cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quick Change Artist: Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor in Resistance Arteries

See related article, pp 802–808 Vascular endothelial cells importantly contribute to the regulation of vascular smooth muscle tone through the production of a variety of vasoactive substances and by direct electric communication through myoendothelial gap junctions.1,2 Moncada et al3 discovered the first endothelium-derived vasoactive substance, prostacyclin, in the mid 1970s and rapidly identified its structure and chemical composition.4 This was followed by the landmark observations of Furchgott and Zawadzki.5 and the discovery of endothelium-derived relaxing factor in 1980. Seven years later, the endothelium-derived relaxing factor of Furchgott and Zawadzki was positively identified as NO.6 The existence of a nonprostaglandin, non-NO endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF) was postulated by Komori et al7 in 1988. Twenty-three years later, we know that there is no one EDHF, but rather multiple pathways by which endothelial cells can produce hyperpolarization-induced relaxation of overlying vascular smooth muscle cells, independent from prostacyclin and NO (Figure).1,2 Figure. Pathways for nonprostacyclin-, non-NO–mediated, endothelium-dependent hyperpolarization of vascular smooth muscle in resistance arteries. Schematic diagram of a longitudinal section through a resistance artery showing smooth muscle and endothelial cell cross-sections and depicting several potential pathways by which ACh can produce endothelium-dependent smooth cell hyperpolarization and vasodilatation independent from prostaglandins and NO. On the left, ACh-induced increases in intracellular Ca2+ activate endothelial small conductance (sKCa) and intermediate conductance (IKCa) Ca2+-activated K+ channels. The released K+ ions can then act as an EDHF through activation of smooth muscle inward rectifier K+ channels (KIR) or Na+/K+ ATPase. Smooth muscle hyperpolarization then closes voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC), leading to …
PROGRESSIVE NITROGEN LIMITATION OF ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES UNDER ELEVATED CO2 IN A WARM-TEMPERATE FOREST

A hypothesis for progressive nitrogen limitation (PNL) proposes that net primary production (NPP) will decline through time in ecosystems subjected to a step-function increase in atmospheric CO2. The primary mechanism driving this response is a rapid rate of N immobilization by plants and microbes under elevated CO2 that depletes soils of N, causing slower rates of N mineralization. Under this hypothesis, there is little long-term stimulation of NPP by elevated CO2 in the absence of exogenous inputs of N. We tested this hypothesis using data on the pools and fluxes of C and N in tree biomass, microbes, and soils from 1997 through 2002 collected at the Duke Forest free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) experiment. Elevated CO2 stimulated NPP by 18-24% during the first six years of this experiment. Consistent with the hypothesis for PNL, significantly more N was immobilized in tree biomass and in the O horizon under elevated CO2. In contrast to the PNL hypothesis, microbial-N immobilization did not increase under elevated CO2, and although the rate of net N mineralization declined through time, the decline was not significantly more rapid under elevated CO2. Ecosystem C-to-N ratios widened more rapidly under elevated CO2 than ambient CO2 indicating a more rapid rate of C fixation per unit of N, a processes that could delay PNL in this ecosystem. Mass balance calculations demonstrated a large accrual of ecosystem N capital. Is PNL occurring in this ecosystem and will NPP decline to levels under ambient CO2? The answer depends on the relative strength of tree biomass and O-horizon N immobilization vs. widening C-to-N ratios and ecosystem-N accrual as processes that drive and delay PNL, respectively. Only direct observations through time will definitively answer this question.
A review on Fourier spectrum of D/A outputs with non-uniformly sampled data and time-varying clocks

In this paper, we investigate problems of D/A converters with non-uniformly sampled input data, and/or time-varying clock sources. The input digital data (which are stored in the memory to be read out and sent to a D/A converter) were obtained by sampling an analog waveform at non-uniform sampling intervals. (Quantization of data can also be considered as a form of non-uniform sampling.) Recently, there is available a new clocking system with a very fine time resolution and is capable of adjusting the clock period in a sample-to-sample basis. With so many advances on the technology, there is a need to provide a unified theoretical model for this class of problems. In this paper, we consider the following five different models: f1(t)=∑nx(nT)g(t−nT), f2(t)=∑nx(tn)g(t−nT), f3(t)=∑nx(nT)g(t−tn), f4(t)=∑nx(tn)g(t−tn), and f5(t)=∑nx(tn)gn(t−tn) where x(·) is the input analog signal, g(·) is the basic output pulse waveform of the D/A converter, T is the nominal sampling period and tn is the nth sampling time instance (for uniform sampling tn=nT). The first four models have been studied before [IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation & Measurements 45 (1996) 56, IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation & Measurements 46 (1997) 653] and the results are included here for completeness. The result for the fifth model is new. Closed form expressions for the Fourier transform of the output signals for each model are derived.
Self-learning fuzzy controllers based on temporal backpropagation

