cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adaptive Control for Residential HVAC Systems to Support Grid Services

In this paper, we propose an adaptive control strategy for residential buildings' heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to support grid services. The proposed control strategy captures the time-varying characteristics of the building and weather environments. It assigns to each building a local controller to maintain the indoor temperature within a desired comfort level, while the load aggregator allocates the assigned reference power provided by the distribution system operator to support a specific grid service, such as demand peak reduction, balancing supply and demand, and consuming the solar photovoltaic (PV) power locally. Simulation results are presented to verify the performance of the proposed control strategy in terms of maintaining the indoor temperatures of several buildings within the desired comfort bands while tracking the reference power profile. Also, a comparison with a recently developed model-free control strategy is presented.
Healthcare Resource Utilization for Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Older Adults.

Objectives: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common and costly health problem in the United States. While often associated with younger adults, CRS can affect the elderly. As the aging population increases in the United States, the cost burden of CRS in older adults is important to assess. The objective of this study is to characterize healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and healthcare expenditure (HCE) for CRS in this population. Methods: Patients meeting criteria for CRS with three years of continuous data were identified on IBM® Marketscan Research Databases over a five-year period (2013–2017). Medication utilization, outpatient visits, surgery, and expenditures related to CRS were assessed for older adults (>65) and compared with other age groups. As a secondary analysis, multivariable generalized linear models were utilized to compare HCE while adjusting for baseline medication utilization. Results: A total of 238,825 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 20,927 were older adults. Older adults had the highest overall prevalence of nasal polyps (10%) and asthma (16%) among adult groups. Surgery rate was lower than other adult groups, but medication utilization was the highest. Mean overall HCE at two years was highest in older adults (USD 2545 vs. 2298 in young adults). However, HCE was highest for the young adult group after adjusting for baseline medication usage. Conclusion: Older adults had a higher rate of CRS-related co-morbidities as well as the highest CRS-related medication utilization and unadjusted two-year HCE. Although the reasons for this are unclear, possibilities include greater disease severity and preference for medical versus surgical management. HCE for CRS is expected to increase as the aging population grows.
Measurement of Asp/Asn Damage in Aging Proteins, Chemical Interconversion of Aspartyl Isomers, 18O Tagging of Enzymatically Repaired Aspartyl Sites, and Enzyme Automethylation at Sites of Asp/Asn Damage

Asp/Asn damage in aging proteins, resulting from the propensity of L-Asn and L-Asp residues to spontaneously convert to a mixture of a-epimerized and 13-isomerized aspartyl products via succinimide intermediates (Figure 1), is a practical problem from the standpoint of researchers seeking to isolate and study pure proteins. In particular, the advent of protein overexpression systems and the convenience of working with large quantities of protein has made it increasingly common for investigators with no prior intention of studying spontaneous protein damage to find that a protein of interest has undergone a transformation that is ultimately found to be due to Asp/Asn damage. The first indication of this problem is generally the detection of isoforms of a polypeptide with altered chromatographic or electrophoretic properties, often as a function of a heat-step involved in the purification of the protein. Other times the formation of these spontaneously formed isoforms has been traced to a prolonged fermentor run or a lengthy storage period during the production of the protein. Though the isoforms of the protein may make up only a few percent of the total material, their presence is troubling since the purity of the protein is compromised.
La prensa de Estados Unidos y Chile, 1964-1973: Ideología y política exterior de Estados Unidos.

En este trabajo se argumenta que a pesar de que la prensa y la opinion publica no ejercieron una influencia directa en las politicas hacia Chile por parte de los presidentes Johnson y Nixon, la imagen que se desplego sobre Chile en las noticias reflejo algunos de los razonamientos centrales de la mentalidad de Guerra Fria de Estados Unidos. Esto llevo a la construccion de un contexto publico en el que el anti-comunismo y la teoria de la modernidad y sus raices intelectuales se transformaron en principios legitimadores en el diseno de la politica exterior. Haciendose cargo de la cobertura de los asuntos chilenos en los diarios y revistas de mayor circulacion, este trabajo describe y analiza la correlacion entre politicas y actitudes oficiales hacia Chile a la vez que la mentalidad de la sociedad estadounidense, estableciendo un vinculo que a menudo se asume sin ser examinado en profundidad.
Nonmonotonic consequences in default domain theory

