cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ambient induced changes of the conductance of amorphous germanium

Abstract To study the degree to which the density of states pins the Fermi level in amorphous semiconductors the following experiments were performed. The conductance G of 100–2500 A thick films of a-Ge, evaporated at rates near 75 A/sec, was measured at 300 K in a flow of N 2 + X where X is H 2 O, O 3 , NH 3 and ethanol. A microbalance covered with a film of a-Ge inserted in the same flow determined the amount of X adsorbed. All different X increase G. The changes ΔG are reversed by returning to N 2 . ΔG was found to increase with film thickness suggesting that X has penetrated the film. It is concluded that the a-Ge adjusts structurally to incorporate the H 2 O molecules with only a small change in its conduction properties.
Application of RF discharges to sputtering

The operation of rf discharges is described and the internal distribution of voltages is considered. The significance of this with respect to sputtering, particularly of insulators, is then discussed. An equivalent circuit for the discharge is presented and the influence of such parameters as pressure and magnetic field on the components of this circuit is described. Finally, energy distributions for positive ions, electrons, and negative ions incident at the substrate during deposition are given.
esim: a structural design language and simulator for computer architecture education

We have developed a structural design language for use in undergraduate computer architecture classes that has much of the power of VHDL with little of the complexity. This language, esim, allows students to build arbitrarily complex digital logic designs using simple hierarchical design techniques. Students can simulate and debug their designs using a simulator implemented as a Tcl module. Because esim was not intended for designing and building physical circuits, it omits many of the primitives necessary for "real" hardware design and instead focuses on the concepts necessary for teaching students about digital designs.We have used esim as a teaching tool in undergraduate computer architecture classes at UMBC for several semesters. Students in these classes have implemented projects as complex as a pipelined RISC processor and a full 16x16 combinational multiplier. The compiler and simulator for the language are freely distributable, and may be expanded using standard Tcl packages and Tcl code. Current simulator modules include one for displaying signal values on the screen; modules that graph signal values are planned.
GaAs integrated digital-to-analogue convertor for control of power dual-gate FETs

The design, fabrication and performance of a TTL compatible 4-bit GaAs integrated digital-to-analog convertor with an output voltage between -2.8 V and +2.8 V are reported. This circuit has been especially designed to control the gain of power dual-gate FETs by applying a voltage on the capacitively terminated second gate.
Heating and Acceleration of Heavy Ions during Solar Flares

The heating of the various ion species during solar flares is examined in an attempt to develop a unified model incorporating the enrichments in abundances seen by ISEE 3 and some of the characteristics of the soft X-ray line emissions. Problems associated with identifying the initial conditions and the driving mechanisms for the particle acceleration are addressed. The acceleration of heated plasma ions as they propagate upward into the corona is studied via particle simulations.
High-Throughput Microtissue Contractility Assay for In Vitro Analysis of Vascular Mechanics

Vascular smooth muscle (VSM) plays a key role in regulation of vascular mechanics through modulation of contractile tone. Studies suggest that mechanical or biochemical perturbation can lead to dysfunctional VSM behavior [1, 2]. This aberrant contractility may play a role in vascular dysfunction ranging from cerebral vasospasm to aneurysm genesis.© 2013 ASME
Continuous selections and complete metrizability of the range

A survey of results showing that, in many selection theorems, the complete metrizability of the range is necessary as well as sufficient.
NMR imaging of elastomeric polymers

We have used NMR imaging to determine the dispersion in crosslinking density in complex elastomers both along the chains as well as spatially. Our work has established that the ordinary industrial accelerator systems generate a broad distribution of crosslink densities in rubber articles due to the poor mixing of the solid accelerator/sulfur recipe in the raw rubber. This high inhomogeneity in elastomeric network has an adverse effect on the properties of the elastomer system. In particular, the variation in crosslink density leads to substantial differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion and high internal stresses in the rubber article.
Solubilization and electrophoretic analysis of Staphylococcus aureus membrane proteins

The protein composition of homogeneous Staphylococcus aureus 6538P cytoplasmic membranes was examined under denaturing electrophoretic conditions. A comparative analysis on the effectiveness of a variety of membrane solubilizing agents revealed the membrane protein extracts to be qualitatively similar as determined electrophoretically but different in the quantity of protein released; Zwittergent-314, sodium dodecyl sulfate, Triton X-100, Nonidet P-40, and sodium deoxycholate all proved to be effective solubilizing agents under the conditions examined. Fifty-five to sixty protein components were resolved by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis from homogeneous late-exponential phase membranes. The profile was unaffected when phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride was included during membrane isolation and solubilization. Analysis of the solubilized membrane proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis demonstrated in excess of 100 membrane protein components in a pH gradient between 3.5 to 7.7. The profile consisted of a heterogeneous mixture of mostly acidic components with isoelectric points between pH 4 and 5 and relative molecular weights between 158,000 and 35,000. Periodic acid-Schiff staining following sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis revealed six to ten reactive bands with two of these bands also exhibiting a reaction with concanavalin A.
Effects of response blocking and competing stimuli on stereotypic behavior

