cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integration of antenna elements onto semiconductor substrates for use in phased arrays

This paper discusses the ongoing research being conducted in the RF Technology Division of the Applied Sensors, Guidance, and Electronics Directorate, US Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) on the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The overall purpose of the research is to determine and overcome the technological barriers impinging upon enhancements to current phased array technology which is expected to include MEMS in addition to chip-level integration of multiple phased array components. An overview of phased array systems and components is presented along with applications and insertion into potential military systems and the benefits thereof. The paper discusses the current research effort and future research areas for this project and its benefits in creating an air defense system to support the Future Combat System (FCS) of the US Army.
Congenital Aneurysm (Diverticulum) of the Right Atrium Clinical Manifestations and Results of Operative Treatment

A patient is described in whom a large congenital aneurysm or diverticulum of the right atrium caused repeated attacks of supraventricular arrhythmia and a strikingly reduced cardiac output. The aneurysm, which contained a large thrombus, was demonstrated by preoperative angiographic examinations. At the time of operation, regular rhythm returned at the moment the aneurysm was transsected. The patient is asymptomatic after operation, and has maintained sinus rhythm. A normal cardiac index was recorded at postoperative cardiac catheterization.
Cytochromes P450: A Structure-Based Summary of Biotransformations Using Representative Substrates

Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) are a superfamily of enzymes that metabolize the majority of xenobiotics in humans. This review presents a structure-based outline of CYP-catalyzed biotransformations of selected substrates, representing diverse structural classes of chemicals, ranging from drugs to toxicants. Data are presented in a tabular format for easy reference, with visual representations of all substrates and sites-of-attack. The major metabolites, isozymes responsible, chemical classification, and other information related to the biotransformation are provided. Pharmacophores proposed for the major CYP isozymes are discussed. This visual combination of substrates and biotransformation sites can serve as a useful reference for researchers.
Modeling Coral Reef Fish Home Range Movements in Dry Tortugas, Florida

Underestimation of reef fish space use may result in marine reserves that are too small to effectively buffer a portion of the stock from fishing mortality. Commonly used statistical home range models, such as minimum convex polygon (MCP) or 95% kernel density (95% KD) methods, require the exclusion of individuals who move beyond the bounds of the tracking study. Spatially explicit individual-based models of fish home range movements parameterized from multiple years of acoustic tracking data were developed for three exploited coral reef fishes (red grouper Epinephelus morio, black grouper Mycteroperca bonaci, and mutton snapper Lutjanus analis) in Dry Tortugas, Florida. Movements were characterized as a combination of probability of movement, distance moved, and turning angle. Simulations suggested that the limited temporal and geographic scope of most movement studies may underestimate home range size, especially for fish with home range centers near the edges of the array. Simulations provided useful upper bounds for home range size (red grouper: km2 MCP, km2 KD; black grouper: km2 MCP, km2 KD; mutton snapper: km2 MCP, km2 KD). Simulations also suggested that MCP home ranges are more robust to artifacts of passive array acoustic detection patterns than 95% KD methods.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and the Management of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathic Pain

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) affects approximately half of patients with diabetes. Neuropathic pain is a major complaint of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy can also lead to autonomic dysfunction. This article provides an outline of the clinical subtypes, pathophysiological features, and diagnosis of DPN. Disease-modifying treatments are reviewed, with particular attention paid to DPN pain management.
Polarization effects induced by a two-mirror laser beam scanner

The polarization lidar technique requires that the transmitted laser beam in the atmosphere is linearly polarized so that a depolarization ratio from hydrometeors and aerosol particles can be detected. This is easily achieved in vertically pointing lidars used to study clouds. However, in scanning lidars, which are of interest for wind and pollution studies, stand-off detection and biodefense, the state of polarization of the laser beam is modified upon reflection by the mirrors of the scanner. We study experimentally the effect of a two-mirror scanner, or beam steering unit (BSU), on the polarization state of a linearly polarized beam at 1.54 micron wavelength. We built a miniature BSU in the lab and used a polarimeter to map the state of polarization (SOP) for all combinations of azimuth-elevation angles. We found that the linear polarization is preserved for a horizontal scan (elevation angle is 0°) but it rotates as a function of azimuth angle. There are a few more pointing directions in which the SOP is linear. Overall, the transmit beam is elliptically polarized for a non-zero elevation angle. The ellipticity and orientation of the ellipses is not constant. However, we found a period of repeatability of 180° in both azimuth and elevation angles. When comparing two different coatings, we note that the ellipticity is a function of the type of coating. We propose a method to eliminate the induced ellipticity by the BSU mirrors for all scan directions by means of altering the incident SOP on the BSU.
Secure intelligence gathering using smartphones

