cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Age-related changes in DNA synthesis stimulated by epinephrine and isoproterenol in primary cultured rat hepatocytes.

We examined epinephrine- and isoproterenol-stimulated DNA synthesis in primary cultured hepatocytes from 6-, 12-, and 24-month-old rats. Epinephrine-stimulated DNA synthesis in 6-month-old rat hepatocytes began after 20 h and reached a maximum at 50 h. Similarly, isoproterenol-stimulated DNA synthesis in 6-month-old rat hepatocytes began after 10 h and reached a maximum at 45 h. In contrast, both epinephrine- and isoproterenol-stimulated DNA synthesis in 12- and 24-month-old rat hepatocytes were reduced approximately 40–60% and 80%, respectively, as compared to that at 6 months. Both epinephrine- and isoproterenol-stimulated DNA synthesis were strongly inhibited by the betaadrenergic antagonist, propranolol, but not by the alpha1-adrenergic antagonist, prazosin, or the alpha2-adrenergic antagonist, yohimbine. However, in the presence of EGF, epinephrine-stimulated DNA synthesis activity was inhibited by prazosin but not by propranolol. These results indicate that stimulated DNA synthesis in rat hepatocytes declines with age and that there are two different pathways for epinephrine-stimulated DNA synthesis in the presence or absence of EGF. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Deformation twinning in a creep-deformed nanolaminate structure

The underlying mechanism of deformation twinning occurring in a TiAl-(?)/Ti3Al-(?2) nanolaminate creep deformed at elevated temperatures has been studied. Since the multiplication and propagation of lattice dislocations in both ? and ?2 thin lamellae are very limited, the total flow of lattice dislocations becomes insufficient to accommodate the accumulated creep strains. Consequently, the movement of interfacial dislocations along the laminate interfaces, i.e., interface sliding, becomes an alternative deformation mode of the nanolaminate structure. Pile-ups of interfacial dislocations occur when interfacial ledges and impinged lattice dislocations act as obstacles to impede the movement of interfacial dislocations. Deformation twinning can accordingly take place to relieve a stress concentration resulting from the pile-up of interfacial dislocations. An interface-controlled twinning mechanism driven by the pile-up and dissociation of interfacial dislocations is accordingly proposed.
Effect of prednisone on spontaneous canine asthma.

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the effect of corticosteroids in spontaneous ragweed-sensitive asthmatic dogs. Two animals were treated with prednisone, 40 mg. daily for 3 weeks, and with gradually tapered doses for 6 weeks. The animals were challenged with an aerosol or ragweed extract (RW) before and at intervals during and after drug therapy, and their skin reactivity to the antigen was determined at the same time. The Prausnitz-Kustner (PK) titer and the amount of serum necessary to passively transfer ragweed anaphylaxis to nonatopic dogs were also determined at the same intervals. Treatment of the atopic dogs with corticosteroids completely prevented the ragweed-induced asthma during and for up to 3 months after cessation of therapy. Although the skin reactivity of the atopic dogs was depressed, the PK titer of the sera did not change appreciably during therapy. Increased amounts of serum, however, were necessary to passively sensitize nonatopic dogs for ragweed anaphylaxis for up to 7 months after cessation of drug therapy. The results of the study indicate that corticosteroids can abolish active and passive allergic responses in dogs for as long as 7 months after cessation of the drug, but the mechanism of action is not clear.
Temperature and thickness evolution and epitaxial breakdown in highly strained BiFeO 3 thin films

We present the temperature- and thickness-dependent structural and morphological evolution of strain-induced transformations in highly strained epitaxial BiFeO${}_{3}$ films deposited on LaAlO${}_{3}$ (001) substrates. Using high-resolution x-ray diffraction and temperature-dependent scanning-probe-based studies, we observe a complex temperature- and thickness-dependent evolution of phases in this system. A thickness-dependent transformation from a single, monoclinically distorted, tetragonal-like phase to a complex mixed-phase structure in films with thicknesses up to $\ensuremath{\sim}$200 nm is the consequence of a strain-induced spinodal instability in the BiFeO${}_{3}$/LaAlO${}_{3}$ system. Additionally, a breakdown of this strain-stabilized metastable mixed-phase structure to nonepitaxial microcrystallites of the parent rhombohedral structure of BiFeO${}_{3}$ is observed to occur at a critical thickness of $\ensuremath{\sim}$300 nm. We further propose a mechanism for this abrupt breakdown that provides insight into the competing nature of the phases in this system.
Extension of long leading processes and neuronal migration in the mammalian brain directed by the chemoattractant netrin-1

Long distance cell migration occurs throughout the developing CNS, but the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. We show that the directed circumferential migration of basilar pontine neurons from their origin in the neuroepithelium of the dorsal hindbrain to the ventral midline involves the extension of long (>1 mm) leading processes, which marker analyses suggest are molecularly distinct from axons. In vivo analysis of knockout mice implicates the axonal chemoattractant netrin-1, functioning via its receptor Deleted in Colorectal Cancer (DCC), in attracting the leading process to the ventral midline. Direct evidence for this chemoattractant mechanism is provided, using explant cultures and time-lapse analysis in vitro. Our results demonstrate the attraction of migrating neurons in the mammalian brain by an axon guidance molecule and the chemotactic responsiveness of their leading processes.
String theory, French horns, and the infrastructure of cyberspace

