cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Three Degree of Freedom Lumped Parameter Model of Whole Body Vibration Along the Spine in the Rat

Whole body vibration (WBV) can induce a host of pathologies, including muscle fatigue and neck and low back pain [1,2]. A new model of WBV in the rat has been developed to define relationships between WBV exposures, kinematics, and behavioral sensitivity (i.e. pain) [3]. Although in vivo studies provide valuable associations between biomechanics and physiology, they are not able to fully define the mechanical loading of specific spinal regions and/or the tissues that may undergo injurious loading or deformation. Mathematical models of seated humans and primates have been used to estimate spinal loads and design measures that mitigate them during WBV [4–6]. Although such models provide estimates of relative spinal motions, they have limited utility for relating potentially pathological effects of vibration-induced kinematics and kinetics since those models do not enable simultaneous evaluation of relevant spinal tissues with the potential for injury and pain generation. As such, the goal of this work was to develop and validate a three degree of freedom (3DOF) lumped-parameter model of the prone rat undergoing WBV directed along the long-axis of the spine. The model was constructed with dimensions of a generalized rat and model parameters optimized using kinematics over a range of frequencies. It was validated by comparing predicted and measured transmissibility and further used to predict spinal extension and compression, as well as acceleration, during WBV for frequencies known to produce resonance in the seated human and pain in the rat [3,7].Copyright © 2013 by ASME
What the Commission Didn't Recommend

THE BASIC WORK OF THE COMMISSION ON FINANCIAL STRUCTURE was negotiation. The restrictions on competition in the banking laws and regulations create monopoly positions, two of which turned out to be most important for the members of the commission. Protracted negotiation was required because the commission had to discover the price that commercial bankers were willing to pay to the depository thrift institutions to get them to give up Regulation Q and the 1/2 percent difference in deposit rates maintained by regulation. The price was a share of the commercial banks' monopoly on the demand deposit business and their claim to "one-stop" banking
Mass balance models of phosphorus in sediments and water

Models are presented in order of progressively more complex spatial resolution in which the effects on the sediment-water interactions are emphasized. For simple models, the diagnostic approach of calculating the net settling and return of total phosphorus is demonstrated with data from Lake Erie. For more complex models, the effects of interbasin transport and vertical mixing are shown to be important in determining the pathways of the sediment-released or sediment-bound phosphorus in the water column.
Estimating dry matter content from spectral reflectance for green leaves of different species

Efficient and accurate detection of the temporal dynamics and spatial variations of leaf dry matter content would help monitor key properties and processes in vegetation and the wider ecosystem. However, leaf water content strongly absorbs at shortwave infrared wavelengths, reducing the signal from dry matter. The major objective of this study was to examine relationship between spectral reflectance of fresh leaves and the ratio of leaf dry mass to leaf area, across a wide range of species at the leaf scale. A narrow-band, normalized index combining two distinct wavebands centred at 1649 and 1722 nm achieved the highest overall performance and discriminatory power compared to either single band or first derivatives. The normalized index was evaluated using the PROSPECT leaf optical properties spectra simulated reflectance spectra and field measurements from the Leaf Optical Properties Experiment LOPEX data set. Both evaluations show that leaf dry matter contents were retrievable with R2 of 0.845 and 0.681 and regression slopes of 0.903 and 0.886. This study suggests that spectral reflectance measurements hold promise for the assessment of dry matter content for green leaves. Further investigation needs to be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of this normalized index at canopy scales.
P‐108: Rich Color Photo‐addressing Simple Structure Roll‐to‐Roll Electronic Paper

For more colorful and low cost, this paper develops a rich color photo-addressing simple structure Roll-to-Roll electronic paper with improved materials. By photo-addressing, the reflected light wavelength of the developed electronic paper can shifted more than 210nm from blue to red to display rich-color images with much wider color gamut.
Carbonated yogurt : Sensory properties and consumer acceptance

Abstract Sweetened low fat (1%) plain yogurt and low fat Swiss-style strawberry and lemon yogurts were manufactured using cream, nonfat dry milk, sugar, stabilizer (a blend of modified food starch, carrageenan, and pectin), and skim milk. After addition of the yogurt cultures and Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum , yogurt samples were incubated at 43°C until desirable pH values of 5.0 or 4.2 were reached. Carbon dioxide (0.08 to 0.09 kg/cm 2 ) was incorporated into the cooled, flavored yogurt by way of a sanitary hose. The yogurt was stored at 4°C for sensory evaluation by an expert panel on d 7, 21, and 45. A consumer panel evaluated carbonated and noncarbonated yogurts on d 21. The results of the study showed that the carbonation had no significant effect on the acceptability of yogurt during shelf-life. Also, the carbon dioxide treatment did not alter the sensory characteristics of yogurt as noted either by expert panelists or by consumers.
Catheter-related bloodstream infections in children.

