cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential Control of the CCAAT/Enhancer-binding Protein β (C/EBPβ) Products Liver-enriched Transcriptional Activating Protein (LAP) and Liver-enriched Transcriptional Inhibitory Protein (LIP) and the Regulation of Gene Expression during the Response to Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress

The accumulation of unfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) triggers a stress response program that protects cells early in the response and can lead to apoptosis during prolonged stress. The basic leucine zipper transcription factor, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ), is one of the genes with increased expression during ER stress. Translation of the C/EBPβ mRNA from different initiation codons leads to the synthesis of two transcriptional activators (LAP-1 and -2) and a transcriptional repressor (LIP). The LIP/LAP ratio is a critical factor in C/EBPβ-mediated gene transcription. It is shown here that the LIP/LAP ratio decreased by 5-fold during the early phase of ER stress and increased by 20-fold during the late phase, mostly because of changes in LIP levels. The early decrease in LIP required degradation via the proteasome pathway and phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor, eIF2α. The increased LIP levels during the late phase were due to increased synthesis and increased stability of the protein. It is proposed that regulation of synthesis and degradation rates during ER stress controls the LIP/LAP ratio. The importance of C/EBPβ in the ER-stress response program was demonstrated using C/EBPβ-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts. It is shown that C/EBPβ attenuates expression of pro-survival ATF4 target genes in late ER stress and enhances expression of cell death-associated genes downstream of CHOP. The inhibitory effect of LIP on ATF4-induced transcription was demonstrated for the cat-1 amino acid transporter gene. We conclude that regulation of LIP/LAP ratios during ER stress is a novel mechanism for modulating the cellular stress response.
Sensitivity and tolerance to the motor impairing effects of moderate doses of ethanol.

The present study assessed sensitivity and the development of tolerance to the motor impairing effects of moderate doses of ethanol, using an oscillating bar task. Adult male Wistar rats were trained for 5 consecutive days to stay on the oscillating bar for 120 s to avoid a 0.5-mA foot shock. On the 5 consecutive test days, animals were injected once a day with ethanol (ip: 1.0, 1.25, or 1.5 g/kg) and tested at 15 min intervals until recovery to the 120 s criterion. On test day 1, rats in the 1.5 g/kg group took significantly longer to recover (81+/-9 min; mean+/-S.E.M.) than did animals in the 1.25 (49+/-9 min) and 1.0 (29+/-5 min) g/kg groups. Tolerance developed to all doses by test day 3, with the 1.5, 1.25, and 1.0 g/kg groups reaching criterion in significantly shorter times (42+/-8, 31+/-5, and 18+/-2 min, respectively), as compared to test day 1. BACs associated with recovery time on test day 3, for the 1.5 g/kg group, were significantly higher than the BACs associated with recovery time on test day 1. The data suggest that the oscillating bar task can be used to measure the acute ataxic effects of ethanol, across a narrow range of moderate ethanol doses, and, as well, the development of tolerance to the motor impairing effects of these ethanol doses.
Granular Convection Observed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Vibrations in a granular material can spontaneously produce convection rolls reminiscent of those seen in fluids. Magnetic resonance imaging provides a sensitive and noninvasive probe for the detection of these convection currents, which have otherwise been difficult to observe. A magnetic resonance imaging study of convection in a column of poppy seeds yielded data about the detailed shape of the convection rolls and the depth dependence of the convection velocity. The velocity was found to decrease exponentially with depth; a simple model for this behavior is presented here.
Mapping Drosophila mutations with molecularly defined P element insertions

The isolation of chemically induced mutations in forward genetic screens is one of the hallmarks of Drosophila genetics. However, mapping the corresponding loci and identifying the molecular lesions associated with these mutations are often difficult and labor-intensive. Two mapping methods are most often used in flies: meiotic recombination mapping with marked chromosomes and deficiency mapping. The availability of the fly genome sequence allows the establishment and usage of molecular markers. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms have therefore recently been used to map several genes. Here we show that thousands of molecularly mapped P element insertions in fly strains that are publicly available provide a powerful alternative method to single-nucleotide polymorphism mapping. We present a strategy that allows mapping of lethal mutations, as well as viable mutations with visible phenotypes, with minimal resources. The most important unknown in using recombination rates to map at high resolution is how accurately recombination data correlate with molecular maps in small intervals. We therefore surveyed distortions of recombination rates in intervals <500 kb. We document the extent of distortions between the recombination and molecular maps and describe the required steps to map with an accuracy of <50 kb. Finally, we describe a recently developed method to determine molecular lesions in 50-kb intervals by using a heteroduplex DNA mutation detection system. Our data show that this mapping approach is inexpensive, efficient, and precise, and that it significantly broadens the application of P elements in Drosophila.
On the predictor of non-full rank bivariate stochastic processes

Abstract Algorithms for determining the generating function, the prediction error matrix, and the best linear predictor for non-full-rank bivariate stationary stochastic processes are obtained.
Neutralization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone in neonatal rats with permanent impairment of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis.

