cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Individual differences in self-regulatory failure and menstrual dysfunction predict upper respiratory infection symptoms and antibody response to flu immunization

Prior research indicates that cognitive priming manipulations that activate personal goals acutely increase or decrease natural killer cell cytotoxicity depending on whether individuals see themselves as making or failing to make progress toward their goals. Those findings in a laboratory setting revealed a psychobiological pathway whereby experiences of failure can influence health, but did not assess the impact of chronic perceived success/failure in goal pursuit on actual health outcomes. Three new studies investigated whether individual differences in perceived failure to attain personal goals influenced the self-reported symptoms of upper respiratory infections (URIs) as well as antibody response to flu immunization. Based on pilot data in young women, it also was hypothesized that the occurrence of menstrual dysfunction might interact with goal pursuit failure to more specifically predict cold and flu symptoms and optimal responses to vaccination. Perceived failure to attain goals did predict the reporting of URI symptoms as well as antibody levels post-immunization, both alone and in combination with menstrual dysfunction.
Recoil and Stiffening by Adherent Leukocytes in Response to Fluid Shear

Prolonged exposure to fluid shear stress alters leukocyte functions associated with the immune response. We examined the initial response of freshly isolated human leukocytes to fluid shear stress under high magnification. Adherent leukocytes exhibit a rapid biomechanical response to physiological levels of fluid shear stress. After passive displacement in the direction of a constant fluid shear stress, adherent leukocytes actively recoil back in the opposite direction of the fluid flow. Recoil is observed within seconds of the applied fluid shear stress. Simultaneously, fluid shear stress induces a stiffening of the cell. The immediate cell displacement in response to a step increase in fluid shear stress is greatly attenuated in subsequent steps compared to the initial fluid shear stress step. Recoil is not mediated by actin polymerization-dependent mechanisms, as cytochalasin D had no effect on this early response. However, stiffening was determined in part by an intact actin cytoskeleton. Inhibiting myosin force generation with ML-7 abolished the recoil and stiffening responses, implicating force generation by myosin as an important contributor to the early leukocyte response to fluid shear stress. This initial shear stress response may be particularly important in facilitating leukocyte attachment under sustained fluid shear stress by the flowing blood in the microcirculation.
Analysis of the Mechanism of the pH-Dependent Shift in Substrate Affinity of ASCT1 Using Site-Directed Mutagenesis: Implications in the Pathophysiology of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)

Analysis of the Mechanism of the pH-Dependent Shift in Substrate Affinity of ASCT1 Using Site-Directed Mutagenesis: Implications in the Pathophysiology of Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE)
Sequence Analysis of the Trailer Region of Sonchus Yellow Net Virus Genomic RNA

Abstract The sequence of the 5′ terminus (or the "trailer" region) of the minus-sense RNA genome of sonchus yellow net virus (SYNV) was determined by dideoxynucleotide termination sequencing of purified viral RNA and cloned cDNAs. The 5′-terminal nucleotide was identified by nuclease P1 digestion of 32 P-end-labeled genomic RNA followed by polyethyleneimine cellulose chromatography. The trailer sequence occupies positions 13,561 to 13,720 relative to the 3′ end of the genomic RNA and is composed of 160 nucleotides (nt) adjacent to a dinucleotide forming a portion of the "gene junction" sequence at the terminus of the L protein gene. The trailer sequence is longer than the 144-nt plus-strand leader RNA transcribed from the 3′ end of the genomic RNA and is the longest trailer sequence yet reported among the nonsegmented negative-strand viruses. As is characteristic of other rhabdovirus genomes, the 3′ and 5′ termini of the SYNV genome are complementary and are capable of forming a panhandle structure involving 16 of the 18 terminal nucleotides. However, there is no obvious direct nucleotide sequence relatedness between the SYNV trailer sequence and those of animal rhabdoviruses and paramyxoviruses. The existence of a minus-strand leader RNA of the same polarity as the trailer sequence could not be detected in nucleic acid extracted from infected plants under hybridization conditions suitable for detection of the plus-strand leader RNA. In this regard, SYNV differs from vesicular stomatitis virus and is similar to other rhabdoviruses which also fail to accumulate detectable minus-strand leader RNAs.
Adaptive multiple feature method (AMFM) for early detecton of parenchymal pathology in a smoking population

Application of the Adaptive Multiple Feature Method (AMFM) to identify early changes in a smoking population is discussed. This method was specifically applied to determine if differences in CT images of smokers (with normal lung function) and non-smokers (with normal lung function) could be found through computerized texture analysis. Results demonstrated that these groups could be differentiated with over 80.0% accuracy. Further, differences on CT images between normal appearing lung from non-smokers (with normal lung function) and normal appearing lung from smokers (with abnormal lung function) were also investigated. These groups were differentiated with over 89.5% accuracy. In analyzing the whole lung region by region, the AMFM characterized 38.6% of a smoker lung (with normal lung function) as mild emphysema. We can conclude that the AMFM detects parenchymal patterns in the lungs of smokers which are different from normal patterns occurring in healthy non-smokers. These patterns could perhaps indicate early smoking-related changes.
Autonomous gait generation using acceleration capability analysis

