cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An injectable sulfonated reversible thermal gel for therapeutic angiogenesis to protect cardiac function after a myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular disease and myocardial infarction are associated with high mortality and morbidity and a more effective treatment remains a major clinical need. The intramyocardial injection of biomaterials has been investigated as a potential treatment for heart failure by providing mechanical support to the myocardium and reducing stress on cardiomyocytes. Another treatment approach that has been explored is therapeutic angiogenesis that requires careful spatiotemporal control of angiogenic drug delivery. An injectable sulfonated reversible thermal gel composed of a polyurea conjugated with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and sulfonate groups has been developed for intramyocardial injection with angiogenic factors for the protection of cardiac function after a myocardial infarction. The thermal gel allowed for the sustained, localized release of VEGF in vivo with intramyocardial injection after two weeks. A myocardial infarction reperfusion injury model was used to evaluate therapeutic benefits to cardiac function and vascularization. Echocardiography presented improved cardiac function, infarct size and ventricular wall thinning were reduced, and immunohistochemistry showed improved vascularization with thermal gel injections. The thermal gel alone showed cardioprotective and vascularization properties, and slightly improved further with the additional delivery of VEGF. An inflammatory response evaluation demonstrated the infiltration of macrophages due to the myocardial infarction was more significant compared to the foreign body inflammatory response to the thermal gel. Detecting DNA fragments of apoptotic cells also demonstrated potential anti-apoptotic effects of the thermal gel. The intramyocardial injection of the sulfonated reversible thermal gel has cardioprotective and vascularization properties for the treatment of myocardial infarction.
Comparison of external apical root resorption with clear aligners and pre-adjusted edgewise appliances in non-extraction cases: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the amount of external apical root resorption (EARR) observed during the orthodontic treatment with pre-adjusted edgewise appliance (PEA) or clear aligner therapy (CAT) and with 2D or 3D radiographic methods of measuring the root resorption. SEARCH STRATEGY AND SELECTION CRITERIA A search of PubMed MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, Web of Science, Dissertations & Theses Global, ClinicalTrials.gov registry, and the ISRCTN Registry was performed. Studies that have evaluated the amount of root resorption in non-extraction cases using CAT or PEA were selected for the systematic review. A meta-analysis was performed for the amount of root resorption of permanent maxillary incisors using PEA or CAT treatment modalities by either 2D or cone-beam computed tomography radiographic examination. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Database research, elimination of duplicate studies, data extraction, and risk of bias were performed by authors independently and in duplication. A random-effect meta-analysis followed by subgroup comparisons were performed to evaluate EARR. RESULTS A total of 16 studies (4 were prospective and 12 were retrospective) were identified for inclusion in the systematic review. The mean root resorption for the permanent maxillary incisors was in the range from 0.25 to 1.13 mm (overall: 0.49 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.24 to 0.75 mm). The mean root resorption difference between CAT and PEA was statistically significant (P < 0.05) for 12 but not for 21, 11, or 22. LIMITATIONS One of the drawbacks is a lack of good quality prospective studies, specifically randomized clinical trials in the literature. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Neither PEA or CAT technique leads to clinically significant root resorption (1 mm) of the maxillary incisors. The amount of EARR of maxillary incisors is not significant in comparing two treatment modalities (PEA and CAT), except for 12, where the PEA group has significantly more EARR when compared to CAT. REGISTRATION The protocol for this systematic review was based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions 5.1.0 and was registered at PROSPERO database (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42018113051). This systematic review is reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement.
Chapter 25 – Routing

Publisher Summary Routing is a powerful tool for any network. It is a fundamental part of any IP (Internet Protocol)-based infrastructure. Every device on an IP-based network uses routes to determine the next hop or location it needs to access the desired host. In many cases, firewalls are just glorified routers. They provide firewall features, but are still a core routing component in many organizations' networks. Routers themselves are usually capable of providing a stateful firewall. NetScreen firewalls can provide the capability to split a normal single routing table into multiple virtual routers. A virtual router is a logical router that can perform all of the tasks a normal routing engine can do. It can contain all of the static routes including the default route. Virtual routers are also capable of supporting dynamic routing protocols. This chapter presents an overview of routing on a NetScreen firewall. NetScreen firewalls have a very unique implementation of routing with the use of virtual routers. A virtual router is capable of splitting the routing domain into multiple virtual domains that allows one to securely use routing protocols in the network. Because a typical firewall only contains one routing table, it may be possible to send poisoned or illegitimate routes into your firewall possible creating outages. There are three routing protocols that can be used with a NetScreen firewall. The first protocol, Routing Information Protocol (RIP), is an older protocol, but it is the most commonly supported protocol. Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) is an extremely robust protocol. OSPF is an open standard protocol and is used by many organizations for their internal networks. Last is Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) that is used to run the routing architecture of the Internet. It is often the most misunderstood protocol due to its complexity.
Defects and grain boundary effects in MoS2: A molecular dynamics study

