cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 16734: Il-10-Inhibit Pressure Overload-Induced Proliferation and Differentiation of Fibroblast Progenitor Cells and Thus Improve Cardiac Function

Background: Recently we have shown that IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, markedly inhibited the pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis, however, antifibrotic mechanisms of IL-10 are largely unknown. In most organs, including heart, activated fibroblast play critical role in extracellular matrix remodeling, however, very little information is available regarding the origin of myoFBs. Here we hypothesized that IL-10 inhibits stress-induced proliferation and differentiation of nonresident bone marrow-derived fibroblast progenitor cells and therefore, attenuates cardiac fibrosis and improves of heart function. Methods and Results: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in Wild-type (WT) and IL-10-knockout (KO) mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). TAC-induced left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and fibrosis were further exaggerated in KO mice compared to WT. TAC significantly increased TGF-β, collagen Iα and IIIα genes expression. Systemic recombinant mouse IL-10 administration markedly improved LV function, inhibited TAC-induced cardiac fibrosis and fibrosis associated genes expression. To identify the role of fibroblast progenitor cells (FPCs), we measured the mobilization of FPCs (Prominin1 positive cells) from bone marrow to heart by FACs. Exacerbated mobilization of FPCs in peripheral blood and heart in IL-10 KO mice were found 3 and 7 days after aortic constriction. Bone marrow transplantation experiments were performed where WT-GFP positive marrow was transplanted in BM depleted IL-10 KO mice. TAC-induced mobilization was significantly reduced in WT-transplanted marrow as compare to TAC-IL-10 KO mice. To identify the role IL-10 on TGFβ-induced endothelial cells trans-differentiation to myofibroblasts, we treated aortic endothelial cells with IL-10 and TGFβ2 for 96 hrs. Both Immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis results suggested that TGF-β2-induced EndMT was significantly inhibited by IL-10 treatment. To understand the mechanisms, we found that TGF-β2-induced Notch1 signaling was reduced by IL-10. Conclusion: Taken together our observations suggest that the anti-fibrotic effects of IL-10 treatment are mediated by reduced proliferation and differentiation of non-resident myofibroblasts.
Orientation estimation of industrial parts for automated inspection

Orientation estimation is an essential step in many machine vision problems. A variety of inspection tasks require the coordinate system of an object model to be aligned with the coordinate system of a set of observations before the actual inspection judgements can be made. In this paper, a procedure is presented to estimate the object's orientation using spectral energy distribution in the Fourier domain. The performance of this technique is determined by conducting simulation experiments on a set of images containing industrial parts under varying conditions of noise. >
Chapter 7. Antihypertensive Agents

Publisher Summary Currently, it is not possible to prevent essential hypertension and this presents a challenge to the clinician, pharmacologist, and medicinal chemist to discover adequate therapies. This chapter discusses the beneficial effects of drug therapy in the management of hypertension, the significance of catecholamine levels in hypertension, role of the sympathoadrenal axis in hypertension, and the need for intact vascular endothelium for vascular responses to a number of agents. A cautionary note offered that the levels in mixed venous blood are unreliable indicators of sympathetic neural activity in hypertension. Current evidence supports the hypothesis that converting enzyme (CEI) exerts their hypotensive effects primarily by inhibition of circulating and tissue-bound converting enzyme. A summary of the pharmacology of enalapril (MK-421) has appeared along with an account of the clinical studies done with lisinopril (MK-521) that suggest this drug will be suitable for once-a-day anti-hypertensive therapy. Analogs of enalapril that have appeared include the perhydroindole derivative. New evidence suggests certain calcium entry blockers (CEB) affect neural regulation of blood vessels at several sites. Studies in anesthetized dogs indicate that nifedipine increases and verapamil decreases the sensitivity of carotidsinus baroreceptors apparently by interference with a calcium-dependent and a sodium-dependent mechanism, respectively. New studies have examined the interaction of various CEB with α-adrenoceptors and their effect on the processes mediated by a-adrenoceptors. The (+) and (-) antipodes of verapamil, nicardipine, and (+) D-600 showed similar inhibition of radioligand binding to al-adrenoceptors, whereas diltiazem and nifedipine showed a very low level of activity.
Performance effects of switching noise on CMOS microprocessors

The simultaneous switching noise of off-chip drivers and internal circuits affect the performance of the CMOS chips. These effects are quantified using voltage waveforms obtained from simulations on a high-frequency package model.
Self-assembled fullerene additives for boosting the capacity of activated carbon electrodes in supercapacitors

Self-assembled fullerene additives at minor weight fractions (∼1 wt%) are shown to improve the specific capacity of activated carbon electrode based supercapacitors significantly, while simultaneously increasing the maximum power density. The integrated approach developed in this work demonstrates the feasibility of using high performance composite carbon electrodes in electrochemical energy storage.
Using Coaching to Increase Preschool Teachers' Use of Emergent Literacy Teaching Strategies.

