cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
POSTURAL CONTROL IN YOUNG AND ELDERLY ADULTS WHEN STANCE IS PERTURBED : DYNAMICS

Responses in maintaining or restoring standing balance were measured in 24 healthy young and 15 healthy elderly adults (mean ages 26 and 72) under four task conditions: two involving self-generated motions and two involving imposed disturbances. The two primary objectives of the study were to quantify the whole-body dynamics of these responses and to identify any age related differences in those dynamics. Response dynamics were analyzed using a seven-link biomechanical model. In terms of approximate population-mean values, maximum whole-body center of mass (CM) excursions ranged to 3 cm, maximum center of support-surface reaction (CR) excursions ranged to 8 cm, vertical reaction force changes ranged to 50 N, anteroposterior support surface reactions ranged to 30 N, maximum joint torques used per side ranged to 20 Nm and peak angular momenta about a transverse axis through the ankles ranged to 6 kg m2 s-1. The elderly adults, compared to the young tended to exhibit higher-frequency oscillations in excursions and larger horizontal excursions of their CM and CR, tended to develop larger support surface reactions and use larger response joint torques, and tended to arrest less of their angular momentum in their first cycle of response during the two imposed-disturbance tasks. Only some of these tendencies proved statistically significant. The results suggest that healthy elderly subjects with no apparent musculoskeletal or neurological impairments differ from healthy young adult subjects in their responses to modest perturbations of upright stance. However, the differences are generally not large and their magnitudes are perturbation-specific.
Inflammatory orbital pseudotumor with extension beyond the orbit

Abstract Purpose To summarize the clinical profile and response to treatment of 4 biopsy-proven cases of inflammatory orbital pseudotumor extending beyond the orbit. Design Retrospective observational case series. Methods Four patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed. There were three men with extraorbital extension (two intracranial; one maxillary antrum) and one woman with intracranial disease that extended into the orbit. The men were 40, 41, and 60 years old; the woman was 73 years old. Results Two men with orbital myositis and mild discomfort, initially treated with corticosteroids, had asymptomatic intracranial disease 9 and 12 months after initial presentation. A third man had extension into the maxillary antrum after initial symptoms of painless diplopia. The woman had intraorbital disease with minimal discomfort (dacryoadenitis and myositis) 5 years after presenting with intracranial disease in the Meckel cave that subsequently became bilateral. Histopathologic examination in all cases showed nonspecific inflammation without evidence of vasculitis or granulomas. Conclusions Unlike typical cases of nonspecific orbital inflammation, two of these four cases did not have pain as a prominent feature. Neuroimaging was essential in diagnosing asymptomatic extraorbital disease. Surgery has a prominent role in confirming this diagnosis, primarily by helping to rule out other diseases, such as those with granulomatous inflammation or vasculitis. Additional therapy was usually not required postoperatively.
Microvariability in Seyfert Galaxies

We present the results of a search for microvariability in a sample of eight Seyfert galaxies. Microvariability (i.e., variations occurring on timescales of tens of minutes to hours) has been conclusively demonstrated to exist in the class of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) known as blazars. Its existence in other classes of AGNs is far less certain. We present the results of a study of eight Seyfert 1 galaxies, which were intensively monitored in order to determine whether such variations exist in these objects. Only one object, Ark 120, displayed any evidence of microvariations. The implications of these results with respect to current models of the mechanisms responsible for the observed emission in Seyfert galaxies are discussed. We compare our results with those obtained from other studies of microvariability in different classes of AGNs.
Serine phosphate, threonine phosphate and γ-carboxyglutamic acid in normal and experimentally induced, pathologically calcified rat skin (topical cutaneous calciphylaxis)

The amount of non-collagenous proteins is increased greatly during the pathological calcification of rat skin experimentally induced by dihydrotachysterol (DHT) and Ovalbumin (topical cutaneous calciphylaxis). This is accompanied by an increase in the total amount and concentrations of protein-bound serine phosphate [Ser(P)], threonine phosphate [Thr(P)] and γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla), almost all of which can be extracted from the tissue and can be dissociated from collagen in 0.5M EDTA. The EDTA-soluble, non-collagenous proteins are rich in aspartic and glutamic acids, similar to the non-collagenous, EDTA-soluble proteins of bone, cementum and calcified cartilage, and quite distinct from those of dentin and enamel.
Duration of drug action.

