cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Modular Nanoparticle-Based System for Reagentless Small Molecule Biosensing

Metalloprotein tethered CdSe nanoparticles have been generated to provide selective and reagentless maltose biosensing. As opposed to cell or protein detection by semiconducting nanoparticle bioconjugates, a modular method for small-molecule detection using semiconducting nanoparticle bioconjugates has been difficult. Here we report a method for reagentless protein-based semiconducting nanoparticle biosensors. This method uses Ru(II) complex−CdSe nanoparticle interactions and the maltose-induced conformation changes of maltose binding protein to alter the CdSe nanoparticle fluorescence emission intensity. In this proof-of-principle system, the maltose-induced protein conformation changes alter the Ru(II) complex−CdSe nanoparticle interaction, which increases the CdSe emission intensity. Altered CdSe emission intensity effects are best described as electron transfer from the Ru(II) complex to the CdSe excited state forming the nonfluorescent CdSe anion. Four surface-cysteine, Ru(II) complex-attached maltos...
Violacein inhibits matrix metalloproteinase mediated CXCR4 expression: Potential anti-tumor effect in cancer invasion and metastasis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9) play an important role in the tumor metastasis through cleavage of proinflammatory cytokines. Violacein a small molecule produced by Chromobacterium violaceum and has been implicated with anti-cancer effects. In this study we investigated the molecular basis of violacein mediated downregulation of CXCL12/CXCR4, chemokine-receptor ligand interaction. Zymography analysis demonstrated that violacein significantly inhibited the cytokine (TNFα and TGFβ) mediated MMP-2 activation in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. MMP-2 plays a critical role in the secretion of inflammatory chemokine, CXCL12, involved in cell migration and cancer metastasis. ELISA analysis demonstrated that violacein inhibited the secretion of CXCL12 from the activated MCF-7 cells. Further, we show that MMP-2/-9 act synergistically at two distinct steps towards the membrane expression of the tumor metastasis chemokine receptor, CXCR4. Violacein efficiently downregulated the CXCR4 membrane expression through MMP-9 inhibition. Taken together, these studies demonstrate a unique anti-tumor mechanism of action of violacein through reduction of CXCL12/CXCR4 interaction. These studies could offer a novel venue for violacein in cancer therapy.
The Relationship Between Coping Style and Loneliness in Adolescents: Can “Sad Passivity” Be Adaptive?

Abstract The authors' purpose in this paper was to examine how the use of the “sad passive” coping style may be related to adolescent self-reported loneliness. Subjects were asked to complete the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (Russell, Peplau, & Cutrona, 1980) to determine self-reported loneliness and the Coping with Loneliness Questionnaire (CLQ; Rubenstein & Shaver, 1980) in order to examine coping styles. We hypothesized that those adolescents whose coping strategies fell into the category of sad passivity described by Rubenstein and Shaver would indicate greater loneliness than those adolescents whose coping strategies fell into other categories. Results indicated that sad passivity was used by both lonely and nonlonely adolescents, but that nonlonely youngsters resorted to this method only temporarily and in preparation for a more active coping style. Lonely teens, on the other hand, appeared to remain in the sad-passive mode to a maladaptive degree. These results were discussed in terms of their imp...
Mechanisms of the Great Plains Low-Level Jet as Simulated in an AGCM

Abstract A model diagnosis has been performed on the nocturnal Great Plains low-level jet (LLJ), which is one of the key elements of the warm season regional climate over North America. The horizontal–vertical structure, diurnal phase, and amplitude of the LLJ are well simulated by an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM), thus justifying a reevaluation of the physical mechanisms for the formation of the LLJ based on output from this model. A diagnosis of the AGCM data confirms that two planetary boundary layer (PBL) processes, the diurnal oscillation of the pressure gradient force and of vertical diffusion, are of comparable importance in regulating the inertial oscillation of the winds, which leads to the occurrence of maximum LLJ strength during nighttime. These two processes are highlighted in the theories for the LLJ proposed by Holton (1967) and Blackadar (1957). A simple model is constructed in order to study the relative roles of these two mechanisms. This model incorporates the diurnal var...
Alterations in DNA methylation in human colon neoplasia

A review of studies on DNA methylation in colonic neoplasia is presented. Hypomethylation of a wide variety of genes from throughout the genome was seen in all colon cancers studied. These changes preceded malignancy because benign adenomas were also affected.
Determination of superconducting anisotropy from magnetization data on random powders as applied to LuNi 2 B 2 C, YNi 2 B 2 C, and MgB 2

