cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis cells express mesenchymal stem cell markers.

Pulmonary interstitial glycogenosis (PIG) was first defined as a distinct neonatal interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology that presents in neonates and young infants with mild to severe hypoxic lung disease [1]. Characterised clinically by unexplained respiratory distress and cyanosis with an onset during early infancy, PIG was primarily defined by the presence of distinct and unusual-appearing cells contained within the interstitium that were characterised by a widened interstitium containing variable numbers of immature-appearing, polygonal-to-spindle shaped cells, which may contribute to impaired gas exchange. The most unique feature of PIG cells is the widespread presence of non-membrane bound, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain-positive, mono-particulate glycogen in the cytoplasm, for which the disease was named (“glycogenosis”) [1]. Footnotes This manuscript has recently been accepted for publication in the European Respiratory Journal . It is published here in its accepted form prior to copyediting and typesetting by our production team. After these production processes are complete and the authors have approved the resulting proofs, the article will move to the latest issue of the ERJ online. Please open or download the PDF to view this article. Conflict of interest: Dr. Galambos has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Mr. Wartchow has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Weinman has nothing to disclose. Conflict of interest: Dr. Abman has nothing to disclose.
Identifying data gaps in the energy supply chains of manufacturing sectors with an input–output LCA model

Abstract National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Materials Flows through Industry tool was developed to analyze energy consumption across the supply chains of U.S. manufacturing industries. Due to the limitation of the data sources, the Tool may have incomplete data in some industries’ supply chains. To overcome this issue, this study provides a method to identify data gaps in the MFI tool with the information in input–output life cycle assessment models. Results show that around 5% processes in the MFI tool have potential data gaps in the supply chain. LCA practitioners can use this information to optimize activities to improve LCA models.
Innovative End-of-Life Simulation: Educating Nursing Students to Care for Patients During Transition

Abstract Background Historically, nursing students have not been adequately prepared to provide end-of-life (EOL) care. The faculty of a university in the northwest recognized the curriculum was deficient in EOL content. In response to this deficit, the simulation team developed an evidenced-based EOL simulation in accordance to INASCL Standards of Best Practice℠. Methods The End-of-Life Nursing Education Consortium undergraduate curriculum includes six modules presenting content considered essential to prepare students for EOL care. Students complete the modules in preparation for the simulation. The simulation begins with prebriefing and orientation to the simulation space. Immediately after the simulation, students participate in a debriefing session to process their thoughts and feelings about the experience. Students submit a reflection after they have had time to further explore the impact of the simulation, both personally and professionally. Results Student reflections indicated an increase in knowledge of their role in EOL care and the importance of creating a calm environment for the patient and family. Participants reported the profound impact of the simulation and the opportunity to experience emotions evoked by the simulation in a safe setting. Students reported both the presence of a “family member” and performing postmortem care contributed to the reality of the simulation. Conclusion(s) Based on the reflections and feedback received from students after they experience the death of a patient for the first time as a nurse, the simulation played a significant part in preparing them for EOL care.
Mutual structural effects of unmodified and pyroglutamylated amyloid β peptides during aggregation

Amyloid β (Aβ) peptide aggregates are linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Posttranslationally pyroglutamylated Aβ (pEAβ) occurs in AD brains in significant quantities and is hypertoxic, but the underlying structural and aggregation properties remain poorly understood. Here, the structure and aggregation of Aβ1-40 and pEAβ3-40 are analyzed separately and in equimolar combination. Circular dichroism data show that Aβ1-40 , pEAβ3-40 , and their combination assume α-helical structure in dry state and transition to unordered structure in aqueous buffer. Aβ1-40 and the 1:1 combination gradually acquire β-sheet structure while pEAβ3-40 adopts an α-helix/β-sheet conformation. Thioflavin-T fluorescence studies suggest that the two peptides mutually inhibit fibrillogenesis. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identifies the presence of β-turn and α-helical structures in addition to β-sheet structure in peptides in aqueous buffer. The kinetics of transitions from the initial α-helical structure to β-sheet structure were resolved by slow hydration of dry peptides by D2 O vapor, coupled with isotope-edited FTIR. These data confirmed the mutual suppression of β-sheet formation by the two peptides. Remarkably, pEAβ3-40 maintained a significant fraction of α-helical structure in the combined sample, implying a reduced β-sheet propensity of pEAβ3-40 . Altogether, the data imply that the combination of unmodified and pyroglutamylated Aβ peptides resists fibrillogenesis and favors the prefibrillar state, which may underlie hypertoxicity of pEAβ.
Severe Vitamin K-dependent Coagulopathy from Rodenticide-contaminated Synthetic Cannabinoids: Emergency Department Presentations