Abstract This single-subject study assessed the effects of in-classroom coaching on early childhood teachers’ use of emergent literacy teaching strategies. Teaching strategies were grouped into clusters related to oral language and comprehension of text, phonological awareness and alphabetic principle, and print concepts and written language, with coaching being applied to each cluster separately. The coaching process included two primary components: a brief initial meeting to introduce teaching strategies in the cluster, and semi-weekly observation with follow-up discussion using data collected during the observation. A third, booster component was added when the teacher did not achieve a pre-established criterion. Participants were five early childhood teachers, three in child care programs and two in public school pre-kindergarten programs. The intervention phase lasted approximately 6 weeks for each teacher. Results indicated that this approach to coaching was effective for increasing the number of teaching strategies that teachers used in each cluster. Individual differences among teachers are discussed, and implications for future research and practice are explored.
Silicone oil adhesion to intraocular lenses: An experimental study comparing various biomaterials

Abstract Purpose: To perform an in vitro experimental study comparing the degree of adherence of silicone oil to various rigid and foldable intraocular lens (IOL) designs and to the human lens capsule. Setting: Center for Research on Ocular Therapeutics and Biodevices, Department of Ophthalmology, Storm Eye Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA. Methods: Seven IOL styles comprising various biomaterials were studied: fluorinetreated (FIuoriens™), heparin-surface-modified (HSM™), hydrogel, Memory-Lens™, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), soft acrylic, and silicone lenses; the human crystalline lens was also studied. Each lens was immersed in silicone oil for 12 hours, then photographed, studied by scanning electron microscopy (except the crystalline lens), and subjected to computer-generated image analysis to determine the silicone oil coverage. Results: Silicone oil coverage of dry silicone lenses was 100% and of lenses immersed in normal saline, 82.5%. The least coverage was on the heparin-surfacemodified lens (mean score 9.4%). Coverage of the other four lenses ranged from approximately 15.1% to 33.7%. Mean coverage of the human lens capsule was 10.9%. Conclusion: Although a silicone IOL shows maximal adherence to silicone oil, other lens biomaterials are not immune to this complication. Silicone oil coverage was related to the dispersive energy component of the surface charge of the IOL biomaterial. Low dispersive energy materials had less silicone oil coverage, while those with higher dispersive energy had more oil coverage.
Rheology of the upper mantle: Inferences from peridotite xenoliths

Abstract Stress estimates as a function of depth are obtained for peridotite xenoliths from the upper mantle of three types of tectonic environments by applying revised recrystallizedgrain-size paleopiezometry and pyroxene thermobarometry. The general increase in grain size with depth and hence decrease in deviatoric stress, observed previously, is confirmed but reversals in these trends are now established and remain enigmatic. Stresses and temperatures obtained are combined with a representative creep-flow law to calculate strainrate and viscosity profiles that appear to be physically reasonable. Profiles for the highthermal-gradient rift/ridge environments show a complexity that is interpreted as.a rheological discontinuity resulting from the emplacement of asthenospheric diapirs during late stages of continental rifting. Profiles for broad continental extension zones (C.E.Z.), believed to be most representative of oceanic upper mantle, fluctuate between 50 and 80 km, with a general small increase in strain rate and decrease in viscosity with depth; deepest samples apparently come from the base of the lithosphere. Profiles for the infracratonic mantle of southern Africa show nearly a uniform increase in strain rate to values greater than 10 −14 /sec, and a decrease in viscosity to lower than 10 21 poise, at a depth of 230 km. These profiles may transect the mechanically defined lithosphere—asthenosphere transition at about 200 km and, if so, there is no evidence for a mechanical discontinuity at the boundary. This observation, coupled with evidence that the sense of shear is homogeneous for all mantle profiles constructed, clearly favors a model whereby lithospheric plates are dragged by thermal convection of the asthenosphere below. Sea-floor spreading rates and relative plate-velocity estimates are consistent with this interpretation but do not independently permit a definitive choice between the two favored models advanced to explain the driving force for plate motions.
The missing orthodontic elastic band, a periodontic-orthodontic dilemma.

Improperly placed elastic bands can cause irreparable damage. Severe bone loss was found around a second premolar of a 30-year-old woman. Irreparable damage to periodontal tissues can occur from use of elastic bands that slip subgingivally. Orthodontic elastic bands should be used cautiously during minor tooth movement procedures, and it is recommended that they be secured supragingivally to prevent slipping. Explicit instructions to the patient and frequent dental appointments are also necessary.
Nα-acetyltransferase deficiency alters protein synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract Acetylation is the most frequently occurring chemical modification of the α-NH 2 group of eukaryotic proteins and is catalyzed by a N α -acetyltransferase. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to compare the soluble proteins synthesized in wild type and a mutant ( aaal ) yeast cells lacking N α -acetyltransferase. Among 855 soluble proteins identified in wild type and mutant, ~20% of the proteins in the mutant either disappeared or were shifted to higher p I without a change of molecular mass, and 27 proteins were observed only in the mutant. In addition, the synthesis of another 12% of the proteins in the mutant was either diminished or enhanced, suggesting that the acetylation of certain regulatory proteins may affect their expression. This is the first demonstration of the broad-based functional role of N α -acetylation in eukaryotic protein synthesis. Acetyltransferase; Acetylation; (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)
The biosynthesis of the streptolidine moiety in streptothricin F