SummaryThe intertwining of temporal and intensity features of drug effects and the necessity of its consideration in their quantitation are demonstrated by two examples: 1. “Duration of effect” req...
The Threads of Inspiration To Study Science: More Than Academic Genealogies

Academic genealogies track scientific lineages, usually through earned degrees. Such a view overemphasizes the importance of Ph.D. institutions, leading to some faculty at Ph.D. institutions devaluing students that will not further their academic legacy. This commentary argues that expanding the scope of discussion to include sources of inspiration and support increases the diversity of our view of science and more appropriately values the scientific contributions of those outside Ph.D. institutions. More thoughtful consideration of the biases implicit in academic settings may be beneficial for the scientific endeavor as a whole.
Maleylated-BSA Enhances Production of Nitric Oxide from Macrophages

Abstract Maleylated-bovine serum albumin (maleyl-BSA) elicits transcription and secretion of a number of proinflammatory genes via ligation of the low-affinity scavenger receptor (SR) on macrophages. We now demonstrate that while neither maleyl-BSA, nor interferon-γ (INF-γ) alone induce nitric oxide (NO) production, when combined they promote release of NO from murine peritoneal macrophages. This effect was blocked by treatment with oxidized-low density lipoprotein. Maleyl-BSA activated NF-κB dimers capable of binding the NF-κBd sequence unique to the iNOS promoter, but this failed to induce significant new transcription or accumulation of iNOS mRNA. The combination of maleyl-BSA and IFN-γ failed to demonstrate synergy at the transcriptional or mRNA levels, as these levels were comparable to those elicited by IFN-γ alone. These studies suggest that the synergy in NO production between maleyl-BSA and IFN-γ occurs after the accumulation of iNOS-specific mRNA, possibly at the translational or post-translational level.
Association of intracranial aneurysm and Loeys-Dietz syndrome: case illustration, management, and literature review.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a newly described connective tissue disease associated with aortic aneurysms. A strong association between LDS and intracranial aneurysms has not yet been documented in the literature. We present the first detailed report of an intracranial aneurysm finding in an LDS patient. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: The patient is a 20-year-old female recently diagnosed with LDS and found to harbor 2 incidental intracranial aneurysms on a screening magnetic resonance angiography: a 3-mm right carotid ophthalmic aneurysm and an 8-mm partially fusiform paraclinoid carotid artery aneurysm. A standard left pterional craniotomy was performed. Intraoperative adenosine was used instead of temporary clipping because her vessels were extremely friable. After reconstruction, an intraoperative indocyanine green angiogram was obtained, confirming complete aneurysmal obliteration and internal carotid artery patency. CONCLUSION: This is the first detailed report of a clear association between intracranial aneurysms and LDS. An association between LDS and intracranial aneurysms, if substantiated in a larger study, has implications for aneurysm screening in this population. Such an association may shed light on mechanisms of aneurysm formation, growth, and rupture.
Drug abuse and therapy.

The special section “Frontiers in neuroscience: The science of substance abuse” (3 Oct., [p. 45][1]) highlights many of the exciting advances in this field. From molecular neurobiology, to animal behavior, to control of human behavior, our knowledge and understanding are being pushed forward
Guinea pig antibody response following a secondary injection of Coxiella burnetti.

SummarySecondary Q fever antibody responses using Phase I and II complement fixing antigens were determined in guinea pigs after intraperitoneal, secondary injection 125 weeks later. As compared with non-secondarily injected controls, a slight negative antibody phase was observed, followed by significant antibody titers, these titers corresponding in magnitude to the number of organisms injected.
A Case Study of an Outbreak of Twin Tropical Cyclones

Abstract Previous studies have found that twin tropical cyclogenesis typically occurs 2–3 times a year in the Pacific Ocean. During October 1997, however, three sets of twin tropical cyclones developed in the central Pacific within a single month. Tropical cyclone archives indicate that this is the only such outbreak from 1969 to 2006. This case study explores the background and synoptic conditions that led to this unique event. All three twin tropical cyclogenesis events occurred within a broad and long-lasting envelope of warm water, low surface pressure, active convection, and weak or easterly vertical shear. Westerly winds at the equator and trade easterlies farther poleward created strips of cyclonic vorticity through a deep layer. A low-pass filter showed that these favorable conditions shifted eastward with time at 1–2 m s−1. In addition to the gradual eastward movement, the equatorial westerlies and convection were modulated by higher-frequency westward propagation. These anomalies appear to have ...
Hole-catalyzed and photoassisted hole-catalyzed pericyclic reactions on zeolites

Abstract The initial observations of single electron acceptor (hole) catalysis of cycloaddition reactions by zeolites are reported. Both spontaneous and photoassisted zeolite hole catalyses are observed for several conjugated organic substrates including dienes and styrenes. The zeolite hole catalyst sites are characterized as very mild in comparison to aminium salt hole catalysts and are subject to competition from Bronsted acid-catalyzed processes in some cases.
Introducing embedded software and systems education and advanced learning technology in an engineering curriculum

