cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of the secondary coordination sphere in metal-mediated dioxygen activation.

Alfred Werner proposed nearly 100 years ago that the secondary coordination sphere has a role in determining the physical properties of transition-metal complexes. We now know that the secondary coordination sphere impacts nearly all aspects of transition-metal chemistry, including the reactivity and selectivity in metal-mediated processes. These features are highlighted in the binding and activation of dioxygen by transition-metal complexes. There are clear connections between control of the secondary coordination sphere and the ability of metal complexes to (1) reversibly bind dioxygen or (2) bind and activate dioxygen to form highly reactive metal−oxo complexes. In this Forum Article, several biological and synthetic examples are presented and discussed in terms of structure−function relationships. Particular emphasis is given to systems with defined noncovalent interactions, such as intramolecular H-bonds involving dioxygen-derived ligands. To further illustrate these effects, the homolytic cleavage o...
Adverse Effects of Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Once a physician has decided to treat a cardiac arrhythmia, he must carefully weigh the potential benefit of therapy against the risk. To minimise adverse effects with drug therapy, each individual patient’s metabolic and physiological status must be noted, factors known to influence drug kinetics must be considered and potential drug- drug interactions must be evaluated. The optimal dose, the route of administration, and the means of assessment of beneficial and adverse effects of the particular drug must also he determined. We have attempted to briefly review the current knowledge regarding potentially adverse effects of antiarrhythmic drug administration. These adverse effects fall largely into 3 major groups. The first group is comprised of those adverse cardiac effects which result from an extension of the desired electrophysiological actions. Examples are the QRS and QT prolongation caused by the decrease in conduction seen with higher levels of many of the Class I antiarrhythmic agents, the increase in atrioventricular blockade with increasing levels of the Class IV agents, and the bradycardia and worsening of conduction produced by higher levels of the Class II agents. The second group of adverse effects are manifest in the non- cardiac organs and can be anticipated by a drug’s structure and class. For example, the Class I local anaesthetic agents produce central nervous system effects, the Class I drugs with anticholinergic properties produce dry mouth, urinary retention, etc., the Class II antisympathetic agents can lower the blood pressure, can aggravate bronchospasm and can mask signs of stress, and the Class IV agents can produce vasodilatation. The third group of effects are the miscellaneous adverse effects which are idiosyncratic to each agent. Examples are quinidine purpura, procainamide- induced lupus, aprindine- induced agranulocytosis, phenytoin- induced megaloblastic anaemia, etc. Basic pharmacological information and an understanding of each drug’s electrophysiological actions will provide the physician with the necessary information to predict, and therefore minimise, the adverse effects of the first and second group. The idiosyncratic or third group of adverse effects, however, is largely unpredictable. Nonetheless, with close scrutiny of the drug therapy of each patient, and regular review of the information available on currently prescribed drugs, the physician can largely avoid the majority of the adverse effects which can be associated with antiarrhythmic therapy.
Low-level versus high-level equilibrium in public utility services☆

Abstract Heterogeneity of public utility services is common in developing countries. In a “high-level” equilibrium, the quality of utility services is high, consumer willingness to pay for services is high, the utility is well funded and staff well paid in order to induce high quality of performance. In a “low-level” equilibrium the opposite is the case. Which alternative occurs depends on both the quality of utility management, and public perceptions about service quality. If a utility administration has the potential to offer high-quality service, and the public is aware of this, high-quality equilibrium also requires the public's service payments to be high enough to fund the needed pay incentives for the utility staff. When the public lacks knowledge about the utility administration's quality, the public's initial beliefs about the utility administration's quality will also influence their willingness to pay sufficiently for a high-quality equilibrium to be realized. This paper shows that, with low confidence, only a low-level equilibrium may exist; while with higher initial confidence, a high-level equilibrium becomes possible. “Intermediate” (in between the low- and high-level) outcomes can also occur, in early periods, with “high-level” outcomes later on.
Oral health in Florida nursing homes.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to measure the oral health and hygiene status among 265 South Florida nursing home residents aged between 45 and 98 years. Methods: The oral health and hygiene status of the residents were assessed by noting the presence of calculus, caries, gingivitis, cheilitis, apthous ulcer, dry mouth and red or white lesions. Results: The incidence of nursing home residents with calculus was 79.6% and the remaining 20.4% were edentulous. More than half of residents had oral problems (50.6%) the commonest was gingivitis (36.6%), followed by caries (26%) and tooth fracture (15.9%). Almost half the residents wore dentures (47.2%). Statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance (P-values). Ageing of the residents was statistically correlated to a worsening of oral hygiene status (P < 0.0066), absence and presence of one or two dentures (P < 0.0034) and a loss of teeth (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The ageing of residents is correlated to increasing oral health problems and the loss of teeth. Oral health neglect affects almost all of the nursing home residents. Care providers should receive education and training from dental hygienists to improve the standard of oral hygiene and health of the elderly.
Active Vibration Attenuation of Smart Material Systems With Model-Based and Nonlinear Multispectral Controllers

