cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphodiesterase (PDE) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Conditions

The phosphodiesterase (PDE) family of enzymes play a role in the degradation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, an important intracellular second messenger central to multiple signaling pathways. PDE inhibitors have been developed and evaluated for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Apremilast, an oral PDE4 inhibitor, has FDA approval for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque and psoriatic arthritis. It has also been shown to have efficacy in other skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, Bechet’s disease, pityriasis rubra pilaris, alopecia areata, and discoid lupus erythematosus. Topical PDE4 inhibitors (e.g., crisaborole) also show efficacy in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of PDE inhibition in the treatment of inflammatory skin disease and discuss ongoing developments for this novel drug class.
Influence of Parasitic Infection on Growth-Related Hormones and Nutrient Utilization in Cattle

Challenged with the demands of reduced nutritional intake, parasitic load, and the consequences of the host response to the infection, food producing animals often suffer lasting effects in terms of stunted growth and loss of efficient partitioning of nutrients toward edible meat or consumer products. Various tissues in the body compete for the available nutrients and, faced with the stress of parasitic infection, a priority must be established in which the tissues and metabolic functions most critical for survival are supported at the expense of less demanding growth processes. Model systems of parasitism using the organism Sarcocystis cruzi have demonstrated that some but not all of the effects of infection on growth are attributable to the nutritional effects that accompany parasitism. Hormonal perturbations significant beyond those due to malnutrition may mediate the distribution of nutrients to tissues as need and supply dictate. Alterations in plasma concentrations of growth related hormones, the ratio or balance of anabolic vs catabolic hormones and the integrative response of different tissues to the hormonal milieu seem to down-regulate metabolism in terms of growth in order to conserve nutrients for survival and response to infection. Data presented here support the hypothesis that alterations in responsiveness to factors that regulate pituitary, pancreatic and hepatic function participate in this conservation mechanism. In particular, changes in growth hormone secretion as well as insulin, somatostatin and somatomedin-C may impact significantly on N and lipid metabolism during parasitic infections.
Antimicrobial Coatings to Prevent Biofilm Formation on Medical Devices

Under different environmental conditions, bacteria colonize and develop biofilms on diverse surfaces including those of medical devices. The development of biofilms on medical devices is one of the most serious challenges that the healthcare systems face. In response, various methods have been developed to prevent biofilm formation on such devices. In this chapter, we discuss different strategies designed to prevent biofilm formation on three medical devices: central venous catheters, urinary tract catheters, and contact lenses. These strategies are based on modifying the surface of these devices by either coating or impregnating them with a variety of antimicrobial agents. For central venous catheters, we describe coating with silver, chlorhexidine silver sulfadiazine, or organoselenium. For urinary tract catheters, we describe coating with hydrogel, silver, triclosan, gendine, nitric oxide, and antibiotics. We also describe novel approaches to prevent biofilm development on urinary tract catheters including the utilization of quorum-sensing inhibitors and biological coatings (bacteria or bacteriophages). For contact lenses, we discussed coating with either a non-covalent coating (furanones, silver, or polyquaternium compounds) or a covalent coating (furanones, polyquaternium compounds, cationic peptides, or organoselenium). We review the mechanism(s) through which each agent inhibits biofilm development and the influence of the material from which the medical device was made on the quality of coating formed by different agents on these devices. Additionally, we review different in vitro assays, animal models for biofilm development, and clinical trials used to assess the effectiveness of each agent and the rate of success of each coating based on these assessments. Finally, we summarize any reported toxicity associated with these coatings.
Poverty, Agriculture and the Environment: The Case of Sub-Saharan Africa

Marginal areas of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have historically offered low productivity potential and low returns on investments in agricultural productivity growth. Population and agricultural market dynamics in Africa are improving the prospects for productivity-enhancing investments in this environment. In this chapter the authors introduce an opportunity cost framework to demonstrate where agricultural development is now an opportune strategy to reduce marginality in SSA and to guide strategic priority setting for public investment for the sustainable improvement of agricultural productivity. It then lays out policy and technology priorities for sustainable development of marginal production environments.
Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome or Multiple Tic Disorder

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome is the eponymous designation for multiple tic disorder, after Georges Gilles de la Tourette, a French neurologist. Although this disorder had been described previously by Itard in 1825, Dr. Georges Gilles de la Tourette (1885), under the tutelage of Jean-Martin Charcot at the Salpetriere, Paris, France, published the classical treatise that to this day gives an accurate description of this disorder.
Fundamental Limitations on Power Output from Solid-State Microwave Devices

