cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SPECIAL SECTION ON FIELD PROGRAMMABLE LOGIC AND APPLICATIONS - Statistical placement for FPGAs considering

Process variations affecting timing and power is an important issue for modern integrated circuits in nanometre technologies. Field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) are similar to application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in their susceptibility to these issues, but face unique challenges in that critical paths are unknown at test time. The first in-depth study on applying statistical timing analysis with cross-chip and on-chip variations to speed-binning and guard- banding in FPGAs has been presented. Considering the uniqueness of re-programmability in FPGAs, the effects of timing-model with guard-banding and speed-binning on statistical performance and timing yield are quantified. A new variation aware statistical placement, which is the first statistical algorithm for FPGA layout and achieves a yield loss of 29.7% of the original yield loss with guard-banding and a yield loss of 4% of the original one with speed-binning for Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC) and Quartus University Interface Program (QUIP) designs, has also been developed.
Characterization of Fusarium-induced expression of flavonoids and PR genes in maize

Abstract In maize, Fusarium ear rots lead to contamination of grains with mycotoxins and loss of yield. We tested if induced expression of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins and related 3-deoxyflavonoid (flavan-4-ols) compounds in maize silks and kernels impart resistance to Fusarium ear rot. In maize, condensed flavan-4-ols (phlobaphenes) accumulate in floral organs including silks and kernel pericarps and their biosynthesis is regulated by Pericarp color1 (P1) and a linked paralog P2. Three maize lines differing for allelic constitution at the P locus were compared for their response to Fusarium verticillioides and F. graminearum. The moderately resistant maize line P1-rr4B2 carrying both the P1 and the P2 gene showed enhanced accumulation of 3-deoxyanthocyanidins in inoculated silks. The line 4Co63 carrying only the P2 gene exhibited highest resistance to F. verticillioides. Expression data revealed that flavonoid pathway genes were active during the early stages of silk development. In kernels, however, induction of the flavonoid pathway genes was later than that in silks, and higher transcriptional induction was observed in line carrying both P1 and P2 genes. Among the PR genes tested, PR-4 and PR-5 showed developmental as well as fungus-induced expression. Field based ear rot incidence could be correlated with the presence of functional P locus as well as genetic background of the tested maize lines.
The α1-Antitrypsin Gene Is Expressed in a Human Intestinal Epithelial Cell Line

alpha 1-Antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT) is considered a typical plasma protein and a prototype of the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) family. It is synthesized in hepatocytes and, to a lesser extent, in macrophages. In this study we show that the alpha 1-AT gene is also expressed in human intestine and in a human colonic epithelial tumor cell line, Caco2. A single 1.6-kilobase alpha 1-AT-specific mRNA is present in jejunum and in Caco2 cells. It is identical in apparent size to that present in human hepatoma HepG2 cells but slightly smaller than that present in human macrophages, cells in which an alternative upstream transcriptional start site is used. Synthesis and secretion of alpha 1-AT in Caco2 cells is similar to that in HepG2 cells. It is synthesized as an approximately 52-kDa precursor polypeptide, converted to its mature, fully glycosylated 55-kDa form intracellularly, and the native protein is secreted with a half-time of 37 min. Functionally active alpha 1-AT is secreted into the basolateral and apical (luminal) fluid in pulse-chase labeling experiments of Caco2 cells cultured in polarized orientation on collagen-coated nitrocellulose membranes. Expression of alpha 1-AT in Caco2 enterocytes is not affected by soluble factors that regulate expression of alpha 1-AT in macrophages and hepatocytes. However, expression of alpha 1-AT increases markedly in Caco2 cells as they differentiate into enteric villous-type cells.
KIERKEGAARD AND EVANS ON THE PROBLEM OF ABRAHAM

A significant challenge faces any ethic that endorses the view that divine commands are sufficient to impose moral obligations; in this paper, I focus on Kierkegaard's ethic, in particular. The challenge to be addressed is the “modernized” problem of Abraham, popularized especially by Fear and Trembling: the dilemma that an agent faces when a being claiming to be God issues a command to the agent that, by the agent's own lights, seems not to be the kind of command that a loving God would issue. Against a solution to this problem proposed by C. Stephen Evans in Kierkegaard's Ethic of Love, I argue that Kierkegaard regards this scenario as never actually resulting in a fully responsible agent's performance of some horrendous action on account of her non-culpable misinterpretation of God's will and/or failure to discern correctly whether a perceived moral imperative truly is divine in origin.
Effect of two perfluorocarbon emulsions on reperfusion injury after coronary artery occlusion in rabbits.

