cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-acting Inhaled β2-Agonists in Asthma Therapy

Objective To review the pharmacology of the long-acting inhaled β 2 -agonists, salmeterol and formoterol, summarize results of their clinical trials, evaluate their safety records, and discuss their roles in the treatment of asthma. Data sources Preclinical and clinical studies involving salmeterol or formoterol were identified by a MEDLINE search, weekly computerized literature updates, and manual searches. Studies of satisfactory quality were chosen for review. Data synthesis Salmeterol and formoterol are potent and selective β 2 -adrenoceptor agonists with durations of action > 12 h. Their major differences are that formoterol has a rapid onset of action and is a partial agonist of high intrinsic efficacy, whereas salmeterol has a delayed onset and is a partial agonist of low intrinsic efficacy. Twice daily use of either drug results in improved lung function, reduced symptoms, and a better quality of life. These agents protect against exercise-induced asthma for 12 h and eliminate nighttime awakening in most patients. Limited tolerance develops, especially to their bronchoprotective effects, but their improvement of lung function is sustained. Conclusions Regular use of salmeterol or formoterol provides subjective and objective amelioration of asthma in patients experiencing excessive symptoms or physiologic impairment despite the regular administration of low doses of inhaled corticosteroids (equivalent to approximately 500 μg/d of beclomethasone). Intermittent use of either long-acting β 2 -agonist can provide prolonged protection against exercise-induced asthma or nighttime symptoms. Patients should be instructed to continue taking inhaled steroids when long-acting β 2 -agonists are administered on a regular schedule and to not take long-acting β 2 -agonists between regularly scheduled doses. Used properly, they are effective and safe adjunctive agents in the treatment of asthma.
Impact of the Rapid Influenza Test on Evaluation of the Febrile Child in the Emergency Setting

The ability to diagnose viral infections has improved substantially in recent years, and rapid testing for viral infection is considered an option in the emergency setting. The most available and practical point-of-care test for viral infection is the test for influenza. Studies in febrile infants and children reveal a substantial reduction in the rates for bacteremia, urinary tract infection, and meningitis in infants with a known viral infection. This knowledge has led the clinician to develop a modified approach to evaluating the febrile infant with a viral infection. Infants who test positive for influenza may be considered at very low risk for serious bacterial infection and may not require extensive testing and empiric antibiotics. The role of vaccination policies for pneumococcal infection and influenza is further explored as it impacts on this practice.
Outbreak of wound infections following outpatient podiatric surgery due to contaminated bone drills

An outbreak of podiatric infections due to an uncommon strain of Proteus mirabilis occurred following outpatient podiatric surgery. An evaluation of the operating room environment failed to reveal the strain of P. mirabilis from any site other than three bone drills. Thus the drills served as the reservoir for the organism that was subsequently inoculated onto the hands of the surgeon or directly to a patient during bone drilling. The gas sterilization procedure that was used to sterilize the drills was found deficient. No additional cases of P. mirabilis infection have been observed since the elimination of the contaminated drills.
Spatial variability of an invasive earthworm (Amynthas agrestis) population and potential impacts on soil characteristics and millipedes in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA

European and Asian earthworm invasions are widespread in North America. European earthworms especially are well-known to cause dramatic changes in ecosystems in northern, formerly glaciated portions of the continent, but less is known about the impacts of earthworm invasions in unglaciated areas inhabited by indigenous earthworms. We monitored fluctuations in the spatial extent of an Amynthas agrestis (Megascolecidae) population in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee, USA. Two years of monthly growing-season observations revealed that the distribution of the earthworm population was dynamic, but overall distribution was closely linked to temperature and moisture with dramatic reductions of earthworm numbers associated with very dry conditions. In plots where A. agrestis were more often detected, we measured increased A-horizon soil aggregation and decreased thickness of the Oe/Oa-horizon. However, A. agrestis was not related to A-horizon microbial biomass, A-horizon C:N, Oi-horizon (litter) thickness, or mass of forest floor (O-horizon). Reductions in millipede species richness and density were associated with frequency of A. agrestis presence, possibly due to direct competition for food resources (Oe/Oa material). This evidence for potentially negative interactions between millipedes and A. agrestis suggests that expansion of the non-native earthworm into new habitats in the Park may alter soil physical properties and could pose a threat to native millipede diversity.
Comparison of forward and backward SHG images using Fourier transform-second-harmonic generation imaging

We compare the forward and backward SHG images for porcine tendon, sclera, and ear cartilage using Fourier transform-second-harmonic generation microscopy. The preferred orientation and peaks in the magnitude spectrum are used as metrics for comparison.
Attack Graphs for EPCglobal RFID

RFID uses radio frequency signals to provide a no-contact and non-line-of-sight identification. In spite of its numerous advantages and implementations, it can also pose invasive new threats to rights, privacy of individuals, and security of organizations. A modified version of attack graph, a graph-based approach to network vulnerability analysis, is used in the threat modeling of an EPCglobal RFID system. The model can be used for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of the vulnerabilities and security attributes of the system.
Long term, implantable blood pressure monitoring systems

