cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cdk5 sinks into ALS

Recent research points to an involvement of deregulated cdk5 activity in the pathogenesis of mutant SOD1-mediated disease. In addition, inhibition of this activity might promote motor neuron survival. These observations have opened the door to further research into the role of cdk5 in ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
2009 Quality survey of retail biodiesel blends in Michigan

Abstract A fuel quality survey of biodiesel blends collected in June 2009 from 26 Michigan retail stations was performed, 8 months after the publication of ASTM D7467. Measured blend levels were not consistent in stations where pump labels indicate specific biodiesel blend levels. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) analyses revealed that majority of the samples are soybean oil-based (SBO) biodiesel. Full compliance with the ASTM D7467 requirements for kinematic viscosity and flash point (FP) were observed with the biodiesel blends; all but one for cetane number (CN). Barely half of the samples were able satisfy the total acid number (TAN) specification with select samples reflecting as high as 1.6 mg KOH/g. The most pressing is that only 45% were able to meet the 6 h induction period (IP) requirement; out of those that did not qualify 42% are even low blends hinting the degraded quality of the biodiesel component. Inconsistencies on the expected correlations of the tested properties were evident, suggesting that additives may be present in many samples. When compared with results from a similar survey in 2007, the properties of the 2009 samples are even poorer, indicating poor observance of fuel standards by the producers.
Control fraud, gambling for resurrection, and moral hazard: Accounting for white-collar crime in the savings and loan crisis☆

Abstract This paper reviews the relevant literature regarding the role of control fraud, or major frauds committed by controlling organizational insiders, in the savings and loan crisis. Using both economics and criminological concepts, it contrasts the claims made by “fraud minimalists” with those who saw fraud playing a significant role in the crisis. The paper concludes that the economics-based official history of the debacle that sees moral hazard and gambling for resurrection as responsible for major financial losses is not supported by the empirical data generated by criminological research.
Synthesis of 14‐14C‐adriamycin

14-14C-Adriamycin HCI has been prepared from unlabeled adriamycin. The 14C-Diazald served as the source of the label. This synthesis does not require protection of the phenolic hydroxyl groups.
Effect of beraprost sodium (BPS), a prostacyclin analog, and dizocilpine (MK-801) on repeated ischemia-induced chronic cortical atrophy in gerbils.

We investigated the effect of beraprost sodium (BPS), a new prostacyclin analog, and dizocilpine (MK-801) on repeated ischemia-induced cerebral atrophy and chronic cortical neuronal loss in gerbils. The left common carotid artery of gerbils was repeatedly occluded (for 10, 7, 7, and 7 min) at intervals of 24 h. The thickness of the cerebral cortex of the ischemic hemisphere diminished with increasing time of reperfusion after an ischemic insult. The animals were given BPS (1–100 μg/kg, po) or MK-801 (3–300 μg/kg, sc) after the first ischemic insult, and then twice daily for 4 wk. Increases in the amount of neuronal loss and acidophilic neurons, and progressive atrophy were observed with increasing time of reperfusion in the cerebral cortex of the ischemic hemisphere. Cortical sections revealed no astrocytes positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), whereas the hippocampal CA1 area showed neuronal loss accompanied by GFAP-positive astrocytes. In control animals at 4 wk survival, the area ratio neurons ratio (number of neurons in ischemic cortex/number of neurons in opposite cortex) were 89.8±3.0% and 74.6±3.4%, respectively. BPS was found to inhibit atrophy and chronic cortical neuronal loss in the ischemic hemisphere in a dose-dependent manner, whereas MK-801 showed no inhibitory effects at any dose tested. These results may suggest that the nature of neuronal degeneration differs between the cortical and hippocampal areas, that cortical neuronal degeneration might not involve glutamtate pathways with NMDA receptors in this model, and that prostacyclin could play an essential role in prevention of ischemia-induced progressive neuronal loss.
Thyrotropin (TSH) interacts with multiple discrete regions of the TSH receptor: polyclonal rabbit antibodies to one or more of these regions can inhibit TSH binding and function.

As a means of identifying functional regions of the TSH receptor (TSHr), we immunized four rabbits with recombinant extracellular TSHr (ETSHr) protein and systematically evaluated their antibody response. The antibody response was characterized by testing serial serum samples for immunoglobulin G (IgG) against ETSHr protein and 26 synthetic peptides which span the entire ETSHr. Sera were also tested for their ability to block TSH binding to native TSHr. All four rabbits developed high serum IgG titers (>1:100,000) to ETSHr. None of the rabbits developed significant IgG titers against 11 of the peptides, but each showed persistent high titers against several of the others. After multiple inoculations of antigen, sera from 3 rabbits showed significant ability to block TSH binding. Based on the ability of peptides to reverse this blocking activity, we identified 3 regions of the TSHr (i.e. amino acids 292-311, 367-386, and 397-415) through which antibodies can block TSH binding. Moreover, antibodies purified...
Thermal expansion of particle-filled plastic encapsulant: a micromechanical characterization

