cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Presentation of an Acquired Urea Cycle Disorder Post Liver Transplantation

The liver's role as the largest organ of metabolism and the unique and often critical function of liver-specific enzyme pathways imply a greater risk to the recipient of acquiring a donor metabolic disease with liver transplants versus other solid organ transplants. With clinical consequences rarely reported, the frequency of solid organ transplant transfer of metabolic disease is not known. Ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency (OTCD), although rare, is the most common of the urea cycle disorders (UCDs). Because of phenotypic heterogeneity, OTCD may go undiagnosed into adulthood. With over 5000 liver transplant procedures annually in the United States, the likelihood of unknowingly transmitting OTCD through liver transplantation is very low. We describe the clinical course of a liver transplant recipient presenting with acute hyperammonemia and encephalopathy after receiving a liver graft form a donor with unrecognized OTCD.
Asymptotic stability of rarefaction waves for 2 × 2 viscous hyperbolic conservation laws—The two-modes case

Abstract In this paper, we continue our study on the asymptotic behavior toward rare-faction waves of a general 2 × 2 system of hyperbolic conservation laws with positive viscosity matrix. It is shown that when the initial data is a small perturbation of a weak rarefaction wave (a linear superposition of a 1-rarefaction wave and a 2-rarefaction wave) for the corresponding inviscid hyperbolic conservation laws, then the solution of the Cauchy problem for the viscous system globally exists and tends to the rarefaction wave. The result is proved by using an energy method, combining the technique in [Z. P. Xin, J. Differential Equations 73 (1988), 45–77], and using the characteristic-energy method of T. P. Liu [ Mem. Amer. Math. Soc. 328 (1975), 1–108].
Thermodynamics, Phase Diagrams, and Stability of Bitumen−Polymer Blends

Infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the stability, segregation rates, and equilibrium concentrations of blends with bitumen and styrene−butadiene (SB)-type copolymers stored at 100−180 °C. The effects of SB concentration, molecular weight, S:B ratio, branching, and bitumen source were investigated. The results were analyzed in light of established mechanisms for phase segregation, blend thermodynamics, and phase diagrams for binary mixtures. It is shown that the phase diagram for bitumen−SB blends is tridimensional and that it contains a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) that decreases in temperature with an increase in polymer content or molecular weight. Equilibrium blend stability is governed by the entropy and enthalpy of mixing, i.e., molecular weights and intermolecular interactions. The rate of segregation, if any, is affected by the molecular shape of the blend components and their molecular weights. It is also found that SBS branching does not affect blend stability and that the mo...
Exchange Rate Regime Choice

Traditionally the choice of exchange rate regime has been seen as a second-best policy choice, which can be directed toward mitigating the distortionary effects of price or information rigidities. In this paradigm the optimal degree of exchange rate flexibility is found to depend of the source and nature of shocks hitting an economy. More recent literature views the exchange rate as a widely and frequently seen manifestation of government policy with careful exchange-rate management emerging as a tool that can enhance shaky policy credibility.
The initiation, development and structure of root nodules in Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae)

A correlated light and electron microscopic study was undertaken of the initiation and development of root nodules of the actinorhizal tree species,Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae). Two pure culturedFrankia strains were used for inoculation of plants in either standing water culture or axenic tube cultures. Unlike the well known root hair infection of other actinorhizal genera such asAlnus orMyrica the mode of infection ofElaeagnus in all cases was by direct intercellular penetration of the epidermis and apoplastic colonization of the root cortex. Root hairs were not involved in this process and were not observed to be deformed or curled in the presence of the actinomyceteFrankia. In response to the invasion of the root, host cells secreted a darkly staining material into the intercellular spaces. The colonizingFrankia grew through this material probably by enzymatic digestion as suggested by clear dissolution zones around the hyphal strands. A nodule primordium was initiated from the root pericycle, well in advance of the colonizingFrankia. No random division of root cortical cells, indicative of prenodule formation was observed inElaeagnus. As the nodule primordium grew in size it was surrounded by tanninised cells of a protoperiderm. The endophyte easily traversed this protoperiderm, and once inside the nodule primordium cortex ramified within the intercellular spaces at multiple cell junctions. Invasion of the nodule cortical cells occurred when a hyphal branch of the endophyte was initiated and grew through the plant cell wall, again by apparent enzymatic digestion. The plant cell plasmalemma of invaded cells always remained intact and numerous secretory vesicles fused with it to encapsulate the advancingFrankia within a fibrous cell wall-like material. Once within the host cell some endophyte cells began to differentiate into characteristic vesicles which are the presumed site of nitrogen fixation. This study clearly demonstrates that alternative developmental pathways exist for the development of actinorhizal nitrogen-fixing root symbioses.
The determinants of MNE subsidiaries' political strategies: evidence of institutional duality

