cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amyloid β-Mediated Cell Death of Cultured Hippocampal Neurons Reveals Extensive Tau Fragmentation without Increased Full-length Tau Phosphorylation

A variety of genetic and biochemical evidence suggests that amyloid β (Aβ) oligomers promote downstream errors in Tau action, in turn inducing neuronal dysfunction and cell death in Alzheimer and related dementias. To better understand molecular mechanisms involved in Aβ-mediated neuronal cell death, we have treated primary rat hippocampal cultures with Aβ oligomers and examined the resulting cellular changes occurring before and during the induction of cell death with a focus on altered Tau biochemistry. The most rapid neuronal responses upon Aβ administration are activation of caspase 3/7 and calpain proteases. Aβ also appears to reduce Akt and Erk1/2 kinase activities while increasing GSK3β and Cdk5 activities. Shortly thereafter, substantial Tau degradation begins, generating relatively stable Tau fragments. Only a very small fraction of full-length Tau remains intact after 4 h of Aβ treatment. In conflict with expectations based on suggested increases of GSK3β and Cdk5 activities, Aβ does not cause any major increases in phosphorylation of full-length Tau as assayed by immunoblotting one-dimensional gels with 11 independent site- and phospho-specific anti-Tau antibodies as well as by immunoblotting two-dimensional gels probed with a pan-Tau antibody. There are, however, subtle and transient increases in Tau phosphorylation at 3–4 specific sites before its degradation. Taken together, these data are consistent with the notion that Aβ-mediated neuronal cell death involves the loss of full-length Tau and/or the generation of toxic fragments but does not involve or require hyperphosphorylation of full-length Tau.
New materials in solar energy utilization

Abstract The radiation properties of materials determine to a large degree the performance of solar exchangers, while the physical properties determine design variables such as thicknesses of sections, etc. New materials are becoming available, and new modifications of old materials are being developed, which are of immediate and potential importance in reducing the cost of use of solar energy, and increasing the temperature range over which solar exchangers can operate. Notable among these materials are plastics for cover use or for reflecting surfaces, selective surfaces, glasses with particular properties advantageous for cover materials or reflectors, and the honeycomb absorber that limits reradiation and convection.
Quantitative in vivo1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of neuronal loss in rat brain

Abstract The aim of this research was to determine whether in vivo nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic measurement of N -acetyl aspartate, a neuron specific brain marker, provides a quantitative index of neuronal loss. Five rats were injected unilaterally in the corpus striatum with kainic acid, an analogue of glutamate that causes excitotoxic degeneration of intrinsic neurons, and were subjected to nuclear magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopic imaging. Measurements of N -acetyl aspartate were determined in vivo and compared to post mortem nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic measures of N -cetyl aspartate and choline acetyl transferase and glutamate decarboxylase activities, biochemical markers for striatal intrinsic neuronal integrity. Mean per cent neuronal survival of hemispheres with lesion versus the contralateral hemispheres measured 72 for glutamate decarboxylase and 71 for N -acetyl aspartate ( in vivo ), 74 for N -acetyl aspartate ( in vitro ), and 62 for choline acetyl transferase, respectively. Our studies in rats have shown that estimates of neuronal loss through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic measurements of N-acetyl aspartate are equivalent to traditional neuronal enzyme activity assays. The results unequivocally demonstrate that N -acetyl aspartate is a valid and sensitive neuronal marker with the capability of providing accurate assessments of neuronal loss in vivo .
Kinematics and thermodynamics of a growing rim of high-pressure phase

Abstract We have reanalysed the problem of growth of a dense product rim on a sphere of parent phase. To decouple the problem of calculating deformation from rheology, we assume spherical symmetry, and incompressible phases. Within the product, the radial deviatoric strain and its time-derivative prove to be of opposite sign: strain is compressive, but the strain rate is tensile. Further, the radial deviatoric strain in the new product adjacent to the interface is invariant in time. Propagation of the phase interface is determined by a competition between two mechanisms: as an element of material is transformed, its shear strain energy is increased; and the core pressure performs work compressing it. For elastic phases, this competition results in metastability. Within a certain pressure range, either phase can occur alone, but the two phases can not coexist. Because this result is inconsistent with experiments by Kawazoe et al. (2010) in which a rim of high-pressure phase (wadsleyite) coexists with a central core of low-pressure phase (olivine), we then incorporate plastic flow. Assuming perfect plasticity, we show that for a given applied pressure exceeding the coexistence pressure, a rim of product can now nucleate if the excess pressure Δ p exceeds a critical value depending on yield stress. Increasing Δ p above this value allows product to grow into the parent phase. There are now two possibilities, depending on the value of Δ p . Growth may eventually cease to produce a state in which the product rim is in equilibrium with a parent core; or growth may follow a more complicated path: within a range of excess pressures, the growth rate can decrease strongly from its initial value to produce a quasi-equilibrium state, before increasing again to a rate similar to that at which transformation began. We interpret these results to mean that if Δ p is increased slowly in a series of experiments with constant yield stress, the sample passes through a series of equilibria until Δ p is large enough for the second type of growth to be possible; transformation is then completed rapidly on the timescale set by interface kinetics. This result may be relevant to the problem of deep earthquakes. Lastly, using existing experiments in which a wadsleyite rim grows on an olivine sphere, we apply the theory to estimate the yield strength of wadsleyite: our estimates are consistent with measurements by independent methods.
What Influences Hazard Mitigation? Household Decision Making About Wildfire Risks in Arizona's White Mountains∗

