cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Load Instruction Characterization and Acceleration of the BioPerf Programs

The load instructions of some of the bioinformatics applications in the BioPerf suite possess interesting characteristics: only a few static loads cover almost the entire dynamic load execution and they almost always hit in the data cache. Nevertheless, these load instructions represent a major performance bottleneck. They often precede or follow branches that are hard to predict, which makes their L1 hit latency difficult to hide even in dynamically scheduled execution cores. This paper investigates this behavior and suggests simple source-code transformations to improve the performance of these bench-mark programs by up to 92%.
Arrestins in Cell Death

Programmed cell death (apoptosis) allows multi-cellular organisms to regulate cell number and to react to surrounding environment. Apoptosis can be induced by different stimuli; these can be intrinsic factors (like heat shock and genotoxic stress) or extrinsic factors (like the binding of the death ligand to the death receptor). Depending on the kind of stimulation, two different apoptotic pathways (extrinsic and intrinsic) can be induced. Both multi-step pathways result in the activation of the executor caspases -3, -6 and -7. These proteases trigger endonuclease activation, degradation of chromosomal DNA, protease activation and finally cause the formation of apoptotic bodies. In the last two decades, a variety of regulatory functions of arrestins in cell signaling were elucidated. Arrestins play a role in numerous signaling cascades. They were recently found to play an important role in the regulation of programmed cell death. Visual arrestins are key players in rod cell apoptosis. A dysfunction of arrestin-1 and rhodopsin interaction could lead to retinitis pigmentosa, which results in blindness. Non-visual arrestins also modulate, indirectly or directly, different apoptotic pathways. Recent findings show that arrestin-2 is more likely to act as a pro-survival and arrestin-3 as a pro-apoptosis regulator. Even caspase cleavage products of the non-visual arrestins have a regulatory impact on cell survival. For caspase cleaved arrestin-2, pro-apoptotic characteristics were shown. The cleavage product can induce the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by assisting caspase-cleaved Bid in the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria.
Control of Flexible Structures by Finite Element-Transfer Matrix Approach

Abstract For a flexible structure to meet its mission objectives successfully, a close interaction between structural analysis and control group is needed at both the modelling and control design phases. For such an interaction to be beneficial, an integration of suitable methods from both the groups is essential. The finite element-transfer matrix (FETM) approach and the method of decentralized control using optimal control theory are ideally suited for this integration: the FETM method has been developed by structural analysts to overcome the ‘dimension-problem’, which problem is also encountered by control engineers; the decentralized control strategy is being adopted by control engineers to control large flexible structures. This paper presents the development of this method and demonstrates its applicability to the control of distributed parameter systems. Specifically, as an illustration, the control of a simply-supported beam is investigated
Designing solid-liquid interphases for sodium batteries.

Secondary batteries based on earth-abundant sodium metal anodes are desirable for both stationary and portable electrical energy storage. Room-temperature sodium metal batteries are impractical today because morphological instability during recharge drives rough, dendritic electrodeposition. Chemical instability of liquid electrolytes also leads to premature cell failure as a result of parasitic reactions with the anode. Here we use joint density-functional theoretical analysis to show that the surface diffusion barrier for sodium ion transport is a sensitive function of the chemistry of solid–electrolyte interphase. In particular, we find that a sodium bromide interphase presents an exceptionally low energy barrier to ion transport, comparable to that of metallic magnesium. We evaluate this prediction by means of electrochemical measurements and direct visualization studies. These experiments reveal an approximately three-fold reduction in activation energy for ion transport at a sodium bromide interphase. Direct visualization of sodium electrodeposition confirms large improvements in stability of sodium deposition at sodium bromide-rich interphases. The chemistry at the interface between electrolyte and electrode plays a critical role in determining battery performance. Here, the authors show that a NaBr enriched solid–electrolyte interphase can lower the surface diffusion barrier for sodium ions, enabling stable electrodeposition.
Evaluating Sensory Processing in Fragile X Syndrome: Psychometric Analysis of the Brain Body Center Sensory Scales (BBCSS)

Individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS), especially those co-diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), face many sensory processing challenges. However, sensory processing measures informed by neurophysiology are lacking. This paper describes the development and psychometric properties of a parent/caregiver report, the Brain-Body Center Sensory Scales (BBCSS), based on Polyvagal Theory. Parents/guardians reported on 333 individuals with FXS, 41% with ASD features. Factor structure using a split-sample exploratory-confirmatory design conformed to neurophysiological predictions. Internal consistency, test-retest, and inter-rater reliability were good to excellent. BBCSS subscales converged with the Sensory Profile and Sensory Experiences Questionnaire. However, data also suggest that BBCSS subscales reflect unique features related to sensory processing. Individuals with FXS and ASD features displayed more sensory challenges on most subscales.
Hydrodynamic modeling and experimental validation of a cycloidal propeller