Embedded software and systems are at the intersection of electrical engineering, computer engineering, and computer science, with, increasing importance, in mechanical engineering. Despite the clear need for knowledge of systems modeling and analysis (covered in electrical and other engineering disciplines) and analysis of computational processes (covered in computer science), few academic programs have integrated the two disciplines into a cohesive program of study. This paper describes the efforts conducted at Vanderbilt University to establish a curriculum that addresses the needs of embedded software and systems. Given the compartmentalized nature of traditional engineering schools, where each discipline has an independent program of study, we have had to devise innovative ways to bring together the two disciplines. The paper also describes our current efforts in using learning technology to construct, manage, and deliver sophisticated computer-aided learning modules that can supplement the traditional course structure in the individual disciplines through out-of-class and in-class use.
Layer rigidity in 2D disordered NiAl layer double hydroxides

A series of layer double hydroxide carbonates with the chemical composition [(CO 3 ) x/2 .y(H 2 O)]-[Ni 1-x Al x (OH) 2 ], 0<x<0.4, 0<y<1.2 has been prepared. The composition dependence of the basal spacing of these compounds has been determined from X-ray diffraction measurements and has been computed using an extended version of the discrete finite-layer rigidity model which includes both intra- and inter-layer rigidity effects. The inter- and intra-layer rigidity parameters of Ni(OH) 2 were found to be ∼5 and 2.44, respectively, from which we conclude that the host Ni(OH) 2 spans class II and class III layered solids. On the basis of our X-ray measurements and steric considerations, it is determined that the carbonate ion is oriented in the host gallery with its threefold axis essentially parallel to the host c-axis
Radiologist evaluation of a multispectral image compression algorithm for magnetic resonance images

With the advent of teleradiology and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), the expense and time required for image transmission and long term image archiving become important. The use of validated image compression algorithms can greatly reduce these costs. A lossy, multispectral image compression scheme at compression ratios (CR) of 25∶1 and 32∶1 was used for a set of 26 different patient MR exams. The original and compressed/decompressed (CD) image sets were evaluated in a blinded fashion by four radiologists in two phases. The main objective was to determine whether radiologic interpretation would vary between the two types of CD image sets and the corresponding originals. In general, the compression algorithm caused a slight decrease in image quality; however, the interpretation of pathology did not change between the original and CD image sets. In only one case at the maximum CR=32 did one of four radiologists change the interpretation of pathology after CD. In this study, lossy multispectral image compression of MR images at CR=25 maintained diagnostic integrity. This could play a significant role in image storage and communications.
Towards novel therapeutics for HIV through fragment-based screening and drug design

Fragment-based drug discovery has been applied with varying levels of success to a number of proteins involved in the HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) life cycle. Fragment-based approaches have led to the discovery of novel binding sites within protease, reverse transcriptase, integrase, and gp41. Novel compounds that bind to known pockets within CCR5 have also been identified via fragment screening, and a fragment-based approach to target the TAR-Tat interaction was explored. In the context of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), fragment-based approaches have yielded fragment hits with mid-μM activity in an in vitro activity assay, as well as fragment hits that are active against drug-resistant variants of RT. Fragment-based drug discovery is a powerful method to elucidate novel binding sites within proteins, and the method has had significant success in the context of HIV proteins.
Stochastic identification of computer-regulated linear plants in noisy environments

The object of study is a computer-regulated linear plant in a D.D.C arrangement. The plant is a representation in discrete form of a continuous process and its associated equipment, subject to computer quantization noise and environmental disturbances, all describable by rational transfer functions. It was shown in a previous paper (indberger 1972) that the discrete-time model of the system is a linear, stationary, mixed autoregressive, moving-average (RMA) process in the feedback variable deviation from its mean. After obtaining a large sample of this variable and computing its covariance function, a parameter estimation is performed by fitting the model autocovariance to the sample covariance in a maximum likelihood (L) sense. For a correct model assumption the procedure converges in probability and the estimates have typical ML properties such as consistency and normal distribution. The ML estimate is equivalent to a weighted least squares estimate, obtained by the minimization of certain quadratic for...
Quantifying slum electrification in India and explaining local variation

Unreliable electricity supply is a major obstacle to economic development in countries such as India. While electricity problems in the rural areas are widely recognized, scholars have yet to analyze the situation in urban slums. Drawing on 2004–2005 survey data from the India Human Development Survey, we document the electricity situation in slums. We find that while households located in slums are less likely to have access to the electricity grid than other urban households, the situation is significantly better than in rural areas. Based on simulations, we find that a median household in a slum has 70% chance of having electricity. This number decreases to 50% for a household in a rural area and increases to 80% for households in urban areas. As to daily hours of electricity available for connected households, urban slums also fall between other urban and rural areas. Finally, we show that these conditions vary considerably by state. Slums located in states with low corruption and leftist governments have better electricity access on average than those in states suffering from corruption or that are ruled by rightist parties.
Revving the Engine: Signal Transduction Fuels T Cell Activation