The effects of response blocking and competing stimuli on stereotypy and aggression were examined in an analysis conducted with a young girl diagnosed with autism and intellectual disability. A functional analysis of the stereotypic behavior revealed that blocking stereotypy increased aggression. The treatment analysis revealed that the provision of competing stimuli, without response blocking resulted in decreases in both topographies. Findings suggest that the provision of competing stimuli may be less likely to occasion other behaviors than blocking. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbonyls in Oxidizing Fat. 11. The Effect of the Pro‐oxidant Activity of Sodium Chloride on Pork Tissue

SUMMARY -Oxidation of freezer-stored, sodium chloridecured pork was characterized by a rapid rate and moderately high monocarbonyl/peroxide ratios. Increase in the concentration of NaCl accelerated autoxidation, but did not affect hydroperoxide decomposition to monocarbonyl compounds. High proportions of lean increased autoxidation and the monocarbonyl-peroxide ratios. Sodium nitrite (0.03%) catalyzed autoxidation by reaction with the meat pigment in an apparently independent effect to that exerted by NaCl. Composition of the free monocarbonyl compounds indicated linoleate specificity in peroxide decomposition, although hematin catalysis is nonspecific in its attack on unsaturated fatty acids. Possible direct effects of NaCl did not appear to involve a reactive chloride ion.
Passive immunotherapy in neonatal calves - I. Safety and potency of a J5 Escherichia coli hyperimmune plasma in neonatal calves

A pair of studies designed to assess the clinical safety and potency of hyperimmune plasma administration was undertaken in neonatal calves. Bovine plasma from Holstein heifers hyperimmunized with a mutant Escherichia coli O111:B4 (J5) vaccine which had a geometric mean (GM) immunoglobulin G (IgG) ELISA titer of 3.5 × 104, was administered subcutaneously to ≤2-day-old calves. In the first (study A) of two prospective trials, hyperimmune plasma was administered in two doses to colostrum-deprived (CD) (n=7) and colostrum-fed (CF) (n=16) neonatal dairy calves. Data were collected immediately before (0 h) and 6, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 288 h after the first plasma administration. Total serum protein and serum IgG concentration elevated in both groups with a significant (p<0.01) rise of E. coli J5-specific IgG from the corresponding baseline by 6 h post-plasma administration. In the second (study B) trial, calves (N=75) allocated into three protocol groups received two doses of either the hyperimmune (TT) J5 plasma (n=30) or the control (CT) plasma (n=30), and the third group (NT) received no plasma (n=15). Data were collected up to 96 h post-plasma administration. Serum IgG and J5 specific ELISA antibody titer increased significantly (p<0.01) in TT calves compared to the other group calves. The endotoxin contents of the administered plasma were ≤1 EU ml−1 by limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) method and the collected physiological and hematological data values were similar in all groups in both trials. In addition, no immediate adverse reaction or death was observed in any phase of the plasma administration. The E. coli J5 hyperimmune bovine plasma, as prepared and administered to neonatal calves in the current trials, proved to be a safe and potent biomedical fluid.
Morphology of a polyurethane-polyacrylate interpenetrating polymer network

Interpenetrating polymer networks of the SIN type (simultaneous interpenetrating networks) composed of a polyacrylate and a polyurethane were prepared. They were made by mixing several concentrations of the linear polymer and prepolymer in solution, together with their respective chain extending and crosslinking agents and catalysts, casting films and curing them in situ. The morphology was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and electron microscopy in order to determine the extent of chain entanglement of the two networks (interpenetration). It was found that little or no phase separation occurred, thus implying extensive interpenetration.
The Effects of Music in a Retail Setting on Real and Perceived Shopping Times

Abstract This article extends research linking shopping behavior to environmental factors through changes in emotional states. With time fixed or variable during a simulated shopping experiment, shoppers were exposed to music varying by degree of familiarity. Afterward, subjects reported their perceptions of shopping duration, their emotional states, and their merchandise evaluations. Analyses revealed that individuals reported themselves as shopping longer when exposed to familiar music but actually shopped longer when exposed to unfamiliar music. Shorter actual shopping times in the familiar music condition were related to increased arousal. Longer perceived shopping times in the familiar music condition appear related to unmeasured cognitive factors. Although emotional states affected product evaluations, these effects were not directly related to the music manipulations.
Quantitative imaging of energy expenditure in human brain