In this chapter, we shall derive some fundamental limits on the output power which can be expected from solid-state microwave sources (oscillators). These limits will be derived with specific reference to the geometry of Gunn and IMPATT devices (DeLoach, Jr., 1967; Johnson, 1965; Scharfetter, 1971). It should be realized that very similar expressions can also be derived for other devices, to be discussed in later chapters, and we will make brief mention of such limitations further on, as well. The two fundamental physical effects which limit the amount of DC power a device can dissipate are (1) there is generally a maximum operating temperature beyond which failure modes of different types will occur; thus, we must be concerned with how effectively heat can be transported out of the active region of the device, so that the temperature rise can be limited, and (2) avalanche break-down limits both the maximum voltage and the maximum current of the device. Finally, the power conversion efficiency will determine the fraction of the maximum DC power which will be converted to RF power.
Computer Simulation of Thermal Processing for Canned Food Sterilization

A computer-aided engineering model is described that is capable of simulating the thermal sterilization processing of canned foods. Use of the model to find optimum processing conditions and container geometry is reported, along with an example of on-line computer control to automatically compensate for unexpected process deviations while processing is under way in real time. Future research in thermal properties needed for using the model to simulate aseptic processing of discrete particulates is discussed.
Efforts to Overcome Homelessness in the Pruitt Branch of the Nashville Public Library

In this article, the author analyzes the services and resources made available to patrons who are experiencing homelessness within the surrounding area of the Nashville Public Library’s Pruitt Branch in south Nashville, Tennessee. Utilizing a framework composed of elements regarding information sources, organizational planning, and connections made with internal and external organizations, the author researched the services offered to patrons experiencing homelessness to determine any areas for improvement via the Nashville Public Library’s main website. Then, a strategic action plan composed of four steps was developed for how this branch can improve its future services for the population of patrons who are experiencing poverty and/or homelessness. These four steps are to: 1) Collect patron feedback regarding what services the library is currently offering and what future changes they would like to be made. 2) Make information about the library’s diversity committee more publicly accessible. 3) Prioritize meeting objectives directly related to the subject of homelessness. 4) Create more programming focused on helping patrons who are experiencing homelessness.
Introduction: International Integration of the Brazilian Economy from Local Perspectives

International economic integration is the outcome of an international trade process by which national resources become more and more internationally mobile while national economies become increasingly interdependent through the mutually beneficial voluntary exchange of goods and services undertaken by national and multinational enterprises.
Prevention of Skin Infections

Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus accounts for most cutaneous infections, including wound infection (Fig. 21.1), folliculitis (Fig. 21.2), and impetigo. Cutaneous injuries commonly become infected. Topical antiseptics can reduce the incidence of infection, but may be contact sensitizers. While topical antibiotics may reduce the overall incidence of infection, they may also cause contact dermatitis. Those with a gram-positive spectrum may increase the likelihood that the infecting organism with be gram negative. Wound care is discussed more thoroughly in the section on prevention of surgical wound infections.
From Patient to Population

Information security is practiced at many levels—sometimes it is close to the end user, and sometimes it is not. Sometimes malware and computer threats are personal, but sometimes they affect an entire population. Sometimes in order to manage a cybersecurity threat, it is necessary to step back and look at data that spans traditional organizational silos; to make connections that would otherwise remain hidden. I propose using the model of public health as a way to understand how to address cybersecurity threats. Just as public health officials have different priorities than a doctor engaged in individual clinical care, information security officials at a university must necessarily be concerned with different priorities than an IT professional at a college or department. Frustration arises when those competing priorities seem to produce conflicting goals. Understanding the differences between these two approaches—and also the points of connection—is necessary to increase the ability for these groups to effectively communicate, and ultimately collaborate.
Organocatalytic C–H fluoroalkylation of commodity polymers

Post-polymerization modification of commodity plastics diversifies their material properties and expands their potential applications. The thermal and chemical stability of polymers that contain aromatic rings, which represent a high-volume class of materials, makes it challenging to add functionality while retaining the molar mass (Mn) and molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the original polymer. Herein, we present a metal-free C–H fluoroalkylation strategy that takes advantage of the innate reactivity of aromatic polymers. A systematic evaluation of organic photoredox catalysts for polymer C–H fluoroalkylation led to the identification of 5,10-di(2-naphthyl)-5,10-dihydrophenazine as a scaffold that balanced efficient reactivity with excellent selectivity, enabling the addition of trifluoromethyl groups onto aromatic polymers without altering the Mn or MWD of the material. The metal-free functionalization method was also amenable to a range of perfluoroalkyl groups and polymer substrates, including post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste. The methods developed and structure–reactivity relationships identified in this study will prove valuable for the continued adoption of C–H functionalization methodologies that enhance the properties of commercially available polymers.
HUMAN ACTIVITY RECOGNITION USING MAGNETIC INDUCTION-BASED MOTION SIGNALS AND DEEP RECURRENT NEURAL NETWORKS

