cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Urban Aesthetic Concept of Senen Area in Central Jakarta for Identity of Sustainable City

Senen Area is a mainstay of Central Jakarta functioning as a commercial and public area with a historical value. In addition to the function of the use of facilities for pedestrian circulation, the problems faced by Senen Area are also the physical construction of facilities and multi-storey buildings that are not balanced with its landscape. Thus, a good landscape planning of Senen Area needs to be done to maintain its existence as a safe and comfortable business center that has a strong historical identity. The aspects analyzed in this research was the physical and biophysical conditions of the site, history and culture that influence the formation of the site, the condition of the user activity of the site, the pattern of design and the function of the site, the laying of the ornament, and the facility. The history of Senen Area is inseparable from the influence of various cultures, since colonial times until now. Various changes continue to occur, but the expected conditions are still difficult to achieve. The purpose of this study is to plan the landscape ornaments of the Senen Area both functionally and esthetically as the urban aesthetic appeal and regional identity.
Clinical trials for rapid changes in suicidal ideation: Lessons from ketamine

Rapid-acting treatments for suicidal thoughts are critically needed. Consequently, there is a burgeoning literature exploring psychotherapeutic, pharmacologic, or device-based brief interventions for suicidal thoughts characterized by a rapid onset of action. Not only do these innovative treatments have potentially important clinical benefits to patient populations, they also highlight a number of methodological considerations for suicide research. First, while most clinical trials related to suicide risk focus on suicide attempts, new clinical trials that use suicidal thoughts as the primary outcome require a number of slight modifications to their clinical trial design. Second, the rapid onset of these new interventions permits an experimental therapeutics approach to suicide research, in which psychological and neurobiological markers are embedded into clinical trials to better understand the underlying pathophysiology of suicidal thoughts. The following review discusses these methodological innovations in light of recent research using the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist ketamine, which has been associated with rapid effects on suicidal thoughts. We hope that "lessons learned" from the ketamine literature will provide a blueprint for all researchers evaluating rapid-acting treatments for suicidal thoughts, whether pharmacologic or psychotherapeutic.
Instructor Impact on Differences in Teaching Presence Scores in Online Courses

Using three interdependent constructs: social, cognitive, and teaching presence, the Community of Inquiry framework is a theoretical process model of online learning. Specifically, teaching presence contains three sub-elements—(a) facilitation of discourse, (b) direct instruction, and (c) instructional design and organization—that work together to create a collaborative-constructivist learning environment. Data from the Community of Inquiry survey from 160 learners in 11 course sections were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine whether statistically significant differences existed in teaching presence scores between sections of two online courses with identical course design taught by different instructors. Results showed significant differences between individual instructors’ teaching presence scores for each of the two courses. Specifically, significant differences were found in each sub-element of teaching presence except for one course’s instructional design and organization. Conceptual and methodological explanations of the findings are provided, and implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
The Rise of the Global Superpower: FDR to Kennedy

The Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, the Cold War, U.S. hegemonic global power… These dramatic changes occurred utterly transforming the United States and the presidency. Did these momentous changes also bring about a new relationship of the government to Native Americans?
Activation of PPARα enhances astroglial uptake and degradation of β-amyloid.

Astrocytes are a type of glial cell that are activated in the brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer’s disease to induce the accumulation of amyloid (Aβ). We previously found that a combination of...
Policy Recommendations and Conclusions

Egypt’s geographic location, which is downstream of the Nile, makes its water security subject to the whims of those who control the tap upstream. Rationality, therefore, dictates that Egypt should recognize its disadvantaged position and try to reconcile with the upstream states and recognize the vantage point that the upstream states have.
Languages Issues in Africa

The analysis of the new Zanzibari educational policy addressed in this book builds on a solid foundation of evidence from Africa that learning in a local language is critical to quality learning and important in the reinforcement of cultural identity. In this chapter, I review and assess the literature on language, learning and identity in Africa.
Adaptive methods for real time Pisarenko spectrum estimate

In this paper, we discuss new methods for real time computation of the Pisarenko's spectrum estimates [1]. In particular, we shall focus on the data adaptive computation of minimum eigenvector of a covariance matrix and propose several novel methods for doing so.
Parallel simulation algorithms for grid-based analog signal processors

Specialized algorithms for circuit-level simulation of grid-based analog signal processing arrays on a massively parallel processor are described and implementation results presented. The trapezoidal rule is used to discretize the differential equations that describe the analog array behavior, Newton's method is used to solve the nonlinear equations generated at each time-step, and a block conjugate-gradient squared algorithm is used to solve the linear equations generated by Newton's method. Excellent parallel performance of the algorithm is achieved through the use of a novel, but very natural, mapping of the circuit data onto the massively parallel architecture. The mapping takes advantage of the underlying computer architecture and the structure of the analog array problem. Experimental results demonstrate that a full-size Connection Machine can provide a 1400 times speedup over a SUN-4/280 workstation. >
Optimal Configurations of General Job Shops

