cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assimilating Seizure Dynamics

Observability of a dynamical system requires an understanding of its state—the collective values of its variables. However, existing techniques are too limited to measure all but a small fraction of the physical variables and parameters of neuronal networks. We constructed models of the biophysical properties of neuronal membrane, synaptic, and microenvironment dynamics, and incorporated them into a model-based predictor-controller framework from modern control theory. We demonstrate that it is now possible to meaningfully estimate the dynamics of small neuronal networks using as few as a single measured variable. Specifically, we assimilate noisy membrane potential measurements from individual hippocampal neurons to reconstruct the dynamics of networks of these cells, their extracellular microenvironment, and the activities of different neuronal types during seizures. We use reconstruction to account for unmeasured parts of the neuronal system, relating micro-domain metabolic processes to cellular excitability, and validate the reconstruction of cellular dynamical interactions against actual measurements. Data assimilation, the fusing of measurement with computational models, has significant potential to improve the way we observe and understand brain dynamics.
Peptidylglycine-α-amidating monooxygenase activity and protein are lower in copper-deficient rats and suckling copper-deficient mice

Peptidylglycine-α-amidating monooxygenase (PAM) is a copper-dependent enzyme involved in peptide posttranslational activation. Dietary Cu deficiency (Cu−) was studied to determine if lower PAM activity was due to reduction in protein or cofactor limitation. PAM activity was lower in cardiac atria of Cu− rats than Cu-adequate (Cu+) rats and there was a 50% equivalent reduction in PAM protein. No reduction in Cu− rat midbrain PAM protein was detected although PAM activity was reduced 40%. In 12-day-old (P12) mouse pups derived from dams that began Cu deficiency on day 7 of gestation, there was a parallel reduction in brain PAM activity and protein of 40–50%. PAM mRNA levels assessed in atria and brains from Cu+ and Cu− rats and mice were not altered by dietary treatment, suggesting a posttranscriptional mechanism for lower PAM protein when Cu is limiting in the cell, perhaps due to enhanced apoprotein turnover.
Self-Flagellation and Utility Maximization

Abstract Economic models explain human behavior only to the degree that the underlying assumptions of the model are fulfilled. Consumer theory of rational choice has been applied to a wide array of situations. This paper examines the results of the model when a consumer considers bundles of goods, some of which may affect her self image. Under these conditions, wrong decisions are not easily corrected, but can more easily be reversed if the individual is able to forgive herself for having made the wrong decision.
On Efficiency of Decentralized Environmental Regulation

Contrary to conventional wisdom about an environmental race to the bottom, the theoretical literature as exemplified by Oates and Schwab [1988, Journal of Public Economics, 35:333–354] maintains that homogeneous jurisdictions’ decentralized choices are likely to be socially optimal because each locale sets capital tax rates to zero and sets optimal environmental standards. This paper shows the well-received Oates–Schwab-style efficiency result is not likely if allowed aggregate-emissions act as a firm-augmenting public input that benefits mobile firms.
Out-of-plane polarimetric imaging of skin: Surface and subsurface effects

True borders of certain skin cancers are hard to detect by the human eye. For this reason, techniques such as polarized light imaging have been used to enhance skin cancer contrast before Mohs surgery procedures. In standard polarized light imaging the effect of the rough surface is minimized using a matched boundary, such as a glass slide and gel. Moreover, the surface glare is eliminated using skewed illumination. In this paper, we study the effect of the surface roughness on the polarized light backscattered from the skin. We demonstrate that rough surface effects can be minimized using out-of-plane polarized illumination in conjunction with polarized viewing.
Diabetes in the Elderly

Older adults with diabetes constitute a rapidly increasing population in the United States. Cardiovascular diseases occur at higher frequency in this population. Until recently, optimal goals of glycemic control as well as risk factor management (hypertension and lipids) to prevent cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in older adults with diabetes were unclear. Several clinical trials in recent years have shown minimal benefits and in certain populations (e.g. with high co-morbidities), increased risk for poor cardiovascular outcomes with tight glycemic and blood pressure control. Further analysis of these data has suggested that cardiovascular benefits are likely to be present in younger and healthier cohort. Thus management of chronic diseases in older adults with diabetes begs for moderation and individualized planning to gain benefits and avoid harm.
Lidocaine and procaine inhibit the increase in cytosol Ca2+ induced by thyrotropin-releasing hormone or K+ depolarization in GH4C1 cells

Lidocaine at greater than or equal to 1 mM and procaine at greater than or equal to 2.5 mM exerted dose-dependent inhibition of the increment in [Ca2+]i induced by 100 nM thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) or 30 mM K+ in GH4C1 cells. The rise in [Ca2+]i induced by K+ was more sensitive to this inhibition than that induced by TRH. Lidocaine was more potent than procaine in inhibiting the [Ca2+]i increment induced by secretagogues. Maximal lidocaine inhibition of the TRH-induced [Ca2+]i increment occurred within 15-20 min and a normal response to secretagogues returned within 20 min after removal of lidocaine from the incubation medium. Our data suggest that in GH4C1 cells local anesthetics depress secretagogue-induced intracellular Ca2+ mobilization, depolarization of the cell membrane, and the opening of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels. This may explain the depression of secretagogue-stimulated hormone secretion induced by these agents.
Effect of type of cue, type of response, time delay and two different ongoing tasks on prospective memory functioning after acquired brain injury