A generalized control strategy that enhances fuzzy controllers with self-learning capability for achieving prescribed control objectives in a near-optimal manner is presented. This methodology, termed temporal backpropagation, is model-sensitive in the sense that it can deal with plants that can be represented in a piecewise-differentiable format, such as difference equations, neural networks, GMDH structures, and fuzzy models. Regardless of the numbers of inputs and outputs of the plants under consideration, the proposed approach can either refine the fuzzy if-then rules of human experts or automatically derive the fuzzy if-then rules if human experts are not available. The inverted pendulum system is employed as a testbed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme and the robustness of the acquired fuzzy controller. >
Experimental performance evaluation of feature grouping modules

We present five performance measures to evaluate grouping modules in the context of constrained search and indexing based object recognition. Using these measures, we demonstrate a sound experimental framework based on statistical ANOVA tests to compare and contrast three edge based organization modules, namely those of A. Etemadi et al. (1991), D.W. Jacobs (1996), and S. Sarkar and K.L. Boyer (1993) in the domain of aerial objects using 50 images. With adapted parameters, the Jacobs module is overall the best choice for constraint based recognition. For fixed parameters, the Sarkar-Boyer module is the best in terms of recognition accuracy and indexing speedup. Etemadi et al.'s module performs equally well with fixed and adapted parameters while the Jacobs module is most sensitive to fixed and adapted parameter choices. The overall performance ranking of the modules is Jacobs, Sakar-Boyer, and Etemadi et al.
Enhancing Pain Management in the PICU by Teaching Guided Mental Imagery: A Quality-Improvement Project

Objective This quality-improvement study, following the PDCA methodology, compared the effectiveness of teaching mental imagery (MI) for pain management versus conducting a detailed inquiry (DI) about pain-related experiences with acutely injured PICU patients. Methods Participants included 44 hospitalized children and adolescents assigned to one of two intervention groups, MI (N ¼24) or DI (N ¼20). Pain was assessed preand post-intervention using the Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale and a 0–10 Likert pain rating scale, and the Pediatric Trauma Score was utilized to assess the severity of each child’s injuries. Results Boys in the MI condition exhibited a significant decrease in average pain ratings [t(38) ¼3.41, p ¼.0015]. Girls in the MI condition exhibited a non-significant decrease in average pain ratings. Conclusions Teaching children the use of MI for pain management in an intensive-care setting was supported; the use of DI with boys was not supported.
Physico-Chemical Characterization of Polylipid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery to the Liver

Polylipid nanoparticles (PLNP) have been shown to be very effective in delivering antioxidative genes in the treatment of liver injury in mice. To build on our previous studies and to further characterize PLNP formulated from polycationic lipid (PCL) and cholesterol, we report here the synthesis of multigram quantities of PCL and employ analytical tools, such as Raman spectroscopy of single PLNP and live-cell imaging of lipofection, for the physicochemical characterization of PCL, PLNP, and the transfection process. Mass spectrometry demonstrates the characteristics of polymeric lipids. Raman spectrum of PCL reveals the polymeric structure of the polymers. The presence of cholesterol in PLNP formulation did not markedly change the Raman spectrum. PLNP-derived polyplexes exhibit Raman spectra very similar to PLNP except that the C-H out-of-plane deformation mode of the polymeric lipid is significantly suppressed, indicating the interaction with plasmid DNA. Zeta potential measurement indicates a large DNA-carrying capacity of PLNP and their stability for in vivo gene delivery. The live-cell fluorescent imaging dynamically shows that PLNP exerts transfection efficiency similar to lipofectamine in leading to early reporter gene expression in live hepatic cells. In conclusion, polylipid nanoparticles possess a high DNA carrying capacity and lipofection efficiency, rendering them suitable for testing in large animals. The employment of novel state-of-the-art technologies in the study of lipofection represents the level of physicochemical and biological characterization that is needed to best understand the key elements involved in the lipofection process.
Municipal Bankruptcy and the States: Authorization to File under Chapter 9

The brush with bankruptcy of Connecticut's largest city shows chapter 9 reshaping political power within municipalities and between them and the states. The court's decisions provoke questions about intergovernmental relations in a period of fiscal stress and demonstrate the importance of the legal system for urban politics. Frugality characterizes the group of states that affirmatively authorize municipal petitions. Because federal bankruptcy courts interpret access broadly, a state's political silence on eligibility and bankruptcy's conformity with state policies is tantamount to agreeing that urban policy shall be made in federal court.
Developing and Evaluating Measures Associated with Strategic Reading

This paper describes and evaluates four measures recently developed for use in an instructional study of students' awareness and use of reading skills as strategies. The focus here is on the evaluation of the measures, rather than the study itself. Included are measures of (a) students' awareness of lesson content following skill instruction, (b) students' reasoning as they perform a particular skill task, (c) students' reasoning when reading connected text, and (d) students' awareness of the general need to be strategic when reading. Recommendations are provided regarding the modification and use of these measures in future instructional studies.
Morphological forms of tobermorite in hydrothermally treated calcium silicate hydrate gels

