cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Syncytium Formation by Recombinant HTLV-II Envelope Glycoprotein

Abstract Infection by human T-cell leukemia viruses (HTLV-I and HTLV-II) induces syncytium formation in certain cell types in vitro. Recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the HTLV-II envelope (Env) gp61-II were used to infect human cells, and syncytium formation was observed, demonstrating that HTLV-II Env expression was sufficient to mediate syncytium formation in appropriate cells. This syncytium formation could be blocked by sera from HTLV-II-infected individuals. Infection with these recombinant vaccinia viruses caused fusion in mouse/human hybrid cells containing only human chromosome 17, whereas there was no obvious syncytium formation in mouse cells. This fusogenic phenotype of recombinant gp61-II is likely a property of the specific interaction between HTLV-II envelope protein and the HTLV cellular receptor, encoded by a gene that was previously indicated to be on human chromosome 17. On this basis, we developed a sensitive syncytium formation assay, using lacZ gene activation, for detecting the presence of the HTLV receptor(s). We used this fusion assay to test for HTLV receptor activity on a variety of cells. Our findings indicate that the HTLV receptor is widely distributed among species and cell types, including, to a limited extent, murine cells.
Factors associated with rapid progression to knee arthroplasty: Complete analysis of three-year data from the osteoarthritis initiative

Abstract Objectives Only a few studies have identified prognostic factors indicating risk of future knee arthroplasty in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) is a National Institutes of Health and privately funded cohort study of 4796 persons with or at high risk of knee OA. The OAI is ideally suited to a more extensive study of knee arthroplasty prognostic factors than has been undertaken. The purpose of our study was to identify patient factors which predict rapid progression to knee arthroplasty, defined as arthroplasty within three years of baseline data collection. Methods We used alternating logistic regression models to analyze complete three year follow-up data from the OAI on 4670 persons with, or at risk for knee OA, aged 45 to 79 years during the years 2004 to 2008. Results A total of 128 knees (116 persons) underwent knee arthroplasty during the study period. After adjusting for known prognostic factors, several previously unidentified predictors of future knee arthroplasty were found including past history of knee surgery (RR = 2.04, 95% CI = 1.33, 3.13), knee flexion contracture in degrees (RR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02, 1.11) and pain, on a 0 to 10 scale, with active knee flexion (RR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.04, 2.39). Discussion/Conclusions This study identifies new and easily measured clinical variables that are associated with more rapid progression to arthroplasty. The data may help to inform both physicians and patients of medical history and clinical examination findings most highly associated with short-term arthroplasty.
Free radicals and ischemic tissue injury

There is growing evidence that reperfusion of ischemic organs is associated with the formation of free radicals that exacerbate the ischemic injury. Free radicals may damage viable tissue via the peroxidation of lipids and oxidation of protein sulfhydryl groups, leading to perturbations of membrane permeability and enzyme function. Steven Werns and Benedict Lucchesi discuss evidence that activated neutrophils are an important source of free radicals after cardiac and intestinal ischemia, and assess the strategies that have been investigated as ways of alleviating damage caused by free radicals during ischemia-reperfusion.
Experimental Study and Optimization of a 2.44 Meter Vertical Axis Wind Turbine

Vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) have long been considered a viable source for alternative energy; however, limited published research has contributed to limited technological advancement in these machines. Slower advancements are due, in part, to their complex aerodynamic models which include wake effects, vortex shedding, and cyclical blade angles of attack and Reynolds numbers. VAWTs are believed to hold several advantages over their more popular and better studied horizontal axis counterparts, including a simpler design and better efficiencies in lower wind speeds. They may have a unique niche in standalone applications at moderate wind speeds such as on an island, a remote military installation, or an inland farm. Currently, no published design standards or criteria exist for optimizing the physical properties of these turbines to maximize power output. A 2.44 m tall VAWT prototype with variable physical parameters was constructed for wind tunnel testing. The purpose of the experiment was to maximize the turbine’s power output by optimizing its physical configuration within the given parameters. These parameters included rotor radius, blade chord length, and pitch offset angle. The prototype was designed as a scaled-down model of a potential future VAWT unit that may be used to sustain a small farm or 2–4 houses. The wind tunnel consisted of a 2.74 m by 1.52 m cross section and could produce maximum wind speeds of 3.56 m/s. The turbine prototype consisted of three sets of interchangeable blades featuring two airfoils of varying chord length. Spokes of varying length allowed for rotor radii of 190.5, 317.5, and 444.5 mm. The pitch offset of the blades was varied from 0°–20° with a focus on the 10°–16° range as preliminary results suggested that this was the optimal range for this turbine. Ramp-up and steady-state rotational speeds were recorded as the blades were interchanged and the turbine radius was varied. A disk brake provided braking torque so that power coefficients could be estimated. This study successfully optimized the turbine’s power output within the given set of test parameters. The importance of finding an appropriate aspect ratio and pitch offset angle are clearly demonstrated in the results. A systematic approach to small scale wind tunnel testing prior to implementation is presented in this paper.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Uncertainty Quantification in Structural Health Monitoring

