cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 19546: Silencing miR-144 Enhances Regression and Reduces Progression of Atheroscleoris

Enhancing cholesterol removal from macrophages in atherosclerotic plaques remains a major unmet pharmacological need. MicroRNA therapeutics are one approach that is currently being evaluated. MicroRNAs fine tune gene expression, and those that target ABCA1, the major cholesterol efflux transporter, are candidates for therapeutic approaches. Silencing microRNAs that target ABCA1 result in increased ABCA1 levels and activity and therefore enhance lipid removal from lesion macrophages. We previously showed that miR-144 targets ABCA1 by binding to at least 2 binding sites in the 3’ UTR region. We have now tested whether silencing miR-144, which increases ABCA1, affects atherosclerosis in two models. First, LDLR-/- mice were fed a western-type diet for 16 weeks, before being switched to regular rodent chow to promote lesion regression. One group of mice were sacrificed after 16 weeks of western diet (baseline), and the remaining animals were randomly assigned to one of 3 groups; vehicle (PBS), control anti-miR, or anti-miR-144 for 4 weeks. Silencing miR-144 significantly decreased atherosclerosis by en face analysis by 20% compared to either control. Further, silencing miR-144 modestly increased plasma HDL levels by 14%, in line with previous studies. To determine whether silencing miR-144 enhanced macrophage cholesterol efflux in mice, we used the same experimental approach. However, 2 days prior to the sacrifice, mice were injected with macrophages that had been loaded with radiolabelled cholesterol. Silencing miR-144 in vivo enhanced macrophage cholesterol efflux to plasma, liver and feces, suggesting the mechanism for the reduced atherosclerosis is due to increased cholesterol removal from plaques. Finally, we also determined whether silencing miR-144 decreased progression of atherosclerosis. LDLR-/- mice were fed a western-style diet for 16 weeks, and, at the same time, mice were treated mice with either anti miR-144, control anti miR or vehicle (PBS). Silencing miR-144 decreased atherosclerosis progression by 33% relative to controls, while HDL levels were also modestly increased (19%). Our results indicate that silencing miR-144 is a potential therapeutic strategy to reduce atherosclerosis, in both regression and progression models.
Role of angiotensin II in experimental membranous nephropathy.

Glomerular hemodynamics measurements in rats with experimental membranous nephropathy [passive Heymann nephritis (PHN)] have demonstrated that the appearance of proteinuria 5 days after administration of anti-Fx1A antibody is temporally related to changes in the glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient (LpA). Previous studies in other models of glomerular injury have suggested a significant role for angiotensin II (ANG II) in the glomerular hemodynamic abnormalities. To evaluate the possible role of ANG II in the LpA decrease, converting enzyme inhibitor (CEI) was administered acutely or chronically (5 days before and after induction of PHN) to rats with PHN. Acute ANG II blockade produced a fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP), single-nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR), absolute proximal reabsorption (APR), single-nephron plasma flow, single-nephron blood flow, and glomerular capillary hydrostatic pressure (PG); however, no changes in LpA were detected. Chronic administration of CEI (MK421, 5 mg.kg-1.day-1) in the drinking water was associated with a fall in MAP; however, both SNGFR and APR increased. PG and the transcapillary hydrostatic pressure gradient were unchanged, and LpA remained depressed. These results suggest that reduction of LpA in rats with PHN is ANG II independent and that other mechanisms are required to explain these changes in glomerular hemodynamics.
Optical-absorption coefficient of In 1 − x Ga x As/InP

Optical-absorption coefficient data are presented over the 0.7--1.5-eV spectral range (825--1750 nm) for ${\mathrm{In}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{\mathrm{x}}$As/InP; both at the lattice-matched condition x=0.47 and for the 0.45lxl0.51 composition range. Absorption data for such epilayers are compared at 10, 77, and 300 K. This comparison involves numerous epilayers grown by organometallic vapor-phase epitaxy, a lattice-matched layer grown by molecular-beam epitaxy, and published data for ${\mathrm{In}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{\mathrm{x}}$As grown by liquid-phase epitaxy. It is demonstrated that these growth techniques yield material with equivalent absorption characteristics. For all compositions, the absorption coefficient \ensuremath{\alpha}(h\ensuremath{\nu}) rises abruptly to near 6000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ at the band gap, and increases more gradually to 30 000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ at 1.5 eV. For energies above 1.3 eV, all the ${\mathrm{In}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{\mathrm{x}}$As epilayers studied here show essentially the same absorption characteristics, regardless of composition or temperature.
Uncertainty in Natural Hazards, Modeling and Decision Support

Modeling has been used to characterize and map natural hazards and hazard susceptibility for decades. Uncertainties are pervasive in natural hazards analysis, including a limited ability to predict where and when extreme events will occur, with what consequences, and driven by what contributing factors. Modeling efforts are challenged by the intrinsic variability of natural and human systems, missing or erroneous data, parametric uncertainty, model‐based or structural uncertainty, and knowledge gaps, among other factors. Further, scientists and engineers must translate these uncertainties to inform policy decision making, which entails its own set of uncertainties regarding valuation, understanding limitations, societal preferences, and cost‐benefit analysis. Thus, it is crucial to develop robust and meaningful approaches to characterize and communicate uncertainties.
Periaxonal Application of Capsaicin as a Novel Method for Selective Afferent Renal Denervation

