the features of interaction between malicious codes, the cooperation becomes more and more common. In this paper, cooperation between worm and virus is discussed in detail, and a cooperation model named CM model is proposed to describe the dynamical process of propagation. Results of simulation and mathematic analysis show that the propagation performance is significantly improved with the combination of worm and virus. When antivirus software is considered, mutant worm will appear and infect all the hosts in a short time. The mutant worm which can not be detected by any antivirus software should be really paid more attention to.
Drug and Gene Therapy Mediated by Physical Methods

A strategy to deliver drugs to the posterior segment of the eye is via a combination of physical methods to place the drug adjacent to the target cell and to open the cell membrane so that the drug can pass into the cell. Electric fields can be used to transport small and large charged molecules and to open pores in the plasma membrane. Here we review these physical methods and the progress to exploit electric fields in drug delivery.
Genetic Insulin Resistance is a Potent Regulator of Gene Expression and Proliferation in Human iPS Cells

Insulin resistance is central to diabetes and metabolic syndrome. To define the consequences of genetic insulin resistance distinct from those secondary to cellular differentiation or in vivo regulation, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from individuals with insulin receptor mutations and age-appropriate control subjects and studied insulin signaling and gene expression compared with the fibroblasts from which they were derived. iPSCs from patients with genetic insulin resistance exhibited altered insulin signaling, paralleling that seen in the original fibroblasts. Insulin-stimulated expression of immediate early genes and proliferation were also potently reduced in insulin resistant iPSCs. Global gene expression analysis revealed marked differences in both insulin-resistant iPSCs and corresponding fibroblasts compared with control iPSCs and fibroblasts. Patterns of gene expression in patients with genetic insulin resistance were particularly distinct in the two cell types, indicating dependence on not only receptor activity but also the cellular context of the mutant insulin receptor. Thus, iPSCs provide a novel approach to define effects of genetically determined insulin resistance. This study demonstrates that effects of insulin resistance on gene expression are modified by cellular context and differentiation state. Moreover, altered insulin receptor signaling and insulin resistance can modify proliferation and function of pluripotent stem cell populations.
Decentralized charging algorithm for electrified vehicles connected to smart grid

Intelligent management of power generation and dispatching is important when renewable energy sources and electrified vehicles (EV/PHEV) are introduced to the grid. Intermittency of renewable power and vehicle charging loads disturbs power supply and demand and could cause instability. Fortunately, EV/PHEV can be connected as controllable load or even used as energy storage, which makes it possible to reduce their negative impact and can even be explored to improve grid resilience. By coordinating power generation and charging, it is possible to reduce power generation cost and carbon emission. To improve practicality, a decentralized charging algorithm is formulated by emulating the charging pattern identified through linear programming (LP) optimization solutions. The resulting decentralized control algorithm is a function of forecasted total power demand on the grid, estimated number of vehicles, estimated EV/PHEV plug off time, and state of charge of the vehicle battery. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the performance of the proposed decentralized algorithm.
Princely states and the making of modern India: Internationalism, constitutionalism and the postcolonial moment

This article examines discussions that took place regarding princely states at the moment of transition from colonial to postcolonial India. It argues for a rethinking of Nehru's vision for ‘the integration of states’, locating his intellectual position in his broader concerns with the United Nations and a framework of international rights. For Nehru, the relationship between princely states and independent India existed reciprocally with that between the new postcolonial state and the UN. The purpose of the article, then, is to understand what ‘princely states’ meant to the imagination of India, and, more broadly, the idea of postcoloniality itself.
Arterial–Venous Specification During Development

The major arteries and veins of the vertebrate circulatory system are formed early in embryonic development, before the onset of circulation, following de novo aggregation of "angioblast" progenitors in a process called vasculogenesis. Initial embryonic determination of artery or vein identity is regulated by variety of genetic factors that work in concert to specify endothelial cell fate, giving rise to 2 distinct components of the circulatory loop possessing unique structural characteristics. Work in multiple in vivo animal model systems has led to a detailed examination of the interacting partners that determine arterial and venous specification. We discuss the hierarchical arrangement of many signaling molecules, including Hedgehog (Hh), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Notch, and chicken ovalbumin upstream-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) that promote or inhibit divergent pathways of endothelial cell fate. Elucidation of the functional role of these genetic determinants of blood vessel specification together with the epigenetic factors involved in subsequent modification of arterial-venous identity will allow for potential new therapeutic targets for vascular disorders.
Ridge regression based hybrid genetic algorithms for multi-locus quantitative trait mapping

