cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endothelial cells prevent accumulation of lipid hydroperoxides in low-density lipoprotein

Abstract A variety of cell types, including endothelial cells, oxidize low-density lipoprotein (LDL). To investigate the mechanisms by which endothelial cells modulate LDL oxidation states, endothelial cell cultures were incubated with LDL (240 mg cholesterol/dL) for 24 hours in M199 supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS, 16.7%). These conditions were not toxic to endothelial cells over the time frame of the study. Changes in LDL oxidation were monitored by measuring thiobarbituric acid–reactive substances (TBARS), lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH), and conjugated dienes (A234nm). LDL medium incubated in the absence of endothelial cells contained higher TBARS than did LDL medium incubated with endothelial cells (0.35±0.08 versus 0.23±0.08 nmol MDA/mg, respectively). LOOHs were higher in LDL medium incubated without endothelial cells than in LDL medium incubated with endothelial cells (6.8±4.4 versus 0.49±0.89 nmol/mg, respectively). Conjugated diene formation, based on changes in absorbance at 234 nm, increased to a greater extent in LDL medium incubated in the absence of endothelial cells than when endothelial cells were present. To increase oxidative stress on the endothelial cell cultures, increasing concentrations of Cu2+ (0 to 4 μmol/L) were added to LDL medium. Endothelial cells prevented LOOH accumulation until the concentration of Cu2+ exceeded 0.75 μmol/L. At 1.5 and 4 μmol/L Cu2+, endothelial cells enhanced LOOH formation nearly 3 and 2.5 times the LOOH values in the corresponding medium incubated in the absence of endothelial cells. This loss of protective function however, was not permanent. Endothelial cells, preincubated for 24 hours with Cu2+-containing LDL medium, were still able to prevent LOOH accumulation in fresh LDL medium. Endothelial cells prevented LOOH accumulation even when exposed to LDL medium that contained low concentrations of LOOHs (<22 nmol/mg). However, endothelial cells accelerated the accumulation of LOOHs in LDL when exposed to LDL medium that contained slightly higher concentrations of preexisting LOOHs (≈33 nmol/mg). These data indicate that endothelial cells have a limited capacity for preventing LOOH formation and that small increases in LOOHs may play a critical role in enhancing the potential of endothelial cells for oxidative modification of LDL.
Effects of reaction conditions on rates of incorporation of no‐carrier added F‐18 fluoride into several organic compounds

Apparent rate constants (fractional incorporation per minute per mole of organic reactant) were determined for reaction of no-carrier added F-18 fluoride with several aliphatic and aromatic substrates in acetonitrile or DMSO. No large differences were seen between tetraethylammonium and potassium Kryptofix-2,2,2 as supporting cation. Three hexose derivatives with triflate or cyclic sulfate leaving groups all gave apparent rate constants (obtained by dividing fractional incorporation by time in minutes and by molar concentration of reactant) near 0.4 at 23° and 5 at 55°. An aliphatic iodide reacted ten times more slowly. Aromatic substrates tested showed a wide range of rate constants from >50 at 23° (isotope exchange in 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene) to 0.6 at 134° (p-nitroacetophenone).
Phospholipid‐assisted protein folding: phosphatidylethanolamine is required at a late step of the conformational maturation of the polytopic membrane protein lactose permease

Previously we presented evidence that phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) acts as a molecular chaperone in the folding of the polytopic membrane protein lactose permease (LacY) of Escherichia coli. Here we provide more definitive evidence supporting the chaperone properties of PE. Membrane insertion of LacY prevents its irreversible aggregation, and PE participates in a late step of conformational maturation. The temporal requirement for PE was demonstrated in vitro using a coupled translation-membrane insertion assay that allowed the separation of membrane insertion from phospholipid-assisted folding. LacY was folded properly, as assessed by recognition with conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies, when synthesized in the presence of PE-containing inside-out membrane vesicles (IOVs) or in the presence of IOVs initially lacking PE but supplemented with PE synthesized in vitro either co- or post-translationally. The presence of IOVs lacking PE and containing anionic phospholipids or no addition of IOVs resulted in misfolded or aggregated LacY, respectively. Therefore, critical folding steps occur after membrane insertion dependent on the interaction of LacY with PE to prevent illicit interactions which lead to misfolding of LacY.
Cartesian-space Kalman-based Predictive Compensation For Computation Delays In Leader-follower Coordination Of Two Manipulators : Formulation And Experimental Validation