Despite the essential role of the brain energy generated from ATP hydrolysis in supporting cortical neuronal activity and brain function, it is challenging to noninvasively image and directly quantify the energy expenditure in the human brain. In this study, we applied an advanced in vivo(31)P MRS imaging approach to obtain regional cerebral metabolic rates of high-energy phosphate reactions catalyzed by ATPase (CMR(ATPase)) and creatine kinase (CMR(CK)), and to determine CMR(ATPase) and CMR(CK) in pure gray mater (GM) and white mater (WM), respectively. It was found that both ATPase and CK rates are three times higher in GM than WM; and CMR(CK) is seven times higher than CMR(ATPase) in GM and WM. Among the total brain ATP consumption in the human cortical GM and WM, 77% of them are used by GM in which approximately 96% is by neurons. A single cortical neuron utilizes approximately 4.7 billion ATPs per second in a resting human brain. This study demonstrates the unique utility of in vivo(31)P MRS imaging modality for direct imaging of brain energy generated from ATP hydrolysis, and provides new insights into the human brain energetics and its role in supporting neuronal activity and brain function.
The RON Receptor Tyrosine Kinase in Pancreatic Cancer Pathogenesis and Its Potential Implications for Future Targeted Therapies

Pancreatic cancer remains a devastating disease with a mortality rate that has not changed substantially in decades. Novel therapies are therefore desperately needed. The RON receptor tyrosine kinase has been identified as an important mediator of KRAS oncogene addiction and is overexpressed in the majority of pancreatic cancers. Preclinical studies show that inhibition of RON function decreases pancreatic cancer cell migration, invasion, and survival and can sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to chemotherapy. This article reviews the current state of knowledge regarding RON biology and pancreatic cancer and discusses its potential as a therapeutic target.
The Los Alamos scientific laboratory dry hot rock geothermal project (LASL Group Q-22)

An exploratory hole 785 m (2576 ft) deep was drilled in Barley Canyon, about 5 km (3 miles) outside the western geologic rim of the Valles Caldera in New Mexico. This hole, identified as ''GT-1'', penetrated about 143 m (470 ft) into the granitic Precambrian rock. Bottomhole temperature was 100.4/sup 0/C. Hydraulic fracturing was accomplished repeatedly in the granitic section of the hole at pumping pressures of the order of 10.3 MPa (1500 psi). The fractures appeared to be essentially vertical and to have a consistent northwest-southeast orientation. The fractures could be held open by pumping pressures of the order of 6.9 MPa (1000 psi), and at such pressures the rate of fluid loss from the system was very low. It was concluded that the basement rock penetrated by GT-1 was well suited to creation and containment of a pressurized-water energy-extraction loop. A second deep exploratory hole, GT-2, has been drilled to a present depth of 2042 m (6701 ft). It is located on top of Fenton Hill, a flat-topped mesa about 2.5 km (1.5 miles) south of GT-1. It is being used primarily to investigate the structure, temperature, permeability, and fracturing behavior of the Precambrian basement rock at amore » second location and at greater depth than was reached in GT-1. Discussions of the geology, site selection, drilling, core studies, heat flow and hydraulic fracturing primarily for the GT-2 exploratory hole are presented.« less
Nursing Personnel in Nursing Homes A Structural Approach to Turnover

Despite our vast knowledge about turnover among workers in organizations, there remains a need to broaden the current data base for different occupations in unexplored organizations, to simultaneously investigate several factors related to turnover, and to develop theoretical underpinnings that link those factors in a coherent way. This article addresses that need for further investigation by proposing a structural model that integrates three types of factors—the opportunity structure in which organizations compete for workers, the organizational structure in which individuals work, and the control structure by which workers are rewarded—and by testing that model with data from a 1978 study of turnover among nursing personnel in 122 nursing homes in a southern state. All three types of factors are found to have a significant effect, suggesting that a structural model contributes to our knowledge of turnover among workers in organizations.
Procrustean science - Indigenous siderophiles in the lunar highlands, according to Delano and Ringwood

An attempt is made to show that Delano and Ringwood (1978) reached the conclusion that the siderophiles in the lunar highlands are mainly of indigenous rather than meteoric origin by stretching and chopping the evidence to fit a preconceived mold. In determining the abundance of siderophiles and volatiles in the lunar highlands, Delano and Ringwood rejected evidence supplied by pristine rocks uncontaminated by meteoric debris, on the basis that these rocks are impact melts. It is argued that there is no evidence that complete melting and slow freezing needed for settling of metal is ever attained in lunar impacts. Moreover, some of the meteorite-free rocks are clasts within, and hence older than the siderophile-rich breccias that Delano and Ringwood consider more pristine. If one uses the pristine highland rocks to determine an indigenous component, no problems with enrichment of Zn, Ge, As, Ag, Sb, and Au in the indigenous component relative to mare basalts are encountered, since the pristine rocks show no significant enrichment in these elements.
Determination of digitoxin in pharmaceutical oral dosages by automatic discrete-sample analysis.

