cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
LINEAR PARAMETER-VARYING ANTI-WINDUP CONTROL FOR ACTIVE MICROGRAVITY ISOLATION

Abstract In this paper a linear parameter-varying (LPV) anti-windup approach is applied to provide anti-windup compensation for adaptive active microgravity vibration isolation. For such systems, anti-windup protection is required because of actuator saturation in response to inertially based forces acting on the isolated platform. For the example presented in the paper, a static anti-windup compensator scheduled based on the measurement of the rack displacement is designed so that it applies a correcting signal only when the control is saturated. The LPV anti-windup scheme is combined with an LPV controller that shifts its focus from a “soft” setting to a “stiff” setting depending on the need for acceleration minimization or relative displacement reduction to prevent bumping. The performance of the overall closed-loop system is demonstrated by simulations.
Oxidative stress and DNA damage–DNA repair system in vascular smooth muscle cells in artery and vein grafts

Summary Graft failure in coronary artery bypass grafts (CABGs) utilizing the saphenous vein is significantly higher than in those utilizing the internal mammary artery (IMA) or the radial artery (RA). While a number of studies have described this phenomenon clinically, few have attempted to extensively examine the biological differences between vein and artery, or the short- and long-term effectiveness of their use. In addition, there is limited information on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the generation of oxidative stress in the vascular smooth muscle cell, which we speculate has a significant role in inducing apoptosis and, consequently, graft failure. The purpose of this review, thus, is to concisely describe the relationship among DNA damage, DNA repair and graft failure by examining (1) DNA lesions resulting from oxidative damage, such as 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine, as well as their affiliation with human diseases, (2) biological differences in DNA damage and repair capabilities of both artery and vein, and (3) DNA repair mechanisms and the significance of several repair enzymes.
Psychopathology in Epilepsy: Relationship of Seizure Type to Age at Onset

Summary: Study of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and generalized epilepsy revealed no overall seizure type differences, nor overall age-at-onset effects, on MMPI measures of psychopathology. However, statistically significant interactions between seizure type and age at onset were obtained on several MMPI measures, and subsequent analyses revealed that patients with adolescent-onset temporal lobe epilepsy are at higher risk of developing psychological dysfunctions. RESUME Les auteurs etudient les relations susceptibles d'existerentre les manifestations psychopathologiques des sujets presentant une epilepsie temporale ou une epilepsie generalisee et le type etl'âge de debut de leurs crises. lis constatent que certaines donnees du MMPI mettent en evidence des relations statistique-ment significatives et, notamment, que les sujets ayant presente une epilepsie du lobe temporal au cours de leur adolescence ont un risque plus grand de presenter une dysfonction psychologique. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Patienten mit Temporallappenepilepsie und generalisierter Epilepsie zeigten keine Unterschiede im Anfallsbild, sie unterschieden sich nicht in Anabhangigkeit vom Alter bei Anfallsbeginn bei den psychopathologischen Untersuchungen mithilfe des MMPI. Hingegen wurden statistisch signifikante Interaktionen zwischen Anfallstyp und Alter bei Anfallsbeginn hinsichtlich verschiedener MMPI-Werte gefunden. Die Analysen zeigten, das Patienten mit Temporallapenepilepsie und Anfallsbeginn in der Adoleszenz besonders gefahrdet sind, psycho-logische Dysfunktionen zu entwickeln.
Liberibacter crescens gen. nov., sp. nov., the first cultured member of the genus Liberibacter.

The Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterial isolate BT-1T is the closest relative to the genus ‘Candidatus Liberibacter ’ cultured to date. BT-1T was recovered from the phloem sap of a defoliating mountain papaya in Puerto Rico. The BT-1T 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain BT-1T is most closely related to members of the genus ‘Ca. Liberibacter ’ sharing 94.7 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with ‘Ca. Liberibacter americanus ’ and ‘Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus ’. Additionally, average nucleotide identity, 16S rRNA gene sequences and conserved protein sequences supported inclusion of the previously described species of the genus ‘Ca. Liberibacter ’ in a genus with BT-1T. The prominent fatty acids of isolate BT-1T were C18 : 1ω7c (77.2 %), C16 : 0 OH (4.8 %), C18 : 0 (4.4 %) and C16 : 0 (3.5 %). Both physiological and genomic characteristics support the creation of the genus Liberibacter , as well as the novel species Liberibacter crescens gen. nov., sp. nov. with type strain BT-1T ( = ATCC BAA-2481T = DSM 26877T).
Using countercurrent chromatography to assist in the purification of new Annonaceous acetogenins from Annona squamosa

Three new Annonaceous acetogenins, (2,4-cis and trans)-9-hydroxy asimicinone (1), (2,4-cis and trans)-squamoxinone B (2) and (2,4-cis and trans) squamoxinone C (3), were isolated from the bark of Annona squamosa with the help of countercurrent chromatography. Additionally found was isoannoreticuin (4), which is new to this species. Compound 1 is an adjacent bis-tetrahydrofuran (THF) ring acetogenin with a hydroxyl group at the nine position and two more hydroxyls flanking the bis-THF system, while compounds 2–4 are all mono-THF ring acetogenins also possessing three hydroxyl groups. All four compounds are ketolactone-type acetogenins, and all show impressive cytotoxicities in a panel of six human tumour cell lines. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geographic variation in patient surveillance after radical prostatectomy.

