cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trajectory optimization for continuous ergodic exploration on the motion group SE(2)

Autonomous active sensing presents the need for control of sensor motion in both position and orientation. This paper presents a method of planning continuous search trajectories over the Euclidean motion group SE(2): The method allows one to calculate an optimal search trajectory with respect to a distribution representing probable information gain over the search space. The ergodicity of a trajectory with respect to the information distribution is used to formulate an objective function for a projection-based optimal control strategy. Results from previous work on ergodic trajectory optimization are extended to consider trajectories and information densities defined on SE(2).
Effect of vitamin E on human aortic endothelial cell production of chemokines and adhesion to monocytes

Epidemiological and clinical studies indicate that vitamin E may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Modulation of adhesion molecule expression and chemokine production by vitamin E may contribute to its beneficial effect. In this study we found that the enrichment of confluent human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) or U937 monocytic cells with increasing doses of vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol, 20, 40, and 60 micromol/l for 20 h) inhibited their adhesion when either or both cell types were stimulated with interleukin (IL)-1beta. Enrichment of HAEC with the same doses of vitamin E suppressed IL-1beta-stimulated expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (E-selectin). Supplementation with increasing doses of vitamin E up to 60 micromol/l was not effective in preventing spontaneous production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), but supplementation with vitamin E at 60 micromol/l reduced IL-8 production significantly. However, IL-1beta-induced productions of both MCP-1 and IL-8 were dose-dependently suppressed by enrichment of cells with vitamin E. Vitamin E, at the doses used, did not significantly change the spontaneous production but dose-dependently inhibited the IL-1beta-induced production of inflammatory cytokine IL-6. We concluded that vitamin E could inhibit production of chemokines and inflammatory cytokines, in addition to inhibiting adhesion of HAEC to monocytes by reducing expression of adhesion molecules when cells were activated with an inflammatory cytokine. These mediators are actively involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Therefore, their inhibition by vitamin E may contribute to vitamin E's reported reduction in risk of CVD.
The Effect of Ethinyl Estradiol Administration During Early Follicular Phase of the Cycle on the Gonadotropin Levels and Ovarian Function

ABSTRACT Treatment with ethinyl estradiol (EE, 200 or 400 μg/day) abolishes the early follicular rise of gonadotropin levels observed in control cycles. The effect of such manipulation on subsequent gonadotropin pattern and follicular as well as luteal function were monitored by the changes in serum concentrations of FSH, LH, 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone. During EE treatment, a significant decline in the gonadotropin levels was observed. This negative feedback effect appears to be greater for FSH than for LH which was followed by a significant rebound increase in LH but not FSH approximately 36 hours after cessation of treatment. This transient dynamic change in gonadotropin concentration was followed by a pattern which was strikingly similar to that observed in the normal ovulatory cycle. These changes in gonadotropin levels were associated with a disturbance of normal sequence of follicular maturation as reflected by the prolongation of the follicular phase and the delayed midcycle peaks of E2 an...
Thyroidectomy Is Optimal Treatment for Graves' Disease

Background Thyroidectomy continues to be the least common form of therapy for Graves' disease in the US, presumably based upon concerns about injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerves and/or parathyroid glands. Study Design Concurrent and retrospective data were collected on 65 consecutive patients undergoing subtotal or total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease at one community-type hospital by one surgeon from 1992 to 2010. Results A total of 65 patients (50 women, 15 men) with a mean age of 38 years underwent subtotal (52.3%) or near total or total thyroidectomy (47.7%). Six patients (9.2%) had high lying or ischemic parathyroid glands reimplanted into the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle at the completion of the thyroidectomy, and none developed hypocalcemia. No injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerve or external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve occurred. Seven patients (10.8%) had 1 parathyroid gland removed inadvertently during thyroidectomy, but none developed hypocalcemia. Nine patients (13.8%) were discharged from the hospital on supplemental calcium tablets for symptomatic or asymptomatic hypocalcemia (calcium Conclusions Total thyroidectomy offers a rapid and complete cure for Graves' disease. Extensive thyroidectomy for Graves' goiters can be safely performed in a community-type hospital.
Sequential detection of progressive damage

The multi-state progressive damage of a structure is introduced into the change point detection problem: a generalized Hidden Markov Model (HMM) with multiple states is developed. Applications to Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) are explored. Demonstrate development of suitable likelihood ratio for simple progressive damage case, as well as generalized to arbitrary HMM. Computational costs are limited by exploiting structure of this model, and further limited by “windowing” technique. Demonstrations of algorithm are shown, with use of multi-damage state response from a structural frame in a test site.
Electronic Structure of the 3d Metal Monoxide Anions

