cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heat shock factor 1-deficient mice exhibit decreased recovery of hearing following noise overstimulation.

Cells respond to stress by activating a variety ofmolecular pathways, some of which result in enhanced cellsurvival, with others leading to cell death. One of the bestcharacterized families of protective proteins is the heatshock proteins (Hsps). Under normal conditions, Hsps areinvolved in a variety of cellular functions. After stress, Hspexpression is up-regulated, resulting in increased cellularprotection and survival (Morimoto et al., 1997). In therodent cochlea, Hsp70 is up-regulated following hyper-thermia (Dechesne et al., 1992; Yoshida et al., 1999),ischemia (Myers et al., 1992), noise overstimulation (Limet al., 1993), and cisplatin ototoxicity (Oh et al., 2000).Prior induction of the stress response, by using a mild stressfollowed by recovery, provides cellular protection againsta subsequent, more damaging stress, if the second stress isgiven at a time when induced Hsp levels are highest(Landry et al., 1989; Hutter et al., 1994), a phenomenonknown as “preconditioning” or “acquired thermotoler-ance.” Mice preconditioned by a heat shock that up-regulates Hsp70 are protected against a subsequent dam-aging noise exposure if the noise is given at a time whenHsp70 levels are maximal (Yoshida et al., 1999).Heat shock factor 1 (Hsf1) is one of the transcriptionfactors responsible for regulating stress-induced Hsp ex-pression. Under normal conditions, Hsf1 is maintained inan inactive monomeric state. In response to stress, mono-meric Hsf1 undergoes trimerization and an increase inphosphorylation, resulting in Hsf1 activation and the tran-scription of its target genes (Morimoto et al., 1997). Over-expression of constitutively activated Hsf1 in vitro inmammalian cells results in Hsp up-regulation and in-creased cellular protection against heat shock and ischemia(Wagstaff et al., 1998; Xia et al., 1999). In contrast, al-though elimination of Hsf1 does not affect basal levels ofHsp expression, its absence either in vitro in mouse em-bryonic ﬁbroblasts (MEFs; McMillan et al., 1998; Luft etal., 2001) or in vivo in
Conditions during syntectonic vein formation in the footwall of the Absaroka Thrust Fault, Idaho-Wyoming-Utah fold and thrust belt

Abstract The Twin Creek Limestone in the footwall of the Absaroka thrust sheet contains three sets of bed-normal syntectonic calcite veins. Vein formation occurred during Cretaceous motion along the Absaroka thrust fault as indicated by (1) crosscutting relationships among these vein sets, (2) a previously dated solution cleavage, and (3) calcite twin analysis. Fluid inclusions in the veins and overburden estimates constrain inclusion entrapment temperatures to be between 175 °C and 328 °C. Results from stable oxygen isotopes indicate that the host and vein fluid compositions were in near isotopic equilibrium. Applying both reasonable geothermal gradients and constraints on overburden temperature yields fluid pressures during vein precipitation that are near hydrostatic. All data taken together suggest both that vein formation within the Twin Creek Formation occurred in a relatively closed system, and that the veins filled near hydrostatic fluid pressure. Because the veins fill precursory cracks, vein filling might not reflect the maximum fluid pressure that existed during the complete vein forming process.
JPEG-based image compression scheme using fully decomposed wavelet packet transform

The block DCT transform plays an important role in the JPEG still image compression standard. In this research, we investigate the replacement of the DCT block transform in the JPEG with the fully-decomposed wavelet packet transform while keeping all other building blocks the same with the objective to improve the performance of the JPEG. Different wavelet packet bases have been used in experiments. Most of them give better performance than that of the DCT-based JPEG scheme in the mean square error measure as well as visual appearance.
Debugging in the (very) large: ten years of implementation and experience

Windows Error Reporting (WER) is a distributed system that automates the processing of error reports coming from an installed base of a billion machines. WER has collected billions of error reports in ten years of operation. It collects error data automatically and classifies errors into buckets, which are used to prioritize developer effort and report fixes to users. WER uses a progressive approach to data collection, which minimizes overhead for most reports yet allows developers to collect detailed information when needed. WER takes advantage of its scale to use error statistics as a tool in debugging; this allows developers to isolate bugs that could not be found at smaller scale. WER has been designed for large scale: one pair of database servers can record all the errors that occur on all Windows computers worldwide.
Co-combustion of Korean anthracite with bituminous coal in two circulating fluidized bed combustors

The co-combustion characteristics for Korean anthracites and bituminous coals were determined in a lab-scale CFB reactor and the commercial scale Tonghae CFB Power Plant. In the lab-scale CFB combustion tests, the effluent rate of the emission gases, which can indicate the reactivity of the combustion, did not change appreciably when each coal burned. As the bituminous coal was added, however, the effluent rate of the emissions increased. The amount of the unburned carbon in ash decreased with increasing the ratio of the bituminous coal during the co-combustion. When the co-combustion was tested in the Tonghae CFB power plant, the temperatures at the upper part of the combustor and the cyclones, which were somewhat higher than designed and expected, could be reduced as the bituminous coal ratio increased. Consequently, more stable operation of the CFB boiler was achieved. The efficiency of the CFB boiler also increased due to increasing the reactivity of the combustion.
Vesicular mycorrhizal colonization of seedlings of Pinaceae and Betulaceae after spore inoculation with Glomus intraradices