While some efforts in coordinated control of multiple manipulators rely on a leader-follower mode of operation, other adopt an indistinguished control mode. Although the second approach is more robust, the first is more efficient to implement. While the coordination scheme developed in this paper is based on position feedback between two arms carrying a rigid object, the paper is mainly dedicated to the development of a predictive scheme to compensate for computation delays. Since the research is heavily experimental a leader-follower coordination scheme is adopted because of its computational efficiency. The developed coordination and prediction algorithms are experimentally tested using a hierarchical multi-processor architecture and two PUMA robot arms. The computation of desired follower arm joint positions consumes one sampling interval. Another sampling interval is lost due to the fact that a desired follower arm position has to be computed before it can be assumed. This is where Kalman-based prediction is used to compensate for these delays. Although such a prediction approach can be carried out in either joint or Cartesian space, Cartesian space prediction is emphasized in the paper. This approach does not wume any apriori knowledge about the desired trajectory.
STUDIES ON A LUNG TISSUE COMPONENT WHICH COMBINES WITH PNEUMONIA VIRUS OF MICE (PVM)

Evidence has been obtained which indicates that the lung tissues of mammalian species susceptible to infection with PVM contain a specific component which combines with the virus. The concentration of this tissue component appears to be directly proportional to the suceptibility of the species; in its absence infection with PVM cannot be established. The available evidence suggests that the presence of the virus-combining component in lung tissue may play a decisive ro1e in the initiation of infection with this pneumotropic virus.
A Change of Perspective Yields Formal Analysis

In this paper we argue that a judicious use of models in science and engineering can considerably simplify the design and analysis of complex dynamic systems. To substantiate this claim, we first review the mathematical form and the role played by models in science and engineering, respectively. We then show that a change in perspective on the purpose of models in the analysis of cardiac tissue, allowed us to derive for the first time, in an automatic fashion, the parameter-ranges distinguishing between normal and abnormal behavior in cardiac cells.
Taxonomic review of Amitus (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea: Platygastridae) of the Western Hemisphere.

Collections of Amitus (Hymenoptera: Proctotrupoidea, Platygastridae) from the Western Hemisphere are referred to the following species: from Canada and the United States, A. aleurodinis Haldeman, A. granulosus n. sp., and A. gibbosus n. sp.; from Mexico and South America, A. spiniferus (Brethes), A. pigeanus n. sp., A. hesperidum Silvestri, and A. fuscipennis n. sp.A lateral plate-like process on the male fourth antennal segment is regarded as a phenocline, characteristic of species or species groups.
Fatalities and the Organization of Child Care in the United States, 1985-2003:

Nearly 8 million children of employed parents are in nonrelative child care, but little is known about safety risks. Drawing on the literature reporting mistakes in organizations and medical errors, the authors analyze fatalities in U.S. child care. Types of child care vary greatly in organizational features, from formally organized centers to informal care offered in providers’ or children’s homes. This allows analysis of how the social organization of care affects risks. A unique national dataset is used to provide a lower bound on fatalities and to analyze fatality rates across types of care. Data come from three sources: (1) a systematic national media search for 1985‐2003, (2) legal records of civil and criminal court cases involving fatalities and serious injuries in child care, and (3) ethnographic data from state records in seven states. Overall child care is quite safe, but there are striking differences in fatality rates across types of care. Center care is significantly safer than care offered in private homes and offers particular protection against fatalities from violence. Detailed narratives of how fatalities occur suggest that the organization of work is a crucial factor in risk differences.
Cardiac Ion Channels

The normal electrophysiologic behavior of the heart is determined by ordered propagation of excitatory stimuli that result in rapid depolarization and slow repolarization, thereby generating action potentials in individual myocytes. Abnormalities of impulse generation, propagation, or the duration and configuration of individual cardiac action potentials form the basis of disorders of cardiac rhythm, a continuing major public health problem for which available drugs are incompletetly effective and often dangerous. The integrated activity of specific ionic currents generates action potentials, and the genes whose expression results in the molecular components underlying individual ion currents in heart have been cloned. This review discusses these new tools and how their application to the problem of arrhythmias is generating new mechanistic insights to identify patients at risk for this condition and developing improved antiarrhythmic therapies.
Intensive Wetland Agriculture in Mesoamerica: Space, Time, and Form

Abstract Geographers have led the effort to better understand Prehispanic, intensive wetland agriculture (“raised fields”) in Mesoamerica. An overview of that literature provides the database for a subsequent spatial-temporal analysis and a resource for primary research. The analysis employs maps to identify changing relationships among distribution, hectareage, and morphometry in order to address wetland agriculture's role in the emergence of sedentism, urbanism, statism, and corollary environmental change; its interrelationships with other agroecosystems and ecological parameters; and its productivity and sustainability. The result is a modest benchmark in the research process which identifies significant variables, putative patterns, and several testable hypotheses, namely 1) that wherever social processes elicited dense population nucleations and hydrology was appropriate, farmers built wetland fields; 2) that the emergence of intensive wetland agriculture was ecologically interrelated with terracing,...
Cis-4-decenoic acid in plasma: a characteristic metabolite in medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency

The profile of organic acids in plasma of patients with a deficiency of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (EC 1.3.99.3) was determined by gas-liquid chromatography of trimethylsilylated derivatives of the acids isolated by ethyl acetate extraction. All 13 patients had increased concentrations of free octanoate, cis-4-decenoate, and decanoate in their plasma. Cis-4-decenoate, an intermediary metabolite of linoleic acid, is pathognomonic of medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency. This metabolite does not accumulate in plasma after oral loading with medium-chain triglycerides, in contrast to octanoate and decanoate. Two postmortem plasma samples from victims of infant sudden-death syndrome had detectable octanoate and decanoate, but cis-4-decenoate could not be detected. The identification of cis-4-decenoate in plasma may be an aid in the diagnosis of an inherited defect in oxidation of medium-chain fatty acids.
Adolescents, Health Education, and Computers: The Body Awareness Resource Network (BARN).