Abstract Mechanical properties of low-temperature large area chemical vapor deposited (CVD) transition metal dichalcogenides such as MoS2 are a function of crystallinity, which tends to deteriorate with the presence of grain boundaries (GBs) and defects. In this study, we report mechanical properties of polycrystalline as well as single crystal MoS2 containing defects and dopant atoms. To investigate mechanical properties we adopted computational approach using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Our calculated mechanical properties such as tensile strength, Young's modulus of single-crystal MoS2 are in good agreement with the existing literature and alter with the appearance of GBs and defects. Polycrystalline MoS2 samples exhibit GB strengthening i.e., Hall-Petch effects. A detailed investigation of a specific type of GB tilted sample also shows GBs insensitive fracture behavior. A small amount of sulfur vacancy and oxygen doping (
Prenatal environmental exposures and associations with teen births.

Children’s prenatal exposure to multiple environmental chemicals may contribute to subsequent deficits in impulse control, predisposing them to risk-taking. Our goal was to investigate associations between prenatal exposure mixtures and risk of teen birth, a manifestation of high-risk sexual activity, among 5865 girls (1st generation) born in southeast Massachusetts from 1992–1998. Exposures included prenatal modeled polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), ρ,ρ′-dichlorodiphenyl dichloroethylene (DDE), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg). We fit adjusted generalized additive models with multivariable smooths of exposure mixtures, 1st generation infant’s birth year, and maternal age at 1st generation birth. Predicted odds ratios (ORs) for teen birth were mapped as a function of joint exposures. We also conducted sensitivity analyses among 1st generation girls with measured exposure biomarkers (n = 371). The highest teen birth risk was associated with a mixture of high prenatal HCB, Hg, Pb, and PCB, but low DDE exposure, with similar associations in sensitivity analyses. The highest OR predicted for girls born in 1995 to mothers of median age (26 years) was at the 95th percentile of the HCB and PCB exposure distributions (OR = 3.09; 95% confidence interval: 0.29, 32.4). Additionally, girls born earlier in the study period or to teen mothers were at increased risk of teen birth. Prenatal environmental chemical exposures and sociodemographic characteristics may interact to substantially increase risk of teen births.
Characters of tangent spaces at torus fixed points and 3d-mirror symmetry

Let X be a Nakajima quiver variety and $$X'$$ its 3d-mirror. We consider the action of the Picard torus $${\mathsf {K}}=\mathrm {Pic}(X)\otimes {\mathbb {C}}^{\times }$$ on $$X'$$ . Assuming that $$(X')^{{\mathsf {K}}}$$ is finite, we propose a procedure for obtaining the $${\mathsf {K}}$$ -character of the tangent spaces at the fixed points in terms of certain enumerative invariants of X known as vertex functions.
A 148-GHz Radiator Using a Coupled Loop Oscillator With a Quad-Feed Antenna in 22-nm FD-SOI

This article presents a 148-GHz coupled loop fundamental oscillator with a quad-feed octagonal slot antenna. The proposed loop configuration with a multi-feed antenna leads to each oscillator experiencing multiple injected signals. An analysis is performed to explain the dynamics of the coupled loop oscillator in the presence of multiple signal-injection paths. It is shown that the proposed oscillator configuration will only operate with $- \pi /2$ phase between the adjacent oscillators. This phase difference is necessary for the quad-feed antenna to combine and radiate the output power from the four single-ended oscillators in the loop. The output from each oscillator is ac coupled to the following oscillator stage using a phase compensating capacitor, whose value is selected to enhance the oscillation frequency of the coupled loop. The use of buffer stages is avoided in favor of a passive power feed network for extraction of the output power from each oscillator. The proposed oscillator is fabricated in a 22-nm FDSOI process and has a 0.5-mm2 chip area. The measured peak effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) of the oscillator is 9.7 dBm with a corresponding dc-EIRP efficiency of 34.3% when operating from a 0.8-V supply. To the authors’ knowledge, this dc-EIRP efficiency is the highest among reported oscillators to date operating between 100 and 200 GHz.
Disrupted macrophage metabolic reprogramming in aged soleus muscle during early recovery following disuse atrophy