Through a study of human response to wildfire hazards, this article addresses the question: What influences hazard mitigation? Results from a household-level multiple regression analysis using structured survey, hazard exposure, and secondary data reveal that social vulnerability, place dependency, and contextual influences are important determinants of mitigation of wildfire hazards. Lower income and renter households engage in less mitigation than higher income and homeowner households; these findings reflect underlying issues of social vulnerability. The role of place dependency as a catalyst for mitigation is illustrated by results showing that longer term, full-time, and resource-dependent residents implement more mitigation measures than shorter term, part-time, and resource-independent residents. In relation to contextual influences, results reveal that apartment complexes and gated residential settings impede mitigation and dwelling cash value motivates mitigation at the household level. Findings ...
Roughness of wetting fluid invasion fronts in porous media

We report an imbibition experiment that involves water displacing air in a Hele-Shaw cell filled with glass beads. We varied the flow rate such that the capillary number (${\mathit{C}}_{\mathit{a}}$) spans the range ${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}5}$${\mathit{C}}_{\mathit{a}}$${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$. The invasion front exhibits self-affine roughness and the total width ${\mathit{W}}_{\mathrm{tot}}$ increases with decreasing ${\mathit{C}}_{\mathit{a}}$. A heuristic argument suggests that ${\mathit{W}}_{\mathrm{tot}}$\ensuremath{\propto}${\mathit{C}}_{\mathit{a}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}/(2\mathrm{\ensuremath{\alpha}}+1)}$, where \ensuremath{\alpha} is the roughness scaling exponent. We also find that ${\mathit{W}}_{\mathrm{tot}}$ exhibits large fluctuations with time and the effective value of \ensuremath{\alpha} varies over a wide range (0.65--0.91). These results suggests that the behavior of interfaces in random media is dominated by the existence of many metastable states in much the same way as the domain walls in the random-field Ising model.
Infantile obstructive cholangiopathy.

• The relationship between neonatal hepatitis and biliary atresia has been extensively discussed. Clinical and laboratory evaluations are often unsuccessful in distinguishing between the two diseases. Laparotomy, cholangiogram, and liver biopsy are often required. Several authors have proposed that the two diseases may represent variable expressions of one entity. A case that illustrates infantile obstructive cholangiopathy is presented and the clinical implications are discussed. (Am J Dis Child133:518-522, 1979)
Aspirin-induced asthma.

The typical clinical presentation of AIA is that of a middle-aged asthmatic with recurrent nasal polyps and secondary chronic sinusitis. Nevertheless, only one-third of patients with this presentation have a positive aspirin-challenge test (2). Their prognosis is no different than that in aspirin-tolerant asthma. Mechanistically, the COX response to ASA is altered in AIA through an unknown mechanism, leading to an etiologic role for PepLTs and opportunities for therapeutic interventions with LT blockade and aspirin desensitization. These therapeutic interventions provide varying but incomplete degrees of protection in this interesting syndrome.
Fulminant Hepatic Failure: When to Transplant

Fulminant hepatic failure is a life-threatening condition that can lead to rapid deterioration and death if timely treatment is not instituted. Many patients recover with supportive care. Patients with deteriorating signs and laboratory parameters require prompt assessment and listing for liver transplantation. Outcome following transplantation is a function of severity of illness before transplantation, timeliness of liver transplantation and graft quality and function. With appropriate immunosuppression and close follow-up most patients can lead near normal lives following liver transplantation.
Effects of malathion ULV applied for boll weevil eradication on survival and foraging activity of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, in Texas (USA) cotton

Abstract Red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Buren), is a major pest in the southern USA, though recent studies suggest it may act also as a natural enemy. This study examined how malathion ULV, as applied for boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis grandis) eradication in the southern USA, may impact red imported fire ant survivorship, foraging activity, and predation of lepidopteran pests. Malathion ULV had strong, negative impacts upon fire ant survivorship, foraging, and predation in cotton fields. Malathion ULV was acutely toxic to fire ant under laboratory conditions, and had a strong repellent effect, so reducing foraging activity, in the greenhouse. In the field, fire ant densities on cotton plants treated with malathion ULV were lower for up to 3 weeks after treatment compared to untreated cotton plants. Also in the field, beet armyworm (Spodoptera exigua) egg predation rates were lower in malathion ULV treated plots relative to untreated plots. Overall, the results suggested that boll weevil erad...
Defect engineering of ZnO