The thermal expansion response of particle-filled polymer matrix composites is studied by micromechanical modeling. The model system used is the epoxy matrix filled with solid-sphere or hollow-sphere silica particles, with applications in microelectronics for encapsulating the semiconductor devices. Finite element analyses based on the axisymmetric unit-cell model, with two types of filler arrangement, are performed. The epoxy phase is characterized as an isotropic linear viscoelastic solid; the silica phase is characterized as an isotropic linear elastic solid. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the composite is found to be insensitive to the viscous behavior of the matrix, so that rate-independent linear elasticity can give accurate predictions. The effects of particle spatial distribution on the average composite CTE are small. Local stresses generated from thermal mismatch between the filler and the matrix, however, are strongly influenced by the matrix viscoelasticity and filler arrangement. Higher stresses in the epoxy are induced by higher thermal loading rates. The stresses are also higher with an aligned particle arrangement than a staggered arrangement. Issues regarding the thermal expansion modeling, and implications of the present findings to damage initiation in plastic encapsulation materials are discussed.
A novel, single nucleotide polymorphism-based assay to detect 22q11 deletions.

Velocardiofacial syndrome, DiGeorge syndrome, and conotruncal anomaly face syndrome, now collectively referred to as 22q11deletion syndrome (22q11DS) are caused by microdeletions on chromosome 22q1...
Distribution Patterns of Isotopic Peaks in the Mass Spectrum of Stannic Bromide

ONE of the problems in high-molecular-weight mass spectrometry is to establish unambiguously the definite mass to be assigned to the fragmentation peaks in the higher mass (200–800) range. A suitable calibrating material is stannic bromide. It has a vapour pressure at 25° C. of a little less than 1 torr, and from its elementary isotopic constitution the relative peak heights can be calculated for the molecular parent ion and its fragments.
Observation of step-wise solid layer nucleation of 4He on grafoil

Abstract We have used fourth sound to investigate the formation of solid layers of 4 He on Grafoil, and have observed step-wise solid layer nucleation. A periodic pressure dependence in the fourth sound velocity indicates an average single layer thickness of 2.3±.2A, which is slightly less than the one-half c-axis length for the He hcp structure. Measurements were made below the hcp and bcc regions, and no significant differences were evident. No pressure hysteresis was observed when the fourth sound signal was present, but there was an indication of capillary condensation of solid in the Grafoil.
On completely data-driven bandwidth selection for single-index models

Abstract The class of single-index models (SIMs) has become an important tool for nonparametric regression analysis. As with any other nonparametric regression models, the selection of bandwidth plays an important role in the inferences of the SIMs. However, most results in the literature either take the bandwidths as externally given, or require unpractical assumptions or very restrictive conditions for data-driven bandwidths. We examine the asymptotic properties of a popular bandwidth selection method based on cross-validation that is completely data-driven, under much weaker conditions than those assumed in the literature. And we show that the same bandwidth that is optimal for estimating the index vector, can be used for nearly optimal error variance estimation through the method of varying cross-validation. A simulation study is presented to demonstrate the finite sample performance of the proposed procedures, based on which we recommend a simple 2-step procedure for bandwidth selection, index vector estimation, as well as error variance estimation.
Gene regulatory logic of dopamine neuron differentiation

Dopamine signalling regulates a variety of complex behaviours, and defects in dopamine neuron function or survival result in severe human pathologies, such as Parkinson's disease. The common denominator of all dopamine neurons is the expression of dopamine pathway genes, which code for a set of phylogenetically conserved proteins involved in dopamine synthesis and transport. Gene regulatory mechanisms that result in the direct activation of dopamine pathway genes and thereby ultimately determine the identity of dopamine neurons are poorly understood in all systems studied so far. Here we show that a simple cis-regulatory element, the dopamine (DA) motif, controls the expression of all dopamine pathway genes in all dopaminergic cell types in Caenorhabditis elegans. The DA motif is activated by the ETS transcription factor AST-1. Loss of ast-1 results in the failure of all distinct dopaminergic neuronal subtypes to terminally differentiate. Ectopic expression of ast-1 is sufficient to activate the dopamine pathway in some cellular contexts. Vertebrate dopamine pathway genes also contain phylogenetically conserved DA motifs that can be activated by the mouse ETS transcription factor Etv1 (also known as ER81), and a specific class of dopamine neurons fails to differentiate in mice lacking Etv1. Moreover, ectopic Etv1 expression induces dopaminergic fate marker expression in neuronal primary cultures. Mouse Etv1 can also functionally substitute for ast-1 in C. elegans. Our studies reveal a simple and apparently conserved regulatory logic of dopamine neuron terminal differentiation and may provide new entry points into the diagnosis or therapy of conditions in which dopamine neurons are defective.
Teledermatology: From historical perspective to emerging techniques of the modern era: Part II: Emerging technologies in teledermatology, limitations and future directions

