cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantifying thermal barrier coating delamination through luminescence modeling

Abstract Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are widely used in the hot sections of gas turbine systems as they are remarkably efficient in insulating the underlying superalloys, leading to higher operating temperatures and therefore enhancing the performance of the engines. However, this benefit is only possible if the integrity of the TBC under aggressive thermo-mechanical environments is ensured. Delamination is a common but hard to detect failure mode. We present, in this work, supported by experimentation, the implementation of a modeling approach applying the Kubelka-Munk theory to provide numerical quantification of luminescence contrast and intensity due to top coat delamination in TBCs. The method relies on the drastic change in reflectivity when a delamination forms, exploiting it for high-contrast luminescence mapping. Two distinct TBC configurations containing an erbium-doped yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ:Er3+) layer for delamination sensing were used to validate this model. A delamination zone induced by Rockwell indentation was successfully tracked by measuring an increase of the intensity of the erbium emission line at 562 nm. Luminescence-based methods for delamination detection can provide a revolutionary non-invasive technique, with potential for both off-line and on-line engine monitoring.
A filtration-assisted approach to enhance optical detection of analytes and its application in food matrices.

Abstract Analysis of target analytes in food and environmental samples often required sophisticated instrumentation, which restrains the accessibility and portability of the analysis. Herein, we developed an instrument-free approach for rapid quantification of target analytes. The reported filtration-assisted approach enables image analysis of aggregates formed via interaction between analytes and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Two model analytes were chosen for aggregating AgNPs, potassium phosphate for neutralizing the charges and a di-thiol molecule (2,2′-(ethylenedioxy) diethanethiol (EDT)) for cross-linking. The mixtures of AgNPs and analytes were filtered onto filter membranes and analyzed using grey color intensity analysis. Based on the AgNPs-EDT platform, we demonstrated the detection of 1 µg/mL acrylamide in instant coffee and biscuit matrices was achievable. The filtration-assisted method provides a simple, fast and inexpensive approach for optical detection and quantification of analytes in food matrices.
Learning Unknown Service Rates in Queues: A Multiarmed Bandit Approach

Traditional scheduling problems in stochastic queueing systems assume that the statistical parameters are known a priori. In ''Learning unknown service rates in queues: A multiarmed bandit approach...
Evaluation of a 16-Channel Transceiver Loop + Dipole Antenna Array for Human Head Imaging at 10.5 Tesla

We evaluated a 16-channel loop + dipole (LD) transceiver antenna array with improved specific absorption rate (SAR) efficiency for 10.5 Tesla (T) human head imaging applications. Three different array designs with equal inner dimensions were considered: an 8-channel dipole antenna, an 8-channel loop, and a 16-channel LD antenna arrays. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and B1+ efficiency (in units of $\mu \text{T}$ per $\surd \text{W}$ ) were simulated and measured in 10.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) experiments. For the safety validation, 10 g SAR and SAR efficiency (defined as the B1+ over $\surd $ (peak 10 g SAR)) were calculated through simulation. Finally, high resolution porcine brain images were acquired with the 16-channel LD antenna array, including a fast turbo-spin echo (TSE) sequence incorporating B1 shimming techniques. Both the simulation and experiments demonstrated that the combined 16-channel LD antenna array showed similar B1+ efficiency compared to the 8-channel dipole antenna and the 8-channel loop arrays in a circular polarized (CP) mode. In a central 2 mm $\times2$ mm region of the phantom, however, the 16-channel LD antenna array showed an improvement in peak 10 g SAR of 27.5 % and 32.5 % over the 8-channel dipole antenna and the 8-channel loop arrays, respectively. We conclude that the proposed 16-channel head LD antenna array design is capable of achieving ~7% higher SAR efficiency at 10.5 T compared to either the 8-channel loop-only or the 8-channel dipole-only antenna arrays of the same dimensions.
SBiRM in the time of COVID-19.

As we all feel the impact of and anticipate the containment of COVID-19, Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine (SBiRM) offers a unique perspective. SBiRM covers a combination of the male and fem...
Design and Implementation of a Modified AES Cryptography with Fast Key Generation Technique

Cryptography is an emerging topic that has gained momentum since data explosion. With the advent of data it has become more important to secure the data from external interference. Various algorithms has been deployed with a penultimate goal of securing data of which Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is one. The paper provides a substantial modification over Advanced Encryption Standard, with the aim of security and easy implementation focusing on the Symmetric Key Cryptosystem and AES algorithm. The performance was compared using different parameters such as data block, block size, encryption/decryption speed, run-time, and compile time. The main reason for this experiment was to exploit the effectiveness of the newly modified AES over the actual AES using the real-life application. A new key implementation process, the right shift key technique, and the elimination of the Mix-Column process were introduced. This paper provides calculations based on the AES-128 bit version, but the proposed algorithm can work on other versions as well. The goal was to achieve fast execution time and less memory usage while keeping the security hard to breach. The result depicts that our method achieved 88% throughput and better net execution time. This is a substantial improvement in terms of efficiency from the traditional AES. Our implementation with detailed documentation is available at GitHub1.
Involvement of the endocannabinoid system in the inhibition of Sindbis virus replication: a preliminary study