This paper presents a novel gait generation technique for legged robotic systems which utilizes the dynamic capability equations. The method consists of calculating the acceleration capability early in the simulation to determine a specific configuration which easily allows a gait to be generated. This position is calculated to most effectively arrest any body center-of-mass momentum upon impact and allows the system to continue travelling in the desired direction without suffering detrimental effects from the impulse forces normally encountered when walking.
Secretion and translocation signals and DspB/F-binding domains in the type III effector DspA/E of Erwinia amylovora

DspA/E is a type III effector of Erwinia amylovora, the bacterial pathogen that causes fire blight disease in roseaceous plants. This effector is indispensable for disease development, and it is translocated into plant cells. A DspA/E-specific chaperone, DspB/F, is necessary for DspA/E secretion and possibly for its translocation. In this work, DspB/F-binding sites and secretion and translocation signals in the DspA/E protein were determined. Based on yeast two-hybrid assays, DspB/F was found to bind DspA/E within the first 210 amino acids of the protein. Surprisingly, both DspB/F and OrfA, the putative chaperone of Eop1, also interacted with the C-terminal 1059 amino acids of DspA/E; this suggests another chaperone-binding site. Secretion and translocation assays using serial N-terminal lengths of DspA/E fused with the active form of AvrRpt2 revealed that at least the first 109 amino acids, including the first N-terminal chaperone-binding motif and DspB/F, were required for efficient translocation of DspA/E, although the first 35 amino acids were sufficient for its secretion and the presence of DspB/F was not required. These results indicate that secretion and translocation signals are present in the N terminus of DspA/E, and that at least one DspB/F-binding motif is required for efficient translocation into plant cells.
2-Dimensional flat curvature flow of crystals

In the impressive and seminal paper [5], Fred Almgren, Jean Taylor, and Lihe Wang introduced flat curvature flow in Rn, a variational time-discretization scheme for (isotropic or anisotropic) mean curvature flow. Their main result asserts the Holder continuity, in time, of these flows. This essential estimate requires a boundary regularity result, a uniform lower density ratio bound condition, which they proved for each n > 3. Similar estimates for Brownian flows, from important work by N. K. Yip on stochastic mean curvature flow [30], also rely on this pivotal regularity result. In this paper, we complete this analysis for the case n = 2 by establishing the necessary uniform lower density ratio bounds.
Protease-Catalyzed Oligomerization of Hydrophobic Amino Acid Ethyl Esters in Homogeneous Reaction Media Using l-Phenylalanine as a Model System

Enzymatic synthesis of oligopeptides from l-phenylalanine ethyl ester hydrochloride (l-Phe-Et.HCl) and other l-form hydrophobic amino acid ester hydrochlorides in water miscible organic cosolvents was studied. Different proteases, water miscible cosolvents, and effect of different ratios of water miscible cosolvents for protease-catalyzed oligo-phenylalanine [oligo(l-Phe)] were compared. The importance of the use of water miscible cosolvents in transforming reactions from heterogeneous to homogeneous conditions as a potent medium engineering tool for protease-catalyzed oligopeptide synthesis is highlighted. For example, at 0.125 M l-Phe-Et.HCl, 20% (v/v) methanol, 18.6 mg/mL bromelain, in phosphate buffer (0.25M, pH 8), 40 degrees C, for 3 h, oligo(l-Phe) precipitated from the solution to yield 45 +/- 5%, in contrast, in the absence of cosolvent oligo(l-Phe) yield of 29 +/- 5% was obtained. The following reaction conditions were optimized for bromelain catalyzed oligo(l-Phe) synthesis: pH, temperature, substrate, enzyme, and cosolvent concentrations. DP(avg) and chain length distribution in the product peptides were investigated by (1)H NMR and MALDI-TOF.
Why Overseas Technical Assistance Is Ineffective

W HY is overseas technical assistance ineffective? The task of answering this question is analogous to zero plus one second in the blast-off routine of modem rocketry. So little time has elapsed that the normal clarity of hindsight is obscure, leaving only a blurry evaluation of the success or failure of the journey. We aren't even sure that all the jets have ignited. Yet more serious, there is grave doubt that the target of our technical assistance journey has been adequately identified and articulated to permit the use of any but the crudest corrective measures. Nevertheless, the importance of the mission dictates that we use our best efforts to evaluate and improve on our performance. The organization of my paper entails first some working definitions, second, a brief historical perspective within which the effectiveness of technical assistance must be evaluated, and finally some notions on why the effectiveness of our overseas technical assistance effort has fallen short
Facial expressive behaviors of high self-monitors are less sex-typed

The present study compared the expressive behavior of high and low self-monitoring men and women. Silent excerpts from videotapes of standardized interviews were shown to naive judges. Three dimensions of the target persons' facial expressive behaviors were rated by separate groups of judges. Each excerpt was rated as more happy or unhappy, and as more excited or relaxed, and as more spontaneous or controlled. The ratings of the expressive behavior of high self-monitoring targets were less consistent with social stereotypes and past research findings comparing men's and women's expressive behaviors than were ratings of low self-monitors. These findings are discussed in terms of the origins of sex differences in expressive behavior and in terms of the constructs of self-monitoring and psychological androgyny.
DIMENSION-ORDER ROUTING ALGORITHMS FOR A FAMILY OF MINIMAL-DIAMETER CIRCULANTS

