cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tissue-type plasminogen activator promotes murine myofibroblast activation through LDL receptor–related protein 1–mediated integrin signaling

Theactivationofinterstitialfibroblaststobecome�α-SMA-positivemyofibroblastsisanessentialstepin� theevolutionofchronickidneyfibrosis,�asmyofibroblastsareresponsiblefortheproductionanddeposi- tionoftheECMcomponentsthatareahallmarkofthedisease.�Herewedescribeasignalingpathwaythat� leadstothisactivation.�Tissue-typeplasminogenactivator�(tPA)�promotedTGF-β1-mediated�α-SMAand� typeIcollagenexpressioninratkidneyinterstitialfibroblasts.�Thisfibrogeniceffectwasindependentof� itsproteaseactivitybutrequireditsmembranereceptor,�theLDLreceptor-relatedprotein�1�(LRP-1).�Inrat� kidneyfibroblasts,�tPAinducedrapidLRP-1�tyrosinephosphorylationandenhanced�β1�integrinrecruit- mentbyfacilitatingtheLRP-1/β1�integrincomplexformation.�Blockadeorknockdownof�β1�integrinabol- ishedtypeIcollagenand�α-SMAexpression.�Furthermore,�inhibitionoftheintegrin-linkedkinase�(ILK),�a� downstreameffectorof�β1�integrin,�ordisruptionof�β1�integrin/ILKengagement,�abrogatedthetPAaction,� whereasectopicexpressionofILKmimickedtPAinpromotingmyofibroblastactivation.�Inmurinerenal� interstitiumafterobstructiveinjury,�tPAand�α-SMAcolocalizedwithLRP-1,�andtPAdeficiencyreduced�� LRP-1/β1�integrininteractionandmyofibroblastactivation.�ThesefindingsshowthattPAinducesLRP-1� tyrosinephosphorylation,�whichinturnfacilitatestheLRP-1-mediatedrecruitmentof�β1�integrinanddown- streamILKsignaling,�therebyleadingtomyofibroblastactivation.�ThisstudyimplicatestPAasafibrogenic� cytokinethatpromotestheprogressionofkidneyfibrosis.
Time's arrow in an oscillating universe

In view of the time-symmetric nature of the laws of physics, time asymmetry in the universe must arise from “initial” conditions. A fully time-symmetric oscillating model is presented which exists in a highly compressed, highly ordered state att=0 and evolves forward, in the thermodynamic sense, as ∣t ∣ increases. This model offers the possibility of accounting for several fundamental and puzzling aspects of our universe, including matter-antimatter asymmetry, the large entropy per baryon, primordial density enhancements sufficient to form galaxies, and large-scale homogeneity.
Characterization of chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate proteoglycans of extracellular matrices of human umbilical cord blood vessels and Wharton's jelly.

The chondroitin sulfate/dermatan sulfate proteoglycans (CS/DSPGs) of the human umbilical cord vein, arteries and Wharton's jelly matrices were characterized and localized by immunohistochemical analysis. The CS/DSPGs were found to be decorins and biglycans with 43-48 kDa core proteins and are distributed throughout the umbilical cord. A truncated form of decorin having only the ∼14 kDa NH2-terminal portion of the core protein was found exclusively in the vein. The proteoglycans, regardless of their locations, have two types of CS/DS chains, one with ∼90% CS and ∼10% DS and the other with ∼65% CS and ∼35% DS. The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains of the truncated decorin consist of ∼53% CS and ∼47% DS. Both decorin and biglycan including the truncated form of decorin could efficiently bind collagen I and fibronectin. The decorin and biglycan with ∼10% DS and ∼90% CS were loosely bound in the extracellular matrices, whereas those with ∼35% DS bound strongly. Together, these data demonstrate that, the GAG chains with 35-47% DS but not those with 10% DS, interact strongly with the matrix. Our data also show that the GAG chain composition is a significant factor in binding of the decorin and biglycan to matrix proteins. The expression of decorin and biglycan with distinctively different CS/DS proportions implies specific biological functions for these PGs in the umbilical cord. The occurrence of the truncated form of decorin exclusively in the umbilical vein suggests a specific functional role. Published in 2004.
Disruption of Multivesicular Body Vesicles Does Not Affect Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class II-Peptide Complex Formation and Antigen Presentation by Dendritic Cells