Many efforts have been concentrated on the active noise and vibration control with smart material systems. However, previous studies are limited to the reduction of a single frequency. Thus, more investigations are needed on multispectral control, which deals with multiple frequency components simultaneously. The main objective of this research is to establish a model-based and nonlinear multispectral controller by integrating the least mean squares (LMS) algorithm with model-based controllers. It is expected that multispectral signals are managed appropriately by model-based controls and nonlinear control covers the nonlinearity, model uncertainty, and other unexpected conditions. Performances of the proposed algorithms are validated with simulations and experiments in various cases. Novel methodologies developed in this research are expected to be employed for numerous applications in active vibration and noise control studies such as structural vibration attenuation, vehicle vibration and noise reduction, and active struts for aircrafts, helicopters, and other vibrating platforms.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Molecular Basis of Calmodulin Binding to Cardiac Muscle Ca2+ Release Channel (Ryanodine Receptor)

Abstract Calmodulin (CaM) is a ubiquitous Ca2+-binding protein that regulates the ryanodine receptors (RyRs) by direct binding. CaM inhibits the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RyR1) and cardiac muscle receptor (RyR2) at >1 μm Ca2+ but activates RyR1 and inhibits RyR2 at <1 μm Ca2+. Here we tested whether CaM regulates RyR2 by binding to a highly conserved site identified previously in RyR1. Deletion of RyR2 amino acid residues 3583–3603 resulted in background [35S]CaM binding levels. In single channel measurements, deletion of the putative CaM binding site eliminated CaM inhibition of RyR2 at Ca2+ concentrations below and above 1 μm. Five RyR2 single or double mutants in the CaM binding region (W3587A, L3591D, F3603A, W3587A/L3591D, L3591D/F3603A) eliminated or greatly reduced [35S]CaM binding and inhibition of single channel activities by CaM depending on the Ca2+ concentration. An RyR2 mutant, which assessed the effects of 4 amino acid residues that differ between RyR1 and RyR2 in or flanking the CaM binding domain, bound [35S]CaM and was inhibited by CaM, essentially identical to wild type (WT)-RyR2. Three RyR1 mutants (W3620A, L3624D, F3636A) showed responses to CaM that differed from corresponding mutations in RyR2. The results indicate that CaM regulates RyR1 and RyR2 by binding to a single, highly conserved CaM binding site and that other RyR type-specific sites are likely responsible for the differential functional regulation of RyR1 and RyR2 by CaM.
On the role of surface migration in the growth and structure of graphene layers

Abstract The principle of chemical similarity, postulating analogy of chemical reactions taking place on a graphene edge to those of aromatic species, has lead to the formulation of detailed reaction models for the growth of carbonaceous surfaces. While meeting a reasonable success, for instance in the areas of soot and carbon-black formation, such an analogy-based approach cannot be expected to provide a truly realistic description of surface processes. The primary cause of the possible dissimilarity is the difference in steric confinements of reactive sites. A recent quantum chemical study of possible reaction steps led to a proposed phenomenon of surface migration of five-member rings along an edge of a graphene layer. The migrating ring can either desorb or convert to a six-member ring upon an encounter with another six-member ring or a reaction with a gaseous species. All these processes––migration, desorption, and transformation reactions––are mediated by reactions with gaseous hydrogen atoms. The subject of the present communication is analysis of this coupled phenomenon. We will report the results of new Monte Carlo simulations that examine the interplay among surface migration, gas–surface reactions, desorption, and surface transformation reactions of the five-member rings, focusing on emergent morphologies of graphene layers.
Stimulus deprivation and cerebral blood flow

The effect of unilateral visual deprivation on the vascular system of brain regions has been studied in the chick where the visual pathways are totally crossed. We injected 125I-iodantipyrine or 125I-iodinated albumin into the hearts of chicks at various times after monocular eyelid suture or unilateral eye extirpation. Radioactivity within optic lobes and cerebral hemispheres was assayed, to estimate the velocity of blood flow or the plasma volume. As early as 1 hr after monocular deprivation by eyelid suture or by enucleation, significant deficits in the velocity of the circulation through the contralateral brain regions were observed. These effects were maintained for at least 6 days and were of similar magnitude in contralateral optic lobes (which are directly innervated by the optic nerve) and the contralateral cerebral hemispheres (which receive no primary innervation from the optic nerve). After 1 hr of either form of monocular deprivation, a reduced plasma volume was found in contralateral optic lobes but not in cerebral hemispheres. These data suggest that maintenance of optimal cerebral vascular supply may be dependent on a patterned sensory input to the brain. A deficiency in the complexity of cerebral afferentation in the young animal may impair adequate vascularity and thus retard maturation.
Intensive surveillance of femoropopliteal-tibial autogenous vein bypasses improves long-term graft patency and limb salvage.

