cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional activation of endothelial cells by TGFβ coincides with acute microvascular plasticity following focal spinal cord ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Microvascular dysfunction, loss of vascular support, ischaemia and sub-acute vascular instability in surviving blood vessels contribute to secondary injury following SCI (spinal cord injury). Neither the precise temporal profile of the cellular dynamics of spinal microvasculature nor the potential molecular effectors regulating this plasticity are well understood. TGFβ (transforming growth factor β) isoforms have been shown to be rapidly increased in response to SCI and CNS (central nervous system) ischaemia, but no data exist regarding their contribution to microvascular dysfunction following SCI. To examine these issues, in the present study we used a model of focal spinal cord ischaemia/reperfusion SCI to examine the cellular response(s) of affected microvessels from 30 min to 14 days post-ischaemia. Spinal endothelial cells were isolated from affected tissue and subjected to focused microarray analysis of TGFβ-responsive/related mRNAs 6 and 24 h post-SCI. Immunohistochemical analyses of histopathology show neuronal disruption/loss and astroglial regression from spinal microvessels by 3 h post-ischaemia, with complete dissolution of functional endfeet (loss of aquaporin-4) by 12 h post-ischaemia. Coincident with this microvascular plasticity, results from microarray analyses show 9 out of 22 TGFβ-responsive mRNAs significantly up-regulated by 6 h post-ischaemia. Of these, serpine 1/PAI-1 (plasminogen-activator inhibitor 1) demonstrated the greatest increase (>40-fold). Furthermore, uPA (urokinase-type plasminogen activator), another member of the PAS (plasminogen activator system), was also significantly increased (>7.5-fold). These results, along with other select up-regulated mRNAs, were confirmed biochemically or immunohistochemically. Taken together, these results implicate TGFβ as a potential molecular effector of the anatomical and functional plasticity of microvessels following SCI.
Subgradient of distance functions with applications to Lipschitzian stability

The paper is devoted to studying generalized differential properties of distance functions that play a remarkable role in variational analysis, optimization, and their applications. The main object under consideration is the distance function of two variables in Banach spaces that signifies the distance from a point to a moving set. We derive various relationships between Frechet-type subgradients and limiting (basic and singular) subgradients of this distance function and corresponding generalized normals to sets and coderivatives of set-valued mappings. These relationships are essentially different depending on whether or not the reference point belongs to the graph of the involved set-valued mapping. Our major results are new even for subdifferentiation of the standard distance function signifying the distance between a point and a fixed set in finite-dimensional spaces. The subdifferential results obtained are applied to deriving efficient dual-space conditions for the local Lipschitz continuity of distance functions generated by set-valued mappings, in particular, by those arising in parametric constrained optimization.
Critical behavior of the flux-line tension in extreme type-II superconductors

The entropic corrections to the flux-line energy of extreme type-II superconductors are computed using a schematic dual Villain model description of the flux quanta. We find that the temperature profile of the lower critical field vanishes polynomially at the transition with an exponent \ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\simeq}2/3 in the isotropic case, while it exhibits an inflection point for the case of weakly coupled layers in parallel magnetic field. It is argued that vestiges of these effects have already been observed in high-temperature superconductors. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Zoom lens compensator for a cylindrical window in laser anemometer uses

In laser anemometer systems, the flow fields under study are typically enclosed by a window. Aberration of a flat window can be corrected by a shift of the object distance. A zooming correction lens eliminates the astigmatism caused by a thick cylindrical window and yields diffraction-limited performance for a monochromatic laser anemometer system. The effects of residual anamorphic distortion are discussed, and procedures for correcting these effects are presented.
Measurement of pressure and assessment of cavitation for a 22.5‐kHz intra‐arterial angioplasty device

This study was performed to understand better the mechanisms of action of an (22.5 kHz) ultrasonic wire catheter device used to remove atheromatous plaque in diseased blood vessels (ultrasonic angioplasty). During a clinical procedure, the wire acts as an acoustic waveguide to transfer acoustic energy from a generator outside the body to the ball tip of the wire, which is inserted in the blood vessel. The acoustic field radiated by the vibrating ball tip (1.5‐ to 3.0‐mm diameter), was mapped in a relatively large (600 L) water tank and compared to the field from a well‐characterized simple source. A dipolelike radiation pattern due to the translating ball tip was observed. At low power settings, standing wave effects in a smaller cylindrical volume (200‐mm diameter, 350‐mm height), which was used to simulate anthropometric dimensions, increase relative to the larger tank measurements. The standing wave ratio is dependent upon the ρc characteristics of the medium and the dimensions of the volume, rather than on the absorption at this frequency. At high power settings of the device, cavitation at the tip of the wire was measured using a 20‐MHz passive cavitation detection scheme.
Chemistry of peptide interactions with MHC proteins

Abstract X-ray crystallographic and peptide-MHC binding studies have begun to clarify the interaction between antigenic peptides and MHC proteins at the molecular level. At the same time, our understanding of the mechanisms of peptide-MHC interactions in physiologic cellular conditions has been significantly expanded by the isolation and characterization of naturally processed antegenic peptides.
The manner of dependence of the permissible dose of radiation on the amount of genetic damage.

