cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
9 – Interleukin-1 involvement in the regulation of sleep

Publisher Summary The biological actions of interleukin-1 (IL-1) are diverse and are usually considered within the context of the nonspecific host defense response to infection, inflammation, tissue injury, or trauma. The host defense response to stressors such as these is complex, involving both central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral mechanisms. The myriad of responses by the host collectively termed as the acute-phase response (APR) include fever, metabolic changes, such as proteinuria, hypoferremia, hypozincemia, and hypercupremia, increases in liver-derived acute-phase protein synthesis, and hematologic changes. During the APR, the most obvious behavioral response of the animal involves changes in vigilance and degree of behavioral activation. This chapter focuses on the somnogenic actions of IL-1 and the possible involvement of known IL-1 regulatory mechanisms in sleep regulation. Sleep is inferred from the correlation of physiological and electrophysiological parameters with behavior. Useful parameters commonly measured in sleep research include the electroencephalogram (EEG), electrooculogram (EOG), electromyogram (EMG), body movement, brain temperature (Tbr), heart rate, and respiration rate.
On Regional Modeling to Support Air Quality Policies

We examine the use of the Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) model in simulating the changes in the extreme values of air quality that are of interest to the regulatory agencies. Year-to-year changes in ozone air quality are attributable to variations in the prevailing meteorology and emissions loading over the contiguous United States. To this end, we spectrally decomposed the daily maximum 8-h (MDA8) ozone time-series for the period from 1990 to 2010 using the Kolmogorov-Zurbenk (KZ) filter to examine the variability in the relative strengths of the synoptic forcing (i.e., short-term variation induced by weather fluctuations) and the baseline forcing (i.e., long-term variation induced by emissions, policy, and trends) embedded in model output and observations. Using the information extracted from the synoptic and baseline forcings in ozone observations over the 21-year period, we present a new method for applying regional ozone air quality models in the regulatory setting. The new method provides the confidence limits for the 4th highest MDA8 ozone value and number of ozone exceedances for a given emission reduction scenario. This information is useful to policy-makers in deciding upon the emission control policy that can help meet and maintain the ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
Asynchronous software thread integration for efficient software implementations of embedded communication protocol controllers

The overhead of context-switching limits efficient scheduling of multiple concurrent threads on a uniprocessor when real-time requirements exist. Existing software thread integration (STI) methods reduce context switches, but only provide synchronous thread progress within integrated functions. For the remaining, non-integrated portions of the secondary threads to run and avoid starvation, the primary thread must have adequate amounts of coarse-grain idle time (longer than two context-switches). We have developed asynchronous software thread integration (ASTI) methods which address starvation through the efficient use of coroutine calls and integration. ASTI allows threads to make independent progress efficiently and reduces the number of context switches needed through integration. Software-implemented protocol controllers are crippled by this problem; the primary thread bit-bangs each bit of a message onto or off of the bus, leaving only fragments of idle time shorter than a bit time. This fragmented time may be too short to recover through context switching, so only the primary thread can execute during message transmission or reception, slowing the secondary threads and potentially making them miss their deadlines. ASTI simplifies the implementation of embedded communication protocols on low-cost, moderate speed (1 - 100 MHz, 8- and 16-bit) microcontrollers. We demonstrate ASTI by replacing a standard automotive communication protocol controller (J1850) with software and generic hardware. Secondary thread performance improves significantly when compared with a traditional interrupt-based software approach.
[ 18 F]RPS-544: A PET tracer for imaging the chemokine receptor CXCR4

Abstract Introduction CXCR4 specific [18F]-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents are needed which would enable general distribution of the radiotracer for clinical investigation. We sought to synthesize, radiolabel and evaluate [18F]RPS-544, a novel non-peptide CXCR4 antagonist as a CXCR4 specific probe. We compared [18F]RPS-544 with the previously published [18F]-3 ([18F]RPS-510 in this paper) in a bi-lateral tumor model of differential CXCR4 expression for its ability to selectively target CXCR4 expression. Methods Radiolabeling of [18F]RPS-544 and [18F]RPS-510 was performed by aromatic substitution on a 6-nitropyridyl group using no-carrier-added [18F]fluoride under basic conditions. 18F incorporation was determined by radioHPLC. Semi-preparative HPLC was used to purify the final product prior to reformulation. Imaging and biodistribution was performed in nude mice with bilateral PC3 (CXCR4+ and WT) xenograft tumors at 1, 2 and 4 h post injection. Results RPS-544 bound CXCR4 with an IC50 of 4.9 ± 0.3 nM. [18F]RPS-544 showed preferential uptake in CXCR4+ tumors, with a CXCR4/WT ratio of 3.3 ± 1.3 at 1 h p.i. and 2.3 ± 0.5 at 2 h p.i. Maximum uptake in the CXCR4+ tumors was 3.4 ± 1.2%ID/g at 1 h p.i., significantly greater (p = 0.003) than the uptake in the WT tumor. Tumor/blood ratios were 2.5 ± 0.4 and 3.6 ± 0.3 at 1 and 2 h p.i. Tumor/muscle ratios were >4 at all time-points. Tumor/lung ratios were >2 at 1 h and 2 h p.i. Substantial uptake was observed in the liver (15–25%ID/g), kidneys (25–35%ID/g), the small intestine (1–7%ID/g) and the large intestine (1–12%ID/g). Blood concentrations varied over time (0.5–2%ID/g). All other organs showed uptake of Conclusions Here we present, to the best of our knowledge, the first high affinity [18F]-labeled tracer, suitable for in vivo PET imaging of CXCR4. [18F]RPS-544 displayed high affinity for CXCR4 and good tumor uptake with a maximum uptake at 1 h p.i.. CXCR4 dependent uptake was demonstrated using bilateral tumors with differential CXCR4 expression as well as pharmacological blockade using the known CXCR4 antagonist, AMD-3100. Tissue contrast as judged by tumor to normal tissue ratios was positive in several key tissues. The structural and pharmacological similarities between [18F]RPS-544 and the approved drug AMD-3465, combined with the ease of synthesis and high molar activity (>185 GBq/μmol) achieved during radiosynthesis could lead to accelerated translation into the clinic.
Histopathology in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Varies With Sinus Culture.