In this paper we study the problem of minimizing the expected number of jobs in a single class general open queueing network model of a job shop. This problem was originally posed by Buzacott and Shanthikumar [2] and solved by them for a special case. We extend their work in this paper. We derive feasibility conditions that simplify the analysis of the problem. We show that the optimal configuration can be completely characterized when both the utilizations of the machine centers are high and there are a large number of servers at each machine center. We also derive conditions under which the optimization problem reduces to solving a concave or a convex program and provide conditions under which the uniform flow line and the symmetric job shop (or variants of these) are optimal configurations for the job shop.
Electrokinetics of scalable, electric-field-assisted fabrication of vertically aligned carbon-nanotube/polymer composites

Composite thin films incorporating vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) offer promise for a variety of applications where the vertical alignment of the CNTs is critical to meet performance requirements, e.g., highly permeable membranes, thermal interfaces, dry adhesives, and films with anisotropic electrical conductivity. However, current VACNT fabrication techniques are complex and difficult to scale up. Here, we describe a solution-based, electric-field-assisted approach as a cost-effective and scalable method to produce large-area VACNT composites. Multiwall-carbon nanotubes are dispersed in a polymeric matrix, aligned with an alternating-current (AC) electric field, and electrophoretically concentrated to one side of the thin film with a direct-current (DC) component to the electric field. This approach enables the fabrication of highly concentrated, individually aligned nanotube composites from suspensions of very dilute (ϕ=4×10−4) volume fraction. We experimentally investigate the basic elec...
A low-cost geometry-preserving image database system

A low-cost geometry-preserving image database system is proposed in this paper. This scheme adapts, but not suppresses, the unique characteristics of images. In addition, an image data storage scheme which requires only linear order space-complexity is described to provide the benefits of not only saving storage space but also preserving geometrical features of images. The proposed database system provides more functions and easier and faster in image manipulations.
Electronic inhomogeneity and Ag:Sb imbalance of Ag1-y Pb18 Sb1+z Te20 high-performance thermoelectrics elucidated by T 125 e and P 207 b NMR

Using magic-angle spinning {sup 125}Te and {sup 207}Pb NMR, we have discovered the presence of two phases of approximately tenfold different free-electron concentration, n, in high-performance thermoelectrics Ag{sub 1?y}Pb{sub 18}Sb{sub 1+z}Te{sub 20} (LAST-18), proven by pairs of Knight-shifted NMR peaks and biexponential spin-lattice relaxation. The ratio of the phases is typically 2:1 with n {approx} 2 x 10{sup 19} cm{sup -3} and 0.2 x 10{sup 19} cm{sup -3}, respectively, determined from the spin-lattice relaxation times. {sup 125}Te NMR spectra show that both phases contain similar concentrations of Sb. The low-n component is assigned to Ag-rich regions with Ag-Sb pairing (but not AgSbTe{sub 2}), the dominant high-n component to PbTe:Sb resulting from the excess of Sb relative to Ag. The electronic inhomogeneity observed here must be considered in the search for a better understanding of high-performance thermoelectric materials.
Beam transfer function and Landau damping

This paper discusses the following topics: beam polarization; beam transfer function; weak Landau damping limit; and Landau damping and resonant energy exchange.
Short Communication: Practical Experience with Analysis and Design of Repeat Low-Dose SHIVSF162P3 Exposure Studies in Female Pigtail Macaques with Varying Susceptibility During Menstrual Cycling.

Abstract Vaginal SHIVSF162P3 acquisition in pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina) is dependent on time point during the menstrual cycle. Susceptibility is higher around menstruation and lower at ovulation in mid cycle. This complicates the design of repeat low-dose (RLD) SHIV exposure studies because virus challenges given during low susceptibility periods have lower chances to infect. To account for fluctuating susceptibility, we analyzed menstrual cycles rather than exposures until infection following virus challenges. We first reanalyzed infection data of 41 macaques receiving placebo or no treatment during once (n=18) or twice (n=23) weekly virus exposures. The same number of cycles was required for infection with either challenge frequency, while it took a median four or six challenges for once or twice weekly exposures, respectively. More virus challenges to infection likely reflect frequent unsuccessful exposures in frequently exposed animals. When reanalyzing two previously reported biomedical HIV ...
Limited Health Knowledge as a Reason for Non-Use of Four Common Complementary Health Practices

Background Complementary health practices are an important element of health/healthcare seeking behavior among adults in the United States. Reasons for use include medical need, prevention and wellness promotion, and cultural relevance. Survey studies published over the past several decades have provided important information on the use of complementary health practices, such as acupuncture and yoga. A review of the literature, however, reveals an absence of studies looking specifically at who does not use these approaches, and why not.
TU‐G‐207‐03: High Spatial Resolution and High Sensitivity X‐Ray Fluorescence Imaging