Males rats were passively immunized at 5 days of age with a single 0.25 ml i.p. injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antiserum. Control animals were given an equal volume of normal rabbit serum (NRS). Serial blood determinations of gonadotropins, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were obtained at intervals ranging from early in life through adult life. Gonadotropin secretion was reduced (P less than 0.025) up to 35 days of age. Androgen secretion (testosterone) was reduced (P less than 0.05) at 10 and 33 days of age. When hCG was given to 54-day-old (young adult), and 100-day-old and 15-month-old animals, testosterone concentrations were similar in both experimental and control groups 1 h after hCG stimulation. As adults, basal gonadotropins were the same in both groups; however, after GnRH stimulation, the GnRH antiserum-treated groups showed an increased gonadotropin response when compared to the NRS control group. In order to determine whether there was an alteration in steroid feedback, other animals were castrated at adult age (approximately 100 days old), and exogenous testosterone was given in increasing increments. However, serum gonadotropins decreased similarly in treated and control groups. These data indicate that a single injection of GnRH antiserum early in life decreased gonadotropin secretion temporarily during prepubertal sexual development and caused a permanent alteration in hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular function.
Splitting matter waves using an optimized standing-wave light-pulse sequence

In a recent experiment (Wang et al., e-print cond-mat/0407689), it was observed that a sequence of two standing-wave square pulses can split a Bose-Einstein Condensate at rest into $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2\ensuremath{\hbar}\mathbf{k}$ diffraction orders with almost 100% efficiency. By truncating the Raman-Nath equations to a two-state model, we provide an intuitive picture that explains this double-square-pulse beam-splitter scheme. We further show it is possible to optimize a standing-wave multiple-square-pulse sequence to efficiently diffract an atom at rest to a symmetric superposition of $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2n\ensuremath{\hbar}\mathbf{k}$ diffraction orders with $ng1$. The approach is considered to be qualitatively different from the traditional light-pulse schemes in the Bragg or the Raman-Nath region, and can be extended to more complex atomic optical elements that produce various tailored output momentum states from a cold atom source.
Narrow bandwidth dye laser suitable for pumping by a short pulse duration N 2 laser

The design criteria and performance characteristics are reported of a tunable, narrow bandwidth dye laser that is suitable for pumping by a short pulse duration high power N(2) laser. The dye laser system is characterized by a relatively short over-all length of 15 cm. Bandwidths of from 0.015 nm to 0.05 nm are obtained along with conversion efficiencies in the neighborhood of 10% using a 4-5 nsec pulse duration N(2) pump. Bandwidths of 0.001 nm are observed with an intracavity etalon in the system. More important, however, it is shown that the conversion efficiency of an intracavity etalon dye laser system can be greatly improved if the temporal distribution of the N(2) pump pulse is adjusted so a single dye cell in a dye laser system is used first as an oscillator and then as an amplifier. Finally, using the above technique of processing the N(2) pump pulse, a 5-nsec N(2) laser is used to pump an intracavity etalon dye laser, which is followed by a large gap external etalon and then by an amplifier; the resulting bandwidth is 0.0005 nm at 480 nm with a conversion efficiency of 4.5%.
Biochronology of Triassic bivalves

Substantial advances by numerous researchers over the past 20 years have made it possible to develop a composite biochronological scheme for the Triassic based on the bivalves Claraia, Peribositria, Enteropleura, Daonella, Halobia, Eomonotis and Monotis. These bivalves exhibit temporal durations nearly equal to ammonoids and conodonts. Widely distributed across the Tethys, Panthalassa and Boreal regions, these bivalves occur in a wide variety of marine facies and water depths, but are most notable for their thick shell accumulation in deeper-water oxygen deficient environments. They were most likely resting or reclining benthos, may have housed chemosymbionts, and were part of episodic opportunistic palaeocommunities in or near oxygen deficient settings. A new biochronological zonation for bivalves is presented that encompasses the entire Triassic and is integrated with standard ammonoid schemes. The Lower Triassic is characterized by 2-3 zones of Claraia, most notably from the eastern Tethys representing the entire Induan and lower portion of the Olenekian. Later in the Olenekian, and most notably from the Boreal realm, species of Peribositria (included by some workers within Bositra) provide useful zonal indexes. The Middle Triassic is well represented by Enteropleura (Middle Anisian) and Daonella (Upper Anisian through Ladinian) in the Tethys and North America with significant occurrences through- out the circum-Pacific and Boreal realms. The Upper Triassic can be subdivided into 8-13 bivalve zones based on the succession of Halobia, Eomonotis and Monotis sensu lato species with best representation in the Tethys, Boreal and eastern Panthalassa regions.
Fracture Toughness of Graded Metal‐Particulate/Brittle‐Matrix Composites