Failures of prospective memory (PM) are one of the most frequent, and least studied, sequelae of brain injury. PM, also referred to as memory for intentions, is the ability to remember to carry out a future task. Successful completion of a PM task requires the ability to monitor time, keep the action to be performed periodically in awareness, remember the task to be performed, and initiate the action. Although PM has been shown to be a common difficulty after brain injury, it remains unknown which aspects of performance are impaired. In this study, the performance of 25 individuals with brain injury and that of 25 healthy participants were measured separately on the following variables: time until completion of the task, difficulty of the ongoing task being performed while waiting, whether the task to be performed is an action or is verbal, and whether the cue to perform the task is the passing of a particular amount of time (e.g., 10 minutes) or is an external cue (e.g., an alarm sounding). Individuals with brain injury demonstrated impairment compared to healthy adults on virtually all variables. PM performance was also compared to a battery of standard neuropsychological measures of attention, memory, and executive functions, and to self-report measures of PM functioning, in order to determine the underlying cognitive deficits responsible for poor PM performance, if any. PM performance was correlated with measures of executive functioning but not to self-report measures of PM functioning. Implications are discussed in terms of cognitive rehabilitation recommendations.
Development of the human striatum: implications for fetal striatal transplantation in the treatment of Huntington's disease.

Abstract Fetal neural transplantation has recently been demonstrated to ameliorate motor and other behavioral deficits in animal models of Huntington's disease, and reconstruct many of the damaged striatal circuits. However, there has been significant variability in the histological appearance of these grafts, most likely related to differences of the regions of dissection of the donor tissue. Selective dissection and transplantation of the lateral ventricular eminence in rodents has resulted in grafts consisting of primarily striatal-like tissue. This data, combined with data from our own and other laboratories has led to a description of the development of the human striatum, with a particular emphasis on the relevance of human striatal development to the field of fetal tissue transplantation for the treatment of Huntington's disease. If the goal of transplantation is to graft GABAergic striatal projection neurons, it is our impression that optimal grafting results will occur when transplants are derived from the lateral ventricular eminence and the lateral aspect of the body of the ventricular eminence anterior to the foramen of Monro. Optimal results are likely to occur when donor ages range from Stage 19 to 23, with possible graft success when donor age extends to as late as postovulatory week 22.
Variable efficacy of repeated annual influenza vaccination

Conclusions have differed in studies that have compared vaccine efficacy in groups receiving influenza vaccine for the first time to efficacy in groups vaccinated more than once. For example, the Hoskins study [Hoskins, T. W., Davis, J. R., Smith, A. J., Miller, C. L. & Allchin, A. (1979) Lancet i, 33–35] concluded that repeat vaccination was not protective in the long term, whereas the Keitel study [Keitel, W. A., Cate, T. R., Couch, R. B., Huggins, L. L. & Hess, K. R. (1997) Vaccine 15, 1114–1122] concluded that repeat vaccination provided continual protection. We propose an explanation, the antigenic distance hypothesis, and test it by analyzing seven influenza outbreaks that occurred during the Hoskins and Keitel studies. The hypothesis is that variation in repeat vaccine efficacy is due to differences in antigenic distances among vaccine strains and between the vaccine strains and the epidemic strain in each outbreak. To test the hypothesis, antigenic distances were calculated from historical hemagglutination inhibition assay tables, and a computer model of the immune response was used to predict the vaccine efficacy of individuals given different vaccinations. The model accurately predicted the observed vaccine efficacies in repeat vaccinees relative to the efficacy in first-time vaccinees (correlation 0.87). Thus, the antigenic distance hypothesis offers a parsimonious explanation of the differences between and within the Hoskins and Keitel studies. These results have implications for the selection of influenza vaccine strains, and also for vaccination strategies for other antigenically variable pathogens that might require repeated vaccination.
NOLO: A no-loop, predictive useful skew methodology for improved timing in IC implementation

