cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of tumor-microenvironment interaction and tumor invasion by small-molecule allosteric inhibitor of DDR2 extracellular domain.

The action of the collagen binding receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2) in both tumor and tumor stromal cells has been established as critical for breast cancer metastasis. Small molecule inhibitors that target the extracellular domain of RTKs are rare, as they have classically been regarded as too small to block binding with large polypeptide ligands. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a selective, extracellularly acting small molecule inhibitor (WRG-28) of DDR2 that uniquely inhibits receptor–ligand interactions via allosteric modulation of the receptor. By targeting DDR2, WRG-28 inhibits tumor invasion and migration, as well as tumor-supporting roles of the stroma, and inhibits metastatic breast tumor cell colonization in the lungs. These findings represent an approach to inhibiting tumor–stromal interactions and support the development of allosteric inhibitors of DDR2, such as WRG-28, as a promising approach to antimetastasis treatment.
The Hsp70 co-chaperone Ydj1/HDJ2 regulates ribonucleotide reductase activity.

Hsp70 is a well-conserved molecular chaperone involved in the folding, stabilization, and eventual degradation of many “client” proteins. Hsp70 is regulated by a suite of co-chaperone molecules that assist in Hsp70-client interaction and stimulate the intrinsic ATPase activity of Hsp70. While previous studies have shown the anticancer target ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is a client of Hsp70, the regulatory co-chaperones involved remain to be determined. To identify co-chaperone(s) involved in RNR activity, 28 yeast co-chaperone knockout mutants were screened for sensitivity to the RNR-perturbing agent Hydroxyurea. Ydj1, an important cytoplasmic Hsp70 co-chaperone was identified to be required for growth on HU. Ydj1 bound the RNR subunit Rnr2 and cells lacking Ydj1 showed a destabilized RNR complex. Suggesting broad conservation from yeast to human, HDJ2 binds R2B and regulates RNR stability in human cells. Perturbation of the Ssa1-Ydj1 interaction through mutation or Hsp70-HDJ2 via the small molecule 116-9e compromised RNR function, suggesting chaperone dependence of this novel role. Mammalian cells lacking HDJ2 were significantly more sensitive to RNR inhibiting drugs such as hydroxyurea, gemcitabine and triapine. Taken together, this work suggests a novel anticancer strategy-inhibition of RNR by targeting Hsp70 co-chaperone function.
Three-Dimensional Global Acceleration Estimation in the Presence of Rotation Using an Inertial Measurement Unit for Whole Body Vibration Studies

Off-road vehicle operators are likely exposed to not only a high level but also different types of whole-body vibration (WBV) such as significant non-vertical and/or rotational accelerations. To ev...
Diagnosis and Management of Gallbladder Cancer

Gallbladder cancer (GC) is a rare malignancy with a high mortality rate. Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment. Presentation can vary however with most cases being diagnosed incidentally on routine pathologic exam after a cholecystectomy done for seemingly benign indications. Clinical symptoms secondary to GC typically indicates advanced disease. Treatment decisions are based upon tumor stage. Incidentally discovered T1a cancers are adequately treated with cholecystectomy. T1b to T3 cancers with no evidence of distant metastatic spread are treated with an extended cholecystectomy, regional lymphadenectomy, and bile duct excision if necessary. In the adjuvant setting, treatment options include various chemoradiation and chemotherapy regimens which emphasize the need for multidisciplinary cancer teams in the treatment of GC.
BLEEDING AND VASCULAR COMPLICATIONS DURING CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION USING CONVENTIONAL RADIAL ACCESS VERSUS “SAFE” FEMORAL ACCESS

Vascular complications are uncommon but potentially serious complications of cardiac catheterization. Compared to standard femoral access, radial catheterization has been shown to significantly decrease access site bleeding. However, in patients for whom radial catheterization may not be feasible, a
Applications of Polyetheretherketone in Arthroscopy

Abstract Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive and fast-growing surgical technique that offers many benefits over the traditional repair of soft tissues including significant decreases in pain and surgical site problems. The bone suture anchors, used in arthroscopic repairs to fasten ligaments, tendons, and capsules to bone, have seen rapid development in design including knotless and vented anchors that improve healing and fixation. In addition, the growing use of PEEK for anchors and interference screws offer several advantages including high holding strength, softness, manufacturability, and radiolucency for improved clinical imaging. This chapter first reviews historical arthroscopic anchor materials and their associated complications, then introduces the use of PEEK for arthroscopy and provides examples of PEEK anchors and interference screws currently on the market. Lastly, this chapter reviews several clinical studies showing promising results of PEEK anchors and interference screws, and discusses the need for longer-term clinical trials to evaluate the full potential of PEEK’s application in the arthroscopic devices.
A Picture Is a Shaped Thing

Over fifty years after the initial publication of “Shape as Form: Frank Stella's Irregular Polygons,” the criticism of Michael Fried continues to define the reception of the painter's early shaped ...
Optimization of data acquisition parameters for single gamma line sensing: KSr2I5:Eu2+ and NaI(Tl) compared