Telemedicine is the use of telecommunications technology to support health care at a distance. Dermatology relies on visual cues that are easily captured by imaging technologies, making it ideally suited for this care model. Advances in telecommunications technology have made it possible to deliver high-quality skin care when patient and provider are separated by both time and space. Most recently, mobile devices that connect users through cellular data networks have enabled teledermatologists to instantly communicate with primary care providers throughout the world. The availability of teledermoscopy provides an additional layer of visual information to enhance the quality of teleconsultations. Teledermatopathology has become increasingly feasible because of advances in digitization of entire microscopic slides and robot-assisted microscopy. Barriers to additional expansion of these services include underdeveloped infrastructure in remote regions, fragmented electronic medical records, and varying degrees of reimbursement. Teleconsultants also confront special legal and ethical challenges as they work toward building a global network of practicing physicians.
Magneto-transport and the insulator-metal transition in the magnetic semiconductor EuTe

Abstract We have measured the low temperature longitudinal and Hall resistivities in n-type EuTe single crystals through the insulator-metal transition induced by an applied magnetic field. The Hall constant changes near the transition, in contradiction with the scaling theory of localization.
Arbitrage, short sales, and financial innovation

The authors describe a model of general equilibrium with incomplete markets in which firms can innovate by issuing arbitrary, costly securities. When short sales are prohibited, firms behave competitively and equilibrium is efficient. When short sales are allowed, these classical properties may fail. If unlimited short sales are allowed, imperfect competition may persist even when the number of potential innovators is large. If limited short sales are allowed, perfect competition may obtain in the limit, but equilibrium can be inefficient because of the presence of an externality: the private benefits of innovation for firms differ from the social benefits. Copyright 1991 by The Econometric Society.
INTERACTION OF RETINOBLASTOMA PROTEIN AND D CYCLINS DURING CELL-GROWTH INHIBITION BY HEXAMETHYLENEBISACETAMIDE IN TM2H MOUSE EPITHELIAL CELLS

To explore the regulation and function of D-type cyclins in breast cancer cells, the mouse mammary hyperplastic epithelial cell line TM2H was treated with 5 mM hexamethylenebisacetamide (HMBA), a polar differentiation factor. The resulting growth-inhibitory effect of HMBA was completely reversible and was analyzed in terms of percent cells in G1; association of D-type cyclins with cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk) 4 and cdk6; G1 kinase activity; association of retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and phosphorylated pRb with D-type cyclins; and association of p16INK4a, p15INK4b, and p27Kip1 with cdk4 and cdk6. Synchronized TM2H cells were examined at 0, 3, 5, 9, 12, and 24 h after exposure to 5 mM HMBA. Inhibition of DNA synthesis, as measured by thymidine uptake, was first observed at 5 h (40%) and peaked at 24 h (80%). Flow cytometry at 9 h showed treated cells to be in G1 arrest. Western blot analysis showed weakly detectable cyclin D1 but readily detectable cyclin D2 and D3 proteins at 0 h; thereafter, cyclin D2 and D3 protein levels remained higher while cyclin D1 levels declined significantly in treated versus untreated cells. By 5 h (early G1), HMBA had markedly inhibited cdk4 and cdk6 kinase activity (67% and 75%, respectively) in treated versus untreated cells. By 9 and 12 h, pRb levels had increased 3.4-fold in treated versus untreated cells. At 5 h, cyclin D-associated pRb was totally hypophosphorylated in treated cells and hyperphosphorylated in untreated cells. The levels of pRb associated with cyclin D2 and D3 increased 2.89-fold and 4.6-fold, respectively, in treated versus untreated cells. At 5 h, treated cells showed a fivefold increase in cdk4-associated p27Kip1 and, at 9 h, a fourfold increase in cdk6-associated p27Kip1 over control levels. In confirmation of these data, HMBA was found to inhibit the growth of Rb-positive Du/145Rb cells but not their Rb-negative parental Du/145 cells. The data suggest that HMBA-induced growth inhibition is due to multifactorial mechanisms involving decreases in total cyclin D1 and inhibition of cdk4 and cdk6 kinase activities through elevation of levels of cdk4- and cdk6-associated p27Kip1 and concomitant increases in hypophosphorylated pRb and stable cyclin D2/pRb and cyclin D3/pRb complexes that help maintain pRb in a functional state.
A Comparison of Four Imputation Procedures in a Two-Variable Prediction System.

This study compared the effectiveness of four imputation procedures (mean, conditional mean, hot deck, and regression) in a two-variable prediction system. A total of 18,869 participants were included in the sample. Two data matrices containing missing values were created: one with randomly missing data and the other with nonrandomly missing data. Values were missing for only one of the two independent variables. The results of the study provide some support for the following conclusions: (a) the grand mean procedure is not an appropriate procedure for handling missing data; (b) when estimating the regression coefficient of the variable with missing data, the conditional mean procedure should be used; and (c) when the prediction of the dependent variable is of interest, the regression procedure should be used.
Local and regional determinants of stream fish assemblage structure: inferences based on taxonomic vs. functional groups