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Histological Techniques for Decalcified Bone and Cartilage

Bone tissues are often processed to produce undecalcified sections, or ground sections. These sections range from 50–150 μm in thickness and are used for common histomorphometric studies, yielding poor cellular detail. To better observe the details of cellular components, thinner sections of single-cell thickness (ideally 4–6 μm) are preferred. Several methods are available for making such sections, including plastic-embedded sectioning with a sliding microtome (see Chapter 14) and decalcified paraffin- or celloidin-embedded sectioning with routine rotary microtome or a sliding microtome. Decalcified paraffin-embedded sectioning has been widely used because of its simplicity. It can be performed in most routine histological laboratories without the need for special equipment such as a diamond-coated saw or a grinder.
Nitric oxide mediates glutamate-evoked dopamine release in the medial preoptic area.

Dopamine (DA) release in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) of the hypothalamus is an important facilitator of male sexual behavior. The presence of a receptive female increases extracellular DA in the MPOA, which increases further during copulation. However, the neurochemical events that mediate the increase of DA in the MPOA are not fully understood. Here we report that glutamate, reverse- dialyzed into the MPOA, increased extracellular DA, which returned to baseline after the glutamate was removed. This increase was prevented by co-administration of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N G -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L- NAME), but not by the inactive isomer, Nw-nitro-D-arginine methyl ester (D-NAME). In contrast, extracellular concentra- tions of the major metabolites of DA were decreased by glutamate, suggesting that the DA transporter was inhibited. These decreases were also inhibited by L-NAME, but not D-NAME. These results indicate that glutamate enhances extracel- lular DA in the MPOA, at least in part, via nitric oxide activity. Therefore, glutamatergic stimulation of nitric oxide synthase may generate the female-induced increase in extracellular DA in the MPOA, which is important for the expression of male sexual behavior. © 2004 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Tissue Response of Chick Chorioallantoic Membranes to Dental Implant Materials

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUAHISTO-RESPONSA DE MEMBRANAS CHORIOALLANTOIC DE GALLINA A MATERIALES DE USO IN IMPLANTATIONES DENTAL.—Le evalutation de histo-responsas in humanos require le uso de altere systemas vital. Le presente reporto es concernite con reactiones de tissu epithelial e conjunctive a 23 differente materiales. Technicas standard esseva usate in placiar micre pecias individual de material super le membranas de ovos embryonate. Le ovos esseva reclaudite e incubate. Le membranas esseva exsecate e fixate, le materiales de implantation esseva removite, e preparatos histologic esseva facite. Le responsas histopathologic observate esseva classificate como (1) leve, (2) moderate, o (3) sever. Illos variava extensemente ab un material experimental al altere.
Stimulation of adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and growth hormone (GH) release by ouabain: relationship to calcium.

Studies of the effect of the cardiac glycoside, ouabain, on the release of ACTH and GH from anterior pituitary halves were performed in vitro at 37 C. Ouabain in concentrations of from 1 X 10-5 to 1 X 10-3M stimulated ACTH release in guinea pig tissue and GH release in rat tissue. Ouabain in concentrations of 5 X 10-4M and 1 X 10-3M stimulated ACTH release in rat pituitary tissue. Ouabain—induced hormone release did not occur when pituitary tissue was incubated at 4 C. Incubation of pituitary tissue in the absence of potassium increased by 10-fold the sensitivity to ouabain in terms of ACTH release and directly stimulated the release of GH. In the absence of calcium, ouabain did not stimulate ACTH and GH release. These results can be explained by an interaction of ouabain with Na+, K+—ATPase, the consequence of which is pituitary hormone release. Since ouabain promotes calcium influx in several tissues including the pituitary, and hormone release is calcium dependent, we propose that a Na+/K+ pump—mediate...
Sentinels of Ecological Processes: The Case of the Northern Flying Squirrel

Indigenous forests across North America have been and continue to be transformed. The implications of these changes are far reaching and include the loss of habitat, biological diversity, and ecological services, as well as diminished air and water quality. The northern flying squirrel is a forest obligate that achieves its highest density in old growth, facilitates critical symbiotic relationships, and is an essential prey of disturbance-sensitive predators. Its reliance on old-forest attributes varies with community diversity, and its sensitivity to isolation renders it an ideal indicator of landscape connectivity. The results of numerous studies reveal the squirrel's acute sensitivity to disturbance at multiple spatial scales, which renders it an effective sentinel of forest ecosystem processes and condition over both geological and ecological time scales. Therefore, a thorough understanding of its ecology can inform projections and the effective mitigation of continued disturbance of ecological commun...
An algorithm for synthesis of system-level interface circuits

