cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enzyme activity in cryobiological systems. II. Identification of cold-stable glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenases in certain invertebrates.

Abstract Glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenases (GPDHs) purified from a number of sources were examined for their resistance to inactivation at 0 °C by adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In contrast to rabbit muscle and yeast GPDHs, which are inactivated by 2–4 m m ATP in 4 hr at 0 °C, the enzymes from the carpenter ant ( Camponotus ) and clam ( Mya ), two species normally subjected to freezing temperatures, possess GPDHs which are not inactivated, even at ATP concentrations of 10–12 m m . Other representative arthropods, honeybee, horseshoe crab, and lobster, also possess cold-stable GPDHs. The enzymes from chicken, pig, trout, and halibut were found to be inactivated by ATP at 0 °C however. The significance of these findings, relative to metabolic adaptation of organisms to low-temperature stress, is considered.
Evolution of Immune Proteins in Insects

Insect immune proteins evolve more rapidly than nonimmune proteins. Based largely on genetic studies in Drosophila species, this elevated rate appears to be due to adaptive evolution in only a small subset of immune proteins. The genetic signature of adaptive evolution is apparently a response by the host to interference or evasion of the immune system by pathogens, which are usually unknown. In contrast, many insect immune proteins appear to be constrained not to change because they interact with conserved molecular targets in a pathogen's cell wall or plasma membrane. Adaptive immune protein evolution may be attributable to a sustained arms race between host and pathogen or to rapid environmental change that exposes insects to new pathogen suites. Evidence of a correlation between the strength of selection and functional divergence in antimicrobial peptides provides confirmation that the inferred genetic signatures of adaptive evolution reflect a response to pathogen selective pressure. Key Concepts: A small set of immune proteins in Drosophila evolve much more rapidly than other proteins. Insect antiviral proteins of the RNA interference system are among the top 3% of rapidly evolving proteins in Drosophila. There is surprisingly little evidence of adaptive evolution in Drosophila antimicrobial peptides. Many receptors and effectors of the insect immune system appear to be evolutionary constrained due to their interaction with conserved target molecules. Pathogens target certain vulnerable immune proteins for suppression and positive selection in these proteins appears to reflect a counter response to this suppression. The selective pressure imposed by pathogens appears to be greater for social than nonsocial insects. Rapid changes in the types of pathogen that hosts encounter as well as long-term co-evolutionary arms races may drive adaptive immune protein evolution. Positive selection appears to drive the functional divergence of antimicrobial peptides in termites and other animals. Keywords: innate immunity; positive selection; balancing selection; purifying selection; adaptive evolution; arms race; co-evolution
Forecasting Financial Stocks using Data Mining

This study presents a Business Intelligence (BI) approach to forecast daily changes in seven financial stocks’ prices from September 1, 1998 to April 30, 2008 with 267 independent variables. The purpose of our paper is to compare the performance of Ordinary Least Squares model and Neural Network model to see which model better predicts the changes in the stock prices and to identify critical predictors to forecast stock prices to increase forecasting accuracy for the professionals in the market. We used SPSS to perform stepwise regression to create a unique regression model for each company. Then, we ran the neural network with Alyuda NueroIntelligence to create a NN model by performing data analysis, data preprocessing, network design with hyperbolic tangent method, training with batch back propagation, testing, and query. We did data manipulation by using the first derivative and adding 0.1 to the absolute value of the minimum value in each variable to avoid minus sign from the rounding. Finally, we tested the model with the paired t-test in 152 randomly selected data points. Our result showed that the neural network model (batch back propagation algorithm) outperformed OLS model. The %error for NN and OLS mean ranges from 2.13%-3.27% and 4%-32% and standard deviation ranges from 1.78%-3.39% and 2.46%-8%. The OLS model is easy to use, validate, and works fast with lower forecasting accuracy because it is a linear model. NN has a better forecasting accuracy with no explanation of the relationship between interacting variables with dynamic results due to the learning setup. Some critical success factors to train NN are the network architecture, network design algorithm, training algorithm, and stop training conditions. Data normalization can make a huge difference to the result. We recommend more forecasting method and independent variables (e.g. expert opinion) to be included for future studies.
Instability of Multi-Layer Channel and Film Flows

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the instability of multi-layer channel and film flows. Several aspects of the multi-layer channel flow in two-dimensional channels are described. The structure of the two-layer unidirectional flow is described in it, and outlines an algorithm for computing the velocity profile across an arbitrary number of layers. The chapter also discusses the linear stability of the two- and multi-layer flow in the absence and presence of surfactants. To describe the non-linear motion for long interfacial waves the problem in the context of the lubrication approximation is formulated. A boundary-integral formulation is developed that allows simulating the evolution of periodic waves in the limit of Stokes flow. The numerical computations is reviewed for flow at non-zero Reynolds numbers conducted by volume-of-fluid (VOF) and immersed-boundary methods.
Experiments with PID controllers using state feedback design techniques