Because the differential role of afferent and efferent renal nerves in hypertension is unclear, we developed a method of afferent renal denervation (ARDN) by periaxonal application of capsaicin (re...
Editorial Notes: January 2017

I am extremely honored to write my first “Editorial Notes” for Family Court Review, and I am most grateful to the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) Board of Directors for appointing me to succeed Professor Andrew Schepard. I have been a devoted reader of and contributor to FCR (and its predecessor journals) for many decades, and I have been a committed AFCC member since the early 1990s. Although I doubt anyone can fill Professor Schepard’s shoes, I certainly plan to try my best to follow in his incredibly large footsteps. He is a dear friend and colleague with whom I regularly have consulted and collaborated since my early days in law school teaching, and I am most appreciative of his unwavering support. It is with a heavy heart, however, that I must mention the untimely passing of Ruth Stern. Ruth and her husband, Professor Herbie DiFonzo, along with Dr. Robert Emery, oversaw and maintained the operation of FCR at Hofstra during the transition year prior to my appointment. Ruth served as Managing Editor of FCR during her tenure with the journal. I met Ruth last March at an editorial meeting at Hofstra, and we communicated throughout the latter part of the transition process. It was obvious from the interactions at the editorial meeting that Ruth had developed close working relationships with the law student staff, who displayed their respect and affection for her. Likewise, in the short time I had the privilege to work with Ruth, she welcomed me to FCR with warmth, humility, encouragement, and support. I have known Herbie for quite some time, and, on behalf of FCR, I extend to him our deepest sympathies. Bob Emery’s October 2016 Editorial Notes provide more information about Ruth and a description of his working relationship with her. In addition, Herbie’s fitting tribute to his wife is forthcoming in the April 2017 issue of FCR.
Antipsychotic Treatment and Tobacco Craving in People With Schizophrenia.

ABSTRACTObjective: Nicotine dependence is high in schizophrenia, and craving is known to impact relapse during quit attempts. Methods: We compared tobacco craving in smokers with schizophrenia treated with different antipsychotics. Results: Mean craving scores were lowest in participants receiving first-generation antipsychotics, although these differences were not statistically significant. Craving with clozapine was not lower than with other antipsychotics. Conclusions: Further research is needed to determine whether differences in craving exist between antipsychotic classes.
Metal-Supported Solid Oxide Fuel Cell with High Power Density

MS-SOFCs with symmetric architecture and integrated metal supports on both sides are prepared with infiltrated LSM cathode and SDC-Ni anode. Very high power density is achieved after optimizing various aspects of the catalyst infiltration procedure; 0.44, 1.1, and 1.9 W cm-2 at 600°C, 700°C and 800°C, respectively. Various commercially-available sealing glasses were tested, and provided good initial sealing. The initial performance is impacted by the sealing temperature. V1515 and GM31107 glasses provided the best stability during continuous testing at 700°C. Tolerance to rapid thermal cycling with 15 min start-up time is demonstrated.
mTOR activation is increased in pilocytic astrocytomas from older adults compared with children.

Background Recent studies suggest that the behavior and biology of WHO grade I pilocytic astrocytomas (PAs) in adults is different than that associated with grade I PAs in children. Methods We evaluated Ki-67 labeling, BRAF abnormalities, isocitrate dehydrogenase R132 immunoreactivity phosphorylation (activation) of p44/42 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in formalin-fixed tissue from 21 adult (18 years or older, mean age 37 years) and 10 children (mean age 9.4 years) WHO grade I PAs. Results The mean Ki-67 labeling was 4.8% in adults and 3.8% in children. There was no significant difference between Ki-67 labeling in children and adults or either subgroups of adults. No differences were found in phospho p44/42MAPK in adult subgroups (18-33 years and 34 and older) compared to children. Activation/phosphorylation of mTOR was biphasic in adults being significantly lower than children in young adults but significantly higher than children in older adults (age 34 and older). Conclusions Identifying mTOR phosphorylation/activation may represent a difference in biology and a new marker to guide chemotherapy with recently approved mTOR inhibitors.
Fourier Transform Infrared (Ft-Ir) Spectroscopic Imaging for Solid Tumor Histopathology

Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic imaging has shown great promise in becoming a powerful tool in cytology and histopathology. Applications for cancer diagnoses in solid tumors are especially attractive as samples are spatially complex and involve myriad molecular changes whereas there are many shortcomings in current clinical practice that can be addressed. Here we review the current state of the art in applying FT-IR imaging for analyzing solid tumors. We focus on instrumentation that is relatively new, emerging fundamental understanding gained by new theoretical advances, data analysis and selected, illustrative applications in cancer histopathology.
Percutaneous Facet Screws

This technique is useful mostly at L4–5 and L5–S1 as supplemental fixation after an anterior approach (ALIF or AxiaLIF) and has the advantage of a minimal midline skin incision and soft tissue disruption. While biomechanically not as strong as the pedicle screw/rod constructs, the facet screws are mostly designed to block rotation.
Nonlinear static and stability analysis of composite beams by the variational asymptotic method