An overview of implantable measurement systems suitable for the long-term, continuous monitoring of blood pressure is presented in this paper. The challenges, design considerations and tradeoffs inherent in these systems are overviewed and implantable sensors from both industrial and research environments are reviewed. The paper is concluded with an outlook of future directions for implantable blood pressure monitoring systems.
Gingival and Digital Vasomotor Response to Thermal Imagery in Hypnosis

Eight volunteers participated in an experiment designed to measure gingival and digital vascular responses to suggestions of heat or cold during hypnotic trance. Although verbal and overt motor responses generally agreed with suggestions of heat or cold, vasomotor responses did not.
Purine and pyrimidine nucleotide inhibition of carbamyl phosphate synthetase from pea seedlings

Carbamyl phosphate synthetase from Alaska pea seedlings is subject to inhibition by several pyrimidine and purine nuclotides. It is similar in some respects to the E.coli enzyme. Both have similar Ki values for UMP, the most potent inhibitor, and both show partial reversal of UMP inhibition by L-ornithine. However, the pea enzyme is inhibited by AMP and ADP, while the E.coli enzyme is stimulated by these compounds. The role of nucleotides and ornithine in strongly influencing the activity of carbamyl phosphate synthetase has obvious potential regulatory significance in the operation of the ornithine cycle and in pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis.
FcϵRI and Thy-1 domains have unique protein and lipid compositions

Receptor activation leads to the dynamic remodeling of the plasma membrane. Previous work using immunoelectron microscopy showed that aggregated high-affinity receptor for immunoglobulin E (FcϵRI) and aggregated Thy-1, a glycerophosphoinositol (GPI)-anchored protein, have distinct membrane distributions. We now report lipidomics analysis of FcϵRI- and Thy-1-enriched vesicles obtained by magnetic bead isolation in the absence of detergent. Protein analyses show that FcϵRI domains are enriched in receptors and associated signaling molecules, whereas Thy-1 domains are devoid of FcϵRI subunits. Positive and negative ion electrospray mass spectrometry demonstrated that both domains retained a complex mixture of phospholipid classes and molecular species, predominantly glycerophosphocholine, glycerophosphoethanolamine (GPE), and sphingomyelin as well as glycerophosphoserine and GPI lipids. Analysis of total acyl groups showed that
Increasing substrate heterogeneity as a bet‐hedging strategy for restoring wetland vegetation

Mimicking the natural heterogeneity of wetland substrates, e.g. by roughening surface soil or constructing hummocks, has been shown to facilitate wetland plant establishment. We asked if incorporating substrate heterogeneity could also help plants withstand variation in moisture levels. In a wetland with Carex stricta (tussock sedge) as the main restoration target, we manipulated substrates to create different soil moisture environments for planted C. stricta plugs. Our artificial mounds mimicked tussocks formed by C. stricta in natural meadows (circa 10–40 cm in height); we also varied mound compositions and created shallow depressions. Monitoring demonstrated variation in soil moisture among our treatments and natural differences in soil moisture between experimental blocks. Additionally, rainfall varied from severe drought in year 1 to extreme rainfall in year 2. Plug survival, flowering, cover, biomass, leaf length, and growth rate all varied with treatment, block, and/or year. Interactions among those factors were common. Planting plugs in shallow depressions exacerbated stress in a wet block during a wet year, causing low survival. Planting plugs in moisture-retaining peat pots allowed them to survive and sustain growth even in a dry block during a dry year. We conclude that heterogeneous substrates can be used to hedge against environmental variability by widening the range of microsites available within a restoration site and thereby moderating stressful conditions in some areas.
SNP discovery, expression and cis-regulatory variation in the UGT2B genes

UGT2B enzymes metabolize multiple endogenous and exogenous molecules, including steroid hormones and clinical drugs. However, little is known about the inter-individual variation in gene expression and its determinants. We re-sequenced candidate regulatory regions and the partial coding regions (41.1 kb) of UGT2B genes and identified 332 genetic variants. We measured gene expression in normal breast and liver samples and observed different patterns. The expression levels varied greatly across individuals in both tissues and were significantly correlated with each other in liver. Genotyping of tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the same samples and association tests between genotype and transcript levels identified 62 variants that were associated with at least one UGT2B mRNA levels in either tissue. Most of these cis-regulatory SNPs were not shared between tissues, suggesting that this gene family is regulated in a tissue-specific manner. Our results provide insight into studying the role of UGT2B variation in hormone-dependent cancers and drug response.
Smart electronics with interdigital electrodes, antennas, and MEMS for aerospace structures