This paper investigates the application of state feedback (SF) design methods to implement a Proportional, Integral, Derivative (PID) controller. A comparison is made with the Ziegler-Nichols tuning method. Two design examples are conducted to validate the procedure.
Cross-sectional versus longitudinal estimates of age-related changes in the adult brain: overlaps and discrepancies

The healthy adult brain undergoes tissue volume decline with age, but contradictory findings abound regarding rate of change. To identify a source of this discrepancy, we present contrasting statistical approaches to estimate hippocampal volume change with age based on 200 longitudinally-acquired magnetic resonance imaging in 70 healthy adults, age 20–70 years, who had 2–5 magnetic resonance imaging collected over 6 months to 8 years. Linear mixed-effects modeling using volume trajectories over age for each subject revealed significantly negative slopes with aging after a linear decline with a suggestion of acceleration in older individuals. By contrast, general linear modeling using either the first observation only of each subject or all observations treated independently (thereby disregarding trajectories) indicated no significant correlation between volume and age. Entering a quadratic term into the linear model yielded a biologically plausible function that was not supported by longitudinal analysis. The results underscore the importance of analyses that incorporate the trajectory of individuals in the study of brain aging.
Distributed decision making in cognitive radio networks through argumentation

We have developed a multi-agent negotiation system to distribute decision making in cognitive radio networks through argumentation. The challenge in wireless network negotiation is to efficiently exchange information to facilitate a deal without incurring excessive communication overhead or indeterminate negotiation time. Our goal is to improve both total network throughput and the number of total supported connections. We detail a set of rules, a protocol, and a compact set of messages to conduct these negotiations and complete in finite time and with little overhead. We describe our simulation environment and present results of an illustrative scenario with various conditions. This scenario includes the ability of an agent to assert high priority, possibly triggering a downgrade of an existing, non-priority connection to a slower rate in order to accommodate more connections. We compare our system's total network throughput, number of connections, and request satisfaction score to several baselines with various levels of reconsideration and conclude that our system outperforms these other approaches in all metrics.
Spatial analysis of adherence to treatment guidelines for advanced-stage ovarian cancer and the impact of race and socioeconomic status

Abstract Objective To determine the impact of geographic location on advanced-stage ovarian cancer care adherence to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines in relation to race and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods Patients diagnosed with stage IIIC/IV epithelial ovarian cancer (1/1/96–12/31/06) were identified from the California Cancer Registry. Generalized additive models were created to assess the effect of spatial distributions of geographic location, proximity to a high-volume hospital (≥20cases/year), distance traveled to receive care, race, and SES on adherence to NCCN guidelines, with simultaneous smoothing of geographic location and adjustment for confounding variables. Disparities in geographic predictors of treatment adherence were analyzed with the x 2 test for equality of proportions. Results Of the 11,770 patients identified, 45.4% were treated according to NCCN guidelines. Black race (OR=1.49, 95%CI=1.21–1.83), low-SES (OR=1.46, 95%CI=1.24–1.72), and geographic location ≥80km/50mi from a high-volume hospital (OR=1.88, 95%CI=1.61–2.19) were independently associated with an increased risk of non-adherent care, while high-volume hospital treatment (OR=0.59, 95%CI=0.53–0.66) and travel distance to receive care ≥32km/20mi (OR=0.80, 95%CI=0.69–0.92) were independently protective. SES was inversely associated with location ≥80km/50mi from a high-volume hospital, ranging from 6.3% (high-SES) to 33.0% (low-SES) (p Conclusion Geographic proximity to a high-volume hospital and travel distance to receive treatment are independently associated with NCCN guideline adherent care for advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Geographic barriers to standard ovarian cancer treatment disproportionately affect racial minorities and women of low-SES.
Canalization of the Genotype-Phenotype Map: A Coding Theoretic Perspective

In the evolutionary biology literature, canalization refers to the mechanism by which variability is reduced at the phenotypical level. It was first observed by Waddington in 1942 and has been the focus of recent research interest. Here, we attempt to build a bridge between evolutionary biology and information theory by offering a fresh coding theoretic perspective of canalization. In particular, we focus on evolution in rugged multi-peak fitness landscapes and argue that canalization can efficiently smooth-out the roughness of the landscape, and hence, facilitate easier transitions from lower to higher peaks. Inspired by coding theory, we view the landscape peaks as codewords and allow our population to learn the underlying codebook and decision regions through evolution. Interestingly, our model sheds more light on the interplay between robustness, neutrality, and evolvability. Finally, we support our claims by numerical results generated through Monte-Carlo simulations in polynomial fitness landscapes.
Syllogistic Logic with Comparative Adjectives

This paper adds comparative adjectives to two systems of syllogistic logic. The comparatives are interpreted by transitive and irreflexive relations on the underlying domain. The main point is to obtain sound and complete axiomatizations of the valid formulas in the logics.
Photothermal Efficiencies of Nanoshells and Nanorods for Clinical Therapeutic Applications

