cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Curcumin and omega-3 fatty acids enhance NK cell-induced apoptosis of pancreatic cancer cells but curcumin inhibits interferon-γ production: benefits of omega-3 with curcumin against cancer

STAT-3 and STAT-1 signaling have opposite effects in oncogenesis with STAT-3 acting as an oncogene and STAT-1 exerting anti-oncogenic activities through interferon-γ and interferon-α. The cytokine IL-6 promotes oncogenesis by stimulation of NFκB and STAT-3 signaling. Curcuminoids have bi-functional effects by blocking NFκB anti-apoptotic signaling but also blocking anti-oncogenic STAT-1 signaling and interferon-γ production. In our recent study (unpublished work [1]) in pancreatic cancer cell cultures, curcuminoids enhanced cancer cell apoptosis both directly and by potentiating natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxic function. The cytotoxic effects of curcuminoids were increased by incubation of cancer cells and NK cells in an emulsion with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants (Smartfish), which enhanced cancer cell apoptosis and protected NK cells against degradation. However, as also shown by others, curcuminoids blocked interferon-γ production by NK cells. The combined use of curcuminoids and omega-3 in cancer immunotherapy will require deeper understanding of their in vivo interactions with the immune system.
Bile acid secretion and biliary bile acid composition altered by cholecystectomy.

After cholecystectomy, bile secretion is continuous and 24-hour bile acid output exceeds that in health. Cholecystokinin-pancreozymin (CCK-PZ) influences neither bile acid secretion nor the bile acid composition of bile after the operation. It is proposed that the absence of the gallbladder causes more rapid enterohepatic recycling of bile acids and therefore increased bile acid secretion. The bile acid composition of bile following cholecystectomy is abnormal for the same reasons. A high proportion of secondary bile acids is present, including several found to be keto bile acids, and this is attributed to increased exposure of the bile acid pool to degradation by intestinal microorganisms.
Rhodium(III) complexes with sterically-hindered thiolate ligands. Crystal structures of [Rh(2-SC5H3N-3-SiMe3)3] and [Rh(2-SC5H3N-3-SiMe3)2(C5Me5)]·CH3CN

Abstract The complex [Rh(2-SC5H3N-3-SiMe3)3] (1) may be prepared by the reaction of Rh(NO3)3 with 2-HSC5H3N-3-SiMe3 in ethanol. The structure of 1 is similar to that of [Rh(2-SC5H4N)3]. The reaction of [Rh(C5Me5)Cl2]2 with 2-HSC5H3N-3-SiMe3 in acetonitrile yields [Rh(2-SC5H3N-3- SiMe3)2(C5Me5)]·CH3CN (2), whose structure exhibits two distinct types of pyridinethiolato ligation: monodentate through the S donor and bidentate through S and N donors. Crystal data: 1, orthorhombic, Pbca, a=23.444(4), b=21.138(4), c=13.348(2) A, V=6615.1(12) A3, Z=8; 2, monoclinic, C2/c, a=18.978(3), b=14.437(2), c=24.309(5) A, β=100.09(1)°, V=6557.4(11) A3, Z=8.
Spironolactone Suppresses the Frequency of Ventricular Arrhythmias among Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators

Spironolactone Suppresses the Frequency of Ventricular Arrhythmias among Patients With Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction and Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators Abdul Wase, Zulfiqar Mirza, Aparna Innaparthy, Anwarul Kabir, Muhammed B. Quraishi, Ronald Markert; Internal Medicine/Cardiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, Good Samaritan Hospital, Dayton, OH; Internal Medicine, WrigWright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH; Educational Research, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Dayton, OH
Multiple Resuscitation Regimens in a Near‐fatal Porcine Aortic Injury Hemorrhage Model

Objective: To compare early and delayed blood administrations in animals subjected to near-fatal hemorrhage in the presence of a vascular injury and resuscitated to different mean arterial pressures (MAPs). Methods: Fifty-four immature swine with 4-mm infrarenal aortic tears were bled to a pulse pressure of 5 torr and then resuscitated (estimated blood loss 40 to 45 mL/kg). Groups I, II, and III were resuscitated with shed blood at a rate of 2 mL/kg/min, followed by normal saline at a rate of 6 mL/kg/min. Groups IV, V, and VI received the same fluids in reverse order. The fluids were infused intermittently to maintain MAPs of 40, 60, and 80 torr. The animals were observed for 60 minutes or until death. Results: The animals resuscitated to a MAP of 80 torr experienced significantly higher intraperitoneal hemorrhage volumes and mortality than did the animals intentionally maintained hypotensive, regardless of whether blood or normal saline was administered first. There was no significant difference in mortality or hemorrhage volumes between any of the groups intentionally maintained hypotensive. The animals maintained at a MAP of 60 torr were significantly less acidotic than were the animals resuscitated with the same fluid regimen but to a MAP of 40 torr. Early blood administration also minimized the acidosis associated with hypotensive resuscitation. Conclusion: In this model of near-fatal hemorrhage with a vascular injury, maintenance of the hypotensive state produced comparable improvements in one-hour survival and reductions in hemorrhage volume regardless of whether blood or saline was administered first. Although hypotensive resuscitation resulted in improved outcome, it was associated with significant acidosis. This effect was minimized with moderate rather than severe underresuscitation and early blood administration.
Partial-Wave Analysis of Spinor Bethe-Salpeter Equations for Single-Particle Exchange