Sindbis virus (Alphaviridae) is a plus-strand RNA virus that is dependent on the host cell for replication. Cannabinoid (CB) receptors are found on most human cells, including virally infected cells. Activation of cannabinoid receptors has been shown to alter normal cellular physiology. This study aimed to assess how agonist (ACEA) or antagonists/inverse agonist (AM251) of the cannabinoid receptors would alter the cellular environment and impact Sindbis virus replication. Human hepatoma (Huh7) cells were used as our model for viral replication. Cells were infected with Sindbis virus (SINV) and then treated with CB agonist (ACEA) (10 μM) or antagonist/inverse agonist (AM-251) (10 μM) and virus replication was monitored. A double subgenomic Sindbis virus containing a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene inserted into a 3′ subgenomic promoter was utilized for these assays to quickly measure viral replication. GFP fluorescent cells were analyzed using flow cytometry to measure the percentage of cells expressing the viral reporter and also quantify the levels of GFP fluorescence. Treatment of SINV-infected Huh7 cells with CB1 receptor antagonist/inverse agonist (AM251, 10 μM) resulted in a significant decrease in viral replication, while infected cells treated with a CB1 receptor agonist (ACEA, 10 μM) resulted in a significant increase of viral infection. The data indicates that activation of CB1 receptor by cannabinoids significantly influences the ability of Sindbis virus to replicate in the host cell. Blocking CB1 receptor activity with 10 μM AM251 reduced viral replication, but activating the CB1 receptor with 10 μM ACEA resulted in an increase in viral infection. These results indicate cannabinoids may significantly impact a virus replicating in human liver cells. Future confirmation with other viruses and cell lines will be performed to better understand the impact of cannabinoids on viral infections.
Comment on Albogami et al. Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease Exacerbations Among Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2021;44:1344-1352.

We read with interest the article by Albogami et al. (1) on the association of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and respiratory exacerbations among patients with asthma and/or chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD). In particular, the main conclusion that GLP-1RA initiation may be associated with a subsequent decrease in respiratory exacerbations echoes our findings recently published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2). Using electronic health records (EHR) of patients with asthma and comorbid type 2 diabetes, we found new initiators of GLP-1RAs had fewer asthma exacerbations than initiators of alternative step-up diabetes therapies in the 6 months following drug initiation. Albogami et al. extend these findings (compared to dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors and sulfonylureas) to 12 months of follow-up and additionally examine a COPD population, …
Cardiac Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy for Ventricular Tachycardia: Current Experience and Technical Gaps

Despite advances in drug and catheter ablation therapy, long-term recurrence rates for ventricular tachycardia remain suboptimal. Cardiac stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a novel treatment that has demonstrated reduction of arrhythmia episodes and favorable short-term safety profile in treatment-refractory patients. Nevertheless, the current clinical experience is early and limited. Recent studies have highlighted variable duration of treatment effect and substantial recurrence rates several months post-radiation. Contributing to these differential outcomes are disparate approaches groups have taken in planning and delivering radiation, owing to both technical and knowledge gaps limiting optimization and standardization of cardiac SBRT. In this review, we briefly review the historical basis for cardiac SBRT and existing clinical data. We then elucidate the current technical gaps in cardiac radioablation, incorporating the current clinical experience, and summarize the ongoing and needed efforts to resolve them. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Deficiency of lncRNA SNHG12 impairs ischemic limb neovascularization by altering an endothelial cell cycle pathway.

SNHG12, a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) dysregulated in atherosclerosis, is known to be a key regulator of vascular senescence in endothelial cells (ECs). However, its role in angiogenesis and peripheral artery disease (PAD) has not been elucidated. Hindlimb ischemia studies using femoral artery ligation in mice showed that SNHG12 expression falls readily in the acute phase of the response to limb ischemia in gastrocnemius muscle and recovers to normal when blood flow recovery is restored to ischemic muscle, indicating that it likely plays a role in the angiogenic response to ischemia. Gain and loss of function studies demonstrated that SNHG12 regulated angiogenesis - SNHG12 deficiency reduced cell proliferation, migration, and endothelial sprouting, whereas overexpression promoted these angiogenic functions. We identified SNHG12 binding partners by proteomics that may contribute to its role in angiogenesis, including insulin growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3/IMP3). RNA-seq profiling of SNHG12-deficient ECs showed effects on angiogenesis pathways and identified a strong effect on cell cycle regulation, which may be modulated by IGF2BP3/IMP3. Knockdown of SNHG12 in mice undergoing femoral artery ligation using injected gapmeRs decreased angiogenesis, an effect that was more pronounced in a model of insulin resistant db/db mice. RNA-seq profiling of the EC and non-EC compartments in these mice revealed a likely role of SNHG12-knockdown on Wnt, Notch, and angiopoietin signaling pathways. Together, these findings indicate that SNHG12 plays an important role in the angiogenic EC response to ischemia.
Interim-final rules