Recognizing human physical activities using wireless sensor networks has attracted significant research interest due to its broad range of applications, such as healthcare, rehabilitation, athletics, and senior monitoring. There are critical challenges inherent in designing a sensor-based activity recognition system operating in and around a lossy medium such as the human body to gain a trade-off among power consumption, cost, computational complexity, and accuracy. We introduce an innovative wireless system based on magnetic induction for human activity recognition to tackle these challenges and constraints. The magnetic induction system is integrated with machine learning techniques to detect a wide range of human motions. This approach is successfully evaluated using synthesized datasets, laboratory measurements, and deep recurrent neural networks.
What Constitutes Torture? Psychological Impediments to an Objective Evaluation of Interrogation Tactics

Torture is prohibited by statutes worldwide, yet the legal definition of torture is almost invariably based on an inherently subjective judgment involving pain severity. In four experiments, we demonstrate that judgments of whether specific interrogation tactics constitute torture are subject to an empathy gap: People who are experiencing even a mild version of the specific pain produced by an interrogation tactic are more likely to classify that tactic as torture or as unethical than are those who are not experiencing pain. This discrepancy could result from an overestimation of the pain of torture by people in pain, an underestimation of the pain of torture by those not in pain, or both. The fourth experiment shows that the discrepancy results from an underestimation of pain by people who are not experiencing it. Given that legal standards guiding torture are typically established by people who are not in pain, this research suggests that practices that do constitute torture are likely to not be classified as such.
Cardiac Power Output and Cardiac Power Efficiency Show Prognostic Value in LVAD Patients

Purpose Hemocompatibility-related clinical adverse events (HRAE) are thought to be driven by the pump-patient interaction. We hypothesized that the hemodynamic variables cardiac power output (CPO) and cardiac power efficiency (CPE), which reflect underlying ventricular contribution, have prognostic value in patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Methods Prospectively collected hemodynamic data from patients with LVADs who had undergone invasive hemodynamic ramp study at our institution between 4/2014-7/2018 were analyzed. CPO [(mean arterial pressure x cardiac output)/451], cardiac power index (CPI) (CPO/body surface area), and CPE (CPI/ pulmonary capillary wedge pressure) were calculated. Patients were divided into groups of high and low CPO and CPE using ROC-derived cutoff values of 0.847W and 0.0552 WmmHg/m2 respectively. Hemocompatibility scores (HCS) were also calculated for each patient based on their HRAE. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the association between CPO and CPE with primary endpoints of HRAE, HCS, heart failure readmissions, and mortality. Results 91 patients (average age 61 ± 11 years, 34% women, 40% Black, 38% ischemic cardiomyopathy) were included in the analysis. Low CPO was significantly associated with higher rates of HRAE, HR 2.02 (95% CI 1.12-3.66, p=0.02, Figure 1A). CPO was not significantly associated with mortality or heart failure readmission, HR 1.84 (95% CI 0.68-3.32, p=0.31) and HR 1.84 (95% CI 0.92-3.68, p=0.083), respectively. Low CPE was significantly associated with higher rates of HRAE, heart failure readmission (Figure 1B), and mortality (Figure 1C) when adjusted for LVAD type: HR 1.97 (95% CI 1.02-3.81, p=0.043), HR 3.11 (95% CI 1.28-7.58, p=0.012), and HR 3.41 (95% CI 1.18-9.88, p=0.024), respectively. Conclusion CPO and CPE demonstrate prognostic value in patients with LVADs, showing significant associations with HRAE, heart failure readmissions, and mortality.
Moving Towards Targeted Therapies for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

In this review, we discuss targets of interest in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), approved targeted agents, and the results of the clinical trials that led to their approval. Additionally, we review ongoing clinical trials evaluating the use of novel targeted agents in the treatment of TNBC. TNBC accounts for 15–20% of all breast cancer cases and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Patients have a higher risk of metastatic recurrence and inferior overall survival compared to other breast cancer subtypes. Cytotoxic chemotherapy has historically been the mainstay of treatment for TNBC. In recent years, we have seen a surge in clinical trials investigating the use of targeted agents in TNBC and now have approval for targeted therapies in select patients. Inhibitors of PARP (olaparib and talazoparib), PD-L1 (atezolizumab), and an antibody drug conjugate targeting Trop-2 (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) are now approved for use in select groups of patients with TNBC. Various novel targeted agents as monotherapy, dual-targeted combinations, and chemotherapy combinations are currently under investigation. The results are promising and may significantly improve patient outcomes in TNBC.
"Made Me Realize That Life Is Worth Living": A Qualitative Study of Patient Perceptions of a Primary Palliative Care Intervention.