Background: Prostate cancer is often diagnosed early enough in its clinical course to permit radical prostatectomy to be done with curative intent, yet many patients experience tumor recurrence. Most patients receive postoperative surveillance, but the intensity of testing varies appreciably. We sought to evaluate the influence of geographic location on the variability of surveillance intensity.
Compressive strengths of mortar cubes from hydrated lime with cofired biomass fly ashes

Abstract This document comprehensively compares strength of 5 cm mortar cubes made from binders of hydrated lime and cofired biomass fly ashes. Samples of cement only, with the same binder mass, provide controls and comparisons. Compressive strengths are tested from one to 12 months and samples were cured under carbonation free conditions. Four cofired (coal and herbaceous/woody) biomass fly ashes consistently develop two to three times that of Class C and F, indicating that cofired biomass fly ashes need more reevaluation as an admixture in concrete rather than exclusion by ASTM C 618 because of its “non coal” origin. However, the investigation does suggest that pure woody biomass fly ash may represent unacceptable pozzolans for use in concrete.
Isotope Effect on Adsorbed Quantum Phases: Diffusion of H 2 and D 2 in Nanoporous Carbon

Quasielastic neutron scattering of H(2) and D(2) in the same nanoporous carbon at 10-40 K demonstrates extreme quantum sieving, with D(2) diffusing up to 76 times faster. D(2) also shows liquidlike diffusion while H(2) exhibits Chudley-Elliott jump diffusion, evidence of their different relationships with the local lattice of adsorption sites due to quantum effects on intermolecular interactions. The onset of diffusion occurs at 22-25 K for H(2) and 10-13 K for D(2). At these temperatures, H(2) and D(2) have identical thermal de Broglie wavelengths that correlate with the dominant pore size.
Effect of Benzene on Rat Liver Ribonucleic Acid

The intraperitoneal administration of benzene to rats does not alter the sucrose density sedimentation behavior of liver ribonucleic acid but causes an increase of soluble ribonucleic acid species. Treatment of ribonucleic acid in vitro with benzene results in an irregular sucrose density pattern.
Current state of office laparoscopic surgery.

Study Objective To summarize office laparoscopic surgery practice profiles with emphasis on microlaparoscopy. Design Survey (Canadian Task Force classification III). Setting General gynecology and reproductive endocrinology laparoscopic surgery practices in the United States and abroad. Intervention Surveys were distributed to members of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists during 1999. Participants Of 6200 members to whom surveys mailed, 1504 (24.3%) responded. Measurements and Main Results Of these respondents, 114 (7.6%) perform office laparoscopy and 187 (12.4%) microlaparoscopy. Conclusion Clinicians who perform office laparoscopy are more likely to perform microlaparoscopy than macrolaparoscopy. The 2-mm microlaparoscope is preferred by most physicians.
Morrison v. National Australia Bank: Implications for Global Securities Class Actions

The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Morrison v. National Australia Bank has had a significant impact on the extraterritorial reach of the U.S. Securities Laws as well as a limitating global class actions. Other countries have begun to fill a perceived gap with respect to such class actions, as the recent Converium case in the Netherlands and the Imax decision in Canada illustrate. In addition to thosse developments, the article discusses various post-Morrison developments in the United States, including the recent Dodd-Frank legislation, the possibility of bringing claims in the United States under foreign law, lower court interpretations of Morrison, including off-exchange case law. The author concludes with a call for increased regulatory cooperation as well as the need for an international treaty.
Satellite Detection of Smoke Aerosols Over a Snow/Ice Surface by Toms

The use of TOMS (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) satellite data demonstrates the recently developed technique of using satellite UV radiance measurements to detect absorbing tropospheric aerosols is effective over snow/ice surfaces. Instead of the traditional single wavelength (visible or infrared) method of measuring tropospheric aerosols, this method takes advantage of the wavelength dependent reduction in the backscattered radiance due to the presence of absorbing aerosols over snow/ice surfaces. An example of the resulting aerosol distribution derived from TOMS data is shown for an August 1998 event in which smoke generated by Canadian forest fires drifts over and across Greenland. As the smoke plume moved over Greenland, the TOMS observed 380 nm reflectivity over the snow/ice surface dropped drastically from 90-100% down to 30-40%. To study the effects of this smoke plume in both the UV and visible regions of the spectrum, we compared a smoke-laden spectrum taken over Greenland by the high spectral resolution (300 to 800 nm) GOME instrument with one that is aerosol-free. We also discuss the results of modeling the darkening effects of various types of absorbing aerosols over snow/ice surfaces using a radiative transfer code. Finally, we investigated the history of such events by looking at the nearly twenty year record of TOMS aerosol index measurements and found that there is a large interannual variability in the amount of smoke aerosols observed over Greenland. This information will be available for studies of radiation and transport properties in the Arctic.
Rethinking Recent Democratization: Lessons from the Postcommunist Experience