This paper presents a family of minimal-diameter, four-regular nonbipartite circulants on 2a2 vertices, where a is odd. If a ≡ 3 mod (4), then the step sizes are 1 and (a − 1)2, and if a ≡ 1 mod (4), then the step sizes are 1 and (a + 1)2. Each graph is obtainable from the 2a × a rectangular twisted torus by appropriately trading a total of 3a − 1 edges for as many new edges. Further, each admits an almost-square L-shaped embedding in the two-dimensional Cartesian plane, facilitating a plane tessellation that leads to an efficient dimension-order routing algorithm.
Positive feedback in servosystems

IN THE DESIGN of servosystems, two essentially opposing requirements have to be met: fast response and stability. Nonlinear and switching techniques provide new means to decrease the response time of a system without sacrificing stability. An accepted criteria for the evaluation of the response of a switching-type positioning servosystem is based on the time required by the system to settle to the steady state without overshoot, after a step input has been applied to the system. D. McDonald and J. B. Lewis described methods to improve the response time of servosystems by varying the damping coefficient of the system during the transient period. Another method, described by McDonald and A. M. Hopkin, is to reverse the forcing function of the system during the transient period. This method, although providing fast response, requires special measures to avoid erratic operation near the rest position.
On the inelastic failure of high strength steel I-shaped beams

Abstract Compactness and bracing provisions for the design of steel beams are formulated so as to ensure that the resulting beam exhibits adequate structural ductility. The specification of such compactness and bracing requirements involve assumptions about the constitutive nature of the structural steel being used. Such material response assumptions are valid in designs involving most structural steel grades. However, it appears from the current research that these same assumptions are not valid when used to predict the ductility of wide flange beams made from the high performance steel grade HSLA80. HSLA80 wide flange beams subjected to moment gradient loading display inelastic modes of failure, which do not lend themselves to a notional de-coupling of so-called local buckling and lateral-torsional buckling phenomena. Rather, the inelastic modes of failure of the HSLA80 beams tested herein display two distinct inelastic buckling patterns at failure, both of which exhibit localized and global buckling components. The structural ductility of the beams is very much dependent upon which of the two mode shapes govern at failure. Cross-sectional proportions, bracing configuration, and geometric imperfections all play a role in influencing which mode governs in the beam at failure. Currently held views as to the impact of cross-sectional compactness and bracing on structural ductility may not apply to HSLA80 beams.
Fodor's riddle of abduction

How can abductive reasoning be physical, feasible, and reliable? This is Fodor’s riddle of abduction, and its apparent intractability is the cause of Fodor’s recent pessimism regarding the prospects for cognitive science. I argue that this riddle can be solved if we augment the computational theory of mind to allow for non-computational mental processes, such as those posited by classical associationists and contemporary connectionists. The resulting hybrid theory appeals to computational mechanisms to explain the semantic coherence of inference and associative mechanisms to explain the efficient retrieval of relevant information from memory. The interaction of these mechanisms explains how abduction can be physical, feasible, and reliable.
Visualization of Mad2 dynamics at kinetochores, along spindle fibers, and at spindle poles in living cells.

The spindle checkpoint prevents errors in chromosome segregation by inhibiting anaphase onset until all chromosomes have aligned at the spindle equator through attachment of their sister kinetochores to microtubules from opposite spindle poles. A key checkpoint component is the mitotic arrest–deficient protein 2 (Mad2), which localizes to unattached kinetochores and inhibits activation of the anaphase-promoting complex (APC) through an interaction with Cdc20. Recent studies have suggested a catalytic model for kinetochore function where unattached kinetochores provide sites for assembling and releasing Mad2–Cdc20 complexes, which sequester Cdc20 and prevent it from activating the APC. To test this model, we examined Mad2 dynamics in living PtK1 cells that were either injected with fluorescently labeled Alexa 488-XMad2 or transfected with GFP-hMAD2. Real-time, digital imaging revealed fluorescent Mad2 localized to unattached kinetochores, spindle poles, and spindle fibers depending on the stage of mitosis. FRAP measurements showed that Mad2 is a transient component of unattached kinetochores, as predicted by the catalytic model, with a t1/2 of ∼24–28 s. Cells entered anaphase ∼10 min after Mad2 was no longer detectable on the kinetochores of the last chromosome to congress to the metaphase plate. Several observations indicate that Mad2 binding sites are translocated from kinetochores to spindle poles along microtubules. First, Mad2 that bound to sites on a kinetochore was dynamically stretched in both directions upon microtubule interactions, and Mad2 particles moved from kinetochores toward the poles. Second, spindle fiber and pole fluorescence disappeared upon Mad2 disappearance at the kinetochores. Third, ATP depletion resulted in microtubule-dependent depletion of Mad2 fluorescence at kinetochores and increased fluorescence at spindle poles. Finally, in normal cells, the half-life of Mad2 turnover at poles, 23 s, was similar to kinetochores. Thus, kinetochore-derived sites along spindle fibers and at spindle poles may also catalyze Mad2 inhibitory complex formation.
Is There a Lower Limit to the CC Bonding Distances in Neutral Radical π-Dimers? The Case of Phenalenyl Derivatives