With clinical trials for photothermal tumor ablation using laser-excited tunable plasmonic nanoparticles already underway, increasing understanding of the efficacy of plasmonic nanoparticle-based photothermal heating takes on increased urgency. Here we report a comparative study of the photothermal transduction efficiency of SiO2/Au nanoshells, Au2S/Au nanoshells, and Au nanorods, directly relevant to applications that rely on the photothermal response of plasmonic nanoparticles. We compare the experimental photothermal transduction efficiencies with the theoretical absorption efficiencies for each nanoparticle type. Our analysis assumes a distribution of randomly oriented nanorods, as would occur naturally in the tumor vasculature. In our study, photothermal transduction efficiencies differed by a factor of 3 or less between the different types of nanoparticle studied. Both experiment and theory show that particle size plays a dominant role in determining transduction efficiency, with larger particles mo...
Lymph Node Dissection for Stage III Melanoma

Locoregional spread of melanoma to its draining lymph node basin is the strongest negative prognostic factor for patients. Exclusive of clinical trials, patients with sentinel lymph node-positive (microscopic) or clinically palpable (macroscopic) nodal disease should undergo lymphadenectomy. This article reviews the management and technical aspects of surgical care for regional metastases. Adjunct therapies (immunotherapy, targeted therapy, and radiation) may supplement lymphadenectomy in certain patient populations. Surgical morbidity after lymphadenectomy can be substantial, creating opportunities for improvement via minimally invasive techniques or refined patient selection.
Relaxation in Antiferromagnets due to Spin‐Wave Interactions

For an antiferromagnet it is shown that within perturbation theory the Holstein‐Primakoff and Dyson‐Maleev transformations do not lead to identical results for either the static or dynamic properties. By examining the spin Green's functions we justify the use of the Dyson‐Maleev transformation when there are few spin waves present. Using second‐order perturbation theory we find the antiferromagnetic resonance linewidth to be Δω0=(64ωAω0/π3S2ωE)(kT/ℏωE)2exp(−ℏω0/kT) for kT≪ℏω0 and Δω0=[40ωAζ(3)/π3S2](kT/ℏωE)3 for ℏω0≪kT≪ℏωE, in qualitative agreement with the experimental results for MnF2.
The α4Subunit of Integrin Is Important for Neural Crest Cell Migration

We identify the α_4 subunit of integrin as a predominant integrin expressed by neural crest cells in both avian and murine embryos. Using degenerate primers, we obtained a PCR fragment of the chick integrin α_4 subunit that was subsequently used to clone the full-length subunit with a predicted amino acid sequence 60% identical to human and mouse α_4 subunits.In situhybridization demonstrates that chick integrin α_4 mRNA is expressed at high levels by migrating neural crest cells and neural crest-derived ganglia at both cranial and trunk levels. An antibody against the murine α_4 subunit revealed similar distribution patterns in mouse to chick. In addition to neural crest cells, the integrin α_4 subunit was later observed on the muscle masses of the limb, the apical ectodermal ridge, and the developing liver. To examine the functional role of the integrin α_4 subunit in neural crest cell migration, we used an explant preparation that allows visualization of neural crest cells in their normal environment with or without perturbing reagents. In the presence of a blocking antibody against the mouse integrin α_4 subunit, there was a profound abrogation of neural crest cell migration at trunk and hindbrain levels. Both the numbers of migrating neural crest cells and the total distance traversed were markedly reduced. Similarly, avian embryos injected with synthetic peptides that contain the integrin α_4 binding site in fibronectin displayed abnormal neural crest cell migration. Our results suggest that the integrin α_4 subunit is important for normal neural crest cell migration and may be one of the primary α subunits used for neural crest cell migrationin vivo.Furthermore, the integrin α_4 subunit represents a useful neural crest marker in the mouse.
Sociality and the evolution of intelligence

Two recently published studies provide important new data relevant to the evolution of human intelligence. Both studies of social behavior in baboons, Bergman et al. demonstrated that baboons use two criteria simultaneously to classify other troop members, and Silk et al. showed that highly social female baboons have higher reproductive success than less social females. Taken together, these studies provide strong evidence for the importance of social context in cognitive evolution.
Damage to HDPE geomembrane from interface shear with gravel drainage layer and protection layer

AbstractMultiinterface direct shear tests have indicated that, under high normal stress conditions, a HDPE geomembrane can be damaged from interface shear against an overlying gravel drainage layer, with or without a protection nonwoven geotextile in between. A brief overview of the experimental results is presented and recommendations are provided for mitigation of such damage in field applications.
Alignment and temperature effects in liquid-crystal-based active polarimetry