The morphology of the calcium silicate hydrate phase, tobermorite, generally thought to be the bonding phase in ordinary portland cement, was studied. Tobermorite was hydrothermally synthesized at pH 12.6 at 150 C. The powder was characterized by XRD and SEM analysis. Modeling of the morphology was performed using the SHAPE and ATOMS programs. Two morphologies were produced: fibers and platelets. Computer calculations of equilibrium particle shape suggest that growth occurs on the (110)-type planes for both morphologies.
Origin and Evolution of a New Gene Descended from Alcohol Dehydrogenase in Drosophila

Drosophila alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) is highly conserved in size, organization, and amino acid sequence. Adh-qh was hypothesized to be a pseudogene derived from an Adh duplication in the repkta group of Drosophila; however, several results from molecular analyses of this gene conflict with currently held notions of molecular evolution. Perhaps the most difficult observations to reconcile with the pseudogene hypothesis are that the hypothetical replacement sites of Adh-qh evolve only slightly more quickly than replacement sites of closely related, functional Adh genes, and that the replacement sites of the pseudogenes evolve considerably more slowly than neighboring silent sites. The data have been presented as a paradox that challenges our understanding of the mechanisms underlying DNA sequence divergence. Here I show that Adh-qh is actually a new, functional gene recently descended from an Adh duplication. This descendant recruited -60 new N-terminal amino acids, is considerably more basic than ADH, and is evolving at a faster rate than Adh. Furthermore, though the descendant is clearly functional, as inferred from molecular evolution and population genetic data, it retains no obvious ADH activity. This probably reflects functional divergence from its Adh ancestor.
A multiqueue service room MAC protocol for wireless networks with multipacket reception

An adaptive medium-access control (MAC) protocol for heterogeneous networks with finite population is proposed. Referred to as the multiqueue service room (MQSR) protocol, this scheme is capable of handling users with different quality-of-service (QoS) constraints. By exploiting the multipacket reception (MPR) capability, the MQSR protocol adaptively grants access to the MPR channel to a number of users such that the expected number of successfully received packets is maximized in each slot. The optimal access protocol avoids unnecessary empty slots for light traffic and excessive collisions for heavy traffic. It has superior throughput and delay performance as compared to, for example, the slotted ALOHA with the optimal retransmission probability. This protocol can be applied to random-access networks with multimedia traffic.
More evidence for the benefits of cognitive activity over the lifespan.

Commentary on: Wilson RS, Boyle PA, Yu L, et al. Life-span cognitive activity, neuropathologic burden, and cognitive aging. Neurology 2013;81:314–21.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2] The notion of cognitive reserve or intellectual capacity offering protection for cognitive function arose from early observations of education's apparent protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.1 Observed differences in parietotemporal perfusion by the education level among patients with Alzheimer's disease offered some biological evidence to support the notion.2 Subsequently, the cognitive reserve hypothesis was published,3 and a number of studies have offered support for this theory. However, the issue of reverse causality has not been resolved. Reverse causality in this context means either that individuals suffering from latent or early disease tend to withdraw from participation in cognitive activities, or that individuals with lower … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DNeurology%26rft.volume%253D81%26rft.spage%253D314%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1212%252FWNL.0b013e31829c5e8a%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1212/WNL.0b013e31829c5e8a&link_type=DOI
Living systems theory and an entity-systems approach

The process-structure approach of Living Systems Theory (LST) provides a more robust explanation of life than did the earlier explanations based on the concept of sense-response. Three aspects of LST, however, provide less robust explanations than those that generally characterize the theory. They are the concept of dispersed critical sub-systems, the relative neglect of emergence and the neglect of the pervasive influence of conceptual systems on LST defined information systems. This paper suggests an entity-systems approach that may strengthen those aspects of the theory of life systems. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unbiased estimation of gross errors in process measurements

A new approach to gross error detection provides unbiased estimates and 100(1-α)% simultaneous confidence intervals of process variables when biased process measurements and process leaks exist. Presented in this article are estimation equations for process variables, as well as equations that help identify biased measurements and process leaks. These equations include the power function for a global test, and two types of α-level component tests and their power functions. Important strengths and weaknesses of this approach are compared to those of the serial compensation strategy, in particular, by varying the significance level (α), the variance-covariance matrix (Σ), the size of measurement bias (δ), the number of biased variables, and the sample size (N). Accuracy of δ estimation and performance in detecting the presence of process leaks (γ) are also evaluated and compared. The proposed approach has unique features that can provide a basis for improving the reconciliation of variables in process operations.
Effect of the post-dry heat treatment temperature on the recovery of ascospores of Neosartorya fischeri