Structural health monitoring (SHM) involves detection, isolation and quantification of damage in engineering systems. This paper focuses on methods for the quantification of uncertainty in each of these procedures, in the context of continuous online monitoring. Sources of uncertainty include, but are not limited to, physical variability, measurement uncertainty and model uncertainty. Damage detection is based on statistical hypothesis testing whose uncertainty can be captured easily. Isolation is based on the comparison of fault signatures and sometimes the observed signatures may not uniquely isolate faults, thus causing uncertainty in fault isolation. A metric based on least squares is proposed to assess the confidence in fault isolation, when the fault signatures fail to isolate faults uniquely. The uncertainty in damage quantification is evaluated through statistical non-linear regression and confidence limits for the damage parameter are calculated. The procedures are then illustrated using two types of example problems, a structural frame and a hydraulic actuation system.
CONTAINERLESS MEASUREMENT OF LIQUID-LIQUID SURFACE TENSION OF A DEMIXING LEAD BORATE COMPOSITION IN SPACE

Abstract A description is given of a method by which the liquid-liquid interfacial tension between the end member compositions of a phase-separating PbO–B2O3 composition can be directly measured. The technique is based upon the rotation of a compound droplet (consisting of the two end member compositions) in a containerless facility in a microgravity environment. A discussion is given of the theoretical basis for the determination of the liquid-liquid surface tension as well as the experimental procedure to be used. In addition, calculations are presented which illustrate some potential limitations of this method.
Lecture-Free Engineering Education

There are numerous references in the engineering-education literature to how effective “active learning” is, and how our traditional lecture style is not necessarily the most effective way to teach. The author tried active learning in my own classes for the last several years, mostly having the students work in small groups on examples, collecting questions, etc. However, the author found it very difficult to escape the “sage on the stage” lecture paradigm. In engineering, it seems as if the students need a certain amount of basic information before we can have effective discussion, group work, etc. Thus, this paper describes her experiment using pre-class video lectures to replace the traditional lecture, and to leave class time for active problem solving and exposure to engineering applications. The author was extremely pleased with the results in her classroom, and hope these ideas might help others try similar methods.
Stability of solids with interfaces

Abstract S tability , in the sense of limits to the uniqueness of solutions to quasi-static boundary value problems, is investigated for two semi-infinite solids bonded along a planar interface. The interface is characterized by a traction-displacement jump relation, so that dimensional considerations introduce a characteristic length. Stability is addressed in terms of the existence of certain stationary waves. Complex variable methods are exploited to obtain an explicit solution when the interface instability precedes bulk localization. Particular cases are analyzed that illustrate a range of behaviors. Under certain conditions, a minimum wavelength for the instability mode is predicted that is at least one to two orders of magnitude larger than the interface constitutive characteristic length. A post-bifurcation analysis, carried out for linear elastic material behavior, shows how the instability plays a role in the transition from a uniform mode of separation to crack-like behavior. The results obtained suggest a mechanism for the size dependence of the failure mode.
β-mannosidosis: prenatal biochemical and morphological characteristics

Caprine β-mannosidosis, an autosomal recessive disorder of glycoprotein catabolism, as yet undetected in man, was expressed in a 96/150 day gestation goat fetus. Deficiency of plasma, kidney, brain, liver and skin fibroblast acidic β-mannosidase activity was associated witht he accumulation of tissue oligosaccharides. Characteristic lucent cytoplasmic lysosomal storage vacuoles were present in the brain, thyroid, kidney and other tissues. Axonal spheroids were present in the central nervous system. The biochemical and morphological prenatal expressions of β-mannosidosis which were documented by this investigation may facilitate the identification of the disease in man.
Useful and necessary features in a general interprocess communication facility

Different interprocess communication facilities(IPC) are compared to come up with a set of facilities that will serve most needs. Example facilities and problems are considered. A set of 10 features is found to satisfy almost all requirements. All are discussed at the user level.
Ar+ in the terrestrial ionosphere

The Ar(+) densities in the terrestrial ionosphere are computed for both low and high solar activity models. The reaction N2(+)(v greater than 0) + Ar yields N2 + Ar(+) is found to be a significant source of Ar(+) nearly equal to photoionization and electron impact ionization in the high solar activity model. Peak densities of Ar(+) of 11 per cu cm near 190 km and 22 per cu cm near 220 km are predicted for the low and high solar activity models. It is suggested that a simultaneous measurement of Ar(+) and Ar densities would provide a test for the presence of vibrationally excited N2(+) in the terrestrial ionosphere.
Resolvins and protectins: Natural pharmacophores for resolution biology

