cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Difference schemes with best possible truncation error

In this paper we present a variety of schemes for solving the initial value problem for a class of hyperbolic systems of partial differential equations. These schemes arise as solutions of constrained minimization problems for a quadratic form. The form is an expression for the local truncation error for a certain class of difference schemes.
Calcium fractionation in zoned plagioclase from the Tobacco Root batholith, southwestern Montana

Abstract Electron microprobe analyses for Si, Al, Na, Ca, K, and Fe in twenty samples of zoned plagioclase from the Tobacco Root batholith, Montana, indicate that partitioning of CaO between the melt and the growing plagioclase grain followed a logarithmic distribution. The analytical data also indicate a change in the logarithmic fractionation factor as the grains grew and the melt became more granitic. This is further substantiated by an increase in the initial fractionation factor in the more granitic samples.
Changes in Rat Pituitary POMC mRNA After Exposure to Cold or a Novel Environment, Detected by In Situ Hybridization'

Plasma adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) levels increase after acute cold exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were parallel changes in pituitary proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA. Male rats were exposed to cold (3-5 degrees C) or a novel environment for 15 or 30 min. Others were unstressed. POMC mRNAs in frozen sections or dissociated cells were hybridized with a photobiotinylated oligonucleotide probe which was detected in situ by streptavidin-alkaline phosphatase. The percentage of area labeled for POMC mRNA was quantified by the Cue-3 color image analysis system. In frozen sections, 24-fold increases in the percentage of area labeled for POMC mRNA were evident in intermediate lobes (IL) 30 min after stress. No change was seen in anterior lobes (AL). If the ALs were dissociated, a 66-99% increase in percentage of labeled cells was detected 2-3 hr after the cold exposure. Fifteen min of cold stress (CS) also caused a 117% increase in the area of label for POMC mRNA per corticotrope. No change was seen after 30 min. Exposure to a novel environment caused a 73% increase in the percentage of area labeled for POMC mRNA per AL corticotrope and an 11-fold increase in the IL. These results indicate that both AL corticotropes and IL melanotropes are stimulated by acute exposure to cold and novel environments.
Soil erosion and sediment fluxes analysis: a watershed study of the Ni Reservoir, Spotsylvania County, VA, USA

Anthropogenic forces that alter the physical landscape are known to cause significant soil erosion, which has negative impact on surface water bodies, such as rivers, lakes/reservoirs, and coastal zones, and thus sediment control has become one of the central aspects of catchment management planning. The revised universal soil loss equation empirical model, erosion pins, and isotopic sediment core analyses were used to evaluate watershed erosion, stream bank erosion, and reservoir sediment accumulation rates for Ni Reservoir, in central Virginia. Land-use and land cover seems to be dominant control in watershed soil erosion, with barren land and human-disturbed areas contributing the most sediment, and forest and herbaceous areas contributing the least. Results show a 7 % increase in human development from 2001 (14 %) to 2009 (21.6 %), corresponding to an increase in soil loss of 0.82 Mg ha-1 year-1 in the same time period. 210Pb-based sediment accumulation rates at three locations in Ni Reservoir were 1.020, 0.364, and 0.543 g cm-2 year-1 respectively, indicating that sediment accumulation and distribution in the reservoir is influenced by reservoir configuration and significant contributions from bedload. All three locations indicate an increase in modern sediment accumulation rates. Erosion pin results show variability in stream bank erosion with values ranging from 4.7 to 11.3 cm year-1. These results indicate that urban growth and the decline in vegetative cover has increased sediment fluxes from the watershed and poses a significant threat to the long-term sustainability of the Ni Reservoir as urbanization continues to increase.
Estimation of protein in cellular material.

PROTEIN content is a widely used reference value for microbial growth yield, enzyme activity, and other biochemical quantities. The assay of dissolved protein is relatively easy, being accomplished by measuring the absorbence at 280 mµ or by use of the biuret reagent, etc. The assay of protein in cellular material involves a time-consuming digestion (Kjeldahl method). In addition to being slow, this method is non-specific and does not immediately distinguish between proteins and other nitrogen compounds.
Two-fluid modeling in analyzing the interfacial stability of liquid film flows

The area-averaged two-fluid model formulation of a separated two-phase flow system is used to investigate interfacial stability of liquid film flows. The analysis takes into account the effects of phase change at the interface as well as the dynamic effects of the adjacent vapor flow on the interfacial stability. Wave formation and instability criteria are established in terms of the generalized fluid and flow parameters. The criteria are applied to investigate the stability of laminar liquid film flow with interfacial shear and phase change. The influence of various dimensionless parameters characterizing film thickness, gravity, phase change and interfacial shear are studied with respect to the neutral stability, temporal growth factor and the wave propagation velocity. The results of the present study indicate that the interfacial stability analysis developed within the frame of the two-fluid model formulation proves to be quite accurate as judged by comparing its results with the available experimental data and with the results of much longer and more complex analytical investigations which are valid only for the liquid film free of interfacial shear.
MO-D-204B-07: Thermal Effusivity Changes Manifest before Skin Reactions in Locally Irriadiated Hairless Mice