Because of their high oxygen-carrying capability and small particle size, it has been suggested that perfluorochemical emulsions may be useful to reduce reperfusion injury after coronary artery occlusion and reperfusion. We tested the ability of Fluosol and a more concentrated perfluorochemical emulsion (perflubron) to decrease infarct size in anesthetized rabbits undergoing 30 min of coronary occlusion and 4 h of reperfusion. All rabbits were ventilated with 100% oxygen. Treatment was begun at 25 min of coronary occlusion, 5 min before reperfusion. Rabbits were randomized to receive saline (10 ml/kg, n=15), Fluosol (30 ml/kg, n=15), or a perflubron emulsion (10 ml/kg, n=16), or the perflubron emulsion vehicle (10 ml/kg, n=15). Collateral blood flow during occlusion was measured with radioactive microspheres. The size of the ischemic region at risk was determined by in vivo injection of blue dye and infarct size by in vitro tetrazolium staining. We found that all groups were equally ischemic during occlusion, and that risk zone sizes were comparable. Heart rate and systemic arterial pressure were also similar among groups. Infarct size expressed as a percentage of the risk zone was 30±4 % in saline-treated rabbits, 27±4 % in Fluosol-treated rabbits, and 21±4 % and 21±3 % in perflubron emulsion and perflubron emulsion vehicle treated rabbits, respectively. There was a trend for both perflubron emulsion and perflubron emulsion vehicle groups to have smaller infarcts; however neither perfluorocarbon emulsion nor the emulsion vehicle significantly reduced infarct size compared with saline treatment. Thus, at the doses used in this study neither Fluosol non perflubron emulsion, when given just before reperfusion, significantly reduced infarct size in this rabbit model.
Protective effect of dimercaptosuccinic acid on methylmercury and mercuric chloride inhibition of rat brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Abstract The reactivation of the rat brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mACh-R) binding with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) after in vitro and in vivo inhibition by mercuric chloride (HgCl2) and methylmercuric chloride (MeHg) was investigated. Receptor binding was estimated by the potent and specific antagonist l -[3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([3H]QNB). Rat brain synaptosomal membranes were exposed to HgCl2 and MeHg. At 1 × 10−4 M. HgCl2 caused complete inhibition of the [3H]QNB binding. The inhibition of [3H]QNB binding by HgCl2 was still higher than 50% at 1 × 10−8 M. MeHg caused less inhibition of [3H]QNB binding than HgCl2. The inhibited receptors showed a significant degree of reactivation when treated with DMSA. The recovery was almost complete after MeHg inhibition or with the lower HgCl2 concentrations. Generally, the reactivation was dependent on the concentration of DMSA. When rats injected with either early or delayed doses of DMSA following administration with five consecutive daily doses (8 mg/kg body wt, Gavage method) of MeHg or HgCl2, the inhibition of [3H]QNB binding was less than untreated ones. The early treatment with DMSA decreased the inhibition of [3H]QNB binding due to MeHg or HgCl2 intoxication. However, DMSA was more effective in reducing HgCl2 inhibition than MeHg either in vitro or in vivo treatment. The ability of DMSA to reactivate the mACh-R after inhibition with the mercurials emphasizes the involvement of essential sulfhydryl groups in [3H]QNB binding sites, and also shows that these sulfhydryl groups are the primary target for the MeHg and HgCl2 inhibition of the rat brain muscarinic receptors.
The regulatory roles of T4 and T8 subsets in tetanus toxoid-induced in vitro immunoglobulin production

A new mitogenic system for in vitro immunoglobulin production induced by tetanus toxoid is presented and the role of T4 and T8 subsets in tetanus toxoid-induced in vitro immunoglobulin production is investigated. Purified T, T4, T8, and B cells from normal individuals previously immunized but not boosted with tetanus toxoid were cultured in helper and suppressor assays and the number of immunoglobulin-secreting cells were enumerated after culture using a hemolytic plaque assay. The regulatory roles of T4 and T8 cells in this tetanus toxoid system were compared with the role of these subsets after pokeweed mitogen stimulation. Although most of the immunoglobulin produced in the tetanus toxoid system was polyclonal, there were differences in the time course, the magnitude of the responses, the radiosensitivity of the subsets, and optimal T- to B-cell ratios for immunoglobulin production which distinguish the tetanus toxoid and pokeweed mitogen systems.
Isomer discrimination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Murchison meteorite by resonant ionization

We have used two-color resonant two-photon ionization (2C-R2PI) mass spectrometry to discriminate between isomers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Murchison meteorite. We measured the 2C-R2PI spectra of chrysene and triphenylene seeded in a supersonic jet by laser desorption. Since each isomer differs in its R2PI spectrum, we can distinguish between isomers using wavelength dependent ionization and mass spectrometry. We found both chrysene and triphenylene in sublimates from carbonaceous residue obtained by acid demineralization of the Murchison meteorite. Their R2PI mass spectra show only the molecular ion, even though these samples contain a complex inventory of organic molecules.
A new large volume bioluminescence bathyphotometer with defined turbulence excitation