Useful skew is a well-known design technique that adjusts clock sink latencies to improve performance and/or robustness of highperformance IC designs. Current design methodologies apply useful skew after the netlist has been synthesized (e.g., with a uniform skew or clock uncertainty assumption on all flops), and after placement has been performed. However, the useful skew optimization is constrained by the zero-skew assumptions that are baked into previous implementation steps. Previous work of Wang et al. [15] proposes to break this chicken-egg quandary by back-annotating post-placement useful skews to a re-synthesis step (and, this loop can be repeated several times). However, it is practically infeasible to make multiple iterations through re-synthesis and physical implementation, as even the time for placement alone of a large hard macro block in a 28nm SOC can be five days [10]. Thus, in our work we seek a predictive, one-pass means of addressing the chicken-egg problem for useful skew. We observe that in a typical chip implementation flow, timing slacks at post-synthesis stage do not correlate well with timing slacks at postrouting stage. However, the correlation is improved when useful skew is applied at the post-synthesis stage. Based on this observation, we propose NOLO, a simple, “no-loop” predictive useful skew flow that applies useful skew at post-synthesis within a one-pass chip implementation. Further, our predictive useful skew flow can exploit an additional synthesis run to improve circuit timing without any turnaround time impact (two synthesis steps are run in parallel). Experimental results in a 28nm FDSOI technology show that our predictive useful flow can reduce runtime by 66% and improve total negative slack by 5% compared to the useful skew back-annotation flow of [15].
π orbitals in quantum path integral simulations of electron transfer paths

Abstract Experiments have implicated conjugated π systems as determinants of electron transfer paths or rates in biological systems such as ruthenium-modified zinc myoglobins and hemoglobin hybrids. Quantum path integral simulations of an excess electron interacting with two Coulombic potential wells, plus an ethylene or ethane molecule, are reported here and show that ethylene is less repulsive than ethane at distances up to 1.2 nm from the carbon—carbon axis. Ethylene's low energy π LUMO is directly responsible for the attenuated repulsive pseudopotential of ethylene relative to ethane, primarily 0.2 to 0.3 nm from their CC bonds. Thus evidence of the lower repulsion of ethylene persists at distances beyond those where interaction potentials exhibit significant differences and confirms the suggested involvement of π orbitals in determining long-range electron transfer paths.
Behavioral and physiological compensation for chronic hypoxia in the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna).

Abstract This study demonstrates that short‐term behavioral and physiological responses may permit the sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna to cope successfully with extreme hypoxia and suggests an interaction between behavioral response (aquatic surface respiration [ASR]) and physiological compensation. Poecilia latipinna acclimated to chronic hypoxia (6 wk at 1.0 mg L−1 O2) exhibited higher hemoglobin and red blood cell concentrations and a 17%–19% lower critical oxygen tension than fish acclimated to normoxia. Ventilation frequency increased twofold under acclimation to hypoxia, a response that did not diminish with time. However, the use of ASR was an immediate response to hypoxia that decreased over the acclimation period. This suggests that gradual physiological compensation decreases the threshold for ASR. There was no consistent effect of hypoxia on mortality and no effect of hypoxia treatment on the number of gestating females, suggesting that plastic behavioral and physiological responses in P. lati...
Suspicion: Its sources, means of control, and effect on interorganizational relationships

Abstract Suspicion in the interorganizational relationship literature has been associated with relationship decay but this literature fails to capture the value of suspicion in maintaining relationships. The authors offer an inventory of propositions, suggesting that the level of suspicion determines whether it has beneficial or harmful effects on channel relationships. Support for many of these propositions is based on a unique attribute of suspicion: Suspicion serves as an antidote to the fundamental attribution error, or the tendency to take behavior at face value without allowing for situational influences. Such an attribute suggests suspicion should have an important influence on interorganizational relationships. Specifically, the authors propose that suspicion can be beneficial at moderate levels, but harmful at very low or high levels. Of particular interest to practitioners, we propose some methods for controlling suspicion.
Security in PMR systems

Private mobile radio (PMR) systems provide two way communications for use in private business applications. Their application may be described as "Teamwork over Distance", enabling groups of users to remain in constant communications. PMR systems themselves may be privately owned for the exclusive use of the owner, or owned by a third party with use of the systems leased in a similar way to public telephony networks. These latter systems are referred to as public access mobile radio (PAMR) or shared systems. The paper covers the application of security to present day PMR and PAMR systems, with the provision of such services as confidentiality and authenticity; and discusses the security aspects of the new Trans European Trunked Radio (TETRA) system.
Diagnostic testing for dyssynergic defecation in chronic constipation: meta‐analysis

Background Dyssynergic defecation (DD) results from inadequate relaxation of the pelvic floor on attempted defecation. The prevalence of DD in patients with chronic constipation (CC) is not certain. Aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of abnormal findings associated with DD across testing modalities in patients referred for physiological testing for CC. Methods Systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PUBMED databases were conducted. We included full manuscripts reporting DD prevalence in CC, and specific findings at pelvic floor diagnostic tests. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled DD prevalences (with 95% CI) according to individual tests and specific findings. Key Results A total of 79 studies on 7581 CC patients were included. The median prevalence of any single abnormal finding associated with DD was 37.2%, ranging from 14.9% (95% CI 7.9–26.3) for absent opening of the anorectal angle (ARA) on defecography to 52.9% (95% CI 44.3–61.3) for a dyssynergic pattern on ultrasound. The prevalence of a dyssynergic pattern on manometry was 47.7% (95% CI 39.5–56.1). The prevalence of DD was similar across specialty and geographic area as well as when restricting to studies using Rome criteria to define constipation. Conclusions & Inferences Dyssynergic defecation is highly prevalent in CC and is commonly detected across testing modalities, type of patient referred, and geographical regions. We believe that the lower prevalence of findings associated with DD by defecography supports use of manometry and balloon expulsion testing as an initial evaluation for CC.
Ab initio study of the radiation pressure on dielectric and magnetic media

