cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nucleo-cytoplasmic Cycling of the Vitamin D Receptor in the Enterocyte-Like Cell Line, Caco-2

Intestinal calcium absorption is a critical step in the maintenance of calcium homeostasis [Fleet, 2006]. It occurs by both paracellular and transcellular pathways [Bronner, 2003; Hoenderop et al., 2005]. The transcellular calcium absorption pathway is an active process that is regulated by the active form of vitamin D, 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). 1,25 (OH)2D3 increases efficiency of transcellular Calcium absorption by increasing the abundance of critical proteins: calbindin D9k (CaBPD9k), the transient receptor vanelloid family member 6 (TRPV6), and the plasma membrane calcium ATPase 1b (PMCA1b) [Fleet et al., 2002; Song et al., 2003b; Fleet, 2006]. The actions of 1,25(OH)2D3 are mediated by the vitamin D receptor (VDR), a transcription factor that belongs to nuclear hormone receptor superfamily [Haussler et al., 1998]. The deletion of VDR in the enterocyte results in a 70% reduction in intestinal calcium absorption efficiency that is coincident with a significant reduction in CaBPD9k, TRPV6, and PMCA1b gene expression [Van Cromphaut et al., 2001; Song et al., 2003a].Previous research shows that binding of 1,25(OH)2D3 to VDR in the cytoplasm of cells stimulates heterodimerization of VDR with RXR and the redistribution of the VDR-RXR- hormone complex to the nucleus [Barsony et al., 1990; Michigami et al., 1999; Racz and Barsony, 1999; Sunn et al., 2001]. The nuclear import of the VDR-RXR-hormone complex is active [Racz and Barsony, 1999;Miyauchi et al., 2005], enhanced by 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment [Michigami et al., 1999; Racz and Barsony, 1999; Sunn et al., 2001], dependent upon the presence of intact nuclear localization sequences (NLSs) in both VDR and RXR [Prufer et al., 2000], and requires various importins [Miyauchi et al., 2005; Yasmin et al., 2005]. Most of the studies examining the mechanism of VDR nuclear import have been conducted in COS-7 kidney cells (characterized by low expression of endogenous VDR) and some characteristics of VDR import have been confirmed in cells from bone, skin, or kidney. In contrast the impact of 1,25(OH)2D3 treatment on VDR distribution has not been examined in absorptive enterocytes, a primary target cell of 1,25(OH)2D3 action. In this article we have examined the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of VDR receptor in proliferating and differentiated Caco-2 cells. Caco-2 cells are an intestinal cell line that spontaneously differentiates and recapitulates many of the features of the absorptive epithelial cell of the small intestine, including vitamin D regulated intestinal calcium absorption [Giuliano and Wood, 1991; Fleet et al., 2002]. We find that VDR nuclear import occurs under basal conditions and that import is accelerated by 1,25(OH)2D3. This process is not influenced by the state of cellular differentiation. Our data also suggest that 1,25(OH)2D3-induced nuclear import is balanced by nuclear export in Caco-2 cells. In addition, our data are consistent with an essential role for nuclear import of VDR in the genomic responses of enterocytes to 1,25(OH)2D3.
Unusual Electrical Effects in As‐Te Semiconducting Glasses

A glass-forming region in the As-Te system extends from 42 to 52 at.% Te when conventional cooling rates are used. The glasses exhibited nonmemory and memory switching during ac pulsing, depending on the electrical treatment. X-ray diffraction, DTA, and photomicroscopy were used to characterize structural changes occurring in glassy 48As-52Te during conductance transition and switching. These data are interpreted to indicate that nonmemory switching in this bulk glass is caused by intermittent heating and cooling of a microvolume of glass during ac pulsing; memory switching is caused by the formation and melting of a crystalline As2Te3 filament.
Nonlinear Interactions of Random Waves in a Dispersive Medium

A study is made of the way that the spectrum function of random, spatially homogeneous, dispersive waves varies slowly with time owing to weak nonlinear interactions between the waves. A continuous representation is used throughout and the slow variation is obtained with the aid of the multiple time scale method of nonlinear mechanics. It is shown that provided the dispersion equation satisfies a fairly general requirement (the non-existence of 'double resonance'), a closed integro-differential equation for the energy spectrum function can be obtained which describes asymptotically the transfer of energy between wave numbers on a time scale є^(-2) times a characteristic period of the waves, where the parameter є measures the relative order of the nonlinear terms. The equation is derived without imposing restrictions on the probability distribution of the waves, and in particular it is not found necessary to assume that the distribution is Gaussian. Nevertheless, the result is the same as if the distribution were Gaussian to zero order in e and this is true for arbitrary initial probability distributions. For a conservative system where total energy is conserved, the equation simplifies to a form previously derived by Litvak (1960), according to which transfer of energy takes place between resonant triads of wave numbers if they exist.
Diffraction analysis and evaluation of several focus- and track-error detection schemes for magneto-optical disk systems

