cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Study of Contrasting Surgical Residency Programs

In an effort to demonstrate differences between the education of surgical residents in the United States and the United Kingdom, Singh and coauthors used a questionnaire based on UK Joint Committee on Surgical Training quality indicators to compare the experience of surgical trainees at the University of Pennsylvania (USA) and North and South West Thames in London (UK) [1]. The principal findings of the study were as follows. (1) London residents performed more emergency surgery. (2) London residents were much more likely to operate without an attending in the operating room, especially for emergency operations. (3) London residents had more access to performing gastrointestinal endoscopy. (4) University of Pennsylvania residents had more elective surgery operating sessions. (5) University of Pennsylvania residents received significantly more scheduled teaching. (6) University of Pennsylvania residents had access to more simulation experiences. The authors concluded that
Ratiometric analysis of calcium mobilization

Abstract One of the earliest events in lymphocyte activation is an increase in the concentration of cytosolic free Ca 2 +. Antigen recognition, chemotaxis, apoptosis and cell cycle progression are all associated with changes in cytosolic free Ca 2 + levels. The kinetics, subcellular localization, and degree of Ca 2 + mobilization can be assessed with fluorescent Ca 2 + indicators. Ratiometric analysis of Ca 2 + mobilization reduces errors due to variations in cell size and shape, indicator loading and instrument variability that can otherwise limit the usefulness of fluorescent Ca 2 + indicators. The purposes of this paper are to summarize key characteristics of some useful Ca 2 +-sensitive fluorescent dyes (Indo-1, Fura-2, Fluo-3, Fluo-4 and Fura Red) and to review published methods for the optimization of Ca 2 + mobilization analysis with ratiometric indicators. Analysis of Ca 2 + mobilization provides a rapid, quantitative readout of lymphocyte activation.
Advanced Vehicles Modeling for the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen Vehicle Integration NRA)

NextGen represents significant changes to the technology and procedures in the National Airspace System. NASA recognized the need to analyze the deployment of new vehicles within NextGen and has commissioned two research teams to quantify the effects of new vehicle concepts, operations, and air traffic control system, to name a few. This paper discusses five new vehicle concepts developed fo r the investigation. These concepts, initially specified by NASA, were investigated and models for simulation were developed. This paper describes the new vehicle concepts, the two pr imary modeling approaches, and the resulting vehicle performance charactersitics that were developed. This paper is one in a series of papers that discuss the NASA sponsored research. ASA commissioned two research teams to investigate the impact of several new vehicle concepts and operations on Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) and vice versa. The two teams were directed to look at similar but unique aspects of the new vehicle concept in tegration. The focus of the research discussed herein was to identify and categorize the potential attributes of a selection of several classes of advanced vehicles as they affect operations in NextGen projected for 2025 and beyond. This research was part of the broader grant as led by the Sensis Corporation and th e intended reader can refer to Blake, et.al. 1 . Advanced vehicle research
Ganglioside GD1a Enhances VEGF-Induced Endothelial Cell Proliferation and Migration

Abstract Tumor progression requires normally quiescent endothelial cells to form new vascular networks. This angiogenesis is dependent upon several soluble factors, prominent among which is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Other tumor-associated molecules, such as gangliosides, sialic acid-containing glycosphingolipids expressed by tumor cells and shed into the tumor microenvironment, may also modulate tumor angiogenesis. Here we assessed the influence of a highly purified ganglioside, G D1a , on responses of normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) to VEGF. Preincubation of HUVEC with G D1a enhanced VEGF-induced cell proliferation; 10 μM G D1a caused a twofold increase in DNA synthesis. The migration of HUVEC across a VEGF gradient was also enhanced by 50%, even with only a brief (1 h) preexposure of the cells to the same concentration of G D1a . These findings suggest that gangliosides shed by tumor cells can promote tumor angiogenesis by enhancing the VEGF response of endothelial cells in the tumor microenvironment.
A STOCHASTIC MULTIATTRIBUTE HEURISTIC MODEL OF INVESTOR CHOICE

Most models of investor behavior consider only two attributes of assets, risk and return, and are deterministic in that only one unique choice is allowed. This paper develops a multiattribute model in which investor choice is described in terms of the probability of various choices occurring. The model is solved by standard linear programming techniques and allows for investor behavior that is not explained by the usual models.
The relative Brauer group and generalized cross products for a cyclic covering of affine space