Purpose: We aim to develop a tool to predict the patient specific risk of moist desquamation as a side‐effect of radiotherapy, enabling targeted, timely intervention (re‐planning, IMRT, radioprotectors). 3‐D thermal tomography is a translational technology, recently developed for non‐destructive, non‐invasive evaluation of various materials. Our hypothesis is that skin damage will express changes in thermal properties proportional to severity, before the degree of damage is externally observable. Method and Materials: Eleven hairless mice were irradiated to a 40 Gy skindose in a single fraction using an Ir‐192 HDR source and a Leipzig applicator, and thermal images were acquired once per day post‐treatment. Three‐dimensional maps of thermal effusivity were reconstructed, and the thermal effusivity within equivalent regions of interest on the treated and control sides were tracked daily. Based on physical observation, mice were post hoc separated into high‐grade (n=6) and low‐grade (n=5) reaction groups. Results: Mice which developed high grade reactions showed a change in effusivity both earlier (mean 1.7 days post‐treatment) and larger (mean 14.6% over days 3–7) than the low grade group (4.4 days, 5.3%). The first visible indication of skin reaction was erythema, which occurred at days 5 and 4.3 post irradiation for the high and low grade groups, respectively. Conclusion: The presented pre‐clinical study indicates that thermal effusivity changes are induced before skin reactions develop after irradiation, particularly in subjects which would eventually develop more severe skin reactions. The differences in high grade and low grade groups were observable in the thermal effusivity data before there were any visible differences, which do not occur in the clinically useful time range. This suggests potential clinical utility for separating subjects into risk groups by measuring their individual response to their course of treatment, and proactively adjusting accordingly.
Drd2 expression in the high alcohol-preferring and low alcohol-preferring mice.

The high alcohol-preferring (HAP) and low alcohol-preferring (LAP) mice were selectively bred for differences in alcohol preference and consumption. Recently, a large-effect QTL was identified on chromosome 9. The peak for this QTL is near the Drd2 (dopamine receptor 2) locus. The present study examined Drd2 mRNA expression differences between the HAP1 and LAP1 mice in brain regions important in the dopaminergic-reward pathway, including the nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, amygdala, and septum. Results show that alcohol-naive HAP1 mice exhibited lower levels of Drd2 mRNA expression in the nucleus accumbens and the hippocampus compared to LAP1 mice. No differences were found in the amygdala or septum. To determine if a sequence difference might underlie the expression difference, the Drd2 cDNA was sequenced in each line and one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was identified in the 3′ UTR. Both HAP and LAP 3′ UTR were cloned in the luc-pGL3-promoter-luc vector. The polymorphism in the Drd2 3′ UTR was assessed to determine its functional significance in modulating expression. In vitro expression analysis using neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells resulted in a significant decrease in expression of the HAP 3′ UTR luc construct compared with the LAP 3′ UTR construct. This decreased expression is consistent with lower levels of Drd2 expression in the nucleus accumbens and the hippocampus as evidenced by qRT-PCR. These results suggest that the SNP may play a role in the differential expression of Drd2 between the HAP and LAP mice and that the polymorphism in Drd2 may contribute to alcohol preference.
Stimulated Tissue Repair Prevents Lethality in Isopropanol-Induced Potentiation of Carbon Tetrachloride Hepatotoxicity

Abstract Published reports on the alcohol potentiation of CCl 4 toxicity indicate that in spite of enhanced hepatotoxicity there is no increase in lethality. The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism involved in animal survival despite significantly enhanced liver injury. Male Sprague–Dawley rats (175–225 g) were treated with isopropanol (ISOP, 2.5 ml/kg, 25% aqueous solution, po) 24 hr prior to CCl 4 (1 ml/kg, ip) administration. Plasma enzymes (ALT and SDH), hepatic glycogen levels, and [ 3 H]thymidine ( 3 H-T) incorporation into hepatonuclear DNA were measured during a time course (0–96 hr) after CCl 4 administration. Liver sections were examined for histopathology and cell cycle progression by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunohistochemistry. Maximum injury was observed at 36 hr in both the groups as indicated by elevated plasma enzyme levels and by histopathology. The extent of injury in the ISOP + CCl 4 group was higher than that in the H 2 O + CCl 4 group. Plasma enzyme activity returned to control levels by 60 hr, indicating recovery from injury in both groups. Maximum 3 H-T incorporation occurred at 48 hr in both groups (ISOP + CCl 4 ; vehicle + CCl 4 ), indicating maximum stimulation of S-phase synthesis. PCNA studies revealed a corresponding stimulation of cell cycle progression. The wave of S-phase synthesis and cell cycle progression returned to control levels in the H 2 O + CCl 4 group by 60 hr but continued up to 72 hr in the ISOP + CCl 4 group. These findings support the hypothesis that in response to increased infliction of CCl 4 injury by isopropanol, augmented stimulation of cell division and tissue repair restrain the progression of injury and restore hepatic structure and function, thereby allowing the rats to survive. Further, antimitotic intervention with colchicine (1 mg/kg, ip) led to decreased S-phase synthesis, followed by 60% lethality in the isopropanol-pretreated group in contrast to 40% lethality in the group receiving CCl 4 alone (H 2 O + CCl 4 ). These findings suggest that greater stimulation of tissue repair restrains the progression of ISOP-enhanced infliction of CCl 4 liver injury and accounts for recovery from enhanced liver injury and animal survival. The findings are consistent with a two-stage model of toxicity wherein liver injury is linked by progression or regression of injury, which is governed by the extent of tissue repair to the final outcome.
Painful paediatric hip: frog-leg lateral view only!