BackgroundStructured histopathology reporting facilitates better understanding of the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of chronic rhinosinusitis. The microbiology of chronic rhinosinusitis ha...
DNA assay based on Nanoceria as Fluorescence Quenchers (NanoCeracQ DNA assay)

Functional nanomaterials with fluorescent or quenching abilities are important for the development of molecular probes for detection and studies of nucleic acids. Here, we describe a new class of molecular nanoprobes, the NanoCeracQ that uses nanoceria particles as a nanoquencher of fluorescent oligonucleotides for rapid and sensitive detection of DNA sequences and hybridization events. We show that nanoceria forms stable and reversible bionanoconjugates with oligonucleotides and can specifically recognize and detect DNA sequences in a single step. In absence of the target DNA, the nanoprobe produced minimal background fluorescence due to the high quenching efficiency of nanoceria. Competitive binding of the target induced a concentration dependent increase in the fluorescence signal due to hybridization and release of the fluorescent tag from the nanoparticle surface. The nanoprobe enabled sensitive detection of the complementary strand with a detection limit of 0.12 nM, using a single step procedure. The results show that biofunctionalized nanoceria can be used as a universal nanoquencher and nanosensing platform for fluorescent DNA detection and studies of nucleic acid interactions. This approach can find broad applications in molecular diagnostics, sensor development, gene expression profiling, imaging and forensic analysis.
Hemopericardium, shock, and a linear density in the ascending aorta: is it a dissection?

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4] A 67-year-old man with a Starr-Edwards aortic valve replacement and known stable ascending aortic aneurysm presented with chest pain radiating to the back, tachycardia, hypotension, and a supratherapeutic international
INTERFERON MODULATES CELL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

ABSTRACT Interferon treatment alters the structure of the plasma membrane and the cytoskeleton in a variety of cells. These structural changes are associated with modulation of specific functions in human epidermoid carcinoma (HeLa-S3) cells, human skin fibroblasts (FS-4 and ME), transformed mouse fibroblasts (L-929), and thioglycolate-elicited mouse peritoneal macrophages, all treated with homologous beta interferon. The rigidity of the plasma membrane lipid bilayer is increased within 30 min from the beginning of treatment of HeLa cells growing in suspension, but returns tc control level within a few hr. The rigidity increases again by 24 hr after beginning of treatment and persists. Increased abundance of submembranous actin filaments in interferon-treated HeLa-S3 cells is associated with impairment of the mobility and the endocytosis of receptor-bound concanavalin A, slowing of cell proliferation, increased cell size, and increased frequency of multinucleated cells. In interferon-treated human fibroblasts, increased organization of actin-containing microfilaments into bundles is associated with decreased cell locomotion, membrane ruffling, and intracellular movement of organelles, with prolongation of the intermitotic interval, increased cell size, and increased frequency of abortive mitosis giving rise to multinucleated cells. Increased organization of microfilaments in mouse L-929 cells is associated with a marked rise in the frequency of abortive mitoses.
Determinants of Exercise Performance in Children and Adolescents with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot Using Stress Echocardiography.

