cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acne vulgaris and depression: a retrospective examination.

Summary Background Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease that affects patients both physically and mentally. Purpose To examine the prevalence of reported depression in acne patients. Methods Patient information was obtained from a medical claims database and analyzed using the Total Resource Utilization Benchmarks™ process. Benchmarks in this study include: age, gender, co-morbid depression, antidepressant utilization, and acne treatment modality. Depression prevalence in acne patients was compared with general population. Results Depression was two to three times more prevalent in acne patients than in the general population, with a reported 8.8% of acne patients having clinical depression. The majority of cases of depression and antidepressant therapy utilization were observed in acne patients aged 18 and over with the highest percentage in the 36–64 age group. Approximately 65.2% of the acne patient population was female, with twice as many reported to have depression as males (10.6% females vs. 5.3% males). Limitations This analysis included only patients that sought treatment for their acne and had also reported having clinical depression. This may underestimate the total prevalence of acne and associated depression. Conclusions Acne is a disease that affects people of all ages both physically and psychologically. A correlation exists between clinical depression and acne patients, particularly those older than 36. “There is no single disease which causes more psychic trauma and more maladjustment between parents and children, more general insecurity and feelings of inferiority and greater sums of psychic assessment than does acne vulgaris” (Sulzberger, 19481).
Mercury porosimetry of ceramics

Abstract Mercury porosimetry has been used in ceramics for the characterization of products and for studies of processing. Specifications including PSD (pore size distribution by mercury porosimetry) are now applied to magnesia refractories used in basic oxygen furnaces and to building brick which may be exposed to frost. Other products cited as examples are the silica fiber tile used on the space shuttle, plasma sprayed coatings, carbon composites and filters. In ceramic processing research, PSD has proved valuable for evaluating the firing of basic refractories, brick and sanitary ware. Pore growth during the early stages of sintering several materials was first identified by PSD. The character of clay agglomerates and the presence of alumina aggregates in compacts have been measured, the latter showing bimodal PSD. The progressive change in PSD while compacting glass spheres outlines the stages of compaction. The most frequent pore diameter in plaster slip casting molds correlates directly with plaster consistency. In dense or vitrified ceramics, errors may occur due to closed pores or pores with narrow openings. However, in ceramic compacts and highly porous ceramics, pores have several openings so PSD is a realistic measure of structure.
Bacillus subtilis systems biology: Applications of -omics techniques to the study of endospore formation

Endospore-forming bacteria, with Bacillus subtilis being the prevalent model organism, belong to the phylum Firmicutes. Although the last common ancestor of all Firmicutes is likely to have been an endospore-forming species, not every lineage in the phylum has maintained the ability to produce endospores (hereafter, spores). In 1997, the release of the full genome sequence for B. subtilis strain 168 marked the beginning of the genomic era for the study of spore formation (sporulation). In this original genome sequence, 139 of the 4,100 protein-coding genes were annotated as sporulation genes. By the time a revised genome sequence with updated annotations was published in 2009, that number had increased significantly, especially since transcriptional profiling studies (transcriptomics) led to the identification of several genes expressed under the control of known sporulation transcription factors. Over the past decade, genome sequences for multiple spore-forming species have been released (including several strains in the Bacillus anthracis/Bacillus cereus group and many Clostridium species), and phylogenomic analyses have revealed many conserved sporulation genes. Parallel advances in transcriptomics led to the identification of small untranslated regulatory RNAs (sRNAs), including some that are expressed during sporulation. An extended array of -omics techniques, i.e., techniques designed to probe gene function on a genome-wide scale, such as proteomics, metabolomics, and high-throughput protein localization studies, have been implemented in microbiology. Combined with the use of new computational methods for predicting gene function and inferring regulatory relationships on a global scale, these -omics approaches are uncovering novel information about sporulation and a variety of other bacterial cell processes.
Gamma knife radiosurgery in the management of malignant melanoma brain metastases.