Equipped with camera, microphone, GPS and other sensors, together with convenient applications such as email clients, smartphones have a high potential to become a cost-effective intelligence gathering platform in a war zone. However, current smartphone applications are developed for civilian use. Due to lack of support for military requirements, such as confidentiality, smartphones may not be directly adopted in military environments. To bridge the gap, we propose a new model for secure intelligence gathering using smartphones. Based on the Android operating system, we develop Imsec, a proof-of-concept application which can securely capture, store, and transfer camera-generated images using smartphones. Our evaluation results demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of this new model.
Host Demise as a Beneficial Function of Indigenous Microbiota in Human Hosts

ABSTRACT The age structure of human populations is exceptional among animal species. Unlike with most species, human juvenility is extremely extended, and death is not coincident with the end of the reproductive period. We examine the age structure of early humans with models that reveal an extraordinary balance of human fertility and mortality. We hypothesize that the age structure of early humans was maintained by mechanisms incorporating the programmed death of senescent individuals, including by means of interactions with their indigenous microorganisms. First, before and during reproductive life, there was selection for microbes that preserve host function through regulation of energy homeostasis, promotion of fecundity, and defense against competing high-grade pathogens. Second, we hypothesize that after reproductive life, there was selection for organisms that contribute to host demise. While deleterious to the individual, the presence of such interplay may be salutary for the overall host population in terms of resource utilization, resistance to periodic diminutions in the food supply, and epidemics due to high-grade pathogens. We provide deterministic mathematical models based on age-structured populations that illustrate the dynamics of such relationships and explore the relevant parameter values within which population viability is maintained. We argue that the age structure of early humans was robust in its balance of the juvenile, reproductive-age, and senescent classes. These concepts are relevant to issues in modern human longevity, including inflammation-induced neoplasia and degenerative diseases of the elderly, which are a legacy of human evolution. IMPORTANCE The extended longevity of modern humans is a very recent societal artifact, although it is inherent in human evolution. The age structure of early humans was balanced by fertility and mortality, with an exceptionally prolonged juvenility. We examined the role of indigenous microbes in early humans as fundamental contributors to this age structure. We hypothesize that the human microbiome evolved mechanisms specific to the mortality of senescent individuals among early humans because their mortality contributed to the stability of the general population. The hypothesis that we present provides new bases for modern medical problems, such as inflammation-induced neoplasia and degenerative diseases of the elderly. We postulate that these mechanisms evolved because they contributed to the stability of early human populations, but their legacy is now a burden on human longevity in the changed modern world.
Nicotine blocks ethanol-induced apoptosis in primary cultures of rat cerebral cortical and cerebellar granule cells.

Nicotine’s counteraction of the adverse effects of ethanol on cognitive function and motor coordination may play a major role in the observed high incidence of smoking among alcoholics. Previously, we have observed protective effects of nicotine against ethanol-induced neurotoxicity in cultured cortical (Neurotoxicity Res. 6:311, 2004) and cerebellar granule cells (Neurotoxicity Res. 5:315, 2003) as determined by lactate dehydrogenase assay. Ethanol-induced apoptosis may be a contributory mechanism to its neuronal toxicity. In this study we sought to determine whether ethanol induces formation of caspase 3 (reflective of apoptosis) in these cells and whether these effects may be blocked by nicotine pretreatment. Primary cultures of cerebral cortical and cerebellar granule cells were prepared from the brains of 20 day old Sprague-Dawley fetuses. Exposure of cells to ethanol (10–100 mM) for 3 days resulted in a dose-dependent increase in caspase 3 activity and cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with nicotine (5–20 μM) dose dependently attenuated these effects of ethanol. Complete block of ethanol effects was achieved by the highest dose of nicotine (20 μM). Nicotine, at concentrations administered, did not affect caspase activity or neuronal viability. These results suggest that at least some of the neurotoxic effects of ethanol may be mediated by apoptosis and that pretreatment with nicotine can prevent these effects of ethanol. Antiapoptotic effects of nicotine in this model may be suggestive of potential use of nicotinic agonists in neurotoxic insults and/or neu-rodegenerative disorders.
Curved object location by Hough transformations and inversions

Abstract A new technique using the straight-line Hough transform is advanced for locating curved objects or target tracks in a 2-D image. Generalized Hough transforms to achieve this are computationally expensive. Our proposed technique involves thresholding the Hough space and performing transformations and an inverse Hough transform. Peaks in this final inverse space provide curved object identification and determination of the parameters of each curved object. A theoretical development and initial simulation results are provided.
Sulfur deactivation of nickel methanation catalysts

Sulfur deactivation of supported Ni in CO hydrogenation was studied in an all-quartz internal-recycle reactor with a feed containing 4% CO in H/sub 2/. Thirteen ppB H/sub 2/S reduced the steady-state methanation activity of Ni/..gamma..-Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ about 200-fold at 661 K; 100 ppB H/sub 2/S reduced the activity 5000-fold. A dual site Langmuir-Hinshelwood rate expression predicts both the CO partial pressure dependence and the S poisoning. Poisoning and chemisorption data indicate formation of a stable two-dimensional surface sulfide with a S:Ni surface atom ratio of 1:2 for 13 ppB H/sub 2/S in H/sub 2/ at 661 K. The surface sulfide has a free energy of formation of at least -26 kcal/mole which is 15 kcal/mole more stable than bulk Ni/sub 2/S/sub 3/. Sulfur poisoning is due to geometric effects, i.e., site blockage, rather than electronic effects since the activation energy for methanation over S-poisoned Ni was the same as that over unpoisoned Ni, 24 kcal/mole.
Potassium channel dysfunction in fibroblasts identifies patients with Alzheimer disease