Dietary ingestion of fish is associated with a reduced risk for many common human illnesses. Fish oils are enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. Resolvins and protectins are newly discovered mediators that are enzymatically generated from these n-3 fatty acid precursors to orchestrate inflammation resolution. These natural compounds and their mimetics are providing intriguing evidence in model systems and translational research for cellular and molecular mechanisms that are active during catabasis. This review provides information on the biosynthesis and actions of these recently identified chemical mediators with particular reference to resolution of mucosal inflammatory responses.
The role of the G protein γ2 subunit in opioid antinociception in mice

Abstract We examined the role of the γ2 subunit of G proteins (Gγ2) in the antinociception produced by c[D-Pen2,D-Pen5]enkephalin (DPDPE) in mice. DPDPE produced 84.0±9.0% antinociception in vehicle-treated mice. After intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) treatment with an antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide to the Gγ2 subunit, DPDPE-mediated antinociception decreased to 24.4±7.4%. The mismatch phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide-treated mice showed 65.1±10.3% antinociception, while the missense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide-treated mice showed 76.4±23.6% antinociception by DPDPE. The reduction of analgesia in antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotide-treated mice was significant in comparison with vehicle-treated (P
Development of Textured Microstructures in Ceramics with Large Thermal Expansion Anisotropy

Fe_2TiO_5 exhibits a high degree of anisotropy in both thermal expansion and paramagnetic susceptibility. Anisotropy in paramagnetic susceptibility allows textured microstructures to be produced using magnetically-assisted grain alignment during sample fabrication. The resulting solid-state sintered aligned samples had a b-axis orientation coefficient of 3.33 (vs 6.60 for an aligned powder–epoxy suspension) where an orientation coefficient of 1 represents a randomly-oriented sample. This texturing reduced the residual stresses generated from the large thermal expansion anisotropy of the control samples, as evidenced by reduced microcracking and morphological texturing of the aligned microstructure.
A Simplified Method to Estimate Cooling Energy Savings From Night Ventilation for Office Buildings

This paper provides a simplified analysis method and to evaluate the potential of night ventilation to save cooling energy for office buildings. Specifically, impacts on cooling energy performance are investigated for various combinations of night ventilation flow rates and duration periods. The analysis results indicate that an increase of ventilation duration period and volume rate leads to greater night ventilation benefits for dwellings located in Denver, CO. However, an increase of the ventilation volume rate above 5 air changes per hour has a little impact on cooling energy savings. When the ventilation period is short (less than 10 hours), and the flow rate is high (more than 3 ACH), the cooling energy savings from night ventilation increase linearly with the ventilation duration period length. A simplified calculation method has been developed based on the results of a series of parametric simulation analyses. Commercial building designers and operators can use the proposed simplified calculation tool to assess the effectiveness of night ventilation in reducing cooling energy use.© 2007 ASME
Robotic total pancreatectomy with or without autologous islet cell transplantation: replication of an open technique through a minimal access approach

Background Total pancreatectomy (TP) is a morbid but sometimes necessary operation. Robotic TP is not often reported but may harbor some advantages compared to the open approach. This manuscript details a single institution’s outcomes and technique of robotic TP. An accompanying video demonstrates a robotic TP with auto islet cell transplantation (IAT) in which (1) the arterial blood supply and venous drainage are kept intact until the last step of the TP to minimize warm ischemia time and (2) extirpation of the entire pancreas is performed without dividing the pancreatic neck to maximize islet recovery.
Deformation by moving interfaces (deformation twinning) in monoclinic zirconia (Baddeleyite)

Abstract Deformation in many crystalline solids can occur by the motion of glissile interfaces. Martensitic phase transformations and deformation twinning are the most important such processes, and compete with conventional dislocation motion for inducing plastic deformation. The formation and migration of such glissile interfaces is important, not least because their motion can be induced on occasion at stresses much lower than those needed for dislocation generation and motion. A description of deformation twinning in formal terms using a matrix algebraic format will be presented and applied to twinning around microhardness indents in synthetic monoclinic ZrO 2 (Baddeleyite) single crystals.
Neurite outgrowth on nanofiber scaffolds with different orders, structures, and surface properties.

Electrospun nanofibers can be readily assembled into various types of scaffolds for applications in neural tissue engineering. The objective of this study is to examine and understand the unique patterns of neurite outgrowth from primary dorsal root ganglia (DRG) cultured on scaffolds of electrospun nanofibers having different orders, structures, and surface properties. We found that the neurites extended radially outward from the DRG main body without specific directionality when cultured on a nonwoven mat of randomly oriented nanofibers. In contrast, the neurites preferentially extended along the long axis of fiber when cultured on a parallel array of aligned nanofibers. When seeded at the border between regions of aligned and random nanofibers, the same DRG simultaneously expressed aligned and random neurite fields in response to the underlying nanofibers. When cultured on a double-layered scaffold where the nanofibers in each layer were aligned along a different direction, the neurites were found to b...
Use of the porous balloon in porcine coronary arteries: rationale for low pressure and volume delivery