A commonly used tracking method on pre-grooved magneto-optical (MO) media is the push-pull technique, and the astigmatic method is a popular focus-error detection approach. These two methods are analyzed using DIFFRACT, a general-purpose scalar diffraction modeling program, to observe the effects on the error signals due to focusing lens misalignment, Seidel aberrations, and optical crosstalk (feedthrough) between the focusing and tracking servos. Using the results of the astigmatic/push-pull system as a basis for comparison, a novel focus/track-error detection technique that utilizes a ring toric lens is evaluated as well as the obscuration method (focus error detection only).
Modeling Service Delivery as a System of Transitions The Case of Foster Care

Service delivery systems influence outcomes of personal social services. To understand and redesign delivery systems new conceptual and analytic tools are needed. The notion of delivery systems as a set of statuses through which clients move permits construction of transition matrixes to display caseload dynamics. In this study, analysis of such matrixes for a large child care system reveals patterns of movement not otherwise seen. It is concluded from inspection of tables and from testing for Markov conditions that the system is not changing despite administrative interventions. Probabilities of movement among statuses appear to be functions of the system and not determined by the history of the particular child. These findings suggest that the fate of children in placement is determined more by system dynamics than by client or professional considerations. This study shows that modeling of service delivery as a set of transition probabilities is a useful tool for evaluation of social systems.
Spectroscopic analysis of efficient laser material Ho^3+:YVO_4

The spectroscopic properties of Ho3+-doped YVO4 were studied at cryogenic temperatures in the 2 µm spectral region to clarify recent observations of efficient dual-wavelength laser operation in this material. Energy levels of the 5I7 and 5I8 manifolds were determined from low-temperature absorption and fluorescence measurements. Polarized absorption cross sections were measured, and stimulated emission cross sections were determined using the reciprocity method coupled with Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg calculations. The observed laser emission wavelengths were at 2054.2 nm and 2068.5 nm. At 80 K, radiative lifetimes for the 5I7 manifold were calculated to be 3.6 ms, and fluorescence lifetimes were measured to be 2.9 ms, indicating a quantum efficiency of ~80%. Analysis of the gain cross section at 80 K and 100 K showed that the laser output wavelength is very susceptible to minor changes in temperature.
Anharmonic gap mode in a one-dimensional diatomic lattice with nearest-neighbor Born-Mayer-Coulomb potentials and its interaction with a mass-defect impurity.

Both stationary and moving intrinsic anharmonic gap modes are generated in a perfect one-dimensional diatomic chain. Within the rotating-wave approximation, the eigenfrequency, eigenvector, and energy of such a localized packet can be found from differential-difference equations. A connection between the anharmonic system treated here and the harmonic one is that since the effective force constants are determined by the eigenvector of the particular localized mode, they can be viewed as renormalized force constants in a harmonic lattice. For the diatomic chain the even-parity anharmonic mode is unstable against conversion to an odd-parity mode while the odd-parity mode shows long term stability, in contrast with the result found earlier for a monatomic chain. Part of the mean energy of the odd-parity gap mode is associated with kinetic and potential terms of the ac vibration while the rest resides in a localized dc distortion of the lattice. Strongly localized gap modes can be approximated by the dynamics of a triatomic molecule. For larger vibrational amplitudes and associated dc distortions, the potential for the gap mode becomes double valued and the rotating-wave approximation fails. When the interaction of intrinsic gap modes with stationary anharmonic mass defect impurity modes is examined in numerical simulation studies, a variety of scattering results are found depending on the mass defect magnitude and the site in the diatomic chain. Two important features of the trajectories are that the gap mode is trapped at the mass defect when the vibrational frequencies of the moving mode and the anharmonic defect mode are near resonance and that the scattering is elastic when the frequencies are far apart.
Corticosterone-independent alteration of lymphocyte mitogenic function by amphetamine.

Abstract Amphetamine, a neural stimulatory agent with acute effects mimicking those of stress, is shown here to elevate plasma corticosterone levels and suppress spleen and peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) mitogenic responses to concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA) when administered to rats. Pretreatment of the rats with propranolol, a nonselective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist, totally prevented the amphetamine-induced suppression of lymphocyte mitogenic reactivity to Con A and PHA in the spleen and to PHA in the peripheral blood; however, the PBL mitogenic response to Con A was only partially restored. Although the amphetamine-induced alterations in immune function were prevented by propranolol pretreatment, the elevated plasma corticosterone response was not. This suggests that corticosterone is not modulating the mitogenic activity of splenic lymphocytes or PHA-reactive PBLs. On the other hand, Con A-reactive PBLs may be affected by corticosterone and/or other mechanisms, which may include catecholamines.
Signaling pathways mediating β3-adrenergic receptor-induced production of interleukin-6 in adipocytes