The Maxwell stress tensor and the distributed Lorentz force are applied to calculate forces on lossless media and are shown to be in excellent agreement. From the Maxwell stress tensor, we derive analytical formulae for the forces on both a half-space and a slab under plane wave incidence. It is shown that a normally incident plane wave pushes the slab in the wave propagation direction, while it pulls the half-space toward the incoming wave. Zero tangential force is derived at a boundary between two lossless media, regardless of incident angle. The distributed Lorentz force is applied to the slab in a direct way, while the half-space is dealt with by introducing a finite conductivity. In this regard, we show that the ohmic losses have to be properly accounted for, otherwise differing results are obtained. This contribution, together with a generalization of the formulation to magnetic materials, establishes the method on solid theoretical grounds. Agreement between the two methods is also demonstrated for the case of a 2-D circular dielectric particle.
Novel TBX5 mutations and molecular mechanism for Holt-Oram syndrome

The Holt-Oram syndrome (OMIM 142900) is an autosomal dominant disorder with clinical features characterised by a variety of skeletal malformations and congenital heart defects.1–5 The gene for Holt-Oram syndrome has been identified as TBX5 on chromosome 12q24.6–11 TBX5 encodes a protein of 518 amino acids that belongs to the family of the T box transcriptional factors,10,11 and is expressed in embryonic heart and limb tissues, consistent with its involvement in development of the heart and skeletal structures.12–17 TBX5 contains a highly conserved DNA binding domain, the T box domain. Recently, three groups have provided direct evidence that TBX5 can bind to DNA and activate transcription of its target genes including the gene for atrial natriuretic factor ( ANF ).17–19 Furthermore, TBX5 can interact directly with the cardiac homeobox protein NKX2.5 synergistically to activate transcription of ANF .17,18 To date, 22 different non-translocation TBX5 mutations have been reported. These include five truncations (nonsense mutations), three splicing changes, six frameshift mutations, seven missense mutations, and one large deletion involving exons 3-9.20–22 Frameshift, splicing, and nonsense mutations are expected to produce truncated TBX5 or no TBX5 at all (for example, via nonsense mediated mRNA decay), which causes Holt-Oram syndrome by haploinsufficiency. However, the mechanisms by which the missense mutations cause Holt-Oram syndrome are not well understood. Ghosh et al 19 found that missense mutations G80R and R237Q eliminated DNA binding, whereas mutations G169R and S252I did not affect DNA binding. Hiroi et al 18 analysed the effect of G80R and R237Q on transcription activity of the ANF promoter. Mutation G80R caused significant reduction of transcriptional activation activity of TBX5 and loss of synergistic activation with NKX2.5. Surprisingly, mutation R237Q, which eliminated DNA binding, had minor effects on transcriptional activation.18 …
Notes on anthropometric technique: anthropometric measurements--right and left sides.

In order to discover whether statistically significant differences exist between measurements taken on the right and left sides of the body, 21 such anthropometric dimensions were compared. In eight cases significant differences were found. Six of these dealt with the forelimb, in which the dimension measured on the right side was greater. Since data on handedness is lacking, we do not know whether this is related to the handedness of the subjects.
Neurotoxin-Induced DNA Damage is Persistent in SH-SY5Y Cells and LC Neurons

Degeneration of the noradrenergic neurons has been reported in the brain of patients suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. However, their pathological characteristics during the neurodegenerative course and underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we used the neurotoxin camptothecin (CPT) to induce the DNA damage response in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, normal fibroblast cells, and primarily cultured locus coeruleus (LC) and raphe neurons to examine cellular responses and repair capabilities after neurotoxin exposure. To our knowledge, the present study is the first to show that noradrenergic SH-SY5Y cells are more sensitive to CPT-induced DNA damage and deficient in DNA repair, as compared to fibroblast cells. Furthermore, similar to SH-SY5Y cells, primarily cultured LC neurons are more sensitive to CPT-induced DNA damage and show a deficiency in repairing this damage. Moreover, while N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine (DSP4) exposure also results in DNA damage in cultured LC neurons, neither CPT nor DSP4 induce DNA damage in neuronal cultures from the raphe nuclei. Taken together, noradrenergic SH-SY5Y cells and LC neurons are sensitive to CPT-induced DNA damage and exhibit a repair deficiency, providing a mechanistic explanation for the pathological characteristics of LC degeneration when facing endogenous and environmental DNA-damaging insults in vivo.
Ruptures of the anulus fibrosus of cervical intervertebral discs studied by cryomicrotomy and magnetic resonance