It is well known that in liquid crystal (LC)-based active polarimetry, alignment and temperature effects impact polarimeter performance. Practically speaking, when constructing a polarimetric measurement system from LC variable retarders (LCVRs), unavoidable alignment and temperature uncertainties will occur, leading to systematic error that propagates to the Mueller matrix. Typical calibration methods use only a single metric to assess polarimeter performance (the condition number) and often ignore the relationship between systematic error and specific Mueller matrix elements. Here we explore alignment and temperature effects in a Stokes generator and polarimeter, each consisting of two LCVRs, through a series of simulations to calibrate the polarimeter and measure the Mueller matrix of air. We achieve this by modifying an existing LCVR model to incorporate alignment and temperature effects. This new approach offers insight into employing LCVRs individually and associating particular Mueller matrix element error with specific LCVR effects.
Differential expression of specific FGF ligands and receptor isoforms during osteogenic differentiation of mouse Adipose-derived Stem Cells (mASCs) recapitulates the in vivo osteogenic pattern

The ability of Adipose-derived Stem Cells (ASCs) to differentiate into various tissues in vitro and in vivo, a function known as "stem cell plasticity", makes them an appealing cell source for tissue engineering. Our laboratory is particularly focused on the potential role of adipose tissue as a readily available postnatal source of osteoprogenitor. Fibroblast growth factors (FGF) and their receptors (FGFR) are important regulators of osteogenesis. The goal of this study was to elucidate how changes in temporal expression patterns of individual components of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling axis correlate with osteogenic differentiation of mASCs. Our results indicate that FGF ligand genes, such as Fgf-2, -4, -8, and -18, displayed a differential and dynamic profile during mouse ASC (mASC) osteogenesis. Fgf-2 transcript was down-regulated, while Fgf-18 transcript level was strongly up-regulated. Interestingly, a drift in the ratio of different FGF-2 protein forms, with translation favoring the HMWFGF-2 forms, occurred during osteogenic differentiation, whereas, the expression of LMWFGF-2 form was down-regulated. This finding shares similarity with a previous study suggesting that preferential expression of the HMWFGF-2 forms is associated with a more osteogenic differentiated state of calvarial osteoblast. Moreover, a differential expression of Fgf Receptor 1 and 2 resembling that previously found in in vivo osteogenic study was observed. Thus, mASCs undergoing osteogenesis recapitulate the in vivo osteogenic differentiation expression pattern of FGF ligands and receptors of calvarial mesenchymal cells during their own osteogenic differentiation. Indeed, this observation further validates ASCs as a suitable resource for skeletal tissue engineering.
The Critical Temperature and Gap Solution in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer Theory of Superconductivity

The Letter studies the problem of numerical approximations of the critical transition tempera- ture and the energy gap function in the Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer equation arising in superconductivity theory. The positive kernel function leads to a phonon-dominant state at zero temperature. Much attention is paid to the equation defined on a bounded region. Two discretized versions of the equation are introduced. The first version approximates the desired solution from below, while the second, from above. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the efficiency of the method. Besides, the approximations of a full space solution and the associated critical temperature by solution sequences constructed on bounded domains are also investigated.
Generalization of the Theta Methods of Convergence for Solving Distillation and Absorber-Type Problems

Abstract An extension of the θ methods of convergence wherein it is required that all terminal streams must satisfy simultaneously material balances, energy balances, and equilibrium relationships is presented. By use of this new convergence method, any distillation-type or absorber-type problem may be solved. The procedure has the flexibility of treating any column either as a single unit or a system of any number of subunits. The new procedure permits the direct solution of problems by use of the θ methods which could not be solved by the original method.
Role of hypoxia and cAMP in the transdifferentiation of human fetal cardiac fibroblasts: implications for progression to scarring in autoimmune-associated congenital heart block.

Objective Identification of isolated congenital heart block (CHB) predicts, with near certainty, the presence of maternal anti-SSA/Ro antibodies; however, the 2% incidence of CHB in first offspring of anti-SSA/Ro+ mothers, 20% recurrence in subsequent pregnancies, and discordance in identical twins suggest that an environmental factor amplifies the effect of the antibody. Accordingly, this study was carried out to explore the hypothesis that hypoxia potentiates a profibrosing phenotype of the fetal cardiac fibroblast. Methods Evidence of an effect of hypoxia was sought by immunohistologic evaluation of CHB-affected fetal heart tissue and by determination of erythropoietin levels in cord blood. The in vitro effect of hypoxia on gene expression and phenotype in fibroblasts derived from fetal hearts and lungs was investigated by Affymetrix arrays, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), immunofluorescence, and immunoblotting. Results In vivo hypoxic exposure was supported by the prominent intracellular fibroblast expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α in conduction tissue from 2 fetuses in whom CHB led to death. The possibility that hypoxia was sustained was suggested by significantly elevated erythropoietin levels in cord blood from CHB-affected, as compared with unaffected, anti-SSA/Ro–exposed neonates. In vitro exposure of cardiac fibroblasts to hypoxia resulted in transdifferentiation to myofibroblasts (a scarring phenotype), as demonstrated on immunoblots and immunofluorescence by increased expression of smooth muscle actin (SMA), an effect not seen in lung fibroblasts. Hypoxia-exposed cardiac fibroblasts expressed adrenomedullin at 4-fold increased levels, as determined by Affymetrix array, quantitative PCR, and immunofluorescence, thus focusing attention on cAMP as a modulator of fibrosis. MDL12,330A, an adenylate cyclase inhibitor that lowers the levels of cAMP, increased expression of fibrosis-related proteins (mammalian target of rapamycin, SMA, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, and type I collagen), while the cAMP activator forskolin attenuated transforming growth factor β–elicited fibrosing end points in the cardiac fibroblasts. Conclusion These findings provide evidence that hypoxia may amplify the injurious effects of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. Modulation of cAMP may be a key component in the scarring phenotype. Further assessment of the susceptibility of cardiac fibroblasts to cAMP modulation offers a new research direction in CHB.
Premature rupture of the fetal membranes: is the amnion the major determinant?