The recently discovered intermetallic superconductor ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2}$ appears to have a highly anisotopic upper critical field with ${H}_{c2}^{\mathrm{max}}{/H}_{c2}^{\mathrm{min}}\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{\gamma}g5.$ In order to determine the temperature dependence of both ${H}_{c2}^{\mathrm{max}}$ and ${H}_{c2}^{\mathrm{min}}$ we propose a method of extracting the superconducting anisotropy from the magnetization $M(H,T)$ of randomly oriented powder samples. The method is based on two features in $(\ensuremath{\partial}M/\ensuremath{\partial}{T)}_{H}:$ the onset of diamagnetism at ${T}_{c}^{\mathrm{max}},$ that is commonly associated with ${H}_{c2},$ and a kink in $\ensuremath{\partial}M/\ensuremath{\partial}T$ at a lower temperature ${T}_{c}^{\mathrm{min}}.$ Results for ${\mathrm{LuNi}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}\mathrm{C}$ and ${\mathrm{YNi}}_{2}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}\mathrm{C}$ powders are in agreement with anisotropic ${H}_{c2}$ obtained from magnetotransport measurements on single crystals. Using this method on four different types of ${\mathrm{MgB}}_{2}$ powder samples we are able to determine ${H}_{c2}^{\mathrm{max}}(T)$ and ${H}_{c2}^{\mathrm{min}}(T)$ with $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\approx}6.$
Unlocking epigenetic codes in neurogenesis.

During embryonic and adult neurogenesis, neuronal stem cells follow a highly conserved path of differentiation to give rise to functional neurons at various developmental stages. Epigenetic regulation—including DNA modifications, histone modifications, and noncoding regulatory RNAs, such as microRNA (miRNA) and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)—plays a pivotal role in embryonic and adult neurogenesis. Here we review the latest in our understanding of the epigenetic regulation in neurogenesis, with a particular focus on newly identified cytosine modifications and their dynamics, along with our perspective for future studies.
Special report: biomedical materials research in Japan.

The state of research in biomedical materials, particularly biomedical polymers, in Japan as of July 1981 is summerized. Based on visits to approximately 30 universities, research institutes, and medical schools, this report does not cover every relevant research group in Japan. References to provide further information to readers in selected areas are included, including recent articles by Japanese scientists that are written in English or have an English abstract. R and D in the areas of artificial heart blood pumps, artificial organs, bioenergetics, polymers for pharmaceutical use, the biocompatibility and structure of hydrogels, and the synthesis of photosensitive materials is discussed. The authors note that the Japanese Ministry of Education published a major report, approx. 600 pages long and containing 80 separate reports, which dealt with various aspects of basis research on biomedical polymers from 1977 to 1980.
Specularly modified vegetation indices to estimate photosynthetic activity

The hypothesis tested was that some part of the ecosystem-dependent variability of vegetation indices was attributable to the effects of light specularly reflected by leaves. 'Minus specular' indices were defined excluding effects of specular light which contains no cellular pigment information. Results, both empirical and theoretical, show that the 'minus specular' indices, when compared to the traditional vegetation indices, potentially provide better estimates of the photosynthetic activity within a canopy - and therefore canopy primary production - specifically as a function of sun and view angles.
Scores on MacAndrew factors: Bulimics and other addictive populations

Is there a general addictive personality profile? If so, how closely do individuals with eating disorders or with a tendency to eat compulsively fit the profile? To answer these questions we administered six factors of the MacAndrew Scale to groups of control subjects, alcoholics, compulsive gamblers, smokers, and bulimics. Alcoholics scored significantly higher than each of the other groups on Social Maladjustment and Cognitive Impairment. Smokers, gamblers, and bulimics emerged as more socially adept kinds of addicts. No single addictive profile emerged across groups. The MacAndrew factors appeared of little value as tools for examining disordered eating, defined either in terms of normal or clinical behavior.
Perdeuterated pyridinium molten salt (ionic liquid) for direct dissolution and NMR analysis of plant cell walls

A bi-solvent system consisting of perdeuterated pyridinium molten salt and DMSO-d6 (dimethyl sulfoxide-d6) has been developed for direct dissolution and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis of plant cell walls, which will shed a new light on efficient detailed structure of the plant cell walls and benefit lignin engineering for biofuel and biomaterial research.
Measurement of Depression in Epilepsy

Abstract The current study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2 (MMPI-2) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in determining the presence of depression in epileptic patients. A psychiatric diagnostic interview was used as an external criterion for the presence of depression. The participants were 61 patients undergoing presurgical evaluation for treatment of epilepsy at the epilepsy treatment center of a research medical center. The results of the present study indicate that the accuracy of assessment of depression in epilepsy with psychological tests varies with the depression scale or subscale used. The BDI performed in general more effectively as a diagnostic instrument than the MMPI-2. The results suggest that the latter test was negatively impacted by somatic content present in some scales and subscales.
Attention and Memory for Faces and Actions in Infancy: The Salience of Actions over Faces in Dynamic Events

