cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inflammatory properties of human C5a and C5a des Arg/ in mast cell-depleted human skin.

Abstract C5a and its degradation product, C5a des Arg, elicit immediate cutaneous inflammatory reactions after intradermal injection. Histologically, these reactions are characterized by neutrophil-rich leukocytic infiltrates, leukocytoclasis, edema, and dermal mast cell degranulation. It has not been possible to assess in vivo the relative contributions of resident mast cells and circulating leukocytes to this reaction because the accumulation of leukocytes and degranulation of mast cells occur simultaneously after injection of these anaphylatoxins. To assess the role of mast cells in these inflammatory reactions, we have examined the reactivity of human skin selectively depleted of dermal mast cells by local corticosteroid treatment. Corticosteroid-treated skin became virtually devoid of dermal mast cells within 4–6 wk as assessed by light microscopy, immunofluorescence with fluorescein conjugated avidin, or electron microscopy. Mast cell-depleted skin demonstrated normal vasopermeability and vasodilatory responsiveness to intradermal injection of histamine, but the reactivity of these sites to the mast cell secretagogue, morphine, was absent. Moreover, no clinical reactions were detectable in mast cell-depleted human skin after intradermal challenge with 50 ng of either C5a or C5a des Arg, despite the fact that biopsies of these sites revealed substantial, neutrophil-rich infiltrates. These infiltrates were qualitatively and quantitatively identical to C5a or C5a des Arg-induced infiltrates in mast cell replete skin. This experimental approach in vivo has allowed the independent analysis of the anaphylactogenic and chemoattractant activities of human C5a and C5a des Arg in human skin, demonstrated the importance of dermal mast cells in these clinical responses, and shown that leukocytes can accumulate at these infection sites directly in response to these mediators.
Alendronate Reduces Bone Toughness of Ribs without Significantly Increasing Microdamage Accumulation in Dogs Following 3 Years of Daily Treatment

Reduced bone toughness, the energy absorption capacity of the tissue, has been consistently documented in vertebrae of animals treated with a wide range of bisphosphonate doses. Data regarding toughness changes in the rib are conflicting, with one report showing no effect and another showing a significant reduction following treatment of beagle dogs with high doses of bisphosphonates. The goal of this study was to evaluate changes in bone toughness and various other tissue-level properties of the rib following 3 years of bisphosphonate treatment with doses at and above those used to treat osteoporosis. Skeletally mature intact beagle dogs were treated daily for 3 years with vehicle (VEH), alendronate 0.2 mg/kg (ALN0.2), or alendronate 1.0 mg/kg (ALN1.0). The lower ALN dose approximates, on a milligram per kilogram basis, that used for treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, with the higher dose being five times higher. Ribs were assessed for biomechanical properties, bone turnover rate, microdamage, density, and geometry. Toughness was significantly lower with ALN1.0 (−33%) but not ALN0.2 (−19%) compared to VEH, while neither ultimate stress nor modulus differed among the groups. Bone density, geometry, and structural biomechanical properties were similar among the three groups. There was no significant difference in overall microdamage accumulation among the groups. Intracortical bone formation rate was significantly lower than VEH in both ALN groups (−69% to −90%). These data show that while rib cortical bone experiences significant reductions in turnover following bisphosphonate treatment, it is only in animals treated with doses above those used to treat osteoporosis that toughness is significantly compromised.
Giant magnetoresistance in organic spin-valves

A spin valve is a layered structure of magnetic and non-magnetic (spacer) materials whose electrical resistance depends on the spin state of electrons passing through the device and so can be controlled by an external magnetic field. The discoveries of giant magnetoresistance and tunnelling magnetoresistance in metallic spin valves have revolutionized applications such as magnetic recording and memory, and launched the new field of spin electronics--'spintronics'. Intense research efforts are now devoted to extending these spin-dependent effects to semiconductor materials. But while there have been noteworthy advances in spin injection and detection using inorganic semiconductors, spin-valve devices with semiconducting spacers have not yet been demonstrated. pi-conjugated organic semiconductors may offer a promising alternative approach to semiconductor spintronics, by virtue of their relatively strong electron-phonon coupling and large spin coherence. Here we report the injection, transport and detection of spin-polarized carriers using an organic semiconductor as the spacer layer in a spin-valve structure, yielding low-temperature giant magnetoresistance effects as large as 40 per cent.
Microsatellite loci for the basal angiosperm Austrobaileya scandens (Austrobaileyaceae)

AbstractWe developed nine microsatellite loci for the basal angiosperm Austrobaileya scandens ,a vine endemic to northeastern Australia. High levels of polymorphism were detected in30 individuals from a single population, with an average of 14.78 alleles per locus and anaverage expected heterozygosity of 0.81. Historical inbreeding levels were significantlydifferent from zero ( f = 0.136), consistent with genetic evidence for self-parentage in open-pollinated progeny. The high exclusionary power of these loci (> 99.98%) indicates theywill be useful in future parentage analyses designed to explore mechanisms of mate choicein Austrobaileya . Keywords : Austrobaileya , Austrobaileyales, basal angiosperm, mating system, microsatellite loci,self-incompatibility, vine Received 3 August 2005; revision accepted 7 September 2005 The origin of the angiosperm reproductive syndrome hasbeen the subject of much discussion over the last century.Most recently, the debate has been fuelled by improvedanalyses of structural features of ancient fossil angiosperms(Friis
Control of urinary bladder smooth muscle excitability by the TRPM4 channel modulator 9-phenanthrol.