Abstract We study algebras and divisors on a normal affine hypersurface defined by an equation of the form z n = f ( x 1 , … , x m ) . The coordinate ring is T = k [ x 1 , … , x m , z ] / ( z n − f ) , and if R = k [ x 1 , … , x m ] [ f − 1 ] and S = R [ z ] / ( z n − f ) , then S is a cyclic Galois extension of R . We show that if the Galois group is G , the natural map H 1 ( G , Cl ( T ) ) → H 1 ( G , Pic ( S ) ) factors through the relative Brauer group B ( S / R ) and that all of the maps are onto. Sufficient conditions are given for H 1 ( G , Cl ( T ) ) to be isomorphic to B ( S / R ) . As an example, all of the groups, maps, divisors and algebras are computed for an affine surface defined by an equation of the form z n = ( y − a 1 x ) ⋯ ( y − a n x ) ( x − 1 ) .
Defining the Situation: Reflection of Life Styles in Funeral Eulogies

The nature of funeral orations was analyzed. Based on participant observation of over 100 funeral services in central Pennsylvania the nature of the variables which condition eulogies was assessed and two orientations outlined. For those individuals who were seen as the victims of life or who lacked an element of control over their own life-situation, death was treated as a release, which enabled them to realize their true potential. For the group who experienced a modicum of control and success in their lives, death was viewed as unfortunate fate. For both groups conceptions of the afterlife included the most salient desires and frustrations of the earthly life as well as a continuation of the personal integrity of the deceased.
Real time In Situ X-Ray Topographic Observation of Deformation of Single Crystals and Thin Films

An experimental apparatus, which is capable of performing real time in situ X-ray topographic observation of deformation process via synchrotron white beam topography, has been developed. This device enables both tensile data (load-displacement) and topographic images to be recorded simultaneously. It has been utilized to study the deformation behaviors of crystals of Mo and W. These specimens have been subject to mechanical cycling with increasing load, and their deformation processes have been observed in real time and in situ via x-ray topography. This leads to the observation of several phenomena, which would have been difficult to reveal by other experimental techniques. They include stress concentration, microyielding, reversible variation of contrasts and stress relaxation. In addition, the deformation behaviors of small angle grain boundaries have also been examined. Furthermore, the specimens can be heated through a heating device attached to the tensile stage, which allows high temperature topography to be performed in real time. The technique has been applied to the Ta films on Si (100) substrates. With increasing temperature, the topographic observations have revealed that the Ta films yields, fracture and then proceed to delaminate from their substrates.
Performance Evaluation of Suboptimal Filters

The use of a Kalman filter in an applications problem requires a detailed model of both the system dynamics and the measurement dynamics. The model for many problems may be extremely large in dimensionality. However, in many instances one has a limited computer capability and, thus, must purposely introduce modeling errors into the filter in order to gain a computational advantage. However, as is well known, this may lead to the phenomenon of filter divergence. This paper considers the development of equations which allow one to evaluate a filter of reduced state. The equations are based upon using covariance analysis techniques in order to determine the true root-mean-square estimation error. These equations are computationally more advantageous than others appearing in the literature.
Increased alkaline phosphatase specific activity in reeler cerebella

Abstract The neurological mutant, reeler, is characterized by faulty cellular associations in various brain regions in mice. A cell surface enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, was examined in an attempt to understand the nature of this morphogenetic lesion. The specific activity of alkaline phosphatase in 13-day postnatal reeler cerebella is three times higher than in phenotypically normal littermates. Cerebella taken from 4-day postnatal reelers show enzyme activity more similar to normal controls. Alkaline phosphatase specific activity decreases with cerebellar development much more in unaffected animals than in reelers, which maintain a higher level during the same development period. Phosphatase activities are indistinguishable in normal and reeler cerebral isocortices and brain stems at all developmental stages tested. Enzyme assays are linear throughout the range of protein concentrations and the times of incubation used. No divalent cation stimulation can be demonstrated. K m values toward p -nitrophenylphosphate as a substrate have been determined and are not significantly different for the normal and reeler cerebellar enzymes. Histochemical localization of alkaline phosphatase suggests that this enzyme is concentrated in one particular area of the cerebellum. The relationship between this specific localization and the increased activity in reeler cerebella is discussed.
Inductive competence, its significance in retinal cell fate determination and a role for Delta–Notch signaling

Abstract The retina is a favorite model for studying determination and differentiation in the central nervous system because of its ready accessibility, diversity of cell types and regular organization. Many molecules which act as potential inducers of cell fate have been identified by exposing progenitors to them and assaying their differentiation. In addition, heterochronic transplants demonstrate that regulation of cellular competence (i.e. the ability of progenitors to respond to inducers) plays an important role in differentiation. The neurogenic genesDeltaandNotchacting as ligand and receptor, respectively, play a role in regulating cell competence by normally inhibiting progenitors from differentiating. Misexpression of an activated form of Notch `freezes' progenitors in an undifferentiated, neuroepithelial state. Conversely, progenitors failing to be inhibited, either by their own overexpression of Delta, or by a dominant-negative Delta construct which blocks signaling, adopt the earliest fates generated in the retina (i.e. cones and ganglion cells). We suggest that retinal progenitors use lateral inhibition mediated by Delta–Notch to regulate their competence to respond to inductive cues in a changing environment. Such signaling is essential for formation of the proper cell types in appropriate numbers at the right stage of development to make functional circuits.
Maximizing the natriuretic effect of endogenous atriopeptin in a rat model of heart failure

