cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Roles of the pituitary-adrenocortical axis in control of the native and cryptic enkephalin levels and proenkephalin mRNA in the sympathoadrenal system of the rat.

Abstract The effects of hypophysectomy (HPX) and dexamethasone (DEX) on the levels of Met5-enkephalin (ME), ME precursors, and the abundance of proenkephalin (pEK) mRNA, were examined in the adrenal medulla (AM) and superior cervical ganglia (SCG). To assess possible changes in enkephalin processing, both cryptic (after trypsin and carboxypeptidase B digestions) and native (without enzyme digestions) ME-like immunoreactivity (ME-LI) was measured. Three weeks after HPX the proportion of pEK mRNA to the total RNA content in the AM was not significantly changed when compared to sham-operated (SO) animals. Total (native + cryptic) ME-LI was decreased by 45% in the AM of HPX rats. This decrease was paralleled by a 58% depletion of AM proteins. Cryptic ME-LI was also reduced by 43%. In contrast, native ME-LI was not altered after HPX, indicating enhanced processing of ME precursors. Treatment with DEX (5 daily injections — 1 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the relative abundance of pEK mRNA (+27%) and total ME-LI in the AM of HPX group, but not in SO group. Native ME-LI, cryptic ME-LI, and their ratio were not significantly affected by DEX in the AM of HPX or SO rats. In SCG, the relative abundance of pEK mRNA decreased by 25% after hypophysectomy. Total and cryptic ME-LI in the SCG of HPX rats were not changed when compared to SO rats. In contrast, HPX reduced native ME-LI suggesting decreased processing of ME precursors. Similarly, as in AM, DEX produced increase in the SCG pEK mRNA only in HPX (+68%) and not in the SO rats. In SCG, DEX produced decreases in total ME-LI which could be attributed to an increased enkephalin release. An overall reduction of cryptic ME-LI was also observed after DEX, whereas native ME-LI remained unchanged suggesting increased processing of enkephalins. Our findings indicate that the pituitary adrenocortical axis controls the relative proportions of ME to its precursors, and that this control involves both glucocorticoid-dependent (SCG) and glucocorticoid-independent (AM) mechanisms. In contrast, our studies do not suggest specific control of pEK synthesis by the pituitary adrenocortical axis. The pituitary adrenocortical axis may also influence the relative contents of ME and catecholamines in the AM and SCG. The ratio of ME/catecholamines increased after HPX (AM and SCG) and after DEX (SCG). Such regulation may contribute to the control of co-transmitter output in the sympathoadrenal system.
cIBR Effectively Targets Nanoparticles to LFA-1 on Acute Lymphoblastic T Cells

Leukocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) is a primary cell adhesion molecule of leukocytes required for mediating cellular transmigration into sites of inflammation via the vascular endothelium. A cyclic peptide, cIBR, possesses high affinity for LFA-1, and conjugation to the surface of poly(DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles can specifically target and deliver the encapsulated agents to T cells expressing LFA-1. The kinetics of targeted nanoparticle uptake by acute lymphoblastic leukemia T cells was investigated by flow cytometry and microscopy and compared to untargeted nanoparticles. The specificity of targeted nanoparticles binding to the LFA-1 integrin was demonstrated by competitive inhibition using free cIBR peptide or using the I domain of LFA-1 to inhibit the binding of targeted nanoparticles. The uptake of targeted nanoparticles was concentration and energy dependent. The cIBR-conjugated nanoparticles did not appear to localize with lysosomes whereas untargeted nanoparticles were detected in lysosomes in 6 h and steadily accumulated in lysosomes for 24 h. Finally, T-cell adhesion to epithelial cells was inhibited by cIBR nanoparticles. Thus, nanoparticles displaying the cIBR ligand may offer a useful targeted drug delivery system as an alternative treatment of inflammatory diseases involving transmigration of leukocytes.
The surgical approach to dumbbell tumors of the mediastinum

Abstract Background Successful management of posterior mediastinal dumbbell tumors depends on complete resection with adequate exposure. Correct preoperative assessment of neuroforaminal extension is important to avoid spinal cord injury. The surgical approach remains controversial. Methods We report a retrospective analysis of posterior mediastinal dumbbell tumors over a 28-year period. All patients underwent one or more radiographic examinations available at the time of presentation and underwent a single-stage one-incision combined thoracic and neurosurgical procedure. Results Among 16 patients aged 5 to 76 years, neuroforaminal involvement was identified before operation in 14 (87.5%) and during the procedure in 2 patients (12.5%). Computed tomography scan missed neuroforaminal involvement in 3 patients. Magnetic resonance imaging in 9 patients correctly identified neuroforaminal extension of the tumor but before MRI, myelography missed this extension in 3 patients. All patients underwent thoracotomy and posterior laminectomy was required in 10 of them. In 6 patients (38%) without laminectomy, resection required widening of the neural foramen in 3 whereas tumor was removed in 3 others through an already widened foramen. Spinal stabilization was required in 2 patients. There were 14 benign and 2 malignant lesions. Complete resection was performed in all patients without spinal cord injury or other major complication. No recurrences have been observed in a follow-up period from 2 months to 28 years (mean, 7.5 years). Conclusions Posterior mediastinal tumors should be evaluated for neuroforaminal involvement. A single-stage combined thoracic and neurosurgical approach is safe and leads to good long-term results. Laminectomy may be avoided in some patients.
Nesting ecology of Townsend's Warblers in relation to habitat characteristics in a mature boreal forest