Since memory loss is characteristic of Alzheimer disease (AD), and since K+ channels change during acquisition of memory in both molluscs and mammals, we investigated K+ channel function as a possible site of AD pathology and, therefore, as a possible diagnostic index as well. A 113-pS tetraethylammonium (TEA)-sensitive K+ channel was consistently absent from AD fibroblasts, while it was often present in young and aged control fibroblasts. A second (166-pS) K+ channel was present in all three groups. Elevated external potassium raised intracellular Ca2+ in all cases. TEA depolarized and caused intracellular Ca2+ elevation in young and aged control fibroblasts but not AD fibroblasts. The invariable absence of a 113-pS TEA-sensitive K+ channel and TEA-induced Ca2+ signal indicate K+ channel dysfunction in AD fibroblasts. These results suggest the possibility of a laboratory method that would diagnostically distinguish AD patients, with or without a family history of AD, from normal age-matched controls and also from patients with non-AD neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Approach to control moment gyroscope steering using feedback linearization

This paper presents an approach for controlling spacecraft equipped with control moment gyroscopes. A technique from feedback linearization theory is used to transform the original nonlinear problem to an equivalent linear form without approximating assumptions. In this form, the spacecraft dynamics appear linearly, and are decoupled from redundancy in the system of gyroscopes. A general approach to distributing control effort among the available actuators is described which includes provisions for redistribution of rotors, explicit bounds in gimbal rates, and guaranteed operation at or near singular configurations. A particular algorithm is developed for systems of double-gimbal devices, and demonstrated in two examples for which existing approaches fail to give adequate performance.
Identification of a protein-binding sequence involved in expression of an esterase gene from Streptomyces scabies.

Abstract Expression of an esterase gene from Streptomyces scabies is regulated by zinc in both Streptomyces scabies and Streptomyces lividans. A specific protein-binding site was identified on an esterase promoter fragment by using an S-30 extract from S. scabies. The location of the protein-binding site was determined by gel shift assays of promoter deletion fragments and by DNase I footprinting analysis. The protein-binding site maps from nucleotides -59 to -81 relative to the start of transcription. An esterase gene construct cloned and expressed in S. lividans was used to assess the importance of the protein-binding site. Deletion of the 23-bp protein-binding site resulted in a 10-fold decrease in esterase production when cells were grown in zinc-inducing conditions. The protein-binding site may represent a region involved in positive regulation of the S. scabies esterase gene.
REMEDIES WITHOUT RIGHTS? THE LEGAL BASIS OF BROAD-GAUGE DECREES IN PRISON CONDITIONS CASES

This paper examines the legal basis for “broad-gauge” or “administrative intervention” decrees in the sort of lawsuits which have come to be known as extended impact cases, polycentric disputes, or public law litigation. It concludes that equity provides an adequate basis for such decrees and that the Supreme Court's recent use of a narrower view of judicial equity powers, sometimes called the tailoring principle, is not compelled by precedent. The paper further argues that the Supreme Court appears headed in the direction of using the tailoring principle in prison conditions cases (e.g., Bell v. Wolfish), although some support for a broader view of judicial equity power is found in Hutto v. Finney.
Distributed Rule-Regulated Spectrum Sharing

Dynamic spectrum access is a promising technique to use spectrum efficiently. Without being restricted to any prefixed spectrum bands, nodes choose operating spectrum on-demand. Such flexibility, however, makes efficient and fair spectrum access in large-scale networks a great challenge. Prior work in this area focused on explicit coordination where nodes communicate with peers to modify local spectrum allocation, and may heavily stress the communication resource. In this paper, we introduce a distributed spectrum management architecture where nodes share spectrum resource fairly by making independent actions following spectrum rules. We present five spectrum rules to regulate node behavior and maximize system fairness and spectrum utilization, and analyze the associated complexity and overhead. We show analytically and experimentally that the proposed rule-based approach achieves similar performance with the explicit coordination approach, while significantly reducing communication cost.
Correlation between bulk morphology and luminescence in porous silicon investigated by pore collapse resulting from drying