The electronic and geometrical structure of the ground and excited states of the 3d metal monoxide anions ScO-, TiO-, VO-, CrO-, MnO-, FeO-, CoO-, NiO-, CuO-, and ZnO- were calculated using density functional theory and different formulations of generalized-gradient approximations for the exchange-correlation potential. It was found that the anion states with low- and high-spin multiplicities with respect to the ground-state spin multiplicities of the corresponding neutral parents are stable toward autodetachment of the extra electron. All the low-spin multiplicity anion states are more stable than the high-spin ones, except for that of CrO-, whose ground state appears to be a high-spin multiplicity state. Computed electron affinities of the neutral monoxides are in good agreement with the experimental values obtained by laser photoelectron spectroscopy. It is shown that pure density functional methods are generally superior to a hybrid Hartree−Fock density-functional-theory approach, except for reproduci...
Electron transfer in Zinc-blende III–V compounds☆

Abstract The X-ray powder diffraction patterns for AlP, BP, GaAs, GaSb, InAs and InSb have been measured. From these and previously reported data, a correlation of the bond order, interatomic distance and electron transfer is made for intermetallic III–V compounds having a zincblende structure. The ionic character of the bonds is determined quantitatively in terms of electron transfer. The energy gap between the valence and conduction band decreases with increasing bond length in compounds of a similar bond character and same crystal structure. The energy gap increases with increasing ionic character in isoelectronic series.
An analysis of large-strain damage elastoplasticity

Abstract The elastoplastic constitutive analysis which utilizes the model of multiplicative decomposition of the deformation gradient into its elastic and plastic parts has been mainly developed and applied to elastically isotropic materials, which remain isotropic during the process of plastic deformation. This paper extends the application of the model to materials that change their elastic properties during the deformation process as a result of the material degradation and the corresponding damage. The exact kinematic and kinetic analysis of the finite deformations leads to an additive decomposition of the total strain rate into its elastic, damage and plastic constituents. The general structure of the expression for the damage strain rate is derived, valid for utilized damage tensors of any order. The analysis of elastoplastic deformation of elastically anisotropic materials without damage is also presented, with the application to transversely isotropic materials. The relationships between the elastic and plastic strain rates and the components of the multiplicative decomposition and their rates are also given.
Preparation and properties of hyperbranched poly[1-β-(4′-acetylphenyl)vinyl-3-vinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane]

Treatment of 1-β-(4′-acetylphenyl)vinyl-3-vinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (I) (an AB2 monomer) with dihydridocarbonyltris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium (Ru) leads to a hyperbranched material, poly[1-β-(4′-acetylphenyl)vinyl-3-vinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane] (II). I has been prepared by a Pd catalyzed Heck reaction between 4-bromo-acetophenone and 1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane. The structure of the soluble hyperbranched material (II) has been determined by 1H, 13C and 29Si NMR, as well as by IR and UV spectroscopy. It has also been characterized by GPC, TGA, DSC and elemental analysis. Polymerization occurs by Ru catalyzed addition of the aromatic C−H bonds which are ortho to the activating acetyl group of I across the C−C double bond of the terminal Si-vinyl group in an anti-Markovnikov manner.
GLC Determination of Indoprofen in Plasma

Abstract Implementation of human bioavailability studies with the analgesic indoprofen required a rapid, sensitive and convenient assay in blood plasma. A procedure based on ether extraction of acidified plasma, derivatization with diazomethane and GLC analysis using a 3% OV‐1 column was sufficiently sensitive for measurement of plasma indoprofen concentrations in the 0.4‐16‐ μ g/ml range. An average recovery of 99.0 ± 7.6% (SD) was achieved when the pentanoic acid homolog was employed as an internal standard.
Optimizing knock thresholds for improved knock control

A new method for optimizing the knock threshold is presented and shown to significantly improve the closed loop performance of a standard knock controller. Traditional approaches assume that in order to control potentially damaging knock events, it is necessary to use thresholds set to detect such events. The proposed new method takes a more stochastic view and sets the threshold such that it maximizes the sensitivity to changes in the knock intensity distribution. The behavior of a standard knock controller in response to different threshold and gain values is investigated and illustrated using experimental and simulation data. In particular, it is shown that optimizing the threshold and controller parameters in the manner proposed results in a controller with fast transient response, improved mean spark advance, and reduced cyclic dispersion. With no modifications other than optimizing the parameters of a standard controller, it is therefore possible to operate closer to the knock limit, thereby improvi...
Blood Pressure in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease A Report From the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children Study

To characterize the distribution of blood pressure (BP), prevalence, and risk factors for hypertension in pediatric chronic kidney disease, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline BPs in 432 children (mean age 11 years; 60% male; mean glomerular filtration rate 44 mL/min per 1.73 m(2)) enrolled in the Chronic Kidney Disease in Children cohort study. BPs were obtained using an aneroid sphygmomanometer. Glomerular filtration rate was measured by iohexol disappearance. Elevated BP was defined as BP >or=90th percentile for age, gender, and height. Hypertension was defined as BP >or=95th percentile or as self-reported hypertension plus current treatment with antihypertensive medications. For systolic BP, 14% were hypertensive and 11% were prehypertensive (BP 90th to 95th percentile); 68% of subjects with elevated systolic BP were taking antihypertensive medications. For diastolic BP, 14% were hypertensive and 9% were prehypertensive; 53% of subjects with elevated diastolic BP were taking antihypertensive medications. Fifty-four percent of subjects had either systolic or diastolic BP >or=95th percentile or a history of hypertension plus current antihypertensive use. Characteristics associated with elevated BP included black race, shorter duration of chronic kidney disease, absence of antihypertensive medication use, and elevated serum potassium. Among subjects receiving antihypertensive treatment, uncontrolled BP was associated with male sex, shorter chronic kidney disease duration, and absence of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use. Thirty-seven percent of children with chronic kidney disease had either elevated systolic or diastolic BP, and 39% of these were not receiving antihypertensives, indicating that hypertension in pediatric chronic kidney disease may be frequently under- or even untreated. Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers may improve BP control in these patients.
Comparison of detergent fiber analysis methods for forages high in pectin