Exercise performance is variable and often impaired in patients with repaired tetralogy of Fallot (rTOF). We sought to identify factors associated with exercise performance by comparing high to low performers on cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with rTOF. We conducted a cross-sectional study of subjects presenting for CPET who underwent echocardiograms at rest and peak exercise. Patients with pacemakers and arrhythmias were excluded. Right ventricular (RV) global longitudinal strain was used as a measure of systolic function. Pulmonary insufficiency (PI) was assessed with the diastolic systolic ratio and the diastolic systolic time-velocity integral ratio by Doppler interrogation of the pulmonary artery. CPET measures included percent-predicted maximum $${{\text{V}}_{{{\text{O}}_2}}}$$ $$\left( {{\text{\% m}}{{\text{V}}_{{{\text{O}}_2}}}} \right)$$ , percent-predicted maximum work and oxygen pulse. High versus low performers were identified as those achieving $${\text{\% m}}{{\text{V}}_{{{\text{O}}_2}}}$$ of at least 80% or falling below, respectively. Differences in echocardiographic parameters from rest to peak exercise were examined using mixed-effects regression models. Compared to the low performers (n = 17), high performers (n = 12) were younger (12.8 ± 3.3 years vs. 18.3 ± 4.8 years), had normal chronotropic response (peak heart rate > 185 bpm) with greater heart rate reserve and superior physical working capacity. High performers also had a greater reduction in PI at peak exercise, despite greater PI severity at rest. Oxygen pulse was comparable between groups. For both groups, there was no association of PI severity and RV systolic function at rest with exercise parameters. There was no group difference in the magnitude of change in RV strain and diastolic parameters from rest to peak exercise. Chronotropic response to exercise appears to be an important parameter with which to assess exercise performance in rTOF. Chronotropic health should be taken into consideration in this population, particularly given that RV function and PI severity at rest were not associated with exercise performance.
Continuous One Year Oral Administration of the Radiation Mitigator, MMS350, after Total-Body Irradiation, Restores Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Proliferative Capacity and Reduces Senescence in Fanconi Anemia (Fanca-/-) Mice

We quantitated age-related accumulation of senescent cells in irradiated Fanconi anemia (FA) (Fanca-/- mouse cell lines in vitro, and monitored the effect of continuous administration (via drinking...
Delayed recovery following thoracic surgery: persistent issues and potential interventions.

Purpose of review Lung and esophageal surgery remain a curative option for resectable cancers. However, despite advances in surgical and anesthesia practices, the inclusion of patients with comorbidities that would have previously not been offered curative resection presents additional concerns and challenges. Recent findings Perioperative complication rates remain high and prolonged and/or painful recovery are common. Further, many patients face a permanent decline in their functional status, which negatively affects their quality of life. Examination of the variables associated with high complications following thoracic surgery reveals patient, physician, and institutional factors in the forefront. Anesthesiologist training, Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols, and preparations to minimize "failure to rescue" when a complication does arise are key strategies to address adverse outcomes. Summary Delayed and complicated recovery after thoracic noncardiac surgery persist in current practice. This review analyzes the diverse factors that can impact complications and quality of life after lung surgery and the interventions that can help decrease length of stay and improve return to baseline conditions.
Informal Accountability in Children’s Service Networks: The Role of Frontline Workers

ABSTRACTA central concern in networked service delivery is the potential loss of accountability as network actors may pursue singular organizational goals over collective network goals. Despite the...
A 2.2 – 3.4 GHz Constant Bandwidth High-Selectivity Tunable Filter Based on Dual-Mode SIW Resonators

This work presents a tunable, high-selectivity bandpass filter with constant absolute bandwidth. The proposed design utilizes two dual-mode, substrate-integrated-waveguide cavity resonators to create a second order bandpass response with a transmission zero on each side of the passband. Each dual-mode resonator is tuned using one contactless tuner that controls both modes simultaneously in order to maintain constant absolute bandwidth. Therefore, the structure has the same size and number of tuners as a conventional second order bandpass filter. The filter center frequency is tunable from 2.2 – 3.4 GHz and the 3-dB absolute bandwidth is 130±1 MHz over the tuning range. The filter exhibits an insertion loss better than 1.36 dB, and the rejection of the transmission zeros is better than 25 dB. Compared to state-of-the-art filters, this filter maintains a constant bandwidth over the widest tuning range while exhibiting low loss and without requiring additional tuning elements.
Eustress, distress, and oxidative stress: Promising pathways for mind-body medicine

Abstract When is psychological stress “good” or “bad” for our health? There is no straightforward answer. In this chapter, we first address this question with a review of the best principles for the measurement of psychological distress and stressor exposures in human psychobiological studies. Next, we review the associations between psychological distress and stress-arousal biomarkers with markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant response. Finally, we review promising future directions for translational discovery along three interdisciplinary areas with the potential to transform clinical care: (1) cellular aging, (2) treatment of depression and anxiety, and (3) obesity and cardiometabolic disorders.
The ability of the kinesin-2 heterodimer KIF3AC to navigate microtubule networks is provided by the KIF3A motor domain