A series of 0, 10, and 25 vol% metal-particulate/glass-matrix composites were prepared, with the composite volume fraction both constant and graded across the specimen bulk. Applied-moment double-cantilever-beam (AMDCB) fracture toughness results show, in general, that the graded composites had equivalent values when compared with the constant fraction specimens. This equivalence in toughness occurred despite lower overall volume fraction particulate phase and composite density for the graded composites. Additionally, these results indicate the necessity of a minimum composite layer thicknes for optimization of toughening.
Wavelet-based functional mixed models

Increasingly, scientific studies yield functional data, in which the ideal units of observation are curves and the observed data consist of sets of curves that are sampled on a fine grid. We present new methodology that generalizes the linear mixed model to the functional mixed model framework, with model fitting done by using a Bayesian wavelet-based approach. This method is flexible, allowing functions of arbitrary form and the full range of fixed effects structures and between-curve covariance structures that are available in the mixed model framework. It yields nonparametric estimates of the fixed and random-effects functions as well as the various between-curve and within-curve covariance matrices. The functional fixed effects are adaptively regularized as a result of the non-linear shrinkage prior that is imposed on the fixed effects' wavelet coefficients, and the random-effect functions experience a form of adaptive regularization because of the separately estimated variance components for each wavelet coefficient. Because we have posterior samples for all model quantities, we can perform pointwise or joint Bayesian inference or prediction on the quantities of the model. The adaptiveness of the method makes it especially appropriate for modelling irregular functional data that are characterized by numerous local features like peaks.
Assessment of interchangeability of two brands of levothyroxine preparations with a third-generation TSH assay

purpose To evaluate, in a prospective fashion, the clinical interchangeability between two brands of levothyroxine, Synthroid (Boots Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Lincolnshire, Illinois) and Levoxine (Daniels Pharmaceuticals, Inc., St. Petersburg, Florida), by using clinical scores of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, free thyroxine index (FTI), sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) stimulation testing. patients and methods Twenty-three of the 31 patients with long-standing primary hypothyroidism (6 men, 25 women; age range 30 to 71 years, mean 47.2 ± 2.2 SEM) were switched from Synthroid to Levoxine (group 1) and the remaining patients from Levoxine to Synthroid (group 2). After switching, each patient continued to receive the same dosage as previously. Clinical scores of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism (Billewicz and Crooks scoring systems, respectively), basal FTI, and TRH stimulation test were obtained before and 4 months after the switching. Comparison of the variables before and after switching was performed separately in each subgroup and in the entire group. results There was no statistically significant difference in the hypothyroid clinical scores (−40.1 ± 1.2 versus -39.7 ± 1.2), the hyperthyroid clinical scores (-19.6 ± 0.9 versus -19.2 ± 1.0), FTI (9.6 ± 0.3 versus 9.6 ± 0.3), basal TSH levels (1.4 ± 0.2 versus 1.4 ± 0.2 mlU/L). or the magnitude of TSH response to TRH (mean delta TSH 9.4 ±1.5 versus 9.2 ±1.4 mlU/L), whether the patients were receiving Synthroid or Levoxine. conclusions Switching did not result in substantial clinical or laboratory changes in any individual patient. We conclude that the two brands of levothyroxine are clinically interchangeable.
Integrating spatial context learning over contradictory signals: Recency effects in contextual cueing

Contextual cueing is a visual search phenomenon in which memory of global visual context guides spatial attention towards task-relevant portions of the search display. Recent work has shown that the learning processes underlying contextual cueing exhibit primacy effects; they are more sensitive to early experience than to later experience. These results appear to pose difficulties for associative accounts which typically predict recency effects; behaviour being most strongly influenced by recent experience. The current study utilizes trial sequences that consist of two contradictory sets of regularities. In contrast to previous results, robust recency effects were observed. In a second study it is demonstrated that this recency effect can be minimized, but not reversed by systematically manipulating task-irrelevant features of the search display. These results provide additional support for an associative account of contextual cueing and suggest that contextual cueing may, under some circumstances, be mor...
Prevalence, Pathophysiology, and Treatment of Patients With Asthma and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

About one third of the US adult population experiences symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux on a monthly basis. Asthma is present in about 5% of the same population. This article reviews and summarizes the literature in the following areas: (1) prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in asthmatic patients based on clinical symptoms, endoscopic esophagitis, and 24-hour ambulatory esophageal pH recordings; (2) proposed pathophysiologic mechanisms linking the 2 diseases; and (3) medical and surgical treatment trial results of antireflux therapy for asthmatic patients. Asthmatic patients appear to have an increased prevalence of GERD symptoms and 24-hour esophageal acid exposure. The clinical management of these patients remains controversial. Common management approaches to GERD in asthmatic patients include medical therapy with a proton pump inhibitor and/or antireflux surgery, which improve asthma symptoms in many patients but minimally affect pulmonary function.
Hyperemia-Free Delineation of Epicardial and Microvascular Impairments Using a Basal Index