Abstract This paper explores the ways in which means of imagining multidimensionality drawn from the physical sciences might be useful in creating infrastructure for virtual domains, affording not only scalability but an open-endedness that allows for future developments as technologies and attitudes toward them change. More importantly, perhaps, such an infrastructure might prove more resistant to the proprietary ideologies that have come to dominate cyberspace as it is presently constituted, thus helping to preserve the utopian potential of virtual domains.
Childhood sexual abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder among pregnant and postpartum women: review of the literature

The aims of this review are (i) to summarize and evaluate current knowledge on the association between childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in pregnant and postpartum women, (ii) to provide suggestions for future research on this topic, and (iii) to highlight some clinical implications. Relevant publications were identified through literature searches of four databases (PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and PsycARTICLES) using keywords such as “child abuse,” “posttraumatic stress,” “pregnancy,” and “postpartum”. Five studies were included in this review. Findings across all studies were consistent with higher prevalence of PTSD diagnosis or symptomatology among women with history of CSA. However, only findings from two studies were statistically significant. One study observed higher overall PTSD scores in women with CSA history compared to women with non-CSA trauma history or no trauma history during pregnancy (mean ± SD 1.47 (0.51) vs. 1.33 (0.41) vs. 1.22 (0.29), p < 0.001), at 2 months postpartum (mean ± SD 1.43 (0.49) vs. 1.26 (0.38) vs. 1.19 (0.35), p < 0.001), and at 6 months postpartum (mean ± SD 1.36 (1.43) vs. 1.20 (0.33) vs. 1.14 (0.27), p < 0.001). Another study observed that the prevalence of PTSD during pregnancy was 4.1 % in women with no history of physical or sexual abuse, 11.4 % in women with adult physical or sexual abuse history, 16.0 % in women with childhood physical or sexual abuse history, and 39.0 % in women exposed to both childhood and adult physical or sexual abuse (p < 0.001); in a subsequent analysis, the investigators reported that pregnant women with PTSD had over 5-fold odds of having a history of childhood completed rape compared to counterparts without PTSD (OR = 5.3, 95 % CI 3.2, 8.7). Overall, available evidence suggests positive associations of CSA with clinical PTSD or PTSD symptomatology among pregnant and postpartum women.
Sanctions as Punishment, Enforcement, and Prelude to Further Action

This article looks at some major goals that have been set for sanctions and evaluates how effective sanctions have been at reaching those goals. It also examines the costs of sanctions, i.e., the impact on civilians and on international support for sanctions. Clawson concludes that sanctions are useful only as a short-term response in situations in which the world community is prepared to use force in the likely event that the target regime does not change its behavior. If there is not will to use force to back the sanctions, then the sanctions are morally dubious: they impose suffering and may cause deaths without offering a reasonable prospect of accomplishing good.
The role of lipids in progressive glomerular disease.

The role of lipids in the pathogenesis of focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS) was evaluated using two chemically different lipid lowering agents, clofibric acid and mevinolin. Pharmacologically, these two agents have different mechanisms of action. Clofibric acid affects both cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism, while mevinolin inhibits 3-hydroxy-3 methyl- glutaryl coenzyme A reductase, the rate limiting enzyme in cellular cholesterol synthesis. In two different models of FGS in which hyper- lipidemia occurs, the obese Zucker rat and the 5/6 nephrectomy model, both agents significantly reduced FGS and albuminuria. Since glomerular hemodynamic function is normal in obese Zucker rats, these results suggested that lipids are an independent factor in the pathogenesis of FGS. Moreover, in the 5/6 nephrectomy model, the beneficial effects on glomerular structure of reducing serum lipids occurred despite persistent systemic and glomerular hypertension. Thus, we postulated that a synergistic interaction between lipids and hypertension might exist in the pathogenesis of FGS.
The magnetocaloric effect, magnetic refrigeration and ductile intermetallic compounds

Abstract The magnetocaloric effect (MCE) is the ability of a magnetic material, particularly near its Curie temperature, to heat up when a magnetic field is applied (magnetization) and to cool when the field is removed (demagnetization). A number of new materials, especially Gd 5 (Si 4− x Ge x ), have outstanding MCE properties near room temperature, significantly better than the well-known standard, Gd metal. The giant MCE effect observed in the Gd 5 (Si 4− x Ge x ) alloys for x ⩾ 2 is due to a coupled magnetostructural transformation. The coupled transformation also accounts for several other interesting phenomena: giant magnetoresistance; colossal magnetostriction; spontaneous generation of voltage; unusual training, dynamical and thermal phenomena; acoustic emissions; and a novel glass-like kinetically retarded state. Extension of the work on the MCE has led to the near commercialization of magnetic refrigeration as a viable cooling technology, and to the discovery of ductile rare earth transition metal (RM) B2 CsCl-type intermetallic compounds.
Structure development in melt spinning poly(vinylidene fluoride) fibers and tapes