Abstract In this paper, a lower-order unsteady hydrodynamic model of a cycloidal propeller along with in-house experiments to validate the model is presented. Towards this, the hydrodynamics of a cycloidal propeller is investigated thoroughly and various underlying physical phenomena such as dynamic virtual camber, effects of near and shed wake, leading-edge vortices are rigorously modeled. It is shown that the chord-wise variation of incidence velocity angle on cycloidal propeller blade is manifested as dynamic virtual camber, which depends on curvilinear flow geometry, pitch angle, pitch rate and inflow distribution. By including all these effects together, a generalized expression of additional lift due to virtual camber effect is developed. To capture the effects of near wake, a nonlinear lifting line model is incorporated. Rapid pitching of rotor blades produces unsteady phenomena such as strong leading-edge vortices and shed wakes. Polhamus leading-edge-suction analogy is applied to model leading-edge vortex. To capture the effects of shed wake, a method based on Theodorsen's approach is developed. A modified Double Multiple Streamtube (D-MS) model is used for modeling the complex inflow characteristics of a cycloidal propeller. The present hydrodynamic model is validated with measured time-history of forces obtained from in-house experiments at low Reynolds numbers.
Work-Life Balance and National Context in Attraction to Public Employment

What explains preferences for public employment versus private business employment. Much of the extant literature considers this topic within the context of single-nation studies and the wo...
Toward a Common Perception of Ethical Behavior in Real Estate

Even though an underlying commitment to morality is clearly stated in most professional real estate organization codes of ethics and most standards of practice provide detailed guidelines and rationale for proper professional conduct, these provisions are often ignored, and the common perception of unethical behavior in real estate persists. This essay examines ethics and ethical conduct in the real estate profession, going beyond rule ethics and end-point ethics into the uncharted waters of habitual behavior and integrity. The goal is to stimulate dialogue among real estate professionals about the value of striving for creation of professional real estate organizations that are self-selected by discriminating members. These sort of organizations are seen as a means to establish a common perception of ethical behavior in real estate.
Introducing the Case Study

This chapter introduces the case study that will be used in subsequent chapters to illustrate some of the design principles in this book. Very basically, the application is a multiuser software system with a database that is used to share information between users and intelligent tools that aim to help the user complete their work tasks more effectively.
Influence of site of regional ischemia on LV cavity shape change in dogs

We assessed whether altering the location of acute ischemia produced differing and consistent changes in cavity shape in the canine left ventricle. Twenty anesthetized open-chest dogs underwent transient occlusion of the left anterior descending (LAD) or circumflex (Circ) artery, and cavity shape change was recorded in two-dimensional short-axis echocardiograms. The extent of injury was assessed by radiolabeled microspheres. Shape was analyzed by converting digitized endocardial contours into polar form and expressing the result as a Fourier series. Series terms reflected specific shape deformations, i.e., 2nd term would equal "elongation," 3rd term would equal "triangular." During LAD occlusions, 32.5 +/- 3.0% of the ventricle was hypoperfused compared with 29.8 +/- 2.9% during Circ occlusions (NS). Normal ventricular shape became more circular during ejection indicated by a reduction in the power in nearly all of the Fourier spectra components. During Circ occlusion, the chamber became more elongated, seen in a 63 +/- 16% rise in the 2nd component, and overall shape significantly less circular at end systole than at end diastole. LAD occlusion produced an entirely different pattern, one with no significant elongation but the development of a more triangular shape (86 +/- 27% rise in the 3rd term) by end systole. We conclude that there are characteristic and contrasting shape deformations in LV short-axis contours that depend on the site of ischemic injury. These changes may relate to site-specific geometry and loading, and they point to potential limitations of left ventricular models that do not account for regional inhomogeneity.
Sperm capacitation in the human female reproductive tract.

Cette etude montre que les spermatozoides humains peuvent etre capacites in vivo dans le mucus cervical. En effet, ces spermatozoides, a l'inverse de ceux capacites in vitro dans des milieux de culture enrichis en albumine, sont capables de penetrer les ovocytes humains immatures et l'ovocyte depelluride d'hamster. Ces faits montrent que le processus de capacitation des spermatozoides dont la complexite demeure extreme differe certainement in vivo et in vitro
Transition from paper to electronic inpatient physician notes

UW Medicine teaching hospitals have seen a move from paper to electronic physician inpatient notes, after improving the availability of workstations, and wireless laptops and the technical infrastructure supporting the electronic medical record (EMR). The primary driver for the transition was to unify the medical record for all disciplines in one location. The main barrier faced was the time required to enter notes, which was addressed with data-rich templates tailored to rounding workflow, simplified login and other measures. After a 2-year transition, nearly all physician notes for hospitalized patients are now entered electronically, approximately 1500 physician notes per day. Remaining challenges include time for note entry, and the perception that notes may be more difficult to understand and to find within the EMR. In general, the transition from paper to electronic notes has been regarded as valuable to patient care and hospital operations.
Exploring the vagueness of Religion & Spirituality in complex pediatric decision-making: a qualitative study.