The assessment of functional coronary lesion severity using intracoronary hemodynamic parameters like the pressure-derived fractional flow reserve and the flow-derived coronary flow reserve are known to rely critically on the establishment of maximal hyperemia. We evaluated a hyperemia-free index, basal pressure drop coefficient (bCDP), that combines pressure and velocity for simultaneous assessment of the status of both epicardial and microvascular circulations. In 23 pigs, simultaneous measurements of distal coronary arterial pressure and flow were performed using a dual-sensor tipped guidewire in the settings of both normal and abnormal microcirculation with the presence of epicardial lesions of area stenosis (AS) 50%. The bCDP, a parameter based on fundamental fluid dynamics principles, was calculated as the transtenotic pressure-drop divided by the dynamic pressure in the distal vessel, measured under baseline (without hyperemia) conditions. The group mean values of bCDP for normal (84 ± 18) and abnormal (124.5 ± 15.6) microcirculation were significantly different. Similarly, the mean values of bCDP from AS 50% (136 ± 17.2) were also significantly different (p 50% under normal microcirculation (52.1 vs. 85.8; p < 0.05) and abnormal microcirculation (84.9 vs. 172; p < 0.05). Further, the bCDP correlated linearly and significantly with the hyperemic parameters FFR (r = 0.42, p < 0.05) and CDP (r = 0.50, p < 0.05). The bCDP is a promising clinical diagnostic parameter that can independently assess the severity of epicardial stenosis and microvascular impairment. We believe that it has an immediate appeal for detection of coronary artery disease if validated clinically.
Constrictive Pericarditis Associated with Patch Electrodes of the Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator

A case of constrictive pericarditis intimately involving patch electrodes of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is described. Typical clinical and hemodynamic findings for constrictive pericarditis were noted 15 months after lead installation. Additionally, chest x-ray examination revealed a severe crumpling deformity of the patch electrodes. Thoracotomy was performed and revealed marked fibrous reaction surrounding both surfaces of each patch electrode. Histologic examination revealed fibrous tissue with multinucleated giant cells, consistent with a foreign body reaction. The patient had complete resolution of signs and symptoms of constrictive pericarditis after removal of the patch electrodes and pericardial stripping. Constrictive pericarditis from implanted patch electrodes appears to be an uncommon complication of the automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and should be considered in patients with one or more patch electrodes and other signs of constrictive pericarditis.
Non-Marine Mollusca From the Florida Islands, Solomon Islands

Abstract Land and freshwater molluscs collected on Florida and Tulagi Islands by Robert E. Kuntz in 1943–1945 are reviewed. New species are Mocella kuntzi, Orpiella kuntzi, Palaina floridana, Palaina clappi, and Palaina megamorpha. Several other species are reported from the Solomons for the first time.
Space-time modeling of vertical ozone profiles

Ozonesondes collect data relevant to ozone level at various altitudes. Modeling these data involves a combination of spatial and temporal modeling. The spatial component can be conveniently modeled as a four component mixture of normal distributions. The (relatively few) parameters of this mixture can then be modeled in a time-dependent fashion, via a dynamic linear model. Computations are carried out via Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distinct Exciton Dissociation Behavior of Organolead Trihalide Perovskite and Excitonic Semiconductors Studied in the Same System

The nonexcitonic character for organometal trihalide perovskites is demonstrated by examining the field-dependent exciton dissociation behavior. Moreover, it is found that photogenerated excitons can be effectively dissociated into free charges inside perovskite without the assistance of charge extraction layer or external field, which is a stark contrast to the charge-separation behavior in excitonic materials in the same photovoltaic operation system.
Constraints on Adaptive Networks for Modeling Human Generalization

The potential of adaptive networks to learn categorization rules and to model human performance is studied by comparing how natural and artificial systems respond to new inputs, i.e., how they generalize. Like humans, networks can learn a deterministic categorization task by a variety of alternative individual solutions. An analysis of the constraints imposed by using networks with the minimal number of hidden units shows that this "minimal configuration" constraint is not sufficient to explain and predict human performance; only a few solutions were found to be shared by both humans and minimal adaptive networks. A further analysis of human and network generalizations indicates that initial conditions may provide important constraints on generalization. A new technique, which we call "reversed learning", is described for finding appropriate initial conditions.
Progress in heritable skin diseases: Molecular bases and clinical implications

THE SPECTRUM OF PHENOTYPIC VARIABILITY IN HERITABLE SKIN DISEASES Genodermatoses comprise a group of phenotypically diverse conditions with variable degrees of skin involvement.1 In some conditions, there is only a minor, often cosmetic, involvement of the skin, hair, and/or nails; whereas in other conditions, skin manifestations can be part of a severe multisystem disorder. In fact, in some conditions, such as epidermolysis bullosa (EB), skin fragility is the primary finding causing considerable morbidity and mortality in affected individuals.2 In other conditions, as exemplified by pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), skin findings are a reflection of a severe systemic disorder, in this case signifying progressive loss of visual acuity and potentially severe cardiovascular involvement.3 In the past, genodermatoses have posed a clinical and diagnostic challenge to practicing dermatologists, in part because of their rarity, which does not allow general practitioners to familiarize themselves with the salient features of many of these conditions. This difficulty is compounded by the complexity of classification schemes, often riddled with eponyms. Over the past decade or so, this general situation has rapidly changed. Specifically, with the advent of cell and molecular biology relating to the skin and the progress of the Human Genome Project in general, the molecular bases of a number of genodermatoses have now been disclosed. In fact, specific mutations have been identified in more than 100 distinct genes, and the consequences of the mutations in many cases provide an explanation for the cutaneous findings4 (Table I).
Homocysteine Imbalance: a Pathological Metabolic Marker