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the relative contributions of amnion and chorion to the strength of fetal membranes and to correlate these findings with gestational age. Study design Fetal membranes from 78 pregnancies were tested for biaxial puncture force using a blunt, instrumented probe with a low-force load cell connected through a load cell conditioner to an oscilloscope. The average of 2 to 4 tests performed on independent regions of the membrane was recorded. Means and SDs were calculated through the gestational age ranges of less than 32, 32 to 36, or 37 weeks or longer. Linear regression analysis was performed across gestational age after grouping data by labor and mode of delivery. Results There were trends toward decreasing puncture force with gestational age for both chorioamnion and amnion for both vaginal deliveries and cesarean sections. The trends were significant by linear regression for labored deliveries but not unlabored cesarean sections for both chorioamnion and amnion alone. There was no trend in chorion puncture force with either gestational age or delivery mode and the mean puncture force values were, on average, half those for the amnion. Conclusion The amnion is significantly stronger than the chorion when subjected to biaxial strength testing. The amnion but not the chorion is significantly affected by the chemical and mechanical changes during gestation and the labor process. These data will help direct future studies on the effects of clinical and molecular modulators of inflammation on membrane rupture thresholds with special emphasis on the biochemical and structural changes in the amnion.
Phosphatidylinositol phosphate, phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate, and the phosphoinositol sphingolipids are found in the plasma membrane and stimulate the plasma membrane H(+)-ATPase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Several plasma membrane phospholipids have been studied for their ability to modulate the activity of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We show here that phosphatidylinositol phosphate (PIP), phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2), and/or the phosphatidylinositol and PIP kinases are localized primarily in the plasma membrane. Previous in vivo studies with S. cerevisiae have shown that large, rapid, and reversible changes occur in the levels of PIP and PIP2 congruent with changes in cellular ATP levels. We demonstrate here that isolated plasma membranes exhibit the same changes in PIP and PIP2 content when they are supplied with or washed free of ATP. Using a mixed micellar assay we systematically studied the efficacy of the plasma membrane lipids in sustaining the activity of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase. We demonstrate for the first time that a number of plasma membrane glycero-phospholipids effectively stimulate the ATPase, including PIP, PIP2, and cardiolipin. Phosphoinositol-containing sphingolipids, major components of the plasma membrane, are also shown to stimulate the ATPase at significantly lower levels than the glycerophospholipids and must also be considered as important effectors in vivo.
A phase-cut method for multi-species kinetics: Sample application to nanoscale defect cluster evolution in alpha iron following helium ion implantation

Many kinetic processes in materials involve clustering of multiple species. Tracking concentrations of all compositions throughout the multi-species phase, space can readily become formidable when significant cluster growth occurs. Here, using nanoscale defect cluster evolution in alpha iron following helium ion implantation as an example, we demonstrate a phase-cut method that can effectively reduce this widely encountered problem. The method cuts out unnecessary compositions in the phase space and hence is much more efficient than a full-phase-space calculation. Yet, it retains the same precision in predicted experimental observables. The cutting of phase space does not require an accurate nucleation and growth path to be known a priori. The method may be applicable to other multi-species kinetic phenomena that are driven by irradiation and/or thermal annealing.
Hypochlorite Ion Decomposition: Effects of Temperature, Ionic Strength, and Chloride Ion

The effects of pH, hypochlorite and chloride ion concentration, temperature, and ionic strength on the kinetics and mechanism of decomposition of concentrated hypochlorite ion and the formation of chlorate ion and oxygen in the pH 9-14 region has been investigated. In the absence of catalytic levels of transition-metal ions, the rate of chlorate ion formation is 8.7 times faster than the rate of oxygen formation for the concentration range of 0.7-3.0 M hypochlorite ion with various levels of chloride ion in 0.001-1.0 M OH(-) at 15-55 degrees C. Under these same conditions, the equation that describes the effect of temperature and ionic strength on the decomposition of OCl(-) is the following: log k(2) = 0.149m + log[2.083 x 10(10)T exp(-1.018 x 10(5)/RT) exp(-56.5/R)] where k(2) has units of M(-)(1) sec(-)(1) and m is between 1 and 6 molar. Numerical simulation of the decomposition of OCl(-) was carried out while taking into account the effect of each of the above experimental variables. Evidence is presented suggesting chloride ion catalyzed decomposition of hypochlorite ion in the pH 9-10 region that is in addition to the contribution of chloride ion to the ionic strength.
PDE5 Inhibitors Enhance Tumor Permeability and Efficacy of Chemotherapy in a Rat Brain Tumor Model