Default domain theory is a framework for representing and reasoning about commonsense knowledge. Although this theory is motivated by ideas in Reiter’s work on default logic, it is in some sense a dual framework. We make Reiter’s default extension operator into a constructive method of building models, not theories. Domain theory, which is a well established tool for representing partial information in the semantics of programming languages, is adopted as the basis for constructing partial models. This paper considers some of the laws of nonmonotonic consequence, due to Gabbay and to Kraus, Lehmann, and Magidor, in the light of default domain theory. We remark that in some cases Gabbay’s law of cautious monotony is open to question. We consider an axiomatization of the nonmonotonic consequence relation on prime open sets in the Scott topology – the natural logic – of a domain, which omits this law. We prove a representation theorem showing that such relations are in one to one correspondence with the consequence relations determined by extensions in Scott domains augmented with default sets. This means that defaults are very expressive: they can, in a sense, represent any reasonable nonmonotonic entailment. Results about what kind of defaults determine cautious monotony are also discussed. In particular, we show that the property of unique extensions guarantees cautious monotony, and we give several classes of default structures which determine unique extensions.
Interpreting LOC Cell Responses

Kourtzi and Kanwisher identify regions in the lateral occipital cortex (LOC) with cells that respond to object type, regardless of whether the data is presented as a gray-scale image or a line drawing. They conclude from this data that these regions process or represent structural shape information. This paper suggests a slightly less restrictive explanation: they have identified regions in the LOC that are computationally down stream from complex cells in area V1.
Infrared and Raman spectra of heterocyelic compounds—IV: The infrared studies and normal vibrations of some 1:1 transition metal complexes of 2,2'-bipyridine

Abstract Compounds of the formula ML(X)2 (M = Mn(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Fe(II), Pt(II) and Pd(II); L = 2,2'-bipyridine, 2,2'-bipyridine-d8; X = Cl, Br) were prepared and their infrared spectra investigated between 4000–4040 cm−1. A normal coordinate analysis was performed on the chloro complexes employing a Urey-Bradley force field with resonance parameter and suitable general valence force field terms about the metal site. Force constants and frequency positions indicate very strong metal-ligand bonding for Pt(II), Pd(II) and Fe(II) and much weaker bonding for Mn(II), Co (II) and Zn(II).
On the Dynamics of the Dynabee

The Dynabee is a gyroscopic device that is marketed as a wrist exerciser. In this paper, a model for the dynamics of this device is presented. With some additional work, we find that the dynamics are governed by a single ordinary differential equation. The solution of this equation also provides the moment required to operate the device. Specifically, we find that this moment is proportional to the square of the rotor's spin rate. We also show why it is necessary to give the device a large initial spin rate for its successful operation.
Physical DMOST modeling for high-voltage IC CAD

A physical, seminumerical charge-based model for vertical DMOSTs is developed and implemented in SPICE. The model is derived from regional quasi-static analyses of carrier transport which implicitly characterize the device currents and charges and which require numerical solution. Newton-Raphson iterative device solutions are derived within the circuit nodal analysis framework of SPICE. PISCES simulations and measurements of test devices support the model, which is demonstrated in DC and transient SPICE simulations of VDMOSTs and high-voltage integrated circuits (HVICs). >
Mask-making technology

In developing a mature LSI and MSI product capability, the quality of the primary artwork or masks has emerged as one of the chief determinants of yield and resulting cost. This paper will review the state-of-the-art of masking technology, with discussions of various methods. The limitations and advantages of each will be described, with an indication of the level of excellence in practice in the industry.
Lexical co-occurrence and association strength

The 1-million-word Brown corpus was searched for co-occurrences of semantically related pairs of concrete nouns appearing within an arbitrary window of 250 characters. Related pairs of nouns (OCEAN-WATER) co-occur significantly more often than matched, unrelated pairs (OCEAN-HAND), and this difference remained significant within blocks of text up to 1000 characters in length. Frequency of co-occurrence, corrected for chance, is significantly correlated with association strength. Lexical distance between co-occurring members of a given pair is inversely correlated with association strength. Significantly more co-occurrences were found, per unit text, in the fictional sections of the corpus.
Experimental Determination of Internal Electric Fields in Ordered Systems: Myoglobin and Cytochrome C

Abstract We have developed methods to determine internal molecular electric fields at the sites of probe molecules which were doped into various host matrices from the Stark effect on persistent spectral holes. These internal electric fields are of fundamental importance in charge separation and transfer processes especially in biological systems (e.g. photosynthetic reaction center). Two interesting systems to demonstrate the potential of our methods are the globular proteins myoglobin and cytochrome C, both of which contain a heme (iron porphyrin) chromophore as a suitable probe molecule. The porphyrin π -electron system serves as a detector for the two in-plane components of the internal electric field. The orientation and magnitude of the in-plane field provide structural information. We conclude that in myoglobin the dominant field sources are the deprotonated propionic acid side chains of the porphyrin, but that in cytochrome C additional field sources close to the porphyrin also contribute significantly.
Deception and Mutual Gains Bargaining: Are They Mutually Exclusive?

