cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neutrophil extracellular trap-derived enzymes oxidize high-density lipoprotein: an additional proatherogenic mechanism in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective Oxidative stress and oxidized high-density lipoprotein (HDL) are implicated as risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Yet, how HDL is oxidized and rendered dysfunctional in SLE remains unclear. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), the levels of which are elevated in lupus, possess oxidant-generating enzymes, including myeloperoxidase (MPO), NADPH oxidase (NOX), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS). We hypothesized that NETs mediate HDL oxidation, impairing cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC). Methods Plasma MPO levels and CEC activity were examined in controls and lupus patients, and 3-chlorotyrosine (MPO specific) and 3-nitrotyrosine (derived from reactive nitrogen species) were quantified in human HDL. Multivariable linear models were used to estimate and test differences between groups. HDL was exposed to NETs from control and lupus neutrophils in the presence or absence of MPO, NOX, NOS inhibitors, and chloroquine (CQ). Murine HDL oxidation was quantified after NET inhibition in vivo. Results SLE patients displayed higher MPO levels and diminished CEC compared to controls. SLE HDL had higher 3-nitrotyrosine and 3-chlorotyrosine content than control HDL, with site-specific oxidation signatures on apolipoprotein A-I. Experiments with human and murine NETs confirmed that chlorination was mediated by MPO and NOX, and nitration by NOS and NOX. Mice with lupus treated with the NET inhibitor Cl-amidine displayed significantly decreased HDL oxidation. CQ inhibited NET formation in vitro. Conclusion Active NOS, NOX, and MPO within NETs significantly modify HDL, rendering the lipoprotein proatherogenic. Since NET formation is enhanced in SLE, these findings support a novel role for NET-derived lipoprotein oxidation in SLE-associated CVD and identify additional proatherogenic roles of neutrophils and putative protective roles of antimalarials in autoimmunity.
Varices of the Oesophagus in Children

(1944). Varices of the Oesophagus in Children. Acta Radiologica: Vol. 25, No. 5-6, pp. 507-513.
Anomalous magnetic fabric in sediments which record an apparent geomagnetic field excursion

THE discussions of late Quaternary magnetic stratigraphy have presented a complex variety of magnetic events and excursions, many with differing degrees of reliability1,2. Several authors1–4 have warned against this ‘reinforcement syndrome’ in interpreting unconfirmed palaeomagnetic results. In support of these admonitions, we report here that some apparent geomagnetic field excursions recorded in sediments may not represent short-term changes in the Earth's magnetic field.
Automated material handling systems: automated reticle handling: a comparison of distributed and centralized reticle storage and transport

The implementation of Automated Material Handling Systems (AMHS) in 300mm semiconductor facilities provides the opportunity to realize significant benefits in fabricator productivity and performance. The leverage associated with automated reticle delivery to photolithography process tools may be less apparent than a fab-wide AMHS. However, a high product mix environment requires the tracking, storage and transportation of thousands of reticles to successfully process wafers on photolithography tools. The failure to deliver reticles in an accurate and timely manner will negate many of the competitive advantages associated with automated wafer handling. Implementing an automated reticle management system (ARMS) requires an evolution from traditional reticle storage and management methodologies. In this paper, we review the application of simulation analysis to explore centralized versus distributed reticle storage and handling alternatives for an overall ARMS strategy.
EUS-guided FNA of the left adrenal gland in patients with thoracic or GI malignancies☆

Abstract Background The diagnostic yield and safety of trans-gastric EUS-guided FNA of the left adrenal gland are not well defined. Methods All patients with an enlarged left adrenal gland on abdominal imaging and known or suspected malignancy referred to two EUS centers over a 3-year period were included in this study. EUS-guided FNA was performed on an outpatient basis by one of 4 experienced endosonographers. Results Thirty-one consecutive patients (21 men, 10 women; mean age 64.8 years) were evaluated. Tissue adequate for interpretation was obtained in all patients; no attempt to obtain tissue was unsuccessful. The median number of needle passes was 4.5 (range 1-8). No immediate complications were encountered. EUS-guided FNA confirmed malignant left adrenal involvement in 42% (13/31) of the patients. Patients with malignant left adrenal masses were more likely to have known cancer at another site (OR 12.0: 95% CI[1.6, 87.9]). Patients with benign masses were more likely to have preservation of the normal sonographic appearance of the adrenal gland ("seagull" configuration) compared with those with malignant masses (OR 9.8: 95% CI[1.9, 51.0]). The accuracy of EUS imaging based on size (≥3 cm) alone was 81%: 95% CI[63, 93]). Of the patients with malignant adrenal masses, 85% (11/13) died or their clinical condition deteriorated during follow-up, while 15% (2/13) were being treated and were stable clinically. Conclusions EUS-guided FNA of the left adrenal gland is a minimally invasive, safe, and highly accurate method that confirms or excludes malignant adrenal involvement in patients with thoracic or GI malignancies.
Natural history of chronic hepatitis B in Euro-Mediterranean and African Countries