Epidemiology Patient characteristics and system-level factors place children at increased risk for catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI). National Healthcare Safety Network data from 36 pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) demonstrate a pooled mean of 5.3 CR-BSIs per 1000 catheter-days and a median of 3.5 CR-BSIs per 1000 catheter-days. Almost 60% of CR-BSIs in children are caused by gram-positive bacteria. In the PICU setting, arterial catheterization, increased duration of catheterization, use of extracorporeal life support, and presence of a genetic abnormality are independent risk factors for CR-BSIs. Economics In children, cost estimates range from $36,000 to $50,000 per CR-BSI. Treatment Empiric therapy should target gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, with the choice of drug treatment based on local antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Results from pediatric studies shows that catheter removal is indicated for all cases of candidemia and persistent bacteremia. Prevention Based on limited data, antimicrobial lock therapy may be appropriate in certain clinical situations, and multifaceted interventions are effective in reducing CR-BSIs in children. In one center, maximum barrier precautions during insertion, antimicrobial-impregnated catheters, annual hospital-wide handwashing campaigns, physical barriers between beds, and use of 2% chlorhexidine skin disinfectant decreased CR-BSIs.
Role of lecithin in D-β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase function

Abstract Binding of NADH to D-β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, a lecithin-requiring enzyme from beef heart mitochondria, has been studied using a homogeneous enzyme which is soluble and, most important, free of lipid. The enzyme complexed with lecithin or with a phospholipid mixture containing lecithin binds NADH with a dissociation constant of 6–16 μM, while the apoenzyme or phospholipid alone or complexes formed with non-reactivating phospholipids bind no NADH. The results show that the binding of NADH to the dehydrogenase is dependent upon the formation of an enzyme-lecithin complex. This is the first demonstration of a role of lipid in a particular step of the reaction mechanism of a specific lipid-requiring enzyme.
Using instruction sequence abstraction for shellcode detection and attribution

Although several research teams have focused on binary code injection, it is still an unsolved problem. Misuse-based detection lacks the flexibility to tackle unseen malicious code samples and anomaly-based detection on byte patterns is highly vulnerable to byte cramming and blending attacks. In addition, it is desperately needed to correlate newly-detected code injection instances with known samples for better understanding the attack events and tactically mitigating future threats. In this paper, we propose a technique for modeling shellcode detection and attribution through a novel feature extraction method, called instruction sequence abstraction, that extracts coarse-grained features from an instruction sequence. Our technique facilitates a Markov-chain-based model for shellcode detection and support vector machines for encoded shellcode attribution. We also describe our experimental results on shellcode samples to demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach.
A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Three Computer-Assisted Career Guidance Systems: DISCOVER, SIGI, and SIGI PLUS.

Abstract One hundred and twenty-six volunteer students from an introductory psychology course at a large public southeastern university were randomly assigned to one of three computer-assisted career guidance (CACG) systems — SIGI, SIGI PLUS, and DISCOVER. The respective systems were compared in terms of an instrument developed to measure three constructs in CACG effectiveness: analysis, synthesis, and computer effect. Both the Occupational Alternative Question (Zener & Schnuelle, 1972; modified by Slaney, 1980) and the My Vocational Situation (Holland, Daiger, & Power, 1980a) inventories were included to assess the possible moderating effect of individual differences in the perception of CACG effectiveness. The results revealed that the majority of participants in each condition rated the CACG system to which they were assigned positively on all three constructs. While we concluded there were no practical differences in effectiveness among the three systems, students with a need for career information rated the lists of career options generated by SIGI and DISCOVER more favorably than those with no such need. Implications for further research on the use of CACG systems are discussed.
SUICIDE GENE THERAPY TOXICITY AFTER MULTIPLE AND REPEAT INJECTIONS IN PATIENTS WITH LOCALIZED PROSTATE CANCER

Purpose: We assess risks, toxicity and side effects of multiple and repeat in situ suicide gene therapy in patients with localized prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: The study population comprised patients with localized prostate cancer receiving multiple and/or repeat intraprostatic injections of a replication deficient adenovirus containing the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene. Intravenous ganciclovir or oral valaciclovir was given for 14 days after injection. Patients were recruited from 4 different clinical protocols in studies of toxicity and efficacy of suicide gene therapy, and closely monitored for toxicity and side effects during and after treatment. Toxicity was graded according to the Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program common toxicity criteria published by the National Cancer Institute.Results: A total of 52 patients were treated under these clinical protocols with a total of 76 gene therapy cycles. Toxic events were recorded in 16 of 29 patients (55.2%) who were given mul...
A Qualitative Study of Women's Experiences in Community College Leadership Positions

The authors present and analyze qualitative data collected during interviews with 30 senior female administrators working at community colleges in the Midwest. Theoretical and inductively oriented ...
Some effects of the molt-inhibiting hormone and 20-hydroxyecdysone upon molting in the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio

Abstract Several aspects of the chemistry and physiological effects of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) and 20-hydroxyecdysone and their interaction in the control of molting in Palaemonetes pugio were investigated. More MIH activity was extracted from eyestalks using phosphate buffer (pH 11) than with distilled water, saline, ethanol, or methanol-chloroform-water. A crude eyestalk extract was filtered through a Sephadex G-25 gel column. The retention constant ( R = void vol elution vol ) for MIH was 0.67. A direct relationship between dosage and response for MIH was found for crude eyestalk extracts over a range of 0.25 to 2.5 eyestalk equivalents per animal. A direct dosage-response relationship for 20-hydroxyecdysone from concentrations of 0.005 to 5.0 μg/animal was also shown. Higher doses caused abnormal setogenesis in the uropods. Precocious proecdysis was also induced in ovigerous females when injected with 20-hydroxyecdysone. When MIH was injected into the last abdominal segment and followed by an injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone into the thoraco-abdominal junction of the same shrimp, a delay in setogenesis in the uropods, as compared to the accelerated setogenesis in the antennal scale, was observed. The results of this latter experiment are consistent with the hypotheses that concentration gradients of the two hormones were established in the shrimp and that MIH acted antagonistically to 20-hydroxyecdysone at the level of the target cells of the epidermis.
Abstract 4323: ATP binding cassette transporters modulate both D-luciferin- and coelenterazine-based bioluminescence imaging

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) of luciferase reporters provides a relatively simple, cost-effective, and extremely sensitive means to image fundamental biological processes in cancer research, including tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Translocation of D-luciferin (the substrate for Click Beetle Red (cLuc) and Firefly (fLuc) luciferase), and coelenterazine (the substrate for Renilla (rLuc), and Gaussia (gLuc) luciferase), across the cellular membrane could affect BLI intensity in vivo. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are membrane-bound efflux pumps utilizing the energy from ATP hydrolysis. They are implicated in multidrug resistant phenotypes of tumor cells and may be cancer stem cell markers. To investigate the effect of ABC transporters on luciferase-based BLI, we generated HEK-293 reporter cells with selective overexpression of different ABC transporters (ABCB1, ABCC1 and ABCG2) and different luciferases (cLuc, fLuc, rLuc and gLuc). In vitro studies showed that BLI signal intensity of intact cells compared to cell lysates decreased 89%, 77% and 75% when ABCG2 was overexpressed in HEK-293 cLuc, fLuc and rLuc reporter cells, respectively. No significant BLI change was observed in HEK-293 gLuc reporter cells with high expression of ABCG2. Overexpression of ABCB1 reduced BLI intensity only in HEK-293 rLuc reporter cells by 51%. ABCC1 overexpression did not affect BLI intensity in any of the HEK-293 reporter cells. These data indicate that ABCG2 affects BLI signal intensity generated from both D-luciferin and coelenterazine, and that ABCB1 affects coelenterazine (but not D-luciferin) signal intensity. Selective ABC transporter inhibitors, Reversin 121 against ABCB1, MK-571 against ABCC1, and fumitremorgin C (FTC) against ABCG2, were applied in HEK-293 reporter cells with ABC transporter overexpression. Compared with vehicle treatment, FTC increased BLI intensity more than 2-fold in HEK-293 cLuc, fLuc and rLuc reporter cells; Reversin 121 elevated BLI intensity 2.1 fold only in HEK-293 rLuc reporter cells. BLI of xenografts derived from HEK-293 reporter cells with overexpression of ABC transporters confirmed the results of inhibitor treatment in vivo. These findings demonstrate that ABC transporters can significantly modulate intracellular delivery of luciferase-based substrates, and that endogenous expression of ABC transporters can significantly affect BLI readout, both in vitro and in vivo. In this context, the BLI-based assay can provide a high throughout platform to screen the novel ABC transporter inhibitors for the improvement of antitumor therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4323.
Biologic activity of extracts of delayed hypersensitivity skin reaction sites

Abstract Extracts obtained from skin sites of delayed hypersensitivity reactions show chemotactic activity for monocytes and lymphocytes but not neutrophils. The soluble extractable factors present at these sites have in vivo activity as well; they promote the accumulation of monocytes in peritoneal exudates and cause inflammatory reactions in the skin of nonimmunized animals. The skin inflammatory infiltrates are predominantly mononuclear and are similar to those of delayed hypersensitivity reactions in actively immunized guinea pigs. The extracts which produced these effects had no detectable MIF activity, nor permeability inducing activity in excess of that obtainable from normal skin. These monocyte and lymphocyte chemotactic factors were analyzed by sucrose density ultracentrifugation. By this technique the distribution of monocyte factors corresponded rather closely with that of the monocyte chemotactic factors obtained from an antigen-activated lymphocyte culture. Similar correspondence was obtained for the bulk of the lymphocyte chemotactic activity present in skin extracts and in culture supernatants. This suggests the possibility that the lymphokine-like substances in the skin extracts might in fact represent lymphokines. Further documentation of this point will provide a link between in vitro and in vivo manifestations of delayed hypersensitivity.
Effects of oleic acid on murine CD4+ T cell death and anti-CD3 or superantigen induced proliferation at low temperature.