The antigen processing compartments in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) have well known characteristics of multivesicular bodies (MVBs). However, the importance of MVB integrity to APC function remains unknown. In this study, we have altered the ultrastructure of the MVB by perturbing cholesterol content genetically through the use of a deletion of the lipid transporter Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1). Immunofluorescence and electron microscopic analyses reveal that the antigen processing compartments in NPC1−/− dendritic cells (DCs) have an abnormal ultrastructure in that the organelles are enlarged and the intraluminal vesicles are almost completely absent and those remaining are completely disorganized. MHC-II is restricted to the limiting membrane of these enlarged MVBs where it colocalizes with the peptide editor H2-DM. Curiously, proteolytic removal of the chaperone protein Invariant chain from MHC-II, degradation of internalized foreign antigens, and antigenic-peptide binding to nascent MHC-II are normal in NPC1−/− DCs. Antigen-pulsed NPC1−/− DCs are able to effectively activate antigen-specific CD4 T cells in vitro, and immunization of NPC1−/− mice reveals surprisingly normal CD4 T cell activation in vivo. Our data thus reveal that the localization of MHC-II on the intraluminal vesicles of multivesicular antigen processing compartments is not required for efficient antigen presentation by DCs. Background: The antigen processing compartments in APCs possess a multivesicular morphology. Results: APCs lacking multivesicular bodies can effectively process and present antigens to T cells. Conclusion: Multivesicular body integrity is not required for antigen presentation. Significance: Understanding the nature of antigen processing compartments is important for understanding mechanisms of T cell activation.
Antibody Dynamics of 2009 Influenza A (H1N1) Virus in Infected Patients and Vaccinated People in China

Background To evaluate the risk of the recurrence and the efficiency of the vaccination, we followed-up antibody responses in patients with the 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza and persons who received the pandemic H1N1 vaccine in Guangzhou China. Methods We collected serum samples from 129 patients and 86 vaccinated persons at day 0, 15, 30, 180 after the disease onset or the vaccination, respectively. Antibody titers in these serum samples were determined by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay using a local isolated virus strain A/Guangdong Liwan/SWL1538/2009(H1N1). Results HI antibody positive rate of the patients increased significantly from 0% to 60% at day 15 (χ2 = 78, P<0.001) and 100% at day 30 (χ2 = 23, P<0.001), but decreased significantly to 52% at day 180 (χ2 = 38, P<0.001), while that of vaccinated subjects increased from 0% to 78% at day 15 (χ2 = 110, P<0.001) and 81% at day 30 (χ2 = 0.32, P = 0.57), but decreased significantly to 34% at day 180 (χ2 = 39, P<0.001). Geometric mean titers (GMT) of HI antibodies in positive samples from the patients did not change significantly between day 15 and day 30 (T = 0.92, P = 0.36), but it decreased significantly from 80 at day 30 to 52 at day 180 (T = 4.5, P<0.001). GMT of vaccinated persons increased significantly from 100 at day 15 to 193 at day 30 (T = 4.5, P<0.001), but deceased significantly to 74 at day 180 (T = 5.1, P<0.001). Compared to the patients, the vaccinated subjects showed lower seroconversion rate (χ2 = 11, P<0.001; χ2 = 5.9, P = 0.015), but higher GMT (T = 6.0, P<0.001; T = 3.6, P = 0.001) at day 30 and day 180, respectively. Conclusion Vaccination of 2009 influenza A (H1N1) was effective. However, about half or more recovered patients and vaccinated persons might have lost sufficient immunity against the recurrence of the viral infection after half a year. Vaccination or re-vaccination may be necessary for prevention of the recurrence.
Molecular Epidemiological Surveillance of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates in a Pediatric Population of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis and Determination of Risk Factors for Infection with the Houston-1 Strain

ABSTRACT Multiyear molecular epidemiological surveillance of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA) in a pediatric cystic fibrosis care center identified an endemic MRPA strain (Houston-1). Recent hospitalization was found to be a statistically significant risk factor for acquisition of the endemic strain. Multiple infection control improvements led to the reduced incidence of the Houston-1 strain in the CF population.
Glass Transition Values of Muscle Tissue

Reports of glass transition (Tg') values for frozen muscle tissue are not common and reported values are mostly much lower than would be expected. Tg' values for muscle tissue and Isolated proteins were studied using differential scanning calorimetry. Apparent Tg's of mackerel, cod and beef were similar (ca - 11 to -13°C) and substantially higher than most published values (-15° to -77°C for tuna and beef), but in accord with expectations for substances of high molecular weight. Dialyzed Insoluble and soluble protein fractions from mackerel yielded apparent Tg' values (ca -7°C) that were similar, with both being higher than those for whole muscle. Apparent Tg' values of ca -7°C were determined for aqueous samples of gelatin and collagen, but none was detected for zein.
Feature Extraction and Selection Strategies for Automated Target Recognition

Several feature extraction and selection methods for an existing automatic target recognition (ATR) system using JPLs Grayscale Optical Correlator (GOC) and Optimal Trade-Off Maximum Average Correlation Height (OT-MACH) filter were tested using MATLAB. The ATR system is composed of three stages: a cursory region of-interest (ROI) search using the GOC and OT-MACH filter, a feature extraction and selection stage, and a final classification stage. Feature extraction and selection concerns transforming potential target data into more useful forms as well as selecting important subsets of that data which may aide in detection and classification. The strategies tested were built around two popular extraction methods: Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Independent Component Analysis (ICA). Performance was measured based on the classification accuracy and free-response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) output of a support vector machine(SVM) and a neural net (NN) classifier.
Sense of Place as a Learning Process: Examples from the Narratives of Bosnian Immigrants in Vermont