We describe an algorithm for the synthesis and optimization of interface circuits for embedded system components such as microprocessors, memory ASIC, and network subsystems with fixed interfaces. The algorithm accepts the timing characteristics of two system components as input, and generates a combinational interface (glue logic) circuit. The algorithm consists of two parts. In the first part, we determine the direct pin-to-pin connections in the interface circuit employing a 0/1 ILP formulation to minimize wiring area and dynamic power consumption. In the second part, we determine logic subcircuits in the interface circuit, utilizing the timing diagrams of the system components. The proposed algorithm has been implemented in a software package SYNTERFACE. Experimental results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm.
Hyperosmolarity reduces facilitation by a Ca2+ ‐independent mechanism at the lobster neuromuscular junction: possible depletion of the releasable pool

1. At the crustacean neuromuscular junction, action potential-evoked neurosecretion increases in proportion to stimulation frequency, a process termed frequency facilitation. In the present study we examined how frequency facilitation is affected by osmotic pressure. 2. Hypertonic solution (HS) was applied by local superfusion of the synaptic area. Quantal release was monitored by focal extracellular recordings of postsynaptic potentials. Several stimulation frequencies (f) in the range from 1 to 10 Hz were employed, and quantal content (m) together with the number of releasable units (n) and release probability (p) was evaluated for each frequency. 3. Osmotic pressure enhanced quantal release at the lowest f tested (1 Hz) but suppressed neurosecretion at higher f (7-10 Hz). Thus, hyperosmolarity enhanced action potential-evoked release but suppressed frequency facilitation. 4. Chelation of intracellular calcium by BAPTA showed that the effect of HS was calcium independent. 5. Binomial analysis of quantal content revealed that HS suppressed the increase in the number of releasable units, which was very pronounced during facilitation under control conditions. Since HS also stimulated asynchronous quantal release, the observed effect of HS on facilitation can be explained by the depletion of the releasable pool of quanta caused by the asynchronous neurosecretion. 6. To test this hypothesis we increased the available pool of vesicles using serotonin and demonstrated that the suppressing effect of HS on facilitation was reversed. 7. The observed effects of HS on facilitated neurosecretion could be described quantitatively using our model for mobilization of vesicles into the releasable pool enhanced by action potentials.
Isolation of a high molecular weight glycoconjugate derived from the surface of S purpuratus eggs that is implicated in sperm adhesion.

Sea urchin sperm–egg adhesion is mediated by bindin, a sperm surface protein that has lectin-like activity. Bindin agglutinates eggs, and this interaction has been shown to be inhibited by glycopeptides released from the egg surface by protease treatment. In this study, we report the purification and properties of such an egg surface glycoconjugate that may be involved in sperm adhesion. The glycoconjugate was partially purified by gel filtration and affinity chromatography on bindin particles. Upon gel filtration on Sepharose CL 4-B, the glycoconjugate elutes near the void volume, suggesting that it has a molecular weight in excess of one million. In addition, we have found that the egg surface glycoconjugate agglutinates bindin particles, indicating that it is multivalent. Carbohydrate analysis indicates that the glycoconjugate is composed primarily of fucosc, xylose, galactose, and glucose. This purified egg surface component is the most potent inhibitor of bindin-mediated egg agglutination yet described.
Habitat Selection Responses of Parents to Offspring Predation Risk: An Experimental Test

The ability of nest predation to influence habitat settle- ment decisions in birds is widely debated, despite its importance in limiting fitness. Here, we experimentally manipulated nest predation risk across a landscape and asked the question, do migratory birds assess and respond to variation in nest predation risk when choosing breeding habitats? We examined habitat preference by quantifying the density and settlement date of eight species of migratory pas- serines breeding in areas with and without intact nest predator com- munities. We found consistently more individuals nesting in areas with reduced nest predation than in areas with intact predator as- semblages, although predation risk had no influence on settlement or breeding phenology. Additionally, those individuals occupying safer nesting habitats exhibited increased singing activity. These find- ings support a causal relationship between habitat choice and nest predation risk and suggest the importance of nest predation risk in shaping avian community structure and breeding activity.
Calcium Waves in the Xenopus Oocytes Trigger Store Operated Calcium Entry

Abstract The oscillation of cytoplasmic calcium concentration exists in a large number of non-excitable cells such as astrocytes in the brain, intestinal cells and oocytes (Fig.1). This rhythmic activity carries information into the cell, regulating various processes such as gene expression or transmitter release. In some cells, such as Xenopus oocytes, the oscillations can rely only on calcium being released in the cytoplasm from intracellular stores after stimulation of inositol triphosphate (IP3) receptors located on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). To refill the intracellular stores in the ER, the cell has to import extracellular calcium. This is achieved through the STIM/Orai pathway where an ER calcium sensor (STIM) is activated by store depletion and in turn interacts and opens a calcium channel in the plasma membrane (Orai) leading to calcium influx, a process known as Store Operated Calcium Entry (SOCE). In the present work we evaluated the interactions between SOC and intracellular calcium oscill...
Jungian and Mythological Patterns in Wakako Yamauchi's "And the Soul Shall Dance"