In this study, we develop and test a model of the determinants of political strategies used by foreign subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs). Using recent theoretical advances in institutional theory that recognize that MNE subsidiaries are confronted with pressures for isomorphism within the corporation (internal legitimacy) and within the host country (external legitimacy), we integrate international business and political strategy literatures to create a multilevel model of subsidiary, host country and parent determinants of political strategy. Our hypotheses are tested using survey and archival data from Western European subsidiaries of US MNEs.
Putting on the Brakes: Cyclic AMP as a Multipronged Controller of Macrophage Function

Macrophages orchestrate innate immune responses in tissues by activating various proinflammatory signaling programs. A key mechanism for preventing inflammatory disease states that result from excessive activation of such programs is the generation of the second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) by ligation of certain guanine nucleotide-binding protein (G protein)-coupled receptors (GPCRs). The pleiotropic actions of this cyclic nucleotide on various inflammatory functions of macrophages are mediated by diverse molecular mechanisms, including the assembly of distinct multiprotein complexes. A better understanding of crosstalk between cAMP signaling and proinflammatory pathways in macrophages may provide a basis for improved immunomodulatory strategies.
Chrysippus: on the criteria for the truth of a conditional proposition

The dialecticians recommend conflicting criteria of following upon (xpLrpr pL r-r o (ii) if it is not day, I am conversing; and (iii) if it is not day, I am not conversing; while, given the same circumstances, it is false, by Philo's definition of "follow upon", that if it is day, I am not conversing. In other words, Philo made "follow upon" the relation that is now called "material implication".4 Diodorus held any conditional proposition to be true if, beginning from a true antecedent, it could not have terminated and cannot terminate in a false consequent.5 For Diodorus, then, each of the four propositions formulated above as examples of Philonian true and false conditionals is false. For Diodorus would deny that 'if it is day, I am
Modification of Alternative Splicing of Bcl-x Pre-mRNA in Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells ANALYSIS OF APOPTOSIS AND CELL DEATH

There is ample evidence that deregulation of apoptosis results in the development, progression, and/or maintenance of cancer. Since many apoptotic regulatory genes (e.g. bcl-x) code for alternatively spliced protein variants with opposing functions, the manipulation of alternative splicing presents a unique way of regulating the apoptotic response. Here we have targeted oligonucleotides antisense to the 5′-splice site ofbcl-xL, an anti-apoptotic gene that is overexpressed in various cancers, and shifted the splicing pattern of Bcl-x pre-mRNA from Bcl-xL to Bcl-xS, a pro-apoptotic splice variant. This approach induced significant apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells. In contrast, the same oligonucleotide treatment elicited a much weaker apoptotic response in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Moreover, although the shift in Bcl-x pre-mRNA splicing inhibited colony formation in both cell lines, this effect was much less pronounced in MCF-7 cells. These differences in responses to oligonucleotide treatment were analyzed in the context of expression of Bcl-xL, Bcl-xS, and Bcl-2 proteins. The results indicate that despite the presence of Bcl-x pre-mRNA in a number of cell types, the effects of modification of its splicing by antisense oligonucleotides vary depending on the expression profile of the treated cells.
The Autonomy of Probability Theory (Notes on Kolmogorov, Rényi, and Popper)

AbstractKolmogorov's account in his [1933] of an absolute probability space presupposes given a Boolean algebra, and so does Renyi's account in his [1955] and [1964] of a relative probability space...
Morphine and NMDA receptor antagonism reduce c-fos expression in spinal trigeminal nucleus produced by acute injury to the TMJ region.

Pain management in temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) often involves pharmacotherapy; however, the site of action for drugs that reduce TMD pain is not known. To determine possible central neural targets of analgesic drugs relevant in TMD pain, morphine or the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, MK-801, was given alone or in combination prior to TMJ injury. The number of neurons expressing the immediate early gene, c-fos, was quantified in the lower brainstem and upper cervical spinal cord as an index of neural activation. It was hypothesized that those neuronal groups most necessary for the sensory-discriminative aspects of acute TMJ injury should display the greatest reduction in c-fos expression after drug treatment. Barbiturate-anesthetized male rats were given morphine or MK-801 15 min prior to injection of mustard oil into the TMJ region. Morphine given centrally (i.c.v.) or peripherally (i.v.) caused a marked dose-related reduction in Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in laminae I-II at the middle portions of subnucleus caudalis (mid-Vc) and at the subnucleus caudalis/upper cervical spinal cord (Vc/C2) transition. Higher doses of morphine also reduced Fos-LI in the dorsal paratrigeminal region (dPa5) and at the subnucleus interpolaris/subnucleus caudalis (Vi/Vc-vl) transition. MK-801 given i.v. reduced Fos-LI only in laminae I-II at the Vc/C2 transition. Combined subthreshold doses of morphine and MK-801 reduced c-fos expression in the dPa5, mid-Vc, and the Vc/C2 transition region, below that predicted from the effects of either drug alone. These results suggest that neurons in laminae I-II of the mid-Vc and Vc/C2 transition and, to a lesser extent, in the dPa5 region play a critical role in mediating the sensory and/or reflex aspects of pain after acute injury to the TMJ region.
Public Interest `Blackballing' in South Korea's Elections:

