cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Default reasoning with qualified syllogisms

Prior works by the author have introduced the system QUAL (herein Q) of qualified syllogisms. An example of such a syllogism is "Most birds can fly; Tweety is a bird; therefore, it is likely that Tweety can fly." Q provides a formal language for expressing such syllogisms, together with a semantics which validates them. Also introduced in the prior works is the notion of a path logic. Reformulating Q as a path logic allows for the expression of modifier combination rules, such as "From likely P and unlikely P, infer uncertain P." The present work builds on this, showing how to incorporate Q into a system for default reasoning. Here is introduced the notion of a dynamic reasoning system (DRS), consisting of a path logic, together with a semantic net, or more exactly, a taxonomic hierarchy that allows for multiple inheritance. The taxonomic hierarchy enables definition of a specificity relation, which can then be used in default reasoning (more specific information takes priority over less specific). Modifier combination rules prescribe what to do when defaults are applied in the context of multiple inheritance. Propositions derived in this manner all bear qualitative likelihood modifiers, representing the extent to which the proposition is believed.
Data fusion methods for small arms localization solutions

In this paper several methods and models for improving small arms localization are investigated. Each acoustic sensor is placed at a disparate location and it is assumed that each system may or may not return an estimated range and/or azimuth shooter. Various simple geometric based data fusion methods are proposed and their performance evaluated. Models of localization errors are also proposed and these models are used herein to develop a maximum likelihood approach to data fusion. The parameters of these statistical distributions are estimated from real world data. Comparing / contrasting the results of both methods side by side, it can be shown that while the maximum likelihood based approach performs the best, decent results can be achieved with the simpler geometric based approach.
Routine preoperative carotid duplex scanning in patients undergoing open heart surgery: is it worthwhile?

It has been reported that carotid screening may be cost-effective in patient populations in which the prevalence of severe carotid stenosis exceeds 4.5%. In order to identify potential patient populations who might benefit from carotid screening, we examined the results of preoperative duplex scanning in patients undergoing open heart surgery. Between January 1995 and July 1998, 3708 patients (59% male, 41% female) underwent open heart surgery at our institution. Of these, 3081 underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), 364 underwent valve replacement (VR), and 263 underwent CABG and VR. The ages of these patients ranged from 40 years to 98 years (mean 68 +/- 11 years). The risk factors analyzed included hypertension (HTN), 59%; smoking (Smk), 53%; and diabetes (DM), 33%. Patients were divided into three groups according to their age. Group A consisted of the 835 patients who were or = 81 years old. All patients underwent bilateral preoperative carotid duplex scans at an Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL)-accredited vascular laboratory. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-squared, Fisher's exact test, linear regression, and multivariate analysis. From our results we concluded that carotid screening is not recommended for patients under 60 years of age who are undergoing CABG unless they present with a minimum of two of the following major risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, or smoking. However, carotid screening is recommended for all patients undergoing open heart operations who are over the age of 60 years old, regardless of the absence of associated risk factors.
A portable global optimizer and linker

To reduce complexity and simplify their implementation, most compilers are organized as a set of passes or phases. Each phase performs a particular piece of the compilation process. In an optimizing compiler, the assignment of function and order of application of the phases is a critical part of the design. A particularly difficult problem is the arrangement of the code generation and optimization phases so as to avoid phase ordering problems caused by the interaction of the phases. In this paper, we discuss the implementation of a compiler/linker that has been designed to avoid these problems. The key aspect of this design is that the synthesis phases of the compiler and the system linker share the same intermediate program representation. This results in two benefits. It permits the synthesis phases of the compiler to be performed in any order and repeatedly, thus eliminating potential phase ordering problems. Second, it permits code selection to be invoked at any point during the synthesis phases as well as at link time. The ability to perform code selection at link time presents many opportunities for additional optimizations. Measurements about the effectiveness of using this approach in a C compiler on two different machines are presented.
NasR, a novel RNA-binding protein, mediates nitrate-responsive transcription antitermination of the Klebsiella oxytoca M5al nasF operon leader in vitro