Two-electron multicenter (2e/mc) bonding of phenalenyl (PHYL) π-dimers was found to be significantly affected by the electron density on the bonding active sites. The computational analysis shows that, upon appropriate β-substitutions, the newly introduced dimers have the shortest and strongest covalent bonding interactions seen in any neutral π-dimer. The unusual strengthening of the bonding was attributed to the reduced lone pair bond weakening effect, LPBWE, upon substitutions with electron-withdrawing groups.
The Escherichia coli PII Signal Transduction Protein Is Activated upon Binding 2-Ketoglutarate and ATP

Nitrogen regulation of transcription in Escherichia coli requires sensation of the intracellular nitrogen status and control of the dephosphorylation of the transcriptional activator NRI~P. This dephosphorylation is catalyzed by the bifunctional kinase/phosphatase NRII in the presence of the dissociable PII protein. The ability of PII to stimulate the phosphatase activity of NRII is regulated by a signal transducing uridylyltransferase/uridylyl-removing enzyme (UTase/UR), which converts PII to PII-UMP under conditions of nitrogen starvation; this modification prevents PII from stimulating the dephosphorylation of NRI~P. We used purified components to examine the binding of small molecules to PII, the effect of small molecules on the stimulation of the NRII phosphatase activity by PII, the retention of PII on immobilized NRII, and the regulation of the uridylylation of PII by the UTase/UR enzyme. Our results indicate that PII is activated upon binding ATP and either 2-ketoglutarate or glutamate, and that the liganded form of PII binds much better to immobilized NRII. We also demonstrate that the concentration of glutamine required to inhibit the uridylyltransferase activity is independent of the concentration of 2-ketoglutarate present. We hypothesize that nitrogen sensation in E. coli involves the separate measurement of glutamine by the UTase/UR protein and 2-ketoglutarate by the PII protein.
Formation of carbon-based superhard materials by condensation of evaporated carbon under rare gas or nitrogen ion irradiation

The state-of-the-art of ion-beam-assisted deposition of carbon-based superhard films, by electron-beam evaporation of carbon under concurrent bombardment with energetic rare gas or nitrogen ions from an ion source, is reviewed. These materials are hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated diamond-like carbon and nitrogen-containing carbon. Features such as the microhardness, density and porosity and experimental results on the mechanical and chemical behaviour, e.g. wear and corrosion performance, are discussed as a function of the deposition process parameters. Different mechanisms of formation of diamond-like structures are described. The controversial results on the formation of nitrogen-containing carbon phases are critically discussed. Possible explanations of parameters and mechanisms which have not been considered previously and suggestions for further experiments are given.
Design of an E-band high power amplifier for wireless high data rate communications

In this paper, a fully integrated E-band power amplifier with 17 dB gain, 11.5 dBm saturated output power, and 5 GHz bandwidth was achieved in the 90 nm CMOS technology. The amplifier configuration consists of two cascode stages and a common-source output stage. It exhibits a peak power added-efficiency of 20 % while consuming 50 mW from a 1.5 V power supply.
Quantum algorithms for highly non-linear Boolean functions

Attempts to separate the power of classical and quantum models of computation have a long history. The ultimate goal is to find exponential separations for computational problems. However, such separations do not come a dime a dozen: while there were some early successes in the form of hidden subgroup problems for abelian groups-which generalize Shor's factoring algorithm perhaps most faithfully-only for a handful of non-abelian groups efficient quantum algorithms were found. Recently, problems have gotten increased attention that seek to identify hidden sub-structures of other combinatorial and algebraic objects besides groups. In this paper we provide new examples for exponential separations by considering hidden shift problems that are defined for several classes of highly non-linear Boolean functions. These so-called bent functions arise in cryptography, where their property of having perfectly flat Fourier spectra on the Boolean hypercube gives them resilience against certain types of attack. We present new quantum algorithms that solve the hidden shift problems for several well-known classes of bent functions in polynomial time and with a constant number of queries, while the classical query complexity is shown to be exponential. Our approach uses a technique that exploits the duality between bent functions and their Fourier transforms.
A bioassay to measure energy metabolism in mouse colonic crypts, organoids, and sorted stem cells

Evidence suggests that targeting cancer cell energy metabolism might be an effective therapeutic approach for selective ablation of malignancies. Using a Seahorse Extracellular Flux Analyzer, we ha...
Cones fabricated by 3D nanoimprint lithography for highly sensitive surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy

We demonstrated a cost-effective and deterministic method of patterning 3D cone arrays over a large area by using nanoimprint lithography (NIL). Cones with tip radius of less than 10 nm were successfully duplicated onto the UV-curable imprint resist materials from the silicon cone templates. Such cone structures were shown to be a versatile platform for developing reliable, highly sensitive surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates. In contrast to the silicon nanocones, the SERS substrates based on the Au coated cones made by the NIL offered significant improvement of the SERS signal. A further improvement of the SERS signal was observed when the polymer cones were imprinted onto a reflective metallic mirror surface. A sub-zeptomole detection sensitivity for a model molecule, trans-1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)-ethylene (BPE), on the Au coated NIL cone surfaces was achieved.
Characteristics of Nonlinear Response of Deep Saturated Soil Deposits

Abstract Recent EPRI seismic design guidelines call for dynamic soil properties (shear modulus ratio and damping) and liquefaction strength curves to be characterized as a function of the effective vertical stress (or depth). A modified version of the DESRA2 constitutive model for saturated soil has been applied to study the nonlinear seismic response including liquefaction of medium dense soil deposits of various thicknesses. The results of the stress-dependent soil properties model show lower deamplification and higher first-mode (resonant) frequency than that of the stress-independent soil properties model. By using the stress-dependent model with impulse base excitation, the nonlinear behavior of various soil deposits has been investigated under a variety of conditions. The results show that (1) the saturated soil deposit has a smaller surface amplitude and significantly lower resonant frequency than the unsaturated soil deposit of the same thickness; (2) for the saturated soil conditions, the larger the base excitation, the lower the surface amplification and the resonant frequency; (3) the deep soil deposits show lower surface amplification and resonant frequency compared to the response of shallow deposits; (4) when shallow and deep deposits are compared, the shallow deposits develop much higher residual pore-water pressure; and (5) the amplification and residual pore-water-pressure response of deposits deeper than 100 m or so are very similar. The application of the method has also been illustrated using a strong synthetic base excitation applied to the base at a site near Reno. The results in general are consistent with those computed using the impulse loading. The study reveals that the response predicted from the conventionally used stress-independent soil properties model is unconservative for deep deposit.
An Epidemiologic Study of Deciduous Molar Relations in Preschool Children

This study indicated that distoclusion decreased significantly with age and was more prevalent in siblings of children with Class II molar relation as compared with the prevalence for the total population. Children of middle socioeconomic status (SES) and girls with Class I molar relation had prevalences of posterior crossbite significantly greater than lower SES children and boys, respectively. Finger habits were highly associated with posterior crossbite (P < 0.001)
Cell-SWat: modeling and scheduling wavefront computations on the cell broadband engine

This paper presents and evaluates a model and a methodology for implementing parallel wavefront algorithms on the Cell Broadband Engine. Wavefront algorithms are vital in several application areas such as computational biology, particle physics, and systems of linear equations.The model uses blocked data decomposition with pipelined execution of blocks across the synergistic processing elements (SPEs) of the Cell. To evaluate the model, we implement the Smith-Waterman sequence alignment algorithm as a wavefront algorithm and present key optimization techniques that complement the vector processing capabilities of the SPE. Our results show perfect linear speedup for up to 16 SPEs on the QS20 dual-Cell blades, and our model shows that our implementation is highly scalable for more cores, if available. Furthermore, the accuracy of our model is within 3% of the measured values on average.Lastly, we also test our model in a throughput-oriented experimental setting, where we couple the model with scheduling techniques that exploit parallelism across the simultaneous execution of multiple sequence alignments. Using our model, we improved the throughput of realistic multisequence alignment workloads by up to 8% compared to FCFS (first-come, first-serve), by trading off parallelism within alignments with parallelism across alignments.
Mentoring in Organizations: Mentor or Tormentor?

This chapter defines mentoring in organizations and identifies several ethical issues associated with mentoring relationships. Using the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct as a framework, the potential ethical dilemmas faced from the perspective of both the protege and mentor are illustrated through the use of specific examples of how these dilemmas might occur in the workplace. The chapter also provides a review of the literature on both the positive and negative outcomes associated with mentoring, focusing on those pertaining to quality of work life and health and well-being for proteges and mentors. The chapter concludes with suggestions for several specific avenues for future research.
Shear stress-induced mechanotransduction protein deregulation and vasculopathy in a mouse model of progeria

A mouse model of progeria derived by insertion of the human mutant LMNA gene (mLMNA), producing mutant lamin A, shows loss of smooth muscle cells in the media of the ascending aorta. We hypothesized that high shear stress, in the presence of mutant lamin A, induces this vasculopathy and tried to define the molecular and cellular basis for aortic vasculopathy. Ascending and descending aortas from wild type (WT) and mLMNA+ mice were compared using proteomics, Western blots, PCR and immunostaining. To determine whether high fluidic shear stress, known to occur in the ascending aorta, contributed to the vasculopathy, we exposed descending aortas of mLMNA+ mice, with no apparent vasculopathy, to 75 dynes/cm2 shear stress for 30 minutes using a microfluidic system. When the mice were one year of age, expression of several mechanotransduction proteins in the ascending aorta, including vimentin, decreased in mLMNA+ mice but no decrease occurred in the descending aorta. High fluidic shear stress produced a significant reduction in vimentin of mLMNA+ mice but not in similarly treated WT mice. The occurrence of mutant lamin A and high shear stress correlate with a reduction in the level of mechanotransduction proteins in smooth muscle cells of the media. Reduction of these proteins may contribute over time to development of vasculopathy in the ascending aorta in progeria syndrome.
Effect of Methyldopa on Plasma Renin Activity in Man