Although Pinaceae and Betulaceae have been reported to contain Glomus–type root endophytes, its ecological importance and the conditions influencing this symbiosis are poorly understood. Seedlings of Abies lasiocarpa, Alnus rubra, Pinus contorta, Pinus ponderosa, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Tsuga heterophylla were inoculated with Glomus intraradices to determine the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizae (VAM) development and responsiveness of these hosts. The role of companion VAM host plants on mycorrhizal colonization and nutrient uptake by Pseudotsuga menziesii was also examined by growing seedlings of Pseudotsuga menziesii in dual culture with VAM hosts Thuja plicata or Calamagrostis rubescens. After 8 weeks, no seedlings were colonized. At 16 weeks, 8 of 17 Thuja plicata seedlings grown with Pseudotsuga menziesii and all 18 inoculated Thuja plicata seedlings grown alone were colonized with vesicles and hyphae. Two of 17 inoculated Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings grown in dual culture with Thuja plicata were colonized with abundant vesicles and hyphae. No ectomycorrhizal seedlings grown in monoculture were colonized. At 9 months, all 10 Calamagrostis rubescens and all 10 inoculated Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings grown in dual culture were colonized by vesicles and hyphae. Two of 10 inoculated Pseudotsuga menziesiiand 1 of 10 inoculated Pinus ponderosa seedlings grown in monoculture were similarly colonized. The mean phosphorus content in the needles of colonized Pseudotsuga menziesii seedlings grown with Calamagrostis rubescens was about twice as high as in noncolonized Pseudotsuga menziesiiseedlings grown with Calamagrostis rubescens. Tissue nitrogen did not differ between these treatments. The results show that Glomus intraradices colonization of Pinaceae is most successful when a VAM host is present, although some vesicular colonization of Pinaceae occurred in the absence of a VAM host.
ODIN - Optimal Design Integration system for synthesis of aerospace vehicles

The ODIN system is a new design synthesis procedure for solving multiple discipline design problems. In ODIN an unlimited number of independent technology codes can be linked together in the computer in any desired sequence. This paper describes the ODIN system, the executive program DIALOG, the data management technique, and the program library. The use of ODIN is illustrated with an application drawn from space system studies.
Juvenile diabetes mellitus with 50-year survival

Abstract Although extracts of pancreatic islet cells were found to lower blood sugar levels of mammals in 1922,1,2 it was several years before insulin became readily available for patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). A protamine zinc insulin preparation was introduced in 19343 and an improved preparation (neutral protamine Hagadorn [NPH]) became available in 1936.4 We recently studied at necropsy 2 patients who were found to have DM in 1935 and 1937. They had received insulin subcutaneously for 53 and 50 years, respectively. Because of the rarity of such long survival with onset of DM in childhood, a recording of certain morphologic findings in them appeared appropriate.
Confronting Diminished Epistemic Privilege and Epistemic Injustice in Pregnancy by Challenging a “Panoptics of the Womb”

This paper demonstrates how the problematic kinds of epistemic power that physicians have can diminish the epistemic privilege that pregnant women have over their bodies and can put them in a state of epistemic powerlessness. This result, I argue, constitutes an epistemic injustice for many pregnant women. A reconsideration of how we understand and care for pregnant women and of the physician-patient relationship can provide us with a valuable context and starting point for helping to alleviate the knowledge/power problems that are symptomatic of the current system and structure of medicine. I suggest that we can begin to confront this kind of injustice if medicine adopts a more phenomenological understanding of bodies and if physicians and patients--in this case, pregnant women--become what I call "epistemic peers."
Effects of Protein Kinase Inhibitors on Morphology and Function of Cultured Bovine Adrenal Chromaffin Cells: KN-62 Inhibits Secretory Function by Blocking Stimulated Ca2+ Entry

In cultured bovine adrenal chromaffin cells, a nonselective protein kinase inhibitor, staurosporine, inhibits secretory function and induces neurite outgrowth. In the present study, effects of other nonselective protein kinase inhibitors (K-252a, H-7, and H-8) and reportedly selective protein kinase inhibitors (KN-62 and chelerythrine chloride) were examined on bovine adrenal chromaffin cell morphology, secretory function, and 45Ca2+ uptake. Treatment of chromaffin cells with 10 microM K-252a, 50 microM H-7, or 50 microM H-8 induced changes in cell morphology within 3 h; these compounds also induced a time-dependent inhibition of stimulated catecholamine release. Chelerythrine chloride, a selective inhibitor of Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinase, did not induce outgrowth or inhibit secretory function under our treatment conditions. KN-62, a selective inhibitor of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), significantly inhibited stimulated catecholamine release (IC50 value of 0.32 microM), but had no effect on cell morphology. The reduction of secretory function induced by 1 microM KN-62 was significant within 5 min and rapidly reversible. Unlike H-7, H-8, and staurosporine, KN-62 significantly inhibited stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake. KN-04, a structural analogue of KN-62 that does not inhibit CaMK II, inhibited stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake and catecholamine release like KN-62. These studies indicate that KN-62 inhibits secretory function via the direct blockade of activated Ca2+ influx. The nonselective inhibitors, K-252a, H-7, H-8, and staurosporine, inhibit secretory function by another mechanism, perhaps one involving alterations in the cytoskeleton.
Cloning and sequencing of cytochrome P450 2X1 from channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus).