The effect of pharmacological manipulation of atriopeptin (AP) activity on sodium excretion and blood pressure was examined in the rat aortovenocaval (A-V) fistula model of cardiac failure. Introduction of an A-V shunt led to a marked and sustained elevation of plasma AP immunoreactivity and urinary cGMP levels. Further elevation of plasma AP levels by infusion of exogenous peptide induced modest increases in urinary sodium and cGMP excretion and a decrease in blood pressure but these responses were significantly attenuated compared to sham-operated animals. In contrast, low-dose infusion of M + B 22948 (a cGMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor) or thiorphan [a neutral endopeptidase (membrane metallo-endopeptidase, EC 3.4.24.11) inhibitor] induced a natriuresis in A-V fistula rats, which exceeded that seen in control animals given these compounds and matched the peak natriuresis produced in sham-operated animals by high doses of AP. In the doses used, these compounds had little effect on blood pressure. The greater renal efficacy of M + B 22948 in A-V fistula rats is consistent with postreceptor facilitation of AP activity. The effect of thiorphan on sodium excretion was accompanied by a pronounced increase in urinary cGMP and AP immunoreactivity excretion (and was attenuated by anti-AP monoclonal antibody) but could not be explained solely in terms of an increase in circulating AP levels. It is proposed that thiorphan allows filtered AP to reach renal tubule sites that are normally inaccessible to the peptide and are thus protected from down-regulation by high circulating AP levels. The implication of these observations for patients in cardiac failure is the potential for using pharmacological agents to maximize the response to endogenous AP without compromising cardiac function.
NDE of fiber-reinforced polymer composites bonded to concrete using IR thermography

Infrared thermography is a non-destructive evaluation technique that can be used to identify debonded areas in FRP strengthening systems applied to concrete. This research provides a summary of IR thermography experiments that were conducted on full-scale AASHTO girders strengthened with four different FRP composite systems. Significant findings were that the thickness of the FRP system as well as the material composition strongly influences the ability to detect defects at the FRP/concrete interface. Additional experiments were conducted on small-scale specimens with implanted defects. Results from these experiments indicate that IR thermography is capable of detecting defects under multi-layer FRP composite systems; however the defect signal strength and time to maximum signal vary significantly from single-layer systems.
MMRM versus MI in Dealing with Missing Data—A Comparison Based on 25 NDA Data Sets

Both multiple imputation (MI) and mixed-effects model repeated measures (MMRM) approaches appear to be better choices than the traditional last-observation-carried-forward (LOCF) approach in analyzing incomplete clinical trial data sets in drug development research. However, relative performances of these two approaches are unknown in controlling type I error rate and statistical power in the hypothesis testing of determining the efficacy of an investigational drug. Little research has been done in comparing robustness of the two approaches in analyzing ignorable missing data of clinical trials. In this research, a comparison between the MI and MMRM approaches is made in analyzing the simulated incomplete data sets and 25 New Drug Application (NDA) data sets of neuropsychiatric drug products. The MMRM approach appears to be a better choice in maintaining statistical properties of a test as compared to the MI approach in dealing with ignorable missing data of clinical trials.
Effects of Task Difficulty on Naming Performance of Aphasic Subjects

Nine aphasic patients participated in a picture-naming task in which sets of predetermined easy-to-name pictures were alternated with sets of predetermined difficult-to-name pictures. Results indic...
RESONANT SCATTERING OF X RAYS FROM MAGNESIUM AND SILICON

Energy levels at 10.15\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 Mev in magnesium and 11.40\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 Mev in silicon have been studied using resonant scattering from a continuous spectrum of x rays by samples of these materials. Using tentative spin assignments and assuming no branching, level widths of 4.80 (+1.6, -1.4) electron volts and 2.89 (+1.0, -0.8) electron volts for magnesium and silicon, respectively, have been determined from absorption measurements.
D1 dopamine receptor hyperphosphorylation in renal proximal tubules in hypertension.

