cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chemistry and thermal history of metal particles in Luna 20 soils.

Individual metal particles from Luna 20 thin sections 521, 513 and 514 as well as several small metallic inclusions in silicate particles from Luna 20 thin sections 501 and 502 were examined using optical microscopy and the electron microprobe. All the metallic particles and inclusions analyzed are of meteoritic Co-Ni content as are most of the metallic particles from the Fra Mauro and the Apollo 16 highlands sites. It is proposed that most of the metal at these 3 sites had its origin in the meteoritic projectiles that bombarded and accumulated in the early lunar crust. It is apparent that the metallic particles and some of the metallic inclusions in the Luna 20 soil have been subjected to reheating on the moon and this process has removed any evidence of the original meteoritic microstructure of the metal.
CT04 ULTRA MINIMALLY INVASIVE MITRAL VALVE SURGERY WITHOUT AORTIC CROSS CLAMP

Objective We developed a technique for mitral valve surgery through an ultra small (5 cm) right lateral thoracotomy without aortic cross clamp. This study reports our combined ST. Thomas and Vanderbilt Heart Institutes five years experience with this technique. Methods Six hundred and twenty five (316 M /309 F; aged 22–75 mean of 62 years) underwent ultra minimally invasive mitral valve surgery between August 2000 and June 2006. Through a 5 centimeter right lateral thoracotomy along the 4th intercostal space access to the pericardium and the left atrium was gained. Cardiopulmonary bypass was instituted through femoral cannulation. Under cold fibrillatory arrest (28°C) without aortic cross clamp, mitral valve repair (n = 196) or replacement (n = 380), in addition to mitral valve procedure we performed tricuspid valve repair (n = 69), ASD/PFO closure (n = 201) and Maze (n = 156). Mean pre operative New York Heart Association function class was 2.2 ± 0.9. Twenty eight patients had ejection fraction less than 20%. Results Thirty-day mortality was 1.28% (n = 8), Operating time, bypass time operating averaged 189 ± 52, 113 ± 35 minutes, respectively. Three patients had conversion to sternotomy. Fifteen patients (2.4%) underwent reexploration for bleeding. Average length of hospital stay from surgery to discharge was 6.85 ± 3 days. Ten patients (1.6%) had neurological events. Renal failure required hemodialysis in 5 patients (0.81%). Long term follow-up results are awaited. Conclusions This study demonstrate that this simplified technique of ultra minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is reproducible and provides the least invasive operative approach with low mortality and morbidity with good cosmetic results.
Vegetational history of the Springfield coal (Middle Pennsylvanian of Illinois) and distribution patterns of a tree-fern miospore, Thymospora pseudothiessenii, based on miospore profiles

Abstract The vegetational history of the Springfield (No. 5) Coal Member in the southwestern and southeasternmost portion of the Illinois Basin is reconstructed from palynological profiles of the coal seam. In most parts of the swamp dominance was shared by arborescent lycopods that produced Lycospora granulata, and two tree ferns that produced Thymospora pseudothiessenii and Laevigatosporites globosus. The profiles suggest that populations of the Thymospora producing tree fern occupied sites for long periods. In the Southwestern portion of the basin vegetation changes can be correlated to the splitting of a coal in the proximity to a paleochannel. A greater understanding of the ecological requirements of some of the spore taxa of the Springfield Coal is seen by the patterns of the same taxa in surrounding Spoon and Carbondale Coals. Some taxa appear to be more generalists and other more specialists that are more restricted to a certain type of coal.
Description of Quantum Noise by a Langevin Equation

General features of the quantum noise problem expressed as the equations of motion for a particle coupled to a set of oscillators are investigated analytically. Account is taken of the properties of the companion oscillators by formulating quantum statistical correlation Langevin equations (QSLE). The frequency of the oscillators is then retained as a natural cut-off for the quantum noise. The QSLE is further extended to encompass the particle trajectory and is bounded by initial and final states of the oscillator. The states are expressed as the probability of existence at the moment of particle collision that takes the oscillator into a final state. Two noise sources then exist: a statistical uncertainty of the initial state and the quantum dynamical uncertainty associated with a transition from the initial to final state. Feynman's path-integral formulation is used to characterize the functional of the particle trajectory, which slows the particle. It is shown that the energy loss may be attributed to friction, which satisfies energy conservation laws.
Regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism by phenylarsine oxide

Abstract Preincubation of rat liver cells (the C-9 cell line) for 25 min with phenylarsine oxide at levels ranging from 0.06 to 0.6 μM amplifies prostaglandin I2 production when subsequently stimulated by platelet activating factor, lysine vasopressin, bradykinin, thapsigargin, and the Ca2+ ionophore, A-23187, but not that stimulated by exogenous arachidonic acid. The amplification is decreased after preincubation for 25 min with 1.8 μM phenylarsine oxide. Preincubation of mouse lymphoma cells (the WEHI-3 cell line) with phenylarsine oxide at levels ranging from 0.06 to 1.8 μM for 60 min does not affect prostaglandin E2 levels but inhibits leukotriene B4 and C4 production stimulated by the Ca2+-ionophore, A-23187. Amplification of prostaglandin production by phenylarsine oxide is reversed 100 times more effectively by 2,3-dimercaptopropanol than by 2-mercaptoethanol. Deesterification of lipids appears to be regulated positively in rat liver cells and leukotriene production negatively in mouse lymphoma cells by phosphorylation of tyrosine.
AQUATIC MATING STRATEGIES OF THE MALE PACIFIC HARBOR SEAL (PHOCA VITULINA RICHARDII): ARE MALES DEFENDING THE HOTSPOT?