South Korea's April 2000 congressional elections saw large numbers of incumbent candidates defeated. The South Korean mass media attributed considerable importance to the activities of a public int...
Treatment of Experimental Nocardiosis in Mice: Comparison of Amikacin and Sulfonamide

Recent in vitro susceptibility studies have shown that amikacin inhibits more than 90% of isolates of Nocardia. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of treatment with amikacin or sulfonamides on infection caused by Nocardia asteroides with the use of murine models. In an acute lethality model in which infection was induced by intraperitoneal injection, 13 (45%) of 29 mice that had been treated with amikacin survived, in comparison to zero of 39 untreated animals in the control group and one of 39 mice that had been treated with sulfadiazine (P less than 0.001 for amikacin). When infected with a strain of N. asteroides that was resistant to amikacin, all mice that were treated with amikacin and all untreated mice died. Drug therapy was also evaluated in a chronic infection model, in which abscesses were produced by an intraperitoneal injection of N. asteroides in saline. Treatment with either amikacin (P less than 0.001) or sulfonamide (P less than 0.02) for two to three weeks significantly increased the rate of resolution of these abscesses. These murine models demonstrate that amikacin has in vivo activity against Nocardia and may be potentially useful in the treatment of human disease.
TOWARD AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF GAY COMMUNITIES IN THE URBAN RENAISSANCE

This paper provides a theoretical and methodological framework for a "social constructionist" analysis of the role of gay communities in the "urban renaissance." We suggest that this is important both because as a substantive area of research the role of gays in the "urban renaissance" has been neglected, and because it highlights the need to overcome the structure versus agency debate in social theory. Structuralists have tended to regard the role of cultural identity in the "urban renaissance" asepiphenomenal, while voluntarists have regarded it as indicative only of personal choices in "lifestyles." An analysis of the social construction of the gay identity is stipulated, and an argument is made that gay involvement in the "urban renaissance" constitutes part of a spatial response to a historically specific form of oppression. An enumeration of what needs to be done to more fully implement our approach is provided.
A Maslov-Chapman wavefield representation for wide-angle one-way propagation

SUMMARY The Maslov technique provides a means of constructing uniform asymptotic solutions to the wave equation under conditions in which variables do not separate. This technique is useful whenever a body-wave description of wave propagation in laterally heterogeneous environments is appropriate. We exploit the assumption that there is a preferred direction of propagation to simplify the presentation of Maslov asymptotic theory given by Chapman & Drummond (1982). The one-way assumption allows all intermediate quantities of interest to be interpreted geometrically; the Lagrangian manifold plays a central role. It is shown, for instance, that in the geometric limit the wavefield and its Radon transform are projections of the Lagrangian manifold onto the depth (the transverse spatial coordinate) and slowness axes, respectively. The final one-way wavefield representation is easy to implement numerically, offering several advantages over the Chapman & Drummond formulation. Using the one-way formulation, all quantities required to compute the wavefield at all depths at a fixed range (the preferred propagation direction) are computed concurrently; the technique is thus particularly well suited to the modelling of wavefields which are sampled using a multi-element vertical array (e.g. in a borehole).
Dives into outer Coronado Canyon System

Abstract Dives in Lockheed's submarine “Deep Quest” followed the floor of the fan valley and outer gorge of Coronado Canyon, southwest of the California—Baja California border. Both the fan valley and outer gorge have meandering courses. Basin depressions and intermittent steep descents characterize the outer gorge. No indications were found of recent activity of turbidity currents at either location, but a sand layer 30 cm below the surface is interpreted as related to a lower stand of sea level at the close of the last ice age. Abundant organisms were seen on the valley floor and in the overlying water.
Differences in rat dorsal striatal NMDA and AMPA receptors following acute and repeated cocaine-induced locomotor activation.