Aim To examine the roles of local and regional environmental variables and biotic interactions in determining the structure of local stream fish assemblages, and to compare results derived from analyses based on taxonomic and functional groups. Location Texas, USA. Methods Species abundance data were compiled for 157 stream fish assemblages in several river basins across Texas. Species were condensed into functional groups based on trophic and life-history characteristics. Local and regional environmental variables were either measured at each location or determined from scale maps and public-access data bases. The original taxonomic and functional group data sets were analysed using similarity indices, null models of co-occurrence, and direct and indirect ordination techniques. Results derived from taxonomic and functional group data sets are compared. Results Inferences regarding the relative roles of local and larger-scale factors in determining stream fish assemblage structure differ dramatically between analyses of taxonomic and functional groups. Taxonomic analyses suggest a prominent role of regional-scale environmental factors, and local assemblages sorted according to a biogeographic pattern. Functional group analyses suggest almost equal roles of factors representative of local and larger scales, and assemblages were distinguished by a habitat template irrespective of geographic region. Main conclusions The structure of local stream fish assemblages is determined ultimately by factors representing multiple scales, with the relative importance of each depending on the biological unit employed (species or functional groups). We suggest that analyses using functional groups can more directly infer ecological responses to environmental variation, and therefore may provide a more fruitful avenue for developing and testing ecological theory of community organization across biogeographic scales.
Subsequence generators for ergodic group translations

LetT be an ergodic translation on a compact abelian group. For every infinite set of integers {ni} and e >0 there is a setA of measure less than e such that {TniA} generates the σ-algebra of measurable sets.
NK3 receptors in the feline nucleus tractus solitarius are not involved with the muscle pressor response

Isometric muscle contractions cause an increase in mean arterial pressure and heart rate. Previously, we showed that substance P (SP) is released from sites in the feline medial nucleus tractus solitarius (mNTS) in response to isometric muscle contractions, and that it most likely interacted with NK(1) tachykinin receptors at these sites. This study was undertaken to determine whether other tachykinin receptors in this area of the brainstem are involved with the muscle pressor response. Receptor autoradiography, using [(125)I]Bolton-Hunter SP and [(125)I] [MePhe(7)] neurokinin B to label NK(1) and NK(3) receptors, respectively, indicated that NK(3) tachykinin receptors are as abundant as NK(1) and NK(3) receptors, respectively, indicated that NK(3) tachykinin receptors are as abundant as NK(1) receptors in this region of the feline brainstem Injections of the specific NK(3) receptor antagonist, SR 142801 (0.1 to 10 microM) into the mNTS did not modify the pressor response or the heart rate response to isometric muscle contractions. Injection of SR142801 into the NTS prior to the injection of the NK(1) antagonist, GR82334 did not affect the action of GR82334 to attenuate the muscle pressor reflex. We conclude that NK(3) receptors in the NTS are not involved with the regulation of cardiovascular function during activation of the muscle pressor response.
Stability of Elastic, Anelastic, and Disintegrating Structures: A Conspectus of Main Results

The article attempts to review the main results in the vast field of stability of structures. The classical field of elastic stability is covered succinctly. The coverage emphasizes the modern problems of anelastic structures exhibiting plasticity and creep, and especially structures disintegrating due to localized fracture and distributed damage. The treatment encompasses thin or slender structures, i.e. the columns, frames, arches, thin-wall beams, plates, and shells, as well as massive but soft bodies buckling three-dimensionally, and includes the static as well as dynamic concepts of stability, dynamic instability of nonconservative systems, energy methods for discrete and continuous structures, thermodynamics of structures, postcritical behavior, and imperfection sensitivity. The legacy of Ludwig Prandtl, who is commemorated by the present Special Issue, is briefly highlighted. The mathematics is kept to the bare minimum, and the derivations as well as the differential equations are omitted. Main attention is paid to the physical causes, mechanisms, and results. Only the main literature sources to this vast field are cited.
Constructing binary decision trees for predicting Deep Venous Thrombosis

Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) is an intrinsic disease where blood clots form in a deep vein in the body. Since DVT has a high mortality rate, predicting it early is important. Decision trees are simple and practical prediction models but often suffer from excessive complexity and can even be incomprehensible. Here a genetic algorithm is used to construct decision trees of increased accuracy and efficiency compared to those constructed by the conventional ID3 or C4.5 decision tree building algorithms. Experimental results on two DVT datasets are presented and discussed.
Use of the Mystery Motivator for a High School Class

This study examined the effect of one interdependent group contingency intervention, the mystery motivator, as it affected three students identified as exhibiting problem behaviors, as well as the effects on nonidentified students in a ninth-grade high school biology class. An A/B/A/B single-case design was used to evaluate the effects of the intervention. Results indicated a decrease in problem behaviors for the three identified students, as well as a general decrease in problem behaviors for randomly selected, nonreferred students in the class. Implications, limitations, and further directions are discussed.
A highly fluorescent water-soluble boronic acid reporter for saccharide sensing that shows ratiometric UV changes and significant fluorescence changes