The defect responsible for the transparent to red color change of nominally undoped ZnO bulk single crystals is investigated. Upon annealing in the presence of metallic Zn as reported by Halliburton et al. and also Ti and Zr a native defect forms with an energy level about 0.7 eV below the conduction band. This change is reversible upon annealing in oxygen. Optical transmission data along with positron depth profiles and annealing studies are combined to identify the defect as oxygen vacancies. Vacancy clustering occurs at about 500 °C if isolated zinc and oxygen vacancies. In the absence of zinc vacancies, clusters form at about 800 °C.
Multiexcitons confined within a subexcitonic volume: Spectroscopic and dynamical signatures of neutral and charged biexcitons in ultrasmall semiconductor nanocrystals

The use of ultrafast gating techniques allows us to resolve both spectrally and temporally the emission from short-lived neutral and negatively charged biexcitons in ultrasmall (sub-10 nm) CdSe nanocrystals (nanocrystal quantum dots). Because of ``forced'' overlap of electronic wave functions and reduced dielectric screening, these states are characterized by giant interaction energies of tens (neutral biexcitons) to hundreds (charged biexcitons) of meV. Both types of biexcitons show extremely short lifetimes (from sub-100 picoseconds to sub-picosecond time scales) that rapidly shorten with decreasing nanocrystal size. These ultrafast relaxation dynamics are explained in terms of highly efficient nonradiative Auger recombination.
Quantum-mechanical lossless beam splitter: SU(2) symmetry and photon statistics

For optical homodyning, the matrix representation of a lossless beam splitter belongs to the SU(2) group of unimodular second-order unitary matrices. The connection between this group and the rotation group in three dimensions permits the field density operators at the input and output ports of the beam splitter to be related by means of well-known angular-momentum transformations. This, in turn, provides the joint output photon-number distribution, which may be written as a Fourier series in the relative phase shift imparted by the beam splitter, for a general joint state at its inputs. The series collapses to a single term if one of the input fields is diagonal in the number-state representation. If the inputs to both ports are further restricted to be pure number states, the joint, as well as the marginal photon-number distributions, turn out to be directly proportional to the square of Jacobi polynomials in the beam-splitter transmittance. These photon-number probabilities are invariant to a set of physical and time-reversal symmetries. When one of the input photon-number states is the vacuum, the beam splitter simply deletes photons from the other port in Bernoulli fashion, as if they were classical particles. The output photon number is then described by the binomial distribution. If the inputs at the two ports are different number states, neither of which is the vacuum, the photon-number distribution is expressible in terms of summed and weighted products of the results for photomixing with the vacuum. If the inputs at the two ports are identical number states, and a beam splitter of transmittance \ensuremath{\tau}=(1/2 is used, the photon-number distribution assumes a simple but interesting form. It vanishes for odd photon numbers, indicating that the photons assemble in pairs at each output port. Finally, it is shown that homodyning quantum fluctuations can be reduced by using a balanced photomixer for arbitrary input states.
Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction.

Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) is a poorly-understood disorder, typically presenting as postcholecystectomy, “biliary-type,” right-sided abdominal and/or chest wall pain. Most patients referred to specialist clinics for work-up of presumed SOD do not, in fact, have anything wrong with their bile ducts or biliary sphincter mechanisms. A careful history and focused physical examination will often identify the true source of the pain syndrome, ranging from chest wall costochondritis and nerve injury at surgical trochar sites, to gastroparesis and visceral hypersensitivity (“irritable bowel”). The Rome III classification of functional gallbladder and biliary disorders defines SOD as episodic (not daily) pain lasting more than 30 min, which is disruptive of normal activities and not associated with bowel upset. It is not relieved by gastric acid suppression or antispasmodics. Other causes of abdominal pain must be excluded. Standard work-up includes endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary manometry, which risks post-ERCP pancreatitis, especially in young women with normal bile ducts and liver serology. Noninvasive tests for SOD, such as timed (“gated”) cholecystokinin (CCK)-stimulated hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scans and secretin-stimulated magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, are imperfect and still evolving. Although many doubt the very existence of SOD, a multidisciplinary approach to the management of pre- and postcholecystectomy abdominal pain syndromes is long overdue.
Poly(A) synthesis by RNA polymerase II from rat liver.

Abstract Multiple forms of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase were resolved by DEAE-Sephadex chromatography. In addition to RNA polymerases, an active poly(A) polymerase was also fractionated. RNA polymerases were examined for their capacity to synthesize poly(A). None of the freshly prepared enzymes could efficiently make poly(A) in presence or absence of exogenous primers. However, “aging” of polymerase II by simple incubation at 37°C resulted in the loss of RNA polymerizing activity with a corresponding increase in poly(A) synthesizing activity. Transformation of RNA polymerase to poly(A) polymerase resulted in reduced capacity to transcribe native DNA and altered chromatographic behavior. The results suggest that subunits of polymerase II obligatory to DNA-dependent RNA synthesis were degraded by “aging” and that a stable subunit of the RNA polymerase could preferentially make poly(A).
Dihydrodipicolinic acid synthase of Bacillus licheniformis

