cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Accelerated Cataract Formation and Reduced Lens Epithelial Water Permeability in Aquaporin-1-Deficient Mice

PURPOSE: To investigate the involvement of aquaporin (AQP)-1 in lens epithelial cell water permeability and maintenance of lens transparency in experimental models of cataract formation. METHODS: Comparative studies were performed on wild-type versus AQP1-null mice. Osmotic water permeability was measured in calcein-stained epithelial cells in intact lenses from fluorescence changes in response to osmotic gradients. Lens water content was measured by gravimetry using kerosene-bromobenzene density gradients, and from wet/dry weight measurements. Lens transparency was measured by contrast analysis of transmitted grid images. Cataract formation was induced in vitro by incubation in high-glucose solutions and in vivo by acetaminophen toxicity. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence showed AQP1 expression in wild-type mice in epithelial cells covering the anterior surface of the lens. AQP1 deletion did not alter baseline lens morphology or transparency, though basal water content was approximately 3% greater (P < 0.001). AQP1 deficiency reduced plasma membrane water permeability in lens epithelium by 2.8 +/- 0.3-fold (P < 0.0001). Loss of lens transparency was accelerated by more than 50-fold in AQP1-null lenses bathed in a 55-mM glucose solution for 18 hours. At 4 hours after acetaminophen administration in 3-methylcholantrene-treated mice, lens opacification was seen in none of the six wild-type mice and in six of six AQP1-null mice. CONCLUSIONS: Lens AQP1 facilitates the maintenance of transparency and opposes cataract formation.
Msx-2/Hox 8.1: a transcriptional regulator of the rat osteocalcin promoter.

We recently defined an element (ACTAATTGG) within the rat osteocalcin (OC) promoter at -84 to -92 which provides approximately 70% of basal promoter activity in osteoblastic cell lines and binds a specific nuclear factor found in OC-producing ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells. Since this element closely resembles the recently described Msx-1 (Hox 7.1) homeodomain DNA binding cognate, we examined rodent osteoblastic cells lines for expression of Msx homeodomain-encoding messages. We have found and cloned a cDNA for rat Msx-2 (Hox 8.1) from a ROS 17/2.8 library and detect high levels of expression in various osteoblastic cell lines (ROS 17/2.8, RCT3, RCT1) as well as in culture passage 3 neonatal rat calvarial osteoblastic cells. Little to no expression was detected in phenotypically immature MC3T3E1 osteoblastic cells or in a variety of nonosteoblastic (ROS 25/1, C2C12, TRAB 11) mesenchymal cell lines. Dexamethasone (DEX) down-regulates Msx-2 message levels in both RCT3 and ROS 17/2.8 cells. Recombinant rat Ms...
Enhancing Free-Recall Rates of Individuals With Mental Retardation

Generative encoding contexts promote activation of multiple retrieval routes and have been shown to enhance free-recall rates of individuals without mental retardation (Soraci et al., 1994, 1999). The present extension to individuals with mental retardation involved a comparison of two encoding conditions: (a) fade-in, initially presenting pictures out of focus then slowly fading them into focus, and (b) fade-out, presenting pictures clearly then slowly blurring them. Results indicated that free-recall rates were greater for the fade-in items for the individuals with mental retardation and CA-matched comparisons, but not for the MA-matched group. These findings demonstrate the utility of a generative encoding context that does not involve verbal instruction for individuals with and without mental retardation.
Gender differences in hepatic phylloquinone and menaquinones in the vitamin K-deficient and -supplemented rat

Gender differences in relation to vitamin K were investigated in the rat. Hepatic phylloquinone and menaquinone (MK-1 to MK-10) concentrations, gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) excretion, plasma phylloquinone and percent prothrombin were measured in male and female rats on a chow diet (24.5 ng phylloquinone and 8.8 μg menadione), and on phylloquinone-deficient and -supplemented purified diets (0.38 and 1400 ng phylloquinone/g, respectively). Mean hepatic phylloquinone concentrations varied with dietary intake and ranged from 6.8±9.0 pmol/g in the deficient male, to 171.1±56.9 pmol/g in the supplemented female. Menaquinones accounted for a large proportion of total vitamin K in the liver of males and females with MK-4, MK-6, and MK-10 present in highest concentrations. On the chow and supplemented diets, females had significantly higher MK-4, MK-6, and MK-10 concentrations in their livers (P<0.05). On the phylloquinone-deficient diet (−K1), hepatic phylloquinone, MK-4, and to a lesser extent MK-6 (but not MK-10) were significantly reduced (P<0.05). In the phylloquinone-supplemented male and female groups, which did not receive menadione during the experimental period, MK-4 increased above that in the chow groups suggesting synthesis of MK-4 from phylloquinone which was statistically significant in the female (P<0.01). A significant gender difference (P<0.05) was also observed for urinary Gla excretion with less Gla excreted by the females indicating that females may require less dietary phylloquinone than males of the same body weight.
Noninvasive Detection of Spontaneous Muscle Activity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Frequency Domain