Discrimination and memory for video films of women performing different activities was investigated in 5.5 month-old infants. In Experiment 1, infants (N = 24) were familiarized to the faces of one of three women performing one of three repetitive activities (blowing bubbles, brushing hair, and brushing teeth). Overall, results indicated discrimination and memory for the actions but not the faces after both a 1-min and a 7-week delay. Memory was demonstrated by a visual preference for the novel actions after the 1-min delay and for the familiar actions after the 7-week delay, replicating prior findings that preferences shift as a function of retention time. Experiment 2 (N = 12) demonstrated discrimination and memory for the faces when infants were presented in static poses at the 1-min delay, but not the 7-week delay. In Experiment 3 (N = 18), discrimination of the actions was replicated, but no discrimination among the objects embedded in the actions (hairbrush, bubble wand, toothbrush) was found. These findings demonstrate the attentional salience of actions over faces in dynamic events to 5.5 month-olds. They highlight the disparity between results generated from moving versus static displays in infancy research and emphasize the importance of using dynamic events as a basis for generalizing about perception and memory for events in the real world.
Advice to doctoral guidance committees from alumni at two universities

This investigation provided a comparative analysis of results of follow-up studies of graduates of doctoral programs at Ohio State and Michigan State universities. The same questionnaire survey and similar sampling procedures were used in both settings. The survey considered alumni perceptions of guidance committee activities, course work, comprehensive examinations, and dissertations. Most findings were consistent across both institutions (e.g., about one-fifth of the graduates from both universities wish they had taken more course work in research methodology). However, some striking contrasts were also found (e.g., the proportion of graduates who published articles based on their dissertations was 40% at one university and 23% at the other). The report offers recommendations for doctoral guidance committees suggested by the findings.
Structural constraints of ferric (hydr)oxides on dissimilatory iron reduction and the fate of Fe(II)

Abstract Due to the strong reducing capacity of ferrous Fe, the fate of Fe(II) following dissimilatory iron reduction will have a profound bearing on biogeochemical cycles. We have previously observed the rapid and near complete conversion of 2-line ferrihydrite to goethite (minor phase) and magnetite (major phase) under advective flow in an organic carbon-rich artificial groundwater medium. Yet, in many mineralogically mature environments, well-ordered iron (hydr)oxide phases dominate and may therefore control the extent and rate of Fe(III) reduction. Accordingly, here we compare the reducing capacity and Fe(II) sequestration mechanisms of goethite and hematite to 2-line ferrihydrite under advective flow within a medium mimicking that of natural groundwater supplemented with organic carbon. Introduction of dissolved organic carbon upon flow initiation results in the onset of dissimilatory iron reduction of all three Fe phases (2-line ferrihydrite, goethite, and hematite). While the initial surface area normalized rates are similar (∼10 −11 mol Fe(II) m −2 g −1 ), the total amount of Fe(III) reduced over time along with the mechanisms and extent of Fe(II) sequestration differ among the three iron (hydr)oxide substrates. Following 16 d of reaction, the amount of Fe(III) reduced within the ferrihydrite, goethite, and hematite columns is 25, 5, and 1%, respectively. While 83% of the Fe(II) produced in the ferrihydrite system is retained within the solid-phase, merely 17% is retained within both the goethite and hematite columns. Magnetite precipitation is responsible for the majority of Fe(II) sequestration within ferrihydrite, yet magnetite was not detected in either the goethite or hematite systems. Instead, Fe(II) may be sequestered as localized spinel-like (magnetite) domains within surface hydrated layers (ca. 1 nm thick) on goethite and hematite or by electron delocalization within the bulk phase. The decreased solubility of goethite and hematite relative to ferrihydrite, resulting in lower Fe(III) aq and bacterially-generated Fe(II) aq concentrations, may hinder magnetite precipitation beyond mere surface reorganization into nanometer-sized, spinel-like domains. Nevertheless, following an initial, more rapid reduction period, the three Fe (hydr)oxides support similar aqueous ferrous iron concentrations, bacterial populations, and microbial Fe(III) reduction rates. A decline in microbial reduction rates and further Fe(II) retention in the solid-phase correlates with the initial degree of phase disorder (high energy sites). As such, sustained microbial reduction of 2-line ferrihydrite, goethite, and hematite appears to be controlled, in large part, by changes in surface reactivity (energy), which is influenced by microbial reduction and secondary Fe(II) sequestration processes regardless of structural order (crystallinity) and surface area.
Equivalent mechanisms techniques for redesign of a spherical surgical tool manipulator

In the design of robotic manipulators for minimally invasive surgery (MIS), the spherical mechanism is a very important kinematic entity, since it can be used to mimic the constraint that the incision point provides to the surgical tool. In previous research by the authors, a bevel-gear-based spherical manipulator was designed whose actuators could be located on a fixed base link. In this paper, concepts of mechanism equivalency are applied to improving the manipulator design. The guidelines arrived at in this work can inform design of future spherical manipulators, especially those created with surgical tool manipulation in mind.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Raman Microprobe Investigation of Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Dissolution from Bubbles in Silicate Glasses Containing Arsenic Oxide

