cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perivascular Adipose Tissue's Impact on Norepinephrine-Induced Contraction of Mesenteric Resistance Arteries.

Background: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) can decrease vascular contraction to NE. We tested the hypothesis that metabolism and/or uptake of vasoactive amines by mesenteric PVAT (MPVAT) could affect NE-induced contraction of the mesenteric resistance arteries. Methods: Mesenteric resistance vessels (MRV) and MPVAT from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. RT-PCR and Western blots were performed to detect amine metabolizing enzymes. The Amplex® Red Assay was used to quantify oxidase activity by detecting the oxidase reaction product H2O2 and the contribution of PVAT on the mesenteric arteries’ contraction to NE was measured by myography. Results: Semicarbazide sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO) and monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) were present in MRV and MPVAT by Western blot. Addition of the amine oxidase substrates tyramine or benzylamine (1 mM) resulted in higher amine oxidase activity in the MRV, MPVAT, MPVAT’s adipocyte fraction (AF) and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). Inhibiting SSAO with semicarbazide (1 mM) decreased amine oxidase activity in the MPVAT and AF. Benzylamine-driven, but not tyramine-driven, oxidase activity in the MRV was reduced by semicarbazide. By contrast, no reduction in oxidase activity in all sample types was observed with use of the monoamine oxidase inhibitors clorgyline (1 uM) or pargyline (1 uM). Inhibition of MAO-A/B or SSAO individually did not alter contraction to NE. However, inhibition of both MAO and SSAO increased the potency of NE at mesenteric arteries with PVAT. Addition of MAO and SSAO inhibitors along with the H2O2 scavenger catalase reduced PVAT’s anti-contractile effect to NE. Inhibition of the norepinephrine transporter (NET) with nisoxetine also reduced PVAT’s anti-contractile effect to NE.
Portland Oregon, Music Scenes, and Change: A Cultural Approach to Collective Strategies of Empowerment

This article highlights the role of the independent music culture of Portland, Oregon, in establishing a productive culture of consumption and spaces that contribute to the place character of the c...
Formation and Reciprocation of Dyadic Trust

This paper reports a detailed empirical study of interpersonal trust in a multi-relational online social network. This study addresses two main aspects of interpersonal trust: formation and reciprocation. Computational models developed, using multi-relational networks, for these processes provide interesting insights about online social interactions. Our findings for trust formation (initiation) indicate a strong role of lower familiarity interactions before trust(high familiarity relationship) is formed. Similarly, trust reciprocation is not automatic, but strongly depends on enough lower familiarity interactions. This study is the first quantification of the “scaffolding role” played by lower familiarity interactions, in formation of high familiarity relationships.
An Area Function Method for Estimating the Apparent Absorption Rate Constant

A new method for calculation of the apparent absorption rate constant of a drug has been derived based on the relationship between the plasma concentrations after an oral dose and the area intervals under both the oral and the intravenous plasma concentration–time curves. The method is a noncompartmental technique evolved from the convolution integral and does not use any theoretical approximation. It has been evaluated and compared with nonlinear regression analysis using NONLIN84 and moment analysis using both errorless and errant data. The approach is as adequate as nonlinear regression analysis under a variety of conditions but offers ease and simplicity in handling experimental data.
TEACHING ENTRY LEVEL CONTROL COURSE VIA A PILOT DESIGN PROJECT: A MOTIVATION-BY-CHALLENGE APPROACH

Abstract An unconventional, motivation-by-challenge approach is reported for teaching entry level control courses. This approach recognizes the difference between passive learning and active learning , therefore emphasizes on motivating the entry level students with a pilot design project that is woven into lectures from beginning through end.
Computing Equilibria on Superpositions of Logarithmic-Radial Potential Fields

Many distributed manipulation systems are capable of generating planar force fields which act over the entire surface of an object to manipulate it to a stable equilibrium within the field. Passive air flow and other physical phenomena, naturally generate force fields through the linear superposition of logarithmically varying radial potential fields. The main advantage of these fields is that they are realizable through very simple actuation. However, they do not lend themselves to analytical prediction of net forces or equilibria. This paper presents an efficient means of numerically computing the net force and moment exerted by such fields on objects composed of multiple simple shapes, as well as efficient means of finding equilibrium points on these fields.
Estrogen and Progesterone Receptor Content in Human Thyroid Disease