This article applies social constructionist theorizing and narrative analysis to study senses of place expressed by a sample of Bosnian immigrants in Vermont. Sense of place is theorized as a complex of emergent meanings, made visible in stories about people's everyday experiences, and accessible through narrative analysis. Unlike thematic analyses that categorize types of place meanings and approaches that focus on individually ascribed meanings, we study how language is used functionally to construct senses of place. Analyzing narrative forms and linguistic styles, we identify three prominent learning stages through which individuals narrate their changing relationships with place. We examine the social and cultural contexts of narrated senses of place, and describe the types of linguistic strategies used in each learning stage. This research has implications for theorizing sense of place in leisure and outdoor recreation and for place-based resource management.
On the Deadweight Cost of Production Requirements for Geographically Differentiated Agricultural Products

This article investigates the welfare effects of alternate producer collusion schemes in a context where collusion is authorized in order to cover fixed costs. Using a linear equilibrium displacement model, we find evidence that, when the producer group is allowed to control quota levels, an input quota policy entails a smaller absolute deadweight loss than an output quota policy. This finding suggests that if producer groups are allowed to resort to production‐distorting instruments to limit output, they will make production choices that are less costly for society than if they had been allowed to directly control output levels.
Biaxial Molecular Arrangement of Rod−Disc Molecule under an Electric Field

We developed rod−disc liquid crystalline molecules consisting of six calamitic mesogens and one discotic mesogen, which exhibit a biaxial nematic phase. In this ordered nematic phase, rodlike mesogens and disclike mesogens are completely mixed and intercalated.
Modelling concepts for unifying performance and reliability evaluation

During the past decade, performance evaluation and reliability evaluation have emerged as important technical disciplines within computer science and engineering. Evaluations of computer performance and computer reliability are each concerned, in part, with the important question of computer system "effectiveness", i.e., the extent to which the user can expect to benefit from the tasks accomplished by a computer in its use environment. With regard to effectiveness issues, modelling of computer performance has stressed the need to represent the probabilistic nature of user demands (workload) and internal state behavior, under the assumption that the computer's structure is fixed, that is, there are no permanent changes in structure due to faults. On the other hand, modelling of computer reliability has stressed changes caused by transient and permanent faults of the computer. It has only been in some recent studies that reliability modelling has begun to account explicitly for the probabilistic nature of the use environment.
TU‐FF‐A4‐05: Potential Application of 3D Thermal Tomography in Radiation Therapy

Purpose: Radiation‐induced skin toxicity is a common and potentially serious treatment complication for patients receiving radiotherapy. A noninvasive method for predicting skin reaction, particularly moist desquamation, could allow for treatment modifications that may improve treatment outcome and quality of life. Method and Materials: 3D thermal tomography (3DTT) is a new image‐modality that displays the 3D distribution of thermal effusivity under the imaged surface. The 3DTT system utilizes one or more photographic flash lamps and an infrared camera containing a focal‐plane array of infrared sensors. The flash lamps provide a thermal impulse (a few ms in duration) on the sample surface, and the infrared camera monitors the immediate rise and gradual decay of surface temperature due to conduction of surface heat into the interior of the sample. Because heat transfer from the surface to the interior depends on a material's thermal properties, pulsed thermal imaging data can be used to determine the thermal property distribution below the surface. As a feasibility study, we used 3DTT to obtain effusivity‐based cross‐sectional images for a ceramic composite plate with embedded holes ranging from 1–7.5mm in diameter at various depths and a stock of pig's knee joint. We also measured the degree of maximum temperature rise at the back of a hand to assure the safety of the procedure. Results: Thermal effusivity tomographyimages from 0.3–5mm depth were successfully obtained from both ceramic and pig joint phantoms. The images showed excellent details of the phantoms, with better resolution toward the surface. The temperature rise at the back surface of a hand was no more 5°C, confirming the safety of the 3DTT procedure. Conclusion: It is feasible to produce 3DTT images under the surface of phantoms. These results warrant further exploration of using 3DTT as patient specific biomarker to predict the development of radiation‐induced skin injuries.
Planar single-molecule sensors based on hollow-core ARROW waveguides

We discuss the development of novel integrated optical sensors with single molecule detection sensitivity. These sensors are based on liquid-core antiresonant reflecting optical waveguides (ARROWs) that allow for simultaneously guiding light and molecules in liquid solution through micron-sized channels on a chip. Using liquid-core ARROWs as the main building block, two-dimensional planar sensor arrays with sensitivity down to the single molecule level can be fabricated. We present the basic design principle for ARROW waveguides and methods to improve waveguide loss. The influence of surface roughness on the waveguide loss is described. We discuss highly efficient fluorescence detection in both one and two dimensional planar waveguide geometries. Avenues towards subsequent integration with microfluidic systems are presented.
Dielectric constant and molar volume of saturated liquid 3 He and 4 He

Measurements are reported of the dielectric constant of 3He in the temperature range from 0.5 to 2.4 K and of 4He from 0.7 to 4.2 K. From these measurements the molar volumes of the two isotopes have been calculated for the same temperature ranges, using the polarizabilities reported by Kerr and Sherman.
Multiple Chromosomes and Reduction Division in Flowering Plants