Neosartorya fischeri ascospores were subjected to a dry heat treatment at 95°C, 50% relative humidity for 30 and 60 min. The effect of the temperature of the recovery buffer (0–02% v/v Tween 80 in Butterfield's Buffer) was evaluated. As the temperature of the buffer increased, there was an exponential increase in the number of survivors, followed by a levelling off and, in some cases, a decrease. This behaviour may indicate temperature activation of dormant ascospores or reactivation of ascospores rendered dormant by the dry heat treatment. The results also suggest that the rehydration process is affected by temperature.
Surgical Management of Bile Duct Strictures

Biliary strictures can arise from either benign or malignant diseases. Both are amenable to surgical treatment if the surgeon has a clear understanding of the inciting patho-physiology and appropriate training and skill. This review article focuses on the key aspects of surgical management of biliary strictures. The decision to perform a biliary bypass or radical resection of a biliary stricture depends upon the pathology (benign or malignant) and whether there is curative or palliative intent. Endoscopic findings and brushings can often be non-diagnostic and clinical judgment is required. Final pathology ranges from a delayed stricture years following cholecystectomy to cholangiocarcinoma. Performing the correct operation safely requires clinical experience and knowledge of multiple surgical approaches. Surgical options must maximize cure when possible and relieve biliary obstructive and infectious complications.
Escherichia coli avoids high dissolved oxygen stress by activation of SoxRS and manganese-superoxide dismutase

High concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were reported to cause oxidative stress to E. coli cells associated with reduced or inhibited growth. The high ROS concentrations described in these reports were generated by exposing the bacteria to H2O2 and superoxide-generating chemicals which are non-physiological growth conditions. However, the effect of molecular oxygen on oxidative stress response has not been evaluated. Since the use of oxygen-enriched air is a common strategy to support high density growth of E. coli, it was important to investigate the effect of high dissolved oxygen concentrations on the physiology and growth of E. coli and the way it responds to oxidative stress. To determine the effect of elevated oxygen concentrations on the growth characteristics, specific gene expression and enzyme activity in E. coli, the parental and SOD-deficient strain were evaluated when the dissolved oxygen (dO2) level was increased from 30% to 300%. No significant differences in the growth parameters were observed in the parental strain except for a temporary decrease of the respiration and acetate accumulation profile. By performing transcriptional analysis, it was determined that the parental strain responded to the oxidative stress by activating the SoxRS regulon. However, following the dO2 switch, the SOD-deficient strain activated both the SoxRS and OxyR regulons but it was unable to resume its initial growth rate. The transcriptional analysis and enzyme activity results indicated that when E. coli is exposed to dO2 shift, the superoxide stress regulator SoxRS is activated and causes the stimulation of the superoxide dismutase system. This enables the E. coli to protect itself from the poisoning effects of oxygen. The OxyR protecting system was not activated, indicating that H2O2 did not increase to stressing levels.
Analyses of Landscape Design and Maintenance Requirements in Urban Parking Lots

Four Seattle-area transit parking lots were used as case studies in assessing the relationship between design and construction practices and future landscape management. Soil compaction and inadequate irrigation appeared to have the greatest impact on plant survival and vigor. Other problems identified included inappropriate plant selection, out-dated and vague construc­ tion specifications, and conflicts between planting bed design and pedestrian traffic patterns. The combination of such fac­ tors decreased the effectiveness of the plantings and increased maintenance efforts in urban parking lots. Long-term mainte­ nance problems may be avoided with plant selection/specification review and maintenance requirement/cost projections dur­ ing the design stage.
Female Body Modification through Physical Manipulation: A Comparison of Foot-Binding and Corsetry

Over the past fifty years, with the continuing contributions of many Gender History scholars, historians are now presented with an opportunity to explore an often overlooked area within the physical manipulation of women’s bodies. There are a variety of means by which the female form is shaped by the cultural and societal norms, including the pressures to look young and beautiful. However, few connections have been made between two well-known and well-researched areas: foot-binding and corsetry. The first was practiced by women for one-thousand years in China, ending in the early years of the Communist revolution. The second were tightly-laced garments worn by middleand upper-class women in Europe and, later, America from as early as the fifteenth century until the present. This thesis argues that they share a connection that other scholars have overlooked: both were fetishized and sexualized for the pleasure of men. This research is important in the modern era because women around the world continue to alter their bodies in increasingly controversial and radical ways. TABLE OF CONTENTS Signatures i Acknowledgements ii Abstract iii Chapter One 1 Origins of Foot-binding 4 Origins of Corsetry 11 Chapter Two 15 Foot-binding 15 Corsetry 18 Chapter Three 23 Foot-binding 23 Corsetry 27 Conclusion 34 Bibliography 38
Refractive index and solubility control of para-cymene solutions for index-matched fluid–structure interaction studies