We investigated the nesting ecology of Townsend's Warblers (Dendroica townsendi) from 1993-1995 in an unfragmented boreal forest along the lower slopes of the Chugach Mountains in southcentral Alaska. We examined habitat characteristics of nest sites in relation to factors influencing reproductive success. Almost all territory-holding males (98%, n = 40) were successful in acquiring mates. Nest success was 54% (n = 24 nests), with nest survivorship greater during incubation (87%) than during the nestling period (62%). Most nesting failure (80%) was attributable to predation, which occurred primarily during the nestling period. Fifty-five percent of nests containing nestlings were infested with the larvae of bird blow-flies (Protocalliphora braueri and P. spenceri), obligatory blood-feeding parasites. The combined effects of Protocalliphora infestation and inclement weather apparently resulted in nestling mortality in 4 of the 24 nests. Nests that escaped predation were placed in white spruce with larger diameter than those lost to predation; nests that escaped blow-fly parasitism were located higher in nest trees and in areas with lower densities of woody shrubs than those that were infested. The availability of potential nest sites with these key features may be important in determining reproductive success in Townsend's Warblers.
The embodiment of sexualized virtual selves: The Proteus effect and experiences of self-objectification via avatars

Research has indicated that many video games and virtual worlds are populated by unrealistic, hypersexualized representations of women, but the effects of embodying these representations remains understudied. The Proteus effect proposed by Yee and Bailenson (2007) suggests that embodiment may lead to shifts in self-perception both online and offline based on the avatar's features or behaviors. A 2x2 experiment, the first of its kind, examined how self-perception and attitudes changed after women (N=86) entered a fully immersive virtual environment and embodied sexualized or nonsexualized avatars which featured either the participant's face or the face of an unknown other. Findings supported the Proteus effect. Participants who wore sexualized avatars internalized the avatar's appearance and self-objectified, reporting more body-related thoughts than those wearing nonsexualized avatars. Participants who saw their own faces, particularly on sexualized avatars, expressed more rape myth acceptance than those in other conditions. Implications for both online and offline consequences of using sexualized avatars are discussed.
Attributions of Power Across a Social Network

This paper examines the relationship between individual and structural explanations of attributions of power across two domains: administrative decisions and technical decisions. An assessment is made of the relative importance of member level variates against contextual variates as determinants of perceived power. The results suggest that contextual effects are far stronger than member level variates. Among member level characteristics, an incumbent's formal status is found to be a primary determinant of his perceived administrative power, while his expertise is a better predictor of his perceived technical power. The formal structure outweighs the interaction network as a context for understanding attributions of power.
The FEAR Factor

The decision to exit from mitosis is a fateful one, and Amon and colleagues have shown that it involves both an early and a late component. The FEAR network initiates the exit machinery, while the previously described MEN pathway maintains it.
Nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease: Study of immunoglobulin light chain protein and mRNA expression

Abstract The techniques of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were applied to 10 formalin-or B5-fixed, paraffin-embedded cases of nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's disease to determine whether lymphohistiocytic (L&H) cells contain any detectable amount of immunoglobulin light chain protein or messenger RNA. None of the cases studied demonstrated any detectable amount of either kappa or lambda light chain mRNA within L&H cells or Reed-Sternberg cells despite positive labeling of plasma cells, immunoblasts, and germinal center cells. Polyclonal kappa light chain antibody studies showed positive staining of L&H cells in seven cases, including three costaining with polyclonal lambda light chain antibody. Monoclonal kappa and lambda light chain antibody studies, however, showed no staining of L&H cells despite positive staining of immunoblasts and plasma cells. It is suggested that L&H cells do not synthesize appreciable amounts of light chain immunoglobulin protein and are not closely related to reactive immunoblasts or germinal center cells.
Indirect Costs of Financial Distress in Durable Goods Industries: The Case of Auto Manufacturers

Financial distress can disrupt a durable goods producer's provision of complementary goods and services such as warranties, spare parts and maintenance. This reduces consumers' demand for the core product, causing indirect costs of financial distress. We test this hypothesis in the market for used cars sold at wholesale auctions. An increase in a manufacturer's credit default swaps significantly decreases the prices of its cars at auction, especially cars with longer expected service lives. Our estimates imply substantial indirect costs of financial distress for car manufacturers. These costs have occasionally even exceeded the tax savings benefits for General Motors and Ford. The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com., Oxford University Press.
Histochemical study of monoamine oxidase in central nervous system cultures