For hip complaints in the paediatric population, it is common practice to acquire both anteroposterior (AP) and frog-leg lateral (FL) radiographs. This combination of views provides a high diagnostic yield, but also doubles radiation exposure. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of obtaining a solitary FL view as compared to a combination of the AP and FL view. Hip radiographs of 524 children (aged 2–15 years) referred for acute hip pain were retrospectively assessed by two independent radiologists. Cases of trauma, neuromuscular disorders or a history of known hip disease were excluded. Radiologists were blinded to the AP radiograph while assessing the solitary FL radiograph. We used Cohen’s kappa test to calculate agreement between the assessment of both views and the solitary FL view. Agreement between the assessment of the solitary FL view and the combination of the AP and FL view was very high with a kappa value of 0.989. The diagnostic accuracy of the FL radiograph in cases of hip complaints in children is as high as the current standard employing both AP and FL views. Therefore a solitary FL radiograph appears sufficient. This practice would substantially reduce radiation exposure. • Radiation exposure in children should be kept to a minimum. • In paediatric hip radiography a solitary frog-leg lateral view suffices. • This reduces radiation exposure and costs of imaging.
Surgical management of anterior chamber epithelial cysts.

Abstract Purpose To review management strategies for treatment of anterior chamber epithelial cysts. Design Retrospective review of consecutive interventional case series. Methods Charts of patients treated for epithelial ingrowth over a 10-year period by a single surgeon were reviewed. Cases of anterior chamber epithelial cysts were identified and recorded, including details of ocular history, preoperative and postoperative acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), and ocular examination, type of surgical intervention, and details of further procedures performed. Results Seven eyes with epithelial cysts were identified. Patient age ranged from 1.5 to 53 years at presentation. Four patients were children. In four eyes, cysts were secondary to trauma, one case was presumably congenital, one case developed after corneal perforation in an eye with Terrien’s marginal degeneration, and one case developed after penetrating keratoplasty (PK). Three eyes were treated with vitrectomy, en bloc resection of the cyst and associated tissue, fluid–air exchange and cryotherapy. The last four eyes were treated with a new conservative strategy of cyst aspiration (three cases) or local excision (one keratin “pearl” cyst), and endolaser photocoagulation of the collapsed cyst wall/base. All epithelial tissue was successfully eradicated by clinical criteria; one case required repeat excision (follow-up, 9 to 78 months, mean 45). Two eyes required later surgery for elevated IOP, two for cataract extraction and one for repeat PK. Final visual acuity ranged from 20/20 to hand motions, depending on associated ocular damage. Best-corrected visual results were obtained in the more conservatively managed eyes. Conclusions Anterior chamber epithelial cysts can be managed conservatively in selected cases with good results. This strategy may be particularly useful in children’s eyes, where preservation of the lens, iris, and other structures may facilitate amblyopia management.
Subjective Factors in the Judgment of Insanity

