cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interoperability testbed for smart sensors in smart grids

Interoperability testing provides a means for achieving and assuring the integrity of smart sensor data exchanges. Interoperability testbeds can provide technical foundations for standards development for smart sensors in smart grids, including test methods and tools. This paper introduces an interoperability testbed for smart sensors, which has been built at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This testbed consists of four layers: power grids, sources, or simulators; smart sensors; communication networks; and smart sensor testers (SSTs). This testbed can be used to test the interoperability of standardized communication protocol-based smart sensors. We use International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 61850-9-2 lite edition (LE) merging unit (MU)-based smart sensors as an example for interoperability testing. An interoperability testing system for MU-based smart sensors was set up and testing of two commercial MU-based smart sensors was conducted. The test results not only show the interoperability of two commercial MU-based smart sensors, but also demonstrate that the interoperability test method and test system are effective.
Healthy eating index-2010 and physical activity and disabilities of old age

BACKGROUND: Consuming a poor diet and being physically inactive may increase the risk of developing disabilities of old age. OBJECTIVE: To investigate correlations between Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010) scores, physical activity levels, and disabilities of old age in a large biracial cohort. METHODS: The ARIC Study is a prospective cohort aged 45–64 years at baseline. Overall diet quality was assessed using the HEI-2010. A physical activity score was the sum of work, sports, and leisure. Activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and functional abilities were compared with HEI-2010 and physical activity by logistic regression 9 years after the baseline examination. RESULTS: Compared with the lowest quartile, quartile 4 healthier HEI-2010 scores showed an odds ratios of 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.67–0.87) for functional disability, 0.89 (95% CI 0.75–1.07) for ADL disabilities, and 0.88 (95% CI 0.76–0.1.03) for IADL disabilities.Compared with the lowest tertile, tertile 3 of physical activity showed an odds ratios of 0.60 (95% CI 0.54– 0.67) for functional disability, 0.68 (95% CI 0.60–0.78) for ADL disabilities, and 0.53 (95% CI 0.47–0.60) for IADL disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Healthier diet and higher physical activity were associated with lower levels of the disabilities of aging, particularly functional disability, at follow up.
Conservation in Context: Toward a Systems Framing of Decentralized Governance and Public Participation in Wildlife Management

Governance scholars have long championed the adaptive utility of decentralized management institutions, in part due to their ability to bring diverse stakeholders into decision‐making processes. However, research into the link between decentralization and participation often looks at policy design but bypasses important system feedbacks that shape sustained participation over time. To paint a more robust picture detailing how decentralization and participation are related, this paper uses a complex systems framework to explore interacting structural, operational, and cultural components of decentralized wildlife governance institutions in the United States and Botswana. Through this comparative analysis, I argue that the landscape of public participation in decentralized governance institutions appears to be significantly impacted by three factors: 1) how decentralization processes occurred, 2) where in the process of decision making participation is situated, and 3) perceptions of power distribution between groups with competing interests. 研究治理的学者长期以来一直支持分权管理机构的适应性应用，部分原因在于它们有能力让各种利益相关者参与决策过程。然而，关于分权与参与之间联系的研究往往着眼于政策设计，而忽略了影响长期持续参与的重要系统反馈。为了更有力地描述分权和参与之间的关系，本文运用复杂的系统框架来探索美国和博茨瓦纳野生动物分权治理机构的相互作用结构、运作和文化组成部分。通过这一比较分析，笔者认为分权治理机构中的公众参与情况似乎受三大因素的显著影响：1) 权力下放是如何实现的；2) 在决策过程中，参与扮演哪种角色; 3) 利益冲突群体间权力分配的认知。 Los academicos de gobernanza han defendido durante mucho tiempo la utilidad adaptativa de las instituciones de gestion descentralizadas, en parte debido a su capacidad para incorporar a diversos interesados ​​a los procesos de toma de decisiones. Sin embargo, la investigacion sobre el vinculo entre descentralizacion y participacion a menudo analiza el diseno de politicas, pero pasa por alto importantes comentarios del sistema que dan forma a la participacion sostenida en el tiempo. Para dibujar una imagen mas solida que detalle como se relacionan la descentralizacion y la participacion, este documento utiliza un marco de sistemas complejos para explorar los componentes estructurales, operativos y culturales de las instituciones descentralizadas de gobernanza de la vida silvestre en los Estados Unidos y Botsuana. A traves de este analisis comparativo, sostengo que el panorama de la participacion publica en las instituciones de gobierno descentralizado parece verse significativamente afectado por tres factores: 1) como se produjeron los procesos de descentralizacion; 2) donde se situa en el proceso de toma de decisiones la participacion; y 3) percepciones de la distribucion de poder entre grupos con intereses en competencia.
A Note on School Quality, Educational Attainment and the Wage Gap