OBJECTIVE: Radiosurgery is increasingly used to manage malignant melanoma brain metastases. We reviewed our series of patients who underwent radiosurgery for melanoma brain metastases to assess clinical outcomes and identify prognostic factors for survival and cerebral disease control. METHODS: Two hundred forty-four patients had radiosurgery for the management of 754 metastatic tumors. A mean of 2.6 tumors were irradiated per procedure. The median tumor volume was 4.4 cm3. The median margin and maximum doses used were 18 and 32 Gy, respectively. RESULTS: The median survival was 5.3 months after radiosurgery (mean, 10 mo; range, 0.2-114.3 mo). Patients survived a median of 7.8 months (mean, 13.4 mo) from the diagnosis of brain metastases and 44.9 months (mean, 69 mo) after the diagnosis of the primary tumor. Survival was better in patients with controlled systemic disease (12.7 mo), single brain metastasis (6.8 mo), and a Karnofsky performance score of 90 or 100% (6.3 mo). Sustained local control was achieved in 86.2% of tumors. Increased tumor volume and previous evidence of hemorrhage increased the risk of local failure. Multiple lesions and failure to provide systemic immunotherapy were predictors for the occurrence of new brain metastases, which developed in 41.7% of the patients. Symptomatic radiation changes occurred in 6.6% of the patients. Overall, 71.4% of the patients improved or remained clinically stable. Brain disease was the cause of death in 40.5% of the patients, usually from the development of new metastases. CONCLUSION: Gamma knife radiosurgery for malignant melanoma brain metastases is safe and effective and provides a high rate of durable local control. Improved survival can be achieved in patients with single metastasis, controlled systemic disease, and a high Karnofsky performance score.
Interactions between the herbicide metolachlor and the safener CGA-92194 at the levels of uptake and macromolecular synthesis in sorghum leaf protoplasts

Abstract The interactions between the herbicide metolachlor [2-chloro- N -(2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl)- N -2-methoxyl-1-methylethyl)acetamide] and the safener CGA-92194 (α-[(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl-methoxy)imino]benzacetonitrile] at the levels of herbicide uptake and macromolecular synthesis were examined in enzymatically isolated leaf mesophyll protoplasts of grain sorgh8m [ Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, cv G623]. When the two compounds were given simultaneously, CGA-92194 enhanced the uptake of [ 14 C]metolachlor into sorghum protoplasts measured for 1 hr, indicating that competition for uptake is not involved in the protective action of this safener. The safener-induced stimulation of metolachlor uptake was concentration dependent and at 100 μ M , CGA-92194 nearly doubled the uptake of this herbicide into sorghum protoplasts. Following 4 hr of incubation, individual or combined treatments with metolachlor and CGA-92194 did not inhibit the incorporation of [ 14 C]leucine into sorghum protoplast proteins. Treatments with metolachlor and CGA-92194 in combination inhibited the incorporation of [ 14 C]uracil, [ 3 H]thymidine, and [ 14 C]acetate into sorghum protoplasts less than did metolachlor given alone, suggesting the potential involvement of a competitive antagonism in the protective action of this safener. Although significant, the antagonism of metolachlor effects on nucleic acid synthesis and [ 14 C]acetate incorporation into sorghum by CGA-92194 did not appear to be sufficient to account for the entire mode of action of this safener. The metabolic activity of sorghum protoplasts isolated from plants grown from seeds pretreated with the safener was significantly lower than that of unsafened protoplasts. At present, it is unclear whether this safener-induced reduction in the metabolic activity of pretreated sorghum seedlings could be involved in the protective action of CGA-92194 against metolachlor injury to grain sorghum.
User Password Generation Practices and Strong Password Guideline Compliance

This study investigated the common password generation practices of online users. Three hundred and fifteen undergraduate and graduate college-age students completed a survey querying; internet usage demographics; the types and number of different password protected accounts maintained; actual practices used in generating, storing and using passwords; what practices users believe that they should use in generating and storing passwords; and general demographic information. Results indicate that, in general, users do not vary the complexity of passwords depending on the nature of the site or change their passwords on a regular basis if not required by the site. In generating passwords users typically report using (1) lower case letters, (2) numbers or digits, (3) personally meaningful numbers and (4) personally meaningful words.
Coating electrospun collagen and gelatin fibers with perlecan domain I for increased growth factor binding.

Electrospun natural polymer membranes were fabricated from collagen or gelatin coated with a bioactive recombinant fragment of perlecan, a natural heparan sulfate proteoglycan. The electrospinning process allowed the facile processing of a three-dimensional, porous fibril (2−6 μm in diameter) matrix suitable for tissue engineering. Laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed that osteoblast-like MG63 cells infiltrated the depth of the electrospun membrane evenly without visible apoptosis. Tissue engineering scaffolds ideally mimic the extracellular matrix; therefore, the electrospun membrane must contain both structural and functional matrix features. Fibers were coated, after processing, with perlecan domain I (PlnDI) to improve binding of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), which binds to native heparan sulfate chains on PlnDI. PlnDI-coated electrospun collagen fibers were ten times more effective than heparin−BSA collagen fibers at binding FGF-2. Because FGF-2 modulates cell growth, differentiation...
Kinetic Monte Carlo and cellular particle dynamics simulations of multicellular systems