To deploy optical diagnostics such as particle image velocimetry or planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) in complex geometries, it is beneficial to use index-matched facilities. A binary mixture of para-cymene and cinnamaldehyde provides a viable option for matching the refractive index of acrylic, a common material for scaled models and test sections. This fluid is particularly appropriate for large-scale facilities and when a low-density and low-viscosity fluid is sought, such as in fluid–structure interaction studies. This binary solution has relatively low kinematic viscosity and density; its use enables the experimentalist to select operating temperature and to increase fluorescence signal in PLIF experiments. Measurements of spectral and temperature dependence of refractive index, density, and kinematic viscosity are reported. The effect of the binary mixture on solubility control of Rhodamine 6G is also characterized.
Organometallic Chemical Vapor Deposition of Aluminum Nitride and Aluminum Metal

Research Goals and Approach. Thin films of solids are important because of a particular physical property, such as electrical or thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, or refractive index. These properties are determined by both the atomic (crystal) structure of the material as well as the microstructure (i. e. grain size, pore volume, etc.). The fundamental question which forms the foundation of our research program in materials is: What is the relationship between the chemical reaction mechanism of the film forming step and the atomic and microstructural features of the film? Because we can systematically change the mechanism of a reaction by modifying the molecular structure of the precursor, we may develop an additional parameter upon which the physical properties of the film would depend.
7.10 Radiographic Inspection of Composite Materials

This chapter examines the role of radiography in guaranteeing a minimum quality in composite materials and structures. The chapter covers traditional film based radiography and the new solid-state radiography. Because traditional radiographic techniques are not applicable to composites, sections cover modifications necessary to enhance the contrast between composite flaws and the material background. Sections are included detailing how to make and use an images quality indicator – the composite penetrameter. Final sections are devoted to the new solid-state based digital radiography and computed tomography.
Effect of Occupational Therapy-Led Playgroups in Early Intervention on Child Playfulness and Caregiver Responsiveness: A Repeated-Measures Design.

OBJECTIVE This study's objective was to investigate the effects of a community playgroup on the playfulness of children with special needs ages 15 mo to 3 yr and the responsiveness of their caregivers. METHOD Using a pretest-posttest, repeated-measures design, we evaluated 8 child-caregiver dyads participating in an 8-wk occupational therapist-led community playgroup recruited from a purposive sample enrolled in early intervention. Video recordings from four time points over 4 mo were used to determine playfulness (Test of Playfulness) of the child and the responsiveness of the caregiver. RESULTS Blinded raters assessed playfulness and responsiveness outcomes. A repeated-measures analysis of variance demonstrated that participation in the playgroup significantly increased child playfulness (ηp² = .89, p < .01). Analysis did not detect a change in caregiver responsiveness. CONCLUSION The results of this study have implications for the use of playgroups in comprehensive occupational therapy practice in early intervention.
Physicians' attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing before and after pharmacogenetic education

Aim: Our aim was to evaluate physicians’ attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing before and after pharmacogenetic education. Methods: In total, 12 physicians (˜40% response rate) completed a survey with eight questions on 10-point scales on their attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing before and after a 1-h grand rounds presentation on pharmacogenetics. Differences in question scores overall, among training levels (resident/fellow/attending), and specific drugs (clopidogrel/simvastatin/warfarin) were assessed using Wilcoxon signed-rank and exact Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results & conclusion: The scores for all eight questions increased, with statistically significant (p < 0.05) increases for four out of eight questions. The scores were similar among training levels, but the postscores for clopidogrel were significantly higher than for simvastatin and warfarin. In conclusion, brief pharmacogenetic education can significantly affect physicians’ attitudes toward pharmacogenetic testing.
Collaboration Between Distance Education Faculty and the Library: One Size Does Not Fit All

At a university with no centrally administered distance education (DE) program, the library is faced with the challenge of not only identifying but also supporting a rapidly increasing number of disparate DE initiatives. In this environment, a one-size-fits-all approach to inviting and encouraging faculty collaboration in the integration of library research into the DE curriculum was not sufficient. This presentation will discuss various methods used at one university to increase the level of collaboration between the library and distance education (DE) faculty.
ANGI-06PAK4 GOVERNS RADIATION-INDUCED ENDOTHELIAL Gro-1α-CXCR2 SIGNALING AND ANGIOGENESIS IN GLIOMA