The effect of addition of antimony oxide and/or sodium nitrate to silicate glass compositions upon the changes in the relative concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide in their bubbles from heat treatment was investigated using the Raman microprobe technique. The addition of antimony oxide to these glasses increased the relative rates of oxygen dissolution from their bubbles with respect to glasses containing no refining agents. These increases were closely related to the absolute amounts of Sb3+ ions that were present in the glasses. The relative rates were faster for glasses containing antimony oxide than for glasses containing the same molar amounts of arsenic oxide. The higher Sb3+/Sb5+ ratios for glasses containing antimony oxide with respect to the As3+/As5+ ratios for glasses containing arsenic oxide caused the relative rates of oxygen dissolution to be dramatically greater for the former glasses. In contrast to an earlier investigation with silicate glasses containing arsenic oxide, the addition of sodium nitrate to glasses containing antimony oxide using a similar glass preparation did not significantly change their relative rates of oxygen dissolution.
Modeling of evacuated pulse micro-reactors

Abstract The system for temporal analysis of products consists of a micro-reactor, a high-speed gas pulsing valve, and a computer-controlled real-time quadrupole mass spectrometer. A pulse of reactant is introduced at the entrance of the micro-reactor and evacuated through the catalyst bed creating a mass spectrometer response. Quantification of kinetic parameters from such measurements requires a well-defined flow mechanism in the micro-reactor and an appropriate model of the system. Experimental methods for establishing Knudsen flow in the catalyst bed are outlined. The governing differential equation for the packed-bed micro-reactor is established, and the suitability of various boundary conditions is discussed. The effect of the inlet section on the response is illustrated and quantified. A simple boundary condition of zero exit concentration is justified. The developed model provides the foundation for quantification of results obtained in transient response experimental systems that utilize evacuated packed-bed micro-reactors.
Solution methods for discrete-state Markovian initial value problems

Solution methods, both numerical and analytical, are considered for solving the Liouville master equation associated with discrete-state Markovian initial value problems. The numerical method, basically a moment (Galerkin) method, is very general and is validated and shown to converge rapidly by comparison with an earlier reported analytical result for the ensemble-averaged transmission of photons through a purely scattering statistical rod. An application of the numerical method to a simple problem in the extended kinetic theory of gases is given. It is also shown that for a certain restricted class of problems, the master equation can be solved analytically using standard Laplace transform techniques. This solution generalizes the analytical solution for the photon transmission problem to a wider class of statistical problems.
Hybrid Dynamic Optimization Using Artificial Chemical Process: Extended LARES−PR

This paper presents a methodology for the dynamic optimization of hybrid processes. The proposed methodology considers the most general class of hybrid dynamic systems consisting of a finite set of dynamic subsystems, in which sequence and duration is not established a priori. The objective is to determine the optimal sequence of dynamic subsystems, the transition times from one subsystem to another, and the optimal profile of the control laws. LARES-PR algorithm for the solution of dynamic optimization problems (Irizarry, R. Chem. Eng. Sci. 2005, 60, 5663-5681) is extended to solve this type of problem. The efficiency and robustness of the method is demonstrated with a set of challenging benchmark problems. The proposed methodology is then applied to a multicomponent nanoparticle alloy synthesis. This prototype model is a very challenging one in which a mechanism switch not changes not only the model structure but also the solution methodology for each mode. For instance, in one phase, the particles grown by coalescence are modeled using discretized population-balance models. When a mechanism switch is induced, a new type of particle is introduced into the system. The subsequent growth of the binary system is modeled using the Monte Carlo method. The proposed methodology can handle this situation effectively. In general, the method is very robust, is simple to implement, and can be used to solve a wide range of hybrid optimization instances with different types of complexities.
Physical querying with multi-modal sensing

We present Marvin, a system that can search physical objects using a mobile or wearable device. It integrates HOG-based object recognition, SURF-based localization information, automatic speech recognition, and user feedback information with a probabilistic model to recognize the “object of interest” at high accuracy and at interactive speeds. Once the object of interest is recognized, the information that the user is querying, e.g. reviews, options, etc., is displayed on the user's mobile or wearable device. We tested this prototype in a real-world retail store during business hours, with varied degree of background noise and clutter. We show that this multi-modal approach achieves superior recognition accuracy compared to using a vision system alone, especially in cluttered scenes where a vision system would be unable to distinguish which object is of interest to the user without additional input. It is computationally able to scale to large numbers of objects by focusing compute-intensive resources on the objects most likely to be of interest, inferred from user speech and implicit localization information. We present the system architecture, the probabilistic model that integrates the multi-modal information, and empirical results showing the benefits of multi-modal integration.
Primary structure of a murine transplantation antigen