Background: Primary palliative care is needed to meet the complex needs of patients with serious illness and their families. However, patient perceptions of primary palliative care are not well understood and can inform subsequent primary palliative care interventions and implementation. Objective: Elicit the patient perspective on a primary palliative care intervention, Collaborative Care to Alleviate Symptoms and Adjust to Illness (CASA), from patient perspectives. Design: Qualitative study using patient interviews and two methods of triangulation. Setting/Subjects: Between July 2014 and September 2015, we interviewed 45 patients who participated in the intervention in a Veterans Affairs (VA) (primary site), academic, and urban safety-net health system in the United States. Main Measures: Participants were asked about what was most and least helpful, how the intervention affected participants' lives, and what should be changed about the intervention. Data were analyzed using a general inductive approach. To enhance validity of the results, we triangulated the findings from patient interviews, reviews of care coordinator documentation, and interprofessional palliative care providers. Results: The six themes identified that primary care intervention: (1) Cared for My Psychosocial Needs, (2) Encouraged Self-Management, (3) Medication Recommendations Worked, (4) Facilitated Goal Attainment, (5) Team was Beneficial, and (6) Good Visit Timing. Conclusions: Participants experienced benefits from the primary palliative care intervention and attributed these benefits to individualized assessment and support, facilitation of skill building and self-management, and oversight from an interprofessional care team. Future primary palliative care interventions may benefit from targeting these specific patient-valued processes.
Religion, religiosity, and leadership practices

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify and measure the relationship between a leader’s religion and religiosity (independent variables) and leadership practices (dependent variables) in the context of non-western Christian and Muslim organizational leaders. Design/methodology/approach – The quantitative correlation study involved 384 organizational leaders (150 Christians and 234 Muslims) working in various industries in Lebanon. Organizational leaders supplied their religious affiliation and self-rated their religiosity and leadership practices. Findings – Results were somewhat mixed, supporting some prior studies and contradicting others. Differences in the hypothesized relationship between the religious affiliation, religiosity, and leadership practices of organizational leaders were noted. The findings revealed that religion and religiosity both have an influence on the behavior and practices of organizational leaders; although the former is much more significant than the latter. Research ...
Bridging the Gap Between Model-Based Development and Model Checking

The growing power of model checking is making it feasible to use formal verification for important classes of software systems. However, for this to be practical it is necessary to bridge the gap between the commercial modeling tools industrial developers prefer to use and the input languages of the formal verification tools. This paper describes a translator framework that makes it possible to use several popular formal verification tools with commercial modeling tools. The practicality of this approach is illustrated by four case studies in which model checking was successfully used in the development of avionics software.
Consistent Questions of Ambiguity in Organizational Crisis Communication: Jack in the Box as a Case Study

The complexity of crisis situations allows for corporate responses to create multiple interpretations for organizational stakeholders concerning crisis evidence, the organization's intentions, and the locus of responsibility. Hence, organizations have the ability to emphasize an interpretation where the organization is viewed most favorably. Using Jack in the Box as a case study, we apply stakeholder theory to ascertain the ethical implications of employing strategic ambiguity in organizational crisis communication. We conclude that the crisis response provided by Jack in the Box's leaders was ethically questionable in the areas of evidence, intent, and locus because the ambiguity they introduced privileged their financial stakeholders over others. Ultimately, this strategic use of ambiguity diminished the deliberative ability of Jack in the Box's publics.
Current understanding of F-wave physiology in the clinical domain.

Publisher Summary The chapter presents a multicenter analysis on intertribal variability of nerve conduction studies in preparation for future drug assessments in diabetic polyneuropathy. All measurements are repeated twice at a time interval of 1–4 weeks by the same examiners, who underwent a hands-on workshop to standardize the method. The minimal F-wave latency shows the least change, with the range of variability of only 10% for the median nerve and 11% for the tibial nerve in normal subjects. To characterize various aspects of F-wave in a healthy population and establish normative data for future clinical use, the chapter studies 100 healthy volunteers. The F-wave provides a means to clarify the role of central drive on the excitability of the anterior horn cells. The chapter examines the effect of sustained rest lasting from 1 to 12 h on the F-wave and transcranial motor evoked potentials (MEPs). The findings indicate: (1) MEP amplitude commonly used as a measure of cortical excitability reflects a reversible change at the level of the anterior horn cell, and (2) the absence of F-wave results from inexcitability of spinal motor neurons after volitional immobilization.
Critical assessment of the claim of a significant difference between the results of measurements of the Coulomb dissociation ofB8and theBe7(p,γ)B8direct capture reaction