Abstract KSr2I5:Eu 2 + scintillators exhibit better than 3% energy resolution at 662 keV and may be significantly less expensive to produce than other, similar energy resolution scintillators. However, KSr2I5:Eu 2 + exhibits a 6.5 Bq/cm3 intrinsic background from the presence of 40K. This background is not only the well-known 1.46 MeV gamma, but also the 1.31 MeV end point of the beta spectrum. This paper computationally evaluates the optimum data acquisition parameters of KSr2I5:Eu 2 + and compares them to NaI(Tl) for the detection of single line gamma sources between 0.01–2.2 MeV with incident source strengths between 5 s−1 and 100 s−1 striking the detector. We found a strong dependence of the time-to-detection on the data acquisition parameters, where the time-to-detection of KSr2I5:Eu 2 + was 1–3 times larger than NaI(Tl) across the parameter space. The largest discrepancy observed was between 0.6 MeV and 1.2 MeV, where the intrinsic 1.31 MeV beta dominates the background.
Folate as an Adjuvant Therapy in Methanol Poisoning

Folate and its derivatives have long been used as an adjunctive treatment in methanol poisoning. Methanol is ultimately metabolized to formate, the toxic compound. The accumulation of formate can lead to acidemia, retinal damage, visual impairment, and death. Formate is converted to carbon dioxide and water in a folate-dependent manner, and folate is often given in cases of methanol poisoning. In this paper, the evidence for folate as an adjunctive therapy in methanol poisoning is reviewed.
Dietary Resistant Potato Starch Alters Intestinal Microbial Communities and Their Metabolites, and Markers of Immune Regulation and Barrier Function in Swine

Interactions between diet, the microbiota, and the host set the ecological conditions in the gut and have broad implications for health. Prebiotics are dietary compounds that may shift conditions toward health by promoting the growth of beneficial microbes that produce metabolites capable of modulating host cells. This study's objective was to assess how a dietary prebiotic could impact host tissues via modulation of the intestinal microbiota. Pigs fed a diet amended with 5% resistant potato starch (RPS) exhibited alterations associated with gut health relative to swine fed an unamended control diet (CON). RPS intake increased abundances of anaerobic Clostridia in feces and several tissues, as well as intestinal concentrations of butyrate. Functional gene amplicons suggested bacteria similar to Anaerostipes hadrus were stimulated by RPS intake. The CON treatment exhibited increased abundances of several genera of Proteobacteria (which utilize respiratory metabolisms) in several intestinal locations. RPS intake increased the abundance of regulatory T cells in the cecum, but not periphery, and cecal immune status alterations were indicative of enhanced mucosal defenses. A network analysis of host and microbial changes in the cecum revealed that regulatory T cells positively correlated with butyrate concentration, luminal IgA concentration, expression of IL-6 and DEF1B, and several mucosa-associated bacterial taxa. Thus, the administration of RPS modulated the microbiota and host immune status, altering markers of cecal barrier function and immunological tolerance, and suggesting a reduced niche for bacterial respiration.
Differential Item Functioning of a Truancy Assessment.

The Washington Assessment of Risk and Needs of Students (WARNS) is a brief self-report measure designed for schools, courts, and youth service providers to identify student behaviors and contexts r...
Smith, Henry Lee (1913–1972)

This article is a biography of Henry Lee Smith, Jr. (1913–1972), who Online figure 1. Henry Lee Smith. From ‘Henry Lee Smith, Jr. (1913–1972): A nachruf twenty years after.’ In C.A. Farley Winer, Historiographia Linguistica (vol. 19), 1992, p. 196. With kind permission by John Benjamins Publishing Company, Amsterdam/Philadelphia. www.benjamins.com. Help with JPG files Options Download file (101 K) is best known for his contributions to the fields of phonology/morphology, literacy, and foreign language teaching. Specifically, Smith introduced the morphophone, a structural unit between phoneme and morpheme, instructed teachers to create beginning reading materials that concentrated on the association between graphs and morphophones, and designed materials for foreign language teaching for the U.S. Army and the Foreign Service Institute. The article details Smith's life story, surveys his achievements and accomplishments, and provides a selection of his writings.
IOL Placement in Developmentally Delayed Patients

The management of cataracts and intraocular lens placement in children with developmental delay poses unique challenges at all phases of care. Preoperatively, cooperation and examination are frequently limited; postoperatively, complication rates may be higher, and adherence to postoperative treatment plan may be poor. Careful examination, thoughtful preoperative planning, and the adoption of certain intraoperative techniques can increase the likelihood of positive outcomes in this challenging patient population.
Clinical potential of a rationally engineered enzyme for treatment of cocaine dependence: Long-lasting blocking of the psychostimulant, discriminative stimulus, and reinforcing effects of cocaine.