A radiochemical technique has been used to determine the primary structure of a murine H-2Kb molecule, a 346-residue glycoprotein subunit attached to a 99-residue β2-microglobulin subunit. Comparison of this structure with those available for other murine H–2 antigens and human HLA molecules suggests an evolutionary origin of MHC products.
Multi-emitter colocalization in 3D stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy

In this paper, we analyze the Cramer-Rao lower bound on the accuracy of 3-D emitter locations estimated from a STORM movie with a cylindrical lens. Numerical evaluation for randomly and uniformly distributed emitters indicates that as the emitter density in the image plane increases, the Cramer-Rao lower bounds on the average full-width half-maximum (FWHM) of location estimates in the lateral plane and axial direction increase exponentially fast; and the exponents can be numerically accurately estimated. The Cramer-Rao lower bounds are inversely proportional to the square root of mean number of photons of an emitter and monotonically decrease as the signal to noise ratio increases. The result reveals the insightful property of 3-D STORM movies and provides a benchmark for the achievable accuracy of location estimation algorithms. The developed algorithm with multiemitter colocalization can improve the temporal resolution by five folds compared with the single-emitter location estimator.
Emergency extraction device design

The objective of this research was to develop a device to transport an injured visitor down the spiral staircase to the pedestal where more conventional rescues apprautus can be used. Working with the National Parks Service (NPS), we looked to improve upon the current rescue system the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Rangers use. The end result will be a lightweight stair chair designed to fit within the confined staircase. This device will decrease the amount of effort and energy required to transport the visitor down the staircase, and will also decrease the time it takes to get the person down to a level where proper aid can be administered.
Reactions of several aqueous chlorides with silica-alumina catalysts

Abstract The cations of aqueous LiCl, NaCl, KCl, BaCl2, and NH4Cl exchange with some of the aluminum of cogelled, catalytic silica-alumina. Even at 2–5 M salt concentration no other reaction involving the surface could be observed. The extent of cation exchange over a wide concentration range is reported. The maximum amount of exchange was 4.4% of the aluminum present, corresponding to 1.5 × 1013 aluminum ions released per square centimeter of surface, or a distance of 26 A between surface aluminum atoms (assuming uniform distribution) which could be released. A comparison with catalytic cracking results reported earlier indicates there are far fewer active sites for cracking than there are aluminum atoms which can be released under the conditions of the exchange experiments. Hydrochloric acid destroys part of the silica-alumina structure; consequently the HCl-surface reaction must be very different from that of the salts.
The Social Policy Areas of Marriage and Family, Family Planning, Child Care and Health Care in China:

The author was recently invited by the Chinese Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries to visit China on a special U.S.-China Relations Tour. One of the most impressive characteristics of the visit was the impact that the social system has upon individuals in China. Consequently, China's human services structure is designed to cooperate in the building of a strong, socialist state. This article is an attempt to briefly discuss four significant social policy areas in the Peoples Republic of China. These policy areas include: marriage and family; family planning; child care, and health care. These particular social policy areas will have a major influence as to whether China will have the domestic resources in order to achieve its goal of the four modernizations (agriculture, industry, national defense and science and technology). For those of us who perceive ourselves as world citizens, China should be of special interest because it now cares for over one-fifth of the total world population.
Calculations of force constants from observed frequencies

Abstract The method of solution of the inverse eigenvalue problem proposed by Fadini has been tested using the methyl halides and deuteromethyl halides. It is concluded that the magnitude of the diagonal force constants is reasonable but that the method tends to minimize the off-diagonal constants and does not satisfy isotopic rules.
Autoionization rates of N4+ and O5+ in the (1s, 2s, 2p) 4P52 state☆

Abstract The autoionization rates of N4+ and O5+ in the (1s, 2s, 2p) 4P 5 2 state are calculated using separable variational wave functions and the results are compared with experiment.
Third-body wear of cobalt-chromium-molybdenum implant alloys initiated by bone and poly(methyl methacrylate) particles.

The potential for bone and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) debris to initiate wear on ASTM-F75 and ASTM-F799 CoCrMo alloys articulating against ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was investigated. Third-body wear particles of bone and PMMA bone cement (with and without the radiopacifier, barium sulfate) were introduced between CoCrMo and UHMWPE in a reciprocating sliding wear test. A scanning electron microscope and a white light interference surface profilometer were used to study the surface damage and quantify the surface roughnesses of the worn alloys. The CoCrMo alloys, which are widely used as the femoral components in total artificial knees and hips, showed surface damage as the result of wear in the presence of bone or PMMA debris. Severe scratches were generated within 2700 cycles (94.5-m sliding distance) on the alloy's surface. Ploughing was the major wear mechanism. Carbides in the F75 alloy surface appeared to be unaffected by the debris. A quantitative study was performed on the surface roughness (average roughness, Ra, and root mean square roughness, RMS) of the alloy after wear testing. A nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum test of wear severity (Ra and RMS) was performed based on the surface roughness data. The surfaces of the specimens tested with the PMMA and bone particles were significantly rougher than those of the controls (p < 0.01). Small scratches also occurred on some of the control specimen surfaces and may have been second-body wear caused by defects and impurities in the UHMWPE. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 50, 322–330, 2000.
Applications of ultrasound for image-guided drug delivery in cancer chemotherapy.