A series of poly(vinylidene fluoride)s of varying molecular weight have been melt spun to form fibers and tapes. These have been characterized with wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), birefringence, and small angle light scattering (SALS). WAXD and DSC have detected both the α and β crystal structures in melt spun fibers with the relative amount of β increasing with drawdown stress. WAXD and birefringence have been used to detect orientation in the fibers. Hermans–Stein orientation factors have been computed for the α-phase as a function of drawdown stress. Superstructure has been investigated using SALS. The mechanical properties of fibers have been determined with a tensile testing machine and correlated with orientation and spinline stress.
Seasonal, Avian, and Novel H1N1 Influenza: Prevention and Treatment Modalities

Objective:To review the pathophysiology, pandemics/epidemics, transmissibility, clinical presentation, treatment, prevention/immunization, and resistance associated with seasonal, avian, and swine influenza.Data Sources:Literature was obtained from MEDLINE (1966–October 2009) and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts (1971–October 2009) using the search terms influenza, seasonal influenza, avian influenza, swine influenza, H1N1, novel H1N1, H3N2, and H5N1.Study Selection and Data Extraction:Available English-language articles were reviewed, along with information obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, and the World Health Organization.Data Synthesis:The influenza virus has caused disease in birds, swine, and humans for many centuries. Pandemics and epidemics have occurred throughout history and reports of new strains continue to emerge. Two major surface antigenic glycoproteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase, have various subtypes, resulting in n...
Competition for intrathoracic space reduces lung capacity in patients with chronic heart failure : A radiographic study

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of changes in cardiac size on total lung volume in patients with chronic heart failure compared to control subjects. Methods Forty-four patients and age-, gender-, and height-matched control participants were recruited. All participants underwent posteroanterior and lateral chest radiography for volumetric estimations of the total thoracic cavity (TTC), diaphragm, heart, and lungs. To assess the relationship between chronic heart failure severity and cardiac enlargement, patients with chronic heart failure were classified into groups based on New York Heart Association class, as follows: class I and II, n = 26 (group A); class III and IV, n = 18 (group B). Results There was no difference between the groups for TTC volume (TTCV) [p = 0.56]. Cardiac volumes were significantly different between all groups for both the absolute volumes (p Conclusions The present study demonstrates a close relationship between the severity of heart failure and cardiac size. These changes in cardiac size within a closed thoracic cavity may pose significant constraints on the lungs, resulting in reductions in lung volumes that likely play a major role in the restrictive breathing patterns often reported in patients with chronic heart failure.
Blind identification of stiction in nonlinear process control loops

Stiction in control loops lead to oscillations and loss of productivity. Timely detection of stiction in control valves can be used in scheduling valve maintenance and deployment of compensation techniques to reduce their impact. Several approaches have been proposed for detection of stiction. Data-based approaches use unique shapes of the PV and OP data to identify stiction. Approaches based on nonlinearity detection have also been used to identify stiction. Yet another approach uses a Hammerstein model structure identification for detecting stiction. Most of these approaches are restricted to linear processes. In this paper, possible approaches to detect stiction in nonlinear process control loops are discussed.
Albert Einstein and Bernard Lonergan on Empirical Method

In the science-and-theology dialogue, it becomes imperative that theologians develop sophistication in empirical method. Albert Einstein stated that to understand what physicists do we should not listen to what they say but watch what they do. Still, he wrote incisively about method in physics. Theologian and philosopher Bernard Lonergan developed a methodical approach to theology that was influenced by the natural sciences. I present Einstein's thought on epistemology and the relationship between sense experience and theory. I then turn to Lonergan's understanding of empirical method in the natural sciences, generalized empirical method, and his treat, ment of Einstein's work.
Diffusion mechanisms for silicon di-interstitials

Tight-binding molecular dynamics and density-functional simulations on silicon seeded with a di-interstitial reveal its detailed diffusion mechanisms. The lowest-energy di-interstitial performs a translation/rotation diffusion-step with a barrier of $0.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ and a prefactor of $11\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{THz}$ followed by a reorientation diffusion step with a $90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{meV}$ barrier and a $2300\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{THz}$ prefactor. The intermediate reorientation steps allow di-interstitials to diffuse isotropically along all possible ⟨111⟩ bond directions in the diamond lattice. The dominating diffusion barrier of $0.3\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ is not inconsistent with the experimental value of $0.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$. In addition, this lowest energy di-interstitial may diffuse to neighboring sites through an intermediate structure which is the bound state of two single interstitials. The process in which migrating single interstitials combine into a di-interstitial is exothermic with almost zero energy barrier.
The effect of the media on suicide : Evidence from Japan, 1955-1985