Recent studies have confirmed the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in many benign and malignant thyroid tumors, but their clinical significance is unclear. The estrogen and progesterone receptor content of 135 thyroid lesions was assayed prospectively from 1980 through 1986 using the dextran-coated charcoal method. The cases included 30 papillary, 13 follicular, 6 medullary, and 2 Hurthle cell carcinomas. Thirty-two follicular adenomas, 45 goiters, and 7 cases of thyroiditis also were studied. Estrogen receptor protein was positive (> or = 2 fmol/mg) in 46% of the cases, with no clear statistical predilection related to the type or size of the thyroid lesion, age, or sex. Progesterone receptor protein was positive (> or = 10 fmol/mg) in 51% of the cases, with the highest median values obtained in papillary carcinomas, particularly in male patients and women older than 50 years. Metastases at presentation, noted in 28 of 51 carcinomas, were unrelated to receptor content. Mean follow-up of 55 months in 48 patients with various carcinomas yielded 12 cases with late metastases, which were similarly unrelated to receptor content. Although estrogen receptors are commonly detectable in thyroid lesions, they have no clear relationship to presenting clinical or pathologic features or, in cases of carcinoma, to subsequent metastatic potential. The role of progesterone activity in papillary carcinoma and in goiter merits more investigation.
The effect of chemical clarification of oral fluids on porcine epidemic diarrhea virus antibody responses

Routine testing of breeding herd oral fluid (OF) samples for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) IgG and/or IgA is used to track levels of PEDV immunity over time. However, OFs contain particles of feed, feces, and inorganic material that detract from the quality of the sample. We clarified swine OF samples using lyophilized chitosan-based formulas (A-C) tested by PEDV IgG and IgA ELISAs. To evaluate both the immediate and residual effects of treatment on antibody detection, samples were tested immediately post-treatment, then stored at 4°C and retested at 2, 4, and 6 days post-treatment (DPT). Formulations were shown to effectively clarify samples. Statistical analysis comparing treated to untreated OF samples at 0 DPT found that neither chitosan nor Tween 20 affected the OF ELISA IgA and IgG sample-to-positive (S/P) ratio results ( p > 0.05). Furthermore, pairwise comparisons of 0 DPT to 2, 4, and 6 DPT results detected no significant differences ( p > 0.05) in IgA and IgG S/P ratios (i.e., treated OF samples were stable over time). Therefore, chitosan efficiently clarified OF specimens without affecting the results of the PEDV IgG and IgA antibody ELISAs.
Unbiased analysis of C. elegans behavior reveals the use of distinct turning strategies during magnetic Orientation

Abstract To successfully navigate their surroundings, animals detect and orient to environmental stimuli possessing unique physical properties. Most animals can derive directional information from spatial or temporal changes in stimulus intensity (e.g. chemo- and thermo-taxis). However, some biologically relevant stimuli have constant intensity at most organismal scales. The gravitational and magnetic fields of the earth are examples of uniform stimuli that remain constant at most relevant scales. While devoid of information associated with intensity changes, the vectorial nature of these fields intrinsically encodes directional information. While much is known about behavioral strategies that exploit changes in stimulus intensity (gradients), less is understood about orientation to uniform stimuli. Nowhere is this truer than with magnetic orientation. While many organisms are known to orient to the magnetic field of the earth, how these animals extract information from the earth’s magnetic field remains unresolved. Here we use the nematode C. elegans to investigate behavioral strategies for orientation to magnetic fields, and compare our findings to the better characterized chemical and thermal orientation strategies. We used an unbiased cluster analysis to categorize, quantify, and compare behavioral components underlying different orientation strategies as a way to quantify and compare animal orientation to distinct stimuli. We find that in the presence of an earth-like magnetic field, worms perform acute angle turns (140-171°) that significantly improved their alignment with the direction of an imposed magnetic vector. In contrast, animals performed high amplitude turns (46-82°) that significantly increased alignment of their trajectory with the preferred migratory angle. We conclude that C. elegans orients to earth-strength magnetic fields using two independent behavioral strategies, in contrast to orientation strategies to graded stimuli. Understanding how C. elegans detects and orients to magnetic fields will provide useful insight into how many species across taxa accomplish this fascinating sensory feat.
Detection of new vitiviruses infecting grapevine in California

Recently, five new viruses from the genus Vitivirus were identified and named grapevine virus G, H, I, J and L. These viruses were targeted in a survey to evaluate their prevalence in different grapevine populations in California. Excluding a single detection of GVJ, other vitiviruses were detected infecting several grapevine selections via RT-PCR and later confirmed by sequencing. This paper represents the first report of GVG, GVH and GVI in California. In a preliminary analysis, the sequence diversity between identified isolates of GVG, GVH, GVI and GVL was investigated using distance matrices and phylogenetics. Finally, coinfections involving diverse vitiviruses and leafroll viruses were evidenced.
Anomaly Detection Using Symbolic Algebra