This study compares democratization in the postcommunist region (or the twenty-seven countries that emerged from the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe) in order to evaluate some of the assumptions and arguments in the literature on recent democratization in southern Europe and Latin America. Five conclusions are drawn, all of which challenge the received wisdom about democratization in southern Europe and Latin America. First, the uncertainty surrounding the postcommunist transitions to democracy varied significantly. This influenced, in turn, the strategies of transition and their payoffs. This also meant that the most successful transitions in the postcommunist context involved a sharp break with the old order. Second, popular mobilization often functioned to support the democratic project. Third, nationalist mobilization was also helpful, though this depended upon whether it began with the breakdown of authoritarian rule or had a longer history—with the latter compromising the democratic project. Fourth, if the timing of nationalist mobilization was critical for the success of democratization in those cases where such mobilization occurred, then the strength of the opposition was the key factor in the remaining cases. Finally, while democratic consolidation necessarily enhances the prospects for democratic sustainability, the failure to consolidate democracy does not necessarily threaten the continuation of democratic rule. Indeed, as in the Russian case, such a failure may prolong democratic rule. This suggests, in turn, that a key distinction must be made between the optimal conditions for democratization and optimal strategies.
Quantum treatment of beamstrahlung.

In this paper a straightforward high-energy expansion is discussed and applied to the problem of radiation from an extended target. In particular, we discuss bremsstrahlung from an electron-pulse collision. A full quantum treatment of the power spectrum and the average energy loss is given. Scaling laws that smoothly join the quantum regime to the classical limit are derived.
Polymer Motors: Pushing out the Front and Pulling up the Back

Mechanical work in cells is performed by specialized motor proteins that operate in a continuous mechanochemical cycle. Less complex, but still efficient, 'one-shot' motors evolved based on the assembly and disassembly of polymers. We review the mechanisms of pushing and pulling by actin and microtubule filaments and the organizational principles of actin networks. We show how these polymer force generators are used for the propulsion of intracellular pathogens, protrusion of lamellipodia and mitotic movements. We discuss several examples of cellular forces generated by the assembly and disassembly of polymer gels.
A Grammar-Based Genetic Algorithm

Abstract High-level syntactically-based representations pose problems for applying the GA because it is hard to construct crossover operators that always result in legal offspring. This paper proposes a reformulation of the genetic algorithm that makes it appropriate to any representation that can be cast in a formal grammar. This reformulation is consistent with recent reinterpretations of GA foundations in set-theoretic terms, and concentrates on the modifications required to make the space of legal structures closed under the crossover operator. The analysis places no restriction on the form of the grammars.
Acute PKCδ inhibition limits ischaemia–reperfusion injury in the aged rat heart: Role of GSK-3β

Objective Age is a leading risk factor for the development of ischaemic heart disease and failure. However, the efficacy of cardioprotective strategies designed to rescue the aged myocardium remains controversial. We have previously demonstrated increased levels of basal cardiac protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) with ageing, a well-known mediator of apoptotic cell death following ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) in adult hearts. Our objective was to determine the contribution of PKCδ signaling mechanisms to reperfusion injury in the aged heart using local delivery of a novel PKCδ inhibitory peptide (KID1-1). Methods Contractile responses were assessed in hearts isolated from adult (4 months, n =38) and aged (24 months, n =45) male Fisher 344 rats treated with either KID1-1 (500 nM) or Tat vehicle peptide (500 nM) upon reperfusion for 10 min following 31-min global ischaemia. Results Recovery of left ventricular (LV) developed pressure was significantly improved by KID1-1 and associated with smaller infarct size in 24 months vs. age-matched controls ( p <0.005). We also observed significant reductions in DNA laddering and cytochrome c and caspase 3 levels in aged hearts treated with KID1-1. Interestingly, KID1-1 attenuated mitochondrial and nuclear PKCδ levels during reperfusion in aged vs. age-matched controls ( p <0.01). Further, increases in mitochondrial phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (pGSK-3β) levels were hastened in aged and adult hearts following KID1-1 ( p <0.05), increasing the pGSK-3β/GSK-3β ratio. Conclusions These results provide novel evidence for cardioprotection through acute PKCδ inhibition in aged rat heart following I/R. Our results also suggest, for the first time, a key role for mitochondrial GSK-3β as a cellular basis for the protection associated with PKCδ inhibition with ageing.
Increased vascular permeability after cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with diabetes is associated with increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor

Background Several inflammatory mediators such as vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor are known to play a critical role in the regulation of vascular permeability and angiogenesis. We studied the serum levels of growth factors and gene expression profiles of genes involved in growth factor signaling in the peripheral blood of patients with and patients without diabetes following cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest. Methods Serum and total RNA were obtained from the blood samples collected from patients with diabetes and matched patients without diabetes (n = 7 patients each) who had coronary artery bypass graft before and 6 hours and 4 days after cardiopulmonary bypass/cardioplegic arrest. The cytokine panel, consisting of growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, and epidermal growth factor, was quantified in patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes before and 6 hours and 4 days post–cardiopulmonary bypass/cardioplegic arrest using multiplex cytokine quantification system. cDNA microarray analysis was performed and fold-change was calculated. Results Length of hospitalization (10 vs 6 days; P = .04) and weight gain (5 vs 2.5 kg; P = .001) were significantly greater for patients with diabetes compared with patients without diabetes. The serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor were significantly elevated in patients with diabetes when compared with patients without diabetes before versus 6 hours post–cardiopulmonary bypass/cardioplegic arrest. In addition, significantly elevated mRNA expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α, cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein, and E1A binding protein p300 (more than twofold) was observed 4 days post–cardiopulmonary bypass/cardioplegic arrest exclusively in patients with diabetes. Conclusions The differential profile of gene and protein expression of growth factors and their related genes in patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes could be associated with increased edema and weight gain in patients with diabetes after cardiopulmonary bypass/cardioplegic arrest.
Block time delay estimation by Newton's method with allpass constraints

Time delay estimation (TDE) is an important procedure for many communications and signal processing tasks. In this paper, a novel TDE algorithm is proposed. The block-based method estimates the phase response of a sine-interpolation filter using Newton's method on the space of allpass filters, from which the delay estimate is calculated using a simple coefficient-based formula. The algorithm is amenable to fast convolution procedures and needs only a few iterations to converge. Simulations comparing the proposed method with the well-known linear phase and time-domain cross-correlation methods show that our technique achieves a lower mean-squared error than these other methods in low signal-to-noise ratio environments.
Experiments Measuring Particle Deposition from Fully Developed Turbulent Flow in Ventilation Ducts

Particle deposition in ventilation ducts influences particle exposures of building occupants and may lead to a variety of indoor air quality concerns. Experiments have been performed in a laboratory to study the effects of particle size and air speed on deposition rates of particles from turbulent air flows in galvanized steel and internally insulated ducts with hydraulic diameters of 15.2 cm. The duct systems were constructed of materials typically found in commercial heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. In the steel duct system, experiments with nominal particle sizes of 1, 3, 5, 9, and 16 μm were conducted at each of three nominal air speeds: 2.2, 5.3, and 9.0 m/s. In the insulated duct system, deposition rates of particles with nominal sizes of 1, 3, 5, 8, and 13 μm were measured at nominal air speeds of 2.2, 5.3, and 8.8 m/s. Fluorescent techniques were used to directly measure the deposition velocities of monodisperse fluorescent particles to duct surfaces (floor, wall, and cei...
NaCl detection thresholds: comparison of Fischer 344 and Wistar rats.

Adult Fischer 344 (F344) rats fail to display any preference for NaCl solutions at concentrations typically preferred by other rat strains. To determine whether this behavior is due to a strain difference in NaCl detection threshold, a conditioned taste aversion (CTA) was first established to a suprathreshold concentration of NaCl (0.1 M). Then, a series of dilute NaCl solutions, ranging from 0.0 to 0.011 M NaCl, were presented to F344 (n = 16) and Wistar (n = 16) rats. The lowest concentration at which there was a reliable difference in the preference scores of conditioned and control rats was defined as the detection threshold. Results indicate that the detection threshold for NaCl lies between 0.001 and 0.002 M NaCl for both F344 and Wistar rats. The addition of the sodium channel blocker amiloride to the NaCl solutions raised the detection threshold 10-fold to 0.03–0.04 M NaCl for both strains of rats. These results suggest that the NaCl detection thresholds of F344 and Wistar rats are similar and that these strains do not differ in the degree to which amiloride raises this threshold.
Ca2+ and ionic strength dependencies of S1-ADP binding to actin-tropomyosin-troponin: regulatory implications.

Skeletal and cardiac muscle contraction are inhibited by the actin-associated complex of tropomyosin-troponin. Binding of Ca 21 to troponin or binding of ATP-free myosin to actin reverses this inhibition. Ca 21 and ATP-free myosin stabilize different tropomyosin-actin structural arrangements. The position of tropomyosin on actin affects the binding of ATP-free myosin to actin but does not greatly affect myosin-ATP binding. Ca 21 and ATP-free myosin alter both the affinity of ATP-free myosin for actin and the kinetics of that binding. A parallel pathway model of regulation simulated the effects of Ca 21 and ATP-free myosin binding on both equilibrium binding of myosin-nucleotide complexes to actin and the general features of ATPase activity. That model was recently shown to simulate the kinetics of myosin-S1 binding but the analysis was limited to a single condition because of the limited data available. We have now measured equilibrium binding and binding kinetics of myosin-S1-ADP to actin at a series of ionic strengths and free Ca 21 concentrations. The parallel pathway model of regulation is consistent with those data. In that model the interaction between adjacent regulatory complexes fully saturated with Ca 21 was destabilized and the inactive state of actin was stabilized at high ionic strength. These changes explain the previously observed change in binding kinetics with increasing ionic strength.
Frequency and Timing of Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus in Comatose Post-Cardiac Arrest Subjects Treated with Hypothermia