Computer modeling of multicellular systems has been a valuable tool for interpreting and guiding in vitro experiments relevant to embryonic morphogenesis, tumor growth, angiogenesis and, lately, structure formation following the printing of cell aggregates as bioink particles. Here we formulate two computer simulation methods: (1) a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) and (2) a cellular particle dynamics (CPD) method, which are capable of describing and predicting the shape evolution in time of three-dimensional multicellular systems during their biomechanical relaxation. Our work is motivated by the need of developing quantitative methods for optimizing postprinting structure formation in bioprinting-assisted tissue engineering. The KMC and CPD model parameters are determined and calibrated by using an original computational-theoretical-experimental framework applied to the fusion of two spherical cell aggregates. The two methods are used to predict the (1) formation of a toroidal structure through fusion of spherical aggregates and (2) cell sorting within an aggregate formed by two types of cells with different adhesivities.
SU‐FF‐T‐208: Efficient Selection of Beam Number and Orientations for Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) by Emulating An Ideal Dose Distribution

Purpose: Since radiotherapytreatments only utilize a limited number of beams, it is important that these beams be carefully selected to extract maximum benefit. Here we propose a novel, fast, scheme that selects beam number and orientations for IMRT with the goal of emulating an ideal dose distribution resulting from a very large number of beam orientations. Method and Materials: The procedure starts by optimizing IMRT fluences for a large number of beam orientations (ideal dose distribution). A subset of these orientations is then sequentially selected to emulate this ideal distribution, using an orthogonal QR factorization method (dose‐volume constraints are respected). The use of QR factorization, rather than a full optimization, makes the process time‐efficient. During the procedure, previously selected beams are replaced by beams that are more capable of emulating the ideal distribution. The number of beams is chosen as that above which there are only marginal gains in a least‐squares objective function. The procedure was tested on a head‐and‐neck case (non‐coplanar orientations) and a prostate case (coplanar orientations). Results: For the head‐and‐neck case, the objective function (normalized to 1 for the ideal distribution) decreased with increasing orientations as: 14.43 (3 beams), 9.26 (4), 2.59 (5), 1.81 (6), 1.64 (7). Beyond 6 beams, objective function gains are marginal. The actual plan used to treat this patient yielded a 455% higher objective function, for the same number of beams (6). For the prostate case, the corresponding numbers were: 1.69 (3 beams), 1.30 (4), 1.15 (5), 1.11 (6). In this case 5 beams appear sufficient. The actual clinically used beams were 6% higher (5 beams). Computer time was on the order of 1 –3 hours on a 1 GHz laptop processor. Conclusion: The procedure presented here shows great promise in extracting greater benefit from IMRT by optimizing beam number and orientations.
Adoption of a Politicized Technology: bST and Wisconsin Dairy Farmers

Technologies that are the focus of extensive public debate prior to commercialization may have diffusion paths which are distinct from the classic sigmoid shape often used by economists. Descriptive and econometric analysis of ex ante and ex post data on bovine somatotropin use by Wisconsin dairy farmers reveal that this controversial technology has a relatively low adoption rate and little prospect for adoption growth in the near future. Further research on potential adoption outcomes for technologies that are politicized prior to commercialization could improve economists' predictive capacities.
Dissolution kinetics of a Si-rich nanocomposite and its effect on osteoblast gene expression

Silica-calcium phosphate nanocomposite (SCPC) has recently been proposed as a novel resorbable, bioactive, and mechanically compatible template for bone reconstruction. The effect of the physicochemical properties on the surface reactivity and dissolution kinetics of SCPC immersed in simulated body fluid (SBF) was investigated and compared to that of bioactive glass (BG). Moreover, the stimulatory effect on osteoblast gene expression of SCPC was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and compared to that of hydroxyapatite (HA-200). Mercury porosimetry revealed that surface areas of SCPC particles containing 10 (SCPC10), 30 (SCPC30), and 50 (SCPC50) wt % Si-content were 14-, 18-, and 32-times higher than that of BG. Inductively coupled plasma analysis showed that after 192 h of immersion, Si-rich SCPC50 exhibited controlled bulk-dissolution and released 43.1 ppm Si, which was sixfold higher than that released from BG (7.7 ppm). Moreover, SCPC50 showed a rapid Ca-uptake from SBF and developed a surface apatite layer after only 2 h, whereas a similar layer was detected on BG after 8 days of immersion under the same experimental conditions. qRT-PCR revealed that osteopontin and osteocalcin mRNA expression by osteoblast-like cells attached to Si-rich SCPC50 was significantly higher than that on HA-200 or polystyrene after 2 days in culture. This suggested a role of dissolved Si in stimulating the differentiation and mineralization of osteoblast precursor cells. The favorable physiochemical and bioactivity properties of Si-rich SCPC nanocomposite indicate that SCPC can have wide applications as a synthetic bone graft for cell delivery applications in tissue engineering.
High-Powered Phase Contrast Equipment with Long Working Distance for Observation of Culture Flasks.

SummaryOptical equipment permitting the observation of finer structural details of living cells cultured in standard containers (T-flasks) has been described.
Cellular tolerance of prion protein PrP in yeast involves proteolysis and the unfolded protein response.