Abstract Pectin and ash can interfere with detergent fiber analysis of brassica forages. Non-sequential (NONSEQ) and sequential (SEQ) fiber analysis sequences were compared for amylase neutral (aNDF) and acid (ADF) detergent fiber with and without correction for acid detergent residual ash in individually (Experiment 1) and batch-processed samples (Experiment 2). Hemicellulose concentration was calculated as the difference between aNDF and ADF. Samples included brassica forage, legumes, CT containing legumes and grasses. Fiber analysis sequence and ash correction affected ADF and hemicellulose independently, with fiber analysis sequence having the larger impact. Forage groups differed in response to treatment for most variables. Compared to NONSEQ analysis, SEQ analysis reduced ADF of brassica forages by 41 and 34 g/kg in Experiments 1 and 2, respectively, reduced ADF of legume forages by 22 and 34 g/kg in Experiments 1 and 2 and gave comparable increases in hemicellulose for both forage groups in both experiments. Estimates of ADF and hemicellulose in grasses were unaffected by analysis sequence. Under individual processing, ash correction reduced ADF only for brassicas (205 g/kg versus 191 g/kg for uncorrected and ash-free), but under batch processing, ADF of all forage groups was reduced by ash correction (mean 282 g/kg versus 274 g/kg for uncorrected and ash-free, respectively). The difference between NONSEQ and SEQ ADF increased with pectin concentration (r2 = 0.30, P
Scaling of Huygens-front speedup in weakly random media

Front propagation described by Huygens' principle is a fundamental mechanism of spatial spreading of a property or an effect, occurring in optics, acoustics, ecology and combustion. If the local front speed varies randomly due to inhomogeneity or motion of the medium (as in turbulent premixed combustion), then the front wrinkles and its overall passage rate (turbulent burning velocity) increases. The calculation of this speedup is subtle because it involves the minimum-time propagation trajectory. Here we show mathematically that for a medium with weak isotropic random fluctuations, under mild conditions on its spatial structure, the speedup scales with the 4/3 power of the fluctuation amplitude. This result, which verifies a previous conjecture while clarifying its scope, is obtained by reducing the propagation problem to the inviscid Burgers equation with white-in-time forcing. Consequently, field-theoretic analyses of the Burgers equation have significant implications for fronts in random media, even beyond the weak-fluctuation limit.
Testing authentic language: the problem of meaning

In this paper, some of the ways in which meaning is extracted in authentic language contexts are discussed. The claim is made that it is always the case that some level of the language we use is imperfect or deviant from some putative ideal. Finally, two common contexts in which authentic but deviant language is the medium of communication are examined. In attempting to understand how participants manage to communicate in situations where the code is deviant and where they are unequal in their control of the language, we can gain insights into what contributes to successful communication under authentic conditions. Some implications for authentic language testing are considered.
Nonperturbative Approaches to Atomic and Molecular Multiphoton (Half-Collision) Processes in Intense Laser Fields

In this article, we describe some recent development of generalized Flo- quet formalisms and computational methods for nonperturbative treatments of atomic and molecular multiphoton (half-collision) processes in intense and superintense laser fields. We start with a brief review of the conventional Floquet matrix techniques, applicable to multiphoton bound-bound transitions in finite-level systems in periodic fields, and their limitations. Several generalized Floquet formalisms, beyond the Floquet theorem, are then introduced for the treatment of more complicated systems, such as the many-mode Floquet theory for multi-frequency laser excitation with non-periodic Hamil- tonians, the non-Hermitian Floquet formalism for bound-free and free- free multiphoton ionization and dissociation etc. Finally we describe several recent case studies of strong- field processes using the generalized Floquet techniques: intensity-dependent ionization potential and threshold shift, a.c. Stark shifts of Rydberg states in strong fields, above- threshold multiphoton detachment of H~ in one-color, two-color, and pulsed laser fields, stabilization and ionization suppression of negative ions in superintense high-frequency laser fields, and laser- induced chemical bond softening and hardening and molecular stabilization, etc.
High power wideband AlGaN/GaN HEMT feedback amplifier module with drain and feedback loop inductances