Optimized and custom arithmetic circuits are widely used in embedded systems such as multimedia applications, cryptography systems, signal processing, and console games. Verification of arithmetic circuits is a challenge due to increasing complexity coupled with non-standard implementations. Existing algebraic rewriting techniques produce a remainder to indicate the presence of a potential Trojan. However, Trojan localization remains a major bottleneck. Simulation-based validation using random or constrained-random tests is not effective for complex arithmetic circuits due to bit-blasting. In this chapter, we present an automated test generation and Trojan localization technique for arithmetic circuits. We consider gate-replacement Trojan or signal inversion that changes the functionality of the design as the threat model. In this chapter, we present an automated approach for generating directed tests by suitable assignments of input variables to make the remainder non-zero. The generated tests are guaranteed to activate Trojans. We also present an automatic Trojan removal technique by utilizing the patterns of the remainder terms as well as by analyzing the regions activated by the generated tests to detect and correct the Trojan(s). We also present an efficient anomaly detection and correction algorithm that can handle multiple dependent as well as independent Trojans. This framework is capable of producing a corrected implementation of arithmetic circuits without any manual intervention. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach can be used for automated anomaly detection and correction of large and complex arithmetic circuits.
Selective laser melting of high-strength primary AlSi9Cu3 alloy: Processability, microstructure, and mechanical properties

Abstract The present work explores the possibility of employing the selective laser melting technique to produce parts in AlSi9Cu3 alloy. This alloy, currently prepared by high-pressure dye casting and intended for automotive application, may benefit from the refined microstructure commonly induced by additive manufacturing techniques. The process parameters were systematically varied to achieve full density, and the resulting defects were studied. Thereafter, microstructural features were analyzed, revealing that the high cooling rate, induced by the process, caused a large supersaturation of the aluminum matrix and the refinement of the eutectic structure. Again, the precipitation of the reinforcing θ phase provided numerous nucleation sites. These features were found to be related to the mechanical behavior of the SLMed AlSi9Cu3 alloy, which outperformed the conventional casted alloy in terms of elongation to failure and strain hardening rate both in the as-built and heat treated conditions.
Tunable swelling and deswelling of temperature- and light-responsive graphene oxide-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) composite hydrogels

Tunable swelling and deswelling behaviors of graphene oxide-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (GO-PNIPAM) composite hydrogels are demonstrated by controlling the internal microstructures and the rate of the external temperature change. The different internal microstructures of GO-PNIPAM composite hydrogels as a function of concentrations of GO and chemical crosslinkers explain their different swelling and deswelling ratios. Furthermore, the light-driven shape deformation of GO-PNIPAM is demonstrated by utilizing the photothermal properties of GO. This approach offers promise for light and temperature-responsive actuators and sensors, and biomedical applications.
Realizing the promises of replication studies in education

In the “what works” agenda, the case for replication studies in education has strong proponents and supporting arguments. This paper outlines some of their key claims and argues that replication st...
Maternal grief: analysis and therapeutic recommendations.

The following self-analysis contains key experiences of maternal grief over the course of the first 2 years following the death of a child, with specific examples and observations from bereaved mothers shared with the author. The references provide supporting evidence for commonality of the lived experience and observations. Therapeutic responses for clinicians give concrete direction for providing effective comfort. Self-care suggestions for mothers provide specific guidance for the readers. A 14-year retrospective epilogue puts the charged emotional description into a context of healing.
Measurements make the phase

Measuring a quantum state often enough can leave you with a completely different phase of matter. Mix in competing measurements and you may find yourself with an entire phase diagram of dynamical quantum states and transitions.
Microbial lipid biosynthesis from lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis products

Abstract Lipids are a biorefinery platform to prepare fuel, food and health products. They are traditionally obtained from plants, but those of microbial origin allow for a better use of land and C resources, among other benefits. Several (thermo)chemical and biochemical strategies are used for the conversion of C contained in lignocellulosic biomass into lipids. In particular, pyrolysis can process virtually any biomass and is easy to scale up. Products offer cost-effective, renewable C in the form of readily fermentable molecules and other upgradable intermediates. Although the production of microbial lipids has been studied for 30 years, their incorporation into biorefineries was only described a few years ago. As pyrolysis becomes a profitable technology to depolymerize lignocellulosic biomass into assimilable C, the number of investigations on it raises significantly. This article describes the challenges and opportunities resulting from the combination of lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis and lipid biosynthesis with oleaginous microorganisms. First, this work presents the basics of the individual processes, and then it shows state-of-the-art processes for the preparation of microbial lipids from biomass pyrolysis products. Advanced knowledge on separation techniques, structure analysis, and fermentability is detailed for each biomass pyrolysis fraction. Finally, the microbial fatty acid platform comprising biofuel, human food and animal feed products, and others, is presented. Literature shows that the microbial lipid production from anhydrosugars, like levoglucosan, and short-chain organic acids, like acetic acid, is straightforward. Indeed, processes achieving nearly theoretical yields form the latter have been described. Some authors have shown that lipid biosynthesis from different lignin sources is biochemically feasible. However, it still imposes major challenges regarding strain performance. No report on the fermentation of pyrolytic lignin is yet available. Research on the microbial uptake of pyrolytic humins remains vacant. Microorganisms that make use of methane show promising results at the proof-of-concept level. Overall, despite some issues need to be tackled, it is now possible to conceive new versatile biorefinery models by combining lignocellulosic biomass pyrolysis products and robust oleaginous microbial cell factories.
Vascular Malformations of the Spine