Heterodimeric kinesin family member KIF3AC is a mammalian kinesin-2 that is highly expressed in the central nervous system and has been implicated in intracellular transport. KIF3AC is unusual in that the motility characteristics of KIF3C when expressed as a homodimer are exceeding slow, whereas homodimeric KIF3AA, as well as KIF3AC, have much faster ATPase kinetics and single molecule velocities. Heterodimeric KIF3AC and homodimeric KIF3AA and KIF3CC are processive, although the run length of KIF3AC exceeds that of KIF3AA and KIF3CC. KIF3C is of particular interest because it exhibits a signature 25-residue insert of glycine and serine residues in loop L11 of its motor domain, and this insert is not present in any other kinesin, suggesting that it confers specific properties to mammalian heterodimeric KIF3AC. To gain a better understanding of the mechanochemical potential of KIF3AC, we pursued a single molecule study to characterize the navigation ability of KIF3AC, KIF3AA, and KIF3CC when encountering microtubule intersections. The results show that all three motors exhibited a preference to remain on the same microtubule when approaching an intersection from the top microtubule, and the majority of track switches occurred from the bottom microtubule onto the top microtubule. Heterodimeric KIF3AC and homodimeric KIF3AA displayed a similar likelihood of switching tracks (36.1 and 32.3%, respectively). In contrast, KIF3CC detached at intersections (67.7%) rather than switch tracks. These results indicate that it is the properties of KIF3A that contribute largely to the ability of KIF3AC to switch microtubule tracks to navigate intersections.
Second-Generation Androgen Receptor Antagonists as Hormonal Therapeutics for Three Forms of Prostate Cancer

Enzalutamide is the first second-generation nonsteroidal androgen receptor (AR) antagonist with a strong binding affinity to AR. Most significantly, enzalutamide can prolong not only overall survival time and metastatic free survival time for patients with lethal castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), but also castration-resistant free survival time for patients with castration-sensitive prostate cancer (CSPC). Enzalutamide has thus been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of both metastatic (in 2012) and non-metastatic (in 2018) CRPC, as well as CSPC (2019). This is an inspiring drug discovery story created by an amazing interdisciplinary collaboration. Equally important, the successful clinical use of enzalutamide proves the notion that the second-generation AR antagonists can serve as hormonal therapeutics for three forms of advanced prostate cancer. This has been further verified by the recent FDA approval of the other two second-generation AR antagonists, apalutamide and darolutamide, for the treatment of prostate cancer. This review focuses on the rational design and discovery of these three second-generation AR antagonists, and then highlights their syntheses, clinical studies, and use. Strategies to overcome the resistance to the second-generation AR antagonists are also reviewed.
Paleozoic ammonoid ecomorphometrics test ecospace availability as a driver of morphological diversification

The early burst model suggests that disparity rises rapidly to fill empty ecospace following clade origination or in the aftermath of a mass extinction. Early bursts are considered common features of fossil data, but neontological studies have struggled to identify them. Furthermore, tests have proven difficult because factors besides ecology can drive changes in morphology. Here, we document the ecomorphometric evolution of the extinct Ammonoidea at 1-million-year resolution, from their origination in the Early Devonian (Emsian) to the Early Triassic (Induan), over ~156 million years. This time interval encompasses six global extinction events, including two of the Big Five, and incorporates multiple ammonoid radiations. However, we find no evidence for early bursts of ecomorphological disparity. This contradicts arguments that the temporal scope, or traits measured in genomic data, conceal evidence of early bursts. Rather, early bursts may be less prevalent in fossil data than is often assumed.
Inpatient Treatment of Opioid Withdrawal

Opioid withdrawal is a common and treatable condition for opioid-dependent patients admitted to the hospital for acute illness. This teaching script lays out the rationale for treatment of opioid withdrawal in the inpatient setting. We emphasize the medication management with methadone, while also discussing the importance of establishing a therapeutic relationship through a patient-oriented discussion of the psychological component of withdrawal.
Israel Tax Policies since 2009 and Economic Growth

Almost all tax reforms in Israel since 1996 were ‘gradual’, ‘fine-tuning-style', and eventually had zero impact on the economic growth rate. The only exemption – corporate tax rate lowering was caused by the pressure of international competition. Some data and references are provided to the reader to illustrate this bleak and unimpressive picture.
Biobased superhydrophobic coating enabled by nanoparticle assembly

Understanding biobased nanocomposites is critical in fabricating high performing sustainable materials. In this study, fundamental nanoparticle assembly structures at the nanoscale are examined and correlated with the macroscale properties of coatings formulated with these structures. Nanoparticle assembly mechanisms within biobased polymer matrices were probed using in situ liquid-phase atomic force microscopy (AFM) and computational simulation. Furthermore, coatings formulated using these nanoparticle assemblies with biobased polymers were evaluated with regard to the hydrophobicity and adhesion after water immersion. Two biobased glycopolymers, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and hydroxyethyl starch (HES), were investigated. Their repeating units share the same chemical composition and only differ in monomer conformations (α- and β-anomeric glycosides). Unique fractal structures of silica nanoparticle assemblies were observed with HEC, while compact clusters were observed with HES. Simulation and AFM measurement suggest that strong attraction between silica surfaces in the HEC matrix induces diffusion-limited-aggregation, leading to large-scale, fractal assembly structures. By contrast, weak attraction in HES only produces reaction-limited-aggregation and small compact cluster structures. With high particle loading, the fractal structures in HEC formed a network, which enabled a waterborne formulation of superhydrophobic coating after silane treatment. The silica nanoparticle assembly in HEC was demonstrated to significantly improve adhesion, which showed minimum adhesion loss even after extended water immersion. The superior performance was only observed with HEC, not HES. The results bridge the assembly structures at the nanoscale, influenced by molecular conformation of biobased polymers, to the coating performance at the macroscopic level. Through this study we unveil new opportunities in economical and sustainable development of high-performance biobased materials.
Tax, Climate Change, and Sustainable Development: Global Problems, Global Solutions?