Research on media impacts on suicide has been largely restricted to the United States, a Christian nation marked by moral aversion to suicide. The present study extends the analysis to an Eastern nation, Japan, where people are less critical of those who suicide. Such a cultural definition of suicide might multiply imitative effects. Yule-Walker times series estimates indicate that the imitative effect is restricted to stories concerning Japanese victims. Further, the increase is similar in magnitude to that reported in the American cultural context. The Japanese audience may not be as predisposed to media effects, given a lower divorce rate, low couple centeredness, and a high level of extended family social support. These factors may offset a potentially very high "Werther effect." The model explains 88% of the variance in monthly Japanese suicide rates.
Lie group distance based generic 3-d vehicle classification

This paper introduces a 3-d representation of vehicles as a space of scale and orientation transformations that define the shape of individual vehicle instances. This shape space forms a group, where the similarity of different vehicle observations can be evaluated using a distance measure defined by Lie group theory. A generic class of vehicles (e.g. SUV) is represented by a set of curves on the Lie group manifold, called geodesics. The classification of any given vehicle instance is achieved by finding the class with the smallest Lie distance between the geodesics and the vehicle shape. Vehicle recognition is carried out on 3-d LIDAR point clouds. The performance of the Lie classifier is evaluated against two other approaches and found to provide superior recognition performance, particularly with respect to the ability to generalize from a small number of labeled prototypes.
Experimental Study and Statistical Analysis of Solution-Shearing Processed Organic Transistors Based on an Asymmetric Small-Molecule Semiconductor

Solution processed organic field-effect transistors (SPOFETs) are crucial for realizing low-cost large-area/ubiquitous flexible electronics. Currently, both soluble high-mobility organic semiconductors and efficient solution processes are in demand. In this paper, we report the systematic experimental study and statistical modeling/analysis for the SPOFETs based on an asymmetric small-molecule organic semiconductor, trimethyl-[2, 2'; 5', 2''; 5'', 2'''] quarter-thiophen-5-yl-silane (4 T-TMS), which was deposited as the active layer through a recently developed low-temperature solution-shearing process. Three-dimensional statistical modeling and analysis bas ed on 46 different processing conditions was used to comprehensively study the solution-shearing process control and optimization for fabricating high-performance 4T-TMS SPOFETs. Various effects including solution concentration effect, shearing speed effect, and deposition temperature effect were investigated and discussed. Under optimized processing conditions, well-oriented crystalline 4 T-TMS thin films were deposited for the SPOFETs, which showed remarkable effective field-effect mobility up to 0.3 cm2/V middots in the saturation region and current on/off ratios over 106. Gaussian fitted uniformity and good air stability of these devices stored and tested under ambient conditions for six months suggest that 4 T-TMS SPOFETs based on the optimized solution-shearing process are promising for applications in organic electronic circuits and displays. Importantly, the systematic experiment design and the corresponding statistical modeling/analysis presented here provide a general guideline for process optimization for fabricating high-performance SPOFETs.
Snub polyhedra and organic growth

This paper describes a new application of polyhedral theory to the growth of the outer sheath of certain viruses. Such structures are often modular, consisting of one or two types of units arranged in a symmetric pattern. In particular, the polyoma virus has a structure apparently related to the snub dodecahedron. Here, we consider the problem of how such patterns might grow in time, starting from a given number N of randomly placed circles on the surface of a sphere. The circles are first jostled by random perturbations, then their radii are enlarged, then they are jostled again, and so on. This ‘yin–yang’ method of growth can result in some very close packings. When N =12, the closest packing corresponds to the snub tetrahedron, and when N =24 the closest packing corresponds to the snub cube. However, when N =60 the closest packing does not correspond to the snub dodecahedron but to a less-symmetric arrangement. Special attention is given to the structure of the human polyoma virus, for which N =72. It is shown that the yin–yang procedure successfully assembles the observed structure provided that the 72 circles are pre-assembled in clusters of six. Each cluster consists of five circles arranged symmetrically around a sixth at the centre, as in a flower with five petals. This has implications for the assembly of the capsomeres in a polyoma virus.
Comparison of Time-Resolved Turbine Rotor Blade Heat Transfer Measurements and Numerical Calculations

Time-resolved turbine rotor blade heat transfer data are compared with ab initio numerical calculations. The data were taken on a transonic, 4-to-1 pressure ratio, uncooled, single-stage turbine in a short-duration turbine test facility. The data consist of the time history of the heat transfer distribution about the rotor chord at midspan. The numerical calculation is a time accurate, two-dimensional, thin shear layer, multiblade row code known as UNSFLO
Impact of Phages on Two-Species Bacterial Communities