The blood-brain tumor barrier (BTB) significantly limits delivery of therapeutic concentrations of chemotherapy to brain tumors. A novel approach to selectively increase drug delivery is pharmacologic modulation of signaling molecules that regulate BTB permeability, such as those in cGMP signaling. Here we show that oral administration of sildenafil (Viagra) and vardenafil (Levitra), inhibitors of cGMP-specific PDE5, selectively increased tumor capillary permeability in 9L gliosarcoma-bearing rats with no significant increase in normal brain capillaries. Tumor-bearing rats treated with the chemotherapy agent, adriamycin, in combination with vardenafil survived significantly longer than rats treated with adriamycin alone. The selective increase in tumor capillary permeability appears to be mediated by a selective increase in tumor cGMP levels and increased vesicular transport through tumor capillaries, and could be attenuated by iberiotoxin, a selective inhibitor for calcium-dependent potassium (K(Ca)) channels, that are effectors in cGMP signaling. The effect by sildenafil could be further increased by simultaneously using another BTB "opener", bradykinin. Collectively, this data demonstrates that oral administration of PDE5 inhibitors selectively increases BTB permeability and enhances anti-tumor efficacy for a chemotherapeutic agent. These findings have significant implications for improving delivery of anti-tumor agents to brain tumors.
The role of visual-auditory "compellingness" in the ventriloquism effect: implications for transitivity among the spatial senses

A magnitude estimation response procedure was used to evaluate the strength of visualauditory intersensory bias effects under conditions of spatial discrepancy. Maj or variables were the cognitive compellingness of the stimulus situation and instructions as to the unity or duality of the perceptual event. With a highly compelling stimulus situation and single-event instructions, subjects showed a very high visual bias of audition, a significant auditory bias of vision, and a sum of bias effects that indicated that their perception was fully consonant with the assumption of a single perceptual event. This finding reopens the possibility that the spatial modalities function as a transitive system, an outcome that Pick, Warren, and Hay (1969) had expected but did not obtain. Furthermore, the results support the model for intersensory interaction proposed by Welch and Warren (1980) with respect to the susceptibility of intersensory bias effects to several independent variables. Finally, a new means of assessing intersensory bias effects by the use of spatial separation threshold was demonstrated.
Pycnogenol inhibits tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation and adhesion molecule expression in human vascular endothelial cells.

The transcriptional regulatory protein nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) participates in the control of gene expression of many modulators of inflammatory and immune responses, including vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1). The heightened expression of these adhesion molecules has been reported to play a critical role in atherosclerosis, inflammation, ischemic vascular disorders, diabetes, and cancer metastasis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of pycnogenol, an antioxidant phytochemical, on the activation of NF-κB and the induction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-treated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Gel-shift analysis of HUVEC demonstrated that pretreatment with pycnogenol exhibited a concentration-dependent suppression of TNF-α-induced activation of NF-κB. Induction of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 surface expression by TNF-α was dose-dependently reduced by pycnogenol. TNF-α significantly increased the release of superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide from HUVECs. Pycnogenol dose-dependently inhibited their release. The ability of pycnogenol to inhibit NF-κB activation and VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression suggests that this phytochemical may play an important role in halting or preventing the atherogenic process.
Accurate on-line 3D occupancy grids using Manhattan world constraints

In this paper we present an algorithm for constructing nearly drift-free 3D occupancy grids of large indoor environments in an online manner. Our approach combines data from an odometry sensor with output from a visual registration algorithm, and it enforces a Manhattan world constraint by utilizing factor graphs to produce an accurate online estimate of the trajectory of a mobile robotic platform. We also examine the advantages and limitations of the octree data structure representation of a 3D environment. Through several experiments in environments with varying sizes and construction we show that our method reduces rotational and translational drift significantly without performing any loop closing techniques.
OFWAR: Reducing SSD Response Time Using On-Demand Fast-Write-and-Rewrite

This paper presents a cross-layer design strategy to reduce SSD response time and its variation. The key is to cohesively exploit system-level run-time data access workload variation and temporal locality and device-level NAND flash memory write latency versus data retention time trade-off. The basic idea is simple: once write intensity of the workload increases and begins to degrade SSD response time, we speed up memory programming at the penalty of shorter data retention time, and rewrite these short-lifetime data later, if necessary, when workload write intensity drops. A scheduling solution is developed to effectively implement this design strategy. Simulations over various workloads were carried out and the results demonstrate that the cross-layer design strategy can reduce the average SSD response time by up to 52.3%.
The electronic structure of deep SP-bonded acceptor impurities in semiconductors