Abstract Previous purification and immunochemical studies in livers of channel catfish indicated the presence of at least four cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2-like isoforms. Sequencing of the first 18 amino acids of one purified form indicated a CYP2 isoform. From this N-terminal sequence and other published CYP2 sequences from fish, primers were designed and a full-length CYP cDNA was identified from reverse-transcribed catfish liver mRNA. 5′ and 3′ RACE was used to obtain an open reading frame of 1470 bp encoding a 490 amino acid protein (approximately 57 kD). CYP2 X1 was most identical to Fundulus heteroclitus CYP2 P2 (41%); CYP2 N2 (40%): and CYP2 N1 (39%).
Vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein synthesis by chick kidney and duodenal polysomes.

Abstract The hormonally active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3, is known to induce in the intestine and kidney of chicks the synthesis of a calcium-binding protein (CaBP). Here we report a correlation between the tissue levels of CaBP and the levels of apparent messenger RNA in total polysomes as determined by the vitamin D and dietary calcium status. Polysomes from pooled duodenal mucosa and kidney were prepared by the Mg2+ precipitation method. After translation in a heterologous, rabbit nuclease-treated reticulocyte system, the immunoprecipitated pellet of CaBP was dissolved and the proteins were separated on 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. When 13 nmol of D3 was given to 4-week-old rachitic chicks which were sacrificed 48 h later, it was found that the duodenum had eightfold more apparent mRNA for CaBP in the polysomes than the kidney. This was also reflected in the values of CaBP/mg protein in these tissues (duodenum, 7 μg/mg vs kidney, 0.9 μ/mg). Also, after giving D3, there was a twofold increase in both apparent mRNA levels in the polysomes and in CaBP levels in the duodena of chicks which were raised on low-calcium diets versus chicks raised on high-calcium diets. While apparent mRNA for CaBP was present in polysomes from rachitic chick kidney, it was not detectable in the duodenum. From these studies it appears that the induction of CaBP by 1,25(OH)2D3 in both the intestine and kidney is determined by similar control mechanisms.
Phylogenetic diversity of microorganisms in subseafloor crustal fluids from Holes 1025C and 1026B along the Juan de Fuca Ridge flank.

To expand investigations into the phylogenetic diversity of microorganisms inhabiting the subseafloor biosphere, basalt-hosted crustal fluids were sampled from Circulation Obviation Retrofit Kits affixed to Holes 1025C and 1026B along the Juan de Fuca Ridge flank using a clean fluid pumping system. These boreholes penetrate the crustal aquifer of young ocean crust (1.24 and 3.51 million years old, respectively), but differ with respect to borehole depth and temperature at the sediment-basement interface (147 meters and 39 oC vs. 295 meters and 64 oC, respectively). Cloning and sequencing of PCR-amplified small subunit ribosomal RNA genes revealed that fluids retrieved from Hole 1025C were dominated by relatives of the genus Desulfobulbus of the Deltaproteobacteria (56% of clones) and Candidatus Desulforudis of the Firmicutes (17%). Fluids sampled from Hole 1026B also contained plausible deep subseafloor inhabitants amongst the most abundant clone lineages; however, both geochemical analysis and microbial community structure reveal the borehole to be compromised by bottom seawater intrusion. Regardless, this study provides independent support for previous observations seeking to identify phylogenetic groups of microorganisms common to the deep ocean crustal biosphere, and extends previous observations by identifying additional lineages that may be prevalent in this unique environment.
The effects of hadacidin and inosine on hepatic protein synthesis and adenosine triphosphate levels in ethionine-treated rats.

Abstract It has been shown in this study that the administration of inosine, like adenine, is effective in counteracting the decrease in hepatic ATP concentration and protein synthesis induced by ethionine. This effect of inosine is probably due to its conversion to adenine nucleotides, since it is prevented by the simultaneous injection of hadacidin, a compound known to inhibit the conversion of inosinic acid to adenylic acid.
The purification and biochemical properties of alcohol dehydrogenase--"fast (Chateau Douglas)" from Drosophila melanogaster.