Abstract An automatic procedure for determination of digitoxin in pharmaceutical oral dosages is described. The procedure is based on the fluorimetric determination of digitoxin in hydrochloric acid media in the presence of hydrogen peroxide. Operational conditions and analytical setup are detailed. Results for repeatability, linearity, and tablet analysis are given. The procedure can be used for analysis of sets of up to 30 tablets at the rate of 17 readings per hour. Contents as low as 0.1 mg of digitoxin can be determined.
54.1: Invited Paper: A Novel Approach to Make Flexible Active Matrix Displays

A flexible thin film transistor (TFT) backplane was successfully developed with Polyimide (PI) substrate and a novel de-bonding technology. The PI is colorless and transparent which can sustain a process temperature of 200°C. with this progress, flexible organic light emitting diode (OLED) and electrophoretic display (EPD) can readily be integrated with flexible TFT backplane to fabricate flexible AMOLED and flexible AMEPD.
Mid-infrared laser ablation of a hard biocomposite material: mechanistic studies of pulse duration and interface effects

Abstract Cortical bone is a hard biocomposite material comprising protein, mineral crystal and water. We have studied mid-infrared laser ablation of bovine cortical bone using a free-electron laser (FEL) and an Er:YAG laser at a wavelength of 2.94 μm, comparing pulse duration and interface effects. Bovine bone samples were irradiated both in air and while irrigating with biologically inert perfluorocarbon. The perfluorocarbon dissipates heat and acoustical stress, and at the lowest scanning speeds, appears to inhibit carbonization. The ablation efficiency and etch rates are critically dependent on scanning speed, laser fluence, and the molecular weight and depth of the perfluorocarbon. The observed phenomenology is consistent with an explosive vaporization as the principal mechanism of ablation; in addition, there may be nonlinear absorption effects.
Regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Comparison of A23187 and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate

Challenge of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with the divalent cation ionophore A23187 caused a marked increase in the deacylation of [3H]arachidonic acid but not of [14C]palmitic acid. When the cells were treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and A23187, there was an additional increase in the deacylation of [3H]arachidonic acid compared to that observed with either agent alone. In contrast to deacylation, the stimulation of prostaglandin production by A23187 was small compared to the stimulation by TPA. Cycloheximide inhibited synthesis of prostaglandins in TPA-treated cells, but did not block the stimulated deacylation caused by either TPA or A23187. These data indicate that, while both TPA and A23187 stimulated the deacylation of [3H]arachidonic acid, TPA had an additional, cycloheximide-sensitive effect that was required for efficient conversion of the release fatty acids to prostaglandins. Thus, although required, deacylation appeared to be independent of and insufficient to stimulate maximum prostaglandin synthesis in these cells.
Restriction of Francisella novicida genetic diversity during infection of the vector midgut.

The genetic diversity of pathogens, and interactions between genotypes, can strongly influence pathogen phenotypes such as transmissibility and virulence. For vector-borne pathogens, both mammalian hosts and arthropod vectors may limit pathogen genotypic diversity (number of unique genotypes circulating in an area) by preventing infection or transmission of particular genotypes. Mammalian hosts often act as “ecological filters” for pathogen diversity, where novel variants are frequently eliminated because of stochastic events or fitness costs. However, whether vectors can serve a similar role in limiting pathogen diversity is less clear. Here we show using Francisella novicida and a natural tick vector of Francisella spp. (Dermacentor andersoni), that the tick vector acted as a stronger ecological filter for pathogen diversity compared to the mammalian host. When both mice and ticks were exposed to mixtures of F. novicida genotypes, significantly fewer genotypes co-colonized ticks compared to mice. In both ticks and mice, increased genotypic diversity negatively affected the recovery of available genotypes. Competition among genotypes contributed to the reduction of diversity during infection of the tick midgut, as genotypes not recovered from tick midguts during mixed genotype infections were recovered from tick midguts during individual genotype infection. Mediated by stochastic and selective forces, pathogen genotype diversity was markedly reduced in the tick. We incorporated our experimental results into a model to demonstrate how vector population dynamics, especially vector-to-host ratio, strongly affected pathogen genotypic diversity in a population over time. Understanding pathogen genotypic population dynamics will aid in identification of the variables that most strongly affect pathogen transmission and disease ecology.
Application of the operator expansion method to scattering of low frequency sound from the ocean surface

The operator expansion (OE) method, a new approximation for computing scattering from rough surfaces proposed by Milder (1991), is applied to the problem of low frequency (200 Hz) acoustic scattering from one-dimensional (1D) randomly rough surfaces used to model the ocean surface. The accuracy of the OE solution is determined through comparison with the exact solution obtained by solving an integral equation. Both methods compute scattering from a single deterministic surface; comparisons are presented for averages computed using 50 surface realizations. The OE solution is cast as a series which is found to be rapidly convergent and accurate over a wide range of incident and scattering angles. Alternative forms of the OE series solution also proposed by Milder prove to be more efficient than the standard series at obtaining an accurate solution. The authors' numerical studies for 1D surface scattering indicate that rapid convergence of the OE solution is always associated with its accuracy; this behavior is expected to carry over to scattering from 2D surfaces, for which exact solutions are still very costly. >
Quantitative contributions of CtBP-dependent and -independent repression activities of Knirps