Implants from the midbrain and cerebellum of neonatal rats were cultured in roller tubes for 20 to 30 days. The cultures were incubated in a tryptamine-tetrazolium solution which demonstrated the enzyme activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) by the formation of a formazan precipitation. Some cultures were incubated without fixation, while others were fixed in a glutaraldehyde solution prior to incubation. The specificity of the reaction was controlled by withholding the substrate or by treatment of the cultures with an MAO inhibitor. An intracellular localization of the enzyme was observed in small and medium sized neurons, but was absent in the largest neurons. Neuroglial cells, including ependyma, and mesenchymal cells and phagocytes were MAO positive. The formazan granules were scattered throughout cell bodies and into cytoplasmic processes. Glutaraldehyde fixation of cultures prior to incubation for MAO preserved the details of cell structure and enhanced the differentiation of cell types. When fixed and unfixed cultures were compared, glutaraldehyde did not appear to interfere or interact with enzyme localization; however, there was evidence that this aldehyde might be interfering with MAO concentration, since a longer incubation period for prefixed tissue was required to obtain a formazan reaction comparable to that of unfixed cultures.
Saying and Agreeing

No semantic theory is complete without an account of context sensitivity. But there is little agreement over its scope and limits even though everyone invokes intuition about an expression's behavior in context to determine its context sensitivity. Minimalists like Cappelen and Lepore identify a range of tests which isolate clear cases of context sensitive expressions, such as 'I', 'here', and 'now', to the exclusion of all others. Contextualists try to discredit the tests and supplant them with ones friendlier to their positions. In this paper we will explore and evaluate Cappelen and Hawthorne's recent attempts to discredit Cappelen and Lepore's tests and replace them with others. We will argue they have failed to provide sufficient reason to abandon minimalism. If we are right, minimalism about context sensitivity is still viable.
The 8 year thicket of triazine dendrimers: strategies, targets and applications

This manuscript focuses on the routes, methods and reagents used to synthesize triazine-based dendrimers. Our pursuit of macromolecular architectures for drug delivery—dendrimers based on triazines—has been an ongoing effort for 8 years. To date, we have produced complex dendrimers with diverse peripheries as proof-of-concept, less complex molecules tailored for specific applications including DNA and RNA delivery and drug-decorated dendrimers for potential therapeutic applications including infectious disease and cancer. These syntheses have been executed at scales that range from high milligrams to over a kilogram. The routes, reagents and diversity displayed by a target anchors it in time. Early targets derive from convergent synthetic routes while later targets are prepared using divergent syntheses. The core of early dendrimers was a simple diamine, including piperazine, yielding the so-called bow-tie structures, middle period targets boast either a trispiperazinyltriazine core or a ‘super-core’ with six piperazine groups. Later targets return to the trispiperazinyltriazine core. The choice of linking diamine has also changed. Over time, p -aminobenzylamine was replaced by piperazine and then by aminomethylpiperidine with more exotic diamines sprinkled in throughout. Peripheral group choice has undergone similar variations: from AB 2 to AB 4 to, more recently, AB 3 . The diversity communicated by these groups yields dendrimers ranging from those with a common surface to examples where two groups were presented to those where four orthogonally reactive groups appear. Over time, these groups have grown in complexity from protected amines to tags for biodistribution and drugs like paclitaxel. Herein, strategies adopted and lessons learned are reviewed, intuitions relayed and future directions forecast.
A Domain Decomposition Method for Optimization Problems for Partial Differential Equations

Abstract A nonoverlapping domain decomposition method for optimization problems for partial differential equations is presented. The domain decomposition is effected through an auxiliary optimization problem. This results in an multiobjective optimization problem involving the given functional and the auxiliary functional. The existence of an optimal solution to the multiobjective optimization problem is proved as are convergence estimates as the parameters used to regularize the problem (penalty parameters) and to combine the two objective functionals tend to zero. An optimality system for the optimal solution is derived and used to define a gradient method. Convergence results are obtained for the gradient method and the results of some numerical experiments are obtained. Then, unregularized problems having vanishing penalty parameters are discussed.
A required, combined ACLS/ATLS provider course for senior medical students at East Carolina University

A course that combines advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) training with advanced trauma life support (ATLS) training for senior medical students was evaluated for its ability to integrate concepts of students' prior clinical experience and to stimulate achievement of provider certification. Since initiation of this program in 1982, students have uniformly praised the combined ACLS/ATLS provider course in anonymous, post-course evaluations. The experience was judged to integrate significantly concepts and principles acquired in students' previous 18 months of clinical training. The opportunity to apply these concepts in unique and challenging clinical simulations was noted by students. Evaluation of pretest and post-test data for the class of 1984 (n = 39) using a t test for matched pairs indicates a significant improvement in post-test examination performance ( P
Clinical Guidelines and Nutrition Therapy: Better Understanding and Greater Application to Patient Care