In Klebsiella oxytoca (pneumoniae), enzymes required for nitrate assimilation are encoded by the nasFEDCBA operon. Previous genetic studies led to the conclusion that nitrate and nitrite induction of nasF operon expression is determined by a transcriptional antitermination mechanism. In the presence of nitrate or nitrite, the nasR gene product is hypothesized to inhibit transcription termination at the factor-independent terminator site located in the nasF operon leader region. To test this model in vitro, we first purified NasR as both a maltose binding protein fusion form (MBP-NasR) and a His6-tagged form (His6-NasR). Templates for in vitro transcription contained the nasF operon leader region, with a substitution of the sigma70-dependent tac promoter for the native sigmaN-dependent promoter. We found that in vitro transcription of the leader template terminated at the terminator site, and that MBP-NasR and His6-NasR proteins both caused transcription readthrough of this site in response to nitrate or nitrite. Half-maximal antitermination required nitrate or nitrite at moderate (1 to 10 microM) concentrations, and several other anions tested, including chlorate, were without effect. Previous in vivo analysis of leader deletions identified regions required for both negative regulation (the terminator) and for positive regulation. Results from in vitro transcription of these deletion templates correlated fully with the in vivo analysis. Finally, electrophoresis mobility shift analysis revealed that His6-NasR bound specifically to nasF leader RNA. This binding was independent of nitrate in vitro. These results strongly support the conclusions drawn from previous in vivo analysis, and establish that NasR mediates ligand-responsive transcription antitermination through interaction with nasF leader RNA.
Electric vehicle battery — Wind storage system

The proposed concept utilizes the electric vehicle (EV) battery waste stream as a means to store wind energy in order to increase wind energy capacity factor, improve utilization, and make more efficient use of EV batteries prior to recycling. Michigan is an ideal location for such a facility because many of the battery and automotive manufacturers are located within the state. A 200 MW wind farm can charge a battery farm which consists of all reject and post-consumer batteries and all EVs located in Michigan by 2015. Michigan is on track to meet a 10% renewable portfolio by 2015 with over 1100 MW of planned new wind projects to be installed by that time. Therefore, Michigan has an adequate amount of wind capacity to charge the EV battery wind-storage facility and all of Michigan consumer EVs.
Pioneer Venus Sounder Probe Solar Flux Radiometer

The Solar Flux Radiometer aboard the Pioneer Venus Sounder Probe operated successfully during its descent through the atmosphere of Venus. The instrument measured atmospheric radiance over the spectral range from 400 to 1800 nm as a function of altitude. Elevation and azimuthal measurements on the radiation field were made with five optical channels. Twelve filtered Si and Ge photovoltaic detectors were maintained near 30°C with a phase-change material. The detector output currents were processed with logarithmic transimpedance converters and digitized with an 11-bit A/D converter. Atmosphetic sampling in both elevation and azimuth was done according to a Gaussian integration scheme. The serial output data averaged 20 b/s, included housekeeping (sync, spin period, sample timing and mode). The data were used to determine the deposition of solar energy in the atmosphere of Venus between 67 km and the surface along with upward and downward fluxes and radiances with an altitude resolution of several hundred meters. The results allow for more accurate modelling of the radiation balance of the atmosphere than previously possible.
Genetic polymorphisms at the rat and murine loci coding for dopamine D2-like receptors

Southern blot hybridization techniques have been used to identify genetic polymorphisms at the D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptor loci in mice and rats. Genomic DNA from a panel of outbred and inbred strains of rats and inbred strains of mice was digested with a variety of restriction endonucleases. After separation of the restriction digests on the basis of size using agarose gel electrophoresis, 32P-labeled DNA probes coding for the rat D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptors were used to identify a series of genetic polymorphisms at each of these receptor loci. Genetic polymorphisms were found for the rat and murine D2, D3 and D4 dopamine receptor loci. It is anticipated that these genetic polymorphisms will be useful in pharmacogenetic studies to determine the influence of the D2-like receptors in reward and addictive behaviors.
Hysterectomy for obese women with endometrial cancer: laparoscopy or laparotomy?

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic management of obese women with early stage endometrial cancer and to compare the surgical outcome, cost, hospital stay, recall of postoperative pain control, time to return to full activity and to work, and overall satisfaction among these women and those managed by laparotomy. Methods. We conducted a prospective study over 2 years applying laparoscopic surgery to all women with clinical stage I endometrial cancer and body mass indices (BMIs) between 28.0 and 60.0 who can tolerate such surgery. As a control, we used women with clinical stage I endometrial cancer and similar BMIs who underwent laparotomy in the previous 2 years. Both groups were compared in their characteristics, surgical outcome, cost, and hospital stay, and interviewed regarding time to recovery, recall of postoperative pain control, and overall satisfaction with their management. Results. Forty of 42 obese women who presented with clinical stage I endometrial cancer during the study period were offered laparoscopic surgery. The procedure was converted to laparotomy in 3 (7.5%) patients. Laparoscopic surgery was thus successful in 88.1% of all obese women. There was no significant difference between women who underwent laparoscopy and those who underwent laparotomy in patient characteristics, proportion of women who underwent lymphadenectomy, complications, total cost, patients' recall of postoperative pain, and patients' satisfaction with management. Women who underwent laparoscopy had a significantly longer operative time, more pelvic lymph nodes removed, a smaller drop in postoperative hematocrit, less pain medication, and a shorter hospital stay (194.8 versus 137.7 min, P P P = 0.029; 32.3 versus 124.1 mg, P P P = 0.073, and 35.3 versus 67.0 days, P = 0.055, respectively). Conclusions. Most obese women with early stage endometrial cancer can be safely managed through laparoscopy with excellent surgical outcome, shorter hospitalization, and less postoperative pain than those managed through laparotomy.
Negotiating Reform: Young People's Leadership in the Educational Arena.