Abstract It is a grand challenge to develop a truly effective treatment of substance use disorder (SUD), particularly for cocaine and other drugs without an FDA-approved treatment available, because a truly effective therapy must effectively block the drug's physiological and reinforcing effects during the entire period of treatment in order to achieve the long-time abstinence required by the FDA. Whether a biologic, such as monoclonal antibody, vaccine, or therapeutic enzyme, can be truly effective for SUD treatment or not has been the subject of extensive debate. The main debate question is whether a biologic, particularly an exogenous enzyme, can effectively block the drug's reinforcing effect. In this report, we demonstrate that a modest dose of a recently redesigned long-acting cocaine hydrolase, CocH3-Fc(M6), can be used to effectively block the psychostimulant, discriminative stimulus, and reinforcing effects of cocaine for a sufficiently long period of time. For example, a dose of 3 mg/kg CocH3-Fc(M6) completely blocked the discriminative stimulus and reinforcing effects for 24/25 days and continued to significantly attenuate/decrease the cocaine effects for at least 29 days in rats. All the animal data consistently suggest that the long-acting cocaine hydrolase is a truly promising candidate of enzyme therapy for treatment of cocaine use disorder.
Forward Osmosis–Membrane Distillation Process for Zero Liquid Discharge of Flue Gas Desulfurization Wastewater

A bench-scale forward osmosis–membrane distillation (FO–MD) system was applied to flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater generated at coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) focusing on water recovery, ...
Abstract P775: Ascorbate Prevents Secondary Brain Damage Following Stroke Through Epigenetic Gene Regulation

The antioxidant ascorbate is an enzyme cofactor with established roles in maintaining brain function and providing neuroprotection in response to oxidative stress. Recently ascorbate has been ident...
15th 18th March 2021 Abu Dhabi, UAE Effects of carbon treating on piperazine oxidation in pilot plant testing of PZASTM

Aqueous piperazine (PZ) has shown promise as a solvent to reduce CO2 emissions due to its high CO2 absorption rate, capacity, and thermal stability. From February to June 2019, a pilot plant campaign was run for 2100 hours at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) using slightly degraded 5 m PZ with simulated flue gas equivalent to a 0.64 MW natural gas combined cycle. Piperazine with the Advanced Stripper™ (PZAS™) and a baghouse were used throughout the campaign, and N2 sparging was applied at the bottom of the absorber. A carbon bed was activated and showed beneficial effects in removing degradation products and reducing the oxidation rate The cumulative NH3 production was 180 mmol/kg over the 2100 hours, indicating a PZ oxidation rate of 0.07 mmol/kg/hr, equivalent to 0.3 kg PZ/tonne of CO2. The final total formate before turning on the carbon bed was 41 mmol/kg, and the total Fe was 0.1 mmol/kg, both lower than other pilot plant results. Both total formate and ethylenediamine (EDA) were found to accumulate faster at lower temperature Carbon treating reduced NH3 production from 0.1 mmol/kg/hr to 0.056 mmol/kg/hr after 400 hrs of operation, reduced the UV-vis absorbance of the samples at 320 nm from 58.3 A to 17.4 A, and caused a decrease of Cr concentration. Bench-scale experiments were performed using the NCCC solvent and the same type of carbon (8*30 mesh, lignite- based granular activated carbon) In bench-scale experiments, the UV-Vis absorbance and the concentration of Fe, Mn, and Cr all decreased. A linear relationship was observed between the equilibrium UV-Vis absorbance and the carbon loading
Persistent disparities in SARS-CoV-2 test percent positivity by neighborhood in New York City, March 1-July 25, 2020.

Abstract Purpose To examine neighborhood-level disparities in SARS-CoV-2 molecular test percent positivity in New York City (NYC) by demographics and socioeconomic status over time to better understand COVID-19 inequities. Methods Across 177 neighborhoods, we calculated the Spearman correlation of neighborhood characteristics with SARS-CoV-2 molecular test percent positivity during March 1–July 25, 2020 by five periods defined by trend in case counts: increasing, declining, and three plateau periods to account for differential testing capacity and reopening status. Results Percent positivity was positively correlated with neighborhood racial and ethnic characteristics and socioeconomic status, including the proportion of the population who were Latino and Black non-Latino, uninsured, Medicaid enrollees, transportation workers, or had low educational attainment. Correlations were generally consistent over time despite increasing testing rates. Neighborhoods with high proportions of these correlates had median percent positivity values of 62.6%, 28.7%, 6.4%, 2.8%, and 2.2% in the five periods, respectively, compared with 40.6%, 11.7%, 1.7%, 0.9%, and 1.0% in neighborhoods with low proportions of these correlates. Conclusions Disparities in SARS-CoV-2 molecular test percent positivity persisted in disadvantaged neighborhoods during multiple phases of the first few months of the COVID-19 epidemic in NYC. Mitigation of the COVID-19 burden is still urgently needed in disproportionately affected communities.
A peer-mediated approach to support emergent bilingual preschoolers