Background Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) improves outcomes in comatose patients resuscitated from cardiac arrest. However, nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) may cause persistent coma. The frequency and timing of NCSE after cardiac arrest is unknown.
Greek-Romanian Symbiotic Patterns in the Early Modern Period: History, Mentalities, Institutions - II

The patriarchal decree validating the establishment of the Wallachian archdiocese in 1359; a series of documents pertaining to the early history of the Koutloumousiou monastery on Mount Athos; the surviving redactions of Patriarch Niphon II's lost vita; the proceedings of the interrogation of a Greek priest arrested by the Polish authorities on charges of conspiracy and espionage; and an emphatically digressive section in Matthew of Myra's verse chronicle known as History of Wallachia . This article, of which the first part is presently published, offers a discussion of these textual materials - which span four crucial centuries of Balkan history and represent an intriguing variety of discursive practices and traditions. It aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate mechanisms that generated a climate of toleration, mobility and inter-ethnic contact in the Ottoman Balkans, enabling a symbiotic relationship between Greeks and Romanians, which found its vital space in the semi-autonomous and strategically located Danubian principalities, and endured throughout the early modern period despite having been severely undermined by opposing tendencies and conflicting interests. The two sections at hand focus on the Bishop of Myra's pivotal text, as well as on written records related to the early, and yet formative, contacts between the nascent Romanian states and the late Byzantine Empire; in the two remaining sections, which will appear in the next volume of The Historical Review , this endeavour will be brought to a conclusion by means of a (necessarily selective) presentation of evidence dating from the period after the fall of Constantinople and up to the beginning of the seventeenth century.
The use of GTFR with cone shaped kernel for motion estimation

A method for estimating 2D image sequences using the generalized time-frequency representation (GTFR) is presented. The performance characterization is based on 20000 simulated noisy images. The results show that even with a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 5 db, rectangular objects of at least 4 pixels in length and width can be detected, to within 2.5 pixel location accuracy. The misdetection rate is near zero, and the average false detection rate is 0.06 false objects per frame of 64*64 size in a 5 db SNR environment. With -1 db SNR, objects can be detected within 5 pixel accuracy. The misdetection rate for this case is near zero and the average false detection rate is 1.6 false objects per frame of 64*64 size. The method is also applied to an image sequence obtained from a 747 takeoff scene. The 747 takeoff speed was predicted to be 142 kts, which is well within the typical range of 140 to 150 kts. >
A model for drying of viscoelastic polymer coatings

Drying of polymeric coatings often occurs under conditions where the relaxation time of polymer molecules is significant with respect to the processing time scales. The nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory of Durning and Tabor (1986) is applied to model 1-D drying of viscoelastic solutions with concentration-dependent physical properties. Transport of solvent to the surface of the coating occurs by viscoelastic diffusion down the gradient of a diffusion potential with a relaxing, nonequilibrium contribution. Galerkin's method with finite-element basis functions and a differential/algebraic equation system solver enable efficient solution of this stiff nonlinear model. Predictions show that elasticity enhances diffusion within the coating. At high Deborah numbers, however, a fall in the surface activity slows the rate of desorption. The coating thickness after a specified time under fixed total driving force is the smallest at intermediate Deborah numbers, showing that a small amount of viscoelasticity actually aids in drying. This can be interpreted as a skinning effect.
The lytic switch protein of KSHV activates gene expression via functional interaction with RBP-Jκ (CSL), the target of the Notch signaling pathway

The RTA protein of the Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is responsible for the switch from latency to lytic replication, a reaction essential for viral spread and KS pathogenesis. RTA is a sequence-specific transcriptional activator, but the diversity of its target sites suggests it may act via interaction with host DNA-binding proteins as well. Here we show that KSHV RTA interacts with the RBP-J protein, the primary target of the Notch signaling pathway. This interaction targets RTA to RBP-J recognition sites on DNA and results in the replacement of RBP-J’s intrinsic repressive action with activation mediated by the C-terminal domain of RTA. Mutation of such sites in target promoters strongly impairs RTA responsiveness. Similarly, such target genes are induced poorly or not at all by RTA in fibroblasts derived from RBP-J −/− mice, a defect that can be reversed by expression of RBP-J. In vitro, RTA binds to two adjacent regions of RBP-J, one of which is identical to the central repression domain that binds the Notch effector fragment. These results indicate that KSHV has evolved a ligand-independent mechanism for constitutive activation of the Notch pathway as a part of its strategy for reactivation from latency.
Resting easy with a sleep regulator.