Interim-final rules are binding norms federal agencies adopt and make immediately effective without inviting prior public comment on a rulemaking proposal. The Administrative Procedure Act ordinarily requires the use of notice and comment procedures to adopt legislative rules, but agencies justify omitting the pre-adoption comment period by invoking the impracticability or public interest prongs of the APA's good cause exception to this requirement. An agency following this route may invite post-adoption comment on the rule, and then readopt it in final form after taking account of the public comments. Agencies use this methodology between 300 and 400 times each year. The paper makes an empirical examination of the frequency of use of interim-final rules and inquires why they are so commonly used. It analyzes legal problems arising out of their use (particularly problems arising out of the conjunction of the APA and other statutes constraining rulemaking procedure like the Regulatory Flexibility Act) and makes some policy recommendations. The article updates a consultant's report to the former Administrative Conference of the United States, that led to the adoption of ACUS Recommendation 95-4.
Levels of maturation and reactions to injury during neuronal development.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the levels of maturation and reactions to injury during neuronal development. The chapter's view, based on experiments with developing neurons, is that the increasing ability of the cells with age to survive axon severance can be closely correlated in time with the cytological maturation of the cell's organelle system for protein synthesis and, therefore, with the cell's competence to maintain itself. It is reasonable to expect that the early stages of organelle evolvement reflect levels of synthetic capacity. More emphasis needs to be placed on this aspect relative to the response to injury. The possible participation of an auto-immune mechanism in aging is not a new concept. The peculiar nature of synthetic levels during neuronal development, however, is suggestive that extraordinary output under cellular stress at certain stages might incite and perpetuate an auto-immune syndrome.
Kinematic Wave and Diffusion Wave Theories

A wide range of phenomena, natural as well as man-made, in physical, chemical, and biological hydrology exhibit characteristics similar to those of kinematic or diffusion waves. The wide range of phenomena suggests that these waves are very pervasive. This study presents theories that are considered fundamental to advancing the state of the art of hydrology. The term “wave” implies a disturbance traveling upstream, downstream, or remaining stationary. We can visualize a water wave propagating where the water itself stays very much where it was before the wave was produced. We witness other waves that travel as well, such as heat waves, pressure waves, and sound waves. There is obviously the motion of matter, but there can also be the motion of form and other properties of matter. Keywords: diffusion wave theory; flood hydrograph; flow routing; flux law; hydrology; kinematic shock; kinematic wave theory; nonuniform flow; numerical scheme; steady-state flow; uniform flow; unsteady-state flow; wave
Cycles of Spin: Strategic Communication in the U.S. Congress

1. The cycle 2. Building blocks 3. Creation 4. Promotion 5. Coverage and feedback 6. Completing the cycle.
Synthetic Peptide Vaccine Development: Designing Dual Epitopes into a Single Pilin Peptide Immunogen Generates Antibody Cross-reactivity between Two Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

One of the main challenges of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine development is the design of an antigen that elicits cross-reactive antibodies against multiple virulent strains. Using a rational design approach, we have developed a single 17-residue peptide immunogen that generates antibodies that target the receptor-binding domain of the type IV pilus of more than one strain of P. aeruginosa. Using the receptor-binding domain sequence, of native strain PAO as a template, we have systematically changed up to five residues in the PAO sequence of the peptide immunogen into that of the PAK sequence. We show by indirect and competitive ELISA that the mutant peptide immunogens elicit the development of polyclonal sera that is cross-reactive to both native strain PAO and PAK pilin. We further show that there are at least two separate antibody populations in the polyclonal sera that possess closely related epitopes but which are each strain specific. Moreover, part of the epitope for the PAO-specific antibodies consists of several residues outside the disulfide loop of the receptor-binding domain. This allows us to create two unique epitopes within the same receptor-binding domain sequence.
Abstract 89: Pin1 suppresses androgen receptor activity