Compared to the harem and resource defense systems of terrestrial mating pinnipeds, males of aquatic mating species appear unable to monopolize females or resources. We investigated movements, acoustics, and aquatic territorial behavior of male harbor seals, Phoca vitulina richardii, in Elkhorn Slough, California, using VHF telemetry, hydrophones, and acoustic playback experiments. During the mating season 22 males increased time spent in the water and away from haul-out locations, exhibiting activity patterns similar to Atlantic subspecies. Two acoustic display patterns were observed. At one location multiple males aggregated to display with acoustic activity peaking one month before peak estrus. At two other locations, lone males displayed primarily during peak estrus. Acoustic display areas were non-adjacent with a mean ± SE size of 4,228 ± 576 m 2 , similar to harbor seal display patterns in the Moray Firth, Scotland. Underwater playbacks of male vocalizations were used to define territorial boundaries by inducing responses from territory-holding males. Four solitary males defended adjacent territories (mean area 39,571 ± 18,818 m 2 ) along a travel corridor, similar to observations of harbor seals at Miquelon, Newfoundland. Acoustic display stations appeared to be subcomponents of larger territories. Males exhibited site fidelity to territories for at least 2-4 yr. Females moved through territories freely. The establishment of male-display territories along female-traffic corridors resembles terrestrial systems described as hotspot leks.
Performance of a Spatial-Filter-Equipped Single Monochromator for Raman Spectroscopy

A technique for reducing stray-light artifacts in Raman spectroscopy is described. The performance of a spatial filter at the output of a single monochromator is reported. The filter reduces both the diffuse background and the scattered-light artifacts encountered in single monochromators while maintaining high luminous throughput. Unlike other wavelength-selective methods for rejecting laser-excitation light (such as use of holographic edge or notch filters), spatial filtering of scattering artifacts may be used with any excitation wavelength. This is an advantage for Raman spectroscopy in the quartz ultraviolet region where holographic filters are not yet available. The enhanced ability to observe low-wavenumber scattering with an optical multichannel detector on a single monochromator is a particular advantage of the method.
Effectiveness of a manual furniture handling device in reducing low back disorders risk factors

Abstract Low back disorders (LBDs) are prevalent in the manual furniture moving industry. However, few practical lifting aids are available, especially when handling objects requiring two movers. A belt system, the GRIPSystem™, has been developed to assist movers who operate in pairs while lifting heavy and awkward furniture. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this manual device in reducing key low back disorders risk factors. Twelve experienced movers (9 male and 3 female) were recruited to participate in this study. The participants lifted three household furniture items, at three varied weights, with and without the lifting device, while trunk kinematics and 10 muscle EMG signals were recorded. The results showed that the device significantly lowered the kinematics and muscle activity of the lower back, as well as the risk of LBDs. Other potential benefits of the device are also discussed. However, further studies are needed to confirm the device's effectiveness in reducing LBDs in the moving industry. Relevance to Industry This study has an immediate relevance to the moving industry and potentially other industries (e.g., paramedics and fire fighting). The approach may provide a cost-effective intervention for reducing LBDs among workers who perform two-person lifting and carrying of large objects.
The effect of lateral viscosity variations on surface observables

We investigate the effect of lateral viscosity variations on surface observables by considering an idealized model problem: the motion of a deformable fluid sphere of radius a, density ρs and viscosity ηs at a depth d beneath the surface of a fluid half-space with density ρf and viscosity ηf. We derive a semi-analytical solution for the flow in bipolar spherical coordinates, from which we calculate the surface velocity divergence, the surface topography, and the geoid anomaly above the sphere. Lateral viscosity variations have a large (≥ 50%) effect on these surface observables when the load is relatively “hard” (γ = ηs/ηf > 1) and shallow (λ = d/a < 1.5), but a small (< 15%) effect when the load is “soft” (γ ≪ 1) or deep (λ≥ 2.5). The geoid anomaly produced by a soft upwelling plume differs only slightly (∼ 13%) from that produced by an isoviscous (γ = 1) plume. The viscosity contrasts (γ ≫ 1) associated with subducted slabs have a larger effect on the geoid. Geoid models which include such viscosity contrasts may therefore require a greater viscosity increase with depth than existing models which assume isoviscous slabs.
Evaporative Reflux Hydrology of South Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles: ABSTRACT