Spinal vascular malformation are rare lesions and can present with signs and symptoms ranging from an insidious neurologic decline to acute deterioration depending on the type of vascular malformation and mechanism of spinal cord injury. The most widely accepted classification system is four tiered and includes: Type I, dural arteriovenous fistula (AVF); Type II, intramedullary arteriovenous malformation; Type III, juvenile arteriovenous malformation; and Type IV, intradural perimedullary arteriovenous fistula. Additional spinal vascular lesions include cavernous malformations and spinal aneurysms. Given that the natural history of these lesions in the pediatric population is poorly elucidated, treatment decisions must be individualized. In most circumstances treatment is recommended, as the natural history is believed to be one of neurologic deterioration.
Detecting and preventing post-hematopoietic cell transplant relapse in AML.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Relapsed disease is the primary cause of mortality for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). This review outlines the most recent advances in the detection and prevention of AML relapse following allogeneic HCT. RECENT FINDINGS Conventional methods for predicting post-HCT relapse rely on the molecular and cytogenetics features present at diagnosis. These methods are slow to reflect a growing understanding of the molecular heterogeneity of AML and impact of new therapies on post-HCT outcomes. The use of measurable residual disease (MRD) techniques, including multiparameter flow cytometry and molecular testing, may improve the prognostic ability of these models and should be incorporated into post-HCT surveillance whenever possible.In the post-HCT setting, FLT3 inhibitor maintenance data indicate that effective therapies can improve post-HCT outcomes. Maintenance data with DNA methyltransferase inhibitor monotherapy is less compelling and outcomes may improve with combinations. Early interventions directed at preemptive management of MRD may further improve post-HCT outcomes. SUMMARY Post-HCT AML relapse prevention has evolved to include more sensitive measures of disease detection and novel therapies that may improve outcomes of poor-risk AML patients. Additional work is needed to maintain this progress.
Isolate and sequence ribosome-protected mRNA fragments using size-exclusion chromatography

Investigating translationally active mRNA involves isolating and sequencing RNA directly associated with the ribosome. Traditionally, isolating these complexes involved sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation, which is tedious and technically difficult. ARTseq™ (active RNA translation) Ribosome Profiling Kits provide an alternative method for obtaining ribosome-protected RNA fragments using size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) columns. Both methods produce similar results, yet ARTseq™ offers a more rapid and simple method of enriching ribosome-bound mRNA fragments.
Effect of cataract surgery on cognitive function in older adults.

Objectives: To assess whether cataract surgery has an effect on cognitive function in older adults. Design: Longitudinal. Setting: Assessment of patients seen in eye clinics. Participants: Patients with no cataract (n=92), patients with cataract who elected surgery (n=122), and patients with cataract who declined surgery (n=87). Measurements: At baseline and 1-year follow-up visits, the following information was obtained: demographic, health behavior, general health status, medication use, depressive symptoms, cognitive function, and visual function information. This information was compared within and between groups at baseline and follow-up visits. Results: Mattis Organic Mental Syndrome Screening Examination scores at baseline and follow-up varied across the three groups, with the cataract/no surgery group having the highest scores (more cognitive impairment) and the no-cataract group having the lowest scores (less cognitive impairment). For the within-group analysis, at follow-up, the cataract/no surgery group and the cataract/surgery group had significantly less cognitive impairment (P<.001), whereas the no-cataract group experienced no change. For those with cataract, there were no associations between changes in visual function and cognitive function. Conclusion: Improvement in cognitive function may occur after cataract surgery but cannot be attributed to the cataract surgery per se or to improved visual function. Clinicians may find this information useful when discussing the nonvisual outcomes of cataract surgery with patients.
The Weyl Integration Formula

Let G be a compact, connected Lie group, and let T be a maximal torus. Theorem 16.5 implies that every conjugacy class meets T. Thus, we should be able to compute the Haar integral of a class function (for example, the inner product of two characters) as an integral over the torus. The formula that allows this, the Weyl Integration Formula, is therefore fundamental in representation theory and in other areas, such as random matrix theory.
Multiphase flow of miscible liquids: jets and drops

Drops and jets of liquids that are miscible with the surrounding bulk liquid are present in many processes from cleaning surfaces with the aid of liquid soaps to the creation of biocompatible implants for drug delivery. Although the interactions of immiscible drops and jets show similarities to miscible systems, the small, transient interfacial tension associated with miscible systems create distinct outcomes such as intricate droplet shapes and breakup resistant jets. Experiments have been conducted to understand several basic multiphase flow problems involving miscible liquids. Using high-speed imaging of the morphological evolution of the flows, we have been able to show that these processes are controlled by interfacial tensions. Further multiphase flows include investigating miscible jets, which allow the creation of fibers from inelastic materials that are otherwise difficult to process due to capillary breakup. This work shows that stabilization from the diminishing interfacial tensions of the miscible jets allows various elongated morphologies to be formed.
Physics issues in the design of a high extraction efficiency wiggler for a free-electron laser oscillator