The Drosophila Knirps protein is a short-range transcriptional repressor that locally inhibits activators by recruiting the CtBP co-repressor. Knirps also possesses CtBP-independent repression activity. The functional importance of multiple repression activities is not well understood, but the finding that Knirps does not repress some cis-regulatory elements in the absence of CtBP suggested that the co-factor may supply a unique function essential to repress certain types of activators. We assayed CtBP-dependent and -independent repression domains of Knirps in Drosophila embryos, and found that the CtBP-independent activity, when provided at higher than normal levels, can repress an eve regulatory element that normally requires CtBP. Dose response analysis revealed that the activity of Knirps containing both CtBP-dependent and -independent repression activities is higher than that of the CtBP-independent domain alone. The requirement for CtBP at certain enhancers appears to reflect the need for overall higher levels of repression, rather than a requirement for an activity unique to CtBP. Thus, CtBP contributes quantitatively, rather than qualitatively, to overall repression function. The finding that both repression activities are simultaneously deployed suggests that the multiple repression activities do not function as cryptic 'backup' systems, but that each contributes quantitatively to total repressor output.
Testing structural models of DSM-IV symptoms of common forms of child and adolescent psychopathology

Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) symptoms of common mental disorders derived from structured interviews of a representative sample of 4,049 twin children and adolescents and their adult caretakers. A dimensional model based on the assignment of symptoms to syndromes in DSM-IV fit better than alternative models, but some dimensions were highly correlated. Modest sex and age differences in factor loadings and correlations were found that suggest that the dimensions of psychopathology are stable across sex and age, but slightly more differentiated at older ages and in males. The dimensions of symptoms were found to be hierarchically organized within higher-order "externalizing" and "internalizing" dimensions, which accounted for much of their variance. Major depression and generalized anxiety disorder were substantially correlated with both the "externalizing" dimension and the "internalizing" dimension, however, suggesting the need to reconceptualize the nature of these higher-order dimensions.
Two-stage outlier elimination for robust curve and surface fitting

An outlier elimination algorithm for curve/surface fitting is proposed. This two-stage hybrid algorithm employs a proximity-based outlier detection algorithm, followed by a model-based one. First, a proximity graph is generated. Depending on the use of a hard/soft threshold of the connectivity of observations, two algorithms are developed, one graph-component-based and the other eigenspace-based. Second, a model-based algorithm, taking the classification of inliers/outliers of the first stage as its initial state, iteratively refits and retests the observations with respect to the curve/surface model until convergence. These two stages compensate for each other so that outliers of various types can be eliminated with a reasonable amount of computation. Compared to other algorithms, this hybrid algorithm considerably improves the robustness of ellipse/ellipsoid fitting for scenarios with large portions of outliers and high levels of inlier noise, as demonstrated by extensive simulations.
Regulation of insulin action by an extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. in primary human skeletal muscle culture: a proteomics approach.

An ethanolic extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. (PMI 5011) has been observed to decrease glucose and insulin levels in animal models and enhance cellular signaling in cultured cells. To determine the mechanism of action of PMI-5011, we have measured changes in protein expression in human primary skeletal muscle culture (HSMC) from subjects with Type 2 diabetes. After obtaining skeletal muscle biopsies, HSMCs were initiated, grown to confluence, and exposed to 10 µg/mL PMI 5011 overnight. Two-dimensional difference in-gel electrophoresis was used to separate proteins, and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry was used to identify differentially regulated proteins. Additionally, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to confirm candidate proteins identified. These data demonstrate that a well characterized botanical extract of Artemisia dracunculus L. significantly modulates proteins involved in regulating inflammatory pathways, particularly the NFκB complex system. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel complexation hydrogels for oral peptide delivery: In vitro evaluation of their cytocompatibility and insulin‐transport enhancing effects using Caco‐2 cell monolayers

Poly(methacrylic acid-grafted-poly(ethylene gly- col)) (P(MAA-g-EG)) is a complexation hydrogel molecu- larly designed for oral peptide delivery. In this work, the cytotoxicity and insulin-transport enhancing effect of P(MAA-g-EG) microparticles on intestinal epithelial cells were evaluated using Caco-2 cell monolayers. A series of P(MAA-g-EG) microparticles with different polymer com- positions were prepared by a photo-initiated free radical solution polymerization and subsequent pulverization. The hydrogel microparticles were preswollen in either Ca 2 - containing (CM )o r Ca 2 -free medium (CM; pH 7.4) and applied to the apical side of the Caco-2 monolayers. No significant cytotoxic effects, as determined by a calorimetric assay with P(MAA-g-EG) microparticles preswollen in the CM, were observed at doses ranging from 3 to 31 mg/cm 2 of cell monolayer. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements showed that the P(MAA-g-EG) mi- croparticles induced a Ca 2 concentration-dependent low- ering in TEER values. The reduction effect in CM media was greater than that in CM media (17 2% reduction in CM and 45 3% reduction in CM, respectively). Insulin transport in the presence of the preswollen P(MAA-g-EG) microparticles was also strongly depended on the Ca 2 concentration in the medium. The respective estimated per- meability for insulin alone and the insulin with hydrogels in CM were 0.77 and 1.16 10 8 cm/s, whereas those in CM were 1.18 and 24.78 10 8 cm/s. The results demon- strate that the P(MAA-g-EG) hydrogel microparticles could be used as a cytocompatible carrier possessing the transport- enhancing effect of insulin on the intestinal epithelial cells. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 67A: 609 - 617, 2003
A Review of Multidisciplinary Interventions for Fibromyalgia Patients: Where Do We Go from Here?