This chapter examines three areas where multilateral cooperation is necessary: climate change, international corporate taxation, and sustainable development. Progress in addressing challenges in all these three areas through global cooperation is crucial. We need to find effective ways to limit the rise in global temperature. Carbon taxation is one of the most effective means. We also need to find a timely, consensus-based solution to revamp the rules-based international tax system. This will help avert a string of unilateral actions by countries to protect their domestic tax base. Finally, the global community should take stronger efforts to support developing countries in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Cardiovascular Risk Factor Progression in Adolescents and Young Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth confers a high risk of early adverse cardiovascular outcomes. We describe the cumulative incidence of hypertension, LDL-cholesterol dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and prevalence of smoking over time, and examine the relationships with body mass index and measures of glycemia, insulin sensitivity, and beta-cell function in an adolescent cohort with T2D enrolled in the Treatment Options for type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth (TODAY) study. Methods: Longitudinal data from the TODAY clinical trial and TODAY2 observational follow-up study were used to evaluate the relationships between hypertension, LDL-C dyslipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and smoking with risk factors using time-to-event models and generalized estimating equation models. Findings: Data were available on 677 participants. Mean age at baseline was 14±2 years and mean follow-up 10·2±4·5 years. The 14-year cumulative incidence of hypertension, LDL-C dyslipidemia, and hypertriglyceridemia was 59%, 33%, and 37% respectively, and the average prevalence of reported smoking was 23%. Male sex, non-Hispanic white race/ethnicity, obesity, poor glycemic control, lower insulin sensitivity, and reduced beta-cell function were significantly associated with an unfavorable cardiovascular risk profile. After an average of 10·2 years of follow-up, 54% of the cohort had ≥2 cardiovascular risk factors in addition to T2D. Interpretation: Cardiovascular risk factor incidence and prevalence was high over a decade of follow-up in young adults with youth-onset T2D. Addressing glucose control and insulin sensitivity, as well as medical management of cardiovascular risk factors will be critical in youth with T2D for prevention of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00081328. Funding: United States National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease. Declaration of Interest: None of the authors reported a conflict of interest. Ethical Approval: The TODAY and TODAY2 studies were approved by institutional review boards at all 15 centers and all participants and guardians provided written informed assent and/or consent as appropriate for age.
Mary Queen of Scots: Romance and Nation

As an historical figure Mary Queen of Scots has been perpetually represented on canvas, page and stage, and has captured the British imagination since the time of her death in 1587. The 'real' Mary Stuart however has remained an enigma. Mary Queen of Scots: Romance and Nation sheds light on Mary's life by exploring four main themes: * the history of Mary's representation in Britain from the late Tudor period focusing on key periods in the formation of the British identity and closely analysing several texts against a background of the visual, musical and literary works of each period * the reasons why those representing Mary have been so conscious that her image was largely a debatable fiction * the identification of symbolic styles, using Mary to reveal the habits of representation in each historical period * The link between the image of Mary Stuart and Britain's long struggle to define itself as a single nation, focusing on the roles of gender and religion in this development.
Chaparral vegetation reflectance and its potential utility for assessment of fire hazard

Current methods for assessment of ignition potential often fail to alert wildland managers to the severity of drought-induced fire hazard at remote locations and over large geographic areas. After the severe fires of 1988 in the western United States, the need was heightened for improved fire hazard assessment techniques. Chaparral vegetation is particularly receptive to recurring drought-related episodes of extreme fire hazard and was thus chosen for study here. Demonstrated herein is that chaparral vegetation has considerably different reflecting properties at different levels of drought stress. As such, remote sensing may have utility for fire hazard assessment in this vegetation type.
LIGHT-REGULATED PHOTOSYNTHETIC GENE EXPRESSION AND PHOSPHORIBULOKINASE ENZYME ACTIVITY IN THE HETEROKONT ALGA VAUCHERIA LITOREA (XANTHOPHYCEAE) AND ITS SYMBIOTIC MOLLUSKAN PARTNER ELYSIA CHLOROTICA (GASTROPODA)(1).