Many challenges persist in the field of cancer drug delivery. The field of image-guided drug delivery emerged from the need for accurate in vivo quantification of various pharmacokinetic and therapeutic delivery parameters. Today it continues to be an essential tool in delivery system R&D while providing innovative noninvasive strategies for advancement. This article will focus specifically on the role of ultrasound in this area. Ultrasound provides a novel means by which drugs can be delivered through guided placement of a local delivery device, or through the destruction of ultrasound contrast agents at the target location. The techniques developed by our research group have examined these areas and have also led to a more thorough understanding into the parameters that affect drug release kinetics in vivo from in situ-forming implants. In addition, we have developed a new ultrasound contrast agent capable of extravascular delivery to tumors for improved detection and eventual treatment. Both areas will...
A new technique for measuring sputtering yields at high energies

The use of thin, self-supporting carbon catcher foils allows one to measure sputtering yields in a broad range of materials with high sensitivity. Analyzing the foils with Rutherford forward scattering, we have measured sputtered Al, Si and P surface densities down to 5 × 10^(13) with uncertainties of about 20%.
A strategy for assessing closure

This paper looks at an argument strategy for assessing the epistemic closure principle. This is the principle that says knowledge is closed under known entailment; or (roughly) if S knows p and S knows that p entails q, then S knows that q. The strategy in question looks to the individual conditions on knowledge to see if they are closed. According to one conjecture, if all the individual conditions are closed, then so too is knowledge. I give a deductive argument for this conjecture. According to a second conjecture, if one (or more) condition is not closed, then neither is knowledge. I give an inductive argument for this conjecture. In sum, I defend the strategy by defending the claim that knowledge is closed if, and only if, all the conditions on knowledge are closed. After making my case, I look at what this means for the debate over whether knowledge is closed.
Spontaneous facial expression recognition: A robust metric learning approach

Spontaneous facial expression recognition is significantly more challenging than recognizing posed ones. We focus on two issues that are still under-addressed in this area. First, due to the inherent subtlety, the geometric and appearance features of spontaneous expressions tend to overlap with each other, making it hard for classifiers to find effective separation boundaries. Second, the training set usually contains dubious class labels which can hurt the recognition performance if no countermeasure is taken. In this paper, we propose a spontaneous expression recognition method based on robust metric learning with the aim of alleviating these two problems. In particular, to increase the discrimination of different facial expressions, we learn a new metric space in which spatially close data points have a higher probability of being in the same class. In addition, instead of using the noisy labels directly for metric learning, we define sensitivity and specificity to characterize the annotation reliability of each annotator. Then the distance metric and annotators' reliability is jointly estimated by maximizing the likelihood of the observed class labels. With the introduction of latent variables representing the true class labels, the distance metric and annotators' reliability can be iteratively solved under the Expectation Maximization framework. Comparative experiments show that our method achieves better recognition accuracy on spontaneous expression recognition, and the learned metric can be reliably transferred to recognize posed expressions.
Underwater wireless sensor networks

Terrestrial wireless sensor networks (TWSNs) are subject to extensive research and development. Numerous applications take advantage of low-cost, small-sized, easily configurable and scalable TWSN nodes to monitor, detect, and track various environmental phenomena and events. The recent advancement in electronics and sensor miniaturization and low-power technologies enabled TWSNs to extend their reach to underwater applications. Underwater wireless sensor networks (UWSNs) can be used in many new applications. Yet, UWSNs development is dependent on a number of technological challenges that need to be overcome. In this paper, we present an overview of UWSNs, their applications, and their challenges. We also present a survey of various UWSN architectures currently used in deployed UWSN systems.
Extracellular metalloproteinases in neural crest development and craniofacial morphogenesis.

AbstractThe neural crest (NC) is a population of migratory stem/progenitor cells that is found in early vertebrate embryos. NC cells are induced during gastrulation, and later migrate to multiple destinations and contribute to many types of cells and tissues, such as craniofacial structures, cardiac tissues, pigment cells and the peripheral nervous system. Recently, accumulating evidence suggests that many extracellular metalloproteinases, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAMs), and ADAMs with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTSs), play important roles in various stages of NC development. Interference with metalloproteinase functions often causes defects in craniofacial structures, as well as in other cells and tissues that are contributed by NC cells, in humans and other vertebrates. In this review, we summarize the current state of the field concerning the roles of these three families of metalloproteinases in NC development and related tissue morphogenesis, w...
Thermal treatment of semi-dilute aqueous xanthan solutions yields weak gels with properties resembling hyaluronic acid