Abstract Dihydrodipicolinate synthase from Bacillus licheniformis was purified approx. 200-fold from that present in initial cell-free extracts. No cofactors were found to be required for activity. Sigmoid pyruvate-dihydrodipicolinate synthase saturation curves were obtained suggesting pyruvate site cooperativity. This tentative conclusion was also supported by the sigmoid shape of the curve relating degree of heat protection of the enzyme to pyruvate concentration present during heating. Although only l -aspartic semialdehyde could serve as the C-4 substrate, both d - and l -aspartic semialdehyde were found to inhibit the enzyme primarily by decreasing the ability of pyruvate to saturate the enzyme. No cooperative effect was observed between l -aspartic semialdehyde binding sites, either in the presence or absence of d -aspartic semialdehyde. Thus far, no metabolic inhibitors of dihydrodipicolinate synthase other than the substrate, aspartic semialdehyde have been found.
The Lysine Residues within the Human Ribosomal Protein S17 Sequence Naturally Inserted into the Viral Nonstructural Protein of a Unique Strain of Hepatitis E Virus Are Important for Enhanced Virus Replication

ABSTRACT Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an important but extremely understudied human pathogen. Due largely to the lack of an efficient cell culture system for HEV, the molecular mechanisms of HEV replication and pathogenesis are poorly understood. Recently, a unique genotype 3 strain of HEV recovered from a chronically infected patient was adapted for growth in HepG2C3A human hepatoma cells. The adaptation of the Kernow C-1 P6 HEV to propagate in HepG2C3A cells selected for a rare virus recombinant that contains an insertion of a 171-nucleotide sequence encoding amino acids 21 to 76 of the human ribosomal protein S17 (RPS17) within the hypervariable region (HVR) of the HEV ORF1 protein. When the RPS17 insertion was placed into a strain of genotype 1 HEV which infects only humans, it expanded the host range of the virus, allowing it to infect cell lines from multiple animal species, including cow, dog, cat, chicken, and hamster. In this study, we utilized forward and reverse genetics to attempt to define which aspects of the RPS17 insertion allow for the ability of the Kernow C-1 P6 HEV to adapt in cell culture and allow for expanded host tropism. We demonstrate that the RPS17 sequence insertion in HEV bestows novel nuclear/nucleolar trafficking capabilities to the ORF1 protein of Kernow P6 HEV and that lysine residues within the RPS17 insertion, but not nuclear localization of the ORF1 protein, correlate with the enhanced replication of the HEV Kernow C-1 P6 strain. The results from this study have important implications for understanding the mechanism of cross-species infection and replication of HEV. IMPORTANCE HEV is an important pathogen worldwide. The virus causes high mortality (up to 30%) in pregnant women and has been recognized to cause chronic hepatitis in immunocompromised populations. The life cycle of HEV has been understudied due to a lack of sufficient cell culture systems in which to propagate the virus. Recently, insertions and rearrangements of the hypervariable region (HVR) within the HEV genome, allowing for cell culture adaptation and expansion of the host range, have been reported. We utilized these cell culture-adapted HEV strains to assess how the HVR may be involved in virus replication and host range. We provide evidence that insertion of the RPS17 sequence in HEV likely confers nuclear trafficking capabilities to the nonstructural protein of the virus and that lysine residues within the RPS17 insertion are important for enhanced replication of the virus. These data will help to elucidate the mechanism of cross-species infection of HEV in the future.
A high resolution multiwire proportional chamber system

Abstract We describe a high pressure proportional wire chamber detector, fully efficient for minimum ionizing particles, with a resolution σ = 62 μm, 7 cm2 sensitive area, and a high rate capability.
Tumor suppressors TSC1 and TSC2 differentially modulate actin cytoskeleton and motility of mouse embryonic fibroblasts.

TSC1 and TSC2 mutations cause neoplasms in rare disease pulmonary LAM and neuronal pathfinding in hamartoma syndrome TSC. The specific roles of TSC1 and TSC2 in actin remodeling and the modulation of cell motility, however, are not well understood. Previously, we demonstrated that TSC1 and TSC2 regulate the activity of small GTPases RhoA and Rac1, stress fiber formation and cell adhesion in a reciprocal manner. Here, we show that Tsc1−/− MEFs have decreased migration compared to littermate-derived Tsc1+/+ MEFs. Migration of Tsc1−/− MEFs with re-expressed TSC1 was comparable to Tsc1+/+ MEF migration. In contrast, Tsc2−/− MEFs showed an increased migration compared to Tsc2+/+ MEFs that were abrogated by TSC2 re-expression. Depletion of TSC1 and TSC2 using specific siRNAs in wild type MEFs and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts also showed that TSC1 loss attenuates cell migration while TSC2 loss promotes cell migration. Morphological and immunochemical analysis demonstrated that Tsc1−/− MEFs have a thin protracted shape with a few stress fibers; in contrast, Tsc2−/− MEFs showed a rounded morphology and abundant stress fibers. Expression of TSC1 in either Tsc1−/− or Tsc2−/− MEFs promoted stress fiber formation, while TSC2 re-expression induced stress fiber disassembly and the formation of cortical actin. To assess the mechanism(s) by which TSC2 loss promotes actin re-arrangement and cell migration, we explored the role of known downstream effectors of TSC2, mTORC1 and mTORC2. Increased migration of Tsc2−/− MEFs is inhibited by siRNA mTOR and siRNA Rictor, but not siRNA Raptor. siRNA mTOR or siRNA Rictor promoted stress fiber disassembly in TSC2-null cells, while siRNA Raptor had little effect. Overexpression of kinase-dead mTOR induced actin stress fiber disassembly and suppressed TSC2-deficient cell migration. Our data demonstrate that TSC1 and TSC2 differentially regulate actin stress fiber formation and cell migration, and that only TSC2 loss promotes mTOR- and mTORC2-dependent pro-migratory cell phenotype.
HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY FOR CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE INDUCED REFRACTORY HEMORRHAGIC CYSTITIS IN A CHILD