Abstract We used a combination of scanning electron microscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy and luminescence spectroscopy to correlate the emission properties of anodized porous silicon (PS) with film morphology in samples that have undergone solvent evaporation-induced collapse of the underlying porous structure. Several PS samples were investigated as a function of the current density (J) and total etch time, while the total charge (Q) injected per unit area (with the total amount of Si removed) was kept constant during etching. From these data, two classes of PS samples emerge. Porous silicon samples produced at high current density have a three-dimensional pore network with a narrow distribution of blue–green emitting chromophores. In contrast, low current density samples form a two-dimensional pore network normal to the Si substrate with larger chromophores and exhibit broad red luminescence.
Prediction of Drug-Induced Liver Injury in Micropatterned Co-cultures Containing iPSC-Derived Human Hepatocytes

Primary human hepatocytes (PHHs) are a limited resource for drug screening, their quality for in vitro use can vary considerably across different lots, and a lack of available donor diversity restricts our understanding of how human genetics affect drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived human hepatocyte-like cells (iPSC-HHs) could provide a complementary tool to PHHs for high-throughput drug screening, and ultimately enable personalized medicine. Here, we hypothesized that previously developed iPSC-HH-based micropatterned co-cultures (iMPCCs) with murine embryonic fibroblasts could be amenable to long-term drug toxicity assessment. iMPCCs, created in industry-standard 96-well plates, were treated for 6 days with a set of 47 drugs, and multiple functional endpoints (albumin, urea, ATP) were evaluated in dosed cultures against vehicle-only controls to enable binary toxicity decisions. We found that iMPCCs correctly classified 24 of 37 hepatotoxic drugs (65% sensitivity), while all 10 non-toxic drugs tested were classified as such in iMPCCs (100% specificity). On the other hand, conventional confluent cultures of iPSC-HHs failed to detect several liver toxins that were picked up in iMPCCs. Results for DILI detection in iMPCCs were remarkably similar to published data in PHH-MPCCs (65% versus 70% sensitivity) that were dosed with the same drugs. Furthermore, iMPCCs detected the relative hepatotoxicity of structural drug analogs and recapitulated known mechanisms of acetaminophen toxicity in vitro. In conclusion, iMPCCs could provide a robust tool to screen for DILI potential of large compound libraries in early stages of drug development using an abundant supply of commercially available iPSC-HHs.
When did the human population size start increasing

We analyze the frequency spectra of all available human nuclear sequence data sets by using a model of constant population size followed by exponential growth. Parameters of growth (more extreme than or) comparable to what has been suggested from mtDNA data can be rejected for 6 out of the 10 largest data sets. When the data are separated into African and non-African samples, a constant size no-growth model can be rejected for 4 out of 8 non-African samples. Long-term growth (i.e., starting 50-100 kya) can be rejected for 2 out of 8 African samples and 5 out of 8 non-African ones. Under more complex demographic models, including a bottleneck or population subdivision, more of the data are compatible with long-term growth. One problem with the data used here is that a subset of loci may reflect the action of natural selection as well as of demography. It remains possible that the correct demographic model is one of constant population size followed by long-term growth but that at several loci the demographic signature has been obscured by balancing or diversifying selection. However, it is not clear that the data at these loci are consistent with a simple model of balancing selection; more complicated selective alternatives cannot be tested unless they are made explicit. An alternative explanation is that population size growth is more recent (e.g., upper Paleolithic) and that some of the loci have experienced recent directional selection. Given the available data, the latter hypothesis seems more likely.
Ratio Abstraction by 6-Month-Old Infants

Human infants appear to be capable of the rudimentary mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, and ordering. To determine whether infants are capable of extracting ratios, we presented 6-month-old infants with multiple examples of a single ratio. After repeated presentations of this ratio, the infants were presented with new examples of a new ratio, as well as new examples of the previously habituated ratio. Infants were able to successfully discriminate two ratios that differed by a factor of 2, but failed to detect the difference between two numerical ratios that differed by a factor of 1.5. We conclude that infants can extract a common ratio across test scenes and use this information while examining new displays. The results support an approximate magnitude-estimation system, which has also been found in animals and human adults.
Fluorescence‐free resonance Raman spectra of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide via ultraviolet excitation

Excitation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) on the high-energy side (333.6 nm) of its ultraviolet absorption band shifts the Raman scattering away from the fluorescence band and produces a good quality resonance Raman spectrum. It is dominated by the amide I (CO stretch) mode, at 1687 cm−1, but several weaker bands are observed, and are tentatively assigned to amide II and III, and ring modes, consistent with N2H2 and 4-2H isotope shifts. An identical spectrum is observed for nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMNH), indicating that the adenine and nicotinamide portions of NADH do not interact.
Searching for Mandela: Finding a way beyond the Israeli–Palestinian impasse

The collapse of the Kerry talks and the devastating cycle of attacks and reprisals that ensued marked the end of an era, the passing of a time when a negotiated peace seemed a realistic possibility. In considering the way forward in the Palestinian–Israeli conflict, this essay examines the relational changes that brought about the settlement ending apartheid in South Africa, with a focus on three key players: Nelson Mandela, F. W. de Klerk, and Roelf Meyer. It then briefly describes the relation-building framework developed by the Stanford Center on International Conflict and Negotiation and explains how it provides an alternative to solutions-based and rights-based approaches to resolving the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. Drawing inspiration from Martin Luther King, Jr., it concludes with reflections on the importance of non-violence in altering the discourse between Israelis and Palestinians.
Pure Alexia as a Visual Impairment: A Reconsideration