Abstract Secretory proteins undergo a stringent quality control process in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Misfolded ER proteins are returned to the cytosol and destroyed by the proteasome. Prion protein PrP is degraded by the proteasome in mammalian cells. However, the significance of proteolysis on PrP-induced cell death is controversial. Moreover, the specific pathway involved in PrP degradation remains unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the unglycosylated form of human PrP is subjected to the ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) process in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also show that unglycosylated PrP is degraded by the Hrd1–Hrd3 pathway. Accumulation of misfolded proteins triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR), which promotes substrate refolding. Interestingly, we find that the expression of PrP leads to growth impairment in cells deficient in UPR and ERAD. These findings raise the possibility that decreased UPR activity and proteolysis may contribute to the pathogenesis of some prion-related diseases.
Effect of decrosslinking and annealing on interpenetrating polymer networks prepared from poly(ethyl acrylate)/polystyrene combinations

Abstract Interpenetrating polymer networks, IPN polymers, were prepared from poly(ethyl acrylate), PEA, and polystyrene, PS. Part or all of the crosslinking monomer was acrylic acid anhydride, AAA, which was subsequently hydrolysed and the samples annealed. Modulus-temperature, modulus-time (during annealing) determinations, and transmission electron microscopy were performed on the freshly made samples, after hydrolysis, and after annealing. The studies show that the phase continuity of the PS component is increased relative to the PEA component on annealing, and the separation of the phases becomes more pronounced. A new morphology was observed with the totally decrosslinked, chemically induced blend, with the PEA showing both a continuous and a discontinuous aspect.
A Risk-Based Audit Model for Improving the Success Rates of e-Government Project Implementation

This study develops a model to help improve the success rates of e-Government projects. In recent years, several e-Government studies have identified many challenges of e-Government initiatives and the critical success factors of such initiatives. Regular audit reviews of project performance provide cost-effective minimization of risks by providing information to management and by helping to take corrective actions in order to ensure a successful project outcome. Despite the potential contributions of audits and risk management to minimize project failure, e-Government and public administration research pay little attention to risk-based project implementation and the specific methods needed to mitigate project challenges. Based on the assumption that project risks are inherent in all phases of the project lifecycle in various dimensions and levels of significance, and that for public sector projects, these risks manifest in four broad categories-stakeholder, institutional, technical and project management risks-the model developed in this research uses a risk-based audit approach to project implementation to provide a comprehensive and methodic tool to systematically improve the success rates of project implementation.
Thioaptamers targeting dengue virus type-2 envelope protein domain III

Thioaptamers targeting the dengue-2 virus (DENV-2) envelope protein domain III (EDIII) were developed. EDIII, which contains epitopes for binding neutralizing antibodies, is the putative host-receptor binding domain and is thus an attractive target for development of vaccines, anti-viral therapeutic and diagnostic agents. Thioaptamer DENTA-1 bound to DENV-2 EDIII adjacent to a known neutralizing antibody binding site with a dissociation constant of 154nM.
Macroeconomic Performance and Manufacturing Earnings Disparity in Mexico

Under the neoliberal policy, Mexico has suffered weak economic growth, increased macroeconomic instability, and rising disparity. In the UTIP macro-model of pay, intra-sectoral pay disparity results from institutional settings. Inter-sectoral disparity drives overall pay disparity, is explained by differing degrees of monopoly power, and evolves according to the struggle for such power. Since sectors with greater monopoly power are better suited to weather negative conditions, pay disparity rises under adverse macroeconomic conditions. Poor Mexican macroeconomic performance is associated with increased industrial pay disparity and sectors that have been able to insulate themselves from external competition have been relative winners
The Electron Transfer Pathway of the Na+-pumping NADH:Quinone Oxidoreductase from Vibrio cholerae.

The Na+-pumping NADH:quinone oxidoreductase (Na+-NQR) is the only respiratory enzyme that operates as a Na+ pump. This redox-driven Na+ pump is amenable to experimental approaches not available for H+ pumps, providing an excellent system for mechanistic studies of ion translocation. An understanding of the internal electron transfer steps and their Na+ dependence is an essential prerequisite for such studies. To this end, we analyzed the reduction kinetics of the wild type Na+-NQR, as well as site-directed mutants of the enzyme, which lack specific cofactors. NADH and ubiquinol were used as reductants in separate experiments, and a full spectrum UV-visible stopped flow kinetic method was employed. The results make it possible to define the complete sequence of redox carriers in the electrons transfer pathway through the enzyme. Electrons flow from NADH to quinone through the FAD in subunit F, the 2Fe-2S center, the FMN in subunit C, the FMN in subunit B, and finally riboflavin. The reduction of the FMNC to its anionic flavosemiquinone state is the first Na+-dependent process, suggesting that reduction of this site is linked to Na+ uptake. During the reduction reaction, two FMNs are transformed to their anionic flavosemiquinone in a single kinetic step. Subsequently, FMNC is converted to the flavohydroquinone, accounting for the single anionic flavosemiquinone radical in the fully reduced enzyme. A model of the electron transfer steps in the catalytic cycle of Na+-NQR is presented to account for the kinetic and spectroscopic data.
Calorimetry of Nanophases of Macromolecules