A long history of experimental work has shown that addition of bacteriophages to a monoculture of bacteria leads to only a temporary depression of bacterial levels. Resistant bacteria usually become abundant, despite reduced growth rates relative to those of phage-sensitive bacteria. This restoration of high bacterial density occurs even if the phages evolve to overcome bacterial resistance. We believe that the generality of this result may be limited to monocultures, in which the resistant bacteria do not face competition from bacterial species unaffected by the phage. As a simple case, we investigated the impact of phages attacking one species in a two-species culture of bacteria. In the absence of phages, Escherichia coli B and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium were stably maintained during daily serial passage in glucose minimal medium (M9). When either of two E. coli-specific phages (T7 or T5) was added to the mixed culture, E. coli became extinct or was maintained at densities that were orders of magnitude lower than those before phage introduction, even though the E. coli densities with phage reached high levels when Salmonella was absent. In contrast, the addition of a phage that attacked only Salmonella (SP6) led to transient decreases in the bacterial number whether E. coli was absent or present. These results suggest that phages can sometimes, although not always, provide long-term suppression of target bacteria.
Medical Applications for Pharmacists Using Mobile Devices

BACKGROUNDMobile devices (eg, smartphones, tablet computers) have become ubiquitous and subsequently there has been a growth in mobile applications (apps). Concurrently, mobile devices have been integrated into health care practice due to the availability and quality of medical apps. These mobile medical apps offer increased access to clinical references and point-of-care tools. However, there has been little identification of mobile medical apps suitable for the practice of pharmacy.OBJECTIVETo address the shortage of recommendations of mobile medical apps for pharmacists in daily practice.DATA SOURCESMobile medical apps were identified via the iTunes and Google Play Stores via the “Medical” app categories and key word searches (eg, drug information, medical calculators). In addition, reviews provided by professional mobile medical app review websites were used to identify apps.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONMobile medical apps were included if they had been updated in the previous 3 months, were ava...
Cross-layer Enhanced Source Location Privacy in Sensor Networks

Source location privacy is an important issue in sensor network monitoring applications. It is difficult to be addressed by traditional security mechanisms, because an external attacker may perform simple traffic analysis to trace back to the event source. Solutions such as flooding or using dummy messages have the drawback of introducing a large amount of message overhead. In this paper, we avoid using network-wide dummy messages by utilizing beacons at the MAC layer. Beacons are sent out regularly, which essentially forms a constant-rate of dummy messages. Using beacons to replace the dummy messages may increase the delivery delay of event information because beacons are only sent out at the predefined beacon interval, but this latency can be controlled. To do this, we propose a crosslayer solution in which the event information is first propagated several hops through a MAC-layer beacon. Then, it is propagated at the routing layer to the destination to avoid further beacon delays. Simulation results show that our cross-layer solutions can maintain low message overhead and high privacy, while controlling delay.
Attenuated In Vivo Progesterone Secretion by Ovine Corpora Lutea After Exposure to Luteinizing Hormone

Exogenous gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and its agonistic analogs appear to display a marked antigonadotropic activity, interfering with luteinizing hormone (LH)-in-duced synthesis of progesterone by the developing corpus luteum in a variety of species (1). In cattle, administration of GnRH has been shown to reduce serum progesterone concentrations during the estrous cycle without causing luteal regression (2,3). This action of GnRH appears to be linked to the downregulation of luteal LH receptors (3). Loss of LH receptors and subsequent gonadal desensitization following treatment with GnRH was initially attributed to GnRH-induced release of LH (4). However, the presence of high-affinity binding sites for GnRH in the ovaries of the rat (5) and the antisteroidogenic effect of this decapeptide in hypophysectomized rats (6) has implicated a possible direct action of GnRH on the mammalian ovary. Recently, an ovarian protein (GLOH) which binds to rat GnRH receptors has been isolated from the ovaries of the ewe and the cow (7). While gonadal GnRH receptors have been identified in the rat, specific binding sites for this decapeptide have not been found in domestic species (8). Therefore, the mechanism by which GnRH reduces luteal steroidogenesis in domestic species remains enigmatic.
On hating in the first person plural: thinking psychoanalytically about racism, homophobia, and misogyny

On the basis of personal, cultural, and clinical references, misogyny, homophobia, and racism are conceptualized as structured forms of hatred grounded in a defensive use of the first person plural voice. This use of hatred defends against dangers associated with desires linked to the first person singular. In these hatreds, "I want" is defensively transformed into "we hate." Disidentification from and hatred of the object appear where identification and yearning had been. Along with this defensive move into plurality, with these forms of hatred comes the use of what is conceptualized as the "hermeneutics of transparency." Here the hated qualities of the objects in question are sensed to be transparently obvious, a matter not of thought but of perception. The underlying premises of these hatreds are then contrasted with the underlying premises of psychoanalysis. Effective psychoanalytic work with these hatreds entails resisting the moral pressure to disidentify from them, while bearing the often profound discomfort linked with identifying with them.
Non-thermal plasma induction of preprogrammed cell death in monocytic leukemia cells