We have made great strides in recent years teaching more people — in classrooms, corporate training sessions, and actual negotiations — about negotiations, including how to be more ethical and how to ensure that integrative joint gains are not left on the table. The fact that we even need to write an article like this is an indication of the advances that have been made. Yet exactly because of these advances, more care needs to be taken to ensure that the subtle distinction between what is ethical and what is integrative is maintained. Being ethical in negotiations is more complicated than producing greater joint utility, and the techniques that are helpful for producing greater joint utility should not be made more complicated by the addition of ethical concerns. Each issue — ethics and mutual gains bargaining — can stand on its own, and benefits by being considered on its own. By maintaining this distinction, we believe each will have greater clarity and greater impact, and our teaching and training will be both better received and more valuable to those we teach.
Flow and Heat Transfer in an Internally Ribbed Duct With Rotation: An Assessment of LES and URANS

Large Eddy Simulations (LES) and Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations have been performed for flow and heat transfer in a rotating ribbed duct. The ribs are oriented normal to the flow and arranged in a staggered configuration on the leading and trailing surfaces. The LES results are based on a higher-order accurate finite difference scheme with a dynamic Smagorinsky model for the subgrid stresses. The URANS procedure utilizes a two equation k-e model for the turbulent stresses. Both Coriolis and centrifugal buoyancy effects are included in the simulations. The URANS computations have been carried out for a wide range of Reynolds number (Re = 12,500–100,000), rotation number (Ro = 0–0.5) and density ratio (Δρ/ρ = 0–0.5), while LES results are reported for a single Reynolds number of 12,500 without and with rotation (Ro = 0.12, Δρ/ρ = 0.13). Comparison is made between the LES and URANS results, and the effects of various parameters on the flow field and surface heat transfer are explored. The LES results clearly reflect the importance of coherent structures in the flow, and the unsteady dynamics associated with these structures. The heat transfer results from both LES and URANS are found to be in reasonable agreement with measurements. LES is found to give higher heat transfer predictions (5–10% higher) than URANS. The Nusselt number ratio (Nu/Nu0 ) is found to decrease with increasing Reynolds number on all walls, while they increase with the density ratio along the leading and trailing walls. The Nusselt number ratio on the trailing and side walls also increases with rotation. However, the leading wall Nusselt number ratio shows an initial decrease with rotation (till Ro = 0.12) due to the stabilizing effect of rotation on the leading wall. However, beyond Ro = 0.12, the Nusselt number ratio increases with rotation due to the importance of centrifugal-buoyancy at high rotation.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
RNA Polymerase II Mutations Conferring Defects in Poly(A) Site Cleavage and Termination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Transcription termination by RNA polymerase (Pol) II is an essential but poorly understood process. In eukaryotic nuclei, the 3′ ends of mRNAs are generated by cleavage and polyadenylation, and the same sequence elements that specify that process are required for downstream release of the polymerase from the DNA. Although Pol II is known to bind proteins required for both events, few studies have focused on Pol II mutations as a means to uncover the mechanisms that couple polyadenylation and termination. We performed a genetic screen in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae to isolate mutations in the N-terminal half of Rpb2, the second largest Pol II subunit, that conferred either a decreased or increased response to a well-characterized poly(A) site. Most of the mutant alleles encoded substitutions affecting either surface residues or conserved active site amino acids at positions important for termination by other RNA polymerases. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction experiments revealed that transcript cleavage at the poly(A) site was impaired in both classes of increased readthrough mutants. Transcription into downstream sequences beyond where termination normally occurs was also probed. Although most of the tested readthrough mutants showed a reduction in termination concomitant with the reduced poly(A) usage, these processes were uncoupled in at least one mutant strain. Several rpb2 alleles were found to be similar or identical to published mutants associated with defective TFIIF function. Tests of these and additional mutations known to impair Rpb2−TFIIF interactions revealed similar decreased readthrough phenotypes, suggesting that TFIIF may have a role in 3′ end formation and termination.
Development of fibroblast-type-II cell communications in fetal rabbit lung organ culture

The development of the fetal lung is regulated by fibroblast-type-II cell communications which involve fibroblast pneumonocyte factor (FPF). FPF production is positively regulated by glucocorticoids and negatively regulated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and transforming growth-factor beta (TGF-beta). We studied whether DHT or TGF-beta affected other steps in the process of lung maturation, by studying how the developing lung in organ culture would respond to exogenously supplied FPF after DHT or TGF-beta exposure. Fetal rabbit (day 19 of gestation) lung organ cultures were prepared and cultured in the presence of cortisol, DHT or TGF-beta. After seven days, the media were replaced with serum-free medium containing either cortisol or FPF conditioned medium. The incorporation of [14C]glycerol into surfactant lamellar body DSPC was studied over 24 h as the index of surfactant synthesis. Results were compared to simultaneous control cultures. Treatment had no significant effect on tissue protein concentration or on the efficiency of lamellar body recovery. Cortisol stimulated baseline incorporation of glycerol into DSPC. This was inhibited by DHT, such that DHT plus cortisol treatment was no different from untreated controls. FPF stimulated the incorporation of glycerol into DSPC, and did so even after culture treatment with DHT. Cultures treated with TGF-beta exhibited glycerol incorporation similar to untreated controls. After TGF-beta exposure, FPF did not stimulate glycerol incorporation into DSPC. We conclude that DHT interferes with progression of lung development by delaying the appearance of FPF production by the fibroblast. TGF-beta, on the other hand, inhibits other elements of lung maturation besides FPF production. We speculate that TGF-beta interferes with type-II cell development such that the cell cannot respond to FPF.
Qualitative Data Archiving: Rewards and Challenges