Using agents administered systemically, attempts to control the restenotic myoproliferative response associated with angioplasty have been unsuccessful. The porous balloon has the advantage of achieving high local concentrations by directly infusing agents into the arterial wall. The purpose of this study is to identify any acute and chronic morphological changes in swine coronary arteries infused with normal saline through the porous balloon at different driving pressures. In order to establish the safety of local arterial wall infusion through the porous balloon, swine underwent porous balloon infusion of 3,6, or 10 ml of saline at 5 atmospheres, or infusion of 3 ml of normal saline delivered at either 2, 5, or 10 atmospheres of pressure into the normal left anterior descending and left circumflex arteries. To assess the histopathologic alterations induced by the porous balloon, sized 1.1 to 1 with respect to the artery, animals were sacrificed either immediately after porous balloon infusion or 14 days later. Acute vessels were evaluated for the presence of medial injury, disruption and/or dissection, whereas chronic vessels underwent morphometric analysis measuring the residual luminal area (Lumen area/Intimal area + Lumen area) and the maximal intimal thickness. Adequate adventitial penetration was confirmed by infusing as little as 2–3 ml of methylene blue at 2 atmospheres of pressure. Infusion of 3 ml of normal saline at 2 atmospheres resulted in minor focal medial edema and disorganization, detected both acutely and 14 days after porous balloon infusion. At delivery pressures of 5 or 10 atmospheres, proportionally more acute injury was noted and measurable neointimal lesions were observed 2 weeks after infusion. These data indicate that porous balloon infusion of 3 ml of normal saline at 2 atmospheres was safe and resulted in only minimal medial edema of normal swine coronary arteries. Higher pressure or volume delivery proportionally increased the degree of injury and contributed to the development of neointima.© 1993 Wlley-Liss, Inc
Metastatic Melanoma Presenting as Cardiac Mass and Hemobilia

We present a rare case of malignant melanoma of unknown primary origin presenting as cardiac and cholecystic masses. In this 72-year-old man, a cardiac lesion caused right ventricular outlet obstruction, and gallbladder lesions led to hemobilia. Right atrial and gallbladder metastases were resected. After 2 years of disease-free survival, the patient had recurrent skin lesions, which were treated with local resection and dacarbazine. The patient has survived for more than 5 years after initial diagnosis, with continued complete clinical remission. This case illustrates the importance of aggressive surgical resection and chemotherapy in the treatment of metastatic malignant melanoma.
WGSQuikr: Fast Whole-Genome Shotgun Metagenomic Classification

With the decrease in cost and increase in output of whole-genome shotgun technologies, many metagenomic studies are utilizing this approach in lieu of the more traditional 16S rRNA amplicon technique. Due to the large number of relatively short reads output from whole-genome shotgun technologies, there is a need for fast and accurate short-read OTU classifiers. While there are relatively fast and accurate algorithms available, such as MetaPhlAn, MetaPhyler, PhyloPythiaS, and PhymmBL, these algorithms still classify samples in a read-by-read fashion and so execution times can range from hours to days on large datasets. We introduce WGSQuikr, a reconstruction method which can compute a vector of taxonomic assignments and their proportions in the sample with remarkable speed and accuracy. We demonstrate on simulated data that WGSQuikr is typically more accurate and up to an order of magnitude faster than the aforementioned classification algorithms. We also verify the utility of WGSQuikr on real biological data in the form of a mock community. WGSQuikr is a Whole-Genome Shotgun QUadratic, Iterative, -mer based Reconstruction method which extends the previously introduced 16S rRNA-based algorithm Quikr. A MATLAB implementation of WGSQuikr is available at: http://sourceforge.net/projects/wgsquikr.
Good barriers make good neighbors

The human brain exists in a unique environment, shielded from the blood and conditioned by its own remarkably active metabolism, yet dependent on the blood-brain interface to import nutrients and remove waste. Age-related decline in brain function is almost certainly caused by multiplexed pathways that incorporate intrinsic brain failure, worsening systemic environment, and accumulation of toxic metabolic waste. If we could identify and monitor alterations in an organ that reflects the determinants of age-associated decline, we might better understand how these changes arise and perhaps even counteract them. On page 89 in this issue, Baruch et al. ( 1 ) have done just that. They studied gene expression in a series of organs from young and old mice. The authors propose that the choroid plexus—a specialized structure lying deep within the brain—may provide a readout of the brain's overall status and may potentially mediate some facets of debility during aging.
Using hazards assessment to prevent loss of containment

Preventing loss of containment of materials and/or energy is a primary goal of industrial Process Safety Management programs. A thorough understanding of the hazards, identification of a complete range of failure events, detailed analysis of the consequences of failure events, and the analysis of process risks accounting for all the safeguards can help significantly in preventing and mitigating loss of containment incidents. In this article, additional details are provided on hazard assessment approaches, consequence analysis of potential events, and risk analysis for minimizing risks. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2010
Crystal structure of CpWOs3(CO)9(μ-O)(μ3-CCH2Tol), a tetrahedral oxo-alkylidyne complex derived from a planar μ3-μ2-acyl complex