A defect in the coupling of the D 1 receptor (D 1 R) to its G protein/effector complex in renal proximal tubules plays a role in the pathogenesis of spontaneous hypertension. As there is no mutation of the D 1 R gene in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), we tested the hypothesis that the coupling defect is associated with constitutive desensitization/phosphorylation of the D 1 R. The following experiments were performed: (1) Cell culture and membrane preparations from rat kidneys and immortalized rat renal proximal tubule cells (RPTCs); (2) immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting; (3) cyclic adenosine 3′,5′ monophosphate and adenylyl cyclase assays; (4) immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy; (5) biotinylation of cell surface proteins; and (6) in vitro enzyme dephosphorylation. Basal serine-phosphorylated D 1 Rs in renal proximal tubules, brush border membranes, and membranes from immortalized RPTCs were greater in SHRs (21.0±1.5 density units, DU) than in normotensive rats (7.4±2.9DU). The increased basal serine phosphorylation of D 1 Rs in SHRs was accompanied by decreased expression of D 1 R at the cell surface, and decreased ability of a D 1 -like receptor agonist (fenoldopam) to stimulate cyclic adenosine 3′,5′ monophosphate (cAMP) production. Increasing protein phosphatase 2A activity with protamine enhanced the ability of fenoldopam to stimulate cAMP accumulation (17±4%) and alter D 1 R cell surface expression in intact cells from SHRs. Alkaline phosphatase treatment of RPTC membranes decreased D 1 R phosphorylation and enhanced fenoldopam stimulation of adenylyl cyclase activity (26±6%) in SHRs. Uncoupling of the D 1 R from its G protein/effector complex in renal proximal tubules in SHRs is caused, in part, by increased D 1 R serine phosphorylation.
In vivo measurements of capillaries of frogs, mice, and puppies

The purpose of this study was to determine the dimensions of capilaries in various tissues, in vivo, in frogs, mice, and pups. Capillaries were measured in the web, strap muscles of the neck, mesentery and bladder of frogs, and in the mesentery of mice and pups. The light source was a fused quartz rod transilumination apparatus. In all cases the exposed tissues were kept moist by a continuous flow of Ringer's solution over their surfaces. The mean values found for the tissues of the frog are web 11.94 μ, skeletal muscle 11.30 μ, mesentery 11.97 μ, and bladder 11.40 μ. The mesenteric capillaries of the mice and pups had a mean value of 4.64 μand 7.36 μ respectively. Difficulties encountered during the course of observation included vibrations of the optical equipment, movement of the tissue under the microscope, fogging of the objective lens, and the determining of which of the microscopic vessels were “capillaries.” A statistical analysis of the data indicates that the variance in the measurements recorded on the capillaries of a single animal is greater than the variance from animal to animal.
Molecular crowding of collagen: a pathway to produce highly-organized collagenous structures

Collagen in vertebrate animals is often arranged in alternating lamellae or in bundles of aligned fibrils which are designed to withstand in vivo mechanical loads. The formation of these organized structures is thought to result from a complex, large-area integration of individual cell motion and locally-controlled synthesis of fibrillar arrays via cell-surface fibripositors (direct matrix printing). The difficulty of reproducing such a process in vitro has prevented tissue engineers from constructing clinically useful load-bearing connective tissue directly from collagen. However, we and others have taken the view that long-range organizational information is potentially encoded into the structure of the collagen molecule itself, allowing the control of fibril organization to extend far from cell (or bounding) surfaces. We here demonstrate a simple, fast, cell-free method capable of producing highly-organized, anistropic collagen fibrillar lamellae de novo which persist over relatively long-distances (tens to hundreds of microns). Our approach to nanoscale organizational control takes advantage of the intrinsic physiochemical properties of collagen molecules by inducing collagen association through molecular crowding and geometric confinement. To mimic biological tissues which comprise planar, aligned collagen lamellae (e.g. cornea, lamellar bone or annulus fibrosus), type I collagen was confined to a thin, planar geometry, concentrated through molecular crowding and polymerized. The resulting fibrillar lamellae show a striking resemblance to native load-bearing lamellae in that the fibrils are small, generally aligned in the plane of the confining space and change direction en masse throughout the thickness of the construct. The process of organizational control is consistent with embryonic development where the bounded planar cell sheets produced by fibroblasts suggest a similar confinement/concentration strategy. Such a simple approach to nanoscale organizational control of structure not only makes de novo tissue engineering a possibility, but also suggests a clearer pathway to organization for fibroblasts than direct matrix printing.
Stage distribution in patients with a small (< 3 cm) primary nonsmall cell lung carcinoma: Implication for lung carcinoma screening

BACKGROUND Recently, there has been increased interest in the use of computed tomography (CT) for lung carcinoma screening. For this technique to be effective, small tumors must be detected at an earlier stage than large lesions. However, to the authors's knowledge, the relationship between the size of small primary (≤ 3 cm) neoplasms and disease stage at presentation has never been established clearly. The current study was performed to determine whether smaller lesions indeed have an earlier stage distribution compared with larger tumors. METHODS The Duke University Medical Center Tumor Registry identified 620 patients (261 women and 359 men, with a mean age of 67 years) who presented with pathologically proven primary nonsmall cell lung carcinomas measuring ≤ 3 cm between 1980–1999. Surgical, pathologic, and imaging information was reviewed retrospectively to confirm the size of the lesion and the disease stage at the time of presentation. The distribution of tumor size within each stage and the distribution of disease stage according to tumor size were determined. RESULTS Tumors occurring in patients with TNM Stage IIIB disease were slightly larger than those found in patients with either more advanced or less advanced disease. However, there was no apparent statistically significant relation between the stage distribution and the size of the primary lesion. CONCLUSIONS The current study data did not find a statistically significant relation between the size of small primary lung tumors and the distribution of disease stage at the time of presentation. This finding suggests that the detection of small tumors using screening CT may not result in a shift to an earlier disease stage distribution. A reduction in mortality needs to be demonstrated by appropriate clinical trials prior to the initiation of mass CT screening programs. Cancer 2001;92:3051–5. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Duke Case-Mix System (DUMIX) for Ambulatory Health Care