(1954). The Manner of Dependence of the “Permissible Dose” of Radiation on the Amount of Genetic Damage. Acta Radiologica: Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 5-20.
Change in the stressfulness of life in American states and regions from 1976 to 1982

The State Stress Index (SSI) described in this paperI measures difference between the states of the United States, and differences over time, in the occurrence of stressful “life events.” The method of constructing the SSI is described and the scores for each of the American states in 1976 and 1982 are presented. There are large differences between the states in the stressfulness of life. The construct validity of the SSI was supported by analysis which show that the higher the SSI, the higher the incidence of behaviors that have long been assumed to be affected by stress, such as violence and heavy smoking and drinking, and suicide. Scores on the SSI revealed an increase in the stressfulness of life between 1976 and 1982, largely due to the economic recession in 1982. Despite this the 1982 rank order of the states was essentially the same as their relative position in 1976. The West remained the most stressful region of the United States, despite its other attractions, and the North Central and North East remained the least stressful regions, despite their “rustbelt” and “frostbelt” images.
Teaching Students with Developmental Disabilities Daily Living Skills Using Point-of-View Modeling plus Video Prompting with Error Correction.

A primary goal of instruction for students with developmental disabilities is to enhance their future quality of life by promoting skill acquisition, which will enable them to live, function, and participate in the community. One instructional method that can help students with developmental disabilities improve independence in performing daily living skills is video prompting (VP). This study investigated the effectiveness of a VP plus error correction procedure on skill acquisition when teaching daily living skills to four adolescents with mild and moderate developmental disabilities. A multiple baseline across participants design demonstrated that all four participants rapidly acquired dish washing skills upon introduction of the intervention. Future research should further explore the efficacy of error correction procedures used with VP and the impact that these procedures have on student learning and skill retention.
Intracardiac extension of an intracaval sarcoma of endometrial origin

A 52-year-old woman was diagnosed with a cardiac tumor by transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. An intraoperative biopsy indicated the mass was low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma. Successful tumor removal from the heart and inferior vena cava was accomplished with the use of hypothermic circulatory arrest. The chronically occluded infrarenal portion of the inferior vena cava was transected. The patient has no evidence of recurrent disease after a follow-up of 18 months and has no significant restriction in her daily activities.
A Longitudinal Analysis of Burnout in the Health Care Setting: The Role of Personal Dispositions

Burnout is frequently interpreted as a situationally induced stress reaction. However, the long-term stability of burnout scores and their correlations with subjective well-being measures suggest that burnout may also reflect enduring qualities of the individual. To assess the contribution of personality to the experience of burnout, an exploratory longitudinal study was done. At Time 1, 36 occupational therapists (32 women, 4 men) from two hospitals completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI; Maslach, 1982) and the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI; Costa & McCrae, 1985; a measure of the five-factor model of personality). At Time 2, the MBI was again given along with the Work Environment Scale (Moos, 1981) to 29 of the original therapists. Moderately strong correlations were found between burnout scores and measures of the five factors both concurrently and longitudinally. Even when situational variables were controlled, personality continued to account for a significant portion of the variance in burnout scores. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Mutations causing deficiency of APRT in fibroblasts cultured from humans heterozygous for mutantAPRT alleles

Frequent mutation to adenine analog resistance in diploid human cells reflected heterozygosity for recessive alleles affecting expression of the adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) locus. Cells from both parents of APRT-deficient sibs were heterozygous and had rates of spontaneous mutation to 2,6-diaminopurine (DAP) resistance of 6.0 × 10−5 and 16 × 10−5 per cell generation. Spontaneous DAP-resistant mutants were not observed in cultures of homozygous cells. Almost all mutants of proven heterozygous cultures were APRT deficient and could not use adenine for growth. Frequent DAP-resistant mutations identified heterozygous strain 438, which carried an allele encoding a partially defective form of APRT. All DAP-resistant mutants of strain 438 were partially APRT deficient and could use adenine for growth. The frequency of MNNG-induced DAP-resistant mutants in homozygous strains was approximately the square of the induced frequency in heterozygous strains.
Short photoperiods attenuate central responses to an inflammogen.