Abstract The heterometallic cluster complex CpWOs3(CO)9(μ-O)(μ-CCH2Tol), previously prepared by pyrolysis of the planar μ3-η2-acyl complex CpWOs3(CO)11[μ3-η2-OCCH2Tol], crystallizes in the centrosymmetric triclinic space group P 1 with a 9.7041(25), b 9.7829(27), c 14.5992(39) A, α 108.106(22), β 93.805(21), γ 94.565(22)°, V 1307.1(6) A3 D(calcd) 3.06 g cm-3 for Z = 2 and mol. wt. 1204.8. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (Mo-Kα, 2θ 4.5–45.0°) were collected on a Syntex P21 automated four-circle diffractometer and the structure was refined to R 3.9% for all 3438 data (R 3.3% for those 3101 data with F0 > 3σ(|F0|). The molecule contains a tetrahedral WOs3 core associated with 60 valence electrons. The μ3-η2-acyl fragment of the precursor has undergone scission, leading to separate μ-oxo and μ3-CCH2Tol moieties. The μ-oxo ligand is linked by a double bond to tungsten (W=O 1.812(7) A) and via a single donor bond to Os(1) (Os(1)← : O 2.169(8) A, with ∠WOOs(1) 83.46(31)°. The μ-alkylidyne ligand is linked to a WOs2 face, with WC 2.030(12), Os(1)C 2.291(12) and Os(2)C 2.100(10) A. The O(oxo)⋯C(alkylidyne) separation is now 3.15 A and is clearly non-bonding.
7.1.3 Accelerating the Development of Senior Systems Engineers

As more senior systems engineers are needed to handle the increasing complexity of contemporary systems, there is an increasing need to accelerate the development of these senior professionals. However, the process of efficiently developing a senior systems engineer is not well-understood. To compact this problem, the skill set needed by senior systems engineers continues to broaden as system complexity increases and as system boundaries expand. In order to better understand the mechanisms that most effectively and efficiently develop these individuals, this article discusses enablers, barriers, and precursors to this development process. In addition to reviewing related literature, specific interventions currently used to accelerate systems thinking development are discussed. Findings from ongoing research related to this topic provide preliminary information about current understanding and practice. Better understanding of systems thinking development provides a foundation for educational interventions and employee development in systems thinking for engineering professionals across industry, government, and academia.
Implementation Issues in Turbo Decoding for 3GPP FDD Receiver

In the Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) mode of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard, implementation of the turbo decoder, especially for the mobile equipments, faces design decisions related to computational complexity, power efficiency, and memory requirements. In this paper we compare different approaches of low complexity implementation of the turbo decoder, with emphasis on the issues of signal scaling and quantization, the sliding window operation for memory size reduction and the iteration stopping algorithms. The demodulated signal at the output of the RAKE receiver may have a wide dynamic range and it may require many bits of precision. In order to overcome the numerical precision problem and to prevent Log Likelihood ratio (LLR) metric overflow, a scaling algorithm must be used. Our simulation results indicate that the Average Absolute (AA) algorithm using dynamic scaling outperforms other scaling schemes and it is less sensitive to the channel conditions. One of the major challenges in the implementation of a practical turbo decoder is optimization of memory requirements. In this paper we evaluate the performance of the sliding window algorithm using different main and guard window sizes. We show that the bit and block error rate performance of the sliding window scheme mainly depend on the guard window size rather than the main window size. The simulation results indicate that small guard window sizes can significantly decrease the iteration gain for large frames in fast fading channels. Iteration stopping algorithms reduce the power consumption and the latency of the decoder and help to dedicate more resources to other functions of the receiver. The block error distribution in the fading channels makes it even more essential to use an iteration stopping rule. Our simulations conclude that a rule called the minimum absolute value appears to be a very effective, low complexity and robust algorithm.
How organizational culture influences outcome information utilization.

Abstract This article reports the results of a study of organizational culture and the local-level utilization of the client outcome information data that is generated as part of a continuous evaluation of the Texas Children’s Mental Health Plan. An in-depth study of utilization patterns was conducted at four local mental health authorities. Findings demonstrate that using outcome information in organizational decision making is grounded in the organizational culture of the information users. Developing a better understanding of the organizational culture in which a quality improvement process is implemented can provide insight into what strategies an organization might undertake to improve readiness for implementation.
Neuroaxonal Dystrophy and Down's Syndrome: Report of a Case

• An infant girl with Down's syndrome at birth manifested only mild developmental delay during the first 18 months of life. During the next six months, however, progressive deterioration in cognitive and motor function emerged. Thorough clinical and biochemical evaluation failed to determine the origin of the sensorimotor neuropathy, visual dysfunction, abnormal eye movements, and intellectual decline that developed. A sural nerve biopsy specimen revealed structures typical of neuroaxonal dystrophy.
Paradoxical role of tumor necrosis factor α in fumonisin-induced hepatotoxicity in mice