This paper explores the linkage between school quality, educational attainment and the wage gap. In a model of statistical discrimination based on both the quality and quantity of schooling, we show that lower-quality education can, on average, lead to lower human capital accumulation if agents anticipate future labor market discrimination. Because blacks in general have less access to good-quality schools compared to whites, this link provides a novel explanation for the differences in black–white educational attainment and the resulting wage gap.
A tension-independent mechanism reduces Aurora B-mediated phosphorylation upon microtubule capture by CENP-E at the kinetochore

During mitosis, Aurora B kinase is required for forming proper bi-oriented kinetochore-microtubule attachments. Current models suggest that tension exerted between a pair of sister-kinetochores (inter-kinetochore stretch) produces a spatial separation of Aurora B kinase from kinetochore-associated microtubule binding substrates, such as the Knl1-Mis12-Ndc80 (KMN) network, resulting in a decrease of phosphorylation and, thus, an increase of affinity for microtubules. Using Single-Molecule High-Resolution Colocalization (SHREC) microscopy analysis of the kinetochore-associated motor CENP-E, we now show that CENP-E undergoes structural rearrangements prior to and after tension generation at the kinetochore, and displays a bi-modal Gaussian distribution on a pair of bi-oriented sister kinetochores. The conformational change of CENP-E depends on its microtubule-stimulated motor motility and the highly flexible coiled-coil between its motor and kinetochore-binding tail domains. Chemical inhibition of the motor motility or perturbations of the coiled-coil domain of CENP-E increases Aurora B-mediated Ndc80 phosphorylation in a tension-independent manner. Metaphase chromosome misalignment caused by CENP-E inhibition can be rescued by chemical inhibition of Aurora B kinase. Furthermore, a pair of monotelic sister-kinetochores shows asymmetric levels of Aurora B-mediated phosphorylation in mono-polar spindles depending on CENP-E motor activity. These results collectively suggest a tension-independent mechanism to reduce Aurora B-mediated phosphorylation of outer kinetochore components in response to microtubule capture by CENP-E.
Treatment of Depression in Parkinson’s Disease

Depression is common in PD and negatively impacts quality of life but often goes undiagnosed and therefore untreated. The significant overlap between the symptoms of depression and those of PD itself can make the recognition and diagnosis difficult. One should specifically inquire about mood and then explore other symptoms such as disturbances of concentration and sleep that, while common in PD, may represent part of a depressive syndrome. When explaining the diagnoses, it is important to emphasize that depression is due to the disease itself and that it can be effectively treated with readily available and generally well-tolerated antidepressant medications.
Robust Adaptive Control for Constrained Tilt-Rotor Quadcopters of Unknown Inertial Properties

This paper analyzes the dynamics of tilt-rotor quadcopters with H-configuration and synthesizes a control system for these vehicles. Our analysis is the first to show a nonlinear effect in the vehicle's rotational dynamics due to the fact that not all propellers of a tilt-rotor are aligned to one of the vehicle's principal axes. The proposed control system relies on an original robust model reference adaptive control law to guarantee user-defined constraints on both the trajectory tracking error and the adaptive gains at all despite parametric, matched, and unmatched uncertainties due to unknown external disturbances and dangling payloads.
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction (CMD)

Over the past two decades, coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) has emerged as an important mechanism of myocardial ischemia. This chapter describes various pathogenic mechanisms of CMD and explains how CMD can result from functional and/or structural alterations to the vessel wall and lead to varying degrees of disruption to normal coronary physiology. Currently ≈20–50% of patients have a predisposition towards ongoing angina despite successful revascularization surgery. The current goal of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or any other revascularization therapy is to relieve the symptoms rather than address the pathology. It will require new research in this area if an improvement in CMD pathology is to be achieved.
Strategic Information Spillover to be Imitated: Incentive to Make Use of Relative Performance Evaluation

In this article, we deal with the topic of intentional information spillover using a model in which both informational- and payoff-externalities are present and the timing of agents' actions is endogenous. In this model, three players, who are heterogeneous in the quality of their information, compete with one another in a common task. According to the results, the weakly-informed players may voluntarily relinquish an option to wait, although no cost is imposed for a delay of action. When acting without a delay, they reveal their information with the hope that others will imitate them. This type of information spillover is due to their incentive, which is to make use of the relative performance evaluation structure under which a bad reputation can be shared if others are also wrong.
Dynamics of cough and particulate behaviour in the human airway

Computational Fluid Dynamics is used to model airflow and penetrant behaviour under cough reflex in human airway. The airway geometry segment from the oral cavity to the primary bronchi is reconstr...
Toxicity, uptake, and nuclear translocation of ingested micro-nanoplastics in an in vitro model of the small intestinal epithelium.