The beta(3)-adrenergic receptor (beta(3)AR) is an essential regulator of metabolic and endocrine functions. A major cellular and clinically significant consequence of beta(3)AR activation is the substantial elevation in interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Although the beta(3)AR-dependent regulation of IL-6 expression is well established, the cellular pathways underlying this regulation have not been characterized. Using a novel method of homogenous reporters, we assessed the pattern of activation of 43 transcription factors in response to the specific beta(3)AR agonist CL316243 in adipocytes, cells that exhibit the highest expression of beta(3)ARs. We observed a unique and robust activation of the CRE-response element, suggesting that IL-6 transcription is regulated via the G(s)-protein/cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) but not nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway. However, pretreatment of adipocytes with pharmacologic inhibitors of PKA pathway failed to block beta(3)AR-mediated IL-6 up-regulation. Additionally, stimulation of adipocytes with the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) agonist did not induce IL-6 expression. Instead, the beta(3)AR-mediated transcription of IL-6 required activation of both the p38 and PKC pathways. Western blot analysis further showed that transcription factors CREB and ATF-2 but not ATF-1 were activated in a p38- and PKC-dependent manner. Collectively, our results suggest that while stimulation of the beta(3)AR leads to a specific activation of CRE-dependent transcription, there are several independent cellular pathways that converge at the level of CRE-response element activation, and in the case of IL-6 this activation is mediated by p38 and PKC but not PKA pathways.
ROLE OF THE N-TERMINAL REGION OF THE REGULATORY LIGHT CHAIN IN THE DEPHOSPHORYLATION OF MYOSIN BY MYOSIN LIGHT CHAIN PHOSPHATASE

Myosin regulatory light chain (RLC) is phosphorylated at various sites at its N-terminal region, and heterotrimeric myosin light chain phosphatase (MLCP) has been assigned as a physiological phosphatase that dephosphorylates myosin in vivo. Specificity of MLCP toward the various phosphorylation sites of RLC was studied, as well as the role of the N-terminal region of RLC in the dephosphorylation of myosin by MLCP. MLCP dephosphorylated phosphoserine 19, phosphothreonine 18, and phosphothreonine 9 efficiently with almost identical rates, whereas it failed to dephosphorylate phosphorylated serine 1/serine 2. Deletion of the N-terminal seven amino acid residues of RLC markedly decreased the dephosphorylation rate of phosphoserine 19 of RLC incorporated in the myosin molecule, whereas this deletion did not significantly affect the dephosphorylation rate of isolated RLC. On the other hand, deletion of only four N-terminal amino acid residues showed no effect on dephosphorylation of phosphoserine 19 of incorporated RLC. The inhibition of dephosphorylation by deletion of the seven N-terminal residues was also found with the catalytic subunit of MLCP. Phosphorylation at serine 1/serine 2 and threonine 9 did not influence the dephosphorylation rate of serine 19 and threonine 18 by MLCP. These results suggest that the N-terminal region of RLC plays an important role in substrate recognition of MLCP.
On the equivalent of low-rank linear regressions and linear discriminant analysis based regressions

The low-rank regression model has been studied and applied to capture the underlying classes/tasks correlation patterns, such that the regression/classification results can be enhanced. In this paper, we will prove that the low-rank regression model is equivalent to doing linear regression in the linear discriminant analysis (LDA) subspace. Our new theory reveals the learning mechanism of low-rank regression, and shows that the low-rank structures exacted from classes/tasks are connected to the LDA projection results. Thus, the low-rank regression efficiently works for the high-dimensional data. Moreover, we will propose new discriminant low-rank ridge regression and sparse low-rank regression methods. Both of them are equivalent to doing regularized regression in the regularized LDA subspace. These new regularized objectives provide better data mining results than existing low-rank regression in both theoretical and empirical validations. We evaluate our discriminant low-rank regression methods by six benchmark datasets. In all empirical results, our discriminant low-rank models consistently show better results than the corresponding full-rank methods.
Welcome to the Bubble Chamber: Online in the Humanities Today

New scholarly resources are undoubtedly helping to change the methods of inquiry in media history and the humanities more broadly. However, this essay raises the question of the ways in which they are also helping to change the substance of that inquiry. Any satisfying approach to this issue must entail multiple strands. The author uses an analogy to the field of particle physics to illustrate the multiple issues this question raises and to suggest some possible answers.
Pair Cascades and Deathlines in Magnetic Fields with Offset Polar Caps

We present results of electron‐positron pair cascade simulations in a dipole magnetic field whose polar cap is offset from the dipole axis. In such a field geometry, the polar cap is displaced a small fraction of the neutron star radius from the star symmetry axis and the field line radius of curvature is modified. Using the modified parallel electric field near the offset polar cap, we simulate pair cascades to determine the pair deathlines and pair multiplicities as a function of the offset. We find that the pair multiplicity can change dramatically with a modest offset, with a significant increase on one side of the polar cap. Lower pair deathlines allow a larger fraction of the pulsar population, that include old and millisecond pulsars, to produce cascades with high multiplicity. The results have some important implications for pulsar particle production, high‐energy emission and cosmic‐ray contribution.
Supervising the Secondary School Physical Education Program.