Degeneration of the anulus fibrosus in the cervical region has not been studied as systematically as in the lumbar intervertebral discs. We used cryomicrotomy and magnetic resonance (MR) to study the cervical discs in 18 cadavers. Three types of anular tears were identified: (1) a concentric tear due to delamination of the anulus, (2) a radial tear in which all layers of the anulus were disrupted, and (3) a transverse tear of the peripheral anulus. The latter two tear types could be demonstrated by MR. On the basis of their frequency the concentric and transverse tears are not likely symptomatic. Radial tears, which some investigators have suggested are symptomatic, may be studied clinically with MR.
Role of the calcaneal heel pad and polymeric shock absorbers in attenuation of heel strike impact

Abstract The capacity of the calcaneal heel pad, with and without augmentation by a polymeric shock absorbing material (Sorbothane ® 0050), to attenuate heel strike impulses has been studied using five fresh human cadaveric lower leg specimens. The specimens, instrumented with an accelerometer, were suspended and impacted with a hammer; a steel rod was similarly suspended and impacted. The calcaneal heel pad attenuated the peak accelerations by 80%. Attenuations of up to 93% were achieved by the shock absorbing material when tested against the steel rod; however, when tested in series with the calcaneal heel pad, the reduction in peak acceleration due to the shock absorbing material dropped to 18%. Any evaluation of the effectiveness of shock absorbing shoe materials must take into account their mechanical interaction with the body.
LLW-3-6 and Celecoxib Impacts Growth in Prostate Cancer Cells and Subcellular Localization of COX-2

The proliferation in human prostate carcinomas, PC3 and MDA-PCa-2b, was analyzed for cells treated with LLW-3-6 and celecoxib in the presence and absence of sulfasalazine. LLW-3-6 was more potent than celecoxib at mediating a dose-dependent reduction of viable PC3 cells. Cotreatment with a non-lethal dose of sulfasalazine diminished the potency of both drugs in this cell line. The effects of the drugs in MDA-PCa-2b cells were less significant than those observed in the PC3 cells. Localization of COX-2 in LLW-3-6- and CBX-treated PC3 cells is consistent with protein aggregation known for cells responding to stress stimuli. To complement this, an analysis of the theoretical binding interactions of LLW-3-6 was completed to illustrate the potential of LLW-3-6 to bind to COX-2 in a manner similar to that of celecoxib. Studies to further define the mechanism of action for LLW-3-6 are ongoing.
Structure and Magnetism of Pure and Co-Doped TiO $_{2}$ Clusters

Anatase TiO2 cluster films having Co concentrations of 0, 6, and 8 at.% were produced by inert-gas condensation and investigated by TEM, AFM, XRD, and SQUID. The cluster films are all magnetically ordered from 10 to 400 K, with magnetizations of about 3 emu/cc, and exhibit perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. For 6% Co, no Co clusters or secondary phases are apparent, but the 8% samples contain Co and CoO. The magnetism of the doped and undoped samples is largely associated with oxygen vacancies which tend to form near the cluster surfaces.
Comparison of the efficacy of ibuprofen and acetaminophen in controlling pain after orthodontic tooth movement.

Introduction Some patients undergoing orthodontic treatment report enough discomfort to affect their compliance or request treatment termination. The purpose of this preliminary study was to test the effectiveness of ibuprofen vs acetaminophen in controlling discomfort after initial orthodontic appliance and archwire placement. Methods A total of 60 patients (ages, 12-18 years) undergoing fixed comprehensive orthodontic treatment were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups: 600 mg of acetaminophen, 400 mg of ibuprofen, or a placebo. All subjects were instructed to take the medications orally at prescribed times after initial appliance and archwire placement. Each patient's level of discomfort was assessed with a 100-mm visual analog scale immediately after placement; at 3, 7, 19, 24, 31, and 48 hours; and at 3, 4, and 7 days. Results The results indicated that the peak level of pain was at 19 hours after placement, and the differences in scores among the 3 groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and placebo are equally effective in reducing discomfort after initial orthodontic appliance placement.
P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1 Regulates Adhesive Properties of the Endothelium and Leukocyte Trafficking Into Adipose Tissue

Rationale: Adhesive interactions between endothelial cells and leukocytes affect leukocyte trafficking in adipose tissue. The role of P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (Psgl-1) in this process is unclear. Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the effect of Psgl-1 deficiency on adhesive properties of the endothelium and on leukocyte recruitment into obese adipose depots. Methods and Results: A genetic model of obesity was generated to study the effects of Psgl-1 deficiency on leukocyte trafficking. Leukocyte-endothelial interactions were increased in obese leptin receptor mutant mice ( Lepr db/db ,Psgl-1 +/+ ) but not obese Psgl-1–deficient mice ( Lepr db/db ,Psgl-1 −/− ), when compared with lean mice ( Lepr +/+ ,Psgl-1 +/+ ). This effect of Psgl-1 deficiency was due to indirect effects of Psgl-1, because Psgl-1 +/+ adoptively transferred leukocytes did not exhibit enhanced rolling in Lepr db/db ,Psgl-1 −/− mice. Additionally, circulating levels of P-selectin, E-selectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and macrophage content of visceral adipose tissue were reduced in Lepr db/db ,Psgl-1 −/− compared with Lepr db/db ,Psgl-1 +/+ mice. Reduced leukocyte-endothelial interactions and macrophage content of visceral adipose tissue due to Psgl-1 deficiency was also observed in a diet-induced obese mouse model. Psgl-1 −/− mice were resistant to the endothelial effects of exogenous IL-1β, suggesting that defective cytokine signaling contributes to the effect of Psgl-1 deficiency on leukocyte-endothelial interactions. Mice deficient in the IL-1 receptor also had reduced levels of circulating P-selectin, similar to those observed in Psgl-1 −/− mice. Conclusions: Deficiency of Psgl-1 is associated with reduced IL-1 receptor-mediated adhesive properties of the endothelium and is protective against visceral fat inflammation in obese mice.
Earthquake Fatalities: The Interaction of Nature and Political Economy