Abstract Despite mounting evidence of increasing micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) in natural environments, food, and drinking water, little is known of the potential health hazards of MNPs ingestion. We assessed toxicity and uptake of environmentally relevant MNPs in an in vitro small intestinal epithelium (SIE). Test MNPs included 25 and 1000 nm polystyrene (PS) microspheres (PS25 and PS1K); 25, 100, and 1000 nm carboxyl modified PS spheres (PS25C, PS100C, and PS1KC), and secondary MNPs from incinerated polyethylene (PEI). MNPs were subjected to 3-phase digestion to mimic transformations in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and digestas applied to the SIE. Carboxylated MNPs significantly reduced viability and increased permeability to 3 kD dextran. Uptake of carboxyl PS materials was size dependent, with significantly greater uptake of PS25C. Fluorescence confocal imaging showed some PS25C agglomerates entering cells independent of endosomes (suggesting diffusion), others within actin shells (suggesting phagocytosis), and many free within the epithelial cells, including agglomerates within nuclei. Pre-treatment with the dynamin inhibitor Dyngo partially reduced PS25 translocation, suggesting a potential role for endocytosis. These findings suggest that ingestion exposures to MNPs could have serious health consequences and underscore the urgent need for additional detailed studies of the potential hazards of ingested MNPs.
Importance of Enzymes to Value-Added Quality of Foods

New uses of enzymes are of major importance for value-added quality of foods. At the production and postharvest handling levei S1 enzymes associated with maturation , color , texture, flavor and nutritional changes are important. Recent examples are discussed which include longer storage prior to initiation of ripening , deletion or control of genes that result in softening 1 browning and other quality defects and the enhancement of genes that improve the nutritional quality of foods. At the processing level, new uses of enzymes are described to change the properties of proteins and lipids , to eliminate offflavor in beers and sterilized milk , and to monitor adequate blanching of fruits and vegetables.
Circulation variability in the Gulf of Alaska

We have recently found a connection between the effects of large-scale atmospheric forcing over the Gulf of Alaska and deep-water properties (temperature and salinity) below the southern sill depth (∼200 m) in Shelikof Strait, through studies under the Fisheries Oceanography Coordinated Investigations (FOCI) program. Startedin 1984, by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, most FOCI research has been conducted in Shelikof Strait, Alaska (Figure 1), a large estuarine-like system located between Kodiak Island and the Alaska Peninsula, where vast numbers of walleye pollock spawn each spring. Although we had been aware that marked variability in the deep waters of the strait existed, a mechanism for inducing the changes was not apparent. It now seems clear that the interannual variability of upperocean circulation is large enough to bring about the water property anomalies. Figure 1 contrasts the mixed layer flows or trajectories during winter-spring of a typical year (1986) and an unusual year (1985), when southwestward outflow from the upper gulf was quite weak. These flow variations appear to result in changes in the source waters that flow over the sill to the strait, thereby causing the observed variability in properties.
Broken Links: The Ephemeral Nature of Educational WWW Hyperlinks

The use of distributed (Internet) resources to enhance both traditional and distance education has caused much excitement in the science education community. However, one of the difficulties with relying on such freely available distributed resources has been the lack of certainty that the resources will be available for students next month, next semester, or next year. We have recently been involved in the development of three graduate-level biochemistry courses designed for high school teachers. Development of these courses relied heavily upon distributed science education resources. As a consequence, they represented a set of authentic science education resources that could be monitored over time to determine their rate of extinction. In total, the three courses contained 515 nonredundant URLs representing either scientific content of science education pedagogy. These have been monitored on a monthly basis during the 14 months since the creation of the courses (August 2000). During this period 85 (16.5%) of the URLs have ceased to function or had their content changed. The most attrition was seen in URLs with the “edu,” “com,” and “org” domain names, in which 17.5, 16.4, and 11% have already become inaccessible.
Assessment of quality and relevance of curricula development in health training institutions: a case study of Kenya.

The World Health Organization lists Kenya among African countries experiencing health workforce crisis catalysed through immigration, underproduction, inconsistent quality of production and unequal distribution. Strengthening health training institutions to increase production of high-quality health workers is acknowledged as a measure to mitigate the crisis. IntraHealth International’s USAID-funded FUNZOKenya Project (2012–2017) undertook an assessment to identify the bottlenecks to increasing the number and quality of pre-service graduates in Kenya. The assessment, a cross-sectional descriptive study, collected data through structured respondent interviews among faculty, students in health training institutions, key informants and desk review. The assessment purposively selected 14 institutions from 18 institutions identified for initial collaboration with the project towards strengthening health workforce training. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) application helped analyse quantitative data and quotes used to illustrate perceptions on the quality of curricula. The findings revealed major gaps in quality and adequacy of curricula in the training institutions. A national standard framework to guide curricula review process is lacking. Further, curricula did not adequately prepare students for clinical placement, as most failed to directly respond to national health needs. The study recommended reviews of curricula to ensure their responsiveness to emerging issues in the health sector, the formation of curriculum committees to review curricula, development of official curricula review standards and an integrated mechanism to disseminate policies and guidelines.
Rethinking social remittances and the migration-development nexus from the perspective of time