Abstract A vertical profiler for measuring stimulated bioluminescence is described. Unique features include statistically rigorous sampling, facilitated by high pumping rates (up to 441 s −1 ), hydrodynamically calibrated excitation at the entrance to the large volume (11 1) detection chamber, and the capability of rapid vertical deployment to depths of 500 m at descent velocities up to 50 m min −1 , while collecting data at 64 kilobaud. Radiometric, hydrodynamic and biological calibrations of this High Intake. Defined Excitation Bathyphotometer (HIDEX-BP) are described. Data collected during Biowatt 1987 with the HIDEX-BP are presented.
The aerodynamics and dynamic analysis of horizontal axis and wind turbines

Abstract A brief summary of an extended study of horizontal axis wind turbine technology is followed by the results of additional studies of their performance and stability characteristics.
Skin tribology phenomena associated with reading braille print: The influence of cell patterns and skin behavior on coefficient of friction

Abstract Efficient transmission of tactile information is vital for individuals who rely on their sense of touch to interact with and navigate their surroundings, including visually impaired persons. Somatosensory phenomena have been investigated with respect to surface topologies and neuron sensitivities in the skin, but there is little knowledge of the specific skin tribology when reading tactual-coded information such as braille. Braille is a tactual code that employs raised dome-shaped dots in six-position cells (2 columns by 3 rows per cell), with various dot patterns representing individual text characters, punctuation or mathematical operators. Due to the hypothesized significance of friction on tactile sensitivity, the authors investigated the effect of basic braille dot configurations on friction coefficient in fingertip sliding. Initial studies investigated the effect of multiple dot-row configurations and media type on friction coefficient, but the tribological effect of individual features and associated skin interactions was ill-defined. Subsequently, the frictional effect of an individual dot of varying radius was investigated and modeled against a multi-term frictional model implementing Hertzian contact, the Greenwood–Tabor hysteresis component of a spherical indenter against a soft surface, as well as Wolfram׳s traditional adhesion model. The results of the study show that macro-scale deformation of the fingerpad during fingertip-on-dot sliding is the primary friction mechanism and suggest that the contribution due to a macroscopic feature is largely independent of sample medium. Based on this understanding, the effect of braille dot spacing on a dot׳s friction contribution was investigated. The results from the spacing study indicate that the fingerpad׳s interaction with dot pairs is highly influenced by dot feature spacing. Further work is necessary to identify the fundamental sliding mechanics at the finger-dot interface, but the ability to identify the frictional mechanisms as well as the sliding interactions will provide a means to understand how much of a role friction plays in braille character recognition, as well as suggest potential friction-based methods to enhance the information density of braille codes.
The hypersonic viscous shock layer with mass transfer

Abstract An investigation of the effects of surface mass transfer on the viscous hypersonic shock layer of a blunt body has been performed. Cheng's theory of the Newtonian shock layer has been modified to include both suction and injection, and extensive numerical results have been obtained for the injection of air into air. These results indicate that the heat-transfer and skin-friction reductions due to injection can be adequately represented by the standard boundary-layer correlation formula for all but extreme low-density flows. As the Reynolds number decreases, however, mass transfer becomes ineffective in reducing heating rates and skin friction, especially for a very cold wall. The effect of nonzero wall temperature is to increase the shock-layer thickness dramatically, and there are also indications that the wall-temperature level determines whether the asymptotic inviscid-shock-layer thickness is approached from above or below.
Otherness and individuation in Heidegger

Etude de la question de l'alterite en relation avec le probleme de l'individuation chez Heidegger. L'A. montre que la pensee de l'etre developpee dans «Etre et Temps» s'appuie d'une part sur la sphere ontologique de l'individuation du Dasein et, d'autre part, sur la dimension de l'autre comprise dans l'analytique existentiale. Il en resulte une definition de la communaute fondee sur l'indissociabilite de l'individuation et de l'alterite
Spatial relationships between lead sources and children’s blood lead levels in the urban center of Indianapolis (USA)

Urban children remain disproportionately at risk of having higher blood lead levels than their suburban counterparts. The Westside Cooperative Organization (WESCO), located in Marion County, Indianapolis, Indiana, has a history of children with high blood lead levels as well as high soil lead (Pb) values. This study aims at determining the spatial relationship between soil Pb sources and children’s blood lead levels. Soils have been identified as a source of chronic Pb exposure to children, but the spatial scale of the source–recipient relationship is not well characterized. Neighborhood-wide analysis of soil Pb distribution along with a furnace filter technique for sampling interior Pb accumulation for selected homes (n = 7) in the WESCO community was performed. Blood lead levels for children aged 0–5 years during the period 1999–2008 were collected. The study population’s mean blood lead levels were higher than national averages across all ages, race, and gender. Non-Hispanic blacks and those individuals in the Wishard advantage program had the highest proportion of elevated blood lead levels. The results show that while there is not a direct relationship between soil Pb and children’s blood lead levels at a spatial scale of ~100 m, resuspension of locally sourced soil is occurring based on the interior Pb accumulation. County-wide, the largest predictor of elevated blood lead levels is the location within the urban core. Variation in soil Pb and blood lead levels on the community level is high and not predicted by housing stock age or income. Race is a strong predictor for blood lead levels in the WESCO community.
NOTIONS OF CLOSENESS IN A NONQUANTIFIABLE SETTING