A high power wideband feedback amplifier module using AlGaN/ GaN high electron mobility transistor has been developed that covers the frequency range of DC to 5 GHz with small signal gain of 9 dB. Shunt feedback topology is introduced by adding inductances to increase the bandwidth. At mid-band frequency, power added efficiency of 20% and a saturation power level of 29.5 dBm were obtained at a drain voltage of 12V (V/sub ds/) and a gate voltage of -3 V (V/sub gs/).
Causes and Consequences of Expectation Trajectories: “High” on Optimism in a Public Ballot Initiative

Although expectations are key theoretical antecedents of emotion and behavior, expectations are typically examined as static properties without deep consideration of their temporal dynamics. We surveyed residents of California over five time points, during the month preceding a public ballot initiative on cannabis legalization (California Proposition 19) and after the election, to examine both the causes and the consequences of residents’ expectation trajectories regarding the vote’s outcome. Our results point to the importance of changes in individuals’ expectations over time. Specifically, well-informed voters were likely to lower their expectations regarding the measure’s passage as the vote neared, in line with polling results, but being informed about the initiative had less impact on expectation trajectories among voters who favored the measure than among those who opposed it. Furthermore, supporters who maintained their optimism about the initiative’s outcome over time were more likely to vote and ...
Characterization of Gac1p, a regulatory subunit of protein phosphatase type I involved in glycogen accumulation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

GAC1 and GLC7 encode regulatory and catalytic subunits, respectively, of a type 1 phosphatase (PP1) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that controls glycogen synthesis by regulating the phosphorylation state of glycogen synthase (Gsy2p). To investigate the role of Gac1p in this process, a set of GAC1 deletions were tested for their ability to complement a gac1 null mutation and to associate with Glc7p and with Gsy2p. The N-terminal 93 amino acids of Gaclp are necessary and sufficient for the interaction with Glc7p, whereas a region spanning residues 130-502 is required for Gsy2p binding. Both domains are required for full activity in vivo, although the Glc7p-binding domain retains some residual activity and can alter the phosphorylase a phosphatase activity of Glc7p in vitro. Further mutational analysis showed that Val71 and Phe73 of Gaclp are necessary for binding to Glc7p, while Asn356 and Tyr357 of Gaclp are necessary for binding to Gsy2p. These results suggest that Gac1p targets PPI to its substrate Gsy2p and that Gac1p may alter the catalytic activity of PP . Our data also show that overexpression of Gac1p affects glucose repression and ion homeostasis, two additional targets of GLC7, suggesting that multiple regulatory subunits compete for Glc7p binding in vivo.
Optimal parameter selection for efficient memory integrity verification using Merkle hash trees

A secure, tamperproof execution environment is critical for trustworthy network computing. Newly emerging hardware, such as those developed as part of the TCPA and Palladium initiatives, enables operating systems to implement such an environment through Merkle hash trees. We examine the selection of optimal parameters, namely blocksize and tree depth, for Merkle hash trees based on the size of the memory region to be protected and the number of memory updates between updates of the hash tree. We analytically derive an expression for the cost of updating the hash tree, show that there is an optimal blocksize for the leaves of a Merkle tree for a given file size and update interval that minimizes the cost of update operations, and describe a general method by which the parameters of such a tree can be determined optimally.
RNA localization in Xenopus oocytes uses a core group of trans-acting factors irrespective of destination

The 3 ′ untranslated region of mRNA encoding PHAX, a phosphoprotein required for nuclear export of U-type snRNAs, contains cis-acting sequence motifs E2 and VM1 that are required for localization of RNAs to the vegetal hemisphere of Xenopus oocytes. However, we have found that PHAX mRNA is transported to the opposite, animal, hemisphere. A set of proteins that cross-link to the localization elements of vegetally localized RNAs are also cross-linked to PHAX and An1 mRNAs, demonstrating that the composition of RNP complexes that form on these localization elements is highly conserved irrespective of the final destination of the RNA. The ability of RNAs to bind this core group of proteins is correlated with localization activity. Staufen1, which binds to Vg1 and VegT mRNAs, is not associated with RNAs localized to the animal hemisphere and may determine, at least in part, the direction of RNA movement in Xenopus oocytes.
Risking Bodies in the Wild The “Corporeal Unconscious” of American Adventure Culture

At the heart of American adventure sports is the appeal of personal challenge that has roots in 19th-century “wilderness cults.” Preserving wilderness and testing oneself against it were part of a search for moral, physical, and even national purity. But, as critics have begun to argue, racism, expansion, and exclusion underpin the wilderness movement. Although these exclusions have been identified, there has been less attention to these exclusions in contemporary adventure culture and environmental thought, which borrow values from the early wilderness movement and suggest that an environmental ethic arises from risking the body in the wild. By examining adventure culture through disability studies, this article exposes the relationship between environmentalism and ableism. It argues that disability is the category of “otherness” against which both environmentalism and adventure have been shaped and revises environmental thought to include all kinds of bodies.
Two Unusual Presentations of Urogenital Histoplasmosis and a Review of the Literature

Two unusual clinical presentations of urogenital histoplasmosis are described. A review of the literature on urogenital histoplasmosis is provided.
Effects of Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and Elongate Hemlock Scale on Eastern Hemlock Growth and Foliar Chemistry