This article explores how the conceptualization, management, and measurement of time affect the migration-development nexus. We focus on how social remittances transform the meaning and worth of time, thereby changing how these ideas and practices are accepted and valued and recalibrating the relationship between migration and development. Our data reveal the need to pay closer attention to how migration’s impacts shift over time in response to its changing significance, rhythms, and horizons. How does migrants’ social influence affect and change the needs, values, and mind-frames of non-migrants? How do the ways in which social remittances are constructed, perceived, and accepted change over time for their senders and receivers?
Rapid Cellulose Acetate Electrophoresis II. Qualitative and Quantitative Hemoglobin Fractionation

A method is described for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of abnormal hemoglobins including hemoglobin A 2 . Quantitative values are comparable to those observed with the starch block technic. The analysis is completed within 2 hr. The apparatus is the same as that used for quantitative analysis of serum proteins.
Monte Carlo Bayesian Signal Processing for Wireless Communications

Many statistical signal processing problems found in wireless communications involves making inference about the transmitted information data based on the received signals in the presence of various unknown channel distortions. The optimal solutions to these problems are often too computationally complex to implement by conventional signal processing methods. The recently emerged Bayesian Monte Carlo signal processing methods, the relatively simple yet extremely powerful numerical techniques for Bayesian computation, offer a novel paradigm for tackling wireless signal processing problems. These methods fall into two categories, namely, Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods for batch signal processing and sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) methods for adaptive signal processing. We provide an overview of the theories underlying both the MCMC and the SMC. Two signal processing examples in wireless communications, the blind turbo multiuser detection in CDMA systems and the adaptive detection in fading channels, are provided to illustrate the applications of MCMC and SMC respectively.
Reliable kinect-based navigation in large indoor environments

Practical mapping and navigation solutions for large indoor environments continue to rely on relatively expensive range scanners, because of their accuracy, range and field of view. Microsoft Kinect on the other hand is inexpensive, is easy to use and has high resolution, but suffers from high noise, shorter range and a limiting field of view. We present a mapping and navigation system that uses the Microsoft Kinect sensor as the sole source of range data and achieves performance comparable to state-of-the-art LIDAR-based systems. We show how we circumvent the main limitations of Kinect to generate usable 2D maps of relatively large spaces and to enable robust navigation in changing and dynamic environments. We use the Benchmark for Robotic Indoor Navigation (BRIN) to quantify and validate the performance of our system.
Identification of TAZ as a Binding Partner of the Polyomavirus T Antigens

Oncogenes of DNA tumor viruses exert essential functions in the virus life cycle by binding and altering the activities of specific cellular factors. The latter may be regulators of the cell cycle or apoptosis or have other functions that must be activated or inhibited by the virus in order to grow. What is known to date about the highly oncogenic mouse polyomavirus and its interactions with host factors gives an incomplete account of its replicative and oncogenic functions (2). A tumor host range (thr) selection procedure was previously devised to expand the search for cellular factors targeted by polyomavirus. The rationale behind this procedure is based on the supposition that cells from spontaneous or carcinogen-induced tumors may have undergone the loss or alteration of a cellular factor(s) that the virus normally targets to grow efficiently. thr mutants are selected to grow in certain tumor or transformed cells but not in normal cells and are presumed to have lost the targeting function(s). The wild-type T antigen corresponding to that altered in such mutants may be used to identify a putative cellular target(s). The homeotic transcription factor Sal2 was discovered as a target of the polyomavirus large T antigen (lT), and the binding was shown to be essential for virus replication, using this procedure (19). Here, we have used a chemically transformed mouse liver tumor cell line (25) as a permissive host and primary baby mouse kidney (BMK) cells as a nonpermissive host to isolate a new polyomavirus thr mutant. The alteration giving rise to this host range is in the N-terminal sequence common to the three T antigens. A search for a cellular target has identified the TAZ protein as interacting with all three T antigens, depending in part on their N terminus. TAZ, first described as a 14-3-3-binding protein, has a PDZ-binding motif and a WW domain critical to its function as a transcriptional coactivator (17). The RUNX (runt domain-containing) family of transcription factors is among those activated by TAZ. RUNX gene products include the polyomavirus enhancer-binding protein 2α (PEBP-2α) (RUNX1/AML1/Cbfa2) (4). RUNX1/AML1 and other members of the RUNX family are frequently altered in human cancers (15, 20, 22, 33).
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase is not necessary for the early phase of ischemic preconditioning in the mouse