Abstract The Variational Asymptotic Method (VAM) that is a powerful method for solving thin-walled beam problems is used for nonlinear static and stability analysis of composite beams. The finite difference and the finite elements methods are used for calculating elastic deformation of beams with clamped-free boundary conditions. The case of simply supported beams is also solved using linear and nonlinear formulations and the results are compared with each other. Next, the shooting method is used for performing nonlinear elasto-static analysis of cantilever beams. Finally by applying perturbations on the equilibrium equations and using an eigenvalue analysis, elastic stability of clamped-free composite beams is analyzed. The obtained results are compared with the available data in the literature that have been obtained using deformation analysis.
Gain scheduled control for nonlinear power management in CMPs

Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is a well-established technique for power management of thermal-or energy-sensitive chip multiprocessors (CMPs). In this context, linear control theoretic solutions have been successfully implemented to control the voltage-frequency knobs. However, modern CMPs with a large range of operating frequencies and multiple voltage levels display nonlinear behavior in the relationship between frequency and power. State-of-the-art linear controllers therefore under-optimize DVFS operation. We propose a Gain Scheduled Controller (GSC) for nonlinear runtime power management of CMPs that simplifies the controller implementation of systems with varying dynamic properties by utilizing an adaptive control theoretic approach in conjunction with static linear controllers. Our design improves the accuracy of the controller over a static linear controller with minimal overhead. We implement our approach on an Exynos platform containing ARM's big.LITTLE-based heterogeneous multi-processor (HMP) and demonstrate that the system's response to changes in target power is improved by 2x while operating up to 12% more efficiently for tracking accuracy.
An Analytical 1-D Model for Ion Implantation of Any Species into Single-Crystal Silicon Based on Legendre Polynomials

A computationally-efficient 1-D analytical model for ion implantation of any species into single crystal silicon is presented. By interpolating between a few species, the model can predict as-implanted profiles for all the other species. The model uses Legendre polynomials as basis functions. The results of the model are in good agreement with UT-MARLOWE, which is a physically-based and experimentally verified Monte Carlo simulator.
An application of data mining to identify potential risk factors for anophthalmia and microphthalmia

Background We examined a large number of variables to generate new hypotheses regarding a wider range of risk factors for anophthalmia/microphthalmia using data mining. Methods Data were from the National Birth Defects Prevention Study, a multicentre, case-control study from 10 centres in the United States. There were 134 cases of "isolated" and 87 "nonisolated" (with other major birth defects) of anophthalmia/microphthalmia and 11 052 nonmalformed controls with delivery dates October 1997-December 2011. Using random forest, a data mining procedure, we compared the two case types with controls for 201 variables. Variables considered important ranked by random forest were included in a multivariable logistic regression model to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results Predictors for isolated cases included paternal race/ethnicity, maternal intake of certain nutrients and foods, and childhood health problems in relatives. Using regression, inverse associations were observed with greater maternal education and with increasing intake of folate and potatoes. Odds were slightly higher with greater paternal education, for increased intake of carbohydrates and beans, and if relatives had a childhood health problem. For nonisolated cases, predictors included paternal race/ethnicity, maternal intake of certain nutrients, and smoking in the home the month before conception. Odds were higher for Hispanic fathers and smoking in the home and NSAID use the month before conception. Conclusions Results appear to support previously hypothesised risk factors, socio-economic status, NSAID use, and inadequate folate intake, and potentially provide new areas such as passive smoking pre-pregnancy, and paternal education and ethnicity, to explore for further understanding of anophthalmia/microphthalmia.
Joint Optimization of Kinetic Modelling and CBM Acquisition Parameters in Hybrid Whole-Body Dynamic PET Imaging

In our previous work we proposed a modilfied protocol for simultaneous estimation of compartmental and graphical analysis kinetic parameters in whole-body (WB) dynamic PET imaging. The protocol is clinically feasible in continuous bed motion (CBM) acquisition mode. Therefore certain kinetic modelling related parameters, such as temporal frame definition and duration are selected a priori through CBM pass and bed speed selection. This is in contrast to traditional single bed dynamic imaging where such parameters are defined a posteriori. Furthermore optimum CBM parameters might vary between compartmental and graphical analysis. To this end a joint optimization of acquisition and kinetic modelling parameters is attempted. Using the XCAT phantom as well as clinical studies, the impact of temporal frame definition, frame duration and total scan duration on micro-and macro-parametric images is evaluated, through modulation of CBM parameters such as the bed speed and number of passes. Furthermore for Patlak graphical analysis and compartmental modelling, the optimum regression window was systematically investigated with respect to the selected CBM parameters.
A Novel Analog to Digital Conversion Concept with Crosstalk Computing