Youth organizing within the institutional context of community-based organizations has grown exponentially. Drawing on interviews with more than eighty organizers, youth, and educators, this article examines young people's experiences as they organize to expand educational opportunities for themselves and their peers in urban school districts. The authors explore educator responses to youth organizing and analyze how race- and class-based assumptions about youth leadership, as well as differing cultural norms between schools and youth organizing groups, pose challenges for young people fighting for education reform. The authors describe three strategies youth organizing groups use to address these challenges: intensive leadership development, targeted relationship building with district administrators, and alliance building. Implications for both educators and youth organizing groups are discussed.
Viral‐Specific Immunization in AIDS‐Related Complex by Photopheresis

The potential for therapeutic intervention in 7 patients with AIDS-related complex (ARC) was evaluated through the use of photopheresis. The rationale for the study was based on: 1. the demonstration that psoralen and UVA could inactivate HIV/virus in vitro; 2. CD4 cells are the primary target population effected by HIV and photopheresis; and 3. reinfusion of inactivated virus and cell-associated virus might serve to engender an immune response. Preliminary results in 7 patients with ARC over 6 to 18 months revealed a virus-specific response with an elevation of HIV antibodies, while EBV and CMV titers remained unchanged. The immunologic results revealed an increase in the CD8 lymphocyte population, stable activation markers (B2 microglobulin neopterin), a decrease in p24 antigen titers and inability to culture HIV virus in 3 patients. All of these results were in the context of a stable or increasing CD4+ percent. Six patients did not reveal a generalized inhibition of other immune responses as demonstrated by recovery of DTH. In addition, the resolution of lymphadenopathy, night sweats, fever and weight loss, paralleled the immunologic response.
Evidence of B cell immune responses to acute lymphoblastic leukemia in murine allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients treated with donor lymphocyte infusion and/or vaccination

These experiments explored mechanisms of control of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation using a murine model of MHC-matched, minor histocompatibility antigen–mismatched transplantation. The central hypothesis examined was that addition of active vaccination against leukemia cells would substantially increase the effectiveness of allogeneic donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) against ALL present in the host after transplantation. Although vaccination did increase the magnitude of type I T cell responses against leukemia cells associated with DLI, it did not lead to substantial improvement in long-term survival. Analysis of immunologic mechanisms of leukemia progression demonstrated that the failure of vaccination was not because of antigen loss in leukemia cells. However, analysis of survival provided surprising findings that, in addition to very modest type I T cell responses, a B cell response that produced antibodies that bind leukemia cells was found in long-term survivors. The risk of death from leukemia was significantly lower in recipients that had higher levels of such antibodies. These studies raise the hypothesis that stimulation of B cell responses after transplantation may provide a novel way to enhance allogeneic graft-versus-leukemia effects associated with transplantation.
A two-year study of seasonal indoor radon variations in southern Maryland.

Abstract The concentrations of indoor radon in the basements of homes located in southern Maryland average about 1.3 times the first floor radon concentrations. Particular geological units tend to be associated with higher indoor radon. In the study area, homes underlain by phyllite were mostly above 4 pCi/liter (the US Environmental Protection Agency ‘action level’). Comparative studies between indoor radon and total-gamma aeroradioactivity show that aeroradioactivity can be accurately used to estimate community radon hazards. When combined, geology and aero radioactivity can be used to identify problem homes.
An integrated simulation and dynamic programming approach for determining optimal runway exit locations

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Aeronautics and Space Administration are researching several problems targeted at improving airport capacity. Among the foremost of these problems is the issue of improving the operational use of runways. The efficiency of runway usage is dictated primarily by the runway occupancy time ROT which is the time that an aircraft spends on the runway or its vicinity, until a new arrival or departure can be processed on this runway. This paper considers the problem of determining the geometry and location of high speed exits on a runway to minimize the weighted ROT of a population of aircraft under various landing scenarios and frequencies of usage. Both the problem of designing a new runway and modifying an existing one are addressed. It is shown that the continuous location problem of siting runway turnoffs admits a natural finite set of candidate optimal locations. To characterize problem data and determine optimal exit locations, a simulation program integrated with a polynomial-time dynamic programming algorithm is developed. The methodology has been implemented on a personal computer, and an example is presented to illustrate the approach.
Attenuation of oxidative damage and inflammatory responses by apigenin given to mice after irradiation