Alcohol dehydrogenase has been purified from Drosophila melanogaster lines bearing the Adh F, AdhS, and Adh FCh.D. alleles. Biochemical investigations show that the properties of the purified enzymes are very similar to those of crude enzyme extracts except that the pure enzymes are more heat stable. ADH-FCh.D. resembles ADH-S very closely in specific activity, substrate specificity, and a number of kinetic parameters including limiting values for K m(app.) for ethanol. However, it is considerably more heat stable than either of the two common variants. ADH-F differs from ADH-S and ADH-FCh.D. particularly with regard to the rate of oxidation of secondary alcohols. Atomic absorbtion spectroscopy shows that all three allozymes lack zine or other divalent cations as active-site components. Peptide mapping experiments identify one very active cysteinyl residue; and amide residues in the NAD+ binding domain.
Raman spectrometry and neural networks for the classification of wood types—1

Abstract In this work the coupling of near infrared (NIR) Fourier-transform (FT) Raman spectroscopy and neural computing for spectral feature extraction and classification of woods is reported. A NIR FT-Raman spectrometer operating at 1064 nm was used for all measurements; particular attention was paid to the effects of sample fluorescence and heating. It was demonstrated that fluorescence rejection is accomplished only for the lighter colored woods and that fluorescence was found to be severe for 10 of the 71 woods studied in this work even using excitation at 1064 nm. It was further found that hardwoods were no more or less susceptible to sample heating than softwoods. Feed-forward neural networks were used to extract the principal features of wood spectra at resolutions of 4, 8 and 16 cm −1 and to classify spectra as either temperate hardwoods or temperate softwoods. Neural networks were constructed using zero and two processing elements in the hidden layer. It was shown that neural networks with two hidden processing elements perform near optimally, since each hidden layer processing element may function as either a hardwood or softwood feature detector. This work represents the first time that FT-Raman spectroscopy and neural network technology have been coupled for spectral feature extraction and classification.
Modeling Approaches to Accurately Predict Minimum Fluidization Characteristics of Gas-Solid Fluidized Beds

The hydrodynamics of fluidized beds involving gas and particle interactions are very complex and must be carefully considered when using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Modeling particle interactions are even more challenging for binary mixtures composed of varying particle characteristics such as diameter or density. One issue is the presence of dead-zones, regions of particles that do not fluidize and accumulate at the bottom, affecting uniform fluidization. In Eulerian-Eulerian modeling, the solid phase is assumed to behave like a fluid and the presence of dead zones are not typically captured in a simulation. Instead, the entire bed mass present in an experiment is modeled, which assumes full fluidization. The paper will present modeling approaches that account for only the fluidizing mass by adjusting the initial mass present in the bed using pressure drop and minimum fluidization velocity from experiments. In order to demonstrate the fidelity of the new modeling approach, different bed materials are examined. Binary mixture models are also validated for two types of mixtures consisting of glass-ceramic and ceramic-ceramic compositions. It will be shown that adjusting the mass in the modeling of fluidized beds best represents the measured quantities of an experiment for both single-phase and binary mixtures.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Radionuclide evaluation of peripheral circulatory dynamics: new clinical application of blood pool scintigraphy for measuring limb venous volume, capacity, and blood flow.

A new application of clinical blood pool imaging is described for measurements of limb venous volume and blood flow. Forearm count rate changes determined using blood pool imaging of in vivo Tc-99m labelled red blood cell (RBC) were compared in the same limb to forearm volume changes measured by Whitney mercury-in-silicone rubber strain gauge in eight normal subjects. Intravascular count rate changes closely correlated with volume changes following sudden (mean r = 0.98) and stepwise (mean r = 0.96) limb venous congestion for assessment of venous compliance, as well as for measurement of limb blood flow up to 20 ml/min/100 ml ( r = 0.95). These results indicate the accuracy and utility of the radionuclide technique in the study of peripheral circulatory dynamics in clinical settings. In addition, limb tissue fluid accumulation may also be quantified by simultaneous use of radionuclide-strain gauge plethysmography.
Modeling, Identification, and Control of Rapid Thermal Processing Systems

A wafer temperature control system is developed for rapid thermal processing (RTP) semiconductor manufacturing equipment. The control algorithm is based on a physical model describing the heat transfer effects in advanced RTP equipment. A model identification procedure is proposed to estimate the uncertain parameters of the model from a set of experiments. Through singular value analysis, the impact of equipment design on feedback controller development is studied. An internal model control (IMC) design methodology is used to develop a low‐order multivariable feedback control algorithm. The feedback controller is coordinated with additional modules including feedforward control and gain scheduling to achieve improved performance and flexibility. The algorithms are applied to three different multizone RTP systems. Temperature controlled ramps are demonstrated from 20 to 900°C at 45°C/s with less than ±5°C during the ramp at high temperatures and less than ±1°C average nonuniformity during steady state as measured by three radially distributed temperature sensors.
The Relationship Between In-Vivo Glenohumeral Joint Motion and Joint Morphology in Rotator Cuff Repair Patients and Healthy Control Subjects

Rotator cuff tears are a common condition that adversely affect function and quality of life. Altered glenohumeral joint (GHJ) motion is believed to contribute to the development of rotator cuff tears. Previous research has demonstrated relationships between in-vivo joint motion and bony morphology (particularly in the knee [e.g., 1]), and similar relationships have been reported in cadaveric shoulder studies [2, 3]. However, the extent to which these relationships exist under in-vivo conditions or if these relationships are altered in shoulders with pathologic conditions is not known. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the relationship between glenoid/humerus morphology and in-vivo GHJ motion in healthy control shoulders and rotator cuff repair patients. We hypothesized that a relationship exists between glenoid/humerus morphology and GHJ motion in healthy control shoulders, but that this relationship is altered in rotator cuff patients.© 2011 ASME
Role of oxygen and heme in heme synthesis and the development of hemoprotein activity in an anaerobically-grown staphylococcus