IT has been the general practice to speak of the chromosomes shown in the metaphase plates in the root-tips (and other somatic tissues) of flowering plants as single chromosomes. They are never, it seems, called bivalents, dyads, or disomes; though they always show a fine longitudinal split distinctly, in correctly fixed preparations. The chromosomes of the late prophase and first metaphase of the maturation divisions in flowering plants have, in my opinion, a close parallelism to those of the somatic divisions; in that the two chromatids of any one of the two homologous chromosomes are rendered visible only through the appearance of a fine longitudinal split, seen in correctly fixed preparations.
Conversion of AFLP markers to sequence-specific PCR markers in barley and wheat

Conversion of amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLPs) to sequence-specific PCR primers would be useful for many genetic-linkage applications. We examined 21 wheat nullitetrasomic stocks and five wheat-barley addition lines using 12 and 14 AFLP primer combinations, respectively. On average, 36.8% of the scored AFLP fragments in the wheat nullitetrasomic stocks and 22.3% in the wheat-barley addition lines could be mapped to specific chromosomes, providing approximately 461 chromosome-specific AFLP markers in the wheat nullitetrasomic stocks and 174 in the wheat-barley addition lines. Ten AFLP fragments specific to barley chromosomes and 16 AFLP fragments specific to wheat 3BS and 4BS chromosome arms were isolated from the polyacrylamide gels, re-amplified, cloned and sequenced. Primer sets were designed from these sequences. Amplification of wheat and barley genomic DNA using the barley derived primers revealed that three primer sets amplified DNA from the expected chromosome, five amplified fragments from all barley chromosomes but not from wheat, one amplified a similar-sized fragment from multiple barley chromosomes and from wheat, and one gave no amplification. Amplification of wheat genomic DNA using the wheat-derived primer sets revealed that three primer sets amplified a fragment from the expected chromosome, 11 primer sets amplified a similar-sized fragment from multiple chromosomes, and two gave no amplification. These experiments indicate that polymorphisms identified by AFLP are often not transferable to more sequence-specific PCR applications.
CHARACTERIZATION OF TURKEY MYELIN BASIC PROTEIN ISOLATED BY A SIMPLE PROCEDURE

Highly purified basic proteins have been isolated from bovine and turkey brains by a novel method employing acid-acetone extraction. The final product gave a single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.3 and in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Both proteins have arginine at the COOH-terminus while the NH2-terminal residue cannot be detected and is probably blocked. A higher ratio of histidine to lysine and a greater proportion of serine and valine was found for the turkey compared with the bovine protein. Both proteins contain one tryptophan and two methionine residues. However, it was found from cyanogen bromide treatment that there is a marked difference in the location of one of the methionine residues, while the tryptophan-containing peptides liberated after trypsin digestion have different mobilities on peptide maps. When dissolved in water these proteins give a typical random coil curve from circular dichroism (CD), whereas in 80% methyl alcohol they assume a 25% alpha-helix.
BANG-BANG, IMPULSE, AND SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING IN AGE-STRUCTURED POPULATIONS

An optimal harvesting problem is analyzed in the Lotka–McKendrick model of age-structured populations. Depending on the imposed constraints, this problem possesses bang-bang or impulse regimes, which have meaningful interpretations and relevant policy implications. A steady state analysis of the model produces closed-form solutions for the optimal sustainable harvesting in a new and an existing population.
The program at JPL to investigate the nuclear interaction of RTG's with scientific instruments on deep space probes

A major concern in the integration of a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) with a spacecraft designed to explore the outer planets is the effect of the emitted radiation on the normal operation of scientific instruments. The necessary techniques and tools developed to allow accurate calculation of the neutron and gamma spectrum emanating from the RTG. The specific sources of radiation were identified and quantified. Monte Carlo techniques are then employed to perform the nuclear transport calculations. The results of these studies are presented. An extensive experimental program was initiated to measure the response of a number of scientific components to the nuclear radiation.
Psychiatric education for family practice residents

Abstract The authors describe a four-week psychiatry rotation for family practice residents, designed to address the needs and interests of these residents, and to relate to primary care outpatient practice. In the past the residents had tended to regard a psychiatry elective as peripheral to their requirements and as excessively academic. The rotation focused on use of a clinical setting with work in outpatient evaluation, consultation-liaison, and child psychiatry. Program effectiveness was demonstrated subjectively by positive feedback and objectively by improved test scores.
Atmospheric water balance in Typhoon Nina as determined from SSM/I satellite date

Precipitation, cloud water amount and phase, and water vapor amount are very important parameters in understanding the development of typhoons and their influence on the atmosphere and ocean. In this paper, we investigate the atmospheric water balance of Typhoon Nina, which formed near (5°N, 160°E) on November 18, 1987 and moved northwestward during its development. Water vapor path, liquid water path, ice index, and precipitation amount are determined in the vicinity of the typhoon using data from the SSM/I (Special Sensor Microwave/Imager). The water balance of the, typhoon cloud is then examined during its different development stages. An ice index is derived using SSM/I data that is used to investigate the overall ratio of ice/liquid water change of the typhoon during its development. By comparing the ice/water ratio of different mesoscale convective cells in the typhoon, attempts are made to interpret the different cloud structures and development stages of individual mesoscale cloud cells relative to their position from the typhoon center.
Ibrutinib in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and B cell malignancies