Flow of fresh seawater onto the tidal flats and salinas of the south end of the island of Bonaire takes place through permeability conduits in the underlying Pleistocene terrace limestone and emerges as numerous springs. Reflux of some heavy brine probably is taking place continuously because of gravitational instability. In addition, evidence suggests the existence of a major annual reflux event in early summer that causes a significant loss of heavy brine. This annual event is controlled as follows: the total pressure of the brine exerted at the level of an impermeable clay layer within the Holocene sediments is greater than the pressure exerted by the seawater at equivalent level. This annual return flow of brine moves through some of the same permeability conduits tha supply fresh seawater through most of the year. Dolomite formed by such a hydrological system should be confined to permeability paths such as faults or dissolution channels under an evaporitic sediment in older rock. This pattern of rock-selective or permeability-controlled dolomitization by downward flow of brine through older rocks may be common in the geologic record. End_of_Article - Last_Page 733------------
Stat3 upregulates MEK5 expression in human breast cancer cells

The constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) is frequently detected in breast cancer cell lines but not in normal breast epithelial cells. Stat3 has been classified as an oncogene, because constitutively active Stat3 can mediate oncogenic transformation in cultured cells and tumor formation in nude mice. Since Stat3 appears to play an important role in breast cancer, it is of interest to investigate Stat3-regulated genes and elucidate Stat3-mediated oncogenesis. In this study, we investigated the Stat3-regulated genes in human breast epithelial cells. Upon overexpression of Stat3-C, a constitutively active Stat3 form, in nonmalignant telomerase immortalized breast (TERT) cells, the total mRNA was extracted and subjected to Affymetrix microarray analysis. Our results showed that mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 5 (MEK5) was markedly induced (more than 22-fold increase, P<0.001) by Stat3-C expression. RT-PCR result also demonstrated that MEK5 mRNA was significantly induced by Stat3-C in TERT cells. The upregulation of MEK5 by Stat3-C was further confirmed by Western blot in MCF10A breast epithelial cells. Furthermore, in MDA-MB-435s breast carcinoma cells, which express high levels of activated Stat3 and MEK5, MEK5 protein was significantly reduced by using Stat3 short interfering RNA. The reduction of MEK5 was consistent with Stat3 knockdown in this breast carcinoma cell line. We also investigated MEK5 expression in different breast carcinoma cell lines and breast cancer tissues using tissue array analysis. Compared with nonmalignant breast epithelial cells or normal tissues without constitutively active Stat3 signaling, MEK5 protein levels are remarkably higher in breast carcinoma cell lines and cancer tissues with constitutively activated Stat3. Taken together, our findings suggest that constitutively active Stat3 upregulates MEK5 in the breast epithelial cells. MEK5 may be one of the Stat3-regulated genes and plays its essential roles in oncogenesis mediated by aberrantly activated Stat3 signaling in breast carcinomatosis and malignancies.
Influence of referral bias on the apparent clinical spectrum of infective endocarditis

Abstract purpose: To assess the effect of referral bias on the clinical spectrum of infective endocarditis. patients and methods: We performed a retrospective study comparing a population-based cohort of incidence cases from Olmsted County, Minnesota, with a cohort of referred cases from the practice of the Mayo Clinic during the period from 1970 to 1987. results: In the community cohort, age was an important risk factor for acquiring endocarditis (incidence rate ratio 8.8:1 for age 65 years or older versus age less than 65 years), but episodes in elderly patients were underrepresented in the referral practice. The proportion of cases due to Staphylococcus aureus was greater in the community than in the referral practice (p conclusion: The clinical spectrum of infective endocarditis may be distorted by referral. The increased risk of endocarditis in the elderly underscores the importance of adherence to recommendations for prophylaxis in this patient population.
Alternate k-space sampling in EPI: compensation for T2* and adjustable T2 weighting.

In this work, preliminary results are described for a modification of the MBEST sampling scheme such that image resolution can be increased while preserving image contrast. In this new approach, a single spin-echo is used in sampling k-space. The basic idea relies on acquiring a conventional EPI image from the center of k-space and applying a π pulse to permit the acquisition of the two outer edges of k-space. Using this new approach, it is possible to obtain an enhancement in EPI image resolution, while reducing the extent of T 2 * weighting. As a result, the resulting images possess reduced T 2 * contrast and suffer less signal loss from T 2 * effects such as spatial variations in susceptibility and field inhomogeneity.
A semiautomatic algorithm for rutherford backscattering analysis

Abstract Nonlinear least squares techniques have been applied to Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS), allowing routine multivariable fits of simulated spectra to experimental data. Once a qualitatively correct simulation is made, this algorithm varies parameters of the simulation to obtain quantitative results. Optimization is done according to a maximum likelihood chi-squared definition, so that the best fit values of parameters and their uncertainties can be determined. Convergence of the algorithm is rapid for practical problems, allowing a typical four-variable fit to be accomplished in 30 seconds on a VAX 11/750. This algorithm allows confident treatment of spectra which might otherwise be considered too complex. An implementation of the algorithm is incorporated as part of an RBS analysis and simulation package, making it readily available for routine RBS analysis.
Symptoms and cystoscopic findings in patients with untreated interstitial cystitis