In the eastern United States, two invasive specialist insects share a native host plant, Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis. In recent years, much research has focused on the impacts of the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) because of the detrimental effects it has on hemlock growth and survival. In contrast, the invasive elongate hemlock scale (Fiorinia externa) is thought to have only minor impacts on hemlock. We infested hemlock saplings with each insect and compared them with control (i.e., neither insect herbivore) saplings to assess how early infestations impact Eastern hemlock health (measured using new branch growth, foliar %N, and C:N ratio). Our study showed that, at equal densities, the two insects differed in their effect on Eastern hemlock. F. externa did not impact plant growth or foliar chemistry over the course of the 2-yr experiment. A. tsugae significantly reduced plant growth and caused a reduction of %N in the first year of the experiment. By the end of the experiment, A. tsugae trees had the same %N in their foliage as control and F. externa trees but drastically reduced growth patterns. The most likely explanation for this result is the greater growth in control and F. externa saplings during the second year resulted in the dilution of available foliar N over a larger amount of newly produced plant tissue. For early infestations of both insects, our study suggests that management plans should focus on the more detrimental A. tsugae.
A note on novel generalizations of the Maxwell fluid model

In this note we generalize the classical viscoelastic fluid model due to Maxwell to allow the relaxation time and the viscosity to depend on the stress. Such models are very useful in describing the response of geological and many other polymeric fluids. The procedure that is adopted to carry out the generalization allows one to have the springs and dashpots and their three dimensional generalizations, to be described by implicit constitutive theories thereby greatly enlarging the class of constitutive models that can be put into place to describe the response of complex viscoelastic fluids.
Labor Relations: Research and Practice in Transition

Profound changes in industrial performance in the 1980s have been accompanied by major changes in the practice of labor relations. This review identifies some of the major recent research directions in labor relations and examines theory development and empirical studies published since 1980. Primary coverage is given to union organizing; bargaining structures and issues; negotiating; contract administration; the effects of collective bargaining on employers, individuals, and unions; and unions and their environment. Research is grouped within areas according to the unit of analysis addressed by the study. Implications for practice andfuture research are suggested.
Discussion on “phenomenological modeling: Present and future”

This afternoon all of the models that we have heard fall in the same class; namely, local closures. First-order local closure (K-theory or eddy diffusivity) models the momentum fluxes as down-gradient of the mean momentum. The second-order local closure models the third moments as down-gradient of the local second moments, or local mean variables. There is another completely different class of modeling or class of closure, and that is non-local turbulence closure. I mentioned before about the transilient matrix that describes the mixing between different points separated a finite distance in space. One can parameterize this matrix in terms of mean flow state or mean flow instability. When you do that, you can then make forecasts of the mean field in a turbulent flow that takes into account this nonlocal mixing. That has been done. For the ocean, we found results as good as third-order local closure. For the atmosphere, results were as good as second-order local closure. We've used it in three-dimensional weather forecast models covering the whole United States. This is a new concept of non-local closure, which is different from all the other local closures. When would you want to consider using a non-local kind of closure? Well, if any of you are dealing with turbulent flow that has a spectrum of eddy sizes where your greatest energy is in the largest wavelengths, or if you are dealing with turbulent flow that has large structures in it that are causing non-local mixing, then you might want to consider a non-local turbulence closure.
Single nanoparticle detection by mode splitting in ultra-high-Q microtoroid

We experimentally demonstrate that a single nanoparticle can induce mode splitting of MHz in an ultra-high-Q microtoroid resonator, which can be used to extract information of the nanoparticle. Analytical model matches well with the experiments.
Parental Bonding Styles in Relation to Adolescent Males’ Runaway Behavior

This study investigated the relationship between runaway behavior and the quality of parental attachment, or parental bonding style, among a sample of 159 incarcerated adolescent males. Participant...
Copepod parasites of Psychrolutes (Pisces: Scorpaeniformes) from deep water in the eastern Pacific

Chondracanthus yanezi Atria and Neobrachiella amphipacifica sp. nov. are described based on material collected from Psychrolutes phrictus Stein and Bond trawled off northern California. N. amphipacifica is also recorded from Psychrolutes sio Nelson trawled off northern Chile. Both host species are deep water forms of Psychrolutes .
Dcp2 Decaps m2,2,7GpppN-capped RNAs, and its activity is sequence and context dependent.