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) is involved in fumonisin-induced hepatotoxic effects in mice. The hepatic response to fumonisin B1 (FB1) was reduced in transgenic animals lacking either of the two TNFα receptors. In the present study, we hypothesized that the effect of a similar fumonisin treatment in animals lacking either TNFα or both TNFα receptors would be considerably less than their wild type (WT) counterparts. The FB1-induced increase in circulating liver enzymes was enhanced by deletion of TNFα or unchanged in mice lacking both TNFα receptors. These findings corresponded with the degree of toxicity as established by microscopic examination of liver. FB1 induced the expression of TNFα in the liver of all strains, except the animals with a deleted TNFα gene. The FB1-mediated increases in liver sphingosine or sphinganine paralleled the hepatotoxic responses. It is apparent that the presence of TNFα is not necessary for FB1-induced hepatotoxicity in mice and a lack of the function of this cytokine may aggravate the hepatotoxic responses to fumonisins, perhaps by preventing repair mechanisms or by expression of other signaling molecules. These observations were in accordance with our previous finding where over-expression of TNFα also protected against FB1-mediated hepatotoxicity, and with the reported beneficial functions of low-level TNFα in tissue regeneration.
A clade of trypsins found in cold-adapted fish.

A clade of trypsins, known as group III, is identified by phylogenetic analysis. These trypsins occur in fish that spend all or part of their lives at temperatures near 0 degrees C and may represent extreme psychrophilic enzymes. A principal component analysis of amino acid compositions distinguishes group III from mesophilic trypsins, as do molecular trees and multidimensional scaling of molecular sequence distances. The primary sequences of group III trypsins, in conjunction with the known structures of mesophilic trypsins, permit insight into function and mechanisms of cold adaption. The techniques employed are broadly applicable to phylogenies characterized by a markedly different, or "fast-evolving," clade. An updated lactate dehydrogenase molecular tree illustrates an additional fast-evolving clade.
Does Prosthesis Diameter Matter? The Relationship Between Voice Prosthesis Diameter and Complications

Objective. To assess the impact of tracheoesophageal voice prosthesis diameter and treatment status on prosthesis-related complications.Study Design. Historical cohort study.Setting. Single academi...
Deal or No Deal? Evaluating Big Deals and Their Journals.

This paper presents methods to develop metrics that compare Big Deal journal packages and the journals within those packages. Deal-level metrics guide selection of a Big Deal for termination. Journal-level metrics guide selection of individual subscriptions from journals previously provided by a terminated deal. The paper argues that, while the proposed metrics provide helpful quantitative data for comparative analysis, selection of individual subscriptions must also involve informed judgment about a library’s subject coverage needs and alternative sources of access. The paper also discusses how replacing a Big Deal with a reduced number of individual subscriptions may affect the collections budget, use of other resources, and interlibrary loan.
Vibration suppression of unknown flexible payloads using a wrist mounted force/torque sensor for remote manipulator systems

The problem of control design for robotic arms manipulating unknown flexible payloads is considered. Control design based on neglecting the internal dynamics of the payload will result in degraded performance, increased task execution time, and even failure in performing tasks. At the same time, the characteristics of payloads to be handled vary with application. These considerations make it impractical to outfit the payload with sensors. A novel scheme utilizing a force/torque sensor at the wrist of the manipulator is introduced. A controller utilizing the wrist torque feedback from the sensor is designed as a function of parameters of the payload dynamics. An adaptive scheme for online identification of these parameters and adaptation of controller parameters is discussed. The scheme is implemented on a single-link manipulator carrying a flexible unknown payload. Experimental results validate the fact that the adaptive control maintains a robust performance for high speed slewing and varying payloads. >
Activation of the Retinoid X Receptor Modulates Angiotensin II-Induced Smooth Muscle Gene Expression and Inflammation in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The retinoid X receptor (RXR) partners with numerous nuclear receptors, such as the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) family, liver X receptors (LXRs), and farnesoid X receptor (FXR). Although each heterodimer can be activated by specific ligands, a subset of these receptors, defined as permissive nuclear receptors, can also be activated by RXR agonists known as rexinoids. Many individual RXR heterodimers have beneficial effects in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Because rexinoids can potently activate multiple RXR pathways, we hypothesized that treating SMCs with rexinoids would more effectively reverse the pathophysiologic effects of angiotensin II than an individual heterodimer agonist. Cultured rat aortic SMCs were pretreated with either an RXR agonist (bexarotene or 9-cis retinoic acid) or vehicle (dimethylsulfoxide) for 24 hours before stimulation with angiotensin II. Compared with dimethylsulfoxide, bexarotene blocked angiotensin II-induced SM contractile gene induction (calponin and smooth muscle-α-actin) and protein synthesis ([3H]leucine incorporation). Bexarotene also decreased angiotensin II-mediated inflammation, as measured by decreased expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase but not extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) or protein kinase B (Akt) was also blunted by bexarotene. We compared bexarotene to five agonists of nuclear receptors (PPARα, PPARγ, PPARδ, LXR, and FXR). Bexarotene had a greater effect on calponin reduction, MCP-1 inhibition, and p38 MAP kinase inhibition than any individual agonist. PPARγ knockout cells demonstrated blunted responses to bexarotene, indicating that PPARγ is necessary for the effects of bexarotene. These data demonstrate that RXR is a potent modulator of angiotensin II-mediated responses in the vasculature, partially through inhibition of p38.
GRID and Optical Networks: How to Bridge the Gap