Abstract We contrast two types of explanation for the syndrome of pure alexia: the visual impairment hypothesis, according to which the reading difficulty is just the most obvious manifestation of an impairment in visual perception; and the word form hypothesis, according to which the reading difficulty results from damage to reading-specific mechanisms. We argue that the word form hypothesis cannot account for certain findings in the literature on pure alexia, and that the visual impairment hypothesis is consistent with the available data. In addition, we present two new studies in support of the visual impairment hypothesis. In the first study, a pure alexic patient was found to be impaired on tests that assess the specific type of visual impairment hypothesised to underlie pure alexia. He was not impaired on the less specific tests that had been used previously to argue that perception is intact in pure alexia. In the second study, the additive factors method was used to identify the locus of impairmen...
Loss of the Group A Streptococcus Regulator Srv Decreases Biofilm Formation In Vivo in an Otitis Media Model of Infection

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a common causative agent of pharyngitis, but the role of GAS in otitis media is underappreciated. In this study, we sought to test the hypothesis that GAS colonizes the middle ear and establishes itself in localized, three-dimensional communities representative of biofilms. To test this hypothesis, the middle ears of chinchillas were infected with either a strain of GAS capable of forming biofilms in vitro (MGAS5005) or a strain deficient in biofilm formation due to the lack of the transcriptional regulator Srv (MGAS5005 Δsrv). Infection resulted in the formation of large, macroscopic structures within the middle ears of MGAS5005- and MGAS5005 Δsrv-infected animals. Plate counts, scanning electron microscopy, LIVE/DEAD staining, and Gram staining revealed a difference in the distributions of MGAS5005 versus MGAS5005 Δsrv in the infected samples. High numbers of CFU of MGAS5005 Δsrv were isolated from the middle ear effusion, and MGAS5005 Δsrv was found randomly distributed throughout the excised macroscopic structure. In contrast, MGAS5005 was found in densely packed microcolonies indicative of biofilms within the excised material from the middle ear. CFU levels of MGAS5005 from the effusion were significantly lower than that of MGAS5005 Δsrv early during the course of infection. Allelic replacement of the chromosomally encoded streptococcal cysteine protease (speB) in the MGAS5005 Δsrv background restored biofilm formation in vivo. Interestingly, our results suggest that GAS naturally forms a biofilm during otitis media but that biofilm formation is not required to establish infection following transbullar inoculation of chinchillas.
New techniques for analysis/synthesis of electrically large satellite antennas

A novel Gaussian beam method, and a hybrid method, are developed for the efficient analysis of large reflector antenna systems, and large planar phased arrays, respectively. Several numerical results illustrating the speed and accuracy of these methods are described in this paper.
Exercise increases serum testosterone and sex hormone—binding globulin levels in older men

We examined the effects of moderate physical activity on serum luteinizing hormone (LH), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and testosterone levels in seven sedentary but otherwise healthy men aged 66 to 76 years (mean +/- SD, 70 +/- 4). Blood samples were obtained at 10-minute intervals for 4 hours before, during, and 4 hours after 60 minutes of cycle ergometry. Blood samples were also obtained every 10 minutes for 9 hours during a separate day to control for normal diurnal variation in serum testosterone levels. Serum testosterone increased 39%, SHBG 19%, total serum protein 13%, and the free testosterone index 23% during exercise (P < .01 for all). Testosterone and SHBG levels during the 4-hour sampling period after exercise were similar to values obtained before exercise and on the morning and afternoon of the control day. LH concentrations were unaltered during or after exercise. The change in SHBG levels during exercise correlated positively with the change in testosterone concentrations (r = .74, P = .09). We conclude that short-term exercise produces a transient elevation in serum testosterone levels in elderly men, which is partly due to an increase in serum SHBG concentrations. The concomitant increase in total protein and the rapid return of total protein and SHBG to baseline values after exercise indicate that hemoconcentration partly contributes to the exercise-associated increase in circulating testosterone levels.
CD8+ T Cell–Derived IFN-γ Prevents Infection by a Second Heterologous Virus

Persistent viral infection is often associated with dysfunctional immune responses against unrelated pathogens. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can establish acute or chronic infections in mice and is widely used as a model for persistent virus infections in humans. Mice infected with LCMV develop a transient defect in Ag-specific immunity against heterologous viral infection. Although it has been proposed that LCMV infection induces an immunosuppressed state within the host, our data show that infected mice successfully clear vaccinia virus through a mechanism that involves CD8+ T cell–derived IFN-γ. This observation demonstrates that chronic LCMV infection does not impair protective immunity against heterologous viral challenge. Rather, a natural sterilizing immunity is induced following a primary infection that prevents a secondary infection. Our findings suggest a need to re-evaluate current thoughts about the immune suppression that might occur during a persistent infection.
THE PROXIMAL PROMOTER OF THE MOUSE LORICRIN GENE CONTAINS A FUNCTIONAL AP-1 ELEMENT AND DIRECTS KERATINOCYTE-SPECIFIC BUT NOT DIFFERENTIATION-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION

Loricrin gene expression is limited to terminally differentiating keratinocytes of stratified squamous epithelia. To define the regulatory elements that mediate the expression of the loricrin gene, we replaced the loricrin coding sequences from a 6.5-kilobase genomic fragment with the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene and transfected this construct into cultured mouse keratinocytes. High expression levels were observed in both undifferentiated as well as differentiating cells. Transgenic mice bearing a similar construct, but with β-galactosidase as the reporter gene, corroborated these in vitro findings and showed tissue- and cell type-specific, but not differentiation-specific expression. Deletion analysis of the promoter region determined that sequences up to −60 base pairs from the start of transcription could be removed without significant loss of promoter activity. Within these proximal 60 base pairs is an evolutionarily conserved AP-1 element that is recognized by both purified c-Jun and AP-1 factors from keratinocytes in vitro. Mutation of this AP-1 site abolished the activity of the loricrin promoter. These studies show that elements directing expression of the loricrin gene to the stratified squamous epithelia are contained within a 6.5-kilobase genomic fragment, and those elements required to restrict expression to differentiated keratinocytes lie outside this region.
Species interactions are disrupted by habitat degradation in the highly threatened Tumbesian region of Ecuador

Interactions between species in groups are often ignored in studies of the effects of anthropogenic change on species' persistence, and yet, given their global ubiquity, mixed-species groups have the potential to be models for community ecology. In this paper we examine the impacts of rural community activities that are pervasive in tropical regions on mixed-species flocks of birds in a unique coastal tropical dry forest ecosystem, with the aim of advancing both our understanding of mixed-species associations and how best to conserve them. We examined the effects of small-scale clearing of trees and livestock grazing on mixed flocks in two vegetation types in the highly threatened Tumbesian region of Ecuador. Because the fitness benefits of flocking come from a reduced risk of predation or enhanced feeding efficiencies, or both, habitat degradation could lead to changes in the benefits of flocking and thus flock characteristics. We predicted that, in more disturbed vegetation, flocks would have fewer spec...
Broadcast gossip algorithms

Motivated by applications to wireless sensor, peer-to-peer, and ad hoc networks, we study distributed broadcasting algorithms for exchanging information and for computing in an arbitrarily connected network of nodes. Specifically, we propose a broadcasting-based gossiping algorithm to compute the (possibly weighted) average of the initial measurements of the nodes at every node in the network. We show that the broadcast gossip algorithms almost surely converge to a consensus. In addition, the random consensus value is, in expectation, equal to the desired value, i.e., the average of initial node measurements. However, the broadcast gossip algorithms do not converge to the initial average in absolute sense because of the fact that the sum is not preserved at every iteration. We provide theoretical results on the mean square error performance of the broadcast gossip algorithms. The results indicate that the mean square error strictly decreases through iterations until the consensus is achieved. Finally, we assess and compare the communication cost of the broadcast gossip algorithms required to achieve a given distance to consensus through numerical simulations.
Potential hazards of deionization systems used for water purification in hemodialysis

This study was conducted to determine the efflux of specific ions, including fluoride, from a deionization (DI) water purification system (WPS) when the WPS was operated beyond exhaustion of the DI resin. Effluent from the DI WPS was monitored for resistivity, total dissolved solids, pH, and concentrations of silica, fluoride, potassium, and sodium. After 16,000 L of water was purified, the resistivity declined to 0.492 omega Ohm-cm, and silica was released from the DI WPS. Fluoride ions were released after an additional 8,000 L water was treated, and the resistivity fell to 0.07 omega Ohm-cm. The fluoride efflux reached a peak of 32 mg/L, 28 times greater than the original fluoride concentration in the city water. Sodium and potassium ions were released after approximately 26,000 and 32,000 L of water had been treated and reached peaks of 76 and 47 mg/L, respectively. This study confirms that the minimum resistivity standard of 1 omega Ohm-cm for DI water used for hemodialysis should provide an adequate safety margin. Once resistivity fell to 1 omega Ohm-cm, more than 8,000 L of water was treated before fluoride efflux occurred. Accordingly, hemodialysis centers should be attentive to the calculated capacity of their DI WPS and reliably monitor the resistivity to prevent patient illness related to exhaustion of DI resins.
Autonomous 2D microparticle manipulation based on visual feedback