The concept of closeness makes frequent appearances in scientific inquiry. To begin with, it is clearly present and relevant in advanced mathematical investigations involving metric spaces and/or the stability properties of differential equations. It is widely employed and studied in taxonomic biology under the heading of taxonomic resemblance,2 and often arises in psychology as it bears upon such ideas as similarity3 and multidimensional scaling.4 Psychologists have also put a few of the closeness-related results derived by taxonomic biologists to their own special uses. Furthermore, some of the techniques developed in both fields have found their way into other areas. A case in point is the application of cluster analysis by Birnberg and Resnick [2, pp. 107–116] to identify colonial economies with the “most similar” characteristics.
GEOGRAPHIC DIFFERENCES IN THE SEED GERMINATION OF PAPER BIRCH (BETULA PAPYRIFERA)

Examen des effets de la lumiere et de la temperature sur la germination des graines de B.p. d'origines geographiques differentes
Transcatheter occlusion of baffle leaks following atrial switch procedures for transposition of the great vessels (d-TGV).

Baffle-related complications following atrial switch procedures for transposition are relatively common. Transcatheter treatment of baffle stenosis has an established role as a therapeutic modality. However, transcatheter device closure of atrial baffles leaks has rarely been reported. We report four patients who underwent device closure of baffle leaks using the Amplatzer septal occluder following atrial switch procedures in order to demonstrate the safety and utility of this method of treatment and to establish its role as a suitable alternative to surgical closure. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;61:259–263. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Intracellular cGMP may promote Ca2+-dependent and Ca2+-independent release of catecholamines from sympathetic nerve terminals.

Abstract Objective This study examined the hypothesis that intracellular cGMP stimulates the release of catecholamines from sympathetic nerve terminals (SNTs) in conscious rats. Methods Conscious rats were prepared to determine the effects of intravenously-administered agents on heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Results Bolus intravenous injections of the membrane-permeable cGMP analogue, 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)-cGMP (8-CPT-cGMP), elicited immediate and pronounced increases in HR before any changes in MAP were observed. In contrast, injections of cGMP did not elicit changes in HR or MAP. The 8-CPT-cGMP-induced tachycardia was markedly diminished by (1) the β1,2-adrenoceptor antagonist, propranolol, (2) the ganglion blocking agent, chlorisondamine, and (3) bretylium, which blocks Ca2+-dependent mobilization of vesicular stores of catecholamines from SNTs. 8-CPT-cGMP also elicited minor falls in MAP in propranolol-treated rats but elicited pronounced falls in MAP in rats treated with chlorisondamine, bretylium, or combined administration of bretylium and the muscarinic receptor antagonist, methyl-atropine. Conclusions These findings suggest that (1) intracellular cGMP elicits the release of Ca2+-sensitive and Ca2+-insensitive stores of catecholamines from SNTs in conscious rats, and (2) cGMP-mediated release of catecholamines from SNTs antagonizes cGMP-mediated relaxation of vascular smooth muscle in resistance arteries. Taken together, these findings support the concept that increases in intracellular cGMP levels by atrial natriuretic peptide and endothelium- and cardiac-derived nitric oxide regulate sympathetic control of the heart and the microvasculature of conscious rats via cGMP-dependent release of catecholamines.
Soluble adhesion molecule profiling in preoperative infants with biliary atresia

Abstract Objective Intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) expression in liver and bile duct remnant is a feature of the inflammatory component of biliary atresia (BA). Circulating levels of such soluble adhesion molecules (SAM) should reflect intrahepatic disease and would prove a useful adjunct in the evaluation of BA. Study Design Serum ICAM-1 (sICAM-1), serum vascular cell adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1), and serum E selectin (sE-selectin) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in infants with BA at the time of portoenterostomy and stratified by outcome. Results are quoted as medians (range). Binary logistic regression analysis and actuarial survival curves were used to investigate the relationship of SAM profile to outcome. Significance was assumed at P values of ≤.05. Results Sixty-one infants with BA were treated between 1996 and 2002 and at follow-up; 39 of these were alive and jaundice-free (good outcome, n=39); 21 had been transplanted, and 1 died (poor outcome, n=22). Preoperative values for sICAM-1 were 1233 (400-2000) ng/mL; sVCAM-1, 1204 (517-1921) ng/mL; and sE-selectin, 71 (26-192) ng/mL. sVCAM-1 ( P P P = .17). There was a significant correlation of age at surgery with sICAM-1 ( r = 0.33, P = .01) but not with sVCAM-1 ( r = 0.16, P = .23) or sE-selectin ( r = 0.05, P = .70). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that the variables, sICAM-1, sE-selectin, or age at surgery, were not significant predictors of outcome, although sVCAM-1 approached significance ( P = .069). A cutoff value for sVCAM-1 of 1380 ng/mL was defined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and the cohort of patients with sVCAM-1 (>1380 ng/mL) showed a significantly worse actuarial survival ( P = .05). Conclusion Levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 are grossly elevated in BA, whereas sE-selectin levels are normal. Only sVCAM-1 levels have prognostic significance. SAM profiling has the potential to monitor the inflammatory process of BA and may guide more novel forms of pharmacological intervention or immunomodulation.
Computer rendering and visual detection of orange peel