The effect of methyldopa on plasma renin activity was studied in one hypertensive and four normotensive human volunteers. Peripheral venous blood for the estimation of plasma renin activity was obtained with the subjects supine and in a 70° head-up tilted position before, during and, in two subjects, after treatment with oral methyldopa. Despite a reduction in mean arterial pressure, the plasma renin activity was decreased by methyldopa in each subject. The increase in plasma renin activity associated with tilting, however, was not significantly suppressed by methyldopa. These results indicate that treatment with methyldopa can simultaneously decrease mean arterial pressure and plasma renin activity and it is possible that these effects may be causally related.
The ACR Diagnostic Radiology In-Training Examination: Evolution, Current Status, and Future Directions

The ACR Diagnostic Radiology In-Training Examination is administered yearly to radiology residents nationwide. It is primarily an educational tool for the assessment of radiologists-in-training and for the programs in which they reside. Over the past 5 years, the examination has undergone several changes, and more are anticipated in the near future. This review article discusses the recent changes to the examination, outlines the examination development process, gives statistics and data from the most recent test administrations, and anticipates issues for future examinations.
Strategic Competence and EFL Reading Test Performance: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach by PHAKITI, AEK

The article reviews the book "Strategic Competence and EFL Reading Test Performance: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach," by Aek Phakiti.
Formation of Carbon-Linked Anthrone-Lignin and Anthrahydroquinone-Lignin Adducts

Abstract The quinone methide from guaiacylglycol-β-guaiacyl ether [l-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethanol] formed carbon-carbon bonded adducts with both anthrone and anthrahydroquinone (AHQ). It was found that the anthrone adduct [l-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-(anthracen-9-one-10-yl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethane] was much more resistant to alkaline degradation than the corresponding AHQ-adduct Jl-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-l-(10-hydroxyanthracen-9-one-10-yl)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)ethane]. It was demonstrated, by NMR spectroscopy that analogous anthrone and AHQ adducts formed with milled wood lignin and had relative alkaline stabilities consistent with those observed with the model adducts. At 10° C the AHQ-lignin adduct partially decomposed to the Y-monoacetates of coniferyl alcohol and p_-coumaryl alcohol which subsequently reacted with excess AHQ to give the novel adducts, trans-1-(3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(10-hydroxyanthracen-9-one-10-yl)propene, and trans-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(1...
Base transport factor calculations for transistors with complementary error function and Gaussian base doping profiles

By taking account of the carrier mobility degradation at high impurity concentrations, the high-frequency base transport factor of an n-p-n germanium base transistor was computed numerically for different base doping levels. The doping profiles under consideration were Gaussian and complementary error functions. The base doping level adjacent to the emitter was optimized for minimum base transit time. The optimum values are 4×1017atom/ cm3for complementary error function profile and 2×1017atom/cm3for Gaussian profile. The effects of emitter barrier capacitance, base resistance, collector barrier capacitance, and the collector depletion layer on the overall frequency response of a junction transistor are also discussed.
The Effect of Anelasticity on Periods of the Earth's Free Oscillations (Toroidal Modes)

It is known that the anelastic properties of the Earth characterized by a ‘Q’ structure will affect the periods of free oscillation. It is generally considered that the effect is negligible compared to the other perturbing effects due to rotation, ellipticity, and lateral inhomogeneities. Nevertheless, it is of some interest to investigate the precise magnitude of this effect for the observed free oscillation modes since it could provide us with another constraint in the determination of the Q structure of the Earth. An application of perturbation theory provides us with a good estimate of the magnitude of the changes in the periods of an elastic model due to inclusion of anelastic effects. Calculations based on currently accepted mean elastic and anelastic models for the Earth show that the shift in period due to anelasticity is at most 0·023 per cent for the toroidal modes from _0T_2 to _0T_(99), the maximum occurring near _0T_(60). For more extreme Q models, which may be locally applicable, period shifts of the order 0·1 per cent occur, with the maximum again near _0T_(60), corresponding to a period of approximately 150 s. Observational accuracy for the toroidal oscillations is around 0·1 per cent so that anelastic shifts in toroidal oscillation periods are at the present limit of observational accuracy. Viewed in terms of propagating surface waves, the dispersion due to anelasticity results in at most 0·005-0·01 km s^(−1) variations in the phase and group velocities. Such shifts are within the observational resolution of surface dispersion measurements using narrow band filtering techniques. Compared to other perturbing effects, anelasticity is significant for the toroidal oscillation only in the 50- to 300-s period range. In this range, lateral variations in structure generally cause larger perturbations. However, when viewed in terms of propagating surface waves in selected homogeneous regions, anelasticity becomes the dominating effect. Further, the frequency shift due to anelasticity is scaled by (1/Q)^2, so that the anelastic effect can be well within observational accuracy and comparable to any perturbing effect for more extreme, yet acceptable, Q models. In particular, when applied to surface waves propagating across a tectonic region with a strong low velocity zone in the upper mantle, the anelasticity induced dispersion on frequency shift can be significant and measurable. In such cases a joint inversion of elastic and anelastic properties is appropriate.
Inventory Costing: Developing Business Logic In Accounting Systems