Abstract Peer-mediated intervention, an approach emphasizing student-to-student interaction, is a promising approach to support emergent bilingual children's development of positive peer relationships and language development; however, there is little empirical evidence documenting peer-mediated interventions for preschool-aged emergent bilingual preschoolers. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a peer-mediated intervention on preschool-aged emergent bilinguals’ and their peer buddies’ social interactions in the classroom. Three emergent bilinguals were paired with 3 English-only peer-buddies. Children were typically-developing and 3.9–5.2 years old. Each dyad was trained using an Invite-Play-Talk model, followed by 10, 20-minute-intervention play sessions. A staggered multiple baseline design across participants was used to measure the effect of this peer-mediated intervention on emergent bilingual and peer buddy interactions. Interactions were coded as verbal or nonverbal. All dyads of emergent bilingual and peer buddy children exhibited increases in their initiations and responses throughout the intervention phase over-time. Gains were maintained with a slight decrease in interactions at 2-weeks postintervention. Results suggest the benefit of a peer-mediated intervention using an Invite-Play-Talk model to support communication in emergent bilingual preschoolers and encourage the provision of inclusive supports for emergent bilingual children in early childhood classrooms.
Ecology Disrupted: Using Sustainability as a Unifying Principle for an Environmental Science Course

This chapter describes a semester long environmental science content course for pre-service and in-service secondary school science teachers. The goal of the course is to provide the necessary knowledge and tools to use published data to teach environmental science grounded in the ecological underpinnings of sustainability. To achieve this sustainability grounding, this course is built around Ecology Disrupted, an instructional model for situating environmental science courses in sustainability.
A simple FPGA-based conjugate search motion estimator

Conjugate search is an efficient motion estimation algorithm based on block matching for video compression. This paper presents our ongoing work to develop the prototype of the conjugate search motion estimation hardware. So far, we have implemented a simplified version of the conjugate search motion estimation algorithm using field programmable gate arrays. Simulation results indicate that the performance of this hardware is comparable to the one based on full-search algorithm, while hardware is much simpler.
Goal Attainment Scaling: Tracking Goal Achievement in Consumers with Serious Mental Illness

Goal attainment scaling (GAS) is described as a method for standardizing achievement of personalized recovery goals. Collaborative goal setting enhances hope and motivation and promotes recovery for consumers with serious mental illness (SMI). Many available outcome measures survey broad functioning domains (e.g., work, school) and not personalized recovery goals that match consumers' self-determined needs and preferences. GAS was utilized to measure goal progress in consumers with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder (N = 55) in a clinical trial of group psychosocial interventions. Goals included 10 steps with objective anchors, which were measured at three time points (baseline, midtreatment, and end of treatment). Hierarchical linear modeling evaluated change over time. The most common goal chosen by consumers was establishing or reestablishing relationships, followed by self-care, employment, leisure activities, housing, school, independent transportation, recovery from addictions, and money man...
Interleavers for Serial and Parallel Concatenated (TURBO) Codes

Along with convolutional codes, interleavers constitute building blocks of serial and parallel concatenated convolutional (turbo) codes. In this paper, we examine properties of interleavers, in particular, we discuss the “interleaver gain”, that is, the effect of the interleaver length on the bit error probability of the turbo code over an additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel. We review several basic interleaver design approaches, and present some of the most promising interleaver design algorithms in detail together with examples. Although there is significant literature on interleaver design for parallel concatenated convolutional codes, there are only a few results available for serial concatenation. Therefore, while important results on serial concatenation are reviewed, most of the article is devoted for parallel concatenation. Keywords: turbo codes; parallel concatenated codes; serially concatenated codes; interleavers; interleaver gain; interleaver design
Attempts to convert the cellular prion protein into the scrapie isoform in cell-free systems.

The scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) is derived from a cellular isoform (PrPC) that acquires protease resistance posttranslationally. We have used several different experimental approaches in attempts to reconstitute in vitro the processes leading to protease-resistant PrPSc molecules. In the first study, we performed mixing experiments by adding mouse PrP 27-30 (MoPrP27-30), the protease-resistant core of PrPSc, to PrPC and then incubating the mixture to investigate the possibility of heterodimer formation as a first step in prion replication. We used epitopically tagged PrP molecules, synthesized in murine neuroblastoma (N2a) cells transfected with the chimeric mouse/Syrian hamster MHM2 PrP construct, which are recognized by the Syrian hamster-specific monoclonal antibody 3F4. After as long as 24 h of incubation, the reaction mixture was assayed for heterodimeric intermediates of MHM2 PrPC and MoPrPSc and for protease-resistant 3F4-reactive PrP. We were unable to identify any aggregates of MHM2 PrPC and MoPrPSc on immunoblots; furthermore, we did not observe de novo formation of protease-resistant MHM2 PrP. In a second study, MoPrPC was metabolically radiolabeled in scrapie prion-infected N2a cultured cells, and then the cell extract was homogenized and incubated under various conditions to allow for the formation of protease-resistant MoPrPSc. We observed no radiolabeled MoPrPSc by immunoprecipitation after as long as 24 h of in vitro incubation. In a third approach, Syrian hamster PrP (SHaPrP) was synthesized in a cell-free translation system supplemented with microsomal membranes derived from either normal or scrapie prion-infected cultured cells. We found that all SHaPrP species translocated across microsomal membranes from scrapie prion-infected cells were protease sensitive in the presence of detergents and displayed the same topology as those generated by microsomes from normal cells or from dog pancreas. We also studied PrP molecules that encode the codon 102 mutation that causes the rare human prion disease Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker (GSS) syndrome. On the basis of our data, GSSPrP appears to yield topological forms similar to those of the wild-type PrP when processed by either normal or scrapie prion-derived microsomes.
Computer upset, matrix norms, and asymptotic stability