The computer graphic simulation of a common spray painting artifact, called orange peel, is discussed. Orange peel distorts surface reflections and is commonplace in product design applications. The orange peel measurements from a standard industrial instrument are used to construct a height field, and this surface is rendered using traditional normal mapping techniques. Comparisons are made between real panels with orange peel and simulations of those panels. A simple visual model for detecting the presence of orange peel is also presented and evaluated. User testing of the model confirms that orange peel is more visible on dark paint colors than on light paint colors. The latter outcome suggests that to minimize application time, but still keep orange peel below visual threshold, paint application systems should be designed to take paint color into account.
Commentary on facility location in the presence of congested regions with the rectilinear distance metric

Abstract This paper is a commentary on the work of Butt and Cavalier (Socio-Econ. Plann. Sci. 31(2) (1997) 103), a paper that was published in an earlier issue of this journal. With the aid of an example problem, we demonstrate that the set of gridlines proposed by them to find the rectilinear least cost path between two points in the presence of convex polygonal congested regions is inadequate. We proceed to prove its adequacy for the case of rectangular congested regions in which the edges of the rectangles are parallel to the travel directions. In wake of the difficulties of the general problem, we consider a specific example of a convex quadrilateral congestion region and a pair of external origin and destination points. Finally, we revisit the example shown in Butt and Cavalier's paper and present a mixed integer linear programming formulation that determines the optimal locations of the entry and exit points for this example.
Parallel algorithms for solving the satisfaction problem of functional and multivalued data dependencies

Abstract Parallel algorithms for solving the satisfaction problem of non-trivial functional and multivalued data dependencies ( FDs and MVDs ) in a relation of N tuples by M processors are developed in this paper. Algorithms performing, in a parallel manner, batch or interactive checking of these data dependencies are also discussed. The M processors are organized as a linear systolic array. The time complexities of the first two algorithms for solving the FD satisfaction problem under M ⩾ N are both O( N ), and that of Algorithm (3) or (4) for solving the FD or MVD satisfaction problem under N ⩾ M is O( N 2 / M ). The latter complexity reduced to O( N ) if N = M and is at least not worse than O( N log N ) if N = M ⩾ ( N /log N ).
Mutation scanning of the RET protooncogene using high-resolution melting analysis.

Background: Single-base pair missense mutations in exons 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, and 16 of the RET protooncogene are associated with the autosomal dominant multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndromes: MEN2A, MEN2B, and familial medullary thyroid carcinoma. The current widely used approach for RET mutation detection is sequencing of the exons. Methods: Because RET mutations are rare and the majority are heterozygous mutations, we investigated RET mutation detection by high-resolution amplicon melting analysis. This mutation scanning technique uses a saturating double-stranded nucleic acid binding dye, LCGreen®, and the high-resolution melter, HR-1™, to detect heterozygous and homozygous sequence variations. Mutant genotypes are distinguished from the wild-type genotype by an altered amplicon melting curve shape or position. Results: Samples of 26 unique RET mutations, 4 nonpathogenic polymorphisms, or the wild-type genotype were available for this study. The developed RET mutation-scanning assay differentiated RET sequence variations from the wild-type genotype by altered derivative melting curve shape or position. A blinded study of 80 samples (derived from the 35 mutant, polymorphism, or wild-type samples) demonstrated that 100% of RET sequence variations were differentiated from wild-type samples. For exons 11 and 13, the nonpathogenic polymorphisms could be distinguished from the pathogenic RET mutations. Some RET mutations could be directly genotyped by the mutation scanning assay because of unique derivative melting curve shapes. Conclusion: RET high-resolution amplicon melting analysis is a sensitive, closed-tube assay that can detect RET protooncogene sequence variations.
Separation and analysis of differentiating B lymphocytes from mouse spleens.