The Ca2+-activated monovalent cation selective transient receptor potential melastatin 4 (TRPM4) channel has been recently identified in detrusor smooth muscle (DSM) of the urinary bladder. Two recent publications by our research group provide evidence in support of the novel hypothesis that TRPM4 channels enhance DSM excitability and contractility. This is a critical question as prior studies have primarily targeted hyperpolarizing currents facilitated by K+ channels, but the depolarizing component in DSM cells is not well understood. For the first time, we utilized the selective TRPM4 channel inhibitor, 9-phenanthrol, to investigate TRPM4 channel functional effects in DSM at both cellular and tissue levels in rodents. Our new data presented here showed that in rat DSM cells, 9-phenanthrol attenuates spontaneous inward currents in the presence of the muscarinic receptor agonist, carbachol, thus reducing DSM cell excitability. In support of our original hypothesis, we found that TRPM4 channel mRNA levels are much higher in DSM vs. vascular smooth muscle and that inhibition of TRPM4 channels can potentially attenuate DSM excitability. Thus, we postulate the novel concept that selective pharmacological inhibition of TRPM4 channels can limit both excitability and contractility of DSM.
Adding a robot project to a CS1 course

Beginning programming courses can take many forms -- different order of topics, different languages, different texts, and different objectives. Because the material to be covered can often be very detailed and abstract, student interest and attention is hard to maintain. Adding a hands-on project to the course offers the instructor the ability to have the students focus on a fun project while still learning the rubrics of programming.
Working memory predicts the rejection of false memories.

The relationship between working memory capacity (WMC) and false memories in the memory conjunction paradigm was explored. Previous research using other paradigms has shown that individuals high in WMC are not as likely to experience false memories as low-WMC individuals, the explanation being that high-WMC individuals are better able to engage in source monitoring. In the memory conjunction paradigm participants are presented at study with parent words (e.g., eyeglasses, whiplash). At test, in addition to being presented with targets and foils, participants are presented with lures that are composed of previously studied features (e.g., eyelash). It was found that high-WMC individuals had lower levels of false recognition than low-WMC individuals. Furthermore, recall-to-reject responses were analysed (e.g., “I know I didn't see eyelash because I remember seeing eyeglasses”) and it was found that high-WMC individuals were more likely to utilise this memory editing strategy, providing direct evidence that ...
A conserved Toll‐like receptor is required for Caenorhabditis elegans innate immunity

Pathogen recognition through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) is crucial in order to mount an appropriate immune response against microorganisms. On the basis of a lack of evidence indicating that Caenorhabditis elegans uses TLRs to elicit an immune response and on the absence of genes encoding Rel-like transcription factors in its genome, it is believed that TLR-mediated immunity arose after coelomates split from pseudocoelomates and acoelomates. Here, we show that C. elegans tol-1(nr2033) mutants are killed by the human pathogen Salmonella enterica, which causes a significant pharyngeal invasion in the absence of TOL-1-mediated immunity. We also show that TOL-1 is required for the correct expression of ABF-2, which is a defensin-like molecule expressed in the pharynx, and heat-shock protein 16.41, which is also expressed in the pharynx and is part of a HSP family of proteins required for C. elegans immunity. The results indicate that TOL-1 has a direct role in defence response to certain Gram-negative bacteria and indicate that part of the TLR-mediated immunity might be evolutionarily conserved.
StarGate: A Unified, Interactive Visualization of Software Projects