Abstract 1. 1. Cell suspensions of anaerobically-grown Staphylococcus epidermidis exhibit very low catalase and respiratory activity and low content of protoheme when compared to cells grown aerobically. Protoheme was determined by extraction with acid-acetone and conversion to the pyridine hemochromogen. Large amounts of coproporphyrin are formed during growth under anaerobic conditions. If added hemin is present in the medium during anaerobic growth, the resulting cells exhibit a marked increase in catalase and respiratory activity. 2. 2. When resting suspensions of cells grown anaerobically without hemin supplementation are aerated at 37°, they exhibit a rapid, 30-fold increase in catalase activity, a 4-fold increase in respiratory activity, and, in the presence of δ-amino-levulinic acid, a 5-fold increase in protoheme content. These effects of aeration do not require addition of amino acids and are not appreciably inhibited by chloramphenicol, which causes a marked inhibition of protein synthesis as indicated by [14C]leucine incorporation. 3. 3. When hemin is added under anaerobic conditions to resting suspensions of anaerobically-grown cells a marked rise in catalase and respiratory activity also occurs. This effect of hemin is not blocked by chloramphenicol. 4. 4. These results suggest that when heme synthesis is impaired by growth in the absence of oxygen, this organism forms all the enzymes required for heme synthesis, and some of the apoenzymes of the functional hemoproteins (minus the heme prosthetic group). Oxygen may be required as substrate for a terminal step in heme synthesis in this organism.
98. Consequences of toll-like receptor 4 deletion on behavior, immune responses to stress, and age-related pathology in mice

Pro-inflammatory responses are potentiated in response to stress and play a role in age-related pathology and cognitive decline. We have undertaken an extensive littermate-controlled mouse phenotyping study to characterize the consequences of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) deletion in young and aged mice. Our study includes behavioral tests, next-generation microbiome sequencing, complete blood counts, clinical chemistries, serum glucocorticoid and cytokine levels, histology of all tissues, and assessments of function in immune cells isolated from stressed and unstressed animals. Deletion of TLR4 improves memory in both young and old mice, alters social motivation, reduces anxiety-like behavior, and changes behavioral and immune responses to acute stress. TLR4 deletion also leads to chronic intermittent seizures in some animals. Basal and stress-induced changes in serum and splenocyte secreted cytokines associated with stress and depressive-like behavior (IL-6 and IL-10, specifically) differ between wild-type and TLR4 knockout mice. Correlations between serum cytokines and circulating leukocytes also differ. Abundance of specific gut microbes also differ significantly between wild-type and TLR4 KO littermates who have lived long-term in the same cage. TLR4 functions in different tissues may offer mechanistic insight to the differences observed. Ongoing studies are delineating the roles of specific cell types and downstream pathways underlying the observed phenotype. Our results highlight the need for interdisciplinary work that will help elucidate how animals integrate information across multiple systems to coordinate adaptive responses.
Glucosamine infusion in rats mimics the β-cell dysfunction of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Sustained hyperglycemia can cause peripheral insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and has been termed glucose toxicity or glucose-induced desensitization. Glucosamine, a product of glucose flux through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), causes insulin resistance in peripheral tissues and has been shown to cause abnormal glucose-insulin secretion coupling, and thus has been implicated in the pathogenesis of glucose toxicity. Here, we investigate whether glucosamine-induced insulin secretory dysfunction is specific to glucose or also extends to nonglucose secretagogues such as arginine. Two groups of 12 weight-matched Sprague-Dawley rats underwent hyperglycemic clamp studies (steady-state blood glucose, ∼220 mg · dL−1) during infusion of normal saline or glucosamine 3.5 mg · kg−1 · min−1 over a 100-minute period. Insulin levels were measured at baseline and between 90 and 100 minutes. One hundred minutes into the hyperglycemic clamp, subgroups of seven rats each (saline- and glucosamine-infused rats) received a bolus of arginine (100 mg · kg−1) while the glucose infusion rate was unaltered. Glucose and insulin levels were measured at 1, 3, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after the arginine bolus. Both groups had similar fasting glucose and insulin levels. At steady state (60 to 100 minutes), glucose levels were almost identical in both groups (223.58 ± 3.94 v 224.58 ± 4.34 mg · dL−1), but the glucose infusion rate (26.55 ± 1.60 v 8.83 ± 1.35 mg · kg−1 · min−1, P < .0001) and insulin level (41.36 ± 6.47 v 18.04 ± 2.95 mU · mL−1, P < .0001) were markedly reduced in animals receiving glucosamine. Peak insulin levels 1 minute after the arginine bolus were lower in rats infused with glucosamine versus saline (274.00 ± 30.38 v 176.25 ± 20.12 μU · ml−1, P = .0319). Total insulin secretion in response to arginine was significantly lower in the glucosamine group as determined by the area under the curve (1,268.09 ± 142.27 v 706.77 ± 84.79 μU · mL−1 · min, P = .0054). In conclusion, glucosamine causes severe impairment in glucose-induced insulin secretion. Further, glucosamine-induced β-cell secretory dysfunction extends to nonglycemic stimuli like arginine. This pattern of insulin secretory dysfunction is similar to that observed in patients with non—insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). These data suggest that glucosamine may participate in the pathogenesis of glucose toxicity at the level of the β cell in NIDDM patients.
Botulism: The Many Faces of Botulinum Toxin and its Potential for Bioterrorism