A remote local and global sensing and control of aerospace structures using advanced polymeric smart materials, MEMS, and built-in antennas is presented. The sensors are fabricated with interdigital transducers printed on a piezoelectric polymer. They in turn are mounted onto an ultrathin Penn State novel RF antenna (patent filed). The sensors are designed to measure both pressure and shear of the fluid flow on aerospace structures. The wave form measurements may be monitored at a remote location either at the cockpit or elsewhere via the antennas in the sensors and an outside antenna. The integrated MEMS actuators, which are comprised of cantilever-, diaphragm-, and microbridge-based MEMS with suitable smart electronics etched onto the structure, are controlled by the built-in antennas through feedback and feedforward control architecture. The integration of such materials and smart electronics into the skin of airfoil is ideal for sensing and controlling drag. The basic idea of this concept involves detection of the point of transition from laminar to turbulent flow and transmitting acoustical energy into the boundary layer so that the low-energy fluid particles accelerate in the transverse direction and mix with the high energy flow outside of the boundary layer. The use of the present smart materials and electronics for active noise control and EMI suppression in aircraft and helicopters is also outlines.
Differential Induction of Proteins in Orange Flavedo by Biologically Based Elicitors and Challenged byPenicillium digitatumSacc.1

Abstract The effects of biologically based inducing agents (elicitors) applied singly or in combination to harvested oranges were investigated for enhancing host resistance to green mold. Oranges (Citrus sinensiscv. ‘Valencia’) treated with inducing agents and challenged by the green mold pathogen (Penicillium digitatum) showed a delay in the onset and progression of disease symptoms compared with inoculated fruits not treated with the elicitors. Chitosan (a preparation of ground crab shells), Margosan-O (an oil-based plant-derived product from neem seed) + Aspire (a water dispersible granule containing an antagonistic yeast), Aspire, and chitosan + Aspire reduced fruit decay 38, 41, 42, and 44%, respectively. The inducing agents reduced disease incidence but not disease severity. Application of elicitors followed by inoculation withP. digitatumandP. digitatuminfection alone increased total soluble proteins in the flavedo (the tissue that forms the outer colored rind) twofold relative to the untreated control. The flavedo is an important tissue that is vulnerable to postharvest diseases especially at storage and transport of the harvested crop. No apparent qualitative differences were visualized in protein patterns analyzed by SDS–PAGE of all treatments across all days of incubation. A temporal differential induction of chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, and peroxidase was demonstrated as a result of elicitor application followed by challenge inoculation withP. digitatum.Induction of these enzymes was corroborated by immunodetection. Lysozyme and a polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein were detected at low activity levels. However, the defensive proteins appeared to be constitutive and slightly induced but did not involve thede novosynthesis of novel proteins.
Abstract IA23: Cervical tissue T cells in HPV disease.

Despite the availability of preventative vaccines, human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause more cancers than any other virus. Like other viral pathogens that cause human cancers, most HPV infections do not cause overt harm, let alone symptoms. Indeed, in immune-competent persons, most genital infections are eventually cleared. Nonetheless, the incidence of HPV-associated cancers in anatomic sites for which no screening algorithms have been validated is rising steadily. Preinvasive, intraepithelial lesions are associated with integration of the HPV genome into the host genome, and subsequent expression of the viral oncoproteins, E6 and E7, which are required for disease initiation and persistence. These true tumor-specific antigens provide non-“self” targets for immune therapies. The relatively indolent clinical course of preinvasive lesions, and tissue tropism of HPV infections provide opportunities to identify and treat early stage disease. In cervical HPV disease, a subset of high grade dysplastic lesions, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3), do in fact undergo complete regression, which is presumably immunologically mediated. However, T cell responses to viral antigens, measured in the blood, have not been informative with respect to immune responses in the cervical mucosa. Our team has been studying strategies to enhance the quality and magnitude of immune responses to HPV antigens. Ongoing clinical trials testing therapeutic vaccination and strategies to manipulate the lesion microenvironment to enhance homing and access of immune effector cells will be discussed. The design of these trials has been informed by studies of tissue-resident T cells in normal cervical mucosa, and by changes identified in dysplastic mucosa, both in lesions that regress, and in those that do not, in the course of a defined, prospective study window. Changes in the composition and distribution of tissue T cells postvaccination will be presented. Strategies to modify the stromal compartment of HPV lesions to promote lesion clearance will also be discussed. Citation Format: C.L. Trimble, J. Teague, T.C. Wu, R.A. Clark. Cervical tissue T cells in HPV disease. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Immunology: Multidisciplinary Science Driving Basic and Clinical Advances; Dec 2-5, 2012; Miami, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(1 Suppl):Abstract nr IA23.
A method for increased accuracy of the measurement of relative phase velocity

The phase velocity may be used to detect distributed damage or to determine the elastic moduli of a material. The advent of high speed analog to digital converters makes high speed signal acquisition possible. Other research has shown that the cross-correlation can find relative delays between signals with high accuracy. This accuracy is still limited by the degree to which a signals arrival time is well defined. Dispersion of the wave results in uncertainty in the time delay associated with particular frequencies. At the same time theoretical limits exist on the resolution with which time and frequency may be known. Awareness of the existence of theoretical limitations on accuracy suggests methods which may be used to avoid these limitations. A method of processing difficult signals which considers optimal results is presented. Experimental examples illustrate the signal processing. The signal processing combines wavelet decomposition and cross-correlation to measure time delays with a high degree of accuracy.
Factor VIIa replacement therapy in factor VII deficiency1