With the success of open source software projects, such as Apache and Mozilla, comes the opportunity to study the development process. In this paper, we present StarGate: a novel system for visualizing software projects. Whereas previous software project visualizations concentrated mainly on the source code changes, we literally place the developers in the center of our design. Developers are grouped visually into clusters corresponding to the areas of the file repository they work on the most. Connections are drawn between people who communicate via email. The changes to the repository are also displayed. With StarGate, it is easy to look beyond the source code and see trends in developer activity. The system can be used by anyone interested in the project, but it especially benefits project managers, project novices and software engineering researchers.
Characterization of the Mucosal Immune Response to Dietary Antigens in Patients with Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Abstract The association of dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) with granular IgA deposits at the dermal-epidermal function and a gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) suggests that a mucosal immune response may play an important role in the pathogenesis of DH. The degree of antigenic restriction, the immunoglobulin class and subclass response to dietary antigens, and the relationship of antibodies against dietary antigens to IgA-containing circulating immune complexes (CIC) in patients with DH, however, are not known. We have examined the serum of 33 patients with DH for IgG and IgA antibodies against gliadin, and against 3 dietary proteins not thought to be related to GSE, β-lactoglobulin (β-lacto), bovine gamma globulin (BGG), and casein. Eleven of 33 (33%) patients with DH had IgA anti-gliadin antibodies, whereas IgA antibodies against β-lacto were found in 11 of 33 patients (33%), against BGG in 15 of 32 (47%), and against casein in 6 of 33 (18%); 17 of 32 (53%) patients had IgA antibodies against one or more of these dietary antigens. Significantly higher levels of IgA antibodies were detected against β-lacto (2,500 ± 2,320 ng/ml, mean ± SEM) and BGG (2,340 ± 1,890 ng/ml) than gliadin (1,250 ± 851 ng/ml) in this group of antibody positive patients (p 1 and IgA 2 with a significantly increased proportion of IgA 2 when compared with the IgA 2 composition of the total serum IgA (IgA 2 : anti-gliadin antibodies=34 ± 4.2%; total serum IgA=19 ± 4.8%, p=0.02, Students paired t test). IgG antibodies against these antigens were found to occur slightly more frequently in amounts not significantly greater than IgA antibodies. This data demonstrates that a serum IgA and IgG antibody response to dietary antigens occurs in approximately 50% of DH patients with a higher porportion of IgA 2 than total serum IgA and does not appear to be restricted to gliadin. This is significantly different from the pattern of cutaneous immunoreactants in patients with DH, and suggests that the deposition of IgA in DH skin may be the result of an atypical mucosal immune response, a non-immunologic interaction of IgA 1 and DH skin, or arise from a nonmucosal source.
Toward Flexible and Fast Routing Strategies for Dynamic Network Provisioning

Reserving bandwidth as needed in high-performance networks makes the fast and reliable data transfer with guaranteed performance possible in large-scale collaborative e-science. Besides the notification of acceptance or rejection for a particular reservation request, users normally want to know the earliest possible finish time or the minimum total transfer duration for the data transfer. Several routing algorithms have been proposed to achieve such desired goals given the data size, the data available time, and the deadline to finish the data transfer. Instead of directly processing the bandwidth reservation request (BRR) from users, our approach analyses various parameters to strategically narrow down the solution search space for fast system response. Adapted from some previous works, two algorithms are proposed to compute the reservation options with the earliest completion time (ECT) and with the shortest duration (SD) for multiple BRRs accumulated during a certain period. Extensive simulation results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed algorithms in terms of reduced execution time and improved success ratio of BRRs in comparison with existing scheduling algorithms.
The conference courier: news from the front lines

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to report on conference programs, panel discussions, initiatives, and developments of interest to the resource sharing community.Design/methodology/approach – The report summarizes conference events.Findings – The author reports on relevant sessions held at the specified conference, supplemented by presentations, handouts, meeting minutes, and videos posted online after the conference.Originality/value – The report summarizes conference events addressing all forms and aspects of resource sharing and related subjects such as copyright, licensing, electronic resources, library consortia, and assessment. Issues covered are of interest to resource sharing managers and front line staff around the globe.
Bioactives of Artemisia dracunculus L. enhance insulin sensitivity by modulation of ceramide metabolism in rat skeletal muscle cells.

Abstract Objective An increase in ectopic lipids in peripheral tissues has been implicated in attenuating insulin action. The botanical extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. (PMI 5011) improves insulin action, yet the precise mechanism is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the mechanism by which the bioactive compounds in PMI 5011 improve insulin signaling is through regulation of ceramide metabolism. Methods L6 Myotubes were separately preincubated with 250 μM palmitic acid with or without PMI 5011 or four bioactive compounds isolated from PMI 5011 and postulated to be responsible for the effect. The effects on insulin signaling, ceramide, and glucosylceramide profiles were determined. Results Treatment of L6 myotubes with palmitic acid resulted in increased levels of total ceramides and glucosylceramides, and cell surface expression of gangliosides. Palmitic acid also inhibited insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of protein kinase B/Akt and reduced glycogen accumulation. Bioactives from PMI 5011 had no effect on ceramide formation but one active compound (DMC-2) and its synthetic analog significantly reduced glucosylceramide accumulation and increased insulin sensitivity via restoration of Akt phosphorylation. Conclusions The observations suggest that insulin sensitization by PMI 5011 is partly mediated through moderation of glycosphingolipid accumulation.
The acute and chronic effects of phlebotomy on general hemodynamics and pulmonary functions of patients with secondary polycythemia associated with pulmonary emphysema.