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a well-known complication of cyclophosphamide treatment with an incidence of up to 40%. Refractory hemorrhagic cystitis (RHC) may be a life threatening condition and it currently lacks an effective noninvasive treatment. To our knowledge we report the first pediatric case of RHC induced by chemotherapy only and treated successfully with hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). CASE REPORT A 15-year-old boy was admitted to the oncology unit at Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital with acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia. The patient received cyclophosphamide based chemotherapy according to the New York II protocol and mesna as a uroprotectant. After 10 months, while he was continuing maintenance chemotherapy, RHC appeared. He was referred to the pediatric urology department with clot retention. Renal ultrasound showed moderate bilateral hydronephrosis. Evacuation of the clots by catheter and bladder irrigation did not resolve the situation. The patient consequently underwent cystoscopy. After complete clot evacuation a diffusely hemorrhagic, inflamed bladder mucosa was observed. The patient was returned to the oncology ward and remained on continuous bladder irrigation for the next 3 months, during which he received repeat transfusions to maintain hemoglobin at greater than 10 gm/dl and platelets at greater than 60.000/mm 3 . Dueto intractable hematuria repetitive cystoscopies and electrofulgurations of the hemorrhagic lesions were performed. However, hematuria persisted uncontrollably. Thus, we decided to try HBO therapy with 100% oxygen at an absolute pressure of 1.8 to 2.5 atmospheres for 60 minutes twice daily. By the end of week 1 the bleeding was significantly decreased, enabling us to remove the bladder catheter. During week 2 HBO sessions were decreased to 1 daily and by the end of it the patient urine was completely clear. Ultrasound showed that hydronephrosis had resolved and HBO sessions were discontinued. Two years after HBO treatment the boy remains free of disease, has not experienced any further episodes of hematuria and voids normally. DISCUSSION
Energy and Nutrient Intake From Pizza in the United States

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Pizza consumption is a top contributor to children’s and adolescents’ caloric intake. The objective of this study was to examine children’s and adolescents’ pizza consumption patterns and its impact on their energy and nutrient intake. METHODS: Twenty-four–hour dietary recall data for children aged 2 to 11 and adolescents aged 12 to 19 were drawn from the 2003–2004, 2005–2006, 2007–2008, and 2009–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We tested changes in consumption patterns, including by race/ethnicity, income, meal occasion, and source. Individual-level fixed effects regression models estimated the impact of pizza consumption on total energy intake (TEI) and intakes of sugar, saturated fat, and sodium. RESULTS: From 2003–2004 to 2009–2010, overall energy intake from pizza declined 25% among children (110 to 83 kcal, P ≤ .05). Among adolescents, although caloric intake from pizza among those who consumed pizza fell (801 to 624 kcal, P ≤ .05), overall pizza intake remained unchanged due to slightly higher pizza consumption prevalence. For children and adolescents, pizza intake fell ( P ≤ .05) at dinner time and from fast food. For children and adolescents, respectively, pizza consumption was significantly associated with higher net daily TEI (84 kcal and 230 kcal) and higher intakes of saturated fat (3 g and 5 g) and sodium (134 mg and 484 mg) but not sugar intake, and such affects generally did not differ by sociodemographic characteristics. Pizza consumption as a snack or from fast-food restaurants had the greatest adverse impact on TEI. CONCLUSIONS: The adverse dietary effects of pizza consumption found in this study suggest that its consumption should be curbed and its nutrient content improved.
Complex dielectric properties of macroemulsions using microwave interferometric dielectrometer

Abstract This paper describes an open system microwave interference dielectrometer and emulsion measurements. Simplified algebraic expressions are used to convert sample attenuation and phase shift measurements to permitivity and loss factor values, respectively. The apparatus employs lens focused horns and is readily applicable to either online or laboratory measurements without resorting to cumbersome electric field transmission line analysis. Measurements of permittivity and loss factor for oil-in-water and water-in-oil macroemulsions were made at 23.5 GHz. The results verify and extend in frequency our earlier findings that a dielectric modulus, i.e., the ratio of sample emulsion loss tangent to pure water loss tangent, can be used to characterize both emulsion type and water content over a broad range of frequencies.
ZAK: a MAP3Kinase that transduces Shiga toxin‐ and ricin‐induced proinflammatory cytokine expression