Objective The authors determined the impact of an intensive surveillance program of autogenous vein bypasses on patency and limb salvage. Summary Background Data Surveillance protocols of vein bypasses can identify graft-threatening lesions to permit elective revisions before thrombosis. The authors compared follow-up based on clinically indicated procedures with intensive surveillance. Methods From 1985 to 1994, 615 autogenousvein bypasses (454 in situ, 161 reversed/composite) to popliteal (n = 169) and tibial (n = 446) arteries were performed for critical limb ischemia (n = 507), claudication (n = 88), and popliteal aneurysm (n = 20). Intensive surveillance of autogenous vein bypasses consisted of ankle brachial index and duplex scan with graft velocities measured at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and every 6 months subsequently. After surgery 317 bypasses had intensive surveillance, 222 bypasses were clinically indicated for follow-up, and 76 bypasses were excluded because follow-up or patency was less than 31 days. Results Primary patency at 5 years was similar for bypasses treated by intensive surveillance (56%) and those treated with clinically indicated procedures (67%). Secondary patency and limb salvage at 5 years was significantly improved (p < 0.02) for bypasses followed by intensive surveillance (80% and 94%) compared with clinically indicated procedures (67% and 73%). Revision of patent bypasses was higher (p < 0.000001) for bypasses treated by intensive surveillance (61 of 70, 87%) compared with those treated with clinically indicated procedures (9 of 34, 26%). Secondary patency at 2 years was significantly higher (p < 0.02) for revision of patent bypasses (79%) compared with thrombosed bypasses (55%). Conclusions Long-term autogenous vein bypass patency and limb salvage is significantly improved by intensive surveillance, permitting identification and correction of graft threatening lesions before thrombosis.
Cryofibrinogenemia in Henoch-Schönlein purpura: report of a case.

A patient with Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) had exacerbations of disease that correlated closely with the presence of cryofibrinogenemia. Cryofibrinogen was absent consistently during asymptomatic intervals. To our knowledge, such a pattern has not been described previously in typical HSP. We suggest that all patients with HSP be screened for cryofibrinogenemia during the active phase of disease to determine the incidence of this abnormality. ( Arch Intern Med 139:592-593, 1979)
Test-retest reliability of a short form of the children's social desirability scale for nutrition and health-related research.

Abstract Objective To examine test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the Children's Social Desirability Short (CSD-S) scale, consisting of 14 items from the Children's Social Desirability scale. Methods The previously validated CSD-S scale was classroom administered to 97 fourth-grade children (80% African American; 76% low socioeconomic status) in 2 sessions a month apart. Each classroom administration lasted approximately 5 minutes. Results The CSD-S scale showed acceptable levels of test-retest reliability (0.70) and internal consistency (.82 and .85 for the first and second administrations, respectively). Reliability was adequate within subgroups of gender, socioeconomic status, academic achievement, and body mass index percentile. Levels of social desirability did not differ across subgroups. Conclusions and Implications Social desirability bias is a potential source of systematic response error in children's self-report assessments of nutrition and health-related behaviors. The CSD-S scale may be used with diverse groups of children to reliably and efficiently assess social desirability bias.
Comparison of intracardiac echocardiography versus transesophageal echocardiography guidance for percutaneous transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect

Transcatheter closure of interatrial septal defects is guided by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which requires general anesthesia in most cases. Using a new intracardiac echocardiographic (ICE) catheter may avoid endotracheal and esophageal intubation while using only local anesthesia. Forty-two patients underwent transcatheter interatrial septal defect closure; half of them underwent TEE guidance with general anesthesia and the other half underwent ICE guidance with local anesthesia. Device deployment success rate, adequate 2-dimensional and Doppler visualization of the defect and deployment steps, interatrial communication closure at 24 hours, and at 3 and 6 months, procedure time length, complications, fluoroscopic time, and length of hospitalization were compared between both methods. All interventions were completed successfully with no complications, except for 1 patient in the TEE group who had a minor oral trauma. Echocardiographic visualization of the septal defect and deployment was adequate by both methods. Catheterization laboratory time (92 ± 18 vs 50 ± 12 minutes, p <0.001) and interventional procedure length (47 ± 8 vs 35 ± 6 minutes, p <0.001) were shortened using ICE. There was no difference in the rate of closure after 6-month follow-up by either method. ICE guidance offers equivalent echocardiographic views compared with TEE and similar rates of closure. ICE is associated with decreased procedure length while eliminating the risks of endotracheal or esophageal intubation and general anesthesia.
Nanovehicles Based Bioassay Labels