Aged skeletal muscle is characterized by poor muscle recovery following disuse coinciding with an impaired muscle pro-inflammatory macrophage response. Macrophage inflammatory status is regulated by its metabolic state, but little is understood of macrophage metabolism and its relation to macrophage inflammation in the context of muscle recovery and aging. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to thoroughly characterize macrophage metabolism and inflammation in aged muscle during early recovery following disuse atrophy using single cell transcriptomics and functional assays. Young (4-5 months) and old (20-22 months) male C57BL/6 mice underwent 14 days of hindlimb unloading followed by 4 days of ambulatory recovery. CD45+ cells were isolated from solei muscles and analyzed using 10x Genomics single cell RNA sequencing. We found that aged pro-inflammatory macrophage clusters were characterized with an impaired inflammatory and glycolytic transcriptome, and this dysregulation was accompanied by a suppression of HIF-1α and its immediate downstream target, Glut1. As a follow-up, bone marrow-derived macrophages were isolated from a separate cohort of young and old mice at 4-d recovery and were polarized to a pro-inflammatory phenotype and used for glycolysis stress test, phagocytosis activity assay, and targeted GC-MS metabolomics. Aged bone marrow-derived pro-inflammatory macrophages were characterized with impaired glycolysis and phagocytosis function, decreased succinate and an accumulation of glycolytic metabolic intermediates overall supporting reduced glycolytic flux and macrophage function. Our results indicate that the metabolic reprograming and function of aged skeletal muscle pro-inflammatory macrophages are dysfunctional during early recovery from disuse atrophy possibly attributing to attenuated regrowth.
Inhibition of acid sphingomyelinase by imipramine abolishes the synergy between metabolic syndrome and periodontitis on alveolar bone loss.

Background and objective Clinical studies have shown that metabolic syndrome (MetS) exacerbates periodontitis. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Since our animal study has shown that high-fat diet-induced MetS exacerbates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated periodontitis in mouse model and our in vitro study showed that acid sphingomyelinase (aSMase) plays a key role in the amplification of LPS-triggered pro-inflammatory response by palmitic acid (PA) in macrophages, we tested our hypothesis that inhibitor of aSMase attenuates MetS-exacerbated periodontitis in animal model. Furthermore, to explore the potential underlying mechanisms, we tested our hypothesis that aSMase inhibitor downregulates pro-inflammatory and pro-osteoclastogenic gene expression in macrophages in vitro. Material and methods We induced MetS and periodontitis in C57BL/6 mice by feeding high-fat diet (HFD) and periodontal injection of A. actinomycetemcomitans LPS, respectively, and treated mice with imipramine, a well-established inhibitor of aSMase. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, histological and pathological evaluations as well as cell cultures were performed to evaluate alveolar bone loss, osteoclast formation, periodontal inflammation and pro-inflammatory gene expression. Results Analysis of metabolic parameter showed that while HFD induced MetS by increasing bodyweight, insulin resistance, cholesterol and free fatty acids, imipramine reduced free fatty acids but had no significant effects on other metabolic parameters. MicroCT showed that either MetS or periodontitis significantly reduced bone volume fraction (BVF) of maxilla and the combination of MetS and periodontitis further reduced BVF. However, imipramine increased BVF in mice with both MetS and periodontitis to a level similar to that in mice with periodontitis alone, suggesting that imipramine abolished the synergy between MetS and periodontitis on alveolar bone loss. Consistently, results showed that imipramine inhibited osteoclast formation and periodontal inflammation in mice with both MetS and periodontitis. To elucidate the mechanisms by which imipramine attenuates MetS-exacerbated periodontitis, we showed that imipramine inhibited the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and transcription factor c-FOS as well as ceramide production by LPS plus PA in macrophages. Conclusion This study has shown that imipramine as an inhibitor of aSMase abolishes the synergy between MetS and periodontitis on alveolar bone loss in animal model and inhibits pro-inflammatory and pro-osteoclastogenic gene expression in macrophages in vitro. This study provides the first evidence that aSMase is a potential therapeutic target for MetS-exacerbated periodontitis.
The habits of roots: what's up down under?

Defining interactions of roots with the surrounding soil environment has been the focus of many recent investigations. As a result of these efforts, we are gaining an appreciation of the varied and often surprising strategies whereby roots adjust to and condition their soil environment for optimal growth and development. This article summarizes current knowledge of the often complex interactions between roots and biotic and abiotic factors within the soil. These interactions are interpreted in terms of modifications in the development or the physiology of the root.
Recommendations for Culturally Competent End-of-Life Care.

A psychology professor stresses the importance of cultural competence and cultural sensitivity physicians in meeting the end-of-life care needs of an increasingly diverse patient population. Virtual Mentor is a monthly bioethics journal published by the American Medical Association.
Effects of Rapid Weight Reduction and Subsequent Rehydration upon the Physical Working Capacity of Wrestlers

Abstract The physical working capacity (PWC-170) of eight wrestlers was measured under three conditions: (a) in the normal state, (b) after a 5% weight loss within 48 hours, and (c) after 5 hours of voluntary rehydration. Measurement of the PWC-170 was repeated the following week. A significant reduction in working capacity occurred after dehydration (P < .05). After 5 hours of rehydration the working capacity had returned to the normal level. A learning effect was possible since the PWC-170 in all conditions was substantially higher the second week.
Analyzing the Cost-Effectiveness of Using Return Receipt and Address Corrections in Mail Surveys