The Coulomb dissociation (CD) of $^{8}\mathrm{B}$ has emerged as a landmark testing ground of the very method of CD for measuring the cross section of the low-energy $^{7}\mathrm{Be}$($p,\ensuremath{\gamma}$)$^{8}\mathrm{B}$ direct capture (DC) reaction. Recent claims of evidence of slope difference between CD and DC results are critically examined. We include all relevant RIKEN2 data and all previously published DC data, and we examine the extracted so-called average scale-independent slope ($b$). The parametrization used by the Seattle group to extract the so-called $b$-slope parameter is also examined at energies above 300 keV. Considering the physical slope (${S}^{'}=\mathit{dS}/\mathit{dE}$) above 300 keV, we observe a ($1.7\ensuremath{\sigma}$) agreement between slopes (${S}^{'}$) measured in CD and DC above 300 keV. The claim that ${S}_{17}(0)$ values extracted from CD data are inconsistent and lower than DC results arises from a neglect of substantial systematic uncertainty of low-energy CD data. A consideration of the published CD ${S}_{17}(0)$ results yields very consistent ${S}_{17}(0)$ values that agree with most recent DC measurements. The recent correction of the $b$-slope parameter suggested by Esbensen, Bertsch, and Snover (EBS) was applied to the wrong $b$ slope calculated using part of the RIKEN2 data. When the correct slope of the RIKEN2 data is used, the EBS correction in fact leads to a substantial disagreement between the slopes of the RIKEN2 data and DC data. In spite of an agreement between CD and DC data neither allow for extracting the slope above 300 keV with high accuracy. Uncertainty of the slope (${S}^{'}$) leads to an additional uncertainty of the extrapolated ${S}_{17}(0)$. The slope of the astrophysical cross-section factor ${S}_{17}$ must be measured with high precision to enable extraction of the $d/s$ ratio and a high-precision extrapolation of ${S}_{17}(0)$.
Ontario's Highway Noise Barrier Research

Ontario's Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MTC) has been involved in a highway noise R&D and implementation program to quieten the provincial freeway system in residential neighborhoods. The program primarily involves noise barriers and pavement, because these two items are within provincial control. (The federal government regulates new vehicle noise.) The barrier construction program now has a $7.5m budget, making it probably the largest Canadian noise control program.
Drag and flow pattern around the truss structure of the International Space Station using molecular dynamics

Rarefied gas flow over a long solid hexagonal cylinder has been simulated. Each molecule is modeled as a sphere of equal diameter and mass undergoing elastic collisions. Conditions for the simulation closely follow those that would be experienced by the International Space Station in orbit. These conditions are Mach number 8 and 0.167 for the temperature ratio between the solid and gas. The actual Knudsen number for the orbital condition is of order 1,000 and spacing ratio 58,000 (the spacing ratio is the ratio of mean spacing between two particles and to the diameter.) Though the whole flow regime can be considered as being free molecular flow where intermolecular collisions can be neglected, accumulation of particles on the leading surface will force a lower Knudsen number and spacing ratio. A Knudsen number of order 1 already displays the free molecular flow regime behavior. Therefore the simulation used Knudsen numbers of 0.75 to 1.09. The overall spacing ratio of 3.5 is used throughout the simulation as it was shown by Greber and Wachman to be sufficiently large for gaseous behavior. The computational strategy used is molecular dynamics where all particles are tracked at all times. Due to the shape of the hexagon, triangular data-collecting grids were used where the relative position of the particles with respect to the vertices of the triangle determined the quantities of interest such as density, the 3 components of the velocity and the temperature.
Finance and Innovation: The Case of Publicly Traded Firms

We hypothesize that public firms that create novel innovations rely more on arm's length financing (equity and public debt) than on relationship based bank financing. A primary reason is that banks, unable to evaluate novel technologies, will tend to discourage investing in innovative projects and be more prone to shut down ones that are ongoing. Using a large panel of US companies from 1974-2000, we find that consistent with our predictions, firms that rely more on arm's length financing have a larger number of patents and these patents are more significant in terms of influencing subsequent patents. We confirm our findings by showing a significant increase in innovative activity of firms following a large infusion of arm's length financing and no such pattern after a similar infusion of bank loans. Creating novel innovations leads to a significantly higher firm value and suggests that firms would rationally take into account the potential impact of innovative activity when making their financing choices. Finally, we use an IV approach to ameliorate endogeneity concerns and demonstrate that our findings are driven primarily by innovative firms choosing their financing arrangements.
A residual frequency offset estimation algorithm with uncertainty factor

A new frequency offset estimation algorithm is presented that uses an indicator of the channel status called the uncertainty factor (UF). The UF is calculated for the packet of interest and used to determine if the frequency offset estimate should be updated. If so, then a number of temporary frequency offset estimates are averaged together to obtain the final frequency offset estimate. Computer simulations show that the UF is inversely proportional to the SNR and CIR, and proportional to the frequency selectivity and Doppler frequency of the channel. The new frequency offset estimation algorithm is shown to significantly outperform conventional methods.
Making Mountains of Debt Out of Molehills: The Pro-Cyclical Implications of Tax and Expenditure Limitations

This paper presents evidence that property tax limits have detrimental effects on state and local revenues during recessions. Property tax limits cause states to rely on income-elastic revenue sources, such as the income tax or charges and fees. Greater reliance on these revenue sources results in greater revenue declines during economic downturns. We present analysis of time-series, cross-sectional data for the U.S. states for each of these conclusions. Our results suggest that states would have fewer and more modest financial problems during economic downturns if they did not enact property tax limitations.
Fine-grain thermal profiling and sensor insertion for FPGAs