In this article, we review recent advances of our group in nanoparticle labels based bioassay. Apoferritin and silica nanoparticles have been used as nanovehicles to load large amount of markers for highly sensitive bioassay. Markers loaded apoferritin, apoferritin-templated metallic phosphate nanoparticles, and poly [guanine] coated silica nanoparticles have been prepared, characterized and used as labels for highly sensitive bioassay of protein and DNA. Dissociation and reconstitution characteristics at different pH as well as the special cavity structure of apoferritin nanovehicle provides a simple and convenient route to prepare versatile nanoparticle labels and avoid the complicated and tedious synthesis process of conventional nanoparticle labels. The optical and electrochemical characteristics of the prepared nanoparticle labels are easily controlled by loading different optical or electrochemical markers. Additionally, the use of apoferritin nanovehicle as template for synthesis of metallic phosphate nanoparticle labels offers fast route to prepare uniform-size metallic nanoparticle labels for electrochemical bioassay and avoids the traditional harsh dissolution conditions to dissolve metallic nanoparticle tags (that is, the strong-acid dissolution of quantum dots and gold nanoparticles) during the stripping analysis step. Silica nanoparticle has also been used as nanovehicle to carry thousands of poly [guanine] tracers, which was used to enhance the oxidationmore » current of Ru(bpy)32+, resulting in enhanced sensitivity of electrochemical immunoassay. The new nanovehicle-based labels have been used for highly sensitive electrochemical detection of DNA and protein biomarkers, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a). The high sensitivity and selectivity make these labels a useful addition to the armory of nanoparticle-based bioassay. The new nanovehicles based labels hold great promise for multiplex protein and DNA detection and for enhancing the sensitivity of other bioassays.« less
Filamin A (FLNA) is required for cell–cell contact in vascular development and cardiac morphogenesis

Mutations in the human Filamin A (FLNA) gene disrupt neuronal migration to the cerebral cortex and cause cardiovascular defects. Complete loss of Flna in mice results in embryonic lethality with severe cardiac structural defects involving ventricles, atria, and outflow tracts, as well as widespread aberrant vascular patterning. Despite these widespread developmental defects, migration and motility of many cell types does not appear to be affected. Instead, Flna-null embryos display abnormal epithelial and endothelial organization and aberrant adherens junctions in developing blood vessels, heart, brain, and other tissues. Essential roles for FLNA in intercellular junctions provide a mechanism for the diverse developmental defects seen in patients with FLNA mutations.
083 Transforming Growth Factor‐Beta Ligand, Receptor, and SMAD Expression Patterns in Fetal and Adult Keratinocytes

Introduction: The transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-s) cytokine family regulates cellular proliferation, differentiation, and migration with important function during both development and repair. Moreover, the TGF-ss are growth inhibitory for keratinocytes, proliferative for fibroblasts, and generally profibrotic during repair. In order to better define the influence of keratinocyte TGF-s during these processes, we examined the TGF-s isoform, receptor, and signal messenger Smad expression in fetal and postnatal keratinocytes. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rat keratinocytes were isolated in primary culture from fetal at E15 and E17 (term = E22), newborn, and 6 week old adults. Open fetal rat wounds heal without scar at E17 gestation. Quantitative-polymerase chain reaction was performed for TGF-s1, -s2, and -s3 ligand; TGF-beta receptor1 and -receptor2; Smad3, Smad4, and Smad7 expression. All cells were passage 2 or 3. Results: TGF-s1 expression did not change appreciably from E15 to adult age in keratinocytes. TGF-s2 and -s3 expression increased (8 fold and 2 fold respectively) from E17 to newborn ages. Overall, the expression of TGF-s1 was 5–8 fold greater compared to -s2 and -s3 in both fetal and adult keratinocytes. TGF-s receptor1 expression increased 2 fold whereas -receptor2 expression showed little change from E17 to adult age. Smad3 expression increased over 50 fold, with Smads 4 and 7 showing a smaller increase from E17 to adult age. Conclusions: The TGF-beta system has differential expression in fetal compared to postnatal keratinocytes, which suggests function during skin differentiation. TGF-s1 expression is relatively greater than -s2 and -s3 in both fetal and adult keratinocytes. However, increases in isoforms -s2 and -s3, receptor1 and the Smads occurs at ages associated with scarring, implying increased function of the pro-fibrotic TGF-beta response during ages associated with scarring.
Biophysical limits on athermal effects of RF and microwave radiation.

Using biophysical criteria, I show that continuous radiofrequency (RF) and microwave radiation with intensity less than 10 mW/cm(2) are unlikely to affect physiology significantly through athermal mechanisms. Biological systems are fundamentally noisy on the molecular scale as a consequence of thermal agitation and are noisy macroscopically as a consequence of physiological functions and animal behavior. If electromagnetic fields are to significantly affect physiology, their direct physical effect must be greater than that from the ubiquitous endogenous noise. Using that criterion, I show that none of a set of interactions of weak fields, which I argue is nearly complete on dimensional grounds, can affect biology on the molecular scale. Moreover, I conclude that such weak fields are quite unlikely to generate significant effects in their interactions with larger biological elements such as cells. In the course of that analysis, I examine important special examples of electromagnetic interactions: "direct" interactions where biology is modified simply by the motion of charged elements generated by the electric field; resonance interactions; the effects of electrostrictive forces and induced dipole moments; and modifications of radical pair recombination probabilities. In each case, I show that it is unlikely that low intensity fields can generate significant physiological consequences.
Digital control for efficiency improvements in interleaved boost PFC rectifiers