The neurotoxins produced by Clostridium botulinum are among the most potent poisons known. Botulinum toxin currently is used for an increasing number of medical conditions intentionally to weaken or alleviate spasticity of specific muscle groups. Concern about its use as a potential agent in bioterrorism attacks, however, also is growing. Awareness of the botulism syndromes is critical to allow prompt identification of cases and rapid delivery of antitoxin that may alleviate disease severity and to provide supportive care, especially in the event of respiratory failure. This article describes the microbiology, pharmacology, and epidemiology of C botulinum and its toxins; the recognized botulism syndromes; modes of transmission; and treatment. Additionally, it focuses on the potential use of botulinum toxin as a biological weapon, reviewing potential modes of toxin delivery; recognition of intentional attacks; laboratory methods for toxin detection; and possible methods for prevention, treatment, and control of botulism in the event of an intentional attack.
Disruption and reaccretion of midsized moons during an outer solar system Late Heavy Bombardment

We investigate the problem of satellite survival during a hypothetical late heavy bombardment in the outer solar system, as predicted by the Nice Model (Tsiganis, Gomes, Morbidelli, & Levison 2005, Nature 435). Using a Monte-Carlo approach we calculate, for satellites of Jupiter, Saturn, and Uranus, the probability of experiencing a catastrophic collision during the LHB. We find that Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, and Miranda experience at least one catastrophic impact in every simulation. Because re-accretion is expected to be rapid, these bodies will have emerged as scrambled mixtures of rock and ice. Tidal heating may have subsequently modified the latter three, but in the nominal LHB model Mimas should be a largely undifferentiated, homo geneous body. A differentiated Mimas would imply either that this body formed late, or that the Nice model requires significant modification.
Robley Evans and What Physics Can Do for Medicine

When asked, in 1936 by J. Howard Means, Chief of Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, whether radioiodine could be produced for thyroid studies, Karl T. Compton, President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, referred the question to Robley Evans of the physics department. In response, Evans formed a team from the fields of physics and medicine that produced 128I for animal studies and, subsequently on a cyclotron dedicated to medical purposes, 130I for human uptake measurements and the treatment of hyperthyroidism. Much of what we have learned about iodine kinetics and the radioiodine therapy of Graves's disease stems from these early seminal reports. The cooperation between physicists and physicians that made their accomplishments possible stands as a model example for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Improving Motion Classifier Robustness by Estimating Output Confidence

Embodied conversational agents that can sense and respond to multiple modalities of user communication, like speech, gesture, and facial expressions, create a better impression and facilitate communication [1,2]. Responding to a user’s gestures entails classifying the content and quality of each gesture, but classification performance is dependent on the selection of input sequence boundaries. Small changes in the boundaries of an input sequence can have a large effect on classifier output. Failing to correctly classify a user’s gestures may cause an agent to respond incorrectly, which can negatively impact the agent’s ability to communicate.
A differential-algebraic approach to speed estimation in an induction motor

This note considers a differential-algebraic approach to estimating the speed of an induction motor from the measured terminal voltages and currents. In particular, it is shown that the induction motor speed /spl omega/ satisfies both a second- and a third-order polynomial equation whose coefficients depend on the stator voltages, stator currents, and their derivatives. It is shown that as long as the stator electrical frequency is nonzero, the speed is uniquely determined by these polynomials. The speed so determined is then used to stabilize a dynamic (Luenberger type) observer to obtain a smoother speed estimate. With full knowledge of the machine parameters and filtering of the sensor noise, simulations indicate that this estimator has the potential to provide low speed (including zero speed) control of an induction motor under full rated load.
Benzopyrans as selective estrogen receptor β agonists (SERBAs). Part 5: Combined A- and C-ring structure–activity relationship studies

Benzopyrans are selective estrogen receptor (ER) β agonists (SERBAs), which bind the ER subtypes α and β in opposite orientations. Here we describe the synthesis of a late stage intermediate that allowed us to combine A-ring and C-ring modifications and carry out simultaneous SAR studies at both positions. Modification of both positions proved additive, maintaining affinity and improving ERβ selectivity up to 83-fold. An X-ray cocrystal structure confirms the previously observed binding mode in ERβ.
Assessing Managerial Skills with the "Management Effectiveness Profile System":

The Management Effectiveness Profile System (MEPS) provides managers with feedback on fifteen different task skills (e.g., decision making, planning), people skills (e.g., managing conflict, developing subordinates), and personal factors (e.g., time management, commitment level) hypothesized to be related to their overall job performance. Self-descriptions are profiled against descriptions by others along the 90 items comprising the instrument as well as the fifteen categories. Data on 404 managers who recently received such feedback were used to assess the reliability and validity of the Profile System. The results indicate that the internal consistency reliability of the scales is fairly high, though many of the items correlate with other scales almost as strongly as they do with their own. Inter-rater agreement among the other people describing each manager is acceptable and, for many scales, is greater than the agreement between the others' and the managers' own reports. The criterion-related validity...
XRT-- Exploring Runtime for .NET Architecture and Applications