Data derived from population, case-control, and cohort studies conducted in several Euro-Mediterranean and African countries disclose impressive similarities in the age and modes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) transmission and in the prevalence, duration, and outcome of the four phases of the natural history of chronic infection. Perinatal HBV infection is rare while the vast majority of chronic infections originate from horizontal HBV transmission to infants and children. HBeAg loss and seroconversion to anti-HBe occur in a few years time, usually during the second decade of life. HBeAg-negative/anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B (CHB), predominates in these countries being 7–9 times more frequent than HBeAg-positive CHB. The predominance of HBeAg-negative CHB is largely linked to the molecular characteristics of HBV genotype D prevailing in European and African countries of the Mediterranean basin and of genotype E and subgenotype A1 that prevail in the other parts of Africa. The molecular characteristics of the African subgenotype A1 differ from those of European subgenotype A2 explaining the fact that patients infected subgenotype A1 demonstrate an earlier loss of HBeAg and seroconversion to anti-HBe during the natural course of HBV infection compared to those infected with subgenotype A2. It is proposed that the molecular characteristics of HBV genotypes and subgenotypes prevailing in Euro-Mediterranean and African countries acting in concert with host and environmental factors largely determine the natural history of chronic HBV infection and its significant differences from countries of HBV genotype C and B and of subgenotype Ae predominance. The knowledge of the natural history of chronic HBV infection in Euro-Mediterranean and African countries combined with wide screening programs for prompt recognition and treatment of chronic HBV infection both in its HBeAg-positive and -negative immune reactive phases can be expected to increase the efficacy of current and future therapeutic strategies.
Variational and optimal control problems with delayed argument

This paper deals with variational and optimal control problems with delayed argument and presents analogs of the classical necessary conditions for optimality for problems in (n + 1)-space. It is mainly concerned with the functional $$J(y) = \int_a^b {f[t,y(t\user2{--}\tau ),y(t),\dot y(t\user2{--}\tau ),\dot y(t)] dt} $$ There are no side conditions; τ is a positive real number; andy is a continuous piecewise smooth vector function havingn components. The fundamental lemma of the calculus of variations is used in deriving an analog of the Euler equations. The usual construction is utilized in obtaining analogs of the Weierstrass and Legendre conditions. Also found is a fourth necessary condition involving the least proper value associated with a boundary value problem related to the second variation. A sufficient condition is obtained by the use of a simple expansion method. The last station of the paper outlines an extension of a maximal principle obtained by Hestenes to control problems which involve delays in both the state variable and the control variable.
Changes in red blood cell transfusion practice during the past two decades: a retrospective analysis, with the Mayo database, of adult patients undergoing major spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Others have reported significant changes in red blood cell (RBC) transfusion practice during the past two decades during knee, hip, prostate, and carotid surgery. Similar data for patients undergoing major spine surgery, however, are not available. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: After institutional review board approval, adult patients undergoing elective major spine surgery were stratified into one of two transfusion-related groups: 1) 1980 to 1985 (i.e., before human immunodeficiency virus screening, early practice group; n = 699) or 2) 1995 to 2000 (i.e., late practice group; n = 610). RESULTS: Patients in the late practice group were older, had greater numbers of preoperative coexisting diseases (e.g., hypertension, cardiac dysrhythmias, coronary artery disease, prior myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, cerebrovascular disease, and asthma), and were exposed to longer operations (p < 0.01 for each variable). Over time, allogeneic RBC administration significantly decreased, whereas autologous and intraoperative autotransfusion significantly increased. Compared to the early practice group, all perioperative Hb concentrations were significantly lower than the late practice group, yet no significant difference in major morbidity or mortality was observed between groups. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective analysis, significantly lower acceptable perioperative Hb concentrations were observed in older patients having substantially worse baseline comorbidity and exposed to longer major spine operations, without significant change in the incidence of perioperative morbidity or mortality.
Aromatase in the human testis