Changes in Calcium ion balance in muscle fraction has been connected to occurrence of spontaneous bioelectrical activities. These changes would result in an unstable membrane potential and therefore, involuntary action potentials start to fire on individual single muscle fibers, called fibrillation potentials. Evidence of fibrillation potentials is a hallmark of muscular degenerative diseases, such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Detection of fibrillation potentials is typically done by inserting needle electrodes. However, there are some uncertainties, reported by some studies with regard to origins of detected fibrillation potentials, suggesting that these oscillatory potentials could be an artifact of needle insertion and a result of muscle fibers injured by the needle. In this work, baseline electromyographic (EMG) signals from control subjects and subjects with ALS are compared. The signals are recorded non-invasively using high-density surface EMG electrodes. The data are analyzed in frequency domain, since fibrillation potentials are not detectable on surface EMG in time domain. Significant differences at some frequency bands are observed, and different underlying reasons are discussed.
The effects of plant epicuticular waxy blooms on attachment and effectiveness of predatory insects

Abstract Phytophagous insects and their natural enemies frequently must cling to plants in order to forage. Typically, this involves attachment to the layer of lipophilic materials, or ‘epicuticular waxes’ (EW) that covers all primary plant surfaces. EW occurring as crystalline waxy ‘blooms’ can provide a defense against herbivory by interfering with attachment to plants by phytophagous insects. On the other hand, EW blooms can reduce attachment by predators and parasitoids, potentially releasing populations of phytophagous insects from regulation by their natural enemies. The net effect of EW blooms on herbivory should therfore vary from system to system. When it has been measured, EW bloom typically reduces the attachment forces insects can generate on plants. Some herbivores and predators preferentially forage on plants with EW blooms. Among these, some appear to have physiological or behavioral adaptations that either improve attachment to EW blooms or cope with reduced attachment to plants surfaces bearing EW blooms. How EW blooms disrupt insect attachment and how insects potentially overcome this challenge has not been determined. Some hypotheses are offered in this review. Their elucidation may help understand the mechanics of attachment to plants, with applications including helping to improve biological control of some insect pests.
Mathematical modeling of phase separation of seawater near an igneous dike

We provide a simplified treatment of phase separation of seawater near an igneous dike to obtain rough estimates of the thickness and duration of the two-phase zone, the volume fractions of vapor and brine formed, and their distribution in the subsurface. Under the assumption that heat transfer occurs mainly by thermal conduction we show that, for a 2-m wide dike, the maximum width of the two phase zone is approximately 20 cm and that a zone of halite is initially deposited near the dike wall. The two-phase zone is mainly filled with vapor. For a value of thermal diffusivity of a = 10−6 m2 sec−1, the two-phase zone begins to disappear at the base of the system after 13 days, and disappears completely by 16 days. For a lower value of thermal diffusivity, the width of the two-phase region does not change appreciably but its duration increases as a−1. The width of the two-phase zone determined by this simplified model agrees reasonably well with transient numerical solutions for the analogous two-phase flow in a pure water system; however the duration of two-phase flow is matched better using a smaller value of a. We compare the seafloor values of vapor salinity and temperature given by the model with vapor salinity data from the ‘A’ vent at 9–10°N on the East Pacific Rise (EPR) and argue that either non-equilibrium thermodynamic behavior or near-surface mixing of brine with vapor in the two-phase region may explain the discrepancies between model predictions and data.
Isolation of Differentially Expressed Messages in Sexually Reproducing Tripsacum Dactyloides

The isolation and characterization of gene(s) associated with and potentially responsible for the regulation of apomixix in the grass species Tripsacum dactyloides is quintessential to agricultural advancement. Apomixis is the mechanism by which plants can produce seed without fertilization, where all progeny are genetically identical to the maternal parent. In the genus Tripsacum, lower ploidy forms (i.e., diploid, 2N=36) reproduce sexually and the higher ploidy forms (i.e., triploid, 3N=54; tetraploid, 4N=72, etc.) reproduce asexually via apomixis. A comparison of early and late female inflorescence gene products from sexually reproducing plants has been preformed. This comparison was facilitated through the use of a novel methodology called suppression subtractive hybridization. The gene products, recovered (mRNA), were used to extract messages uniquely expressed during the early floral development stages of diploid Tripsacum. These mRNAs, once converted to cDNAs, will be used to extract the original form of the gene(s) from a library of large fragments of the Tripsacum genome. These gene(s) will be useful in understanding apomixis and its subsequent transfer to agriculturally important crops, such as maize, in pursuit of superior stable hybrids with elevated levels of resistance to pests and pathogens, increased vigor and yield, and increased ability to withstand environmental stresses.
Joint Optimization for Machine Translation System Combination