Author(s): Wright, Erik; Hafner, John W.; Podolej, Gregory; Feinstein, Douglas L.; van Breemen, Richard; Rubinstein, Israel; Aks, Steven; Wahl, Michael | Abstract: Introduction: Synthetic cannabinoids are a rapidly expanding subset of designer drugs widely available in the United States since 2008. In Illinois during the spring of 2018, over 160 documented cases of bleeding and prolonged coagulopathy occurred secondary to contaminated synthetic cannabinoids. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study consisting of 38 patients to describe the initial emergency department (ED) presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Results: Through serum testing we found that three long-acting anticoagulant rodenticides (LAAR) were detected in patients who had inhaled these tainted products: brodifacoum, difenacoum, and bromodialone.n Discussion: This study encompasses the largest ED presentation of LAAR poisoning via the inhalational route known to date.nConclusion: The emergency physician should be aware of the potential for tainted coingestants as the cause of undifferentiated coagulopathy.
Heaven: Val-de-Grâce, Molière’s “La Gloire du Val-de-Grâce” and Rotrou’s le Veritable Saint Genest

The baroque, an international phenomenon emerging from man’s “crise de conscience”, is rooted in the last third of the sixteenth century, and it evolves as a reaction against the normative and rational precepts of order and harmony emphasized by the European Renaissance and modeled on Classical Antiquity.’ As a result of the erosion of man’s confidence in the correlation between knowledge and faith and the apparent dissolution of a unified and harmonious universe, architects, artists, and writers insist on freedom and turn to the diversity and disorder displayed in nature as the path to follow in their quest for permanence. Since an aesthetics of diversity dissociates itself from the order, harmony, and permanence represented by God, in an attempt to reunite God’s representation with that of the world, theologians in the first half of the seventeenth century, such as Yves de Paris in Theologia naturelle, locate the roots of diversity in the Divine Essence composed of three persons in one God; for them the diversity and change seen in this world is an expression of God’s infinity and omnipotence based on multitude and change.2
The Collected Saints' Lives: Abbot John of Cantimpré, Christina the Astonishing, Margaret of Ypres, and Lutgard of Aywières

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: of Cantimpre Thomas Translators: Margot King Year: 2008 Pages: 324 Publisher: Brepols Publishers ISBN: 978-2-503-52078-0 (hard cover).
Democratic Governance, Distributive Justice and Development

This paper explores the idea that distributive justice in the multilateral trade regime is best served, at the moment, by democratizing its governance procedures. Part I of this paper focuses on the explanatory question - from a trade and development perspective, how can we understand the breakdown in Doha negotiations? This paper draws attention to institutional dynamics exacerbating the current stalemate. In answering that question, Part I draws from two disparate methodological traditions, which can be described as "economistic" and "constructivist." Constructivist analysis suggests a focus on the discursive subtexts that constitute the identity and interests of participating states. With that focus, it becomes clear that a variety of discursive contradictions have intensified over recent years, deeply destabilizing the WTO as a context for deliberation and political resolution. Economistic analysis, as applied here, focuses on the transaction costs confronting institutional coordination. Beyond the explanatory perspective, however, some normative inquiry into the basis for a proceduralist approach is desirable, especially when illustrious recent applications of moral theory to distributive justice have called for the institutionalization of strong substantive principles. Part II will consider two substantive arguments for distributive justice, in the context of the multilateral trade regime: Frank Garcia's argument for SD and Carol Gould's call for human rights, and especially social and economic rights, as a basis for grounding global economic justice. Part III studies emerging "equality jurisprudence" in the GATT/WTO. The "legalization" of the trade regime has resulted in the adoption of an equality, or non-discrimination, doctrinal foundation for the judicialized decision-making of the dispute settlement wing of the WTO, over and above the "reciprocity" model that characterizes WTO negotiations.
Mission impossible? Open architecture ATE

Summary form only given. A premise behind the open architecture system is to have a single set of hardware and software standards across the test industry, allowing instrumentation to be exchanged between ATE supplier boundaries. This paper asks whether the ATE suppliers will cooperate to set and maintain these standards while maintaining competition, and if not, looks at whether there is a sufficient number of third party suppliers to support multiple open architectures.
A theoretical framework for measuring the success of customer relationship management outsourcing

Dramatic growth of e-commerce has increased the bargaining power of customers requiring changes in strategies for Customer Relationship Management (CRM) development and implementation on the part of firms. Success of CRM implementations is thus critical for firms to survive in the 21st century. Because of the complex technologies involved in CRM, companies are choosing to outsource to vendors that specialize in CRM. In this study, we propose a theoretical framework that examines the CRM outsourcing success. Based on prior literature, we propose that CRM outsourcing success is influenced by degree of CRM outsourcing, partnership quality between the outsourcing firm and the vendor, organizational factors of the outsourcing firm, and the service quality of the vendor.
Tyrosine supplementation in the treatment of maternal phenylketonuria