Abstract BALB/c spleen cells cultured for 72 hr in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were separated into three different lymphoid cell populations on the basis of size by unit-gravity sedimentation through a linear albumin gradient. The small-cell region at the top of the gradient consisted of small lymphocytes positive for immunoglobulin light chains as shown by immunofluorescence. The intermediate-cell region in the middle portion of the gradient was composed of mitotic and intermitotic immunoblasts. Up to 90% of these cells possessed IgM, but only a very small amount of secreted IgM was detectable. The large-cell region at the bottom of the gradient contained mature plasma cells which secreted large amounts of IgM. No significant IgG synthesis was detected in cells throughout the gradient. Analysis of gradients by autoradiography sequentially during LPS stimulation showed that small lymphocytes are the primary cells responding to LPS. These cells synthesize DNA and then differentiate to become immunoblasts. The resulting immunoblasts then undergo several cycles of replication with a high percentage of these cells continuing the differentiation process to become mature plasma cells.
In vivo pharmacokinetics, activation of MAPK signaling and induction of phase II/III drug metabolizing enzymes/transporters by cancer chemopreventive compound BHA in the mice

Phenolic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a commonly used food preservative with broad biological activities, including protection against chemical-induced carcinogenesis, acute toxicity of chemicals, modulation of macromolecule synthesis and immune response, induction of phase II detoxifying enzymes, as well as its undesirable potential tumor-promoting activities. Understanding the molecular basis underlying these diverse biological actions of BHA is thus of great importance. Here we studied the pharmacokinetics, activation of signaling kinases and induction of phase II/III drug metabolizing enzymes/transporter gene expression by BHA in the mice. The peak plasma concentration of BHA achieved in our current study after oral administration of 200 mg/kg BHA was around 10 microM. This in vivo concentration might offer some insights for the many in vitro cell culture studies on signal transduction and induction of phase II genes using similar concentrations. The oral bioavailability (F) of BHA was about 43% in the mice. In the mouse liver, BHA induced the expression of phase II genes including NQO-1, HO-1, gamma-GCS, GST-pi and UGT 1A6, as well as some of the phase III transporter genes, such as MRP1 and Slcolb2. In addition, BHA activated distinct mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), as well as p38, suggesting that the MAPK pathways may play an important role in early signaling events leading to the regulation of gene expression including phase II drug metabolizing and some phase III drug transporter genes. This is the first study to demonstrate the in vivo pharmacokinetics of BHA, the in vivo activation of MAPK signaling proteins, as well as the in vivo induction of Phase II/III drug metabolizing enzymes/transporters in the mouse livers.
The Performance–Trust Link: Implications for Performance Measurement

Although the link between government performance and citizen trust in government seems intuitive, the relationship is not supported in some of the literature. This article argues that the difficulty of empirically demonstrating this link is rooted in the difficulty of defining and measuring government performance meaningfully. Performance measurement can improve citizen trust in government directly through citizen participation in the evaluation process or indirectly by improving citizens’ perceptions of government performance. To achieve this potential, current performance-measurement practice must be improved: to measure what citizens really care about, to be more systematic and integrated across agencies, to include other governing entities, and to become an ongoing participatory process in which governments and citizens are both transformed.
Drosophila Bruce can potently suppress Rpr and grim-dependent but not hid-dependent cell death

Abstract Bruce is a large protein (530 kDa) that contains an N-terminal baculovirus IAP repeat (BIR) and a C-terminal ubiquitin conjugation domain (E2) [1, 2]. BRUCE upregulation occurs in some cancers and contributes to the resistance of these cells to DNA-damaging chemotherapeutic drugs [2]. However, it is still unknown whether Bruce inhibits apoptosis directly or instead plays some other more indirect role in mediating chemoresistance, perhaps by promoting drug export, decreasing the efficacy of DNA damage-dependent cell death signaling, or by promoting DNA repair. Here, we demonstrate, using gain-of-function and deletion alleles, that Drosophila Bruce (dBruce) can potently inhibit cell death induced by the essential Drosophila cell death activators Reaper (Rpr) and Grim but not Head involution defective (Hid). The dBruce BIR domain is not sufficient for this activity, and the E2 domain is likely required. dBruce does not promote Rpr or Grim degradation directly, but its antiapoptotic actions do require that their N termini, required for interaction with DIAP1 BIR2, be intact. dBruce does not block the activity of the apical cell death caspase Dronc or the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family member Debcl/Drob-1/dBorg-1/Dbok. Together, these results argue that dBruce can regulate cell death at a novel point.
Nutritional and hormonal regulation of liver deoxycytidine kinase activity

Abstract Administration of CdR (50 mg/100 g every 12 h) elevated hepatic CdR kinase (EC 2.7.1.74) activity in normal or adrenalectomized rats over the control values 2- to 2.7-fold. Actinomycin (5 μg/100 g) or cyclohexinide (50 μg/100 g) blocked the increase in enzyme activity. In starved rats, liver CdR kinase decreased to 64% compared to fed controls; refeeding restored enzyme activity to normal range. Steroid treatment (triamcinolone 1 mg/100 g/day) elevated liver CdR kinase activity to 138%, 169% and 193% of controls in 1, 2 and 3 days, respectively. Actinonycin or cycloheximide prevented this rise. These data suggest that the substrate and steroid induction of hepatic CdR kinase activity may he due to increased mRNA production and enhanced protein biosynthesis.
Prediction of solids circulation patterns in a spouted bed

Abstract Several models (including that of an inviscid fluid, that of a Coulomb plastic with and without the condition of coaxiality, and one which is purely kinematic) have been applied to the annular region of a spouted bed in an attempt to determine the streamlines of the solids flow. Assuming uniform entrainment into the spout, each model can give essentially the same solution (to within a multiplicative constant, the total solids circulation rate G s ) which is in qualitative agreement with data taken on a half-bed using stroboscopic photography. If, however, much of the entrainment occurs at the bottom of the spout, the plastic models predict unrealistically oscillatory solutions, while the kinematic and ideal fluid models predict smooth and almost identical solutions.
Positioning therapy for Crohn's disease.