Aberrant neovascularization is a pathological hallmark of glioblastoma that correlates with poor clinical outcome. Factors that drive endothelial proliferation, recruitment into the tumor and angiogenesis in the context of radiotherapy are potentially novel therapeutic targets for glioma. Our studies showed high expression of p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) in gliomas; analyses of conditioned medium (CM) prepared from shRNA-mediated PAK4-knockdown (PAK4.sh) glioma cells using a human angiogenesis array showed a significant downregulation in key angiogenic factors including Gro-1α. Treatment of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) with CM from PAK4.sh-cells significantly inhibited endothelial proliferation, migration and microtubule formation compared with controls. PAK4.sh-CM treatment also suppressed CXCR2 receptor activation and decreased the expression levels of p-Stat3, MMP-2 and cyclin D1 in HBMECs. Ionizing radiation (IR, 8 Gy) activated Gro-1α-CXCR2 signaling in HBMECs, and induced high levels of endothelial capillary network formation on matrigel. On the other hand, PAK4.sh inhibited IR-induced angiogenesis by decreasing Gro-1α and CXCR2 levels in HBMECS. Further, in vivo experiments with orthotopic intracranial tumors in nude mice showed growth suppression in PAK4.sh tumors compared to control tumors. Immunohistochemical analyses of brain tumor sections showed a significant decrease in MMP-2 in PAK4.sh tumors. In summary, our studies emphasize a novel role of PAK4 as a critical mediator of tumor-endothelial cell interactions via Gro-1α-CXCR2 signaling, and in vivo tumor growth suppression by PAK4 depletion indicates its therapeutic potential in the treatment of glioma.
Whole food approach for type 2 diabetes prevention

Diet is intimately associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Recently, attention has focused on the contributions of individual nutrients, food groups and eating patterns to the outcome of T2D. High consumption of coffee, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and nuts are each independently associated with the reduced risk of T2D in high risk, glucose intolerant individuals. Experimental and clinical trials have given insight to the diverse mechanisms that may be responsible for the observed protective effects of certain foods on T2D, including nutrients, phytochemicals and dietary fiber, weight control, enhanced satiety and improvement in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients. Elevated consumption of refined grains and sugar-sweetened beverages has shown to significantly elevate the risk of incident T2D. An overall healthy diet primarily comprising whole plant-based foods, together with regular physical activity and weight manage, could significantly reduce the risk of T2D. The present review consolidates current research and delineates major food groups shown to significantly influence risk of T2D. Documenting and quantifying the effects of diet on the outcome of T2D are of great scientific and public health importance as there is urgent need to implement dietary strategies to prevent and manage the outcome of T2D.
Analysis of the VP1 region genotype of enterovirus 71 isolated from two severe HFMD patients in Jingdezhen City

Objective To analyze the molecular characterization of two enterovirus 71(EV71) strains isolated from two severe hand foot mouth disease(HFMD) patients with different clinical symptoms in Jingdezhen City in 2011.Methods Throat swab specimens were collected from the two patients and EV71 were isolated for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RTPCR) analysis.The differences of VP1 region genotype between the isolated virus and virus in GenBank were analyzed.Results Both patients with different severe clinical symptoms were caused by EV71 C4a subtype.Using amino acid sequence alignment,we found that there were four mutated amino acids and they would cause the different clinical symptoms.In EV71 isolated from patient with neurologic symptoms,the 19th amino acid alanine was replaced by valine(A→V),the 106th amino acid tyrosine was replaced by phenylalanine(Y→F).And in EV71 isolated from patient with no neurologic symptoms,the 19th amino acid alanine was replaced by cysteine(A→C),the 38th amino acid arginine was replaced by glutamine(R→Q),the 293rd amino acid alanine was replaced by serine(A→S).Conclusion EV71 is the main pathogen of severe HFMD.The differences of clinical symptoms mainly reflect in the presence of neurologic symptoms.Different locus mutation of amino acids in EV71 may be the biological basis of the different clinical symptoms.
Role of activation of hepatic stellate cells in small-for-size graft injury in rat liver transplantation model

AIM: To investigate the role of the activation of hepatic stellate cells in small-for-size graft injury in a rat liver transplantation model.METHODS: A rat orthotopic liver transplantation model using normal liver grafts (100% and 50% of the recipient rat liver) was employed. The recipients were sacrificed at 6 and 48 hours after the liver transplantation.The liver tissues were sampled for the determination of hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation (a-SMA expression) by immunostaining.The 7-day survival rates were compared between the rats receiving whole liver transplantation and those receiving small-for-size liver transplantation.RESULTS: The 7-day graft survival rate of small-for-size grafts was significantly lower than that of whole grafts [16.7% (2/12) vs 91.7% (11/12)].The intragraft expression of α-SMA in the small-for-size graft group was significantly higher than that of the whole graft group during the first 6 and 48 hours after liver transplantation.CONCLUSION: Significant activation of hepatic stellate cells may play an important role in small-for-size graft injury in rat liver transplantation model.
Measurement of detector resolution for neutral particle detection with liquid scintillators

The characterization of the photon energy resolution of a liquid scintillation detector is desirable for simulating photon pulse height distributions in Monte Carlo codes such as MCNPX-PoliMi. Previous studies in literature determined a function characterizing the photon energy resolution for four photon detectors using the wide-angle Compton coincidence technique. The goal of this work is to utilize this technique to measure the photon resolution for the EJ-309 organic scintillation detector. The photon energy resolution was measured for an EJ-309 organic scintillation detector using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector and a 100-μCi 137Cs source. The photon energy resolution of the EJ-309 was measured to be between 16 and 28% for photon energies between 390 and 280 keV.
Towards Full-Scale Integration and Beyond