Abstract A series of arginines specifically labeled either with 13 C and 15 N or with 2 H were synthesized and fed to Streptomyces L-1689-23. The streptothricin F isolated in each case was analyzed by either 13 C or 2 H NMR, respectively, in order to determine the labeling pattern obtained. From these results, it appears that arginine is metabolized to a β-ketoarginine, possibly via a pyridoxal phosphate adduct, and then via cyclization, reduction, rearrangement, and hydroxylation to the streptolidine moiety. The pathway described can also account for the formation of other known antibiotics, and for β-hydroxy-γ-amino acids, generally.
The association of antimicrobial resistance with cure and quality of life among women with acute uncomplicated cystitis

Background The association of in vitro resistance with bacteriologic, clinical, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes for acute uncomplicated cystitis is unclear.
Photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes in plant and bacterial membranes

Abstract Photosynthetic pigments are complexed with specific membrane proteins. Each organism contains a number of different pigment-protein complexes, with distinct structures and functions. Study of this little-known class of proteins is essential for a more complete understanding of photosynthetic energy conversion.
Acid-base reaction of Li3CrO4 with divalent metal ions in molten lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic

Abstract A disproportionation reaction of Li3CrO4, which is considered to be the intermediate in the electrochemical reduction of chromate, was studied in the presence of various divalent cations in molten LiClKCl eutectic at 450°C, Li3CrO4 decomposes to CrO42− and LiCrO2 as a solid product in the presence of Ca(II) and Cd(II) ions. On the other hand in the presence of Zn(II), Mg(II) and Ni(II) ions the composition of the products varies with the nature of the cation. The composition approaches a compound LixM(II)yCrO4 (x + 2y = 5, M(II) = Zn, Mg and Ni) with increasing acidity of cations and with decreasing acidity the product becomes a mixture of LixM(II)yCrO4 and LiCrO2. This composition change can be explained in terms of an acid-base reaction of Li3CrO4 and the cations.
Viewpoint: A Conceptual Framework for Designing Group Projects

Abstract Designing group projects can bewilder the best of instructors. This article provides a framework that invites the reader to explore systematically the design of group projects. The framework focuses on pedagogical purposes for using such projects, what should be evaluated and by whom, and critical factors to consider when designing a group project. It is not meant to be prescriptive but can provoke thought and discussion. The authors conclude with four recurring themes that have emerged from discussions using this framework.
Liquid-Solid Contact During Flow Film Boiling of Subcooled Freon-11

Liquid-solid contacts were measured for flow film boiling of subcooled Freon-11 over an electrically heated cylinder equipped with a surface microthermocouple probe. No systematic variation of the extent of liquid-solid contact with wall superheat, liquid subcooling, or velocity was detected. Only random small-scale contacts that contribute negligibly to overall heat transfer were detected when the surface was above the homogenous nucleation temperature of the Freon-11. When large-scale contacts were detected, they led to an unexpected intermediate transition from local film boiling to local transition boiling. An explanation is proposed for these unexpected transitions. A comparison of analytical results that used experimentally determined liquid-solid contact parameters to experimental heat fluxes did not show good agreement. It was concluded that the available model for heat transfer accounting for liquid-solid contact is not adequate for flow film boiling.
Novel in vitro pharmacodynamic model simulating ofloxacin pharmacokinetics in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm-associated infections.

Summary Objectives The conventional in vitro models simulate pharmacodynamics of antibiotics in the treatment of planktonic Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this study, we propose a novel pharmacodynamic model of ofloxacin activity in the treatment of P. aeruginosa biofilm. Methods P. aeruginosa biofilm carrying coupons were suspended in a continuous flow central compartment bioreactor (CCB). In the CCB, the pharmacokinetics of different ofloxacin dosing regimens were simulated. Samples from the coupons and the CCB were assessed for viability of the biofilm and the shedding planktonic cells, respectively, over 24 h. In addition, ofloxacin concentrations were assessed in each sample withdrawn for the CCB using bioassay method. Results The microbiological outcomes on P. aeruginosa biofilm and the shedding planktonic cells in response to different ofloxacin dosing regimens were not parallel and this may explain the non-coincidence of microbiological and clinical outcomes with biofilm associated infections. Conclusion The current study has introduced unprecedented novel dynamic model for the assessment of the microbiological outcome on both biofilm and shedding planktonic cells of P. aeruginosa in response to different dosing regimens of ofloxacin which in turn can simulate the clinical outcomes in biofilm associated infections of P. aeruginosa, e.g. cystic fibrosis. Furthermore, different scenarios of antibiotic dosing regimens against biofilm related infections can be mimicked using such model.
Structure of the regulatory domains of the Src-family tyrosine kinase Lck