The volume of clinical guidelines produced by national and international societies has virtually exploded in the literature over the past decade. The most important aspect of guidelines is transparency, that is, the connection between the recommendation or guideline statement and the underlying supportive studies from the literature should be transparent. Clinical guidelines should help organize the literature, identify key areas of patient management, and provide a framework with which the clinician may operate. The reader of a guideline should embrace controversy, trace back and review the underlying literature, and then determine whether practice should be altered as a result of the guideline recommendations. The purpose of this article is to understand the derivation of clinical guidelines, to learn how to resolve controversy or differences between guidelines and clinical practice, and to learn steps to apply the guidelines to an individual institution or clinical practice.
Relationships Among Canine Fasting Pancreatic and Biliary Secretions, Pancreatic Duct Pressure, and Duodenal Phase III Motor Activity Boldyreff Revisited

Despite the old observations of Boldyreff that pancreatic and biliary secretions occur during periods of intestinal contraction, quantification of these secretions and their relationships to duodenal motor activity and pancreatic ductal pressures have not been reported. By utilizing a recently developed canine model, we simultaneously measured these events. Each of nine dogs was provided with a permanent indwelling pancreatodochal cutaneous catheter (to monitor pancreatic pressure) and three duodenal cutaneous catheters. [14C]PEG was infused through the proximal catheter located in the first part of the duodenum and intraluminal duodenal pressures were monitored through the middle catheter, located at the level of the pancreatic duct orifice. From a third catheter located 15 cm distal to the middle catheter duodenal samples were siphoned, pooled over ice every 15 min, and analyzed for concentration of marker, lipase, and bilirubin. Duodenal volume flows and outputs of lipase and bilirubin were calculated relative to the recovery of the marker. All studies were done in fasting, conscious, upright dogs. Lipase and bilirubin outputs, duodenal volume flow, and mean pancreatic duct pressures increased (P<0.05) during phase III duodenal motor activity, compared with values 15 and 30 min before the onset and after the cessation of phase III motor activity. It is concluded that the inter-digestive housekeeper (phase III motor activity) is comprised of electric, motor, and digestive components. The amount of pancreatic enzymes secreted during phase III activity is 50% of that secreted during a similar time postprandially and is theoretically in sufficient quantity to hydrolyze food remnants and cellular debris. Thus it is likely that the association of increased pancreatic and biliary secretion with intense motor activity of the duodenum render the housekeeping action of the complex more effective.
Exercise response during wall-pulley versus bicycle ergometer work.

The purpose of this study was to test the significance of differences between cardiopulmonary responses to wall-pulley arm exercise and to bicycle ergometer leg exercise. The heart rate responses were greater for arm exercise than for leg exercise at comparable external work rates or energy cost levels. The systolic blood pressure responses and myocardial oxygen cost were greater for arm exercise at given external work loads, but not at comparable energy cost levels. The clinical and theoretical significance of these results is discussed.
Oblique sections need 3-d names also

Sailer ef al. have proposed in the preceding paper (1) a nomenclature for describing beam orientations that is precise, compact, and self-explanatory. The convention they established can be extended with very little modification to the directly related and equally vexing problem of defining the orientation of an oblique plane relative to the patient. Such a convention is needed, for example, to describe images computed by multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) from a sequence of plane parallel images. The orientation of any plane can be characterized by the orientation of the normal to that plane. Thus, in principle, the nomenclature of reference (1) could be carried over without modification; the orientation of an MPR would be described by Sailer et al.3 term for the orientation of its normal. However, two modifications are needed for clarity. The first is needed because one would like to preserve the traditional terms transverse, sagittaf, and coronal for the three cardinal sections, whereas the convention of reference ( 1) uses terms such as inferior, left, and anterior, respectively, for the normals to the cardinal sections. The second modification is needed because of the potential ambiguity which arises from the fact that there are two possible directions for the normal to a given plane. The scheme proposed here, which addresses these concerns, is as follows. The description of the orientation of any section is composed by:
A mouse model of TSC1 reveals sex-dependent lethality from liver hemangiomas, and up-regulation of p70S6 kinase activity in Tsc1 null cells

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by mutations in either TSC1 or TSC2, and characterized by benign hamartoma growth. We developed a murine model of Tsc1 disease by gene targeting. Tsc1 null embryos die at mid-gestation from a failure of liver development. Tsc1 heterozygotes develop kidney cystadenomas and liver hemangiomas at high frequency, but the incidence of kidney tumors is somewhat lower than in Tsc2 heterozygote mice. Liver hemangiomas were more common, more severe and caused higher mortality in female than in male Tsc1 heterozygotes. Tsc1 null embryo fibroblast lines have persistent phosphorylation of the p70S6K (S6K) and its substrate S6, that is sensitive to treatment with rapamycin, indicating constitutive activation of the mTOR-S6K pathway due to loss of the Tsc1 protein, hamartin. Hyperphosphorylation of S6 is also seen in kidney tumors in the heterozygote mice, suggesting that inhibition of this pathway may have benefit in control of TSC hamartomas.
The Late Wenlock Mulde positive carbon isotope (δ13Ccarb) excursion in North America