Lower than average concentrations of tyrosine could be a factor in the fetal damage produced by maternal phenylketonuria (PKU). Dietary supplementation with L-tyrosine has been inconsistent in these reported pregnancies. Consequently, we studied the response to supplementation with L-tyrosine in five maternal PKU pregnancies. Before supplementation the mean plasma tyrosine concentration during midpregnancy was only 34 micromol/L compared with the expected value of 45 micromol/L in the normal population. A single dose of 1.3 g L-tyrosine was sufficient to raise plasma tyrosine concentrations well above the recommended minimum concentration of 45 micromol/L. The response was rapid and sustained over a 3-h study period in each subject and was associated with a markedly increased ratio of tyrosine to large neutral amino acids. These results indicate that the plasma tyrosine concentration can be increased to normal or above-normal values in maternal PKU pregnancies for a period of > or = 3 h by supplementation of the diet with L-tyrosine. The high ratio of tyrosine to large neutral amino acids indicates that tyrosine might readily cross the placenta and provide sufficient tyrosine to the fetus to support normal protein and catecholamine synthesis in what otherwise might be a tyrosine-poor environment.
A procedure for classifying patterns

We give an algorithm for determining the ellipsoid of smallest volume containing a given set of points x 1 ,...,x N in a finite dimensional Euclidean space. This algorithm can be used to construct discriminant functions for use in pattern recognition problems.
Statistical validation of system models

We frequently develop mathematical models of system behavior and sometimes use test data to help identify the parameters of the mathematical model. However, no general purpose technique exists for formally, statistically judging the quality of a model. The paper suggests a formal statistical procedure for the validation of mathematical models of systems when data taken during operation of the system are available. The statistical validation procedure is based on the bootstrap, and it seeks to build a framework where a statistical test of hypothesis can be run to determine whether or not a mathematical model is an acceptable model of a system with regard to user specified measures of system behavior. A numerical example is presented to demonstrate the application of the technique.
Exercise training effects on hypoxic and hypercapnic ventilatory responses in mice selected for increased voluntary wheel running.

New Findings What is the central question of this study? We used experimental evolution to determine how selective breeding for high voluntary wheel running and exercise training (7–11 weeks) affect ventilatory chemoreflexes of laboratory mice at rest. What is the main finding and its importance? Selective breeding, although significantly affecting some traits, did not systematically alter ventilation across gas concentrations. As with most human studies, our findings support the idea that endurance training attenuates resting ventilation. However, little evidence was found for a correlation between ventilatory chemoreflexes and the amount of individual voluntary wheel running. We conclude that exercise ‘training’ alters respiratory behaviours, but these changes may not be necessary to achieve high levels of wheel running. Ventilatory control is affected by genetics, the environment and gene–environment and gene–gene interactions. Here, we used an experimental evolution approach to test whether 37 generations of selective breeding for high voluntary wheel running (genetic effects) and/or long-term (7–11 weeks) wheel access (training effects) alter acute respiratory behaviour of mice resting in normoxic, hypoxic and hypercapnic conditions. As the four replicate high-runner (HR) lines run much more than the four non-selected control (C) lines, we also examined whether the amount of exercise among individual mice was a quantitative predictor of ventilatory chemoreflexes at rest. Selective breeding and/or wheel access significantly affected several traits. In normoxia, HR mice tended to have lower mass-adjusted rates of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production. Chronic wheel access increased oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production in both HR and C mice during hypercapnia. Breathing frequency and minute ventilation were significantly reduced by chronic wheel access in both HR and C mice during hypoxia. Selection history, while significantly affecting some traits, did not systematically alter ventilation across all gas concentrations. As with most human studies, our findings support the idea that endurance training (access to wheel running) attenuates resting ventilation. However, little evidence was found for a correlation at the level of the individual variation between ventilatory chemoreflexes and performance (amount of individual voluntary wheel running). We tentatively conclude that exercise ‘training’ alters respiratory behaviours, but these changes may not be necessary to achieve high levels of wheel running.
A method of continuous time approximation of delayed dynamical systems

Abstract This paper presents a new method to analyze response of linear and nonlinear dynamical systems with time delay. The method proposes a continuous time approximation of the delayed portion of the response. This leads to a high and finite dimensional state space formulation of the time-delayed system. The advantage of the current method lies in that the resulting finite dimensional state equations are in the standard state space form, making all the existing analysis methods and control design tools for linear and nonlinear dynamical systems amenable to the current approach. The method can also handle multiple independent time delays in a natural way. One- and two-dimensional dynamical systems with time delay are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Anelastic tomography: a new perspective on upper mantle thermal structure

Abstract Anelastic tomography provides new insights into the thermal structure of the earth's upper mantle. Lateral variations in Q are largest in the upper 300 km, but remain significant down to at least 500–600 km. They correlate with the distribution of plates in the upper 300 km, in agreement with cooling plate models and with the distribution of hotspots at greater depths. Two major upwellings are revealed under Hawaii and northeastern Africa, which may originate at the bottom of the transition zone or deeper. Low Q structure beneath the main ridge systems, on the other hand, does not appear to extend vertically below about 300 km.
Designing Standards for Lifelong Science Learning