Hydrolysis of the mRNA cap plays a pivotal role in initiating and completing mRNA turnover. In nematodes, mRNA metabolism and cap-interacting proteins must deal with two populations of mRNAs, spliced leader trans-spliced mRNAs with a trimethylguanosine cap and non-trans-spliced mRNAs with a monomethylguanosine cap. We describe here the characterization of nematode Dcp1 and Dcp2 proteins. Dcp1 was inactive in vitro on both free cap and capped RNA and did not significantly enhance Dcp2 activity. Nematode Dcp2 is an RNA-decapping protein that does not bind cap and is not inhibited by cap analogs but is effectively inhibited by competing RNA irrespective of RNA sequence and cap. Nematode Dcp2 activity is influenced by both 5 end sequence and its context. The trans-spliced leader sequence on mRNAs reduces Dcp2 activity 10-fold, suggesting that 5-to-3 turnover of trans-spliced RNAs may be regulated. Nematode Dcp2 decaps both m 7 GpppG- and m 2,2,7 GpppG-capped RNAs. Surprisingly, both budding yeast and human Dcp2 are also active on m 2,2,7 GpppG-capped RNAs. Overall, the data suggest that Dcp2 activity can be influenced by both sequence and context and that Dcp2 may contribute to gene regulation in multiple RNA pathways, including monomethyl- and trimethylguanosine-capped RNAs.
Surgery for Radiation-Induced Symptomatic Carotid Atherosclerosis

Carotid atherosclerosis occurring secondary to cervical Irradiation is known to produce stroke. Transient neurologic symptoms have necessitated surgical intervention to prevent stroke despite concern over technical problems, wound healing, operative risks, and uncertain therapeutic outcome. With this report, 26 surgical procedures in 20 patients are now documented in the literature (12 men—60%; eight women—40%). Mean age of these patients (56 years) was 10 years younger than carotid surgery patients with no prior radiation history. No relationship was noted between elevated serum cholesterol and the subsequent development of radiation-induced carotid atherosclerosis. Surgical procedures performed included carotid endarterectomy in 17 cases (65%) and arterial bypass in nine (35%). The combination of radiation therapy and previous neck surgery, including prior radical neck dissection, did not adversely influence operability. Surgical outcome was uniformly good with only one stroke (4%) documented in the perioperative period. Longer follow-up on our six cases (mean two years) disclosed neither new clinical symptoms nor the development of hemodynamically significant restenosis.
Digital image correlation analysis of strain recovery in glassy polymer network isomers

Abstract Digital image correlation techniques were applied to compressive strain recovery experiments of glassy network isomers to study architectural contributions to deformational response. Strain recovery experiments provided a direct comparison of network isomer structure on viscoelastic deformation. Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) was cured with 3,3′- and 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (33DDS and 44DDS). The comparison revealed the networks have similar elastic and plastic strain components, but differ in anelastic strain response. DGEBA cured with 44DDS developed pre-yield anelastic strain at a significantly higher rate attributed to increase in free volume, molecular motions and energy dissipation. In contrast, DGEBA cured with 33DDS displayed lower pre-yield energy dissipation attributed to lower free volume and molecular motions, but exhibited a higher degree of post-yield strain-softening due to larger segmental rearrangements.
Surgical Options for Failed Thumb Basal Joint Arthroplasty

Failed basal joint arthroplasty can be a very challenging condition to treat. There can be multiple potential sources for continued pain about the base of the thumb. These sources can be neurogenic in nature, but can also represent continued arthritic problems in some of the other small joints of the wrist. In some cases, there may be carpal instability present that is contributing to continued symptoms. In other cases, there may be frank failure of the previous procedure. The reoperative hand surgeon must carefully weight potential treatment options which will depend on what the previous procedure was and what is believed to be causing the symptoms. If the true source of the patient’s continued pain can be identified, frequent improvement in the patient’s symptoms can be achieved with further surgical intervention. However, these patients should be counseled that it is rare for them to ever achieve complete pain relief, but that the surgical goal is improvement in their symptoms.
Asian Liberation Theologies: An Eco-feminist Approach for a More Equitable and Justice Oriented World

Asian liberation theology movements coming out of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam share in common a theoretical basis in ecofeminism. It, like liberation theology, finds some of its impetus in postcolonial and Marxist theories that are non-dogmatic and malleable enough to include local ideas about religion and the tender care and nurturance of the environment, animals, and all life forms. Ancient Asian religions, invariably, were about local conceptions of sacred geographical and cosmological space that were perceived to be part of the reproduction of one’s own body at the individual and societal levels. This chapter looks at select examples of Asian liberation theology movements and their correlates for greater social equity and environmental justice.
If you build it, will they come?

National forests have a wealth of natural amenities that attract over 175 million recreational visitors a year. Although natural amenities draw visitors to national forests, many of the recreational activities that they engage in require built amenities, such as roads, campgrounds, boat ramps, and trails. We estimate regression models of the effect of two common built amenities—campgrounds and picnic areas—on national-forest visitation controlling for natural amenities and accounting for the endogenous relationship between visitation and built amenities. We found that campgrounds and picnic areas are significantly and positively correlated with visitation.
Time-Oriented Advertising: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Magazine Advertising, 1986-1996

This paper focuses on the use of temporal concepts in advertisements in two countries, Mexico and the United States over a ten year time span. Examining print advertisements in six magazines from each country for each time period, the findings show that there are significant differences between the countries in the use of time concepts in print ads. There does not appear to be country convergence in the use of time during the ten years of the study.
Loss of T Follicular Helper Cells in the Peripheral Blood of Patients with Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease

Abstract B cell antihost antibody production plays a central role in chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD). T follicular helper (TFH) cells drive B cell responses and are implicated in this process. Given differences in cGVHD incidence between umbilical cord blood (UCB) and adult donor transplant recipients, we evaluated TFH cell reconstitution kinetics to define graft source differences and their potential pathogenic role in cGVHD. Although we observed significantly fewer TFH cells in the blood of UCB recipients (versus matched related donors [MRD]) early after transplantation, by 1 year the numbers of TFH cells were similar. Additionally, at both early (day 60) and late (1 year) time points, TFH cell phenotype was predominantly central memory cells in both cohorts. TFH cells were functional and able to produce multiple cytokines (INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-17, and IL-21) after stimulation. In contrast to mouse models, where an enhanced frequency of splenic TFH cells contributes to cGVHD, patients with cGVHD showed significantly depleted circulating TFH cells after both UCB and MRD transplantation. Low numbers of TFH cells early after UCB transplantation could directly contribute to less cGVHD in this cohort. Additionally, systemic therapy (including steroids and calcineurin inhibitors) may contribute to decreases in TFH cells in patients with cGVHD. These data provide further evidence supporting the importance of TFH cells in cGVHD pathogenesis.
HCV Prevalence in Asian Americans in California

The World Health Organization estimates that 170 million persons are infected with HCV worldwide, but only 22 million are from the Americas and Europe, compared to 94 million from Asia. HCV prevalence in the general US population is 1.6 %, but data for Asian Americans are limited. Our goal was to examine HCV prevalence in Asian Americans in a large ethnically diverse patient cohort seeking primary care at a free clinic in Northern California. A total of 1347 consecutive patients were seen from September 2009 to October 2012 and were studied via individual chart review using case report forms. HCV infection was defined as positive HCV antibody (anti-HCV) or HCV RNA by PCR. 699 out of 1347 patients were screened for HCV. Asian Americans comprised 57.2 % of these patients and 29 (4.1 %) patients tested positive for HCV. Of these 29 HCV-positive patients, 22 (75.9 %) were Asian, yielding a prevalence of 5.5 % for Asians and 2.3 % for non-Asians (P = 0.038). The highest HCV prevalence was seen in Vietnamese patients at 7.9 %, and 6.0 % in Chinese patients. Of the HCV-positive Asians, none had a history of intravenous drug use (IVDU), tattoos, or sexual exposure. On multivariate analysis, significant independent predictors for positive HCV infection were male gender (OR 2.53, P = 0.02) and presence of known risk factors (OR 21.1, P < 0.001). However, older age and Asian ethnicity were found to be significant predictors of HCV infection (OR 1.03, P = 0.05 and 2.31, P = 0.066, respectively). In our study, HCV prevalence in patients seeking routine primary care was 5.5 % in Asian Americans, which was over double the prevalence for non-Asians at 2.3 %. Known risk factors were also notably absent in Asian patients with HCV infection. The high prevalence of HCV in Asian-Americans is likely reflective of the higher prevalence of HCV in their countries of origin in Asia. Asian-Americans immigrants from endemic countries are at higher risk of HCV infection and should be screened for HCV, regardless of their exposure risk profile.
Cerebral ischemia alters cerebral microvascular reactivity in newborn pigs

The effects of cerebral ischemia on cerebral microvascular reactivity and prostanoid synthesis were examined in chloralose-anesthetized newborn pigs. Microvascular responses and periarachnoid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) prostanoid concentrations were determined between 10 and 140 min after a 20-min period of total cerebral ischemia, as well as in sham-control piglets without cerebral ischemia. After cerebral ischemia, the decrease in pial arteriolar diameter in response to topical norepinephrine (10(-4) M) was similar in sham (-27 +/- 6%) and postischemic (-25 +/- 5%) piglets. However, the increase in pial arteriolar diameter in response to hypercapnia (10% CO2 ventilation) that was observed in sham piglets (+21 +/- 5%) was absent after ischemia (-2 +/- 3%). In contrast, dilations of pial arterioles in response to topical prostaglandin (PG)E2 (at 100 ng PGE2/ml: sham, +13 +/- 3%; postischemia, +21 +/- 4%) and topical isoproterenol (10(-6) M) (sham, +29 +/- 4%; postischemia, +23 +/- 3%) were not decreased by prior cerebral ischemia. In sham piglets, norepinephrine and hypercapnia produced increases in cortical periarachnoid prostanoid concentrations, whereas after cerebral ischemia, neither stimulus increased cortical periarachnoid prostanoid concentrations. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that failure of hypercapnia to dilate pial arterioles after cerebral ischemia results from the inability of this stimulus to increase cerebral vasodilator prostanoid synthesis.
Pulsatile delivery of a leucine supplement during long-term continuous enteral feeding enhances lean growth in term neonatal pigs