Medical advances have led to new challenges in decision-making for parents of seriously ill children. Many parents say religion and spirituality (RS R&S can be applied to decision-making in both functional and dysfunctional ways. We present three models of how religious and spiritual vagueness functions in parental decision-making and suggest clinical applications.
Is mitral valve disease treated differently in men and women

PurposeThis study was performed to determine if there is a sex-based bias in referral practices, complexity of disease, surgical treatment, or outcomes in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery a...
Stimulating ideas for heart regeneration: the future of nerve-directed heart therapy

Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. The blockade of coronary arteries limits oxygen-rich blood to the heart and consequently there is cardiomyocyte (CM) cell death, inflammation, fibrotic scarring, and myocardial remodeling. Unfortunately, current therapeutics fail to effectively replace the lost cardiomyocytes or prevent fibrotic scarring, which results in reduced cardiac function and the development of heart failure (HF) in the adult mammalian heart. In contrast, neonatal mice are capable of regenerating their hearts following injury. However, this regenerative response is restricted to the first week of post-natal development. Recently, we identified that cholinergic nerve signaling is necessary for the neonatal mouse cardiac regenerative response. This demonstrates that cholinergic nerve stimulation holds significant potential as a bioelectronic therapeutic tool for heart disease. However, the mechanisms of nerve directed regeneration in the heart remain undetermined. In this review, we will describe the historical evidence of nerve function during regeneration across species. Specifically, we will focus on the emerging role of cholinergic innervation in modulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and inflammation during heart regeneration. Understanding the role of nerves in mammalian heart regeneration and adult cardiac remodeling can provide us with innovative bioelectronic-based therapeutic approaches for treatment of human heart disease.
The Role of the Brain in the Pathogenesis and Physiology of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disorder, affecting at least 10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is typically characterized by the presence of at least two of the three cardinal features of hyperandrogenemia (high circulating androgen levels), oligo- or anovulation, and cystic ovaries. Hyperandrogenemia increases the severity of the condition and is driven by increased luteinizing hormone (LH) pulse secretion from the pituitary. Indeed, PCOS women display both elevated mean LH levels, as well as an elevated frequency of LH pulsatile secretion. The abnormally high LH pulse frequency, reflective of a hyperactive gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neural circuit, suggests a neuroendocrine basis to either the etiology or phenotype of PCOS. Several studies in preclinical animal models of PCOS have demonstrated alterations in GnRH neurons and their upstream afferent neuronal circuits. Some rodent PCOS models have demonstrated an increase in GnRH neuron activity that correlates with an increase in stimulatory GABAergic innervation and postsynaptic currents onto GnRH neurons. Additional studies have identified robust increases in hypothalamic levels of kisspeptin, another potent stimulator of GnRH neurons. This review outlines the different brain and neuroendocrine changes in the reproductive axis observed in PCOS animal models, discusses how they might contribute to either the etiology or adult phenotype of PCOS, and considers parallel findings in PCOS women.
Management of early pregnancy loss with mifepristone and misoprostol: clinical predictors of success from a randomized trial

Author(s): Sonalkar, Sarita; Koelper, Nathanael C; Creinin, Mitchell D; Atrio, Jessica M; Sammel, Mary D; Schreiber, Courtney A
Quantifying changes in murine fetal brain vasculature due to prenatal exposure to teratogens with in utero optical coherence tomography

Prenatal substance abuse is one of the main causes of birth defects. Depending upon the substance being abused and the period of gestation during which the abuse happens, the severity of the defect is determined. Although prenatal substance abuse during the first trimester is common, the prevalence of unplanned pregnancies in the United States have led to women continuing their substance abuse well into the second trimester. The second trimester is the peak period for fetal neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Hence, any exposure to teratogens during this period is known to hinder brain development. Several studies have documented changes in morphology and behavior due to exposure to teratogens during this period. However, not a lot is known about the changes in vasculature in the developing brain. In this study, we used angiographic optical coherence tomography, a functional extension of optical coherence tomography, to image acute vasculature changes in the fetal brain caused due to prenatal exposure to ethanol, nicotine, and synthetic cannabinoids (SCB). Results showed a significant decrease in vasculature in all three cases compared to their respective sham groups.
Visuomotor Transformations Are Modulated by Focused Ultrasound over Frontal Eye Field.