The Bethe-Salpeter equation for spin-$\frac{1}{2}$ particles is analyzed by the use of helicity amplitudes. Decomposition into partial-wave amplitudes reduces the equation into three subsets of eight coupled integral equations, one set for singlet states, one set for triplet states ($L=J$), and one set for the coupled triplet states ($L=J\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1$). Both positive- and negative-energy states are included. Matrix elements are written for interaction kernels that come from single-particle exchange. The cases treated are scalar, pseudoscalar, and photon exchanges. Detailed expressions are given in the general case when all particles are off the mass shell, both for the full Bethe-Salpeter equation and for all the partial-wave equations.
The biogeochemistry of the suboxic and anoxic zones in the cariaco basin

Los estudios realizados en la Fosa de Cariaco durante una decada han demostrado que la interfaz sub-oxica en este sistema posee una variabilidad temporal y espacial, siendo el habitat de una comunidad microbiana diversa y activa. La circulacion en la cuenca, caracterizada por intrusiones ricas en oxigeno desde los umbrales oriental y occidental, controla aparentemente el espesor y la estructura de la zona sub-oxica. Las poblaciones microbianas, las cuales incluyen microorganismos heterotroficos y quimioautotroficos, crecen activamente a un ritmo que no es posible que se sostenga mediante el transporte vertical de oxidantes y reductores. La presente investigacion sugiere que el anillo microbiano depende de la utilizacion de especies del azufre con estados de oxidacion intermedio (sulfito, tiosulfato y S elemental) acoplada posiblemente con el ciclo de los oxidos metalicos. La produccion de estas especies se mantiene por procesos activos de intrusion y por el transporte desde el continente de hierro y oxidos metalicos durante los episodios lluviosos.
The Intermediate-mass Stellar Population of the Large Magellanic Cloud Cluster NGC 1818 and the Universality of the Stellar Initial Mass Function*

We present stellar photometry from Hubble Space Telescope images of NGC 1818, a young populous star cluster in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The cluster stars in both the core and the outlying regions are well resolved, and the photometry extends to a V magnitude of 26, corresponding approximately to a K4 V star. With the use of isochrones, we compute a stellar initial mass function (IMF) for stars from 0.85 to 9 M☉. The slope of the mass function is -1.23 ± 0.08, which is close to the Salpeter (1955) slope of -1.35. The NGC 1818 star cluster represents a star forming event intermediate between that of open clusters and of globular clusters in terms of the mass of stars formed and their spatial concentration. The products of the star forming event itself, as a diagnostic of the physical processes, indicate that star formation in NGC 1818 proceeded in a manner similar to that in events that are both less and more concentrated or rich in stars. We compare IMF slopes that have been measured from star counts in clusters and associations in Local Group galaxies, and we conclude that for young stellar clusters and associations the IMF is independent of the spatial concentration of the stars formed, the richness of stars formed, galactic characteristics including metallicity, and, at least down to 0.85 M☉, the stellar mass range.
Cyanide-induced alteration of cytosolic pH: Involvement of cellular hydrogen ion handling processes

Neuronal cells exposed to cyanide rapidly lose the capacity to regulate internal Ca2+ homeostasis, thereby accumulating an excess cytosolic Ca2+ load. The present study was undertaken to examine the effects of KCN on another important ion: hydrogen ion. KCN (1-10 mM) rapidly decreased intracellular pH (pHi) of cultured pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells as indicated by the pH-sensitive fluorescent dye 2',7-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. Removal of Ca2+ from the media or pretreating the cells with diltiazem (10(-5) M), a calcium channel blocker, delayed the onset and reduced the magnitude of the drop in pHi. Lowering the pH of the incubation medium (pHo) to 6.9 exaggerated the drop in pHi, while raising it to 7.9 attenuated the change in pHi. Removal of Na+ from the media enhanced the cyanide effect. Reintroduction of Na+ or substitution with Li+ reversed the cytosolic acidification, suggesting involvement of the Na+/H+ exchanger in the cyanide action. Pretreatment of cells with amiloride, 0.2 mM, blunted the cytosolic acidification induced by KCN, possibly by decreasing intracellular Na+ accumulation and disrupting H+ efflux. Cyanide thus produces a rapid dysfunction of hydrogen ion handling mechanisms and this may play a role in cyanide neurotoxicity.
Further Investigations in the Spectro-Isotopic Assay Technique for Lithium

Photoelectric methods have been applied to a spectro-isotopic technique for the analysis of isotopes of lithium utilizing the isotope shift of 0.16 angstrom. Sample time and precision have been considerably improved due to both the photoelectric method and improvements in hollow cathode and source design. At the 30 percent isotope abundance level the precision of analysis is ±0.46 percent of the lower abundance isotope.
Optimization and uncertainty estimates of WMO regression models for the systematic bias adjustment of NLDAS precipitation in the United States