System combination has emerged as a powerful method for machine translation (MT). This paper pursues a joint optimization strategy for combining outputs from multiple MT systems, where word alignment, ordering, and lexical selection decisions are made jointly according to a set of feature functions combined in a single log-linear model. The decoding algorithm is described in detail and a set of new features that support this joint decoding approach is proposed. The approach is evaluated in comparison to state-of-the-art confusion-network-based system combination methods using equivalent features and shown to outperform them significantly.
The ERP challenge in China: a resource-based perspective

Abstract. This paper introduces a resource-based perspective (RBP) model on enterprise recourse planning (ERP) challenges to help make ERP decisions in China. While ERP aims at integrating functional-area information systems within a company into a coherent, enterprise-wide, and web-enabled network, its implementation is especially challenging to enterprises in China because of high implementation costs, technical complexity, lack of information technology infrastructure, lack of well-trained employees, lack of incentives to state-owned enterprises, and a corporate culture different from that in the West. A RBP of a firm, however, posits that firms should compete on the basis of unique corporate resources that are valuable, rare, difficult to imitate, and unsubstitutable. Thus, this research assesses major ERP challenges in China based upon a three-tier decision process in pursuit of a sustainable competitive advantage. This RBP model is then embedded with data from a survey research to illustrate potential applications and managerial implications.
BREAKING THE IMPEDIMENTS TO BUDGETARY REFORMS: EVIDENCE FROM EUROPE

In addition to the known effects of government fractionalization, we find that larger deficits are associated with a reduced likelihood of budgetary reforms. In a war of attrition setting, larger deficits signify stronger entitlements on the budget, generating unwillingness to impose selfdiscipline. A sense of crisis emerges only when macroeconomic imbalances appear. However, while a crisis creates the opportunity for reform, policy credibility is important for effectively using that opportunity. We find that one way of establishing credibility is by undertaking measures in opposition to the government’s known ideological position – these presumably signal motivation by broader social welfare considerations.
Neuronal Activity in Central Thalamus of Primates and the Voluntary Control of the Gaze

Most electrophysiological studies on central mechanisms of gaze control (in looking) have been concerned with experimental situations where the movement of the eyes is entirely controlled, temporally and spatially, by a visual stimulus. We have recorded single units in a thalamic region of alert monkeys, where cells active with self-initiated eye movements are found. Neuronal activation could anticipate contraversive saccades by 200–300 ms. In this region, we have studied cells while the animal made intermittent attempts to track a target or even shifted its gaze voluntarily between two targets. The pattern of activity of some of these cells appeared indicative of the decision by the animal to make a target the goal of its oculomotor apparatus.
Downlink power allocation for multi-class CDMA wireless networks

We use a utility based power allocation framework in the downlink to treat multi-class CDMA wireless services in a unified way. Our goal is to obtain a power allocation which maximizes the total system utility. Natural utility functions for each mobile are non-concave. Hence we cannot use existing techniques on convex optimization problems to derive a social optimal solution. We propose a simple distributed algorithm to obtain an approximation to the social optimal power allocation. The algorithm is based on dynamic pricing and allows partial cooperation between mobiles and the base station. The algorithm consists of two stages. At the first stage, the base station selects mobiles to which power is allocated, considering their partial-cooperative nature. This is called partial-cooperative optimal selection, since in a partial-cooperative setting and pricing scheme, this selection is optimal and satisfies system feasibility. At the next stage, the base station allocates power to the selected mobiles. This power allocation is a social optimal power allocation among mobiles in the partial-cooperative optimal selection, thus, we call it a partial-cooperative optimal power allocation. We compare the partial-cooperative optimal power allocation with the social optimal power allocation for the single class case. From these results, we infer that the system utility obtained by partial-cooperative optimal power allocation is quite close to the system utility obtained by social optimal allocation.
Identification of linear parametrically varying systems

Addresses the problem of identification of linear parametrically varying systems with one measurable varying parameter. Under the assumption of full state measurements, the authors show that the problem can be reduced to a set of n (dimension of state space) recursive least squares problems. Further, the authors show that these recursions do estimate the parameters of the original model accurately under certain assumptions on the parameter variations. In the case of noisy state measurements the authors set up the problem as a set of n instrument variable recursions. Once again the authors demonstrate strong consistency of estimates. Simulations are presented to illustrate the results.
Design of interpolating filters

A new class of digital filters, which were termed interpolating filters, was recently introduced. The paper analyzes two methods for the design of these filters: (i) the cascade-type design, and (ii) the design based on a symbiotic composition of the interpolation and analog-filtering operators. It is proven that the latter is the method of choice.
Clinicians' use of research findings. A review of literature with implications for physical therapists

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature regarding research utilization by human service professionals, discuss factors that may contribute to utilization, describe recommendations that have been suggested to increase research utilization, and make suggestions for future investigations about research utilization by physical therapists. The literature suggests that research information is not used routinely by human service professionals. The nature of research communication, the training and personal characteristics of human service professionals, and the practice environments of human service professionals, such as physical therapists, probably influence the degree to which research is utilized. Specific interventions may be effective at increasing research utilization by physical therapists. A number of possible research methods are available for evaluating the present state of research utilization by physical therapists and the effects of interventions on this utilization.
Yield loss forecasting in the early phases of the VLSI design process