Neuromodulation with focused ultrasound (FUS) is being widely explored as a non-invasive tool to stimulate focal brain regions because of its superior spatial resolution and coverage compared with other neuromodulation methods. The precise effects of FUS stimulation on specific regions of the brain are not yet fully understood. Here, we characterized the behavioral effects of FUS stimulation directly applied through a craniotomy over the macaque frontal eye field (FEF). In macaque monkeys making directed eye movements to perform visual search tasks with direct or arbitrary responses, focused ultrasound was applied through a craniotomy over the FEF. Saccade response times (RTs) and error rates were determined for trials without or with FUS stimulation with pulses at a peak negative pressure of either 250 or 425 kPa. Both RTs and error rates were affected by FUS. Responses toward a target located contralateral to the FUS stimulation were approximately 3 ms slower in the presence of FUS in both monkeys studied, while only one exhibited a slowing of responses for ipsilateral targets. Error rates were lower in one monkey in this study. In another search task requiring making eye movements toward a target (pro-saccades) or in the opposite direction (anti-saccades), the RT for pro-saccades increased in the presence of FUS stimulation. Our results indicate the effectiveness of FUS to modulate saccadic responses when stimulating FEF in awake, behaving non-human primates.
Evasion Attacks with Adversarial Deep Learning Against Power System State Estimation

Cyberattacks against critical infrastructures, including power systems, are increasing rapidly. False Data Injection Attacks (FDIAs) are among the attacks that have been demonstrated to be effective and have been getting more attention over the last years. FDIAs can manipulate measurements to perturb the results of power system state estimation without being detected, leading to potentially severe outages. In order to protect against FDIAs, several machine learning algorithms have been proposed in the literature. However, such methods are susceptible to adversarial examples which could significantly reduce their detection accuracy. In this paper, we examine the effects of adversarial examples on FDIAs detection using deep learning algorithms. Specifically, the impacts on Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) against two different adversarial attacks are investigated, namely the Limited-memory Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno (L-BFGS) and the Jacobian-based Saliency Map Attack (JSMA). Numerical results tested on the IEEE 14-bus system using load data collected from the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
A stable cell line inducibly expressing hERG1a/1b heteromeric channels.

Abstract Heterologously expressed hERG channels represent a mainstay of in vitro drug safety screens intended to mitigate risk of cardiac IKr block and sudden cardiac death. This is true even as more channel types are adopted as part of the Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) intended to elevate specificity and thus enhance throughput of promising lead drugs. Until now, hERG1a homomeric channels have been used as a proxy for IKr despite a wealth of evidence showing that hERG1a/1b heteromers better represent native channels in terms of protein abundance and channel biophysical and pharmacological properties. Past efforts to create a stable hERG1a/1b cell line were met with unpredictable silencing of hERG1b expression despite stable integration of the gene into the HEK293 cell genome. Here we report a new cell line stably expressing hERG1a, with hERG1b reliably controlled by an inducible promoter sensitive to doxycycline. Co-immunoprecipitation, Western blot analysis and patch-clamp electrophysiology confirm the heteromeric composition of the expressed channels. Association with hERG1b was found to promote hERG1a protein levels and enhance membrane current levels. Optimal conditions for drug screening and experimental investigation were achieved at 24 h exposure to 100 ng/ml doxycycline. Differences in pharmacological sensitivity between homomeric and heteromeric channels were observed for dofetilide and ebastine, but not fluoxetine, as evaluated by their IC50 values. Using these values in the O'Hara-Rudy-CiPA in silico model revealed discrepancies in pro-arrhythmia risk, implying the hERG1a homomeric platform overestimates risk for these two drugs. Dofetilide block was use-dependent and faster for hERG1a/1b than hERG1a channels, whereas ebastine showed considerable block at rest and had a slower progression for hERG1a/1b channels. The hERG1a/1b cell line thus represents an advanced model for contemporary drug safety screening assays such as CiPA that employ IC50 values to estimate risk of proarrhythmia in computational models of ventricular cardiomyocytes. This novel technology fulfills an unmet need to enhance specificity and foster a safe yet expanded drug development pipeline.
Systems of Pain/Networks of Resilience (Nebraska)

Systems of Pain/Networks of Resilience (Nebraska) is a performance for camera. Chapters of the work have developed in Omaha, Nebraska, upstate New York, Galesburg, Illinois and Santa Fe, New Mexico. (Nebraska) is the first chapter, originally performed live at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. Within the project, pain is understood as trauma, loss, disruption—everything from polluted landscapes to neglect, from abusive relationships to work stress. Resilience is similarly embraced in an expansive, cross-disciplinary way, invoking everything from the ability of an ecosystem to adapt to disruption, to a human’s ability to cope with traumatic events.
Music of the First Nations: Tradition and Innovation in Native North America

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2009 Pages: 184 Publisher: University of Illinois Press ISBN: 978-0-252-02221-0 (hard cover). Prices: $35.00 USD(hard cover).
Perceptions, data, and river management: Lessons from the Mekong River