Photosynthesis is composed of tightly coupled reactions requiring finely tuned nucleocytosolic-plastid interaction. Herein, we examined the influence of light on select photosynthetic gene expression and enzyme activity in the plastid-containing mollusk (sea slug) Elysia chlorotica and its heterokont algal prey Vaucheria litorea C. Agardh. Transcript levels of nuclear photosynthetic genes (psbO and prk) were significantly lower in E. chlorotica compared with V. litorea, whereas plastid photosynthesis genes (psaA and rbcL) were more comparable, although still lower in the animal. None of the genes responded similarly to changes in light conditions over a 24 h period in the sea slug compared with the alga. Activity of the nuclear-encoded photosynthetic enzyme phosphoribulokinase (PRK) exhibited redox regulation in vitro in crude extracts of both organisms sequentially treated with oxidizing and reducing agents. However, PRK was differentially affected in vivo by redox and light versus dark treatment in V. litorea, but not in E. chlorotica. Overall, these results support the active transcription of algal nuclear and plastid genes in E. chlorotica, as well as sustained activity of a nuclear-encoded plastid enzyme, even after several months of starvation (absence of algal prey). The apparent absence of tight transcriptional regulation and redox control suggests that essential nuclear-encoded regulatory factors in V. litorea are probably not present in the sea slug. These findings are discussed relative to light regulation of photosynthetic gene expression in the green and red algal lineages and in the context of the sea slug/algal plastid kleptoplastic association.
Approach to target detection based on relevant metric for scoring performance

Improved target detection, reduced false alarm rates, and enhanced timeliness are critical to meeting the requirements of current and future military missions. We present a new approach to target detection, based on a suite of image processing and exploitation tools developed under the intelligent searching of images and signals (ISIS) program at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Performance assessment of these algorithms relies on a new metric for scoring target detection that is relevant to the analyst's needs. An object-based loss function is defined by the degree to which the automated processing focuses the analyst's attention on the true targets and avoids false positives. For target detection techniques that produce a pixel-by-pixel classification (and thereby produce not just an identification of the target, but a segmentation as well), standard scoring rules are not appropriate because they unduly penalize partial detections. From a practical standpoint, it is not necessary to identify every single pixel that is on the target; all that is required is that the processing draw the analyst's attention to the target. By employing this scoring metric directly into the target detection algorithm, improved performance in this more practical context can be obtained.
Advanced multimodal CT/MRI approaches to hyperacute stroke diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring

Multimodal CT/MRI has dramatically changed the approach to ischemic stroke management, as noninvasive CT/MRI images detail brain tissue or parenchyma, angiography or vessel status, and collateral perfusion or blood flow in regions of the brain vulnerable to ischemic injury. Such snapshots of the dynamic process of cerebral ischemia may be used to gauge reversibility and therapeutic opportunities. Treatment of acute stroke may be rapidly tailored to clinical scenarios based on imaging correlation of ischemia, vessel status, and perfusion. Serial or repeated imaging from the initial presentation to later stages of the hospital course may illustrate infarct growth, persisting occlusion, reocclusion, recanalization, reperfusion, and hemorrhagic transformation. From acute stroke to rehabilitation phases and subsequent prevention, multimodal CT/MRI has emerged as a key tool to track the process of stroke and the impact of our therapeutic interventions.
Procurement Flexibility under Price Uncertainty

This chapter examines the interaction between supply price uncertainty and demand uncertainty. We consider a manufacturer who sources a key component using different procurement options: a long-term order on a price-only contract, short-term orders on an adjustment contract, and short-term purchases directly from the market. At the beginning of the planning cycle, the manufacturer places a long-term order and reserves a certain amount of supply capacity for the purpose of adjusting the long-term order, if needed. Before the selling season, the manufacturer has multiple opportunities of supplementing the long-term order from the reserved capacity or from the market. We compare two types of capacity arrangements: dedicated capacity and overall capacity. Under a dedicated capacity arrangement, the manufacturer reserves a capacity for each adjustment order in the contract. Under an overall capacity arrangement, she keeps the flexibility of using the reserved capacity in any periods during the planning cycle. We discuss the optimal procurement strategies and the criteria for capacity allocations, as well as the policy behavior and service performance under different arrangements.
Postpartum urinary retention.

Background: Urinary retention is a common and frustrating complication in women during the immediate postpartum period. Physiologic changes in the bladder that occur during pregnancy predispose patients to develop symptomatic retention of urine during the first hours to days after delivery. Methods: The incidence and characteristics of postpartum urinary retention were researched through a literature review and are illustrated by a case report. Results and Conclusions: Postpartum urinary retention has a reported incidence ranging from 1.7 to 17.9 percent. Factors associated with postpartum urinary retention include (1) first vaginal delivery, (2) epidural anesthesia, and (3) Cesarean section. Treatment begins with supportive measures to enhance the likelihood of micturition, such as ambulation, privacy, and a warm bath. If these measures are not successful, catheterization can be performed. If the bladder contains more than 700 mL of urine, prophyladic antibiotics may be warranted, because prolonged or repeated catheterization may be necessary.
Corporate Governance and Role of CEO in Engineering Companies