Mail surveys remain an effective and popular mode of data collection, given the relatively low and decreasing response rates of Web surveys (Sheehan 2001) and the unreliability of e-mail addresses as compared to physical addresses (Crawford et al. 2002; Shannon and Bradshow 2002). This article addresses the implications of using return receipts/address updates to reduce the costs of self-administered mail surveys at Penn State Harrisburg (PSH). We build upon Dillman’s (1991, 2000) widely-used approach of multiple contact surveys to demonstrate the cost-effectiveness and improvement in completion rates using return receipts. We found that having valid addresses has the potential of reducing costs associated with a mail survey (e.g. copy costs, postage, etc.). However, in determining the efficacy of the return receipt method a priori, two features of the survey must be considered: (1) the relative cost between the return receipt and the additional mailings, and (2) the ratio between usable (deliverable) and nonusable (un-deliverable) addresses (see appendix for a model that demonstrates the utility of return receipts). If the ratio of bad-to-good addresses is higher than the cost of the return receipt relative to the cost of additional mailings, then return receipts are cost-effective.
Induction of neutralizing antibodies by the coxsackievirus B3 virion polypeptide, VP2

Abstract An immunogenic analysis of isolated substructures of coxsackievirus B3 virions revealed that the virion polypeptide, VP2, was the immunogen which induced neutralizing antibodies. The other substructure examined, VP1,3, elicited high antibody titers detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), but no detectable neutralizing antibodies. Electron micrographs of the viral substructures provided evidence for ring-like structures of VP1,3 which probably serve as the basic structural matrix of coxsackievirus B3 virions. Antiserum to VP2 was shown to be monospecific by immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE analysis. This antiserum also precipitated native virions, indicating that VP2 is on the surface of virions. This location of VP2 is consistent with its function as immunogen and antigen in the neutralization reaction as discussed.
Enhanced biocontrol activity of Trichoderma virens transformants constitutively coexpressing β‐1,3‐ and β‐1,6‐glucanase genes

SUMMARY Evidence for the role of chitinases, proteases and beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-glucanases in mycoparasitism by Trichoderma species has been well documented. Moreover, constitutive over-expression of genes encoding individual cell-wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) has been shown to improve the potential of biological agents. In this study, we generated transformants of T. virens in which beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-glucanase genes, TvBgn2 and TvBgn3, respectively, were constitutively coexpressed in the same genetic T. virens Gv29.8 wild-type background. The double over-expression transformants (dOEs) grow and sporulate slower than the wild-type (WT). However, the reduction in growth did not seem to affect their mycoparasitic and biocontrol capabilities, as dOEs displayed much higher levels of total beta-1,3- and beta-1,6-glucanase activity than the WT. This higher enzymatic activity of dOEs positively correlated with observed in vitro inhibition of Pythium ultimum and Rhizoctonia solani mycelia, and with enhanced bioprotection of cotton seedlings against P. ultimum, R. solani and Rhizopus oryzae. Besides effective biocontrol of all pathogens at an original inoculum level, the performance of dOEs was highly enhanced (up to 312% of WT performance) when pathogen pressure was greater (i.e. concentration of inoculum was higher or pathogens applied in combination). These results demonstrate that the strategy of introducing multiple lytic enzyme-encoding genes through transformation of a given biocontrol strain can be successfully used to achieve better biocontrol.
Family interactions among African Americans diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of family and friends on the management of persons with diabetes and their willingness to be involved in a culturally tailored program.Methods This qualitative study was based within a larger quasi-experimental study that focused on the impact of a culturally tailored group intervention compared with individual standard diabetes education on the outcomes of self-management and glycemic control among rural African Americans with type 2 diabetes. Twenty-one participants were randomly assigned to an individual education group or a culturally tailored intervention group. Family members/ peers (n = 6) attended invited group sessions to obtain information about diabetes and family/peer support. The facilitator of the invited group sessions used a guide to help with group discussions. The investigators used an iterative approach to enhance the examination of the responses from the discussion guide, thus identifying recurring themes within the participan...
Experiments using a 25-kw hollow cathode lithium vapor MPD arcjet

The performance is reported of a 25-kw, lithium fueled, applied field MPD arcjet which incorporates a unique feed system with an "open-ended heat-pipe" vaporizer and a hollow cathode. The arc typically operates at currents of 250-500 amp, voltages of 40-60 v, magnetic field strengths between 500 and 3000 gauss, and produces a highly ionized lithium beam which transports 70% of the input electrical power to the beam stop. The ambient tank pressures range as low as 2 X 10 ~" torr. A comparison of hollow cathode and conventional MPD arc performance is made and it is concluded that the hollow cathode arc is superior to the conventional design. Diagnostic experiments performed in the exhaust plume include the determination of axial ion and atom velocities by measurements of Doppler shifts with a scanning Fabry-Perot interferometer and of ion energies by use of electrostatic energy analyzers; the determination of ion temperatures by comparison of experimental and calculated spectral line profiles; the determination of electron temperatures and densities with electrostatic probes; and the determination of current densities by Rogowski loops. These measurements indicate that at a station 25 cm downstream of the arc head the directed ion velocity exceeds 2 X 10 cm/sec. At a station 90 cm downstream the plasma typically has an electron temperature of about 2.3 ev, a density of approximately 1.5 X 10 cm~, and under certain operating conditions more than 40% of the arc current extends 90-cm downstream of the arc head. The efficiency of a process that converts input electrical power into kinetic energy is discussed in terms of a model which sets the plasma into rotation with subsequent expansion in a magnetic field.
A low power system with adaptive data compression for wireless monitoring of physiological signals and its application to wireless electroencephalography