Business logic is the link in an information system between a user interface and a database. Typically it contains formal rules, translated into computer programs, that control how data will be processed to achieve the objectives of the information system. This paper describes a classroom exercise to help students understand this segment of an information system. In addition, it is useful for helping students understand the relation between traditional financial accounting and accounting systems. They are required to describe formally and precisely how FIFO and LIFO inventory values can be derived in an automated system.
Evaluation of immune cell subsets of cancer patients treated with Avelumab, a fully human IgG1 anti-PD-L1 MAb capable of mediating ADCC of human tumor cells.

Meeting abstracts Several monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) with demonstrated clinical anti-cancer activities have been engineered as fully human IgG1 entities to also encompass their potential to mediate antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) of human tumor cells. Avelumab (MSB0010718C,
Regulating Through the Back Door at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission

This paper looks at how the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has implemented its mandate under the Dodd-Frank Act. Although the CFTC has imposed many regulations through notice-and-comment rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), it has also used other methods — such as staff letters, guidance, and enforcement actions — to impose binding obligations on regulated persons. These other methods arguably violate the APA and make it more difficult for the public, Congress, and the courts to hold the CFTC accountable for its actions. Even the CFTC’s own commissioners are excluded from important policy decisions. As a consequence, the CFTC compromises its ability to regulate effectively.
Psychological and Social Aspects of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer treatments today are likely to cause less physical deformity from surgery than a half-century ago, but are more complex and extend over a longer period of time. Women today are often well informed about the details of their cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and are increasingly involved in shared decision-making regarding treatment. Although serious depression is not seen in the majority of breast cancer patients and survivors, many will experience treatment-related distress, fear of recurrence, changes in body image and sexuality, as well as physical toxicities that result from adjuvant therapy. This paper discusses the importance of identifying the psychological and social concerns of breast cancer patients in the medical setting, and assisting them in obtaining appropriate psychosocial services.
Contribution of Mesenteric Lymph Nodes and GALT to the Intestinal Foxp3+ Regulatory T-Cell Compartment

Background & Aims Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the intestine promote immune tolerance to enteric antigens. Previous studies have shown that C-C chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7)-dependent migration of intestinal dendritic cells to the mesenteric lymph nodes (mLN) is involved in peripheral Foxp3+ Treg accumulation in the intestine and the establishment of oral tolerance. However, the relative contribution of this CCR7+ dendritic cell–mLN–Treg axis to the total intestinal Foxp3+ Treg pool during the steady-state remains unclear. In this study, the contribution of CCR7, as well as the mLN and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), to the intestinal Foxp3+ Treg compartment in the small intestine (SI) and large intestine (LI) was assessed. Methods Intestinal Foxp3+ Tregs were quantitated in Ccr7 -/- mice and in mice devoid of secondary lymphoid organs—including mLN and GALT—owing to a deficiency in lymphotoxin (LT) signaling. Specific analyses of Foxp3+Helios+ thymically derived (t)Tregs and Foxp3+Helios- peripherally derived (p)Tregs in the SI and LI, as well as the role for the mLN in supporting Foxp3+ pTreg development using the B6.Cg-Tg(TcraTcrb)425Cbn/J/ovalbumin (OVA) feeding system, were performed. Results Foxp3+ Tregs were enriched in the intestine relative to the mLN, independent of CCR7. In the absence of the mLN and GALT, normal frequency and numbers of Foxp3+ Tregs were observed in LTα-deficient ( Lta -/- ) mice. However, Foxp3+Helios- pTregs were decreased in the SI of Lta -/- mice, corresponding with defective Foxp3+ pTreg expansion to OVA. In the LI, however, the proportion of Foxp3+Helios- pTregs and Foxp3+ pTreg induction to OVA was comparable between Lta -/- and Lta +/+ mice, which coincided with preferential expression of Treg-inducing/immunoregulatory cytokines. Conclusions The overall size of the intestinal Foxp3+Treg pool is not impacted significantly by CCR7, mLN, or GALT during the steady-state. However, mLN/GALT appear to contribute to the Foxp3+ pTreg compartment in the SI, particularly in response to soluble oral antigen. These findings highlight important differences in the regulation of intestinal Tregs between the SI and LI, and suggest that enteric antigens may use mLN/GALT to induce Foxp3+ pTreg in the SI, while directly promoting Foxp3+ pTregs in the LI.
Pathologic Quiz Case: Intraventricular Mass in a 31-Year-Old Man

The patient was a 31-year-old, right-handed man who presented with a 1-month history of 3 to 5 headaches per day. He described each as retro-orbital with bilateral throbbing, occasionally associated with nausea. Onset of headaches had no relation to position or to any particular food or drink. Additional complaints included increased fatigue during the month preceding presentation and fleeting diplopia over the previous 2 weeks that was not gaze dependent. A magnetic resonance imaging study showed a large, inhomogeneously enhancing, left lateral intraventricular lesion, which extended into the body of the lateral ventri
The influence of projectile neutron number in the 208Pb(48Ti, n)255Rf and 208Pb(50Ti, n)257Rf reactions