Political science has witnessed a renaissance in qualitative research methods (Bennett and Elman 2006). Over the last 15 years, the canon has been reworked to systematize and expand the repertoire of qualitative methods, ground them more firmly in contemporary philosophy of science, and illuminate their strengths relative to quantitative and formal methods (Bennett and Elman 2007). A rapidly expanding body of political science research now employs qualitative and multi-method analysis, and institutions dedicated to qualitative and multi-method research have flourished.
Factors affecting monetary policy in an era of inflation

Abstract A money supply-reaction function is developed and estimated within the context of an IS-LM framework to test the responsiveness of the Federal Reserve to the government budget restraint and certain parameters of the model. The results reveal that a large portion of the recent expansion of the monetary base may be attributed to increases in government debt and provide an essential first step in quantifying the inflationary impact of deficits. The monetary base is also expanded in response to increases in inflationary expectations and previous increases in the monetary base, but is not statistically correlated to changes in the unemployment rate or potential national income, or to rises in interest rates caused by sources other than higher inflationary expectations, previous monetary policy, or the Treasury borrowing requirement.
Active transportation in adult survivors of childhood cancer and neighborhood controls

Purpose Childhood cancer survivors (CCS) are at high risk of treatment-related late effects, including cardiovascular disease and diabetes, which can be exacerbated by inadequate physical activity (PA). Previous PA interventions targeting CCS have focused on the domain of leisure-time/recreational PA. Active transportation, another domain of PA, has not been described in CCS. Therefore, this study aimed to identify active transportation behaviors, barriers, and correlates in adult CCS.
Influence of postoperative acute-phase responseon angiogenesis and tumor growth: open vs. laparoscopic-assisted surgery in mice

Inflammatory responses and tumor growth are increased after laparotomy compared with laparoscopy in some animal models. Proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) upregulate the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Our aim was to investigate the influence of postoperative inflammatory responses on angiogenesis and tumor growth. 5 Χ 106 B51LiM cells were injected into the cecal wall of Balb/c mice. After 2 weeks, the animals were randomized into the following three groups: open cecectomy (OC), CO2-laparoscopic-assisted cecectomy (LC), and helium-laparoscopic-assisted cecectomy (LH). On postoperative day 12, the mice were killed. Tumor load scores and weight were significantly greater after laparotomy than after laparoscopy. Serum IL-6 levels 6 hours after surgery (OC: 4157 ± 1297 pg/ml vs. LC: 2514 ± 1417 pg/ml vs. LH: 2255 ± 1714 pg/ml) and VEGF levels on postoperative day 12 (OC: 231 ± 125 pg/ml vs. LC: 45 ± 9 pg/ml vs. LH: 49 ± 8 pg/ml), measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, were significantly higher in the laparotomy group. Microvessel density was also significantly higher in the OC group (OC: 34.3 ± 11.5 vs. LC: 15.5 ± 12.5 vs. LH: 18.5 ± 11.9). There was a positive correlation between IL-6 and VEGF postoperative serum levels (rho = 0.67; P < 0.001). We concluded that increased systemic levels of proinflammatory cytokines and VEGF are associated with increased angiogenesis and tumor growth after laparotomy compared to laparoscopy in mice.
Complexes of Adenosine Deaminase with Two Potent Inhibitors: X-ray Structures in Four Independent Molecules at pH of Maximum Activity†,‡

Adenosine deaminase, which catalyzes the irreversible hydrolytic deamination of adenosine nucleosides to inosine nucleosides and ammonia, is a key enzyme in purine metabolism and lymphoid development. The X-ray structures of murine adenosine deaminase with bound potent inhibitors (Ki values approximately 10(-13) M) (8R)-hydroxyl-2'-deoxycoformycin (pentostatin), a transition state analogue, and (6S)-hydroxyl-1,6-dihydropurine riboside, a reaction coordinate analogue, have been determined and refined to resolutions of 2.6 and 1.95 A, respectively. Crystals of both complexes were obtained at pH 7, where the enzyme is fully active, in an identical space group with the asymmetric unit containing four molecules. In addition to the very high degree of similarity between the four independent molecules in each complex structure, there is also considerable structural similarity of the complex with the dihydropurine riboside with that of an identical complex previously determined at pH 4.2 where the enzyme is 20% active. The interactions between the enzyme and the two analogues are extremely similar. These include the coordination of the 8R- or 6S-hydroxyl group of the analogues to the Zn2+ which mainly contributes to the strong potency and very high degree of stereospecificity of inhibition by these analogues. The interactions are further indicative of the structural and chemical requirements of substrates. These structures and recent site-directed mutagenesis have further shed light on the catalytic mechanism of the enzyme.
Nonylphenol alters the activity of splenic NK cells and the numbers of leukocyte subpopulations in Sprague-Dawley rats: a two-generation feeding study.