The thermodynamic description of polymeric systems is summarized based on 50 years of gathering experimental information with adiabatic, differential-scanning, and temperature-modulated calorimetry. This experience has led to a description of macro- to micro- to nano-phases with macromolecules able to traverse the phase boundaries and decouple at the surfaces, resulting in different thermodynamic properties for the separated parts of the molecule. A typical thermodynamic characterization of semicystalline polymers is that of a globally metastable system with locally reversible processes. Unique phenomena in polymers include the ability of semicrystalline polymers to undergo cold crystallization and molecular nucleation, possess thermally generated point defects and rigid-amorphous fractions, and have amorphous to mesophasic to crystalline macroconformations with glass, ordering, and disordering transitions in all three structures. To describe such multifaceted systems, special combinations of equilibrium, and irreversible thermodynamics as well as statistical and quantum mechanics are necessary. Only then is it possible to handle violations of phase rules, changes of properties when approaching nanophase dimensions, local reversibility, and enthalpy relaxation. The enthalpy relaxation in polymers originates in the cooperativeness of conformational motion and the interferences of processes of different time scales. The experiments to identify the effects of the different molecular motions from typical vibrational time scales of picoseconds to cooperative, large-amplitude rearrangements of up to megaseconds span heating rates of thousands of K·s−1 with superfast chip calorimeters to many hours for slow, quasi-isothermal analysis by temperature-modulated differential scanning calorimetry (TMDSC). Selected examples of this far-reaching thermal characterization will be presented.
On Nth roots of positive operators

A bounded operator A on a Hilbert space H was positive. These operators were symmetric, and as such constitute a natural generalization of nonnegative real diagonal matrices. The following result is thus both well known and not surprising: A positive operator has a unique positive square root (under operator composition).
Modelling the economic impact of managing a chronic anal fissure with a proprietary formulation of nitroglycerin (Rectogesic) compared to lateral internal sphincterotomy in the United Kingdom.

Background and aims: This study estimated the economic impact of using a proprietary formulation of 0.2% nitroglycerin (GTN) ointment (Rectogesic) compared with lateral internal sphincterotomy in the treatment of a chronic anal fissure in the United Kingdom (UK), from the perspective of the National Health Service (NHS). Patients and methods: Clinical and surgical outcomes attributable to managing a chronic anal fissure were obtained from published literature, supplemented with information about resource utilisation derived from interviews with a panel of colorectal surgeons and general practitioners. Using this information, a decision tree modelling the management of a chronic anal fissure by a colorectal surgeon was constructed. Unit resource costs at 1999/2000 prices were applied to the resource utilisation estimates in the model to estimate the expected NHS cost of managing a chronic anal fissure. Consensus on the information contained within the model was reached at a meeting with an expert panel comprising five of the interviewees and one other colorectal surgeon. Results: The expected NHS cost of a colorectal surgeon initially managing a chronic anal fissure with GTN was estimated to be £616, compared to £840 when a lateral internal sphincterotomy is the first-line treatment. Moreover, the expected probability of successful healing following initial treatment with either intervention is 99–100%, taking into account all subsequent treatments. Conclusion: The initial use of GTN compared to lateral internal sphincterotomy to treat a chronic anal fissure affords a potential cost reduction to the NHS of £224 per patient without any loss in effectiveness. Hence, GTN is potentially a cost-effective first-line treatment strategy for the management of a chronic anal fissure.
Investigate on the forming and its evolving of complex diffusion network based on Netlogo

With the diffusing process of technological innovation, there is a close linkage between the initial innovator and the forthcoming adopter. So we should shift the research perspective and corresponding method from the analyzing each single unit, i.e., isolated enterprise, to the network depicting the relationship between them. The complex diffusion network of innovation, as the highest integrated forming pattern of innovation network units, has become an all-dimensional, crisscrossed and intermingled, collaborated organically pattern that conforming of all types of innovational enterprises and various middle types of organization, and it also has become the inevitable developing trend of innovation diffusion. Based on the current researching on complex network, this paper has established an infra-marginal analysis frame to analyze the forming motivation started with the gaming among the complex diffusion networkpsilas nodes. Ulteriorly, the evolving causation and tendency of that network also have been researched from the dynamic viewpoint. Lastly, the forming and evolving process of the complex diffusion network have been simulated based on the Netlogo. The conclusion of the paper can be used by the decision maker to improve the function of diffusion network infrastructure, its information system, serving and relevant resources collocating, etc.
Filament-based stimulated Raman spectroscopy