Last few years has witnessed the development of novel of X-ray imaging modalities, such as spectral CT, phase contrast CT, and X-ray acoustic/fluorescence/luminescence imaging. This symposium will present the recent advances of these emerging X-ray imaging modalities and update the attendees with knowledge in various related topics, including X-ray photon-counting detectors, X-ray physics underlying the emerging applications beyond the traditional X-ray imaging, image reconstruction for the novel modalities, characterization and evaluation of the systems, and their practical implications. In addition, the concept and practical aspects of X-ray activatable targeted nanoparticles for molecular X-ray imaging will be discussed in the context of X-ray fluorescence and luminescence CT. Learning Objectives: 1. Present background knowledge of various emerging X-ray imaging techniques, such as spectral CT, phase contrast CT and X-ray fluorescence/luminescence CT. 2. Discuss the practical need, technical aspects and current status of the emerging X-ray imaging modalities. 3. Describe utility and future impact of the new generation of X-ray imaging applications.
Automatic software fault diagnosis by exploiting application signatures

Application problem diagnosis in complex enterprise environments is a challenging problem, and contributes significantly to the growth in IT management costs. While application problems have a large number of possible causes, failures due to runtime interactions with the system environment (e.g., configuration files, resource limitations, access permissions) are one of the most common categories. Troubleshooting these problems requires extensive experience and time, and is very difficult to automate. In this paper, we propose a black-box approach that can automatically diagnose several classes of application faults using applications' runtime behaviors. These behaviors along with various system states are combined to create signatures that serve as a baseline of normal behavior. When an application fails, the faulty behavior is analyzed against the signature to identify deviations from expected behavior and likely cause. We implement a diagnostic tool based on this approach and demonstrate its effectiveness in a number of case studies with realistic problems in widely-used applications. We also conduct a number of experiments to show that the impact of the diagnostic tool on application performance (with some modifications of platform tracing facilities), as well as storage requirements for signatures, are both reasonably low.
Parameter set estimation for nonlinear systems

In this paper, we will show how parameter set estimation (PSE) can be applied to nonlinear systems. Parameter set estimation identifies a set of estimates which are feasible with respect to the measured data and a priori information. This set of parameters, feasible for the given model structure, can then be used for system tracking or robust control designs. For application to robust control, it is important that the size of this set be as small as possible. In order to apply parameter set estimation techniques to a nonlinear system, the system function is expressed in a tensor parameterization which is linear in the parameters (LP). Then it is shown how an optimum volume ellipsoid strategy for linear time invariant systems can be extended to this tensor parameterization of a nonlinear system. The methodology is illustrated via an example which uses data obtained from an operating glass furnace.
A Semiparametric Proportional Odds Regression Model for the Analysis of Current Status Data

Abstract An approach to covariate analysis of current status data is described. The method is applicable when the logit of the conditional probability of survival given the covariates is some increasing function of time plus a linear combination of the covariates. The approach is based on approximating the infinite-dimensional nuisance parameter, the baseline log-odds of failure, with a step function, and carrying out a maximum likelihood procedure. The resulting finite dimensional parameter estimates for the regression parameters are shown to be asymptotically normal and semiparametric efficient. Numerical studies with small and moderate samples are discussed.
Effectiveness of prolonged fasting 18f-FDG PET-CT in the detection of cardiac sarcoidosis.

Background The Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare guidelines (JMHWG) are currently the standard used to diagnose cardiac sarcoidosis. JMHWG incorporate 67Gallium scintigraphy as a minor criterion, while fasting 18fluorine-2-fluro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) PET is not included. As there is no published data comparing the accuracy of prolonged fasting FDG PET-CT (PF-PET) and Gallium scintigraphy for detecting active cardiac sarcoidosis, we sought to compare these two modalities.
The effects of exposure to a spatial ordered fear stimulus: A study of generalization of extinction effects

Divergent theoretical positions exist concerning the effects of presenting an aversive stimulus in the absence of any primary reinforcement. In an attempt to test implications of these models, the present study exposed subjects to a feared stimulus for a constant duration in the context of a generalization of extinction paradigm. The stimulus dimension selected for study was spatial. A reliable behavioral gradient of generalization of extinction effects was obtained suggesting that a direct and lawful relationship exists between behavioral extinction effects and stimulus proximity. Self-report and autonomic data displayed paralleling effects. No incubation effect (fear enhancement) was noted. The data are consistent with expectations derived from two-factor avoidance theory.
An investigation of the validity of the physical self-efficacy scale in predicting marathon performance

Data from 33 marathon runners (22 men, 11 women) were used to examine the validity of the Physical Self-efficacy scale as a predictor of marathon running performance. Both total Physical Self-efficacy scores and Perceived Physical Ability scores were significantly correlated with both predicted and actual finishing times.
Effects of baclofen on different dopaminergic neuronal systems