Abstract In most parts of the world, environmental conditions vary in a predictable seasonal manner. Thus, seasonal variation in reproductive timing and immune function has emerged in some species to cope with disparate seasonal demands. During the long days of spring and summer when food availability is high and thermoregulatory demands low, Siberian hamsters invest in reproduction, whereas during the harsh short days of winter hamsters divert energy away from reproductive activities and modify immune capabilities. Many seasonal adaptations can be recapitulated in a laboratory setting by adjusting day length (photoperiod). Early-life photoperiods are important sources of seasonal information and can establish an individual’s developmental trajectory. Siberian hamsters housed under short days (SD; 8 h light/day) recover more rapidly than long-day (LD; 16 h light/day) hamsters from immune activation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). SD hamsters attenuate fever response, reduce cytokine production, and abrogate behavioral responses following LPS injection. The mechanism by which SD Siberian hamsters attenuate febrile response remains unspecified. It is possible that periphery-to-brain communication of inflammatory signals is altered by exposure to photoperiod. Rather than testing photoperiod effects on each of the multiple routes by which immunological cues are communicated to the CNS, we administered LPS intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) following adolescent exposure to either 6 weeks of SD or LD. Injection of LPS i.c.v. led to a similar immune reaction in SD hamsters as previously reported with intraperitoneal injection. Short days attenuated the response to LPS with diminished fever spike and duration, as well as decreased locomotor inactivity. Furthermore, only LD hamsters demonstrated anhedonic-like behavior following LPS injection as evaluated by decreased preference for a milk solution. These results suggest that photoperiodic differences in response to infection are due in part to changes in central immune activation.
Chiral braided and woven composites: design, fabrication, and electromagnetic characterization

This work presents a new chiral composite composed of copper wires braided with Kevlar and nylon to form conductive coils integrated among structural fiber. To create a fabric, these braids were woven with plain Kevlar fiber. This yielded a composite with all coils possessing the same handedness, producing a chiral material. The electromagnetic response of this fabric was first simulated using a finite element full-wave simulation. For the electromagnetic measurement, the sample was placed between two lens-horn antennas connected to a Vector Network Analyzer. The frequency response of the sample was scanned between 5.5 and 8GHz. The measured scattering parameters were then compared to those of the simulated model. The measured parameters agreed well with the simulation results, showing a considerable chirality within the measured frequency band. The new composite combines the strength and durability of traditional composites with an electromagnetic design to create a multifunctional material.
The Interrogator A Tool for Cryptographic Protocol Security

Computer networks employ encryption several purposes, including private communication, message authentication, and digital signatures. The correctness and security of these applications depend not only on the strength the cryptographic algorithms, but also on the procedures for key management.
Endogenous taxes in a vertically integrated, natural resource extracting firm

Abstract Contingent, time-varying taxes depend on variables internal to the industry or firm. The petroleum extraction industry includes three technologically different activities – exploration, development and production. A vertically integrated, petroleum extracting firm is modelled to study an endogenous profits tax which varies with the level of proved reserves. The analysis shows that the traditional measure of scarcity, marginal user cost, is not accurate and that the endogenous tax exaggerates the correct measure of scarcity.
Remote sensing in an optically dense environment by using two-photon excited fluorescence and a single multimode fiber optic

Abstract The feasibility of remote sensing by means of two-photon excited molecular fluorescence was investigated by using a single 115-m multimode optical fibr.Because of modal dispersion and reflecton of Rayleigh scatter, time-resolved detection ws required to resolve the weak fluorescence from the relatively intense laser background. The bare-ended probe, which both delivered the excitation and collected the fluorescence emission, was employed to detect an analyte in an optically dense environment. For a fixed amount of fluorophore, the solvent was continuously changed from 90% (w/w) ethanol (non-absorbing) to 100% acetone (absorbing). The result was a flurorescence signal constant to within 5%. Quantitation via one-photon excitatation using a 50-cm optical fiber demonstrated the characteristic inner filter roll-off of optically dense systems. Because of th elarge attenuation of the waveguide in the ultraviolet range, remote sensing via one-photon excited fluorescence proved impossible. However, linear calibration plots for the nonlinear excitation process were obtained from micromolar to near saturation levels. Sources of interference were isolated, and the extension to a single-mode fiber was made.
Optical information processing and holography [Book review]

In general, the reviewer feels the book gives a workmanlike introduction to the fundamental concepts of optical information processing, touching upon most of the usual topics of scalar diffraction theory, Fourier tramformation in optics, coherence, modulation, spatial filtering, and applications of holography. The subject matter is treated from the current vantage point of communications and network theory and bene5ts from the succh&ma associated with this approach. Overal, the book should prove useful to senior undergraduate and fust year graduate students. The references are sufficiently extensive to enable the reader to pursue any of the topics covered in greater detail.
What Should A BBA Graduate Be Able To Do?: These Competencies Are Essential

University Schools of Business Administration are continually responding to the demands of stakeholders concerning the quality of the education embodied in the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. This collaborative paper discusses the competencies that are considered essential from the viewpoint of four stakeholders: accrediting agencies, faculty/administration, employers, and students/graduates. The authors present and support their views on competencies—identifying, achieving, assessing, and maintaining currency—in preparing future business leaders.
MOLECULAR APPROACHES TO UNDERSTANDING CIRCADIAN OSCILLATIONS