Abstract It has been proposed that constitutive expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in the naive (unstressed) state and that eNOS plays a critical role in the early phase of ischemic preconditioning (PC). We addressed these issues using both a genetic approach (i.e., eNOS null [ eNOS −/− ]) mice and a pharmacologic approach (with the NOS inhibitor N (omega)-nitro- l -arginine [L-NA]). We found that in the nonpreconditioned state, both of the available strains of eNOS −/− mice (C57BL6 and B6129) exhibited infarct sizes similar to the corresponding wild-type (WT) mice (63.3 ± 2.2% [group I, n = 15] vs. 59.7 ± 1.4% [group VI, n = 10] of the risk region and 60.9 ± 3.6% [group IX, n = 14] vs. 68.2 ± 2.5% [group X, n = 9], respectively). When WT mice were preconditioned with either one or six cycles of 4-min coronary occlusion (O)/reperfusion (R) 10 min prior to the 30-min O, infarct size was markedly reduced (28.5 ± 3.3% [group II, one O/R cycle, n = 10] and 19.7 ± 2.6% [group III, six O/R cycles, n = 7] of the risk region, respectively), indicating the development of a robust early PC effect. In eNOS −/− mice preconditioned with the same protocol, the reduction in infarct size was similar (24.9 ± 2.9% and 15.3 ± 2.4% of the risk region, after one [group VII, n = 9] or six O/R cycles [group VIII, n = 10], respectively), indicating that the PC effect was intact. When WT mice were pretreated with L-NA 30 min before sham PC (group IV, n = 7) or PC (group V, six O/R cycles, n = 7), infarct size was not different from untreated control and PC groups. We conclude that, in the mouse, basal eNOS activity does not modulate infarct size in the nonpreconditioned state and is not necessary for the cardioprotective effects of early PC. Early PC is not eNOS-dependent, at least in this species.
Fibromyalgia and Overlapping Disorders: The Unifying Concept of Central Sensitivity Syndromes

Objectives To discuss fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and overlapping conditions, eg, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome, within the concept of central sensitivity syndromes (CSS). Methods A critical overview of the literature and incorporation of the author's own views. Results The concept of CSS seems viable. It is based on mutual associations among the CSS conditions as well as the evidence for central sensitization (CS) among several CSS members. However, such evidence is weak or not available in other members at this time, requiring further studies. The biology of CSS is based on neuroendocrine aberrations, including CS, that interact with psychosocial factors to cause a number of symptoms. Conclusions CSS is an important new concept that embraces the biopsychosocial model of disease. Further critical studies are warranted to fully test this concept. However, it seems to have important significance for new directions for research and patient care involving physician and patient education. Each patient, irrespective of diagnosis, should be treated as an individual considering both the biological and psychosocial contributions to his or her symptoms and suffering.
The Verification of Semantic Relations in a Same-Different Paradigm: An Asymmetry in Semantic Memory.

Abstract In judging whether two test instances are members of the same semantic category, recent findings have indicated that a subject's Different reaction time (RT) varies inversely with the semantic similarity between the two instances. However, Experiment I demonstrates an asymmetry in that RT to Different pairs varies with the order in which the test instances are presented. Furthermore, Experiment II shows that the results of Experiment I are predictable from the distances between each of the test instances and the relevant target category. These results were interpreted as supportive of the Feature Comparison Model of semantic memory.
Thermal Design of Microchannel Heat Sinks for Low-Orbit Micro-Satellites

As reduction in the size of electronics creates demand for smaller, less expensive and faster-to-produce spacecraft, the use of high heat flux electronics or advanced nuclear propulsion systems will increase the stress on the thermal subsystem. This work presents a thermal management solution to this problem using liquid-cooled microchannel heat sinks. First, a simple computer model is used to illustrate the need for an atypical cooling method when high-heat flux electronics are used. Second, a thermal/fluid model of microchannel heat sinks is developed and applied to address the satellite thermal need. The total thermal resistances and pressure drops show excellent comparison with published experimental and analytical results. Finally, the model of the microchannel heat sink is optimized to remove 25 W/cm2 over a footprint of 3.7cm2 . The mass flow rate needed was significantly lower (almost 5–10 times lower) when compared to other published results, which means that micro-pumps available on the market will be sufficient. The integration of the microchannel system with the satellite is also discussed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Limitation of Tat-associated transcriptional processivity in HIV-infected PBMC.

Abstract The ability of HIV to match levels of viral mRNA to the activation state of the host cell may play a role in its ability to persist as well as to replicate. This linkage depends on the function of the viral transcriptional regulatory protein, Tat, which increases the efficiency of RNA elongation (transcriptional processivity) in response to cellular activation. To quantify levels of Tat function in vivo, a quantitative competitive RT-PCR assay was developed that reflects levels of TAR leader fragments (nonprocessive transcripts) and viral mRNA (processive transcripts), indicating low or high levels of Tat function, respectively. The abundance of these RNA species was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 22 HIV-1-positive individuals (CD4 + T cell counts 63–934/mm 3 ) and in established cell line models of HIV constitutive replication (H9 IIIB ) and reversible latency (U1 and ACH-2). In PBMC, the level of total viral transcripts ranged over four orders of magnitude; however, nonprocessive transcription predominated: 70% of PBMC samples had a ratio of processive to total transcripts of IIIB cells, nonprocessive transcription dominates and that latently infected cells can have different transcriptional responses to activation. This is the first study that enumerates degrees of transcriptional processivity in the circulating mononuclear cell compartment and the results suggest that limitation of Tat function may be a common phenotype throughout the course of the disease.
Changes in keratin gene expression during terminal differentiation of the keratinocyte