Studies were conducted to examine the effects of low, yet physiologically relevant, temperatures on murine T lymphocyte responses. Akin to ectothermic vertebrate responses, lectin-induced murine T cell proliferation was previously shown to be ablated at temperatures 10 °C below optimal (i.e. 27 °C); responsiveness at 27 °C was restored by the addition of oleic acid (18:1). The aim of the present study was to address the mechanism involved in such low temperature suppression. Murine splenic CD4+ T lymphocytes stimulated with either αCD3 or SEB exhibited cell death, as opposed to anergy, at 27 °C. However proliferation was observed in the presence of 18:1. Thus low temperature-suppression of murine CD4+ T cells is also mediated through TCR and/or CD3 pathways. Additional studies examining the temporal effects of adding 18:1, as well as temperature shifts, indicated that the cell death induced by stimulation at low temperature was preventable by 18:1.
Two simple and rugged designs for creating microfluidic sheath flow

A simple design capable of 2-dimensional hydrodynamic focusing is proposed and successfully demonstrated. In the past, most microfluidic sheath flow systems have often only confined the sample solution on the sides, leaving the top and bottom of the sample stream in contact with the floor and ceiling of the channel. While relatively simple to build, these designs increase the risk of adsorption of sample components to the top and bottom of the channel. A few designs have been successful in completely sheathing the sample stream, but these typically require multiple sheath inputs and several alignment steps. In the designs presented here, full sheathing is accomplished using as few as one sheath input, which eliminates the need to carefully balance the flow of two or more sheath inlets. The design is easily manufactured using current microfabrication techniques. Furthermore, the sample and sheath fluid can be subsequently separated for recapture of the sample fluid or re-use of the sheath fluid. Designs were demonstrated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) using soft lithography and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) using micromilling and laser ablation.
WHEN IS A POTENTIAL FUNCTION ACCURATE ENOUGH FOR PROTEIN STRUCTURE PREDICTION

Attempts to predict protein tertiary structure, through neural network or other means, generally try to optimize some potential function or other “score” over a set of structures. This paper develops a formalism that addresses the question: What are the accuracy requirements for a potential function that predicts protein structure? The results of a simple model calculation with this formalism are also presented. The paper closes with a discussion of the implications of these results for practical structure prediction.
Influence of exercise and tenectomy on the morphology of a muscle nerve.

The effects of decreased and increased levels of muscular activity on the morphology of the medial gastrocnemius nerve were investigated in male albino rats assigned to tenectomy, control and exercise groups. Nerve fiber diameter and the number of constituent myelinated fibers were measures obtained from images of transverse sections projected onto drawing paper. The mean values for the tenectomised animals for nerve fiber diameter (X = 7.41 ± 0.13 μ) and number of nerve fibers (X = 223 ± 5.4) are significantly lower than the means of the control animals (X fiber diameter = 7.96 ± 0.14 μ; X number of fibers = 247 ± 5.2). Associated with these changes is a marked atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle. A single bout of exercise (running in an activity cage) did not produce changes in nerve fiber diameter (X = 7.58 ± 0.17 μ) nor in the number of nerve fibers (X = 238 + 5.0). Moreover, an eight-week exercise program consisting of running on a treadmill had no significant effect on mean nerve fiber diameter (X = 8.04 ± 0.18 μ) nor in the number of nerve fibers (X = 231 ± 6.3). Correlations between gastrocnemius muscle weight and mean nerve fiber diameter or number of nerve fibers revealed no significant relationships. It was concluded that only the tenectomy data supported the theory of interdependency of muscle and nerve.
Inhibition of chemical oxidation and reduction of cytochromes ƒ and b-559 by carbonylcyanide p-trifluoromethoxy phenylhydrazone

Abstract The presence of low (1–4 μM) concentrations of carbonylcyanide p -trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone during actinic illumination of chloroplasts generally inhibits the rate of subsequent dark chemical oxidation-reduction reactions of cytochrome ƒ and b -559. Ferricyanide oxidation and ascorbate reduction of cytochromes ƒ and b -559 are inhibited, as is hydroquinone reduction of cytochrome b -559. Inhibition by carbonylcyanide p -trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone of hydroquinone reduction of cytochrome ƒ, the most rapid of these chemical oxidation-reduction reactions, cannot be detected. The rate of the chemical redox reactions of the cytochromes in the presence of carbonylcyanide p -trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone are all markedly dependent upon the concentration of oxidant or reductant except the hydroquinone reduction of cytochrome b -559 photooxidized in the presence of carbonylcyanide p -trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone. The data is interpreted in terms of an effect of carbonylcyanide p -trifluoromethoxyphenylhydrazone on thylakoid membrane structure which generally inhibits accessibility to the hydrophobic interior of the membrane, possibly through an increase in membrane microviscosity. The question of whether such an effect on membrane structure could be involved in uncoupling or inhibition effects of the carbonylcyanidephenylhydrazone compounds is discussed, as is the special effect of these compounds on the cytochrome b -559 photoreactions at room temperature.
Brucella abortus RB51: enhancing vaccine efficacy and developing multivalent vaccines.