Abstract Marine carbonates from two well-studied areas of the Silurian of North America were analyzed for stable carbon isotope (δ13Ccarb) stratigraphy. A graptolite-bearing sequence from the eastern margin of the Panthallasic Ocean (Nevada) and a conodont-bearing sequence from the mid-continent epeiric seaway (Tennessee) were sampled for δ13Ccarb stratigraphy in order to improve the correlation between these areas and the Swedish island of Gotland, which has become the global standard for Wenlock conodont and carbon isotope stratigraphy. The Homerian (Late Wenlock) Mulde positive carbon isotope excursion serves as a useful chronostratigraphic marker for Homerian sequences, especially in regions such as the two included in this investigation, where zonal fossils are absent or poorly represented. In Nevada, using presently available biostratigraphic data, a detailed modern graptolite zonation cannot be applied due to a lack of several key species. Likewise, the zonally important conodont species are poorly...
Fault-Tolerant Supervisory Control of Discrete Event Systems Modeled by Bounded Petri Nets

This paper considers bounded Petri nets with both controllable and uncontrollable transitions, and addresses the synthesis of a fault-tolerant supervisor in a setting where the control specifications are described via arbitrary forbidden markings. When determining the supervisor, we handle uncontrollable transitions by analyzing the reverse net and by obtaining a set of weakly forbidden markings, based on which we determine the maximally permissive control policy. We implement the supervisor by encoding the system state information into two monitor places in a way that allows us to both determine the online control policy efficiently and identify/correct single place faults (i.e., faults that corrupt the number of tokens in a single place of the Petri net, including the monitor places). The overall method need not perform reachability analysis, has low complexity requirements for online computation, and can be generalized to monitor-based control schemes that are tolerant to any number of faults.
Neuronal diversity in the retina.

Abstract The listing of cell types present in the retina is nearing completion, the first time this can be said for any significantly complex sample of the central nervous system. Mammalian retinas contain ∼55 separate neuronal types. The functions of 22 of them are known or can be strongly inferred. For these 22, in every instance, a cell defined as a ‘type’ by structural criteria carries out a distinct and individual physiological function. Electrophysiological experiments continue to reveal new features of the retina's handling of information, and there is every reason to believe that the remaining 33 types of cell will also have distinct physiological functions. Further subtleties clearly exist in both peripheral and central visual coding.
The fuzzy transformation and its applications in image processing

The spatial and rank (SR) orderings of samples play a critical role in most signal processing algorithms. The recently introduced fuzzy ordering theory generalizes traditional, or crisp, SR ordering concepts and defines the fuzzy (spatial) samples, fuzzy order statistics, fuzzy spatial indexes, and fuzzy ranks. Here, we introduce a more general concept, the fuzzy transformation (FZT), which refers to the mapping of the crisp samples, order statistics, and SR ordering indexes to their fuzzy counterparts. We establish the element invariant and order invariant properties of the FZT. These properties indicate that fuzzy spatial samples and fuzzy order statistics constitute the same set and, under commonly satisfied membership function conditions, the sample rank order is preserved by the FZT. The FZT also possesses clustering and symmetry properties, which are established through analysis of the distributions and expectations of fuzzy samples and fuzzy order statistics. These properties indicate that the FZT incorporates sample diversity into the ordering operation, which can be utilized in the generalization of conventional filters. Here, we establish the fuzzy weighted median (FWM), fuzzy lower-upper-middle (FLUM), and fuzzy identity filters as generalizations of their crisp counterparts. The advantage of the fuzzy generalizations is illustrated in the applications of DCT coded image deblocking, impulse removal, and noisy image sharpening.
Utilizing Collaboration Theory to Evaluate Strategic Alliances

Increasingly, collaboration between business, non-profit, health and educational agencies is being championed as a powerful strategy to achieve a vision otherwise not possible when independent entities work alone. But the definition of collaboration is elusive and it is often difficult for organizations to put collaboration into practice and assess it with certainty. Program evaluators can assist practitioners concerned with the development of a strategic alliance predicated on collaboration by understanding and utilizing principles of collaboration theory. The Strategic Alliance Formative Assessment Rubric (SAFAR) is an assessment tool that captures central principles of collaboration and has been used as part of a four-step evaluation process to help alliance leaders, managers, and members in Safe School/Healthy Student Initiatives to quantitatively and qualitatively gauge, celebrate, and communicate the relative strength of their collaborative endeavor over time. The collaboration principles and corres...
Handbook of neurolinguistics. B. Stemmer and H. A. Whitaker (Eds.). San Diego: Academic, 1998. Pp. 788.