Sprague-Dawley rats can be classified as low or high cocaine responders (LCRs or HCRs, respectively) based on their locomotor activity induced by an acute low dose of cocaine. Upon repeated cocaine exposure, LCRs display greater locomotor sensitization, reward, and reinforcement than HCRs. Altered glutamate receptor expression in the brain reward pathway has been linked to locomotor sensitization and addiction. To determine if such changes contribute to the differential development of locomotor sensitization, we examined protein levels of total, phosphorylated, and cell surface glutamate N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptors (Rs) following acute or repeated cocaine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) in LCRs, HCRs and saline controls. Three areas involved in the development and expression of locomotor sensitization were investigated: the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc) and dorsal striatum (dSTR). Our results revealed differences only in the dSTR, where we found that after acute cocaine, GluN2BTyr-1472 phosphorylation was significantly greater in LCRs, compared to HCRs and controls. Additionally in dSTR, after repeated cocaine, we observed significant increases in total GluA1, phosphorylated GluA1Ser-845, and cell surface GluA1 in all cocaine-treated animals vs. controls. The acute cocaine-induced increases in NMDARs in dSTR of LCRs may help to explain the more ready development of locomotor sensitization and susceptibility to addiction-like behaviors in rats that initially exhibit little or no cocaine-induced activation, whereas the AMPAR increases after repeated cocaine may relate to recruitment of more dorsal striatal circuits and maintenance of the marked cocaine-induced locomotor activation observed in all of the rats.
Siblings and gender differences in African-American college attendance

Abstract Differences in college enrollment growth rates for African-American men and women have resulted in a large gender gap in college attendance. This paper shows that, controlling for spurious correlation with unobserved variables, having more college-educated older siblings raises rather than lowers the likelihood of college attendance for African-Americans. Furthermore, over one-third of the gender gap is due to the greater influence of older college-educated brothers and sisters on women than on men. This finding has implications for explanations of sibling effects on schooling by gender, for policies to reduce race and gender differences in schooling, and for calculating benefits of programs that increase college enrollments.
Preliminary Development of Characterization Methods for Compliant Air Bearings

Developing a system for dynamic stiffness and damping measurements for foil bearings is crucial for future advancements in the design and use of oil-free bearing technology. This paper addresses so...
Dynamic Model for Understanding Spatial Temperature and Species Distributions in Internal-Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Direct internal reformation of methane in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) leads to two major performance and longevity challenges: thermal stresses in the cell due to large temperature gradients and coke formation on the anode. A simplified quasi-two-dimensional direct internal reformation SOFC (DIR-SOFC) dynamic model was developed for investigation of the effects of various parameters and assumptions on the temperature gradients across the cell. The model consists of 64 nodes each of which contains four control volumes: the positive electrode, electrolyte, negative electrode (PEN); interconnect; anode gas; and cathode gas. Within each node the corresponding conservation, chemical, and electrochemical reaction equations are solved. The model simulates the counterflow configuration since previous research [8] has shown this configuration to yield the smallest temperature differentials. Steady state simulations revealed several results where the temperature difference across the cell was considerably affected by operating and cell design parameters. Increasing the performance of the cell through modifications to the electrochemical model to simulate modern cell performance produced significant changes in the cell temperature differential. Improved cell performance led to a maximum increase in the temperature differential across the cell of 31 K. An increase in the interconnect thickness also exhibits a considerable reduction in the temperature difference across the PEN. In particular, increasing the interconnect thickness from 3.5 to 4.5 mm can achieve about a 50 K reduction in the cross cell temperature difference. Variation of other physical parameters such as the thermal conductivity of the interconnect and the rib width also showed an effect on the temperature distribution. The sensitivity of temperature distribution to the adiabatic assumption was also performed and results showed a considerable effect near the fuel and air inlets. This resulted in severe temperature gradients approaching 160 K/cm. Copyright © 2009 by ASME.
Electrical estimation of polarization mode dispersion parameters for compensation

A method to estimate the parameters of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) from the received signal power is developed and used to mitigate pulse distortion due to PMD.
PERFUSIVE ELECTROOSMOTIC TRANSPORT IN PACKED CAPILLARY ELECTROCHROMATOGRAPHY : MECHANISM AND UTILITY

In this study, silica-based packing materials with pore sizes herein ˚ . referred to primarily as channel diameters, d ranging from 60 to 4000 A were ch utilized to elucidate the role of pore size in CEC. Separations were conducted using a commercially available CE system, the inlet and outlet buffer reservoir compartments having been modified to allow constant application of ;150 psi of helium head pressure. This application of pressure was sufficient to prevent nucleation of gas bubbles, a common practical hindrance in CEC. On-column UV detection was performed following the outlet frit of the packed section of the capillary. Electrokinetic sample introduction was employed. The experimental results of these studies indicate that the use of wide-pore media in CEC may provide for notable increases in efficiency. When wide-channel, corpuscular silica packing materials are employed in CEC, the microbeads which comprise the larger particle begin to dictate the ''true'' or effective diameter of the packing particles, and analytes experience two distinct regions of pore space through which eluent . flows: the intraparticle region inside the particles of packing material and the . interparticle region between adjacent particles of packing material . The percent of total pore volume contributed by through-pores is likely to be relatively small in the packing materials used, suggesting that particles with a greater degree of perfusive character could provide even further increases in both efficiency and loading capacity. These larger diameter packing materials are easier to work with, less expensive, and offer increased probability of success in the manufacture of packed capillaries for CEC. Q 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. JM icro Sep9: 389)397, 1997 ()
Incorporation of pemetrexed (Alimta) into the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (thoracic tumors).