Recent clinical data suggest remarkable activity of ibrutinib, the first-in-class covalent inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK), in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), as well as excellent activity in other B cell malignancies, including in particular mantle cell lymphoma and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. This review evaluates the data from ongoing clinical and correlative studies of ibrutinib in B cell malignancies with a particular focus on CLL, and considers these data in the context of other B cell receptor pathway inhibitors.
Diet composition does not alter energy expenditure, substrate metabolism, or excess post-exercise oxygen consumption in healthy, non-exercise trained women

Abstract Dietary intake is thought to influence metabolism during exercise and exercise recovery, yet relatively few studies have addressed these issues. This study examined the influence of a high-carbohydrate (73% of energy) vs high-fat (40% of energy) diet on metabolic responses before, during, and after exercise. Eight female subjects (age, 23.7 ± 4.5 years; height, 162.5 ± 6.8 cm; weight, 56.3 ± 6.6 kg; body fat percentage, 19.6% ± 7.1%; maximal oxygen consumption [VO max ], 30.4 ± 4.8 mL kg −1 min −1 ) participated in a randomized crossover design including two 5-day dietary interventions. On the morning after each dietary intervention, subjects cycled for 30 minutes at a workload eliciting 70% peak VO 2 . Respired gases were measured before exercise, during exercise, and throughout recovery. Whole blood lactate and serum concentrations of leptin, free fatty acids, and glucose were assessed at rest and immediately after exercise. There were no significant differences in the respiratory exchange ratio, whole blood lactate concentration, serum concentrations of leptin, free fatty acids, or blood glucose between the feeding trials ( P > .05). Duration and magnitude of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) were similar after both diet periods ( P > .05). These results indicated that a 5-day dietary adaptation is insufficient to alter EPOC or the metabolic responses assessed at rest and during exercise. These findings indicate that macronutrient composition may have little effect on metabolic measurements, including the calculation of EPOC for the exercise conditions described in the current study.
DISSOCIATION OF LANGUAGE AND COGNITION: A PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF TWO DISCONNECTED RIGHT HEMISPHERES

Two split-brain patients who differ in their right hemisphere language capacity were tested on a variety of simple cognitive tasks. Both isolated right hemispheres performed poorly on most tests. The results suggest that the presence of language in the right hemisphere, a brain system that ordinarily does not possess such competence, need not necessarily confer the full complement of cognitive skills associated with the language processing skills of the left hemisphere.
Short Communication: Circulating Serotonin (5-HT) Concentrations on Day 1 of Lactation as a Potential Predictor of Transition-Related Disorders

The monoamine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) has been described as a homeostatic regulator of lactation. Recently, our laboratory determined that 5-HT is involved in the regulation of calcium and glucose homeostasis during the transition period in rodents. More specifically, we demonstrate that 5-HT is responsible for calcium mobilization from bone and upregulation of hepatic gluconeogenic enzymes and mammary gland glucose transporters. Our objective was to investigate the correlation between circulating 5-HT concentrations and circulating ionized calcium, parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), and glucose concentrations on d 1 postpartum. We also investigated the correlation between circulating 5-HT and milk fever and ketosis incidence and severity in multiparous Holstein cows at the onset of lactation. Blood samples were collected from 42 multiparous cows on d 1 of lactation and analyzed for 5-HT, calcium, glucose, and PTHrP. Milk fever (determined subjectively for each cow on d 1 postpartum) and ketosis incidence and severity (scale 1 to 4, determined objectively for each cow during the first 10 d postpartum) were recorded for all animals. Serum 5-HT was positively correlated with serum calcium and with plasma PTHrP (r>0.37). Serum 5-HT was negatively correlated with milk fever incidence and with ketosis severity (most severe ketosis incidence recorded during the first 10 d postpartum; r<-0.33). Serum calcium and plasma glucose concentrations were negatively correlated with milk fever and ketosis severity, respectively (r<-0.39). These data indicate that 5-HT potentially plays a role in the regulation of calcium and glucose homeostasis during the transition period in cattle, which we previously demonstrated in rodents. Increased circulating concentrations of 5-HT might decrease milk fever at the onset of lactation and ketosis severity during the first 10 d postpartum in dairy cows. Understanding this physiological axis could help describe the underlying mechanisms associated with these periparturient metabolic disorders in dairy cows.
Gilgamesh: A Multithreaded Processor-In-Memory Architecture for Petaflops Computing

Processor-in-Memory (PIM) architectures avoid the von Neumann bottleneck in conventional machines by integrating high-density DRAM and CMOS logic on the same chip. Parallel systems based on this new technology are expected to provide higher scalability, adaptability, robustness, fault tolerance and lower power consumption than current MPPs or commodity clusters. In this paper we describe the design of Gilgamesh, a PIM-based massively parallel architecture, and elements of its execution model. Gilgamesh extends existing PIM capabilities by incorporating advanced mechanisms for virtualizing tasks and data and providing adaptive resource management for load balancing and latency tolerance. The Gilgamesh execution model is based on macroservers, a middleware layer which supports object-based runtime management of data and threads allowing explicit and dynamic control of locality and load balancing. The paper concludes with a discussion of related research activities and an outlook to future work.
Factor Analysis for Geophysical Signal Processing with Seismic Profiles