Abstract 1.1. Hemodynamic and pulmonary function studies were evaluated in 15 patients with secondary polycythemia associated with chronic pulmonary emphysema. 2.2. The studies were made before and after acute venesection and again after sufficient venesection to maintain hematocrits at nearly normal levels for periods of 5 to 6 weeks. 3.3. Significant decreases in hematocrit, right atrial and right ventricular systolic, end-diastolic, and mean pressures, and significant increases in arterial oxygen saturation and tension, oxygen consumption, and arteriovenous oxygen difference were noted in measurements carried out 1 hour after the initial phlebotomy. 4.4. In the total group, no changes occurred in pulmonary function studies after acute phlebotomy or repeat phlebotomies, or in hemodynamic studies after repeat phlebotomies. 5.5. In patients with high end-diastolic right ventricular pressures at the initial catheterizations, acute phlebotomy was followed by decreases in the residual lung volume and functional residual capacity, although these had increased to the control values after 6 weeks. 6.6. It is possible that the observed changes in O 2 gas studies and residual lung volumes may be related to changes in intrapulmonary blood volume or flow. 7.7. All of the changes observed after repeated phlebotomies can be explained by the mechanical removal of red blood cells. 8.8. There is no indication that polycythemia, of itself, is detrimental to the hemodynamic or pulmonary function status of these patients when heart failure has not supervened. 9.9. Venesection has a therapeutic role in the management of patients with secondary polycythemia associated with chronic pulmonary emphysema. Immediate phlebotomy should be helpful in controlling heart failure, and repeat phlebotomies, although not altering the hemodynamic or pulmonary function status of these patients, may be indicated because of the reduction in the viscosity, and, therefore, presumably for the effect on the incidence of thromboembolic complications. It would appear that the utilization of repeated phlebotomies should be determined by the degree of polycythemia rather than by the pulmonary function status of the patient.
EFFECTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON STUDENT‐TRANSFER ACTIVITY

What environmental conditions have a significant effect on community college student‐transfer activity? What are the interrelationships between the external and institutional conditions affecting community college student‐transfer activity? These questions were examined using a sample of 78 public community colleges across the country that participated in the 1990 Transfer Assembly (Center for the Study of Community Colleges). Analyses involved semi‐stepwise regressions and two‐tailed t‐ tests. The dependent variables based on first‐time freshmen of the Fall 1985 cohort were credits accumulated and transfer rates of students completing 12 or more credits. Findings suggest that institutions with larger percentages of students completing 12 or more credits have greater proportions of full‐time and younger students and are located in areas with high unemployment. Institutions with larger percentages of students transferring with 12 or more credits have are located in high income areas in states with formaliz...
Location based hybrid application using Wi-Fi zone

Smartphone is the fastest growing in handheld device market. Due to this factor, the importance of mobile web and applications are growing. We introduce an alternative enhanced hybrid application scheme to reduce a number of applications. The enhanced hybrid application can provide various services based on Wi-Fi zone. This application can reduce a number of applications and complexity in mobile home screen.
Identification, ranking, and management of risks in a major system acquisition

Abstract Risk management is essential to protect the quality of a large-scale engineering effort. It should be a well-defined process that builds on an encompassing and detailed understanding of the purpose, elements, and contexts of the system. It should accommodate qualitative and quantitative information in understanding sources of risk. In an application paper, we use hierarchical holographic modeling (HHM) to identify sources of risk in the acquisition of a large ($1 billion US) software and database system. HHM provides a framework to integrate the perceptions by managers and analysts of what could go wrong in the acquisition. In addition, we filter and prioritize the identified sources of risk based on their likelihoods and potential consequences. Finally, we generate and evaluate alternatives for risk management, focusing on potential impacts to the acquisition schedule.
Effect of the cortex on ultrasonic backscatter measurements of cancellous bone.

Ultrasonic backscatter techniques offer a promising new approach for detecting changes in bone caused by osteoporosis. However, several challenges impede clinical implementation of backscatter techniques. This study examines how the dense outer surface of bone (the cortex) affects backscatter measurements of interior regions of porous (cancellous) bone tissue. Fifty-two specimens of bone were prepared from 13 human femoral heads so that the same region of cancellous bone could be ultrasonically interrogated through the cortex or along directions that avoided the cortex. Backscatter signals were analyzed over a frequency range of 0.8–3.0 MHz to determine two ultrasonic parameters: apparent integrated backscatter (AIB) and frequency slope of apparent backscatter (FSAB). The term 'apparent' means that the parameters are sensitive to the frequency-dependent effects of diffraction and attenuation. Significant (p < 0.001) changes in AIB and FSAB indicated that measurements through the cortex decreased the apparent backscattered power and increased the frequency dependence of the power. However, the cortex did not affect the correlation of AIB and FSAB with the x-ray bone mineral density of the specimens. This suggests that results from many previous in vitro backscatter studies of specimens of purely cancellous bone may be extrapolated with greater confidence to in vivo conditions.
Expectations Test: Trauma Scales for Sexual Abuse, Physical Abuse, Exposure to Family Violence, and Posttraumatic Stress:

Gully's 2000 Expectations Test was developed as a tool to use with children ages 4 through 17 to measure social information processing. Prior research suggested it could help identify abused and emotionally traumatized children. Results from regression analyses were used to develop four scales that could be calculated simply. Prior research demonstrated excellent interrater reliability for the variables from the Expectations Test used in the regression analyses. The minimum Cronbach's alpha for any scale is .75. The minimum test-retest reliability is .88. Classification results indicated each scale can provide data to help evaluate children: Sexual Abuse Scale (sensitivity = 81% and specificity = 78%), Physical Abuse Scale (84% and 78%), Exposure to Family Violence Scale (65% and 63%), and Posttraumatic Stress Scale (86% and 54%). However, careful attention needs to be given to the potential limitations of these scales to prevent their misuse.
Angiosarcoma in the Lung