Shiga toxins (Stxs) and ricin initiate damage to host cells by cleaving a single adenine residue on the alpha-sarcin loop of the 28S ribosomal RNA. This molecular insult results in a cascade of intracellular events termed the ribotoxic stress response (RSR). Although Stxs and ricin have been shown to cause the RSR, the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that transduces the signal from intoxicated ribosomes to activate SAPKinases has remained elusive. We show in vitro that DHP-2 (7-[3-fluoro-4-aminophenyl-(4-(2-pyridin-2-yl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazol-3-yl))]-quinoline), a zipper sterile-alpha-motif kinase (ZAK)-specific inhibitor, blocks Stx2/ricin-induced SAPKinase activation. Treatment of cells with DHP-2 also blocks Stx2/ricin-mediated upregulation of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-8 and results in a modest but statistically significant improvement in cell viability following Stx2/ricin treatment. Finally we show that siRNA directed against the N-terminus of ZAK diminishes Stx2/Ricin-induced SAPKinase activation. Together, these data demonstrate that a ZAK isoform(s) is the MAP3Kinase that transduces the RSR. Therefore, ZAKalpha and/or beta isoforms may act as potential therapeutic target(s) for treating Stx/ricin-associated illnesses. Furthermore, a small molecule inhibitor like DHP-2 may prove valuable in preventing the Stx/ricin-induced proinflammatory and/or apoptotic effects that are thought to contribute to pathogenesis by Stx-producing Escherichia coli and ricin.
Lutzomyia yuilli, a new man-biting phlebotomine sand fly from Colombia (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Lutzomyia yuilli n., sp. a common man-biting Phlebotomine sand fly belonging to the subgenus Nyssomyia Barretto is described and illustrated from specimens collected in Antioquia Dep., Colombia.
Surface phonons localized at step edges.

The surface-phonon structure of a simple model of fcc crystal dynamics is studied. The surfaces consist of wide (111) terraces separated by periodic, monatomic steps. A new class of vibrational mode is found. In addition to being localized to the surface like normal surface phonons, these modes are also localized along the step edges.
Silicon carbide/calcium aluminosilicate: A notch-insensitive ceramic-matrix composite

Tension experiments performed on a 0/90 laminated silicon carbide/calcium aluminosilicate composite at room temperature establish that this material is notch insensitive. Multiple matrix cracking is determined to be the stress redistribution mechanism. This mechanism is found to provide a particularly efficient means for creating local inelastic strains, which eliminate stress concentrations.
Optically-Controlled Growth of Carbon Nanotubes

Controllable growth and integration of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were achieved using an optically controlled approach. By applying optical near-field effects in a laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition process, controllable growth of SWNTs was realized.
Can You Keep a (Trade) Secret? - The Pennsylvania Uniform Trade Secrets Act

Pennsylvania recently adopted the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. The Act provides the more specific legal standards as to trade secret protection for businesses by expanding the rights of trade secret owners as to the scope of protectable information, the amount of damages that may be recovered, and statute of limitations. The new statute also displaces the former common law of trade secrets and is intended to provide greater clarity and consistency on the issues of protection and misappropriation. This article provides an overview of the new law and insights as to its likely application and interpretation by the courts.
Nanostructured Optical Photonic Crystal Biosensor for HIV Viral Load Measurement

Detecting and quantifying biomarkers and viruses in biological samples have broad applications in early disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring. We have demonstrated a label-free optical sensing mechanism using nanostructured photonic crystals (PC) to capture and quantify intact viruses (HIV-1) from biologically relevant samples. The nanostructured surface of the PC biosensor resonantly reflects a narrow wavelength band during illumination with a broadband light source. Surface-adsorbed biotarget induces a shift in the resonant Peak Wavelength Value (PWV) that is detectable with <10 pm wavelength resolution, enabling detection of both biomolecular layers and small number of viruses that sparsely populate the transducer surface. We have successfully captured and detected HIV-1 in serum and phosphate buffered saline (PBS) samples with viral loads ranging from 10(4) to 10(8) copies/mL. The surface density of immobilized biomolecular layers used in the sensor functionalization process, including 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (3-MPS), N-gamma-Maleimidobutyryl-oxysuccinimide ester (GMBS), NeutrAvidin, anti-gp120, and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were also quantified by the PC biosensor.
Targeted Disruption of the mPer3 Gene: Subtle Effects on Circadian Clock Function

Neurons in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) contain a cell-autonomous circadian clock that is based on a transcriptional-translational feedback loop. The basic helix-loop-helix-PAS proteins CLOCK and BMAL1 are positive regulators and drive the expression of the negative regulators CRY1 and CRY2, as well as PER1, PER2, and PER3. To assess the role of mouse PER3 (mPER3) in the circadian timing system, we generated mice with a targeted disruption of the mPer3 gene. Western blot analysis confirmed the absence of mPER3-immunoreactive proteins in mice homozygous for the targeted allele. mPer1, mPer2, mCry1, and Bmal1 RNA rhythms in the SCN did not differ between mPER3-deficient and wild-type mice. Rhythmic expression of mPer1 and mPer2 RNAs in skeletal muscle also did not differ between mPER3-deficient and wild-type mice. mPer3 transcripts were rhythmically expressed in the SCN and skeletal muscle of mice homozygous for the targeted allele, but the level of expression of the mutant transcript was lower than that in wild-type controls. Locomotor activity rhythms in mPER3-deficient mice were grossly normal, but the circadian cycle length was significantly (0.5 h) shorter than that in controls. The results demonstrate that mPer3 is not necessary for circadian rhythms in mice.
Functional heterogeneity within Broca's area during verbal working memory