The need for new and effective mechanisms to induce programmed cellular death (apoptosis) in cancerous cells is of great importance in cancer research. Application of direct as well as indirect exposure of plasma for cancer research is still in the exploratory stage and there remain several unanswered questions. We have developed a portable non-thermal resistive barrier based air plasma source that can be operated in both direct and indirect exposure modes [1]. We are investigating the effects of indirect exposure of non-thermal air plasma on monocytic leukemia cancer cells (THP-1) and deciphering the mechanisms that modulate cellular induction of apoptosis. The phenotypes of interest were cells demonstrating death morphologies of apoptosis or necrosis. This is important since cells undergoing necrosis can initiate an inflamed immune response that can be detrimental to a treated individual. The type of morphological cell death that occurred in THP-1 for various plasma treatment dosages (plasma power, flow and distance) was investigated and the results will be reported. We were able to demonstrate a preference for apoptosis in plasma treated THP-1 cells under particular plasma parameters and dosage levels. The THP-1 cells were identified as apoptotic utilizing a fluorescent dye conjugated with annexin V followed by identification of the cells through fluorescent microscopy and flow-cytometry diagnostics. Further, DNA fragmentation assays, for late detection of apoptosis, correlated with are fluorescence data demonstrating patterns of apoptotic events. However, the data also revealed that higher plasma dosages presented with undesired necrotic morphologies in the THP-1 cells. The presented variabilities in the death morphologies by plasma treated THP-1 cells signify the need for further investigation on the cellular mechanisms induced by the indirect plasma exposure. Along with taking into account other death processes such as autophagy, a catabolic process involving the degradation of a cell's own components through the lysosomal machinery. The results obtained from this research indicate great potential for the use of our portable non-thermal resistive barrier based indirect plasma treatment method as an inexpensive and less invasive method for treating leukemia and other cancerous lesions.
Identification of a proline-arginine-rich antibacterial peptide from neutrophils that is analogous to PR-39, an antibacterial peptide from the small intestine.

Neutrophil nonoxidative defense mechanisms include several low molecular weight antimicrobial pep- tides. We have isolated a proline-arginine-rich antibac- terial peptide from porcine neutrophils. This cationic, low molecular weight peptide has a very high degree of identity (97%) to a bactericidal peptide, PR-39, that has been found in the porcine small intestine. Isolation of the same antimicrobial peptide from both neutrophils and cells of the small intestine in the same species is i,�nique and suggests an important role for this protein in innate immune defenses. J. Leukoc. Biol. 56: 807-811; 1994.
Silicon Epitaxial Regrowth Passivation of SiGe Nanostructures Pattered by AFM Oxidation

SiGe quantum devices were demonstrated by AFM oxidation and selective wet etching with features size down to 50 nm. To passivate the devices and eliminate the interface states between Si/SiO2, low temperature regrowth of epitaxial silicon over strained SiGe has been tested. The silicon regrowth on Si0.8Ge0.2 was done by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition (RTCVD) at 700 °C using a hydrogen pre-cleaning process at 800 °C and 10 torr. SIMS analysis and photoluminescence (PL) of strained SiGe capped with epitaxial regrown silicon show a clean interface. Nano-gaps between doped SiGe filled and overgrown with epitaxial silicon show an electrical insulating property at 4.2 K.
Hyperlexia: Developmental Reading Without Meaning

Children with precocious reading ability despite profound cognitive and language disorders have been described at least as early as 1917, referred to as idiot savants (Parker, 1917; Phillips, 1930) or as a variant of developmental psychoses (Cain, 1969; Goodman, 1972). Initially, referred to as “hyperlexia” by Silberberg and Silberberg (1967, 1968, 1971), several reports have appeared within the past fifteen years further documenting these children’s atypical cognitive and reading development (deHirsch, 1971; Elliott & Needleman, 1976; Goodman, 1972; Huttenlocher & Huttenlocher, 1973; Mehegan & Dreifus, 1972; and Richman & Kitchell, 1981). Recently Healy, Aram, Horwitz and Kessler (1982) studied a group of 12 hyperlexic children concluding that these children present an identifiable syndrome characterized by early and advanced word recognition skills coupled with serious language disorders, especially in comprehending meaning. Further, a strong family history for reading disorders especially in males was demonstrated.
The Future of Europe

A well-connected public intellectual who took up the cause of ending the siege of Sarajevo in the early 1990s, Susan Sontag helped to assemble an international community advocating North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) intervention. The attention that she generated during her staging of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot turned her into the promotional face for what became a cause celebre, and she continued to participate in many projects for Bosnia-Herzegovina after the play. In her publications, Sontag championed Sarajevo as an exceptionally European cause because of its liberal multicultural pluralism, in contradistinction to the rural, religious and militant periphery. Recovering a biographical narrative of Sontag's Sarajevo work means also turning to less official sources than the published ones, however. The Susan Sontag Papers archived at UCLA provide a less resolved record of her activity in Sarajevo. Whereas Sontag's public statements on Sarajevo represent it in broad strokes as a model ‘Euro...
“Molecular Microbial Ecology” in a Quandary