Remote wireless monitoring of physiological signals has emerged as a key enabler for biotelemetry and can significantly improve the delivery of healthcare. Improving the energy-efficiency and battery-lifetime of the monitoring units without sacrificing the acquired signal quality is a key challenge in large-scale deployment of bio-electronic systems for remote wireless monitoring. In this paper, we present a design methodology for low power wireless monitoring of Electroencephalography (EEG) data. The proposed design performs a real-time accuracy energy trade-off by controlling the volume of transmitted data based on the information content in the EEG signal. We consider the effect of different system parameters in order to design an optimal system. Our analysis shows that the proposed system design approach can provide significant savings in transmitter power with minimal impact on the monitored EEG signal accuracy. We analyze the impact of noise of the wireless channel and show that an adaptive compression system has better performance for BER ≪ 10−4.
Covering the Three Missouri Michaels

Steven W. Thrasher on the three men who brought him to Missouri and how their stories converged.
Slip initiation on frictional fractures

Abstract Direct shear tests and biaxial compression tests are conducted to investigate the onset of slip along a non-homogeneous frictional surface and to determine the effect of specimen thickness and confining stress on slip initiation and propagation. The specimens are made of two and three acrylic blocks with the contact surfaces between blocks having on their upper half a frictional strength smaller than on their lower half. This creates a “weak” surface on the upper half and a “strong” surface on the lower half. The specimens are then loaded in direct shear or biaxial compression with confining pressures ranging from 0.7 to 3.5 MPa. The onset of slip, slip propagation, and the stress field generated at the front and center of the blocks interfaces are monitored using a photoelastic technique where a thin photoelastic film is placed at the location where observations are made. The onset of slip at the weak–strong zone interface is treated as propagation of a frictional crack under Mode II loading. The critical stress intensity factor, K IIC , at the onset of slip is obtained from photoelastic techniques. The results show a weak dependency of K IIC on the normal stress applied and no influence of the specimen size for specimens thicker than 25.4 mm; for thinner specimens the K IIC values are smaller because the boundaries of the specimen prevent the full development of the stress field ahead of the crack tip. The experiments show a linear increase of the critical energy release rate with normal stress which is explained with linear elastic fracture mechanics theories.
Solution of a boundary value problem for the Helmholtz equation via variation of the boundary into the complex domain

In this paper we deal with the problem of diffraction of electromagnetic waves by a periodic interface between two materials. This corresponds to a two-dimensional quasi-periodic boundary value problem for the Helmholtz equation. We prove that solutions behave analytically with respect to variations of the interface. The interest of this result is both theoretical – the legitimacy of power series expansions in the parameters of the problem has indeed been questioned – and, perhaps more importantly, practical: we have found that the solution can be computed on the basis of this observation. The simple algorithm that results from such boundary variations is described. To establish the property of analyticity of the solution for the grating with respect to the height δ, we present a holomorphic formulation of the problem using surface potentials. We show that the densities entering into the potential theoretic formulation are analytic with respect to variations of the boundary, or, in other words, that the integral operator that results from the transmission conditions at the interface is invertible in a space of holomorphic functions of the variables ( x , y , δ). This permits us to conclude, in particular, that the partial derivatives of u with respect to δ at δ = 0 satisfy certain boundary value problems for the Helmholtz equation, in regions with plane boundaries, which can be solved in a closed form.
De novo fatty acid synthesis at the mitotic exit is required to complete cellular division

Although the regulation of the cell cycle has been extensively studied, much less is known about its coordination with the cellular metabolism. Using mass spectrometry we found that lysophospholipid levels decreased drastically from G 2/M to G 1 phase, while de novo phosphatidylcholine synthesis, the main phospholipid in mammalian cells, increased, suggesting that enhanced membrane production was concomitant to a decrease in its turnover. In addition, fatty acid synthesis and incorporation into membranes was increased upon cell division. The rate-limiting reaction for de novo fatty acid synthesis is catalyzed by acetyl-CoA carboxylase. As expected, its inhibiting phosphorylation decreased prior to cytokinesis initiation. Importantly, the inhibition of fatty acid synthesis arrested the cells at G 2/M despite the presence of abundant fatty acids in the media. Our results suggest that de novo lipogenesis is essential for cell cycle completion. This "lipogenic checkpoint" at G 2/M may be therapeutically exploited for hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer.
Chlamydophila pneumoniae Induces ICAM-1 Expression in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells via Protein Kinase C–Dependent Activation of Nuclear Factor-κB