Abstract One water-soluble naphthalene-based fluorescent boronic acid, 6-(dimethylamino)-naphthalene-2-boronic acid (6-DMANBA, 1 ), has been synthesized. 6-DMANBA shows significant ratiometric UV absorbance changes upon addition of a sugar. For example, addition of 50 mM fructose shifted the UV absorption wavelengths of 6-DMANBA from 306 and 251 to 280 and 244 nm, respectively. In addition, 6-DMANBA is highly fluorescent with a quantum yield of 89% in the absence of a sugar and shows significant fluorescence intensity changes with the addition of a saccharide in aqueous phosphate buffer at physiological pH. For example, with the addition of 50 mM fructose, 6-DMANBA shows an 80% fluorescent intensity decrease at 432 nm. All these spectroscopic properties make compound 1 unique and useful.
Optimal Allocation of Resources to Maintain, Rehabilitate, and Reconstruct Heterogeneous Bridge Networks

Highway bridges undergo rapid deterioration in both condition and safety under the influence of aggressive environmental factors and increasing traffic loads. Timely and adequate maintenance interventions therefore are crucial to ensure the functionality of bridges in a network. Under budget constraints, it is important to prioritize the maintenance of those bridges most significant to the functionality of the entire network. In this paper, the problem of network-level bridge maintenance planning is formulated as a combinatorial optimization problem. An algorithm is devised to select and allocate maintenance interventions of different types to networked bridges over a specified time under the assumption of annual inspections. The objective function considered was the network probability of failure, expressed by the time-dependent reliability of connectivity between the origin and the destination location, which was maximized while total maintenance costs were constrained under a budget. Various maintenanc...
Deficiency of Double-Strand DNA Break Repair Does Not Impair Mycobacterium tuberculosis Virulence in Multiple Animal Models of Infection

Mycobacterium tuberculosis persistence within its human host requires mechanisms to resist the effector molecules of host immunity, which exert their bactericidal effects through damaging pathogen proteins, membranes, and DNA. Substantial evidence indicates that bacterial pathogens, including M. tuberculosis, require DNA repair systems to repair the DNA damage inflicted by the host during infection, but the role of double-strand DNA break (DSB) repair systems is unclear. Double-strand DNA breaks are the most cytotoxic form of DNA damage and must be repaired for chromosome replication to proceed. M. tuberculosis elaborates three genetically distinct DSB repair systems: homologous recombination (HR), nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ), and single-strand annealing (SSA). NHEJ, which repairs DSBs in quiescent cells, may be particularly relevant to M. tuberculosis latency. However, very little information is available about the phenotype of DSB repair-deficient M. tuberculosis in animal models of infection. Here we tested M. tuberculosis strains lacking NHEJ (a Δku ΔligD strain), HR (a ΔrecA strain), or both (a ΔrecA Δku strain) in C57BL/6J mice, C3HeB/FeJ mice, guinea pigs, and a mouse hollow-fiber model of infection. We found no difference in bacterial load, histopathology, or host mortality between wild-type and DSB repair mutant strains in any model of infection. These results suggest that the animal models tested do not inflict DSBs on the mycobacterial chromosome, that other repair pathways can compensate for the loss of NHEJ and HR, or that DSB repair is not required for M. tuberculosis pathogenesis.
Pseudoaneurysms of the Superficial Temporal Artery: Treatment Options

Objectives: Pseudoaneurysms of the superficial temporal artery present as slowly growing masses of the face or scalp. They may arise as a result of infection or autoimmune disease but most commonly are sequelae of blunt, penetrating, or surgical trauma. We describe their clinical presentation and differential diagnosis and compare several treatment options. Study Design: Observational case series. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the presentations, diagnostic evaluations, and management in three young men who presented with pseudoaneurysms after trauma. A computerized review of the world's literature revealed a variety of methods for the control of head and neck pseudoaneurysms. Results: Surgical resection, ligation without resection, intravascular sclerosis, and coil embolization have all been used to treat these lesions. We treated two lesions by coil embolization and one by surgical resection. Long-term control was achieved in each case. Conclusions: Surgical resection cures pseudoaneurysms in most cases. The frontal and zygomatic branches of the facial nerve are at risk during this procedure. Local sclerosis is effective but may cause distal tissue necrosis. Coil embolization is highly effective and leaves no facial scar but carries small risks of stroke, lower extremity ischemia, and groin pseudoaneurysm.
Molecular orbital analysis of the XPS spectra of PMDA-ODA polymide and its polyamic acid precursor

The calculated carbon 1s (C1s) core energy-level positions of PMDA-ODA polymide and of its polyamic acid precursor are compared with the level positions inferred from XPS measurements. For the polyamic acid, calculation and experiment both yield a difference of approximately 1 eV between the carboxylic acid and the amide carbonyl C1s level positions. The difference in shape between the main C1s XPS peaks of the polyamic acid and polyimide is shown to be related to the difference in C1s core energy-level shifts of the carbon atoms composing the benzene ring adjacent to the amide or imide group. The planar imide or PMDA structure apparently yields larger core level shifts for these atoms. We have previously designated these atoms as “imide carbon atoms” (C-Im) to distinguish them from the aromatic carbon atoms (C-C) of the ODA part of the polymeric repeat unit. Comparison of the carbonyl XPS band intensities with the main peak intensities for the polyamic acid, as well as for the polyimide, suggests that there is a carbonyl deficiency at the surface of both of these materials.
Outcome of infants delivered between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation in women with severe pre-eclampsia.