Abstract Brucella abortus vaccine strain RB51 is an attenuated, stable rough mutant that is being used in many countries to control bovine brucellosis. Our earlier study demonstrated that the protective efficacy of strain RB51 can be significantly enhanced by overexpressing Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), a homologous protective antigen. We have also previously demonstrated that strain RB51 can be engineered to express heterologous proteins and mice vaccinated with such recombinant RB51 strains develop a strong Th1 type of immune response to the foreign proteins. The present study is aimed at combining these two characteristics to generate new recombinant RB51 vaccines with enhanced abilities to protect against brucellosis and simultaneously able to protect against infections by Mycobacterium spp. We constructed two recombinant RB51 strains, RB51SOD/85A which overexpresses SOD with simultaneous expression of the 85A, a protective protein of Mycobacterium spp., and RB51ESAT which expresses ESAT-6, another protective protein of M. bovis, as a fusion protein with the signal sequence and few additional amino terminal amino acids of SOD. Mice vaccinated with these recombinant strains developed specific immune responses to the mycobacterial proteins and significantly enhanced protection against Brucella challenge compared to the mice vaccinated with strain RB51 alone.
Oral hygiene practices and dental service utilization among pregnant women.

ABSTRACT Background Daily oral hygiene and regular dental visits are important components of oral health care. The authors' objective in this study was to examine women's oral hygiene practices and use of dental services during pregnancy. Methods The authors developed a written oral health questionnaire and administered it to 599 pregnant women. They collected demographic information, as well as data on oral hygiene practices and use of dental services during pregnancy. They used χ 2 and multivariable logistic regression models to assess associations between oral hygiene practice and dental service use during pregnancy and to identify maternal predictor variables. Results Of the 599 participants, 83 percent (n = 497) reported brushing once or twice per day. Twenty-four percent (n = 141) reported flossing at least once daily; Hispanic women were more likely to floss than were white or African American women (28 percent [52 of 183] versus 22 percent [54 of 248] versus 19 percent [23 of 121], respectively, P P Conclusion Racial, ethnic and economic disparities related to oral hygiene practices and dental service utilization during pregnancy exist. Clinical Implications Medical and dental care providers who treat women of reproductive age and pregnant women need to develop policy strategies to address this population's access barriers to, and use of, dental care services.
Stability of Pt Monolayers on Ir—Co Cores with and without a Pd Interlayer

Density functional theory calculations are used to examine surface segregation and stability of adsorbed oxygenated structures on core-shell structure models. The structures consist of a surface Pt-skin monolayer over an IrCo or Ir 3 Co core, with or without a Pd interlayer between the Pt surface and the Ir-Co core. The study is aimed to further elucidate the role of the Pd interlayer in the core-shell structures that have shown higher activity for the reduction of oxygen relative to Pt(111) surfaces. It is found that, without the Pd interlayer, Ir and Co may segregate from the core to the surface, thus considerably weakening the stability of the structure, whereas the Pd interlayer inhibits such segregation of the core elements. At pH = 0, water oxidation on the Pt-skin surfaces takes place at a higher potential (0.9-1.0 V), compared to 0.7 V for Pt(111). Adsorbed phases of relatively low coverage: 0.25 ML O and 0.125 ML OH are stable up to 1.2 V, while on Pt(111), O and OH coverage increase rapidly with the increase of potential and reach 0.33 ML O at 1.2 V. Thus, the alloy surfaces possess more available sites that lead to higher oxygen reduction reaction activity than in pure Pt(111) surfaces. The calculations show that core elements segregation is the key challenge on these Pt-skin structures.
A conserved motif at the 3' end of mouse hepatitis virus genomic RNA required for host protein binding and viral RNA replication.

Abstract A conserved 11-nucleotide sequence, UGAAUGAAGUU, at the 3′ end of the genomic RNA of coronavirus mouse hepatitis virus was required for host protein binding and viral RNA synthesis. An RNA probe containing this 11-nucleotide sequence bound four cellular proteins with a highly labeled protein of 120 kDa and three minor species with sizes of 103, 81, and 55 kDa. Mutation of the 11-nucleotide motif abolished cellular protein binding. The RNA–protein complexes observed with cytoplasmic extracts from MHV-JHM-infected cells in both RNase protection/gel mobility shift and UV cross-linking assays were indistinguishable from those observed with extracts from uninfected cells. Both negative-strand synthesis and positive-strand replication of viral defective interfering RNAs in the presence of helper virus were affected by mutations that disrupt RNA–protein complex formation, even though the 11 mutated nucleotides were converted to the wild-type sequence, presumably by recombination with helper virus. Kinetic analysis indicated that recombination between DI RNA and helper virus occurred relatively early in the MHV replicative cycle at 5.5 to 7.5 hr postinfection, a time when viral RNA synthesis and replication of positive-strand DI RNA were at barely detectable levels. A DI RNA with a mutation upstream of the protein binding element replicated as efficiently as wild type without undergoing recombination. Thus, the 11-nucleotide conserved host protein binding motif appears to play an important role in viral RNA replication.
Schottky-barrier infrared focal plane arrays with novel readout structures