Genetic algorithms (GAs) are increasingly used in large and complex optimisation problems. Here we use GAs to optimise fitness functions related to ridge regression, which is a classical statistical procedure for dealing with a large number of features in a multivariable, linear regression setting. The algorithm avoids overfitting, gracefully handles collinearity and leads to easily interpretable results. We use the method to model the relationship between a quantitative trait and genetic markers in a mouse cross involving 69 F2 mice. The approach will be useful in the context of many genomic data sets where the number of features far exceeds the number of observations and where features can be highly correlated.
A remark on time-analyticity for the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation

Many applications of time-analyticity of solutions of dissipative evolution equations raise the question of estimating the uniform time-analyticity radius of solutions. For instance, the rate of decay of power spectrum, which is the quantity often measured in experiments, can be estimated in terms of the uniform time-analyticity radius [1]. Also, in [8,10,11], uniform time-analyticity plays a role in establishing algebraic approximations of attractors. Moreover, a rigorous explicit estimate of the time-analyticity domain is important for constructing these approximations since better analyticity estimates lead to better estimates on accuracy. In this note, we address time-analyticity of solutions of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation ut+uxxxx+uxx+uux=0 with the initial data u0 ∈Lp(R). Since the time-analyticity is not a local property, it is expected that the analyticity domain will depend on the initial data. In Theorem 2.1, we provide this estimate as a function of the initial data and p. In the case p = 2, this has been obtained in [6,9,15] by energy estimates on rays in the complex plane. Here we estimate the fundamental solutions corresponding to each ray. In order to optimize the shape of domains, we employ the fact that the fundamental solution of the main linear part is contracting along every ray if p = 2, and then use the Riesz interpolation theorem to cover other values of p (cf. Lemma 3.3).
Higher-order three-point boundary value problem on time scales

In this paper, we consider a higher-order three-point boundary value problem on time scales. We study the existence of solutions of a non-eigenvalue problem and of at least one positive solution of an eigenvalue problem. Later we establish the criteria for the existence of at least two positive solutions of a non-eigenvalue problem. Examples are also included to illustrate our results.
Fixed and Ascending Criteria for Unit Mastery Learning

The effects of passing criteria upon quiz performance and completion of unit mastery courses were investigated. The first of three classes was conducted with a 90% mastery criterion successively approximated across quizzes from a low of 60% and with an average criterion of 80%. In the second class, the mastery criterion was fixed at 80% on all quizzes. The third class was conducted with the criterion fixed at 90% correct. Relative to the latter class, students in the 60%-90% class and the 80% class performed better in several respects on unit quizzes,passed units at a higher rate, and received fewer course grades of fail or the equivalent. Further, relative to the 80% class, the 60%90% students attained a higher degree of accuracy on quizzes for which 80% and 90% criteria were in effect, required fewer attempts overall to master unit quizzes, and made less use of a "bonus point" procedure which was designed to allow students to lower their own passing criteria. These results have special significance with respect to the problem of high failure rates in courses taught by these methods. Unit mastery learning (self-paced or individualized instruction) refers to an instructional method with two essential features: (a) Course content is segmented into a number of relatively short, self-contained units upon each of which a student is tested; (b) The opportunity for a student to proceed to successive tests is contingent upon attainment of a high criterion (mastery) on the unit tests. While this form of instruction generally induces high levels of performance in a majority of students (e.g., Johnston & Pennypacker, 1971), Keller (1967) was the first to point out that a "serious defect" of these methods is reflected in the proportion of students who fail to progress through courses taught in this way. Ultimately about 29 % of the original enrollment in one of Keller's classes did not earn passing grades. Similarly, in another introductory psychology course taught by unit mastery techniques, failures and withdrawals in excess of 25% were re
El mito de yurupary:Memoria ancestral como resistencia histórica

Este trabajo estudia algunos ejercicios criticos que traducen el mito amazonico a las coordenadas simbolicas occidentales y las transformaciones de significado que le son impuestas al entrar a moverse en circuitos de conocimiento ajenos al ambito cultural de donde procede. Paralelamente reconstruye y examina criticamente la relacion que los criticos de la literatura colombiana han establecido con este sistema simbolico. En la perspectiva de analisis se entrecruzan continuamente referentes antropologicos, historicos y de historia literaria. Sin embargo, el referente mas importante es la investigacion extensa y detallada de Robin Wright (1981) sobre los grupos baniwa del Brasil.
KSHV Induction of Angiogenic and Lymphangiogenic Phenotypes