In the petroleum industry, stacking, one of the principal steps of conventional seismic signal processing, plays an important role in enhancing events and cancelling random and coherent noises by utilizing the predesigned redundancy in the seismic data. This paper demonstrates that by applying an alternative technique, factor analysis, to the same dataset, better subsurface image of the earth can be obtained. Contrary to stacking, it takes into consideration the scaling of the latent signal and makes explicit use of the second order statistics, obtaining higher signal-to-noise ratio. Moreover, factor analysis is compared with principal component analysis and independent component analysis, which can both be realized by neural networks, in processing the synthetic Marmousi dataset.
Identity confusion, bisexuality, and flight from the mother☆

This paper deals with the effects of an oral-sadistic annihilating mother on her male and female offspring. The all-powerful nature of these mothers, and the corresponding helplessness of the fathers, produce in their offspring a sense of identity confusion, a struggle with their bisexuality, and a need to distance themselves from their mother. Everything unwanted in the mother is externalized onto and into the child, particularly suffering and pain, which are necessary for the maintenance of the (pathological) mother-child relationship. Positive movement (i.e., success) on the child's part threatens the balance of this relationship, is perceived by the child as a hostile and destructive triumph over the mother, and causes the Negative Therapeutic Reaction in therapy. The child's inherent masochism acts to preserve the early infantile omnipotence and leads to his/her assumption of all responsibility for the mother's affective states. The child's self-destructiveness also functions as a release for unconscious aggression toward the mother, due to the lack of boundary differentiation between the two.
Photosynthesis, water relations, and growth of planted Pinus strobus L. on burned sites in the southern Appalachians

Summary We measured net photosynthesis, leaf conductance, xylem water potential, and growth of Pinus strobus L. seedlings two years after planting on two clear-cut and burned sites in the southern Appalachians. Multiple regression analysis was used to relate seedling net photosynthesis to vapor pressure deficit, seedling crown temperature, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), needle N, xylem water potential, and soil water, and to relate seedling size and growth to physiological measurements (average net photosynthesis, leaf conductance, and cumulative xylem water potential), soil water, needle N, seedling temperature, and PAR. Seedling net photosynthesis was significantly related to vapor pressure deficit, midday water potential, crown temperature, and PAR (r2 = 0.70) early in the growing season (May 1992) with vapor pressure deficit alone explaining 42% of the variation. As neighboring vegetation developed, light became more limiting and significantly reduced seedling net photosynthesis later in the growing season (July, August, and September). Final seedling diameter was significantly related to competitor biomass, average photosynthetic rate, and needle N (r2 = 0.68).
cis- and trans-acting localization determinants of pH response regulator Rim13 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The Rim101/PacC pathway governs adaptation to alkaline pH in many fungi. Output of the pathway is mediated by transcription factors of the Rim101/PacC family, which are activated by proteolytic cleavage. The proteolytic complex includes scaffold protein Rim20 and endosome-associated subunits of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT). We provide here evidence that Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rim13, the protease that is implicated in Rim101 cleavage, is associated with the Rim20-ESCRT complex, and we investigate its regulation. Rim13-GFP is dispersed in cells grown in acidic medium but forms punctate foci when cells encounter alkaline conditions. A vps4mutant, which accumulates elevated levels of endosomal ESCRT, also accumulates elevated levels of Rim13-GFP foci, independently of external pH. In the vps4background, mutation of ESCRT subunit Snf7 or of Rim20 blocks the formation of Rim13 foci, and we found that Rim13 and Rim20 are colocalized. The Rim13 ortholog PalB of Aspergillus nidulans has been shown to undergo ESCRT and membrane association through an Nterminal MIT domain, but Rim13 orthologs in the Saccharomyces clade lack homology to this N-terminal region. Instead, there is a clade-limited C-terminal region, and we show that point mutations in this region prevent punctate localization and impair Rim13 function. We suggest that RIM13arose from its ancestral gene through two genome rearrangements. The ancestor lost the coding region for its MIT domain through a 5=rearrangement and acquired the coding region for the Saccharomyces-specific functional equivalent through a 3=rearrangement.
Measuring the transition switching speed of a semiconductor-based photoconductive switch using RF techniques

This paper presents a new technique for measuring the switching speed of reconfigurable antenna systems driven by semiconductor-based photoconductive switches. Laser diodes are integrated within a stripline transmission line in order to efficiently illuminate the incorporated photoconductive switches. An experimental setup and measurement technique for estimating the ON←→OFF transition speed of the photoconductive switches, driven by a pulsed laser source, are presented.
Spinal cord protection during aortic cross-clamping using retrograde venous perfusion