This paper describes three new yield models. The first takes as input the critical area of a layout; the second approximates the critical area with the minimum spacing area between metal lines; and the third uses transistor density to model critical area. The models were developed and verified using manufacturing data.
Skew-tolerant domino circuits

As cycle time of chips shrinks and die size grows, clock skew measured as a fraction of the cycle time is increasing. Traditional domino circuits shown are especially sensitive because skew must be budgeted in both half-cycles. The problem with such domino pipelines is that evaluation starts when the clock connected to the first gate in the half-cycle rises but the output needs to be valid before the clock on the output latch falls. In the worst case, the evaluate clock is late and the latch clock is early, decreasing time for logic. Many designers realize that some of the overhead can be reduced by using differential domino (also called dual rail) designs. An SR latch or pipeline latch at the end of dual-rail circuits lessens sensitivity to the falling edge. Self-timed techniques eliminate clocks and clock skew, but raise new issues of control overhead, timing assumption verification, and testability. The methodology reported here boosts operating frequency by tolerating clock skew, eliminating latches from the critical path, and better balancing logic between phases of the pipeline.
Subspace FDC for sharing distance estimation

Niching techniques diversify the population of evolutionary algorithms, encouraging heterogeneous convergence to multiple optima. The key to an effective diversification is identifying the similarity among individuals. With no prior knowledge of the fitness landscapes, it is usually determined by uninformative assumptions on the number of peaks. We propose a method to estimate the sharing distance and the corresponding population size. Using the probably approximately correct (PAC) learning theory and the e-cover concept, we derive the PAC neighbor distance of a local optimum. Within this neighborhood, uniform samples are drawn and we compute the subspace fitness distance correlation (FDC) coefficients. An algorithm is developed to estimate the granularity feature of the fitness landscapes. The sharing distance is determined from the granularity feature and furthermore, the population size is decided. Experiments demonstrate that by using the estimated population size and sharing distance an evolutionary algorithm (EA) correctly identifies multiple optima.
Mental Workload Measures of Auditory Stimuli Heard during Periods of Waiting

A study of 105 university students examined whether the length or type of Auditory Progress Bar (APB) used in a telephone on-hold situation had an impact on users' subjective mental workload. Auditory cues can be designed into APBs to provide information to the caller regarding the approximate duration of the hold time. Previous research has found that the majority of callers tend to multi-task during on-hold situations. Thus the design of any stimuli presented while the caller is on hold should take this into account. To do this, it is important for designers to understand how APB design might impact callers' mental workloads. In the current study, participants experienced one of three APB design types (cello, sine, electronic) in four different lengths (30, 60, 120 and 240 seconds). An on-hold call center experience was simulated using a computer-generated interactive voice response system and workload data was collected using the NASA-TLX. The results of this study indicate that the type of APB does no...
Survey methodology of the geographic research on wellbeing (GROW) study

Causal inferences from survey research on health would benefit from population-based prospective survey designs. Because of decreasing survey response rates and residential mobility, however, loss to follow-up is of concern. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodology of the geographic research on wellbeing (GROW) study and the resulting sample of women, their children, and their neighborhoods. GROW (2012–2013) was designed as a follow-up mail/telephone survey of postpartum women who completed the statewide-representative Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA) baseline survey (2003–2007) in California. GROW was completed in English or Spanish by mothers whose index child from MIHA were aged 4–10 years. Its research focus is on the role of neighborhood environments on behavioral risk factors for cancer. The survey was developed based on expert guidance and extensive pilot testing and includes in-depth information on women’s and children’s health and behaviors, socioeconomic and demographic factors, psychosocial characteristics, and neighborhood perceptions, linked to objective neighborhood characteristics. The sample size for GROW is 3016 women. Response rates were 33 % of the eligible sample and 75 % of the active sample (those able to be located). GROW appears to be highly representative of its target population and its respondents lived in similar types of neighborhoods compared with all California neighborhoods. Surveyed 5–10 years after baseline, the GROW mixed-mode methodology produced a prospective, representative sample of women with young children in California, comparing both individual and residential characteristics. The methods have implications for the 40 states and New York City that participate in CDC’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, as well as other cross-sectional studies with participants’ contact information. Several recommendations for conducting similar follow-up studies with minimal loss to follow-up are provided.
Periodic stabilization of discrete-time switched linear systems

The goal of this paper is to study the exponential stabilization problem for autonomous discrete-time switched linear systems (SLSs), where only the discrete mode can be controlled. Our approach is based on periodic control Lyapunov functions whose value decreases periodically instead of at each time step as in the classical control Lyapunov functions. Using periodic control Lyapunov functions, we develop stabilizability analysis and controller synthesis conditions that are less conservative than existing results in that they apply to a larger class of SLSs. Utilizing recent results on the switched optimal control problems, a constructive way to find periodic control Lyapunov functions is presented.
Cardiac effects of angiotensin antagonists in normotensive rats.