Increasing logic densities and clock frequencies on FPGAs lead to rapid increase in power density, which translates to higher on-chip temperature. In this paper, we investigate the thermal behavior of general applications on fine-grain reconfigurable fabrics and we introduce the pre-mapping sensor insertion problem for thermal monitoring. Our study shows that on average the maximum temperature on the chip is 19.5/spl deg/C higher than the ambient temperature for a transition density of 0.5 at the primary inputs. For fine-grain reconfigurable devices targeted for general applications it is difficult to predict the locations of potential hotspots a priori. However, programmability presents a unique opportunity for effective thermal monitoring. It would allow us to perform a thermal simulation on a given design first and obtain the locations of potential points of interest in a design. Then, in the pre-mapping stage the design can be updated with insertion of thermal sensors. Given a set of expected hot spots in a design we aim to determine the minimum number of sensors and their locations in order to monitor these locations with a given sensitivity requirement. Since the thermal sensors are implemented using unused CLBs on the fabric it is essential to use the logic resources efficiently. We propose an efficient algorithm to solve the sensor placement problem addressing this optimization goal.
A note on optimal maintenance policies for deciding whether to repair or replace

Abstract A system deteriorates stochastically over time. When the deterioration reaches a critical level, the system has to be either repaired or replaced by a new one. Repairs are generally both less effective and less costly than a replacement. By modelling the problem as a semi-Markov decision process, an explicit expression is found for the optimal maintenance policy for minimizing the long run average cost per unit time. Some numerical results are given for a multi-state system.
Multiple forms of nuclear estrogen receptor in the immature rat uterus after in vitro exchange with [3H]estradiol or [3H] antiestrogens.

Abstract We have compared the properties of salt-extracted uterine nuclear estrogen receptors (ER) labeled with [3H]estradiol (E2) or [3H]antiestrogens after in vivo exposure of immature rats to these compounds or after in vitro exchange. As expected, nuclear ER labeled during a l h in vivo treatment with [3H]E2 migrated predominantly at 5S, although this peak was skewed towards the lighter side. [3H]4-Hydroxytamoxifen ([3H]OH tamoxifen, the active metabolite of tamoxifen)-nuclear ER complexes showed comparable sedimentation rates (4.6 ± 0.05S) after injection of the [3H]antiestrogen. On the other hand, when nuclear extracts from rats treated with unlabeled E2 in vivo were subjected to exchange with [3H]E2 or [3H]antiestrogens for 16 h at 23°C, a marked difference. in sedimentation profiles was observed. While the [3H]E2 -nuclear ER complex sedimented primarily as a 3S species with variable amounts of a heavier (4.0–4.5S) shoulder, complexes between nuclear ER and [3H]tamoxifen, [3H]OH tamoxifen or [3H]CI628M formed sharp, symmetrical peaks at 4S. Both the 3S and 4S components represented forms of ER as they were eliminated in the presence of excess unlabeled DES, and they were displaced to 7–8S after reaction with specific anti-ER antibodies. The 3S peak was also abolished by addition of excess nonradioactive nafoxidine or OH tamoxifen during exchange with [3H]E2. These results suggest that more rapidly sedimenting forms of uterine nuclear ER (4–5S) may be converted to a 3S species by the action of endogenous proteases and that association of these large forms with antiestrogens may stabilize them in a conformation less or differentially susceptible to cleavage.
Intracellular sites of poliovirus reproduction.

Abstract A study of the early intracellular events in poliovirus reproduction has been made using fluorescent antibody staining and high resolution autoradiography with tritiumlaleled protein and nucleic acid precursors. Within an hour after infection there was increased nucleolar RNA turnover as determined by uptake of tritiated H3-uridine and H3-cytidine. This stimulated turnover continued for 3 1 2 –4 hours , then the uptake of these compounds markedly declined. Thymidine incorporation into DNA was affected little or not at all until nucleolar RNA metabolism declined and at the same time DNA metabolism also declined rapidly. Total cellular protein synthesis was retarded by 1 1 2 hours after infection, as revealed by H3-histidine uptake. However, at about 2 hours after infection there appeared in the cytoplasm an antigen that stained weakly in a specific fluorescent antibody staining test. At 2–3 1 2 hours after infection, there were a large number of cells showing fairly intense specific fluorescence in the nonnucleolar portion of the nucleus. The nucleoli themselves were unstained, but were surrounded by bright rings of fluorescence. By 4–5 hours after infection an increasing number of cells showed bright cytoplasmic particulate fluorescence. This was about the time when parallel virus growth studies revealed the first presence of new intracellular virus.
Development of kinetic models in the nonlinear world of molecular cell biology