Analog to Digital Converters (ADCs) is the core component of computing systems forming a link between the external stimuli and digital microprocessor operations. Current CMOS based fast ADCs are difficult to scale due to the reliance on transistor sizing and high voltage operations. They also suffer from high power consumption. In this paper, we introduce a novel ADC design which uses the deterministic signal interference between metal lines as a mechanism for signal conversion. In contrast to CMOS ADCs, our approach uses a simple crosstalk tree network of metal lines to convert sampled analog levels to digital code. Here, the sampled analog signal is passed through an input metal line which is capacitively coupled to a series of metal lines in a tree-like layout, and the coupled voltages on the edge of the tree (the leaves) determine the output. The resolution is dependent on the number of branches. We show 2-bit and 3-bit ADC implemented through this mechanism at 16n technology node. Our results indicate the possibility of huge power savings with Crosstalk ADCs in comparison to CMOS; for 2-bit and 3-bit ADCs the power consumption was found to be 43.51μW and 96.74μW respectively at 50M Hz sampling frequency.
Mechanisms in the Mist: A Media Archaeological Excavation of the Mechanical Theater

Theatrical spectacles of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries played an important role as models in the formation of media culture. They provided scenographic inspiration for popular touring spectacles like peepshows, puppet shows, and ombres chinoises. A particularly interesting case was a spectacle known by many names, such as theatrum mundi, Mechanisches Theater, or Theatre of the Arts. Its formation took place in the eighteenth century, but its true era of prominence was the nineteenth century, when shows fitting such designation toured far and wide in Europe and the Americas. This chapter discusses the mechanical theater as a cultural form, probing its relationship to the legitimate theater and to parallel optical spectacles, such as dioramas and magic lantern shows, from which it appropriated features, and situates them within a genealogy of media cultures.
Radiocontrast Agent Diatrizoic Acid Induces Mitophagy and Oxidative Stress via Calcium Dysregulation.

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is the third most common cause of hospital associated kidney damage. Potential mechanisms of CI-AKI may involve diminished renal hemodynamics, inflammatory responses, and direct cytotoxicity. The hypothesis for this study is that diatrizoic acid (DA) induces direct cytotoxicity to human proximal tubule (HK-2) cells via calcium dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. HK-2 cells were exposed to 0–30 mg I/mL DA or vehicle for 2–24 h. Conversion of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and trypan blue exclusion indicated a decrease in mitochondrial and cell viability within 2 and 24 h, respectively. Mitochondrial dysfunction was apparent within 8 h post exposure to 15 mg I/mL DA as shown by Seahorse XF cell mito and Glycolysis Stress tests. Mitophagy was increased at 8 h by 15 mg I/mL DA as confirmed by elevated LC3BII/I expression ratio. HK-2 cells pretreated with calcium level modulators BAPTA-AM, EGTA, or 2-aminophenyl borinate abrogated DA-induced mitochondrial damage. DA increased oxidative stress biomarkers of protein carbonylation and 4-hydroxynonenol (4HNE) adduct formation. Caspase 3 and 12 activation was induced by DA compared to vehicle at 24 h. These studies indicate that clinically relevant concentrations of DA impair HK-2 cells by dysregulating calcium, inducing mitochondrial turnover and oxidative stress, and activating apoptosis.
Multilingualism and the politics of participation at a Cameroonian wildlife sanctuary

Abstract This article takes a language ideological assemblage approach to examining the politics of multilingual communication at a wildlife sanctuary in Limbe, Cameroon. At the Limbe Wildlife Centre, English is treated as the primary and even neutral lingua franca of the institution, although it is almost no one's first or preferred language. In reality, the majority of communication takes place either in Cameroonian Pidgin English (used by animal keepers and staff) or French (used by foreign NGO managers and volunteers). In this institution, the shared belief in the neutrality and accessibility of English leads to the erasure of work done in other languages, thereby magnifying the neocolonial, racial, and epistemic divides between Cameroonian staff and French NGO workers.
Phase Stability of Ni/Ni 3 Al Multilayers Under Thermal Annealing and Irradiation

Nickel-based superalloys with L12-ordered Ni3Al precipitates exhibit excellent high-temperature mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Here we studied the phase stability of a Ni/Ni3Al multilayer under high-temperature thermal annealing and Ni ion irradiation. Ni/Ni3Al multilayers with order–disorder interfaces were fabricated by magnetron sputtering at 773 K. Thermally induced interdiffusion and precipitation occurred under thermal annealing at 1073 K for 1 h. Ni ion irradiation at 773 K to a dose of 2 × 1016/cm2 led to chemical intermixing across the Ni/Ni3Al interface, although the Ni3Al layer remained ordered. The results of this study provide insight into the understanding of disorder, recovery, and dissolution processes occurring in ordered intermetallic compounds in extreme environments.
Crystalline compounds for remediation of rare-earth fission products: A review

Abstract Rare earth (RE)-containing crystals have been investigated as media for the immobilization of RE fission products from nuclear waste streams. During reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, fission products including REs, alkalis, and alkaline earths released from the fuel. One viable option to immobilize the RE fission products is to incorporate them into chemically durable crystalline phases in specific waste forms. This study summarizes the crystal structures and synthesis methods of six RE-containing compounds that have applications in remediation of RE fission products. These compounds include oxyapatite (AE2RE8(SiO4)6O2), oxychloride (REOCl), borosilicate (RE3BSi2O10), pyrochlore (RE2M2O7), monazite (REPO4), and perovskite [REMO3] where AE denotes alkaline earth metals and M denotes transition metals. This review provides an overview of literature on the usage of these six compounds for immobilizing RE fission products and summarizes different synthesis methods for producing these compounds. Comparisons of structural parameters with different REs in each compound are also discussed.
Phase diagram for 1/2 Yb2O3BaOCuO