THE kinase p56lck (Lck) is a T-lymphocyte-specific member of the Src family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases1. Members of the Src family each contain unique amino-terminal regions, followed by Src-homology domains SH3 and SH2, and a tyrosine kinase domain. SH3 and SH2 domains mediate critical protein interactions in many signal-transducing pathways2. They are small, independently folded modules of about 60 and 100 residues, respectively, and they are often but not always found together in the same molecule. Like all nine Src-family kinases (reviewed in ref. 3), Lck is regulated by phosphorylation of a tyrosine in the short C-terminal tail of its catalytic domain4. There is evidence that binding of the phosphorylated tail to the SH2 domain inhibits catalytic activity of the kinase domain5,6 and that the SH3 and SH2 domains may act together to effect this regulation7. Here we report the crystal structures for a fragment of Lck bearing its SH3 and SH2 domains, alone and in complex with a phosphotyrosyl peptide containing the sequence of the Lck C-terminal regulatory tail. The latter complex represents the regulatory apparatus of Lck. The SH3–SH2 fragment forms similar dimers in both crystals, and the tail peptide binds at the intermolecular SH3/SH2 contact. The two structures show how an SH3 domain might recognize a specific target and suggest how dimerization could play a role in regulating Src-family kinases.
Generation means analysis of right-censored response-time traits: Low temperature seed germination in tomato

In studies to determine the inheritance of response-time traits, such as time to seed germination, some viable individuals may fail to respond during an experiment. If these right-censored observations are ignored, sample means and variances will be underestimated. This is illustrated using data from time to seed germination at 9°C for Lycopersicon esculentum (Mill.) fast germinating PI 120256, slow-germinating T3 and their reciprocal F1, F2 and backcross progeny. This paper presents methods to detect and to accommodate right-censored data in generation means analysis. Genetic interpretations derived from corrected and uncorrected estimates of generation means and variances are compared. Correction for right-censoring increased estimates of environmental and phenotypic variances, and decreased heritability estimates.
On-line identification of non-linear hysteretic structures using an adaptive tracking technique

Abstract System identification and damage detection based on vibration data have received considerable attention recently because of their importance to structural health monitoring. Various technical approaches have been proposed in the literature; however, the on-line identification of the changes of parameters for non-linear structures due to damages is still a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose an on-line adaptive tracking technique, based on the least-square estimation, to identify the system parameters and their changes of non-linear hysteretic structures. The method proposed is capable of tracking abrupt or slow changes of the system parameters from which the damage event and the severity of the structural damage can be detected and evaluated. Simulation results for tracking the parametric changes of non-linear hysteretic structures are presented to demonstrate the application and effectiveness of the proposed technique in detecting the structural damages.
Development, implementation and assessment of a common first year end-of-semester engineering design project in an integrated curriculum

At the newly established University of Maine's Brunswick Engineering Program, an integrated curriculum is under development that covers the equivalent of the first two years of the B.Sc. in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil and Computer Engineering. Upon completion of the program, the students finish their degree following the traditional curriculum at the home campus. The program emphasizes a theory-simulation-experimentation approach that during the first semester is reflected in two core courses: IEN110 Integrated Engineering 1, and IEN120 Engineering Studio 1. These courses cover the equivalent of first semester courses in calculus and physics, introduction to engineering and engineering design, and engineering computation, and introduce CAD and a high level programming language (MATLAB). An end-of-semester project suitable for both courses needs to contribute to the individual course outcomes, as well as to the overall semester outcomes. The project goal is to challenge the students to, after suitably modeling the physical processes, explore the design space with the aid of the computational tools, and to then develop a design using 3D CAD that best meets the design parameters. The final design is then presented to the "client" (the faculty) both in report and presentation format (introducing the communication outcome), and subsequently is built and tested experimentally. The project assessment is carried out in four phases (project planning, critical design review, build and test day, and post test evaluation), with separate grade components at each assessment point for each of the courses. Assessment results indicate a high level of perceived learning and satisfaction from the students, and strong alignment with the overarching project goals of understanding the engineering design process, developing the capability to represent real-world engineering problems mathematically by applying appropriate simplifications, and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Strabismus-mediated primary archenteron invagination is uncoupled from Wnt/β-catenin-dependent endoderm cell fate specification in Nematostella vectensis (Anthozoa, Cnidaria): Implications for the evolution of gastrulation.