Proceedings: AACR 106th Annual Meeting 2015; April 18-22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA Reactivation of the androgen receptor (AR) is the hallmark of prostate cancer (PCa) progression to the castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) phenotype. Currently, treatment for CRPC strives to impede the full-length AR (AR-FL) from becoming activated through targeting the ligand binding domain (LBD) via androgen deprivation therapy or treatment with antiandrogens. However, these options can give rise to AR-variants (AR-Vs) that lack the LBD and are unresponsive to treatment. Therefore, targeting the N-terminus of AR, which is conserved between AR-FL and AR-Vs, is critical for identifying new treatment options. Phosphorylation of serine 81 (AR-pS81) in the N-terminus of AR is critical for AR activation, stability and recruitment to the chromatin. Similar phosphorylation sites can be observed in the N-terminus of both AR-FL and AR-Vs. Expression of Pin1, a proline isomerase, exhibits a strong correlation with progression and relapse of PCa. Also, suppression of Pin1 in PCa decreases cell proliferation rates, suggesting that Pin1 may play a pivotal role in PCa progression. Pin1 isomerizes proline residues from trans to cis when the adjacent serine/threonine residue is phosphorylated. Dephosphorylation by phosphatases occurs when a pS-P motif is in the trans conformation. Therefore, Pin1 isomerization of AR pS81-P82 from trans to cis could prevent dephosphorylation and result in constitutive or enhanced AR activity. Stable cell lines with Pin1 knockdown were generated via shRNA targeting the 5′ UTR of Pin1 that express either AR-FL and/or AR-Vs. Pin1 knockdown was confirmed by western blots, and AR activity was monitored by expression of several AR regulated genes. Additionally, AR recruitment to chromatin was assayed by ChIP and Re-Chip. Loss of Pin1 resulted in a 60% reduction of endogenous PSA expression, and AR was unable to induce PSA expression when treated with androgens. However, suppression of AR activity was not due to decreased recruitment of AR to chromatin. Phosphorylation of AR-pS81 was decreased by loss of Pin1, while protein stability and mRNA expression was not altered. These data suggest that Pin1 may play a critical role in regulating the transcriptional activity of AR by altering the accessibility of AR to interact with transcriptional machinery needed to maintain AR activity. (Funding for this project was provided by the T.J. Martell Foundation). Citation Format: Travis Van der Steen, Haojie Huang, Donald Tindall. Pin1 suppresses androgen receptor activity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 89. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-89
The Enemy of My Enemy Is My Customer

Exporting the Bomb: Technology Transfer and the Spread of Nuclear Weapons. By Matthew Kroenig. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2010. 245 pp., $22.95 paperback (ISBN 978-0-8014-7640-2). In this superbly written and thoroughly researched book, Matthew Kroenig puts forward a new mid-level theory on the dynamics of nuclear proliferation. The title of this review—the enemy of my enemy is my customer—is but one finding of his meticulous review of the supply side of proliferation. This approach examines not only why states may want nuclear weapons, but the equally important point of whether another state is willing to provide sensitive nuclear exports to help that country acquire a bomb. Kroenig's book is one of the most original and interesting studies of the business of proliferation to be published in a long time. It belongs on the shelf of any student of proliferation, along with such classics as Potter (1990), Sagan and Waltz (1995), and Langeweische (2007), plus the multitude of more recent case studies and examinations of international efforts to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. The author's credentials for taking on this subject are first rate, and his research is exhaustive. This is a relatively short book, but rich in new ideas, surveys of the field, and qualitative and quantitative approaches to explaining supply side aspects of proliferation. It includes several valuable appendices and a superb bibliography at the end. Kroenig has spent years studying proliferation, both as an analyst in the American intelligence community and as an academic, the latter including multiple fellowships and postings at several of the most elite nonproliferation programs. As a result of this long-term experience at many of the best centers for focusing on the problem, he arrived at an interesting conclusion: “I found a great variety in the way countries approached the problem: some countries seemed …
Light and electron microscopic studies of rat kidney after administration of inhibitors of the citric acid cycle in vivo

Extensive conglomerations of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) formed in pars recta proximal tubules of rat kidney 15 to 30 minutes after single subcutaneous injections of malonic acid (0.5 M given at 1.0 ml per 100g body weight). Simultaneously rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) disappeared but within 4 hours the normal ER pattern was restored. During this period numerous large multivesicular bodies (MVB) accumulated. In addition to vesicles many MVB contained mitochondria, cytoplasm and even smaller MVB. Apparent fusion of thinner SER membrane with thicker membrane limiting MVB was observed rarely in both perfusion and immersion fixed tissues. Histochemical studies on altered ER, labelled with thiamine pyrophosphatase and unbuffered osmium staining, failed to demonstrate that MVB vesicles were ER derived or that ER was incorporated into MVB by fusion with the limiting membrane. This must be considered a fixation artifact. Horseradish peroxidase, a pinocytotic tracer, showed MVB to have pinocytotic origin. The vesicles apparently formed by budding of cytoplasm into MVB matrices. Acid phosphatase activity was acquired by MVB as they moved towards mid-cell and the enclosed organelles underwent digestion. It is clear that MVB of pars recta are ambilysosomes digesting both autologous and heterologous materials but there was no evidence that altered ER underwent digestion within them and it is likely that rapid alterations in ER resulted from rearrangements of existing membrane moieties. MVB have been implicated in autophagy in other cell types but their autophagic role in sublethally injured kidney tubules has received little attention.
Particle retention by respiratory epithelial cells is associated with persistent biological effect

AbstractThe biological effect of particles on respiratory epithelial cells involves, in part, the generation of an oxidative stress and a consequent cascade of reactions culminating in inflammatory mediator release. Whether there is either an immediate, transitory activation or a persistent response of the cells to the particles has not been established. We tested the postulate that respiratory epithelial cells exposed to wood smoke particle (WSP) would demonstrate increased oxidative stress and mediator release following re-seeding and propagation of the cells for two generations post-initial exposure. BEAS-2B cells grown to confluence (G0) in 75 cm2 flasks were treated for 18 h with the WSP at 0, 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml. The flasks were then used to seed another set of flasks as well as 12- and 96-well plates (G1). These flasks were similarly grown to confluence and the process repeated (G2). Cell viability was assayed using trypan blue dye exclusion and was >85%. Dichlorohydrofluorescein fluorescence afte...
Life and Work of Amy Morris Homans