In previous fMRI research, we found that two subregions of the left inferior frontal cortex showed distinct patterns of activity during a verbal working memory task. Specifically, a more dorsal region tracked with performance, while a more ventral region was sensitive to lexical status. To test the veracity of this finding, we developed a new method for meta-analysis of neuroimaging results. In this method, Gaussian probability distributions are formed around stereotaxic coordinates obtained from published neuroimaging studies. These probability distributions are then combined to identify regions of convergence across studies. When this method was applied to prior studies of working memory, the results largely paralleled those from earlier reviews of the literature on working memory, but also confirmed our empirical findings showing distinct foci within Broca's area. Further application of this meta-analytic technique substantiated the dissociation in these regions for performance and sublexical processing. These results help to validate a novel approach for meta-analysis of neuroimaging findings that avoids many of the subjective assumptions involved in alternative approaches.
Adaptive implementation of one-step-ahead optimal control via input matching

Directly adapting feedback control parameters to match an optimal input avoids the current limitations of indirect adaptive control and direct adaptive model matching. This original concept, termed input matching, allows combination of stable parameter adjustment algorithms and optimal performance considerations. Furthermore, the emphasis on input matching permits consistent control despite inconsistent parameter identification obviating efforts such as test or probing inputs required to ensure consistent identification. The control signal is reduced to a constant weighted sum of the measurable information-state vector components by the use of a one-step-ahead quadratic cost function to govern the behavior of a linear, time-invariant multivariable plant. The control effort from this linear combination proves globally estimable by a vector equation error formulation since the one-step-ahead cost function permits simple a posteriori input error calculation. Several simulations demonstrate the behavior of this new multivariable adaptive input matching control method.
Global signaling over lossy transmission lines

We describe an interconnect scheme based on lossy transmission lines, compare this scheme with traditional bus based links, and present performance data. Unlike some other schemes there is no requirement for up-conversion, equalization, or special metal processing. In preliminary work, we have measured data rates of 14 Gbps (limited by test equipment) over a 7.2 mm interconnection, implemented in 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS. For active links signaling over a single serial link, is more power efficient than over traditional parallel buses, does not require repeaters and is less affected by noise and coupling.
MEC-2 Is Recruited to the Putative Mechanosensory Complex in C. elegans Touch Receptor Neurons through Its Stomatin-like Domain

Abstract Background: The response to gentle body touch in C. elegans requires a degenerin channel complex containing four proteins (MEC-2, MEC-4, MEC-6, and MEC-10). The central portion of the integral membrane protein MEC-2 contains a stomatin-like region that is highly conserved from bacteria to mammals. The molecular function of this domain in MEC-2, however, is unknown. Results : Here, we show that MEC-2 colocalizes with the degenerin MEC-4 in regular puncta along touch receptor neuron processes. This punctate localization requires the other channel complex proteins. The stomatin-like region of MEC-2 interacts with the intracellular cytoplasmic portion of MEC-4. Missense mutations in this region that destroy the interaction also disrupt the punctate localization and degenerin-regulating function of MEC-2. Missense mutations outside this region apparently have no effect on the punctate localization but significantly reduce the regulatory effect of MEC-2 on the MEC-4 degenerin channel. A second stomatin-like protein, UNC-24, colocalizes with MEC-2 in vivo and coimmunoprecipitates with MEC-2 and MEC-4 in Xenopus oocytes; unc-24 enhances the touch insensitivity of temperature-sensitive alleles of mec-4 and mec-6 . Conclusion : Two stomatin homologs, MEC-2 and UNC-24, interact with the MEC-4 degenerin through their stomatin-like regions, which act as protein binding domains. At least in the case of MEC-2, this binding allows its nonstomatin domains to regulate channel activity. Stomatin-like regions in other proteins may serve a similar protein binding function.
Maximizing Production of Estrogen Receptor β with the Baculovirus Expression System

Steroid hormone/nuclear receptor expression in cultured insect cell lines is routinely driven by a baculovirus vector. An advantage of the baculovirus production of these receptors is that large amounts of functional receptors are obtained for subsequent in vitro studies. Most laboratories produce nuclear receptors in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf)9 cells. However, no one has determined whether this cell line is optimal for the production of any nuclear receptor. We compared the time course and level of estrogen receptor β (ERβ) production from a baculovirus in two S. frugiperda cell lines, IPLB-SF21AE (Sf21) and Sf9, and two Trichloplusia ni cell lines, Tn368 and BTITN5b1-4 (High Five). Cells were harvested at various times (0.5–5 days) after infection. ERβ expression and activity was determined by specific [ 3 H]estradiol (E2) binding, Western blot analysis, and estrogen response element (ERE) binding in vitro. The highest functional, bioactive ERβ expression both at the earliest time after infection and in the amount of ERβ produced/cell was with the Sf21 cell line. Baculovirus expressed ERβ-bound EREs with high affinity in a DNA sequence-dependent manner. We conclude that Sf21 cells are the best-suited cells for ERβ production.
Shareholder Returns for a Catalyst Award