Abstract Background . Paraplegia remains a devastating complication following thoracic aortic operation. We hypothesized that retrograde perfusion of the spinal cord with a hypothermic, adenosine-enhanced solution would provide protection during periods of ischemia due to temporary aortic occlusion. Methods . In a rabbit model, a 45-minute period of spinal cord ischemia was produced by clamping the abdominal aorta and vena cava just below the left renal vessels and at their bifurcations. Four groups (n = 8/group) were studied: control, warm saline, cold saline, and cold saline with adenosine infusion. In the experimental groups, saline or saline plus adenosine was infused into the isolated cavae throughout the ischemic period. Clamps were removed and the animals to recovered for 24 hours before blinded neurological evaluation. Results . Tarlov scores (0 = paraplegia, 1=slight movement, 2=sits with assistance, 3=sits alone, 4=weak hop, 5=normal hop) were (mean ± standard error of the mean): control, 0.50 ± 0.50; warm saline, 1.63 ± 0.56; cold saline, 3.38 ± 0.26; and cold saline plus adenosine, 4.25 ± 0.16 (analysis of variance for all four groups, p p Conclusion . Retrograde venous perfusion of the spinal cord with hypothermic saline and adenosine provides functional protection against surgical ischemia and reperfusion.
Ecosystem warming increases sap flow rates of northern red oak trees

Over the next century, air temperature increases up to 5°C are projected for the northeastern United States. As evapotranspiration strongly influences water loss from terrestrial ecosystems, the eco- physiological response of trees to warming will have important consequences for forest water budgets. We measured growing season sap flow rates in mature northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) trees in a combined air (up to 5.5°C above ambient) and soil (up to 1.85°C above ambient at 6- cm depth) warming experiment at Harvard Forest, Massachusetts, United States. Through principal components analysis, we found air and soil temperatures explained the largest amount of variance in environmental variables associated with rates of sap flow, with relative humidity, photosynthetically active radiation and vapor pressure deficit having significant, but smaller, effects. On average, each 1°C increase in temperature increased sap flow rates by approximately 1100 kg H 2 O m −2 sapwood area day −1 throughout the growing season and by 1200 kg H 2 O m −2 sapwood area day −1 during the early growing season. Reductions in the number of cold winter days correlated positively with increased sap flow during the early growing season (a decrease in 100 heating- degree days was associated with a sapflow increase in approximately 5 kg H 2 O m −2 sapwood area day −1 ). Soil moisture declined with increased treatment temperatures, and each soil moisture percent- age decrease resulted in a decrease in sap flow of approximately 360 kg H 2 O m −2 sapwood area day −1 . At night, soil moisture correlated positively with sap flow. These results demonstrate that warmer air and soil temperatures in winter and throughout the growing season lead to increased sap flow rates, which could affect forest water budgets throughout the year.
Glucoregulatory consequences and cardiorespiratory parameters in rats exposed to chronic-intermittent hypoxia: effects of the duration of exposure and losartan.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with glucose intolerance. Both chronic sleep disruption and recurrent blood oxygen desaturations (chronic-intermittent hypoxia – CIH) may cause, or exacerbate, metabolic derangements. Methods: To assess the impact of CIH alone, without accompanying upper airway obstructions, on the counter-regulatory response to glucose load and cardiorespiratory parameters, we exposed adult male Sprague-Dawley rats to CIH or sham room air exchanges for 10 h/day for 7, 21 or 35 days and then, one day after conclusion of CIH exposure, conducted intravenous glucose tolerance tests (ivgtt) under urethane anesthesia. Additional rats underwent 35 days of CIH followed by 35 days of regular housing, or had 35 day-long CIH exposure combined with daily administration of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist, losartan (15 mg/kg, p.o.), and then were also subjected to ivgtt. Results: Compared with the corresponding control groups, CIH rats had progressively reduced glucose-stimulated insulin release and impaired glucose clearance, only mildly elevated heart rate and/or arterial blood pressure and slightly reduced respiratory rate. The differences in insulin release between the CIH and sham-treated rats disappeared in the rats normally housed for 35 days after 35 days of CIH/sham exposure. The losartan-treated rats had improved insulin sensitivity, with no evidence of suppressed insulin release in the CIH group. Conclusions: In adult rats, the glucose-stimulated insulin release is gradually suppressed with the duration of exposure to CIH, but the effect is reversible. Elimination of the detrimental effect of CIH on insulin release by losartan suggests that CIH disrupts glucoregulation through angiotensin/catecholaminergic pathways. Accordingly, treatment with continuous positive airway pressure may ameliorate pre-diabetic conditions in OSA patients, in part, by reducing sympathoexcitatory effects of recurrent nocturnal hypoxia.
Bureaucratic Capacity, Delegation, and Political Reform

Thecentraltensionmotivatingcontemporarytheories of delegation from politicians to bureaucrats lies in the potential conflict between the value of bureaucratic expertise, on one hand, and the desire for political control, on the other. This tension is well-known, and has been debated at least since Weber’s classic work on bureaucracy. Modern bureaucracies are staffed with individuals who, by virtue of “rational” bureaucratic organization, are highly skilled policy experts who in principle should be able to help less knowledgeable politicians achieve their goals. However, the very skills and expertise that bureaucrats enjoy create the possibility that bureaucrats will usurp the rightful role of politicians in policymaking processes. Because the way this tension is resolved determines the ultimate compatibility of democracy and bureaucracy, existing theories of delegation typically focus on understanding how and to what extent politicians can resolve it. 1 In many contexts, particularly developing democracies, bureaucracy does not fit the “Weberian” characteristics that are assumed in the existing delegation literature. The bureaucracies may be staffed with individuals who lack the personal capacity to execute orders effectively. The organizational structure may lead to breakdowns within bureaucratic hierarchies, making it difficult for senior administrators to control their subordinates. Departments and ministries may lack basic budgets and resources to undertake implementation actions. They may suffer from incentives for
Do the Left-Out Matter?