Abstract Objectives To examine the relationships between symptoms and cystoscopic findings in women newly diagnosed with interstitial cystitis who had not previously received treatment. Methods Twelve newly diagnosed and not previously treated women with interstitial cystitis completed a bladder symptom questionnaire the day before undergoing cystoscopy, hydrodistension, and biopsy. The daily voiding frequency was reported. Cystoscopic findings were converted to a numerical scale, and the data were analyzed using Pearson correlations. Results Pain symptoms had consistent positive correlations with the cystoscopic findings. An increase in pain with bladder filling was associated with inflammation ( P = 0.011), ulceration, and smaller bladder capacity. Pain relief after voiding correlated with smaller bladder capacity ( P = 0.019), hematuria, and total cystoscopic score. Pain intensity in the urethra was related to ulceration and hematuria, and pain in the lower abdomen was related to a smaller bladder capacity ( P = 0.047), glomerulations, and a larger total cystoscopic score. Daytime frequency correlated negatively with most cystoscopic findings, and nocturnal frequency had a positive relationship with most cystoscopic findings and was significantly associated with a smaller bladder capacity ( P = 0.010). Urgency showed no strong associations with any cystoscopic findings. Conclusions In patients with untreated interstitial cystitis, a strong correlation between pain and cystoscopic findings was observed. The differences between our results and those of previous studies that found no relationship between symptom reports and cystoscopic findings suggest possible effects of treatment on pain perception and therapeutic influence on cystoscopic findings.
Maximal oxygen consumption in various animals and plants

Abstract 1. 1. Values of maximal oxygen consumption in various animals, as well as animal and plant tissues, are submitted to linear (log-log) regression analysis. 2. 2. The data are found to conform approximately to a single regression line with a slope of 0.75 ± 0.03. 3. 3. The possible implications of this finding are discussed briefly.
Wii Will Become Silhouettes

The Nintendo Wii functions as an imploded identity stage, where the player interacts with the screen, the wand, and with the other players as a kind of virtual puppet for the self. This differentia...
Duration of stimulus presentation and screening for perceptual disabilities.

Summary.-This study examined the effects of increasing the stimuluspresentation time of a motion picture test for identifying perceptual disabilities in the performance OF Ss in regular first and fourth grade classrooms and on a sample of Ss in special education classes who had been identified as having varying degrees of perceptual deficiencies. The length of stimulus presentation increased the total performance of Ss on the motion picture test but did not add to the value of the instmment as a screening device. Previous research (Rohr & Ayers, 1974) has suggested that the Purdue Motion Picture Screening Test has potential as an easily administered, low-cost screening device for detecting perceptual dysfunctions in fourth grade children. However, a possible limitation of the device noted in the study was the effect of attention span on performance. This in part may be the problem encountered by McDaniel (1973) in his use of earlier versions of the motion picture device with early elementary children. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of increasing the stimulus presentation time of the motion picture test on the performance of children in regular first and fourth grade classrooms and of a sample of Ss in special education classes who had been identified as having varying degrees of perceptual deficiencies and were approximately at the age of fourth grade children. Ss were 28 children enrolled in a first grade class, 29 children enrolled in a fourth grade class, and 37 children enrolled in three special education classes. The motion picture test has two parts (Embedded Figures and Successive Figures) with 25 items in each and was found to have a KR-20 reliabiliry with fourth grade Ss of .80 (Rohr & Ayers, 1974). The test was modified for use in this study. The odd items of each part of the test were shown first to Ss for the regular period of presentation (4.25 sec.). The even items immediately followed for a duration of 8.50 sec. each. Metropolitan Achievement Test scores and Intelligence as measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test or StanfordBinet Intelligence Scale Form L-M were obtained from each Ss school records. Results indicated significantly increased performance by all groups on the Embedded Figures part of the test when the duration of stimulus presentation was increased. However, there were no significant increases in performances on the Successive Figures part of the test (Table 1). The increase in scores on the Embedded Figures part of the test ranged from 1.8 for the fourth grade and special education groups to 2.6 for the first grade group. Thus, while over-all performance was increased, increases for all groups were approximately the same.
Caloric restriction inhibits seizure susceptibility in epileptic EL mice by reducing blood glucose.