A number of physics issues are relevant to the design of a high extraction efficiency wiggler for a free-electron laser (FEL) oscillator. The physics issues we address here are the following: (1) the balance of small-signal gain with maximum extraction efficiency when the wiggler length is constrained; (2) degradation of the electron extraction efficiency with the onset of the sideband instability and the use of corrective frequency filtering techniques to suppress the sideband; (3) reduction of efficiency due to the structure of the electron micropulse and that due to cavity length detuning; and (4) 3-D effects such as electron-beam emittance, focusing and refractive effects, misalignments, and the self-consistent FEL resonator solution with the electron beam present. We have developed several numerical models with increasing complexity to isolate and address the above physics issues. Each of these models is described in the following summary of the procedure we use to design a wiggler.
Iron Chelators and Therapeutic Uses

Iron is an essential cofactor in a variety of biological redox reactions; life without this metal is virtually unknown. Because of its exceptionally poor solubility in the biosphere, bacteria produce relatively low molecular weight, virtually iron(III)-specific, ligands, siderophores, for the purpose of acquiring this transition metal. On the other hand, higher eukaryotes generate proteins to acquire and store iron. In humans, the process of iron absorption and processing is very tightly controlled. However, the lack of an efficient means of elimination can, under certain conditions, result in iron overload, which can elicit oxidative tissue damage through the Fenton reaction. Accordingly, chelating agents have been tested over the last several decades for the purpose of rendering excess iron excretable. The currently accepted therapy for global iron overload, as occurs after repeated blood transfusions, is a siderophore, desferrioxamine B (DFO), which is administered subcutaneously as its mesylate salt (Desferal). Two synthetic agents, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one (Ferriprox, deferiprone, L1), have been used for the treatment of iron overload as well. Unfortunately, all three of these ligands have drawbacks. The kinetics and lack of oral bioavailability of DFO require that this compound be administered subcutaneously 12 h/day, up to 6 days/week, a regimen with which many patients find it difficult to comply. The lack of chelating specificity of DTPA restricts its use to those who cannot tolerate therapy with DFO; questions remain unanswered regarding the efficacy and toxicity profile of L1. The ongoing efforts to find a worthy successor to DFO include the use of a synthetic agent, N,N′-bis(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid (HBED), which, although it would require subcutaneous administration, is significantly more efficient than DFO. Another avenue is using siderophores (e.g., desferrithiocin, parabactin) as platforms from which to design either orally or parenterally active iron chelators. Because of the necessity of striking a balance between efficacy (i.e., sufficient iron chelation) and toxicity (i.e., excessive iron removal), drug development in the arena of iron chelation therapy presents unique challenges. However, the application of sensible drug design principles predicated on our understanding of iron metabolism, modern synthetic techniques, and the use of appropriate animal models should bring about improved therapeutic agents for the treatment of both global and focal iron overload in the years to come. Keywords: iron overload; chelating agent; siderophore; desferrioxamine; structure-activity
A unique ribonucleoprotein complex assembles preferentially on ecdysone-responsive sites in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract The protein on ecdysone puffs (PEP) is associated preferentially with active ecdysone-inducible puffs on Drosophila polytene chromosomes and contains sequence motifs characteristic of transcription factors and RNA-binding proteins (S. A. Amero, S. C. R. Elgin, and A. L. Beyer, Genes Dev. 5:188-200, 1991). PEP is associated with RNA in vivo, as demonstrated here by the sensitivity of PEP-specific chromosomal immunostaining in situ to RNase digestion and by the immunopurification of PEP in Drosophila cell extract with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) complexes. As revealed by sequential immunostaining, PEP is found on a subset of chromosomal sites bound by the HRB (heterogeneous nuclear RNA-binding) proteins, which are basic Drosophila hnRNPs. These observations lead us to suggest that a unique, PEP-containing hnRNP complex assembles preferentially on the transcripts of ecdysone-regulated genes in Drosophila melanogaster presumably to expedite the transcription and/or processing of these transcripts.
Translational aspects of cardiac cell therapy