Low levels of testicular estrogen synthesis have been reported in a number of species, but the cellular localization has not been unequivocally established. To study aromatase in the human testis, we have combined immunocytochemistry with direct measurement of enzyme activity in the testicular 6 microns cryosections. Thus, the functionality of the immunoreaction and its sensitivity can be assessed in quantitative terms. Testes were obtained from immediate autopsy from men aged 18-53 years, from surgery from two patients with prostatic cancer (67 and 74 years) and from two normal children aged 8 months and 3 years at autopsy. Benign testicular sex cord tumors were also examined from two unrelated patients aged 5 and 8 years with gynecomastia and diagnosed with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Our results consistently showed low to moderate staining intensity of immunoreactive aromatase in comparison to that of normal human placental cryosections. Immunoreactive aromatase was only present in the interstitial Leydig cells and absent from the Sertoli cells of all normal adult testes showing spermatogenesis. Aromatase activity correlated well with the intensity of the immunostain. However, there was no obvious relationship between the level of aromatase activity and increasing age. Generally higher levels were present in testes of young men (18-22 years). No immunostain in any cell type was detected in one 33-year-old patient with testicular cancer. In the testes of the two normal prepubertal boys, no immunostaining was observed. However, intensely stained Sertoli cells as well as high aromatase activity were observed in the testicular tumors of the patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome. Our results suggest that Leydig cells are the source of aromatase in normal men but that Sertoli cells may express this enzyme under abnormal conditions. The combined methods for measuring enzyme activity and immunoreactive aromatase are suitable for application to tissues expressing low levels of aromatase.
In Vitro and In Vivo Binding of Progestins to the Androgen Receptor of Mouse Kidney: Correlation with Biological Activities

Progestins possess androgenic, antiandrogenic, and synandrogenic activities on androgen-responsive tissues. Several recent studies suggest that some or all of these actions may be initiated in mouse kidney via progestin interaction with the androgen receptor. All of the progestins studied, including medroxyprogesterone acetate [6a-methyl-17a-hydroxy-pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione acetate (MPA)], cyproterone acetate [6-chloro-17a-hydroxy-la,2a-methylene-pregna-4,6-diene-3,20-dione acetate (CPA)], 6a-methylprogesterone (6MP), and progesterone(P), effectively competed with [3H]testosterone ([3H]T) for binding sites on androgen receptors in mouse kidney cytosol. Their relative binding affinities were T » 6MP > CPA > MPA = P, indicating that MPA, the most biologically potent androgenic progestin, bound to the cytoplasmic androgen receptor with less affinity than 6MP or the antiandrogenic progestin CPA. To further investigate the relationship between binding affinity and biological activity of progestins, an assay usin...
Predictors and moderators of psychological changes during the treatment of adolescent bulimia nervosa

This study examined predictors of psychological change among 80 adolescents with bulimia nervosa (BN) participating in a randomized-controlled trial comparing family-based treatment (FBT) to supportive psychotherapy (SPT). Psychological outcomes (cognitive eating disorder pathology, depression, and self-esteem) were explored at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-month follow-up. Multi-level growth models examined predictors of rate of change in psychological outcomes and moderators of treatment effects. All psychological outcomes improved through 6-month follow-up (moderate to large effect sizes) across both treatments. Overall, few significant predictors were identified. Older adolescents had faster change in self-esteem relative to younger adolescents (p = 0.03). Adolescents taking psychotropic medication at baseline had faster change in eating concerns relative to adolescents not taking medication (p = 0.02). Age (p = 0.02) and baseline purging severity (p = 0.03) moderated the relationship between treatment condition and change in eating concerns, where younger adolescents and individuals with high baseline purging had greater change when treated with FBT relative to SPT. Age and purging did not significantly moderate change in other psychological outcomes. Bulimic symptom improvement did not predict change in psychological symptoms. Generally, FBT and SPT were equally efficacious with respect to psychological improvement, although FBT may be more efficacious in younger adolescents and those with more frequent purging.
Autogenous venous bypass grafts and limb salvage: 5-year results in 1971 and 1991.

Abstract Claims have been made that the increased utilization of arterial reconstruction has not resulted in improved limb salvage. This report compares the resultsss of two series of patients with autogenous venous bypass grafts and examines the institutional trends at a major regional vascular center with these procedures. The two groups of patients underwent operation between 1957 and 1964 (group I) and 1982 and 1985 (group II) respectively. Each patient was followed for a minimum of 5 years or until death. This review showed that the demographics of the population and the nature of the operation changed dramatically over the 20-year period. Patients were older, had more medical co-morbid conditions, more operations were performed for salvage and more to vessels below the knee joint in the latter series. Despite these adverse factors, the 30-day patency rates were significantly better in the later group, 93% versus 76%. Likewise, limb salvage rates were improved both initially and after the 5-year period of observation. The 5-year primary patency, however, was no different between groups I and II, 60% versus 56%. Since both series preceded the use of duplex scanning for graft surveillance, even further improvements in both graft patency and limb salvage rates would be expected in patients currently treated.
1812: The Navy's War. By George C. Daughan. (New York, NY: Basic Books, 2011. Pp. xxix, 491. $32.50.)

As a veteran, scholar, and accomplished writer, George C. Daughan understands naval history on a level far beyond the roaring cannons and slashing cutlasses of tactical engagements. Though this vol...
What the family physician expects from the psychiatrist.