Semi-dilute (ca 2 g/dl) aqueous xanthan (mean molar mass ca 1 x 10(6) g/mol), when heated in the presence of 0.1 M NaCl to a temperature above the order disorder transition temperature, forms highly viscoelastic solutions when returned to room temperature. The steady shear and dynamic rheological behaviour of these solutions discloses a weak gel structure, the viscosity of which is unusually sensitive to the rate of shear. In shear thinning behaviour these heat and salt treated xanthan solutions mimic the properties of the aqueous hyaluronic acid solutions widely used in viscosurgical techniques. The double stranded model of native xanthan is invoked to interpret the observed behaviour of heat and salt treated semi-dilute aqueous xanthan.
Flavor preferences conditioned by intragastric sugar infusions in rats: maltose is more reinforcing than sucrose.

Abstract AZZARA, A.V. AND A. SCLAFANI. Flavor preferences conditioned by intragastric sugar infusions in rats: maltose is more reinforcing than sucrose. PHYSIOL BEHAV 64 (4) 535–541, 1998.—Prior research indicates that glucose conditions much stronger flavor preferences in rats than does fructose. This could occur because intestinal absorption of fructose is much slower than that of glucose and because fructose malabsorption may have aversive consequences. Fructose absorption is facilitated when glucose is also present in the gut. The present study therefore compared the flavor conditioning effects of maltose (a glucose + glucose disaccharide) to those of sucrose (a glucose + fructose disaccharide). In Experiment 1, rats had different flavors paired with intragastric infusions of 32% maltose (CS+M), 32% sucrose (CS+S), and water (CS–) 23 h/day. In subsequent two-bottle tests, both CS+ solutions were strongly preferred to the CS–, but the CS+M was also preferred (78%) to the CS+S. Experiment 2A revealed that the rats also learned to prefer a CS+M to a CS+S when 16% sugar infusions were used. In Experiment 2B, the same rats preferred a flavor paired with 16% maltose to a flavor paired with 8% maltose. They did not reliably prefer a flavor paired with 16% sucrose to a flavor paired with 8% maltose. These results demonstrate that the postingestive actions of maltose are more reinforcing than those of sucrose. This indicates that fructose is less reinforcing than glucose even when malabsorption is not a factor. In contrast to their preference for the CS+M over the CS+S, the rats preferred sucrose to maltose when drinking the sugars by mouth. Therefore, sugar preferences mediated by oral taste receptors differ from those conditioned by postoral nutrient detectors.
Expanding ‘civil society’: Women and political space in contemporary Uganda

This essay argues that the notion of civil society needs to be expanded by widening the political space it occupies in order to provide a clear break from the gender‐biased legacy that ‘civil society’ currently carries with it. It shows how notions of civil society based on Western liberal theory have been appropriated to describe aspects of African associational life in ways that have uncritically accepted a gendered public—private distinction which is problematic even in the Western context. Drawing on examples from Africa with a particular focus on Uganda, the essay argues that popular definitions of civil society fail in at least three dimensions and suggests that only when we expand our understanding of the political can we fully appreciate the importance of struggles in which the protagonists are members of non‐dominant sectors of society.
Regional Body Fat Distribution and Insulin Resistance During Adolescent Pregnancy

The results of this small study must be considered preliminary. Nevertheless our findings suggest that as adiposity independent predictors of insulin resistance ultrasonic determinations of the costal skinfold thickness or skinfold caliper determinations of the subscapular skinfold thickness could shed light on the physiologic mechanisms underlying the partitioning of nutrients between maternal and fetal tissues. These measurements could be used in epidemiologic studies to elucidate the physiologic mechanisms underlying individual differences in the effect that gestational weight gain has on fetal growth and the risk of postpartum obesity. (excerpt)
C/EBPα Regulates Generation of C/EBPβ Isoforms through Activation of Specific Proteolytic Cleavage

C/EBPα and C/EBPβ are intronless genes that can produce several N-terminally truncated isoforms through the process of alternative translation initiation at downstream AUG codons. C/EBPβ has been reported to produce four isoforms: full-length 38-kDa C/EBPβ, 35-kDa LAP (liver-enriched transcriptional activator protein), 21-kDa LIP (liver-enriched transcriptional inhibitory protein), and a 14-kDa isoform. In this report, we investigated the mechanisms by which C/EBPβ isoforms are generated in the liver and in cultured cells. Using an in vitro translation system, we found that LIP can be generated by two mechanisms: alternative translation and a novel mechanism—specific proteolytic cleavage of full-length C/EBPβ. Studies of mice in which the C/EBPα gene had been deleted (C/EBPα−/−) showed that the regulation of C/EBPβ proteolysis is dependent on C/EBPα. The induction of C/EBPα in cultured cells leads to induced cleavage of C/EBPβ to generate the LIP isoform. We characterized the cleavage activity in mouse liver extracts and found that the proteolytic cleavage activity is specific to prenatal and newborn livers, is sensitive to chymostatin, and is completely abolished in C/EBPα−/− animals. The lack of cleavage activity in the livers of C/EBPα−/− mice correlates with the decreased levels of LIP in the livers of these animals. Analysis of LIP production during liver regeneration showed that, in this system, the transient induction of LIP is dependent on the third AUG codon and most likely involves translational control. We propose that there are two mechanisms by which C/EBPβ isoforms might be generated in the liver and in cultured cells: one that is determined by translation and a second that involves C/EBPα-dependent, specific proteolytic cleavage of full-length C/EBPβ. The latter mechanism implicates C/EBPα in the regulation of posttranslational generation of the dominant negative C/EBPβ isoform, LIP.
Wideband Smaller Unit-Cell Planar EBG Structures and Their Application