A description is given of 128*128 and 256*256 pixel Schottky-barrier infrared focal-plane arrays that incorporate meander channel CCD readout structures for the IR-induced image charge. These innovations reduce the nonimaging area in each pixel and increase the fill factor. A design figure of merit that allows direct comparisons of design efficiency while normalizing pixel area, design rules, and number of process layers is proposed. Test results show excellent performance for the two arrays with both medium-wavelength ( >
Autonomous visual discovery

This paper describes a prototype visual discovery algorithm that is designed to identify regions of an image that differ significantly from the local background. Image regions are projected into a visually-relevant subspace using a set of multi-orientation, multi-scale Gabor filters that model the receptive field properties of simple cells in the human visual cortex. Within this filter response subspace, deviant areas are identified through an adaptive statistical test that compares the filter-space description of a region against a model derived from the local background. Deviant regions are then spatially agglomerated and grouped across scale. Experimentation on a variety of archived imagery collected by JPL spacecraft and ground-based telescopes shows that the algorithm is able to autonomously 're-discover' a number of important geological objects such as impact craters, volcanoes, sand dunes, and ice geysers that are known to be of interest to planetary scientists.
Manipulation of electroosmotic flow in capillary electophoresis

This paper reports the use of surfactant and polymer-C18 coated capillaries that allow manipulation of electroosmotic flow (EOF). Although this approach to the control of EOF involves the preparation and use of multiple capillaries, all the coatings were prepared by a single procedure. It is shown that the ability to control EOF allows optimization of both separation time and resolution. In the case of proteins, low EOF maximizes resolution whereas high flow gives the shortest analysis time. It should be noted that proteins are a special case and this conclusion may not be true with other molecular species. Through selection of a specific coating, it is possible to complete a separation in the shortest time while maintaining sufficient resolution to give baseline resolution of proteins. The various coated capillaries were examined in capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) separations of native protein standards and hemoglobin variants. Separation of glycosylated hemoglobin A1 variants was achieved by cIEF within 10 min, including the focusing time. Good run-to-run reproducibility was obtained by flushing the capillary with the coating solution between analyses.
Total talar extrusion: a case report.

Total talar extrusion is an extremely rare injury that occurs after a high-energy trauma. There are few reported cases in literature and there is no consensus as to the appropriate treatment of the extruded talus. Historically, the treatment options for open total talar dislocation have been limited to talectomy and fusion or reimplantation after thorough debridement. We report a case of an open dislocation of the talus with total talar extrusion. Immediate surgical debridement, reduction, and external fixation were performed under antibiotic coverage. Antibiotic-impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads were implanted and the wound underwent a second debridement and delayed primary closure at 48 hours post injury. The patient remained in an external fixator for 6 weeks. She was subsequently placed in a cast and remained non–weight bearing for an additional 6 weeks. Her wound healed uneventfully and she was permitted to begin progressive weight bearing at 12 weeks. The patient did not develop an infection or avascular necrosis. Literature cites infection and avascular necrosis as the main complications associated with a talar extrusion. Good open fracture protocol can reduce the risk of infection. Reduction of the extruded talus is preferable to preserve function and maintain normal hindfoot anatomy. Talectomy should be reserved as a salvage procedure. Level of Clinical Evidence: 4
Inhibition of FOXO1/3 Promotes Vascular Calcification

Objective— Vascular calcification is a characteristic feature of atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and end-stage renal disease. We have demonstrated that activation of protein kinase B (AKT) upregulates runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), a key osteogenic transcription factor that is crucial for calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). Using mice with SMC-specific deletion of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a major negative regulator of AKT, the present studies uncovered a novel molecular mechanism underlying PTEN/AKT/FOXO (forkhead box O)-mediated Runx2 upregulation and VSMC calcification. Approach and Results— SMC-specific PTEN deletion mice were generated by crossing PTEN floxed mice with SM22α-Cre transgenic mice. The PTEN deletion resulted in sustained activation of AKT that upregulated Runx2 and promoted VSMC calcification in vitro and arterial calcification ex vivo. Runx2 knockdown did not affect proliferation but blocked calcification of the PTEN-deficient VSMC, suggesting that PTEN deletion promotes Runx2-depedent VSMC calcification that is independent of proliferation. At the molecular level, PTEN deficiency increased the amount of Runx2 post-transcriptionally by inhibiting Runx2 ubiquitination. AKT activation increased phosphorylation of FOXO1/3 that led to nuclear exclusion of FOXO1/3. FOXO1/3 knockdown in VSMC phenocopied the PTEN deficiency, demonstrating a novel function of FOXO1/3, as a downstream signaling of PTEN/AKT, in regulating Runx2 ubiquitination and VSMC calcification. Using heterozygous SMC-specific PTEN-deficient mice and atherogenic ApoE−/− mice, we further demonstrated AKT activation, FOXO phosphorylation, and Runx2 ubiquitination in vascular calcification in vivo. Conclusions— Our studies have determined a new causative effect of SMC-specific PTEN deficiency on vascular calcification and demonstrated that FOXO1/3 plays a crucial role in PTEN/AKT-modulated Runx2 ubiquitination and VSMC calcification. # Significance {#article-title-51}
Structural Health Monitoring of High Temperature Composites