Summary 1. Angiotensin I1 (AII) antagonists, namely Sarl,Iles-AII, Sarl,Alas-AII and Sarl,Thrs-AII, were administered daily for 4 weeks to normotensive rats to study their effect on cardiac hypertrophy. 2. None of the antagonists altered blood pressure significantly but Sarl,Iles-AII and Sarl,AlasA11 produced a significant increase in heart weight, as compared with untreated age-matched control rats. Administration of Sarl,Thrs-AII did not produce cardiac hypertrophy. 3. A significant increase in catecholamine concentration was observed in the ventricles of rats treated with Sarl,Iles-AII and Sarl,Alas-AII but no change was found in the group treated with the Sarl,Thrs-AII analogue. The production of cardiac hypertrophy by Sarl,Iles-AII was prevented by bilateral adrenalectomy, suggesting an important role for catecholamines in modulating cardiac hypertrophy.
The rape exam: beyond the hospital emergency room.

Data from 31 Florida post-rape examination sites reveal a number of dilemmas associated with rape exams: The sites include regular hospital ERs (N = 25), specialized sexual assault treatment centers (SATCs) on hospital grounds (N = 2), a nonhospital-based SATC, a proprietary OB/GYN clinic, a medical examiner's office, and a law enforcement crime lab. Openended interviews indicate that major problems with hospitals as exam sites stem from physicians' dislike of the exam and physician and hospital fears of legal and court entanglements. Prosecutors (and judges) are a major obstacle to nonphysician examiners. A challenge to rethink the post-rape exam, including where and by whom it is performed, is posed.
Molecular Motor and Electrokinetic Contributions to Outer Hair Cell Electromotility

Jerry, Rocco A. and Ashim Dutta. Molecular motor and electrokinetic contributions to outer hair cell electromotility. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 471–473, 1998. The outer hair cell of the inner ear is believed to be responsible for the high sensitivity and selectivity of mammalian hearing. Molecular motors are generally believed to cause the electrically-driven length change (electromotility) of the outer hair cell. It has been suggested that electrokinetic effects might also play a significant role in electromotility, along with the molecular motors. This paper describes a new technique that can be used to experimentally determine the percentage of the electromotile response that is caused by electrokinetic effects. The technique is based on the novel idea that molecular motor activity cannot in itself generate a net force on the cell, but that electrokinetic effects can. Our method is the first that can separate molecular motor behavior from electrokinetic behavior, during experiments on the outer hair cell.
Life history and case-building behavior of Culoptila cantha (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae) in the Brazos River, Texas

The life history of Culoptila cantha (Ross) in the Brazos River, northcentral Texas, was studied from January 1995 to December 1997. The several thousand larvae, pupae, and adults sampled from a large riffle indicated a predominately trivoltine cycle during both years. The overwintering generation spanned 6-7 mo; most larvae recruited from August and September eggs grew to 4th instar by November, resumed growth to 5th instar in February, and pupated and emerged during March. Growth of the warm-season generations was less synchronized with probable cohort spreading and overlap, and occurred steadily during respective development periods of 2-3 mo. Water temperature thresholds of 22-24 and 27-29°C appeared to synchronize emergence of overwintering and 1st warm-season generations, respectively, whereas the later warm-season generation emerged asynchronously. Emergence occurred near dusk, and adults were nocturnally active within an air temperature range of 15-30°C. Mean fecundity was highest in March and decreased throughout the summer and fall. Larvae and pupae aggregated on the downstream undersides of clean cobbles (10-20 cm diameter) in the head of the riffle. Case reconstruction progression and behavior of larvae removed from field cases were observed and videotaped; larvae constructed emergency cases of loosely attached sand particles in the first 0.5 h, and subsequently modified these into typical cases when placed overnight in a laboratory stream. Emergence success was not affected by forcing 5th instars to construct these new cases. This study provides the 1st comprehensive life history of a species of Protoptilinae.
Checkerboard LCS and the mixing characteristics of geophysical vortices

ows. In these ows, hyperbolic stretching in two dimensions is enhanced by a large, sheared velocity in the third dimension. Perturbations to the system then create localized regions of higher stretching in the ow, leading to the checkerboard pattern seen in the resulting LCS. This same pattern is shown in two geophysical ows, a warm-core ring shed from the Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico and a simulation of Hurricane Rita. The checkerboard pattern appears in the boundary layers of these ows due to the inuence of friction and the corresponding separation of the ow from the ocean-atmosphere interface.
Abstract 1526: Obesity modulates the microenvironment promoting NF-κB activity in prostate cancer cells