In this essay I will analyze her most famous short story, "And the Soul Shall Dance," later adapted for theater and television. In this analysis, I will employ the framework and language of myth and the depth psychology of Carl G. Jung, one of the founders of modern psychology and psychoanalysis. According to critic Joseph Russo, psychology is one of the disciplines that has "most systematically offered us both theories and methodologies for making sense of the elaborate symbol systems that individuals and societies employ for their visions of what is most vital in life." Here, I will attempt to demonstrate how the archetypal theory of Jungian psychology, supported with analysis derived from mythology and religion, can illuminate a significant aspect of Yamauchi's fine short story.
Semiautomated Enzymatic Method for Determining Serum Triglycerides by Use of the Beckman "DSA 560"

Triglycerides are hydrolyzed to glycerol and fatty acids with alcoholic potassium hydroxide, and total glycerol (that originally present plus that released by hydrolysis) is determined enzymatically, with use of a Beckman "Discrete Sample Analyzer 560," at the rate of 120 samples per hour. Absorbance decrease is measured at 340 nm, and the final results are printed out directly, in milligrams per 100 ml. Results of this procedure were compared with those obtained by a manual method. Standard deviations for more than 200 determinations of commercial normal and abnormal quality-control reference sera during the course of a year were 2.00 and 2.31 mg/100 ml (C.V, 1.6 and 2.4%)
Anticommutation in the presentations of theta-deformed spheres

Abstract We consider an analogue of the θ -deformed even spheres, modifying the relations demanded of the self-adjoint generator x in the usual presentation. In this analogue, x is given anticommutation relations with all of the other generators, as opposed to being central. The main result shows that these algebras satisfy a Borsuk–Ulam property that is visible in even K -theory.
THE MOTION OF SEDIMENT ALONG THE SOUTH SHORE OF LAKE ERIE

Much of Lake Erie' s southern shoreline displays fairly uniform properties with respect to shore processes. However, detailed studies of selected stripe of shore areas often reveal characteristics which are so distinctive that problems of control require special attention to local characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to present some generalizations and some detailed comments on the motion of sediment along the south shore of Lake Erie, to outline the results of some detailed studies of small areas, and to evaluate the types of evidence used in such studies.
Longer Contact Times Increase Cross-Contamination of Enterobacter aerogenes from Surfaces to Food

ABSTRACT Bacterial cross-contamination from surfaces to food can contribute to foodborne disease. The cross-contamination rate of Enterobacter aerogenes on household surfaces was evaluated by using scenarios that differed by surface type, food type, contact time ( 2 ) were spot inoculated with 1 ml of inoculum and allowed to dry for 5 h, yielding an approximate concentration of 10 7 CFU/surface. Foods (with a 16-cm 2 contact area) were dropped onto the surfaces from a height of 12.5 cm and left to rest as appropriate. Posttransfer, surfaces and foods were placed in sterile filter bags and homogenized or massaged, diluted, and plated on tryptic soy agar. The transfer rate was quantified as the log percent transfer from the surface to the food. Contact time, food, and surface type all had highly significant effects ( P P = 0.013), and most interaction terms were significant. More bacteria transferred to watermelon (∼0.2 to 97%) than to any other food, while the least bacteria transferred to gummy candy (∼0.1 to 62%). Transfer of bacteria to bread (∼0.02 to 94%) was similar to transfer of bacteria to bread with butter (∼0.02 to 82%), and these transfer rates under a given set of conditions were more variable than with watermelon and gummy candy. IMPORTANCE The popular notion of the “five-second rule” is that food dropped on the floor and left there for
Corporate social responsibility and systematic risk of restaurant firms: The moderating role of geographical diversification

Abstract Despite growing attention to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the tourism literature, the relationship between CSR activities and systematic risk, one of the critical components in evaluating shareholder value, has been a topic of scarce examination. Further, the moderating role of geographical diversification on the link between CSR and systematic risk in the restaurant context has not been studied. Therefore, the current study explores these issues in the restaurant context based on the organizational theory and stakeholder theory. In addition, this study dichotomizes CSR activities into two dimensions, socially responsible activities (i.e., positive CSR) and socially irresponsible activities (i.e., negative CSR), to examine the separate effects of the two dimensions. A two-way fixed-effects model that effectively accounts for unobserved effects in a panel data set has been employed to test the proposed hypotheses.
Validity and Reliability of a Portable Balance Tracking System, BTrackS, in Older Adults.