Abstract This paper reports self-consistent calculations of the electronic structure of a series of deep impurities in Si. For the first time, these calculations provide a detailed description of gap states as well as the resonances and antiresonances within the band continua with the same accuracy as that of bulk-crystal calculations. The analysis of charge densities and wavefunctions in terms of simple models provides an understanding of the chemical bonding, the degree of localization, and the relevance of ideas based on effective-mass theory.
Performance of target search via track-before-detect for distributed sensor networks with heterogeneous sensors and imperfect communication links

Target detection is a surveillance problem of practical importance that is well suited to wireless sensor networks. In this paper, we study the target search via track-before-detect process for moving targets in large area utilizing a network of distributed sensor nodes. Specifically, we extend the track-before-detect process to heterogeneous sensors with imperfect communication links between the sensor and fusion center. We consider two different models: (1) heterogeneous sensors with different probability of detection and perfect communication links; and (2) heterogeneous sensors with imperfect communication links. To analyze the performance of searching process for the system, we derive the expressions for the probabilities of both successful search and false search. We also investigate the strategy to optimize the system by obtaining the minimal false search when meeting the requirement of the successful search performance.
Estimation of parameters of a pareto distribution by generalized order statistics

In this paper we address the problem of estimating the parameters of Pareto II distribution based on generalized order statistics. The estimators based on order statistics and record values are shown to be special cases of these estimators.
Frizzled/PCP-Dependent Asymmetric Neuralized Expression Determines R3/R4 Fates in the Drosophila Eye

Planar cell polarity (PCP) is a common feature in many epithelia, reflected in cellular organization within the plane of an epithelium. In the Drosophila eye, Frizzled (Fz)/PCP signaling induces cell-fate specification of the R3/R4 photoreceptors through regulation of Notch activation in R4. Except for Dl upregulation in R3, the mechanism of how Fz/PCP signaling regulates Notch in this context is not understood. We demonstrate that the E3-ubiquitin ligase Neuralized (Neur), required for Dl-N signaling, is asymmetrically expressed within the R3/R4 pair. It is required in R3, where it is also upregulated in a Fz/PCP-dependent manner. As is the case for Dl, N activity in R4 further represses neur expression, thus, reinforcing the asymmetry. We demonstrate that Neur asymmetry is instructive in correct R3/R4 specification. Our data indicate that Fz/PCP-dependent Neur expression in R3 ensures the proper directionality of Dl-N signaling during R3/R4 specification.
Including prior knowledge for accurate and fast motor threshold estimation.

Accurately estimating motor threshold (MT) is important in transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), because the MT is used as a reference to adjust individual subject’s machine output intensity. MT is defined as the minimum TMS output intensity that can induce reliable motor evoked potentionals (MEPs) (usually . 100 mV), with a probability of 50%. The Parameter Estimation in Sequential Test (PEST) method, which is based on maximum likelihood regression, has previously been proposed to speed upMTestimation.We recently proposed a new Bayesian PEST method that modifies the previous PEST method in two ways. First, we used prior knowledge, in the form of a probabilistic model, to facilitate MT estimation. Second, we used the probability interval of the estimated MT distribution to control the estimation error. Specifically, the width of 95% of the area under the curve of MTs probability density function was taken as a measure of the estimation precision. We experimentally tested the accuracy, and hence safety, of our Bayesian method in 10 healthy subjects. According to Awiszus, our new method suffers from three potential problems. First, the new method translates prior knowledge into a probability distribution,which is difficult to validate. Second, the use of the probability interval stopping rule in conjunction with adaptive threshold estimation ‘‘is not justified.’’ Third, the simulation results of Awiszus showed that even if our new method had used accurate
Mars and Venus Collide: A Discursive Analysis of Marital Self-Help Psychology

Relationship self-help advice often blames women for relationship difficulties and endorses relatively traditional gender roles. Its appeal to female consumers is thus somewhat puzzling. This paper uses critical feminist discourse analysis to explore two Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus relationship self-help texts. Both these texts construct gender as a set of natural dichotomies, claim that women and men are fundamentally different in relationship needs, and hold women responsible for maintaining relationship harmony. Thus, they reproduce a discourse that historically has been oppressive to women. However, like all texts, these afford multiple readings. I argue that their rhetoric may be deployed to voice dissatisfaction with inequality and to encourage change in a partners behavior. By affording openings for marital negotiation, these self-help texts and others like them may undermine the ideology of fixed gender differences in relationship orientation and may serve to hold both partners account...
Constraints on the origin and relative timing of the Trezona δ13C anomaly below the end-Cryogenian glaciation