Angiosarcoma involving the lung is a rare disorder and its clinical features are not well known. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 15 patients seen at our institution from 1950 to 1990 in an attempt to better characterize the spectrum of clinical and radiographic findings of angiosarcoma in the lung. No documented case of primary angiosarcoma of the lung was seen. The diagnosis of metastatic angiosarcoma to the lung was made antemortem in 12 of 15 cases, either by lung biopsy specimen (5 patients), biopsy evidence of metastatic disease elsewhere with abnormal chest radiograph (4 patients), or a compatible clinical picture in a patient with previously documented angiosarcoma arising in an extrapulmonary site (3 patients). The median age at the time of diagnosis was 45 years with the most common presenting symptom being hemoptysis (7 of 15 patients). Other presenting complaints included weight loss (6 of 15), cough (4 of 15), and chest pain (4 of 15) occurring 6 weeks to 1 year prior to diagnosis. Chest radiographs frequently disclosed multiple pulmonary nodules (11 of 15). Primary origins of the angiosarcoma most commonly included the heart and breast. Metastatic sites other than the lung included the pericardium, liver, spleen, kidney, adrenal gland, bone, and brain. The prognosis is generally poor, with our study population surviving an average of 9 months after diagnosis.
TIMP-1 via TWIST1 induces EMT phenotypes in human breast epithelial cells.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) regulates intracellular signaling networks for inhibition of apoptosis. Tetraspanin (CD63), a cell surface binding partner for TIMP-1, was previously shown to regulate integrin-mediated survival pathways in the human breast epithelial cell line MCF10A. In the current study, we show that TIMP-1 expression induces phenotypic changes in cell morphology, cell adhesion, cytoskeletal remodeling, and motility, indicative of an epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). This is evidenced by loss of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin with an increase in the mesenchymal markers vimentin, Ncadherin, and fibronectin. Signaling through TIMP-1, but not TIMP-2, induces the expression of TWIST1, an important EMT transcription factor known to suppress E-cadherin transcription, in a CD63-dependent manner. RNAi-mediated knockdown of TWIST1 rescued E-cadherin expression in TIMP-1–overexpressing cells, demonstrating a functional significance of TWIST1 in TIMP-1–mediated EMT. Furthermore, analysis of TIMP-1 structuralmutantsrevealsthatTIMP-1interactionswithCD63thatactivatecellsurvivalsignalingandEMTdonot require the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)–inhibitory domain of TIMP-1. Taken together, these data demonstrate that TIMP-1 binding to CD63 activates intracellular signal transduction pathways, resulting in EMT-like changes in breast epithelial cells, independent of its MMP-inhibitory function. Implications: TIMP-1 0 s function as an endogenous inhibitor of MMP or as a "cytokine-like" signaling molecule may be a critical determinant for tumor cell behavior. Mol Cancer Res; 1–10. � 2014 AACR.
Two Distinct Urokinase-Serpin Interactions Regulate the Initiation of Cell Surface-associated Plasminogen Activation

Abstract Single-chain urokinase-type plasminogen activator (scu-PA) possesses enzymatic activity that increases by 2–3 orders of magnitude upon binding to its cellular cofactor, the u-PA receptor (u-PAR), hence activating an enzymatic cascade initially composed of zymogens. The present study demonstrates that plasminogen activator inhibitor type 3 (PAI-3) reversibly inhibits scu-PA in solution, maintaining the system “off.” Because the scu-PA/PAI-3 interaction is reversible, cellular expression of u-PAR allows partitioning of scu-PA from PAI-3 to u-PAR with resultant expression of full enzymatic activity. PAI-3 that was originally complexed to scu-PA remains in solution, retaining its functional activity. Importantly, the scu-PA on cell surface u-PAR is protected from PAI-3 inhibition, remaining an effective activator in a PAI-rich environment. Plasmin formed as a result of scu-PA activity then cleaves scu-PA to the mature protease, two-chain u-PA (tcu-PA), which is efficiently and irreversibly inhibited by PAI-3 via the standard serpin mechanism, even on u-PAR. This data generates a new hypothesis which, in contrast to the previous paradigm, holds that receptor bound scu-PA is the initiating enzyme and that tcu-PA is generated not to augment enzymatic activity but rather to allow for inhibition and therefore appropriate regulation of the process.
Children's societal understanding and the process of equilibration

In the course of children's gradual construction of an “objective” societal knowledge, one can witness the very process of development at work.
Predictor based control of linear systems with state, input and output delays