Potassium ion channels in a subset of neurons in the brain of zebrafish may have a role in promoting sleep.
Spatiotemporal changes in CO2 emissions during the second ZERT injection, August–September 2008

This study reports the first field test of a multi-channel, auto-dilution, steady-state, soil–CO2 flux monitoring system being developed to help understand the pathways by which fugitive CO2 from a geologic sequestration site migrates to the surface. The test was conducted from late August through mid-October 2008 at the Zero Emissions Research and Technology project site located in Bozeman, MT. Twenty steady-state and five non-steady-state flux chambers were installed in a 10 × 15 m area, one boundary of which was directly above a shallow (2-m depth) horizontal injection well located 0.5 m below the water table. A total flux of 52 kg CO2 day−1 was injected into the well for 13 days and the efflux from the soil was monitored by the chambers before, during, and for 33 days after the injection. The results showed a rapid increase in soil efflux once injection started, with maximal values reached within 3–7 days in most chambers. Efflux returned to background levels within a similar time period after injection ceased. A radial efflux pattern was observed to at least 2 m from the injection well, and evidence for movement of the CO2 plume during the injection, presumably due to groundwater flow, was seen. The steady-state chambers yielded very stable data, but threefold to fivefold higher fluxes than the non-steady-state chambers. The higher fluxes were attributed to vacuum induced in the steady-state chambers by narrow vent tubes. High winds resulted in significant decreases in measured soil CO2 efflux, presumably by enhancing efflux from soil outside the chambers.
Enhanced real-time optical detection of micron-sized particles in water using standing ultrasonic wave fields

The overall goal of the research was to develop a water quality monitoring system that simultaneously concentrates micron-size particles and bacterial cells in the nodal planes of a standing ultrasonic wave field and monitors the level of contamination using light transmission measurements. Ultrasonic concentration is an attractive method for in-line, continuous sensing since it has no moving parts and is not limited by a physical barrier, e.g. , a filter, which may get plugged over time. The degree of concentration was evaluated over a range of initial particle concentration. Results showed that particle banding occurred within seconds of sonication - allowing for real-time analysis - and the degree of concentration increased with decreasing initial concentration of particles in the suspension. Concentration factors of 5 to 10 were achievable. Results from this study can be used in the design and fabrication of sensitive water quality monitoring systems that would permit real-time water quality analysis.
Medial Collateral Ligament Release Facilitates Exposure in Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty

Incidence of revision total knee arthroplasty is growing. Revision surgery aims at preserving the collateral ligaments to minimize implant constraint and stress on the implant-cement-bone interface. Exposure in the stiff knee can be challenging as a result of loss of soft tissue elasticity and capsular scarring brought on by multiple surgeries. If a quadriceps snip does not provide adequate visualization a quadriceps turndown or a tibial tubercle osteotomy is recommended to improve exposure. Such extensile approaches have various limitations and might risk compromising the extensor mechanism, recovery time, bone fixation, or wound healing. The current case report describes a novel technique to combine a quadriceps snip with cutting the medial collateral ligament to gain exposure. While patients require a hinged implant, the integrity of the extensor mechanism is preserved. This allows for immediate active and passive range of motion and places this approach at an advantage over a quadriceps turndown or tibial tubercle osteotomy.
Evaluation of markers of beige adipocytes in white adipose tissue of the mouse

There is a growing interest in exploiting the induction of beige or “brite” (brown in white) adipocytes (beigeing) to combat obesity and its comorbidities. However, there is some uncertainty regarding the best markers to evaluate the occurrence or magnitude of beigeing in white adipose tissue in the mouse model. We evaluated the transcript expression of several thermoregulatory genes and proposed beige markers employing cell culture, whole white adipose tissue, and the adipocyte and stromal vascular fractions. Most beige markers tested with the exception of TMEM26 can discriminate white from beige adipocytes in culture. Markers FGF21, P2RX5, PAT2, or CAR4 can successfully mark beigeing in whole tissue of younger mice, or in the adipocyte subfraction of older mice. However, markers for the thermoregulatory genes UCP1, CIDEA, and Cox8b displayed the greatest dynamic range and were consistently elevated in vitro, in vivo, and in the adipocyte fraction by treatments that induce beige adipogenesis. While most putative beige markers are clearly expressed in beige adipocytes in vitro, in vivo the small dynamic range of most of these markers, the strength of the beigeing stimulus, and the age of the mice may limit their utility, although this limitation may be overcome by specifically evaluating these markers in the adipocyte fraction. Thermoregulatory markers like UCP1, CIDEA, or Cox8b represent the best options to evaluate the beigeing of white adipose tissue in vivo.
On the Apodictic Proof and Validation of Kant's Revolutionary Hypothesis

The second edition of the Critique of Pure Reason (hereafter, Critique) contains several major and myriad minor emendations. The revision of the mode of presentation is apparent in four sections of the Critique: the Aesthetic; the Doctrine of the Concepts of the Understanding; the Principles of Pure Understanding; and ‘the paralogisms advanced against rational psychology’ (Bxxxviii). A new refutation of psychological idealism begins at B274. Perhaps most importantly, a new Preface frames the Critique.
Attitudes of women in midlife to web-based interventions for promoting physical activity.