This research attempts to account for the variations in expert witnesses' judgments of insanity in a particular case. Three versions of a hypothetical insanity-defense case called Albert were randomly distributed to a sample of 1,002 psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, with usable returns being received from 262 subjects. A favorable opinion of Albert's insanity defense was found to correlate with being a psychiatrist, having a liberal ideology, being in favor of the insanity defense in general, and having received the “neutral,” as opposed to the “sympathetic” or “unsympathetic,” version of the case. A post hoc analysis also found that coming from a state that placed the burden of proof on the prosecution was associated with a favorable opinion of Albert's insanity defense. Taken together these variables accounted for 42% of the nonerror variance in opinions of Albert's insanity defense.
SU-E-T-302: A Simulation Study with Geant4 Investigating the Secondary Prompt Gamma Emissions from Incident 40 MeV Protons Onto Various Materials.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the prompt secondary gamma spectrum and thedepth‐dose distributions of incident 40 MeV protons onto various phantom materials.The goal is to find a relationship between the secondary prompt gamma emissions andthe range of the incident particles. Methods: An application was constructed using the Geant4 Monte CarloToolkit utilizing various physics packages. Several phantom materials were irradiatedwith a pencil beam of 40 MeV protons. These materials include PMMA (C5H8O2,density 1.18 g/cm3) and the built‐in Geant4 materials bone, soft‐tissue, and water. Foreach simulation, the energy deposited from the incident proton was recorded every 1 mmincrement of depth in the phantom. The resulting prompt secondary gamma emissionswere recorded from 0 to 10 MeV in energy bins of 10 keV. Results: The secondary prompt gamma spectrum has various peaks. The peaks locatedabout 4.4 and 6 MeV correspond to the carbon and oxygen de‐excitation photons,respectively. Our simulations show greater production of the higher‐energy gammaparticles closer to the Bragg‐Peak. When we plot the oxygen peak against the normalizedBragg‐Peak we found that in all materials the difference between Bragg‐Peak and theoxygen de‐excitation photon peak to be about 2 mm. The oxygen peak could be used inthe clinic for range verification of the incident proton beam. Conclusions: Our Geant4 Monte Carlo application was used to investigate the secondaryprompt gamma emissions from incident 40 MeV protons. A relationship was betweenthe 6 MeV peak and the incident proton Bragg Peak. We believe that prominent peaksaround 4 and 6 MeV can be used to locate the range of the incident beam provided adetector system is built that can count these high‐energy gamma particles.
Ultrastructure of bean leaf beetle (Ceratoma trifurcata) hemocytes and their phagocytic activities on tobacco mosaic virus, a non-beetle-transmitted virus

Ultrastructure of bean leaf beetle hemocytes and their phagocytic activities on a non-beetle-transmitted plant virus, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), were carried out by thin-section electron microscopy. Plasmatocytes and granulocytes were the main cell types involved in phagocytosis of the TMV particles. The coated pits and/or coated vesicles and invaginations of the plasma membrane were involved in the process of phagocytizing TMV particles. The coated vesicles contained TMV particles and were also the sites of plasma membrane invaginations to form phagosomes. Invaginations of the plasma membrane assumed elongated shapes in accommodating TMV particles. Such tubular phagosomes fused together to form large phagosomes. In large phagosomes TMV particles were tightly packed forming paracrystalline bodies composed of many layered bundles of TMV particles aligned parallel to each other. TMV particles were structurally unaltered in phagosomes of hemocytes collected 2 weeks after its injection into the hemocoel.
An adaptive inverse-distance weighting spatial interpolation technique

One of the most frequently used deterministic models in spatial interpolation is the inverse-distance weighting (IDW) method. It is relatively fast and easy to compute, and straightforward to interpret. Its general idea is based on the assumption that the attribute value of an unsampled point is the weighted average of known values within the neighborhood, and the weights are inversely related to the distances between the prediction location and the sampled locations. The inverse-distance weight is modified by a constant power or a distance-decay parameter to adjust the diminishing strength in relationship with increasing distance. Recognizing the potential of varying distance-decay relationships over the study area, we suggest that the value of the weighting parameter be allowed to vary according to the spatial pattern of the sampled points in the neighborhood. This adaptive approach suggests that the distance-decay parameter can be a function of the point pattern of the neighborhood. We developed an algorithm to search for ''optimal'' adaptive distance-decay parameters. Using cross validation to evaluate the results, we conclude that adaptive IDW performs better than the constant parameter method in most cases, and better than ordinary kriging in one of our empirical studies when the spatial structure in the data could not be modeled effectively by typical variogram functions.
N2 laser pumped dye laser photolysis

Abstract An N 2 laser pumped dye laser has been used as the exciting pulse source in flash photolysis with a time resolution in the ns range. Using the apparatus described it was possible to monitor second order decays. Advantages of this set-up are tunability, reproducibility of the exciting source, and the rapidity of the measurements.
IMPROVED MULTIMODE FIBER FOR LOCAL AREA NETWORKS BY THE OUTSIDE VAPOR DEPOSITION PROCESS

Over the last several years, multimode (MM) fiber has been gradually displaced from telcom laser based, long-distance applications by single mode (SM) fibers. Today, MM fibers are used mainly in local area network (LAN) applications, where typically, the distances are much shorter, many connectors are required and the light source is a light-emitting diode (LED). Fiber designs for LAN's are characterized by large numerical aperture (NA), moderate core size and moderate bandwidth (BW). It is also important that the BW of Installed cable lengths cut from factory lengths be predictable and that the chromatic dispersion be well characterized.
Impact of Financial Incentives for Prenatal Care on Birth Outcomes and Spending