In this paper we develop a predictor-based controller for linear systems with state, input and output delays. First, a state predictor is developed for state feedback control. This predictor is formulated recursively over the prediction time by partitioning the input delay into sections smaller than the state delays. The partitioning of the input delay ensures that the resulting predictor equation only depends on the past values of the state and input. It is shown that the proposed predictor gives an exact prediction of the future states. This recursive predictor is then reformulated into a cascade form in order to reduce the number of redundant calculations and to simplify the predictor equation for practical implementation. We construct a predictor based state feedback control law and show that the spectrum of the closed-loop time-delay system under the constructed control law is the same as that of an equivalent time-delay system without input delay and under the nominal state feedback control. Therefore, the proposed predictor based solution can stabilize the delay system if a stabilizing state feedback control law exists for the input delay free system. These state feedback results are then extended to the case of delayed output feedback. The theoretical derivation is verified through numerical examples.
Enkephalin regulates acute D2 dopamine receptor antagonist-induced immediate-early gene expression in striatal neurons.

Projection neurons of the striatum release opioid peptides in addition to GABA. Our previous studies showed that the opioid peptide dynorphin regulates that subtype of projection neurons which sends axons to the substantia nigra/entopeduncular nucleus, as indicated by an inhibitory action of dynorphin/agonists on D1 dopamine receptor-mediated immediate-early gene induction in these neurons. The other subtype of striatal projection neurons projects to the globus pallidus and contains the opioid peptide enkephalin. Here, we investigated whether enkephalin regulates the function of striatopallidal neurons, by analysing opioid effects on immediate-early gene induction by D2 dopamine receptor blockade that occurs in these neurons. Thus, the effects of systemic and intrastriatal administration of various opioid receptor agonists and antagonists on immediate-early gene expression (c-fos, zif 268) induced by the D2 receptor antagonist eticlopride were examined with in situ hybridization histochemistry. Intrastriatal infusion of enkephalin (delta and mu), but not dynorphin (kappa), receptor agonists suppressed immediate-early gene induction by eticlopride in a dose-dependent manner. This suppression was blocked by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone, confirming the involvement of opioid receptors. Repeated treatment with D2 receptor antagonists produces increased enkephalin expression and diminished immediate-early gene inducibility in striatopallidal neurons, as well as behavioral effects that are attenuated compared to those of acute treatment (e.g., reduced akinesia). Naloxone reversed such behavioral recovery (i.e. reinstated akinesia), but did not significantly affect suppressed immediate-early gene induction. Our results indicate that enkephalin acts, via mu and delta receptors in the striatum, to inhibit acute effects of D2 receptor blockade in striatopallidal neurons. Moreover, the present findings suggest that increased enkephalin expression after repeated D2 receptor antagonist treatment is an adaptive response that counteracts functional consequences of D2 receptor blockade, but is not involved in suppressed immediate-early gene induction. Together with our earlier findings of the role of dynorphin, these results indicate that opioid peptides in the striatum serve as negative feedback systems to regulate the striatal output pathways in which they are expressed.
Activin Type II Receptor Restoration in ACVR2-Deficient Colon Cancer Cells Induces Transforming Growth Factor-β Response Pathway Genes

The activin type II receptor (ACVR2) gene is a putative tumor suppressor gene that is frequently mutated in microsatellite-unstable colon cancers (MSI-H colon cancers). ACVR2 is a member of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β type II receptor (TGFBR2) family and controls cell growth and differentiation. SMAD proteins are major intracellular effectors shared by ACVR2 and TGFBR2 signaling; however, additional shared effector mechanisms remain to be explored. To discover novel mechanisms transmitting the ACVR2 signal, we restored ACVR2 function by transfecting wild-type ACVR2 (wt-ACVR2) into a MSI-H colon cancer cell line carrying an ACVR2 frameshift mutation. The effect of ACVR2 restoration on cell growth, SMAD phosphorylation, and global molecular phenotype was then evaluated. Decreased cell growth was observed in wt-ACVR2 transfectants relative to ACVR2-deficient vector-transfected controls. Western blotting revealed higher expression of phosphorylated SMAD2 in wt-ACVR2 transfectants versus controls, suggesting cells deficient in ACVR2 had impaired SMAD signaling. Microarray-based differential expression analysis revealed substantial ACVR2-induced overexpression of genes implicated in the control of cell growth and tumorigenesis, including the activator protein (AP)-1 complex genes JUND, JUN, and FOSB, as well as the small GTPase signal transduction family members, RHOB, ARHE, and ARHGDIA. Overexpression of these genes is shared with TGFBR2 activation. This observed similarity between the activin and TGF-β signaling systems suggests that activin may serve as an alternative activator of TGF-β effectors, including SMADs, and that frameshift mutation of ACVR2 may contribute to MSI-H colon tumorigenesis via disruption of alternate TGF-β effector pathways.
Ether-a-go-go–Related Gene Potassium Channels: What's All the Buzz About?