To say that the level of fatalities resulting from an earthquake is inversely related to a country's per capita level of income is hardly novel. What makes our approach novel is that we relate fatalities to both per capita income and the level of inequality that exists within a country through their joint impact on the likelihood of collective action being taken to mitigate the destructive potential of quakes. We first develop a theoretical model which offers an explanation as to why, in some environments, different segments of society prove incapable of arriving at what all parties perceive to be an agreeable distribution of the burden of the necessary collective action, causing the relatively wealthy simply to self-insure against the disaster while leaving the relatively poor to its mercy. Following this, we test our theoretical model by evaluating 269 large earthquakes occurring worldwide, between 1960 and 2002, taking into account other factors that influence a quake's destructiveness such as its magnitude, depth and proximity to population centers. Using a Negative Binomial estimation strategy with both random and fixed estimators, we find strong evidence of the theoretical model's predictions. That is, while earthquakes themselves are natural phenomena beyond the reach of humankind, our collective inaction with respect to items like the creation and enforcement of building codes, failure to retrofit structures and to enact quake-sensitive zoning clearly plays a part in determining the actual toll that a given quake takes. And, it is through these and other examples of collective inaction that limited per capita income and inequality couple together with a given quake's natural destructive power in determining the actual fatalities resulting from a quake.
ANTAGONISM OF RETINOL-INDUCED RNA SYNTHESIS: ASSESSMENT OF RETINOID TOXICITY IN CULTURED RETINAL PIGMENT EPITHELIUM

AbstractRetinol, complexed to serum retinol binding protein (R-SRBP), stimulated RNA synthesis when added to cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). At a retinol concentration of 1.0 µglml, the average stimulation ± S.E.M. was 142 ± 5.6% of control. The stimulation was concentration-dependent over the range 0.25–1.5 µg retinol/ml. Stimulation of RNA synthesis was seen with native R-SRBP from pooled human serum and with R-SRBP reconstituted by addition of retinol to apo-SRBP in vitro. Other retinoids complexed with apo-SRBP in vitro failed to stimulate RNA synthesis in this system. Retinol and retinoids, complexed with serum albumin in the culture medium, also failed to stimulate RNA synthesis. Most of the retinoids, when complexed with serum albumin, preferentially antagonized R-SRBP-induced RNA synthesis. At higher concentrations they also inhibited basal RNA synthesis. Retinoids varied in their potency for the preferential antagonism of R-SRBP-induced RNA synthesis. The order of potency was fen...
Theoretical Design Science in Human–Computer Interaction: A Practical Concern?

Design research, without empirical evaluation, is often looked upon as a poor relation to more obviously experimental work. A common reason to reject design studies submitted for publication concerns their failure to provide an empirical evaluation of the use and effects of an artifact in the laboratory or in more realistic field settings. The authors argue that this scepticism towards pure theoretical design research without empirical results not only hinders scientific progress and scientific efficiency in human–computer interaction research, but also discounts the value of designs conceived and realized in practice. Pure theoretical design research has value because envisioning and implementing a design is a form of theorizing, theory integration, theory refinement, and analytic evaluation. The artifact, in essence, embodies a theory, with analytical value independent of its empirical evaluation. The activities of analysis, design, and construction are common in both academe and in design practice, and represent an underexploited resource for systems design science. In part this limitation might stem from the lack of epistemological grounding for design as a knowledge generating activity, and in part from the lack of a distinct methodological perspective from which to assess theoretical design science. The authors ground their perspective with reference to the philosophy of science and through analysis of a design research exemplar, and suggest a set of criteria for evaluating research products in theoretical design science.
Investigations on the interactions between vision and locomotion using a treadmill virtual environment