Of the cognitive neuroscience handbooks recently published, this, to my knowledge, is the only one that is entirely devoted to the neurology of language. In the editors' words, it is “intended as a state-of-the-art reference and resource book describing current research and theory in the many subfields of neurolinguistics and their clinical applications.” It is intended for “the newcomer to the field, as well as the expert.”
Design of nano- and microsystems with novel control laws

This paper solves nonlinear control problems to optimize dynamic nano- and microscale systems. We use the Hamilton-Jacobi theory to analytically design optimal controllers. The system dynamics is optimized by minimizing designed novel functionals with a new class of nonquadratic performance integrands. Necessary conditions for optimality are utilized and examined synthesizing innovative optimal control laws. The proposed performance functionals results in nonlinear controllers which guarantee superior performance, e.g., stability, robustness, minimum-time dynamics, etc. We synthesize and examine optimal controllers for practical nano- and microsystems.
Colliding-pulse phase modulation and chirping of ultrashort optical pulses in thin slabs of nonresonant and of saturable media

The time dependence of the frequency shift (δω) due to colliding-pulse phase modulation (CPPM) is computed, for collision of femtosecond optical pulses, both in nonresonant and in saturable media. In particular, thin material slabs (up to several pulse widths τ) are considered, and although the results are more generally applicable, special attention is given to a typical saturable-absorber jet in a colliding-pulse mode-locked laser. Results show that CPPM in nonresonant media causes noticeable effects on the chirp, both for thin slabs with L ≈ laser wavelength, where the coherence of the pulses leads to interference effects, and for thicker slabs with L ≈ cτ. Complications to CPPM by saturable media are discussed, and it is shown that the consequences of dispersion by the ground-state population, and finite phase-relaxation time, may be important for short, low-energy pulses. The results show, for parameters typical of contemporary colliding-pulse mode-locked lasers, what conditions are favorable for short, stable pulse formation in solitonlike pulse shaping. It is also shown that there are conditions for which the pulses produced would be spread by any sign of group-velocity dispersion.
Modulation of biological functions of Naegleria fowleri amoebae by growth medium

Two strains of Naegleria fowleri amoebae were studied when the amoebae were maintained in the same growth medium or in two different media. A weakly pathogenic strain of N. fowleri, LEE, and a highly pathogenic strain, LEEmpC1, were compared for growth properties, the presence or absence of surface structures termed food cups, cytopathogenicity, cellular locomotion, susceptibility to complement-mediated lysis and immunological relatedness by western immunoblot analysis when grown in Nelson medium or in Cline medium. The two different strains of N. fowleri, LEE and LEEmpC1, were more similar in protein profiles and functional activity when both strains were grown in the same nutritional medium. Differences in growth, proteins synthesized, cytopathogenicity, susceptibility to complement lysis and rate of locomotion were noted when the same strain was grown in different media. Naegleria fowleri grown in Cline medium demonstrated an increased rate of growth, an increase in its rate of locomotion, an increased resistance to complement lysis, and destroyed target nerve cells by contact-dependent lysis. In contrast, the same strain of amoeba grown in Nelson medium showed slower growth, destroyed target cells by trogocytosis, and was less resistant to complement-mediated lysis.
Analysis of myosins from lobster muscles: Fast and slow isozymes differ in heavy‐chain composition

The contractile speed of striated muscle is correlated with myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity. In crustaceans, ATPase activity in fast muscle is about four-fold greater than that in slow muscle. Slow and fast myosins were purified from the crusher claw closer and the deep abdominal muscles, respectively, of teh American lobster, Homarus americanus, and analyzed by peptide mapping, chymotryptic digestion, and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Peptide mapping of myosin heavy chains with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease produced seven peptides unique to slow-muscle myosin and 11 peptides unique to fastmuscle myosin. Heavy-chain fragments produced by chymotryptic digestion of native myosin differed in molecular weight and isoelectric point between the two muscle types, suggesting possible differences in the flexible hinge region in the rod portion of the molecule. In contrast, twodimensional PAGE showed that the corresponding light chains of both fast and slow myosins were identical in size and net charge. Therefore, the molecular basis of the difference in ATPase activities between fast- and slow-muscle myosins can be attributed solely to heavy-chain isoform composition.
Gene expression profiles of 4‐hydroxy‐N‐desmethyl‐tamoxifen (endoxifen)‐ and 4‐hydroxy‐tamoxifen (4OHTAM)‐treated human breast cancer cells determined by CDNA microarray analysis

Recently, we have shown that endoxifen and 4OHTAM are equipotent inhibitors of estrogen action, with respect to estrogen receptor (ER) binding, proliferation, and inhibition of pS2 and PR gene expression. Since estrogens and anti-estrogens have effects on the expression of many additional genes, we tested the effects of endoxifen and 4OHTAM on genome-wide profiling in ER-positive MCF-7 cell lines by cDNA microarray analysis using the Affymetrix HG-U133A GeneChip. Cells were treated for 24 hrs with vehicle, 17β-estradiol (E2) 10−10M, 4OHTAM 10−7M, endoxifen 10−7M, E2+4OHTAM, E2+endoxifen, and E2+4OHTAM+endoxifen. E2 treatment resulted in up- or down-regulation of ~213 genes which showed greater than 2-fold changes from the vehicle-treated group. 4OHTAM and endoxifen changed the expression of 58 and 52 genes respectively when added to the E2 treatment. Of these genes, 49 (84.5%) and 46 (88.5%) were estrogen-regulated genes. 4OHTAM and endoxifen had overlapping effects on 32 genes, but also brought about distinct patterns of gene regulation (26 vs. 20 genes were changed by only 4OHTAM or endoxifen, resp.). Among the 32 genes coregulated by both 4OHTAM and endoxifen, there was a significant correlation between the fold-effects brought about by these two drugs (R2=0.964, P<0.01). These data indicate that the majority of genes influenced by active tamoxifen metabolites are estrogen-sensitive genes, but that some effects of tamoxifen may be estrogen-independent. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P49–P49; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.183
Testing Alternative Leisure Constraint Negotiation Models: An Extension of Hubbard and Mannell's Study