A new low-cost smaller unit-cell planar electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structure operating at the lower GHz frequencies (below 6 GHz) is proposed. EBG structures based on this new geometry are designed on a number of commonly available substrates. Characteristics of such structures, such as bandgap and reflection phase profile are analyzed. A simple empirical model is proposed to predict the surface wave stopband frequency of the proposed EBG structure. Finally, a low-profile dipole antenna is designed and tested for operation on the EBG structure.
Fuzzy Case-Based Reasoning for Conflict Resolution in Collaborative Design

The collaborative design is an important style for modern design. But the conflict appears in the process of design which may interface the design. Case-based reasoning (CBR) is a good method for conflict resolution, which has been applied in the artificial intelligence field successfully. However, due to the uncertainties in knowledge representation, attribute description, and similarity measures of CBR, it is very difficult to find the similar cases from case database. To solve the problem of conflict resolution in collaborative design, a fuzzy case-based reasoning (CBR) is proposed. The process of fuzzy case-based reasoning (CBR) is introduced. Based on the feature attributes and their relative weights determined by a fuzzy technique, a fuzzy CBR retrieving mechanism is developed to retrieve conflict resolution cases that tend to enhance the functions of the database. The theory and methods of fuzzy CBR is applied to define the cases. By indexing, calculating the weight and defuzzication of the cases, the case similarity can be obtained. Then the case consistency is measured to keep the result right. Finally, the method is demonstrated availably for conflict resolution by means of a case study.
A new preconditioning method for the matrix Riccati equation

A novel scaling method for preconditioning the classical matrix algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) is presented. The method is based on the assignment of predetermined values to the coefficients and the unknown matrices of the ARE. The proposed framework is independent of any numerical method and therefore its use is general. An Implementation of the method through the Newton algorithm is shown with a benchmark numerical example from the literature and comparisons with other existing methods are presented.
Age-related differences in the natriuretic and hypotensive properties of rat atrial extracts.

The natriuretic, hypotensive, and immunological properties of atrial extracts (AE) prepared from male and female, prepubertal, adult, and old rats were evaluated. Groups of animals were killed at ages 15, 25, 32, 39, 46, 56, and 290 days of age, and the atria were homogenized and extracted in 1.0 M acetic acid. Boiled, lyophilized extracts were stored and subsequently evaluated by bioassay and RIA. No sex differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the natriuretic, hypotensive, or immunoreactive properties of AE from rats of identical age. On the basis of bioassay determinations, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the natriuretic activity of AE prepared from rats of different ages. In contrast, AE-induced hypotension was significantly lower in bioassay rats receiving AE from 290-day-old rats than in rats infused with AE from 15-, 39-, or 56- day-old animals. Despite this reduced hypotensive effect, significant differences in RIA or bioassay parallelism were not observed between the tissue ...
Controlled link sharing and quality of service data transfer for military internetworking

This paper discusses system design issues related to enhancing future military internetworking architectures to achieve controlled link sharing and high assurance data interchange guarantees. An enhanced integrated services architecture is emerging which provides solutions for a rich set of bandwidth management and resource sharing requirements. We present an overview of this architecture and discuss performance issues for candidate system components in a context. We recommend future work to validate servicing models and to understand military application, security, and bandwidth management requirements within this enhanced architecture.
Late Holocene Dietary Change in the San Francisco Bay Area

AbstractScholars of California prehistory continue to debate the importance of different food resources to the native diet during the late Holocene. Resource intensification models for central California predict temporal declines in the abundance of large game relative to smaller fauna, as well as a shift towards greater use of vegetal foods. These changes are commonly linked to human-driven resource depression and overpopulation, although climatic factors may also have played a role. This study uses data from stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes of human bone to evaluate evidence of paleodietary change among late Holocene human populations (ca. 4950-200 cal B.P.) from the eastern shore of San Francisco Bay, California. Carbon and nitrogen isotope values of bone collagen demonstrate significant temporal variation and indicate a shift in emphasis from high trophic-level marine protein toward a greater emphasis on terrestrial resources and lower trophic-level marine foods. Carbon isotope values of bone apati...