For initiation of an immune response, resting T cells must reprogram their metabolism. Continuing the "From the Field" series (see Editorial [2007] 26, 131), Jones and Thompson draw attention to the importance of metabolism during T cell activation and consider how this process is regulated by receptor-mediated signal transduction.
Transcription coupled nucleotide excision repair by isolated Escherichia coli membrane-associated nucleoids

One form of nucleotide excision repair (NER) is known to be functionally coupled to transcription, but the nature of this functional link in Escherichia coli is still unclear. Here we have employed the isolated membrane-associated nucleoids from E.coli to examine this issue. We show that the isolated nucleoid fraction is capable of excision of UV-induced pyrimidine dimers when reconstituted with a cytoplasmic fraction resolved by sucrose gradient fractionation. This excision activity by UvrABC is sensitive to rifampicin and is dependent on transcription. By using crosslinking and immunoprecipitation, the damage recognition protein, UvrA, was found to be specifically associated with the RNA polymerase beta subunit on the chromosomal DNA independent of DNA damage. It suggests that at least in one of the NER pathways the search for damage may be directly linked to RNA polymerase. In addition, the role of transcription in the unfolding of the nucleoid structure to allow repair enzymes to gain access to the damaged DNA is described. This study provides insight into the understanding of the transcription-repair coupling in vivo.
A versatile microcomputer I/O interface

Interfacing microcomputers to control experiments requires the use of various types of programmable integrated-circuit chips. A versatile interface which permits control between the interface chips and various experimental devices is described.
ESR studies of trapped free radicals and polymer deposition in xylene plasmas

Rates of polymer deposition and radical trapping in xylene plasmas produced in a Siemens tube with 60-Hz current decreased linearly with increasing flow rate but increased linearly with power and decreased in the order ortho > meta > para at a constant flow rate and pressure. These results indicate that radical recombination and disproportionation are unimportant and that the polymerization rate equation is first order in free radical concentration.
Optimization and scale-down of wafer-based resist strip and rinse processes for photomask production

Retrofitting of wafer processing equipment is a common scenario in the photomask industry, as most available tools are built to accommodate the high throughput and substrate size of wafers. The acid process tanks in use at most mask shops are built to suit a single rack of 25 8 inch wafers, each coated with roughly two microns of photoresist. Conversely, a typical photomask shop sends one to two masks at a time through the resist strip line, each coated with 4500 angstroms of resist. The amount of unused volume of active chemical within an 8 inch X 8.5 inch X 10 inch acid tank when it is dumped is enough to warrant a hardware change. Experimentation has shown that it is possible to decrease Piranha usage by 43 percent by optimizing tank size for photomasks. The same logic applies to quick dump rinsers (QDRs). Additionally, water is wasted with 'spray down' processes, whereby masks are sprayed via perforated bars or nozzles. Because a < 0.5 μm viscous sublayer can not be practically achieved through spraying the mask, better cleaning performance is obtained with a bottom-filled weiring process. This is demonstrated through experimental results and theoretical mass transfer models.
The American Census: A Social History

This book, published on the eve of the bicentennial of the American census, is the first social history of this remarkably important institution, from its origins in 1790 to the present. Margo Anderson argues that the census has always been an influential policymaking tool, used not only to determine the number of representatives apportioned to each state but also to allocate tax dollars to states, and, in the past, to define groups-such as slaves and immigrants-who were to be excluded from the American polity. "As a history of the census, this study is a delight. It is thoroughly researched and richly detailed. Anderson is to be commended for covering such an expansive chronology with such skill. . . . Anderson has woven together not only social history but also intellectual, institutional, political, and military history into a thoroughly readable book that examines not only changes in the census but also the remarkable changes that have taken place in the US."-Choice "This book is valuable, clearly written and contains many interesting facts. It should be read not only by national policymakers and the statistical community, but by all who are interested in American society."-Bryant Robey, Population Today "A solid and readable piece of social, political, and institutional history. It will be essential reading not only for historians of American politics but also for census and population experts, for any public policy formulators who rely on census figures, and for those interested in the history of numeracy and statistics."-Patricia Cline Cohen, University of California, Santa Barbara
Effects of Forced Exercise on Two-Year-Old Holstein Heifers