Cell therapy has been intensely studied for over a decade as a potential treatment for ischaemic heart disease. While initial trials using skeletal myoblasts, bone marrow cells and peripheral blood stem cells showed promise in improving cardiac function, benefits were found to be short-lived likely related to limited survival and engraftment of the delivered cells. The discovery of putative cardiac ‘progenitor’ cells as well as the creation of induced pluripotent stem cells has led to the delivery of cells potentially capable of electromechanical integration into existing tissue. An alternative strategy involving either direct reprogramming of endogenous cardiac fibroblasts or stimulation of resident cardiomyocytes to regenerate new myocytes can potentially overcome the limitations of exogenous cell delivery. Complimentary approaches utilizing combination cell therapy and bioengineering techniques may be necessary to provide the proper milieu for clinically significant regeneration. Clinical trials employing bone marrow cells, mesenchymal stem cells and cardiac progenitor cells have demonstrated safety of catheter based cell delivery, with suggestion of limited improvement in ventricular function and reduction in infarct size. Ongoing trials are investigating potential benefits to outcome such as morbidity and mortality. These and future trials will clarify the optimal cell types and delivery conditions for therapeutic effect.
Generation of dark solitons under optical conditions

The authors demonstrate that it is possible to optimize the operation of a waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometer for generating dark solitons under constant background. As compared with the case of complete modulation, a 30% reduction of both laser power and driving voltage can be achieved simultaneously. Using the signal thus generated, they can obtain dark solitons of relatively high power and short duration by compression through SRS amplification. >
Empirical Localization Functions for Ensemble Kalman Filter Data Assimilation in Regions with and without Precipitation

AbstractFor ensemble-based data assimilation, localization is used to limit the impact of observations on physically distant state variables to reduce spurious error correlations caused by limited ensemble size. Traditionally, the localization value applied is spatially homogeneous. Yet there are potentially larger errors and different covariance length scales in precipitation systems, and that may justify the use of different localization functions for precipitating and nonprecipitating regions. Here this is examined using empirical localization functions (ELFs). Using output from an ensemble observing system simulation experiment (OSSE), ELFs provide estimates of horizontal and vertical localization for different observation types in regions with and without precipitation. For temperature and u- and υ-wind observations, the ELFs for precipitating regions are shown to have smaller horizontal localization scales than for nonprecipitating regions. However, the ELFs for precipitating regions generally have ...
Molecular weight-gyration radius relation of globular proteins: a comparison of light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering and structure-based data.

The molecular weight–gyration radius relation for a number of globular proteins based on experimental light scattering data is compared with small-angle X-ray scattering data recently published by Mylonas & Svergun [J. Appl. Cryst. (2007), 40, s245–s249]. In addition, other recent experimental data and theoretical calculations are reviewed. It is found that the MW–Rg relation for the globular proteins is well represented by a power law with an exponent of 0.37 (2).
Nucleohistone as template for the replication of DNA

Abstract The nucleohistone component of pea embryo chromatin is effective in the support of DNA-dependent DNA synthesis although it is totally ineffective in the support of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis. Presence of histone decreases the rate and extent of DNA synthesis. The requirements for DNA synthesis and the DNA synthesized with nucleohistone as template are similar to requirements and product synthesized with deproteinized DNA as template. These results show that DNA can be replicated while complexed as nucleohistone and suggest the histone moiety may play a role in regulating the extent of DNA synthesis.
Flexible beamforming for optically controlled phased array antennas

Unique photonic beamformer and remoting head for phased array antennas in broadcast mode wireless communications is proposed that enables flexible antenna array upgrades via software and flexible front-head attachments. This array controller capability leads to user defined changes in number of antenna elements, antenna aperture shape, antenna aperture size and antenna carrier frequency. Experimental proof-of-concept flexible beamforming results are described that generate the desired set of phase shifted radio frequency signals. The flexible beamformer is particularly suited for generating multiple broadcast antenna beams.
Bioluminescent aposematism in millipedes

Summary Bioluminescence — the ability of organisms to emit light — has evolved about 40–50 times independently across the tree of life [1]. Many different functions for bioluminescence have been proposed, for example, mate recognition, prey attraction, camouflage, and warning coloration. Millipedes in the genus Motyxia produce a greenish-blue light at a wavelength of 495 nm that can be seen in darkness [2]. These detritivores defend themselves with cyanide, which they generate internally and discharge through lateral ozopores [3]. Motyxia are an ideal model system to investigate the ecological role of bioluminescence because they are blind, thus limiting their visual signalling to other organisms, for example predators. While the biochemical mechanisms underlying Motyxia bioluminescence have been studied in detail [2,4], its adaptive significance remained unknown [5,6]. We here show that bioluminescence has a single evolutionary origin in millipedes and it serves as an aposematic warning signal to deter nocturnal mammalian predators. Among the numerous examples of bioluminescence, this is the first field experiment in any organism to demonstrate that bioluminescence functions as a warning signal. Video Abstract The editors of Current Biology welcome correspondence on any article in the journal, but reserve the right to reduce the length of any letter to be published. All Correspondence containing data or scientific argument will be refereed. Queries about articles for consideration in this format should be sent by e-mail to cbiol@current-biology.com
Electron relaxation time anisotropy due to dislocations in copper