[1] Workshops to identify transboundary and basin-wide environmental issues and a diagnostic study by consultants identified priority environmental concerns of resource managers in the lower Mekong River basin. The issues identified, in priority order, were water quality, reduction in dry season flows, sedimentation, fisheries decline, wetland degradation, and flooding. An analysis of the available data found no evidence that water quality was poor except in the delta, where nutrient levels were high and increasing. Dry season flows have not decreased, and in the immediate future they are more likely to increase. Suspended sediment levels in the river are not high, and there is no indication that sediment loads are substantially increasing. Fish catch per unit effort has declined over the past decades, as have catches of large fish, but total fish catch has increased. Flooding does not appear to have increased in frequency or extent. There is no reliable quantitative information available on changes in wetland extent or condition, although it is reasonable to assume that both have declined. Reasons for the mismatch between perceptions and the data may include a failure by management agencies to analyze and publish data and provide adequate responses to issues raised in the popular press. This results from a lack of capacity in many government agencies and the Mekong River Commission, where there are high staff turnover rates and a dependence on short-term experts with limited experience in the basin.
Combining mentor graphics' HDL designer FPGA flow with a reconfigurable system on a programmable chip, educational opportunity or insanity?

Advances in FPGA technology and in design automation tools have changed the way digital electronics are created. Shematic entry of gates is becoming deprecated by hardware description languages (HDLs) and sophisticated synthesis tools. This requires that the designer have a complete understanding of the entire design flow so that they can utilize the efficiency of HDLs while thinking about the hardware that will be created. This paper reviews three years worth of experience in teaching a two-semester senior/graduate course sequence on Hardware Design Methodologies using the Mentor Graphic's HDL Designer series tools and targeting FPGAs. Currently, all project use an ARM-embedded FPGA as their target. Given the complexity of these new devices, the tools, and only two semesters, we discuss the potential, the limitations/difficulties and the general sanity of this approach.
Stability and dissipativity theory for discrete-time nonnegative and compartmental dynamical systems

Nonnegative and compartmental dynamical systems are derived from mass and energy balance considerations that involve dynamic states whose values are nonnegative. These models are widespread in engineering, biomedicine, and ecology. In this paper we develop several results on stability and dissipativity of discrete-time linear and nonlinear nonnegative dynamical systems. Specifically, using linear Lyapunov functions we develop necessary and sufficient conditions for Lyapunov stability and asymptotic stability for nonnegative systems. In addition, using linear storage functions and linear supply rates we develop new notions of dissipativity theory for nonnegative dynamical systems.
Simulation of a subcarrier multiplexed communications system: a performance enhancement tool

A 3.9 GHz RF-optical subcarrier multiplexed (OSCM) packet transmission system is simulated and experimentally demonstrated. Simulation results show that integration of the RF subsystem will greatly enhance system performance and require less power to be tapped from the fiber for header detection and processing.
Unemployment and Regulatory Policy

In an earlier article, Regulation, Unemployment, and Cost-Benefit Analysis, we argued that regulatory agencies should incorporate the costs of unemployment into cost-benefit analyses of proposed regulations. We argued that alternatives to including unemployment costs in cost-benefit analysis — including feasibility analysis and job loss analysis — make little sense because they do not specify the threshold at which job loss is excessive and do not explicitly make tradeoffs between unemployment effects and social gains. Our paper was cited in a 2012 draft OMB report that sought advice from commentators as to whether cost-benefit analysis should incorporate unemployment costs and, if so, how it should do so. This chapter, prepared for a volume on the treatment of unemployment costs within cost-benefit analysis, builds and expands upon that earlier work. We first respond to some important questions and critiques that commentators have raised regarding our paper in the intervening years since we published it. We then discuss some broader issues raised by the debate about the incorporation of unemployment costs into cost-benefit analysis, including the role of “second-order” or remote costs and benefits and the treatment of the ex ante incentives of regulation.
Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Preying on Maritime Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus, on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

At 1053 hours on 23 July 2006 a Bald Eagle, Haliaeetus leucocephalus , was observed in flight transporting in its talons a live Maritime Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis pallidulus , at South Harbour (46°52'01.7"N, 60°26'45.8"W), Cape Breton Island, Victoria County, Nova Scotia.
Postsaccadic enhancement of initiation of smooth pursuit eye movements in monkeys.