High-temperature polymer-matrix composites (PMCs) are necessary and critical for the development of supersonic aircraft and orbital re-entry vehicles because of the need for light-weight design, high strength-to-weight ratios and high thermal stability in structures. Damage detection is a primary concern in composite structures because they are prone to multiple damage forms that can be hidden within the structure. Damage can include matrix cracking, fiber breakage, and delamination which can be caused by impacts, fatigue, or overloading. To overcome these shortfalls highly damage tolerant structures are employed to improve the safety of structures. Unfortunately this requires additional, potentially unnecessary, structural weight which is detrimental to aerospace structures. Acoustic ultrasound based structural health monitoring (SHM) has demonstrated the ability to overcome these problems by using arrays of Lead Zirconate Titanate piezoelectric transducers typically mounted on a flex circuit all of which is permanently affixed to, or embedded within, a structure [1] [2] [3] [4]. These transducers can excite and detect ultrasonic wave propagation in the structure and diagnostic algorithms, interpreting the signals, have been developed enabling real time inspection for damage. However, modern SHM systems are not capable of surviving the high temperatures experienced in the fabrication and service of High-temperature polymer matrix composites. In particular the Lead Zirconate Titanate piezoelectric elements typically depolarize and lose their functionality at around 200°C [5] [6]. Additionally, current SHM diagnostic algorithms are dependent on baseline data to compare signals to. These signals change with temperature and even just a few degree change can be detrimental to the system’s abilities. The current method for enabling functionality over a range of temperatures is to take numerous sets of baseline data at very high resolution across a range of temperatures. In order to adapt SHM for high temperature composites new piezoelectric materials must be developed capable of surviving elevated fabrication and operational temperatures. Small scale network components must be integrated to reduce detrimental effects of embedding SHM systems within the composite layup [7] [8] [9]. Additionally, methods for reducing the number of baseline data sets in the diagnostic algorithms must be developed. This paper presents development and testing of Bismuth Scandium Lead Titanate piezo ceramic transducers for high temperature SHM. These transducers are incorporated into a stretchable network system and mounted on a glass backing. Functionality is tested using a commercially available data acquisition system designed for SHM and intended for use with PZT transducers. Ongoing development of temperature compensation algorithms is also presented herein.© 2011 ASME
Functional outcomes of strength training in spastic cerebral palsy

Abstract Objective: To determine clinical effectiveness of strength training in children with spastic cerebral palsy. Design: Prospective before and after trial in which subjects participated in a 6-week strength training program. All received before and after isometric strength evaluation of eight muscle groups in both lower extremities with a hand-held dynamometer, 3-D gait analysis at free and fast speeds, administration of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and assessment of energy expenditure during gait. Setting: Pediatric rehabilitation center at a tertiary care hospital. Patients: Eleven children met inclusion criteria for participation. Six had spastic diplegia, were limited community ambulators, and demonstrated less than 50% of normal muscle strength. Five had spastic hemiplegia and demonstrated a 20% strength asymmetry in at least two muscles across extremities. Results: Each group had significant strength gains in the muscles targeted. The entire cohort had higher gait velocity primarily as a result of increased cadence, with greater capacity to walk faster. GMFM Dimension S also improved, with no change in energy expenditure. Asymmetry in strength improved in hemiplegia, with no change in asymmetry in support times or joint motion across extremities. Conclusions: This study reinforced the relationship of strength to motor function in cerebral palsy and further demonstrated the effectiveness of strengthening in this population.
Systems Planning for Capital Asset Management: Case Study of New Jersey Public Transportation Facilities and Equipment Management System:

The Public Transportation Facilities and Equipment Management System (PTMS) is a capital programming tool developed for NJ TRANSIT. It was one of six management systems formerly mandated by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) to manage transportation infrastructure. PTMS organizes pertinent information of physical assets (condition, performance, financial, functional, and descriptive) to assist decision makers; select cost-effective programs and projects; improve efficiency, serviceability, and safety of the infrastructure of NJ TRANSIT; and protect prior federal investments. Implementation of PTMS is now a voluntary program under the ISTEA. However, NJ TRANSIT remains committed to completion of the New Jersey PTMS. A team approach was used (design working group) to identify the specifications for the PTMS. The team participated in all phases of project development and implementation. The system is being tested with the introduction of the fiscal year 1998 capital program ...
Resveratrol Exerts Dosage and Duration Dependent Effect on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Development