Summary: Purpose: Caloric restriction (CR) involves underfeeding and has long been recognized as a dietary therapy that improves health and increases longevity. In contrast to severe fasting or starvation, CR reduces total food intake without causing nutritional deficiencies. Although fasting has been recognized as an effective antiseizure therapy since the time of the ancient Greeks, the mechanism by which fasting inhibits seizures remains obscure. The influence of CR on seizure susceptibility was investigated at both juvenile (30 days) and adult (70 days) ages in the EL mouse, a genetic model of multifactorial idiopathic epilepsy. Methods: The juvenile EL mice were separated into two groups and fed standard lab chow either ad libitum (control, n = 18) or with a 15% CR diet (treated, n = 17). The adult EL mice were separated into three groups; control (n = 15), 15% CR (n = 6), and 30% CR (n = 3). Body weights, seizure susceptibility, and the levels of blood glucose and ketones (β-hydroxybutyrate) were measured over a 10-week treatment period. Simple linear regression and multiple logistic regression were used to analyze the relations among seizures, glucose, and ketones. Results: CR delayed the onset and reduced the incidence of seizures at both juvenile and adult ages and was devoid of adverse side effects. Furthermore, mild CR (15%) had a greater antiepileptogenic effect than the well-established high-fat ketogenic diet in the juvenile mice. The CR-induced changes in blood glucose levels were predictive of both blood ketone levels and seizure susceptibility. Conclusions: We propose that CR may reduce seizure susceptibility in EL mice by reducing brain glycolytic energy. Our preclinical findings suggest that CR may be an effective antiseizure dietary therapy for human seizure disorders.
Procollagen synthesis by fresh and cryopreserved rat pulmonary valve grafts

Abstract Objective: Allograft valves are frequently used in the repair of congenital cardiac anomalies. The failure rate may differ depending on the type of allograft used. Previous studies have shown that rat aortic valve grafts exhibit synthesis of procollagen, suggesting a capacity for repair and regeneration after implantation. No studies of pulmonary valve grafts in the heterotopic rat implant model have thus far been reported. This study was designed to investigate whether pulmonary valve grafts maintain in vivo viability, as demonstrated by procollagen synthesis, and whether cryopreservation, histocompatibility, or both affect this property. Methods: Cryopreserved and fresh rat pulmonary valves were implanted into the abdominal aorta of syngeneic and allogeneic recipients. The grafts and native valves were excised 3 to 21 days after implantation. Valves were sectioned and immunohistochemically stained for procollagen. Computerized morphometry was used to calculate changes in intima, media, and adventitia as a percentage of cross-sectional area of the graft. Procollagen content was graded by semiquantitative methods. Results: Pulmonary valve grafts had significantly greater collagen density in the intima and adventitia compared with native aortic and pulmonary tissues, but collagen density in the media was similar in all groups. The grafts demonstrated appreciably greater procollagen than the corresponding native valves. These findings were consistent in all grafts (ie, both fresh and cryopreserved, both syngeneic and allogeneic), irrespective of duration of implantation. Conclusions: Procollagen synthesis occurs in pulmonary valve grafts early after implantation, indicating viability of these tissues. This model of pulmonary valve implantation may have wide applicability to questions of allograft biology. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;120:596-603)
Understanding and managing parkinsonism in patients with glucocerebrosidase mutations

Introduction: Identification of an association between mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA1) and the development of parkinsonism has contributed to a greater understanding of the role of lysosomal function in neuronal degeneration. This review will discuss the phenotypic presentation of patients with GBA1-associated parkinsonism. Some treatment strategies will be discussed although treatment studies in this cohort are limited.Areas covered: Current literature suggests that parkinsonism associated with GBA1 mutations may have specific characteristics distinct from idiopathic Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonism due to other genetic mutations. In this review, we performed an electronic search in the PubMed database for papers using the terms ‘Parkinson disease’, ‘parkinsonism’, ‘Gaucher disease’, and ‘GBA1’. Papers were selected if they discussed or described clinical presentation, treatment and current research efforts related to these terms.Expert opinion: Although there are no studies identifyin...
Patent ductus venosus in an adult presenting as pulmonary hypertension, right side heart failure and portosystemic encephalopathy

Patent ductus venosus in an adult presenting as pulmonary hypertension, right side heart failure and portosystemic encephalopathy
Supercooled liquids: a new look at selected relaxation phenomena

Abstract Along with the presentation of the results of some new light-scattering measurements, other observations concerning supercooled liquids are interpreted. The following are examined: (1) the bifurcation of rotational relaxation in supercooled liquids into α- and β-processes, (2) the residual light-scattering linewidths (near and below Tg) of the Brillouin and shear-wave lines,(3) the fact that the viscoelastic invariant, 2−1μJr(0)(τm/τr)β, is close to unity for many supercooled liquids (where Jr(ω) is the retardational compliance, μ the shear modulus, τm the Maxwell relaxation time, and τr the relaxation time and β the exponent used in a fit of Jr(ω) to a Cole-Davidson function).
Toll-Like Receptors on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Drive Their Migration and Immunomodulating Responses