Increasingly, successful research on metabolic systems relies on teams of specialists. Because of the enormous complexity of these systems, many experimental groups have sought collaborations with theoreticians for data analysis and modeling. Predictably, cultural differences in scientific approach, methodology, assumptions, and language have led to some persistent difficulties in communication across the experiment-theory frontier. This report attempts to diagnose some of these difficulties from the perspective of 30 years' experience in both experimental and theoretical biology, and to suggest guidelines for effective collaboration between experimentalists and theorists. As these collaborations move to the level of cellular and molecular biology, effective communication will become all the more important because the simple linear rate laws of radiotracer and stable-isotope kinetics will no longer suffice. This is because every form of regulation and control, hallmarks of metabolic systems, results in nonlinear kinetics. To advance this transition to nonlinear cellular and molecular metabolic models and to facilitate communication between experimental and theoretical collaborators, a general procedure for incorporating control mechanisms in metabolic rate laws is developed based on the familiar rapid-equilibrium assumption of classical enzyme kinetics.
Interpolation of the extended boolean retrieval model

An interpolation theorem for the p-norm model, 1 ≤ p ≤ ∞, of Salton, Fox, and Wu for extended Boolean document retrieval is stated and proven. This result asserts roughly that whenever two or more documents are similarly ranked at any two points along the p-continuum with respect to this model for either an AND or an OR query containing exactly two terms, then they are similarly ranked at all points in between. An analogous result can fail for queries with more than two terms and an example is given to show this.
Abscisic acid-enhanced shoot initiation in protoplast-derived calli of potato

Abstract Calli raised from mesophyll protoplasts (p-calli) of the potato cultivar ‘Russet Burbank’ underwent shoot morphogenesis in less time and with greater efficiency on Medium-D when abscisic acid (ABA) was added at a final concentration of 0.2 mg/l. P-calli of a second potato cultivar, ‘Atlantic’, responded similarly except that the optimal ABA concentration was between 0.05 and 0.1 mg/l. In addition, the frequency of p-calli producing multiple shoots and with increased shoot vigor were enhanced when development occured in the presence of ABA.
Pair bonding prevents reinforcing effects of testosterone in male California mice in an unfamiliar environment

Testosterone (T) can be released by stimuli such as social interactions, and thereby influence future social behaviours. Because the reinforcing effects of T can induce preferences for specific environmental locations, T has the potential to alter behaviour through space use. In a monogamous species, this T pulse may contribute differently to space use in sexually naive (SN) and pair-bonded (PB) males: SN males may be more likely to explore new areas to set up a territory than PB males, which are more likely to defend an existing, established territory. In this study, we test for variation in T-driven space use by examining variation in the formation of conditioned place preferences (CPPs) in SN and PB male California mice. In the three-chambered CPP apparatus, subcutaneous administrations of physiological levels of T were used to repeatedly condition SN and PB males to a side chamber, which is an unfamiliar/neutral environment. The final tests revealed that T-induced CPPs in the side chamber are developed in SN, but not PB males. This study fills a gap in our knowledge about plasticity in the rewarding nature of T pulses, based on past social experience.
PDM (Personal Design and Manufacturing) for Active Customers

As diversification is quickly increasing, industries are making tremendous efforts to cope with it. But this paper points out that these efforts are too much producer-centric.Our customers are not passive consumers as most industries assume. They are very active and would like to customize our products to their own needs and to their preferences. We should note that this act of customization is deeply associated with our basic need of self actualization. That is why their requirements are diversifying. We have to change our product development much more to customer-centric.New emerging technologies such as 3D printers enable them to get involved in product design and manufacturing. But if we consider the capabilities of the present states of these technologies and expertise of our customers, it is much easier to realize such customer-centric product development, if we extract the feature parts or feature points from a product that relate to personalization and let our customers develop them with the help of us, experts. The parts that do not substantially contribute to personalization may be developed as a common platform and these parts can be developed by experts without customer’s involvements. In this way, customers would feel they are actualizing themselves and would be more satisfied.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Combined Genetic and Nutritional Risk Models of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) presents clinical challenges due to unknown etiology, lack of treatment targets, and poor prognosis. We examined combined genetic and nutritional risk models of TNBC in 354 breast cancer cases. We evaluated 18 DNA-repair nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) and dietary/nutritional intakes. Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines models were used to select nutrients of interest and define cut-off values for logistic regression models. Our results suggest that TNBC was associated with 6 DNA-repair nsSNPs, ERCC4 R415Q (rs1800067), MSH3 R940Q (rs184967), MSH6 G39E (rs1042821), POLD1 R119H (rs1726801), XRCC1 R194W (rs1799782), and XPC A499V (rs2228000) and/or deficiencies in 3 micronutrients (zinc, folate, and β-carotene). Combined analyses of these 6 nsSNPs and 3 micronutrients showed significant association with TNBC: odds ratios = 2.77 (95% confidence interval = 1.01–7.64) and 10.89 (95% confidence interval = 3.50–33.89) for 2 and at least 3 risk facto...
Abnormal chloroplast structures in a mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardi

Abstract Atypical, highly organized, chloroplast structures, which occurred as tubules or spirals and appeared to be composed of a double membrane, were found in a mutant of Chlamydomonas reinhardi. These structures were light-induced, but their appearance was not directly related to the presence of chlorophyll.
Structure and luminescence of the α-LnNb3O9-type rare earth niobates