Objectives: This paper reviews multidisciplinary treatment programs designed for people with fibromyalgia [FMS], identifies factors that may be associated with treatment efficacy, and makes recommendations for future FMS interventions.Findings: Most efficacious interventions included physical activity and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Recommendations for future research studies include: 1. the use of aerobic exercise and cognitive-behavioral therapy training in coping skills and relaxation; 2. individualized exercise training; 3. power analysis conducted a priori to determine appropriate sample size; 4. uniformity in outcome measurement and follow-up assessment; and 5. the use of randomized, controlled trials that can lead to stronger conclusions regarding treatment efficacy.Conclusions: Multidisciplinary treatment programs for FMS patients are generally effective. Researchers should continue to develop multi-disciplinary treatment interventions incorporating the above recommendations.
hnRNP U Inhibits Carboxy-Terminal Domain Phosphorylation by TFIIH and Represses RNA Polymerase II Elongation

This study describes a potential new function of hnRNP U as an RNA polymerase (Pol II) elongation inhibitor. We demonstrated that a subfraction of human hnRNP U is associated with the Pol II holoenzyme in vivo and as such recruited to the promoter as part of the preinitiation complex. hnRNP U, however, appears to dissociate from the Pol II complex at the early stage of transcription and is therefore absent from the elongating Pol II complex. When tested in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transcription system, hnRNP U inhibits elongation rather than initiation of transcription by Pol II. This inhibition requires the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD) of Pol II. We showed that hnRNP U can bind TFIIH in vivo under certain conditions and inhibit TFIIH-mediated CTD phosphorylation in vitro. We find that the middle domain of hnRNP U is sufficient to mediate its Pol II association and its inhibition of TFIIH-mediated phosphorylation and Pol II elongation. The abilities of hnRNP U to inhibit TFIIH-mediated CTD phosphorylation and its Pol II association are necessary for hnRNP U to mediate the repression of Pol II elongation. Based on these observations, we suggest that a subfraction of hnRNP U, as a component of the Pol II holoenzyme, may downregulate TFIIH-mediated CTD phosphorylation in the basal transcription machinery and repress Pol II elongation. With such functions, hnRNP U might provide one of the mechanisms by which the CTD is maintained in an unphosphorylated state in the Pol II holoenzyme.
Numerical implementation of a neural network based material model in finite element analysis

Neural network (NN) based constitutive models can capture non-linear material behaviour. These models are versatile and have the capacity to continuously learn as additional material response data becomes available. NN constitutive models are increasingly used within the finite element (FE) method for the solution of boundary value problems. NN constitutive models, unlike commonly used plasticity models, do not require special integration procedures for implementation in FE analysis. NN constitutive model formulation does not use a material stiffness matrix concept in contrast to the elasto-plastic matrix central to conventional plasticity based models. This paper addresses numerical implementation issues related to the use of NN constitutive models in FE analysis. A consistent material stiffness matrix is derived for the NN constitutive model that leads to efficient convergence of the FE Newton iterations. The proposed stiffness matrix is general and valid regardless of the material behaviour represented by the NN constitutive model. Two examples demonstrate the performance of the proposed NN constitutive model implementation.
How Does the Ketogenic Diet Work? Four Potential Mechanisms

The ketogenic diet and its newer variants are clinically useful in treating epilepsy. They can also have antiepileptogenic properties and can eventually have a role in treating other neurologic and nonneurologic conditions. Despite being nearly a century old, identifying the molecular underpinnings of the ketogenic diet has been challenging. However, recent studies provide experimental evidence for 4 distinct mechanisms that could contribute to the antiseizure and other beneficial effects of these diets. These mechanisms include carbohydrate reduction, activation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channels by mitochondrial metabolism, inhibition of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, and inhibition of glutamatergic excitatory synaptic transmission.
Dynamic headspace analysis of light activated flavor in milk