Adult human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are under study as therapeutic delivery agents that assist in the repair of damaged tissues. To achieve the desired clinical outcomes for this strategy requires a better understanding of the mechanisms that drive the recruitment, migration, and engraftment of hMSCs to the targeted tissues. It is known that hMSCs are recruited to sites of stress or inflammation to fulfill their repair function. It is recognized that toll-like receptors (TLRs) mediate stress responses of other bone marrow-derived cells. This study explored the role of TLRs in mediating stress responses of hMSCs. Accordingly, the presence of TLRs in hMSCs was initially established by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays. Flow cytometry and fluorescence immunocytochemical analyses confirmed these findings. The stimulation of hMSCs with TLR agonists led to the activation of downstream signaling pathways, including nuclear factor kappaB, AKT, and MAPK. Consequently, activation of these pathways triggered the induction and secretion of cytokines, chemokines, and related TLR gene products as established from cDNA array, immunoassay, and cytokine antibody array analyses. Interestingly, the unique patterns of affected genes, cytokines, and chemokines measured identify these receptors as critical players in the clinically established immunomodulation observed for hMSCs. Lastly, hMSC migration was promoted by TLR ligand exposure as demonstrated by transwell migration assays. Conversely, disruption of TLRs by neutralizing TLR antibodies compromised hMSC migration. This study defines a novel TLR-driven stress and immune modulating response for hMSCs that is critical to consider in the design of stem cell-based therapies.
Urinary biomarkers and renal near-infrared spectroscopy predict intensive care unit outcomes after cardiac surgery in infants younger than 6 months of age.

Objective To assess the ability of urinary acute kidney injury biomarkers and renal near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict outcomes in infants after surgery for congenital heart disease. Methods Urinary levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), interleukin-18 (IL-18), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and cystatin C were measured preoperatively and postoperatively in 49 infants younger than 6 months of age. Renal NIRS was monitored for the first 24 hours after surgery. A composite poor outcome was defined as death, the need for renal replacement therapy, prolonged time to first extubation, or prolonged intensive care unit length of stay. Results Forty-two (86%) patients had acute kidney injury as indicated by at least Acute Kidney Injury Network/Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (AKIN/KDIGO) stage 1 criteria, and 17 (35%) patients had poor outcomes, including 3 deaths. With the exception of KIM-1, all biomarkers demonstrated significant increases within 24 hours postoperatively among patients with poor outcomes. Low levels of NGAL and IL-18 demonstrated high negative predictive values (91%) within 2 hours postoperatively. Poor outcome infants had greater cumulative time with NIRS saturations less than 50% (60 vs 1.5 minutes; P = .02) in the first 24 hours. Conclusions Within the first 24 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass, infants at increased risk for poor outcomes demonstrated elevated urinary NGAL, IL-18, and cystatin C and increased time with low NIRS saturations. These findings suggest that urinary biomarkers and renal NIRS may differentiate patients with good versus poor outcomes in the early postoperative period, which could assist clinicians when counseling families and inform the development of future clinical trials.
Competition through Interurban Policy Making: Bidding to Host Megaevents as Entrepreneurial Networking:

Recent scholarship on policy mobility, globally active municipal governments, and transnational city-to-city policy making suggest a new dynamic in entrepreneurial cities: entrepreneurialism based not only on place competition, but also based on practices of interurban networking. This paper argues that cross-city initiatives to share planning expertise can function both as policy-making networks and as markets for policy knowledge, as urban governance stakeholders strategically leverage intercity initiatives for sharing urban planning knowledge. Bidding to host sporting ‘megaevents’ highlights these networked entrepreneurial strategies. A comparative study of bids to host the Olympic Games over a twenty-year period shows that policy-making knowledge (templates, models, and best practices) shared between cities is both necessary for competing to host events, and represents ‘policy commodities’ that planning coalitions can use as part of their entrepreneurial portfolios. While much commentary on interurban...
Heat-Shock Promoters: Targets for Evolution by P Transposable Elements in Drosophila

Transposable elements are potent agents of genomic change during evolution, but require access to chromatin for insertion—and not all genes provide equivalent access. To test whether the regulatory features of heat-shock genes render their proximal promoters especially susceptible to the insertion of transposable elements in nature, we conducted an unbiased screen of the proximal promoters of 18 heat-shock genes in 48 natural populations of Drosophila. More than 200 distinctive transposable elements had inserted into these promoters; greater than 96% are P elements. By contrast, few or no P element insertions segregate in natural populations in a “negative control” set of proximal promoters lacking the distinctive regulatory features of heat-shock genes. P element transpositions into these same genes during laboratory mutagenesis recapitulate these findings. The natural P element insertions cluster in specific sites in the promoters, with up to eight populations exhibiting P element insertions at the same position; laboratory insertions are into similar sites. By contrast, a “positive control” set of promoters resembling heat-shock promoters in regulatory features harbors few P element insertions in nature, but many insertions after experimental transposition in the laboratory. We conclude that the distinctive regulatory features that typify heat-shock genes (in Drosophila) are especially prone to mutagenesis via P elements in nature. Thus in nature, P elements create significant and distinctive variation in heat-shock genes, upon which evolutionary processes may act.
Id4 deficiency attenuates prostate development and promotes PIN-like lesions by regulating androgen receptor activity and expression of NKX3.1 and PTEN.