XRT- Exploring Runtime - is an exploration framework for programs represented in Microsoft's common intermediate language (CIL). Processing .NET managed assemblies, it provides means for analyzing, rewriting, and executing the rewritten program. Whereas XRT's representation of state allows for arbitrary exploration strategies, it is particularly optimized for transactional exploration, where a transaction may consist of many instruction steps. XRT supports extensions, and one such extension is a module for symbolic exploration which captures the complete domain of safe CIL. Current applications of XRT are in the area of testing, namely parameterized unit testing and state-space exploration for model-based testing. This paper gives an overview of the architecture of XRT and outlines the applications.
Gene conversion as a secondary mechanism of short interspersed element (SINE) evolution.

TheAlurepetitive family of short interspersed elements (SINEs) in primates can be subdivided into distinct subfamiliesbyspecificdiagnosticnucleotidechanges.Theoldersubfamiliesaregenerallyveryabundant,while theyoungersubfamilieshavefewercopies.SomeoftheyoungestAluelementsareabsentintheorthologousloci of nonhuman primates, indicative of recent retroposition events, the primary mode of SINE evolution. PCR analysis of one youngAlusubfamily (Sb2) member found in the low-density lipoprotein receptor gene apparently revealed the presence of this element in the green monkey, orangutan, gorilla, and chimpanzee genomes, as well as the human genome. However, sequence analysis of these genomes revealed a highly mutated, older, primate-specific Alu element was present at this position in the nonhuman primates. Comparison of the flanking DNA sequences upstream of this Alu insertion corresponded to evolution expected for standard primate phylogeny, but comparison of the Alu repeat sequences revealed that the human element departed from this phylogeny. The change in the human sequence apparently occurred by a gene conversion event only within the Alu element itself, converting it from one of the oldest to one of the youngest Alu subfamilies. Although gene conversions ofAluelements are clearly very rare, thisfinding shows that such events can occur and contribute to specific cases of SINE subfamily evolution.
Mapping visual cortex in monkeys and humans using surface-based atlases

We have used surface-based atlases of the cerebral cortex to analyze the functional organization of visual cortex in humans and macaque monkeys. The macaque atlas contains multiple partitioning schemes for visual cortex, including a probabilistic atlas of visual areas derived from a recent architectonic study, plus summary schemes that reflect a combination of physiological and anatomical evidence. The human atlas includes a probabilistic map of eight topographically organized visual areas recently mapped using functional MRI. To facilitate comparisons between species, we used surface-based warping to bring functional and geographic landmarks on the macaque map into register with corresponding landmarks on the human map. The results suggest that extrastriate visual cortex outside the known topographically organized areas is dramatically expanded in human compared to macaque cortex, particularly in the parietal lobe.
Guided Health Imagery for Smoking Cessation and Long-Term Abstinence

Purpose:To examine the effectiveness of guided imagery for immediate smoking cessation and long-term abstinence in adult smokers. Design:A repeated measures design was used with 71 smokers recruited from a hospital outpatient clinic, 38 in the intervention group, and 33 in the control group. Methods:Both study groups received educational and counseling sessions in their homes. The intervention group was provided with additional instruction in the use of guided imagery and was encouraged to practice this imagery at least once per day with a 20-minute audiotaped exercise for reinforcement. The repeated measures included smoking rates (cigarettes per day) that were measured and confirmed through corroborating friends and family. Findings:At 24-months after the intervention, smoking abstinence rates were significantly higher for the guided health imagery intervention group (26% abstinence rate versus 12% abstinence rate for the placebo-control group). Conclusions:Guided imagery was an effective intervention for long-term smoking cessation and abstinence in adult smokers.
Contrasting Effects of Plasminogen Activators, Urokinase Receptor, and LDL Receptor–Related Protein on Smooth Muscle Cell Migration and Invasion

Smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration is an early response to vascular injury and contributes to the development of intimal thickening. Upregulation of several components of the plasminogen activator (PA) system has been documented after vascular injury. Utilizing a Transwell filter assay system and human umbilical vein SMCs, we sought to define the role of four different PA system components on SMC migration and matrix invasion: (1) PAs, (2) plasmin, (3) PA receptors, and (4) PA clearance receptors (ie, low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein [LRP]). Addition of active two-chain urokinase-type PA (UPA) stimulated random migration (192 +/- 30% of control, 0.36 nmol/L, P < .001). The stimulation was inhibited by pretreatment with diisopropylfluorophosphate, PA inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), or aprotinin, a plasmin inhibitor. Augmented migration was also observed with either low-molecular-weight UPA or the amino terminal fragment of UPA (ATF), with the effects being additive. Stimulation by ATF alone, however, was not inhibited by aprotinin. The stimulatory effect was not specific for UPA, in that tissue-type PA (TPA) also increased migration (169 +/- 9% of control, 10 nmol/L, P < .001); the augmentation was inhibited by pretreatment with DFP, PAI-1, or aprotinin and was additive to the UPA effect. Antibodies to the UPA receptor but not 5'-nucleotidase (another glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored cell surface protein) inhibited baseline and UPA-stimulated migration. Similarly, both UPA and TPA stimulated invasion of a collagen gel; this augmentation was inhibited by aprotinin, whereas antibodies to the UPA receptor reduced baseline invasion. Finally, we tested whether inhibition of LRP function, which mediates internalization of PA/inhibitor complexes, affected either process. Both antibodies to LRP and recombinant receptor associated protein, a known inhibitor of ligand binding to the LRP, significantly inhibited migration but did not affect collagen gel invasion. These data demonstrate the ability of several components of the PA system to modulate SMC migration and invasion in vitro via plasmin-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Brief report: alternative activation of laser-captured murine hemophagocytes.