We determined the in vivo efficacy of apigenin, as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, given to mice after irradiation. Various concentrations of apigenin (0, 10, 20, and 40mg/kg body weight) were administered to mice by a single intraperitoneal injection 3hr after receiving 0 or 3Gy of (137)Cs gamma rays. Mice receiving vehicle only (no radiation and no apigenin) served as sham controls. We assessed the anti-oxidative activity of apigenin in vivo by measuring levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OH-dG) in bone marrow (BM) cells, collected at days 3 and 10 after irradiation, from groups of mice (5 mice per treatment group) with or without apigenin treatment. Simultaneously, we evaluated the ability of apigenin to diminish radiation-induced inflammatory responses in bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from the same individual mice used for measuring the level of 8-OH-dG. To do this, the levels of activated nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) and NF-kappa B-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines [i.e. interleukin 1-beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)] were measured in BMDMs. Our results indicated significant reductions (p<0.01 or <0.05) in the levels of 8-OH-dG in BM cells collected at both harvest times from irradiated mice receiving apigenin treatment, at all apigenin concentrations tested. Likewise, activation of NF-kappa B in BMDMs collected from gamma-irradiated mice that received apigenin was suppressed at both harvest times. Further, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in gamma-irradiated mice treated with 20 or 40mg/kg body weight apigenin were significantly lower than those in mice receiving radiation only (p<0.01 or <0.05) even at day 10 post-irradiation. Additionally, the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes indicated that apigenin ameliorated radiation-induced hematological toxicity. Our study is the first to demonstrate the mitigative/therapeutic effects of apigenin given to mice after irradiation.
Microwave conductivity evidence for order-disorder transition in the superionic conductor β-eucryptite

Abstract The impedance of LiAlSiO 4 (β-eucryptite) at 9 GHz shows a marked decrease in activation energy as the temperature is raised above 450°C, where X-ray data indicate an order-disorder transition.
Regional dysfunction of the right ventricular outflow tract reduces the accuracy of Doppler tissue imaging assessment of global right ventricular systolic function in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot.

Background The influence of regional right ventricular (RV) dysfunction on the accuracy of Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) assessment of global RV function is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of regional dysfunction of the RV outflow tract (RVOT) on the correlations between RV DTI indices and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) measurements of global RV function in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot. Methods Consecutive patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot who underwent echocardiography with DTI of the right ventricle and CMR within 4 weeks of each other were retrospectively analyzed. RV DTI measurements were obtained from the lateral wall at the level of the tricuspid valve annulus. CMR measurements included end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, stroke volume, and ejection fraction (EF) of the entire right ventricle and measured separately for the RV sinus and RVOT segments. Results The median age of the 51 patients included was 19 years (range, 9.7–71.6 years), and the median interval between echocardiography and CMR was 0 days. The mean RV free wall peak S′, isovolumic acceleration, and global, sinus, and RVOT EFs were 8.4 ± 2.0 cm/s, 102 ± 37 cm/s 2 , and 46.1 ± 9.8%, 47.9 ± 9.9%, and 33 ± 13.1%, respectively. The correlation between peak S′ and global RV EF was weak ( r = 0.23) in patients with RVOT dysfunction (RVOT EF r = 0.66) in those with RVOT EFs ≥30%. Peak S′ ≥8.4 cm/s (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.77) and isovolumic acceleration ≥95 cm/s 2 (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.68) best discriminated between patients with global RV EFs >45% and Conclusions In this group of patients with repaired TOF, RV DTI indices showed reasonable correlation with CMR-derived global RV EF, but this correlation was substantially weaker in those with moderate and severe dysfunction of the RVOT. Peak S′ 2 by DTI should prompt an evaluation of RV function by CMR.
c-fos and NGFI-A mRNA of rat retina: evidence for light-induced augmentation and a role for cholinergic and glutamate receptors

Abstract When rats are exposed to room light from the dark, there is a transient inccrease of mRNA for the immediate-early genes c-fos and NGFI-A in the retina. Augmentation of c-fos and NGFI-A mRNA by light is apparently associated with activation of cholinergic nicotinic and muscarinic receptors as it can be suppressed by the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine and the muscarinic antagonist atropine. Moreover, the light-induced increase of c-fos mRNA in retina appears to be associated with activation of glutamate receptors also as the noncompetitive inhibitor of N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors dizocilpine (MK-801) partially suppressed the increase of the c-fos message. Light-induced NGFI-A mRNA augmentation is apparently modulated by the same receptors. We were unable to detect light-induced changes of c-jun mRNA.
Isoflavonoids and chronic disease: Mechanisms of action