Physical education contributes to the physical, mental, and emotional health of young people. Administrators must rec ognize these contributions and ensure an effective physical education program.
Complexation of Organic Acids and Bases with Their Salts in Aqueous Solution

The solubilization of certain organic acids in aqueous solutions of their salts has been attributed to a complexation between the acid and anion species. In the present investigation solubility studies were used in an effort to ascertain the factors influencing such complexation and to determine the nature of the complexes formed. Benzoic acid, salicylic acid, p-hydroxy-, 2,4-dihydroxy-, 2,5-dihydroxy-, 2,6-dihy- droxy-, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acids, phenylacetic acid, adipic acid, barbituric acid, barbital, phenobarbital, and saccharin showed substantial increases in solubility in the presence of their sodium salts. Studies with atropine and procaine in solutions of their salts showed that similar complexes occurred in these systems. In some cases insoluble complexes were formed at high salt concentrations. Addition of hydroxyl groups to benzoic acid favors complexation. Quantitative evaluation of equilibrium constants could not be determined because of a concurrent salting out effect.
Social change through photographs and music: A qualitative method for teaching

This paper examines the use of qualitative methodology in the sociology classroom by demonstrating the use of photographs and music in teaching the human element of social change. The authors maintain that traditionally only one side of social change is taught to the students; the objective view with facts and figures. By adding the other side of social change, the subjective view, the students are better able to appreciate the significance of the larger social change process. The authors maintain that photographs and music best relay the subjective view to the class. By using the modernization of American society as an example, the authors proceed to identify specific pictures and music which they feel most accurately depict this view of social change. A detailed description of their selection process is also presented.
An investigation of RF sputter etched silicon surfaces using helium ion backscatter

The effect of RF sputter etching on the (111) surface of silicon was studied by observing backscatter spectra from a 2 MeV, He-4(+) beam oriented along the silicon 111 orientation channel. Silicon samples were RF sputter etched in an argon discharge at electrode bias potentials ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 kV. The samples were sputter etched for a time sufficient for the lattice damage to reach saturation. Analysis of these samples revealed that the thickness of this damage layer and the concentration of trapped argon increased with electrode bias potential. An annealing study of these damaged surfaces was carried out to 900 C.
Optical bleaching in situ for barium fluoride crystals

Abstract This report presents results of optical bleaching for barium fluoride crystals to be used to construct a precision electromagnetic calorimeter at future hadron colliders. A practical technique for in situ bleaching by illuminating crystals with light from a UV lamp through an optical fiber is established. The light attenuation length of current production BaF 2 crystals can be set to around 200 (160) cm under 400 (130) rad/h by using 4.3 (1.1) mW bleaching light from a mercury (xenon) lamp through a ∅0.6 mm fiber. The color center dynamics model proposed in our early publication [1] has also been verified. The technical approach described in this report can be used for other candidate crystals to maintain an adequate light attenuation length in a radiation environment.
Stokes flow due to the sliding of a smooth plate over a slotted plate

Abstract The Stokes flow due to the sliding of a smooth plate over a slotted plate and a bottom fixed plate is solved by eigenfunction expansions and matching. The streamlines show recirculating bubbles near the slots. The drag depends on the void ratio and the relative positions of the three plates. It is found that the Navier condition is in general not satisfied for a slotted plate.
The metallurgical design of Nb-Ti and Nb 3 Sn multifilament superconductors

Although the metallurgical properties are only one of a number of important concerns in the design of a useful multifilament magnet conductor, they are of basic importance both to the fabrication process and to the critical current density J c . In this paper we discus some of the implications of making certain metallurgical choices - for example in the Nb-Ti system high J c may be obtained over a range of alloy contents and for bronze route Nb 3 Sn conductors a variety of bronze to Nb ratios are chosen. Some of the consequences of the choice are explored with respect to the basic superconducting properties T c and H c2 , the strongly structure sensitive property J c , the fabricability and the mechanical stability.
Advanced propulsion for LEO and GEO platforms

Mission requirements and mass savings applicable to specific low earth orbit and geostationary earth orbit platforms using three highly developed propulsion systems are described. Advanced hypergolic bipropellant thrusters and hydrazine arcjets can provide about 11 percent additional instrument payload to 14,000 kg LEO platforms. By using electric propulsion on a 8,000 kg class GEO platform, mass savings in excess of 15 percent of the beginning-of-life platform mass are obtained. Effects of large, advanced technology solar arrays and antennas on platform propulsion requirements are also discussed.
Red and Far Red Effects on Phenylalanine Ammonia-Lyase in Raphanus and Sinapis Seedlings Do Not Correlate with Phytochrome Spectrophotometry

In seedlings of Raphanus sativus (radish) and Sinapis alba (mustard), irradiation for 6 hours with far red light significantly increases the extractable activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase by the end of the light period. A schedule of 10 minutes red light-110 minutes darkness-10 minutes red-110 minutes darkness-10 minutes red-110 minutes darkness has no effect as compared to dark controls. However, the red light program maintains a level of far red-absorbing phytochrome always measurable by in vivo spectrophotometry during the 6-hour experimental period. We conclude that the far red effect on this enzyme and for this specific material cannot be explained solely by formation and maintenance of far red-absorbing phytochrome.
Is test security a concern when OSCE stations are repeated across clerkship rotations