Abstract A better understanding and a closer, more productive collaboration between the disciplines of psychiatry and family practice can be approached by addressing the needs and expecta tions that family practitioners and those engaged in training of future family physicians have for psychiatry. Cooperation can be improved if the psychiatrist is aware of the type and frequency of emotional illness encountered by family practitioners, and the typical therapeutic methods used by them; the feedback from the psychiatrist following consultation and referral is improved; and the psychiatrist assists the family physician to obtain improved self-understanding.
Part objects, infantile fantasies, and intrapsychic boundaries: An object relations perspective on male difficulties with intimacy.

The difficulties men have with intimacy issues are documented within clinical lore as well as a growing body of empirical research. This paper traces these difficulties to the disidentification pro...
Progesterone-induced mating behavior in rats on the day following spontaneous heat.

Abstract Three experiments were designed to test the ability of exogenous progesterone administered shortly after the termination of spontaneous heat to induce a second period of sexual receptivity. In female rats displaying four-day estrous cycles, a second period of sexual receptivity could be induced by exogenous progesterone administered before, but not after, 1100 hrs on the day following spontaneous heat. In a second experiment, animals given coital stimulation on the evening of proestrus were found to exhibit a second period of progesterone-induced receptivity equal in intensity to that of animals not receiving such stimulation. In the final experiment, various amounts of progesterone were administered to ascertain the relationship of dose and response. Dosages of 2.5 mg, 1.5 mg and 1.0 mg were equally effective in inducing mating behavior while a linear decrease was observed with smaller amounts. These results indicate that the neural substrate responsible for lordosis behavior is capable of reacting with progesterone administered early on the morning of the day following spontaneous heat to produce a second period of sexual receptivity.
A “random-walk” simulation model of multiple-pattern learning in a radial-arm maze

Wathen and Roberts (1994) reported rather surprising results of a radial maze study that on any interpretation requires postulation of previously unsuspected high-level cognitive processes in rats. In each of four arms of the eight-arm radial maze, a different serial pattern unfolded over trials; for example, in one of the arms reward and nonreward alternated over successive trials. On each trial, rats came to track successfully four different patterns simultaneously. The authors suggested that rats tracked the pattern by using some form of trial-number strategy; that is, the trial number indicated which arms contained the better rewards. This strategy could involve a hypothesis, considered unlikely by some, that rats are capable of keeping track of as many as eight successive events—as, for example, by counting. A simulation model that embodies a specific form of the trial-number hypothesis is described here, and the results of the simulation correlate remarkably well with the observed data. In addition, the model makes four separate predictions that are supported by Wathen and Roberts’s data and that seem beyond the scope of other available theories.
Chemistry of Texas lignite liquefaction in a hydrogen-donor solvent system

Abstract To study the nature of chemical cleavage and resultant product transfer from solid lignite phase to liquid phase, autoclave (300 cm 3 ) experiments have been carried out at pressures ranging up to 34 MPa and temperatures of 380–390 °C. The charge to the autoclave was freshly mined wet lignite, tetralin and hydrogen or helium. To obtain an indication of the reaction mechanisms underlying the liquefaction process, liquid and gas samples from the reactor at different time intervals were analysed. The gas samples were analysed by use of a multi-column, multi-valve automated gas Chromatograph, a system specially fabricated for coal-derived gas analysis. The liquid sample was filtered through Millipore filters and separate into three fractions by gel permeation chromatography. Fraction 1 is mostly colloidal carbon and high-molecular-weight species which cannot be separated on a g.c. Fractions 2 and 3 were analysed by gas chromatography — mass spectrometry (g.c.-m.s.). Fraction 2 represents the liquid products released from lignite and fraction 3 is mostly the tetralin and tetralin-derived products. Gel permeation chromatography (g.p.c.) followed by gas chromatography (g.c.) was used to devise a method for monitoring the extent of liquefaction. The production of carbon dioxide is at a maximum before the liquefaction reactions are at a significant rate. The source of carbon dioxide appears to be the carboxylic groups in lignite. The liquefaction reactions consume hydrogen from tetralin which undergoes dehydrogenation to form naphthalene. Once the lignite has undergone depolymerization, the tetralin to naphthalene conversion slows down. The continued heating of lignite conversion products in excess of tetralin does not appear to alter the molecular size distribution of the liquid product. The distillable fraction of lignite-derived liquid is composed of various alkylated phenols and aromatics and alkanes, and they are formed simultaneously.
The mechanical behavior during nanoindentation near the grain boundary in a bicrystal FCC metal