Soy and its isoflavones are associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease. The mechanisms of action of isoflavones include their roles as weak estrogens, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase-dependent signal transduction processes and as cellular antioxidants. Although estrogen receptor beta binds genistein with an affinity close to that of 17beta-estradiol, it remains to be determined whether it is a mediator of genistein's activity in vivo. Genistein's inhibition of protein tyrosine kinases is not limited to direct effect on these kinases, but may result from alteration in kinase expression. Genistein is not a particularly good scavanger of cellular oxidants; however, it reacts vigorously with the prooxidant hypochlorous acid, produced by neutrophils as part of the inflammatory response. The chlorinated isoflavones may have altered biochemical and biological effects compared to their parent compounds and may provide increased protection against inflammatory disease.
Development of a compact optical MEMS scanner with integrated VCSEL light source and diffractive optics

In this work the design and initial fabrication results are reported for the components of a compact optical-MEMS laser scanning system. This system integrates a silicon MEMS laser scanner, a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) and passive optical components. The MEMS scanner and VCSEL are mounted onto a fused silica substrate which serves as an optical interconnect between the devices. Two Diffractive Optical Elements (DOEs) are etched into the fused silica substrate to focus the VCSEL beam and increase the scan range. The silicon MEMS scanner consists of an actuator that continuously scans the position of a large polysilicon gold-coated shuttle containing a third DOE. Interferometric measurements show that the residual stress in the 500 {micro}m x 1000 {micro}m shuttle is extremely low, with a maximum deflection of only 0.18{micro}m over an 800 {micro}m span for an unmetallized case and a deflection of 0.56{micro}m for the metallized case. A conservative estimate for the scan range is {approximately}{+-}4{degree}, with a spot size of about 0.5 mm, producing 50 resolvable spots. The basic system architecture, optical and MEMS design is reported in this paper, with an emphasis on the design and fabrication of the silicon MEMS scanner portion of the system.
Adolescent menstrual characteristics as predictors of gynaecological health

SummaryIn a sample of 54 women who have participated in a longitudinal study since birth there is a significant relationship between adolescent menstrual characteristics and gynaecological health as measured by GYNDEX (Gardner 1982) in the second and third decades postmenarche. The menstrual characteristics were recorded in health histories taken in the 1940s as part of a yearly evaluation of growth, development and health status. Using stepwise multiple regression analysis, the measures of regularity and dysmenorrhoea in adolescence explain 46% of the variation in GYNDEX from 11 to 20 years postmenarche (P<0·001). These variables are still significant predictors 21 to 30 years postmenarche, explaining 26% of the variance (P<0·005). The risk of having poor gynaecological health (high GYNDEX) is greatly increased for women experiencing both dysmenorrhoea and irregularity in the first few years postmenarche.
Characterization of the Photoluminescence Quenching of Mixed Water-Soluble Conjugated Polymers for Potential Use as Biosensor Materials

The influence of oxygen and polymer concentration on the quenching of the photoluminescence (PL) from a water-soluble conjugated macromolecule, sodium poly[2-(3-thienyl)ethyloxy-4-butylsulfonate)] (PTE-BS), was investigated. The presence of oxygen in the polymer solution decreases the photoluminescence by 6.4%. The sharp changes observed in the PL when the concentration of the polymer is varied between 4 × 10-5 and 9 × 10-4 M result in small changes in the Stern−Volmer constant, KSV, because the quenching is equally affected by the polymer concentration. Thus, KSV only decreases from 2.4 × 10-4 down to 1.3 × 10-4 when the concentration of the polymer in the solution increases a factor of 10, from 1.8 × 10-4 up to 1.8 × 10-3 M. When the PL of the solution is 50% of its initial value (KSV = 1/(quencher concentration)), a sharp change in the slope of the Stern−Volmer plots indicates the beginning of quenching saturation that occurs when most of the accessible polymer segments are quenched. Mixtures of the wa...
Effect of luminal acidity on the apical cation channel in rabbit esophageal epithelium.

Esophageal epithelial cells contain an apical cation channel that actively absorbs sodium ions (Na+). Since these channels are exposed in vivo to acid reflux, we sought the impact of high acidity o...
Neural cell adhesion molecules in rodent brains isolated by monoclonal antibodies with cross-species reactivity

Abstract Previous studies in this laboratory have led to the identification and purification of a chicken cell surface protein named "neural cell adhesion molecule" (N-CAM) that is involved in neural cell-cell and neurite-neurite interactions. In the present investigation, we have found that a similar molecule exists in the mouse and have confirmed that it is also present in rat neural tissue. A monoclonal antibody to chicken N-CAM that crossreacted with mouse and rat brains and an independently derived monoclonal antibody to mouse N-CAM were used to purify an antigen from perinatal mouse and rat brains. The purified neural antigen resembles chicken N-CAM in its ability to neutralize antibodies that inhibit neural cell aggregation and also in its biochemical properties including molecular weight, sialic acid content, amino acid composition, and autoconversion to a smaller polypeptide. Like chicken N-CAM, the murine molecule is found throughout the nervous system and over the entire neuronal cell surface. These results strongly suggest that the molecule is evolutionarily related to chicken N-CAM and prompt the hypothesis that cell adhesion involving N-CAM is a fundamental mechanism existing in nervous systems of different phylogenetic classes of animals.
Mammalian expression of full-length bovine aggrecan and link protein: Formation of recombinant proteoglycan aggregates and analysis of proteolytic cleavage by ADAMTS-4 and MMP-13