Background and purpose Falls are the leading cause of disability, injury, hospital admission, and injury-related death among older adults. Balance limitations have consistently been identified as predictors of falls and increased fall risk. Field measures of balance are limited by issues of subjectivity, ceiling effects, and low sensitivity to change. The gold standard for measuring balance is the force plate; however, its field use is untenable due to high cost and lack of portability. Thus, a critical need is observed for valid objective field measures of balance to accurately assess balance and identify limitations over time. The purpose of this study was to examine the concurrent validity and 3-day test-retest reliability of Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) in community-dwelling older adults. Minimal detectable change values were also calculated to reflect changes in balance beyond measurement error. Methods Postural sway data were collected from community-dwelling older adults (N = 49, mean [SD] age = 71.3 [7.3] years) with a force plate and BTrackS in multitrial eyes open (EO) and eyes closed (EC) static balance conditions. Force sensors transmitted BTrackS data via a USB to a computer running custom software. Three approaches to concurrent validity were taken including calculation of Pearson product moment correlation coefficients, repeated-measures ANOVAs, and Bland-Altman plots. Three-day test-retest reliability of BTrackS was examined in a second sample of 47 community-dwelling older adults (mean [SD] age = 75.8 [7.7] years) using intraclass correlation coefficients and MDC values at 95% CI (MDC95) were calculated. Results BTrackS demonstrated good validity using Pearson product moment correlations (r > 0.90). Repeated-measures ANOVA and Bland-Altman plots indicated some BTrackS bias with center of pressure (COP) values higher than FP COP values in the EO (mean [SD] bias = 4.0 [6.8]) and EC (mean [SD] bias = 9.6 [12.3]) conditions. Test-retest reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2.1 was excellent (0.83) and calculated MDC95 for EO (9.6 cm) and EC (19.4 cm) and suggested that postural sway changes of these amounts are meaningful. Discussion BTrackS showed some bias with values exceeding force plate values in both EO and EC conditions. Excellent test-retest reliability and resulting MDC95 values indicated that BTrackS has the potential to identify meaningful changes in balance that may warrant intervention. Conclusion BTrackS is an objective measure of balance that can be used to monitor balance in community-dwelling older adults over time. It can reliably identify changes that may require further attention (eg, fall-prevention strategies, declines in physical function) and shows promise for assessing intervention efficacy in this growing segment of the population.
Phosphorization-synthesized virtual substrates for low-cost high efficiency III-V photovoltaics

The use of the low-cost vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) crystal growth method in the manufacturing of III-V solar cell substrates has the potential to provide a lightweight, flexible, and cheaper alternative to traditional epitaxial-based substrates typical of state-of-the-art power generation technology. In this work, the VLS method is used to produce high-quality poly-crystalline indium phosphide (InP) on lightweight flexible metal foils. This novel method is expanded upon by growing materials with unique lattice constants. Compositions of In x Ga 1−x P are explored to target the lattice constant (5.8 A) identified as a promising candidate for surpassing 50% efficiency at 30 suns. X-ray diffraction results of preliminary trials verify the presence of InP and the absence of In confirming full phosphorization of In into InP. The photoluminescence spectra shows a correlation between the VLS grown InP sample and single crystal InP, both emitting at the InP bandedge of 1.337 eV.
An algorithm for Brownian zeroes

An efficient binary technique is presented for determining, to prescribed accuracy, the location of the zeros of a stochastic functionB(x) that is a classical one-dimension Brownian motion.
Multiscale Image Decompositions and Wavelets

Publisher Summary Wavelet decompositions are more recent addition to the arsenal of multiscale signal processing techniques. Unlike the Gaussian and Laplacian pyramids, they provide a complete image representation and perform decomposition according to both scale and orientation. They are implemented using cascaded filter banks in which the lowpass and highpass filters satisfy certain specific constraints. While classical signal processing concepts provide an operational understanding of such systems, there exist remarkable connections with work in applied mathematics and psychophysics, which provide a deeper understanding of wavelet decompositions and their role in vision. From a mathematical standpoint, wavelet decompositions are equivalent to signal expansions in a wavelet basis. The regularity and vanishing moment properties of the lowpass filter impact the shape of the basis functions and hence their ability to efficiently represent typical images. From a psychophysical perspective, early stages of human visual information processing apparently involve decomposition of retinal images into a set of bandpass components corresponding to different scales and orientations. This suggests that multiscale/multiorientation decompositions are indeed natural and efficient for visual information processing.
Three Variable Cancer Angiogenesis models

In this paper we present several mathematical models of tumor growth and angiogenesis expressed by systems of ODE’ s encoding the most essential observations and assumptions about the complex hierarchical interactive processes of tumor neo-vascularization (angiogenesis). The simplest modeling option presented merely captures the three independent variables mentioned earlier-tumor size N, total vessel volume V and the amount of protein P. We modify this model assuming that the protein is additionally consumed by growing vessels and obtain a model with protein consumption. Next models with time-delays are introduced. To make our models more realistic, two more compartments representing more complex vascularity and protein effects are introduced.
Immigration Policies and Group Identity: How Immigrant Laws affect Linked Fate among U.S. Latino Populations.