Kaposi’s Sarcoma is a highly vascularized tumor supporting large amounts of neo-angiogenesis. The major cell type in KS tumors is the spindle cell, a cell that expresses markers of lymphatic endothelium. KSHV, the etiologic agent of KS, is found in the spindle cells of all KS tumors. Considering the extreme extent of angiogenesis in KS tumors at all stages it has been proposed that KSHV directly induces angiogenesis in a paracrine fashion. In accordance with this theory, KSHV infection of endothelial cells in culture induces a number of host pathways involved in activation of angiogenesis and a number of KSHV genes themselves can induce pathways involved in angiogenesis. Because spindle cells are phenotypically endothelial in nature, activation through the induction of angiogenic and/or lymphangiogenic phenotypes by the virus may also be directly involved in spindle cell growth and tumor induction. Accordingly, KSHV infection of endothelial cells induces cell autonomous angiogenic phenotypes to activate host cells. KSHV infection can also reprogram blood endothelial cells to lymphatic endothelium. However, KSHV induces some blood endothelial specific genes upon infection of lymphatic endothelial cells creating a phenotypic intermediate between blood and lymphatic endothelium. Induction of pathways involved in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis are likely to be critical for tumor cell growth and spread. Thus, induction of both cell autonomous and non-autonomous changes in angiogenic and lymphangiogenic pathways by KSHV likely plays a key role in the formation of KS tumors.
TURBULENCE SUPPRESSION IN FREE TURBULENT SHEAR FLOWS UNDER CONTROLLED EXCITATION. PART 2. JET-NOISE REDUCTION.

It is shown that reduction of broadband (even total) far-field jet noise can be achieved via controlled excitation of a jet at a frequency in the range 0.01 < Stθ < 0.02, where Stθ is the Strouhal number based on the exit momentum thickness of the shear layer. Hot-wire measurements in the noise-producing region of the jet reveal that the noise suppression is a direct consequence of turbulence suppression, produced by early saturation and breakdown of maximally growing instability modes.
Predicting human walking gaits with a simple planar model

Models of human walking with moderate complexity have the potential to accurately capture both joint kinematics and whole body energetics, thereby offering more simultaneous information than very simple models and less computational cost than very complex models. This work examines four- and six-link planar biped models with knees and rigid circular feet. The two differ in that the six-link model includes ankle joints. Stable periodic walking gaits are generated for both models using a hybrid zero dynamics-based control approach. To establish a baseline of how well the models can approximate normal human walking, gaits were optimized to match experimental human walking data, ranging in speed from very slow to very fast. The six-link model well matched the experimental step length, speed, and mean absolute power, while the four-link model did not, indicating that ankle work is a critical element in human walking models of this type. Beyond simply matching human data, the six-link model can be used in an optimization framework to predict normal human walking using a torque-squared objective function. The model well predicted experimental step length, joint motions, and mean absolute power over the full range of speeds.
Getting closer for high-resolution vascular MRI.

Since the 1980s, investigators have tried to enhance vascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy of deep structures by positioning MRI receiver coils (antennae) inside the body, closer to the tissue of interest ([1,2][1]). Unfortunately, intravascular MRI has been largely
A Magnetic Post Approach for Measuring the Viscoelasticity of Biomaterials

A wide variety of tools are used in studying the viscoelasticity of materials. Devices used range from microbeads dispersed in a fluid to standard cone-and-plate rheometers. In order to further the techniques for in situ testing of materials, we have developed a new microdevice for measuring viscoelasticity. The device uses a polydimethylsiloxane post filled with magnetic microparticles. The force on the post is controlled with oscillating magnetic fields in order to measure properties of a fluid or gel. The device was calibrated with mixtures of glycerol and then used to observe the gelation process for collagen gels. The results from using the new device had good agreement with previous experimental results. [2015-0197]
Finite Element Analysis of Printed Circuit Boards Using Isotropic Elastoplastic Model and Application to Drop Simulation for Mobile Phone

Flexural behavior of printed circuit boards (PCB) is well known for the major failure mechanism under board level or product level mobile phone drop tests. This behavior induces high peeling stress between PCB and IC package. This stress causes failure including both solder joint crack and pad cratering, which leads to malfunction such as phone dead or power off. Therefore, for a more reliable mobile phone design, it is important to accurately predict behavior of the PCB. In the past, isotropic or orthogonal linear elastic model have been used for simulating PCB in finite element analysis. Also, since PCB consists of multiple layers with woven glass fiber epoxy resin composite (FR-4) and copper foils, a multilayered PCB model was developed in order to consider material properties that change along the different plies. In this paper, the isotropic elastoplastic model was employed in order to efficiently predict behavior of PCB. Tensile and flexural test of PCB were conducted initially to evaluate mechanical characteristics and obtain representative material properties. Then, simulation of flexural test was performed to develop the finite element modeling. Finally, a drop test of mobile phone adopted with PCB bare board, which did not include IC packages, was examined. Also, the strain gage was used for measuring strain of PCB. This result was compared with drop simulation results of mobile phone, which used finite element modeling suggested. In conclusion, from an industry standpoint, finite element modeling of PCB using isotropic elasoplastic model was useful and efficient.© 2012 ASME
Lagenisma coscinodisci, a parasite of the marine diatom Coscinodiscus occurring in the Puget Sound, Washington.

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