In the health care sector, command and control mechanisms for influencing practice patterns have given way to a reliance on financial incentives for both physicians and patients to encourage adherence to evidence-based and recommended care (Rosenthal et al. 2006). Health care services typically targeted by such incentives include routine testing for people with chronic disease, cancer screening, and immunizations. In the reproductive age population, use of recommended prenatal care services may also be a salient target for quality improvement, particularly in disadvantaged populations, where adherence is lower and birth outcomes poorer (National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS] 2006). Prenatal care offers maternal and infant health benefits by supporting optimal pregnancy health, reducing high-risk behaviors, and providing entry into the health care system for both mother and infant. While prenatal care has been reported to improve outcomes and offer cost savings in postnatal care in some contexts, the evidence for both its effectiveness and cost-effectiveness is inconclusive (Institute of Medicine 1985; Grossman and Joyce 1990; Currie and Gruber 1996; Kaestner 1999; Conway and Deb 2005; Russell et al. 2007;). Financial incentives to physicians have been shown to maintain participation in prenatal care programs (Krieger, Connell, and LoGerfo 1992). Patient incentives for adherence to recommended prenatal care, however, have yielded mixed results (McQuide, Delvaux, and Buekens 1998). It should be noted, however, that patient incentives for prenatal care adherence have generally been studied in the context of Medicaid, where regulation limits the type and value of incentives that can be offered to enrollees. In this study, we examine the impact on low birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) use, and health care spending of a private insurer program that pairs physician and patient incentives to increase timely and comprehensive prenatal care.
Voltage detection and magnet protection

Voltage detection is routinely used to identify resistive regions within superconducting magnets so that a protection circuit can trigger a safe magnet discharge. Nonresistive voltage signals, for example inductive voltages, can, however, produce false signals, causing the magnet protection system to trip prematurely. An experimental verification is given of a quench detection method which eliminates sensitivity to inductive voltages in multiple magnet systems. In addition, a specific application of these ideas for the University of Wisconsin proof-of-principle experiment demonstrated the need for incorporating a microprocessor in the quench detection system. The shortcomings of the traditional quench detection techniques were demonstrated explicitly. >
Biologically Inspired Vapor-Diffusion Route to Metal Hydroxide Films at Low Temperatures: Synthesis, Conversion and Applications

Nanostructured thin films have been prepared using a kinetically controlled vapor-diffusion method of catalysis at low temperature. Vectorial control by diffusion of a base catalyst into an aqueous metal salt solution yields metal hydroxide films with unique structures. Post-synthesis treatment of these materials yielded more stable metal oxide films. All films were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and a wide rage of chemical and electrochemical methods.
Position on Ontology-Based Architecture

This position paper argues that Architecture should not be captured and maintained as a set of views, but as an instance of an architectural meta-model or ontology. The ontology provides a common architecture language, or vocabulary, that enables the level of precision needed for effective architecture decision making. Our proposed ontology is composed of architecture assets, architecture decisions, stakeholder concerns and an architecture implementation roadmap. We see this approach as an alternative to traditional view-based methods.
Economic analysis and climate change policy

Van den Bergh (2009) argues that a “safe climate is affordable.” I agree. He also argues, however, that cost–benefit analysis of climate policy has been a “failure.” I will suggest, instead, that these analyses have helped sharpen both the fundamental concepts and the quantitative estimates needed for policy decisions. Important recent additions to this literature by Stern (2007) and Weitzman (2007) in effect confirm my early diagnosis (Cline 1992) that aggressive global action to cut greenhouse gas emissions by half has social benefits in excess of costs. As the nations approach the Copenhagen negotiations in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the principal policy path that has emerged is consistent with this objective. Thus, the G-8 has accepted the objective of reducing industrial country emissions by 80% by 2050, and has urged developing countries to make parallel cuts of 20% so that global reductions of 50% by this date can be achieved.1 The G-8 also has endorsed the EU’s 2◦C ceiling on warming above pre-industrial levels as the critical objective. Van den Bergh usefully surveys the leading estimates of abatement costs. He takes as a point of departure the IPCC survey range of slightly negative cost to 4 percent of world product by 2050 for stabilization at 550 ppm CO2-equivalent of all greenhouse gases (IPCC 2007b, p. 40). He rightly suggests that the costs would be in the lower part of this range if wide scope is considered for technological change, and afforestation and reduced deforestation are taken into account. Curiously, he limits discussion of carbon capture and sequestration to a dismissive footnote, yet
Smoldering multiple myeloma requiring treatment: time for a new definition?

Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) bridges the gap between monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (a mostly premalignant disorder) and active multiple myeloma (MM). Until recently, no interventional study in patients with SMM showed improved overall survival (OS) with therapy as compared with observation. A report from the PETHEMA-GEM (Programa Espanol de Tratamientos en Hematologica) group described both fewer myeloma-related events and better OS among patients with high-risk SMM who were treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. This unique study prompted us to review current knowledge about SMM and address the following questions: (1) Are there patients currently defined as SMM who should be treated routinely? (2) Should the definitions of SMM and MM be reconsidered? (3) Has the time come when not treating is more dangerous than treating? (4) Could unintended medical harm result from overzealous intervention? Our conclusion is that those patients with the highest-risk SMM (extreme bone marrow plasmacytosis, extremely abnormal serum immunoglobulin free light chain ratio, and multiple bone lesions detected only by modern imaging) should be reclassified as active MM so that they can receive MM-appropriate therapy and the paradigm of careful observation for patients with SMM can be preserved.
Ultrafast broadband terahertz waveform measurement utilizing ultraviolet plasma photoemission