Abstract Systemic administration of dl or l-baclofen causes a dose-related increase in the concentration of dopamine (DA), but not of norepinephrine, in the forebrains of mice and rats. Microinjections of baclofen or GABA into substantia nigra increase DA in striatum. Since only the effect of GABA is reversed by picrotoxin, it would appear that baclofen does not act through a GABAergic mechanism. Baclofen-induced changes in DA concentrations are believed due to the depression of neuronal impulse flow which results in a decreased release of DA and thus a concomitant decrease in putative autoreceptor activation. Activation of DA autoreceptors appears to inhibit the synthesis and release of DA. Baclofen increases the concentration and the rate of synthesis of DA (accumulation of DOPA after inhibition of decarboxylase with NSD 1015) in the striatum, olfactory tubercle and posterior pituitary, but not in the median eminence. Apomorphine reverses the baclofen-induced increases in the concentration and synthesis of DA in all brain regions except median eminence, presumably by activating DA autoreceptors. Since baclofen depresses the α-methyltyrosine-induced decline of DA in all brain regions it would appear that tuberoinfundibular nerves, which terminate in the median eminence, differ from other DA nerves in that they are not regulated by autoreceptors.
Peter Auriol on Free Choice and Free Judgment

Some medieval authors defend free choice by arguing that, even though human choices are indeed caused by the practical judgment about what is best to do here and now, one is nevertheless able to freely influence that practical judgment’s formation. This paper examines Peter Auriol’s account of free choice, which is a quite elaborate version of this approach and which brings its theoretical problems into focus. I will argue in favor of Auriol’s basic theory, but I will also propose an emendation to his theory in order to respond to some problems he leaves unresolved.
Riluzole suppresses postinhibitory rebound in an excitatory motor neuron of the medicinal leech

Postinhibitory rebound (PIR) is an intrinsic property often exhibited by neurons involved in generating rhythmic motor behaviors. Cell DE-3, a dorsal excitatory motor neuron in the medicinal leech exhibits PIR responses that persist for several seconds following the offset of hyperpolarizing stimuli and are suppressed in reduced Na(+) solutions or by Ca(2+) channel blockers. The long duration and Na(+) dependence of PIR suggest a possible role for persistent Na(+) current (I NaP). In vertebrate neurons, the neuroprotective agent riluzole can produce a selective block of I NaP. This study demonstrates that riluzole inhibits cell DE-3 PIR in a concentration- and Ca(2+)-dependent manner. In 1.8 mM Ca(2+) solution, 50-100 µM riluzole selectively blocked the late phase of PIR, an effect similar to that of the neuromodulator serotonin. However, 200 µM riluzole blocked both the early and late phases of PIR. Increasing extracellular Ca(2+) to 10 mM strengthened PIR, but high riluzole concentrations continued to suppress both phases of PIR. These results indicate that riluzole may suppress PIR via a nonspecific inhibition of Ca(2+) conductances and suggest that a Ca(2+)-activated nonspecific current (I(CAN)), rather than I NaP, may underlie the Na(+)-dependent component of PIR.
Ready for Anything the World Gives Her? : A Critical Look at Sports-Based Positive Youth Development for Girls

Girl-centered sport and physical activity programs that are grounded in a positive youth development approach have grown tremendously in the United States since the 1990s. While research on the efficacy of sports-based positive youth development is limited, recent studies conducted in the United States suggest these programs yield benefits. Our assessment of the literature and programming efforts however highlight a significant gap in the theoretical assumptions of girl-centered, sports-based positive youth development: an understanding of the complexity of sport and physical activity within a gendered context. Focusing on the U.S. context and using a feminist sociological lens, we articulate a paradox in these programs: sport participation and physical activity can improve girls’ lives along numerous psycho-social dimensions, yet in absence of attention to the social and political context of gender relations, girl-centered, sports-based positive youth development programs risk unwittingly maintaining the gender status quo. We review three specific critiques to illustrate this paradox: 1) the emphasis on the individual and the immediate context of girls’ lives masks larger systems of inequality and privilege; 2) the use of post feminist narratives, such as Girl Power, suggests girls live in a world beyond sexism; and 3) the focus on reducing the childhood “obesity epidemic” through fitness contributes to harmful fat phobic messages for girls. We offer recommendations that assist programs in leveraging their existing strengths to have a meaningful impact on girls’ lives, and that address cultural and structural factors as well as individual and interpersonal ones.
Regulation of CD44 Gene Expression by the Proinflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-1β in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The CD44 gene codes for a family of alternatively spliced, multifunctional adhesion molecules that participate in extracellular matrix binding, lymphocyte activation, cell migration, and tumor metastasis. In a mouse model of transplant-associated arteriosclerosis, CD44 protein was induced in the neointima of allografted vessels and colocalized with a subset of proliferating vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating CD44 expression in this model, we investigated the regulation of CD44 gene expression by interleukin (IL)-1β. Treatment of rat aortic SMC with IL-1β resulted in a 5.3-fold increase in cell surface CD44 expression. Northern analysis showed that IL-1β promoted a dose- and time-dependent induction of CD44 mRNA which reached 6.6-fold after 48 h, and nuclear run-on analysis showed that IL-1β increased the rate of CD44 gene transcription within 8 h of stimulation. In transient reporter gene transfection experiments in rat aortic SMC, a 1.4-kilobase fragment of the mouse CD44 5′-flanking sequence mediated this response to IL-1β. Regulation of CD44 gene expression by the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β may contribute to SMC phenotypic modulation in the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis.
Therapeutic options for resistant cytomegalovirus retinitis.