Abstract This work addresses the hardening effect in close proximity of a grain boundary during nanoindentation experiments. Nanoindentation near the grain boundaries may lead to a detectable slip transfer and can be evaluated quantitatively by resource to a Hall–Petch analysis in terms of dislocation pile-ups at grain boundaries. As a result of the difficulty in slip transmission across the grain boundary, it is possible to measure the intrinsic hardening effect contributed by the grain boundaries with the availability of nanoindentation technique. In order to isolate the grain boundary effect, a bicrystalline face-centered cubic (FCC) aluminum specimen is used. Nanoindentation experiments are performed near the grain boundary with different distances in order to investigate the interaction between dislocations created by the indenter and the grain boundary. Material length scales used in conjunction with gradient plasticity theories are obtained from experimental results of the aluminum bicrystal specimen. Furthermore, numerical simulations are performed using the ABAQUS software.
Lane heading difference: An innovative model for drowsy driving detection using retrospective analysis around curves

Driving while sleepy is a serious contributor to automobile accidents. Previous research has shown that drowsy drivers produce systematic errors (variability) in vehicle behavior which are detectable using vehicle monitoring technology. The current study developed a new methodological approach using a vehicle heading difference metric to detect drowsy driving more effectively than other more commonly used methods. Twenty participants completed a driving scenario as well as several measures of fatigue in five testing sessions across a night of sleep deprivation. Each simulated highway driving session lasted 20 min, and was analyzed for lateral lane position variability and vehicle heading difference variability with two statistical methods. Fatigue measures monitored reaction time, attention, and oculomotor movement. The results showed that examining lane heading difference using the absolute value of the raw data detected driving variability better across the night than other statistical models. The results from the fatigue measures indicated an increase in reaction time and response lapses, as well as a decrease in oculomotor reactivity across the night. These results suggest that in fatigued drivers the statistical model using the absolute value of lane heading could be an improved metric for drowsy driving detection that could accurately detect detriments in driving ability at lower levels of fatigue.
The Peculiar Marine Phycomycete Atkinsiella dubia from Crab Eggs

Atkinsiella dubia (Atkins) Vishniac has been found doubtfully parasitic in eggs of various crabs in the vicinity of Friday Harbor laboratories.
Dissecting the tragedy: A spatial model of behavior in the commons

Abstract Much of the discussion of the tragedy of the commons focuses on aggregate impacts, often in data-poor developing country settings. Few non-experimental empirical studies shed light on contextual circumstances driving the extent of rent dissipation and overexploitation. We utilize a high-resolution data set to estimate a behavioral model of fishermen's spatial choices. A unique policy setting allows us to measure the degree to which individual fishermen's choices appear aimed at mitigating the tragedy of the commons in a small numbers setting. We find evidence of partial mitigation in excess of what we would expect under pure self-interest but short of what would occur under group-maximizing behavior. We also examine how contextual factors in the fishery shape the degree of cooperation within the fishing season and find evidence that competition for the common pool resource distorts fishermen's implicit cost of distance—creating a form of “common property inertia”.
Pressure dependence of newtonian viscosity

Recently, a new method of generalization of the zero shear viscosity of liquids has been proposed. The method utilizes a modified Doolittle formula and the temperature-dependent volume, as expressed by the corresponding states theory of liquids. Furthermore, the glass-transition temperature has been employed as the scaling parameter. The proposed treatment allowed prediction of the correlation between: (i) viscosity, η, and temperature, T, (ii) η and the molecular weight of polymer, (iii) η and concentration, and (iv) the combined effect of these variables. At present, the method is extended to the pressure, P, effect. Furthermore, by substituting the free volume fraction in the Doolittle formula by the theoretical “hole fraction,” a master-relation is proposed that provides means for predicting η = h(T, P) dependence.
Gender Issues in Technical Communication Studies An Overview of the Implications for the Profession, Research, and Pedagogy

This article presents an overview of research and unanswered questions related to gender issues in technical communication. Specific issues affecting our profession, our research, and our pedagogical philosophies and assignments are presented. The article addresses the consequences of the feminization of technical communication, the avenues for research on gender differences in communication—specifically those differences that affect technical communicators—and the means for encouraging a more gender-balanced view of business and industry within our technical communication classrooms by giving students a chance to practice writing about gender-related issues.
Reflectance, Transmittance, and Absorptance of Light by Normal, Etiolated, and Albino Corn Leaves

This study was conducted to demonstrate the effects of pigments on light reflectance, transmittance and absorptance spectra of corn (Zea mays L.) leaves. Three treatments were used to produce corn seedlings with different pigmentations. Because fluridone-induced albino seedlings can be used to separate the contributions of pigments from leaf structure and water content, they represent a potentially important tool in studying leaf optical properties
Facilitating Conversation in Elderly Persons with Alzheimer's Disease

Deterioration of verbal abilities is among the most debilitating consequences of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent research suggests that the common responses of conversational partners may contribu...
Reassessing the “freshman effect”: The voting bloc alignment of new justices on the United States Supreme Court, 1921–90