Abstract Direct measurements of neck and belly electron relaxation times using the de Haas-ven Alphen effect in strained copper crystals indicate that 1/τ increases linearly with dislocation density, τ n is 10 −12 seconds for 3.5 × 10 7 dislocations cm −2 , and τ b is more than four times larger than τ n .
Applications of the theory of meaningfulness to psychology

Abstract The theory of meaningfulness of statements using numerical scales is summarized. Applications of this theory are surveyed. These deal with average performance, importance ratings, statistical tests, indices of consumer confidence, psychophysical scaling, block modeling of social structure, structural modeling in decision making, and the analysis of order and matching experiments.
Transmission and line broadening in the Mössbauer effect. II

Abstract Calculations expressing the shape of the Mossbauer line to be expected in a transmission-type experiment are extended to the case where both emission and absorption spectra are split by a hyperfine interaction. To see the effects of spectral shape, Gaussian as well as Lorentzian spectra are considered. The results indicate that the characteristics of the transmitted line are strongly dependent upon the spectral shape. To test the calculations, the transmitted line shape was measured as a function of absorber thickness. These experiments were performed with the 14.4 keV radiation emitted by Fe 57 . To obtain unsplit spectra, Type 310 stainless steel was used for both source backing and absorbers. The observed line was more than four times as wide as the natural width, and was neither Lorentzian nor Gaussian. An unambiguous comparison with the calculations is therefore impossible. Averaging the results of analyses based on Lorentzian and Gaussian shapes yields f =67%, f ′ A =137% for those source and absorber recoilless fractions. Identically split spectra were obtained by using Armco iron for the source backing and the absorbers. In this case, the central resonance line was approximately Lorentzian. Applying the corresponding analysis yields f =67%, f ′ A =144%. These anomalously high values of f ′ A were obtained by using a conversion coefficient of15. To obtain reasonable values, a conversion coefficient of about 8 is required.
Socially Responsible Investing: An Investor Perspective

Given the growing importance of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), it is surprising that there is no consensus of what the term SRI means to an investor. Further, most studies of this question rely solely on the views of investors who already invest in SRI funds. Our study surveys a unique pool of approximately 5,000 investors that contains both investors who have used SRI criteria in investment decisions and those who have not, and involves a broad array of criteria associated with SR investing. Our findings offer new insight into the SRI debate. For both sets of investors, environmental and sustainability issues dominate as the major category associated with SR investing. We find strong agreement in the ranking of the relative importance of various SRI factors despite differences between these two groups in their opinion of their overall importance. We also find that investors prefer to consider the SRI question in more holistic terms rather than using the exclusionary format favored by most SRI funds. Investors seem to prefer to reward firms who display overall positive social behavior rather than to exclude firms on the basis of certain products or practices. These findings can help providers of SR investment vehicles to improve the SRI products that they offer to the general investor, thus both encouraging the initial adoption of SR criteria by investors and increasing overall investment in SR choices.
Water Activity Determination with the Proximity Equilibration Cell

The objective was to develop a new method for water activity (aw) determination. A reference material (circle of filter paper) of known sorption isotherm was equilibrated to the sample. Sorption isotherm data for this paper were obtained by equilibrating for 24 hr to each of six salt slushes; these data were described well by a linear equation relating moisture content to log (1 − aw). This equation served as the calibration curve. Results showed that this new method (1) does not require a vacuum, (2) gives a linear calibration equation, (3) is applicable over the aw range from 0.40–0.98, and (4) with minor replication can bring the standard deviation of the mean to less than ± 0.01.
Horizontal transfer of a large and highly toxic secondary metabolic gene cluster between fungi.

Summary Genes involved in intermediary and secondary metabolism in fungi are frequently physically linked or clustered. For example, in Aspergillus nidulans the entire pathway for the production of sterigmatocystin (ST), a highly toxic secondary metabolite and a precursor to the aflatoxins (AF), is located in a ∼54 kb, 23 gene cluster. We discovered that a complete ST gene cluster in Podospora anserina was horizontally transferred from Aspergillus . Phylogenetic analysis shows that most Podospora cluster genes are adjacent to or nested within Aspergillus cluster genes, although the two genera belong to different taxonomic classes. Furthermore, the Podospora cluster is highly conserved in content, sequence, and microsynteny with the Aspergillus ST/AF clusters and its intergenic regions contain 14 putative binding sites for AflR, the transcription factor required for activation of the ST / AF biosynthetic genes. Examination of ∼52,000 Podospora expressed sequence tags identified transcripts for 14 genes in the cluster, with several expressed at multiple life cycle stages. The presence of putative AflR-binding sites and the expression evidence for several cluster genes, coupled with the recent independent discovery of ST production in Podospora [1], suggest that this HGT event probably resulted in a functional cluster. Given the abundance of metabolic gene clusters in fungi, our finding that one of the largest known metabolic gene clusters moved intact between species suggests that such transfers might have significantly contributed to fungal metabolic diversity. PaperFlick
Purinergic signaling underlies CFTR control of human airway epithelial cell volume.