Four isotopes of rutherfordium,254-257Rf, were produced by the 208Pb(48Ti, xn)256-xRf and 208Pb(50Ti, xn)258-xRf reactions (x = 1, 2) at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory 88-Inch Cyclotron. Excitation functions were measured for the 1n and 2n exit channels. A maximum likelihood technique, which correctly accounts for the changing cross section at all energies subtended by the targets, was used to fit the 1n data to allow a more direct comparison between excitation functions obtained under different experimental conditions. The maximum 1n crosssections of the 208Pb(48Ti, n)255Rf and 208Pb(50Ti, n)257Rf reactions obtained from fits to the experimental data are 0.38 +/- 0.07 nb and 40 +/-5 nb, respectively. Excitation functions for the 2n exit channel were also measured, with maximum cross sections of nb for the 48Ti induced reaction, and 15.7 +/- 0.2 nb for the 50Ti induced reaction. The impact of the two neutron difference in the projectile on the 1n cross section is discussed. The results are compared to the Fusion by Diffusion model developed by Swiatecki, Wilczynska, and Wilczynski.
The Preferred Directions of Conjunctive Grid X Head Direction Cells in the Medial Entorhinal Cortex Are Periodically Organized

The discovery of speed-modulated grid, head direction, and conjunctive grid x head direction cells in the medial entorhinal cortex has led to the hypothesis that path integration, the updating of one's spatial representation based on movement, may be carried out within this region. This hypothesis has been formalized by many computational models, including a class known as attractor network models. While many of these models propose specific mechanisms by which path integration might occur, predictions of these specific mechanisms have not been tested. Here I derive and test a key prediction of one attractor network path integration mechanism. Specifically, I first demonstrate that this mechanism predicts a periodic distribution of conjunctive cell preferred directions in order to minimize drift. Next, I test whether conjunctive cell preferred directions are in fact periodically organized. Results indicate that conjunctive cells are preferentially tuned to increments of 36°, consistent with drift minimization in this path integration mechanism. By contrast, no periodicity was observed in the preferred directions of either pure grid or pure head direction cells. These results provide the first neural evidence of a nonuniform structure in the directional preferences of any head direction representation found in the brain.
Decorin Deficient Cells Demonstrate Increased Proliferation and Altered Phenotypic Properties

Decorin (DCN), a class I member of the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) family, is composed of a protein core of approximately 40kDa [1, 2] substituted with a single glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chain of chondroiton/dermatan sulfate on the N-terminal site [3]. DCN has been reported to interact with collagen [4,5] via its core protein, influence collagen fibrillogenesis [6], and inhibit the growth rates of various cell types when added exogenously to cell cultures [5,6]. There has recently been growing interest and studies in DCN related research using the knockout (KO) mice model which provides an excellent example of inherited disorders that stem from deficiencies in decorin expression [7]. Skin and tendon tissues from DCN KO mice have been characterized as being extremely fragile with significantly reduced strength and stiffness [8, 9]. The DCN KO tissues also show potential functional biglycan compensation [9] and at the microscopic level collagen fibrils with highly irregular diameters, abnormal lateral fusion, and loose packing [6] in contrast to wild type (WT) mice. Despite the intensive investigation of the DCN KO mice, the complexity of the animal model makes it difficult to assess the actual influence of decorin. In an attempt to take a more simplistic approach 2D cell phenotypic characterization studies were performed in addition to studying cell growth, contraction, and matrix organization in 3-D models to show the very distinct biochemical responses to type I collagen when compared to WT control cells.© 2007 ASME
Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Vector Carrying Human Minidystrophin Gene SMCKA3999 Vector Construction and Expression in mdx Mice

Aim:To study the method of recombinant adeno-associated virus vector carrying human minidystrophin gene SMCKA3999 vector construct and expression in mdx mice (an animal model of DMD).Methods:We constructed recombinant adeno-associated virus vector carrying human minidystrophin gene SMCKA3999 vector (rAAVSMCKA3999) by three plasmids co-infection into 293 cells method and measured the titers of rAAVSMCKA3999 by dot blot hybridization. When injected into the skeletal muscle of mdx mice, gene expression was proved in mdx mice by Western BLot. Results:We can construct recombinant adeno-associated virus vector carrying human minidystrophin gene SMCKA3999 vector (rAAVSMCKA3999) by three plasmids co-infection into 293 cells method.The titers of rAAVSMCKA3999 will reach 5.0×10 10 .rAAVSMCK3999 resulted in efficient and stable expression persisting for 7 months. Conclusion:rAAVSMCKA 3999 we constructed has important significance for further gene therapy researches of DMD.
Prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Standard and investigative approaches.

Today in many fields of medicine, the focus is on prevention. This discussion highlights the salient features of sunscreens, protective clothing, and education as they relate to the hazards and potential sequelae of sun exposure and tanning parlors. It also includes information on the status of clinical and laboratory investigation in the development of agents to prevent skin cancer in high-risk individuals.