Using an event study methodology, the authors examine firm share price reactions to the designation of a Catalyst Award. They find a positive relationship between the human resource award and share price reactions. In addition, they find varying degrees of support that timing, firm size, and labor force composition moderate share price reactions. Specifically, the authors find that earlier award announcements generate larger share price reactions than more recent award announcements. They also find support that larger firms reap greater share price reactions than do smaller firms. And last, they find limited support that the proportion of women in an industry moderates the award and share price relationship.
Sexual Orientation and Developmental Challenges Experienced by Gay and Lesbian Youths

Youths with a homosexual orientation face different developmental challenges during adolescence than those faced by heterosexual youths or individuals who recognize their homosexual orientation later in life. We discuss the impact of "coming out," or defining a homosexual orientation, on the development and identity formation of youths who come out during adolescence. The process of coming out is presented as entailing four broad dimensions: recognizing oneself as lesbian or gay; exploring one's sexual orientation through the gay and lesbian community; disclosing one's sexual orientation to others; and becoming more comfortable with one's sexual orientation. Some of the major challenges faced by these youths are described, and future directions for research efforts are discussed.
Preliminary Inventory Of The Planthoppers (Hemiptera : Fulgoroidea) Of The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina And Tennessee, Usa

3 ABSTRACT: The Fulgoroidea of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was investigated in July 2002 as part of an ongoing all-taxa biotic inventory. Sweep samples were taken by three inves- tigators from 28 localities throughout the Park with all specimens of the target taxon retained. This preliminary inventory obtained 1,290 specimens, representing 8 families, 23 genera and 37 species. Species accumulation curves and nine estimators of species richness were explored, all of which pre- dicted a species richness of approximately 50 species (range of estimates 44-58 species). This ap- proximation probably underestimates the true species richness of planthoppers because of seasonal, spatial and methodological limitations of this initial estimate.
Measuring and Envisioning Risks: Boundary-Work in Risk Management

For two decades, risk management has been gaining ground in banking, despite a series of corporate failures, large-scale losses, regional crises, and a worldwide financial crisis that have been cast as risk-management failures. Power (2004a) explained this with his model of the cyclical “metrological drama” of counting, control, and calculation punctuated by cycles of innovation, crisis and reform and, in light of the recent financial crisis, he and others concluded that the continuing expansion of risk measurement is dysfunctional (Taleb, 2007; Power, 2009). Neither the model nor its ultimate dysfunctionality, however, have been empirically scrutinized.This paper asks whether the expansion of measurement-based risk management in banking is as inevitable and as dangerous as Power and others speculate. Based on two detailed case studies and 53 additional interviews with risk-management staff at five other major banks over 2001-2010, this paper shows that while the risk functions of some organizations have a culture of quantitative enthusiasm and are dedicated to risk measurement, others, with a culture of quantitative scepticism, take a different path, focusing instead on risk envisionment, aiming to provide top management with alternative future scenarios and with expert opinions on emerging risk issues. In order to explain the dynamics of these alternative plots, I show that risk experts engage in various kinds of boundary-work (Gieryn, 1983, 1999), sometimes to expand and sometimes to limit areas of activity, legitimacy, authority, and responsibility.
Properties of the Bellman function in time-optimal control problems

In this paper, time-optimal control problems with closed terminal sets are considered. We give conditions which guarantee the Bellman function to be Holder and Lipschitz continuous. We then prove that the condition for Lipschitz continuity is also necessary.
Comparing the effectiveness of fine-grain memory caching against page migration/replication in reducing traffic in DSM clusters

In this paper, we compare and contrast two techniques to improve capacity/conflict miss traffic in CC-NUMA DSM clusters. Page migration/replication optimizes read-write accesses to a page used by a single processor by migrating the page to that processor and replicates all read-shared pages in the sharers' local memories. R-NUMA optimizes read-write accesses to any page by allowing a processor to cache that page in its main memory. Page migration/replication requires less hardware complexity as compared to R-NUMA, but has limited applicability and incurs much higher overheads even with tuned hardware/software support.In this paper, we compare and contrast page migration/replication and R-NUMA on simulated clusters of symmetric multiprocessors executing shared-memory applications. Our results show that: (1) both page migration/replication and R-NUMA significantly improve the system performance over “first-touch” migration in many applications, (2) page migration/replication has limited opportunity and can not eliminate all the capacity/conflict misses even with fast hardware support and unlimited amount of memory, (3) R-NUMA always performs best given a page cache large enough to fit an application's primary working set and subsumes page migration/replication, (4) R-NUMA benefits more from hardware support to accelerate page operations than page migration/replication, and (5) integrating page migration/replication into R-NUMA to help reduce the hardware cost requires sophisticated mechanisms and policies to select candidates for page migration/replication.