The previous chapters surveyed the progress made in various sub-fields of microscale soft robotics in recent years. The field is undeniably undergoing rapid changes and expansions, making their survey quite challenging yet exciting. By the time of publication, it is also very probable that the state of the art of the field has already evolved into something very different from a simple sum of the technological building blocks surveyed in the previous chapters. In accordance, this final chapter will review some of the important long-term, essential agendas in microscale soft robotics which will surely stay valid for a longer period of time. Beyond a brief overview, the topics will be discussed by their order in the implementation steps in general, with the materials and fabrication aspects reviewed first and the application of the completed units later.
A Probabilistically Integrated System for Crowd-Assisted Text Labeling and Extraction

The amount of text data has been growing exponentially in recent years, giving rise to automatic information extraction methods that store text annotations in a database. The current state-of-the-art structured prediction methods, however, are likely to contain errors and it is important to be able to manage the overall uncertainty of the database. On the other hand, the advent of crowdsourcing has enabled humans to aid machine algorithms at scale. In this article, we introduce pi-CASTLE, a system that optimizes and integrates human and machine computing as applied to a complex structured prediction problem involving Conditional Random Fields (CRFs). We propose strategies grounded in information theory to select a token subset, formulate questions for the crowd to label, and integrate these labelings back into the database using a method of constrained inference. On both a text segmentation task over academic citations and a named entity recognition task over tweets we show an order of magnitude improvement in accuracy gain over baseline methods.
Mechanisms of colitis-accelerated colon carcinogenesis and its prevention with the combination of aspirin and curcumin: Transcriptomic analysis using RNA-seq

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related death in the world. Aspirin (ASA) and curcumin (CUR) are widely investigated chemopreventive candidates for CRC. However, the precise mechanisms of their action and their combinatorial effects have not been evaluated. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of ASA, CUR, and their combination in azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)-induced colitis-accelerated colorectal cancer (CAC). We also aimed to characterize the differential gene expression profiles in AOM/DSS-induced tumors as well as in tumors modulated by ASA and CUR using RNA-seq. Diets supplemented with 0.02% ASA, 2% CUR or 0.01% ASA+1% CUR were given to mice from 1week prior to the AOM injection until the experiment was terminated 22weeks after AOM initiation. Our results showed that CUR had a superior inhibitory effect in colon tumorigenesis compared to that of ASA. The combination of ASA and CUR at a lower dose exhibited similar efficacy to that of a higher dose of CUR at 2%. RNA isolated from colonic tissue from the control group and from tumor samples from the experimental groups was subjected to RNA-seq. Transcriptomic analysis suggested that the low-dose combination of ASA and CUR modulated larger gene sets than the single treatment. These differentially expressed genes were situated in several canonical pathways important in the inflammatory network and liver metastasis in CAC. We identified a small subset of genes as potential molecular targets involved in the preventive action of the combination of ASA and CUR. Taken together, the current results provide the first evidence in support of the chemopreventive effect of a low-dose combination of ASA and CUR in CAC. Moreover, the transcriptional profile obtained in our study may provide a framework for identifying the mechanisms underlying the carcinogenesis process from normal colonic tissue to tumor development as well as the cancer inhibitory effects and potential molecular targets of ASA and CUR.
Complete NMR Spectroscopic Assignment of a Neuronal Transduction Protein

PDZ domains are found in a wide array of proteins possessing various biological functions like clustering membrane proteins, organizing signal transduction complexes, and maintaining cell polarity. This report presents a complete chemical shift assignment of the PDZ domain of neuronal nitric oxide synthase. The secondary structure based on Cα and Cβ chemical shifts is presented.
A 6–40 GHz CubeSAT antenna system

This paper presents a high-gain 6–40 GHz circularly polarized antenna system designed for a 6U CubeSAT mission for monitoring RF emission from earth. The antenna system consists of three quasi-tapered helical antenna elements, operating at 6–11 GHz, 11–22 GHz and 21–40 GHz, respectively. Each antenna element is designed to produce an end-fire beam with its helical diameter varying along its axis to achieve a linearly increasing gain from 12 dBic gain at 6 GHz to 20 dBic at 40 GHz. The close proximity of the antennas causes strong mutual coupling and pattern distortion. This problem is alleviated by carefully arranging the antenna positions, the utilization of different circular polarization (CP) handedness, as well as loading of the radome.
Defining Prolonged Dwell Time: When Are Advanced Inferior Vena Cava Filter Retrieval Techniques Necessary? An Analysis in 762 Procedures.