By utilizing high-performance networks and end-systems, we show the challenges and approaches to making the underlying networking capabilities fully available to applications through impedance matching of the entire application-middleware-network execution and data paths.
Non Functional Requirements for IT Convergence and Infrastructure

IT convergence based applications rely on an amalgamation of different technologies to provide various functionalities. In designing such applications, the primary focus is on integrating the appropriate technologies to deliver the required functionalities and services. While the functional requirements drive this process, sufficient care needs to be provided to non functional requirements (NFRs) to ensure that the applications meet the requirements and add value. This paper outlines the important NFRs related to IT convergence and discusses how to measure the reliability NFR for IT infrastructure through an example.
Functionalized ruthenatricarbadecaboranes via selective cage iodination and Sonogashira coupling reactions

Selective iodination of the cyclopentadienylruthenium tricarbadecaboranyl complexes 1-( η 5 -C 5 H 5 )–2-Ph– closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 9 ( 1 ) and 1-( η 5 -C 5 (CH 3 ) 5 )–2-Ph– closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 8 ( 2 ) to form their mono-iodo derivatives, 1-( η 5 -C 5 H 5 )–2-Ph–6-I– closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 9 ( 3 ) and 1-( η 5 -C 5 (CH 3 ) 5 )–2-Ph–6-I– closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 8 ( 4 ), was achieved in 90% yields by their reactions with ICl in CH 2 Cl 2 solutions. Also isolated in trace amounts from the reaction with 2 was the di-iodo 1-( η 5 -C 5 (CH 3 ) 5 )–2-Ph–6,11-I 2 – closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 7 , ( 5 ) complex. The sonication-promoted Sonogashira coupling reaction of 3 with terminal acetylenes catalyzed by Pd(dppf)Cl 2 /CuI yielded the functionalized ruthenatricarbadecaboranyl complexes 1-( η 5 -C 5 H 5 )–2-Ph–6-(Ph-C≡C)– closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 8 ( 6 ), 1-( η 5 -C 5 H 5 )–2-Ph–6-[CH 3 CH 2 C(O)OCH 2 -C≡C]– closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 8 ( 7 ), 1-( η 5 -C 5 H 5 )–2-Ph–6-[( η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Fe( η 5 -C 5 H 4 )-C≡C]– closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 8 ( 8 ) and 1-( η 5 -C 5 H 5 )–2-Ph–6-[(CH 3 ) 3 Si-C≡C]– closo -1,2,3,4-RuC 3 B 7 H 8 ( 9 ). These reactions thus provide a versatile, systematic pathway for the syntheses of a wide variety of new types of functionalized ruthenatricarbadecaboranyl complexes.
The Well-Being of the Health Care Environment for CSHCN and Their Families: A Latent Variable Approach

Using structural equation modeling, we sought to assess the system of services for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) and their families by using 14 key indicators of functional abilities of CSHCN, health insurance coverage, access to care, and the impact of their conditions on their families. METHODS: With data from the 2001 and 2005-2006 National Surveys of Children With Special Health Care Needs, we used confirmatory factor analysis for ordered-categorical measures to model the relationship between an indirectly observed (ie, latent) variable and the key indica- tors and evaluate changes in this relationship over time. RESULTS: For both survey periods, a single-factor model fit well. The latent construct was defined as the well-being of the health care envi- ronment for CSHCN and their families. Family financial problems caused by the child's condition, unmet needs for family support ser- vices, and negative impact on employment were most strongly related to the latent well-being construct. The lowest levels of the well-being construct were associated with families that had unmet needs for support services, CSHCN who lacked a usual place for care, and fami- lies that spent11 hours/week providing or coordinating care. CSHCN and their families with family-centered care and with adequate health insurance were likely to have average or better levels of the well-being construct. Mean levels of the well-being construct were unchanged over time. CONCLUSIONS: The 14 key indicators can be used to reliably assess a single latent construct. The relative ordering of the indicators' thresh- olds (a model parameter) may be useful for guiding pediatricians' evaluations of the health care environment for CSHCN and their fami- lies. Researchers may use the scores available from the latent-variable model to assess outcomes related to the health care environment and the system of services for CSHCN and their families. Pediatrics 2009; 124:S361-S367
Infections with Chryseomonas luteola (CDC group Ve-1) and Flavimonas oryzihabitans (CDC group Ve-2) in neurosurgical patients