Autonomous two-dimensional manipulation of microparticles to form patterns under an optical microscope by pushing and pulling them with a sharp nanoprobe is presented. Camera calibration is done by an iterative sliding-mode parameter observer designed to satisfy the Lyapunov stability criterion. Estimated parameters are also used to increase the bandwidth on position control. Individual particles are manipulated in linear trajectories, utilizing a procedure that allows the particles to stick near the tip for horizontal motion and to get released for vertical motion. Patterns (and assemblies) of particles are generated using a planning algorithm that orders individual manipulations based on the blockage of linear trajectories by other particles or target positions. Basically, the particle that blocks the most number of trajectories is positioned to the target position that blocks the least number of trajectories. This ordering algorithm is a minimization of blockages to the linear trajectories and hence, performs better than the conventional distance-based approaches. Efficiency of the approach is demonstrated on experimental results, positioning 4.5 mum diameter polystyrene particles on a flat glass substrate autonomously. Average accuracy of individual manipulations is less than 0.64 mum.
Serological studies of piperacillin antibodies

BACKGROUND: Penicillin-induced immune hemolytic anemia (IHA) is associated with immunoglobulin G antipenicillin detected by testing penicillin-coated red blood cells (RBCs). Antibodies to piperacillin, a semisynthetic penicillin, would be expected to react similarly; however, antipiperacillin can be detected by testing in the presence of the drug. Piperacillin is commonly used in combination with tazobactam, which causes nonimmunologic protein adsorption onto RBCs. In six cases of piperacillin-induced IHA, reactivity with piperacillin-coated RBCs was not similar to reactivity of antipenicillin with penicillin-coated RBCs. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Antipiperacillin was tested against piperacillin-coated RBCs prepared using different pH buffers. Plasma from blood donors and sera/plasma from patients were tested with piperacillin-coated, penicillin-coated, and uncoated RBCs. Hapten inhibition studies were performed using different concentrations of piperacillin. Donors' plasma were tested in the presence of piperacillin; sera from patients with IHA were tested in the presence of tazobactam. RESULTS: Piperacillin required high pH for binding to RBCs. Agglutination of piperacillin-coated RBCs was observed in 91 percent of donors' and 49 percent of patients' plasma and was inhibited by piperacillin. In contrast to patients with IHA due to piperacillin, donors' plasma tested in the presence of piperacillin did not react. Tazobactam antibodies were not detected. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of donors' and patients' plasma contain an antibody to piperacillin or a chemically related structure detected by testing with piperacillin-coated RBCs. A diagnosis of piperacillin-induced IHA should not be made solely on the reactivity of a patient's plasma/serum with piperacillin- or piperacillin/tazobactam-coated RBCs; testing in the presence of piperacillin is more reliable.
A TECHNIQUE FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING OF COMPREHENSION MONITORING SKILLS

More skilled and less skilled upper-elementary readers and college students played reading games in which they tried to determine if prose statements were internally consistent or inconsistent. The elementary students were assigned either to a control condition in which they played only the pre- and posttest versions of the reading games or to a training condition in which they were provided exposure to similar games in an effort to improve their comprehension monitoring skills. Ability group comparisons indicated significant differences in monitoring skill. Training resulted in a significant increase in monitoring proficiency. However, the training advantage was limited to an improvement in the ability to identify consistent statements.
A fatigue crack driving force parameter with load ratio effects

Abstract In this paper, a fatigue crack driving force parameter, ( K max ) α (Δ K + ) 1− α with load ratio effects on crack growth modeling is proposed. This new crack driving force does not invoke disputable crack closure data. Instead, it is calculated solely using the positive part of the range of the applied stress intensity factor (SIF), Δ K + , and the corresponding maximum value of the SIF, K max . It unifies the overall crack rate prediction methodology regarding load ratio effects for both the long- and short-crack growth behaviors. The predictions are compared with the experimental data from the literature and the agreement is found to be fairly good.
Extended Kalman filtering for battery management systems of LiPB-based HEV battery packs Part 1. Background

Abstract Battery management systems (BMS) in hybrid-electric-vehicle (HEV) battery packs must estimate values descriptive of the pack’s present operating condition. These include: battery state of charge, power fade, capacity fade, and instantaneous available power. The estimation mechanism must adapt to changing cell characteristics as cells age and therefore provide accurate estimates over the lifetime of the pack. In a series of three papers, we propose a method, based on extended Kalman filtering (EKF), that is able to accomplish these goals on a lithium-ion polymer battery pack. We expect that it will also work well on other battery chemistries. These papers cover the required mathematical background, cell modeling and system identification requirements, and the final solution, together with results. This first paper investigates the estimation requirements for HEV BMS in some detail, in parallel to the requirements for other battery-powered applications. The comparison leads us to understand that the HEV environment is very challenging on batteries and the BMS, and that precise estimation of some parameters will improve performance and robustness, and will ultimately lengthen the useful lifetime of the pack. This conclusion motivates the use of more complex algorithms than might be used in other applications. Our premise is that EKF then becomes a very attractive approach. This paper introduces the basic method, gives some intuitive feel to the necessary computational steps, and concludes by presenting an illustrative example as to the type of results that may be obtained using EKF.
Gde2 regulates cortical neuronal identity by controlling the timing of cortical progenitor differentiation