A fundamental question in the field of circadian rhythms concerns the molecular mechanism of circadian pacemakers: How are circadian oscillations generated? Answering this question will entail discovery of the molecules that comprise the circadian oscillator and the determination of how these molecules interact with one another to generate a circadian oscillation. On the basis of a wide variety of information, the mechanism of the circadian clock appears to be cell autonomous and to involve periodic gene expression. In addition, signal transduction pathways into the clock mechanism must exist for conveying environmental signals for entrainment. Furthermore, the clock mechanism must have output pathways for exerting rhythmic control at the physiological level. Two major approaches have been used to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms generating and regulating circadian rhythms: (a) perturbation analysis using pharmacological agents and biochemical assays, and (b) genetic analysis using circadian clock mutants. Because most organisms used in circadian rhythm research have not always been amenable to genetic analysis, most work in the field has used nongenetic approaches. With the exception of Drosophila, Neurospora and perhaps a few other systems (see J. Dunlap, this volume), most work at the behavioral, physiological, biochemical, and
An organismal perspective on C. intestinalis development, origins and diversification

The ascidian Ciona intestinalis, commonly known as a 'sea squirt', has become an important model for embryological studies, offering a simple blueprint for chordate development. As a model organism, it offers the following: a small, compact genome; a free swimming larva with only about 2600 cells; and an embryogenesis that unfolds according to a predictable program of cell division. Moreover, recent phylogenies reveal that C. intestinalis occupies a privileged branch in the tree of life: it is our nearest invertebrate relative. Here, we provide an organismal perspective of C. intestinalis, highlighting aspects of its life history and habitat-from its brief journey as a larva to its radical metamorphosis into adult form-and relate these features to its utility as a laboratory model.
Colony Fusion in Argentine Ants is Guided by Worker and Queen Cuticular Hydrocarbon Profile Similarity

Introduced populations of the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, have experienced moderate to severe losses of genetic diversity, which may have affected nestmate recognition to various degrees. We hypothesized that cuticular hydrocarbons (CHC) serve as nestmate recognition cues, and facilitate colony fusion of unrelated L. humile colonies that share similar CHC profiles. In this study, we paired six southeastern U.S. L. humile colonies in a 6-month laboratory fusion assay, and determined if worker and queen CHC profile similarity between colonies was associated with colony fusion and intercolony genetic similarity. We also compared worker and queen CHC profiles between fused colony pairs and unpaired controls to determine if worker and queen chemical profiles changed after fusion. We found that colony fusion correlated with the CHC similarity of workers and queens, with the frequency of fusion increasing with greater CHC profile similarity between colonies. Worker and queen CHC profile similarity between colonies also was associated with genetic similarity between colonies. Queen CHC profiles in fused colonies appeared to be a mix of the two colony phenotypes. In contrast, when only one of the paired colonies survived, the CHC profile of the surviving queens did not diverge from that of the colony of origin. Similarly, workers in non-fused colonies maintained their colony-specific CHC, whereas in fused colonies the worker CHC profiles were intermediate between those of the two colonies. These results suggest a role for CHC in regulating interactions among mutually aggressive L. humile colonies, and demonstrate that colony fusion correlates with both genetic and CHC similarities. Further, changes in worker and queen chemical profiles in fused colonies suggest that CHC plasticity may sustain the cohesion of unrelated L. humile colonies that had fused.
Development of a Bioassay for Pulmonary Cell Production of Fibrogenic Factors

AbstractSummary: Fibroblast proliferation and enhancement of collagen synthesis are key steps in the development and progression of pulmonary fibrosis. The current investigation presents a fibroblast proliferation assay to detect the release of competence factors from pneumocytes. The specific objective of this study was to define cell culture conditions for fibroblasts that would allow selective detection of competence factors in test media. The results indicate the following: (a) fibroblasts should be cultured for 2 days in plasma-free medium rather than 2% plasma to assure complete quiescence; (b) 1% plasma was optimum for producing progression activity for the bioassay of a competence factor, while 0.5% plasma did not produce sufficient progression activity (yielding false negatives) and 2% plasma often contained significant competence activity (yielding false positives); and (c) fresh plasma should be used since the progression activity of plasma was adversely affected by freezing and thawing. Under ...
Familial endocrine myxolentiginosis.