In the September 2011 issue of Microbe (p. 377), Donald Klein once again pinpointed the shortcomings of using bulk-extracted nucleic acids (here abbreviated as BENA) from soils, waters, and other natural environments as the basis for identifying and characterizing microbes responsible for the recycling of chemical elements and other processes in the biosphere. BENA reports frequently imply that the technique has revealed the presence of huge numbers of microbes in such locales and assert that less than 1% of bacteria present are culturable in the laboratory.
Probabilities: Bayesian Classifiers

The earliest attempts to predict an example’s class based on the known attribute values go back to well before World War II—prehistory, by the standards of computer science. Of course, nobody used the term “machine learning,” in those days, but the goal was essentially the same as the one addressed in this book.
Protective Effects of Glutamine on Neonatal Rats with Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Objective To detect the expressions of Caspase-3 and ki67 in intestine in rats with necrotizing enterocolitis(NEC),and to explore the protective effect and possible regulation mechanism of glutamine(Gln)on NEC rats.Methods Thirty premature rats(21 d)and 30 full term rats were divided into 3 groups,respectively(n=10,each):control group,model group,Gln intervention group.The rats in model group were given formula feeding,hypoxia and cold stress.The Gln intervention group were added with Gln to the milk substitute,and also given artificial feeding,hypoxia plus cold stress.The rats in control group were raised by their mother or foster and did not receive any intervention.Sacrificed all the rats and obtained intestine tissues on the 3rd day.The histological changes of ileal tissues were scored after hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The expressions of Caspase-3 and ki67 in jejunum,ileum and colon were detected by immunohistochemistry.SPSS 13.0 software was used to analyze the data.Results Compared with control group,the histological score and the expressions of Caspase-3 and ki67 were significantly increased(Pa0.01).However,compared with model group,these changes were prevented in Gln intervention group(Pa0.05).All the indicators showed no singnificant differences between premature rats and full term rats which experienced the same treatment(Pa0.05).Conclusions Apoptosis and proliferation may be involved in the process of NEC.The protective effect of Gln on intestines may be achieved through regulating the balance of apoptosis and proliferation.
177 COUNTERREGULATORY HORMONES IN RATS TREATED WITH HEPATIC INSULIN GENE THERAPY FOR DIABETES.

Hepatic insulin gene therapy (HIGT) using a metabolically regulated insulin transgene expressed in the liver is an effective way to supply insulin to diabetic rats to maintain growth and normalize random daily blood glucose. Previous results in rodent models of diabetes support the role of transcriptional regulation of insulin secretion as part but not all of the mechanism that allows normal random daily blood glucose, improved glucose tolerance compared to diabetic rats, and the ability to tolerate extended fasts with blood glucose similar to nondiabetic rats. Glucagon was previously found to be uniquely elevated in the BB/Wor model of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes. We further explored the roles of counterregulatory hormones in the mechanism of glycemic control with HIGT. Sprague-Dawley rats were made diabetic with streptozotocin and treated with an adenovirus carrying a metabolically regulated insulin transgene that is expressed in the liver (Ad/(GlRE)3BP1-2xFur, 2 3 1010 PFU/kg). Glucagon, growth hormone, and cortisol were measured in HIGT-treated diabetic rats (DM + HIGT), diabetic rats treated with subcutaneous insulin (DM), nondiabetic rats treated with HIGT (non-DM + HIGT), and nondiabetic control rats (non-DM). HIGT-treated rats were also given long-acting octreotide analogues to block the release of glucagon and growth hormone while monitoring blood glucose, insulin, and counterregulatory hormones. Glucagon was found to be consistently and uniquely elevated in DM + HIGT-treated diabetic rats. Insulin levels were low in HIGT-treated rats. Growth hormone was elevated in all diabetic rats and cortisol was elevated in all rats tested. Blocking glucagon secretion with octreotide moderately decreased blood glucose levels in HIGT-treated rats examined during 12 hours of random feeding and during a fast. Novel methods of insulin administration may have important interactions with endogenous systems of glycemic control. Unique elevations in glucagon appear to have moderate effects to enhance the safety and efficacy of HIGT in diabetic rats by allowing physiologic controls in DM + HIGT and by interaction with the transgene promoter. Further evaluation of hepatic glucose handling as a result of HIGT and elevated levels of glucagon are expected to identify the mechanism of glycemic regulation in diabetic rats treated with metabolically regulated insulin transgenes expressed in the liver.
Neural Crest Cells in Ocular Development

During vertebrate development, a subpopulation of cranial neural crest cells (NCC) migrate relatively long distances from the neural tube into the region of the forming eye that comprises of the optic vesicle and ectoderm. Interactions between the optic vesicle and overlaying surface ectoderm induces the formation of the optic cup and lens vesicle while being surrounded by the periocular NCC. Concomitant with the formation of the rudimentary eye, signals from adjacent tissues influence NCC to migrate, proliferate, and differentiate into various ocular structures. Similarly, signaling from the NCC is required for the formation of the lens vesicle, eyelids, and differentiation of the optic cup. Later in development, neural crest-derived trigeminal and ciliary nerves project into the anterior eye tissues and innervate the cornea, eyelids, and iris. In this chapter we examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neural crest contribution to the eye during development.
Building HVAC control knowledge data schema – Towards a unified representation of control system knowledge