Abstract Two trials with 88 two-year-old Holstein heifers measured effects of prepartum exercise on mammary edema, parturition, reproduction, consumption of feed, production and composition of milk, and efficiency of feed utilization. Exercise was in a circular lane; the driving mechanism was powered by an electric motor. Trial I involved three treatments: 1) no exercise; 2) exercise at 5.47km/h for 1.6km/day for 4/wk prepartum; and 3) treatment 2 but continued for 10 days postpartum. Trial II involved two treatments: 1) no exercise; and 2) exercise at 3.54km/h for 1.6km/day for 6 wk prepartum. Intake of feed was measured prepartum and for 50 days postpartum; production and composition of milk were measured for 305-day lactation. In Trial I exercise reduced the number of days prepartum that udder edema was evident, improved ease of calving, and hastened postpartum release of the placenta. Continuing exercise after parturition reduced intake of grain and digestible energy and reduced yield of milk for the first 50 days of lactation. In Trial II exercise increased intake of digestible energy, production of milk, and efficiency of feed utilization for the first 50 days and production for the entire lactation. Composition of milk, changes in body weight, and intake of feed prepartum were not affected by exercise.
A tissue-engineered 3D model of light scattering in atherosclerotic plaques

The development of atherosclerotic plaques includes changes in the cellular and extracellular composition of the arterial wall. Although these changes in composition affect the manner in which light scatters in the vessel wall and thus affect any optical signal, experimentally determining how features of atherosclerosis affect optical signals has remained elusive. Using current tissue-engineering methods, we developed a 3D tissue construct model for assessing how certain features of atherosclerosis (the increased concentrations of lipids and macrophages) affect optical signals. The model is based on vascular tissue constructs made of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and macrophages (MFs) that are co-cultured inside a 3D scaffold matrix of collagen fibers with interspersed lipids. To make the scaffold matrix, powdered collagen was dissolved in acetic acid, homogenized, and neutralized by sequential dialyses to yield a soft gel of 2 μm thick collagen fibers in which cells were seeded. In "normal" constructs, only SMCs were seeded in the collagen gel; in "athero-like" constructs, both SMCs and MFs (loaded or unloaded with lipid) were seeded in the gel. To demonstrate the use of this model, sets of slab-shaped normal and athero-like constructs were imaged by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and qualitatively analyzed. 2D frames from 3D OCT image cubes were compared to 2D histology sections. Our results indicate that the cellular composition of the construct affects morphological features of the OCT image.
Multiphonon relaxation of rare-earth ions in oxide glasses

Nonradiative decay of excited rare-earth ions by multiphonon emission has been investigated in a series of oxide glasses. Various rare-earth electronic levels were selectively excited by short-duration laser pulses and multiphonon relaxation rates were determined from measurements of fluorescence rise and decay times. Time resolution for fluorescence measurements was 3 nsec, so excited states were probed for which the decay was predominantly nonradiative. Excited states of ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$, ${\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}$, and ${\mathrm{Tm}}^{3+}$ with energy gaps to the next-lower $J$ state ranging from 1300 to 4700 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ were studied. The multiphonon relaxation rates for each glass investigated exhibited an approximately exponential dependence on energy gap. Evidence of breakdown of this dependence was observed in the region of small energy gaps. The measured temperature dependences of the decay rates establish that the relaxation occurs predominantly by excitation of the highest-frequency vibrations associated with stretching modes of the glass network former. Borate, silicate, phosphate, germanate, and tellurite glasses were studied. From Raman spectra, the highest-frequency vibrations for these glasses ranged from 700 to 1400 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The corresponding multiphonon relaxation rates for a given energy gap differed by three orders of magnitude. The strength of the ion-phonon coupling was found to be approximately equal for all glasses.
Glycans in cancer and inflammation — potential for therapeutics and diagnostics

Changes in glycosylation are often a hallmark of disease states. For example, cancer cells frequently display glycans at different levels or with fundamentally different structures than those observed on normal cells. This phenomenon was first described in the early 1970s, but the molecular details underlying such transformations were poorly understood. In the past decade advances in genomics, proteomics and mass spectrometry have enabled the association of specific glycan structures with disease states. In some cases, the functional significance of disease-associated changes in glycosylation has been revealed. This review highlights changes in glycosylation associated with cancer and chronic inflammation and new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies that are based on the underlying glycobiology.
Permeability of the blood–brain barrier to neurotrophins

To evaluate the feasibility of applying blood-borne neurotrophins to promote normal function of the central nervous system (CNS) and to rescue neuronal degeneration, we characterized the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to neurotrophins. We report here that some members of the neurotrophin family (NGF, betaNGF, NT3, and NT5) can cross the BBB of mice in vivo to arrive at the brain parenchyma. BBB permeability differed among individual neurotrophins in that NGF had the fastest influx rate (Ki) and NT3 the slowest, and that the entry rate of NGF was twice that of its smaller bioactive subunit betaNGF. BBB permeability also differed at various CNS regions in that the cervical spinal cord had the greatest rate of influx, whereas brain had the lowest. Saturability of influx was suggested by self-inhibition studies for NT3 in vivo, and for NGF in an in situ brain perfusion system, indicating the presence of saturable transport systems. The results suggest that peripheral administration of neurotrophins could have therapeutic effects within the CNS.
Modeling the dishabituation hierarchy: The role of the primordial hippocampus