Science technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) standards should enable students to become lifelong learners who can make sense of new STEM-related dilemmas as they arise. We need citizens who can manage an unexpected health problem, make informed decisions about new energy sources, and interpret persuasive messages about topics such as online privacy, antidepressants, cloning, nanoscience, and earthquake safety. This might entail learning a new discipline, searching the Internet, interviewing experts, or distinguishing among conflicting sets of results. To develop STEM standards that promote lifelong science learning, partnerships between natural science and engineering offer great promise. The upcoming International Conference in the Learning Sciences (ICLS) convened by the International Society for the Learning Sciences (ISLS) can help build a community of researchers to tackle these problems. The only area where we have been able to control this proliferation is in the weight ofthe textbooks. Those concerned with stress injuries to children have succeeded in curtailing the weight of textbooks—for the moment. For example, in California, the following maximum weight standards are in effect for each student textbook in elementary and secondary school: • Grades K-4: Three Pounds • Grades 5-8: Four Pounds • Grades 9—12: Five Pounds Of course, as states replace textbooks wath electronic materials even these minor constraints vvdU disappear. Publishers are already putting textbooks on electronic page turning devices—neglecting all the potential of more powerflil computers. Distressingly, efforts to pack tbe curriculum with more topics just deter students from participating in STEM courses and careers. Tbe stuffed curriculum offers students no chance to develop integrated, usenil understanding that they can build throughout their lives. To become lifelong learners, students need to use the science they learn to grapple with problems that they care about— starting with their first science class.
Disruption tolerant networking for heterogeneous ad-hoc networks

Heterogeneous ad-hoc networks, for both military and scientific applications, may be far removed from communications infrastructure such as the Internet. Yet, to be maximally useful, these networks must ultimately be connected to data storage and analysis facilities. Providing connectivity for such networks may involve exotic and unusual methods of data transfer, including acoustic, free space optical, satellite, and data mule forms of network links. problems of intermittent connectivity due to power scheduling, node failure, and packet losses from unpredictable external factors are frequently encountered. In addition, due to the myriad of assets employed, a high degree of network heterogeneity is encountered. As an approach to dealing with these two major issues, we propose the use of the disruption tolerant networking (DTN) architecture, which provides reliable asynchronous data communication across heterogeneous, failure-prone networks
Intracellular activity in cricket neurons during generation of song patterns

During production of song patterns by the semi-isolated CNS of Gryllus campestris, intracellullar recordings were made in fibers of the mesothoracic ganglion, including synaptic areas of identified wing opener and closer motor neurons. The normal calling song pattern and some transitional songs toward courtship and toward aggression were generated by the CNS in the absence of any phasic sensory timing (Figs. 1, 4). Intracellular activity of the opener motor neurons was characterized by an absence of events in the interchirp interval, an EPSP underlying each burst, and an IPSP following the burst if the closer motor neurons were to be activated (Fig. 1). Intracellular activity of the closer motor neurons was characterized by an absence of events in the interchirp interval, an IPSP immediately following the onset of the opener motor neuron burst, and an EPSP after the IPSP (Figs. 2, 3). Units were found which fired in a burst during the period when both the opener and closer motor neurons were inhibited (Fig. 5). Complementary sets of units were found which displayed an oscillation of activity at the chirp rhythm but not at the pulse rhythm (Fig. 6). Gaps in the calling song were observed whose characteristics indicated that motor neuron activity was neither required for, nor effective in, resetting the chirp timing oscillator (Fig. 8). A possible model for the song generating mechanism is outlined.
Effects of glucagon on free fatty acid metabolism in humans.

To determine whether physiological changes in plasma glucagon concentrations are important in regulating basal adipose tissue lipolysis, FFA flux ([1-14C]palmitate) was measured in response to increases and decreases in plasma glucagon. Eight volunteers with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and nine healthy nondiabetic volunteers were studied using the pancreatic clamp technique to control plasma insulin, GH, and glucagon concentrations at desired levels. Palmitate flux at the chosen euglucagonemic hormone infusion rates was similar to baseline values (1.73 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.75 +/- 0.23 and 1.35 +/- 0.18 vs. 1.35 +/- 0.16 mumol/kg.min, respectively, in IDDM and nondiabetic subjects). No significant changes in palmitate flux occurred in response to glucagon withdrawal or mild (nondiabetic volunteers) or high physiological (IDDM volunteers) hyperglucagonemia. Thus, under conditions of normal FFA availability, changes in plasma glucagon concentrations within the physiological range have little or no effect on adipose tissue lipolysis.
Intravascular lymphomatosis a systemic disease with neurologic manifestations

Background. Intravascular lymphomatosis (IL) is a systemic neoplasm that often involves the nervous system, inducing progressive neurologic deficits in the setting of undiagnosed or quiescent extranodal non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Methods. The clinical and pathologic files of the Massachusetts General Hospital and New York University Medical Center and the English language literature were reviewed to identify all reports of intravascular lymphomatosis (angioendotheliomatosis) or other examples of a diffuse proliferation of neoplastic cells filling capillaries, arterioles, and venules. Results. The authors report seven patients with IL and note 114 patients reported in the literature. Almost two-thirds (63%) of patients had neurologic manifestations, without abnormalities on bone marrow biopsy, chest and abdominal tomographic examinations for adenopathy, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. All patients had one or more of four syndromes, each reflecting a vascular occlusive process: progressive, multifocal cerebrovascular events; paraparesis, pain, and incontinence; a subacute encephalopathy; and peripheral or cranial neuropathies. Conclusions. The unexplained presence of any one or more of these neurologic syndromes should alert the physician to the possible presence of this disease.
Oral hygiene instruction and health risk assessment in dental practice.