Part of the conventional wisdom about the United States Supreme Court is the presumed existence of a “freshman effect,” a distinct pattern of behavior thought to be associated with newly appointed justices. Among other things, freshman justices are thought to be less likely than their senior colleagues to vote with established ideological blocs on the Court. The empirical evidence for the freshman effect in voting on the Court is somewhat ambiguous, however. In order to test for a freshman effect in the voting behavior of new justices on the Supreme Court, we examined the behavior of all justices on the Court between 1921 and 1990. Voting blocs were determined from the justices' interagreement scores, using the widely employed criterion developed by Sprague (1968). We found no evidence of a freshman effect during the time frame under study. Freshman justices do not differ from their senior colleagues with respect to bloc voting. We conclude that the freshman effect hypothesis is erroneous, at least with respect to the supposed nonalignment behavior of neophyte justices.
Plasma Clearance of Bacteriophage Qβ Particles as a Function of Surface Charge

Self-assembled protein capsids have gained attention as a promising class of nanoparticles for biomedical applications due to their monodisperse nature and versatile genetic and chemical tailorability. To determine the plasma clearance and tissue distribution in mice of the versatile capsid of bacteriophage Qβ, the particles were decorated with gadolinium complexes using the CuI-mediated azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction. Interior surface labeling was engineered by the introduction of an azide-containing unnatural amino acid into the coat protein for the first time. Clearance rates were conveniently monitored by quantitative detection of Gd using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, and were found to be inversely proportional to the number of complexes attached to the exterior surface of the particle. This phenomenon was correlated to changes in exterior surface charge brought about by acylation of surface exposed amine groups in the initial step of the bioconjugation protocol. When primary amine groups were reintroduced by azide-alkyne coupling, the circulation time increased accordingly. These results show that nanoparticle trafficking may be tailored in predictable ways by chemical and genetic modifications that modulate surface charge.
Model Predictive Control Equalization for High-Speed I/O Links

In this work, we formulate a new, nonlinear, and time-variant transmitter equalization method based on the Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm. MPC is a class of control algorithms in which the current control action is obtained by solving, perhaps approximately, an online open-loop optimal control problem. One important advantage of the MPC in peak-power constrained link environment is its ability to cope with hard constraints on controls and states. Knowing the state of the channel enables a very fine nonlinear equalization. We utilize this flexibility to create various MPC formulations that control the entire eye-mask, receive signal dynamic range as well as the required quantization. Our MPC equalization significantly outperforms traditional transmitter techniques such as linear feed-forward and Tomlinson-Harashima equalizers, and gets very close to the optimized decision-feedback equalization at lower transmitter resolutions. We also describe the possible complexity reduction techniques that enable efficient implementation of our MPC algorithm in hardware.
Scanning laser pulses driven microfluidic peristaltic membrane pump

We reported a pulsed laser driven peristaltic pump for driving fluid in multilayer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microchannels. By synchronizing the dynamics of deforming membrane valves with pulsed laser generated bubbles, a maximum pumping rate of 460 pl s−1 has been achieved.
Conversation for Action: The Computer Terminal as Medium of Communication

Today, computer-mediated communication spans a range of activities from interactive messages to word processing. Researchers interested in this new technology have concentrated on its effects in the workplace for knowledge production and dissemination or on its word processing function. The study reported here examines communication events in which the computer is the medium and views such computer-mediated communication from the perspective of language use. Its goal is to understand, through data collected from an anthropological perspective, the ways of communicating used by members of an established community of computer users. In particular, it answers the questions: (i) How do computer communicators choose among the available media and modes of communication? (ii) What are the basic and recurring discourse patterns across media and modes through which this community achieves its institutional goals of innovation and product development? (iii) How do the answers to the previous two questions inform our understanding of language use in general?
Immunomodulators for allergic respiratory disorders.

New knowledge about the pathogenesis of allergic and immunologic diseases has led to a variety of novel targeted therapeutic approaches. Many immunomodulators are currently under development for the therapy of asthma and allergic and immunologic diseases and are undergoing human clinical trials. The study of immunomodulators in human subjects is ultimately required to determine their therapeutic utility because several agents showing promise in in vitro and animal models have failed in human studies. Novel therapeutic approaches include Toll-like receptor 4 and 9 agonists, immunostimulatory oligodeoxynucleotides, oral and parenterally administered cytokine blockers, and specific cytokine receptor antagonists. Transcription factor modulators targeting syk kinase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and nuclear factor κB are also being evaluated for the treatment of allergic diseases, especially asthma. The anti-IgE mAb omalizumab is already used for the treatment of allergic asthma, but its potential role for other allergic diseases has yet to be clearly defined. Overall, the development of new agents that inhibit specific immunopathogenic mechanisms holds promise for beneficial outcomes for patients with the least amount of risk. However,agents that are too specific in their targets might not exhibit therapeutic benefits because of the redundancy of the immune system and the heterogeneity of diseases such as asthma. The goal of this review is to summarize the data from human clinical trials with immunomodulators, discussing the rationale for their use, efficacy results, and putative adverse events associated with them.
Multilayer Two-Sided Platforms: The Role of Exclusive Contracts