Summary. Factor (F)VII deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder for which a replacement therapy is not universally available; recombinant FVIIa has been utilized as a therapeutic substitute. As FVII competes with FVIIa for binding to tissue factor in initiating the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation, a lower dose of FVIIa replacement in cross-reacting material-negative (CRM–) individuals can achieve hemostasis. Three coagulation models (computational, synthetic and in vitro whole blood) were used to predict the FVIIa levels needed to provide apparent hemostasis in a non-bleeding state. Our whole blood results show that a ‘normalized’ coagulation profile for FVII-deficient individuals has an initiation phase that ends at 5.8 ± 0.5 min (clot time) and the propagation phase of thrombin generation (thrombin–antithrombin III) yields a maximum concentration of 380 ± 29 nmol L−1. When CRM– FVII-deficient subjects were infused with a prophylactic dose of 23 µg kg−1 of recombinant FVIIa, 6–8 h postinfusion resulted in a comparable normalized whole blood profile. This FVIIa concentration (0.3–0.7 nmol L−1/equivalent dose: 0.8–1.8 µg kg−1) is approximately 1/10 that currently used in treating FVII-deficient individuals and suggests that therapies should be altered relative to the concentration of the FVII zymogen.
Application of compressed sensing to multidimensional spectroscopic imaging in human prostate.

The application of compressed sensing is demonstrated in a recently implemented four-dimensional echo-planar based J-resolved spectroscopic imaging sequence combining two spatial and two spectral dimensions. The echo-planar readout simultaneously acquires one spectral and one spatial dimension. Therefore, the compressed sensing undersampling is performed along the indirectly acquired spatial and spectral dimensions, and the reconstruction is performed using the split Bregman algorithm, an efficient TV-minimization solver. The four-dimensional echo-planar-based J-resolved spectroscopic imaging data acquired in a prostate phantom containing metabolites at physiological concentrations are accurately reconstructed with as little as 20% of the original data. Experimental data acquired in six healthy prostates using the external body matrix “receive” coil on a 3T magnetic resonance imaging scanner are reconstructed with acquisitions using only 25% of the Nyquist–Shannon required amount of data, indicating the potential for a 4-fold acceleration factor in vivo, bringing the required scan time for multidimensional magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging within clinical feasibility. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
818 ANALYSIS OF A Hindi II POLYMORPHISM IN THE HUMANTYPE II COLLAGEN GENE IN ACHONDROPLASIA

818 ANALYSIS OF A Hindi II POLYMORPHISM IN THE HUMANTYPE II COLLAGEN GENE IN ACHONDROPLASIA
Analysis of cell cycle dynamics using probabilistic cell cycle models

In this study, we develop asynchronous probabilistic cell cycle models to quantitatively assess the effect of ionizing radiation on a human colon cancer cell line. We use both synchronous and asynchronous cell populations and follow treated cells for up to 2 cell cycle times. The model outputs quantify the changes in cell cycle dynamics following ionizing radiation treatment, principally in the duration of both Gi and G 2 /M phases.
Histiocytic disorders involving bone marrow

The histiocytoses are a diverse group of disorders ranging from purely reactive to frankly malignant processes. A unifying feature of these diseases is the presence of a proliferation of cells with morphologic, phenotypic, and functional characteristics of mononuclear phagocytes or dendritic cells. A subset of these disorders may involve the bone marrow, with the potential for significant diagnostic dilemmas. These disorders include storage disease, haemophagocytic syndromes (haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytoses), Langerhans cell histiocytosis (‘Histiocytosis X'), and malignant histiocytosis.
Effect of Amino Acid Infusion on the Ventilatory Response to Hypoxia in Protein-Deprived Neonatal Piglets

ABSTRACT: Several amino acids (AA) act as neurotrans—mitters and mediate the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide and hypoxia in adult human beings and animals. To evaluate the influence of AA on the neonatal ventilatory response to hypoxia, 29 newborn piglets less than 5 d old were randomly assigned to a control diet or protein-free diet for 7–10 d. Minute ventilation, arterial blood pressure, oxygen consumption, and arterial blood gases were measured in sedated, spontaneous breathing piglets while they breathed room air and at 1, 5 and 10 min of hypoxia (fraction of inspired oxygen concentration — 0.10) before and after 4 h of AA (Trophamine, 3 g/kg, i.v.) or 10% dextrose infusion. The administration of AA solution in protein-deprived piglets resulted in a significant increase in minute ventilation after 10 min of hypoxia (26 ± 19%) in comparison with their ventilatory response before AA infusion (10 ± 12%; p < 0.02). Similar increase in the ventilatory response to hypoxia was observed in the control diet group after A A infusion (23 ± 17% versus 11 ± 11%; p < 0.05). Changes in arterial blood pressure, oxygen consumption, and arterial blood gases during hypoxia were similar before and after AA infusion. The ventilatory response to hypoxia in both protein-free and control diet animals were similar before and after the 10% dextrose infusion. These results stress the importance of nutritional factors in the neonatal control of breathing.
Second harmonic generation from alkali metals