(1941). Life and Work of Amy Morris Homans. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 12, Pioneer Women in Physical Education, pp. 615-627.
The women’s health initiative estrogen replacement therapy is neurotrophic and neuroprotective

The current study investigated the neurotrophic and neuroprotective action of the complex formulation of conjugated equine estrogens (CEEs), the most frequently prescribed estrogen replacement therapy in the United States and the estrogen replacement therapy of the Women’s Health Initiative. Morphologic analyses demonstrated that CEEs significantly increased neuronal outgrowth in hippocampal, basal forebrain, occipital, parietal and frontal cortex neurons. Dose–response analyses indicated that the lowest effective concentration of CEEs exerted the maximal neurotrophic effect with greatest potency occurring in hippocampal and occipital cortex neurons. CEES induced highly significant neuroprotection against beta amyloid25–35, hydrogen peroxide and glutamate-induced toxicity. Rank order of potency and magnitude of CEE-induced neuroprotection in the brain regions investigated was hippocampal neurons > basal forebrain neurons > cortical neurons. In hippocampal neurons pre-exposed to beta amyloid25–35, CEEs halted Aβ25–35-induced cell death and protected surviving neurons from further cell death induced by Aβ25–35. Because CEEs are the estrogen replacement therapy of the Women’s Health Initiative, results of the current study could provide cellular mechanisms for understanding effects of CEEs on cognitive function and risk of Alzheimer’s disease derived from this prospective clinical trial.
Human fetal retinal pigment epithelial cells induce apoptosis in the T-cell line Jurkat.

Purpose To investigate the mechanism(s) involved in human fetal retinal pigment epithelium (HFRPE)-mediated T-cell death. Methods Pure HFRPE cells were isolated and cultured. Normal and interferon (IFN)-gamma-activated HFRPE from early and late in vitro passages were incubated with cells from the human T-cell leukemia line Jurkat (Jkt). Cultures were pulsed with [3H]-thymidine to measure Jkt cell proliferation. Jkt cells were evaluated for apoptosis either by staining with an ethidium bromide/acridine orange mixture (AO/EB) or with Annexin V-phycoerythrin. The role of Fas ligand (FasL) molecule in HFRPE-mediated apoptosis was assessed by using a mutant Jkt cell line (DD3), which is deficient in Fas-mediated signaling. The involvement of the antiapoptotic human gene bcl-xL was determined by using Jkt cells that were stably transfected with bcl-x(L). The role of cell- cell contact in the induction of apoptosis was evaluated in a transwell system in the presence or absence of neutralizing antibodies against IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha. Results HFRPE cells inhibited the proliferation of Jkt cells by inducing apoptosis through a FasL-independent pathway. Passaging and IFN-gamma activation strengthened the inhibitory effect of HFRPE cells on the proliferation of Jkt cells. At lower HFRPE passages (P2), bcl-alphaL, overexpression rescued the HFRPE cell-mediated apoptosis. The separation of the cells by the transwell system did not affect the HFRPE cell-mediated suppression. This suppressive effect was not mediated by the secretion of IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha molecules. Conclusions HFRPE cells suppressed the proliferation of Jkt cells by inducing apoptosis. HFRPE cells induced a stronger inhibitory effect on Jkt cells at higher in vitro passages. The HFRPE-induced apoptosis was not mediated through the FasL/Fas pathway or through the secretion of the apoptosis-inducing cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. The bcl-xL gene may play a role in preventing HFRPE cell-induced apoptosis in Jkt cells. These combined results suggest that the HFRPE-mediated suppression of primary T cells may also be mediated by the induction of apoptosis. Therefore, the retinal pigment epithelium may play a role in the induction of immune privilege in the subretinal space.
mir-29 regulates Mcl-1 protein expression and apoptosis

Cellular expression of Mcl-1, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family member, is tightly regulated. Recently, Bcl-2 expression was shown to be regulated by microRNAs, small endogenous RNA molecules that regulate protein expression through sequence-specific interaction with messenger RNA. By analogy, we reasoned that Mcl-1 expression may also be regulated by microRNAs. We chose human immortalized, but non-malignant, H69 cholangiocyte and malignant KMCH cholangiocarcinoma cell lines for these studies, because Mcl-1 is dysregulated in cells with the malignant phenotype. By in silico analysis, we identified a putative target site in the Mcl-1 mRNA for the mir-29 family, and found that mir-29b was highly expressed in cholangiocytes. Interestingly, mir-29b was downregulated in malignant cells, consistent with Mcl-1 protein upregulation. Enforced mir-29b expression reduced Mcl-1 protein expression in KMCH cells. This effect was direct, as mir-29b negatively regulated the expression of an Mcl-1 3′ untranslated region (UTR)-based reporter construct. Enforced mir-29b expression reduced Mcl-1 cellular protein levels and sensitized the cancer cells to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) cytotoxicity. Transfection of non-malignant cells (that express high levels of mir-29) with a locked-nucleic acid antagonist of mir-29b increased Mcl-1 levels and reduced TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Thus mir-29 is an endogenous regulator of Mcl-1 protein expression, and thereby, apoptosis.
Bile pigment metabolism in the sea-hare Aplysia