Abstract Dynamic headspace analysis (DHA) was evaluated for its ability to recover, fractionate and identify the key volatile compounds responsible for development of light activated flavor (LAF) in commercial fluid milk stored in Pyrex test tubes and exposed to 200 foot-candles of fluorescent light for 6 to 48 h at 0–5 °C, with and without headspace during storage. Major volatile compounds recovered and identified from ⩾12 h light exposed milk, presumably resulting from photosensitization and decomposition of riboflavin and oxidation of lipids and sulfur compounds, included: hexanal, pentanal, dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), 2-butanone, and 2-propanol. Formation of all five compounds was favored by providing headspace during light exposure, except for 2-butanone and 2-propanol in 48 h light-exposed milk. DMDS was not detected in 12 h light-exposed milk, but was recovered from 24 and 48 h light-exposed milk at steadily increasing concentrations. DMDS formation was favored by providing headspace during light exposure. A trained sensory panel was not able to detect LAF in 6 or 12 h light-exposed milk without headspace, whereas DHA was able to detect increases in concentrations of two volatile compounds, i.e., pentanal and hexanal, in 12 h light-exposed milk without headspace, which corresponds to commercial milk storage conditions.
Comparative RNA-Seq based dissection of the regulatory networks and environmental stimuli underlying Vibrio parahaemolyticus gene expression during infection.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is the leading worldwide cause of seafood-associated gastroenteritis, yet little is known regarding its intraintestinal gene expression or physiology. To date, in vivo analyses have focused on identification and characterization of virulence factors‐‐e.g. a crucial Type III secretion system (T3SS2)‐‐rather than genome-wide analyses of in vivo biology. Here, we used RNA-Seq to profile V. parahaemolyticus gene expression in infected infant rabbits, which mimic human infection. Comparative transcriptomic analysis of V. parahaemolyticus isolated from rabbit intestines and from several laboratory conditions enabled identification of mRNAs and sRNAs induced during infection and of regulatory factors that likely control them. More than 12% of annotated V. parahaemolyticus genes are differentially expressed in the intestine, including the genes of T3SS2, which are likely induced by bile-mediated activation of the transcription factor VtrB. Our analyses also suggest that V. parahaemolyticus has access to glucose or other preferred carbon sources in vivo, but that iron is inconsistently available. The V. parahaemolyticus transcriptional response to in vivo growth is far more widespread than and largely distinct from that of V. cholerae, likely due to the distinct ways in which these diarrheal pathogens interact with and modulate the environment in the small intestine.
PARSING A FREE-WORD ORDER LANGUAGE: WARLPIRI

Free-word order languages have long posed significant problems for standard parsing algorithms. This paper reports on an implemented parser, based on Government-Binding theory (GB) (Chomsky, 1981, 1982), for a particular free-word order language, Warlpiri, an aboriginal language of central Australia. The parser is explicitly designed to transparently mirror the principles of GB.The operation of this parsing system is quite different in character from that of a rule-based parsing system, e.g., a context-free parsing method. In this system, phrases are constructed via principles of selection, case-marking, case-assignment, and argument-linking, rather than by phrasal rules.The output of the parser for a sample Warlpiri sentence of four words in length is given. The parser was executed on each of the 23 other permutations of the sentence, and it output equivalent parses, thereby demonstrating its ability to correctly handle the highly scrambled sentences found in Warlpiri.
Measuring engineering freshman attitudes and perceptions of their first year academic experience: the continuing development of two assessment instruments

Student perceptions and attitudes about their educational experiences have been found to make an important contribution to the retention of students in undergraduate science, math, engineering, and technology (SMET) programs. The present study describes the continuing development of the Freshman Engineering Attitude Survey (FEAS) and the Engineering Perception Test (EPT) Instruments. The FEAS was designed to measure engineering freshman attitudes towards concepts and competencies targeted by the Texas AM followed by item analysis, reliability, and exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis.
Multiprocessor simulation using communicating sequential processes

To tackle the increasing complexity of capturing the design and subsequent simulation of multicore/multiprocessor systems, it may be beneficial to consider formal methods of high-level design. However, current formal methods of high-level multiprocessor system design and simulation often use sequential/parallel discrete event simulation with cooperative multithreading and hence do not exploit the true multiprocessing capabilities of simulation hosts now available even at the desktop computing level. Hence in this article, we present our ongoing research work on a multiprocessor simulator based on the formal method of communicating sequential processes (CSP). Here, we show how a multiprocessor system can be described using the operators of CSP. Furthermore, we show how this formal description of a multiprocessor system can be mapped to the functions provided by the Kent C++CSP multithreading library for creating a multithreaded multiprocessor simulator. Finally, we present the results of the simulator performance obtained using two applications.
A vector space approach to adaptive beamforming

A novel vector space approach for adaptive beamforming is presented. The vector space method is formulated for both narrowband and broadband arrays. It consists of first formulating the beamforming problem as a linear system of equations in a matrix-vector form and then finding the solution to the system with an iterative matrix inversion technique known as the row-action projection algorithm. The vector space approach for narrowband and broadband arrays is compared to the more well-known algorithms via computer simulations. The row-action projection algorithm demonstrates performance comparable to that of the well-known algorithms while providing potential advantages for parallel implementations. >
Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of a perineal lipoma.