This paper reviews the recent progress in the development of ultrafast broadband terahertz waveform measurement utilizing ultraviolet photoemission from laser-induced gases. We present the theoretical study and experimental investigation on ultrafast dynamics of terahertz-enhanced photoemission in various gas species. By using two-color laser field to coherently control the electron drift velocity and subsequent terahertz-enhanced photoemission, we develop an “all-optical” broadband terahertz waveform measurement method, which, by encoding terahertz pulse information into plasma photoemission, is capable of remote operation due to the minimized water vapor attenuation and unlimited optical signal collection. Broadband terahertz waveform measurement at a distance of 10 m is demonstrated.
The Juxtaglomerular Apparatus: From Anatomical Peculiarity to Physiological Relevance

Homer Smith died in 1962, the year before I started my career in the Department of Physiology of the University of Goettingen. At that time, his original work was still well known and widely quoted. Several decades later, this has of course changed, and the newer generation of renal physiologists
Postural feedback responses scale with biomechanical constraints in human standing

We tested whether human postural responses can be described in terms of feedback control gains, and whether these gains are scaled by the central nervous system to accommodate biomechanical constraints. A feedback control model can describe postural responses for a wide range of perturbations, but biomechanical constraints-such as on the torque that can be exerted on the ground-make a single set of feedback gains inappropriate for all perturbations. To observe how postural responses change with perturbation magnitude, we applied fast, backward perturbations of magnitudes 3-15 cm to 13 healthy young volunteers (4 men, 9 women, aged 20-32 years). We used a 3-segment, sagittal-plane biomechanical model and a linear state feedback controller to reproduce the observed postural responses. Optimization was used to identify the best-fit feedback control gains for each trial. Results showed that trajectories of joint angles and joint torques were scaled with perturbation magnitude. This scaling occurred gradually, rather than abruptly changing at magnitudes where biomechanical constraints became active. Feedback gains were found to fit reasonably well with data ( R(2)=0.92) and to be multivariate and heterogenic in character, meaning that the torque produced at any joint is generally a function of motions not only at the same joint, but other joints as well. Hip gains increased and ankle gains decreased nearly linearly with perturbation magnitude, in accordance with biomechanical limitations on ground reaction torque. These results indicate that postural adjustments can be described as a single feedback control scheme, with scalable heterogenic gains that are adjusted according to biomechanical constraints.
FcγRs Modulate Cytotoxicity of Anti-Fas Antibodies: Implications for Agonistic Antibody-Based Therapeutics

Development of anti-Fas Abs to treat diseases with insufficient Fas-mediated apoptosis has been limited by concern about hepatotoxicity. We report here that hepatotoxicity elicited by anti-Fas Ab Jo2 is dependent on FcgammaRIIB. Thus, following Jo2 treatment, all FcgammaRIIB(-/-) mice survived while 80% of wild-type and all FcR-gamma(-/-) mice died from acute liver failure. Microscopic examination suggests that FcgammaRIIB deficiency protects the hepatic sinusoidal endothelium, a cell type that normally coexpresses Fas and FcgammaRIIB. In vitro studies showed that FcgammaRIIB, but not FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIII, on neighboring macrophages substantially enhanced Jo2 mediated apoptosis of Fas expressing target cells. However, FcgammaRI and FcgammaRIII appeared essential for apoptosis-inducing activity of a non-hepatotoxic anti-Fas mAb HFE7A. These findings imply that by interacting with the Fc region of agonistic Abs, FcgammaRs can modulate both the desired and undesired consequences of Ab-based therapy. Recognizing this fact should facilitate development of safer and more efficacious agonistic Abs.
Proliferative and anti-proliferative effects of dietary levels of phytoestrogens in rat pituitary GH3/B6/F10 cells - the involvement of rapidly activated kinases and caspases

Phytoestogens are a group of lipophillic plant compounds that can have estrogenic effects in animals; both tumorigenic and anti-tumorigenic effects have been reported. Prolactin-secreting adenomas are the most prevalent form of pituitary tumors in humans and have been linked to estrogen exposures. We examined the proliferative effects of phytoestrogens on a rat pituitary tumor cell line, GH3/B6/F10, originally subcloned from GH3 cells based on its ability to express high levels of the membrane estrogen receptor-α.
Stem cells from human fat as cellular delivery vehicles in an athymic rat posterolateral spine fusion model.

ABSTRACTBackground:Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human liposuction aspirates, termed processed lipoaspirate cells, have been utilized as cellular delivery vehicles for the induction of bone formation in tissue engineering and gene therapy strategies. In this study, we sought to evaluate the ef
Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) Regulates Vein Wall Biomechanics in Murine Thrombus Resolution.