Abstract Nonylphenol (NP) has been identified at low levels in surface waters throughout North America. This industrial chemical is primarily used for the production of certain non-ionic surfactants, and has been reported to have weak estrogen-like activity. As estrogen has immunoregulatory properties and is crucial for normal fetal development, it was hypothesized that adult and developmental exposures to NP had the potential to adversely affect the immune system. Furthermore, developmental exposure to NP might also produce differential immunomodulation in F 1 male and female rats. Thus, a two-generation feeding study was conducted to evaluate the potential for NP to modulate certain immune parameters. Pregnant female Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to NP (0, 25, 500, and 2000 ppm) in their feed for 65 days, beginning 7 days into gestation. The F 1 generation male and female offspring were exposed in utero at the respective treatment levels, commencing the 7th day of gestation, and continuing through to 64 days of age. Changes in splenic antibody-forming cell response, natural killer cell activity, and leukocyte numbers were used to evaluate NP immunotoxicity. The results from the present study indicate that dietary exposure to NP can increase splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity and splenocyte subpopulation numbers in the F 1 generation rats, without similar changes to the F 0 generation. The immunological changes that were observed in the F 1 generation also appeared to be gender-specific.
Proteomic Methods for Biomarker Discovery in Urine

Many challenges exist with disease-state biomarker identification. These challenges include sample heterogeneity, poorly designed sample sets, insufficient numbers of samples, as well as inconvenient workflows, inadequate methodology, and development of false-positive markers resulting from protein degradation during sample handling. Yet despite these difficulties, substantial progress has been achieved with the application of proteomic methods toward biomarker discovery in renal disease. Significant advances have occurred in the past decade with electrophoretic, chromatographic, and mass spectrometric methods for discerning biomarkers of disease. Recent applications of proteomics to the study of renal disease have identified new mechanisms in renal disease progression and established protein expression profiles for complex renal diseases including glomerular and tubular pathologies. In some cases these protein profiles have proven successful with guiding patient treatment and markers for pharmacologic therapies. Proteomic analysis only recently has been applied to the study of renal disease, yet it has shown substantial potential for future successes.
Visual system scaling in teleost fish

Teleost fish grow continuously throughout their lifespan, and this growth includes visual system components: eyes, optic nerves, and brain. As fish grow, the optic nerve lengthens and neural signals must travel increasing distances from the eye to the optic tectum along thousands of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. Larger fish have better vision that enhances their ability to capture prey, but they are faced with the potential computational problem of changes in the relative timing of visual information arriving at the brain. Optic nerve conduction delays depend on RGC axon conduction velocities, and velocity is primarily determined by axon diameters. If axon diameters do not increase in proportion to body length, then absolute and relative conduction delays will vary with fish size. We have measured optic nerve lengths and axon diameter distributions in different sized zebrafish (Danio rerio) and goldfish (Carassius auratus) and find that, as both species of fish grow, axon diameters increase to reduce average conduction delays by about half and to keep relative delays constant. This invariance of relative conduction delays simplifies computational problems faced by the optic tectum.
CmlI is an N-oxygenase in the biosynthesis of chloramphenicol

The N-oxygenation of an amine group is one of the steps in the biosynthesis of the antibiotic chloramphenicol. The non-heme di-iron enzyme CmlI was identified as the enzyme catalyzing this reaction through bioinformatics studies and reconstitution of enzymatic activity. In vitro reconstitution was achieved using phenazine methosulfate and NADH as electron mediators, while in vivo activity was demonstrated in Escherichia coli using two substrates. Kinetic analysis showed a biphasic behavior of the enzyme. Oxidized hydroxylamine and nitroso compounds in the reaction were detected both in vitro and in vivo based on LC–MS. The active site metal was confirmed to be iron based on a ferrozine assay. These findings provide new insights into the biosynthesis of chloramphenicol and could lead to further development of CmlI as a useful biocatalyst.
The low-Ca2+ response virulence regulon of human-pathogenic Yersiniae.