Abstract Nonlinear optical constants of the alkali metals, responsible for the second harmonic generation, are calculated using the Drude model. It is found that the electric quadrupole term of the nonlinear polarization is larger than that of a previous theory of Jha by a major factor of ω 2 p /ω 2 . By considering a more realstic electron density distribution, we also obtain an additional dipole term due to symmetry breakdown at the surface. The new nonlinear polarization gives the reflected second harmonic intensity in good agreement with experiments.
Incidence and Correlates of Radiation Dermatitis in Children and Adolescents Receiving Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Paediatric Sarcomas

Abstract Aims To investigate the relationship between the maximum grade of skin toxicity, radiation dose and clinical variables in children receiving treatment for sarcomas involving the bone and soft tissue. Materials and methods Between January 2003 and July 2006, 82 patients with musculoskeletal tumours on an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved prospective study at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital received three-dimensional conformal or intensity-modulated radiation therapy for local tumour control. Radiation dermatitis was graded according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Toxicity Criteria version 2.0 during and after radiation therapy. The dose to the skin was calculated for each patient from the radiation treatment plan. Results The radiation doses delivered to the primary tumour ranged from 4140 to 7020cGy, with a mean dose of 5040cGy. The maximum recorded grade of skin toxicity was: grade 0: seven patients (8.6%); grade 1: 26 patients (31.7%); grade 2: 37 patients (45.1%); grade 3: 10 patients (12.2%); grade 4: two patients (2.4%). A significant association for increased grade of skin toxicity was observed between dose ( P P =0.03), use of a bolus ( P P P Conclusions These findings suggest that the delivered dose, use of a bolus, the volume treated, and race may be used in the clinical setting to predict patients at risk for skin toxicity. Alterations in treatment technique and early therapeutic intervention may help to reduce or eliminate radiation-induced skin side-effects and associated pain.
The formation of synapses in the central nervous system.

Interneuronal synapses are specialized contact zones formed between the transmitting pole of one neuron, usually an axon, and the receptive pole of another nerve cell, usually a dendritic process or the soma. The formation of these synaptic contacts is the result of cellular events related to neurite elongation, the establishment of polarity, axon guidance, and target recognition. A series of morphological rearrangements takes place once synaptic targets establish their initial contact. These changes include the clustering of synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic element and the formation of a specialized area capable of signal transduction at the postsynaptic target. The present review discusses the role of different synaptic proteins in the cellular events leading to the formation of synapses among neurons in the central nervous system.
Admissibility in factorial designs

The notion of admissibility in factorial designs has been introduced. It has been shown that factorial designs which are binary and have a C-matrix with property A are admissible.
Geometry of Chaotic and Stable Discussions

ity who wants to "improve it." Is this just an annoyance or is there a reason for it? The mathematical modeling provides an immediate explanation in terms of some interesting and unexpected mathematics. Even more: the mathematics describing this behavior underscores the reality that it can be surprisingly easy even for a group sincerely striving for excellence to make inferior decisions. Indeed, these difficulties are so pervasive and can arise in such unexpected ways that it is realistic to worry whether groups you belong to have been inadvertently victimized by these mathematical subtleties based on the orbits of symmetry groups. These problems can occur even if all decisions are reached by consensus, such as a committee discussing the selection of a new calculus book. This paper addresses deliberations by discussing a branch of voting theory where Euclidean geometry models an "issue space." When describing how it is possible to unintentionally make inferior choices, we will encounter mathematical behaviors remarkably similar to "attractors" and "chaotic dynamics" from dynamical systems. Since the coexistence of chaotic and stable behavior is common in the Newtonian N-body problem and dynamical systems, it is interesting to find that this combination also coexists in the "dynamics of discussions." Another connection arises when configurations central to the N-body problem play a suggestive role in the analysis; at another step we use singularity theory. What adds to the delight of this topic is that, while the mathematics can be intricate, the issues can be described at a classroom level where some even lead to student-level research projects.
PGE2 receptors rescue motor neurons in a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Recent studies suggest that the inducible isoform of cyclooxygenase, COX-2, promotes motor neuron loss in rodent models of ALS. We investigated the effects of PGE2, a principal downstream prostaglandin product of COX-2 activity, on motor neuron survival in an organotypic culture model of ALS. We find that PGE2 paradoxically protects motor neurons at physiological concentrations in this model. PGE2 exerts its downstream effects by signaling through a class of four distinct G-protein–coupled E-prostanoid receptors (EP1–EP4) that have divergent effects on cAMP. EP2 and EP3 are dominantly expressed in ventral spinal cord in neurons and astrocytes, and activation of these receptor subtypes individually or in combination also rescued motor neurons. The EP2 receptor is positively coupled to cAMP, and its neuroprotection was mimicked by application of forskolin and blocked by inhibition of PKA, suggesting that its protective effect is mediated by downstream effects of cAMP. Conversely, the EP3 receptor is negatively coupled to cAMP, and its neuroprotective effect was blocked by pertussis toxin, suggesting that its protective effect is dependent on Gi-coupled heterotrimeric signaling. Taken together, these data demonstrate an unexpected neuroprotective effect mediated by PGE2, in which activation of its EP2 and EP3 receptors protected motor neurons from chronic glutamate toxicity. Ann Neurol 2004;56:240–248
Synchrotron X-ray Microdiffraction Images of Polarization Switching in Epitaxial PZT Capacitors with Pt and SrRuO3 Top Electrodes