Gastrulation is a uniquely metazoan character, and its genesis was arguably the key step that enabled the remarkable diversification within this clade. The process of gastrulation involves two tightly coupled events during embryogenesis of most metazoans. Morphogenesis produces a distinct internal epithelial layer in the embryo, and this epithelium becomes segregated as an endoderm/endomesodermal germ layer through the activation of a specific gene regulatory program. The developmental mechanisms that induced archenteron formation and led to the segregation of germ layers during metazoan evolution are unknown. But an increased understanding of development in early diverging taxa at the base of the metazoan tree may provide insights into the origins of these developmental mechanisms. In the anthozoan cnidarian Nematostella vectensis, initial archenteron formation begins with bottle cell-induced buckling of the blastula epithelium at the animal pole. Here, we show that bottle cell formation and initial gut invagination in Nematostella requires NvStrabismus (NvStbm), a maternally-expressed core component of the Wnt/Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) pathway. The NvStbm protein is localized to the animal pole of the zygote, remains asymmetrically expressed through the cleavage stages, and becomes restricted to the apical side of invaginating bottle cells at the blastopore. Antisense morpholino-mediated NvStbm-knockdown blocks bottle cell formation and initial archenteron invagination, but it has no effect on Wnt/s-catenin signaling-mediated endoderm cell fate specification. Conversely, selectively blocking Wnt/s-catenin signaling inhibits endoderm cell fate specification but does not affect bottle cell formation and initial archenteron invagination. Our results demonstrate that Wnt/PCP-mediated initial archenteron invagination can be uncoupled from Wnt/s-catenin-mediated endoderm cell fate specification in Nematostella, and provides evidence that these two processes could have evolved independently during metazoan evolution. We propose a two-step model for the evolution of an archenteron and the evolution of endodermal germ layer segregation. Asymmetric accumulation and activation of Wnt/PCP components at the animal pole of the last common ancestor to the eumetazoa may have induced the cell shape changes that led to the initial formation of an archenteron. Activation of Wnt/s-catenin signaling at the animal pole may have led to the activation of a gene regulatory network that specified an endodermal cell fate in the archenteron.
Microwave Detection of Interstellar Vinyl Alcohol, CH2=CHOH

Vinyl alcohol (CH2=CHOH) has been detected in emission toward Sagittarius B2N by means of its millimeter-wave rotational transitions. The simplest enol, vinyl alcohol is an important intermediate in many organic chemistry reactions. All three stable isomers of the C2H4O family, vinyl alcohol, ethylene oxide (c-C2H4O), and acetaldehyde (CH3–CHO) have now been identified in the interstellar medium, as have the three members of the C2H4O2 isomeric group (Hollis, Lovas, and Jewell). These complex species cannot be produced in detected amounts by quiescent gas-phase chemistry models, and grain processes have long been envisioned. Our analysis of the abundances of the six species suggests that evaporation from grains of copious amounts of less complex species such as CH3OH and H2CO, followed by gas-phase reactions among the evaporated species, explain the high abundance of four of the species, while isomerization (on grains) of the less stable glycol aldehyde and vinyl alcohol species accounts for their lower abundances. The role of catalysis on grains remains unclear.
Effectiveness of Case Management Strategies in Reducing Emergency Department Visits In Frequent User Patient Populations: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background Case management (CM) is a commonly cited intervention aimed at reducing Emergency Department (ED) utilization by "frequent users," a group of patients that utilize the ED at disproportionately high rates. Studies have investigated the impact of CM on a variety of outcomes in this patient population. Objectives We sought to examine the evidence of the effectiveness of the CM model in the frequent ED user patient population. We reviewed the available literature focusing on the impact of CM interventions on ED utilization, cost, disposition, and psychosocial variables in frequent ED users. Discussion Although there was heterogeneity across the 12 studies investigating the impact of CM interventions on frequent users of the ED, the majority of available evidence shows a benefit to CM interventions. Reductions in ED visitation and ED costs are supported with the strongest evidence. Conclusion CM interventions can improve both clinical and social outcomes among frequent ED users.
General Aviation Altimetry Errors for Collision Avoidance Systems

Altimetry data is the prime component of monitoring reliable vertical separation of aircraft. This report compiles raw data gathered in flight tests conducted by the National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center of the Federal Aviation Administration. The compilation yields histograms of the errors in automatically reported altitude and errors in indicated altitude for general aviation aircraft in the U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration is currently considering two fully automatic collision avoidance systems: Automated Traffic Advisory and Resolution Service and Beacon-based Collision Avoidance System. Besides, the automatically reported altitude is being increasingly used in automation in the Air Traffic System, as exemplified by the current implementation of Conflict Alert in the en route air space. The magnitude of error in the transponder reported altitude affects the performance of any automated collision avoidance system. In this paper, the impact of the errors in reported altitude on expected alert rates for automatic collision avoidance systems are analysed. It is shown that acceptable collision avoidance service is feasible with a threshold criterion of vertical coincidence which is less than 500 ft. The quality of separation assurance protection from the general aviation population that an individual pilot may expect to receive is assessed as a function of the error in his own automatically reported altitude.
Determining the idle time of a tiling