Studies in the past have illuminated the potential benefit of resveratrol as an anticancer (pro-apoptosis) and life-extending (pro-survival) compound. However, these two different effects were observed at different concentration ranges. Studies of resveratrol in a wide range of concentrations on the same cell type are lacking, which is necessary to comprehend its diverse and sometimes contradictory cellular effects. In this study, we examined the effects of resveratrol on cell self-renewal and differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), a type of adult stem cells that reside in a number of tissues, at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 µM after both short- and long-term exposure. Our results reveal that at 0.1 µM, resveratrol promotes cell self-renewal by inhibiting cellular senescence, whereas at 5 µM or above, resveratrol inhibits cell self-renewal by increasing senescence rate, cell doubling time and S-phase cell cycle arrest. At 1 µM, its effect on cell self-renewal is minimal but after long-term exposure it exerts an inhibitory effect, accompanied with increased senescence rate. At all concentrations, resveratrol promotes osteogenic differentiation in a dosage dependent manner, which is offset by its inhibitory effect on cell self-renewal at high concentrations. On the contrary, resveratrol suppresses adipogenic differentiation during short-term exposure but promotes this process after long-term exposure. Our study implicates that resveratrol is the most beneficial to stem cell development at 0.1 µM and caution should be taken in applying resveratrol as an anticancer therapeutic agent or nutraceutical supplement due to its dosage dependent effect on hMSCs.
The Opto-Electronic Physics Which Just Broke the Efficiency Record in Solar Cells

Counter-intuitively, efficient external fluorescence is a necessity for approaching the ultimate efficiency limits. Although it is tempting to equate light emission with loss, paradoxically, light emission actually improves the open-circuit voltage, and the efficiency.
Peripheral Transgene Expression of Plasma Gelsolin Reduces Amyloid in Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease

The accumulation and deposition of the 40–42–amino acid peptide amyloid β (A β ) is thought to be a critical event in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both passive and active immunizations against A β in amyloid-depositing transgenic mice have reduced A β pathology and improved memory-related behavior. Peripheral treatments with other amyloid-binding agents have also reduced A β pathology. The present study demonstrates that peripheral delivery of plasmid DNA coding for the amyloid-binding protein plasma gelsolin reduces brain A β in two separate amyloid-depositing transgenic mouse models of AD when inter-litter variability is accounted for. The reduction in A β pathology observed is accompanied by an apparent increase in activated and reactive microglia and soluble oligomeric forms of amyloid. These findings demonstrate that peripheral expression of plasma gelsolin may be a suitable gene-therapeutic approach for the prevention or treatment of AD.
An Empirical Analysis of the Performance of a Multiprocessor-Based Circuit Simulator

Our original MSPLICE multiprocessor-based circuit simulator showed excellent efficiency with up to 10 processors. As shown in this paper, however, the efficiency of the program drops significantly when over 40 processors are used. A new generation of the MSPLICE program is described which shows high efficiency with up to 99 processors for three different benchmark circuits. Data is compared against predictions made from simulations of an ideal Gauss-Seidel machine model with unit delay, and the data as well as the model are evaluated in light of this comparison. The results from the new implementation are used to study actual limitations that arise as more processors are employed to solve the circuit simulation problem. A major problem identified is that of scheduling overhead and queue contention. Elimination of this bottleneck has led to significant performance improvement. Another bottleneck discovered in the original implementation was that of global data structure contention. Solutions for these and other problems have been implemented in MSPLICE and are currently being used to direct the continued development of the program.
Inhibition of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 induces differentiation and apoptosis in t(4;14) myeloma

We have previously shown that dysregulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) by the t(4;14) translocation is a primary event in multiple myeloma (MM) and that activating mutations of FGFR3 are acquired in some cases. We describe here inhibition of wild-type (WT) and constitutively activated mutant FGFR3 autophosphorylation by the small molecule inhibitor, PD173074. Inhibition of FGFR3 in human myeloma cell lines was associated with decreased viability and tumor cell growth arrest. Further, morphologic, phenotypic, and functional changes typical of plasma cell (PC) differentiation, including increase in light-chain secretion and expression of CD31, were observed and this was followed by apoptosis. Finally, using a mouse model of FGFR3 myeloma, we demonstrate a delay in tumor progression and prolonged survival of mice treated with PD173074. These results indicate that inhibition of FGFR3, even in advanced disease associated with multiple genetic changes, may allow the cell to complete its developmental program and render it sensitive to apoptotic signals. In addition, this represents the validation of a therapeutic target in MM that may benefit patients who have a very poor prognosis with currently available treatments.