This paper presents a simple passive power sharing approach to paralleling power-factor correction (PFC) modules. A digital controller senses only the total inductor current, and drives the modules with matched phase-shifted control signals. Advantages of the approach include simplified current sensing and control, support for arbitrarily large number of paralleled modules, and minimization of conduction losses at heavy loads. Increased current stresses resulting from unequal power sharing are evaluated in terms of parameter mismatches. To maintain high efficiency over very wide range of loads, the digital controller further includes adaptive near-zero-voltage switching and adaptive frequency operation in discontinuous conduction mode (DCM), as well as phase shedding at light loads. Experimental results are shown for a 600W two-phase boost PFC, rectifier.
Zbtb46 expression distinguishes classical dendritic cells and their committed progenitors from other immune lineages

Distinguishing dendritic cells (DCs) from other cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system is complicated by the shared expression of cell surface markers such as CD11c. In this study, we identified Zbtb46 (BTBD4) as a transcription factor selectively expressed by classical DCs (cDCs) and their committed progenitors but not by plasmacytoid DCs (pDCs), monocytes, macrophages, or other lymphoid or myeloid lineages. Using homologous recombination, we replaced the first coding exon of Zbtb46 with GFP to inactivate the locus while allowing detection of Zbtb46 expression. GFP expression in Zbtb46(gfp/+) mice recapitulated the cDC-specific expression of the native locus, being restricted to cDC precursors (pre-cDCs) and lymphoid organ- and tissue-resident cDCs. GFP(+) pre-cDCs had restricted developmental potential, generating cDCs but not pDCs, monocytes, or macrophages. Outside the immune system, Zbtb46 was expressed in committed erythroid progenitors and endothelial cell populations. Zbtb46 overexpression in bone marrow progenitor cells inhibited granulocyte potential and promoted cDC development, and although cDCs developed in Zbtb46(gfp/gfp) (Zbtb46 deficient) mice, they maintained expression of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and leukemia inhibitory factor receptors, which are normally down-regulated in cDCs. Thus, Zbtb46 may help enforce cDC identity by restricting responsiveness to non-DC growth factors and may serve as a useful marker to identify rare cDC progenitors and distinguish between cDCs and other mononuclear phagocyte lineages.
Role of EZH2 in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: From Biological Insights to Therapeutic Target

EZH2 is the catalytic subunit of polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2), which generates a methylation epigenetic mark at lysine 27 residue of histone H3 (H3K27me3) to silence gene expression. EZH2 target genes are involved in a variety of biological processes such as stem cell pluripotency, cell proliferation, and oncogenic transformation. EZH2 is often over-expressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cells and in ovarian cancer-associated stromal endothelial cells. Notably, EZH2 promotes cell proliferation, inhibits apoptosis and enhances angiogenesis in EOCs. In contrast to genetic alterations, which are typically non-reversible, epigenetic alterations are reversible. Thus, inhibiting EZH2/PRC2 activity represents an attractive strategy for developing ovarian cancer therapeutics by targeting both ovarian cancer cells and ovarian tumor microenvironment. Here we discuss the progress recently obtained in understanding how EZH2/PRC2 promotes malignant phenotypes of EOC. In addition, we focus on strategies for targeting EZH2/PRC2 to develop novel EOC epigenetic therapeutics.
Multi-Core Architecture on FPGA for Large Dictionary String Matching

FPGA has long been considered an attractive platform for high performance implementations of string matching. However, as the size of pattern dictionaries continues to grow, such large dictionaries can be stored in external DRAM only. The increased memory latency and limited bandwidth pose new challenges to FPGA-based designs, and the lack of spatial and temporal locality in data access also leads to low utilization of memory bandwidth. In this paper, we propose a multi-core architecture on FPGA to address these challenges. We adopt the popular Aho-Corasick (AC-opt) algorithm for our string matching engine. Utilizing the data access feature in this algorithm, we design a specialized BRAM buffer for the cores to exploit a data reuse existing in such applications. Several design optimization techniques are utilized to realize a simple design with high clock rate for the string matching engine. An implementation of a 2-core system with one shared BRAM buffer on a Virtex-5 LX155 achieves up to 3.2 Gbps throughput on a 64 MB state transition table stored in DRAM. Performance of systems with more cores is also evaluated for this architecture, and a throughput of over 5.5 Gbps can be obtained for some application scenarios.
Characterizing the sphingomyelinase pathway triggered by PRIMA-1 derivatives in lung cancer cells with differing p53 status.

Background/Aim: Derivatives of PRIMA-1 compound, 8a and 8b have been shown to increase cytotoxicity in lung cancer cells through sphingomyelinase pathways in IR and 8a or 8b co-treated lung cancer cells. The goal of the present study was to further elaborate the molecular mechanism of 8a- or 8b-treated lung cancer cells in order to understand their potential as anti-cancer drugs. Materials and Methods: Biochemical assays, western blot, flow cytometry and gene array analyses were employed to distinguish these mechanisms. Results: Herein we demonstrated that 8a and 8b cause apoptosis with S-phase arrest in lung cancer cells by activating neutral sphingomyelinase with ceramide production. 8a induces expression of TNF family genes while 8b induces p53-mediated apoptosis genes. Protein analysis shows an increased expression in caspase 8, bcl-2, bax, caspase 9 and cytochrome c. Conclusion: PRIMA-1 derivatives provoke cytotoxicity in lung cancer cells mainly through the neutral sphingomyelinase-dependent apoptosis pathway.
Tax Reform: Reduce the Corporate Income Tax Rate and More