[1] World Meteorological Organization (WMO) regression models for precipitation gauge bias developed by Goodison et al. (1998) were optimized using the very fast simulated annealing algorithm. The regression model uncertainties were estimated by use of a Bayesian stochastic inversion (BSI) algorithm. Legates and Willmott's (1990) precipitation correction factors database (applicable to average monthly conditions) were used to constrain model parameters. Daily wind speed, air temperature, and precipitation from the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) were used as input for the WMO regression models in the United States. The results show that the optimal regression model is reasonably bounded by the WMO Alter-shielded and unshielded models for both rain and snow. The optimized regression model, aside from reproducing reasonably well the Legates-Willmott average monthly adjustment factors, also describes daily and interannual variation of precipitation correction factors. The relations among model parameters and model uncertainties, including regression parameter uncertainty and input data uncertainty, are examined. The results show strong relations between regression model uncertainties and uncertain NLDAS wind speed. Uncertainty of NLDAS data has little effect on optimization of the WMO regression model. However, it has significant effects on uncertainty of the regression model parameters and the precipitation correction factors.
Pattern Recognition Relevant To Multiaperture Optics

Multiaperture optics deals with image formation employing a large number of optical elements, the insect eye being an example. If the apposition design is used, each optical element creates one pixel only, although due to FOV overlap, there may be some additional information collected. The consequence is that multiaperture optics devices produce a relatively small number of pixels. This presents a challenge to any pattern recognition procedure by requiring it to make assumptions on the information content concerning the spaces between the pixels. Another challenge for pattern recognition, common for all systems, is speed. Therefore, time should not be wasted in examining dead zones in the field. The algorithm presented here meets the first challenge by transforming the presented image into a combination of rectangles of varying aspect ratios. The second challenge is met by selectively examining only those data locations known to be responsive and eliminating any blank space above and below the pattern. This process consists of three stages: 1) an essentially random distribution of data points is converted into rectangular form; 2) these rectangles are then converted into a series of "code elements" which are actually equal to the value of their aspect ratios; 3) this pattern of code elements is then compared to numbers representing some known patterns to achieve identification. The algorithm relies heavily on the concept of a-priori knowl-edge as well as recognizing a fairly small universe of patterns.
Parametrically excited nonlinear piezoelectric compact wind turbine

Abstract A nonlinear piezoelectric rotary transducer is developed that makes compact low speed wind generators realizable. Compact wind generators provide power to sensor nodes in remote or hard to reach locations. Since the locations of the sensor nodes are not optimized in terms of wind speed, the compact wind generators should be able to produce power from low speed wind. At smaller scales piezoelectric transduction becomes more effective than electromagnetic transduction. Therefore one way of realizing the compact wind turbines is by replacing the electromagnetic generator with a piezoelectric transducer. This work presents a novel piezoelectric transducer where the rotation of the blades results in large oscillations of piezoelectric beams. The piezoelectric bimorphs are made bi-stable by incorporation of repelling magnetic force. The Magnetic force is due to interaction of permanent magnets at the tip of the beams with permanent magnets rotating with the blades. Since the magnetic force changes with blade rotation, the dynamics of the beams changes in time and the system is thus parametrically excited. Two configurations are presented one called tangential configuration and the other is radial configuration. An 80 mm × 80 mm × 175 mm nonlinear piezoelectric wind generator can generate milliwatts of power from wind as slow as 2 ms −1 . The proposed compact wind generators are experimentally investigated in two steps. First the piezoelectric transducer is examined through constant rotational speed tests. Second wind tunnel experiments are performed to characterize the entire wind generator. An analytical model is developed for the piezoelectric rotational transducer. The model is verified with the experimental results. The nonlinear phenomena captured by the experimental investigations are explained using the analytical model. The model is also used for more case studies identifying specifically the effect of parametric excitations.
Perceived Risk of Fat and Fiber Intake of New Mexicans

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To determine the perceived risk of developing selected diseases related to fat and fiber in the diet of New Mexicans. Using a survey instrument which was validated and pilot tested, a random sample of 601 New Mexicans were surveyed; after consideration of non deliverable surveys, responses were received from 272 (52.4%). Respondents were asked a series of attitudinal questions about their perceived risk of developing selected diseases (heart disease and selected cancers) related to fat and fiber in the diet When asked if the amount of fat in the diet was related to heart disease and cancer, 95% Agreed (A) or Strongly Agreed (SA) related to heart disease; only 52% A or SA related to cancer. A similar question was asked related to the risk of developing heart disease if the diet contained high amounts of saturated fat As with the relationship of fat and heart disease, 95% of the participants indicated that eating a diet high in saturated fat increased the risk of this condition. When asked if increasing fiber in the diet would decreased the risk of heart disease, 61% of the respondents A or SA; slightly over 68% A or SA related to cancer. To see if respondents could relate the term fiber to foods in the diet, respondents were asked if increasing vegetables, fruits and grains in the diet would decrease the risk of heart disease and cancer. About 89% A or SA that increasing these foods in the diet would decrease the risk of heart disease; only 58% A or SA that eating more of these foods would decrease the risk of selected cancers. Such data appear to indicate that nutrition education related to fat and saturated fat increasing ones risk of heart disease is recognized by the participants in New Mexico. Such information is significant because the traditional diet in this state is high in fat. Data related to fiber in the diet leave the impression that more nutrition education about consumption of fiber, in general, decreasing the risk of heart disease and selected cancers is needed. It appears that the public in New Mexico needs further input about the foods (fruits, vegetables and grains) which provide fiber that may decrease the risk of selected cancers. This need may be function of the New Mexican diet having appreciable amounts of grains and legumes but limited amounts of fruits and vegetables.
Individual Differences in Course Choice Result in Underestimation of the Validity of College Admissions Systems