Lisberger, Stephen G. Postsaccadic enhancement of initiation of smooth pursuit eye movements in monkeys. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 1918–1930, 1998. Step-ramp target motion evokes a characteristic sequen...
Up and down fusion

In an earlier work [l] we have demonstrated the local nature of fusion of elements in a Sylow p-subgroup P of a group G. We showed that if x and y are elements of P which are conjugate in G then there is a sequence of elements x1 ,... , e~‘n of P such that x = x1 , y = x, and each pair xi, xifl is contained in a subgroup Hi of P and are conjugate in N(H,). The elements xi, xifl are said to be “locally conjugate” and so every conjugation is the result of a sequence of local conjugations. Previously, we gave great details about the nature of the subgroups Hi that could be used and of the elements of N(H,) which performed the actual conjugation of xi to X~+~ . However, in this sequel, it is the actual sequence xi ,..., x,~ that we shall see can be chosen in a very special way. This result is of use in proving that certain elements of P are not conjugate in G. We shall give an example of this at the end of this paper but the main applications will come in later work. Let us now state the main theorem in its simplest form. After proving this version of it we shall examine our proof and be able to state and digest the final form of our main result.
Phorbol Esters Stimulate Non-transferrin Iron Uptake by K562 Cells

Characterization of non-transferrin (non-Tf) iron transport by K562 cells has revealed unique properties relative to iron uptake mechanisms present in other cell types (Inman, R. S., and Wessling-Resnick, M.(1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 8521-8528). Since treatment of K562 cells with phorbol esters promotes stable megakaryocytic differentiation, we examined the uptake of non-Tf iron in response to protein kinase C activation. Treatment of K562 cells with phorbol esters increased the cellular uptake of 55Fe 4-6-fold compared with untreated cells. The phorbol ester-induced stimulation of 55Fe uptake was time- and dose-dependent, with significantly enhanced transport observed only after prolonged administration of 50 nM phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (>8 h). These effects can be attributed to an increased Vmax of transport (14.0 ± 5 versus 0.6 ± 0.2 pmol/min/106 cells) as well as a 6-fold increase in the apparent Km (1.2 ± 0.4 versus 0.2 ± 0.06 μM). It is thought that the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ is required as a first step in the uptake mechanism, and the associated ferrireductase activity of K562 cells is also enhanced with phorbol ester treatment by 5-10-fold (337 ± 53 versus 43 ± 3 pmol/min/106 cells). Bryostatin-1, a protein kinase C activator that fails to induce differentiation of K562 cells, did not promote this effect, indicating that the enhanced transport activity is dependent on the differentiation response. The idea that synthesis of a new class of transporters is responsible for this effect is supported by the observation that actinomycin D blocks up-regulation of non-Tf iron transport. The increased transport and ferrireductase activity induced upon differentiation also correlate with the appearance of saturable iron-binding sites on the surface of K562 cells with Kd ~ 0.4 μM. These results indicate that non-Tf iron transport activity and the expression of cell-surface iron-binding proteins can be controlled by environmental factors that promote megakaryocytic differentiation of K562 cells.
Research shines light on asthenosphere's contribution to hot spots

The asthenosphere—the weak, ductile layer that underlies the Earth's crust—may play a larger role in tectonic activities, including those that cause midplate volcanism known as hot spots, than previously thought.
Analysis of dynamic changes in the proteome of a Bcl-XL overexpressing Chinese hamster ovary cell culture during exponential and stationary phases.

Mammalian cell cultures used for biopharmaceutical production undergo various dynamic biological changes over time, including the transition of cells from an exponential growth phase to a stationary phase during cell culture. To better understand the dynamic aspects of cell culture, a quantitative proteomics approach was used to identify dynamic trends in protein expression over the course of a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture for the production of a recombinant monoclonal antibody and overexpressing the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-xl. Samples were analyzed using a method incorporating iTRAQ labeling, two-dimensional LC/MS, and linear regression calculations to identify significant dynamic trends in protein abundance. Using this approach, 59 proteins were identified with significant temporal changes in expression. Pathway analysis tools were used to identify a putative network of proteins associated with cell growth and apoptosis. Among the differentially expressed proteins were molecular chaperones and isomerases, such as GRP78 and PDI, and reported cell growth markers MCM2 and MCM5. In addition, two proteins with growth-regulating properties, transglutaminase-2 and clusterin, were identified. These proteins are associated with tumor proliferation and apoptosis and were observed to be expressed at relatively high levels during stationary phase, which was confirmed by western blotting. The proteomic methodology described here provides a dynamic view of protein expression throughout a CHO fed-batch cell culture, which may be useful for further elucidating the biological processes driving mammalian cell culture performance. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Egg-yolk lipid fractionation and lecithin characterization

Egg-yolk lecithin has phospholipid (PL) classes and a FA composition that differ from soybean lecithin and may have unique functional properties. The purposes of this research were to develop an effective method for extracting a sufficient amount to lecithin from fresh egg yolks and to evaluate its functional properties. Ethanol was used to dehydrate and partially extract the PL, after which hexane was used to extract the total lipids. A phase separation of the combined extracts resulted in neutral and polar lipid fractions. An acetone precipitation of PL from the final polar lipid fraction was necessary to remove the residual neutral lipids, especially cholesterol. The purity of PL in the lecithin product was 95%. Surface tension reduction, emulsion stability, and oxidative stability studies were conducted to characterize the functional properties of egg-yolk lecithin. Egg-yolk lecithin and soy lecithin had similar surface activities, as evaluated by the surface tension reduction in an aqueous system and the critical micelle concentration. Soybean lecithin created a more stable emulsion than egg-yolk lecithin. However, egg-yolk lecithin was more oxidatively stable than soybean lecithin.
Impaired Pial Arteriolar Reactivity to Hypercapnia During Hyperammonemia Depends on Glutamine Synthesis