Perturbations in methyl group metabolism and homocysteine balance have emerged over the past few decades as having defining roles in a number of pathological conditions. Numerous nutritional, hormonal, and genetic factors that are characterized by elevations in circulating homocysteine concentrations are also associated with specific pathological conditions, including cancer development, autoimmune diseases, vascular dysfunction, and neurodegenerative disease. Although much remains to be explored, our understanding of the relationship between disease, methyl balance, and epigenetic control of gene expression has steadily progressed. However, homocysteine balance and its role in health and disease are not as clearly understood. This review presents our current understanding of homocysteine metabolism and its link to specific pathologies.
Comparison of reionization models: radiative transfer simulations and approximate, seminumeric models

We compare the predictions of four different algorithms for the distribution of ionized gas during the Epoch of Reionization. These algorithms are all used to run a 100 Mpc h−1 simulation of reionization with the same initial conditions. Two of the algorithms are state-of-the-art ray-tracing radiative transfer codes that use disparate methods to calculate the ionization history. The other two algorithms are fast but more approximate schemes based on iterative applications of a smoothing filter on the underlying source and density fields. We compare these algorithms' resulting ionization and 21-cm fields using several different statistical measures. The two radiative transfer schemes are in excellent agreement judging by the power spectra of both the ionization fields and the 21-cm emission fields (agreeing to better than 10 per cent) and are in good agreement with the analytic schemes (better than 50 per cent) over the range of ionized fractions and wavevectors we compare ( Mpc−1). This agreement suggests that the different approximations involved in the ray-tracing algorithms are sensible and that seminumerical schemes provide a numerically inexpensive, yet fairly accurate, description of the reionization process.
Transform fault earthquakes in the North Atlantic: Source mechanisms and depth of faulting

The centroid depths and source mechanisms of 12 large earthquakes on transform faults of the northern Mid-Atlantic Ridge were determined from an inversion of long-period body waveforms. The earthquakes occurred on the Gibbs, Oceanographer, Hayes, Kane, 15 deg 20 min, and Vema transforms. The depth extent of faulting during each earthquake was estimated from the centroid depth and the fault width. The source mechanisms for all events in this study display the strike slip motion expected for transform fault earthquakes; slip vector azimuths agree to 2 to 3 deg of the local strike of the zone of active faulting. The only anomalies in mechanism were for two earthquakes near the western end of the Vema transform which occurred on significantly nonvertical fault planes. Secondary faulting, occurring either precursory to or near the end of the main episode of strike-slip rupture, was observed for 5 of the 12 earthquakes. For three events the secondary faulting was characterized by reverse motion on fault planes striking oblique to the trend of the transform. In all three cases, the site of secondary reverse faulting is near a compression jog in the current trace of the active transform fault zone. No evidence was found to support the conclusions of Engeln, Wiens, and Stein that oceanic transform faults in general are either hotter than expected from current thermal models or weaker than normal oceanic lithosphere.
Inactivation of E. Coli affected by medium conductivity in pulsed electric field processing

Pulsed electric field PEF is effective in inactivating microorganisms in liquids such as saline water, phosphate buffer, milk and others. PEF treatment efficacy is influenced by number of parameters. Medium conductivity has been a subject of investigation because of the contrary reports. Present study was undertaken to systematic evaluate the effect of medium conductivity on the inactivation of E. coli. The experiments were conducted on E-coli innoculted phosphate buffer (2 to 4.5 mS/cm) in a continuous-flow co-field treatment chamber with an applied electric field strength of 60 kV/cm and 50 Hz pulse frequency. In the first set of experiments, the effect of medium conductivity on E-coli inactivation was evaluated at 49 μs treatment time. In the second set of experiments, the effect of medium conductivity was evaluated at constant specific energies of 54, 77 and 135 J/ mL. For the same treatment time, the microbial inactivation was higher in the buffer with higher electivity conductivity. Sub-lethal injury to E. coli. was observed in buffer PEF treatment. Even though the treatment times were different there was no significant effect of on the microbial inactivation to the different conductivity medium when the same specific energy was applied.
INVESTIGATION OF A TETHERED SATELLITE SYSTEM FOR GENERATING ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY

This paper gives an overview of the Tethered Artificial Gravity Satellite (TAGS) program, a small-satellite program to develop a means for generating artificial gravity during long-duration space missions. It is well-known that prolonged exposure in humans to a microgravity environment leads to significant loss of bone and muscle mass; this presents a formidable obstacle to human exploration of space, particularly for missions requiring extended travel times, such as a 6 to 9 month trip to Mars. Artificial gravity may be produced by spinning a spacecraft about its center of mass, but unless the distance from the center of rotation is several kilometers, the rotation rate required to generate 1-g would induce vertigo in the astronauts as they moved about the capsule. By tethering the crew capsule to an object of nearly equal mass (such as the spent final rocket stage) at a distance of 1 to 2 kilometers, the 1-g rotation rate would be approximately 1 rpm which is considered an acceptable spin rate for the human body to withstand for extended periods of time. To develop this concept, the dynamics and stability of tethered systems with similar-sized end-masses must be modeled and then tested in space. The authors will present the design of such a test spacecraft and a preliminary model of the separation dynamics. The test spacecraft will be a small (65 kg) satellite that will split into two halves which will be connected by a tether and will separate to a distance of 2 kilometers; after the separation is achieved, gas jets will start the spin-up of the system. A portion of the tether will be reeled back in to increase the spin rate and produce artificial gravity.
Structural Damage Identification of Bladed-Disk Systems via Active Magnetic Bearings

The topic of vibration-based structural damage detection and location has received much attention in recent years. In particular, damage identification strategies based on measurement of damage induced shifts in system natural frequencies have been successfully developed for systems with linear time-invariant dynamical characteristics. However, many important rotordynamic systems, such as bladed-disks, helicopter rotor systems, and asymmetric and/or cracked shafts have inherently periodic time-variant dynamical characteristics during operation. Consequently, conventional frequency shift-based damage identification algorithms developed for constant coefficient systems can result in significant damage estimation errors when applied to rotordynamic systems in operation. To address this issue, this paper develops a novel, damage detection and location strategy for linear periodic time-variant dynamical systems based on Floquet theory and a time-varying modal decomposition. Specifically, by utilizing measured changes in system resonance frequencies from frequency response data, the Floquet exponent perturbations are determined and the structural damage parameters are estimated via pseudo-inversion of a hyper-dimensional sensitivity matrix. Through the use of balanced blade mistunings to ensure full modal observabillity from the shaft/hub, this paper demonstrates that both the severity and location of blade stiffness damages can be completely identified from shaft/hub vibration measured by a pair of fixed-frame sensors. Furthermore, in the presence of band-limited frequency response information, it is shown that the identification is enhanced by proper tuning of the magnetic bearing support stiffness as a function of the rotational speed.
Drug resistance analysis of E.coli infection in our hospital from 2009 to 2011

Objective To explore the resistance of E.coli isolated from 2009 to 2011 in our hospital and provide the guidance for the clinical treatment. Methods A total of 1 045 E.coli isolates were collected during 2009-2011,results of susceptibility test of E.coli were analyzed statistically. Results The different drug resistance to commonly used antibiotics occurred in 1 045 strains of E.coli.The drug resistant rates to ampicillin,sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim,cefazolin,cefuroxime,piperacillin,ampicillin-sulbactam were higher,the average of resistance rates in three years was higher than 50%,there was no strain resistant to carbopenems such as imipenem.The detection rates of ESBLs of E.coli in successive three years accounted for 5.3%,5.2%,12.8%. Conclusion Drug resistance of E.coli is relatively stable.Clinical physicians should choose reasonable antibiotics according to the results of drug sensitivity to improve clinical efficacy and reduce the generation of drug-resistant bacterial strains.
Fatty Acid-Induced T Cell Loss Greases Liver Carcinogenesis

A new study has added loss of CD4+ T cells caused by aberrant lipid metabolism to the list of mechanisms promoting nonalcoholic steatohepatitis progression to liver cancer (Ma et al., 2016). Exposure of CD4+ T cells to free linoleic acid causes their ROS-mediated depletion, thereby favoring liver cancer growth.
Web-based dialogue and translation games for spoken language learning.

It is widely recognized that one of the best ways to learn a foreign language is through spoken dialogue with a native speaker. However, this is not a practical method in the classroom due to the one-to-one student/teacher ratio it implies. A potential solution to this problem is to rely on computer spoken dialogue systems to role play a conversational partner. This paper describes several multilingual dialogue systems specifically designed to address this need. Students can engage in dialogue with the computer either over the telephone or through audio/typed input at a Web page. Several different domains are being developed, in which a student’s conversational interaction is assisted by a software agent functioning as a “tutor” which can provide them with translation assistance at any time. Some of the research issues surrounding high-quality spoken language translation and dialogue modeling for language games are discussed.
Evolutionary Medicine IV. Evolution and Emergence of Novel Pathogens

This article discusses how evolutionary and ecological factors interact to affect the epidemiology of emerging infectious diseases. It further explains how the nascent field of phylodynamics constructs mathematical models, which link evolution and epidemiology, to study pathogen transmission. To illustrate the importance of considering both evolution and ecology – along with the utility of the phylodynamic approach – when studying novel pathogens, the author considers examples from HIV, influenza, and Ebola.
High-performance a-Si: H TFT for Large-Area AMLCDs