Abstract The phase diagram of the 1/2 Yb 2 O 3 BaOCuO system has been studied in oxygen at 935°C. An inert gas glove box was used for sample manipulation and storage to avoid problems caused by reactions of BaO-rich samples with atmospheric CO 2 and H 2 O. Ternary phases prepared and identified were YbBa 2 Cu 3 O x (Yb-123), YbBa 4 Cu 3 O y (Yb-143), YbBa 6 Cu 3 O z (Yb-163), and Yb 2 BaCuO 5 (Yb-211). Compositions on and around the tie line between Yb-211 and BaCuO 2 were also prepared and studied. X-ray diffracton measurements and differential thermal analyses were carried out to identify phases present. Results indicated that the 1/2 Yb 2 O 3 BaOCuO system is very similar to the 1/2 Y 2 O 3 BaOCuO system with the same ternary phases and with no extensive solid solution. The Yb-123 phase is the only superconducting phase in the system with an observed T c of 90 ± K. The Yb-163 phase was observed to react rapidly with ambient air.
Pathways of Hydrogen from Succinate and Malate in the Energy-linked and Non-energy-linked Reduction of Acetoacetate

Abstract Studies were made of the pathway of hydrogen from succinate-2,2'-3H to 3-hydroxybutyrate in the energy-linked reduction of acetoacetate catalyzed by rat liver mitochondria. Parallel experiments were performed to follow the fate of hydrogen of l-malate-2,3-3H in the non-energy-driven reduction. The effects of rotenone and Amytal on these reactions were observed. Although tritium was incorporated into 3-hydroxybutyrate when succinate-2,2'-3H served as hydrogen donor in the endergonic reduction of acetoacetate, the extent of incorporation was only one-sixth of that anticipated for direct transfer of tritium from the labeled succinate to 3-hydroxybutyrate. Labeling of 3-hydroxybutyrate was increased on inhibiting the energy-driven reduction of acetoacetate by succinate-2,2'-3H. In experiments with l-malate-2,3-3H, the uptake of tritium into 3-hydroxybutyrate was markedly greater than when succinate-2,2'-3H served as hydrogen donor in the energy-dependent reaction but was approximately equivalent to values observed when the latter reaction was inhibited by rotenone or Amytal. From these results the conclusion was reached that, in the course of transfer of hydrogen from succinate to 3-hydroxy-butyrate, equilibration with the hydrogen of water takes place. The observed incorporation of tritium is believed to be due to uptake from the l-malate-2,3-3H formed as a product of oxidation of succinate-2,2'-3H. An exchange reaction between malate and water was observed. This has been interpreted to be a measure of the steady state oxidation of malate by rat liver mitochondria.
Is a Little Pollution Good for You?: Incorporating Societal Values in Environmental Research

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction: Societal Values and Environmental Research OVERVIEW OF THE BOOK CHAPTER SUMMARIES CONCLUSION 2. The Hormesis Case SETTING THE STAGE BRIEF HISTORY OF HORMESIS RESEARCH CHOOSING AND DESIGNING STUDIES DEVELOPING SCIENTIFIC LANGUAGE EVALUATING AND INTERPRETING STUDIES APPLYING RESEARCH CONCLUSION 3. An Argument for Societal Values in Policy-Relevant Research BACKGROUND ON VALUES IN SCIENCE THE EASY CASES VALUES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENTIFIC LANGUAGE VALUES IN THE EVALUATION AND INTERPRETATION OF STUDIES CONCLUSION 4. Lesson #1: Safeguarding Science SPECIAL-INTEREST SCIENCE UNIVERSITY CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST POLICIES ADDITIONAL RESPONSES CONCLUSION REVIEW ONGOING QUESTIONS CONCLUSION
A high-power, low-noise polarization maintaining Erbium/Brillouin fiber amplified source

A polarization maintaining erbium/Brillouin fiber amplifier was investigated. The output noise of the amplified source was measured and compared to shot-noise. Shot-noise limited performance was achieved within the 1 GHz to 8 GHz frequency band.
Influence of Source and Receiver Geometry on the Testing of Pavements by the Surface Waves Method

The spectral analysis of surface waves (SASW) method is a nondestructive testing procedure under development for determining the elastic modulus profile of pavement systems in situ. The ultimate goal in the development of the SASW method is a totally automated, moveable test rig for conducting the investigation. An important step toward this objective is the development of a multiple transducer testing procedure. A significant variable with respect to a multiple transducer testing procedure is the choice of source and receiver geometry. A series of tests were conducted on an asphaltic concrete pavement to study the influence of source and receiver geometry. It was found that the results obtained from two different geometries, the common receivers midpoint (CRMP) geometry and the common source (CS) geometry, were nearly identical. The common source (CS) geometry was concluded to be preferable because of its practical advantage of a fixed source location.
Cholinergic Septal Afferent Terminals Preferentially Contact Neuropeptide Y-Containing Interneurons Compared to Parvalbumin-Containing Interneurons in the Rat Dentate Gyrus