Mobile platforms are multilayer in the sense that application developers can access the users only through the two layers of the platform, namely operating systems (OS) and the carrier. Therefore, mobile platforms require contracting between OS and carrier as no firm has ability to connect both the layers of the platform. We develop a framework to study multilayer two-sided platforms and then examine the optimality of an exclusive contract by an entrant OS firm when the incumbent OS firm has non-exclusive contracts, such as Apple launching the iPhone when Blackberry was widely available. We show that exclusive contracts benefit entrant firm only if users have strong preferences for OSes, and paradoxically users benefit if developers enjoy weak cross-side network effects from those users. We also study the implications of exclusive contracts on social welfare and its implications for competition.
A Helly theorem for intersections of orthogonally starshaped sets

Let $\cal{F}$ be a finite family of simply connected orthogonal polygons in the plane. If every three (not necessarily distinct) members of $\cal{F}$ have a nonempty intersection which is starshaped via staircase paths, then the intersection $\cap \{F : F\; \hbox{in}\; \cal{F}\}$ is a (nonempty) simply connected orthogonal polygon which is starshaped via staircase paths. Moreover, the number three is best possible, even with the additional requirement that the intersection in question be nonempty. The result fails without the simple connectedness condition.
Modulating paclitaxel bioavailability for targeting prostate cancer

Four novel water-soluble peptide-paclitaxel conjugates were designed and synthesized as prostate-specific antigen (PSA)- activated prodrugs for prostate cancer therapy. These prodrugs were composed of a peptide, HSSKLQ or SSKYQ, each of which is selectively cleavable by PSA; a self-immolative linker, either para-aminobenzyl alcohol (PABS) or ethylene diamine (EDA); and the parent drug, paclitaxel. Introduction of a PABA or EDA linker between the peptide and paclitaxel in prodrugs 2-5 resulted in products with an increased rate of hydrolysis by PSA. The stability of prodrugs 2 and 3, with the PABA linker, was poor in the serum-containing medium because of the weak carbonate bond between the PABA and paclitaxel; however, this disadvantage was overcome by introducing a carbamate bond using an EDA linker in prodrugs 4 and 5. Thus, the incorporation of an EDA linker increased both the stability and PSA-mediated activation of these prodrugs. The cytotoxicity of each prodrug, as compared to pac- litaxel, was determined against a variety of cell lines, including the PSA-secreting CWR22Rv1 prostate cancer cell line. The EDA- derived prodrug of paclitaxel 5 was stable and capable of being efficiently converted to an active drug that killed cells specifically in the presence of PSA, suggesting that this prodrug and similarly designed PSA-cleavable prodrugs may have potential as prostate cancer-specific therapeutic agents. � 2007 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Convicting and sentencing differences among black, Hispanic, and white males in six localities

The many studies examining differences in convicting and sentencing black, Hispanic, and white defendants have not led to solid generalizations about the treatment of these defendants because the studies have been done at different times and with different methodologies. This study examines differences in convicting and sentencing male defendants in six localities, at the same time and with the same methodology. It concludes that discrimination is directed against blacks and is manifested in incarceration rates. The exact source of this discrimination is not identical in all cities. In some, it seems to occur because whites get better plea bargains than blacks; in others, it is due to the different rates of guilty pleas by black and whites. Overall, there is less evidence of discrimination in cases where a trial is held than in those where a guilty plea is entered.
Evaluation and management of greater trochanter pain syndrome

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is an enigmatic but common cause of lateral hip symptoms in middle-aged active women. The most common manifestation of this syndrome is a degenerative tendinopathy of the hip abductors similar to the intrinsic changes seen with rotator cuff pathology in the shoulder. There are no definitive tests to isolate the underlying pathology and palpation is a non-specific means by which to differentiate the source of the pain generator. The physical examination must comprehensively evaluate for a cluster of potential impairments and contributing factors that will need to be addressed to effectively manage the likely functional limitations and activity challenges the syndrome presents to the patient. Compressive forces through increased tension in the iliotibial band should be avoided. Intervention strategies should include education regarding postural avoidance, activity modifications, improvement of lumbopelvic control, and a patient approach to resolving hip joint restrictions and restoring the tensile capabilities of the deep rotators and abductors of the hip. A number of reliable and validated hip-specific self-report outcome tools are available to baseline a patient's status and monitor their progress. Further investigations to identify the epidemiological risk factors, establish effective treatment strategies, and predict prognosis are warranted.
Down-time announcement and recovery network