PURPOSE To examine the issue of test security when the same stations on an objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) are repeated across clerkship rotations. Specifically, is there a significant difference in students' scores on stations repeated in three or four rotations within a single academic year? METHOD The sample consisted of 15 stations in the OSCE given at the end of the third-year surgery clerkship at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine from 1989-90 through 1993-94. Each station was administered three or four times a year. One-way analyses of variance with contrast coding to test for linear trends were used. Results were considered significant at or below the .05 level. RESULTS Only three of the 15 stations showed significant linear trends. A two-part couplet orthopedic station showed a significant decreasing linear trend (p=.0001). Two stations showed significant increasing linear trends: a general surgery couplet station (p=.0004) and a plastic surgery station with an essay question (p=.0253). CONCLUSION There was no consistent evidence that students scored increasingly higher on OSCE stations repeated throughout the year. Thus, it would appear that a clerkship can repeat OSCE stations within an academic year without risk of a trend toward increasing scores.
Sources of Power in Coalition Building

This article analyzes the coalition-building tactics employed by the Bush administration during the Persian Gulf crisis of 1990–91. To provide a basis for generalization to other situations, we have developed a conceptual framework for understanding sources of power in coalition building. This framework draws upon research in the social psychology of persuasion, mass communications and negotiation analysis. While the actions of the Bush administration during the Persian Gulf crisis provide a “text-book” case for applying our conceptual framework, we believe that it could be employed much more broadly to analyze the efforts of leaders to effect political and organizational change.
A new interpretive approach to the molecular theory of liquids

Abstract A simple model of the liquid state is proposed in which the number of nearest neighbors of a molecule is proportional to the density. These Z molecules are pictured as distributed around the given molecule; the peak of this distribution always occurs at r0, the distance at which the pair potential is minimum. No assumptions of any lattice structure are made. Based on this model, a theory has been developed to relate thermodynamic properties to the interaction of molecules in pairs. From the knowledge of only two parameters, e/k and r0, in the pair potential for argon (fitted to the properties of argon in the solid and gas states), and no other arbitrarily chosen or adjustable parameters, theoretically derived equations lead to accurate values of configurational energy and heat capacity, and coefficient of thermal pressure for liquid argon, liquid methane and liquid oxygen from the triple-point density to the critical-point density.
Considering Landowner Participation in Wind Farm Layout Optimization

Current wind farm layout optimization research assumes a continuous piece of land is readily available and focuses on advancing optimization methods. In reality, projects rely on landowners’ permission for success. When a viable site is identified, local residents are approached for permission to build turbines on their land, typically in exchange for monetary compensation. Landowners play a crucial role in the development process, and some land parcels are more important to the success of project than others. This paper relaxes the assumption that a continuous piece of land is available, developing a novel approach that includes a model of landowner participation rates. A genetic algorithm (GA) is adopted to solve the nonlinear constrained optimization problem, minimizing cost and maximizing power output. The optimization results show that, given a projected participation rate, we can identify the most crucial plots prior to the negotiation process with landowners. This will ultimately increase the efficiency of wind farm development. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4006999]
Correlation of the AUA symptom index with urodynamics in patients with suspected benign prostatic hyperplasia

The AUA symptom index is widely used to access patients with suspected benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In order to determine how well symptoms as assessed by this index correlate with urodynamic findings, we evaluated 83 patients referred to our urology clinics with symptoms of BPH. All patients completed the AUA symptom index and then underwent a multichannel urodynamic evaluation. Patients were classified as obstructed, unobstructed, or equivocal according to the Abrams Griffiths nomogram. The AUA symptom index was recorded as the total score and, for purposes of symptom classification, further subdivided into an obstructive score (questions 3, 5, and 6) and an irritative score (questions 1, 2, 4, and 7). The mean age of the 83 patients was 67 (45–84). The mean total AUA symptom score was 16.6 (6–34), mean obstructive score was 6.1 (0–15), and the mean irritative score 10.4 (3–20). Pressure flow analysis using the Abrams-Griffiths nomogram classified 28 patients (34%) as obstructed, 17 (20%) as unobstructed, and 38 (46%) as equivocal. Using the analysis of variance procedure (ANOVA) there was no statistically significant difference in the mean total (P = 0.446), obstructive (P = 0.979), or irritative (P = 0.136) scores. Detrusor instability was present in 45 patients (54%). While total and obstructive scores were not significantly different in patients with detrusor instability vs. those with stable bladders, irritative scores were higher in patients with instability (P = 0.028) using the T-test procedure. Using ANOVA, the difference in post void residual (PVR) between the groups was not quite statistically significant (P = 0.057). The AUA symptom score does not appear to correlate with urodynamic obstruction. However, higher irritative symptom scores are associated with detrusor instability. It is likely that in many men with “BPH,” symptoms are not caused by outlet obstruction and may be related to changes in the aging bladder. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Simulation-Based Design of a Self-Folding Smart Material System