Cells of the inner layers of the epidermis contain small keratins (46-58K), whereas the cells of the outer layers contain large keratins (63-67K) in addition to small ones. The changes in keratin composition that take place within each cell during the course of its terminal differentiation result largely from changes in synthesis. Cultured epidermal cells resemble cells of the inner layers of the epidermis in synthesizing only small keratins. The cultured cells possess translatable mRNA only for small keratins, whereas mRNA extracted from whole epidermis can be translated into both large and small keratins. As no synthesis takes place in the outermost layer of the epidermis (stratum corneum), the keratins of this layer must be synthesized earlier, but in some cases they then become smaller: this presumably occurs by post-translational processing of the molecules during the final stages of differentiation. Stratified squamous epithelia of internal organs do not form a typical stratum corneum and do not make the large keratins characteristic of epidermis. Their keratins are also different from those of cultured keratinocytes, implying that they have embarked on an alternate route of terminal keratin synthesis.
Static limit of quantum chromodynamics

Several features of the static quark-antiquark potential in quantum chromodynamics are studied. It is shown, first of all, that the potential between fixed color sources exists as the infinite-mass limit of the interaction between a heavy quark and antiquark. The phenomenological consequences of this result are summarized. The potential is then examined as an expansion in the strong-coupling constant ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$ using the Wilson loop integral. Infrared properties are elucidated and the power-series expansion in ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$ is shown to break down. The quantum color correlations of the quark sources with the gluon field induce singularities which can only be removed by selective resummation. The resulting expression for the potential is nonanalytic in ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}$ at ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{s}=0$.
Conditioning with Delayed Vitamin Injections

Rats deficient in thiamine were allowed to drink saccharin-fla vored water. They were then given an injection of thiamine which caused their intake of the nonnutritive fluid to increase. Delay of the intramuscular injection up to 30 minutes had no effect upon the acquisition of this condi tioning. Presumably, this delay reflects specialization in the central integrative mechanisms which serve these afferent modalities.
A heuristic approach to inductive inference in fact retrieval systems

Heuristic procedures are presented which have been developed to perform inferences by generalizing from available information. The procedures make use of a similarity structure which is imposed on the data base using nonnumerical clustering algorithms. They are implemented in a model fact retrieval system which uses a formal query language and a property-list data structure. A program of experiments is described wherein the procedures are used with test data bases which are altered by deleting part of the data and by purposely introducing false data. It is found that the system can infer the correct response under a variety of conditions involving incomplete and inconsistent data.
Simulation study of the traffic dependent performance of a prioritized, CSMA broadcast network

Abstract A CSMA broadcast network engaged in short to very long message transmission has been studied via a discrete event simulation. These studies imply that no advantage is to be obtained in a two trunk network by dedicating one trunk to long message transmission and the other to short message transmission. In addition, the throughput of a single trunk, multiport network is significantly reduced when one of the ports is attached to a host with a significantly slower host to port transfer rate than the others. Finally, a CSMA broadcast network wherein all hosts interact with the same destination, (and not each other), can be prone to thrashing especially at high loads. The networks summarized above behave as described in this paper largely because the critical resource is host/adapter availability and speed, and not the number or capacity of the trunks, and secondarily due to certain inadequacies of the second level protocol.
Progression From IgD+ IgM+ to Isotype-Switched B Cells Is Site Specific during Coronavirus-Induced Encephalomyelitis

Various infections in the central nervous system (CNS) trigger B cell accumulation; however, the relative dynamics between viral replication and alterations in distinct B cell subsets are largely unknown. Using a glia-tropic coronavirus infection, which is initiated in the brain but rapidly spreads to and predominantly persists in the spinal cord, this study characterizes longitudinal changes in B cell subsets at both infected anatomical sites. The phase of T cell-dependent, antibody-independent control of infectious virus was associated with a similar recruitment of naive/early-activated IgD+ IgM+ B cells into both the brain and spinal cord. This population was progressively replaced by CD138− IgD− IgM+ B cells, isotype-switched CD138− IgD− IgM− memory B cells (Bmem), and CD138+ antibody-secreting cells (ASC). A more rapid transition to Bmem and ASC in spinal cord than in brain was associated with higher levels of persisting viral RNA and transcripts encoding factors promoting B cell migration, differentiation, and survival. The results demonstrate that naive/early-activated B cells are recruited early during coronavirus CNS infection but are subsequently replaced by more differentiated B cells. Furthermore, viral persistence, even at low levels, is a driving force for accumulation of isotype-switched Bmem and ASC. IMPORTANCE Acute and chronic human CNS infections are associated with an accumulation of heterogeneous B cell subsets; however, their influence on viral load and disease is unclear. Using a glia-tropic coronavirus model, we demonstrate that the accumulation of B cells ranging from early-activated to isotype-switched differentiation stages is both temporally and spatially orchestrated. Acutely infected brains and spinal cords indiscriminately recruit a homogeneous population of early-activated B cells, which is progressively replaced by diverse, more differentiated subsets. The latter process is accelerated by elevated proinflammatory responses associated with viral persistence. The results imply that early-recruited B cells do not have antiviral function but may contribute to the inflammatory environment or act as antigen-presenting cells. Moreover, CNS viral persistence is a driving force promoting differentiated B cells with protective potential.
Reproductive cycle of Crepidula convexa (Say) within a New England eelgrass community