Abstract Background : Loss of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) function in cystic fibrosis (CF) causes dysregulation of multiple ion channels, water channels, and acid–base transporters in epithelia. As such, we hypothesized that dysregulation of many critical ion channels and transporters may cause defects in human airway epithelial cell volume regulation. Methods : Cell volume, regulatory volume decrease, and its regulation was assessed in real-time via Coulter Counter Multisizer III-driven electronic cell sizing in non-CF, CF, and CFTR-complemented CF human airway epithelial cells. SPQ halide fluorescence assay of hypotonicity-induced chloride efflux provided indirect validation of the cell volume assays. Results : CFTR, via autocrine ATP signaling, governs human airway epithelial cell volume regulation. Non-CF cells and wild-type (WT)-CFTR-transfected CF cells had normal regulatory volume decrease (RVD) responses that were attenuated by blockade of autocrine and paracrine purinergic signaling. In contrast, parental IB3-1 CF cells or IB3-1 cells expressing CFTR mutants (ΔF508, G551D, and S1455X) failed to RVD. CF cell RVD was rescued by agonists to P2Y G protein-coupled receptors and, more robustly, by agonists to P2X purinergic receptor channels. Conclusions : Loss of CFTR and CFTR-driven autocrine ATP signaling may underlie defective cell volume regulation and dysregulated ion, water, and acid–base transport in CF airway epithelia.
Generic utility theory: measurement foundations and applications in multiattribute utility theory

Abstract A utility representation is formulated that is generic in the sense that it is implied by many stronger utility theories, yet it does not make assumptions peculiar to particular utility theories. The generic utility representation postulates that the preference order on a subset of two-outcome gambles with fixed probability is represented by an additive combination of the utility of the outcomes. Although many utility theories imply that this representation should be satisfied, standard additive conjoint formalizations do not provide an axiomatization of the generic utility representation because the preference ordering is only defined on a proper subset of a Cartesian product. (The precise specification of the subset is stated in the paper.) An axiomatization of the generic utility representation is presented here, along with proofs of the existence and interval scale uniqueness of the representation. The representation and uniqueness theorems extend additive conjoint measurement to a structure in which the empirical ordering is only defined on a proper subset of a Cartesian product. The generic utility theory is important because formalizations and experimental tests carried out within its framework will be meaningful from the standpoint of any stronger theory that implies the generic utility theory. Expected utility theory, subjective expected utility theory, Kahneman and Tversky's prospect theory ((1979). Econometrica, 47, 263–291), and Luce and Narens' dual bilinear model ((1985). Journal of Mathematical Psychology, 29, 1–72) all imply that selected subsets of gambles satisfy generic utility representations. Thus, utility investigations carried out within the generic utility theory are interpretable from the standpoint of these stronger theories. Formalizations of two-factor additive and multiplicative utility models and of parametric utility models are presented within the generic utility framework. The formalizations illustrate how to develop multiattribute and parametric utility models in the generic utility framework and, hence, within the framework of stronger theories that imply it. In particular, the formalizations show how to develop multiattribute and parametric utility models within prospect theory and the dual bilinear model.
Can CH cations and nobel gases form stable chemical systems? The density functional theory and ab initio studies of the stability of CHHe+ and CHHe2+

Abstract The singlet and triplet structures ofCHHe+ and doublet structure CHHe2+ were investigated with hybrid, local and gradient-corrected density functional theory (DFT) methods, as well as HF, MP2, G1, G2 and CBS-Q ab initio methods. In all calculations, a 6–311++G(3df,3pd) basis set was used. High level ab initio calculations predict that singlet CHHe+ was ∼26 kcal mol−1 more stable than the corresponding triplet CHHe+, while hybrid and gradient-corrected DFT methods estimate that the energy preference is around 16 kcal mol−1. Nevertheless, CHHe2+ should be more stable than singlet CHHe+ because the computed CHe bond dissociation energy for singlet CHHe2+ is ~14 kcal mol−1 in comparison with ~1 kcal mol−1 for CHHe+. These results indicate that CHHe2+ should be detectable in mass spectroscopic studies.
Crystal Structure of the 14-3-3ζ:Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase Complex: A Role for Scaffolding in Enzyme Regulation

Abstract Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) controls the daily rhythm in melatonin synthesis. When isolated from tissue, AANAT copurifies with isoforms ϵ and ζ of 14-3-3. We have determined the structure of AANAT bound to 14-3-3ζ, an association that is phosphorylation dependent. AANAT is bound in the central channel of the 14-3-3ζ dimer, and is held in place by extensive interactions both with the amphipathic phosphopeptide binding groove of 14-3-3ζ and with other parts of the central channel. Thermodynamic and activity measurements, together with crystallographic analysis, indicate that binding of AANAT by 14-3-3ζ modulates AANAT's activity and affinity for its substrates by stabilizing a region of AANAT involved in substrate binding.