Abstract Building control systems for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) play a key role in realizing the functionality and operation of building systems and components. Building control knowledge (BCK) is the logic and algorithms embedded throughout building control system. There are different methods to represent the BCK. These methods differ in the selection of BCK representing elements and the format of those elements. There is a lack of standard data schema, for storing, retrieving, and reusing structured BCK. In this study, a modular data schema is created for BCK representation. The data schema contains eleven representing elements, i.e., control module name, operation mode, system schematic, control flow diagram, data point, alarm, parameter, control sequence, function, and programming code. Each element is defined with specific attributes. This data schema is evaluated through a case study demonstration. The demonstration shows a new way to represent the BCK with standard formats.
“I Am Not a Prostitute”: How Young Black Women Challenge Street-based Micro-interactional Assaults

ABSTRACTFew scholars have examined the collective experiences of young African American women living in the inner city and their strategies for navigating daily life there. I draw on nearly two years of field research in Central East Oakland, CA, to provide an ethnographic account of the daily experiences of poor young black women in urban public space1. I uncover a particular and routine type of public encounter, street-based micro-interactional assaults, that follow a pattern and are shaped by an act or a threat of sexual violence. I also examine how poor black women feel about and negotiate these events while trying to maintain their own safety.
Western Orchestral Instruments in the Foreground: What Features Make an Instrument More Attractive for a Solo Role in Concertos?

Music often consists of multiple instruments and parts. Some serve a more foreground role (such as carrying a melody) whereas others offer background support (namely, as accompaniment). Musical solos are probably the clearest example of the foreground usage. What factors then make a specific instrument attractive for performing a solo? For example, an instrument might be preferred for a solo function if there are many virtuoso musicians. Or listeners might request a solo of a rare instrument. In this chapter, we examine the popularity of an instrument to play a solo role using four factors: pitch, loudness, timbre, and performer pool size. We focus on the concerto repertoire in Western classical music, since the titles bear a clear designation of the solo instrument(s). Our hypothesis is that an instrument will be attractive for a solo if it can produce high pitches and loud sounds, has a salient timbre, and has many skilled performers available to play it. Correlation and multiple regression results were mostly in agreement with the hypothesis; an instrument is more likely to serve in a solo role when it has a higher median pitch, a highly salient timbre, and there are a larger number of trained musicians.
Performing blackness in the “Rainbow Nation”: Athi-Patra Ruga’s The Future White Women of Azania

This article applies Saidiya Hartman’s framework of performing blackness to South African performance artist Athi-Patra Ruga’s performance series, The Future White Women of Azania, to consider the ...
Cage and philosophy

L'A. examine la philosophie de la musique de John Cage et sa place dans la philosophie de l'art en general
Selected Topics in Local Bifurcation Theory

As the title indicates, this short final chapter is not intended to be a complete treatment of bifurcation theory, or even a complete overview. Instead, we focus on certain specific topics, chosen because they are closely related to the main themes of this book, or because they are not developed extensively in other monographs. Among these topics are the questions of jet sufficiency, the computation of unfoldings, and the rescaling of unfolded systems.
Comprehensive Hearing Aid Intervention at a Free Subspecialty Clinic.

Importance Providing a model of a comprehensive free audiologic program may assist other health care professionals in developing their own similar program. Objective To describe the structure, feasibility, and outcomes of a free subspecialty clinic providing hearing aids to develop a paradigm for other programs interested in implementing similar projects. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective case series was conducted from September 1, 2013, through March 31, 2016. In a partnership between a free independent clinic for indigent patients and an academic medical center, 54 indigent patients were referred to the clinic for audiograms. A total of 50 of these patients had results of audiograms available for review and were therefore included in the study; 34 of these 50 patients were determined to be eligible for hearing aid fitting based on audiometric results. Exposures Free audiometric testing, hearing aid fitting, and hearing aid donation. Main Outcomes and Measures The number of hearing aids donated, number of eligible patients identified, number of patients fitted with hearing aids, and work effort (hours) and start-up costs associated with implementation of this program were quantified. Results A total of 54 patients (31 women [57.4%] and 23 men [42.6%]; median age, 61 years; range, 33-85 years) had audiograms performed, and 84 hearing aids were donated to the program. The patients were provided with free audiograms, hearing aid molds, and hearing aid programming, as well as follow-up appointments to ensure continued proper functioning of their hearing aids. Since 2013, a total of 34 patients have been determined to be eligible for the free program and were offered hearing aid services. Of these, 20 patients (59%) have been fitted or are being fitted with free hearing aids. The value of services provided is estimated to be $2260 per patient. Conclusions and Relevance It is feasible to provide free, comprehensive audiologic care, including hearing aids and fitting, in a well-established, free clinic model. The opportunity for indigent patients to use hearing aids at minimal personal cost is a major step forward in improving access to high-quality care.