The purpose of this study was to test a model of the leisure constraint negotiation process proposed by Hubbard and Mannell. A multidimensional measure of physically active leisure was used to extend their findings to a sample of middle-aged and older adults in a metropolitan park setting. Volunteers and visitors (aged 50–87 years) of a Midwestern metropolitan park agency completed a self-administered questionnaire. Results of a two-step structural equation modeling procedure suggested a constraint-negotiation dual channel model. In this model, the negative influence of constraints on participation was almost entirely offset by the positive effect of negotiation strategies. The effect of motivation on participation was fully mediated by negotiation. The implications of these findings for studying constraint negotiation and active leisure in mid- to late-life are discussed.
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or diethylstilbestrol (DES) cause similar hematopoietic hypocellularity and hepatocellular changes in murine fetal liver, but differentially affect gene expression.

TCDD and DES have immunotoxic effects, including selective diminution of T lymphocyte progenitors in the fetal liver. The histologic presentation of fetal liver after exposure to either chemical has not been described. Similarly, limited information exists regarding mechanisms by which TCDD or DES may alter fetal hematopoiesis. Treatment of pregnant C57BL/6 mice with either 10 μg/kg/day TCDD or 48 μg/kg/day DES on gestation days (gd) 14 and 16 led to increased fetal liver weight on gd 18. Moderate anisocytosis and anisokaryosis with increased cytoplasmic and nuclear sizes, and increased cytoplasmic basophilia were present within hepatocytes after TCDD or DES. Both chemicals also decreased the presence of hematopoietic cells, however megakaryocyte numbers were unaffected. In contrast to these similar outcomes, real time quantitative PCR using a preliminary panel of 4 genes suggested that the chemicals act through different gene targets. TCDD increased c-jun gene expression in fetal liver, and decreased p53...
Renal Resistive Index: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Of all the measured parameters in nephrology, none is more misunderstood and misused than the renal resistive index ( RI ). Although it is used widely as a marker of renal pathology based on the assumption that structural changes in the kidney alter renal vascular resistance, the sensitivity and specificity of RI for this purpose are questionable,1 and its clinical use remains uncertain. Both theoretical and experimental analyses of the RI can explain why this is the case. RI is typically measured by Doppler sonography in an intrarenal artery and is the difference between the peak systolic and end-diastolic blood velocities divided by the peak systolic velocity. ![Formula][1] (1) It was first introduced in the 1950s and its naming was unfortunate because it is actually a measure of pulsatility. In fact, the closely related index in which the denominator is the mean velocity rather than the peak systolic velocity is termed the pulsatility index. Ironically, renal vascular resistance is the 1 hemodynamic parameter that has the least if any influence on RI . A little mathematics will illustrate this point. Rearranging Equation 1 gives ![Formula][2] (2) In the simplest analysis, velocity equals flow divided by lumen area ( LA ), and flow equals the difference in blood pressure (Δ P ) divided by vascular resistance ( R ), yielding ![Formula][3] (3) Equation 2 then becomes ![Formula][4] (4) Although pressure and lumen area clearly change during systole and diastole, resistance should not. Changes in pressure and flow can alter renal vascular resistance through the myogenic response and flow-mediated vasodilation, respectively, but the time constants for these responses are far greater than the duration of the cardiac cycle.2,3 Thus, renal vascular resistance does not vary between consecutive systoles and diastoles and Equation 4 becomes ![Formula][5] (5) and RI is independent of vascular resistance. Stated more simply, the proportional effect of resistance on blood flow should … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/graphic-2.gif [3]: /embed/graphic-3.gif [4]: /embed/graphic-4.gif [5]: /embed/graphic-5.gif
Evaluating Molecular Mechanical Potentials for Helical Peptides and Proteins