Background and Purpose Acute hyperammonemia causes glutamine and water accumulation in astrocytes and loss of the cerebral blood flow response selectively to CO2. We tested whether extraparenchymal pial arterioles not subjected directly to mechanical compression by swollen astrocyte processes also lose hypercapnic reactivity and whether any such loss can be attenuated by inhibiting glutamine synthesis during hyperammonemia. Methods Pentobarbital-anesthetized rats were pretreated intravenously with either saline vehicle, methionine sulfoximine (0.83 mmol/kg), which inhibits glutamine synthetase and potentially γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase, or buthionine sulfoximine (4 mmol/kg), which inhibits γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase. Three hours after pretreatment, cohorts received an intravenous infusion of either sodium or ammonium acetate for 6 hours. Pial arteriolar diameter was measured through a closed cranial window, and blood flow was measured with radiolabeled microspheres during normocapnia and 10 minutes of hypercapnia. Results With sodium acetate infusion, pial arteriolar diameter increased during hypercapnia in groups pretreated with vehicle (23±3% [mean±SE]; n=6), methionine sulfoximine (37±11%; n=5), and buthionine sulfoximine (32±3%; n=5). With ammonium acetate infusion, pial arteriolar diameter increased only in the group pretreated with methionine sulfoximine (31±4%; n=8) but not in those pretreated with vehicle (−2±4%; n=8) or buthionine sulfoximine (4±4%; n=6). Methionine sulfoximine, but not buthionine sulfoximine, also prevented loss of the cerebral blood flow response to hypercapnia, an increase in cortical tissue water content, and an increase in pressure under the cranial window during normocapnia in hyperammonemic rats. In contrast to hypercapnia, hypoxemia increased arteriolar diameter 30±7% (n=5) during ammonium acetate infusion. Conclusions Loss of the blood flow response to hypercapnia during acute hyperammonemia is not due simply to swollen astrocyte processes passively impeding blood flow because extraparenchymal resistance arterioles also lose their reactivity selectively to hypercapnia. Lost reactivity depends on glutamine synthesis rather than on ammonium ions per se and may reflect indirect effects of astrocyte dysfunction associated with glutamine accumulation or possibly effects of glutamine on nitric oxide production.
Solar Infrared Photometer

A sun photometer which operates at five wavelengths in the near infrared between 1.0 and 4.0 microns has been developed. The instrument is a manually operated, filter wheel design and has principal applications for atmospheric aerosol studies. The wavelength filters were selected at bands with minimal gaseous absorption. A modified Langley analysis which accounts for residual gaseous absorption is employed for the instrument calibration. Calibration and stability results for the instrument are presented.
The age-dependent binding of CBP/tk, a ccaat binding protein, is deregulated in transformed and immortalized mammalian cells but absent in premature aging cells

CBP/tk, CCAAT Binding Protein for thymidine kinase, has been shown to bind to the distal and proximal CCAAT elements in human TK gene at G1/S boundary in normal human IMR-90 cells after serum stimulation (Pang and Chen, 1993). We now show that the serum-induced binding activity of CBP/tk was inversely related to the population doubling level (PDL) of the normal IMR-90 cells. However, little or almost no CBP/tk binding activity was observed in cells derived from patients with premature aging syndromes (e.g., Werner, Hutchinson-Gilford, and Cockayne syndrome). In contrast, CBP/tk binding activity in SV-40 virus-transformed human cells and in HeLa cells was overexpressed at levels 5- to 15-fold higher than that in normal cells and appeared to be deregulated. The half-life of CBP/tk binding activity in SV-40 transformed cells was at least 10 times longer than that in normal IMR-90 cells, suggesting that posttranslational control may contribute to the deregulation. CBP/tk binding activity detected in other mammalian cells such as murine NIH3T3, an immortal cell line, did not reveal any cell cycle dependence either. Further characterization of CBP/tk binding complex indicates that the binding complex may contain NF-YA and NF-YB and that the binding activity was sensitive to oxidizing reagents. Taken together, our data showed that the age- and cell cycle-dependent nature of CBP/tk is a function of cell types and that CBP/tk binding activity may be subjected to posttranslational and redox regulation.
Full-aperture backscatter measurements on the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility’s full-aperture backscatter station (FABS) is described. The FABS uses five independent diagnostics on each of the four laser beams in the initial National Ignition Facility quad to measure the energy, power, spectrum, and near-field amplitude modulations of the stimulated Brillouin and stimulated Raman backscattered light. In initial tests CO2 and C5H12 gas-filled targets were used to create various laser–plasma interaction conditions which have shown the capability of producing ignition size laser plasmas with reflectivites on the order of 10%. Results are presented for tests in which 16 kJ on target produced between 0.3 and 2.5 kJ of backscattered light.
Mild thyroid failure [subclinical hypothyroidism]: to treat or not to treat?