The asymptotic stability of linear digital systems is examined under conditions of massive transient fault occurrence. It is shown that the usual approach for stability using eigenvalues does not appear suitable for these conditions. A theorem is derived about stability using the norms of the matrix actions on the system. >
Failure Analysis of Severely Corroded Steam Coil in Water Seal Vessel

Repeated failures have been experienced in steam coil installed in a water seal vessel. The steam coil was found severely corroded after 9 months of operation especially at the steam inlet. Several samples were collected from different locations for examination and failure investigation. The investigation included visual examination, XRF\CS, and SEM\EDS analysis. It is concluded that the failure mechanism was acid attack caused mainly by sulfuric acid found in the water inside the vessel. It is recommended to eliminate the source of sulfuric acid by controlling the inlet of process gas into the vessel. In addition, measurement of pH and conductivity of the water in the vessel must be conducted regularly. Moreover, under standard operating parameters, material ASTM A-106 Gr. B carbon steel performs well in this environment and material upgrade is not required. However, if it is not feasible to prevent the ingress of sulfuric acid then upgrading the material is necessary.
Can pre-hospital recognition and intervention improve outcome for patients with severe sepsis?

Pre-hospital provision of care for patients with severe sepsis and septic shock varies significantly throughout the UK. Timely recognition of this complex and highly morbid syndrome is known to be challenging, and significant evidence exists to support the clear association between advancing pre-hospital care and improving patient outcomes. The aim of this literature review is to analyse the opportunities for pre-hospital clinicians to transform the increasing burden of sepsis care. There is evidently a lack of research in this area, reflected in the relative scarcity of relevant research papers. Following a comprehensive literature search, 10 quantitative studies were selected for critical appraisal. Results would suggest that pre-hospital clinicians could effectively contribute to improving outcomes for this patient group. The clinical importance of immediate identification of sepsis is highlighted, recognising the need for sepsis screening aids, standardised pre-hospital evidence-based guidelines and d...
A model for the transient performance simulation of solar cavity receivers

Abstract In this paper, a detailed model for the transient simulation of solar cavity receivers for concentrating solar power plants is presented. The proposed model aims to consider all the major phenomena influencing the performance of a cavity receiver, including radiation, convection and conduction heat transfer mechanisms. For the radiation heat exchange within the cavity, the radiosity method is implemented, where the view factor calculation for all the active and passive surfaces is performed by a ray tracing algorithm programmed in a free software environment for statistical computing, namely R. A one-dimensional modeling approach is used for the tubes constituting the receiver active panels, through which the heat transfer fluid (HTF) is pumped. The governing partial differential equations are solved numerically by applying the finite volume method. Convective heat losses are modeled through different correlations for natural and forced convection heat losses from the specific literature. Once the thermal behavior has been characterized, the geometry of the model is later fixed to check the consistency of the model and to study its dynamic characteristics. A specific 51.6 MWth, PS10 like receiver is used in this paper, although the implemented model has the flexibility to allow a variable number of panels and geometric configurations. At last, an adaptive neural controller, designed and trained offline, controls the outlet temperature of the molten salts to the desired operating value. Results for transient simulations are shown in the paper, demonstrating the plausibility of the estimations obtained with the developed model. The proposed model has been implemented in the Modelica language and based on the Modelica Standard Library (MSL) modeling approach.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA levels in the cingulate cortex of individuals with depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia

Recent studies have shown a decrease in glial number and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels in the frontal and cingulate cortices of individuals with mood disorders and schizophrenia. In an attempt to verify and expand these findings we examined GFAP messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels in postmortem sections of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) from the Stanley Neuropathology Consortium (SNC). The consortium consists of 15 cases in each of four groups (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, non-psychotic depression and unaffected controls). By in situ hybridization, we found higher levels of GFAP mRNA in white matter and at the pial surface as compared with gray matter levels in all cases. In the white matter of ACC we detected a significant effect of diagnosis (P<0.04) with GFAP mRNA levels decreased in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as compared with normal controls. In the gray matter there was a significant effect of layer (P<0.01) with the highest levels of GFAP mRNA in layer VI in all groups. As in the white matter, the mean GFAP mRNA levels were decreased in individuals with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder as compared with the unaffected controls, however the difference failed to reach statistical significance. Thus, astrocytes positive for GFAP may contribute to the decrease in glial density previously described in subjects with major mental illness, however the relative contribution of astrocytes may vary with diagnosis.
Design Methods And Heuristics For A New High-Volume Production System