The population of Crepidula convexa inhabiting the eelgrass beds of the lower Mystic Estuary, Connecticut, exhibits large seasonal fluctuations in size. The population is largest in the middle of the summer following the emergence of juveniles and then rapidly declines. Oviposition occurs from May into September with maximal egg production taking place in June. Within this habitat the life span of Crepidula is short (ca. 1 yr), female size is small and individual fecundity is low.
Eight weeks of stretching training reduces aortic wave reflection magnitude and blood pressure in obese postmenopausal women

The augmentation index (AIx, a marker of wave reflection) is reduced and peripheral artery vasodilation increased following acute stretching exercise. We examined the effects of stretching training (ST) on arterial function, blood pressure (BP) and sympathetic vasomotor modulation. Twenty-eight obese postmenopausal women (57±1 years) were randomized to a ST (n=14) or no-exercise control (CON) group ( n=14). ST included stretching exercises 3 days week−1 for 8 weeks. Brachial (b) and aortic (a) systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), carotid–femoral PWV (aPWV), femoral–ankle PWV (faPWV), AIx, low-frequency component of SBP (LFSBP) and sit/reach score (SRS) were measured before and after interventions. There were significant decreases in bSBP (P 0.05) on HR, baPWV, aPWV and faPWV after ST or CON. Eight weeks of ST decreases BP, AIx and LFSBP in obese postmenopausal women. Our findings show that ST reduces peripheral and central BP, wave reflection magnitude and vascular sympathetic activity in obese postmenopausal women with prehypertension and hypertension.
Matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in vascular remodeling and vascular disease

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that degrade various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Members of the MMP family include collagenases, gelatinases, stromelysins, matrilysins and membrane-type MMPs. ProMMPs are cleaved into active forms that promote degradation of ECM proteins. Also, recent evidence suggests direct or indirect effects of MMPs on ion channels in the endothelium and vascular smooth muscle, and on other mechanisms of vascular relaxation/contraction. Endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) reduce excessive proteolytic ECM degradation by MMPs. The balance between MMPs and TIMPs plays a major role in vascular remodeling, angiogenesis, and the uterine and systemic vasodilation during normal pregnancy. An imbalance in the MMPs/TIMPs activity ratio may underlie the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as abdominal aortic aneurysm, varicose veins, hypertension and preeclampsia. Downregulation of MMPs using genetic manipulations of endogenous TIMPs, or synthetic pharmacological inhibitors such as BB-94 (Batimastat) and doxycycline, and Ro-28-2653, a more specific inhibitor of gelatinases and membrane type 1-MMP, could be beneficial in reducing the MMP-mediated vascular dysfunction and the progressive vessel wall damage associated with vascular disease.
Contraceptive Use in Female Recipients of a Solid-Organ Transplant:

Context—Women of reproductive age account for more than one-third of all solid-organ transplant recipients and are advised against becoming pregnant for 1 to 2 years after their surgeries. The risks posed to the woman, the transplanted organ, and the fetus underscore the importance of systems to ensure that patients receive counseling on family planning, including return to fertility, contraceptive use, and when pregnancy can be safely considered, and highly effective methods of contraception.Objective—To investigate use of contraceptives among women after solid-organ transplant and to identify opportunities to improve care.Design—A cross-sectional survey study.Setting—An urban academic medical center.Patients—Women 18 to 50 years old who have received a kidney, pancreas, and/or liver transplant within the past 1 to 24 months.Intervention—Participants completed self-administered questionnaires regarding their menstrual pattern, pregnancy history, contraceptive use before and after transplant, and counseli...
Abstract IA20: Framing therapeutic opportunities in tumor-activated gametogenic programs