We demonstrate that the validity of SAT scores and high school grade point averages (GPAs) as predictors of academic performance has been underestimated because of previous studies' reliance on flawed performance indicators (i.e., college GPA) that are contaminated by the effects of individual differences in course choice. We controlled for this contamination by predicting individual course grades, instead of GPAs, in a data set containing more than 5 million college grades for 167,816 students. Percentage of variance accounted for by SAT scores and high school GPAs was 30 to 40% lower when the criteria were freshman and cumulative GPAs than when the criteria were individual course grades. SAT scores and high school GPAs together accounted for between 44 and 62% of the variance in college grades. This study provides new estimates of the criterion-related validity of SAT scores and high school GPAs, and highlights the care that must be taken in choosing appropriate criteria in validity studies.
Polarized two-photon fluorescence excitation spectra of indole and benzimidazole

Abstract Polarized two-photon fluorescence excitation spectra of indole in hexane, benzimidazole in isopropanol, and benzimidazole cation in methanol-H2SO4, all at 0.2 M and 25°C are reported for the excitation range 470–600 nm, the region of their Lb, and La bands. Relative two-photon absorptivities are deduced by correcting for different fluorescence response and are compared to toluene's Lb band. The indole integrated absorptivity is about 10 times greater than that of toluene. The La band of indole appears less dominant than in one-photon but still outweighs the Lb band by a factor of 4. The two-photon polarization spectrum for indole indicates that the La origin lies ≈500–1000 cm−1 above the Lb origin in hexane. The benzimidazoles absorb only about twice as strongly as toluene and show strong vibronic peaks; the La, bands are only faintly seen. Two-photon properties calculated from INDO/S CI wavefunctions with doubly excited configurations are in good agreement with those of indole, but predict the benzimidazole TPA to be several times stronger than observed. For the cation, the predicted results are nearly two orders of magnitude too high.
Clairlib: A Toolkit for Natural Language Processing, Information Retrieval, and Network Analysis

In this paper we present Clairlib, an open-source toolkit for Natural Language Processing, Information Retrieval, and Network Analysis. Clairlib provides an integrated framework intended to simplify a number of generic tasks within and across those three areas. It has a command-line interface, a graphical interface, and a documented API. Clairlib is compatible with all the common platforms and operating systems. In addition to its own functionality, it provides interfaces to external software and corpora. Clairlib comes with a comprehensive documentation and a rich set of tutorials and visual demos.
Hierarchical Collective I/O Scheduling for High-Performance Computing

The non-contiguous access pattern of many scientific applications results in a large number of I/O requests, which can seriously limit the data-access performance. Collective I/O has been widely used to address this issue. However, the performance of collective I/O could be dramatically degraded in today's high-performance computing systems due to the increasing shuffle cost caused by highly concurrent data accesses. This situation tends to be even worse as many applications become more and more data intensive. Previous research has primarily focused on optimizing I/O access cost in collective I/O but largely ignored the shuffle cost involved. Previous works assume that the lowest average response time leads to the best QoS and performance, while that is not always true for collective requests when considering the additional shuffle cost. In this study, we propose a new hierarchical I/O scheduling (HIO) algorithm to address the increasing shuffle cost in collective I/O. The fundamental idea is to schedule applications' I/O requests based on a shuffle cost analysis to achieve the optimal overall performance, instead of achieving optimal I/O accesses only. The algorithm is currently evaluated with the MPICH3 and PVFS2. Both theoretical analysis and experimental tests show that the proposed hierarchical I/O scheduling has a potential in addressing the degraded performance issue of collective I/O with highly concurrent accesses. Hierarchical I/O scheduling for two phase collective I/O.In-depth cost analysis of collective I/O.A model to predict the shuffle cost.Implementation in MPI-IO and PVFS file systems.Concurrent applications' cost analysis and comparison.
mTOR and Epileptogenesis in Developmental Brain Malformations

Tuberous sclerosis complex and related malformations of cortical development represent common developmental causes of intractable epilepsy. Abnormalities in the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway may be central to the pathophysiology of epilepsy and other neurologic deficits in these disorders and serve as a rational target for antiepileptogenic or disease-modifying therapies. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/books).
Design of block-structured LDPC codes for iterative receivers with soft sphere detection