This paper investigates the idle time associated with a parallel computation, that is, the time that processors are idle because they are either waiting for data from other processors or waiting to synchronize with other processors. We study doubly-nested loops corresponding to parallelogram- or trapezoidal-shaped iteration spaces that have been parallelized by the well-known tiling transformation. We introduce the notion of rise r, which relates the shape of the iteration space to that of the tiles. For parallelogram- shaped iteration spaces, we show that when r P, the number of processors, but when r > -1, it is quadratic in P. In the context of hierarchical tiling, where multiple levels of tiling are used, a good choice of rise can lead to less idle time and better performance. While idle time is not the only cost that should be considered in evaluating a tiling strategy, current architectural trends (of deeper memory hierarchies and multiple levels of parallelism) suggest it has increasing importance.
Optical waveguide biosensor based on two dimensional diffractive elements obtained by nano-imprint lithography

This work focuses on the effects of custom-designed, two-dimensional grating structures on the sensitivity of optical waveguides biosensors in the input grating coupler configuration. Calculations suggest that suitably designed diffractive structures with optimum pitch in two orthogonal directions can increase the sensitivity of devices when compared to a conventional one-dimensional grating under the same conditions. A set of six diffractive structures designed for 1550 nm wavelength were fabricated by thermal nano-imprint lithography on silicon oxynitride waveguides; the silicon master stamp was patterned by deep UV stepper lithography. Preliminary experimental results indicate a sensitivity enhancement of a factor two due to the 2D diffractive couplers.
Arterial complications in patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation via femoral cannulation

Background Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) provides continuous cardiopulmonary support on a long-term basis. It has been speculated that patients undergoing ECMO via femoral arterial cannulation are more likely to develop peripheral vascular complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of peripheral vascular complications in this group of patients and outline the modalities used for treatment. Methods Data were collected for all patients who had femoral artery cannulation for ECMO therapy from June 2008 to October 2011. Primary outcome was any vascular complication. Secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and amputation. Operative reports were reviewed to analyze the surgical procedures implied for treating vascular complications. Results One hundred one patients underwent ECMO therapy during the period of study; 63.4% were male with an average age of 47.7 years. Mean length of hospital stay was 19.8 days and average length of time on the ECMO device was 7.33 days. Indications for ECMO included cardiogenic shock in 61 patients (60.4%), pulmonary failure in 37 (36.6%), and combined cardiac and pulmonary failure in 3 (3%). Overall mortality comprised 42 patients (42%). Risk factors for peripheral arterial disease included hypertension (32%), diabetes mellitus (21.8%), hyperlipidemia (21.7%), and smoking (19.8%). Eighteen patients (17.8%) developed peripheral vascular complications (confidence interval 10‒25%). Among the patients who developed vascular complications, 78% were male and average length of time on the device was 7.16 days. Indications for ECMO were cardiac failure in 13 (72%) and pulmonary failure in 5 (28%). Two (11%) were managed nonoperatively and 16 (89%) needed surgical intervention, 8 (44.44%) of whom required femoral endarterectomy with patch angioplasty. One patient required below-knee amputation. None required distal bypass. Mortality among patients with vascular complications was 28% (P = 0.30). Indications for use of ECMO in these patients included cardiogenic shock in 13 (72%) and pulmonary failure in 5 (28%). The mortality rate was 58% among diabetic patients and 34% in nondiabetic patients (P = 0.007). Conclusions Vascular complications occur in less then 20% of ECMO patients with the majority requiring femoral reconstruction. Development of vascular complications does not appear to increase risk of amputation or mortality. Among those patients who develop vascular complications, the most common indication for ECMO is cardiogenic shock.
A model for d.c. characterization of bipolar transistors

The model described includes: (1) an analytical form for alpha variation for both forward and reverse operation, (2) collector and emitter avalanche multiplication, (3) collector space-charge widening, (4) extrinsic terminal series resistances including current dependency, and (5) temperature effects. Twenty-seven device constants are used for the complete implementation of the model. The number of constants needed decreases with the modelling accuracy desired and with the number of effects to be modelled. A complete set of constants was determined for an experimental epitaxial multi-stripe silicon n—p—n transistor. These constants wore- used in ft computer programme to evaluate terminal volt-ampere properties. Computer results are compared with measured observations. The most significant discrepancies arise 08 a result of inadequate modelling of avalanche multiplication.
Mass-independent fractionation of sulfur isotopes by isotope-selective photodissociation of SO2

[1] A quantitative understanding the origin of sulfur isotope mass-independent fractionation (MIF) is essential to a full interpretation of the Archean sulfur geochemical record. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated that a MIF signature is present in elemental sulfur produced during SO2 photolysis, but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, I report the results of atmospheric chemistry modeling of isotope-selective photodissociation of SO2 in the 1B2 − 1A1 bands from 190 to 220 nm. This band system is dominated by a bending mode progression that produces shifts in the absorption spectrum upon sulfur isotope substitution. Self-shielding in the rotationally-resolved lines of 32SO2 produces MIF signatures in SO and residual SO2. A self-shielding origin for sulfur MIF implies that the variations observed in Δ33S in Archean rocks reflect variation in atmospheric SO2 concentration, and demonstrates that MIF in terrestrial rocks can be derived from photochemistry independent of molecular symmetry.
Ultrastructural demonstration of peroxidative activity and peroxidation in ischaemic and ischaemic-reperfused rabbit hearts