Immigrant sentiment, measured by the number of state laws enacted to curb the flow of undocumented immigration or expand rights to immigrants, have been on a steady incline since September 11, 2001. Despite the increased attention to unauthorized immigration, little research has examined how immigrant policies are affecting group identity (i.e., linked fate). Linked fate is a form of collective group identity that develops when a group of people experience discrimination and marginalization. Using a unique database that merges the 2012 Collaborative Multiracial Post-Election Survey (n = 934 Latinos) with the sum of state-level immigration policies enacted from 2005 to 2012, this study is the first to examine the direct relationship between immigrant climate and linked fate. Results from our multinomial logistic regressions indicate that the linked fate among Latinos increases as the number of punitive immigration laws in a state increases, controlling for a vector of control variables. Consistent with our theory regarding differential impact, our findings also suggest that immigration laws have a more pronounced influence on the linked fate of foreign-born Latinos.
A framework for quantifying the impact of occupant behavior on energy savings of energy conservation measures

Abstract To improve energy efficiency—during new buildings design or during a building retrofit—evaluating the energy savings potential of energy conservation measures (ECMs) is a critical task. In building retrofits, occupant behavior significantly impacts building energy use and is a leading factor in uncertainty when determining the effectiveness of retrofit ECMs. Current simulation-based assessment methods simplify the representation of occupant behavior by using a standard or representative set of static and homogeneous assumptions ignoring the dynamics, stochastics, and diversity of occupant's energy-related behavior in buildings. The simplification contributes to significant gaps between the simulated and measured actual energy performance of buildings. This study presents a framework for quantifying the impact of occupant behaviors on ECM energy savings using building performance simulation. During the first step of the study, three occupant behavior styles (austerity, normal, and wasteful) were defined to represent different levels of energy consciousness of occupants regarding their interactions with building energy systems (HVAC, windows, lights and plug-in equipment). Next, a simulation workflow was introduced to determine a range of the ECM energy savings. Then, guidance was provided to interpret the range of ECM savings to support ECM decision making. Finally, a pilot study was performed in a real building to demonstrate the application of the framework. Simulation results show that the impact of occupant behaviors on ECM savings vary with the type of ECM. Occupant behavior minimally affects energy savings for ECMs that are technology-driven (the relative savings differ by less than 2%) and have little interaction with the occupants; for ECMs with strong occupant interaction, such as the use of zonal control variable refrigerant flow system and natural ventilation, energy savings are significantly affected by occupant behavior (the relative savings differ by up to 20%). The study framework provides a novel, holistic approach to assessing the uncertainty of ECM energy savings related to occupant behavior, enabling stakeholders to understand and assess the risk of adopting energy efficiency technologies for new and existing buildings.
Abstract 103: Cross-Talk Between Macrophages, Smooth Muscle Cells and Endothelial Cells in Response to Cigarette Smoke: The Effects on MMP2 and -9

Introduction: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) development is linked to smoking and is characterized by extracellular matrix remodeling by MMP2 and -9. We hypothesized that MMP2 and -9 secretions and regulation in response to cigarette smoke is modulated by interactions between resident cells within the aorta, namely, aortic smooth muscles, endothelial cells, and infiltrating macrophages and could influence AAA formation and/or progression. Methods: Aqueous extract of cigarette smoke (AEC) was applied to male rat aortic smooth muscle (RASMC), endothelial (RAEC) or RAW cells in serum free medium (SFM). After 24h the cells were washed, fresh SFM was added and collected after 24h. This conditioned media (CM) was applied to the cells for 24h, again washed, fresh SFM added, and then incubated for 72h, at which point the media was saved for MMP2 and -9 analysis by zymography while the cellular protein was used to determine the ratio (pS/pJ) of phospho-Stat3 (pStat3) and phospho-Jak2 (pJak2) by western blot. Results: Unstimulated CM from RAW cells increased MMP2 by 24% (p=0.0357), MMP9 by 282.1% (p=0.0004) and pS/pJ by 136.5% in RASMC. AEC-CM from RAW and RAEC cells increased MMP9 by 200.5% (p=0.0004) and 17.1% (p=0.0301) respectively in RASMC and corresponding increases in pS/pJ (305.7% and 227.6%, respectively). AEC-CM derived from RAW cells induced RAEC to produce moderate amounts of MMP2 (16.5%, p=0.0140) and MMP9 (29.5%, p=0.0207) and a 137.0% increase in pS/pJ. RAW cells receiving unstimulated CM from RASMC and RAEC cells produced significant amounts of MMP9 (127.7%, p=0.0026 and 236.8%, p=0.0020, respectively) and increased levels of pS/pJ ratios (45.2% and 1282.8%, respectively). Moreover, AEC-CM from RASMC and RAEC induced significant production of MMP9 from RAW cells (154.8%, p=0.0001 and 162.4%, p=0.0022, respectively) and increase in pS/pJ ratios (1348.2%, and 1493.9%, respectively) over baseline. Conclusion: This is the first in vitro study demonstrating that cigarette smoke results in differential interactions between aortic smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and macrophage lineage cells resulting in enhanced levels of MMP2, MMP9, pStat3 and pJak2. These interactions may play an important role in AAA formation under in vivo conditions.
NI(II) phosphine and phosphide complexes supported by a PNP-pyrrole pincer ligand