Abstract During their life-cycles, the three human-pathogenic yersiniae alternate between exposure to mammalian body temperature and to ambient temperatures of soil or water (Yersinia pseudotuberculosis and Yersinia enterocolitica) or of a flea vector (Yersinia pestis). Within their mammalian hosts, the yersiniae proliferate in lymphoid tissue. 1 They are able to grow within phagolysosomes of macrophages 1–4 but not within polymorphonuclear neutrophils; accordingly, anti-phagocytic capabilities are important for yersinial survival in vivo. Disseminated yersinial infections result in spreading coagulative necrosis in which the bacteria, predominantly extracellularly located, multiply without assault by secondary influxes of either chronic or acute inflammatory cells.1,5,6 The yersiniae respond to the temperature and compositions of these infected mammalian tissues by regulating the expression of a virulence regulon called the low-Ca2+ response (Lcr).
The Putative AKH Receptor of the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca sexta, and Its Expression

Adipokinetic hormones are peptide hormones that mobilize lipids and/or carbohydrates for flight in adult insects and activate glycogen Phosphorylase in larvae during starvation and during molt. We previously examined the functional roles of adipokinetic hormone in Manduca sexta L. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Here we report the cloning of the full-length cDNA encoding the putative adipokinetic hormone receptor from the fat body of M. sexta. The sequence analysis shows that the deduced amino acid sequence shares common motifs of G protein-coupled receptors, by having seven hydrophobic transmembrane segments. We examined the mRNA expression pattern of the adipokinetic hormone receptor by quantitative Real-Time PCR in fat body during development and in different tissues and found the strongest expression in fat body of larvae two days after molt to the fifth instar. We discuss these results in relation to some of our earlier results. We also compare the M. sexta adipokinetic hormone receptor with the known adipokinetic hormone receptors of other insects and with gonadotropin releasing hormone-like receptors of invertebrates.
Fault-Aware-Soft-Restart method for shipboard MVAC power system using inverter coupled energy storage system

We show that an inverter coupled energy storage system can be used to provide a soft-restart for the zonal loads by first operating in a “protected ride-through” mode, then pre-energizing the loads, and finally transfer the loads bumplessly to the main generator. This method decreases by over 50% the inrush currents associated with restarting the loads. The inverter is controlled to achieve a voltage and phase matched condition with the main generator before the load transfer takes place so as to minimize voltage or current oscillations associated with reclosure. This process, termed as “Fault-Aware-Soft-Restarting” can eliminate the problems of 1) Unwanted fault-feeding 2) Motor starting inrush currents that causes voltage dips and motor stalling in nearby load zones and, 3) Breaker reclosing transients that may damage line equipment or cause secondary trips.
Helix: Unsupervised Grammar Induction for Structured Activity Recognition

The omnipresence of mobile sensors has brought tremendous opportunities to ubiquitous computing systems. In many natural settings, however, their broader applications are hindered by three main challenges: rarity of labels, uncertainty of activity granularities, and the difficulty of multi-dimensional sensor fusion. In this paper, we propose building a grammar to address all these challenges using a language-based approach. The proposed algorithm, called Helix, first generates an initial vocabulary using unlabeled sensor readings, followed by iteratively combining statistically collocated sub-activities across sensor dimensions and grouping similar activities together to discover higher level activities. The experiments using a 20-minute ping-pong game demonstrate favorable results compared to a Hierarchical Hidden Markov Model (HHMM) baseline. Closer investigations to the learned grammar also shows that the learned grammar captures the natural structure of the underlying activities.
Phase 2 trial of the histone deacetylase inhibitor romidepsin for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND: Epigenetic dysregulation is a hallmark of cancer, including multiple myeloma. Inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACs) induce DNA hyperacetylation by inhibiting removal of acetyl groups from amino tails on histone proteins, thereby uncoiling condensed chromatin favoring transcription of silenced genes, including tumor suppressor genes. Romidepsin is an HDAC inhibitor that exhibits antiproliferative and apoptotic effects against multiple myeloma cell lines. METHODS: A phase 2 trial was performed of romidepsin in patients with multiple myeloma who were refractory to standard therapy. Treatment was comprised of romidepsin (13 mg/m2) given as a 4-hour intravenous infusion on Days 1, 8, and 15 every 28 days). Thirteen patients received a median of 2 cycles of therapy (range, 1-7 cycles). RESULTS: Although no patients had an objective response, 4 of 12 patients with secretory myeloma exhibited evidence of M-protein stabilization, and several other patients experienced improvement in bone pain and resolution of hypercalcemia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study demonstrate that romidepsin, as a single agent, is unlikely to be associated with a response rate of ≥30% in patients with refractory myeloma, although there was some clinical evidence suggesting a biological effect associated with therapy. Cancer 2011. Published 2010 by the American Cancer Society.
The lateral geniculate nucleus does not project to area TE in infant or adult macaques