Objective: The aim was to characterise subcellular histochemical evidence of the involvement of peroxidation and peroxidases in myocardial reperfusion injury. The histochemical technique involved the use of 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB), which reacts with peroxides and proteins with peroxidase activity to form an electron dense polymer. Methods: Isolated rabbit hearts were perfused (Langendorff method) for 30 min with oxygenated physiological saline solution. Some were subjected to 30 min of normothermic global ischaemia, with or without 30 min reperfusion. Non-ischaemic control hearts were perfused continuously for 90 min. Hearts were fixed with glutaraldehyde and cut into 100-150 μm sections that were incubated for 1 h in buffered DAB (1 mg·ml−1) with or without added KCN or H2O2. They were processed further for transmission electron microscopy. Planimetry was done on micrographs taken from random fields (≈500 photos). Results: The total amount of DAB polymer in non-ischaemic control heart sections incubated with DAB alone occupied l.19(SEM 0.44) (μ2·1000 μ−2 total cell area. For ischaemic-nonreperfused hearts, the value was 2.32(0.90) μ2·1000 μ−2 (p=0.223 v control); DAB occupied 7.49(1.42) μ2·1000 μ−2 in ischaemic-reperfused hearts (p=0.001 v control). DAB positive staining of mitochondria and lipid droplets, but not of peroxisomes, was significantly increased in reperfused hearts compared with non-ischaemic controls. Conclusions: Reperfusion, but not ischaemia, was associated with increased DAB staining. This suggests a reperfusion induced increase in myocyte peroxidation. Increased staining may be due to the actions of haem proteins with peroxidase activity on peroxidised lipid. Cardiovascular Research 1993; 27 :371-376
Early hatching decreases jumping performance in a direct‐developing frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui

Summary 1 Differences in timing of development can greatly affect morphology and locomotor performance, which are of crucial importance in juvenile organisms. Early hatching in amphibians can occur in response to egg threats, and early hatched individuals may suffer the costs of physical immaturity posthatching. 2 We measured maximum jumping performance for early hatched (EH) and normal hatched (NH) froglets of the direct-developing frog Eleutherodactylus coqui on both a wet and a dry substrate. Snout–vent length, hindlimb length and mass were compared with jumping ability and behaviours on the wet substrate were scored. 3 EH froglets had lighter mass, shorter relative hindlimbs and performed more poorly on both substrates than NH individuals. Between groups, hindlimb length and snout–vent length scaled higher with mass than the expected geometric scale. EH froglets also engaged in more walking and swimming behaviour than did NH froglets on wet substrates. 4 We found that EH froglets have shorter relative hindlimbs and poorer jumping performance than NH froglets. EH froglets may compensate for their poor jumping ability by using other forms of locomotion. Limbs that are longer than theoretically predicted may help these terrestrial organisms escape forest-floor predators.
Emotional awareness, gender, and suspiciousness

We investigated the causal relation between emotional awareness (EA) and suspiciousness, and whether this relation is moderated by gender. After inducing an unpleasant mood, we manipulated EA by having participants read one of two versions of a story (the high EA condition provided cues to what the participant was feeling and why, whereas the low EA condition did not). Following the manipulation, one sample of participants completed a measure of suspiciousness, and a second, independent sample of participants described their emotional state. Emotional Awareness Condition x Gender effects were obtained for suspiciousness and EA. Men in the low EA condition reported significantly higher levels of suspiciousness and lower levels of EA than men in the high EA condition. Women in both conditions reported equally high levels of EA, which were greater than those of men in both conditions, and the manipulation did not affect their levels of suspiciousness.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMIC POWER OF FINANCE CAPITAL AND URBAN FISCAL CRISIS: Cleveland's Default, 1978

What causes urban decline andfiscal crises in American cities? Continued debate has genemted several theoretical explanations: bureaucratic ineffciency and corruption, product life cycle, manker-or...
Rate of caudate atrophy in presymptomatic and symptomatic stages of Huntington's disease

Previous research by our group demonstrated a longitudinal change in caudate volume for symptomatic subjects with Huntington's disease (HD), and suggested that volume of the caudate may be a useful outcome measure for therapeutic studies in symptomatic patients. The current study was designed to determine whether longitudinal change in caudate atrophy could be documented in presymptomatic carriers of the HD gene mutation, and to compare rate of change in these subjects with rate of change in mildly and moderately affected symptomatic patients. We measured caudate volumes on serial magnetic resonance image scans from 30 patients at three stages of HD: 10 presymptomatic; 10 with mild symptoms, as indicated by scores on the Quantified Neurological Exam (QNE) ≤35; and 10 with moderate symptoms (QNE >45). The mean interscan interval was 36 months. When analyzed separately, both symptomatic groups and the presymptomatic group demonstrated a significant change in caudate volume over time. Amount of change over time did not differ significantly among the three groups. We conclude that change in caudate volume may be a useful outcome measure for assessing treatment effectiveness in both presymptomatic and symptomatic subjects.
Measurements, modeling, control and simulation - as applied to the human left ventricle for purposeful physiological monitoring.