We explored the attitudes of women at midlife to web-based interventions for promoting physical activity. 145 women volunteered to participate in one of four online forums. The forums were for four...
Perching behavior and coloration in temperate and tropical Sarcophagidae (Díptera)

Los Sarcophagiade nearticos a menudo se posan en troncos erectos o caidos cubiertos con liquenes. sobre los cuales tienen una coloracion criptica. Los sarcofagidos de Costa Rica sin embargo. aunque tienen el mismo patron de color basico, casi nunca se posan en troncos. Sin embargo, Blaesoxipha plinthopyga (Widermann) s e posa en troncos en areas u rbanas de! pais. Evidentemen te es un i nmigrante de los desiertos u bicados en el suroeste de los Estados Undiso, pero solo ha logrado establecerse en areas urbanas donde las lagartijas son escasas. Los azules y verdes metalicos de los saroofagidos nootropic?les son aparefltemente el resuhado evolutivo de la depredacion por parte de lagartijas. Se sugiere que las lagartijas han expulsad.os a los sarcofagidos de los troncos, a veces al follaje verde donde sufrieron seleccion hada el color verde o azul, en convergencia con los Calliphoridae.
Control of serotonin transporter phosphorylation by conformational state.

Serotonin transporter (SERT) is responsible for reuptake and recycling of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) after its exocytotic release during neurotransmission. Mutations in human SERT are associated with psychiatric disorders and autism. Some of these mutations affect the regulation of SERT activity by cGMP-dependent phosphorylation. Here we provide direct evidence that this phosphorylation occurs at Thr276, predicted to lie near the cytoplasmic end of transmembrane helix 5 (TM5). Using membranes from HeLa cells expressing SERT and intact rat basophilic leukemia cells, we show that agents such as Na + and cocaine that stabilize outward-open conformations of SERT decreased phosphorylation and agents that stabilize inward-open conformations (e.g., 5-HT, ibogaine) increased phosphorylation. The opposing effects of the inhibitors cocaine and ibogaine were each reversed by an excess of the other inhibitor. Inhibition of phosphorylation by Na + and stimulation by ibogaine occurred at concentrations that induced outward opening and inward opening, respectively, as measured by the accessibility of cysteine residues in the extracellular and cytoplasmic permeation pathways, respectively. The results are consistent with a mechanism of SERT regulation that is activated by the transport of 5-HT, which increases the level of inward-open SERT and may lead to unwinding of the TM5 helix to allow phosphorylation.
The Nature and Structure of Feasible Sets

An engineering perspective is inherently incomplete when applied to science. However, as per the words of Galileo Galilei at the beginning of this book, science is also not complete without a mathematical foundation. Our large community applied this mathematics-based perspective for decades to understand motor control. This has resulted in a large, informative, useful, and fruitful body of work. I now comment briefly on how the neuromechanical framework of this book applies to some current tenets, theories, and debates in motor control. In particular, if we agree that the mechanical principles outlined in this book are relevant to the structure of vertebrate limbs, then the nature and structure of the feasible sets they allow are relevant to their neural control. In this chapter I present brief descriptions of how our community has approached understanding the nature and structure of the high-dimensional feasible activation sets.
Task-dirven Advanced Language Programming Course Teaching

In this paper, we discuss the defects of traditional advanced language programming teaching. In addition , we bring forward a task-driven advanced language programming course teaching method, take C language as an example, discuss the new method's feasibility, advantage agaist the traditional one and the implement. At last we discuss the difficulties should be resolved to apply this new teaching method.
Refractive Index Reconstruction in Confocal Holographic Scanning Microscopy

Confocal holographic scanning microscopy combines quantitative digital holography with confocal laser scanning microscopy. Here we present the procedure for the reconstruction of the local sample refractive index in the confocal holographic scanning microscope.
Explanation-based acquisition of planning operators

Classical planning algorithms require that their operators be simple in order for planning to be tractable. However, the complexities of real world domains suggest that, in order to be accurate, planning operators must be complex. We demonstrate how, by taking advantage of background knowledge and the distribution of planning problems encountered, it is possible to automatically construct planning operators that are both reliable and succinct. The acquired operator is an encapsulated control loop that is specialized to best fit observed world behavior. Succinctness is achieved by publishing to the planner only those conditions required to succeed over the estimated distribution of problems. We demonstrate the acquisition of a context-appropriate "take-off" operator that can successfully control a complex flight simulator.
Effects of non-instantaneous nonlinear absorption in hydrogenated amorphous silicon

We observed nanosecond-duration absorption transients in several hydrogenated amorphous silicon waveguides using picosecond pump-probe measurements. We posit this effect is due to mid-gap defect absorption and describe implications for integrated nonlinear optics.
Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Myeloma: Does the Melphalan Dose Matter?.