Treadmill-based virtual environments have the potential to allow near natural locomotion through large-scale simulated spaces. To be effective, such devices need to provide users with visual and biomechanical sensations of walking that are sufficiently accurate to evoke perception-action couplings comparable to those occurring in the real world. We are exploring this problem using a custom built, computer controlled treadmill with a 6' by 10' walking surface, coupled to computer graphics presented on wide field-of-view back projection screens. The system has the added feature of being able to apply forces to the user to simulate walking on slopes and the effects of changes in walking speed. We have demonstrated the effectiveness of this system by showing that the perceptual-motor calibration of human locomotion in the real world can be altered by prior walking on the treadmill virtual environment when the visual flow associated with self-motion is mismatched relative to biomechanical walking speed. The perceptual-motor coupling that we have achieved is sufficient to allow investigation of a number of open questions, including the effect of walking on slopes on the visual estimation of slant and visual influences on gait and walking speed.
Inhibition of the growth of acid tolerant yeasts by acetate, lactate and propionate and their synergistic mixtures

Saccharomyces uvarum, Geotrichum candidum, Endomycopsis burtonii and Hansemula canadensis have been isolated from deteriorated silages and/or spoiled lactic acid fermented foods. All yeasts could grow in relatively high (100 mmol/l) concentrations of acetate or lactate in Wickerham's assimilation broth but were inhibited by increasing concentrations of these acids. Propionate was much more inhibitory than acetate or lactate. Growth rate, but not final cell yield, was adversely affected by increasing concentrations of these acids. The three acids used in combination were synergistically inhibitory to H. canadensis and G. candidum. Saccharomyces uvarum was inhibited by synergistic mixtures of acetate/propionate. Endomycopsis burtonii and H. canadensis were inhibited by synergistic mixtures of acetate/lactate, acetate/propionate and lactate/propionate. Lactate and propionate had a synergistic inhibitory effect on G. candidum. The mechanism of inhibition of growth of S. uvarum by acetate and propionate was further investigated. Acetate and propionate each caused a reduction in cellular efficiency (Y, μg cells/μmole glucose consumed). Mixtures caused a drastic reduction in growth rate and Y. These results suggest that the cells may expend energy in reducing intracellular concentrations of acetate while propionate probably acts in a different manner.
Novel nonlinear processes in hollow-core photonic bandgap fibers

We present the results of several experiments in which nonlinear-optical processes are enhanced by introducing gases into the hollow core of a photonic bandgap fiber. Such fibers offer the potential of greatly enhancing nonlinear interactions
Parental involvement in language and literacy acquisition: A bilingual journaling approach

This pilot study examined the feasibility of a home–school partnership for improving emergent literacy skills in Spanish-speaking pre-school children of migrant farmworkers. Parents were requested ...
Bacterial Genome Reference Databases: Progress and Challenges

Accurate and sensitive detection of microbes against a complex background is a problem common to multiple aspects of human health, such as vaccines and other biologicals safety, blood safety, and diagnosing infectious diseases in humans or other hosts. The microbes in question could be bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitical. To defend against such a broad array of microbes of potential safety concern, we need more than single-target polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Technologies such as highly-multiplexed PCR, broad-spectrum DNA/RNA microarrays, and next-generation sequencing are all potentiallycapable to provide increased protection against microbial contamination. Regulatory processes are currently struggling to keep up with rapid advances in all of these technologies, each of which is firmly based upon nucleic acid sequencing resulting in generation of megabases of data. A major question is the level of quality required for genomic data and metadata for the reference databases that are needed to allow these technologies to be developed, validated, and then used for front-line protection of human health. The background of this general problem is discussed and one example of an ongoing effort to establish quality levels for a bacterial genome reference database is presented.
Control of uncertain systems with guaranteed performance

Approximation-free controllers are proposed for the output tracking control of a class of multi-input multi- output uncertain systems. The proposed state feedback and output feedback controllers incorporate high-gain observers to estimate the system uncertainty. The tracking error of the closed-loop system is guaranteed to be semi-globally uniformly ultimately bounded. The proposed control architecture is simple without any approximation components for unknown system dynamics, and, therefore, any robustifying components for the compensation of approximation errors. Simulations performed on two benchmark problems illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed output feedback controller.
Nations Matter: Culture, History and the Cosmopolitan Dream

Craig Calhoun, one of the most respected social scientists in the world, re-examines nationalism in light of post-1989 enthusiasm for globalization and the new anxieties of the twenty-first century. Nations Matter argues that pursuing a purely postnational politics is premature at best and possibly dangerous. Calhoun argues that, rather than wishing nationalism away, it is important to transform it. One key is to distinguish the ideology of nationalism as fixed and inherited identity from the development of public projects that continually remake the terms of national integration. Standard concepts like 'civic' vs. 'ethnic' nationalism can get in the way unless they are critically re-examined – as an important chapter in this book does. This book is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate students of sociology, history, political theory and all subjects concerned with nationalism, globalization, and cosmopolitanism.
Virtual Middle School Courses to Support Anytime, Anyplace Learning

The middle school years are a pivotal academic and social transition period that sets the stage for future educational success. Differentiated and personalized learning support middle school success across the spectrum of student abilities. Online courses are well-suited for meeting individual needs at the middle school level when they incorporate flexible timelines and interaction among students and teachers.
Oxidation and Protection of Ti3Al-Based Intermetallic Alloys