We sought to determine if there are any direct projections from the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) to visual cortical area TE in either adult or infant primates. To do so, we examined labelling in the thalamus of eight macaque monkeys which received injections of the retrograde tracer cholera toxin B-subunit within TE. Four of these cases were infants in which the injections revealed transient patterns of inputs to TE from various other brain regions. Although each monkey showed extensive label in the pulvinar nucleus and other subcortical structures, none showed unambiguous labelling in the dLGN. The absence of direct connections between the dLGN and area TE indicates that rudimentary color and form processing capacities in the absence of striate cortex must utilize other pathways even when damage to striate cortex takes place early in life.
Reciprocal generation of Th1/Th17 and Treg cells by B1 and B2 B cells

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are indispensable for maintaining peripheral tolerance, whereas T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells induce inflammation and tissue destruction. Using Foxp3-GFP knock-in mice, we report a novel regulatory role for B cell subsets in influencing the differentiation of Tregversus Th1/Th17 cells. Peritoneal B1 cells strongly promoted T cell proliferation and cytokine secretion when presenting nominal or allogeneic antigens, as compared to conventional follicular B (B2) cells. However, peritoneal B1 cells largely failed to convert naive Foxp3–CD4+ T cells into Foxp3+ Treg cells in the presence of TGF-β and IL-2, in marked contrast to conventional B2 cells, which excelled in Treg conversion. Interestingly, under the same Treg conversion conditions, peritoneal B1 cells preferentially promoted Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation. Blockade of CD86 but not CD80 costimulation markedly enhanced Treg cell induction by B1 cells. Thus, B cell antigen presentation function is inversely correlated with de novo Treg cell induction for these B cell subsets. Our findings suggest that B1 and B2 cell subsets play distinct roles in immune regulation by promoting reciprocal differentiation of T cell lineages.
Lipid uptake by silicone enteral access feeding devices.

Abstract Background/Purpose : Deterioration of long-term enteral access devices remains a significant patient care and financial problem. Because it is known that lipids, particularly mediumchain triglycerides oil (MCT oil), can soften and break certain types of polymeric materials, the authors evaluated the effect of liquid enteral feeding formulas containing different amounts of MCT oil on silicone feeding tubes. Methods : Commercially available and widely used gastrostomy silicone catheters of two sizes (20F and 15F) were sectioned in 5-cm-long samples and cleaned. Five groups of five pieces were immersed for 8 weeks in pure MCT oil and in four commercial formulas having similar protein, carbohydrate, and fat contents. These formulas were chosen because they contained similar percentages of fat (37% to 45%), although they contained differing amounts of MCT oil. Sodium azide 0.05% was added as a bactericide. Samples were maintained at 37°C in an incubator-shaker. After incubation, specimens were rinsed, dried, and weighed. Selected samples were extracted with a chloroform-methanol solution (2:1). Super-critical fluid chromatography (SFC) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy were performed. A tensile tester was used to generate force-elongation curves for the remaining samples. A statistical analysis (ANOVA, α = .05) was conducted to compare data from test groups with results from 20 samples of control silicone material. Results : Data demonstrate that silicone is significantly affected by liquid formulas and pure MCT oil. SFC and IR findings indicated that fractions of MCT oil, corn oil, and canola oil were absorbed by the material. The most dramatic weight gain (3.7%) was observed for specimens immersed in pure MCT oil. An average increase (9.6%) of silicone compliance was measured along with oil migration in the tubing. Conclusions : Lipid uptake contributes significantly to deterioration of the silicone tested, leading to device failure. Surface damage can create a potential nidus for microorganisms, particularly fungi. Lipid type and rate of administration should be taken into account when long-term enteral feedings are given. These data contribute to the understanding of the causes of the physico-chemical deterioration of long-term enteral feeding devices and provide helpful information for the design and manufacture of improved products.
Need for the life course model for spina bifida.

In previous generations, people with conditions such as spina bifida (SB), sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and muscular dystrophy were not expected to live very far, if at all, into adulthood. If these people did live, health care professionals and other providers were pleased that they had even lived that long. Because children with chronic conditions have grown up into adults in increasing numbers, 1–4 they and their families have increasingly questioned whether they have reached their full potential and maximized their participation in adult activities. When standards of care and relevant outcomes are expressed in traditional medical parameters (mortality, morbidity, occurrence of secondary health conditions involving other organ systems), scant attention was paid to the functional outcomes that are the norm for typical young adults, including whether the young adult had a job or sufficient self-directed income, had friendships and relationships, lived independently, and engaged in recreation and other health-promoting activities. Expectations were often low to nonexistent about this group’s potential to function well in these domains of adulthood. Pediatric chronic disease specialists are increasingly recognizing the shortcomings in the quality of life of their patients as they reach adulthood. As patients leave pediatric care, their doctors are moving beyond the issue of a simple transfer of health care to adult doctors to feeling a responsibility and an interest in functional outcomes, in terms of full participation in adult living. 5 The disability movement of the 1990s, reinforced by the Americans with Disabilities Act and other legislations and policies, has empowered people with disabilities to view themselves differently. These people now aspire to the full quality of life as demonstrated by their typical peers and portrayed in the media. With aspirations, comes an expectation that the systems of services and support will prepare them for these enhanced adult roles. 6
Fabrication and tribological properties of titanium nitride coatings incorporating solid lubricant microreservoirs