During a 20-month period at Temple University Hospital, three cases of infection with bacteria of the Ve group--Chryseomonas luteola (CDC group Ve-1) and Flavimonas oryzihabitans (CDC group Ve-2)--were seen in neurosurgical patients. Two of the patients, including one with what is thought to be the first reported case of meningitis due to C. luteola, had complications caused by prosthetic material. A review of the literature revealed 14 well-described cases of infection with C. luteola or F. oryzihabitans, the majority of which were cases of bacteremia or peritonitis in patients undergoing dialysis. The presence of foreign material and the use of corticosteroids may predispose to and influence the course of disease. As prosthetic material becomes even more widely used, the incidence of infection with bacteria of the Ve group will likely increase and the manifestations of the infections will probably become more varied.
Significance of Splanchnic Proteases in the Production of a Toxic Factor in Hemorrhagic Shock

The pathogenesis of circulatory shock has been previously associated with the plasma accumulation of a myocardial depressant factor (MDF). The plasma accumulation of MDF in cats subjected to hemorrhagic shock was associated with marked increases (P <0.01) in activities of plasma cathepsins A-B. The pH optima for three of the five cathepsins were in the range of 4.8-5.2, a pH range close to that found intracellularly during shock. Moreover, pancreatic and hepatic tissue from these cats exhibited significant decreases in total specific activities for these enzymes, compared with minimal changes in heart, duodenum and spleen. Decreases in total pancreatic cathepsin activities were associated with marked ultrastructural changes in pancreatic acinar cells primarily characterized by vacuolization of the lysosomes. Incubation of homogenates of splanchnic viscera of unshocked dogs revealed that significant concentrations of MDF were produced only in incubated pancreatic homogenates. Infusion of MDF in amounts half that produced by a cat pancreas into intact anesthetized cats yielded a significant circulatory depression indicated by a progressive decline in cardiac output and mean arterial blood pressure and a 54% decrease in cardiac work performance within 60 minutes. These data indicate that substantial amounts of lysosomal proteases are released during shock and that they operate in a suitable pH range to account for the production of quantities of MDF that are sufficient to induce a marked degree of cardiac depression.
Predicting local biological characteristics in streams: a comparison of landscape classifications

Summary 1. Landscape classifications group tracts of land based on similar physico-chemical attributes that may affect the biological characteristics of streams at local scales. We tested the ability of five landscape models to account for variation in algal and macroinvertebrate biomass, brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) growth and macroinvertebrate community composition from 132 riffles in 15 catchments in the Big Horn Mountains, Wyoming. 2. A model created by the U.S. Forest Service (FS) combined catchment and ecoregion approaches to classify the landscape. Our model used digital elevations to create a landscape classification for streams (DEM). The last three models were based on: (1) standard ecoregions (Ecoregion), (2) the type of underlying bedrock (Geology) and (3) the geographical distance between sites (Site Proximity model). 3. Overall, the Ecoregion and Geology models performed better than the two catchment models (FS and DEM) in predicting local biological characteristics. The Geology model was best at predicting differences in algal and macroinvertebrate biomass, the Site Proximity and Ecoregion models were best at predicting patterns of similarity in macroinvertebrate community composition, and the Site Proximity, Ecoregion, Geology, and FS models, in order from best to worst, accounted for significant variation in brook trout growth. The Site Proximity model performed well because of the effects of spatial autocorrelation. The DEM was consistently one of the worst models at predicting local biological characteristics because it failed to include important attributes (e.g. dominant geology). Calcareous geology was positively associated with greater macroinvertebrate biomass and faster brook trout growth, but it was inversely related to algal biomass. 4. None of the models accounted for a large amount of variation in local biological characteristics. Single-scale, landscape classifications may never accurately predict variation in local biological characteristics because: (1) landscapes show a high degree of spatial heterogeneity, (2) local effects are stronger than landscape attributes and (3) there are too many intervening levels between landscape and local scales in the nested hierarchy of streams. However, landscape classifications did account for significant variation in biological characteristics. Thus, they would be a valuable management tool as part of a multi-scale, hierarchical technique for classifying stream ecosystems.
Finite element approximations of a glaciology problem

In this paper we study a model problem describing the movement of a glacier under Glen's flow law and investigated by Colinge and Rappaz [Colinge and Rappaz, ESAIM: M2AN 33 (1999) 395–406]. We establish error estimates for finite element approximation using the results of Chow [Chow, SIAM J. Numer. Analysis 29 (1992) 769–780] and Liu and Barrett [Liu and Barrett, SIAM J. Numer. Analysis 33 (1996) 98–106] and give an analysis of the convergence of the successive approximations used in [Colinge and Rappaz, ESAIM: M2AN 33 (1999) 395–406]. Supporting numerical convergence studies are carried out and we also demonstrate the numerical performance of an a posteriori error estimator in adaptive mesh refinement computation of the problem.