The reaction between [(PNpyrP)NiCl] (1, PNpyrP = 2,5-bis((di-iso-propylphosphino)-methyl)-1H-pyrrolide) and TlPF6 in the presence of a monodentate phosphine ligand led to cationic nickel phosphine and phosphite complexes, [(PNpyrP)Ni(PHPh2)][PF6] (2), [(PNpyrP)Ni(PMe3)][PF6] (3), and [(PNpyrP)Ni{P(OMe)3}][PF6] (4). Compound 2 can be deprotonated resulting in the generation of a terminal phosphido complex, [(PNpyrP)Ni(PPh2)] (5). When 3 is subjected to a base, a methyl proton of PMe3 is abstracted to afford [(PNpyrP)Ni(CH2PMe2)] (6), containing a methylene bridge between Ni and the external phosphine. Compounds 2–6 were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction in addition to multi-nuclear NMR spectroscopy and elemental analysis.
P084 De novo HLA-DQ donor specific antibodies are associated with worse long term allograft survival after lung transplantation

Aim The long term graft survival of lung transplantation remains significantly worse than any other solid organ transplants. De novo HLA donor specific antibodies (dnDSA) have been implicated with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR), a recognized cause of allograft dysfunction in lung transplant recipients. It remains unclear what dnDSA against specific HLA antigens play in long term graft function and patient survival. We have observed that HLA class II dnDSA are common in lung transplant recipients. In this study, we further characterized that HLA dnDSA implicated allograft function and recipient survival. Methods We retrospectively investigated lung transplant recipients received transplantation between Jan, 2004 and December, 2015 in a single center. HLA DSA were tested using Luminex LabSceeen single antigen bead assays per recipient’s clinical indications. Graft function and patient survival were followed up until December 31, 2016. Data were analyzed using cox hazards regression model and logistic regression. Results A total of 187 patients were followed up for a median of 2.67 years (1–12 years). Among them, 54% were female and 46%, male and 78% were Caucasians. Fifty-eight (31%) patients developed dnDSA, i.e., 8 (4.2%) class I, 42 (22.4%) class II and 8 (4.2%) class I and class II DSA, respectively. Among these DSA positive patients, 36 (62%) patients developed HLA-DQ DSA. Both Class II dnDSA and/or DQ DSA were significantly associated with worse allograft survival and patient survival (P Conclusions HLA-DQ dnDSA are dominate in lung transplant recipients after transplantation which are associated with worse long term allograft and recipient survival. To prevent HLA-DQ dnDSA by better HLA-DQ match or to properly treat patients with HLA-DQ dnDSA may improve long term outcomes for lung transplant recipients.
Effect of absorption perturbation on the reflectivity of a quarter-wave distributed Bragg reflector

Abstract Reported is a mathematical analysis and derivation of a formula for the change of reflectivity of a quarter-wave distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) owing to weak absorption in the mirror layers. From the analysis, the individual contribution of each absorptive mirror layer of a perturbed DBR to the reduction of its reflectivity can be determined. In the limit of small loss, the analytical expression provides a very good estimate of change in reflectivity with absorption perturbation present in any single component layer or an arbitrary combination of component layers of the DBR.
Quench Detection Criteria for YBa2Cu3O7-δ Coils Monitored via a Distributed Temperature Sensor for 77 K Cases

Distributed temperature sensing (DTS), such as Rayleigh-scattering interrogated optical fiber (RIOF) sensing, is a promising method for detecting quenches in high-temperature superconductor (HTS) magnets. One key for the successful implementation of RIOF-based DTS for quench detection is to identify effective quench detection criteria for the onset of a quench. In this paper, two DTS-based quench detection criteria, and their dependence on the operating current and heat disturbance characteristics, are investigated through numerical simulations of quench behavior in a YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ (YBCO) HTS helix coil cooled by a liquid nitrogen (LN 2 ) bath and a YBCO HTS pancake coil cooled by conduction at 77 K. One is based on the minimum propagation zone (MPZ). The reference temperature to define the MPZ size is found for different operating currents. The other is based on the equilibrium temperature profile, in which the peak temperature and a characteristic normal zone length are found from a preselected reference temperature. The advantages and disadvantages of the two quench detection criterions are discussed and compared. Simulation results show that both criteria are independent of the nature of unpredictable heat disturbances. Similar to the helix coil, equilibrium temperature profiles independent of unpredictable disturbances are found for the pancake coil with different operating currents.