The therapy of Crohn’s disease is constantly evolving. It is widely recognized that clinical assessment does not stage disease activity accurately and that endoscopic healing is associated with improved long-term outcomes. Disease management is therefore transitioning to a new paradigm that includes direct assessment of disease severity (endoscopically in most patients), followed by assessment of mucosal healing. New approaches have helped optimize the use of the thiopurines, methotrexate and anti-TNF agents. Novel agents with different mechanisms of action are expanding our therapeutic armamentarium. The major challenge of the future will be to identify patient subgroups best suited to particular therapeutic approaches. In the meantime, studies of comparative effectiveness will be crucial in positioning therapies relative to each other.
Neopolystoma fentoni n. sp. (Monogenea: Polystomatidae) a parasite of the conjunctival sac of freshwater turtles in Costa Rica

Neopolystoma fentoni n. sp. is described from the conjunctival sac of Kinosternon leucostomum (Dumeril, Bibron, and Dumeril 1851) and Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima (Gray 1855) from the Guanacaste Conservation Area in Costa Rica. The new species differs from all other species of Neopolystoma, except N. elizabethae Platt 2000 in possessing a circle of eight genital spines that are recurved and possess a crescent-shaped base. N. fentoni n. sp. differs from N. elizabethae in lacking cecal diverticula and in a number of morphometric criteria.
Lewis Acidity Enhancement of Triarylboranes via Peripheral Decoration with Cationic Groups

The cationic boranes [Ar(N+)BMes(2)](+), [Ar(N+)(2)BMes](2+), and [Ar(N+)(3)B](3+) (Ar(N+) = [4-(Me(3)N)-2,6-Me(2)-C(6)H(2)](+); Mes = mesityl) have been synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry. The results obtained in this study show that the reduction potential of these derivatives in THF is increased by 0.36 V upon each substitution of a mesityl by a cationic Ar(N+) anilium group. Remarkably, the trication [3](3+), whose triflate salt is water soluble, complexes cyanide anions in pure water at pH 7. These properties underscore the dramatic effects caused by the increased number of cationic groups.
Temporary balloon tamponade for managing subclavian arterial injury by inadvertent central venous catheter placement.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of a temporary balloon tamponade technique for managing subclavian arterial injury secondary to inadvertent central venous catheter placement. Materials and methods Patients with subclavian arterial injury caused by inadvertent placement of a central venous catheter (size range 7-F to 7.5-F) who were treated only with temporary balloon tamponade between February 2002 and October 2009 were included. A temporary balloon tamponade technique was used to treat 13 patients (6 men and 7 women; mean age 56.7 years; age range 28–80 years). Technical success, total balloon inflation time, and complications were evaluated. Results Technical success was achieved with the temporary balloon tamponade technique in 13 cases (100%). Eight patients were treated with one balloon inflation, and five patients with two inflations (mean inflations 1.4). The mean total balloon inflation time was 14 minutes ± 13. There was no recurrent bleeding, hematoma, or pseudoaneurysm that required additional interventional procedures or surgical repair. A thrombus was identified in the subclavian arterial lumen after removal of the balloon catheter in one case; however, the thrombus was nonocclusive and asymptomatic. Conclusions Temporary balloon tamponade seems to be technically feasible and effective with a good safety profile in the management of subclavian arterial injury caused by inadvertent central venous catheter placement. Intraluminal thrombus can be an associated complication of the procedure.
Relaxation of the Superconducting Order Parameter

The creation and annihilation of quasiparticles in a superconductor through their interaction with the phonon field is examined. At low frequencies this appears to be the main mechanism leading to relaxation of the order parameter in a superconductor. The relaxation time becomes long both close to ${T}_{c}$ and at low temperatures. Close to ${T}_{c}$, a diffusion equation for the order parameter is obtained. The correlation in time of the fluctuations of the order parameter is examined. A weak coupling between the amplitude and phase of the order parameter is shown to lead to a slow diffusion of the phase of the order parameter.
The Role of Educational Systems in the Link Between Formative Assessment and Motivation

Formative assessment has been widely promoted as a means to support student learning and motivation. This practice has potential for communicating to students the value of what they are learning, both in the classroom and beyond (Brophy, 2008). To make good on those promises, however, requires an understanding of the connections between formative assessment practices and the realities of the social systems in which they are employed. In this article, I consider the importance of classroom systems, including the purposes of assessments, their function in the classroom social structure (including issues of power, identity, and competing values), and teachers' multiple concerns with effects on student learning and motivation. I also address the role of conflicts between the practice of formative assessment and grading policies, departmental assessment norms, school district structures, and external assessment mandates. Finally, the recommendation of Black, Harrison, Lee, Marshall, and Wiliam (2004) are exami...
Revisiting TV coverage estimation with measurement-based statistical interpolation