We studied oral hygiene instruction given to 109 patients in 19 Washington State dental practices to investigate the extent to which therapists targeted their efforts toward patients with high disease risk. Patients were examined prior to instruction and prophylaxes. Therapists' instructions were tape-recorded and their content analyzed: therapists' expectations were scored. There were no statistically significant associations between patients' initial plaque levels and the process/content of the oral hygiene instructions delivered. On average, therapists spent 9.4 minutes of each prophylaxis session discussing oral hygiene. Therapists were judged more genuine with those patients for whom they had higher expectations of compliance, i.e., those with less plaque and low disease risk. We conclude that dental practitioners were not employing effective risk assessment strategies in selection of patients most in need of intensive instructional efforts.
Relative vulnerability of item-information in short-term storage for the missing scan

The relative vulnerability of item-information in short-term storage for the missing scan was investigated by comparing error distributions when 12 out of 13 numbers were presented sequentially, either with or without presentation of one additional number. Differential vulnerability by serial position was not found. Differential reporting of numbers with error gradients around correct responses in the ordinal sequence 13–25 suggests that this sequence in long-term storage may be implicated in such short-term storage, and that the missing scan may involve storage of the same kind of item-information utilized by natural serial-order recall of numbers.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Bis(μ2-Iodo)-Bis(Diethyl Ether)-(N-N′-(Bis(2,6-Diisopropylphenyl)Pentane-2,4-Diketiminato)-Lithium-Chromium, a Cr(II) (β-Diketiminato) Complex with a Coordinated LiI Salt

Addition of CrI2 to the lithium salt of N-N′-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-2,4-diketiminate in diethylether yields a Cr(II) iodide complex with a coordinated, solvated LiI salt. This complex is the intermediate in the synthesis of a bridging iodide complex that is itself a precursor to a side-on bridging dinitrogen complex. This complex crystallizes in the P21/n space group with the crystal cell parameters a = 12.3160(19) A, b = 21.067(3) A, c = 15.837(3)A, β = 96.767°, V = 4080.6(11) A3 and Z = 4. Addition CrI2 to the lithium salt of N-N′-bis(2,6- diisopropylphenyl)-2,4-diketiminate in diethylether yields a Cr(II) iodide complex with a coordinated, solvated LiI salt. Herein we report the spectroscopic and structural characterization.
OVARIAN MACROCYSTS: A 10 YEAR OVERVIEW. 549

The authors made a retrospective analysis of 17 cases of ovarian macrocysts(>2 cm), between January 1985 and June 1994.
Preparation of semisynthetic (+)-tubocurarine chloride.

Semisynthetic (+)-tubocurarine chloride (II) was prepared by monoquaternization of ( + )-tubocurine. The method involved treating ( + )-tubocurine with a 0.5 M equivalent of hydrochloric acid prior to quaternization with methyl iodide, followed by neutralization and iodide-chloride ion-exchange. Column chromatography and crystallization procedures were utilized for pure semisynthetic II preparation. The neuromuscular junction blocking activities of the semisynthetic and commercial II were determined by the in vivo cat hypoglossal nerve- tongue muscle preparation. No detectable differences among physical constants, spectral data, and neuromuscular junction blocking activities were noted between the commercial product and the semisynthetic II. This result substantiates the chemical and biological data for the well- accepted new formula for II. The unexplained M + nl4 mass spectral peaks shown by the curare-type bases are characteristic of the molecular species rather than a result of contaminants.
Editorial comment on Malkin and Keane (2010)

Malkin and Keane (Med Biol Eng Comput, 2010) take an innovative approach to determine if unused, broken medical and laboratory equipment could be repaired by volunteers with limited resources. Their positive results led them to suggest that resource-poor countries might benefit from an on-the-job educational program for local high school graduates. The program would train biomedical technician assistants (BTAs) who would repair medical devices and instrumentation and return them to service. This is a program worth pursuing in resource-poor countries.
Determining Network Control Solution Designs for Manufacturing Systems