In this paper we design block-structured LDPC codes for iterative MIMO receivers with soft sphere detection in particular channel environments. The receiver EXIT charts are used as a design tool. The main design constraint is to preserve the block-structure of parity-check matrices supporting modular semi-parallel decoder architectures. We show that newly designed block-structured code profiles provide improved error-rate performance of between 0.5 dB and 1 dB in different channel environments for moderate codeword size.
Endothelium-Dependent Dilation of Feline Cerebral Arteries: Role of Membrane Potential and Cyclic Nucleotides:

The objective of this study was to characterize the role of membrane potential and cyclic nucleotides in endothelium-dependent dilation of cerebral arteries. Middle cerebral arteries isolated from cats were depolarized and constricted in response to serotonin or when subjected to transmural pressures >50 mm Hg. Acetylcholine (ACh) and ADP caused vasodilation and a sustained, dose-dependent hyperpolarization of up to 20 mV in this artery. The membrane potential change preceded the vasodilation by ∼6 s. Hyperpolarizations and dilations to ACh and ADP did not occur in preparations without endothelium. The hyperpolarizations were abolished by ouabain (10−5M), which also blocked the dilator response to ACh. However, dilations to ADP were unaffected by ouabain. Methylene blue (5 × 10−5M), a guanylate cyclase inhibitor, had no effect on the responses to ACh or ADP in the presence or absence of ouabain. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels were not altered in cerebral arteries exposed to ACh or ADP. Howev...
Trusted computing - opportunities & risks

Computer security is undeniably important in IT era nowdays. Most computer users today are fighting for - either by battling viruses, spam, phishing or other malware, or by fending off schemes to compromise privacy and extract confidential information. With these worries in mind, the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) was established to develop specifications for trusted computing building blocks and software interfaces that could address the problems and aims to enhance security by using the transitive properties of trust. However, the implementation of this technology seems to have consequences for many people. At present, there is no standard mechanism for establishing trust in the Trusted Computing (TC) on a particular machine. The TC specification is not rigidly defined when it comes to implementation, leaving many open issues for research and development efforts. There are major issues, especially related to privacy. One big worry is the potential loss of anonymity and the threat of unwanted surveillance and even control. TC also affects areas other than purely technical ones. The capabilities of TC technology have legal as well as economic consequences. The main legal concerns are copyright, anti-trust law, data privacy law and digital rights management, the impact on which are not yet clear. This paper will discuss the TC in concept and study on the opportunities and risks of the system in existing computing system environment particularly related to security matters.
Optimized design of an integrated eddy-current and friction brake for automotive applications

Conventional friction braking suffers severe limitations. The concept of integrated contactless magnetic brake was invented to remedy to these problems. The integrated brake combines a conventional friction brake with an eddy-current brake. The present work analyses the braking performance requirements for passenger automobiles and the design of an integrated brake to meet these requirements. Analytical and numerical simulations are used in the design process.
Effect of Zinc Deficiency during Lactation on Postnatal Growth and Development of Rats

The effect of dietary zinc deficiency on the lactating female rat and on the postnatal development of the suckling young was investigated. Female Sprague- Dawley rats were fed either a zinc-supplemented ( 100 ppm zinc ) or a zinc-deficient (0.4 ppm zinc) purified diet throughout lactation. Inanition controls received the zinc- supplemented diet in amounts restricted to the mean daily food intake of the deficient animals. Zinc deficiency during lactation rapidly reduced maternal blood plasma zinc con centration and caused an impairment in milk production which was specifically due to the lack of zinc rather than to inanition. In addition, the milk produced was lower in zinc content than that of either ad libitum or restricted-fed controls. As a consequence, pups suckling zinc-deficient lactating females received half the amount of zinc that the control pups received on the basis of body weight. Thus they became zinc-deficient with reduced plasma zinc concentration, symptoms of zinc deficiency, impaired growth, and increased mortality. J. Nutr. 104: 828-842, 1974.
Synthesis, characterization and crystal structures of boron-containing intermediates in the reductive amination of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde to a bis(ferrocenylmethyl) amine

Reaction of ferrocenecarboxaldehyde with aqueous methylamine leads to [(methylimino)methyl]ferrocene, which is reduced to N(ferrocenylmethyl)-N-methylamine by NaBH4. This amine reacts with ferrocenecarboxaldehyde and NaCNBH3 to give the tertiary ammonium salt, di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-N-methylammonium cyanoborohydride. Hydrolysis of the NaCNBH3 reaction mixture produces the free amine, di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-N-methylamine. Thermolysis of di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-N-methylammonium cyanoborohydride in refluxing tetrahydrofuran converts it to the cyanoborane adduct, di(N-ferrocenylmethyl)-N-methylamine– cyanoborane, with elimination of H2. The new compounds are fully characterized by using spectroscopic and physical methods, including X-ray crystal structure determinations of di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-N-methylammonium cyanoborohydride, di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-N-methylamine, and di(N-(ferrocenylmethyl))-N-methylamine–cyanoborane. � 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Parallelizable stable explicit numerical integration for efficient circuit simulation

This work exploits the recently developed telescopic projective numerical integration method for efficient parallel circuit simulation. Stable explicit numerical integration is achieved by adopting an explicit inner integrator (e.g. forward Euler) in a multi-level telescopic projective framework, thereby addressing the well-known stability limitation of many explicit numerical integration methods. In the presented approach, the effective time step of the entire multi-level integration is no longer limited by the smallest time constant of the circuit so as to safeguard stability. Rather, it is controlled solely by the accuracy requirement. This makes it possible to explore the natural parallelizability of such explicit integration method for parallel circuit simulation. We demonstrate the potential of the presented approach and its parallel implementation on multi-core machines with encouraging initial results.
The ecology of mother–infant interaction in Euro-American and immigrant Central American families living in the United States.