This paper assesses two key elements of systems architecting: methodologies and heuristics, as they are applied to the concept design of a new high-volume, discrete part assembly production system. A description of the system is provided, and then attention is focused on four major areas in the design: human factors design, system structure development, assembly scope definition, and system operating principles. In addition to descibing the use of existing heurisics, this paper presents and supports new heuristics developed in the course of architecting this system. These methods and heuristics have enabled forward progress in an evolution toward world-class manufacturing.
Original Contribution: Least mean square error reconstruction principle for self-organizing neural-nets

We proposed a new self-organizing net based on the principle of Least Mean Square Error Reconstruction (LMSER) of an input pattern. With this principle, a local learning rule called LMSER is naturally obtained for training nets consisting of either one or several layers. We proved that for one layer with n"1 linear units, the LMSER rule lets their weights converge to rotations of the data's first n"1 principal components. These converged points are stable and corresponding to the global minimum in the Mean Square Error (MSE) landscape, which has many saddles but no local minimum. The results indirectly provided a picture about LMSER's global convergence, which is also suitable for Oja rule since we proved that the evolution direction of the Oja rule has a positive projection on that of LMSER. We have also revealed an interesting fact that slight modifications of the LMSER rule (also the Oja rule) can perform the true Principal Component Analysis (PCA) without externally designing for building asymmetrical circuits required by previous studies.
The peripheral circulation and treatment of hyperlipoproteinemias

Forty patients with hyperlipoproteinemia were followed 4-9.3 years by non-invasive tests of their lower extremity circulation. Twenty-eight patients were treated by diet and/or drugs, and 12 patients were controls. Although all patients had abnormal non-invasive tests, only 15 patients had intermittent claudication. Seven patients had improved circulation tests while 13 showed a deterioration in the tests; 20 patients had no changes. The patients who showed improvement in tests had the highest incidence of intermittent claudication and the lowest average ankle to brachial artery systolic blood pressure index. Although treatment patients had a significant decrease in total cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL, no significant differences were found when the results of the circulation tests were analyzed according to treatment or control status of the patients, to abnormal lipid patterns, or, ignoring treatment status, to a decrease in lipids. The patients who showed a deterioration in tests had a significantly higher total cholesterol level at the beginning of, but not during, the study and did not significantly decrease their triglycerides. No significant changes occurred in HDL, LDL, or VLDL. This study presents a methodology for the long-term, non-invasive assessment of peripheral arterial disease and a pilot study for its application. Despite the small number of patients studied, the failure to demonstrate benefit would discourage a larger clinical trial of this treatment protocol.
Manufacture and quality of iron-fortified yogurt

Yogurts (nonfat and low fat) were manufactured and fortified with 10, 20, and 40 mg of iron/kg of yogurt. Growth of starter culture bacteria and nonstarter culture bacteria as well as lipid oxidation of the yogurts were monitored over 30 d of storage at 4 degrees C. Sensory characteristics of the yogurts were determined during that time by a trained panel of judges, and consumer panels were used to test acceptability of iron-fortified yogurt. Counts of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricas and Streptococcus thermophilus after 1 d of storage in iron-fortified skim yogurts were 7.0 x 10(8) cfu/ml, which were not significantly different from numbers in unfortified yogurts. Counts decreased to 2.5 x 10(8) and 1.9 x 10(8) cfu/ml for L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus, respectively, after 30 d of storage. Fortifying yogurt with iron did not support the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens or Escherichia coli. No significant increases in chemical oxidation, as measured using the thiobarbituric acid assay, were detected as a consequence of iron fortification. Trained panelists scored all yogurts for oxidized, metallic, bitter, and other off-flavors in the range of "not perceptible" to "very slightly perceptible". Iron-fortified yogurts had slightly higher oxidized flavor scores than did the control yogurt. There was no increase in metallic, bitter, or other off-flavors. The consumer panel did not detect any significant differences in the appearance, mouthfeel, flavor, or overall quality between fortified and unfortified flavored yogurts. All yogurt samples were liked by the consumer panelists, suggesting that yogurt is a suitable vehicle for iron fortification.
Open data and information sharing in developing nations

The potential positive impacts of open data and information sharing initiatives, along with their attendant challenges, have captured the attention and imagination of governments around the world, in both industrialized and developing countries. Government leaders in most countries are convinced that open data has the potential to increase cooperation between government agencies, improve citizen engagement, stimulate innovation and create jobs, and attract foreign investment. However, as many have already discovered, there are considerable challenges as well that are formidable within industrialized countries but especially daunting for leaders of developing countries where resources are scarce, sustainability is problematic, capacities need to be developed, and consensus about how to approach the task more difficult to create. In this panel, speakers on the front lines of open data and information sharing initiatives in developing countries share their knowledge and experience of these efforts.
Isolation of 3-(2-carboxyethyl)thymine following in vitro reaction of β-propiolactone with calf thymus DNA