In addressing the need for manufacturing systems that are more reconfigurable and flexible, there is an ever-increasing focus on utilizing networks at all levels to support control, diagnostics and safety functionality. Issues of performance and cost must be addressed. Further, making an appropriate network choice often involves examining the application environment rather than just universally applying a set of heuristics. The result is that network decisions, such as protocol, medium, and partitioning, are often made with incomplete or inappropriately prioritized information, leading to sub-optimal solutions in terms of both cost and performance. Three perspectives of information are needed for effective decision-making in network control system (NCS) deployment, namely theoretical, experimental and analytical. Theoretical involves understanding network operation, identifying metrics for NCS performance in the application environment, and mathematically evaluating the solution candidates with respect to these metrics. Experimental requires collecting and evaluating experimental data on particular aspects of network operation that are important to the application environment. Analytical involves a weighted cost analysis of the tradeoffs involved in network decision making and incorporates the results of theoretical and experimental analysis. In combining these three information perspectives, a methodology for making NCS design decisions is provided that allows the user to appropriately incorporate the application environment. An application of this methodology to a reconfigurable factory testbed demonstrates its use and effectiveness.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Enrichment of Marine Sediment Colloids with Polychlorinated Biphenyls: Trends Resulting from PCB Solubility and Chlorination

Colloids have been shown to significantly affect the bioavailability and transport of anthropogenic contaminants in the environment. In this study, the three phase distributions (i.e., dissolved, c...
Thyroid hormone positively regulates the enterocyte differentiation marker intestinal alkaline phosphatase gene via an atypical response element.

Thyroid hormone (T3) is a critical regulator of intestinal epithelial development and homeostasis, but its mechanism of action within the gut is not well understood. We have examined the molecular mechanisms underlying the T3 activation of the enterocyte differentiation marker intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) gene. RT-PCR and Western blotting showed that thyroid hormone receptors TRα1 and TRβ1 were expressed in human colorectal adenocarcinoma Caco-2 cells. Northern blotting detected expression of two IAP transcripts, which were increased approximately 3-fold in response to T3. Transient transfection studies with luciferase reporter plasmids carrying various internal and 5′ deletion mutations of the IAP promoter localized a putative thyroid hormone response element (TRE) to a region approximately 620 nucleotides upstream (−620) of the ATG start codon. EMSAs using TRα1-retinoid X receptor α (RXRα) on sequential 5′ and 3′ single nucleotide deletions defined the TRE between −632 and −612 (5′-TTGAACTCAgcc...
GATA-3 Suppresses Th1 Development by Downregulation of Stat4 and Not through Effects on IL-12Rβ2 Chain or T-bet

To further understand the interaction among GATA-3, Stat4, and T-bet in helper T cell development, we first showed that retroviral expression of GATA-3 in developing Th1 cells suppresses Th1 development through downregulation of Stat4 rather through downregulation of the IL-12Rβ2 chain. Correspondingly, Stat4 levels are greatly suppressed during physiological Th2 development. Then, using cells doubly infected with GFP- and YFP-expressing retroviruses, we showed that retroviral GATA-3 expression in developing Th1 cells does not block Th1 development in cells coexpressing Stat4 but does so in cells coexpressing T-bet. Finally, we showed that retroviral Stat4 expression could facilitate Th2→Th1 conversion in cells bearing an IL-12Rβ2 transgene, even in cells lacking T-bet. These findings reassert that Stat4 signaling is a central element of Th1/Th2 development.
The selective catalytic reduction of NO by propylene over Pt supported on dealuminated Y zeolite

Abstract The reactivity of Pt supported on a stable dealuminated Y zeolite (Pt/DeY) for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by hydrocarbons (HC-SCR) has been investigated with a monolith sample. The results show that the Pt/DeY catalyst has substantial activity for this reaction at temperatures between 200 and 300°C. Furthermore, the presence of water and sulfur dioxide, at levels similar to the ones expected in vehicle exhaust gas, does not significantly affect the performance of the catalyst, which makes it a promising candidate for further commercial development. In the same temperature range, oxygen promotes the rate of the NO reduction by assisting in the activation of the hydrocarbon. NO2 is also formed under the conditions studied as a result of the oxidation of NO. In the presence of the hydrocarbon however, it is preferentially reacting with the hydrocarbon, and reduces primarily back to NO. High selectivities were observed toward the formation of N2O, which is a primary product of the hydrocarbon-SCR reaction.
Mining circumgalactic baryons in the low-redshift universe

(Abridged) This paper presents an absorption-line study of the multiphase circumgalactic medium (CGM) based on observations of Lya, CII, CIV, SiII, SiIII, and SiIV absorption transitions in the vicinities of 195 galaxies at redshift z =0.041, a median projected distance of =362 kpc to the sightline of the background QSO, and a median stellar mass of log(M_star/M_sun) = 9.7 \pm 1.1. Comparing the absorber features identified in the QSO apectra with known galaxy properties has led to strong constraints for the CGM absorption properties at z ~0.7 Rh from either low-mass dwarfs or high-mass galaxies. The lack of detected heavy elements in low- and high-ionization states suggests that either there exists a chemical enrichment edge at d~0.7 Rh or gaseous clumps giving rise to the observed absorption lines cannot survive at these large distances. Considering all galaxies at d>Rh leads to a strict upper limit for the covering fraction of heavy elements of ~3% (at a 95% confidence level) over d=(1-9) Rh. At d<Rh, differential covering fraction between low- and high-ionization gas is observed, suggesting that the CGM becomes progressively more ionized from d<0.3 Rh to larger distances. Comparing CGM absorption observations at low and high redshifts shows that at a fixed-fraction of Rh the CGM exhibits stronger mean absorption at z=2.2 than at z~0. We discuss possible pseudo-evolution of the CGM as a result of misrepresentation of halo radius.
Mass spectrometric study of the lead in carbonaceous chondrites