A new multiplexed stimulated Raman spectroscopic technique encompassing a single-shot spectral measurement range of over 3900 cm -1 is presented. Impulsive excitation of all Raman active vibrational modes present in a medium is achieved by self-compression of a laser pulse undergoing filamentation in air, creating coherent vibrational wave-packets. These wave-packets create a macroscopic polarization of the medium that imparts sidebands on a delayed narrowband probe pulse. The background-free measurement of impulsively excited Raman modes in gas-phase N 2 , O 2 , H 2 , CO 2 , toluene, ammonia, and chloroform with a spectral resolution of 25 cm -1 is presented.
TGF-β down-regulates IL-6 signaling in intestinal epithelial cells: critical role of SMAD-2

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. TGF-beta, a multifunctional cytokine, is a potent negative regulator of mucosal inflammation in the intestine. The aim of the present study is to determine possible cross-talk between IL-6 and TGF-beta signaling pathways. Model intestinal epithelial cell lines, Caco2-BBE were used. We show that TGF-beta receptor Type II is predominantly present in the basolateral membrane of intestinal epithelial cells. TGF-beta1 induces a time-dependent phosphorylation of Smad2 and co-immunoprecipitation of SMAD-2 with Smad-4 and its subsequently translocation to the nucleus. We show that pretreatment of cells with TGF-beta1 is associated with a down-regulation of IL-6 induced tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 and suppression of ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, TGF-beta1 pretreatment resulted in a significant inhibition of IL-6 induced ICAM-1 promoter activity. TGF-beta mediated inhibition of IL-6 induced ICAM-1 expression was reversed by transfection with dominant negative Smad2 constructs. In conclusion, we show that: 1) TGF-beta receptor Type II is predominantly located on basolateral membrane and receptor stimulation activates Smad pathway; 2) TGF-beta1 down-regulates IL-6-induced tyrosine phoshorylation of STAT1 and STAT3 and ICAM-1 expression; and 3) Smad2 is required for the down-regulation of IL-6 signaling by TGF-beta. Collectively, our data demonstrate a cross-talk between TGF-beta and IL-6, and TGF-beta may play a role in the negative regulation of IL-6 signaling in intestinal epithelial cells.
Molecular characterization of an improved vector for evaluation of the tumor suppressor versus oncogene abilities of the androgen receptor.

Background There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating that the function of the ligand-occupied androgen receptor (AR) within the nuclei of normal prostatic epithelial cells acts as a tumor suppressor gene. This is in contrast to the well-documented ability of the AR within prostate cancer cells to function as an oncogene. Thus, many groups are attempting to understand the biochemistry and signaling cascade differences involved in the switching of AR from a tumor suppressor to an oncogene. Methods To do this, of plasmid vectors for transgenic expression of AR are very useful. AR negative PC-3 human prostate cancer cells were transfected with a plasmid containing the full length coding sequence of AR without its 5′- or 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) (i.e., pSG5-AR). Results Transgenic expression of the AR protein results in profound growth inhibition which is not relieved by the addition of ligand. A new expression vector for the AR, pAR-IRES-EGFP, has been constructed that contains full-length 5′-UTR which includes the identified translation regulatory regions, the full length coding sequence and the partial 3′-UTR, which includes the identified post-transcriptional regulatory regions. When PC-3 cells were transfected with the pAR-IRES-EGFP vector, it was found that transgenic AR protein expression was not growth inhibitory until ligand was added. Conclusions These pSG5-AR versus pSAR-IRES-EGFP clones are being studied to determine the molecular pathways explaining their different response to AR and ligand. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Ion-water and water-water interactions in a gramicidinlike channel: effects due to group polarizability and backbone flexibility

In the gramicidin channel, ionic transport and water transport occur simultaneously. Gramicidin's transport properties are influenced by ionic interactions with both the polypeptide and the channel waters. We present results of molecular dynamics studies on a series of alkali metal ions interacting with a water-filled gramicidinlike channel (a configurationally constrained polyglycine analog) at the dimer junction, in mid-monomer, and near the channel entrance. We investigate details of both short and long range ion-water and water-water correlation; these are notably dependent on the explicit consideration of polarizability and the degree of backbone flexibility. The nature of ion-water and water-water correlations changes as ionic size decreases and these changes may be augmented or attenuated by manipulation of the two parameters under study. Incorporating polarizability generally shortens ion-water distances and enhances ion-induced electrostriction (decreased water-water separations), while simultaneously reducing the long range orientational correlation of the single filing waters within the channel. Increasing flexibility predictably results in a broadening of the distribution of water-water and ion-water separations and contributes to the loss of long range orientational correlations. Both effects are ion specific; Cs+ and Na+ interact with the channel in distinctly different ways, while K+ represents an intermediate case more closely resembling Cs+. Our results demonstrate that incorporation of polarizability in the potential function has significant effects on the properties of channel water and, consequently, on the ionic transport process. While ion-water and water-water distances are decreased due to this feature, thereby fostering longer ranged correlations within the channel, enhanced interactions between water molecules and peptide groups tend to mitigate this effect. Possible implications for the multiple occupancy states of gramicidin and long range information transfer via a single file water chain are considered.
Autonomous Real-Time Objects Tracking With An Adaptive Joint Transform Correlator