In an attempt to explore cultural and subcultural similarities and variations in the patterns of child care, two culturally and economically distinct groups were studied. Twenty-one 3-month-old infants had well-educated Euro-American mothers and another 17 had recently migrated Central American mothers. Observations of parent-infant interaction and behaviour were conducted at home throughout the day to ensure coverage of com plete 12-hour cycles. Descriptive analyses revealed remarkable similarities and few differences in the everyday experiences of infants in these two diverse groups. Both groups of mothers spent most of their time playing with, feeding, or caring for their infants. Fathers spent little time with their infants during the day but their presence affected the amount of time spent in various contexts, with significantly less object play occurring when the fathers were present. M other and infant vocalisations and mutual attention occurred more frequently during social interaction and caretak...
Mycobacterium avium arthritis with extra-articular abscess in a patient with mixed connective tissue disease.

A case of Mycobacterium avium arthritis in a 39-year-old female patient with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) was reported. An extra-articular abscess had formed outside the knee joint and extended down the calf. A culture was taken of the abscess and synovial fluid disclosed Mycobacteriun avium. This was resistant to most anti-tuberculosis agents. A combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs followed a total resection of the abscess. We concluded that M avium septic arthritis could insidiously develop into an extra-articular abscess. A combination of anti-tuberculosis drugs with a total resection of the abscess was an effective treatment.
Latent Membrane Protein 2B Regulates Susceptibility to Induction of Lytic Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

The B-lymphotropic Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes two isoforms of latent membrane protein 2 (LMP2), LMP2A and LMP2B, which are expressed during latency in B cells. The function of LMP2B is largely unknown, whereas LMP2A blocks B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling transduction and induction of lytic EBV infection, thereby promoting B-cell survival. Transfection experiments on LMP2B in EBV-negative B cells and the silencing of LMP2B in EBV-harboring Burkitt's lymphoma-derived Akata cells suggest that LMP2B interferes with the function of LMP2A, but the role of LMP2B in the presence of functional EBV has not been established. Here, LMP2B, LMP2A, or both were overexpressed in EBV-harboring Akata cells to study the function of LMP2B. The overexpression of LMP2B increased the magnitude of EBV switching from its latent to its lytic form upon BCR cross-linking, as indicated by a more-enhanced upregulation and expression of EBV lytic genes and significantly increased production of transforming EBV compared to Akata vector control cells or LMP2A-overexpressing cells. Moreover, LMP2B lowered the degree of BCR cross-linking required to induce lytic EBV infection. Finally, LMP2B colocalized with LMP2A as demonstrated by immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence and restored calcium mobilization upon BCR cross-linking, a signaling process inhibited by LMP2A. Thus, our findings suggest that LMP2B negatively regulates the function of LMP2A in preventing the switch from latent to lytic EBV replication.
The influence of tyrosine, phenylpyruvate and vitamin B 6 upon seizure thresholds.

— Thresholds to the first appearance of a myoclonic jerk and to the appearance of tonic-clonic seizures induced by the convulsant, hexafiuorodiethyl ether, were examined in immature rats at sequential time intervals following the administration of L-tyrosine, L-phenylalanine, Na-phenylpyruvate and several forms of vitamin B6. l-Tyrosine failed to lower either seizure threshold even though plasma and brain levels of tyrosine exceeded those obtained with a dose of phenylalanine that was effective in lowering threshold. Na-phenylpyruvate lowered both seizure thresholds at a time that correlated with elevation of brain phenylalanine. Pyridoxine hydrochloride, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate and pyridoxamine phosphate all lowered both seizure thresholds. The time course and dose dependency of the effects of B6 vitamers were examined; the effect of phenylalanine on seizure threshold was unrelated to derived tyrosine or phenylpyruvate and vitamin B6 was not involved. The enhanced cerebral excitability following administration of B6 vitamers is discussed.
Penetration of cuticle and proliferation in hemolymph by Paecilomyces fumosoroseus isolates that differ in virulence against lepidopteran larvae.