Abstract Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and throughout the world. The overall 5-year survival rate for lung cancer is dismal: 14% in the United States and even lower in other parts of the world. Recent developments in the armamentarium of chemotherapeutic agents for lung cancer have shown that two-drug combinations improve survival, relieve symptoms, and improve quality of life; however, complete response rates are still approximately 1% in stage IV disease and less than 20% of advanced stage patients survive 2 years. Therefore, improved therapeutic agents that increase efficacy are sorely needed. Most lung cancers overexpress thymidylate synthase and a variety of genes involved in cell cycle regulation. Previous studies have shown that some inhibitors of DNA synthesis (eg, gemcitabine) can improve the survival of advanced lung cancer patients, especially when combined with other agents such as cisplatin. The multitargeted antifolate, pemetrexed (Alimta; Eli Lilly and Co, Indianapolis, IN) was developed because it inhibits multiple enzymes involved in DNA synthesis including thymidylate synthase, dihydrofolate reductase, and glycinamide ribonucleotide formyl transferase. The early studies of pemetrexed showed that the important dose-limiting toxicities were myelosuppression, mucositis, and diarrhea, all of which are common with any antimetabolite. Subsequent studies described in this article will show that these toxicities can be significantly reduced by the use of vitamin supplementation with folate and B12, and that pemetrexed has considerable activity in non–small cell lung cancer and mesothelioma. Semin Oncol 29 (suppl 9):17-22. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Circular dichroism of large molecules

The circular dichroism of molecules, which are large compared to the wavelength of light, is considered. Explicit expressions are obtained for the circular dichroism and absorption of an exciton dimer and of a free particle on a helix. The dimensions are described for which the dipole approximation for the optical properties fails.
Ring inversion process for a series of 3,5-dialkyl-1-oxa-3,5-diazacyclohexanes: 1H DNMR study and semiempirical calculations

The ring inversion process for a series of 3,5-dialkyl-1-oxa-3,5-diazacyclohexanes was studied using proton dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance (1H DNMR) spectroscopy in conjunction with semiempirical calculations. At low temperature, the ring methylene protons decoalesced into two AB spin systems in a 2:1 ratio. Lineshape simulations of the DNMR spectra provided first-order rate constants for magnetic exchange. The energy barrier for each inversion reaction was calculated from the respective rate constants. In general, as the size of the N-alkyl group increased, the barrier to ring inversion decreased. A similar trend was seen in semiempirical calculations that modeled the ring inversion process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scientific Presentation Award: The impact of magnetic resonance imaging on surgical treatment of invasive breast cancer.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical treatment of invasive breast cancer (IBC). Method The IBC patients treated from January 2003–June 2008 were reviewed by a single institution. Results A total of 814 patients were treated, out of which 562 (69%) underwent breast conservation therapy (BCT), 151 (19%) chose mastectomy alone (M), and 101 (12%) chose mastectomy with reconstruction (M+ R). The mean age was comparatively low in M + R patients ( P ≤ 0.001). The mean tumor size was the lowest in BCT patients ( P ≤ 0.001). MRI use increased with no significant difference in type of surgery as noted by year. In multivariate analysis, type of surgery was significantly associated with tumor size, multifocality, age, and MRI use. The factors associated with MRI performance were: multifocality, younger age, tumor size, lobular histology, body mass index, and genetic testing. Conclusions The use of MRI in IBC patients has increased over the past 5 years, without any observable impact on surgical treatment. Similar factors are associated with mastectomy and MRI performance.
The demand for broadband business access in the latter half of the 1990s: an analysis of the Toronto and North American markets

The Toronto and North American markets are analyzed for a network termination unit (NTU) to provide broadband business access in the latter half of the 1990s. A description of the market is presented from six independent viewpoints, together with estimates of the market size for public and private network NTUs and the NTU modularity in terms of the number of ports. The estimation is conducted in the form of a case analysis of the urban core of Toronto. >
Epidermal Growth Factor and Interleukin-1β Utilize Divergent Signaling Pathways to Synergistically Upregulate Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene Expression in Human Amnion-Derived WISH Cells