A hybrid optical/digital system for objects tracking in a sequence of images is described. The backbone of the system is a real-time optical joint transform correlator using a liquid crystal television. The massive parallelism, high processing speed and adaptive property of this optical system assure high correlation between objects in two sequential frames. The relative position of the object can then be determined based on the location of the correlation peak. System performance is evaluated and experimental demonstrations are presented. This system also has the potential to perform real-time multi-object tracking.
Practical Realization of a Gyrator Circuit and RC-Gyrator Filters

A gyrator circuit containing only three transistors has been designed by providing an active feedback path such that the circuit behaves like a two-way feedback system with transfer immittance parameters that are equal in magnitude and opposite in phase. At the same time, very low input and output immittances are obtained by this arrangement so that the need for additional negative resistance circuits or negative impedance converters (NIC) to neutralize the residual input and output impedances is obviated. Experimental data exhibit evidence of the excellent performance of the circuit as a gyrator, impedance inverter, and isolator over wide ranges of load and, frequencies that are well below the microwave region. From a theoretical analysis of the circuit, design equations are derived and their application demonstrated by actual design of the gyrator circuit to realize specified open-circuit (o.c.) impedance parameters of the two-port network. These equations show how the network parameters can be individually varied; desired values of the gyration resistance are easily obtained by adjusting single passive elements. The gyrator is then cascaded in between two RC two-port networks to realize complex conjugate poles in such a way that the sensitivity of the poles due to variation in the gyration resistance is minimized. Experimental study of the frequency response of the filter and the sensitivity of the poles when the gyration resistance is varied gives very good results in agreement with theory.
High-order, multidimensional, and conservative coarse–fine interpolation for adaptive mesh refinement

Abstract The author presents a polynomial-based algorithm for high-order multidimensional interpolation at the coarse–fine interface in the context of adaptive mesh refinement on structured Cartesian grids. The proposed algorithm reduces coarse–fine interpolation to matrix–vector products by exploiting the static mesh geometry and a family of nonsingularity-preserving stencil transformations. As such, no linear system is solved at the runtime and the ill-conditioning of Vandermonde matrix is avoided. The algorithm is also generic in that D , the dimensionality of the computational domain, and p, the degree of the interpolating polynomial, are both arbitrary positive integers. Stability and accuracy are verified by interpolating simple functions, and by applying the proposed method to adaptively solving Poisson’s equation and the convection–diffusion equation. The companion MATLAB® package, AMRCFI, is also freely available for convenience and more implementation details.
Noise separation in analog integrated circuits using blind source separation

Most of the existing noise analysis techniques in analog integrated circuits apply to only single noise source, and cannot take into account the evolving reality of multiple noise sources interacting with each other. Again the individual and relative impacts of various noise sources will determine what types of remedial steps can be taken. This paper proposes the concept of analyzing the impacts of multiple concurrent noise sources in a circuit network, and applies blind source separation technique (BSS) technique to analyze the characteristics of this compound noise effect in analog integrated circuits. The proposed algorithm extracts the time characteristics of individual noise sources from observed noise at a circuit node. The estimated noise sources can aid in timing and spectral analysis and yield better design techniques.
Small Logarithmic S-Boxes for Small Ciphers

The substitution box (S-box) is one of the most important components in modern ciphers. This paper reports a new class of S-boxes defined by the logarithmic functions in GF(16). Due to their small sizes, these S-boxes can be used to construct a compact cipher for the devices with limited computing and memory resources, such as those in wireless sensor or mobile communications.
A Systematic Approach to Assessing Retention Programs: Identifying Critical Points for Meaningful Interventions and Validating Outcomes Assessment

A systematic approach to assessing retention programs focuses on student success and continual improvement in retention. The approach is a dynamic and ongoing practice built into the daily work of ...
Cytokinin autonomy in tissue cultures of phaseolus: a genotype-specific and heritable trait.