Septal cholinergic neurons may affect hippocampal memory encoding and retrieval by differentially targeting parvalbumin (PARV)-containing basket cells and neuropeptide Y (NPY) interneurons. Thus, the cellular associations of cholinergic efferents, identified by the low-affinity, p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)), with interneurons containing either PARV or NPY in the hilus of the rat dentate gyrus were examined in single sections using dual labeling immunoelectron microscopy. Most profiles immunoreactive (IR) for PARV and NPY were perikaryal and dendritic and found within the infragranular and central hilar regions, respectively, whereas most profiles with p75(NTR)-labeling were unmyelinated axons and axon terminals. Although PARV-labeled profiles were more numerous, p75(NTR)-labeled axons and terminals contacted few PARV-IR profiles compared to NPY-labeled profiles (2% of 561 for PARV vs 12% of 433 for NPY). Moreover, structures targeted by p75(NTR)-IR axon terminals varied depending on the presence of PARV or NPY immunoreactivity. p75(NTR)-IR terminals primarily contacted PARV-IR dendrites (87%) compared to somata (13%); however, they contacted more NPY-IR somata (57%) than dendrites (43%). p75(NTR)-labeled terminals formed exclusively symmetric (inhibitory-type) synapses with PARV-IR somata and dendrites; however, they formed mostly symmetric but also asymmetric (excitatory-type) synapses with NPY-IR somata and dendrites. These results suggest that septal cholinergic efferents in the dentate gyrus: (1) preferentially innervate NPY-containing interneurons compared to PARV-containing basket cells; and (2) may provide a more powerful (i.e., somatic contacts), yet functionally diverse (i.e., asymmetric and symmetric synapses), modulation of NPY-containing interneurons. Moreover, they provide evidence that neurochemical subsets of hippocampal interneurons can be distinguished by afferent input.
Electrically silent potassium channel subunits from human lens epithelium

We describe the cloning and characterization of the first human members, hKv9.1 and hKv9.3, of the electrically silent delayed-rectifying-like K+ channel subfamily. Their modulatory effects on the ...
Detection of Novel Murine Mammary Tumor Viruses by Interspecies Immunoassays

Radioimmunoassays were developed that can detect antigenic determinants common to mammary tumor viruses (MTV's) of four distinct Mus species: M. musculus, M. cervicolor, M. cookll, and M. caroll. The radioimmunoassays were based on the immunologic cross-reactivity observed between the murine mammary tumor viruses (MuMTV) of M. musculus and type B retrovirus isolated from M. cervicolor. Both of the glycoproteins of MuMTV (gp52, gp36) shared antigenic determinants with virions of M. cervicolor mammary tumor virus. Interspecies radioimmunoassays for gp52 and gp36 were developed and used to detect viruses in the milk of noninbred feral Mus species and MuMTV-related translational products in mammary tumors in these species. Type C and type D retroviruses, as well as the M432 retrovirus of M. cervicolor, did not react in either assay. Both interspecies immunoassays were therefore specific for the detection of distinct MuMTV-related antigenic determinants.
Prospective comparison of arthroscopic medial meniscal repair technique: inside-out suture versus entirely arthroscopic arrows.

Background: Medial meniscal repairs are commonly performed with inside-out sutures and entirely arthroscopic with arrows, but few comparative evaluations on failures have been performed.Hypothesis: No differences in failure rates exist between medial meniscal repairs performed with inside-out suture or entirely arthroscopic at the time of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.Study Design: Prospective cohort study.Materials: A single surgeon performed 47 consecutive inside-out suture repairs from August 1991 to June 1996 and 98 consecutive entirely arthroscopic repairs with arrows from June 1996 to December 1999. All data were derived from a prospective database and rehabilitation was held constant (nonweightbearing 5 weeks). Clinical success was defined as no reoperation for failed medial meniscal repair. Statistical evaluation was by Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards model.Results: The inside-out suture group had 85% follow-up (40 of 47) with a median 68 months and the entirely arthro...
The use of group sequential designs with common competing risks tests

Clinical trials are often performed using a group sequential design in order to allow investigators to review the accumulating data sequentially and possibly terminate the trial early for efficacy or futility. Standard methods for comparing survival distributions have been shown under varying levels of generality to follow an independent increments structure. In the presence of competing risks, where the occurrence of one type of event precludes the occurrence of another type of event, researchers may be interested in inference on the cumulative incidence function, which describes the probability of experiencing a particular event by a given time. This manuscript shows that two commonly used tests for comparing cumulative incidence functions, a pointwise comparison at a single point, and Gray's test, also follow the independent increments structure when used in a group sequential setting. A simulation study confirms the theoretical derivations even for modest trial sample sizes. We used two examples of clinical trials in hematopoietic cell transplantation to illustrate the techniques. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fluorescence imaging of flowing cells using a temporally coded excitation

Imaging fluorescence in moving cells is fundamentally challenging because the exposure time is constrained by motion-blur, which limits the available signal. We report a method to image fluorescently labeled leukemia cells in fluid flow that has an effective exposure time of up to 50 times the motion-blur limit. Flowing cells are illuminated with a pseudo-random excitation pulse sequence, resulting in a motion-blur that can be computationally removed to produce near diffraction-limited images. This method enables observation of cellular organelles and their behavior in a fluid environment that resembles the vasculature.
≫Six-times the transmission distance over standard single-mode fiber for 10-Gb/s directly-modulated system by off-center filtering and electronic equalization