Antipsychotic drugs are thought to exert their therapeutic action by antagonizing dopamine receptors but are also known to produce side effects in the heart by inhibiting cardiac ether-a-go-go-related gene (ERG) K(+) channels. Recently, it has been discovered that the same channels are present in the brain, including midbrain dopamine neurons. ERG channels are most active after the cessation of intense electrical activity, and blockade of these channels prolongs plateau potentials in bursting dopamine neurons. This change in excitability would be expected to alter dopamine release. Therefore, the therapeutic action of antipsychotic drugs may depend on inhibition of both postsynaptic dopamine receptors and presynaptic ERG K(+) channels.
Solute and Solvent Dependencies of Intermolecular Interactions in Different Density Regions in Supercritical Fluids. A Generalization of the Three‐Density‐Region Solvation Mechanism

Pyrene, 6-propionyl-2-(N,N-dimethylamino)naphthalene (PRODAN) and ethyl p-(N,N-diethylamino)benzoate (DEAEB) are used as fluorescent probes to study solute-solvent interactions in supercritical fluoroform, carbon dioxide, and ethane as functions of density and temperature. The Py values, solvatochromic shifts of fluorescence spectra, and dual fluorescence from the locally excited singlet state and twisted intramolecular charge transfer state are strongly fluid density dependent. While the intensities of solvent effects are different for different probes and different fluids, the density dependencies of spectroscopic responses of the probes follow a characteristic pattern. The results are in strong support of the three-density-region solvation mechanism.
An Unusual Case of Allograft Neutrophilic Myocarditis Mimicking Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Post–Heart Transplant Patient

The clinical presentation of myocarditis is variable and can mimic myocardial infarction. The diagnosis of acute myocarditis is frequently empiric, and is made on the basis of the clinical presentation, electrocardiographic changes, elevated cardiac enzymes, and lack of epicardial coronary artery disease and lymphocytic infiltration on myocardial biopsy. We present an unusual case of a young patient with history of heart transplantation who presented with fever and polyarthritis and developed chest pain along with electrocardiographic changes and troponin elevation with no evidence of coronary artery disease. His myocardial biopsy revealed marked neutrophilic infiltration and no evidence of rejection. The clinical picture was compatible with a rare finding of neutrophilic myocarditis in the allograft, possibly related to a systemic inflammatory process.
All for One and One for All? the Development and Transfer of Power Across Organizational Levels

Power in organizations is a fluid social construction subject to multiple interpretations. The extensive literature on power provides insights about the antecedents and consequences of power at the individual and group levels but does not provide a model tracing the linkages between them and describing how power develops and is transferred between individuals and groups. In this article we describe some of the conditions necessary for power identities and reputations to develop and transfer effectively between individuals and groups in organizations.
DNA Adenine Methylase Overproduction in Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Alters YopE Expression and Secretion and Host Immune Responses to Infection

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis mutants that overproduce the DNA adenine methylase (Dam) are highly attenuated, confer fully protective immune responses, and secrete several Yersinia virulence proteins (Yersinia outer proteins [Yops]) under conditions that are nonpermissive for secretion in wild-type strains. We examined here the effects of Dam overproduction on Yersinia virulence determinant expression and secretion, as well as the host immune response to Yersinia antigens. Western blot analysis with convalescent antisera identified several low-calcium-responsive antigens whose synthesis was affected by Dam overproduction. One of these antigens was shown to be the type III secretion effector protein, YopE, a cytotoxin involved in antiphagocytosis. Dam overproduction disrupted both the thermal and calcium regulation of YopE synthesis and relaxed the thermal but not the calcium dependence of YopE secretion. Altered expression and/or secretion of Yersinia proteins in Dam-overproducing strains may contribute to the decreased virulence and heightened immunity observed in vaccinated hosts and may provide a means by which to deliver heterologous antigens and/or immune modulators of the inflammatory response.
Steady Propagation on Nonlinear Transmission Lines

Many qualitatively nonlinear distributed systems are observed to support wave propagation which proceeds with constant velocity and undistorted shape. One approach to the investigation of these systems is to assume steady propagation at an unknown velocity and then determine the modes of propagation which can occur. The nature of these dynamic steady-state (d.s.s.) solutions is discussed for three types of distributed ladder transmission lines: the lossless line, the distributed amplifier and the neuristor. Necessary conditions are discussed for the stability of d.s.s. solutions on lossless lines described by a Lagrangian density function, saturated amplifying lines and neuristor lines.
Surface charge measurements and (dis)charging dynamics of organic semiconductors in various media using optical tweezers

An exciting application of optical tweezers is the measurement of the surface charge on a trapped particle, as well as its time evolution with a single charge resolution. We report on an optical tweezer-based method to measure the effective surface charge on an organic semiconductor film at microscopic scales, which offers opportunities for investigations of ion and electron transfer between organic molecules and surrounding medium. Effective charge densities of 13±5 elementary charges per μm 2 were observed in anthradithiophene-coated silica microspheres suspended in water, with a more than an order of magnitude reduction in charge densities upon replacing water with the 50% wt/wt glycerol/water mixture.
Diagenesis and sealing capacity of the middle Tuscaloosa mudstone at the Cranfield carbon dioxide injection site, Mississippi, U.S.A.