Objective Deep venous thrombosis is a common vascular problem with long-term complications including post-thrombotic syndrome. Post-thrombotic syndrome consists of leg pain, swelling and ulceration that is related to incomplete or maladaptive resolution of the venous thrombus as well as loss of compliance of the vein wall. We examine the role of metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a gene important in extracellular remodeling in other vascular diseases, in mediating thrombus resolution and biomechanical changes of the vein wall. Methods and Results The effects of targeted deletion of MMP-9 were studied in an in vivo murine model of thrombus resolution using the FVB strain of mice. MMP-9 expression and activity significantly increased on day 3 after DVT. The lack of MMP-9 impaired thrombus resolution by 27% and this phenotype was rescued by the transplantation of wildtype bone marrow cells. Using novel biomechanical techniques, we demonstrated that the lack of MMP-9 significantly decreased thrombus-induced loss of vein wall compliance. Biomechanical analysis of the contribution of individual structural components showed that MMP-9 affected the elasticity of the extracellular matrix and collagen-elastin fibers. Biochemical and histological analyses correlated with these biomechanical effects as thrombi of mice lacking MMP-9 had significantly fewer macrophages and collagen as compared to those of wildtype mice. Conclusions MMP-9 mediates thrombus-induced loss of vein wall compliance by increasing stiffness of the extracellular matrix and collagen-elastin fibers during thrombus resolution. MMP-9 also mediates macrophage and collagen content of the resolving thrombus and bone-marrow derived MMP-9 plays a role in resolution of thrombus mass. These disparate effects of MMP-9 on various aspects of thrombus illustrate the complexity of individual protease function on biomechanical and morphometric aspects of thrombus resolution.
A Redistributive Role for Local Government

With the welfare reforms of 1996, the federal government transferred to the states substantial authority over the structure, scope, and generosity of the nation's largest redistributive program, now known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. As many have shown, however, states suffer from a structural handicap - the inability to dissuade new entrants who would be a net drain on the state fisc - that prevents them from matching the redistributive desires of their residents. This paper argues that local governments, given their unique organizational characteristics, should receive a larger share of redistributive responsibility in the U.S. Unlike the federal government, local governments can respond to local preferences for redistribution and, unlike states, which are subject to the Supreme Court's right to travel doctrine, they have sufficient ability through zoning and property taxation to limit the influx of new recipients. This paper also articulates in a general way what such a role might look like. In short, local governments should play a larger role in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Also, states should reinforce the powers that enable localities to be such effective mechanisms of redistribution in the first place so they can redistribute effectively to their own residents and those of neighboring local governments.
Strong viscous behavior discovered in nanotube mats, as observed in boron nitride nanotube mats

Abstract Strong viscous behavior has been discovered in nanotube mats, as observed in boron nitride nanotube (BNNT) mats under low-amplitude dynamic flexure. The solid part of the mat (BNNTs) exhibits strong viscous character (loss tangent up to 13), strong elastic character (storage modulus up to 2.3 GPa), and strong mechanical energy dissipation ability (loss modulus up to 7.3 GPa), indicating exceptional vibration damping ability. The loss tangent of the solid part of the mat decreases with increasing solid content, while the storage and loss moduli of the solid part increases, due to the increasing difficulty for frictional sliding among the BNNTs.
Strongly Enhanced Light-Matter Interactions using Colloidally Synthesized Plasmonic Nanocavities

A colloidally synthesized and tunable plasmonic platform is utilized for control of radiative properties of dye molecules, CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, and monolayer MoS2. We demonstrate 30,000-fold fluorescence enhancement, Purcell factors of 1,000, and ultrafast spontaneous emission.
Synthesis and Incorporation of the Phosphoramidite Derivative of 2′-O-Photocaged 3′-S-Thioguanosine into Oligoribonucleotides: Substrate for Probing the Mechanism of RNA Catalysis

Oligoribonucleotides containing 3′-S-phosphorothiolate linkages possess properties that can reveal deep mechanistic insights into ribozyme-catalyzed reactions. “Photocaged” 3′-S- RNAs could provide a strategy to stall reactions at the chemical stage and release them after assembly steps have occurred. Toward this end, we describe here an approach for the synthesis of 2′-O-(o-nitrobenzyl)-3′-thioguanosine phosphoramidite starting from N2-isobutyrylguanosine in nine steps with 10.2% overall yield. Oligonucleotides containing the 2′-O-(o-nitrobenzyl)-3′-S-guanosine nucleotide were then constructed, characterized, and used in a nuclear pre-mRNA splicing reaction.
Abstract 1465: Histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid blocks epithelial-mesenchymal transition exhibited by Tera-2 embryonal carcinoma cells with a stem cell phenotype