We present an unusual case of a left atrial myxoma as a feature of a familial mesoectodermal disorder and review the literature. The new term familial endocrine myxolentiginosis is proposed, which is descriptive of the major clinical components of the syndrome. Myriad features of this disorder include (1) cardiac myxomas ; (2) cutaneous myxomas; (3) multiple lentigines or blue nevi, particularly of the head and neck ; (4) bilateral primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical hyperplasia ; (5) unusual testicular tumors ; (6) pituitary tumors ; (7) myxoid fibroadenomas of the breast ; (8) myxomatous disorder of the stroma of the breast ; (9) ductal adenoma of the breast ; and (10) psammomatous melanotic schwannoma. A tentative diagnosis is suggested by identifying two features and a definitive diagnosis is made by three or more features. The clinical and pathologic features of cardiac myxoma in familial endocrine myxolentiginosis are identical to those of familial cardiac myxoma : age < 40 years, atypical locations, multicentric origins, and recurrent presentations. A Venn diagram classification for cardiac myxomas is proposed. We include photographic, echocardiographic, biopsy, and adrenal computerized tomography documentation in our patient. Recognition of this disorder is important because of its clinical, surgical, and genetic implications. The availability of transesophageal echocardiographic technology should allow early diagnosis of this underdiagnosed entity. Clinicians should consider this entity in the differential diagnosis of their patients with any one of these manifestations.
Partitioning of Anesthetics into a Lipid Bilayer and their Interaction with Membrane-Bound Peptide Bundles

Molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to investigate the partitioning of the volatile anesthetic halothane from an aqueous phase into a coexisting hydrated bilayer, composed of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DOPC) lipids, with embedded α-helical peptide bundles based on the membrane-bound portions of the α- and δ-subunits, respectively, of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. In the molecular dynamics simulations halothane molecules spontaneously partitioned into the DOPC bilayer and then preferentially occupied regions close to lipid headgroups. A single halothane molecule was observed to bind to tyrosine (Tyr-277) residue in the α-subunit, an experimentally identified specific binding site. The binding of halothane attenuated the local loop dynamics of α-subunit and significantly influenced global concerted motions suggesting anesthetic action in modulating protein function. Steered molecular dynamics calculations on a single halothane molecule partitioned into a DOPC lipid bilayer were performed to probe the free energy profile of halothane across the lipid-water interface and rationalize the observed spontaneous partitioning. Partitioned halothane molecules affect the hydrocarbon chains of the DOPC lipid, by lowering of the hydrocarbon tilt angles. The anesthetic molecules also caused a decrease in the number of peptide-lipid contacts. The observed local and global effects of anesthetic binding on protein motions demonstrated in this study may underlie the mechanism of action of anesthetics at a molecular level.
Wasted on the Young? Comparing the Performance and Attitudes of Younger and Older US Adults in an Online Class on Geographic Information

This study investigates the counter-intuitive observation that older students tend to thrive better than younger students in online classes. We use a variety of measures to compare performance and attitudes of undergraduates and continuing adult professionals in separate but nearly identical class sections led by the same instructor at a US university during the same nine-month study period. Findings are consistent with theoretical predictions about differences in readiness of younger and older adults for self-directed learning experiences. Results also suggest that online educators should be proactive in stimulating younger students' participation in class discussions, and should find ways to evaluate explicitly the tacit learning that online discussion can foster.
Sicily: reflections on forty years of change 1

Abstract Substantial changes have transformed Sicily over the forty years that we have known it as anthropological fieldworkers. This essay draws particular attention to the appearance of industrial age technologies and related modernizing trends; to a dramatic decline in fertility with effects on family life and civic culture; and to the emergence of an antimafia social movement demanding effective police and juridical restraint of organized crime. It further considers what in retrospect were blind spots in our research, in particular our earlier understandings of the long-term viability of the Sicilian Left and of the organization and regional coherence of the Mafia. The passage of time raises new questions and produces new frameworks for analysis. Based on our recent research in Palermo, we attempt to assess the prospects for the Mafia and antimafia process in Sicily.
Dap160/intersectin binds and activates aPKC to regulate cell polarity and cell cycle progression

The atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) is required for cell polarization of many cell types, and is upregulated in several human tumors. Despite its importance in cell polarity and growth control, relatively little is known about how aPKC activity is regulated. Here, we use a biochemical approach to identify Dynamin-associated protein 160 (Dap160; related to mammalian intersectin) as an aPKC-interacting protein in Drosophila. We show that Dap160 directly interacts with aPKC, stimulates aPKC activity in vitro and colocalizes with aPKC at the apical cortex of embryonic neuroblasts. In dap160 mutants, aPKC is delocalized from the neuroblast apical cortex and has reduced activity, based on its inability to displace known target proteins from the basal cortex. Both dap160 and aPKC mutants have fewer proliferating neuroblasts and a prolonged neuroblast cell cycle. We conclude that Dap160 positively regulates aPKC activity and localization to promote neuroblast cell polarity and cell cycle progression.
Spatial patterns of tropical forest trees in Western Polynesia suggest recruitment limitations during secondary succession