Titanium aluminides containing 20–30 atom percent Al can suffer from severe subsurface embrittlement (alpha-case) when exposed to air at elevated temperatures for extended periods. For example.the alloys Ti-24Al-12.5Nb-1.5Mo and Ti-24Al-8Nb-2Mo-2Ta (based on the Ti3Al alpha-2 intermetallic compound) embrittle to a depth of about 80 microns during 1000 hours exposure to air at 815°C (1500°F), resulting in major reductions in tensile properties. Plasma-sprayed coatings of the MCrAlY and MCr types deposited over a thin diffusion barrier of chromium or tungsten, have been found effective in protecting these alloys against oxidation and embrittlement at this temperatures.
Reaching a representative sample of college students: A comparative analysis

ABSTRACTObjective: To explore the feasibility of a random-digit dial (RDD) cellular phone survey in order to reach a national and representative sample of college students. Methods: Demographic distributions from the 2011 National Young Adult Health Survey (NYAHS) were benchmarked against enrollment numbers from the Integrated Postsecondary Education System (IPEDS). The sample quality was compared with the Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (1993), National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (1995), and National College Health Assessment (2011). Results: Overall, the NYAHS performed as well, if not better, than previous college health surveys at reaching important demographic subgroups. Conclusions: Cellular phone RDD is one feasible approach for studies of the general population of college students that can potentially generate national estimates of health behavior.
The United Kingdom's Real Judicial Choice Doctrine: Judicious Judicial Discourse?

Courts in the United Kingdom have held that, when the European Court of Human Rights delivers inconsistent precedent, they have a “real judicial choice” regarding the substantive law to apply. This paper argues that, given the UK’s position within the framework of the European Convention on Human Rights, the UK’s real judicial choice doctrine is an appropriate approach to ECHR precedent. Nonetheless, this paper recognizes potential for abuse and, consequently, offers some cautionary insights.
Microsatellite analysis to estimate realized dispersal distance in Phragmites australis

An understanding of the mean and maximum dispersal distances of target species and subsequent scaling of management efforts to dispersal distance can be key in slowing, containing, or eradicating invasive species. However, dispersal distance is often difficult to measure. Patterns of genetic relatedness can be interpreted to understand realized genetic dispersal distances, which can then be applied to management. We analyzed patterns of microsatellite relatedness using Mantel correlograms and used them to estimate realized dispersal distance for the invasive wetland grass, Phragmites australis. We found that genetic relatedness declined quickly with increasing distance, decreasing to the level of the mean subestuary genetic relatedness by 100 m and to nearly zero by 500 m. We interpret this to indicate that most dispersal is <100 m and very little dispersal extends beyond 500 m. This suggests that management of P. australis may need to consider dispersal from stands up to 500 m from an area that is being managed, perhaps at the scale of whole subestuaries. Results of this study demonstrate that analysis of dispersal patterns can be used to develop landscape-scale approaches to the management of invasive species.
Some Variables in Role Conflict Analysis

heavens of achievement look quite different to many contemporaries than they did to their predecessors. There is more "escape" from the competitive world into pleasure, the arts, hobbies, sports. People read "escapist" travel stories or mystery and crime yarns instead of the Horatio Alger type of novel. They try to build up psychic defenses against their feeling of inadequacy and develop an apathy toward the "outside." The individual feels that he has "a certain freedom to fail in the eyes of others without being convinced by them of his own inadequacy."33 The tremendous growth of counseling services testifies to people's need for adjustment to the new situation. The substance of the counsel so often is to develop internal goals of happiness and peace of mind, to adapt to the world as it is without protest and criticism. It is not sheer happenstance that in 1937 Dale Carnegie wrote How to Win Friends and Influence People (how to get on among people and achieve), and in 1948 wrote How to Stop Worrying and Start Living (how to adjust to one's fate and social state). To return to our main thesis, there seems to be a growing complacency regarding status and role. People seem to be increasingly interested in avoiding the strains of competition in our complex "mass") society; they hesitate to "chance" the climb with the attendant possibility of rebuff or retreat. They seem to be less and less sure of themselves as potentially successful movers upward, and are adjusting or accommodating their mental states to the "life-chances" of a given level with its status, if it is not intolerable. Many seem to be interested only in such self-improvement as is necessary to "hang on" or move within their bracket, and are willing to abide by the esteem of conformity as a compensation for the lack of higher prestige and other social emoluments. In general, there is evidence that the American Dream is becoming less real for many people. Some trends and tendencies are in process of reversal, at least temporarily. In the main, we seem to be "settling" as a people. The strata are becoming more rigid; the holes in the sieves are becoming smaller. Status is crystallizing. There is both a tendency toward restriction of access to the means of personal and family advancement, and an apparent reduction in the vertical mobility drive and psyche and ethos. Needless to say, in this rigidifying and "closing" of our class structure, and in this reduction of vertical mobility, we may be depriving our society of many potential contributions that might emanate from the lower ranks. The situation limits the use of intrinsic merit; much merit remains undiscovered. 33 Ibid., p. 129.