Although corporate governance has seldom been addressed in engineering management literature, it has an extremely critical role: The protection and creation of shareholder value by means of the appointment, development, and support of strong management. The intent of this research is to suggest some best practices regarding the modus operandi of the board of directors in relation to its interaction with the CEO and ability to obtain reliable and objective information outside of the senior management team. This study is done in light of the major metamorphoses that have taken place in corporations during the last 2 decades—mainly, the advent of shareholder activism. It applies to U.S. corporations that are already in existence or in the process of being formed. This research relies on 54 survey results and six structured interviews with individuals who have had significant experience in the corporate governance of U.S. civil engineering and diversified manufacturing companies.
Human metapneumovirus: An important cause of respiratory disease in children and adults

Human metapneumovirus is a paramyxovirus that was discovered in 2001 in the Netherlands. Epidemiologic studies have shown it to be a major cause of acute respiratory tract disease in normal infants and children worldwide, with a seasonal occurrence and spectrum of clinical illness most similar to the closely related respiratory syncytial virus. The greatest prevalence of severe disease requiring hospitalization in otherwise healthy children appears to be in those aged between 6 and 12 months, older than the peak age of hospitalizations for respiratory syncytial virus. Human metapneumovirus is also a significant cause of acute respiratory disease in adults, particularly the elderly and those with comorbid conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and cancer. Because there is no rapid diagnostic assay, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction is most widely used. Animal models have been developed, and candidate live-attenuated vaccines are in preclinical trials, offering the potential for future interventions in high-risk groups.
Clotting hits the wall

Comment on Day et al, page [192][1] Recent studies have suggested that blood-borne tissue factor (in leukocyte-derived microparticles) plays an essential role in thrombus growth. This study uses bone marrow transplantation of genetically modified mice to show that macrovascular thrombosis is
1622 K+ STIMULATED PHOSPHATE (Pi) CO-TRANSPORT IN FETAL LAMB (FL) KIDNEY

In the adult kidney, carrier mediated Pi co-transport is highly Na+ specific. Studies in our laboratory showed that Pi uptake (PiU) in renal brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from FL kidneys is also stimulated by Na+. In contrast to the adult, we report here that carrier mediated PiU in FL renal BBMV is also energized by a K+ gradient ([K+]o>[K]i). BBMV from 5 FL kidneys were prepared by CaCl2 precipitation and verified by marker enzyme assays, electron microscopy, and PiU into osmoticaly active vesicles. Peak 60s PiU with a 100mM Na+ and K+ gradient was 1968±65 and 1010±133 pMol/mg BBMV protein, respectively (p<.01). PiU for each was greater than diffusion PiU (p<.001 each). The effect of trans-stimulation was studied by preloading BBMV with 5mM Pi. Initial 12s PiU in preloaded BBMV was 1007±181 pMol/mg BBMV protein and was 4-fold higher than PiU in non-loaded BBMV (p<.001). The effect of extravesicular (O) pH was studied by measuring initial 15s PiU in BBMV with constant intravesicular pH 7.4 and varying O pH from 6.0, 7.4 and 8.0. PiU was 700±64, 1983±230 and 411±10 pMol/mg BBMV protein for OpH 6.0, 7.4 and 8.0 respectively. PiU at pHO=pHi was higher than that for OpH 6.0 and OpH 8.0 (p<.01; p<.001). The results demonstrate K+-Pi symport in FL kidney. The co-transport system may represent shared affinity by K+ with Na+ for the cation site on the carrier or a different carrier system.
Selective racemization in preference to transamination catalyzed by pyridoxal enzyme analogs

Abstract The racemase activity of pyridoxal enzyme models is selectively increased in preference to transaminase activity by the attachment of rigid basic groups.
Adaptive unstructured finite element method for two-dimensional detonation simulations

A non-equilibrium reacting flow methodology has been added to a conservative, monotonic, compressible flow solver to allow numerical simulations of gas detonations. This flow solver incorporates unstructured dynamically adaptive meshes with the Finite Element Method – Flux Corrected Transport (FEM-FCT) scheme, which has shown excellent predictive capability of various non-reacting compressible flows. A two-step induction parameter model was used to model the combustion of the gas phase coupled with an energy release equation which was simulated with a point implicit finite element scheme. This combustion model was then applied to a two-dimensional detonation test case of a hypothetical fuel:oxygen mixture. The detonation simulation yielded two transverse waves which continued to propagate. This feature and the detonation shock speed mean and fluctuations were found to be grid-independent based on a resolution of about twenty elements within the average induction length. The resolution was efficiently achieved with the unstructured dynamically adaptive finite elements, which were three orders of magnitude less in number then required for uniform discretization.
Document zone classification using sizes of connected components

In this paper, we describe a feature based supervised zone classifier using only the knowledge of the widths and the heights of the connected-components within a given zone. The distribution of the widths and the heights of the connected-components is encoded into a n multiplied by m dimensional vector in the decision making. Thus, the computational complexity is in the order of the number of connected-components within the given zone. A binary decision tree is used to assign a zone class on the basis of its feature vector. The training and testing data sets for the algorithm are drawn from the scientific document pages in the UW-I database. The classifier is able to classify each given scientific and technical document zone into one of the eight labels: text of font size 8-12, text of font size 13-18, text of font size 19-36, display math, table, halftone, line drawing, and ruling, in real time. The classifier is able to discriminate text from non-text with an accuracy greater than 97%.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A nerve growth factor-induced gene encodes a possible transcriptional regulatory factor