Frequencies of cuticular penetration and speed of proliferation in hemolymph were demonstrated for two isolates of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus that differ in virulence against diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Penetrant hyphae of virulent isolate 4461 were visible in larval cuticle cross-sections of diamondback moth and fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, within 22 h after inoculation. Virtually no penetration was observed for isolate 1576 for up to 52 h after inoculation. Isolate 4461 also proliferated more quickly than isolate 1576 in the hemolymph of fall armyworm when the isolates were injected as blastospores.
Evolution in management of adolescent blunt aortic injuries—a single institution 22-y experience

Abstract Background In children, severe, life-threatening traumatic injuries of the thoracic aorta can be seen after motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) resulting in a sudden deceleration. Concurrent injuries in the thorax and abdomen can make treatment prioritization difficult and require early recognition and prompt intervention. With the increased utilization of minimally invasive endovascular approaches to traumatic aortic (TA) injuries, patients are often spared the increased surgical morbidity (spinal cord ischemia and renal insults) that can be seen with an open technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate a single American College of Surgeons level 1 pediatric trauma center's 22-y experience with TA injuries in children. Methods After the Institutional Review Board approval, a 22-y (January 1990–April 2013) retrospective review of all pediatric trauma patients admitted with TA injuries was performed. Patient demographics including age, injury detail, treatment, and outcomes were recorded for analysis. Results 17 children ( versus 22.5 d using the open approach ( P Conclusions TA injuries are an uncommon injury in children and can result from MVCs or other sudden deceleration mechanisms. Surgical intervention is required in most of the cases and can be performed safely and effectively with low morbidity using an endovascular approach, which is the evolving approach of choice for thoracic aortic injuries. Lengthy follow-up care is recommended in children treated with an endovascular device to monitor for endoleaks and device complications.
Osteopontin Reduced Hypoxia–Ischemia Neonatal Brain Injury by Suppression of Apoptosis in a Rat Pup Model

Background and Purpose—Osteopontin (OPN) is neuroprotective in ischemic brain injuries in adult experimental models; therefore, we hypothesized that OPN would provide neuroprotection and improve long-term neurological function in the immature brain after hypoxic–ischemic (HI) injury. Methods—HI was induced by unilateral ligation of the right carotid artery followed by hypoxia (8% O2 for 2 hours) in postnatal Day 7 rats. OPN (0.03 μg or 0.1 μg) was injected intracerebroventricularly at 1 hour post-HI. Temporal expression of endogenous OPN was evaluated in the normal rat brain at the age of 0, 4, 7, 11, 14, and 21 days and in the ipsilateral hemisphere after HI. The effects of OPN were evaluated using 2-3-5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, apoptotic cell death assay, and cleaved caspase-3 expression. Neurological function was assessed by the Morris water maze test. Results—Endogenous OPN expression in the brain was the highest at the age of 0 day with continuous reduction until the age of 21 days du...
Space-indexed dynamic programming: learning to follow trajectories

We consider the task of learning to accurately follow a trajectory in a vehicle such as a car or helicopter. A number of dynamic programming algorithms such as Differential Dynamic Programming (DDP) and Policy Search by Dynamic Programming (PSDP), can efficiently compute non-stationary policies for these tasks --- such policies in general are well-suited to trajectory following since they can easily generate different control actions at different times in order to follow the trajectory. However, a weakness of these algorithms is that their policies are time-indexed, in that they apply different policies depending on the current time. This is problematic since 1) the current time may not correspond well to where we are along the trajectory and 2) the uncertainty over states can prevent these algorithms from finding any good policies at all. In this paper we propose a method for space-indexed dynamic programming that overcomes both these difficulties. We begin by showing how a dynamical system can be rewritten in terms of a spatial index variable (i.e., how far along the trajectory we are) rather than as a function of time. We then use these space-indexed dynamical systems to derive space-indexed version of the DDP and PSDP algorithms. Finally, we show that these algorithms perform well on a variety of control tasks, both in simulation and on real systems.
Two Gene Determinants Are Differentially Involved in the Biogenesis of Fap1 Precursors in Streptococcus parasanguis

Mature Fap1, a 200-kDa fimbria-associated adhesin, is required for fimbrial biogenesis and biofilm formation in Streptococcus parasanguis. Fap1-like proteins are found in the genomes of many streptococcal and staphylococcal species. Fap1 is a serine-rich glycoprotein modified by O-linked glycan moieties. In this study, we identified a seven-gene cluster including secY2, orf1, orf2, orf3, secA2, gtf1, and gtf2 that is localized immediately downstream of fap1. The lower G+C contents and the presence of a putative transposase element suggest that this gene cluster was horizontally transferred from other bacteria and represents a genomic island. At least two genes in this island mediated Fap1 biogenesis. Mutation of a glucosyltransferase (Gtf1) gene led to accumulation of a Fap1 precursor, which had no detectable glycan moieties. Inactivation of a gene coding for an accessory Sec protein (SecY2) resulted in expression of a distinct Fap1 precursor, which reacted with one glycan-specific Fap1 antibody but not with another glycan-specific antibody. Furthermore, partially glycosylated Fap1 was detected on the cell surface and in the culture supernatant. These data suggest that SecY2 has a role in complete glycosylation of Fap1 and imply that SecY2 is not the only translocation channel for the Fap1 precursor and that alternative secretion machinery exists. Together, Gtf1 and SecY2 are involved in biogenesis of two distinct Fap1 precursors in S. parasanguis. Discovery of the effect of an accessory Sec protein on Fap1 glycosylation suggests that Fap1 secretion and glycosylation are coupled during Fap1 biogenesis.
Quantitative comparison of myeloid antigens on five lineages of mature peripheral blood cells.