Benjamin J. Cohen's International Political Economy: An Intellectual History is a remarkably admirable book. Its organisation around the intellectual biographies of seven of the field's indisputabl...
Toxicity of the Flame-Retardant BDE-49 on Brain Mitochondria and Neuronal Progenitor Striatal Cells Enhanced by a PTEN-Deficient Background

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) represent an important group of flame retardants extensively used, tonnage of which in the environment has been steadily increasing over the past 25 years. PBDEs or metabolites can induce neurotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction (MD) through a variety of mechanisms. Recently, PBDEs with 1 nM, it inhibited the electron transport at Complex V (mixed type inhibition; IC(50) = 6 nM) and Complex IV (noncompetitive inhibition; IC(50) = 40 nM). These concentrations are easily achieved in plasma concentrations considering that BDE-49 (this study, 400-fold) and other PBDEs accumulate 1-3 orders of magnitude in the cells, particularly in mitochondria and microsomes. Similar effects were observed in NPC and exacerbated with PTEN (negative modulator of the PI3K/Akt pathway) deficiency, background associated with autism-like behavior, schizophrenia, and epilepsy. PBDE-mediated MD per se or enhanced by a background that confers susceptibility to this exposure may have profound implications in the energy balance of brain.
Properties of Calcium, Strontium, and Barium Galliosilicate Glasses

Glasses in three alkaline-earth (Ca, Sr, and Ba) galliosilicate systems were prepared, and the density, viscosity, thermal expansion coefficient, and glass transformation temperature were measured. All glasses contain 30 mol% alkaline-earth oxide. It is suggested that alkaline-earth ions can play a role in the glass structure which is similar to that of an intermediate ion.
Discussion of Bogerts' Temporolimbic System Theory of Paranoid Schizophrenia

Olney and Farber present their work with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists, which are psychotogens, and propose that the structural changes described by Bogerts could be accounted for by a two-stage process. The first stage of the process would occur early in life and would culminate in the selective loss of NMDA-receptor bearing gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic neurons and thus render the brain into a NMDA receptor hypofunctional (NRH) state. Such a loss would set the foundation for the second stage in which the neural circuits that have been altered by the loss of these GABAergic interneurons would become activated in late adolescence but would be dysfunctional. Dysfunction of this circuit would lead to the psychopathology of schizophrenia and potentially, if severe enough, to neuronal degeneration. Thus, the changes described by Bogerts could originate partially in early life and partially in adulthood. Based on their animal model, the authors suggest studies that should be carried out in humans.
The Los Angeles Riots: A Study in Crisis Paralysis

Although social scientists have sought to understand riots in terms of social structure, few causal explanations have withstood the tests of ongoing empirical examination. In America, presidential commissions sought to put the black urban riots of the mid-sixties in a similar context. Despite the laudable attempts at deriving benign policy implications from such explanations, the commissions’ explanations were no better than the social science of the time. Understanding the causal basis of riots has been elusive, but our understanding of riots as problems of crisis management has been far more reachable. A comparison of two Los Angeles riots, Watts 1965, and the Rodney King riots of 1992, shows that the intensity, spread and duration of the riots were a function of crisis paralysis. We might not know, in any scientific sense, what causes riots but we appear to know a great deal about the consequences of not appropriately preparing for or managing riots. These are the lessons of both Los Angeles riots.
The effects of a required fourth-year clinical pharmacology course on student attitudes and subsequent performance.

Beginning with the class graduating June 1984, Dartmouth Medical School introduced a required clinical pharmacology course. Approximately 89% of the fourth-year students felt that the course was “essential” to their future careers as physicians. As interns, 80% found the course frequently useful or essential during their internships; 84% felt that they were either slightly or much better prepared than their fellow interns with respect to their therapeutic knowledge and skills. Average student performance on a pretest (33% correct answers) improved dramatically on a posttest (87% correct; P < 0.001). Finally, although student performance on all sections of Part II of the national board examinations showed statistically nonsignificant trends toward improvement (from the 48th to the 52nd percentile), performance on questions testing core concepts in clinical pharmacology improved from the 38th percentile to the 74th percentile (P < 0.0001). This required fourth-year course in clinical pharmacology was evaluated favorably by our students and resulted in objective improvement in their therapeutic knowledge and skills. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1986) 40, 488–493; doi:10.1038/clpt.1986.213