Origami engineering — the practice of creating useful three-dimensional structures through folding operations on two-dimensional building-blocks — is receiving increased attention from the science, mathematics, and engineering communities. The topic of this paper is a new concept for a self-folding material system. It consists of an active, self-morphing laminate that includes two meshes of thermally-actuated shape memory alloy (SMA) separated by a compliant passive layer. The goal of this paper is to analyze several of the key engineering tradeoffs associated with the proposed self-folding material system. In particular, we examine how key design variables affect folding behavior in an SMA mesh-based folding sheet. The design parameters we consider in this study are wire thickness, mesh wire spacing, thickness of the insulating elastomer layer, and heating power. The output parameters are maximum von Mises stress in the SMA, maximum temperature in the SMA, and minimum folding angle. The results show that maximum temperature in the SMA is mostly dependent on the total heating power per unit width of SMA. The results also indicate that through-heating — heat transfer from one SMA layer to the other through the insulating elastomer — can impede folding for some physical configurations. However, we also find that one can mitigate this effect using a staggered mesh configuration in which the SMA wires on different layers are not aligned. Based on our results, we conclude that the new staggered mesh design can be effective in preventing unintended transformation of the non-actuated layer.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Cholecystokinin and neuropeptide Y receptors on single rabbit vagal afferent ganglion neurons: site of prejunctional modulation of visceral sensory neurons

A [125I]cholecystokinin (CCK) analog and [125I]peptide YY (PYY) were used to localize and characterize CCK and neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor binding sites in the rabbit vagal afferent (nodose) ganglion. High concentrations of CCK and NPY binding sites were observed in 10.6% and 9.2% of the nodose ganglion neurons, respectively. Pharmacological experiments using CCK or NPY analogs suggest that both subtypes of CCK (CCK-A and CCK-B) and NPY (Y1 and Y2) receptor binding sites are expressed by discrete populations of neurons in the nodose ganglion. These results suggest sites at which CCK or NPY, released in either the nucleus of the solitary tract or a peripheral tissue, may modulate the release of neurotransmitters from a select population of visceral primary afferent neurons. Possible functions mediated by these receptors include modulation of satiety, opiate analgesia, and the development of morphine tolerance.
Effective removal of microbial contamination from harvested rainwater using a simple point of use filtration and UV-disinfection device

There is a growing interest in the utilisation of harvested rainwater as an alternative water source. This study summarises an evaluation of the water quality obtained for privately-owned cisterns sampled in Tucson, AZ and the feasibility to obtain high-quality water from harvested rainwater by fitting cisterns with Point of Use (POU) filtration and UV disinfection devices. Of the 11 cisterns sampled, 30–50% tested positive for E. coli, 100% contained Enterococci and a few tested positive for lead at concentrations above the MCL. All physicochemical and microbiological constituents analysed were present at higher numbers in the summer than in the winter. The POU devices sufficiently cleared the harvested rainwater of total coliforms, E. coli, and Enterococci but performed marginally with respects to improving turbidity and heterotrophic bacteria.
Observations on the Reduction of 2,3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium Chloride by Homofermentative Lactic Acid Bacteria

Summary Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) acted as an inhibitor of lactic acid production in three of four homofermentative lactic acid bacteria cultures studied. The concentration of TTC causing inhibition varied with the different cultures. An increase in pyruvic acid and a decrease in lactic acid occurred when TTC was reduced by three of the four cultures. Streptococcus liquefaciens also reduced TTC to a small extent, but was not inhibited by the TTC concentrations used. This indicates the possibility of a metabolic pathway for lactic acid production different from the other three organisms investigated, or a cell relatively impermeable to TTC. TTC reduction was inhibited by concentrations of iodo-acetic acid as low as 10 −6 molar in some cultures. These results indicate that the DPNH reduces the TTC to the formazan rather than reducing pyruvic acid to lactic acid, as normally occurs in glycolysis by homofermentative lactic cultures.
A micromorphometry-based concept for routine classification of sentinel lymph node metastases and its clinical relevance for patients with melanoma†