We investigate the impact of off-center optical filtering plus electronic equalization for10-Gb/s directly-modulated systems. Simulation results show the transmission distance over standard single-mode fiber is increased ≫6-times (from ≪25-km to ≫150-km) without optical dispersion compensation.
Block of axoplasmic transport in vitro by vinca alkaloids

The three potent antimitotic vinca alkaloids: vincristine (VCR), vinblastine (VLB), and vindesine (VDS) were compared for their effect in blocking axoplasmic transport in vitro using a desheathed preparation of the peroneal branch of cat sciatic nerve. A range of vinca alkaloid concentrations from 1-100 microM was examined. The relative order of potency in blocking axoplasmic transport was VCR greater than VLB greater than VDS at a concentration of 25 microM. At the higher concentrations block occurred so rapidly that a statistically significant difference between these agents could not be obtained. The relation of vinca block to the transport mechanism is discussed.
Cancer metabolism: Tumour friend or foe.

Elucidation of a signalling pathway that promotes tumour-cell survival during metabolic stress reveals that a protein called AMPK may both hinder and enhance cancer progression. See Letter p.661 Here it is demonstrated that the formation of hypertoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers can be triggered by small quantities of a specifically truncated and post-translationally modified (pyroglutamylated) version of Aβ, called pEAβ. Previous studies have shown that pE modification of Aβ enhances its aggregation kinetics, toxicity and resistance to degradation, but a mechanistic explanation for these observations was lacking. This study shows that pEAβ causes template-induced misfolding of Aβ1–42 into small hypertoxic structurally distinct oligomers that propagate through a prion-like mechanism. Tau expression is required for the cytotoxicity of these oligomers, and similar molecules can be isolated from the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
Antibody nature of an AHG (Factor VIII)inhibitor

A child with classical hemophilia who had received plasma intermittently since age 8 months was found to have an antihemophilic globulin inhibitor at two years of age. The inhibitor was characterized as a gamma 2 kappa 2 IgG antibody; in addition the presence of a low molecular weight IgM antibody was also demonstrated. Immunological properties of the inhibitor are presented, and possible etiological factors and clinical management of such patients are discussed.
The mechanism of inhibition and "reversal" of mitogen-induced lymphocyte activation in a model of adenosine deaminase deficiency.

Abstract The biochemical mechanism of lymphocyte dysfunction with adenosine deaminase deficiency has been investigated using cultured phytohemagglutinin stimulated normal peripheral blood lymphocytes and the adenosine deaminase (ADA) inhibitor 2′-deoxycoformycin. The addition of deoxyadenosine to ADA-inhibited (but not to uninhibited) cells generated increased dATP pools (up to 50-fold greater than controls) and depressed the mitogen response. dATP Accumulation was accompanied by depletion of the other three deoxynucleoside triphosphate (dNTP) pools (dTTP, dCTP, and dGTP). Suppression of the mitogen response could be prevented (“reversed”) to 90% of control levels by the addition of deoxynucleoside precursors for the depleted dNTPs at the initiation of mitogen stimulation. “Reversal” restored the dTTP and possibly the dGTP pools. Thus the mechanism of toxicity in this model appears to be inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase by massive accumulation of dATP, resulting in starvation for the other three deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. “Reversibility” of this toxicity by providing sources for the missing three deoxynucleoside triphosphates argues for ribonucleotide reductase inhibition rather than other mechanisms of deoxyadenosine toxicity in this model.
River trail: a path to parallelism in JavaScript

JavaScript is the most popular language on the web and is a crucial component of HTML5 applications and services that run on consumer platforms ranging from desktops to phones. However, despite ample amount of hardware parallelism available to web applications on such platforms, JavaScript web applications remain predominantly sequential. Common parallel programming solutions accepted by other programming languages failed to transfer themselves to JavaScript due to differences in programming models, the additional requirements of the web and different developer expectations.In this paper we present River Trail - a parallel programming model and API for JavaScript that provides safe, portable, programmer-friendly, deterministic parallelism to JavaScript applications. River Trail allows web applications to effectively utilize multiple cores, vector instructions, and GPUs on client platforms while allowing the web developer to remain within the environment of JavaScript. We describe the implementation of the River Trail compiler and runtime and present experimental results that show the impact of River Trail on performance and scalability for a variety of realistic HTML5 applications. Our experiments show that River Trail has a dramatic positive impact on overall performance and responsiveness of computationally intense JavaScript based applications achieving up to 33.6 times speedup for kernels and up to 11.8 times speedup for realistic web applications compared to sequential JavaScript. Moreover, River Trail enables new interactive web usages that are simply not even possible with standard sequential JavaScript.
Systematic method for cleaning circumferential strain from raw harmonic phase magnetic resonance imaging (HARP) analyzed data