Abstract The concept of incorporating microscopic reservoirs within a hard coating for the purpose of solid lubricant storage and supply during wear of interacting surfaces has been investigated in this study. A novel method was devised using ceramic beads (1.5–10 μm diameter) as placeholders during the deposition of a TiN coating by reactive sputter deposition. A pin-on-disk wear test was used to test these coatings using graphite and sputter-deposited carbon as the solid lubricant, and an alumina counterface. When tested without any lubricant, the presence of the microreservoirs in the TiN coating appeared to degrade the mechanical integrity of the coating leading to rapid failure. With the graphite lubricant present, the frictional behavior ranged from levels similar to the TiN coating alone, to that of graphite alone. Tests of the TiN coating made using 10 μm beads running against an aluminum counterface showed substantial improvement when the microreservoirs were present. Optical microscopy examination of the wear tracks showed the microreservoirs were generally successful at trapping the graphite lubricant during wear. With a sufficient density and appropriate distribution of the microreservoirs significant improvements in tribological performance can be realized.
Modeling Structural Uncertainties in Reynolds-Averaged Computations of Shock/Boundary Layer Interactions

The Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations represent an attractive alternative to direct numerical simulation of turbulence due to their simplicity and reduced computational expense. In the literature it is well established that structure of Reynolds averaged turbulence models are fundamentally limited in their ability to represent the turbulent processes - introducing epistemic \model-form" uncertainty into the predictions. Sensitivity analysis and probablistic approaches have been used to address these uncertainties, however there is no well established framework within the turbulence modeling community to quantify this important source of error. This work introduces a new approach for addressing epistemic uncertainty which is then demonstrated for the ow over a 2D transonic bump conguration. The well known SST k! turbulence model is considered. The reported quantities are the wall pressure, separation location, and reattachment location along the bottom wall of the domain. The results show the new method is able to introduce bounding behavior on the numerical and experimental predictions for these quantities.
Elastase activity: The role of elastase in aortic aneurysm formation

Abstract Elastase activity was studied in aortic tissue obtained from patients with aortic aneurysm and arteriosclerotic occlusive disease. Aneurysmal tissue demonstrates significantly greater activity than the arteriosclerotic aorta and the activity is localized to the intima and inner media. Aneurysms in patients without concomitant occlusive disease are larger than those in patients with occlusive disease and show greater elastase activity. Elastase activity of the aorta may determine aneurysm formation and may inhibit development of concomitant occlusive disease.
Deficiency of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form oxidase enhances hepatocellular injury but attenuates fibrosis after chronic carbon tetrachloride administration.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate hepatic stellate cells and enhance fibrogenesis. This study determined the role of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH) oxidase deficiency in the development of hepatocellular necrosis, inflammation, and apoptosis in relation to fibrosis produced by chronic carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) administration. Wild-type (WT) mice or mice with deficiency of the gp91phox subunit of NADPH complex (gp91) were subjected to biweekly CCl4 injections over 8 weeks, whereas controls were given isovolumetric injections of olive oil. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was higher after CCl4 administration in gp91 than in WT mice, correlating with increased necrosis on liver histology. By contrast, more hepatocyte apoptosis was found after CCl4 in the WT than in the gp91 mice, which was associated with changes in components of the mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis, namely, an increase in the pro-apoptotic BAX protein in the WT, but not in the gp91 mice and also a lower cytosolic cytochrome c in the gp91 mice. There were fewer stellate cells and less fibrosis after CCl4 in the gp91 as compared with the WT mice. The increase in α1(I) collagen messenger RNA (mRNA), however, was greater after CCl4 in the gp91 mice. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 mRNA increased more in the gp91 than in WT mice after CCl4. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and TIMP-2 increased after CCl4 only in the gp91 mice. Conclusion: Decreased hepatic fibrosis after chronic CCl4 administration in mice with NADPH oxidase deficiency occurs in the setting of greater necrosis and inflammation but decreased apoptosis. (HEPATOLOGY 2009.)
Local heat and cold application after eastern cottonmouth moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) envenomation in the rat: Effect on tissue injury

Abstract We studied the effect of local application of heat or cold on the development of tissue necrosis in envenomated rats. Anesthetized animals had 6 mg/kg venom from Agkistrodon piscivorus injected subcutaneously into the lateral aspect of a hind limb. Heat or cold was applied to the site of envenomation in the experimental groups for 4–6 hr, and the injected area was examined histologically after 24 hr. Neither local treatment, with or without the presence of systemic antivenin, significantly affected the severity of tissue necrosis induced by the venom in comparison to a control group left at ambient temperature.