Abstract Feeding experiments with various algal and biliprotein diets have been carried out on Aplysia californica . Aplysioviolin is derived from the phycoerythrin of red algae. Aplysia become facultatively de-inked on a diet of brown algae, regaining the ability to generate ink when returned to red algae or to a phycoerythrin diet. Aplysia returned to a phycocyanin diet secrete small amounts of phycocyanobilin monomethyl ester. In contrast to phycoerythrin in the diet, a phycocyanin diet results in deposition of blue chromopeptides in the inner skin. Undenatured biliproteins are metabolized faster than denatured biliproteins. Within 72 h the phycoerythrin consumed is transferred into the egg mass and appears in the ink also as aplysioviolin. Aplysioviolin is not considered to be a defensive mechanism but probably is a waste product.
Exploring the Relationship Between Trust in Government and the Provision of Social Services in Countries of the Global South: The Case of Palestine

ABSTRACT Using a data set combining two surveys that were conducted by Birzeit University in Palestine, the study investigates the role that trust in government plays in the provision of social services in Palestine (N= 1,314). The relationship between trust in government and selected sociodemographic characteristics is also explored. Results from the bivariate and regression analyses performed reveal that perceived trust in government is significantly related to government performance and a respondent's gender, income, education, and political affiliation. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
A rapid procedure for screening and isolating oxygenated free fatty acid metabolites from plants and natural waters

A rapid method of isolating a relatively pure fraction of oxygenated fatty acids from plants and natural waters is described. These metabolites were isolated from aqueous extracts using octadecylsilyl silica in a reverse-phase batch extraction method. The extraction method, together with reverse-phase analytical high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), was used to establish a routine screening method for the presence of these compounds in a variety of natural sources. A reverse-phase preparative HPLC purification method is also described.
Realization Of Lanczos And Conjugate Gradient Algorithms On Optical Linear Algebra Processors

The Lanczos and conjugate gradient algorithms are important in computational linear algebra. In this paper, a parallel pipelined realization of these algorithms on a ring of optical linear algebra processors has been described. The flow of data is designed to minimize the idle times of the optical multiprocessor and the redundancy of computations. It is shown that optical pre conditioning can improve the accuracy of these algorithms substantially. Algorithms for optical preconditioning and results of numerical experiments are discussed. Since the Lanczos algorithm is used mostly with sparse matrices, a folded storage scheme to represent sparse matrices on spatial light modulators is discussed.
Complexes of (ethylenediamine)Pd(II) with inosine, guanosine, adenosine and their phosphates

Abstract In order to elucidate the reactions of the relatively inert antitumor cis diamine Pt(II) complexes, we have continued our investigations of the much more labile enPd(II). In its interaction with purine nucleosides and nucleotides enPd 2+ reacts in acidic solutions with N7 and in basic solutions with N1. In a wide pH region around neutral pH both N7 and N1 coordination occurs leading to possible polymeric complexes. Some of these complexes with mixed N7 and N1 coordination display unusual chemical shifts. For 5′-AMP this complex undergoes an acidification of the phosphate deprotonation by more than one log unit. For adenosine, the presence of chloride ion inhibits formation of complexes with unusual chemical shifts. Also with adenosine at high pH, the 6-amino group undergoes substitution of a proton by a metal ion, driven by formation of a binuclear dimer with each of two enPd 2+ coordinated to N1 of one adenine ring and to the 6-amino group of the other. Easy formation of 1:2 complexes of enPd 2+ and the 6-oxopurines in acidic solutions, where only N7 is coordinated, argues strongly against direct N7O6 chelation as a significant bonding mode.
Invasion and transmission of Salmonella Kentucky in an adult dairy herd using approximate Bayesian computation.

Background An outbreak of Salmonella Kentucky followed by a high level of sustained endemic prevalence was recently observed in a US adult dairy herd enrolled in a longitudinal study involving intensive fecal sampling. To understand the invasion ability and transmission dynamics of Salmonella Kentucky in dairy cattle, accurate estimation of the key epidemiological parameters from longitudinal field data is necessary. The approximate Bayesian computation technique was applied for estimating the transmission rate (β), the recovery rate (γ) and shape (n) parameters of the gamma distribution for the infectious (shedding) period, and the basic reproduction ratio (R0), given a susceptible-infectious-recovered-susceptible (SIRS) compartment model with a gamma distribution for the infectious period.
Liquid flooded flow-focusing microfluidic device for in situ generation of monodisperse microbubbles