..cap alpha..-LnNb/sub 3/O/sub 9/ (Ln = La, Pr, Nd) compounds have been prepared hydrothermally from acidic solutions. In comparison to the previously reported orthorhombic ..beta.. modifications, ..cap alpha..-LnNb/sub 3/O/sub 9/ compounds are monoclinic. The structure of ..cap alpha..-PrNb/sub 3/O/sub 9/ was determined with a = 5.3784(6), b = 7.602(2), c = 16.344(2) A, and ..beta.. = 92.21(1)/sup 0/, space group Ps/sub 1//c. It is built of double and single chains of cornershared NbO/sub 6/ octahedra extended along the b axis. Praseodymium atoms reside in tunnels along the b axis and are in eight-coordination with oxygen. All ..cap alpha..-LnNb/sub 3/O/sub 9/ compounds can be irreversibly converted to the ..beta.. modification by heating in air to 1200/sup 0/C. The X-ray excited luminescence of Sm-, Eu-, Tb-, and Dy-doped ..cap alpha..-LaNb/sub 3/O/sub 9/ is also reported. 11 references, 3 figures, 5 tables.
Arginine butyrate downregulates p210 bcr-abl expression and induces apoptosis in chronic myelogenous leukemia cells

Downregulation of bcr-abl expression in the chronic myelogenous leukemia cell line K562 using antisense oligonucleotides has been shown to enhance the sensitivity of the cells to apoptotic stimuli, suggesting that p 210 bcr-abl, like bcl-2 functions as an anti-apoptosis factor (McGahon A et al, Blood 1994, 83: 1179). In these experiments, the inhibition of p 210 bcr-abl expression alone was not sufficient to induce apoptosis. We demonstrated that exposure to low doses (0.5 mM) of a butyric acid analog, arginine butyrate, was capable of inducing apoptosis in selected leukemia cell lines, including K562 cells, and in fresh leukemia cells from patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia. To further explore the mechanisms of this effect, we examined expression of p 210 bcr-abl after butyrate exposure and found a dose-related inhibition of p 210 bcr-abl protein without concordant change in other phosphoproteins, including the JAK-1 kinase. Further analysis revealed that the inhibition of bcr-abl expression occurs due to transcriptional regulation of the bcr-abl gene by arginine butyrate. These results suggest that arginine butyrate and other butyrate analogs alone or in combination may be useful in the therapy of patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia or bcr-abl expressing acute leukemias.
Wingstroke frequency of foraging and hovering bumblebees in relation to morphology and temperature

Wingstroke frequency, morphometries and thoracic temperatures of freely foraging bumblebees were examined in the field at ambient temperatures varying from 10 to 29oC. Frequency was strongly correlated with morphometric parameters, particularly wing length, but was not correlated with either ambient or thoracic temperature. Magnitudes and scaling of frequency of foraging bees were comparable to values obtained for bees hovering in a closed chamber. These data indicate that frequency is primarily determined by morphometric characteristics which determine lift requirements and do not support the hypothesis that frequency is varied in response to environmental conditions as a means of in-flight thermoregulation.
Production et Analyse D'un Complexe Viral Dérivé D'un Virus des Radioleucoses de la Souris C57BL

Production and analysis of a viral complex derived from a radiation-induced leukemia virus of the C57BL mouse The MuLV isolate RadLV-Rs derived from a radiation-induced leukemia of a C57BL mouse was shown to induce preferentially lymphoreticulum cell neoplasms of spleen and lymph nodes rather than thymomas. Several cell lines were established in culture from spleen or lymph node tumors induced by RaLV-Rs. These lines were originally composed of round shaped virus-producing cells but their ability to produce virus disappeared progressively with serial passages and simultaneously they were growing as a monolayer of polygonal epithelial-like cells. Several clones were derived from one of the tumor cell lines and the presence of round cells correlated positively with the viral release. Besides these morphological differences the karyotype of the clones chronically producing virus was strongly modified. Thus, cells of clone 13-3C (producing a virus called 13C) contained 43 chromosomes, a large number of which were metacentrics or minutes. On the opposite, clone 13-2D which had the same origin as 13–3C but did not produce virus had 70 acrocentric chromosomes. The in vitro produced virus 13C had the same pathogenic effects as the original RaLV-Rs; on the basis of its biochemical and morphological properties it could be classified as a type-C retrovirus and it also induced Gross type cell surface antigens. In contrast to most of the MuLV, 13C virus did not show any helper activity on the MSV integrated in S+L- mouse cells, however syncytia formation was readily observed after cocultivation of 13–3C and XC cells. The 13C virus was shown to be a complex composed of an ecotropic MuLV which preferentially infects B type mouse cells (MuLV-B) and a xenotropic virus (MuLV-X). The MuLV-B had no helper activity for integrated MSV and did not induce XC syncytia formation. The MuLV-X was a potent helper for MSV in S+L- mink cells but did not induce XC syncytia formation.