Abstract In human parturition, uterotonic prostaglandins (PGs) arise predominantly via increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2 [also known as prostaglandin synthase 2]) within intrauterine tissues. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and epidermal growth factor (EGF), both inducers of COX-2 transcription, are among numerous factors that accumulate within amniotic fluid with advancing gestation. It was previously demonstrated that EGF could potentiate IL-1β-driven PGE2 production in amnion and amnion-derived (WISH) cells. To define the mechanism for this observation, we hypothesized that EGF and IL-1β might exhibit synergism in regulating COX-2 gene expression. In WISH cells, combined treatment with EGF and IL-1β resulted in a greater-than-additive increase in COX-2 mRNA relative to challenge with either agent independently. Augmentation of IL-1β-induced transactivation by EGF was not observed in cells harboring reporter plasmids bearing nuclear factor-kappa B (NFκB) regulatory elements alone, but was evident whe...
Candida albicans adherence to surface-modified denture resin surfaces.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate two innovative methods in reducing adhesion of Candida albicans to denture base resins through modification of the surface characteristics of denture resin by incorporation of surface charge and application of a self-bonding polymer on denture resins. Materials and Methods: Three groups were tested [Group 1: control, pure poly(methylmethacrylate)(PMMA);Group2:modifiedPMMA(mPMMA)with16% methacrylic acid; Group 3: pure PMMA coated with self-bonding polymer (SBP)]. Twenty resin specimens for each group were polymerized, and four experimental subgroups for each surface type were devised, consisting of 2, 4, 6, and 12 days of incubation in C. albicans suspension. The surface area of adherent C. albicans stained with Gram’s crystal violet was examined under a light microscope at 400× magnification. Four areas were photographed on each block, one on each quadrant. The images were analyzed using Scion Image 1.63 software to calculate the percent surface area containing adherent C. albicans. Kruskal‐Wallis test and Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) procedure were used to compare the groups. Results: At day 2, the modified resin had statistically significantly lower levels of Candida than both the control group and the SBP group (p < 0.036). Both the mPMMA group and SBP group had statistically significantly lower levels of Candida accumulation at days 4, 6, and 12, compared to the control. Conclusions: The amount of C. albicans adhering to the resin surfaces reduced significantly with modification of surface charge and application of self-bonding polymer. Modificationofsurfacecharacteristicsofpolymericbiomaterialsisaneffectivemethod in reducing adhesion of C. albicans to PMMA surfaces.
Probabilistic algorithm for phase retrieval

A probabilistic approach is proposed for the problem of estimating a function from the modulus of its Fourier transform. In this approach, the statistics of the measurement noise and prior knowledge about the function itself (for example, support and positivity) can be incorporated in an optimal fashion. The procedure is iterative and is based on a succession of linear estimation steps involving higher and higher spatial-frequency cutoffs. A series of numerical experiments was performed to test the ability of the algorithm to reconstruct two-dimensional test images under various circumstances. For these particular experiments, the inversion was performed on the assumption that the statistical ensemble of possible images corresponds to a Gaussian random process with no positivity constraint.
Heterozygous ATR Mutations in Mismatch Repair–Deficient Cancer Cells Have Functional Significance

ATR (ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related) function is necessary for the proper response to commonly used chemotherapeutic agents. Heterozygous truncating mutations in exon 10 of the ATR gene have been described in numerous cancers exhibiting microsatellite instability. We show that truncating mutations of ATR are capable of acting in a dominant-negative manner to abrogate ATR-dependent Chk1 phosphorylation and cell-cycle arrests after DNA damage. In addition, endometrial cell lines harboring ATR mutations are defective for ATR-dependent responses. These findings imply that ATR mutations play an important role in the development and clinical behavior of a subset of microsatellite instability-positive endometrial, colon, and stomach cancers.
Autophagy – an emerging immunological paradigm

Autophagy is a fundamental eukaryotic process with multiple cytoplasmic homeostatic roles, recently expanded to include unique stand-alone immunological functions and interactions with nearly all parts of the immune system. In this article, we review this growing repertoire of autophagy roles in innate and adaptive immunity and inflammation. Its unique functions include cell-autonomous elimination of intracellular microbes facilitated by specific receptors. Other intersections of autophagy with immune processes encompass effects on inflammasome activation and secretion of its substrates, including IL-1β, effector and regulatory interactions with TLRs and Nod-like receptors, Ag presentation, naive T cell repertoire selection, and mature T cell development and homeostasis. Genome-wide association studies in human populations strongly implicate autophagy in chronic inflammatory disease and autoimmune disorders. Collectively, the unique features of autophagy as an immunological process and its contributions to other arms of the immune system represent a new immunological paradigm.
Internet Multimedia - Streaming Media (Tutorial)

Over the past decade, a set of protocols have been developed that support a variety of multimedia applications on the Internet, ranging from streaming media to Internet radio and TV to Internet telephony. All of these require new protocols and algorithms. The tutorial will review the principal components of the current multimedia architecture and outline how the challenges posed by a largely best-effort network can be met. It will also highlight some of the on-going developments such as fresh attempts at scalable resource reservation protocols. Topics: Types of Internet multimedia (streaming, continuous media, interactive media); Challenges of Internet multimedia (differences to other Internet traffic types; summary of codecs); Components of the Internet multimedia architecture; Multimedia transport (RTP; loss compensation and recovery; scalable feedback); Session setup and control for streaming media (RTSP); Internet telephony (session initiation: SIP and H.323; address mapping: ENUM; gateway location: TRIP; convergence with IM, presence and events); Future challenges: content distribution networks.
Social Movement Theory Today: Toward a Theory of Action?