BACKGROUND The sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) as the primary targets for lymphatic metastases can be removed selectively by γ probe-guided sentinel lymph nodectomy (SLNE) in nearly all patients with cutaneous melanoma. Correspondingly high standards in terms of specificity, sensitivity, and microstaging are required for the evaluation of SLNs. METHODS Since 1995, the authors have performed SLNE in 389 lymph node regions (LNRs) on 342 patients with melanoma. The harvested 636 SLNs and a further 1394 nonsentinel lymph nodes (non-SLNs) were evaluated by standardized, semiserial section histology, including immunohistochemistry. For each LNR, this technique permitted routine S classification using two simple morphometric parameters: the number of tumor-involved, 1-mm slices of the SLNs (n) and the centripetal depth of metastatic cell invasion (d). S1 was defined by 1 ≤ n ≤ 2 and d ≤ 1 mm, equivalent to localized peripheral tumor cell deposits; S2 was defined by n > 2 and d ≤ 1 mm, indicating more extended peripheral metastases; S3 was defined by d > 1 mm in SNLs with deeper metastatic infiltration; and S0 meant no detectable tumor cells (n = 0). RESULTS The authors diagnosed 325 SLNs as S0, 24 SLNs as S1, 22 SLNs as S2, and 18 SLNs as S3. The occurrence of at least one melanoma-positive non-SLN subsequent regional completion lymph node dissection (RCLND) significantly increased from 0 of 12 in S1 SLNs to 2 of 13 in S2 SLNs and 9 of 15 in S3 SLNs (P = 0.001; chi-square test). Like the T classification of the primary melanoma, the S classification proved to be a highly significant predictor for distant metastasis (P < 0.001). It turned out to be an independent factor of influence on distant metastasis and survival in multivariate Cox analyses, which included tumor thickness, primary tumor site, patient gender, and patient age as covariates. CONCLUSIONS The data presented recommend the S-staging concept as a promising option to fill a gap between the T and conventional N component of the pTNM classification. If its predictive capacity can be confirmed in multicenter studies, then the S classification may become the decisive criterion for or against RCLND, and a combined T plus S staging system will help to improve prognostically relevant stratification of melanoma patients in adjuvant therapy trials. Cancer 2001;91:2110–20. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Membership, Fair Play, and Political Obligation

In recent years a number of theorists have maintained that the obligation to obey the law is best conceived and justified as an associational obligation. Not consent or utility or fair play but membership is the source of political obligation. These theorists are wrong, I argue, but they are wrong in interesting and illuminating ways. For an examination of the advantages and disadvantages of the membership account of political obligation underscores the merits of a rival account of obligation grounded in the principle of fair play.
An adaptive matched filter

A recursive estimator providing the best linear mean square estimate of an arbitrary signal is derived in a form which is readily implemented using a charge coupled device (CCD) realization of the sliding chirp-z-transform (CZT). This estimator forms the basis of the adaptive matched filter which is being developed for electro-optical sensor applications. A microprocessor is utilized to calculate the frequency domain filter characteristic based on updated noise spectrum estimates. In this manner, the filter characteristic is changed to maintain matched performance. The frequency domain characteristic is converted to a finite impulse response in the time domain via an inverse CZT. The impulse response and the signal to be filtered are used as inputs to a CCD analog-analog correlator to perform the matched filtering in the time domain.
Public Library Facility Closure: How Research Can Better Facilitate Proactive Management

SUMMARY While there is agreement amongst professionals that the location of a public library facility affects use, there is little research on the impact of closure. Such an investigation is complex and rarely conducted. For the most part–there are simply news stories lamenting closure or impending closures. A recent national study by the authors of this paper offers a methodology for identifying branches which close, and a proposed research agenda to assess the impact of closures. The study provides a base upon which to build additional research on the effects of public library closures on actual and potential users.
The Virtue of Hope

I argue that hope is a virtue insofar as it (1) leads to a more realistic view of the future than dispositions like optimism and pessimism, (2) promotes courage, and (3) encourages an important kind of solidarity with others. In light of this proposal, I consider the relationship between hope and our beliefs about what is good as well as the conditions under which hope may fail to be a virtue.
Cosmic structure from radiation-blown bubbles

Absorbing material in an expanding universe filled with sources of radiation is subject to an instability driven by radiation pressure. In the optically thick limit, this instability takes the form of rapidly growing cavities or bubbles in the absorbing material. No matter how small they are when they begin, such bubbles grow to approach a limiting size which depends only on the ratio of photon pressure to absorber inertia. For a nonprimordial submillimeter radiation background as strong as that recently detected by the Berkely-Nagoya group, the bubbles grow to a comoving radius of about 20 Mpc, comparable in scale to the voids seen in the large-scale galaxy distribution.
A Competency-Based Model for Developing Human Resource Professionals.

This article describes a framework for the design and implementation of a competency-based curriculum for graduate management education. The article also outlines how this model has been implemented at one university in the context of a graduate degree in human resource management. Among the significant challenges discussed are the identification of competencies required for professional success; the identification of the specific traits, knowledge, and skills that combine to create competence; and the creation of a curriculum and the associated assessment tools necessary to promote the acquisition of competencies. Student orientation, student development, and student assessment are discussed.
Forward-mutation tests on the antitumor agent ICR-170 in Neurospora crassa demonstrate that it induces gene/point mutations in the ad-3 region and an exceptionally high frequency of multiple-locus ad-3 mutations with closely linked sites of recessive lethal damage