Abstract The Neoproterozoic Era was punctuated by the ‘Sturtian’ (~ 710 million years ago) and ‘Marinoan’ (~ 635 million years ago) low-latitude glaciations. Carbonates preceding the younger Marinoan glacial succession record an ~ 18‰ negative shift in the δ 13 C of carbonate around the world. This ‘Trezona’ isotopic anomaly is the largest δ 13 C shift in Earth history and its origin and timing remain controversial. The δ 13 C anomaly could record a dramatic reorganization of Earth's carbon cycle and be linked causally to the initiation of Marinoan ice-house conditions. Alternatively, the δ 13 C anomaly might record secondary fluid alteration following carbonate deposition. Here we document dropstones within the carbonate sediments immediately below the Marinoan glacial diamictite in South Australia. Advancing ice sheets caused soft-sediment deformation of the beds below the glacial diamictite, as well as subglacial erosion of the carbonates beneath, showing that the Trezona δ 13 C values must have been acquired before glaciation. Although these stratigraphic relationships do not provide a specific mechanism to explain the Trezona δ 13 C anomaly, they do require that the nadir of the Trezona δ 13 C anomaly was recorded prior to local glacier advance and long before late-stage burial diagenesis could have occurred. Furthermore, the δ 13 C recovery in the Trezona Formation toward 0‰ was synchronous with the appearance of icebergs in the tropics.
Comparative effect of ursodeoxycholic acid and calcium antagonists on the binding, uptake and degradation of LDL in isolated hamster hepatocytes.

Abstract We have shown that ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) stimulates low density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism (Biochem. J. 280 (1991) 589), as well as calcium mobilization (Am. J. Physiol. 264 (1993) G243) in isolated hepatocytes. Therefore, the effect of UDCA and that of different calcium antagonists on hepatic LDL metabolism was compared. Isolated hamster hepatocytes were incubated at 37°C for 60 min in the presence of 125I-labelled hamster LDL, increasing concentrations (25–100 μM) of verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem, respectively, and with or without 700 μM ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). At concentrations up to 100 μM, neither verapamil nor nifedipine significantly affected cell associated LDL, but both agents decreased LDL degradation in a dose-dependent manner, with almost total inhibition with 100 μM of either agent. In contrast, 25 μm diltiazem stimulated LDL binding and uptake, with a maximum increase of 15–20% of control, while 50 and 100 μM diltiazem stimulated LDL degradation by 50 and 100%, respectively. UDCA increased native LDL binding and uptake by 20%, and degradation by 50%. None of the agents tested had any effect on the binding, uptake and degradation of methylated LDL. The increased hepatic LDL uptake induced by UDCA was not altered in the presence of calcium antagonists, while the increased degradation of LDL by UDCA was abolished by the addition of 50 μM of either verapamil or nifedipine. However, 100 μM diltiazem and 700 μM UDCA stimulated LDL degradation without any additive effect. These studies show that different calcium antagonists have differential effects on hepatic LDL metabolism. The similarities between the effect of diltiazem and UDCA on LDL metabolism and the absence of any additive effect, suggest that these two agents have a similar mechanism of action, which may involve the integration of both agents into the plasma membrane lipid bilayer.
Cyclosporin: applications in small animal dermatology.

Abstract Cyclosporin has been increasingly used for the treatment of skin diseases in small animals. Reported uses include the treatment of atopy, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, feline acquired alopecia resembling pseudopelade of humans, pemphigus erythematosus, pemphigus foliaceus, perianal fistulae and sebaceous adenitis. In addition, cyclosporin has been used anecdotally for several other skin diseases. Few side effects have been noted at doses therapeutic for dermatologic diseases. Current suggestions for monitoring, and the value of trough cyclosporin serum concentrations for prediction of toxicity and efficacy are discussed.
Quinpirole elicits differential in vivo changes in the pre- and postsynaptic distributions of dopamine D2 receptors in mouse striatum: relation to cannabinoid-1 (CB1) receptor targeting

Rationale The nucleus accumbens (Acb) shell and caudate-putamen nucleus (CPu) are respectively implicated in the motivational and motor effects of dopamine, which are mediated in part through dopamine D2-like receptors (D2Rs) and modulated by activation of the cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R). The dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonist, quinpirole elicits internalization of D2Rs in isolated cells; however, dendritic and axonal targeting of D2Rs may be highly influenced by circuit-dependent changes in vivo and potentially influenced by endogenous CB1R activation.
Nanocrystal Inks without Ligands: Stable Colloids of Bare Germanium Nanocrystals

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals typically have ligands attached to their surfaces that afford solubility in common solvents but hinder charge transport in nanocrystal films. Here, an alternative route is explored in which bare germanium nanocrystals are solubilized by select solvents to form stable colloids without the use of ligands. A survey of candidate solvents shows that germanium nanocrystals are completely solubilized by benzonitrile, likely because of electrostatic stabilization. Films cast from these dispersions are uniform, dense, and smooth, making them suitable for device applications without postdeposition treatment.