Current microbubble-based ultrasound contrast agents are administered intravenously resulting in large losses of contrast agent, systemic distribution, and strict requirements for microbubble longevity and diameter size. Instead we propose in situ production of microbubbles directly within the vasculature to avoid these limitations. Flow-focusing microfluidic devices (FFMDs) are a promising technology for enabling in situ production as they can produce microbubbles with precisely controlled diameters in real-time. While the microfluidic chips are small, the addition of inlets and interconnects to supply the gas and liquid phase greatly increases the footprint of these devices preventing the miniaturization of FFMDs to sizes compatible with medium and small vessels. To overcome this challenge, we introduce a new method for supplying the liquid (shell) phase to a FFMD that eliminates bulky interconnects. A pressurized liquid-filled chamber is coupled to the liquid inlets of an FFMD, which we term a flooded FFMD. The microbubble diameter and production rate of flooded FFMDs were measured optically over a range of gas pressures and liquid flow rates. The smallest FFMD manufactured measured 14.5 × 2.8 × 2.3 mm. A minimum microbubble diameter of 8.1 ± 0.3 μm was achieved at a production rate of 450,000 microbubbles/s (MB/s). This represents a significant improvement with respect to any previously reported result. The flooded design also simplifies parallelization and production rates of up to 670,000 MB/s were achieved using a parallelized version of the flooded FFMD. In addition, an intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter was coupled to the flooded FFMD to produce an integrated ultrasound contrast imaging device. B-mode and IVUS images of microbubbles produced from a flooded FFMD in a gelatin phantom vessel were acquired to demonstrate the potential of in situ microbubble production and real-time imaging. Microbubble production rates of 222,000 MB/s from a flooded FFMD within the vessel lumen provided a 23 dB increase in B-mode contrast. Overall, the flooded design is a critical contribution towards the long-term goal of utilizing in situ produced microbubbles for contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging of, and drug delivery to, the vasculature.
Enzyme−DNA Biocolloids for DNA Adduct and Reactive Metabolite Detection by Chromatography−Mass Spectrometry

Silica microbead bioreactors (0.5 μm diameter) coated with DNA and enzymes were fabricated to measure reactive metabolite and DNA−adduct formation rates relevant to genotoxicity screening. Cytochrome (cyt) P450 2E1, cyt P450cam, and myoglobin (Mb) were incorporated into thin films with DNA using the electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) method. The utility of these biocolloids was demonstrated by oxidation of guaiacol, styrene, and (4-methylnitrosoamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK). Enzyme turnover rates for formation of reactive metabolites were monitored using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry (LC−MS). Capillary LC−MS/MS was employed to determine DNA nucleobase adducts after catalyzing the reactive metabolite formation with DNA−enzyme biocolloids and then using neutral thermal hydrolysis on the biocolloids. Dramatic improvements in surface area to volume ratio over similar films on macroscopic surfaces opens new avenues for genotoxicity screening an...
OR Practice-Determining Lot Sizes and Resource Requirements: A Review

Inventory planning can become extremely complicated in situations with nontrivial setup times and/or costs. The pervasiveness of this type of problem in actual practice, combined with its computational complexity, has long attracted researchers' attention. Although the most general model formulations still defy optimization when applied to realistically sized problems, many recent contributions are both innovative and promising. This article concentrates on the lot-sizing and capacity dimensions of production planning. We review selected contributions in four major categories, drawing from both practitioner-and research-based literature. We assess the strengths and weaknesses of these contributions, and suggest promising research avenues. We conclude that capacity limitations, as well as other realities of plant environments, such as scrap, demand uncertainties or inaccurate data, are the Achilles heel of lot-sizing research. Directing attention to these complex environments is a challenge that offers great rewards for actual implementation.
Calcium mobilization in freeze-dried human platelets

In previous studies, we reported on a freeze-drying protocol for human platelets, using trehalose as the main lyophilization protectant. Using this protocol, we investigated calcium mobilization in...
Is There a Stabilizing Role for Fiscal Policy in the New Consensus

Abstract This paper considers the possibility of using fiscal rather than monetary policy as the instrument of stabilization policy in a new consensus framework. Describing the conduct of fiscal policy in terms of a ‘pseudo Taylor rule’, it is shown that fiscal policy is as, if not more, effective than monetary policy as a tool for macroeconomic stabilization. The conclusion reached is that the comparative neglect of fiscal policy as an instrument of stabilization policy in new consensus macroeconomics is unwarranted.
Menstrual patterns in females after the fontan repair

Abstract Since the initial description by Fontan and Baudet 1 of a surgical procedure for tricuspid atresia, a number of modifications have evolved permitting application of this operative technique to a number of complex cyanotic congenital heart defects. 2 For the postoperative female patient, questions regarding fertility and pregnancy are being raised. Whether and how an atrial-dependent pulmonary circulation and the elevated systemic venous pressure commonly seen after Fontan might influence ovarian function and menstrual patterns has not been an area of inquiry. The specific aim of the study, therefore, was to characterize the menstrual patterns of females after Fontan or modified Fontan repair.
Complex Eye Movement Pattern Biometrics: The Effects of Environment and Stimulus