Per FCC rules, secondary users in TV White Spaces must operate only within spectrum subject to a no-harmful-interference condition to existing primary receivers. In effect, this translates into a protection region around every TV transmitter, wherein secondary nodes must not transmit (on the same channel). This is implemented by requiring secondary users to consult a database prior to any channel access so as to obtain the local prohibited channels/spatial zones (or equivalently the free channels or White Spaces). Construction of such protection regions for a transmitter within a database has been done, mainly based on empirical propagation models that estimate the received signal strength at a location. Clearly, such model-based prediction is always of limited accuracy and should be supplemented by measurement based approaches that help validate and improve the database predictions. In this work, we present results based on applying spatial interpolation techniques (Kriging) to measurement data obtained in Seattle, WA. Our results have shown that empirical DBA models tend to over-estimate received signal strengths by not explicitly accounting for local obstructions, while measurement-based Kriging achieves consistently good performance. Furthermore, boundary estimation via Kriging achieves a type I error rate 46.1% lower than comparable DBA approach while keeping type II error rate under a low limit (5%) for a given service threshold (i.e., −84 dBm/6 MHz); this is also an improvement over a method using k-Nearest Neighbor for such estimation.
Dynamic regulation of mRNA decay during neural development

Gene expression patterns are determined by rates of mRNA transcription and decay. While transcription is known to regulate many developmental processes, the role of mRNA decay is less extensively defined. A critical step toward defining the role of mRNA decay in neural development is to measure genome-wide mRNA decay rates in neural tissue. Such information should reveal the degree to which mRNA decay contributes to differential gene expression and provide a foundation for identifying regulatory mechanisms that affect neural mRNA decay. We developed a technique that allows genome-wide mRNA decay measurements in intact Drosophila embryos, across all tissues and specifically in the nervous system. Our approach revealed neural-specific decay kinetics, including stabilization of transcripts encoding regulators of axonogenesis and destabilization of transcripts encoding ribosomal proteins and histones. We also identified correlations between mRNA stability and physiologic properties of mRNAs; mRNAs that are predicted to be translated within axon growth cones or dendrites have long half-lives while mRNAs encoding transcription factors that regulate neurogenesis have short half-lives. A search for candidate cis-regulatory elements identified enrichment of the Pumilio recognition element (PRE) in mRNAs encoding regulators of neurogenesis. We found that decreased expression of the RNA-binding protein Pumilio stabilized predicted neural mRNA targets and that a PRE is necessary to trigger reporter-transcript decay in the nervous system. We found that differential mRNA decay contributes to the relative abundance of transcripts involved in cell-fate decisions, axonogenesis, and other critical events during Drosophila neural development. Neural-specific decay kinetics and the functional specificity of mRNA decay suggest the existence of a dynamic neurodevelopmental mRNA decay network. We found that Pumilio is one component of this network, revealing a novel function for this RNA-binding protein.
Recovery of datable charcoal beneath young lavas: Lessons from Hawaii

Field studies in Hawaii aimed at providing a radiocarbon-based chronology of prehistoric eruptive activity have led to a good understanding of the processes that govern the formation and preservation of charcoal beneath basaltic lava flows. Charcoal formation is a rate-dependent process controlled primarily by temperature and duration of heating, as well as by moisture content, density, and size of original woody material. Charcoal will form wherever wood buried by lava is raised to sufficiently high temperatures, but owing to the availability of oxygen it is commonly burned to ash soon after formation. Wherever oxygen circulation is sufficiently restricted, however, charcoal will be preserved, but where atmospheric oxygen circulates freely, charcoal will only be preserved at lower temperature, below that required for charcoal ignition or catalytic oxidation. These factors cause carbonized wood, especially that derived from living roots, to be commonly preserved beneath all parts of pahoehoe flows (where oxygen circulation is restricted), but only under margins of aa. Pratical guidelines are given for the recovery of datable charcoal beneath pahoehoe and aa. Although based on Hawaiian basaltic flows, the guidelines should be applicable to other areas.
Oncologic Issues and Kidney Transplantation: A Review of Frequency, Mortality, and Screening

Kidney transplant recipients are at increased risk for development of malignancy compared with the general population, and malignancies occur at an earlier age. This increased risk, as expressed by the standard incidence ratio (SIR), varies widely, but it is highest in malignancies triggered by oncogenic viruses. For other cancers, this increased risk is the direct consequence of immunosuppressants promoting tumor growth and lowering immune system tumor surveillance. In this review, we briefly discuss the common malignancies with increased risk after kidney transplantation, explore the pros and cons associated with screening, and summarize current prevention and treatment recommendations.