The U.S. corporate income tax rate is too high. In an increasing global economy, we are the odd man out. Any corporate rate reduction, however, will have ripple effects throughout the tax system, some intended and some not. This article highlights the possibility of using the potential reduction in corporate income tax rates as a catalyst for fundamental changes in the tax regime for business income and the relative contributions of tax revenue from different types of taxes.
SES: Sentiment Elicitation System for Social Media Data

Social Media is becoming major and popular technological platform that allows users discussing and sharing information. Information is generated and managed through either computer or mobile devices by one person and consumed by many other persons. Most of these user generated content are textual information, as Social Networks(Face book, Linked In), Microblogging(Twitter), blogs(Blogspot, Word press). Looking for valuable nuggets of knowledge, such as capturing and summarizing sentiments from these huge amount of data could help users make informed decisions. In this paper, we develop a sentiment identification system called SES which implements three different sentiment identification algorithms. We augment basic compositional semantic rules in the first algorithm. In the second algorithm, we think sentiment should not be simply classified as positive, negative, and objective but a continuous score to reflect sentiment degree. All word scores are calculated based on a large volume of customer reviews. Due to the special characteristics of social media texts, we propose a third algorithm which takes emoticons, negation word position, and domain-specific words into account. Furthermore, a machine learning model is employed on features derived from outputs of three algorithms. We conduct our experiments on user comments from Face book and tweets from twitter. The results show that utilizing Random Forest will acquire a better accuracy than decision tree, neural network, and logistic regression. We also propose a flexible way to represent document sentiment based on sentiments of each sentence contained. SES is available online.
SPECIES RICHNESS IN A SUCCESSIONAL GRASSLAND: EFFECTS OF NITROGEN ENRICHMENT AND PLANT LITTER

We conducted a field experiment in a successional grassland to investigate the short-term effects of nitrogen enrichment and plant litter on plant species richness and on the establishment of a native grass (Andropogon gerardi) that was experimentally introduced to the study site as seed. Additions of nitrogen fertilizer to experimental plots over two growing seasons increased plant production as indicated by increases in both living plant biomass and litter biomass. Increased productivity reduced species richness by effectively preventing the seedling establishment of the subordinate forb species and reduced the recruitment of Andropogon gerardi by inhibiting both germination and survival. Litter removals carried out at each of two levels of nitrogen enrichment (no nitrogen, nitrogen added) showed that litter significantly reduced species richness by the same amount in fertilized and unfertilized plots, suggesting that living biomass and litter were purely additive, rather than interactive in their effects. In contrast, the results of litter additions suggested that the declines in richness associated with fertilization could largely be due to the suppressive effects of increased litter biomass alone. As a whole, the results indicate that litter and living biomass are largely substitutable in their inhibitory effects on species richness in highly productive successional grasslands due to their independent and equivalent capacities to attenuate light to very low levels. This study highlights the combined roles of competition and plant litter in influencing the diversity of grasslands through effects on seedling establishment.
Thrombocytopenia and thrombosis in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is the physiologic result of pathologic overstimulation of the coagulation system. Despite multiple triggers, a myriad of laboratory abnormalities, and a clinical presentation ranging from gross hemostatic failure to life-threatening thrombosis, or even both simultaneously, a simplified clinical approach augmented by a few readily available tests allows prompt identification of the process and elucidation of treatment opportunities. Platelet counts in DIC may be low, especially in acute sepsis-associated DIC, yet increased in malignancy-associated chronic DIC. Thrombotic risk is not a function of the platelet count, and thrombocytopenia does not protect the patient from thrombosis. The stratification of both thrombotic risk and hemorrhagic risk will be addressed.
Applications of Geodesy to Geodynamics: 8. Earth Tides and Geodesy

Earth tides, though small, affect a large variety of geodetic phenomena; they also provide the only case where the earth's response to a precisely known driving force may be observed. Twenty years ago it was hoped to study global properties by means of the amplitudes of the earth tides and dissipation of tidal energy through the phase lags. However, ocean load effects and advances in seismology have combined to render these objectives obsolete. Progress in the use of earth tides for global studies awaits better knowledge of the ocean tide, and in fact, earth tides are being used to improve ocean tide models. However, they are being used to study local structure, both through the use of nearby known ocean loads to study the loading Green's functions and through the effects of local inhomogeneities in elastic properties in modifying the large-scale tidal strain and tilt fields.
D-Serine Production, Degradation, and Transport in ALS: Critical Role of Methodology