Background: Obese men have an increased risk in dying from prostate cancer (PCa) but the mechanism(s) remain unclear. Obesity results in chronic inflammation and the local inflammatory microenvironment may promote prostate tumorigenesis. Specifically, Inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and NF-κB are associated with advanced PCa. NF-κB is a family of transcription factors that control survival, proliferation, angiogenesis and invasion. Studies have shown that tumor-associated fibroblasts and inflammatory cells may adversely effect tumor progression and promote therapeutic resistance. The role of obesity in modulating the microenvironment and its effect on prostate tumor progression is unknown. We have shown sera from obese mice increases migration, invasion and proliferation in PCa cells. Similar to cancer cells exposed to sera from obese mice; the microenvironment may induce NF-κB activation and promote migration, invasion, and proliferation in PCa cells. Because NF-κB is important in advanced PCa, our aim was to determine whether obesity initiates fibroblast and monocyte-induced NF-κB activity in PCa cells. We hypothesize obesity-modulates the microenvironment increasing NF-κB activity in prostate cancer cells. Methods: We developed an in vitro model, which mimics the systemic effect of obesity. 6 week old C57bl/6 male mice were fed a diet induced obesity chow (60% calories from fat) or control chow (10% calories from fat). After 12 weeks, sera were collected. LNCaP (PCa), WPMY (myofibroblasts) and U937 (macrophage-like) cells were used for in vitro studies. Conditioned media (CM) was obtained by exposing WPMY or U937 to mice sera, the media was removed, cells were washed with PBS and serum free media was added. After 18 hours, CM was harvested. Luciferase assay was used to measure NF-κB transcriptional activity. MTT was employed to measure proliferation. Invasion chambers were used to measure invasive capacity. Western blot will be used to measure BCL-2, Survivin, VEGF, IL-1α and C-Myc. Results: LNCaP cells exposed to WPMY obese-CM and U937 obese-CM significantly increased NF-κB activity compared to control-CM (p value Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1526. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1526
Contents and distribution status of organochlorine pesticides(OCPs) in turritella bacillum from the coastal region of Zhejiang

Objective To study the contents and distribution characteristics of organochlorine pesticides(OCPs) in turritella bacillum in coastal region of Zhejiang.Methods Turritella bacillum were collected from 10 counties(regions) of Zhejiang to detect the OCPs contents by GC-MS,and analyze the regional distribution characteristics by statistical method.Results The mean wet weight-based concentrations of total organochlorine pesticides(OCPs) in turritella bacillum ranged from 8.6 ng/g(wet weight,Xiangshan) to 26.1 ng/g(wet weight,Ruian).Significant discrepancy in total concentrations of organochlorine pesticides(OCPs) residues was apparent among different areas in Zhejiang.The wet weight-based concentration of organochlorine pesticides(OCPs) was highest in Ruian,lower in Fenghua,Shengsi,Putuo,Jiaojiang,and lowest in Daishan,Xiangshan,Sanmeng.Regional distribution characteristics of total concentrations of organochlorine pesticides(OCPs) were resembling with the respective organochlorine pesticides(OCPs) in turritella bacillum in the coastal region of Zhejiang.Conclusion The average contents of total OCPs in turritella bacillum exhibited various distribution levels among different regions.It is an ideal way to characterize the marine environment pollution situation through OCPs contents detection in turritella bacillum.
Transient pressure calculation for low permeability homogeneous reservoirs

In view of the percolation problem in low permeability homogeneous reservoirs,a mathematical model of apparent wellbore radius of low velocity non-Darcy flow is established with consideration of threshold pressure gradient.The calculation formulas of formation pressure and wellbore pressure are obtained;the transient pressure curves of low velocity non-Darcy flow in homogeneous reservoir are drawn;and the influence of parameters such as threshold pressure gradient,production time and permeability on the pressure curves is discussed.The study shows that the derivative curve no longer has a horizontal straight line section of radial flow,but goes upwards gradually due to the influence of threshold pressure gradient.This characteristic is different from that of the traditional homogeneous reservoirs.Wellbore pressure and reservoir pressure are usually low during production from low permeability reservoir as affected by production time and threshold pressure gradient,and the velocity of formation pressure transmission is slow.
Ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists prior to percutaneous liver biopsy removes the need for a separate radiological evaluation

BACKGROUND/AIM Ultrasound marking by radiologists prior to percutaneous liver biopsy (PLB) results in biopsy site adjustment, decreased pain related complications and improved tissue yield. Minimal data exists on the impact of ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists on these parameters. The study aim was to evaluate whether ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists results in improved PLB tissue yield, fewer needle passes and decreased biopsy failure rates compared to blind biopsy, eliminating the need for a separate radiological evaluation. METHODOLOGY All PLB performed by gastroenterologists from June 1999 to February 2003 at the University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, were reviewed retrospectively. Data collected included ultrasound marked or blind PLB, demographics, indication, number of passes performed, and specimen length, if obtained. RESULTS Four hundred and eighty PLB were included: 328 performed with ultrasound marking and 152 blind. Ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists prior to PLB resulted in fewer passes and longer specimens as well as a decreased failure rate in ultrasound marked compared to blind PLB. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound marking by gastroenterologists prior to PLB provided significantly larger tissue samples, fewer needle passes and a decreased biopsy failure rate compared to blind PLB. This removes the need for a separate radiological evaluation on the procedure day.
Postoperative chylous pseudocyst.