The Duke Case-Mix System (DUMIX), which combines age, gender, patient-reported perceived and physical health status, and provider-reported or auditor-reported severity of illness to classify patients by their risk of high future utilization, explained 17.1% of the variance in future clinic charges and 16.6% of the variance in return visits. When a random half of 413 ambulatory adults were classified into four risk classes by predictive regression coefficients from the other half, there was a stepwise increase in actual future utilization by risk class. The most accurate classification was for Class 4 (highest risk) patients, with a sensitivity of 40.8%, specificity of 82.1%, and likelihood ratio of 2.3. These 23.7% of patients accounted for 44.2% of charges for all patients. When predictive coefficients from this population were used to classify a different group of 206 ambulatory adults, past utilization also increased in stepwise order by case-mix class.
Multi-agent deployment around a source in one dimension by extremum seeking

We consider the problem of deploying a group of autonomous vehicles (agents) in a formation which has higher density near the source of a measurable signal and lower density away from the source. The spatial distribution of the signal and the location of the source are unknown but the signal is known to decay with the distance from the source. The vehicles do not have the capability of sensing their own positions but they are capable of sensing the distance between them and their neighbors. We design a control algorithm based on a combination of two components. One component of the control law is inspired by the heat PDE and it results in the agents deploying between two anchor agents. The other component of the control law is based on extremum seeking and it achieves higher vehicle density around the source. Using averaging theory for PDE's we prove that the vehicle density will be highest around the source. We also quantify the spatial density function. By discretizing the model with respect to the continuous agent index, we obtain decentralized control laws for discrete agents and illustrate the theoretical results with simulations.
Experimental Data for Locating VSM Pickup Coils and Minimizing the Image Effect

From measurements of the magnetic field produced in the air gap of an electromagnet by a small permanent magnet sample, we can predict the relative sensitivity of a vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM) for any practical location of the pickup coils. By repeating the measurements with the pole pieces removed, we can simulate the case of complete magnetic saturation (permeability μ = 1) of the pole pieces, and thus predict the relative magnitude of the image effect for any coil location. Under some conditions, a coil position can be chosen that eliminates the image effect.
Hemodynamic effects of synchronized high-frequency jet ventilation compared with low-frequency intermittent positive-pressure ventilation after myocardial revascularization.

Background The purpose of this prospective study was to examine the effect on cardiac performance of selective increases in airway pressure at specific points of the cardiac cycle using synchronized high-frequency jet ventilation (sync-HFJV) delivered concomitantly with each single heart beat compared with controlled mechanical ventilation in 20 hemodynamically stable, deeply sedated patients immediately after coronary artery bypass graft. Methods Five 30-min sequential ventilation periods were used interspersing controlled mechanical ventilation with sync-HFJV twice to control for time and sequencing effects. Sync-HFJV was applied using a driving pressure, which generated a tidal volume resulting in gas exchanges close to those obtained on controlled mechanical ventilation and associated with the maximal mixed venous oxygen saturation. Hemodynamic variables including cardiac output, mixed venous oxygen saturation and vascular pressures were recorded at the end of each ventilation period. Results The authors found that in 20 patients, hemodynamic changes induced by controlled mechanical ventilation and by sync-HFJV were similar. Cardiac index did not change (mean +/- SD for controlled mechanical ventilation: 2.6 +/- 0.7 l x min(-1) x m(-2); for sync-HFJV: 2.7 +/- 0.7 l x min(-1) x m(-2); P value not significant). This observation persisted after stratification according to baseline left-ventricular contractility, as estimated by ejection fraction. Conclusions The authors conclude that after coronary artery bypass graft, if gas-exchange values are maintained within normal range, sync-HFJV does not result in more favorable hemodynamic support than controlled mechanical ventilation. These findings contrast with the beneficial effects of sync-HFJV, resulting in marked hypocapnia, on cardiac performance observed in patients with terminal left-ventricular failure.
Application of silica coating technique for removable prosthodontics. A clinical report.