Multiple variants of the AMBER all-atom force field were quantitatively evaluated with respect to their ability to accurately characterize helix-coil equilibria in explicit solvent simulations. Using a global distributed computing network, absolute conformational convergence was achieved for large ensembles of the capped A21 and Fs helical peptides. Further assessment of these AMBER variants was conducted via simulations of a flexible 164-residue five-helix-bundle protein, apolipophorin-III, on the 100 ns timescale. Of the contemporary potentials that had not been assessed previously, the AMBER-99SB force field showed significant helix-destabilizing tendencies, with beta bridge formation occurring in helical peptides, and unfolding of apolipophorin-III occurring on the tens of nanoseconds timescale. The AMBER-03 force field, while showing adequate helical propensities for both peptides and stabilizing apolipophorin-III, (i) predicts an unexpected decrease in helicity with ALA→ARG+ substitution, (ii) lacks experimentally observed 310 helical content, and (iii) deviates strongly from average apolipophorin-III NMR structural properties. As is observed for AMBER-99SB, AMBER-03 significantly overweighs the contribution of extended and polyproline backbone configurations to the conformational equilibrium. In contrast, the AMBER-99φ force field, which was previously shown to best reproduce experimental measurements of the helix-coil transition in model helical peptides, adequately stabilizes apolipophorin-III and yields both an average gyration radius and polar solvent exposed surface area that are in excellent agreement with the NMR ensemble.
The Effect of Data Caps upon ISP Service Tier Design and Users

We model the design and impact of Internet pricing plans with data caps. We consider a monopoly ISP that maximizes its profit by setting tier prices, tier rates, network capacity, data caps, and overage charges. We show that when data caps are used to maximize profit, a monopoly ISP will keep the basic tier price the same, increase the premium tier rate, and decrease the premium tier price and the basic tier rate. We give analytical and numerical results to illustrate the increase in ISP profit, and the corresponding changes in user tier choices, user surplus, and social welfare.
Neocortical Disorganization and Autism

Investigators from University of California, San Diego, and other centers in the US, assayed markers for neurons and glia and genes implicated in the risk of autism, in prefrontal, temporal, and occipital neocortex.
Effect of Floating Treatment Wetlands on Control of Nutrients in Three Stormwater Wet Detention Ponds

AbstractStormwater wet detention ponds hold a permanent pool of water and offer many beneficial uses including flood mitigation, pollution prevention, downstream erosion control, increased aesthetics, and recreational uses. The reduction efficiency of nutrients is generally low in stormwater wet detention ponds in many urban areas. To enhance nutrient reduction, floating treatment wetlands (FTWs), which are a new best management practice (BMP) in stormwater management, can be installed in wet detention ponds to offer an innovative solution toward naturally removing excess nutrients and aiding in stormwater management. This study assesses nutrient reduction in three Floridian stormwater wet detention ponds where FTWs have recently been installed. Both episodic (storm event) and routine (nonstorm event) sampling campaigns were carried out at the three ponds located in Ruskin, Gainesville, and Orlando. Most notably, nutrient reduction rates after installation of the FTWs reached levels of 33% for total nitro...
Flow Criterion for Elastomer Tack

Abstract In order to form a tack bond, the first step is to establish molecular contact between the two sample surfaces. This requires viscous flow of material near the surfaces under the contacting pressure. The tack of specimens with model surface roughness has been performed using a T-peel geometry. A simple flow parameter has been found that uniquely correlates with the relative tack of NR samples of varying molecular weights. For various contacting pressures and molecular weights, a single mastercurve was found in which relative tack is a linearly increasing function of the cumulative creep compression strain of the material. For instance, consider two samples of NR, one with a high molecular weight (I) and the other with a lower molecular weight (II). For a given contacting pressure, Sample II will exhibit a greater value of relative tack. However, if a different contacting pressure is selected for each sample such that both exhibit the same extent of flow, (i.e., possess equal cumulative creep comp...
A Method for the Adaptive Selection of Angular Flux Expansion Orders in the Coarse Mesh Radiation Transport (COMET) Method

This paper presents a formulation for a method for the adaptive selection of angular flux expansion orders for use in COarse MEsh radiation Transport (COMET) method solutions to whole-core reactor ...
Pretreatment Process for Direct Electroplating on plastics Substrates

The mixture of CrO3 and H2SO4 solutions with addition of Pd2+ was applied for etching process,and then the plastics have a uniform surface and an enhanced Pd2 + /Sn2 + colloids absorption properties.In the reduction process,a special surfactant was used to improve the colloids absorption.During the CuLink process,Sn2 + ions around Pd0 in the colloids solution was removed by Cu2 + and copper complex,and then a Pd-Cu conductive layer was formed and easily to be plated by acid copper on plastics.This new plastics direct plating process has the advantage of exclusion of electroless plating process,easier operation,higher solution stability,convenient wastewater treatment and without replacement of the rack.So the production time is decreased obviously and the productivity is greatly increased.
Histologic evaluation of intraoral skin grafts and pedicle flaps in humans

Histologic evaluation of biopsy specimens from six split-thickness skin grafts and seven pedicle flaps was made two months to 15 years after intraoral cancer reconstruction. In the transplanted skin, there was persistence of all epidermal layers with production of orthokeratin and melanin, and persistence of papillary and reticular dermis with viable hair follicles and sweat glands. The junction of epidermis and mucosa was distinguished by a strongly positive PAS staining of the mucosal epithelium. There were no differences in the observations on split-thickness grafts and pedicle flaps. After 15 years of exposure to an intraoral environment, "mucosalization" of the skin was not evident.