At Cranfield field, Mississippi, a monitored carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration and enhanced oil recovery project provides a unique opportunity to study sealing properties of a marine shale as a CO2-confining zone. The reservoir is in the amalgamated fluvial basal sandstone of the lower Tuscaloosa Formation at depths of more than 3000 m (9843 ft). The marine mudstone of the middle Tuscaloosa forms a continuous regional confining system of approximately 75 m (246 ft).A 6-m (20-ft) core was retrieved from the middle Tuscaloosa marine mudstone approximately 70 m (230 ft) above the CO2 injection zone. We conducted a series of characterizing analyses on the core that would enable us to assess with high confidence seal performance over geologic time. The core displays considerable heterogeneity at centimeter to decimeter scales, with lithology varying from silt-bearing clay-rich mudstone to siltstone and very fine grained sandstone. In total, nine microfacies are recognized in the core. Petrographic, mineralogical, and chemical analyses (scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and x-ray fluorescence) show that calcite cements preferentially form in coarser grained beds and have greatly reduced porosity and permeability, making silty and sandy beds less permeable than mudstone. Mercury intrusion capillary pressure tests show desirable sealing capacity for all samples capable of retaining a CO2 column of 49 to 237 m (161–778 ft) at 100% water saturation. Permeability and porosity of all facies are less than 0.0001 md and 4%, respectively. Pores in the samples are at nanometer scales, with modal pore-throat sizes less than 20 nm. Scanning electron microscopic imaging on ion-milled surfaces confirms that nanopores are scarce and generally isolated.
Erotic Fantasies of College Students During Coitus

Since little is known about the erotic fantasies during coitus of younger women and men, data were collected from a sample of college students to determine the frequency and type of fantasy in this population. Fantasizing during sexual intercourse was reported by the majority of the respondents of both sexes. Males reported fantasizing early in their coital experience and reported more fantasies involving an imaginary lover than did the females. Women reported more fantasies of being forced into sexual relationships and themes involving a member of the same sex than did men. Both sexes reported the primary purpose of the fantasies was to enhance sexual arousal. The results are interpreted as indicating that fantasizing during coitus is a normal component of sexual behavior.
The Ku complex in silencing the cryptic mating-type loci of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Sir1 establishes transcriptional silencing at the cryptic mating-type loci HMR and HML (HM loci) by recruiting the three other Sir proteins, Sir2, -3, and -4, that function directly in silenced chromatin. However, SIR1-independent mechanisms also contribute to recruiting the Sir2-4 proteins to the HM loci. A screen to elucidate SIR1-independent mechanisms that establish HMR silencing identified a mutation in YKU80. The role for Ku in silencing both HMR and HML was masked by SIR1. Ku's role in silencing the HM loci was distinct from its shared role with the nuclear architecture protein Esc1 in tethering the HM loci and telomeres to the nuclear periphery. The ability of high-copy SIR4 to rescue HMR silencing defects in sir1Delta cells required Ku, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments provided evidence that Ku contributed to Sir4's physical association with the HM loci in vivo. Additional ChIP experiments provided evidence that Ku functioned directly at the HM loci. Thus Ku and Sir1 had overlapping roles in silencing the HM loci.
Choosing appropriate temporal and spatial scales for ecological restoration

Classic ecological restoration seems tacitly to have taken the Clementsian "balance of nature" paradigm for granted: plant succession terminates in a climax community which remains at equilibrium until exogenously disturbed after which the process of succession is restarted until the climax is reached. Human disturbance is regarded as unnatural and to have commenced in the Western Hemisphere at the time of European incursion. Classic ecological restoration thus has a clear and unambiguous target and may be conceived as aiming to foreshorten the natural processes that would eventually lead to the climax of a given site, which may be determined by its state at "settlement". According to the new "flux of nature" paradigm in ecology a given site has no telos and is constantly changing. Human disturbance is ubiquitous and long-standing, and at certain spatial and temporal scales is "incorporated". Any moment in the past 10,000 years that may be selected as a benchmark for restoration efforts thus appears to be arbitrary. Two prominent conservationists have therefore suggested that the ecological conditions in North America at the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary, prior to the anthropogenic extinction of the Pleistocene megafauna, be the target for ecological restoration. That suggestion explicitly assumes evolutionary temporal scales and continental spatial scales as the appropriate frame of reference for ecological restoration. However, ecological restoration should be framed in ecological spatio-temporal scales, which may be defined temporally in reference to ecological processes such as disturbance regimes and spatially in reference to ecological units such as landscapes, ecosystems, and biological provinces. Ecological spatio-temporal scales are also useful in achieving a scientifically defensible distinction between native and exotic species, which plays so central a role in the practice of ecological restoration and the conservation of biodiversity. Because post-settlement human disturbances have exceeded the limits of such scales, settlement conditions can be justified scientifically as appropriate targets of restoration efforts without recourse to obsolete teleological concepts of equilibria and without ignoring the presence and ecological influence of indigenous peoples.