Summary A technique for constructing a maxillary removable partial overdenture using the Silicoater system has been described.
Conveying Cutting-Edge Discoveries to Nonscientists: Effective Communication with Media

The benefits of using information and news media for disseminating cutting-edge scientific discoveries to the public are well known. Taxpayers and lawmakers need to be informed about the implications of public investments, young students’ interest can be molded toward science- and technology-based careers, and public awareness of important issues can be raised by effectively using media. However, communication with news media is different from the means commonly used by scientists—journal publications and conference presentations. This article is intended to provide information on three basic aspects of media interactions—why, what, and how to communicate. The increasing importance of this mode of dissemination in this information age cannot be ignored; rather, it can be effectively utilized for educating a wider population base.
Diversity and Complexity in Chromatin Recognition by TFII-I Transcription Factors in Pluripotent Embryonic Stem Cells and Embryonic Tissues

GTF2I and GTF2IRD1 encode a family of closely related transcription factors TFII-I and BEN critical in embryonic development. Both genes are deleted in Williams-Beuren syndrome, a complex genetic disorder associated with neurocognitive, craniofacial, dental and skeletal abnormalities. Although genome-wide promoter analysis has revealed the existence of multiple TFII-I binding sites in embryonic stem cells (ESCs), there was no correlation between TFII-I occupancy and gene expression. Surprisingly, TFII-I recognizes the promoter sequences enriched for H3K4me3/K27me3 bivalent domain, an epigenetic signature of developmentally important genes. Moreover, we discovered significant differences in the association between TFII-I and BEN with the cis-regulatory elements in ESCs and embryonic craniofacial tissues. Our data indicate that in embryonic tissues BEN, but not the highly homologous TFII-I, is primarily recruited to target gene promoters. We propose a “feed-forward model” of gene regulation to explain the specificity of promoter recognition by TFII-I factors in eukaryotic cells.
Working Obliquely with Children

Two case vignettes are presented to illustrate an approach to working with children that, following Mannoni (1999), the authors term “oblique.” Key attributes of this approach, loosely patterned on Lacanian technique, are then explored. Among these are the need to create an anxiety-free space in which the demand of the child can emerge, use of the analyst's unconscious as receptor for the child patient's unconscious, adoption of a limp posture by the analyst to allow the reanimated unconscious of the child to act upon the analyst, and a recognition of the value of techniques such as squiggle and progressive mirror drawing in offering the kind of blank canvas that provides a receptive space in which the child may inscribe her or his unconscious. The paper concludes with the claim that approaches such as this offer a riposte to societies in which the increased academic and social expectations placed on children erases the possibility of desire and the power of the question.
TLR3 ligation protects human astrocytes against oxidative stress

Abstract Astrocytic Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) plays an important role not only in antiviral response but also in regeneration/healing of the CNS. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the neuroprotective effects of TLR3 signaling also include antioxidative protection. TLR3 ligation in human astrocytes induced protracted resistance of the cells to H 2 O 2 toxicity. Similar resistance was induced by conditioned medium from TLR3-ligated astrocytes indicating the involvement of paracrine signaling mechanisms. Out of 13 major antioxidative genes only the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) was postligationally upregulated suggesting that SOD2 is the major enzyme responsible for this protection.
Thermo-Hydraulic Behavior of Microchannel Heat Exchanger System

This article presents an experimental study of thermo-hydrodynamic phenomena in a microchannel heat exchanger system. The aim of this investigation is to develop correlations between flow/thermal characteristics in the manifolds and the heat transfer performance of the microchannel. A rectangular microchannel fabricated by a laser-machining technique with channel width and hydraulic diameter of 87 μm and 0.17 mm, respectively, and a trapezoidal-shaped manifold are used in this study. The heat sink is subjected to iso-flux heating condition with liquid convective cooling through the channels. The temporal and spatial evolutions of temperature as well as total pressure drop across the system are monitored using appropriate sensors. Data obtained from this study were used to establish relationships between parameters such as longitudinal wall conduction factor, residence and switching time, and thermal spreading resistance with Reynolds number. Result shows that there exist an optimum Reynolds number and con...
Climate extremes drive changes in functional community structure

The response of communities to climate extremes can be quite variable. Much of this variation has been attributed to differences in community-specific functional trait diversity, as well as community composition. Yet, few if any studies have explicitly tested the response of the functional trait structure of communities following climate extremes (CEs). Recently in South Florida, two independent, but sequential potential CEs took place, a 2010 cold front, followed by a 2011 drought, both of which had profound impacts on a subtropical estuarine fish community. These CEs provided an opportunity to test whether the structure of South Florida fish communities following each extreme was a result of species-specific differences in functional traits. From historical temperature (1927-2012) and freshwater inflows records into the estuary (1955-2012), we determined that the cold front was a statistically extreme disturbance, while the drought was not, but rather a decadal rare disturbance. The two disturbances predictably affected different parts of functional community structure and thus different component species. The cold front virtually eliminated tropical species, including large-bodied snook, mojarra species, nonnative cichlids, and striped mullet, while having little affect on temperate fishes. Likewise, the drought severely impacted freshwater fishes including Florida gar, bowfin, and two centrarchids, with little effect on euryhaline species. Our findings illustrate the ability of this approach to predict and detect both the filtering effects of different types of disturbances and the implications of the resulting changes in community structure. Further, we highlight the value of this approach to developing predictive frameworks for better understanding community responses to global change.
FELLOW CITIZENS AND IMPERIAL SUBJECTS: CONQUEST AND SOVEREIGNTY IN EUROPE'S OVERSEAS EMPIRES