Chlamydophila pneumoniae has an epidemiological link with atherosclerosis and acute cardiovascular events. One mechanism that may explain such a link is the increased expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in C pneumoniae-infected endothelial cells. Upregulation of ICAM-1 by C pneumoniae is well recognized and has been extensively studied, but the signaling pathways involved are not yet defined. Because upregulation of ICAM-1 by cytokines and other stimuli has been shown to be mediated by either mitogen-activated protein kinase, protein kinase C (PKC), or nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) pathways, we examined whether these pathways were involved in the ICAM-1 upregulation induced by C pneumoniae. Our data show a time-dependent phosphorylation of p44/p42 and SAPK/JNK pathways in C pneumoniae-infected cells. However, inhibition of the classic mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway using the PD98059 and U0126 inhibitors and inhibition of SAPK/JNK pathway did not suppress C pneumoniae-induced ICAM-1 expression. C pneumoniae also activates the NF-kappaB pathway at 30 minutes after infection. Treatment of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) with the NF-kappaB inhibitors BAY117085 and caffeic acid phenethyl ester led to a concentration-dependent inhibition of C pneumoniae-induced ICAM-1 upregulation. Finally, C pneumoniae-infected HAECs show membrane translocation of total PKC 30 minutes after cell infection. Calphostin C, a general PKC inhibitor, blocked both C pneumoniae-induced ICAM-1 expression and C pneumoniae-induced NF-kappaB translocation. In conclusion, we demonstrated that C pneumoniae-induced ICAM-1 expression in HAECs requires NF-kappaB and PKC activation and that NF-kappaB activation is PKC dependent.
Wavelengths and isotope shifts for lines of astrophysical interest in the spectrum of doubly ionized mercury (Hg III).

Wavelengths and isotope shifts have been measured for the 1738.4-, 1738.5-, 1740.2-, and 2354.2-\AA{} lines of Hg iii with an uncertainty of 0.002 \AA{}. The lines were excited in a pulsed radio-frequency discharge and observed with a 10.7-m normal-incidence vacuum spectrograph. Observations were made with lamps containing natural Hg, $^{198}\mathrm{Hg}$, and $^{204}\mathrm{Hg}$. By using well-established relative isotope shifts, wavelengths of these four lines for $^{196}\mathrm{Hg}$, $^{200}\mathrm{Hg}$, $^{202}\mathrm{Hg}$, and the centers of gravity for $^{199}\mathrm{Hg}$ and $^{201}\mathrm{Hg}$ were also determined. The results provide important data for determining elemental and isotopic abundances of Hg from spectra of Hg-rich chemically peculiar stars.
The effect of ion excitation on the formation of metastable states of D316O and D2F in fast charge transfer reactions

Abstract Experimental conditions are described for optimizing the formation of metastable states of D 3 16 O and D 2 F in fast electron transfer reactions of their positively charged ions with sodium atoms. Changes in the ratio of metastable/dissociative states of these radicals were monitored for ion beams generated by chemical ionization of mixtures of D 2 O or DF in N 2 , Ar, CD 4 , and D 2 . Ions from N 2 reagent gas mixtures were most efficiently converted to metastables which increased in abundance sharply as the source pressure was increased. The results show that metastables are formed only from ion distributions with low internal energies. Attempts to stabilize D 3 18 O were unsuccessful but the hydrate cluster, D 5 18 O 2 , was detected as a metastable. We explore the possibility that these radicals may be examples of vibrationally bound molecules.
Detecting Differentially Co-expressed Genes for Drug Target Analysis☆

Abstract Many novel therapeutics originally aimed at a specific protein have in fact complex target profiles and interact promiscuously with many other proteins and pathways. Discovering new molecular targets and related pharmacodynamic effectors for existing drugs can help us understand mechanisms behind drug resistance, discover potential side effects, and point to target for new drugs. Often, the study of novel targets and receptors starts with building up diverse panel of drug sensitive and resistant cell lines, which is then profiled using high-throughput method such as gene expression microarrays or proteomic arrays. Analysis of profiling data requires statistical methods that move beyond univariate tests of differential expression between sensitive and resistant cell lines. Here, we propose a new approach for analysing differential co-expression, which allows for detecting changes of co-expression pattern in gene pairs, bringing spotlight on the differences in complex dynamic relationships and regulation mechanisms between genes in sensitive and resistant phenotypes. In contrast to existing methods, the proposed approach can deal with confounding factors such as tissue heterogeneity of the cell line panels that leads to presence of clusters and outliers, and together with relatively small number of samples can result in many false discoveries. We applied our method to study differences of gene co-expression patterns between cell lines sensitive and resistant to dasatinib, a novel targeted anticancer drug, and we discovered a closely-linked network of differentially co-expressed genes related to molecular effects of the drug.
When the survey question directs retrieval: Implications for assessing the cognitive and affective predictors of global evaluation