Spatial analysis can be used to relate the patterns of tree species to their regeneration syndromes – pioneer to late-successional – and is a first step in refining hypotheses about the species traits and biotic and abiotic factors that give rise to forest community dynamics. This study examines the spatial pattern of the most abundant trees in three 0.45-ha plots in species-poor lowland rain forests on oceanic islands in Tonga, Western Polynesia, that experience frequent natural disturbance and have a 3000-y history of shifting cultivation. We contrast secondary vs. remnant late-successional forest, with particular attention paid to the spatial dispersion and clustering of tree species, and the presence of spatial dependence in the density of seedlings and saplings. Shade-tolerant species were not strongly clustered at any scale. They did not appear to be dispersal limited, in late successional forest, and only some showed patterns consistent with density-dependent mortality (more clumped when small). Shade-tolerant species were more clumped in secondary forest, and may be dispersal-limited there because vertebrate dispersers prefer primary forest. Shade-intolerant species were clumped in gaps in late-successional forest, but some were also clumped in secondary forest, indicating that they too may be dispersal limited during secondary succession. We also compared the species composition of seedlings and saplings in the centre of plots with trees in the surrounding area and inferred that active dispersal (by vertebrate frugivores) contributed as much as 50% to site species richness.
Cooperative Reorganization of a 420 Subunit Virus Capsid

The complex protein capsids of many viruses exhibit dramatic reorganizations at critical stages in their life-cycle. Here, time-resolved solution X-ray scattering was used to study a dynamic, large-scale conformational maturation of the 420 subunit, 13 MDa, icosahedrally symmetric HK97 bacteriophage capsid. Isoscattering points in the time-resolved scattering patterns and singular value decomposition revealed that the expansion occurs as a cooperative, two-state reaction. The analysis demonstrates that the population shift from Prohead-II to Expansion Intermediate I, EI-I (60 A larger than Prohead-II) occurs in minutes, but does not reveal the time required for individual transitions that occur stochastically. Any intermediate forms that may be traversed during this conversion are unstable and do not constitute an appreciable population of the ensemble of particles. In an energetic landscape view, particles must undergo an energy barrier-crossing event in order to successfully convert from Prohead-II to EI-I. This implies that the particles "hop" over the energy barrier stochastically as they individually attain an expansion-active state. Interestingly, systematic deviations from single-exponential kinetics were observed for the population shift. This may indicate that in undergoing the irreversible conversion from Prohead-II to EI-I, particles are subject to a complex energy landscape that links the initial and final particle forms.
Effect of type III group B streptococcal capsular polysaccharide on invasion of respiratory epithelial cells

Group B streptococcal (GBS) capsular polysaccharide is an important virulence factor, and its role in invasion of cultured respiratory epithelial cells was investigated. A type III GBS clinical isolate, COH1, and asialo and unencapsulated isogenic transposon capsule mutants of it were compared in an in vitro invasion assay. The results demonstrated that capsule attenuated the invasion process. Invasion was not affected when the A549 epithelial cells were preincubated with purified type III GBS capsular polysaccharide. Polyclonal type III GBS capsule antibody inhibited invasion by COH1 but did not affect invasion by the capsule mutants. Serotypes Ia, Ib, Ia/c, II, and III all invaded respiratory epithelial cells but demonstrated some strain variation in magnitude of invasion. These observations led us to conclude that type III capsular polysaccharide was not essential for invasion of respiratory epithelial cells by GBS and that bacterial factors other than capsule were responsible for respiratory epithelial cell invasion.
Sleep continuity and total sleep time are associated with task-switching and preparation in young and older adults.

Aging is associated with changes in sleep and decline executive functions, such as task-switching and task preparation. Given that sleep affects executive function, age-related changes in executive function may be attributable to changes in sleep. The present study used a sleep detection device to examine whether wake time after sleep onset (WASO) and total sleep time (TST) moderated age differences in task-switching performance and participants' ability to reduce switch costs when given time to prepare. Participants were cognitively healthy (MMSE > 26) younger (n = 54; mean age = 22.9; 67.8% female) and older (n = 45; mean age 62.8; 71.1% female) adults. Using a task-switching paradigm, which manipulated preparation time, we found that smaller global switch costs were associated with lower WASO and longer TST. Greater preparation effects on local switch costs and adoption of a task-set were associated with lower WASO, though this effect was significant only in older adults when stratified by age group. This association was independent of inhibition and working memory abilities. The lack of interactions between sleep and age group indicated that age differences in switch costs were not moderated by better sleep. Our results suggest that young and older adults may benefit similarly from lower WASO and longer TST in overall performance, and individuals with less WASO are more likely to engage preparatory strategies to reduce switch costs and boost task-switching performance.
A Study of Collaborative Dancing in Tele-immersive Environments