Five-dimensional flow cytometry was used to identify the 5 lineages of peripheral blood leukocytes simultaneously in a single cell preparation. This technique was then used to compare quantitatively the distribution of cell surface antigens on each of these lineages of cells. Neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes were uniquely identified by correlating their forward and orthogonal light scattering signals with the amount of cell surface-bound IgE. These three cellular characteristics were combined with two additional immunofluorescence labels to create a 5-dimensional space in which each leukocyte population occupied a unique position. The relative quantities of antigens on each cell type were determined for the monoclonal antibodies CDi i b, CDi3, CDi4, CD15, CD16, CD33, CD38, CD45, CD45R, anti-HLA-DR, and anti-Leu-8 labeled with either fluorescein or phycoerythrin. The amount of antigen was described by the mean fluorescence intensity in comparison with the background fluorescence of each cell type. The distribution of the different cell surface antigens on the 5 major leukocyte populations as well as their interdonor variation were then correlated for iO normal donors. Since none of the antigens studied was lineage specific, it was shown that the different lineages of blood cells could clearly be identified by quantitative comparison of the antigens. This study provides the basis for discrimination between mature cells and immature stages of differentiation of leukocytes and for distinction between normal and leukemic cells.
Association of Sleep Duration and Quality With Alterations in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary Adrenocortical Axis: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

Context: Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality are associated with cardiovascular outcomes. One mechanism proposed to explain this association is altered diurnal cortisol secretion. Objective: The objective of the study was to examine the associations of sleep duration and sleep quality with diurnal salivary cortisol levels. Design: This was a cross-sectional analysis using data from examination 5 (2010–2012) of the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. Actigraphy-based measures of sleep duration and efficiency were collected over 7 days, and salivary cortisol samples were collected over 2 days from participants aged 54–93 years (n = 600 with analyzable data). Results: Shorter average sleep duration (<6 h/night) was associated with less pronounced late decline in cortisol [2.2% difference in slope; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8–3.7; P ≤ .01] and less pronounced wake-to-bed slope (2.2% difference; 95% CI 1.0–3.4; P ≤ .001) compared with longer sleep duration (≥6 h/night). Lower sleep efficiency (...
Sonication-induced scission of molecular bottlebrushes: Implications of the “hairy” architecture

Abstract Polymer bottlebrushes may be viewed as hairy flexible cylinders with a long backbone and a thick corona of densely grafted polymer chains. The corona not only controls the bottlebrush diameter, but also provides an additional drag force. We report the study of backbone scission by external forces caused by ultrasonication. A series of bottlebrushes with the same backbone and different side-chain lengths was prepared by ATRP. Bond fracture was induced by pulsed ultrasound in a dilute chloroform solution and ex-situ monitored through molecular imaging of reaction products by atomic force microscopy. The scission rate was found to increase with side chain length, while the limiting length of fractured bottlebrushes displayed a decrease. The experiment showed a good agreement with the Rouse model of polymer dynamics, which suggests that solvent drains through the corona of bottlebrush side-chains.
Chromatic Aberration Short-Wave Infrared Spectroscopy: Nanoparticle Spectra without a Spectrometer

A new method is described for measuring the short-wave infrared (SWIR) emission wavelengths of numerous individual nanoparticles without using a dedicated spectrometer. Microscope objectives design...
Changes in Amount of Active Groups of Soybean Protein during its Gel Formation Process

From the viewpoint of soybean protein gel utilization for human foods, studies on the conditions affecting on the chewiness or physical properties of the gels were already reported by the author. In this paper, changes of the dye binding abilities and the amount of SH group of the protein during gel formation process were investigated.Any changes on the dye binding abilities of the protein were not observed during gel formation process of protein pastes, in both cases of acid dye and basic dye.The amount of SH group in protein extract from undenatured soybean meal was affected by heat treatment, and after the amount of SH group reached about maximum in the range of 50-80°C, the SH group decreased rapidly. SH group in the protein paste obtained from unheated extract also decreased with the heating temperature rapidly especially in the range of 60-90°C. But in the case of the protein paste from heated extract, the amount of SH group showed low level without depending on the heating temperature, and was equal to those of the protein pastes heated above 90°C from unheated extract.Based on the above results, the structure of the protein network was discussed in relation to gel formation of soybean protein.
Effect of Decreased Mn and Increased V on Impact Toughness of Q345 Tower Steel

For different Mn and V contents,microstructure and impact properties of Q345 tower steel were analyzed.The results indicated that pearlite colony and ferrite with lager size were formed in the steel containing higher Mn content(1.49wt%).The addition of V refined the pearlite colony and the ferrite.In other elements remaining unchanged,adding more Mn content could enhance the impact properties of the steel,while increasing slight V content was able to significantly improve the impact properties of the steel.The fracture of the steel samples illustrated dimple fracture.While the steel containing a higher amount of V,the size of dimple was relatively small and uniform on the fracture surface.