Aggrecan, a large chondroitin sulfate (CS) and keratan sulfate (KS) proteoglycan, has not previously been expressed as a full-length recombinant molecule. To facilitate structure/function analysis, we have characterized recombinant bovine aggrecan (rbAgg) and link protein expressed in COS-7 cells. We demonstrate that C-terminally truncated rbAgg was not secreted. Gel filtration chromatography of rbAgg and isolated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains, and their susceptibility to chondroitinase ABC digestion indicate that the GAG chains are predominantly CS, which likely occupy fewer serine residues than native aggrecan. To confirm functionality, we determined that rbAgg bound hyaluronan and recombinant link protein to form proteoglycan aggregates. In addition, cleavage of rbAgg by ADAMTS-4 revealed that the p68 form of ADAMTS-4 preferentially cleaves within the CS-2 domain, whereas the p40 form only effectively cleaves within the interglobular domain (IGD). MMP-13 cleaved rbAgg within the IGD, but cleaved more rapidly at a site within the CS domains, suggesting a role in C-terminal processing of aggrecan. Our results demonstrate that recombinant aggrecan can be used for in vitro analyses of matrix protease-dependent degradation of aggrecan in the IGD and CS domains, and both recombinant aggrecan and link protein can be used to study the assembly of proteoglycan aggregates with hyaluronan.
Skin detection with multispectral imagers onboard small unmanned aerial systems

Dismount skin detection from an aerial platform has posed challenges for skin detection compared to ground-based platforms. A small, multispectral imager was constructed and tested on a SUAS. Computer vision registration, stereo camera calibration, and geolocation from autopilot telemetry were utilized to design a dismount detection platform. Close range comparison with a line scan HSI resulted in an average 5.112% difference in ROC AUC. This research indicated that SUAS-based Spectral Imagers are capable tools in dismount detection protocols.
Integral Equation Theory of Polymer Solutions: Application to Polyethylene/Benzene Solutions

Solutions of polyethylene macromolecules immersed in benzene were modeled with self-consistent polymer reference interaction site model (PRISM) theory. The PRISM integral equations for the solution were solved self-consistently for the polyethylene intramolecular chain structure and intermolecular polymer and solvent correlations at various mole fractions. We found that explicitly considering the solvent molecules leads to considerably more short-range structure in the radial distribution function of the polymer, relative to the polymer without solvent at the same concentration. The long-range intermolecular correlations between polymer sites in the correlation hole regime decreased inversely with the polymer concentration as expected. The solvent/solvent radial distribution function, however, showed unexpected changes in shape and intensity as the polymer concentration increased. By using the direct correlation functions from PRISM theory, along with the random phase approximation, we estimated the spino...
Procedural Justice and the Allocation of Power in Intergroup Relations: Studies in the United States and South Africa

This study explored preferences for the proportionality (PR) versus equality (EQ) principles in the allocation of political power and other resources between majorities and minorities. Preferences for PR were expected when individual-level justice was salient and for EQ when group-level justice was salient. Group-level concerns were expected to be more salient for minorities than majorities for procedural resources and for group-level than individual-level distributive resources. Consistent with expectations, subjects from the United States and South Africa were more likely to divide a procedural resource (political power) equally between two simulated ethnic groups differing in size when led to identify with a minority than a majority. Equality was also more salient to members of real ethnic minorities than members of ethnic majorities. With regard to distributive resources, PR was predominant in the distribution of individual-level material resources and EQ in the distribution of group-level symbolic re...
Protein Glycosylation in the Malaria Parasite

The nature and extent of glycosylation in Plasmodium falciparum has long been controversial. It has been widely believed that O-glycosylation is the major carbohydrate modification in the intraerythrocytic stage of P. falciparum and that the parasite has no N-glycosylation capacity. Contrary to this, recent studies have demonstrated that P. falciparum has a low N-glycosylation capability, and O-glycosylation is either absent or present at an extremely low level, whereas glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor modification is common and is the major carbohydrate modification in parasite proteins. The GPI anchor moieties are essential for parasite survival. The parasite GPI anchors can activate signaling pathways in host cells, and thereby induce the expression of inflammatory cytokines, adhesion molecules and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). This might cause erythrocyte sequestration, hypoglycemia, triglyceride lipogenesis and immune dysregulation. Thus, the parasite GPI anchor structure and biosynthetic pathways are attractive targets for antimalarial and/or antiparasite drug development, as discussed here by Channe Gowda and Eugene Davidson.
“We Are One Life,” But Not of One Gender Ideology: Unity, Ambiguity, and the Promise Keepers