We present a neural model for the organization and neural dynamics of the medial pallium, the toad's homolog of mammalian hippocampus. A neural mechanism, called cumulative shrinking, is proposed for mapping temporal responses from the anterior thalamus into a form of population coding referenced by spatial positions. Synaptic plasticity is modeled as an interaction of two dynamic processes which simulates acquisition and both short-term and long-term forgetting. The structure of the medial pallium model plus the plasticity model allows us to provide an account of the neural mechanisms of habituation and dishabituation. Computer simulations demonstrate a remarkable match between the model performance and the original experimental data on which the dishabituation hierarchy was based. A set of model predictions is presented, concerning mechanisms of habituation and cellular organization of the medial pallium
Structure and composition of thin films of peripherally unsubstituted phthalocyanine deposited using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique

Abstract Langmuir-Blodgett films of peripherally unsubstituted phthalocyanine (Pc) have been deposited on substrates of silicon, aluminized silicon and gallium arsenide by means of a precursor compound, dilithium phthalocyanine (Li 2 Pc), from an aqueous subphase. The resulting films have been chemically and structurally characterized using surface IR reflection spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and secondary ion mass spectrometry. The results show that the films contain both Li 2 Pc and metal-free phthalocyanine, indicating that hydrolysis of Li 2 Pc by the aqueous subphase is not complete, contrary to previous assumptions in the literature. The resulting films are brittle and polycrystalline in nature, with little or no preferred molecular orientation. This behavior is thought to be due to the molecular association of the Li 2 Pc both in the spreading solution and on the aqueous subphase.
Systemic inflammation and brachial artery endothelial function in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Background and objective Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic vascular disease. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a reliable, non-invasive method of assessing endothelial function. We hypothesised that increased levels of systemic inflammatory markers are associated with impaired endothelial function as assessed by FMD in a multi-ethnic cohort. Methods We assessed brachial artery FMD in 3501 participants (1739 men, 1762 women; median age 61 years) in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and measured serum concentrations of interleukin (IL)-6, C reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α receptor 1. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the association of each inflammatory marker with FMD, adjusting for the effect of other variables associated with FMD. Results There was a significant inverse correlation between IL-6 levels and FMD (−0.042; p=0.02) after adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, education, income, low-density lipoprotein, diabetes, glucose, hypertension status and treatment, waist circumference, triglycerides, baseline brachial diameter, recent infection and use of medications that may alter inflammation. There was no significant correlation between CRP and FMD (0.008; p=0.64) or TNF-α receptor 1 and FMD (0.014; p=0.57). There was no evidence of effect modification by race/ethnicity. Conclusions In this multi-ethnic cohort, increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 were associated with impaired endothelial function assessed by FMD. Elevated IL-6 levels may reflect a state that promotes vascular inflammation and development of subclinical atherosclerosis independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
Both LyF-1 and an Ets protein interact with a critical promoter element in the murine terminal transferase gene.

Abstract Terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase (TdT) is a template-independent DNA polymerase that is expressed transiently during the earliest stages of B- and T-cell ontogeny. Previously, we characterized the promoter for the murine TdT gene and identified a novel DNA-binding protein, called LyF-1, that interacts with a DNA sequence element found to be critical for transcriptional activity in lymphoid cell lines. Here, we present a more detailed analysis of this 30-bp control element, called the TdT D' element, which is centered approximately 60 bp upstream of the transcription start site. We found that both the murine and human D' elements are recognized by multiple proteins, including LyF-1 and at least two Ets family proteins, Ets-1 and Fli-1. Additional protein-DNA interactions were identified through studies using unfractionated nuclear extracts, in which the D' element was apparently incorporated into a multiprotein complex, possibly containing an Ets protein as a core component. By analyzing a series of substitution mutations, two adjacent binding sites for LyF-1 were identified in the murine D' element, with the Ets protein binding site closely coinciding with the proximal, lower-affinity LyF-1 site. Transient transfection analysis with these mutations revealed that only a 10-bp region, containing precisely the Ets and proximal LyF-1 binding sites, was needed for D' activity. These results suggest an important role for an Ets family protein in the expression of the TdT gene. The role of LyF-1 is less clear; it might act in conjunction with the Ets protein bound at the D' element or it might be unnecessary for D' activity.
The Deubiquitinase A20 Mediates Feedback Inhibition of Interleukin-17 Receptor Signaling