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a trophic agent that promotes the outgrowth of nerve fibers from sympathetic and sensory ganglia. The neuronal differentiation stimulated by this hormone was examined in the NGF-responsive cell line PC12. Differential hybridization was used to screen a complementary DNA library constructed from PC12 cells treated with NGF and cycloheximide. One of the complementary DNA clones that was rapidly induced by NGF was found to have a nucleotide sequence that predicts a 54-kilodalton protein with homology to transcriptional regulatory proteins. This clone, NGFI-A, contains three tandemly repeated copies of the 28- to 30-amino acid "zinc finger" domain present in Xenopus laevis TFIIIA and other DNA-binding proteins. It also contains another highly conserved unit of eight amino acids that is repeated at least 11 times. The NGFI-A gene is expressed at relatively high levels in the brain, lung, and superior cervical ganglion of the adult rat.
Locally polynomial algebras are symmetric algebras

of a finitely generated projective K-module P. This result, to which the title refers, is contained in Theorem (4.4) below. Geometrically it asserts that every locally trivial fibre space over spec(K) with affine space fibres arises from a vector bundle. The theorem is trivial if A is locally a polynomial algebra in one variable? The only other case previously known to us is the case, treated in [W], when K is a principal ideal domain. The theorem solves a problem posed in [EH] p. 67, and in [W], w 6.2 The paper [ES] contains many results on locally polynomial algebras, but without our finite presentability assumption. The example (3.15) of [ES] furnishes a N-algebra A which is a noetherian
Effects of humidity and temperature on in vitro dissolution of carbamazepine tablets

Abstract □ The rate and extent of dissolution of various approved marketed carbamazepine (CBZ) tablets exposed to 33,52,75, and 97% relative humidities at both room temperature and 40 °C, and saturated water vapor at room temperature were compared to fresh unstressed tablets. The dissolution data indicate that exposure of CBZ tablets to high humidity and temperature can have a profound effect on tablet disinte-gration and dissolution. The dissolution rates of some batches of CBZ products exposed to 97% humidity at 40 °C or saturated water vapor at room temperature were drastically reduced in only 6—7 days.
The spatial string tension in the deconfined phase of three-dimensional QCD in the large N limit

We numerically compute the spatial string tension in the deconfined phase of three dimensional QCD in the large N limit. Our results clearly show that the string tension grows linearly with temperature.
Abstract C64: Adult murine prostate basal and luminal cells are self-sustained lineages that can both serve as targets for prostate cancer initiation

The prostate epithelial lineage hierarchy and the cellular origin for prostate cancer remain inadequately defined. We sought to utilize a lineage tracing approach to define the epithelial lineage hierarchy in the prostate. A previously reported K14-CreER transgenic mouse line was bred with a fluorescent reporter line to specifically label the prostate basal cell lineage. In parallel, the prostate luminal cell lineage was labeled with fluorescence using a novel K8-CreERT2 transgenic mouse line generated in our own lab. Using this lineage tracing approach, we show that adult rodent prostate basal and luminal cells are independently self-sustained in vivo. We then sought to characterize the cells of origin for prostate cancer in the context of loss of function of Pten, which occurs frequently in primary and advanced human prostate cancer. We bred the K14-CreER and K8-CreERT2 mouse lines with Ptenfl/fl mice separately so that Pten expression can be disrupted specifically in prostate basal and luminal cells, respectively. Disrupting Pten in either lineage led to prostate cancer initiation. However, the cellular composition and onset dynamics of the resulting tumors are distinctive. Prostate luminal cells are more responsive to Pten null-induced mitogenic signaling. In contrast, basal cells are resistant to direct transformation. Instead, loss of Pten activity induces the capability of basal cells to differentiate into transformation-competent luminal cells. These studies suggest that deregulation of the normal prostate epithelial differentiation program is a critical step for initiation of human prostate cancer with a basal cell origin. Furthermore, suppressing signaling pathways that induce basal-luminal differentiation may provide an efficient approach to prevent prostate cancer initiation. Citation Format: Nahyun Choi, Boyu Zhang, Li Zhang, Michael Ittmann, Li Xin. Adult murine prostate basal and luminal cells are self-sustained lineages that can both serve as targets for prostate cancer initiation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Prostate Cancer Research; 2012 Feb 6-9; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(4 Suppl):Abstract nr C64.
Crop residue supply for energy generation: A prototype application to midwestern U.S.A. grain farms

Abstract This analysis focuses on the dynamics of the production process, sequential decision making, and weather uncertainty as they affect the crop residue supply response of midwestern United States grain farms. Supply estimates for a typical grain farm are reported under varying harvest season weather conditions. A supply response analysis for a hypothetical region suggests that crop residue production would be quite price responsive and variable. The development of new harvest techniques and storage are identified as important to the economic viability of crop residues as energy resources.