The Promise Keepers has been described as a gender ideology movement. Although Promise Keepers demonstrates an ethical and religious ethos, this paper's investigation demonstrates that the movement includes at least four different ideologies of gender. The Promise Keepers organization adeptly uses a number of cultural and organizational resources to maintain unity among its diverse following. Unity is created by corporate experiences, the use of a common religious identity, symbolic actions, ethical calls to unity, and organizational strategies, but not by a clear gender role ideology. Although the Promise Keepers ("PK") received much news media coverage, scholarly work on this Christian men's movement has been slower to appear. One recent work has been Michael Messner's 1997 overview of the Politics of masculinities: Men in movements. Messner places PK in the center of "the sphere of anti-feminist backlash." This perspective of PK has been supported by many in the popular press. Yet other scholars question how solidly PK belongs in that camp noting the ambiguity in their discussions of the roles of men and women (Van Leuwen 1996, 1997; Lockhart 1996). Others in the popular press also note these mixed messages (Abraham 1996; Minkowitz 1995). Is the PK an expression of the "last gasp of patriarchy" or of the "first backlash of patriarchy"? Are they really moving towards egalitarian relationships between men and women, but still clinging to a residual, traditional "headship" language, or are they seeking to undo the gains that women have made and to restore patriarchy in the home (Jackson 1997; Messner 1997)?
Polymer glasses and oxide glasses

Abstract The similarities and differences in the structure of polymer glasses and oxide glasses are reviewed, together with models suggested to describe structure on various scales. It is suggested that random array models seem to provide the best description of structure for most glasses of both types of materials. Also considered are the crystallization and viscous flow behavior of both classes of materials, together with the implications of the observed behavior for their formation as amorphous solids. The role of the chain character of polymer liquids in affecting their kinetic behavior is considered, as are recent controversies concerning the microstructure of partly-crystallized polymers.
State comparison websites

Purpose – ‐‐ The purpose of this paper is to identify internet resources that offer comparisons of the 50 US states in various subject areas.Design/methodology/approach ‐‐ Organizations, agencies, and businesses offering state comparisons as part of multi‐ or single‐topic presentations are included as an overview of available resources.Findings ‐‐ Many reliable, detailed, current, and usable comparison statistics are available on a variety of issues and subjects for all 50 states.Originality/value ‐‐ Awareness of these resources is of value to librarians assisting students and researchers. Familiarity with the variety of state comparison web resources freely available facilitates ease of information location for librarians, students, and researchers.
Dissociation of lepidopterous tissues with proteolytic enzymes: Comparison of collagenase, trypsin, and pronase

Abstract The fat body and certain other tissues of lepidopterous larvae and diapausing pupae can be completely dissociated by incubation in crude or purified collagenase. Damage to the cells is minimal. Dissociation with trypsin is incomplete, and pronase causes extensive damage. All three enzymes act principally by digesting the extracellular connective sheath that envelops the individual lobes of fat body, since the cells at this stage are not intrinsically cohesive. The experimental findings support the notion that collagen is an important structural component of insect connective membranes.
Triexponential decomposition of spin - lattice relaxation decay curves of paramagnetically doped red cell suspensions at 7 T

The spin-lattice relaxation behaviour of protons in paramagnetically doped red cell suspensions at two haematocrit levels has been studied using high-field (7 T) inversion recovery data. The resulting relaxation decay curves were found to be best characterized by triexponential functions. The two-site exchange model, generally applied to biexponential relaxation data in calculating red cell water exchange parameters, was applied to the two fastest-relaxing fractions of the triexponential fits. The intracellular to extracellular water exchange rates so obtained were in good agreement with literature values. Additional exchange parameters including intracellular and extracellular water volume fractions and extracellular relaxation rates were also calculated directly from the relaxation data and found to be consistent with sample haematocrits and with independent relaxation rate measurements of the resuspension medium. The small-amplitude, slowly relaxing third component recovered from the triexponential fits of the relaxation data is attributed to intracellular haemoglobin protons.
Communicating with Congress.

Influencing policy to improve health can be considered an extension of health care workers’ duty to help people. Communicating with elected representatives is a basic mechanism to effect lasting change. Communications that influence public officials should be clear, concise, courteous, and logical. They are strengthened by citing evidence and example. They must recommend a course of action, which should be principled and related to the representative’s constituents.
A comparative picosecond spectroscopic study of the competitive triple fluorescence of aminosalicylates and benzanilides

Abstract Picosecond time-resolved absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence excitation and decay dynamics studies have unravelled the complexities of triple competitive fluorescence in the aminosalicylates and benzanilides. The fluorescences observed are F1, the normal locally excited state emission S1 (LE) → S0; F′2, the proton-transfer tautomer emission S′1 (PT) → S′0 (PT); and F″2, the twisted intramolecular charge-transfer emission S″1(TICT) → S0. The triple fluorescence was observed for p-dimethylaminosalicylic acid methyl ester and for benzanilide, in comparison with other aminosalicylates and benzanilides. Structure selection and solvent perturbation permitted the “tuning in” of F1, F′2, and F″2 fluorescences individually and in combination.
Manganese stimulates the oxidative burst of differentiated HL-60 cells.