Tumors frequently activate genes whose expression is otherwise restricted to gametogenic tissues. These genes, the Cancer/Testes-antigens (CTA, CT-antigens), were originally identified by virtue of the humoral immune response they invoked in cancer patients. Given their germ line biased expression pattern, CT-antigens may afford the potential for an extraordinary therapeutic window, if they are required for tumor cell proliferation and survival. However, functional roles for CT-antigens in tumorigenesis and any efficacy as therapeutic intervention points have not been extensively investigated. Recently, our group and others have implicated CT-antigens in supporting mitotic fidelity, p53 silencing and retinoic acid signaling to promote tumorigenesis. This data indicates that gametogenic genes anomalously expressed in tumors can functionally buttress neoplastic phenotypes. To generate a more comprehensive understanding of the functional roles of CTAs in the tumorigenic setting, we have employed an unbiased, multi-dimensional, loss of function discovery platform to systematically assess the contribution of CT-antigens to a range of oncogenic signaling pathways and phenotypes. This effort has revealed that distinct CTA9s can support many of the hallmarks of cancer, including: 1) enhanced energy production 2) hijacking developmental programs that promote self-renewal and metastases 3) modulation of cell-fate programs that support proliferation 4) adaption to low oxygen conditions inherent in the tumor microenvironment and 5) activation of survival and inflammatory signaling. These findings suggests that reactivation of these primordial genes may impact a broad spectrum of signaling mechanisms and cell biological behaviors that promote tumor growth and survival. Thus, CT-antigens present previously unrecognized tumor-specific vulnerabilities that may be exploited for therapeutic intervention. Citation Format: Angelique Whitehurst. Framing therapeutic opportunities in tumor-activated gametogenic programs. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Precision Medicine Series: Synthetic Lethal Approaches to Cancer Vulnerabilities; May 17-20, 2013; Bellevue, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(5 Suppl):Abstract nr IA20.
Motorola's Experiences in Designing the Internet of Things

The Internet of Things will enable connectivity for virtually any physical object that potentially offers a message, and will affect every aspect of life and business. This article looks at the concepts and technologies in three application areas that Motorola is contributing to now and in the coming years.
Jargon and its Analogues

Summary In two patients with jargon aphasia, verbal stereotypy, echolalia and “officialese” appeared in the course of recovery. It is suggested that these forms of language are analogous to jargon in that while the content lacks referential meaning, they serve as a mode of adaptation to stress.
Targeting the tumor microenvironment with anti-neu/anti-CD40 conjugated nanoparticles for the induction of antitumor immune responses

Clinical and preclinical data indicate that immunotherapeutic interventions could induce immune responses capable of controlling or retard the tumor growth. However, immunotherapies need to be further optimized. We hypothesized that a more effective strategy for tumor eradication is to directly target the tumor microenvironment in order to generate a proinflammatory response and induce a localized antitumor immune response capable of eliminating the tumor cells. Nanoparticles have been proven to be an effective delivery system. In these studies we evaluated conjugated anti-RNEU and anti-CD40 antibodies onto PLA-(poly dl-lactic acid)-biodegradable nanoparticles (PLA-NP) for the induction of antitumor immune responses. The anti-neu/anti-CD40-NP were functional in vitro recognizing RNEU(+) tumors and activating dendritic cells. The delivery of anti-neu/anti-CD40-NP but not anti-neu-NP or anti-CD40-NP induced an antitumor response resulting in complete tumor elimination and generation of protective memory responses. The anti-neu/anti-CD40-NP specifically activated an antitumor response against RNEU(+) tumors but not against RNEU(-) tumors. The antitumor immune responses correlate with the induction of a Th1-proinflammatory response, reduction in the number of Tregs within the tumor and activation of a specific cytotoxic response. These results indicate that anti-neu/anti-CD40-NP with immunomodulatory properties are safe and can be used effectively as cancer vaccines strategy for the specific induction of antitumor immune responses.
The role of thermionic emission in meteor physics

Abstract We solve the simultaneous equations for continuity of charge, mass, momentum and energy of a meteoroid entering the Earth's atmosphere to study its charging, deceleration, mass loss and heating along its path. In this analysis we also include the effects of thermionic emission from the frictionally heated meteoroid, which hitherto have not been considered. We have limited our analysis to the free-molecular regime which corresponds to meteoroids of radius ⩽1 cm in our altitude range of interest (H⩾80 km ) . We have also limited our treatment to the night side of the Earth so as to avoid the complicating role of photoemission while emphasizing the role of thermionic emission. Our results show that, while the same meteoroid can change its charge polarity during flight, meteoroids with widely different material work functions could have opposite polarity at the same altitude. We find out that, while the escaping thermionic electrons do not constitute a significant source of energy loss from the surface, they could be a larger source of meteoric electrons at high altitude compared to electrons produced by the ablation process, particularly if the work function of the meteoroid is sufficiently small (i.e W⩽2 eV ). Furthermore we find that the altitude range of meteoric ionization is larger than in the case when ionization is due only to collisions between sublimating molecules and background molecules. In addition the ionization has an earlier onset and a later shut-off.