Abstract 3-(2-Carboxyethyl)thymine (3-CET) was synthesized from β-propiolactone (BPL) and dThd5′P at pH 9.0–9.5 via the intermediate 3-(2-carboxyethyl)thymidine-5′-monophosphoric acid (3-CEdThd5′P). 3-CEdThd5′P was converted to 3-CET by hydrolysis in 1.5 N HCl at 100°C for 2 h. The structure of 3-CET was assigned on the basis of UV spectra, electron impact (EI) and isobutane chemical ionization mass spectra and the EI mass spectrum of a trimethylsilyl derivative of 3-CET. BPL was reacted in vitro with calf thymus DNA at pH 7.5. 100 A units of BPL-reacted DNA yielded, following perchloric acid hydrolysis and preparative paper chromatography, 3 A units of 3-CET. Reaction of BPL with the phosphodiester thymidylyl-(3′-5′)thymidine gave 3-(2-carboxyethyl)thymidylyl-(3′-5′)-3-(2-carboxyethyl)thymidine (∼3%). Phosphotriester formation was not detected.
Seasonal Climatic Changes Induced by Doubled CO2 as Simulated by the OSU Atmospheric GCM/Mixed-Layer Ocean Model

Abstract The OSU global atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) has been coupled to a 60-m deep mixed-layer ocean model to simulate the equilibrium seasonal climatic changes induced by a doubling of the CO2 concentration. Simulations with CO2 concentrations of 326 ppmv (1 × CO2) and 652 ppmv (2 × CO2) were performed using an accelerated integration procedure for 45 solar cycles followed by the normal unaccelerated integration procedure for 24 and 16 solar cycles (years), respectively. Averages were then obtained over the last 10 yr of each simulation and were analysed in terms of the annual-mean climate and the annual cycle of climate, the latter defined as the departure of the monthly or seasonal mean from the corresponding annual mean. The 1 × CO2/observed comparison shows that although the model is capable of simulating many features of the observed climate, it does not do so without error. Annual-mean errors are found in the geographical distributions of sea surface temperature, sea ice area, sur...
An Evaluation of an Improved Method for Computing Histograms in Dynamic Tracer Studies Using Positron-Emission Tomography

A method for computing approximate minimum-meansquare-error estimates of histograms from list-mode data for use in dynamic tracer studies is evaluated. Parameters estimated from from these histograms are significantly more accurate than those estimated from histograms computed by a commonly used method.
Characteristics and interpretation of fracture-filled gas hydrate: an example from the Ulleung Basin, East Sea of Korea

Abstract Through the use of 2-D and 3-D seismic data, a total of thirteen sites were selected and drilled in the East Sea of Korea in 2010. A suite of logging-while-drilling (LWD) logs was acquired at each site. LWD logs from the UBGH2-3A well indicate significant gas hydrate in clay-bearing sediments including several zones with massive gas hydrate with a bulk density less than 1.0 g/m 3 for depths between 5 and 103 m below the sea floor. The UBGH2-3A well was drilled on a seismically identified chimney structure with a mound feature at the sea floor. Average gas hydrate saturations estimated from the isotropic analysis of ring resistivity and P-wave velocity logs are 80 ± 13% and 47 ± 16%, respectively, whereas they are 46 ± 17% and 45 ± 16%, respectively from the anisotropic analysis. Modeling indicates that the upper part of chimney (between 5 and 45 m below sea floor [mbsf]) is characterized by gas hydrate filling near horizontal fractures (7° dip) and the lower part of chimney (between 45 and 103 mbsf) is characterized by gas hydrate filling high angle fractures on the basis of ring resistivity and P-wave velocity. The anisotropic analysis using P40H resistivity (phase shift resistivity at 32 mHz with 40 inch spacing) and the P-wave velocity yields a gas hydrate saturation of 46 ± 15% and 46 ± 15% respectively, similar to those estimated using ring resistivity and P-wave velocity, but with quite different fracture dip angles. Differences in vertical resolution, depth of investigation, and a finite fracture dimension relative to the tool separation appear to contribute to this discrepancy. Forward modeling of anisotropic resistivity and velocity are essential to identify gas hydrate in fractures and to estimate accurate gas hydrate amounts.
Cdc13p : A single-strand telomeric DNA-binding protein with a dual role in yeast telomere maintenance

The CDC13 gene has previously been implicated in the maintenance of telomere integrity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. With the use of two classes of mutations, here it is shown that CDC13 has two discrete roles at the telomere. The cdc13-2est mutation perturbs a function required in vivo for telomerase regulation but not in vitro for enzyme activity, whereas cdc13-1ts defines a separate essential role at the telomere. In vitro, purified Cdc13p binds to single-strand yeast telomeric DNA. Therefore, Cdc13p is a telomere-binding protein required to protect the telomere and mediate access of telomerase to the chromosomal terminus.
Human ether-à-go-go-related gene K+ channel gating probed with extracellular ca2+. Evidence for two distinct voltage sensors.

Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) encoded K+ channels were expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells and studied by whole-cell voltage clamp in the presence of varied extracellular Ca2+ concentrations and physiological external K+. Elevation of external Ca2+ from 1.8 to 10 mM resulted in a reduction of whole-cell K+ current amplitude, slowed activation kinetics, and an increased rate of deactivation. The midpoint of the voltage dependence of activation was also shifted +22.3 +/- 2.5 mV to more depolarized potentials. In contrast, the kinetics and voltage dependence of channel inactivation were hardly affected by increased extracellular Ca2+. Neither Ca2+ screening of diffuse membrane surface charges nor open channel block could explain these changes. However, selective changes in the voltage-dependent activation, but not inactivation gating, account for the effects of Ca2+ on Human ether-a-go-go-related gene current amplitude and kinetics. The differential effects of extracellular Ca2+ on the activation and inactivation gating indicate that these processes have distinct voltage-sensing mechanisms. Thus, Ca2+ appears to directly interact with externally accessible channel residues to alter the membrane potential detected by the activation voltage sensor, yet Ca2+ binding to this site is ineffective in modifying the inactivation gating machinery.
Physics and Ontology

Philosophers whose judgment I respect and whose understanding I earnestly desire have criticized the use made of the term “construct” in a recent publication. In particular, Professor Werkmeister1 skillfully advances an argument designed to refute the view2 that verified constructs compose “physical reality.” His argument is very beguiling but, I fear, somewhat verbal. Since, as it seems to me, his publication employs rather artificial means to establish a spurious difference between his view and mine, I present here a brief rejoinder.
Cortical mechanisms of cognitive control for shifting attention in vision and working memory

Organisms operate within both a perceptual domain of objects and events, and a mnemonic domain of past experiences and future goals. Each domain requires a deliberate selection of task-relevant information, through deployments of external (perceptual) and internal (mnemonic) attention, respectively. Little is known about the control of attention shifts in working memory, or whether voluntary control of attention in these two domains is subserved by a common or by distinct functional networks. We used human fMRI to examine the neural basis of cognitive control while participants shifted attention in vision and in working memory. We found that these acts of control recruit in common a subset of the dorsal fronto-parietal attentional control network, including the medial superior parietal lobule, intraparietal sulcus, and superior frontal sulcus/gyrus. Event-related multivoxel pattern classification reveals, however, that these regions exhibit distinct spatio-temporal patterns of neural activity during internal and external shifts of attention, respectively. These findings constrain theoretical accounts of selection in working memory and perception by showing that populations of neurons in dorsal fronto-parietal network regions exhibit selective tuning for acts of cognitive control in different cognitive domains.
Sovereign Geopolitics? – Uncovering the “Sovereignty Paradox”

This paper reconsiders the importance of the sovereign state in contemporary geopolitics. The role of the state in an era of globalisation and devolution is a concern that has gained considerable attention in recent geographical scholarship. What has received less attention is how the state has historically functioned as a device that conflated the linked concerns of sovereignty and territoriality. The authors argue that there exist a number of “sovereignty paradoxes” that inhibit the interdisciplinary analysis of the interrelations between sovereignty, territoriality, and state power. Thus, reconsidering sovereignty and territoriality informs both how the state emerged as an important unit of geographical analysis historically, and why the state has become such a problematic concept in contemporary geopolitics. This work has implications for understanding popular struggles over civil liberties, foreign policy, and justice for indigenous peoples.
Interferon-γ-induced MD-2 Protein Expression and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Responsiveness in Corneal Epithelial Cells Is Mediated by Janus Tyrosine Kinase-2 Activation and Direct Binding of STAT1 Protein to the MD-2 Promoter

The inability of epithelial cells from the cornea and other tissues to respond to LPS is reportedly due to low expression of the TLR4 co-receptor MD-2. We generated MD-2−/− bone marrow chimeras, and showed that MD-2 expression on non-myeloid cells was sufficient to mediate LPS-induced corneal inflammation. As IFN-γ is produced during Pseudomonas aeruginosa corneal infection, we examined the role of this cytokine on MD-2 expression by primary human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and HCE cell lines. Exogenous IFN-γ was found to induce MD-2 mRNA, MD-2 cell surface expression, and LPS responsiveness as determined by p65 translocation to the nucleus and production of IL-6, CXCL1, and CXCL8/IL-8. Incubation with either the AG490 JAK2 inhibitor or with STAT1 siRNA blocked STAT1 phosphorylation and MD-2 transcription. Furthermore, EMSA analysis demonstrated that STAT1 binds to the MD-2 promoter, indicating that STAT1 is an MD-2 transcription factor. Together, these findings demonstrate that IFN-γ induces MD-2 expression and LPS responsiveness in HCE cells by JAK-2-dependent STAT1 activation and direct binding to the MD-2 promoter. Furthermore, given our findings on LPS-induced corneal inflammation, it is likely that IFN-γ-induced MD-2 expression by corneal epithelial cells contributes to the host response in vivo, determining the extent of tissue damage and bacterial clearance.
Magnetic properties of crystals of La5Mo4−xTxO16

Abstract We have completed a systematic study of the structural and magnetic properties of crystals of La5Mo4−xTxO16 (T=Fe, Mn, Mg). The parent compound of these quasi two-dimensional metamagnets orders at 193 K. Mg substitution has a large negative effect on both the magnetization and the ordering temperature while Fe and Mn have much a smaller negative effect on the ordering temperature and small amounts of Fe actually enhance the magnetization.