The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (IL-17) is the signature cytokine of the T helper 17 (TH17) subset of CD4+ T cells, and antibodies targeting IL-17 or the IL-17 receptor (IL-17R) show clinical efficacy in several autoimmune diseases. Although important for protective immunity against microorganisms, IL-17 causes collateral damage in inflammatory settings. TNFAIP3 encodes the deubiquitinase A20 and is genetically linked to numerous autoimmune syndromes. A20, a potent inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor–α signaling, removes ubiquitin from signaling intermediates upstream of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), thereby dampening NF-κB–mediated inflammation. We demonstrated that IL-17 stimulates TNFAIP3 expression. Enhanced IL-17–mediated induction of genes encoding proinflammatory factors, including IL-6 and various chemokines, occurred upon knockdown of A20 with short inhibitory RNA or in A20−/− cells. A20 associated with the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF6 (tumor necrosis factor receptor–associated factor 6) in an IL-17–dependent manner and restricted the IL-17–dependent activation of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases. A20 interacted directly with the distal domain of IL-17RA, a previously defined inhibitory domain. Together, these data describe a mechanism of restraining IL-17 signaling and reveal an aspect of A20 activity that may help to explain its role in autoimmunity in humans.
Modified Haar transform calculation using digital circuit output probabilities

A method for the computation of Haar spectral coefficients is described using the OBDD representation of a function. An algebraic relationship between the circuit output probabilities and the Haar spectral coefficients is derived and used. The circuit output probabilities are computed by applying graph algorithms to the OBDDs. A fundamental dependence between the spectral coefficients and n+1 simple Boolean equivalence relationships is noted.
Student Engagement, Peer Social Capital, and School Dropout Among Mexican American and Non-Latino White Students:

Policy makers are especially concerned about persistently high dropout rates among U.S. Latinos, the largest minority population in the United States. This study used a national longitudinal databa...
Beneficial effects of banding on venous intimal-medial hyperplasia in arteriovenous loop grafts.

Abstract Local hemodynamics were modifed in a canine arteriovenous loop graft model by placing a flow-limiting band on femoral polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. Banded and unbanded grafts were implanted in a paired fashion. Hemodynamic studies included Reynolds number and phonoangiography as measures of turbulence. Intimal-medial thickness was measured 8 weeks after implantation. Reduction of the volumetric flow rate by 50 percent resulted in significant changes in flow velocity, flow pulsatility, pressure, and turbulence at the venous anastomosis. Hyperplastic lesions developed in a reproducible manner at the venous anastomosis of the unbanded but not the banded grafts, as evidenced by combined intimal-medial thickness measurements: unbanded grafts 0.68 ± 0.13 mm (p 0.05 versus control). Stepwise regression analysis indicated Reynolds number had the best correlation with the development of hyperplasia (r = 0.915, p
Predicting Chlorine Residuals in Drinking Water: Second Order Model

A major objective of drinking water treatment is to provide water that is both microbiologically and chemically safe for human consumption. Drinking water chlorination, therefore, poses a dilemma. Chemical disinfection reduces the risk of infectious disease, but the interaction between chemical disinfectants and precursor materials in source water may result in potentially harmful by-products. Chlorine consumption results in the formation of by-products, and the loss of chlorine residual reduces protection against potentially pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, much effort has been invested in characterizing the loss of chlorine residuals in raw and treated water. This paper presents a mathematical model based on the use of two second-order terms for predicting this loss or decay.
Automated exploration of design concepts

Modern product engineering faces the challenge of making numerous design tradeoffs for high-dimensional, interdisciplinary nonlinear systems. This paper presents a new method for exploring product concepts, including an insightful definition of design concept, an algorithmic approach to evaluating high-level design options, and a concise way to communicate simulation and optimization results to product designers and architects. The feasible landscape of architectural alternatives is described in terms of a list of optimized designs, unique design concepts, and implementation rules. Our implementation of automated concept exploration (ACE), which includes very broad mapping of the design space, gradient-based optimization, and rule mining, is demonstrated for the design of a high-performance liquid crystal display (LCD).
Protection against Fas-induced fulminant hepatic failure in liver specific integrin linked kinase knockout mice