Grand theories of social movements, relating them to History or Society, are being dismantled and reevaluated. In their place approaches are emerging that offer a cultural and emotional theory of action, allowing analysts to build from the micro-level to the macro-level in a more empirical way rather than deductively from the top down. Social movements are composed of individuals and their interactions. Rational-choice approaches recognize this, but their version of the calculating individual is too abstract to be realistic or helpful. Pragmatism, feminism, and related traditions are encouraging a rethinking of collective action.
Real-world learning through student enterprise-the startup phase

In the fall of 2000, Michigan Technological University implemented an interdisciplinary, multi-year program whereby teams of students solve real-world problems as part of their undergraduate education. Called the MTU Enterprise Program, the main goals are to improve the business and communication skills of the graduates by forming and operating a student-run business. One such enterprise is Automotive Systems (ASE). Formed from scratch, ASE is a consulting firm providing engineering services (i.e., modeling, design, testing and innovation) to the automotive systems market. This paper compares and contrasts the Automotive Systems startup to that of a typical commercial venture. It describes the recruitment, organization and business plan development activities during the first two semesters. Conclusions are then drawn relative to the "real world" value of this experience to students, clients and faculty.
Photonic Crystal Geometry for Organic Solar Cells

We report organic solar cells with a photonic crystal nanostructure embossed in the photoactive bulk heterojunction layer, a topography that exhibits a 3-fold enhancement of the absorption in specific regions of the solar spectrum in part through multiple excitation resonances. The photonic crystal geometry is fabricated using a materials-agnostic process called PRINT wherein highly ordered arrays of nanoscale features are readily made in a single processing step over wide areas (∼4 cm2) that is scalable. We show efficiency improvements of ∼70% that result not only from greater absorption, but also from electrical enhancements. The methodology is generally applicable to organic solar cells and the experimental findings reported in our manuscript corroborate theoretical expectations.
PDE-Constrained Fluorescence Tomography With the Frequency-Domain Equation of Radiative Transfer

We present the first fluorescence tomography algorithm that is based on a partial differential equation (PDE) constrained approach. PDE methods have been increasingly employed in many numerical applications, as they often lead to faster and more robust solutions of many inverse problems. In particular, we use a sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method, which allows solving the two forward problems in fluorescence tomography (one for the excitation and one for the emission radiances) and one inverse problem (for recovering the spatial distribution of the fluorescent sources) simultaneously by updating both forward and inverse variables in simultaneously at each of iteration of the optimization process. We evaluate the performance of this approach with numerical and experimental data using a transport-theory frequency-domain algorithm as forward model for light propagation in tissue. The results show that the PDE-constrained approach is computationally stable and accelerates the image reconstruction process up to a factor of 15 when compared to commonly employed unconstrained methods.
Lateralized differences in iodine-123-IBZM uptake in the basal ganglia in asymmetric Parkinson's disease

We used equilibirium analysis of SPECT data from patients with asymmetric Parkinson's disease to determine if lateralized differences in the striatal uptake of [ 123 I]IBZM correlate with asymmetry in clinical findings and, by inference, with lateralized differences in the concentration of extracellular dopamine. Methods : Twelve patients with asymmetric clinical signs of idiopathic Parkinson's disease were injected with a bolus of [ 123 I]IBZM, and multiple SPECT scans recorded the time course of radioligand uptake. The time integral method was used to estimate peak specific binding, so that a ratio of specific-to-nonspecific binding in the left and right striatum of each subject at equilibium could be determined. Nine patients also had 99 mTc-HMPAO SPECT scans which were examined for evidence of blood flow asymmetries. Results : Paired t-tests comparing [ 123 I]IBZM uptake revealed significantly greater (mean = 7.3%) availability of dopamine-D2 receptors in the basal ganglia contralateral to maximal clinical signs. Differences in receptor availability correlated significantly with differences in every measure of the clinical assessment. No significant differences in regional cerebral blood flow between the two sides were observed with 99m Tc-HMPAO. Conclusion : These results demonstrate the ability of [ 123 I]IBZM SPECT to reveal clinically meaningful variations in striatal dopamine receptor availability in patients with asymmetric Parkinson's disease. The equilibirum analysis technique used to determine these findings is a simple and robust method of measuring relative receptor availability and may be useful in studying other illnesses where dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotransmission is suspected.
Effects of organ culture on arterial gene expression and hypoxic relaxation: role of the ryanodine receptor.