The evolution of stored ferroelectric polarization in PZT thin film capacitors was imaged using synchrotron x-ray microdiffraction with a submicron-diameter focused incident x-ray beam. To form the capacitors, an epitaxial Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 (PZT) thin film was deposited on an epitaxially-grown conductive SrRuO3 (SRO) bottom electrode on a SrTiO3 (STO) (001) substrate. Polycrystalline SRO or Pt top electrodes were prepared by sputter deposition through a shadow mask and subsequent annealing. The intensity of x-ray reflections from the PZT film depended on the local ferroelectric polarization. With 10 keV x-rays, regions of opposite polarization differed in intensity by 26% in our PZT capacitor with an SRO top electrode. Devices with SRO electrodes showed just a 25% decrease in the remnant polarization after 107 switching cycles. In devices with Pt top electrodes, however, the switchable polarization decreased a by 70% after only 5×104 cycles.
Evaluation of Several Methods for Estimation of the Total Activity of Potato Polyphenol Oxidase

Several methods of preparing homogenates from potato tuber for estimating the total activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) were compared. To remove endogenous phenols that may inhibit PPO, homogenates were either treated with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) or subjected to extensive dialysis, ammonium sulfate or acetone precipitation or Sephadex G-25 chromatography. The G-25 gel filtration method was superior in removing phenolic compounds and in retaining PPO activity. Using this chromatographic method, the tubers of Russet-Burbank cultivar were found to contain highest PPO activity followed by Russett and then Atlantic cultivars.
Slow earthquakes along oceanic fracture zones: evidence for asthenospheric flow away from hotspots?

Abstract The regime of strain release along transform faults of the Mid-Oceanic Ridge system is studied. It is shown that earthquakes along certain fracture zones exhibit systematic discrepancies between values of their magnitudes measured at short and long periods, implying a regime of slower strain release, also observed in a pattern of complex body waveshapes. These “slow” fracture zones do not correlate with simple geographic or kinematic properties, but usually occur in the neighborhood of hotspot volcanism, frequently also characterized by gravity and bathymetry anomalies. We propose that regimes of slow strain release may be due to a partial lubrication of the fault along these fracture zones, which may itself be due to asthenospheric flow from the nearby hotspots, along the pattern of pipelines described by Vogt and Johnson and by Morgan.
Platform strategy framework for internet-based service development: case of eBay

Service industry has grown to dominate a significant portion of the US economy. However, research focusing on service development has not grown at the same pace. This paper focuses on platform-based product development that is increasingly used by high-technology companies in their quest to manage the complexity associated with offering greater product variety. The authors extend platform thinking to the service sector and postulate that companies developing nonphysical or intangible services, such as internet-based services, might also benefit from adopting an effective platform strategy. A platform strategy framework for web-enabled services is introduced to aid management in designing and developing strategically sound platforms that leverage existing markets and core competencies.
Nitric Oxide Donors

Nitric oxide (NO) donors are pharmacologically active substances that release NO in vivo or in vitro. NO has a variety of functions such as the release of prostanoids, inhibition of platelet aggregation, effect on angiogenesis, and production of oxygen free radicals. This report discusses the chemical and pharmacological characteristics of NO donors, their effect on platelet function and cyclooxygenase, their cardiac action including myocardial infarction, and release of superoxide anions. This review stresses NO tolerance and the effect of NO donors on angiogenesis in myocardial infarction and in solid tumors.
Polymer stretching by turbulence

The stretching of a polymer chain by a large-scale chaotic flow is considered. The steady state which emerges as a balance of the turbulent stretching and anharmonic resistance of the chain is quantitatively described, i.e., the dependency on the flow parameters (Lyapunov exponent statistics) and the chain characteristics (the number of beads and the interbead elastic potential) is made explicit.
The ensemble optical variability of type-1 AGN in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Data Release 7

We use a sample of over 5000 active galactic nuclei (AGN) with extended morphologies at z<0.8 from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to study the ensemble optical variability as a function of rest-frame time lag and AGN luminosity with the aim of investigating these parameter relationships at lower luminosities than previously studied. We compare photometry from imaging data with spectrophotometry obtained weeks to years later in the Sloan g, r, and i bands. We employ quasar and galaxy eigenspectra fitting to separate the AGN and host galaxy components. A strong correlation between the variability amplitude and rest-frame time lag is observed, in agreement with quasar structure functions but extending to AGN several magnitudes fainter than previously studied. The structure function slopes for our fainter AGN sample are slightly shallower than those found in quasars studies. An anticorrelation with luminosity is clearly detected, with lower luminosity AGN displaying greater variability amplitudes. We demonstrate for the first time that this anticorrelation extends to AGN as faint as $M_{AGN_i}\sim-18.5$, with a slight trend towards shallower slopes at luminosities fainter than $M_{AGN_i}\sim-20.2$.
Immunohistochemical assessment of the effect of chemical and mechanical stimuli on cAMP and prostaglandin E levels in human gingival fibroblasts in vitro.