We have fabricated high performance hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin-film transistors (TFTs) for large-area active-matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs) from high deposition-rate plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) materials. This a-Si:H TFT has a high field-effect mobility (1.45±0.05 cm2/Vs), low threshold voltage (2.0±0.2 V), high ON/OFF-current ratio (of more than 107) and sharp subthreshold slope (0.3±0.03 V/decade). The electrical behavior of these devices have been accurately modeled with a two-dimensional simulator. The effects ofthe density-of-states of a-Si:H and source/drain series resistances have been fully considered in our model, and we have demonstrated a good agreement between our theoretical and experimental a-Si:H TFT data.
Emergent Endovascular Management of Long-Segment and Flow-Limiting Carotid Artery Dissections in Acute Ischemic Stroke Intervention with Multiple Tandem Stents

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Although most cervical dissections are managed medically, emergent endovascular treatment may become necessary in the presence of intracranial large-vessel occlusions, flow-limiting and long-segment dissections with impending occlusion, and/or hypoperfusion-related ischemia at risk of infarction. We investigated the role of emergent endovascular stenting of long-segment carotid dissections in the acute ischemic stroke setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied long-segment carotid dissections requiring stent reconstruction with multiple tandem stents (≥3 stents) and presenting with acute ( RESULTS: Fifteen patients (mean age, 51.5 years) with acute ischemic stroke (mean NIHSS score, 15) underwent endovascular stent reconstruction for vessel and/or ischemic tissue salvage. All carotid dissections presented with >70% flow limiting stenosis and involved the distal cervical ICA with a minimum length of 3.5 cm. Carotid stent reconstruction was successful in all patients with no residual stenosis or flow limitation. Nine patients (60%) harbored intracranial occlusions, and 6 patients (40%) required intra-arterial thrombolysis/thrombectomy, achieving 100% TICI 2b–3 reperfusion. Two procedural complications were limited to thromboembolic infarcts from in-stent thrombus and asymptomatic hemorrhagic infarct transformation (7% morbidity, 0% mortality). Angiographic and ultrasound follow-up confirmed normal carotid caliber and stent patency, with 2 cases of CONCLUSIONS: Emergent stent reconstruction of long-segment and flow-limiting carotid dissections in acute ischemic stroke intervention is safe and effective, with favorable clinical outcomes, allowing successful thrombectomy, vessel salvage, restoration of cerebral perfusion, and/or prevention of recurrent thromboembolic stroke.
Therapeutic Implications of Extremophiles

Extremophiles use specific mechanisms to alter the primary and/or secondary metabolites (i.e., extremolytes) to thrive under harsh environmental conditions, which could be exploited in therapeutics. Extremolytes from thermophiles, i.e., stable proteins, stable amylase, and thermozymes, have potential implications in regulation of intracellular environment and metabolism, and in energy transduction. Extremolytes mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), scytonemin, bacterioruberin, ectoine from radiation-resistant extremophiles can help to protect from UVR and gamma radiations. Extremolytes from acidophiles have been considered to use in protein pumps, reduce the pH of the cells within the cell surfaces, and as probiotics. Halophile carries unprecedented properties of carotenoids, high-antioxidant composition, and reductases. Further, investigations on extremolytes will pave the way toward next-generation medical innovation.
Renal Masses Detected on FDG PET/CT in Patients With Lymphoma: Imaging Features Differentiating Primary Renal Cell Carcinomas From Renal Lymphomatous Involvement

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study is to analyze the 18F-FDG PET/CT features of solid renal masses detected in patients with lymphoma and to evaluate the ability of PET/CT to differentiate renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from renal lymphomatous involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Thirty-six patients with solid renal masses on PET/CT performed for staging or follow-up of lymphoma were evaluated retrospectively. The features recorded for each renal mass included the following standardized uptake values (SUVs) on PET/CT: the maximum SUV (SUVmax), the mean SUV (SUVmean), the ratio of the SUVmax of the tumor to that of the normal kidney cortex, the ratio of the SUVmean of the tumor to that of the normal kidney cortex, the ratio of the SUVmax of the tumor to that of the normal liver, and the ratio of the SUVmean of the tumor to that of the normal liver. Renal mass size and margins (well defined vs infiltrative) and the presence of calcifications were evaluated on CT. Renal biopsy results were used as the reference...
Learning paraphrase identification with structural alignment

Semantic similarity of text plays an important role in many NLP tasks. It requires using both local information like lexical semantics and structural information like syntactic structures. Recent progress in word representation provides good resources for lexical semantics, and advances in natural language analysis tools make it possible to efficiently generate syntactic and semantic annotations. However, how to combine them to capture the semantics of text is still an open question. Here, we propose a new alignment-based approach to learn semantic similarity. It uses a hybrid representation, attributed relational graphs, to encode lexical, syntactic and semantic information. Alignment of two such graphs combines local and structural information to support similarity estimation. To improve alignment, we introduced structural constraints inspired by a cognitive theory of similarity and analogy. Usually only similarity labels are given in training data and the true alignments are unknown, so we address the learning problem using two approaches: alignment as feature extraction and alignment as latent variable. Our approach is evaluated on the paraphrase identification task and achieved results competitive with the state-of-the-art.
Elements of Capacity in Youth Development Nonprofits: An Exploratory Study of Urban Sport for Development and Peace Organizations