In mammalian systems, D-serine is perhaps the most biologically active D-amino acid described to date. D-serine is a coagonist at the NMDA-receptor, and receptor activation is dependent on D-serine binding. Because D-serine binding dramatically increases receptor affinity for glutamate, it can produce excitotoxicity without any change in glutamate per se. D-serine is twofold higher in the spinal cords of mSOD1 (G93A) ALS mice, and the deletion of serine racemase (SR), the enzyme that produces D-serine, results in an earlier onset of symptoms, but with a much slower rate of disease progression. Localization studies within the brain suggest that mSOD1 and subsequent glial activation could contribute to the alterations in SR and D-serine seen in ALS. By also degrading both D-serine and L-serine, SR appears to be a prime bidirectional regulator of free serine levels in vivo. Therefore, accurate and reproducible measurements of D-serine are critical to understanding its regulation by SR. Several methods for measuring D-serine have been employed, and significant issues related to validation and standardization remain unresolved. Further insights into the intracellular transport and tissue-specific compartmentalization of D-serine within the CNS will aid in the understanding of the role of D-serine in the pathogenesis of ALS.
The transient subthreshold response of spherical and cylindrical cell models to extracellular stimulation

The effect of extracellular stimulation on excitable tissue is evaluated using analytical models. Primary emphasis is placed on the determination of the rate of rise of the membrane potential in response to subthreshold stimulation. Three models are studied: (1) a spherical cell in a uniform electric field, (2) an infinite cylindrical fiber with a point source stimulus, and (3) a finite length cable with sealed ends and a stimulus electrode at each end. Results show that the rate of rise of the transmembrane potential was more rapid than the step response of a space-clamped membrane for all geometries considered. The response of the cylindrical fiber to extracellular stimulation is compared to previously reported studies of the cylindrical fiber response to intracellular stimulation. It is found that the location of the stimulus has little effect on the infinite fiber response. For terminated cables, however, an accurate model of stimulus response must discriminate between intracellular and extracellular stimulation. >
A Miniature, Fiber-Coupled, Wireless, Deep-Brain Optogenetic Stimulator

Controlled, wireless neuromodulation using miniature implantable devices is a long-sought goal in neuroscience. It will allow many studies and treatments that are otherwise impractical. Recent studies demonstrate advances in neuromodulation through optogenetics, but test animals are typically tethered, severely limiting experimental possibilities. Existing nontethered optical stimulators either deliver light through a cranial window limiting applications to superficial layers of the brain, are not widely accessible due to highly specialized fabrication techniques, or do not demonstrate robust and flexible control of the optical power emitted. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a novel, miniature, wireless, deep-brain, modular optical stimulator with controllable stimulation parameters for use in optogenetic experiments. We demonstrate its use in a behavioral experiment targeting a deep brain structure in freely behaving mice. To allow its rapid and widespread adoption, we developed this stimulator using commercially available components. The modular and accessible optogenetic stimulator presented advances the wireless toolset available for freely behaving animal experiments.
A path analytic examination of differential social control theory

Differential social control theory was investigated with survey data from 860 adolescents using path analytic techniques. Peer non-use expectations, peer use, and the adolescent's own attitude each...
Relationship of macrophyte‐mediated changes in the water column to periphyton composition and abundance

SUMMARY. 1. Dense growths of Myriophyllum heterophyllum influenced temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and light levels in the littoral waters of Lake Winnipesaukee, a soft-water. New England lake. Periphyton species composition and abundance (algal units cm' stem) were related to the macrophyte-mediated changes in the physicochemical environment. 2. Duringearlysummer, M. heterophyllum occupied onlythe lower part of the water column. Limnetic and littoral waters exchanged readily and were chemically similar. Early summer periphyton species composition was dominated by diatoms from the phytoplankton, entangled in the finely dissected leaves of M. heterophyllum. 3. By mid-summer, M. heterophyllum occupied the entire watercolumn of the littoral zone. The metabolic and photosynthetic activity and dense foliage of M. heterophyllum created marked vertical gradients in physicochemical conditions. Mid-day temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and light levels were maximal in the surface waters of the M. heterophyllum mat during the summer. Concurrently, periphyton species composition shifted to blue-green and then to a filamentous green alga on the apex and mid-stem. On the lower stem, diatoms consistently dominated the periphyton. 4. Periphyton abundance on the apex was inversely related to apical elongation. Temporal fluctuations of periphyton abundance on the lower and mid-stem were small throughout the study. Periphyton abundance was lowest on the lower stem, where the deteriorating leaves provided less surface area for colonization.
Nursing Research Related to Schoolage Children and Adolescents

The review of nursing research in this chapter includes studies published between 1952 and early 1982. Investigations pertaining to children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18 years that were reported in major nursing research journals or maternal child nursing journals are included. Additionally, the review includes nursing studies reported in other nursing journals or journals of other disciplines and retrieved by computer searches, search of nursing indexes, review of reference lists of related studies, or informal contacts of the author. While these search techniques yielded a large number of studies for review, the limitations in formal indexing of nursing publications may have left relevant research unidentified.
Mother's cigarette smoking and survival of infant