Neonatal pigs are used as a model to study and optimize the clinical treatment of infants who are unable to maintain oral feeding. Using this model, we have shown previously that pulsatile administration of leucine during continuous feeding over 24 h via orogastric tube enhanced protein synthesis in skeletal muscle compared with continuous feeding alone. To determine the long-term effects of leucine pulses, neonatal piglets (n = 11-12/group) were continuously fed formula via orogastric tube for 21 days, with an additional parenteral infusion of either leucine (CON + LEU; 800 μmol·kg-1·h-1) or alanine (CON + ALA) for 1 h every 4 h. The results show that body and muscle weights and lean gain were ∼25% greater, and fat gain was 48% lower in CON + LEU than CON + ALA; weights of other tissues were unaffected by treatment. Fractional protein synthesis rates in longissimus dorsi, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles were ∼30% higher in CON + LEU compared with CON + ALA and were associated with decreased Deptor abundance and increased mTORC1, mTORC2, 4E-BP1, and S6K1 phosphorylation, SNAT2 abundance, and association of eIF4E with eIF4G and RagC with mTOR. There were no treatment effects on PKB, eIF2α, eEF2, or PRAS40 phosphorylation, Rheb, SLC38A9, v-ATPase, LAMTOR1, LAMTOR2, RagA, RagC, and LAT1 abundance, the proportion of polysomes to nonpolysomes, or the proportion of mRNAs encoding rpS4 or rpS8 associated with polysomes. Our results demonstrate that pulsatile delivery of a leucine supplement during 21 days of continuous enteral feeding enhances lean growth by stimulating the mTORC1-dependent translation initiation pathway, leading to protein synthesis in skeletal muscle of neonates.
Inversion of State-Dependent Delay

The exact determination of the state of a finite dimensional linear system where a variable of interest, say y(t), and its delayed versions appear in an implicit relation with the delays themselves is addressed. It is assumed that the observed signal is not this variable of interest, but rather the delay (or multiple delay vector) itself. This implies that this delay must be state dependent (through y). An implicit relation $$\overline{\tau }(t)\mathop {=}\limits ^\mathrm{def}[\tau _1(t),\ldots ,\tau _N(t)]^\top =F(y(t), y(t-\tau _1(t)),\ldots , y(t-\tau _N(t))), $$ with known \(F:\mathbb {R}^{N+1}\rightarrow \mathbb {R}^N\) is assumed. If \(x(t)\in \mathbb {R}^n\) is the state of the linear system, the observability problem is to determine this state x(t) from the knowledge of the system input u(t) and the delays \(\overline{\tau }(t)\). This differs form the well known observability problem where x(t) is to be determined from u(t) and y(t). In the problem at hand, an inversion is involved, to obtain y(t) from \(\overline{\tau }(t)\), rendering the problem nonlinear. Such problems are relevant when dealing with sonar, pertinent in robotics, where mobile systems must avoid hitting walls, and in underwater vehicles, for instance the soft “landing” problem on an ocean floor. The requisite observability/invertibility conditions are derived. The relevance of the restrictions \(\dot{\tau }_i<1\) for the problem to be well posed is illuminated from the physical context in the problem. In addition, the inversion of a special ‘autoregressive’ relation (in iterated function sense) obeyed by a delay, is solved. This is of interest in singular perturbation approaches to systems with state dependent delay.
Metabolism of Leucocytes in Ringer-Phosphate and in Serum

SummaryThe rates of respiration and aerobic glycolysis of exudate leucocytes reported by Fleischmann and Kubowitz have been confirmed. A method of measuring the respiration of leucocytes in serum is described. The respiratory rate of leucocytes in serum is greater than the rate in Ringer-phosphate solution.†
Abstract A78: Common single nucleotide polymorphisms in immunoregulatory genes and multiple myeloma risk among women in Connecticut

A78 Background Increased risk of multiple myeloma has been observed among those who have a family history, suggesting a genetic component in multiple myeloma development. Also, a number of studies have shown that changes in immuoregulatory role of T cells may contribute to the development of multiple myeloma. Objective In light of the relationship between immune system dysregulation and multiple myeloma risk, we investigated whether genetic variation in 153 immune function genes are associated with multiple myeloma susceptibility in a population-based case-control study conducted among White Connecticut women. Methods Tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; N=876) were selected using a pairwise linkage-disequilibrium based algorithm. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for SNP genotypes were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Tests of association for gene regions were conducted using the minP test. We applied the false discovery rate (FDR) method to the minP test results as a means of controlling for multiple comparisons. Haplotype analyses among subjects were performed using the haplo.stat statistical package in the R program. Haplotype frequencies were estimated from genotype data using the expectation-maximization algorithm while at the same time excluding those with frequencies less than 1%, and were evaluated by the global score test. Results Six out of 75 gene regions were significantly ( P PTMS - LAG3 - CD4-GPR162-LEPREL gene region remained noteworthy after adjustment for multiple tests using the FDR method (min P =0.0018; noteworthy at a level of FDR control of 0.14). In this region, a total of six SNPs in two genes ( CD4 and LAG3 ) were significantly associated with risk ( P trend AG/GG =2.53, 95% CI=1.59-4.02; P trend =0.0001). Haplotype analyses also supported an association with rs11064392. Conclusion Our findings suggest that genetic variation in CD4 may influence susceptibility to multiple myeloma. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):A78.