Untreated cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is progressive and generally leads to blindness within 6 months. Intravenous (i.v.) therapies such as foscarnet and ganciclovir, which were the first agents approved for the treatment of CMV retinitis, are effective in suppressing CMV replication, but they delay rather than prevent reactivation of CMV infection resulting in relapse of the disease. Furthermore, studies have shown that the time between subsequent reactivations becomes shorter, with each relapse producing more serious disease that may be more difficult to manage. This clinical failure may be caused in part by drug resistance; approximately 10% of all patients receiving systemic treatment with these agents may harbor drug-resistant viral strains. With three systemic therapies (ganciclovir, foscarnet, and cidofovir) now available for the treatment of CMV retinitis, several options exist for patients who have failed therapy with one of these drugs: reinduction with the same i.v. agent, switching therapies, or combining therapies. Resistant or relapsing CMV retinitis may also be treated by local therapies such as intraocular injections of ganciclovir and foscarnet or with a sustained-release ganciclovir implant. However, local therapy is ineffective in controlling extraocular or fellow eye CMV disease. It is likely that the integration of both local and systemic therapies will be required to halt the relentless progression of this debilitating disease, particularly when clinical resistance is encountered.
Hemihypokinesia after right hemisphere stroke

Abstract We tested the hypothesis that the right hemisphere is dominant for motor activation or “intention.” If the right hemisphere is dominant for intention and if intention is a prerequisite for movement, motor impairment should be worse after an infarct in the right hemisphere than in the left. We asked nine subjects with right and nine with left hemisphere infarcts to elevate each shoulder independently. Subjects with right hemisphere lesions had more trouble moving the contralateral shoulder. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that the right hemisphere is dominant for motor activation or intention.
Sterol requirement of juvenile lobsters, Homarus sp.

Abstract Juvenile lobsters were fed purified or unrefined diets in which the qualitative and quantitative sterol composition varied. Dietary cholesterol was required. A level of dietary cholesterol as low as 0.12% (dry weight) in a purified diet was satisfactory for normal growth and survival. No significant increases in growth were observed when lobsters were fed unrefined diets with cholesterol levels ranging from 0.19 to 0.59% (dry weight). Total cholesterol content of the whole body tissue lipid ranged from 0.012 to 0.046% (wet weight), lowest values being characteristically associated with those animals fed purified diets virtually devoid of cholesterol. Serum sterol levels were similar except for reduced levels associated with the sterol-free diet. Total replacement of cholesterol with a mixture of phytosterols composed primarily of β-sitosterol did not yield good growth and survival. Phytosterols composed large proportions of the total body sterols of those lobsters fed diets containing phytosterols exclusively. At least a portion and possibly all of the sterol requirement of juvenile lobsters is specific for cholesterol.
Using Model Checking to Explore Checklist-Guided Pilot Behavior

Pilot noncompliance with checklists has been associated with aviation accidents. This noncompliance can be influenced by complex interactions among the checklist, pilot behavior, aircraft automation, device interfaces, and policy, all within the dynamic flight environment. We present a method that uses model checking to evaluate checklist-guided pilot behavior while considering these interactions. We illustrate our approach with a case study of a pilot performing the “Before Landing” checklist. We use our method to explore how different design interventions could impact the safe arming and deployment of spoilers. Results and future research are discussed.
Block of the delayed rectifier current (IK) by the 5-HT3 antagonists ondansetron and granisetron in feline ventricular myocytes

Abstract 1. We investigated the effects of two 5-HT3 antagonists, ondansetron and granisetron, on the action potential duration (APD) and the delayed rectifier current (IK) of feline isolated ventricular myocytes. Whole-cell current and action potential recordings were performed at 37 degrees C with the patch clamp technique. 2. Ondansetron and granisetron blocked IK with a KD of 1.7 +/- 1.0 and 4.3 +/- 1.7 microM, respectively. At a higher concentration (30 microM), both drugs blocked the inward rectifier (IKl). 3. The block of IK was dependent on channel activation. Both drugs slowed the decay of IK tail currents and produced a crossover with the pre-drug current trace. These results are consistent with block and unblock from the open state of the channel. 4. Granisetron showed an intrinsic voltage-dependence as the block increased with depolarization. The equivalent voltage-dependency of block (delta) was 0.10 +/- 0.04, suggesting that granisetron blocks from the intracellular side at a binding site located 10% across the transmembrane electrical field. 5. Ondansetron (1 microM) and granisetron (3 microM) prolonged APD by about 30% at 0.5 Hz. The prolongation of APD by ondansetron was abolished at faster frequencies (3 Hz) showing reverse rate dependence. 6. In conclusion, the 5-HT3 antagonists, ondansetron and granisetron, are open state blockers of the ventricular delayed rectifier and show a clear class III action.
Stochastic modeling of heterogeneous materials – A process for the analysis and evaluation of alternative formulations