Research suggests that individuals do not respond to survey questions on the basis of a single, fixed set of psychological considerations. To the contrary, they respond on the basis of whatever material happens to come to mind at the moment of answering. Furthermore, the particular material that comes to mind often depends upon the nature of the question and the manner in which it is posed. This has important implications when attempting to assess the independence of beliefs and emotions as predictors of global attitude judgments. When addressing this question, it is important to consider the extent to which any given measurement procedure specifically targets ‘emotionally relevant beliefs’ in memory. Past research has failed to target this specific subset of beliefs. As a consequence, beliefs have failed to fully account for the relation between emotions and global attitude judgments. Completely different findings emerge when the researcher employs ‘decomposition’ and ‘emotionally cued recall’ to enable respondents to generate ‘emotionally relevant beliefs’. Under these conditions, beliefs fully account for the relation between emotions and global attitude judgments. However, this only occurs when one defines and operationalizes ‘emotionally relevant beliefs’ at the individual level. The theoretical and methodological implications of these results are discussed. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NITROGEN OXIDE GAS SENSOR BASED ON A NITRITE-SELECTIVE ELECTRODE

An NO x gas sensor was prepared by placing this electrode behind a microporous gas-permeable membrane. The described NO x sensor does not suffer from such interferences and exhibits better detection limits
Engineering nanoparticles to silence bacterial communication

The alarming spread of bacterial resistance to traditional antibiotics has warranted the study of alternative antimicrobial agents. Quorum sensing is a chemical cell-to-cell communication mechanism utilized by bacteria to coordinate group behaviors and establish infections. Quorum sensing is integral to bacterial survival, and therefore provides a unique target for antimicrobial therapy. In this study, silicon dioxide nanoparticles (Si-NP) were engineered to target the signaling molecules (i.e. acylhomoserine lactones (HSL)) used for quorum sensing in order to halt bacterial communication. Specifically, when Si-NP were surface functionalized with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), then added to cultures of bacteria (Vibrio fischeri), whose luminous output depends upon HSL-mediated quorum sensing, the cell-to-cell communication was dramatically reduced. Reductions in luminescence were further verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses of luminescence genes. Binding of AHLs to Si-NPs was examined using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The results indicated that by delivering high concentrations of engineered NPs with associated quenching compounds, the chemical signals were removed from the immediate bacterial environment. In actively-metabolizing cultures, this treatment blocked the ability of bacteria to communicate and regulate quorum sensing, effectively silencing and isolating the cells. Si-NPs provide a scaffold and critical stepping-stone for more pointed developments in antimicrobial therapy, especially with regard to quorum sensing – a target that will reduce resistance pressures imposed by traditional antibiotics.
Dissipative heating in a coated viscoelastic cylinder

Abstract The thermomechanical responses of a long coated hollow cylinder made of viscoelastic material subjected to cyclic presure fluctuations at high frequency are studied. The accumulation of the continuous energy dissipation induces a significant temperature increase in the material which affects the material behavior and hence the structural response. The paper adopts a numerical approach with the intention of studying the effect of coating. It is found that the coating has little effect on the dissipative heating due to internal pressure fluctuation. However, the heating effect can be greatly reduced when the cyclic pressure is applied on the outside surface.
The epipolar occlusion camera

A depth image constructed with a pinhole camera suffers from disocclusion errors: even a minimal viewpoint translation exposes samples not visible from the original viewpoint. The conventional solution to employ additional depth images is inefficient. A recent approach is to render the depth image with an occlusion camera, a non-pinhole that also gathers samples not seen from the reference viewpoint but needed for nearby viewpoints.We introduce the epipolar occlusion camera (EOC), which overcomes disadvantages of earlier occlusion cameras. An EOC is a non-pinhole which gathers samples of a 3D scene visible from a segment of viewpoints. The EOC is constructed by expressing the disocclusion events in the (2D) image as the sum of independent disocclusion events along (1D) epipolar lines. The EOC image has a single layer, is non-redundant, and is constructed efficiently by directly rendering the 3D scene with the EOC in feed-forward fashion, through projection followed by rasterization.
Massless particles with infinite spin

Reducible free fields of massless particles with infinite spin, transforming covariantly under the Poincar\'e group, are constructed. The fields are linear combinations of annihilation and creation operators for massless particles summed over all possible spin values. We give some sufficient conditions for satisfying the causality requirement, and find no necessary connection between spin and statistics. Fermi and Bose fields can be quantized so as to satisfy causality with or without the usual spin-statistics relation. We exhibit covariant propagators for these fields and calculate the scattering amplitude in lowest order for two interaction Lagrangians.
SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF RELATIVE PARTICLE DISPERSION IN THE ATMOSPHERE'S BOUNDARY LAYER.