Background Inhibitor of differentiation 4 (Id4), a member of the helix-loop-helix family of transcriptional regulators has emerged as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. Id4 is expressed in the normal prostate where its expression is also regulated by androgens. In this study we investigated the effect of loss of Id4 (Id4-/-) on adult prostate morphology.
Sense-making and secondary victimization among unsolved homicide co-victims

Sense-making is a form of meaning-making that focuses on understanding loss which then contributes to identity reconstruction. This qualitative study examines how perceived communication with the criminal justice system can inhibit sense-making among unsolved homicide co-victims. One-time intensive interviews were conducted with 37 co-victims about their interactions with police and prosecutors. A grounded theory approach suggest that co-victims held negative views of the police and prosecutors because they perceived them as inhibiting their ability to adequately locate information needed to understand the crime and achieve justice. Results also suggest that race and ethnicity play a role in reducing sense-making because constructions of meaning were based on perceptions of discrimination. In the end, the intense desire for information, resolution, and justice led several co-victims to investigate their loved one's murder. Policies that law enforcement should adopt to promote better communication with co-victims and facilitate sense-making are examined.
Heterogeneous ice nucleation and water uptake by field‐collected atmospheric particles below 273 K

Atmospheric ice formation induced by particles with complex chemical and physical properties through heterogeneous nucleation is not well understood. Heterogeneous ice nucleation and water uptake by ambient particles collected from urban environments in Los Angeles and Mexico City are presented. Using a vapour controlled cooling system equipped with an optical microscopy, the range of onset conditions for ice nucleation and water uptake by the collected particles was determined as a function of temperature (200{273 K) and relative humidity with respect to ice (RHice) up to water saturation. Three distinctly different types of authentic atmospheric particles were investigated including soot particles associated with organics/inorganics, inorganic particles of marine origin coated with organic material, and Pb/Zn containing inorganic particles apportioned to anthropogenic emissions relevant to waste incineration. Single particle characterization was provided by micro-spectroscopic analyses using computer controlled scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (CCSEM/EDX) and scanning transmission X-ray microscopy with near edge X-ray absorption ne structure spectroscopy (STXM/NEXAFS). Above 230 K, signicant differences in water uptake and immersion freezing effciencies of the different particle types were observed. Below 230 K, the particles exhibited high deposition ice nucleation effciencies and formed ice at RHice values well below homogeneous icemore » nucleation limits. The data show that the chemical composition of these eld{collected particles plays an important role in determining water uptake and immersion freezing. Heterogeneous ice nucleation rate coeffcients, cumulative ice nuclei (IN) spectrum, and IN activated fraction for deposition ice nucleation are derived. The presented ice nucleation data demonstrate that anthropogenic and marine particles comprising of various chemical and physical properties exhibit distinctly different ice nucleation effciencies and can serve as effcient IN at atmospheric conditions typical for cirrus and mixed phase clouds. This indicates a potential link between human activities and cloud formation, and thus climate.« less
Factors Affecting the Abundance of Phytoplankton in a Restricted Subtropical Lagoon, the Indian River Lagoon, Florida, USA

Phytoplankton dynamics in the Indian River Lagoon was examined from the point of view of several key controlling factors, including: nutrient limitation, light availability, temperature, wind, hydrodynamic restriction and grazing. Water was collected at eight sampling sites in the lagoon on a monthly basis for a two and a half year period. Samples were analysed for nutrient content and phytoplankton abundance. Site measurements of salinity and light extinction were made at all sites. Regional data on rainfall, wind and water temperature was obtained for correlation analyses. Bioassays were performed to determine nutrient limiting status and a series of preliminary grazing experiments were carried out on selected samples. The results indicate that the Indian River Lagoon is a nutrient-rich environment where phytoplankton standing crops are often held below their potential by several key loss functions, including hydraulic flushing and grazing. Spatial patterns of phytoplankton abundance generally reflected the degree of restriction to water turnover in different regions of the lagoon, with higher mean abundances in restricted regions. Spatial and temporal patterns of nutrient content and limitation suggest that patterns of external nutrient loading also play a significant role in phytoplankton dynamics. High phosphorus levels in the southern portion of the lagoon contribute to the predominance of nitrogen limitation in the region. In contrast, relatively high N/P ratios in the northern portions of the lagoon contribute to greater potential for phosphorus limitation of phytoplankton growth. As might be expected from the subtropical location of the lagoon, temporal patterns of phytoplankton abundance appear to be less strictly dependent on season than in temperate habitats, and more closely linked to variations in weather conditions, like rainfall (including storm events). The latter considerations bring into play issues like temporal variation in salinity and wind-induced mixing. The high light flux and shallow depth in the lagoon also presents the potential for photoinhibition.
Quartz-crystal microbalance studies of the velocity dependence of interfacial friction

We have employed a quartz-crystal microbalance technique to measure the vibrational amplitude dependence of quality factor shifts which occur when Kr monolayers adsorb on the microbalance’s gold electrodes. Assuming that the friction force is proportional to some power of the sliding velocity of the film relative to its substrate, such measurements allow one to infer whether or not the friction force law is linear in form. We have observed a linear friction law to be valid for a full monolayer of both liquid and solid krypton, for sliding speeds estimated to be in the range 3‐8 cm/s. The form of the friction law at lower coverages appears to be nonlinear, consistent with n,1 in a more general law, F}v n . @S0163-1829~98!01030-3#
Iontophoretically enhanced ciclopirox delivery into and across human nail plate