This paper presents an objective evaluation of the effects of eye tracking specification and stimulus presentation on the biometric viability of complex eye movement patterns. Six spatial accuracy tiers (0.5°, 1.0°, 1.5°, 2.0°, 2.5°, 3.0°), six temporal resolution tiers (1000, 500, 250, 120, 75, 30 Hz), and five stimulus types (simple, complex, cognitive, textual, random) are evaluated to identify acceptable conditions under which to collect eye movement data. The results suggest the use of eye tracking equipment capable of at least 0.5° spatial accuracy and 250 Hz temporal resolution for biometric purposes, whereas stimulus had little effect on the biometric viability of eye movements.
Quantum Computing: A Prime Modality in Neurosurgery's Future

Objective With each significant development in the field of neurosurgery, our dependence on computers, small and large, has continuously increased. From something as mundane as bipolar cautery to sophisticated intraoperative navigation with real-time magnetic resonance imaging–assisted surgical guidance, both technologies, however simple or complex, require computational processing power to function. The next frontier for neurosurgery involves developing a greater understanding of the brain and furthering our capabilities as surgeons to directly affect brain circuitry and function. Methods This has come in the form of implantable devices that can electronically and nondestructively influence the cortex and nuclei with the purpose of restoring neuronal function and improving quality of life. Results We are now transitioning from devices that are turned on and left alone, such as vagus nerve stimulators and deep brain stimulators, to “smart” devices that can listen and react to the body as the situation may dictate. Conclusion The development of quantum computers and their potential to be thousands, if not millions, of times faster than current “classical” computers, will significantly affect the neurosciences, especially the field of neurorehabilitation and neuromodulation. Quantum computers may advance our understanding of the neural code and, in turn, better develop and program implantable neural devices. When quantum computers reach the point where we can actually implant such devices in patients, the possibilities of what can be done to interface and restore neural function will be limitless.
Rare gases and fossil particle tracks in the Kenna ureilite

Fossil particle tracks and spallation-produced He and Ne in the Kenna ureilite indicate that it existed in space as a small object for 23 m.y. In our study of Kenna, we found no evidence of trapped He or Ne. Large amounts of heavy rare gases occur in Kenna in concentrations typical of ureilites. In a step-wise release of gases, the isotopic compositions of Kr and Xe were found to be constant above 600°C, revealing the presence of a single retentively sited component. The Xe isotopic abundances are characterized by 124:126:128:129:130:131:132:134:136 = 0.471:0.414:8.280:103.61: 16.296:81.92:100:37.70:31.23. This isotopic composition is distinct from AVCC (average carbonaceous chondritic), but similar to compositions known for some time in certain temperature fractions of Renazzo, Murray and Murchison. Kenna-type Xe appears to be one of the several components found in carbonaceous chondrites. Binz et al. (Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta39, 1576–1579, 1975) have recently found that many volatile trace elements are strongly depleted in ureilites. Thus, the relatively large amounts of heavy rare gases present in ureilites did not result from a mixture of a volatile-rich component with the ureilite host. It appears that some material rich in carbon and heavy rare gases was incorporated into a differentiated ureilite host. All current hypotheses which purport to explain the origin of trapped gases in meteorites encounter difficulty in accounting for trapped gases in ureilites in a straightforward manner.
Predicting the Risk of Recurrent Adenoma and Incident Colorectal Cancer Based on Findings of the Baseline Colonoscopy

Predicting the Risk of Recurrent Adenoma and Incident Colorectal Cancer Based on Findings of the Baseline Colonoscopy
Radiographic evidence of cerebral hyperperfusion and reversal following angioplasty and stenting of intracranial carotid and middle cerebral artery stenosis: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Hyperperfusion is a rare but serious complication following cerebrovascular angioplasty and stent placement. Radiographically identifying hyperperfusion before the development of severe sequelae is difficult, as few diagnostic criteria have been established. METHODS A 50-year-old woman, initially presenting with 6 weeks of right-sided hemiparesis and dysarthria, was treated for severe stenosis of the left internal carotid and middle cerebral arteries with intracranial angioplasty and placement of a balloon mounted Wingspan Stent (Boston Scientific, Fremont, CA). Continuous transcranial Doppler monitoring after stent placement indicated developing cerebral hyperperfusion. Concurrent angiography revealed markings consistent with dilatations of small arteries in the vascular territory of the stented arteries. Aggressive blood pressure management started in the procedure and continued postprocedure led to an approximately 40% reduction in systolic blood pressure. RESULTS The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged without development of neurological sequelae. Long-term (8 months) follow-up found that hemodynamic parameters in the stented left middle cerebral artery only slightly elevated compared to the unaffected right middle cerebral artery. CONCLUSION The high-resolution angiographic image described here may provide a radiologic indication of the onset or progression of cerebral hyperperfusion, permitting appropriate therapeutic management prior to serious sequelae developing.