Abstract The vertical, along- and cross-wind components of the relative positions and velocities of tetroon pairs are used to determine the auto- and cross-correlation functions, power- and cross-spectra as well as the relative displacement tensor. It is found that, for all three components of the relative velocity, the power-spectra are practically coincident in the high-frequency range from 1.4 × 10−3 to 5 × 10−3 cycles sec−1. From the growth rate of the relative separation of particles, the along-, cross-wind and vertical components of the eddy diffusivity are estimated to be 5 × 107, 107, and 106 cm2 sec−1, respectively. It is also found that a quasi-stationary process exists in the mesoscale turbulent diffusion in the atmosphere.
The Politics of AIDS Surveillance

This paper examines the social construction of official HIV/AIDS surveillance data in San Francisco and the implications of this research for understanding the past and future trajectories of the epidemic in the United States. I employ a methodology of social constructivism in an analysis of the historical evolution of the epidemic and a critique of its quantitative representation by public health officials. I argue that medical geographers have erroneously interpreted AIDS surveillance data as evidence for an exponential growth in AIDS cases during the past 17 years, neglecting to critically explore the multiple and extensive revisions in the definition of the disease (in 1982, 1985, 1987, 1993) by which patients have been reported over time. In contrast, social constructivism exemplifies a method for elucidating the sociopolitical interests of public health institutions and community activists which underlie the constant metamorphosis of the subjects (e.g., patients) and object (e.g., ‘AIDS’) comprising...
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF STRESS-RELATED VARIABLES ON ADAPTATION TO A NEW WORK SETTING '

The incremental effects of stress-related variables on adaptation to a new work setting were compared after 4 and 8 mo. Adaptation to the new work setting was assessed by job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion. Baseline predictor variables were shift, mode of entry (individual or group), job variety, and level of skills used by the organization. Stress-related predictor variables were role conflict, role ambiguity, and perceived symptoms of stress. Subjects were 80 employees at a new manufacturing facility. Comparative analysis indicated that role conflict was a significant factor in the prediction of job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion; symptoms of stress influenced emotional exhaustion. Role ambiguity was a poor predictor of job satisfaction and emotional exhaustion.
Penicillin Treatment of Patients with Cardiovascular Syphilis in Congestive Failure

Congestive failure has been considered a relative contraindication to antisyphilitic therapy in cardiovascular syphilis since the arsphenamine era, when severe reactions were reported following administration of this vasculotoxic drug. After having observed no severe reactions to penicillin in a series of patients with cardiovascular syphilis, it was decided to administer the antibiotic as initial therapy for individuals in congestive failure. This report summarizes observations on twelve such patients. There were no severe reactions during the course of treatment in the entire group. Digitalis and other measures to restore compensation were used concomitantly with penicillin. All the patients were improved upon completion of therapy. Case histories of 2 patients who died two months after treatment, are given. The significance of observations on the entire group is discussed.
Hit Me: Blackjack as a Sure Bet for Teaching Algorithmic Skills

Abstract Introductory computer science courses need to cover fundamental concepts and terminology as well as algorithmic skills. One way to accommodate these demands is to employ problem-based assignments as a vehicle for the programming content. An assignment is discussed in which students must develop a blackjack application in both Excel and Mathematica . Common solutions are considered in relation to general problem-solving strategies, and the assignments are contrasted with full-semester problem-based learning approaches.
Surface features and plasticity induced by tension-tension fatigue of Inconel 718

The accumulation of fatigue damage in Inconel 718 has been investigated with a combination of X-ray diffractiOn techniques and scanning electron microscopy. X-ray line broadening analyses and computer -aided rocking curve measurements have been conducted for solutionsewed and age-hardened specimens, cycled in tension-tension. The line profile breadths were found to be very sensitive to the magnitude of the constant stress amplitude employed in the fatigue testing. After increasing sharply during the initial 15% of the fatigue life to a value which depends on the maximum stress level, the breadths are relatively invariant during the reminder of the life. The rocking curve breadths obtained using double crystal diffractometry, on the other hand, increase progressively with continued cycling from about 20% of the life to failure and are nearly independent of the stress amplitude used in the fatigue testing. These techniques can be applied effectively in combination to determine prior cyclic history by providing information on both the stress level and expended fraction of life. Therefore, application of the X-ray diffraction analyses to spectrum fatigue tests has been initiated, beginning with sequences involving regular decrements in the stress level. In order to evaluate differences in the response of the surface layer and the bulk material during fatigue, depth studies have also been carried out The development of topographical features, such as slip bands, and their relationship to crack initiation and propagation mechanisms have been examined by scanning electron microscopy and correlated to the X-ray diffraction data.