Intra- and interspecific differences in cytokinin requirement were detected in callus cultures of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and P. lunatus L. Of the ten genotypes of P. vulgaris tested in the present study, one required cytokinin for callus growth, six exhibited some to moderate growth on cytokinin-free medium, and the remaining three grew uniformly in the absence of cytokinin. In contrast, six of the P. lunatus genotypes were strictly cytokinin-dependent, while four genotypes displayed irregular amount of callus growth on cytokinin-free medium. The genotype-specific behavior of Phaseolus callus tissues was independent of the tissue of origin and the time in culture. The inheritance of the cytokinin requirement of Phaseolus tissue cultures was studied in hybrid tissues resulting from crosses between a strictly cytokinin-dependent genotype (P.I. 200960) and two independent genotypes (cv. G 50 and P.I. 286303) of P. vulgaris. Fresh weights of hybrid tissues on cytokinin-free medium were intermediate between and significantly different from the parental tissues. No differences were found between reciprocal hybrids. These results suggest that cytokinin autonomy in tissue cultures of P. vulgaris is a genetic trait under nuclear control. Both parental and intermediate phenotypes were recovered in the F(2) progeny. The frequency distribution of cytokinin-dependent progeny in F(2) and backcross populations indicates that the cytokinin requirement of P. vulgaris callus tissue may be regulated by one set of alleles.
Hospital Readmission After Noncardiac Surgery The Role of Major Complications

Importance Hospital readmissions are believed to be an indicator of suboptimal care and are the focus of efforts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to reduce health care cost and improve quality. Strategies to reduce surgical readmissions may be most effective if applied prospectively to patients who are at increased risk for readmission. Hospitals do not currently have the means to identify surgical patients who are at high risk for unplanned rehospitalizations. Objective To examine whether the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) predicted risk of major complications can be used to identify surgical patients at risk for rehospitalization. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study of 142 232 admissions in the ACS NSQIP registry for major noncardiac surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures The association between unplanned 30-day readmission and the ACS NSQIP predicted risk of major complications, controlling for severity of disease and surgical complexity. Results Of the 143 232 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery, 6.8% had unplanned 30-day readmissions. The rate of unplanned 30-day readmissions was 78.3% for patients with any postdischarge complication, compared with 12.3% for patients with only in-hospital complications and 4.8% for patients without any complications. Patients at very high risk for major complications (predicted risk of ACS NSQIP complication >10%) had 10-fold higher odds of readmission compared with patients at very low risk for complications (adjusted odds ratio = 10.35; 95% CI, 9.16-11.70), whereas patients at high (adjusted odds ratio = 6.57; 95% CI, 5.89-7.34) and moderate (adjusted odds ratio = 3.96; 95% CI, 3.57-4.39) risk of complications had 7- and 4-fold higher odds of readmission, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance Unplanned readmissions in surgical patients are common in patients experiencing postoperative complications and can be predicted using the ACS NSQIP risk of major complications. Prospective identification of high-risk patients, using the NSQIP complication risk index, may allow hospitals to reduce unplanned rehospitalizations.
A new system architecture for a combined in-circuit/functional tester

The author describes a modular board tester architecture that provides high performance, at a low total cost of ownership, with the promise of future enhancements. The distributed architecture dictates the use of several unusual custom integrated circuits. The extensive use of integration allows each resource to have independent control of levels and timing at a reasonable cost. Fixture performance and accuracy specifications, the two major obstacles to higher usable test speeds with traditional systems, are significantly improved, allowing the performance of this system to be easily applied in normal testing environment. >
A Complete Theory of Human Behavior

I propose the following grand challenge question for SBE 2020: can we develop a complete theory of human behavior that is predictive in all contexts? The motivation for this question is the fact that the different disciplines within SBE do have a common subject: Homo sapiens. Therefore, psychological, sociological, neuroscientific, and economic implications of human behavior should be mutually consistent. When they contradict each other - as they have in the context of financial decisions - this signals important learning opportunities. By confronting and attempting to reconcile inconsistencies across disciplines, we develop a more complete understanding of human behavior than any single discipline can provide. The National Science Foundation can foster this process of “consilience” in at least four ways: (1) issuing RFPs around aspects of human behavior, not around disciplines; (2) holding annual conferences where PI’s across NSF directorates present their latest research and their most challenging open questions; (3) organizing “summer camps” for NSF graduate fellowship recipients at the start of their graduate careers, where they are exposed to a broad array of research through introductory lectures by NSF PI’s; and (4) broadening the NSF grant review process to include referees from multiple disciplines.
Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is an increasingly recognized complication of solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. PTLD represents a spectrum of polyclonal and monoclonal lymphoproliferation, generally of B cells. Prompt diagnosis is key and requires a high index of suspicion. An increasing variety of highly effective therapies, including immune modulation via reduction in immunosuppression, monoclonal antibodies, and cellular therapy, have dramatically improved the cure rates of this once devastating disease.