We first present the tele-immersive environments developed jointly by University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and University of California at Berkeley. The environment features 3D full and real body capturing, wide field of view, multi-display 3D rendering, and attachment free participant. We then describe a study of collaborative dancing between remotely located dancers in the shared virtual space. Two professional dancers are invited to the tele-immersive site of each university. As a preliminary experiment, we let the dancers perform elementary body movements and coordinate their dancing. The coordination requires one dancer to take the lead while the other follows her by appropriate movements. During the experiment, the dancers are dancing at various motion rates to evaluate how well the collaborative dancing is supported with the current technical boundary. Our important findings indicate that 1) tele-immersive environments have strong potential impact on the concept of choreography and communication of live dance performance, 2) the presence of multi-display system, real body 3D rendering, audio channel, and less intrusive-ness greatly enhances the immersive and dancing experience, and 3) the level of synchronization achieved by the dancers is higher than that expected from the video rate
The viability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in formalin-fixed pulmonary autopsy tissue: Review of the literature and brief report

Formalin is commonly thought to decrease the risk of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. However, the true disinfection efficacy of formalin for tissue infected with M tuberculosis is unclear. We reviewed all pertinent literature from 1900 until the present regarding the disinfection efficacy of formalin for tissue infected with M tuberculosis. We also retrospectively cultured five cases of M tuberculosis from formalin-fixed archival pulmonary tissue. All cultures from our archived tissue were negative. The literature review revealed limited and contradictory information concerning the viability of M tuberculosis in formalin-fixed human tissue. There are no studies which specifically address the viability of M tuberculosis in tissue exclusively fixed in 10% buffered formalin. The disinfection efficacy of formalin for tuberculosis infected tissue remains unclear. Larger, prospective studies using current methodologies are needed to establish guidelines to ensure the safety for those handling infected, fixed tissue.
Multiplex cytological profiling assay to measure diverse cellular states.

Computational methods for image-based profiling are under active development, but their success hinges on assays that can capture a wide range of phenotypes. We have developed a multiplex cytological profiling assay that “paints the cell” with as many fluorescent markers as possible without compromising our ability to extract rich, quantitative profiles in high throughput. The assay detects seven major cellular components. In a pilot screen of bioactive compounds, the assay detected a range of cellular phenotypes and it clustered compounds with similar annotated protein targets or chemical structure based on cytological profiles. The results demonstrate that the assay captures subtle patterns in the combination of morphological labels, thereby detecting the effects of chemical compounds even though their targets are not stained directly. This image-based assay provides an unbiased approach to characterize compound- and disease-associated cell states to support future probe discovery.
Effect of a proteolytic enzyme inhibitor on the cardiopulmonary response to endotoxin

Abstract Gabexate mesilate (GM), a proteolytic enzyme inhibitor, was given to 31 chronically instrumented sheep either as a pretreatment or treatment to determine its effects on the cardiopulmonary response to endotoxin (ET). Twelve sheep received GM prior to endotoxin (0.75 μg/kg), 10 after ET and 9 received GM without ET. A typical biphasic response was noted; phase I showed increased lymph flow (QL), reduced lymph to plasma protein ratio (L/P) and increased pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). Phase II occurred two hours after ET; the lymph flow remained elevated and the L/P ratio rose slightly above control. Both phases demonstrated an elevation in total peripheral vascular resistance (TPR) and hematocrit but a reduction in cardiac output (CO). In phase II, QL was reduced 35% with pretreatment; the L/P ratio did not rise as much and the PAP was unchanged. There was also a 35% reduction in lymph flow; no change in the lymph to plasma protein ratio but there was an elevation in pulmonary microvascular pressure. Pretreatment with GM diminished the fall in CO and the rise in TPR seen with endotoxin. The values were unaffected by treatment alone.
Diluting and Concentrating Processes

The production of a dilute urine with an osmolality below that of the plasma enables an animal to excrete excess water. The greater the ability to dilute the urine, the greater is the ability to eliminate excess water rapidly. The ability to change the urine from one with an osmolality below that of the plasma to one isosmotic with the plasma enables an animal to conserve water. Of course, the ability to produce a urine significantly hyperosmotic to plasma — an ability found only in mammals and birds — enables an animal to conserve even more water while still eliminating excess inorganic and organic ions and nitrogenous waste. The ability to conserve water by these means is also related to the excretory end-products of nitrogen metabolism. This chapter covers the differences among vertebrate classes and species in ability to dilute and concentrate the urine, the process involved in diluting the urine, the process involved in concentrating the urine, and the regulation of these processes.
Body Adiposity in Late Life and Risk of Dementia or Cognitive Impairment in a Longitudinal Community-Based Study