Received March 8, 2010, from the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (J.R.W., M.G.P., M.C., A.C.), Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery (B.M.), and Department of Radiology (S.W.), Maine Medical Center, Portland, Maine USA. Manuscript accepted for publication March 9, 2010. Address correspondence to Joseph R. Wax, MD, Maine Medical Partners Women’s Health, 887 Congress St, Suite 200, Portland, ME 04102 USA. E-mail: waxj@mmc.org primagravid patient underwent an obstetric ultrasound examination at a gestational age of 31 weeks 5 days for a fundal height less than expected. The pregnancy was dated by a 15week sonogram, and the fetus had a known 46,XX karyotype following amniocentesis performed because of an increased risk for trisomy 21 by maternal serum screening. The fetal anatomy was sonographically normal at 18 weeks’ gestation. Sonography revealed a normally grown fetus (1746 g, 43rd percentile) surrounded by a normal amniotic fluid volume. A 2.3 ×1.4-cm lobulated right labial and perineal mass was observed (Figures 1 and 2). A review of the 18-week study confirmed a normal perineum at that time. Color and power Doppler interrogation showed no flow within the lesion. The likely diagnosis was a lipoma, for which the patient was counseled and referred for pediatric surgical consultation. The pregnancy was followed weekly, with the mass showing stable dimensions and appearance. A healthy neonate weighing 3150 g with 1and 5minute Apgar scores of 8 and 9, respectively, was delivered vaginally at 39 weeks’ gestation. The neonate had normal bowel and bladder function with physical examination notable only for the 5 ×4 ×3-cm bilobed mass arising from the right perineum extending to the right labium minora and introitus (Figure 3). Magnetic resonance imaging performed on the second day of life showed a signal intensity consistent with fat, no enhancement with gadolinium contrast, and a 1.7-cm vascular pedicle extending cephalad to the right lateral vagina, lower rectum, and anus (Figure 4). At 1 month of age, the mass was locally excised without complications (Figure 5). Histologic examination of the specimen showed mature adipose tissue interspersed with collagenous bands, leading to the diagnosis of a fibrolipoma.
A review of precipitation and temperature control on seedling emergence and establishment for ponderosa and lodgepole pine forest regeneration

Abstract The persistence of ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine forests in the 21st century depends to a large extent on how seedling emergence and establishment are influenced by driving climate and environmental variables, which largely govern forest regeneration. We surveyed the literature, and identified 96 publications that reported data on dependent variables of seedling emergence and/or establishment and one or more independent variables of air temperature, soil temperature, precipitation and moisture availability. Our review suggests that seedling emergence and establishment for both species is highest at intermediate temperatures (20 to 25 °C), and higher precipitation and higher moisture availability support a higher percentage of seedling emergence and establishment at daily, monthly and annual timescales. We found that ponderosa pine seedlings may be more sensitive to temperature fluctuations whereas lodgepole pine seedlings may be more sensitive to moisture fluctuations. In a changing climate, increasing temperatures and declining moisture availability may hinder forest persistence by limiting seedling processes. Yet, only 23 studies in our review investigated the effects of driving climate and environmental variables directly. Furthermore, 74 studies occurred in a laboratory or greenhouse, which do not often replicate the conditions experienced by tree seedlings in a field setting. It is therefore difficult to provide strong conclusions on how sensitive emergence and establishment in ponderosa and lodgepole pine are to these specific driving variables, or to investigate their potential aggregate effects. Thus, the effects of many driving variables on seedling processes remain largely inconclusive. Our review stresses the need for additional field and laboratory studies to better elucidate the effects of driving climate and environmental variables on seedling emergence and establishment for ponderosa and lodgepole pine.
Nitric oxide modulation of TNF-α-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction is concentration dependent

Whereas previous studies suggest that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induces cardiac contraction-relaxation deficits, the mechanisms remain unclear. Our recent studies have implicated cardiac-deri...
Endoscopic Techniques in the Management of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) represents the most common form of peripheral nerve entrapment. Although idiopathic and systemic etiologies are not uncommon, repetitive and stressful wrist motion activities represent a large majority of the cases. Its clinical presentation is classic, and diagnosis can easily be corroborated with electrodiagnostic studies. As a single clinical entity, CTS was not recognized until 1854, when it was first described by Paget (1). His description included a patient who sustained traumatic compressive injury of the median nerve at the distal radius. Subsequently, in 1880, Putnam (2) reported on a series of patients who presented with symptoms consistent with CTS. The first report of surgical release of a compressed median nerve following a traumatic injury was by Learmonth in 1933 (3). In 1946, Cannon and Love (4) first reported the first surgical release of a nontraumatic entrapped median nerve at the wrist. However, beginning in 1950, and during the subsequent two decades, Phalen (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) reported on a large number of patients with idiopathic spontaneous CTS, treated by surgical transection of the transverse carpal ligament. He is acknowledged as single-handedly popularizing the surgical treatment of CTS.
Mcl-1 expression influcences CD8+ anti-tumor immunity.

Meeting abstracts The recent clinical successes of immunotherapies such as anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4 antibody blockade have re-invigorated the idea that the immune system has the potential to be a powerful tool to destroy tumors. However despite ample evidence that these therapies are able to