Abstract These were evaluated by: (1) a combined immunohistochemical-microphotometric procedure (IH) and (2) conventional radiometric assays. Human gingival fibroblasts were in the sixth passage, grown and maintained in Dulbecco minimal essential medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10 per cent horse serum. For chemical and hormonal stimuli, cells (2 × 10 4 ) were seeded on tissue-culture chamber/slides, and incubated with graded doses of either parathyroid hormone (PTH) or prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) for assessment of their adenosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cAMP) levels, and with indomethacin or colchicine for their effect on PGE levels. For mechanical stimuli, cells (1 × 10 6 ) were seeded on culture dishes with a flexible plastic membrane and stretched for 5, 30, 60 or 120 min by placing the membrane over a convex surface and weighting the dish cover. After freeze drying, cells were stained by an immunoperoxidase technique for either cAMP or PGE, using monoclonal antibodies. The staining intensity of fibroblasts was determined at 600 nm wavelength. Per cent light absorbance of 15 cells in each slide was measured and the results tested by analysis of variance. The gingival fibroblasts responded to the drugs and hormones in a dose- and time-related fashion. Stretching significantly increased their synthesis of PGE with concomitant increase in cAMP. The IH results were compared with the radiometric assays to confirm the validity of this technique; both assays were valid for describing the quantitative responses of these cells to the stimuli. In particular, the IH method could localize those intracellular sites which demonstrated chances in relative cAMP and PGE concentrations in response to hormonal stimuli.
Preoperative combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy plus radical surgery in advanced head and neck cancer five‐year results with impressive complete response rates and high survival

Radiation therapy combined with cisplatin as a chemoradiation sensitizer (CT/RT) has been reported to enhance tumor response in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. In the present study, CT/RT was used preoperatively in advanced Stage III and IV head and neck cancer. Fifty-three patients were entered prospectively into a Phase II study. Treatment consisted of 4500 cGy of radiation therapy in 5 weeks combined with cisplatin 20 mg/m 2 for 4 days during weeks 1 and 4 of radiation therapy. This was followed 4 to 8 weeks later by curative surgery
Mammalian runt-domain proteins and their roles in hematopoiesis, osteogenesis, and leukemia.

Mammalian Runt-domain-containing factors are structurally and functionally similar and have essential roles in hematopoiesis and osteogenesis. These factors can act as either positive or negative transcriptional regulators of tissue-specific genes whose promoters or enhancers contain the consensus Runt-domain binding element, TGT/CGGT. This sequence is necessary but not sufficient to regulate the transcription of a wide variety of genes. Runt-domain factors are promoter organizers that cooperate with neighboring factors and recruit transcriptional co-activators or co-repressors to regulate expression of tissue-specific genes. AML1 is required for hematopoiesis and is a frequent target of chromosomal translocations in acute leukemias. Fusion proteins generated by these translocations are dominant repressors of genes regulated by the Runt-domain factors. AML3 may also be involved in leukemogenesis. In addition, AML3 has an essential role in bone development, as it is required for osteoblast differentiation and is mutated in patients with cleidocranial dysplasia. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppls. 32/33:51-58, 1999.
Whole-cell-reporter-gene-based biosensing systems on a compact disk microfluidics platform

Biosensing systems such as reporter-gene-based whole-cell assays are increasingly finding applications in biological and environmental screening. A whole-cell approach to such analyses can provide valuable information about the bioavailable level of a compound of interest. These biosensing systems rely on the molecular recognition of a specific analyte by a regulatory protein and, therefore, can detect low levels of the target analyte. In this study, Escherichia coli cells containing plasmid pSD10 were engineered to sense the model target analytes arsenite and antimonite, the target analytes in this study. The biosensing system takes advantage of the recognition of the regulatory protein, ArsR, for arsenite and antimonite to produce the reporter protein, which in this case is GFPuv. The fluorescence emitted by the GFPuv in the cells can be directly related to the concentration of the analyte in the cell, making this biosensing system useful in the detection of arsenite and/or antimonite in a variety of samples. Miniaturization of biosensing systems can further enhance their utility by decreasing reagent consumption and analysis time and by allowing for the high-throughput screening of samples. To that end, we employed a microcentrifugal microfluidics platform that has low power, space, and reagent requirements, increased speed of detection, and the potential for portability. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time the adaptation of a whole-cell sensing system to a microcentrifugal microfluidics platform. Moreover, we were able to detect our target analytes in a rapid and sensitive manner compared to conventional sensing methods.
Sex Differences in Behavior in a Group of Captive Juvenile Talapoin Monkeys (Miopithecus Talapoin)