The mutagenicity of the antitumor agent ICR-170 (2-methoxy-6-chloro-9-[(ethyl-2-chloroethyl)amino propylamino] acridine dihydrochloride) in the adenine-3 (ad-3) region was studied with a two-component heterokaryon (H-12) of Neurospora crassa. The objective was to characterize the genetic damage produced by this acridine nitrogen mustard derivative to determine in a lower eukaryotic organism the basis for its potent activity against ascites tumors in mice. As in higher eukaryotes, specific-locus mutations in the ad-3 region of strain H-12 result from gene/point mutations, multiple-locus mutations, and multilocus deletion mutations at the closely linked ad-3A and ad-3B loci. Six different treatments of conidial suspensions of H-12 with ICR-170 were used to obtain dose-response curves for inactivation of conidia as well as the overall induction of ad-3 forward mutations using a direct method based on pigment accumulation rather than a requirement for adenine. These experiments demonstrated that: (1) the slope of the dose-response curve for ICR-170-induced specific-locus mutations in the ad-3 region was 1.97 +/- 0.02, and (2) ICR-170 is a potent mutagen (maximum forward-mutation frequency between 1000 and 10,000 ad-3 mutations per 10(6) survivors) for the induction of specific-locus mutations in the ad-3 region. Both biochemical and classical genetic tests were used to characterize the ICR-170-induced ad-3 mutations from each of the six treatments to distinguish the different genotypic classes and subclasses. The overall data base demonstrates that ICR-170-induced ad-3 mutations result exclusively from gene/point mutations at the ad-3A and ad-3B loci and not multilocus deletion mutations. In addition, the frequency of multiple-locus ad-3 mutations resulting from gene/point mutations at the ad-3A and ad-3B loci with a separate site of recessive lethal damage elsewhere in the genome increases as a function of dose. However, an exceptionally high frequency of multiple-locus ad-3 mutations consisting of gene/point mutations at the ad-3A and ad-3B loci with a separate site of closely linked recessive lethal damage was found at all doses. Comparison of the dose-response curves for the major classes and subclasses of ICR-170-induced ad-3 mutations demonstrates that the gene/point ad-3 mutations and multiple-locus ad-3 mutations with a separate site of recessive lethal damage elsewhere in the genome have different induction kinetics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A theory of aggregation in the thermal denaturation region of multistrand biopolymers

A theory explicitly allowing the possibility of aggregation of multistrand biopolymers is proposed. It is found that the same secondary bonds responsible for stabilizing the native structure at low temperature will promote aggregation in the thermal denaturation region for sufficiently long chains. A requirement for both open and zippered regions dictates that the aggregation region does not extend far below Tm. However, its width, or extension on the high-temperature side of Tm, is a strongly increasing function of chain length and also of the cooperativity parameter. The present theoretical results obtained for DNA and collagen with almost no adjustable parameters are in good qualitative agreement with a number of previously poorly understood experimental observations. The significance of such a spontaneous aggregation phenomenon for genetic recombination is noted.
Relationship of obesity, androgen receptor genotypes and biochemical failure after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND Obesity and androgen metabolism have been implicated in the progression of prostate cancer. Obesity has been associated with increased risk for advanced disease and biochemical failure after treatment. This association may be the result of changes in androgen metabolism that occur with obesity and are mediated by the androgen receptor (AR). METHODS To evaluate the effects of obesity and AR polymorphisms on biochemical failure, we conducted a study of 536 Caucasian prostate cancer cases. We determined the relationship between time to biochemical failure and obesity stratified by short and long AR-CAG and AR-GGN repeat sequence. The AR repeat groups were dichotomized at the median number of repeats for each polymorphism. RESULTS An association was found for obesity in the short CAG group (HR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.00–11.96). Among obese patients diagnosed with localized disease (T1/T2), the risk of biochemical failure was significantly higher (HR = 7.05, 95% CI = 1.55–32.06). No difference was observed for high stage (T3/T4) obese patients. Additionally, no differences in biochemical failure were observed in obese and non-obese men grouped by number of AR-GGN repeats. CONCLUSIONS Obesity is significantly associated with increased risk of biochemical failure in men with the high-risk short CAG sequence on the AR gene. This effect is not observed in men with long CAG repeats. Therefore, it appears that the relationship between biochemical failure and obesity may be modified by the AR-CAG repeat pattern. The short AR-CAG genotype may be more responsive to an altered hormonal milieu created by obesity. Prostate 72:984–990, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Route Towards Sustainability Through Engineered Polymeric Interfaces

Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of polymer films represent the marriage of two of the most important technological innovations of the modern age. CVD as a mature technology for growing inorganic thin films is already a workhorse technology of the microfabrication industry and easily scalable from bench to plant. The low cost, mechanical flexibility, and varied functionality offered by polymer thin films make them attractive for both macro and micro scale applications. This review article focuses on two energy and resource efficient CVD polymerization methods, initiated Chemical Vapor Deposition (iCVD) and oxidative Chemical Vapor Deposition (oCVD). These solvent-free, substrate independent techniques engineer multi-scale, multi-functional and conformal polymer thin film surfaces and interfaces for applications that can address the main sustainability challenges faced by the world today.