Programmed cell death or apoptosis is an essential process for tissue homeostasis. Hepatocyte apoptosis is a common mechanism to many forms of liver disease. This study was undertaken to test the role of ILK in hepatocyte survival and response to injury using a Jo-2-induced apoptosis model. For survival experiments, ILK KO and WT mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of the agonistic anti-Fas monoclonal antibody Jo-2 at the lethal dose (0.4 μg/g body weight) or sublethal dose (0.16 μg/g body weight). For further mechanistic studies sublethal dose of Fas monoclonal antibody was chosen. There was 100% mortality in the WT mice as compared to 50% in the KO mice. We also found that hepatocyte specific ILK KO mice (integrin linked kinase) died much later than WT mice after challenge with a lethal dose of Fas agonist Jo-2. At sublethal dose of Jo-2, there was 20% mortality in KO mice with minimal apoptosis whereas WT mice developed extensive apoptosis and liver injury leading to 70% mortality due to liver failure at 12 h. Proteins known to be associated with cell survival/death were differentially expressed in the 2 groups. In ILK KO mice there was downregulation of proapoptotic genes and upregulation of antiapoptotic genes. Mechanistic insights revealed that pro-survival pathways such as Akt, ERK1/2, and NFkB signaling were upregulated in the ILK KO mice. Inhibition of only NFkB and ERK1/2 signaling led to an increase in the susceptibility of ILK KO hepatocytes to Jo-2-induced apoptosis. These studies suggest that ILK elimination from hepatocytes protects against Jo-2 induced apoptosis by upregulating survival pathways. FAK decrease may also play a role in this process. The results presented show that the signaling effects of ILK related to these functions are mediated in part mediated through NFkB and ERK1/2 signaling.
Nonlinear model predictive control of a continuous bioreactor using approximate data-driven models

An analytical solution to the nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) problem is developed for a class of nonlinear systems. Process input-output behavior is captured using Volterra and Volterra-Laguerre nonlinear polynomial models. By employing the traditional 2-norm squared NMPC objective function, the prediction equations, and hence the objective function, are explicitly constructed for an arbitrary prediction horizon of length p. Minimization of this objective function is equivalent to solving the set of polynomial equations resulting from differentiation of the objective with respect to the future manipulated variable moves over a horizon of length m. A reduced Grobner basis is constructed for the resulting polynomials, and roots of the basis polynomials represent candidate sets of solutions for the manipulated variable profile. Results from a continuous-flow bioreactor case study demonstrate the superior performance of this algorithm versus previous analytical solution methods that were limited to single-input single-output problems with a move horizon of unity.
Motivated Selective Attention During Political Ad Processing The Dynamic Interplay Between Emotional Ad Content and Candidate Evaluation

This study examines the dynamic, real-time interplay between the emotional content of political television ads and individuals’ political attitudes during ad processing based upon the Dynamic Motivational Activation (DMA) theoretical framework. Time-series cross-sectional models were developed to test the effects of three motivational inputs of emotional ads (arousing content, positivity, and negativity) and viewers’ evaluation of the featured candidates on four psychophysiological responses (heart rate, skin conductance level, corrugator electromyography, and zygomatic electromyography). As predicted by the DMA, physiological responses during ad viewing were affected by their own first- and second-order dynamic system feedback effects. These results not only support the predicted dynamic nature of the physiological system but also help disentangle message effects from the moderating and accumulating effects of the physiological system itself. Also as predicted, message motivational inputs interacted with...
Congestion estimation for 3D routing

Three-dimensional (3D) routing is an important step in deep sub-micron VLSI design. Given a 3D grid graph and a set of two-terminal nets to be routed, we propose a probabilistic model to calculate the routing density (congestion) on each edge of the grid graph. The routing density provides direct congestion estimation. Our experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the method on routing benchmarks.
Estimation of the physical properties of nanocomposites by finite-element discretization and Monte Carlo simulation

This paper reviews and enhances numerical models for determining thermal, elastic and electrical properties of carbon nanotube-reinforced polymer composites. For the determination of the effective ...
Auditory Deficits in Rats Exposed to an Environmental PCB Mixture during Development

Previous studies have indicated that developmental exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) may result in hearing impairment in rats. The cochlea is the suggested site of action, based upon one study demonstrating a loss of outer hair cells on the basilar membrane, and another demonstrating deficits in distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs). The current study was conducted to assess the possible ototoxic effects of a unique PCB mixture formulated to model the congener profile of PCBs found in fish consumed by a human population in northeastern Wisconsin. Female Long-Evans rats were dosed orally with the PCB mixture beginning 28 days prior to breeding and continuing until the pups were weaned. Dams were fed one-half of a cookie onto which was pipetted 0, 1, 3, or 6 mg/kg of the PCB mixture dissolved in a corn oil vehicle. On postnatal day (PND) 21, pups were weaned, and one male and one female from each litter were randomly selected for auditory assessment. DPOAEs were measured to assess cochlear function, and auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were measured to determine effects on central nervous system auditory pathways. DPOAE amplitudes were decreased, and DPOAE and ABR thresholds were elevated across a range of frequencies in PCB-exposed rats. These results support and extend previous reports of auditory impairment in PCBexposed rats. Developmental exposure to PCBs may also result in subtle auditory impairments in humans, and if so, this may contribute to some of the cognitive deficits that have been observed in epidemiological studies.