This article traces the association between the European overseas empires and the concept of sovereignty, arguing that, ever since the days of Cicero—if not earlier—Europeans had clung to the idea that there was a close association between a people and the territory it happened to occupy. This made it necessary to think of an “empire” as a unity—an “immense body,” to use Tacitus's phrase—that would embrace all its subjects under a single sovereign. By the end of the eighteenth century it had become possible, in this way, to speak of “empires of liberty” that would operate for the ultimate benefit of all their “citizens,” freeing them from previous tyrannical rulers and bringing them under the protection of more benign regimes. In such empires sovereignty could only ever be, as it had become in Europe, undivided. The collapse of Europe's “first” empires in the Americas, however, was followed rapidly by Napoleon's attempt to create a new kind of Empire in Europe. The ultimate, and costly, failure of this project led many, Benjamin Constant among them, to believe that the age of empires was now over and had been replaced by the age of commerce. But what in fact succeeded Napoleon was the modern European state system, which attempted not to replace empire by trade, as Constant had hoped, but to create a new kind of empire, one that sought to minimize domination and settlement, and to make a sharp distinction between imperial ruler and imperial subject. In this kind of empire, sovereignty could only be “divided.” Various kinds of divided rule were thus devised in the nineteenth century. Far, however, from being an improvement on the past, this ultimately resulted in—or at least contributed greatly to—the emergence of the largely fictional and inevitably unstable societies that after the final collapse of the European empires became the new states of the “developing world.”
Through-thickness thermoelectric power of a carbon fiber/epoxy composite and decoupled contributions from a lamina and an interlaminar interface

Abstract Thermoelectric structural materials are potentially attractive for large-scale energy harvesting. Through filler incorporation and unprecedented decoupling of the bulk (laminae) and interfacial (interlaminar interfaces) contributions to the Seebeck voltage (through-thickness Seebeck voltage of a crossply continuous carbon fiber/epoxy composite laminate), this work provides thermoelectric power magnitudes at ∼70 °C up to 110, 1670 and 11,000 μV/K for the laminate, a lamina and an interlaminar interface, respectively. The interface provides an apparent thermoelectric effect due to carrier backflow. The interfacial voltage is opposite in sign from the laminate and lamina voltages and is slightly lower in magnitude than the lamina voltage. An interlaminar filler, particularly a thermoelectric filler (tellurium or bismuth telluride), enhances the magnitudes of the voltages and thermoelectric powers of the laminate, lamina and interlaminar interface. Bismuth telluride results in negative values of the voltages and thermoelectric powers of the laminate and lamina; tellurium results in positive values. Tellurium content increase or tellurium particle size decrease enhances the magnitudes of the voltages and thermoelectric powers of the laminate, lamina and interlaminar interface. Decreasing the curing pressure decreases these magnitudes, due to fiber–fiber contact decrease. The resistance-related voltage at each electrical contact is unprecedentedly decoupled from the thermoelectric specimen voltages.
A minimum-energy path-preserving topology-control algorithm

The topology of a wireless multihop network can be controlled by varying the transmission power at each node. It is not energy efficient to use the communication network G/sub max/ where every node transmits with maximum power. For energy efficient operations, it is desirable to have a subnetwork that preserves a minimum-energy path between every pair of nodes (where a minimum-energy path is one that allows messages to be transmitted with a minimum use of energy). We first identify conditions that are necessary and sufficient for a subnetwork G of G/sub max/ to preserve this property. Using this characterization, we then propose an efficient topology-control algorithm that, given a communication network G/sub max/, computes a subnetwork G that it preserves at least one minimum-energy path between every pair of nodes. We also propose an energy-efficient reconfiguration protocol that maintains this minimum-energy path property as the network topology changes dynamically. We demonstrate the performance improvements of our algorithm over other existing topology-control algorithms through simulation.
Clustering of multiple specific genes and gene-rich R-bands around SC-35 domains: evidence for local euchromatic neighborhoods.