Interdisciplinary engineering research effort in studying the intact human left ventricle has been employed to physiologically monitor the heart and to obtain its 'state-of-health' characteristics. The left ventricle was selected for this purpose because it plays a key role in supplying energy to the body cells. The techniques for measurement of the left ventricular geometry are described; the geometry is effectively displayed to bring out the abnormalities in cardiac function. Methods of mathematical modeling, which make it possible to determine the performance of the intact left ventricular muscle, are also described. Finally, features of a control system for the left ventricle for predicting the effect of certain physiological stress situations on the ventricle performance are discussed.
Molecular Dynamics Study of Alkylsilane Monolayers on Realistic Amorphous Silica Surfaces

Interfacial properties of n-alkylsilane monolayers on silica have been investigated with molecular dynamics simulations using both reactive and classical (i.e., nonreactive) force fields. A synthesis mimetic simulation (SMS) procedure using the reactive force field ReaxFF has been developed to mimic the experimental processing of silicon wafers involved in the preparation of alkylsilane monolayers; in the SMS procedure, amorphous silica surfaces are generated and exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to create a hydroxide surface layer. Alkylsilane monolayers are then assembled on these surfaces, and their behavior is studied. To investigate the impact of the SMS procedure on monolayer properties, simulations have also been performed using more idealized monolayers assembled on crystalline surfaces and non-H2O2-processed amorphous surfaces. The simulations reported here demonstrate that processing-induced silica surface roughness plays a key role in the structure and frictional performance of monolayers. Fu...
Existence theorems for nonlinear noncoercive operator equations

with A a function of E x E into ]-co, +co [ and /? a lower-semicontinuous convex function of E into ]-co, +co [. In the recent years an extensive literature has arisen on the question of existence of solutions to equations of type (l), A being a linear operator with a finite dimensional kernel, the partial inverse of A being compact, and B being a nonlinear operator (see [9]). The case when both A and B are nonlinear and monotone has been studied by, among others, Brtzis [3-S], B&is and Haraux [8], Browder [ 11, 121, Browder and Hess [ 131, Calvert and Gupta [ 141, Gupta and Hess [ 1’71, and Reich [ 191. Their method of proof of the solvability of (1) begins in a rather classical
Bicuculline-induced alterations in neuronal responses to controlled tactile stimuli in the second somatosensory cortex of the cat: a microiontophoretic study.

Single-neuron activity (n = 29) was recorded from the second somatosensory cortex of cats, and the effect of glutamate, γ-amino-butyric acid (GABA), and bicuculline methiodide (BMI) on spontaneous and stimulus-induced responses were analyzed. Iontophoresis of glutamate produced dose-dependent increases in spontaneous activity, whereas GABA suppressed both spontaneous and glutamate-induced activity. Neuronal responses elicited by cutaneous stimuli were also inhibited by GABA in a dose-dependent fashion; current levels needed to produce at least a 25-50% decrease in stimulus-evoked activity ranged from 5 to 100 nA, with a mean of about 45 nA. Iontophoresis of BMI (10-75 nA) effectively antagonized GABA-induced inhibition of stimulus-evoked responses without altering spontaneous activity. Furthermore, BMI increased the magnitude of responses produced by ramp stimuli and caused a several-fold increase in receptive field size. For neurons responsive to sinusoidal stimulation, BMI caused an increase in the freq...
Amino Acid Networks in a (β/α)8 Barrel Enzyme Change during Catalytic Turnover

Proteins can be viewed as small-world networks of amino acid residues connected through noncovalent interactions. Nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shift covariance analyses were used to identify long-range amino acid networks in the α subunit of tryptophan synthase both for the resting state (in the absence of substrate and product) and for the working state (during catalytic turnover). The amino acid networks observed stretch from the surface of the protein into the active site and are different between the resting and working states. Modification of surface residues on the network alters the structural dynamics of active-site residues over 25 A away and leads to changes in catalytic rates. These findings demonstrate that amino acid networks, similar to those studied here, are likely important for coordinating structural changes necessary for enzyme function and regulation.
Monitoring of Cloud at Local Scale

Kipp and Zonen pyranometers and pyrgeometers provide continuous measurements of the radiation components. During cloudy skies, emission (from 8-13 µm) from clouds is used for monitoring of cloud base height and sky coverage.