Objective: To determine whether there are differences in neonatal outcome between infants born to mothers with severe pre-eclampsia and those born to normotensive mothers with preterm labor and intact membranes between 24 and 28 weeks' gestation. Materials and methods: Over a 4-year period between 1991 and 1995, neonates of women with severe pre-eclampsia delivering between 24 and 28 weeks were matched for maternal age, antenatally assigned gestational age and mode of delivery to normotensive women delivering during the same period. Results: Fifty-eight women with severe pre-eclampsia were matched to 58 normotensive controls who delivered as a result of preterm labor. Antenatal steroids were used more often in pre-eclamptic women (75% vs. 47%, p < 0.01). The mean birth weight of pre-eclamptic neonates was significantly lower than that of controls, 767 g vs. 989 g, respectively. Other neonatal complications were similar for both groups. Neonates of pre-eclamptics required longer ventilator support (21 vs. ...
Dynamic transitions from smooth to rough to twinning in dislocation motion

The motion of dislocations in response to stress dictates the mechanical behaviour of materials. However, it is not yet possible to directly observe dislocation motion experimentally at the atomic level. Here, we present the first observations of the long-hypothesized kink-pair mechanism in action using atomistic simulations of dislocation motion in iron. In a striking deviation from the classical picture, dislocation motion at high strain rates becomes rough, resulting in spontaneous self-pinning and production of large quantities of debris. Then, at still higher strain rates, the dislocation stops abruptly and emits a twin plate that immediately takes over as the dominant mode of plastic deformation. These observations challenge the applicability of the Peierls threshold concept to the three-dimensional motion of screw dislocations at high strain rates, and suggest a new interpretation of plastic strength and microstructure of shocked metals.
Aspects of rock permeability

Effective evaluation of rock permeability is required in different energy, engineering and environmental projects. Although much research has been conducted on rock permeability, it is still one of the most difficult tasks for practicing rock engineers to accurately determine rock permeability. Based on a comprehensive literature review, this paper outlines the key aspects of rock permeability by presenting the representative values of the permeability of different rocks, describing the empirical and semi-empirical correlations for estimating the permeability of rocks, and discussing the main factors affecting the permeability of rocks. The factors discussed include stress, depth, temperature, and discontinuity intensity and aperture. This paper also highlights the scale effect on rock permeability, interconnectivity of discontinuities, and anisotropy of rock permeability. This paper provides the fundamental and essential information required for effective evaluation of rock permeability.
Performance analysis of MIMO-SESS with Alamouti scheme over Rayleigh fading channels

Self-encoded spread spectrum (SESS) is a novel modulation technique that acquires its spreading sequence from the random input data stream rather than through the use of the traditional pseudo-noise code generator. It has been incorporated with multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems as a means to combat fading in wireless channels. In this paper, we present the analytical study of the bit-error rate (BER) performance of MIMO-SESS systems under Rayleigh fading. The BER expressions are derived in closed form, and the veracity of the analysis is confirmed by numerical calculations that demonstrate excellent agreement with simulation results. The performance analysis shows that the effects of fading can be effectively mitigated by taking advantage of spatial and temporal diversities. For example, a 2 × 2 MIMO-SESS system can achieve about 7 dB performance improvement at 10-4 BER over a MIMO PN-coded spread spectrum system.
Downregulation of Survivin Is Associated With Reductions in TNF Receptors' mRNA and Protein and Alterations in Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signaling in Urothelial Cancer Cells

Because survivin is selectively expressed in and associated with an unfavorable prognosis in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (TCC), we treated T-24 cells with survivin siRNA. Survivin siRNA treatment caused a profound decrease of survivin protein that was associated with decreased cell growth, a specific G2/M arrest and increased cytochrome c release. Microarray analysis of apoptosis genes showed that levels of 14/114 gene products were decreased after 72 hours treatment with survivin siRNA, including survivin, three TNF receptors, Akt, c-Abl, caspases and their related genes and Bcl-2 and NF-kappaB signaling related genes. TNFR1, pro-caspase-2 and Akt protein levels were decreased after survivin siRNA treatment for 48 and 72 hours. Downregulation of survivin causes changes in mitosis and apoptosis, which may be related to changes in TNF receptors and NF-kappaB signaling.
Enhancement of the Recycling and Activation of β-Adrenergic Receptor by Rab4 GTPase in Cardiac Myocytes