Incubation with manganese results in a twofold increase in the oxidative burst of differentiated HL-60 cells. This stimulation was characterized by examining the dose response, length of incubation time, and specifity of manganese. Managese only stimulated the burst in cells induced to differentiated with retinoic acid and not in undifferentiated HL-60 cells. Incubation with manganese did not result in a greater number of differentiated cells. The maximum stimulation occurred at 0.2 μmol/L manganese. Stimulation of the oxidative burst required 96 h of incubation with manganese, since cells incubated with the same levels of manganese for the last 24 h of culture did not result in any stimulation. Magnesium, present in the incubation medium at physiological serum levels (820 μmol/L) also stimulated the oxidative burst, whereas iron (0.3 μmol/L), zinc (18 μmol/L), and copper (12 μmol/L) had no effect. To determine whether manganese and magnesium stimulated the burst differently, the initial rates of superoxide anion production was determined. The initial rate of the reaction proceeded rapidly in cells incubated with managnese, whereas there appeared to be a lag before magnesiumtreated cells produced superoxide anion. Thus, manganese seems to stimulate the oxidative burst differently than magnesium.
New FET active notch antenna

A new design for an active antenna in which an FET oscillator is integrated with a notch antenna has been demonstrated. The structure radiates 8.9mW of power at a frequency of 6.98GHz. The FET active notch antenna is suitable for use as a low cost transmitter or in quasioptical power combining arrays.
Fragrance material review on α-ionone

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of α-ionone when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.
Management of Pacific Herring Spawn‐on‐Kelp Fisheries to Optimize Fish Health and Product Quality

Abstract Use of high densities of newly recruited Pacific herring Clupea pallasi for the closed-pound spawn-on-kelp (PPSOK) fishery in Prince William Sound, Alaska, was associated with increased gamete retention, decreased product quality, and increased prevalence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) relative to the confinement of older cohorts at lower densities. To maximize product quality and reduce the potential for disease outbreaks, three management alternatives are proposed for the PPSOK fishery: (1) establish minimum pound volumes per permit holder; (2) prohibit PPSOK fisheries during years predominated by newly recruited cohorts; and (3) develop effective open-pounding techniques.
Demonstration of SONET transport over a time-slotted FDM all-optical network

The network test bed under development by the Consortium on Wideband All-Optical Networks formed by MIT, DEC, and AT&T1 uses both frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) and time slotting of channels to serve diverse user communities. This approach has the potential for greater network efficiency, scalability, and flexibility in resource allocation than either FDM or time slotting provides alone. Emerging all-optical networks (AONs) must interface to the existing network infrastructure,2 especially those carrying SONET, FDDI, and ATM traffic. This paper demonstrates operation of a timeslotted FDM B-service constructed for our AON test bed, with OC-3 compatibility, and connectivity to conventional networks.
From fractal media to continuum mechanics

This paper presents an overview of modeling fractal media by continuum mechanics using the method of dimensional regularization. The basis of this method is to express the balance laws for fractal media in terms of fractional integrals and, then, convert them to integer-order integrals in conventional (Euclidean) space. Following an account of this method, we develop balance laws of fractal media (continuity, linear and angular momenta, energy, and second law) and discuss wave equations in several settings (1d and 3d wave motions, fractal Timoshenko beam, and elastodynamics under finite strains). We then discuss extremum and variational principles, fracture mechanics, and equations of turbulent flow in fractal media. In all the cases, the derived equations for fractal media depend explicitly on fractal dimensions and reduce to conventional forms for continuous media with Euclidean geometries upon setting the dimensions to integers. We also point out relations and potential extensions of dimensional regularization to other models of microscopically heterogeneous physical systems.
Probing the electronic structure of a conjugated polymer through fifth-order electroabsorption spectroscopy

Abstract The fifth-order electroabsorption spectroscopy is performed on a spin-coated polydiacetylene film, poly[Bis- p -chlorocinnamate of 10,12-Docosadiyn-1,22-diol] (PDA-ClCin-22). The fifth-order spectrum is composed of the response of linearly allowed transitions and the response of a two-photon state. These responses are consistent with our previously proposed model. The fifth-order spectrum has better resolution than the linear and third-order spectrum, and it reveals more detailed structures.