Methods Spatial Modulation of Magnetization tissue tags were placed on the myocardium at 3 T in 400 participants in the Dallas Heart Study. Short-axis tagged slices were analyzed by the harmonic phase (HARP) method (Diagnosoft, Palo Alto, California) to assess circumferential strain. The raw segmental data at each phase (24 points per wall/ phase) was evaluated by the Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. If the strain at a given phase was not normally distributed (Shapiro-Wilk test p 5 or < -5% strain at the end of diastole in clean vs. raw data was compared.
Large Electro-optic Activity and Enhanced Thermal Stability from Diarylaminophenyl-Containing High-β Nonlinear Optical Chromophores

Two series of highly efficient and thermally stable nonlinear optical chromophores based on the (4-diarylamino)phenyl electron donors have been synthesized and systematically investigated. A modular approach has been employed to synthesize these electron donors with tunable size, shape, and electron-donating abilities. Efficient conjugated bridges were extended from these donors and coupled with very strong CF3−TCF electron acceptors to afford chromophores with very high β values (up to 7077 × 10-30 esu at 1.907 μm). These chromophores possess much higher thermal stability (with their onset decomposition temperatures all above 220 °C) than those substituted with (4-dialkylamino)phenyl donors. Most importantly, the high molecular hyperpolarizability of these chromophores can be effectively translated into very large electro-optic (E-O) coefficients (r33) in poled polymers through suitable shape engineering. Exemplified by the chromophore B4, which has a fluorinated aromatic substituent anchored at its dono...
Phenomenology of a technicolor model with softly broken flavor symmetry

We consider the phenomenology of a technicolor model with softly broken flavor symmetries. First we explore the breaking of the large gauge symmetries of this model and use e+e− scattering data to bound the VEV's responsible for the breaking. Next we examine the box diagrams responsible for quark and lepton masses in order to get a limit on the top quark mass. Finally, we consider contributions to FCNC effects arising from the extra gauge bosons and heavy fermions in this model. Because the flavor symmetry is softly broken, these are GIM-suppressed; they do, however, give additional limits on the model.
Emission spectra and particle ejection during visible laser ablation of graphite for diamondlike coatings

We have investigated the emission spectra of a carbon plume generated from graphite by a visible pulsed laser for diamond-like coatings (DLC). The laser utilized was a 300- watt class copper vapor laser with a pulse duration of approximately 40 ns. To better understand the laser-target interaction, we have visualized plume dynamics near the graphite surface via Schelieren method. We found that the laser ablation process was accomplished with explosive material ejection during pulsed laser deposition (PLD). The ejection of material started at about 500 ns after the onset of laser pulse and lasted for about 10 microsecond(s) . The material ejection is very directional and introduced large amount of micro particulates in the DLC film. We have found that the use of a random phase plate to smooth the laser intensity profile effectively eliminated this ejection of material with additional advantage of higher coating rate. The spectra in the visible and UV of the plume emission were analyzed to correlate with DLC quality and coating rate. We have characterized the carbon plasma based on emissions from C, C2, C+, and C++ for laser peak intensities between 0.1 - 5 GW/cm2 and 0.8 GW/cm2. The kinetic energy of C+ was estimated to be approximately 20 eV at this optimized coating condition. We found that greater C+ kinetic energy at higher laser intensity does not necessarily produce better DLC. This process optimization enabled us to demonstrate a coating rate as high as 2000 micrometers -cm2/hr. The C2 swan-band emission from the plume was most pronounced in the optimized coating condition and was used as a process diagnostic tool.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An Inexpensive Automatic Digital Film Reader

An inexpensive digital film reader has been developed which can automatically record x and y coordinates of manually located points within a 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm area to within 20μ. The reader consists of a projection microscope with an instrumented movable stage. Positions of images on films clamped to the stage are determined by moving the stage until the target image point falls under a cross hair on the projection screen. Coordinates of the stage position are sensed with a digital voltmeter. The voltmeter drives a keypunch which records film position data in a form compatible with computer processing.
‘Eating your own dog food’: applying course concepts in your teaching

The phrase 'eating your own dog food', which relates to the internal use of products for sale to customers, is common in the software industry. The phrase and the general approach provide an interesting way to promote the use of course concepts to students. In short, the 'eating your own dog food' approach requires an instructor to use course concepts in the design and management of a class, and convey those linkages to students during the class. This article introduces the approach in general and describes how it was used to improve an online graduate core class in operations management.
HEMOCHROMATOSIS AND ARTHRITIS.

Two patients with hemochromatosis and what appears to be a distinctive arthritis are presented. Both showed prominent involvement of the hands, minimal evidence of inflammation, significant x-ray changes and synovial hemosiderin deposition. Five other cases of a similar arthritis were found in a review of 23 cases of idiopathic hemochromatosis. The arthritis is postulated to be the result of iron excess damaging articular tissue in a yet undefined manner.
Important residual stress features in reactor nozzle dissimilar metal welds

This paper is focused on the study of residual stress distribution at a dissimilar metal weld (DMW) of nuclear reactor nozzle. The paper extends some of the recent research on this subject by investigating the effect of weld sequence and nozzle length design on the residual stress distributions. It also investigates the effect of a partial excavation repair and a weld overlay on the residual stress distribution. As a result, some of the important residual stress features at DMW are revealed and these features are discussed and summarized in the paper.