We investigate the role of Rab4, a Ras-like small GTPase coordinating protein transport from the endosome to the plasma membrane, on the recycling and activation of endogenous β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) in HL-1 cardiac myocytes in vitro and transgenic mouse hearts in vivo. β1-AR, the predominant subtype of β-AR in HL-1 cardiac myocytes, was internalized after stimulation with isoproterenol (ISO) and fully recycled at 4 h upon ISO removal. Transient expression of Rab4 markedly facilitated recycling of internalized β-AR to the cell surface and enhanced β-AR signaling as measured by ISO-stimulated cAMP production. Transgenic overexpression of Rab4 in the mouse myocardium significantly increased the number of β-AR in the plasma membrane and augmented cAMP production at the basal level and in response to ISO stimulation. Rab4 overexpression induced concentric cardiac hypertrophy with a moderate increase in ventricle/body weight ratio and posterior wall thickness and a selective up-regulation of the β-myosin heavy chain gene. These data provide the first evidence indicating that Rab4 is a rate-limiting factor for the recycling of endogenous β-AR and augmentation of Rab4-mediated traffic enhances β-AR function in cardiac myocytes.
Family History of Prostate Cancer in Men Being Followed by Active Surveillance Does Not Increase Risk of Being Diagnosed with High-grade Disease

Objective To assess whether men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to fail active surveillance because of recategorization of their tumors on subsequent surveillance biopsies. Methods Men enrolled in an institutional review board–approved active surveillance program were studied, and data on first- and/or second-degree family history of prostate cancer was collected. Analyses were performed to compare the frequency of family history with recategorization (higher grade or volume disease) on surveillance biopsies. Results Men with and without family history were recategorized with higher grade disease at a similar frequency (30.9% vs 32.8%). There was no evidence that men with a family history with higher grade disease had more aggressive pathology at the time of radical prostatectomy than men without a family history. Although those with a family history tended to have a shorter time period to recategorization with more positive cores, the difference was not significant. Conclusion Our results suggest that men with a family history of prostate cancer are not at an increased risk for recategorization on active surveillance. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should not be deterred from considering active surveillance as a treatment option.
Sixteenth-Century Reformed Perspectives on the Minority Church

L'A. envisage les perspectives des Eglises reformees du XVI e siecle sur l'Eglise minoritaire: les proces et les desillusions de Calvin, la congregation ideale de Luther, les communautes chretiennes a Strasbourg, les congregations, le debat qui a lieu a Zurich et qui porte sur l'excommunication (savoir si elle doit etre laissee dans les mains des magistrats), les minorites protestantes en France, Bucer et Calvin face au nicodemisme. En realite, a la fin de sa vie, Calvin retrouve le theme de l'Eglise minoritaire qui etait apparu dans les Institutes en 1536
Excystation of the encysted metacercariae of Echinostoma trivolvis and Echinostoma caproni in a trypsin-bile salts-cysteine medium and morphometric analysis of the excysted larvae

A trypsin-bile salts-cysteine (TBC) medium was used to excyst the encysted metacercariae of Echinostoma caproni and Echinostoma trivolvis, 2 allopatric species of Echinostoma. This medium was used to replace a previously used trypsin-bile salts (TB) medium that was no longer effective because of the unavailability of the original stocks of trypsin. The TBC medium maintained at 41 C allowed for 68.6% excystation of E. caproni at 1 hr and 57.5% excystation of E. trivolvis at 2 hr. The cysteine reductant in the TBC medium was necessary; if it was omitted, excystation was nil. Morphometric analysis was done on the excysted metacercariae following fixation of the larvae in hot, 5% neutral buffered formalin and mounting them on slides in glycerin jelly. Body and organ measurements were made on these larvae. The diameter of the acetabulum of E. caproni was significantly greater than that of E. trivolvis. Likewise, the number and diameter of the excretory concretions found in E. caproni were significantly larger ...
Mathematical Model for Chemical Vapor Infiltration in a Microwave‐Heated Preform

A mathematical model, in which mass fluxes are expressed according to the “dusty gas” model, is proposed to described densification of a ceramic perform by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) Local temperatures previously computed for a perform subjected to microwaves are input to the mass transport model. The model is solved numerically for deposition of SiC from trichloromethylsilane in a porous SiC perform. The computed results clearly demonstrate an advantage in employing, microwaves heating in CVI, Also, greater infilatration is achieved in a perform of greater pore size and at lower temperature. However for successful infiltration, diffusion/chemical-reaction-controlled CVI is shown to impose limits on the preform size.
Raman spectroscopic investigation of spinal cord injury in a rat model.

Raman spectroscopy was used to study temporal molecular changes associated with spinal cord injury (SCI) in a rat model. Raman spectra of saline-perfused, injured, and healthy rat spinal cords were obtained and compared. Two injury models, a lateral hemisection and a moderate contusion were investigated. The net fluorescence and the Raman spectra showed clear differences between the injured and healthy spinal cords. Based on extensive histological and biochemical characterization of SCI available in the literature, these differences were hypothesized to be due to cell death, demyelination, and changes in the extracellular matrix composition, such as increased expression of proteoglycans and hyaluronic acid, at the site of injury where the glial scar forms. Further, analysis of difference spectra indicated the presence of carbonyl containing compounds, hypothesized to be products of lipid peroxidation and acid catalyzed hydrolysis of glycosaminoglycan moieties. These results compared well with in vitro experiments conducted on chondroitin sulfate sugars. Since the glial scar is thought to be a potent biochemical barrier to nerve regeneration, this observation suggests the possibility of using near infrared Raman spectroscopy to study injury progression and explore potential treatments ex vivo, and ultimately monitor potential remedial treatments within the spinal cord in vivo. C 2011 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers
Paul G. Silver (1948-2009)