Transungual delivery of antifungal drugs is hindered by the low permeability of human nail plates, and as such, repeated dosing over a long period of time is necessary for effective treatment. The objectives of this study were to explore the possibilities of (a) enhancing the delivery of ciclopirox (CIC) across human nail plates and (b) sustaining CIC delivery from the larger resultant drug depot in the nail plates with constant voltage iontophoresis. In vitro passive and 9 V cathodal iontophoretic transport experiments of CIC across human nails were performed. Transungual CIC delivery with Penlac® was the control. The amounts of CIC released from and deposited in the nails were determined in drug release and extraction experiments, respectively. Iontophoresis increased the flux of CIC permeated across the nail approximately 10 times compared to passive delivery from the same formulation or from Penlac®. A significant amount of CIC was loaded into and released from the nails; the CIC concentrations were estimated to be above the minimum inhibitory concentrations of CIC for dermatophytic molds. The apparent transport lag time decreased in iontophoretic transport. The results demonstrate that iontophoresis was able to deliver an effective amount of CIC into and across the nails, and this suggests the feasibility of a constant voltage battery-powered transungual iontophoretic device. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 98:3608–3616, 2009
Re-architecting flow-control adaptation for grid environments

Summary form only given. The performance of TCP in wide-area networks (WANs) is becoming increasingly important with the deployment of computational and data grids. In WAN environments, TCP does not provide good performance for data-intensive applications without the tuning of flow-control buffer sizes. Manual adjustment of buffer sizes is tedious even for network experts. For application scientists, tuning is often an impediment to getting work done. Thus, buffer tuning should be automated. Existing techniques for automatic buffer tuning only measure the bandwidth-delay product (BDP) during connection establishment. This ignores the large fluctuation of the BDP over the lifetime of the connection. In contrast, the dynamic right-sizing algorithm dynamically changes buffer sizes in response to changing network conditions. We describe a new user-space implementation of dynamic right-sizing in FTP (drsFTP) that supports third-party data transfers, a mainstay of scientific computing. In addition to comparing the performance of the new implementation with the old in a WAN-emulated environment, we give performance results over a live WAN. In this particular WAN environment, the new implementation produces transfer rates of up to five times higher than untuned FTP.
A service availability simulation for the ATDRSS space segment

A Monte Carlo service availability simulation (SAS) model has been developed as a tool to support the architecture evaluation process for NASA's Advanced Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (ATDRSS). The key component of the simulation is the spacecraft (S/C) reliability model which utilizes data on S/C subsystems for component configuration, reliability, and redundancy for the faithful generation of random S/C failures. The SAS logic responds to these failures to simulate the appropriate NASA responses for the launch and deployment of new S/C. The outputs of the simulation include the probability that the system meets projected communications requirements over time, required space-ground link capacity, statistics of future S/C launch dates, and number of S/C required over the system life cycle. The SAS is capable of modeling a broad set of system architectures and S/C configurations. Sample applications are described. >
Immunoenhancement via Enteral Nutrition

Arginine, glutamine, the long chain polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and, to a lesser extent, ribonucleic acid and the vitamins E, C, and A have pharmacologic effects when given in amounts in excess of what is needed to prevent nutritional deficiency. These effects are exerted primarily via the immune system, and immunoenhancing diets that embody the recently developed principles of nutritional pharmacology have been shown to reduce infectious complications by approximately 75% in surgical patients and hospital stay by more than 20% in surgical patients and patients in the intensive care unit in three independent, prospective, randomized studies, two of which were double-blinded. These findings suggest that specialized diets can be designed that will be of benefit to patients with cancer, atherosclerosis, intestinal diseases, autoimmune diseases, infections, and trauma. However, the interaction of these nutrients in pharmacologic amounts with standard pharmacologic drugs is largely unknown, as are the effects of long-term administration of specialized diets to treat these conditions. (Arch Surg. 1993;128:1242-1245)
Numerical Comparison of Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop in Gas Turbine Blade Cooling Channels With Dimples and Rib-Turbulators

In order to enhance the performance of a gas turbine and to maintain the blade material within operating temperature range, cooling channels are made within the blade materials that extract the heat. The walls of these cooling channels are usually enhanced with some sort of turbulence generators — ribs and dimples being the most common. While both the geometries provide improvement in enhancing the heat transfer, dimples usually have a lower pressure drop. It is essential to improve the heat transfer rate with a minimal pressure loss. In this study, the heat transfer and pressure loss are determined numerically and combined to show the effect of both in channels with ribs and dimples on one wall of the channel. Similar geometric and boundary conditions are used for both the turbulators. Reynolds numbers of 12,500 and 28,500, based on the hydraulic diameter are used for the study. The Reynolds-Stress Model was used for all the computations as a turbulence model by employing Fluent.Copyright © 2011 by ASME