Previous laboratory studies have indicated that adult talapoin monkeys show sex differences in behavior which contrast with those observed in most other species of Cercopithecinae. The present study examines sex differences in a group of seven captive juvenile talapoins. Juvenile males were more active, less affiliative, more assertive, and more playful than females. They initiated and participated in all major types of social play, were avoided, and were alone more often than females. Juvenile females were more evasive, less playful, more affiliative, and showed more pronounced preferences for partners of their own sex than did males. Females avoided more often than males and avoided males more often than females. They groomed, were in proximity, and in contact more often than males, and performed these behaviors more frequently with females than with males. These characteristics have also been demonstrated in other juvenile monkeys. They occur in species with high degrees of adult morphological dimorphism where they are in accord with adult behavioral differences. They are also found in squirrel monkeys with low dimorphism and adult differences similar to those in talapoins, and in human beings. Thus they are not necessarily predictive of adult behavioral sexual dimorphism.
Educating engineers of the future

This paper reports on the latest efforts of the Center for Science and Mathematics Education and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Stony Brook University to provide high school students with an early exposure to engineering activities. Several programs, events and activities have been offered over the last few years and here we discuss the Engineering Summer Camp. This two-week residential camp for high school students in their sophomore or junior years exposes them to hands-on electrical and computer engineering research and educational activities. Students participate in exercises that range from fabricating a fiber voice link to developing an embedded processing system for measuring temperature. The purpose of this effort is to attract, inspire and educate engineers of the future.
New insights affect power MOSFET ruggedness

Issues affecting unclamped inductive switching (UIS) and diode recovery stress (DRS) failure modes of power MOSFET devices are discussed in terms of a modified device equivalent circuit. Test methods for both UIS and DRS are described; a useful format for device DRS capability is also described. The effect on switching efficiency of stored minority carrier charge in the MOSFET source-drain diode is highlighted. >
Toward an HRD Auditing Protocol: Assessing HRD Risk Management Practices

Even though HRD-related programs and activities carry risks that should be monitored and assessed, there is little literature on how auditing applies to the HRD function; the existing literature on...
Factors affecting the success of non-majors in learning to program

The introductory programming course is difficult for many university students, especially students who have little prior exposure to programming. Many factors affecting student success have been identified, but there is still a dearth of knowledge about how key factors combine to affect course outcomes. In this study we develop and empirically test a model integrating three factors of importance in learning to program: previous programming experience, perceived self-efficacy, and knowledge organization. The participants were non-majors. The findings showed that perceived self-efficacy increased significantly during a semester course. Previous experience affected perceived self-efficacy but not knowledge organization. Both perceived self-efficacy and knowledge organization had an effect on the course grade, as well as on success in a specific programming task, debugging. The results on self-efficacy also suggested that the participants were overconfident about their programming capabilities. The contribution of this paper is the identification of the joint effects of an important set of factors for programming success by non-majors.
FXR-mediated regulation of angiotensin type 2 receptor expression in vascular smooth muscle cells

Aims The farnesoid X receptor (FXR) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases via regulating the metabolism and transport of cholesterol. We and others have recently shown that FXR is also expressed in the vasculature, including endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells (SMC). However, the biological significance of FXR activation in SMC is still poorly understood. In this study, we examine the effect of FXR ligands on the angiotensin system in rat aortic SMC (RASMC), as angiotensin II (Ang II) signalling contributes to various types of vascular lesions by promoting cell growth of vascular SMC. Methods and results Treatment of RASMC with a FXR ligand showed no obvious effect on the expression of angiotensinogen, Ang II type 1 receptor (AT1R) or type 4 receptor (AT4R) but led to a significant increase in the expression of type 2 receptor (AT2R). FXR ligand treatment also resulted in an inhibition of Ang II-mediated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation and growth proliferation. Promoter reporter gene and electrophoretic mobility-shift assays suggest that FXR upregulates AT2R expression at a transcriptional level. Upregulation of AT2R appears to play a role in the FXR-mediated inhibition of ERK activation via upregulation of Rous sarcoma oncogene (Src) homology domain-containing tyrosine phosphatase 1 (SHP-1) because FXR-mediated upregulation of SHP-1 can be blocked by an AT2R antagonist and FXR-mediated ERK inactivation was significantly attenuated via treatment with either an AT2R antagonist or a SHP-1 inhibitor. Conclusion FXR in SMC may serve as a novel molecular target for modulating Ang II signalling in the vasculature.
Merging Electronics and Engineered Tissues

The engineering of three-dimensional tissues has been an active research area for some time—spurred not only by the great need for treating diseased or damaged organs and tissues, but also by the need for better in vitro disease models for the screening and development of new drugs. However, there