Max Planck once observed that a pioneering scientist “must have a vivid and intuitive imagination, for new ideas are not generated by deduction, but by an artistically creative imagination.” Intuitive, artistic, creative—these terms aptly describe the life and mind of Paul Silver, who was killed with his 22-year-old daughter, Celine, in a tragic automobile accident on 7 August 2009. ![][1] Paul G. Silver at the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth in Parkfield, California. Paul Gordon Silver was born and raised in Los Angeles, earning his first bachelor's degree from UCLA in psychology during a time when music was in the air. On graduating in 1970, he began a short but lively musical career, playing in rock and jazz bands from San Francisco to Israel. He returned to the University of California system in 1975 to pursue a second calling, geoscience, picking up a B.A. in geology from Berkeley in 1976 and a Ph.D. in geophysics from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography in 1982. Paul's application to Scripps did not indicate a strong background in math and physics, but his aptitude was obvious, and he learned very quickly. After a couple of years of rigorous course work and several research projects in low-frequency seismology that ranged from the study of aspherical Earth structure to quantifying large earthquake sources, he submitted a dissertation that won the Carl Eckart Prize for “the most original and most stimulating” thesis of the year. Paul then accepted a staff position at the Carnegie Institution's Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (DTM), where he remained for the rest of his professional career. Paul pioneered the use of seismic anisotropy to infer the flow field of the mantle. With Winston Chan and later Martha Savage, Cecily Wolfe, Georg Rumpker, and others, he developed the methodology to measure shear-wave splitting from … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Management of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Malignancies

A number of malignancies which have been seen with other immunodeficiency diseases have appeared in patients immunosuppressed by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These include Kaposi’s sarcoma, lymphomas, superficially spreading basal cell carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas. The fact that Kaposi’s sarcoma is the most common of these malignancies and is seen almost exclusively among homosexual men remains an enigma.
Cytochalasin D inhibits nuclear translocation of nonhistone proteins induced by lectin and other agents in lymphocytes.

AbstractCytochalasin D (CD), known to interfere with microfilament activity, inhibits RNA and protein synthesis and the cellular uptake of [3H]actinomycin D in concanavalin A-stimulated lymphocytes. It also inhibits the nuclear translocation of nonhistone proteins (NHP) induced by the lectin. Since NHP mediate RNA and protein synthesis and [3H]actinomycin D binding, inhibited nuclear translocation of NHP can explain the inhibition of the former events. CD also inhibits nuclear translocation of NHP caused by NaF or chloroquine. The mechanism of how CD inhibits nuclear translocation of the NHP is obscure. Since NaF and chloroquine enter cells by diffusion, it would appear that CD acts on an intracellular target, rather than abrogating a cell surface-mediated signal generated by binding of the lectin to a cell surface receptor.
Automated Adversarial Testing of Unmodified Wireless Routing Implementations

Numerous routing protocols have been designed and subjected to model checking and simulations. However, model checking the design or testing the simulator-based prototype of a protocol does not guarantee that the implementation is free of bugs and vulnerabilities. Testing implementations beyond their basic functionality (also known as adversarial testing) can increase protocol robustness. We focus on automated adversarial testing of real-world implementations of wireless routing protocols. In our previous work we created Turret, a platform that uses a network emulator and virtualization to test unmodified binaries of general distributed systems. Based on Turret, we create Turret-W designed specifically for wireless routing protocols. Turret-W includes new functionalities such as differentiating routing messages from data messages to enable evaluation of attacks on the control plane and the data plane separately, support for several additional protocols (e.g., those that use homogeneous/heterogenous packet formats, those that run on geographic forwarding (not just IP), those that operate at the data link layer instead of the network layer), support for several additional attacks (e.g., replay attacks) and for establishment of adversarial side-channels that allow for collusion. Turret-W can test not only general routing attacks, but also wireless specific attacks such as wormhole. Using Turret-W on publicly available implementations of five representative routing protocols, we (re-)discovered 37 attacks and 3 bugs. All these bugs and 5 of the total attacks were not previously reported to the best of our knowledge.
A NEW PROFILE CONTROL AND WATER PLUGGING AGENT

In waterflood development, in order to prevent the high permeability layer and crack from absorbing too much water which could result in the middle and low permeability layer cannot reach the requirement of water flooding; people have taken many kinds of methods to improve the profile of water injection. On the basis of synthetically analyzing recently differ kinds of good water plugging agent at home and abroad, we have synthesized a new type grain profile control and water plugging agent Z-1 by u-sing AM as major raw material, organic and inorganic crosslink-ing agent and other additives. The Z-l has strong plugging capacity to cores and high plugging efficiency. Also, the Z-1 has low costs, good adaptability, which is suitable for inhomoge-neous oil reservoir and affusion well. So Z-1 is a type of excellent water plugging agent.