Background— Despite growth in placement of retrievable inferior vena cava filters, retrieval rates remain low. Filters with extended implantation times present a challenge to retrieval, where standard techniques often fail. The development of advanced retrieval techniques has positively impacted retrieval of retrievable inferior vena cava filters with prolonged dwell times; however, there is no precise definition of the time point when advanced techniques become necessary. We aim to define prolonged retrievable inferior vena cava filters dwell time by determining the inflection point when the risk of standard retrieval technique failure increases significantly, necessitating advanced retrieval techniques to maintain overall technical success of retrieval. Methods and Results— From January 2009 to April 2015, 762 retrieval procedures were identified from a prospectively acquired database. We assessed patient age/sex, filter dwell time, procedural technical success, the use of advanced techniques, and procedure-related adverse events. Overall retrieval success rate was 98% (n=745). When standard retrieval techniques failed, advanced techniques were used; this was necessary 18% of the time (n=138). Logistic regression identified that dwell time was the only risk factor for failure of standard retrieval technique (odds ratio, 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.10; P Conclusions— The necessity of advanced techniques to maintain technical success of retrieval increases with dwell time. Patients with retrievable inferior vena cava filters in place beyond 7 months may benefit from referral to centers with expertise in advanced filter retrieval.
Inflation Expectations in Ukraine: A Long Path to Anchoring?

We study survey data of inflation and exchange rate expectations in Ukraine. These data are available for households, firms and professional forecasters. We document some unique properties of these data as well as some limitations and discuss the longer run prospects for inflation expectations in Ukraine given the National Bank of Ukraine’s desire to adopt an inflation target in the future.
Like Mother, Like Daughter

A 32-year-old woman at 25 weeks of pregnancy with gestational diabetes and no other past medical history presented to an outside hospital. She reported back pain, fever, and decreased fetal movement for one day. She denied any history of urinary tract, yeast, or sexually transmitted infections. The gestational diabetes was managed with only dietary modification.
Bond pricing in the biggest city bankruptcy in history: The effects of state emergency management laws on default risk

Abstract This study investigates the returns to bondholders around important events in the Detroit bankruptcy that impacted market expectations of recoveries on the City’s debt. It illustrates how stricter State interference in the financial affairs of a distressed local government can increase the likely payoff to that entity’s own creditors. However, such interventions are also shown to potentially raise the default risk of economically related municipalities. Further investigations indicated that increases in Michigan’s emergency management powers did not positively impact the returns on a broad sample of distressed municipal bonds in Michigan nor improve the overall credit quality of the State and its political subdivisions.
Term-equivalent functional brain maturational measures predict neurodevelopmental outcomes in premature infants.

BACKGROUND Term equivalent age (TEA) brain MRI identifies preterm infants at risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. But some infants may experience neurodevelopmental impairments even in the absence of neuroimaging abnormalities. OBJECTIVE Evaluate the association of TEA amplitude-integrated EEG (aEEG) measures with neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24-36 months corrected age. METHODS We performed aEEG recordings and brain MRI at TEA (mean post-menstrual age of 39 (±2) weeks in a cohort of 60 preterm infants born at a mean gestational age of 26 (±2) weeks. Forty-four infants underwent Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd Edition (BSID-III) testing at 24-36 months corrected age. Developmental delay was defined by a score greater than one standard deviation below the mean (<85) in any domain. An ROC curve was constructed and a value of SEF90 < 9.2, yielded the highest sensitivity and specificity for moderate/severe brain injury on MRI. The association between aEEG measures and neurodevelopmental outcomes was assessed using odds ratio, then adjusted for confounding variables using logistic regression. RESULTS Infants with developmental delay in any domain had significantly lower values of SEF90. Absent cyclicity was more prevalent in infants with cognitive and motor delay. Both left and right SEF90 < 9.2 were associated with motor delay (OR left: 4.7(1.2-18.3), p = 0.02, OR right: 7.9 (1.8-34.5), p < 0.01). Left SEF90 and right SEF90 were associated with cognitive delay and language delay respectively. Absent cyclicity was associated with motor and cognitive delay (OR for motor delay: 5.8 (1.3-25.1), p = 0.01; OR for cognitive delay: 16.8 (3.1-91.8), p < 0.01). These associations remained significant after correcting for social risk index score and confounding variables. CONCLUSIONS aEEG may be used at TEA as a new tool for risk stratification of infants at higher risk of poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. Therefore, a larger study is needed to validate these results in premature infants at low and high risk of brain injury.
Food and Biofuel in a Global Environment

As the human population and incomes continue to grow while the petroleum reserve is declining and the concerns about environmental damage are increasing, the world community is challenged to supply ever-greater quantities of energy without harming the environment. The world primary energy demand is predicted to more than double between 2006 and 2030, and yet most oil-producing countries will reduce output over that period (IEA 2008). OPEC’s share of total oil production will grow from 41 to 51%, and the oil production growth will need to come mostly from the small number of countries that own remaining oil resources.
The elements of hypertext style

Addressing the creation of hypertext documents, this guide is geared towards a writer's composition needs, and the special challenges of conceptualizing, structuring and writing hpertext documents. It explains how to adapt the principles of plain English style to the hypertext medium.