Organ culture specifically inhibits vasorelaxation to acute hypoxia and preferentially decreases specific voltage-dependent K+channel expression over other K+ and Ca2+channel subtypes. To isolate f...
Development of a Space Suit Soft Upper Torso Mobility/Sizing Actuation System with Focus on Prototype Development and Manned Testing

ILC Dover Inc. was awarded a three-year NRA grant for the development of innovative spacesuit pressure garment technology that will enable safer, more reliable, and effective human exploration of the space frontier. The research focused on the development of a high performance mobility/sizing actuation system for a spacesuit soft upper torso (SUT) pressure garment. This technology has application in two areas (1) repositioning the scye bearings to improve specific joint motion i.e. hammering (Figure 1), hand over hand translation (Figure 2), etc., and (2) as a suit sizing mechanism to allow easier suit entry and more accurate suit fit with fewer torso sizes than the existing EMU. This research was divided into three phases. In phases 1 and 2 SUT actuation technologies were developed and evaluated. In the final phase, which this paper focuses on, a field of previously selected actuation methods was narrowed to one active, pneumatically driven system, and one passive, cable driven system. These systems were developed into fully functioning prototypes which were outfitted to a table top SUT mock-up which was later integrated into a full suit and tested. Both of these systems were shown to be successful in positioning the SUT shoulder joint interface angles in a designated location and holding there until task completion. The control mechanisms used for both the active and passive system was also modeled and developed. The final phase was concluded by collecting video of a manned demonstration of two of the sizing systems in effect. This paper will summarize the findings of this three year research with emphasis on the details of the final phase.
Speaking Through Others' Voices: Authorship, Originality, and Free Speech

The article examines a category of speech acts that I call speech selection judgments. These acts involve the appropriation or selection of speech originally created elsewhere (by another) and the secondary deployment of that material in another context by a person or entity different than the original creator. The practice is essentially citational, in the broad sense that one repeats the words, speech, message, or meaning of another, and yet claims governance and, often, ownership over the repetitive use. The article explores the variety of forms such speech selection judgments take, the Supreme Court's varied and inconsistent treatment of such acts as speech protected by the First Amendment, and the theoretical justifications for viewing such acts as First Amendment speech. I conclude that the Supreme Court's decisions are often based on conceptions of First Amendment speech that sweep too broadly and threaten to include a limitless variety of acts within the First Amendment simply because they can be perceived to communicate a message. In light of this, the article concludes that speech selection acts should be treated as protected First Amendment speech acts only when (1) a person makes a speech selection for purposes of expression; (2) the selected speech is adopted as an expression of the speech selector's own ideas or opinions; and (3) the selected expression is transformed in meaning or significance by the act of selection.
Predicting solenoid valve spool displacement through current analysis

A method of identifying solenoid valve transition events by analyzing the current through the solenoid coil is proposed. Solenoid valves experience lags and transition times which are non-trivial in the context of control methods that require precise valve timing. The proposed methodology allows a user to positively identify the beginning and end of valve transition events through identifying slope changes in the solenoid coil current traces. This methodology was shown to identify the timing of valve transition events with less than 7% error when compared to measuring the position of the valve spool with a laser displacement sensor. The proposed methodology is based upon measuring the current through the solenoid coil and requires no modification to the valve or valve housing to achieve these results.
Comparative effects of cocaine and cocaethylene on alveolar epithelial type II cells

AbstractAbuse of cocaine (COC) and alcohol have been among the leading causes of non-prescription drug-related deaths in the USA and are known to cause acute and chronic lung diseases. The co-abuse of COC and alcohol results in the production of an active metabolite, cocaethylene (CE). The effects of COC and its metabolites on the respiratory system have been scarcely studied. This study was aimed at comparing the toxic effects of eqimolar concentration (1 mM) of COC and CE on alveolar epithelial type II cells. This was performed by measuring cell growth, viability, clonogenic activity, cell cycle and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The treatment of CE and COC resulted in a significant inhibition of cell proliferation with the formation of an average of three colonies which measured about 1.74 × 10−15 m each and 25 colonies each of about 5.73 × 10−15 m, respectively, while untreated cells yielded 31 colonies of 8.75 × 10−15 m (p < 0.05). The treatments of CE and COC resulted in the reduction of ...
Amino acids in cervical mucus.

A clinical study was undertaken to assess the presence of amino acids in human cervical mucus during the menstrual cycle. 163 specimens of mucus were collected from 5 subjects during 17 menstrual cycles and analyzed. The laboratory procedures are explained. 17 amino acids were identified through paper chromatography. Concentrations of 13 of these acids are plotted on graphs against time before and after the phase of maximum secretion of mucus. Concentrations of the different amino acids followed paralled patterns within any given cycle; they varied more between cycles and between individual subjects. Decreased concentrations of all the amino acids were observed during the ovulatory phase the phase when total mucus secretion is greatest. Enzyme activity probably contributes to the presence of the amino acids in the cervical mucus.