Typically, eukaryotic nuclei contain 10–30 prominent domains (referred to here as SC-35 domains) that are concentrated in mRNA metabolic factors. Here, we show that multiple specific genes cluster around a common SC-35 domain, which contains multiple mRNAs. Nonsyntenic genes are capable of associating with a common domain, but domain “choice” appears random, even for two coordinately expressed genes. Active genes widely separated on different chromosome arms associate with the same domain frequently, assorting randomly into the 3–4 subregions of the chromosome periphery that contact a domain. Most importantly, visualization of six individual chromosome bands showed that large genomic segments (∼5 Mb) have striking differences in organization relative to domains. Certain bands showed extensive contact, often aligning with or encircling an SC-35 domain, whereas others did not. All three gene-rich reverse bands showed this more than the gene-poor Giemsa dark bands, and morphometric analyses demonstrated statistically significant differences. Similarly, late-replicating DNA generally avoids SC-35 domains. These findings suggest a functional rationale for gene clustering in chromosomal bands, which relates to nuclear clustering of genes with SC-35 domains. Rather than random reservoirs of splicing factors, or factors accumulated on an individual highly active gene, we propose a model of SC-35 domains as functional centers for a multitude of clustered genes, forming local euchromatic “neighborhoods.”
Identification of pseudogenes in the Drosophila melanogaster genome

Pseudogenes are copies of genes that cannot produce a protein. They can be detected from disruptions to their apparent coding sequence, caused by frameshifts and premature stop codons. They are classed as either processed pseudogenes (made by reverse transcription from an mRNA) or duplicated pseudogenes, arising from duplication in the genomic DNA and subsequent disablement. Historically, there is anecdotal evidence that the fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) has few pseudogenes. Investigators have linked this to a high deletion rate of genomic DNA, for which there is evidence from genetic experiments on genome size. Here, we apply a homology-based pipeline that was developed previously to identify pseudogenes in other eukaryotic genomes, to the fruit fly, so as to derive the first complete survey of its pseudogene population. We find approximately 100 pseudogenes, with at least a sixth of these as candidate processed pseudogenes. This gives a much lower proportion of pseudogenes (compared with the size of the proteome) than in the genomes of other eukaryotes for which data are available (human, nematode and budding yeast). Closest matching proteins to Drosophila pseudogenes are significantly longer than the average protein in its proteome (up to ~60% more than the average protein’s length), in contrast to the situation in the three other eukaryotic genomes. This may be due to the persistence of fragments of longer genes. In the fly pseudogene population, we found most pseudogenes for serine proteases (which are more abundant in the Drosophila lineage compared with the other eukaryotes), immunoglobulin-motif-containing proteins and cytochromes P450. Data on the sequences and positions of the putative pseudogenes are available at: http://www.pseudogene.org/fly. The detection of a small number of pseudogenes in the Drosophila genome and the higher mean length for the closest matching proteins to pseudogenes (possibly because remnants of genes encoding longer proteins are more likely to persist) are further evidence for a high deletion rate of genomic DNA in the fruit fly. The data are useful for molecular evolution study in Drosophila.
Shape calibration of a conformal ultrasound therapy array

A conformal ultrasound phased array prototype with 96 elements was previously calibrated for electronic steering and focusing in a water tank. The procedure for calibrating the shape of this 2D therapy array consists of two steps. First, a least squares triangulation algorithm determines the element coordinates from a 21/spl times/21 grid of time delays. The triangulation algorithm also requires temperature measurements to compensate for variations in the speed of sound. Second, a Rayleigh-Sommerfeld formulation of the acoustic radiation integral is aligned to a second grid of measured pressure amplitudes in a least squares sense. This shape calibration procedure, which is applicable to a wide variety of ultrasound phased arrays, was tested on a square array panel consisting of 7-/spl times/7-mm elements operating at 617 kHz. The simulated fields generated by an array of 96 equivalent elements are consistent with the measured data, even in the fine structure away from the primary focus and sidelobes. These two calibration steps are sufficient for the simulation model to predict successfully the pressure field generated by this conformal ultrasound phased array prototype.
Residual strain effects on large aspect ratio micro-diaphragms (capacitance transducer)

The authors describe techniques that result in low-strain materials and that reduce the effects of residual strain in microdiaphragms, which are used in capacitive-readout sensors. Square polysilicon grilles and perforated diaphragms made from both single and double polysilicon layers and from single-crystal silicon, with aspect ratios (side/thickness) of up to 1000 and very low compressive strain (about 6*10/sup -5/), have been fabricated. Strain reduction is achieved by combining thermal annealing with one of two mechanical design techniques. The first technique makes use of a series of cantilever beams to support the diaphragms. In a second procedure, corrugated surfaces, in thinned membranes of single-crystal silicon are formed. The corrugations result from the use of boron doping and anisotropic silicon etching. In both of these techniques to produce low-strain diaphragms, an etched cavity is purposely formed in the substrate crystal below them. Only one-sided processing of wafers is used, thus aiding reproducibility and providing ease of compatibility with a metal-oxide-semiconductor process. A fast etching sacrificial-support layer (phosphorus-doped chemical-vapor-deposited oxide) is used. >