The dose of melphalan affects the outcome of autotransplantation in myeloma significantly. Regimens not containing melphalan or doses of melphalan lower than 200 mg/m 2 have been shown to result in inferior disease-free (DFS) and overall (OS) survival (Mehta J, Singhal S. High-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in myeloma patients under the age of 65 years. Bone Marrow Transplantation advance online publication, 6 August 2007; doi:10.1038/sj.bmt.1705799). However, whether the melphalan dose affects the outcome of allogeneic HSCT is unknown. The outcome of 30 patients undergoing submyeloablative allogeneic HSCT after 100 mg/m 2 (n=24) or 140 mg/m 2 (n=6) melphalan was studied to determine the effect of melphalan dose-intensity. The higher melphalan dose was combined with 150 mg/m 2 fludarabine. As the figures below show, DFS and OS appeared to be better after the higher dose of melphalan on unadjusted analysis. The following variables were studied for their effect on OS: patient age, donor age, chemorefractoriness, HLA mismatch, melphalan dose, performance status, and LDH level. The factors found to be significant in univariate analysis - donor age, performance status, LDH, and chemorefractoriness - were entered into a Cox model. The dose of melphalan was forced into the final model. The table below shows the factors found to significantly affect relapse, DFS and OS in multivariate analysis. No factor was found to affect transplant-related mortality significantly. The melphalan dose did not affect relapse (P=0.37), DFS (P=0.16) or OS (P=0.12) significantly. These data suggest that 100 mg/m 2 and 140 mg/m 2 melphalan doses appear to result in comparable outcomes after allogeneic HSCT in myeloma. This is probably because the immunologic graft-versus-myeloma effect compensates for the reduced anti-myeloma efficacy of the lower melphalan dose. Whether higher melphalan doses, used successfully as pre-allograft conditioning for hematologic malignancies (Singhal S, Powles R, Treleaven J, Horton C, Mehta J. Melphalan alone prior to allogeneic bone marrow transplantation from HLA-identical sibling donors for hematologic malignancies: alloengraftment with potential preservation of fertility. Bone Marrow Transplant1996; 18:1049–1055), confer any benefit for myeloma allografts remains to be seen.
Identifying Professional Values in Nursing: An Integrative Review

Abstract No clear standard of reference has existed to evaluate student competency in relation to professional values. Analysis of literature between 2008 and 2016 revealed organizational policy publications documenting and research reports evaluating and documenting a variety of professional values. Altruistic professional values were consistently evident in organizational policy and research publications. However, limited empirical evidence existed in relation to the values of quality improvement, social justice, personal authority, and self-care.
Simultaneous Generation of Sensitivity Functions using only One Sensitivity Model

Abstract Sensitivity functions are used in many model parameter identification methods and adaptive control algorithms. Since one sensitivity model has to be used for each parameter, the computation requirement is large when many parameters have to be identified or adapted. This paper proposes a method to reduce the computation requirement by using one sensitivity model suitable for the generation of sensitivity functions for all parameters. Instead of using modal transformations and eigenvector sensitivities as previously proposed, this paper uses an input-output transfer function approach. Several sufficient conditions in terms of controllability are given for the implementation of the method.
Mechanism of MDCK II cell polarization during the cell division: A computational study

Abstract Some epithelial cells form a monolayer and individual cell in the monolayer is polarized with respect to the membrane protein location and the intracellular structure. It is observed that mitosis and cytokinesis occur in parallel to the monolayer plane so that the monolayer structure is maintained. The centrosome locations of non-mitotic cells, however, are not necessarily positioned to lead the parallel cell division. Therefore, there must be mechanisms by which centrosomes get relocated, for example in MDCK II cells, from the apical domain to lateral domain to have a proper mitosis and moved back to the apical domain after the cytokinesis. The mechanisms, however, remain poorly understood, especially the mechanical part. A computational model is constructed for centriolic microtubule asters which are driven by localized molecular motors on the cortical layer. This model shows that the interaction between the cortical bound molecular motors and microtubules can lead the two-way relocation of the centrosome. The model also shows that the microtubule dynamic instability plays an important role in initiating the relocation, the tight junction is a key element in positioning the centrosome, and the swelling nucleus can accelerate the movement of centrosome to the lateral side.
Surgical Principles in the Gravid Female

Surgical intervention in the gravid female does not appreciably result in adverse outcome for the mother or the fetus. Risks may be increased, however, if complications arise. For example, peritonitis from a perforated appendix produces significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, despite appropriate anesthesia and surgical intervention. Nonetheless, gravid women do not seem to have significant untoward complications when compared with non-gravid women undergoing similar procedures (Silvestri et al. Obstet Gynecol 118:1261, 2011).
Current and future directions of clinical trials for ovarian cancer.

BackgroundThe management of ovarian cancer includes a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. The majority of clinical trials have historically addressed questions pertaining to the selection, dos...