Organizational capacity is often discussed among nonprofit practitioners and scholars. Yet, empirical research employing a multidimensional capacity framework remains scarce in the nonprofit literature (Andersson et al. in VOLUNTAS Int J Volunt Nonprofit Organ 27(6):2860–2888, 2016). Using a qualitative research approach, we explored capacity in a specific segment of youth development nonprofits—sport for development and peace (SDP). We were guided by three research questions: (1) what are critical capacity elements of SDP nonprofits? (2) how do these capacity elements influence the ability of SDP nonprofits to achieve their desired goals and objectives? and (3) what are the capacity needs of SDP nonprofits in the USA? Findings from in-depth interviews with leaders of 29 organizations contribute to the development of theory on nonprofit capacity by providing a more nuanced understanding of capacity strengths and challenges related to broader nonprofit goal achievement. For example, paid staff, revenue generation, and internal infrastructure emerged as critically more important for capacity in this context. Practical and theoretical implications are further discussed.
Pulsed characterization of a UV LED for pulsed power applications on a silicon carbide photoconductive semiconductor switch

The electrical and optical characteristics of a high-power UV light emitting diode (LED) (365 nm wavelength) were evaluated under pulsed operating conditions at current amplitudes several orders of magnitude beyond the LED's manufacturer specifications. Geared towards triggering of photoconductive semiconductor switches (PCSSs) for pulsed power applications, measurements were made over varying pulse widths (25 ns-100 μs), current (0 A-250 A), and repetition rates (single shot-5 MHz). The LED forward voltage was observed to increase linearly with increasing current (∼3.5 V-53 V) and decrease with increasing pulse widths. The peak optical power observed was >30 W, and a maximum system efficiency of 23% was achieved. The evaluated LED and auxiliary hardware were successfully used as the optical trigger source for a 4H-SiC PCSS. The lowest measured on-resistance of SiC was approximately 67 kΩ.
Rushdie's “Children” and Agamben's “Coming Community”

(2014). Rushdie's “Children” and Agamben's “Coming Community”. South Asian Review: Vol. 35, Salman Rushdie, pp. 139-155.
Dominant Chinese National Policies on Aging and Their Degree of Attention to Eldercare by Seniors

This article examines dominant Chinese national policies on aging to assess the extent to which they attend to caregiving for the elderly by seniors. While seniors’ contributions to eldercare do receive scattered mention in such policies, the focus is on elders’ need for and traditional right to support and care, together with the obligation of younger adult sons and daughters to resist social decline in filial values. Where mentioned, it is the sporadic extraordinary offerings of skilled professionals that are highlighted, rather than the informal everyday efforts of ordinary senior men and women. International sources focused on productive aging recommend that aging societies forge a better policy balance between meeting seniors’ needs and tapping their continuing potential. This balance may be especially important for China, as a developing nation that has “gotten old before getting rich.”
Vascular relaxation and cGMP in hypertension

Isolated aortas from hypertensive rats have a decreased relaxation response to acetylcholine chloride (ACh), the calcium ionophore A23187, and sodium nitroprusside (SNP). Since the vascular relaxation responses to these vasodilators may be a result of increases in guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), we measured the cGMP response to these agents in isolated aortas from normotensive rats and rats with either mineralocorticoid-induced hypertension (DOCA), renovascular hypertension (1K1C), or coarctation-induced hypertension (Coarc). The aortas from the hypertensive rats had decreased basal levels of cGMP and attenuated increases in cGMP in response to ACh and A23187. Rises in cGMP in response to SNP were also attenuated in aortas from the hypertensive rats, even at concentrations that induced maximum relaxation of blood vessels from normotensive and hypertensive rats. The relaxation responses to atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) and the cGMP generated in isolated aortas by ANF were attenuated in hypertension. Removal of the endothelium markedly attenuated cGMP generation in response to ANF in vessels from normotensive and Coarc rats, but the relaxation responses to ANF were unaltered in vessels after the removal of the endothelium. The reversal of experimentally induced hypertension was associated with increases in cGMP levels following exposure of the isolated vessels to ACh. Also, vessels treated with methylene blue relaxed in response to SNP despite inhibition of cGMP accumulation. The decreased relaxation response to endothelium-dependent vasodilators is accompanied by decreases in cGMP accumulation; the decreased vascular cGMP content in response to endothelium-dependent vasodilators is not due to increases in phosphodiesterase activity of vascular smooth muscle; and SNP may relax blood vessels through "cGMP-dependent" and "cGMP-independent" mechanisms.
The Promise of Experiential Education in Teacher Education: Transforming Teacher Beliefs and Practices.

Building from the theories of Dewey and Kolb and Fry, we sought to examine the impact of experiential education in teacher education on teacher beliefs and practices. The teacher education model de...