Measurements of the isotopic ratios of lead from the Indarch, Murray, Mokoia, and Orgueil carbonaceous chondrites show that their leads differ only slightly from the primordial type of lead which Patterson found in the Canyon Diablo iron meteorite. Formal calculation of the lead-lead ages of Murray and Mokoia yields 4.7 and 4.6×109 years, respectively. Empirical justification for these lead-lead ages comes from the agreement of similarly calculated ages for ordinary chondrites with those obtained by completely independent methods. There seems to be an additional small component of the radiogenic lead isotopes. The amount of this excess is comparable to that which has been observed in the Holbrook chondrite. Indarch contains an excess of Pb207. Either this meteorite is older (about 5.1×109 years), or (more likely) some variations in isotopic composition were present at the beginning of the solar system. Carbonaceous chondrites seem to have originated from chondritic material by the addition of certain elements and the loss of others. They acquired of the order of 1 to 4 ppm of primordial lead of the Canyon Diablo type.
Serum lipid concentrations among persons with spinal cord injury - a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

Abstract Background Lipid optimization comprises a therapeutic cornerstone of primary and secondary cardiovascular disease prevention. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to clarify patterns of lipid profiles in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients compared to able-bodied individuals as well as among subgroups of SCI patients stratified by sex, activity level, race, and level of injury. Methods Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and EMBASE. The initial literature search broadly identified peer-reviewed studies that examined cardiovascular risk factors in SCI. A total of 50 studies were ultimately identified that focused on lipid levels in SCI. Demographic data (including subject age, duration of injury, height, weight, and body mass index [BMI]) and lipid values were extracted for able-bodied individuals and subjects with SCI. Statistical analyses included t-testing and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results Compared with controls, individuals with SCI had significantly lower total cholesterol (TC) (183.4 mg/dL versus 194.9 mg/dL, p = 0.019) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (41.0 mg/dL versus 49.6 mg/dL, p p = 0.002), though no significant differences were found for triglyceride (TG) and non-HDL-C values. Conclusions SCI represents an increasingly common chronic condition, now secondarily characterized by heightened CVD risk potentially in part due to unique lipid profiles characterized primarily by low HDL-C and an increased TC/HDL-C ratio. As other at-risk patient populations have received increased acknowledgment with more stringent lipid panel screening at earlier ages and increased frequency, we would propose that the same be implemented for the SCI population until more-specific CVD risk stratification guidelines are established for this population.
A protocol for uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, mortised genioplasty, and maxillomandibular advancement in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: an analysis of 40 cases.

Abstract Purpose: This study evaluated the effectiveness of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with mortised genioplasty and maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) for the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea not controllable with appliances or continuous positive airway pressure. Methods: Forty patients with obstructive sleep apnea were evaluated retrospectively. Thirty-three patients underwent combined UPPP and a modified mortised genioglossus advancement. Patients who had specific indications for MMA underwent combined procedures, eliminating staging of multiple surgeries. Seven patients were in this group. All patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively with polysomnography to evaluate the efficacy of the treatment. Results: Mean respiratory distress indices (RDI) and nadir oxyhemoglobin desaturation values were significantly improved with each of the therapies despite many patients having body mass indices significantly greater than the average quoted in other studies. Patients with moderate sleep apnea (RDI, 21 to 40) who underwent UPPP/genioglossus advancement did very well, with 86% of patients achieving success. Patients who underwent MMA all decreased their RDI by at least 56% and had an average improvement of 86%. Conclusions: The UPPP/mortised genioglossus advancement is effective for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Maxillomandibular advancement is effective for treating severe sleep apnea and may, in some cases, be indicated in combination with UPPP/mortised genioglossus advancement to avoid multiple procedures. Surgical reconstruction of the upper airway is a reasonable approach to the treatment of patients with obstructive sleep apnea, and can be approached more directly to minimize repeated surgical intervention. © 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Dopamine and serotonin in rat striatum during in vivo hypoxic-hypoxia.