A 59-year-old man underwent resection of an aneurysm of the descending thoracic aorta with graft replacement. A postoperative chylothorax was managed by nonsurgical means and subsided. Subsequently, an expansile mass appeared in the left side of the chest and was surgically removed. This was found to be a chylous pseudocyst. Management of chylothorax and the details of this unique case are described.
A framework for visual return-to-home capability in GPS-denied environments

This paper addresses the problem of navigating an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle in an environment where GPS quality is degraded or lost. A method is described to return the aircraft from the GPS-degraded region to its launch point by means of visual navigation techniques. We record a string of overlapping images, or keyframes, on the outbound flight. On the return journey, a control law based on the homography between images is used to bring the aircraft back over each keyframe. A complementary filter is used to smooth the path defined by the homography control. An implementation and results in simulation are described and further work with a physical aircraft is proposed.
Wigner Distribution Function for Optical Fields and its Application to the Detection of Squeezed States

The Wigner Distribution Function (WDF) is currently receiving attention as a powerful tool in optics1 and communication theory. Several schemes have been prepared for the optical implementation of WDF2In this paper we obtain the WDF for optical fields and propose a scheme for the detection of squeezed states using the optical implementation of WDF. The WDF in optics is defined in terms of the complex field amplitude Ф (x,t) as
‘Gated Globalization’, Regionalism and Regional Trading Agreements

Depending on who is speaking educational, diplomacy means different things to different people. However, educational diplomacy is part of ‘new diplomacy’ or ‘public diplomacy,’ which “describes the arrival of new actors and new topics on the diplomatic playing field” (Hone, 2014, p. 1).
It’s time to take psilocybin seriously as a possible treatment for substance use disorders

In the current issue of the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Johnson et al. (1) provide long-term outcome data from a smoking cessation pilot study of a treatment model using 2–3 doses o...
Conflict Probability Estimation Generalized to Non-Level Flight

A method known as conflict probability estimation (CPE) is presented to estimate the probability of conflict for pairs of aircraft with uncertain predicted trajectories. It is a generalization of a...
High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) Test Challenges and Solutions

TSV-based 3-D stacking enables large-capacity, power-efficient DRAMs with high bandwidth, such as specified by JEDEC's HBM standard. This article is a written version of Jun's very interesting presentation at 3D-TEST 2015 on how such DRAM stacks are tested at SK hynix.
Swallowing function in pediatric patients with bilateral vocal fold immobility

Abstract Introduction Infants with bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI) often have poor swallow function in addition to potential airway compromise. While there are several reports on BVFI and its effect on patients' airway status, little is known about long term swallow function. Objectives We aim to characterize the swallowing function over time in pediatric patients with bilateral vocal fold immobility. Methods A retrospective review of medical records of infants diagnosed with BVFI at a tertiary care children's hospital between 2005 and 2014 was conducted. Patient demographics, nature and etiology of immobility, laryngoscopy findings, comorbidities, and swallow outcomes at diagnosis and follow-up were recorded. Swallowing outcomes as measured by presence or absence of a gastrostomy tube were compared by etiology, vocal fold status, and normal or developmentally delay using the Fisher's exact test. Results 110 patients with a diagnosis of vocal fold immobility were identified. Twenty-nine (26%) had BVFI and twenty-three had complete medical records. Etiologies of vocal fold immobility include cardiac related in 13% (3/23), idiopathic in 30% (7/23) prolonged intubation in 26% (6/23) central neurologic in 22% (5/23), trauma in 4% (1/23), and infection in 4% (1/23). Average follow-up time was 44 months (range 5–94 months). Ten patients (56.5%) required a gastrostomy tube at time of diagnosis. Of this cohort who received gastrostomy tubes, three (30%) ultimately transitioned to complete oral feeds. Return of vocal fold mobility did not correlate with swallow function. In those with non-neurologic etiologies, the need for gastrostomy tube at end of follow up was unlikely. There was a statistically significant difference in the percentage of gastrostomy tube-free children at most recent follow up in patients who were normally developed (86%) versus those who were developmentally delayed (33%) (p = 0.02). Conclusion We characterized the swallowing function of 23 pediatric patients with BVFI. Comorbidities are significant predictors of long term swallow function in patients with BVFI while return of vocal fold function is not.
The constitutive lipid droplet protein PLIN2 regulates autophagy in liver