Objective Hemophagocytes (HPCs) are activated macrophages that have engulfed other hematopoietic cells. Although HPCs are rarely identified in normal spleen tissue and bone marrow, an excess of these macrophages characterizes many cytokine storm syndromes, particularly macrophage activation syndrome and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. This study was undertaken to assess the functions of HPCs and their significance in acute inflammatory conditions. Methods HPCs were generated in wild-type mice using repeated stimulation with Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) and interleukin-10 receptor blockade. RNA was extracted from HPCs that had been isolated by laser-captured microdissection. Transcriptional profiles of the HPCs were then compared to those of resting splenic macrophages. In addition, bone marrow samples were obtained from a diverse cohort of patients in whom excess hemophagocytosis was identified by clinical bone marrow biopsy or aspiration. The bone marrow samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for markers of classic (CD64) or alternative (CD163 and CD206) macrophage activation. Results Differential gene expression and gene set enrichment analyses of murine HPCs identified up-regulation of genes and gene sets associated with alternative activation of HPCs. Immunohistochemical analyses of HPCs in human bone marrow samples showed universal staining of HPCs for CD163, but rarely for CD206 or CD64. Conclusion Laser-captured murine TLR-9–induced HPCs had a transcriptional profile similar to that of alternatively activated macrophages. In addition, HPC expression of CD163 was confirmed in a uniquely diverse cohort of patients with hemophagocytic syndromes. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that HPCs have both immunoregulatory and clean-up functions.
Comparison of Assistive Device Use and Needs of Home-Based Older Persons With Different Impairments

This paper examined assistive device use by noninstitutionalized older persons with visual, cognitive, and physical impairments. One hundred fifty seven persons over 60 years of age (M = 75.5 years) were interviewed in their homes for the University at Buffalo Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center Consumer Assessments Study. Subjects were assigned to one of seven groups according to types of impairment: minimal, physical, visual, visual and physical, cognitive, cognitive and physical, and cognitive and visual. Group assignments were based on scores on the Sickness Impact Profile (physical), Older Americans Resources and Services Program Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire (vision), and Mini Mental State Exam (cognitive). Overall, subjects owned a mean of 13.7 devices, used 10.8 devices (79% of the devices they own), and were satisfied with 9.8 devices (72% of the devices they own). There were significant differences among the impairment groups in numbers of devices owned and used, and in satisfaction with devices. Subjects expressed the need for more devices, especially devices for increasing mobility and assisting with balance. Results suggest a stronger role for occupational therapists in the assessment of assistive device needs of older persons, and in recommending devices and training persons in their use.
Abstract 374: Does Aortic Stiffness Precede, Follow or Occur Simultaneously with Aortic Atherosclerosis?

Background: Aortic stiffness (AoS) and atherosclerosis (AoA) are common in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Whether AoS precedes, follows, or occurs simultaneously with AoA is unknown. Methods: 75 SLE patients (68 women, age 37±12 years) and 26 age-and-sex matched healthy controls underwent transesophageal echocardiography for assessment of AoS and AoA of the proximal, mid and distal thoracic aorta. Brachial blood pressures were obtained and matched in time with measurement of aortic diameters. AoS was assessed using the Pressure-Strain Elastic Modulus (PSEM) = [k(sBP–dBP)/(SD-dD/dD)] where k = 133.3 is the conversion factor from mmHg to Nm-2 [Pascal units (U)], sBP=systolic blood pressure, dBP=diastolic blood pressure, SD=systolic diameter and dD=diastolic diameter. AoS was defined as the mean PSEM of controls +1.5SD = >9.4U. AoA was assessed using two-dimensional and M-mode images and defined as intima-media thickening (mean intima-media thickness of controls +2SD = >0.96mm) or plaques (>50% focal wa...
Reconfiguring connected resource distribution systems

In this paper we consider complex mechanical systems that operate within harsh, uncertain environments where mission success depends critically upon the system's ability to monitor and maintain its own internal health. In particular, we focus on the problem of reconfiguring a system's internal resource distribution subsystems in response to one or more damage events. We present a graph-based approach that guarantees the resulting states adhere to a desirable resource segregation constraint. We also provide results using this approach in conjunction with optimization techniques to reconfigure a representative hardware test platform.