The process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is associated with tumor progression. Tumor cells that undergo EMT have altered morphology and acquire a stem cell phenotype. Although there are numerous studies that demonstrate that shRNA approaches targeting specific transcription factors can block EMT, there are few pharmacological agents yet identified that can alter the process of EMT. Recent evidence suggests that the silencing of E-cadherin during EMT is dependent upon the activity of specific histone deacetylyase enzymes, which are known to regulate gene transcription. We used Tera-2 (HTB 106) embryonal carcinoma cells grown as 3 dimensional spheroids as a model of a tumor type characterized by a cancer stem cell phenotype. We observed that the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; vorinostat; Zolinza®, Merck), which is FDA approved for treatment of cutaneous T cell lymphoma, significantly inhibited expression of over 55 distinct genes associated with EMT including those regulating responses to growth factors, adhesion, motility, and genes associated with maintenance/survival of stem cells, including Alpha 5 Integrin/fibronectin receptor alpha (ITGA5), Caldesmon 1 (CALD1), Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Forkhead box C2 (MFH-1, mesenchyme forkhead 1) (FOXC2), Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3 beta), Jagged 1 (JAG1), Integrin-linked kinase (ILK), Matrix metallopeptidase 2 (MMP2), Notch 1 homolog (NOTCH1), Platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGFb), Snail homolog 1 (SNAI1), Snail homolog 2 (SNAI2), Transcription factor 4 (TCF4), transforming growth factorβ1 (TGFβ1), Twist homolog 1 (Twist1), Wingless-type MMTC integration site family, member 5b (WNT5b), and Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2). SAHA also altered the morphology of Tera-2 cells when cultured as adherent cells, which was associated with inhibited of both invasion, and anchorage independent growth in soft agar. In addition, SAHA inhibited the self-renewal capacity of Tera-2 tumor spheroids, which was associated with changes in expression of stem cell surface markers. Studies are ongoing to identify the HDAC enzymes that regulate expression of genes associated with the process of EMT and maintenance/survival of Tera-2 tumor spheroids that are targeted by SAHA. These studies suggest that HDAC inhibitors may be promising agents to reverse the process of EMT and may be potentially effective as inhibitors of tumor progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1465.
Hot Off the Wiki Structures and Dynamics of Wikipedia’s Coverage of Breaking News Events

Wikipedia’s coverage of breaking news and current events dominates editor contributions and reader attention in any given month. Collaborators on breaking news articles rapidly synthesize content t...
ACE2: more of Ang-(1–7) or less Ang II?

Purpose of reviewPrevious concepts regarding the pathways involved in the generation of angiotensin II (Ang II) have been challenged by studies showing the existence of a peptide acting as an endogenous antagonist of Ang II. The discovery that angiotensin-(1–7) [Ang-(1–7)] opposes the pressor, proli
Sobolev spaces and approximation problems for differential operators

In this paper we give an introduction to the theory of Sobolev spaces, and discuss the connection between these spaces and certain approximation problems associated with elliptic differential operators. In particular, we discuss uniform approximation by harmonic functions, mean approximation by solutions of elliptic equations, and the continuity of Dirichlet eigenvalues for an open set when the set is perturbed.
The Statistical Content of Elementary School Mathematics Textbooks.

This study reports on the statistical content of five U.S. textbook series written for elementary students in grades 1-5. The researchers examined 17,688 pages and coded 7445 statistical tasks to d...
Blood vessel endothelium-directed tumor cell streaming in breast tumors requires the HGF/C-Met signaling pathway

During metastasis to distant sites, tumor cells migrate to blood vessels. In vivo, breast tumor cells utilize a specialized mode of migration known as streaming, where a linear assembly of tumor cells migrate directionally towards blood vessels on fibronectin-collagen I-containing extracellular matrix (ECM) fibers in response to chemotactic signals. We have successfully reconstructed tumor cell streaming in vitro by co-plating tumors cells, macrophages and endothelial cells on 2.5 μm thick ECM-coated micro-patterned substrates. We found that tumor cells and macrophages, when plated together on the micro-patterned substrates, do not demonstrate sustained directional migration in only one direction (sustained directionality) but show random bi-directional walking. Sustained directionality of tumor cells as seen in vivo was established in vitro when beads coated with human umbilical vein endothelial cells were placed at one end of the micro-patterned 'ECM fibers' within the assay. We demonstrated that these endothelial cells supply the hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) required for the chemotactic gradient responsible for sustained directionality. Using this in vitro reconstituted streaming system, we found that directional streaming is dependent on, and most effectively blocked, by inhibiting the HGF/C-Met signaling pathway between endothelial cells and tumor cells. Key observations made with the in vitro reconstituted system implicating C-Met signaling were confirmed in vivo in mammary tumors using the in vivo invasion assay and intravital multiphoton imaging of tumor cell streaming. These results establish HGF/C-Met as a central organizing signal in blood vessel-directed tumor cell migration in vivo and highlight a promising role for C-Met inhibitors in blocking tumor cell streaming and metastasis in vivo, and for use in human trials.