Abstract An investigation of 5,381 white and 1,419 Negro single live births for whom the smoking status of the mother was known shows the following: 1. Smoking mothers had a substantially larger proportion of infants of “low birth weight” (5 pounds, 8 ounces or less) than nonsmokers. The over-all neonatal mortality rate, however, was the same for infants of smoking and nonsmoking mothers. 2. The neonatal mortality rates for single live births of “low birth weight” were substantially and significantly lower for infants of smoking than of nonsmoking mothers. 3. Infants of smoking mothers weighed less than infants of nonsmoking mothers in each gestational age. 4. The incidence of single live births of short gestation was only slightly and not significantly higher for smokers than for nonsmokers. 5. The neonatal mortality rate of single live births of short gestation did not differ for Negro infants of smoking and nonsmoking mothers, and was only slightly lower for infants of smokers among whites. 6. The neonatal mortality rate of single live births which satisfied both criteria of prematurity, i.e., with an interval of less than 37 weeks from LMP and a birth weight of 5 pounds, 8 ounces or less, were substantially and significantly lower for infants of smoking than of nonsmoking mothers. 7. These findings are discussed as to possible explanations for the phenomenon of relatively more, but apparently healthier, infants of “low birth weight” among smoking than nonsmoking mothers. A causal hypothesis may be postulated in biochemical terms, but until such a mechanism can be demonstrated, it may not be unreasonable to suppose that it is not the smoking but the smoker which may offer an explanation for the observed differences. 8. It is suggested that the phenomenon of smoking and its possible effect on health is very complex and it is desirable to pursue with vigor investigations aimed at elucidating the differences between the people who succumb and become habitual smokers and those who resist and never smoke.
Improved inductive-system-level IEC ESD performance for automotive applications using mutual ballasted ESD protection technique

Abstract A new ESD failure mode under inductive IEC stress of automotive Controller Area Network (CAN) bus is identified. Inductor saturation causes increase of the rise-time from 1 ns to ~ 20 ns, leading to non-uniform conduction in the bidirectional ESD protection circuit. A novel mutual ballasting layout technique is introduced to recover the system level ESD performance.
Healing of Femoral Osteotomies with Plastic Plate Fixation

Osteotomies of the canine femur were internally stabilized with four-hole plates made of thermoplastic polyacetal and polyester. The plates were strong enough to stabilize the bony fragments without additional protection while being flexible enough to permit healing with periosteal callus and subsequent remodeling without stress protection effects.
Galactose Consumption Induces Conditioned Flavor Avoidance in Rats

Recent findings revealed that intragastric infusions of galactose conditioned a flavor avoidance in adult rats. To determine whether the galactose-conditioned avoidance was due to the infusion procedure, we investigated the flavor conditioning effect of orally consumed galactose. Food-restricted rats drank a flavored galactose solution, a flavored fructose solution and a flavored saccharin solution in separate one-bottle training sessions; grape, cherry and orange flavors were used. Because fructose is sweeter than galactose, saccharin was added to the galactose solution to increase its palatability. Pre- and posttraining preferences for the galactose and fructose solutions were evaluated in two-bottle choice tests. Also, preferences for the sugar-paired flavors were evaluated in two-bottle tests with the flavors presented in saccharin. In Experiment 1, rats were trained with flavored 80 g/L fructose, 80 g/L galactose + 2 g/L saccharin, and 2 g/L saccharin solutions (20 mL/d). Their preference for the flavored galactose solution changed (P < 0.01) from 76% (pretraining) to 19% (posttraining). The rats also avoided (P < 0.05) the flavor paired with the galactose solution in choice tests with the fructose-paired flavor and the saccharin-paired flavor. Similar pre- to posttraining preference reversals were obtained in Experiments 2 and 3, which used 20 g/L galactose and fructose solutions, and 20 g/L galactose and fructose solutions mixed with 20 g/L glucose, respectively. These findings, together with the intragastric infusion data, demonstrate that galactose has aversive postingestive consequences in adult rats even at low concentrations (20 g/L). Unlike lactose intolerance, which is due to intestinal malabsorption, this galactose-induced flavor avoidance is presumably due to the slow and incomplete postabsorptive metabolism of galactose.
Interactive Design Program for Roller-Chain and Synchronous-Belt Drives

Programme interactif pour la conception des transmissions a chaines a rouleaux et a courroies dentees
Noncholinergic Mechanisms Involved in the Behavioral and Stimulus Effects of Nicotine, And Relationships to the Process of Nicotine Dependence

A major objective of research conducted by this investigator over the last 18 years has been to evaluate the pharmacological mechanisms by which nicotine can alter behavior, and the role that such mechanisms may have in the process of nicotine-induced dependence. The overall goals of this research have been to: (1) determine potential brain area sites of nicotine action important to its pharmacological effects; (2) determine whether nicotine is acting at cholinergic receptors (pre-or postsynaptic) excited (or inhibited) by the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh); and (3) to determine the potential role that noncholinergic neurons play in the CNS pharmacology of nicotine. The overall approaches utilized in this research evolved from earlier research conducted by Domino (1) in which he very clearly showed that brain cholinergic neurons were not interdependent, as in the periphery, but existed as two independent receptor populations, muscarinic (M-Cholinergic; M-Ch) and nicotinic (N-Cholinergic; N-Ch).