The PLATO IV computer-based education system is a large scale timesharing communications network capable of supporting hundreds of remote terminals. Terminals are located in offices, college campuses and high schools throughout Florida and tie into the FSU computing system by standard voice grade phone lines.Anyone who has worked with computers is aware that occasionally an interruption of service will occur. It is especially important in the PLATO environment that all users be informed if the system must be down for a short unscheduled interruption.Since all the terminals are connected via dedicated phone lines, ideally, what is needed is a way to send downtime information through the phone network without having to rely on the computer or any of its associated peripherals. The DARN (Downtime Announcement and Recovery Network) which is currently under development at FSU will provide that capability.A standard cassette recorder will play pre-recorded streams of digital data words into the communications network. The cassettes are recorded with an interactive display and character designing editor while the computer is running, and a tape recording is then made of the formatted output. Thereby, even when the computer is down, this tape can be played back in order to recreate any display which was created at an earlier session with the computer. This paper will contain a description of the hardware and software utilized in making the DARN system work.
The Survival Kinase Mirk/Dyrk1B Is a Downstream Effector of Oncogenic K-ras in Pancreatic Cancer

The kinase Mirk is overexpressed in many resected pancreatic adenocarcinomas and is amplified in a subset of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Depletion of Mirk has been shown to lead to apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cell lines, and thus to inhibit their clonogenic growth. Mirk is activated by signaling from activated Rac1 to MKK3 in MDCK cells, but the mechanism of activation of Mirk in pancreatic cancers is unknown. In this report, Mirk is shown to be a novel effector of K-ras, a gene mutated in ∼90% of pancreatic cancers. Activation of Mirk signaling from oncogenic K-ras through Rac1 was shown in transient expression systems and reporter assays. Mirk activation in pancreatic cancer cells was blocked by RNA interference using three different synthetic duplex RNAis to K-ras, or two RNAis to Rac1, by pharmacologic inhibition of Rac1, or by expression of dominant negative K-rasS17N. Rac1 was activated in four out of five pancreatic cancer cell lines, and was activated by signaling from oncogenic K-ras. Mirk knockout does not induce embryonic lethality, and depletion of Mirk had no effect on the survival of normal diploid fibroblasts. In contrast, the clonogenic ability of Panc1 and AsPc1 pancreatic cancer cell lines was reduced 8- to 12-fold by the depletion of Mirk, with a greater reduction seen following the depletion of K-ras or both genes. Mirk is a novel downstream effector of oncogenic K-ras and mediates some of the survival signals activated by ras signaling. [Cancer Res 2007;67(15):7247–55]
Nanofluidics in carbon nanotubes

Extremely high aspect ratios, molecularly smooth hydrophobic graphitic walls, and nanoscale inner diameters of carbon nanotubes give rise to the unique phenomenon of ultra-efficient transport of water and gas through these ultra-narrow molecular pipes. Water and gas molecules move through nanotube pores orders of magnitude faster than through other pores of comparable size. The proposed water transport mechanism has a distinct similarity to the transport mechanisms of biological ion channels. Molecular dynamics simulations and experimental measurements of water transport underscore the importance of nanotube structure in enabling ultra-efficient transport through the pore.
Square-Dancing Antibodies

Antibody therapies need to take account of a subclass of immunoglobulin G that can swap subunits in vivo.
Alcohol screening scores and 90-day outcomes in patients with acute lung injury.

OBJECTIVES The effects of excess alcohol consumption (alcohol misuse) on outcomes in patients with acute lung injury have been inconsistent, and there are no studies examining this association in the era of low tidal volume ventilation and a fluid conservative strategy. We sought to determine whether validated scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test that correspond to past-year abstinence (zone 1), low-risk drinking (zone 2), mild to moderate alcohol misuse (zone 3), and severe alcohol misuse (zone 4) are associated with poor outcomes in patients with acute lung injury. DESIGN Secondary analysis. SETTING The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network, a consortium of 12 university centers (44 hospitals) dedicated to the conduct of multicenter clinical trials in patients with acute lung injury. SUBJECTS Patients meeting consensus criteria for acute lung injury enrolled in one of three recent Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network clinical trials. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Of 1,133 patients enrolled in one of three Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network studies, 1,037 patients had an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score available for analysis. Alcohol misuse was common with 70 (7%) of patients having Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores in zone 3 and 129 (12%) patients in zone 4. There was a U-shaped association between validated Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test zones and death or persistent hospitalization at 90 days (34% in zone 1, 26% in zone 2, 27% in zone 3, 36% in zone 4; p < 0.05 for comparison of zone 1 to zone 2 and zone 4 to zone 2). In a multiple logistic regression model, there was a significantly higher odds of death or persistent hospitalization in patients having Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test zone 4 compared with those in zone 2 (adjusted odds ratio 1.70; 95% confidence interval 1.00, 2.87; p = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS Severe but not mild to moderate alcohol misuse is independently associated with an increased risk of death or persistent hospitalization at 90 days in acute lung injury patients.