Excess triglyceride (TG) accumulation in the liver underlies fatty liver disease, a highly prevalent ailment. TG occurs in the liver sequestered in lipid droplets, the major lipid storage organelle. Lipid droplets are home to the lipid droplet proteins, the most abundant of which are the perilipins (PLINs), encoded by 5 different genes, Plin1 to Plin5. Of the corresponding gene products, PLIN2 is the only constitutive and ubiquitously expressed lipid droplet protein that has been used as a protein marker for lipid droplets. We and others reported that plin2-/- mice have an ∼60% reduction in TG content, and are protected against fatty liver disease. Here we show that PLIN2 overexpression protects lipid droplets against macroautophagy/autophagy, whereas PLIN2 deficiency enhances autophagy and depletes hepatic TG. The enhanced autophagy in plin2-/- mice protects against severe ER stress-induced hepatosteatosis and hepatocyte apoptosis. In contrast, hepatic TG depletion resulting from other genetic and pharmacological manipulations has no effect on autophagy. Importantly, PLIN2 deficiency lowers cellular TG content in wild-type mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) via enhanced autophagy, but does not affect cellular TG content in atg7-/- MEFs that are devoid of autophagic function. Conversely, adenovirus-shAtg7-mediated hepatic Atg7 knockdown per se does not alter the hepatic TG level, suggesting a more complex regulation in vivo. In sum, PLIN2 guards its own house, the lipid droplet. PLIN2 overexpression protects against autophagy, and its downregulation stimulates TG catabolism via autophagy.
That’s a Rap

Many applications of virtual agents, including those in healthcare and education, require engaging users in dozens or hundreds of interactions over long periods of time. In this effort, we are developing conversational agents to engage young adults in longitudinal lifestyle health behavior change interventions. Hip-hop and rap are one of the most popular genres of music among our stakeholders, and we are exploring rap as an engagement mechanism and communication channel in our agent-based interventions. We describe a method for integrating rap into a counseling dialog by a conversational agent, including the acoustic manipulation of synthetic speech and accompanying character dance animation. We demonstrate in a within-subjects study that the participants who like rap music preferred the rapping character significantly more than an equivalent agent that does not rap in its dialog, based on both self-report and behavioral measures. Participants also found the rapping agent significantly more engaging than the non-rapping one.
Taxonomy and ultrastructure of Sinerima , a new genus of diatoms (Bacillariophyta), with a description of a new species, S. marigela

Based on light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy observations, a detailed description of a new marine fultoportulate diatom Sinerima marigela gen. et sp. nov. is presented. This new taxa is rare (<3% of the thanatocoenosis) in surface sediments in the Bering and Chukchi seas, but appears to have an association with high spring sea ice concentrations. The new monotypic genus is distinct due to its 1) lack of rimoportulae, 2) one-layer valves with marginal pseudoloculi, 3) characteristic velum composed of a cluster of short tubes, and 4) central part without either central fultoportulae or an annulus. This set of characters, especially the lack of rimoportulae, makes S. marigela unique and easily distinguishable from other fultoportulate diatoms.
Modeling spatial distribution of itinerant General Aviation operations by aircraft type

A two-level model is developed to estimate the spatial distribution of itinerant General Aviation (GA) operations by four aircraft engine types (single-engine piston, piston, turboprop, and jet). In the first level, a logit model is used to model the state-choice behaviors, that is, how the GA operations at an origin airport distribute among neighboring states. The impact of social-economic factors on the spatial distribution is considered in the first-level model. A gravity-based model is used as the second-level model to assign the projected operations to a state among the airports within the state. We applied the model to estimate the spatial distribution of GA operations among TAF airports in 2008, and compared the estimation results with the observed statistics. The comparison shows that the model estimates are generally consistent with the observations.
Biosynthesis of rat preprosomatostatin.

The biologically active forms of somatostatin, somatostatin-14 (SS-14) and somatostatin-28 (SS-28) arise by post-translational cleavage of prosomatostatin. Prosomatostatin in turn is derived from a larger precursor, preprosomatostatin. We have previously reported the structure of a complementary DNA moelcule encoding rat preprosomatostatin. The nucleotide sequence of this cDNA indicated that SS-14 and SS-28 are located at the carboxy-terminus of a 116 amino acid precursor. At the amino-terminus of the precursor is a hydrophobic region characteristic of a leader or pre-sequence. Sequential Edman degradations of cell-free translation products synthesized in the presence of microsomal membranes indicate that preprosomatostatin is cleaved within the endoplasmic reticulum to form prosomatostatin, a precursor of 92 amino acids. To begin to elucidate the factors which regulate the expression of the rat somatostatin gene, we have determined the sequence of the gene isolated from recombinant bacteriophage libraries. The gene spans 1.2 kilobases in length and is interrupted within the coding sequence of prosomatostatin by a single intron of 630 bases. A variant of the Goldberg-Hogness promoter, TTTAAA, is located 31 bases upstream from the transcriptional start point. A repetitive sequence was identified in the 5' region of the gene within 650 bases of the promoter. The nucleotide sequence of this region reveals an alternating GT sequence 42 bases in length characteristic of DNA with Z-forming potential. Such sequences are thought to influence the expression of other eukaryotic genes.