Most endocrinologists agree that if the serum TSH level is above 10 mlU/L, thyroxine therapy is indicated. For lower values of serum TSH, thyroxine therapy depends on the presence or absence of antithyroid antibodies and the associated clinical condition.
A comprehensive conservation strategy for Georgia's greenways

Abstract In 1976 the State of Georgia published the Environmental Corridor Study (K. Dawson, W. Munnikhuysen and R. Roark, 1976. Georgia Environmental Corridor Study. Office of Planning and Research, Dept. Natural Resources, Atlanta, GA). The study is a survey of greenway potential, focusing on a statewide interconnected system. The study process combined intrinsic values (natural resources, environmental quality and aesthetics) with extrinsic values (human use, accessibility, market demand and land use) and endangeredness to provide priorities for greenway conservation. In coordination with a unique program titled Heritage Trust, initiated by then-Governor Jimmy Carter to explore conservation easements, zoning and direct acquisition, the corridor study became recognized as an excellent source of information for greenway implementation. Under Heritage Trust, over 40 000 ha of land were acquired. The current governor, Zell Miller, established Preservation 2000, a program which is continuing the work of Heritage Trust for the 1990s. To quote from the recent Preservation 2000 brochure (H. Young, 1993. Preservation 2000 Program: Summary of Program and Progress. Dept. Natural Resources, Atlanta, GA). ‘By the end of 1994, the state will acquire [an additional 40 000 hectares] of natural areas, parks, greenways and other wild lands.’ The State of Georgia has also updated the corridor study in the Georgia Trails and Greenways Plan (A. Soriano, 1992. Georgia Trails and Greenways Plan. Dept. Natural Resources, Atlanta, GA), which provides technical assistance to local communities on issues of greenway planning including outdoor recreation planning process, land and water conservation programs, management issues and agency action plans. Unique to all of the planning and acquisition programs has been the hypothesis that, when site nominations are made for conservation purchase on a statewide basis irrespective of greenways, most priority conservation areas are found to be within greenway boundaries. This is certainly due to the substantial conservation potential of greenways. Of Heritage Trust nominations, 90% were within greenway corridors. This percentage has increased to 93% with the Preservation 2000 program. Greenways are increasing rapidly in importance as an overall conservation strategy in many areas throughout the world.
Elevated Pulmonary Artery Systolic Pressure Predicts Heart Failure Admissions in African Americans: Jackson Heart Study

Background—Although elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) is associated with heart failure (HF), whether PASP measurement can help predict future HF admissions is not known, especially in African Americans who are at increased risk for HF. We hypothesized that elevated PASP is associated with increased risk of HF admission and improves HF prediction in African American population. Methods and Results—We conducted a longitudinal analysis using the Jackson Heart Study cohort (n=3125; 32.2% men) with baseline echocardiography-derived PASP and follow-up for HF admissions. Hazard ratio for HF admission was estimated using Cox proportional hazard model adjusted for variables in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Community (ARIC) HF prediction model. During a median follow-up of 3.46 years, 3.42% of the cohort was admitted for HF. Subjects with HF had a higher PASP (35.6±11.4 versus 27.6±6.9 mm Hg; P<0.001). The hazard of HF admission increased with higher baseline PASP (adjusted hazard ratio per 10 mm Hg ...
Use of dialdehyde starch treated filters for protection against airborne viruses

In the event of a pandemic, the general public would use filters as protective devices. However, most commercial filters only remove airborne viruses physically without inactivating them, allowing reproduction on the surface and yielding the mask as a fomite. The objective of this study was to investigate the inactivation performance of dialdehyde starch (DAS) treated filters against airborne viruses. The viable removal efficiency by and relative survivability on the biocidal filters prepared with dialdehyde starch compared to untreated filters were investigated using MS2 bacteriophage at high relative humidity (80-90%) and room temperature. Experimental results showed no significant difference in viable removal efficiency and pressure drop between the treated and untreated filters for polypropylene filtering facepiece respirators. The pressure drop of DAS treated cellulose filters significantly decreased although there was no significant change in viable removal efficiency; the combination of these two factors resulted in an increase of filter quality. All biocidal filters showed a significantly lower relative survivability than untreated filters, and the relative survivability decreased as the concentration of DAS increased. The biocidal filter treated with 4% DAS presented an average of 30% survivability compared to the baseline of untreated filters. The results demonstrate that dialdehyde starch can be incorporated onto filters to provide an effective means for inactivating MS2 viruses through surface contact.