Abstract The paper addresses the problem of understanding and modeling the constitutive behavior of complex, heterogeneous solid materials. Several issues in the area of stochastic material modeling remain open, thus a process for the analysis of different formulations is proposed and examined in detail. Using the proposed process, it is shown that a number of basic models are stochastically similar to each other. Furthermore, often, small apparently unimportant changes in a formulation may result in significant changes in the predicted response. For some formulations, inequalities are established that when satisfied it is guaranteed that the entropy of a structure/system cannot decrease. Attention is given to stochastic formulations within the context of non-local theories because such formulations provide new information to the subject of localization of deformation and fracture toughness.
Intestinal Wound Healing Requires a Wnt Balancing Act

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses a group of disorders of the colon and small intestine including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It affects roughly 396 per 100,000 persons worldwide ( 1 ) and in the United States is responsible for more than $1.7 billion in overall health care costs. The chronic or recurrent inflammation associated with this disease causes severe damage to the epithelial lining of the intestine. On page 108 of this issue, Miyoshi et al. ( 2 ) present a model for wound healing in the intestinal tract that may have clinical relevance to mucosal repair in disorders of intestinal ulceration.
Autoimmunity to collagen in adult periodontal disease

Although it has been documented that exogenous antigens of microbial origin are involved in the induction of the local inflammatory responses in human adult periodontitis (AP), endogeneous antigens may contribute to the chronicity of this common disease. In this study, we used the enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) test to enumerate antibody-secreting cells to human collagen Types 1-VI by cells isolated from the gingivae and peripheral blood of AP patients. Analyses of dissociated cells from gingivae of 39 AP patients revealed the presence of high numbers of cells that secrete antibodies to Type I collagen, and to a lesser extent, Type III. Although the majority of such cells produced specific antibodies of the IgG class, IgA- and IgM- anti-collagen -secreting cells were also detected. When compared to the total antibody-producing cells, the numbers of cells forming specific antibodies to collagen Type I were surprisingly high. In contrast, anti-collagen antibody-producing cells were rarely detected in the peripheral blood of patients with adult periodontal disease and only low levels of anti-collagen antibodies were present in the serum. The finding of local production of anti-collagen antibodies in AP suggests that autoimmunity may contribute to the pathogenesis of this common disease.
Proteomics in Cancer Screening and Management in Gynecologic Cancer

Biomarkers are used routinely for population screening, disease diagnosis and prognosis, monitoring of therapy, and prediction of therapeutic response. Unfortunately, most biomarkers have low sensitivity and specificity and little predictive value. Novel techniques for better screening and early diagnosis of ovarian cancer are urgently needed. Proteomics, the study of the cellular proteins and their activation states, integrates some fundamental techniques, including high-throughput protein purification and profiling, genomic and proteomic databases, and mass spectrometry. In oncology, proteomics will contribute greatly to our understanding of gene functions in tumor development and provide information in clinical applications. This article reviews proteomic techniques and their potential applications in gynecologic cancer screening and management.
Tip60 degradation by adenovirus relieves transcriptional repression of viral transcriptional activator EIA

Adenoviruses are linear double-stranded DNA viruses that infect human and rodent cell lines, occasionally transform them and cause tumors in animal models. The host cell challenges the virus in multifaceted ways to restrain viral gene expression and DNA replication, and sometimes even eliminates the infected cells by programmed cell death. To combat these challenges, adenoviruses abrogate the cellular DNA damage response pathway. Tip60 is a lysine acetyltransferase that acetylates histones and other proteins to regulate gene expression, DNA damage response, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Tip60 is a bona fide tumor suppressor as mice that are haploid for Tip60 are predisposed to tumors. We have discovered that Tip60 is degraded by adenovirus oncoproteins EIB55K and E4orf6 by a proteasome-mediated pathway. Tip60 binds to the immediate early adenovirus promoter and suppresses adenovirus EIA gene expression, which is a master regulator of adenovirus transcription, at least partly through retention of the virally encoded repressor pVII on this promoter. Thus, degradation of Tip60 by the adenoviral early proteins is important for efficient viral early gene transcription and for changes in expression of cellular genes.
Mallard egg quality: Enhancement by low levels of petroleum and chlorinated hydrocarbons