IT is well known that aging is associated with changes in body composition, including an increase of fat mass and a decline in lean mass. Abdominal fat, largely caused by the accumulation of visceral fat, increases proportionally more with age than peripheral fat (1–4). Many epidemiological and clinical studies have shown that excess abdominal visceral fat correlates with increased risk for hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia (5–7). Measurement of body mass index (BMI) in older individuals may not adequately reflect abdominal fat accumulation because of the concurrent decrease in muscle mass. In older individuals particularly, waist circumference is a more accurate indicator of abdominal visceral fat level than BMI, percent body fat, or waist-to-hip ratio (8) and provides good correlation with the gold standard, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen (9). Because overweight and obesity increase the risk for vascular and metabolic disorders, body fat, particularly central body adiposity, may be a risk factor for age-related cognitive impairment or dementia. Several reports demonstrate an association between high BMI at midlife and increased risk for dementia in older ages (10–12); however, the association between adiposity at older ages and the development of dementia or cognitive impairment is less clear (13–16). The prevalence of central and general obesity is rapidly increasing in the United States, and prevalence of these conditions in Mexican Americans is disproportionately higher than in non-Hispanic whites and other Hispanic groups (17). We prospectively evaluated the associations of waist circumference and BMI with incident dementia or cognitive impairment in a cohort of older Mexican Americans.
Parental guidance advised: associations between parental television limits and health behaviors among obese children.

Abstract Objective To examine associations between parental limits on TV viewing and child health behaviors. Methods We surveyed 816 parents of children 6 to 12 years of age who were participating in a primary care–based obesity intervention. The main exposures were parental limits placed on child TV viewing time and TV content. Outcomes included screen-related behaviors, sleep habits, eating routines, and physical activity. We performed bivariate and multivariable analyses to examine independent associations of parental TV viewing rules with our outcomes. Results In multivariable analyses adjusted for child age, sex, race/ethnicity; parental education and US-born status; income and primary language, children whose parents set limits on TV time were less likely to have a TV in their bedroom (odds ratio [OR] 0.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.31, 0.64) or to fall asleep while watching TV (OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.34, 0.67). Children with parental limits spent fewer weekday hours watching TV (−0.38 hours/day; 95% CI −0.54, −0.21), playing video or computer games (−0.15 hours/day; 95% CI −0.25, −0.04), and using the Internet (−0.08 hours/day; 95% CI −0.15, −0.006). In addition, children with limits on TV time were less likely to eat breakfast (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.53, 0.99) or dinner (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.39, 0.73) with the TV on, and they slept longer during weeknights: 0.21 hours/day (95% CI 0.05, 0.36). Moreover, children whose parents set rules on TV programming content were also less likely to have a TV in their bedroom (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.18, 0.79). Conclusions The relationship between parental limits on TV viewing and obesogenic child behaviors deserves further investigation.
Semi-active control of friction dampers

Quite a few papers have appeared dealing with how to minimize the effects of friction in machines. A recurring theme has been that friction is a dynamic phenomenon. As such, much attention has been paid to obtaining the appropriate friction model structure, and to the identification of model parameters. For semi-active damping, friction dampers hold promise in many applications. In comparison to work on machine control, the desire here is to maximize the damping achieved by friction. In this paper, local control laws based on friction models with and without velocity dynamics are compared to reveal under what conditions detailed knowledge of friction is needed.
A New Model Reduction Method for Traffic Described by Markov Modulated Poisson Processes

The Markov modulated poisson processes (MMPP) are very powerful in describing general network traffic. The main hindrance to the application of MMPP is the state-space explosion problem, that is, the superposition of two traffic processes, described by MMPP with orders of n1 and n2, respectively, is also an MMPP process with orders of n1 times n2. In this paper, we propose a new method to reduce the state-space of the MMPP traffic models based on the clustering structure of the decaying time constants of the variance-time curve of the counting process. It is found that the time constants of the aggregated traffic equal one minus the product of the eigenvalues of the transition matrix of the individual traffic. If some time constants, e.g., those can be merged time constants (MTCs), are well clustered around a representative time constant (RTC), the states corresponding to these time constants can be merged into the state of the RTC. By defining a condition of matrix product approximation (MPA), we find a new model with reduced dimensions. Our numerical examples and simulations have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed technique.
A Synopsis of Surfactant Spreading Research

Surfactant spreading phenomena on thin films is a fundamental problem in a number of fields including biomedical and chemical engineering. Coating processes, film drainage, and paint technology are all examples of technological applications. Research in this area has experienced a recent surge of activity, partly due to the biomedical applications of surfactant replacement therapy in prematurely born infants. A brief review of the surfactant spreading literature is given in this letter.
Hot carrier and soft breakdown reliability for RF circuits

RF circuit performance degradations due to hot carrier (HC) and soft breakdown (SBD) effects are studied with 0.16 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Two design techniques are proposed to reduce the HC and SBD effects on RF circuits. A low noise amplifier (LNA) and a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) are used to verify the design techniques that can be used to build more reliable RF circuits.