The mammalian cortex is a multilaminar structure consisting of specialized layer-specific neurons that form complex circuits throughout the brain and spinal cord. These neurons are generated in a defined sequence dictated by their birthdate such that early-born neurons settle in deep cortical layers whereas late-born neurons populate more superficial layers. Cortical neuronal birthdate is partly controlled by an intrinsic clock-type mechanism; however, the role of extrinsic factors in the temporal control of cell-cycle exit is less clear. Here, we show that Gde2, a six-transmembrane protein that induces spinal neuronal differentiation, is expressed in the developing cortex throughout cortical neurogenesis. In the absence of Gde2, cortical progenitors fail to exit the cell cycle on time, remain cycling, accumulate and exit the cell cycle en masse towards the end of the neurogenic period. These dynamic changes in cell-cycle progression cause deficits and delays in deep-layer neuronal differentiation and robust increases in superficial neuronal numbers. Gde2 −/− cortices show elevated levels of Notch signaling coincident with when progenitors fail to differentiate, suggesting that abnormal Notch activation retains cells in a proliferative phase that biases them to superficial fates. However, no change in Notch signaling is observed at the time of increased cell-cycle exit. These observations define a key role for Gde2 in controlling cortical neuronal fates by regulating the timing of neurogenesis, and show that loss of Gde2 uncovers additional mechanisms that trigger remaining neuronal progenitors to differentiate at the end of the neurogenic period.
Evaluation of potential inhibitors of methanogenesis and methane oxidation in a landfill cover soil

Abstract Biological methane (CH 4 ) production is an anaerobic process, while CH 4 consumption occurs predominantly under aerobic conditions; however, both processes can occur simultaneously in soil. Thus, field measurements of CH 4 flux reflect the net result of both consumption and production reactions. Specific inhibitors of either CH 4 consumption or production processes offer the opportunity for assessing the rates of these two processes independently. The objective of this work was to identify potential gaseous inhibitors of either CH 4 oxidation or methanogenesis, and to evaluate the effect of inhibitor concentration on these two processes. For these studies, sieved cover soil from a municipal landfill was treated with a variety of compounds including acetylene (C 2 H 2 ), ethylene (C 2 H 4 ), ethane (C 2 H 6 ), methyl chloride (CH 3 Cl) and methyl fluoride (CH 3 F). Each experiment consisted of six different treatments which included sterile soil, untreated soil and soil with test compound concentrations of 0.00%, 0.01%, 0.1% and 1%. Incubations were conducted under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Several compounds completely inhibited CH 4 oxidation while not significantly influencing CH 4 production; including C 2 H 2 at 0.001%, C 2 H 4 at 0.1%, and CH 3 F at 0.1%. One compound (CH 3 Cl) was unique; in that a concentration of 0.1% inhibited methanogenesis by 88.9% but CH 4 oxidation was not significantly affected. We recommend the use of C 2 H 2 or C 2 H 4 for inhibition of CH 4 oxidation, and CH 3 Cl for inhibition of methanogenesis.
Distal and Tributary Targets: A New Branching Point for Renal Denervation?

Renal artery denervation as a potential treatment for resistant hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions has generated immense interest among the medical community [(1)][1]. To date, much of renal denervation and its potential mode of efficacy has been a “black box,” with great
Walkability and body mass index density, design, and new diversity measures.

Background Rising rates of overweight and obesity in the U.S. have increased interest in community designs that encourage healthy weight. This study relates neighborhood walkability—density, pedestrian-friendly design, and two novel measures of land-use diversity—to residents' excess weight. Methods Walkable-environment measures include two established predictors—higher density and pedestrian-friendly design (intersections within 0.25 mile of each address)—and two new census-based, land-use diversity measures: the proportion of residents walking to work and the median age of housing. In 2006, weight, height, age, and address data from 453,927 Salt Lake County driver licenses for persons aged 25–64 years were linked to 2000 Census and GIS street-network information that was analyzed in 2007–2008. Linear regressions of BMI and logistic regressions of overweight and obesity include controls for individual-level age and neighborhood-level racial/ethnic composition, median age of residents, and median family income. Results Increasing levels of walkability decrease the risks of excess weight. Approximately doubling the proportion of neighborhood residents walking to work decreases an individual's risk of obesity by almost 10%. Adding a decade to the average age of neighborhood housing decreases women's risk of obesity by about 8% and men's by 13%. Population density is unrelated to weight in four of six models, and inconsistently related to weight measures in two models. Pedestrian-friendly street networks are unrelated to BMI but related to lower risks of overweight and obesity in three of four models. Conclusions Walkability indicators, particularly the two land-use diversity measures, are important predictors of body weight. Driver licenses should be considered as a source of data for community studies of BMI, as they provide extensive coverage at low cost.