Chlorinated and petroleum hydrocarbons are widespread and significant pollutants in global ecosystems (OHLENDORF et al. 1978, WHITE 1979, WOLFE 1977). When fed to mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), high levels of either cause a significant decline in egg quality (GRAU et al. 1977; HOLMES et al. 1978; VANGILDER and PETERLE 1980, 1981). We now report that petroleum hydrocarbons fed together with a chlorinated hydrocarbon enhance egg quality if fed to mallards at low, environmentally realistic levels. However, when low levels of either petroleum hydrocarbons or a chlorinated hydrocarbon are fed alone to mallards, egg quality is reduced. For the purposes of this paper, we defined egg quality in terms of egg size, the amount and relative proportions of the egg's components, the composition of certain components, egg hatchability, and duckling survivorship.
Implementing componentwise Hastings algorithms

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) routines have revolutionized the application of Monte Carlo methods in statistical application and statistical computing methodology. The Hastings sampler, encompassing both the Gibbs and Metropolis samplers as special cases, is the most commonly applied MCMC algorithm. The performance of the Hastings sampler relies heavily on the choice of sweep strategy, that is, the method by which the components or blocks of the random variable X of interest are visited and updated, and the choice of proposal distribution, that is the distribution from which candidate variates are drawn for the accept–reject rule in each iteration of the algorithm. We focus on the random sweep strategy, where the components of X are updated in a random order, and random proposal distributions, where the proposal distribution is characterized by a randomly generated parameter. We develop an adaptive Hastings sampler which learns from and adapts to random variates generated during the algorithm towards choosing the optimal random sweep strategy and proposal distribution for the problem at hand. As part of the development, we prove convergence of the random variates to the distribution of interest and discuss practical implementations of the methods. We illustrate the results presented by applying the adaptive componentwise Hastings samplers developed to sample multivariate Gaussian target distributions and Bayesian frailty models. c 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Reduction in Ventilator Response to CO2 With Relaxation Feedback During CO2 Rebreathing in Normal Adults

Background Previous studies have shown that relaxation biofeedback reduced time on the ventilator for the difficult-to-wean patients. Objective To test the hypothesis that the underlying mechanism of biofeedback ventilator weaning was the reduction of neural respiratory drive (NRD). Design Prospective, linear regression analysis. Setting Critical care medicine department in tertiary health care hospital. Subjects Fifteen healthy adult volunteers were randomly assigned to the biofeedback group, and 15 healthy adult volunteers were randomly assigned to a control group. Interventions Relaxation feedback was administered while a single variable, PaCO 2 , was inputted to the respiratory control system and the output measured. While rebreathing 7% CO 2 /93% O 2 , the biofeedback group received a baseline session and a relaxation feedback session and the control group received a baseline session and a no feedback session. Measurements and results During relaxation feedback, there was a significant (p i ), mean inspiratory flow (V t /T i ), occlusion pressure in 0.1 s from onset of inspiration (P 100 ), respiration rate (RR), and diaphragm (DA) EMG compared to baseline. We also found the above breathing parameters decreased significantly for relaxation feedback (p 2 (64 ± 1.2 mm Hg) (all data are expressed as mean± SE). The decrease for V i = −4.65 ± 1.17 L/min, DA EMG = −0.4 ± 0.21 μV, P 100 = −1.13 ± 0.56 cm H 2 O, V t /T i = −144 ± 82.91 ml/s, and RR = −3.1 ± 0.79 breaths/min. No significant changes occurred in these parameters for the control group. Conclusions We conclude that the addition of the behavioral input of relaxation feedback results in decreasing the values of respiratory parameters that reflect NRD.
B lymphocyte maturation in cultures from blood of elderly men: a comparison of plaque-forming cells, cells containing intracytoplasmic immunoglobulin and cell proliferation.

Abstract We have found, in 7-day pokeweed mitogen stimulated cultures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells, a marked deficiency in aged men (over 75 years) in maturation of B cells to antibody-producing cells. This finding was equally true whether maturation was measured by B cells with the specific function of producing anti-sheep erythrocyte plaques or by the histochemical technique of staining with fluorescent anti-globulin serum for plasmacytoid changes. The defect was functional, in that total cells at the end of 7 days of culture were numerically the same in young and old subjects. These differences were striking and almost uniform in aged subjects. Mixed leukocyte cocultures of young-old pairs revealed no suppression to account for defective B lymphocyte differentiation. Similarly, increased concentrations of pokeweed mitogen failed to stimulate the cells of the very elderly. Currently, we have no ready immunological explanation of these findings, and report the observation as a possible inherent cellular defect associated with extreme old age.
Electrospray ionization of divalent transition metal ion bipyridine complexes: Spectroscopic evidence for preparation of solution analogs in the gas phase