Dopamine and serotonin were determined in extracellular fluid of rat striatum by semiderivativein vivo voltammetry during normoxia and a single or repeated exposure to 15% O2 (i.e., mild hypoxia) or 12.5% O2 (i.e., moderate hypoxia). A single exposure to 15% oxygen increased extracellular dopamine 76%. With reintroduction of air to the animals, dopamine values returned to baseline. During a second episode of 15% oxygen, dopamine increased 63% and remained elevated even during a final exposure to air. On the other hand, serotonin was unaffected by 15% oxygen. Moderate hypoxia (12.5% oxygen) increased dopamine (79%) and serotonin (26%) and both remained elevated even after the initial reintroduction of air. These studies demonstrate thatin vivo hypoxia increases rat striatal extracellular dopamine and, to a lesser extent, extracellular serotonin. Furthermore, after repeated, mild hypoxic episodes or moderate hypoxia, the increases in rat striatal extracellular dopamine and serotonin continue even during normoxia. These studies further support a role for dopamine and serotonin in hypoxic-induced changes in brain function. The hypoxic-induced elevation of these two neurotransmitters during normoxia may be important in the production of hypoxic/ischemic-induced cell damage.
Rapid blotting of IgG to nitrocellulose with minimal IgM contamination

A rapid method is described for the non-electrophoretic transfer of IgG from 0.5 mm thick agarose gels to nitrocellulose. Since the agarose gels are attached to a solid support, the blot is unidirectional. However, 90% of the IgG is transferred in 10 min with no visible loss of resolution. In this procedure, less than 2% of the IgM antibodies are transferred from the gel to the nitrocellulose membrane. Therefore, this technique can be used in IgG spectrotype analysis or antigen-specific assays without the prior removal of IgM antibodies. Approximately 5-6 h are needed to run the gels, blot, and develop the protein pattern with double-antibody immunoperoxidase staining.
Effect of lattice discreteness on the statistical mechanics of a dilute gas of kinks

We apply the collective-variable projection-operator approach based on the Dirac-bracket theory of constrained Hamiltonian systems to the calculation of the Helmholtz free energy of discrete nonlinear Klein-Gordon systems in the ideal-kink-gas limit. The kinks in the continuum nonlinear Klein-Gordon systems in the ideal-gas limit behave as free particles and the phonon density of states changes due to the presence of the kink. In discrete nonlinear Klein-Gordon systems the kinks are no longer free but see a potential ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{K}}$(X) where X is the center of mass of the kink. The phonons satisfy the discrete-lattice dispersion law with a discrete density of states, which differs from the continuum density of states, which also changes in the presence of the discrete kink. We find that when ${\mathit{l}}_{0}$ (the effective size of the kink) is greater than about five lattice spacings that the effect of discreteness is to lower the rest energy of the kink by less than 1%. For ${\mathit{l}}_{0}$\ensuremath{\sim}\ensuremath{\pi} the rest energy of the kink is lowered further and the potential ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{K}}$(X) starts to make a contribution giving rise to the presence of the periodic Peierls-Nabarro potential well. For ${\mathit{l}}_{0}$Peierls-Nabarro well becomes deeper and the kinks start to become trapped and when ${\mathit{l}}_{0}$\ensuremath{\le}2 all kinks with velocities less than one third of the speed of sound become trapped. In the strong-trapping region the rest energy of the kink is reduced by about 8--10 %.
Hardware Neural Networks: From Inflated Expectations to Plateau of Productivity

Times and again, a longstanding fascination with the brain has attracted computer architects to hardware neural networks. However, the fascinating nature of the topic is also its greatest pitfall: it sometimes drives researchers to forgo the pragmatic application-driven nature of computer architecture, and the results can fall disappointingly short of the lofty goal of emulating the brain in hardware; as a result, most computer architects have stayed away from the topic. In this presentation, we outline that it might be more sustainable to focus on brain functionality than on brain structure. Architectures designed to efficiently implement some important functionality are more likely to find support than architectures designed to emulate a biological structure. And in the past decade, machine-learning researchers, who largely share this longstanding fascination with the brain, have made significant progress towards emulating some elementary, but already important, brain functionalities (e.g., image and speech recognition) using so-called deep neural networks. These successes come at a time where transistor technology constraints are nudging architectures towards custom accelerators. This remarkable conjunction of algorithm, application and technology evolutions can pave the way for the development of competitive hardware neural network accelerators, and help cement the adoption of the topic within the computer architecture community.
A Nonlinear Network Flow Algorithm for Maximization of Benefits in a Hydroelectric Power System

A nonlinear network flow algorithm for maximization of benefits in a multireservoir hydroelectric power system is presented. The problem was posed by Tennessee Valley Authority TVA as an optimization model with a nonseparable nonlinear objective function and with linear network flow constraints. The proposed algorithm is based on reduced gradient methodology with somewhat nonstandard modifications and on primal linear network flows with simplifications resulting from the special structure of the problem network. An unusual feature of the algorithm is an integer programming subproblem whose exact solution determines the superbasic set and the search directions. The algorithm is coded by means of an efficient basis-tree labeling system which consists of a single node-length array and which is specifically designed for the physical context of the problem. Test problems on a 6-reservoir TVA subsystem were solved with computer costs well within the "affordable" range.