Abstract Laser photofragmentation mass spectrometry provides the first spectroscopic evidence that electrospray ionization (ESI) produces gas-phase clusters containing transition metal ion complexes analogous to those found in solution. In solution, the tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)iron(II) and ruthenium(II) coordination complexes exhibit strong metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) absorption bands in the visible. The characteristic MLCT absorption bands are intact in gas-phase methanolic clusters containing these complexes, indicating that the metal oxidation state is preserved during ESI. Comparison of the ionic species produced by ESI and other ionization/volatilization techniques offers some insight on stabilization of the +2 charge in these gas-phase systems.
Unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation for refractory essential tremor and Parkinson's disease tremor

Objective: To determine the efficacy and tolerability of unilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for patients with medically refractory essential tremor (ET) and the tremor associated with Parkinson9s disease (PD). Background: The tremor of ET and PD may produce functional disability despite optimal medical therapy. Several reports have demonstrated efficacy of thalamic DBS in this scenario. Methods: Preoperative and 3-month postoperative tremor ratings were compared in 33 patients (14 ET and 19 PD) with severe tremor. Evaluations included Unified Parkinson9s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores for PD patients and a modified Unified Tremor Rating Scale in ET patients. Open-label and blinded data (unknown activation status) were obtained. Results: ET patients demonstrated an 83% reduction ( p p Conclusions: Thalamic DBS is a safe and effective treatment of ET and the tremor of PD. In PD, its use should be limited to patients in whom high-amplitude tremor results directly in significant functional disability.
Disentangling the relationships between plant pigments and the photochemical reflectance index reveals a new approach for remote estimation of carotenoid content

The Photochemical Reflectance Index (PRI) is used as an indicator of leaf and plant canopy photosynthetic efficiency. However, the photosynthetic efficiency–PRI relationship has been shown to be inconsistent over time, likely due to changes in foliar pigment content. We measured reflectance spectra and biochemical properties from 24 leaves of two deciduous tree species and acquired pigment and reflectance data from the Leaf Optical Properties EXperiment database for an additional nine species. These data were used as inputs for the PROSPECT-5 leaf optical model. We found measurements of PRI to be significantly (p < 0.05) correlated with chlorophyll content, carotenoid content, and the carotenoid/chlorophyll ratio. However, only the PRI–carotenoid/chlorophyll ratio relationship was consistent across all analyses. Two predictive equations were derived from PROSPECT-5 simulations: a curvilinear PRI model (PRI(clm)) predicted the carotenoid/chlorophyll ratio (r2 = 0.99), and a linear model using the chlorophyll index (CI(lm)) predicted chlorophyll content (r2 = 0.98). Multiplying PRI(clm) with CI(lm) canceled the influence of chlorophyll content on PRI(clm) and thus allowed for prediction of carotenoid content from 11 deciduous tree species (r2 = 0.83). Our results confirm that the PRI is significantly influenced by chlorophyll and carotenoid pools and demonstrate a new approach for non-destructive estimation of leaf carotenoid content using the PRI. Because variation in foliar physiological status is known to relate to leaf carotenoid content and the carotenoid/chlorophyll ratio, convolving the PRI with a chlorophyll index is likely to be useful for understanding the photosynthetic performance of deciduous vegetation across a wide range of temporal periods, ranging from daily to seasonal time scales.
Mixing in straight shear layers

Planar laser-induced fluorescence measurements were performed in a liquid plane mixing layer to extract the probability density function (pdf) of the mixture fraction of a passive scalar across the layer. Three Reynolds number (Re) cases were studied, 10,000, 33,000 and 90,000, with Re based on velocity difference and visual thickness. The results show that a non-marching pdf (central hump invariant from edge to edge of the layer) exists for Re = 10,000 but that a marching type pdf characterizes the Re = 33,000 and Re = 90,000 cases. For all cases, a broad range of mixture fraction values is found at each location across the layer. Streamwise and spanwise ramps across the layer, and structure-to-structure variation were observed and are believed to be responsible for the above behavior of the composition field. Tripping the boundary layer on the high-speed side of the splitter plate for each of the above three cases resulted in increased three-dimensionality and a change in the composition field. Average and average mixed fluid compositions are reported for all cases.
Modeling the isolated cardiac myocyte

Computer modeling of cardiac myocytes has flourished in recent years. Models have evolved from mathematical descriptions of ionic channels alone to more sophisticated formulations that include calcium transport mechanisms, ATP production and metabolic pathways. The increased complexity is fueled by the new data available in the field. The continuous production of experimental data has led to the evolution of increasingly refined descriptions of the phenomena by modelers. Integrating the numerous systems involved in cardiac myocyte homeostasis makes the use of computer models necessary due to the unreliability of intuitive approaches. However the complexity of the model should not imply a cumbersome operation of the program. As with any tool, computer models have to be easy to operate or their strength will be diminished and potential users will not benefit fully from them. The contribution of the computer modeler to their respective biological fields will be more successful and enduring if modelers devote sufficient time to implement their equations into a model with user-friendly characteristics.