cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of interferon-gamma-induced major histocompatibility complex class II gene transcription by interferon-beta and type beta 1 transforming growth factor in human astrocytoma cells. Definition of cis-element.

To address mechanisms by which cytokines inhibit interferon-gamma (IFN gamma)-induced gene expression in astrocytic cells, we have been studying effects of type beta 1 transforming growth factor (TGF beta 1) and interferon-beta (IFN beta) on IFN gamma-induced expression of the well-characterized human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II gene DRA. This investigation was motivated by the observations that IFN gamma-induced expression of MHC class II antigen expression on astrocytic cells can be blocked in a tissue-specific fashion by several cytokines and neurotransmitters in tissue culture and that astrocyte expression of MHC class II is severely restricted in vivo. We previously showed that IFN beta inhibited IFN gamma-induced DRA expression at the transcriptional level. This inhibition was not global, since IFN gamma-induction of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 was not affected. Here, TGF beta 1-mediated inhibition of DRA is shown to exhibit similar characteristics. To address the mechanism of this inhibition, sequence requirements for IFN beta and TGF beta 1 to suppress IFN gamma-induced transcription of DRA were determined. A 135-base pair DRA sequence element containing the IFN gamma-responsive region and transcriptional start site was sufficient to direct IFN beta- or TGF beta 1-mediated suppression of a reporter gene. These experiments suggested that either IFN beta or TGF beta 1 could repress IFN gamma-induced DRA transcription directly, without requiring a cis-element extrinsic to the IFN gamma-inducible DRA sequences. Consistently similar effects of IFN beta and TGF beta 1 observed in these experiments prompted comparison of other gene regulatory effects of the two cytokines. TGF beta 1, unlike IFN beta, induced gene expression directed by upstream elements of the gene encoding plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1. IFN beta, unlike TGF beta 1, enhanced levels of 2‘-5‘-oligoadenylate synthetase activity. Additionally, direct assay of TGF beta 1 and monoclonal anti-TGF beta antibody blocking experiments were used to determine that cells treated with IFN beta did not produce increased amounts of active or latent TGF beta. These data argued that IFN beta and TGF beta 1 utilized distinct pathways to mediate the inhibition of IFN gamma-induced DRA transcription.
Repeated Family of Genes Controlling Maltose Fermentation in Saccharomyces carlsbergensis

Maltose fermentation in Saccharomyces spp. requires the presence of any one of five unlinked genes: MAL1, MAL2, MAL3, MAL4, or MAL6. Although the genes are functionally equivalent, their natures and relationships to each other are not known. At least three proteins are necessary for maltose fermentation: maltase, maltose permease, and a regulatory protein. The MAL genes may code for one or more of these proteins. Recently a DNA fragment containing a maltase structural gene has been cloned from a MAL6 strain, CB11, to produce plasmid pMAL9-26. We have conducted genetic and physical analyses of strain CB11. The genetic analysis has demonstrated the presence of two cryptic MAL genes in CB11, MAL1g and MAL3g (linked to MAL1 and to MAL3, respectively), in addition to the MAL6 locus. The physical analysis, which used a subclone of plasmid pMAL9-26 as a probe, detected three HindIII genomic fragments with homology to the probe. Each fragment was shown to be linked to one of the MAL loci genetically demonstrated to be present in CB11. Our results indicate that the cloned maltase structural gene in plasmid pMAL9-26 is linked to MAL6. Since the MAL6 locus has previously been shown to contain a regulatory gene, the MAL6 locus must be a complex locus containing at least two of the factors needed for maltose fermentation: the structural gene for maltase and the maltase regulatory protein. The absence of other fragments which hybridize to the MAL6-derived probe shows that either MAL2 and MAL4 are not related to MAL6, or the DNA corresponding to these genes is absent from the MAL6 strain CB11.
Hypothalamic inflammation: a double-edged sword to nutritional diseases

The hypothalamus is one of the master regulators of various physiological processes, including energy balance and nutrient metabolism. These regulatory functions are mediated by discrete hypothalamic regions that integrate metabolic sensing with neuroendocrine and neural controls of systemic physiology. Neurons and nonneuronal cells in these hypothalamic regions act supportively to execute metabolic regulations. Under conditions of brain and hypothalamic inflammation, which may result from overnutrition-induced intracellular stresses or disease-associated systemic inflammatory factors, extracellular and intracellular environments of hypothalamic cells are disrupted, leading to central metabolic dysregulations and various diseases. Recent research has begun to elucidate the effects of hypothalamic inflammation in causing diverse components of metabolic syndrome leading to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. These new understandings have provocatively expanded previous knowledge on the cachectic roles of brain inflammatory response in diseases, such as infections and cancers. This review describes the molecular and cellular characteristics of hypothalamic inflammation in metabolic syndrome and related diseases as opposed to cachectic diseases, and also discusses concepts and potential applications of inhibiting central/hypothalamic inflammation to treat nutritional diseases.
A credible autocoding application within a rocket and its payload

The cost of software engineering and avionics represents more than half of the budget of a safety-critical system like an aircraft or a UAV. The quantity and the complexity of embedded software in such systems is increasing exponentially. Reducing their cost of development is a major objective in the aeronautics and avionics industry. Research in Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) endeavours to contribute to this objective. The traditionnal approach to certifying software is to design unit tests to match low level requirements, and integration tests to validate high level requirements. Creating and running these tests require large amounts of time and money. With the recent bloom of companies specialized in UAV and small systems design, there is a need for new methods able to generate reliable codes in large projects easily, quickly, and in a cost efficient manner. Formal methods are a collection of techniques for the mathematical analysis of programs and models, which can assist in the certification of software with respect to FAA and EASA certification guidelines.
Extracellular Xylanolytic and Pectinolytic Hydrolase Production by Aspergillus flavus Isolates Contributes to Crop Invasion

Several atoxigenic Aspergillus flavus isolates, including some being used as biocontrol agents, and one toxigenic isolate were surveyed for the ability to produce extracellular xylanolytic and pectinolytic hydrolases. All of the tested isolates displayed good production of endoxylanases when grown on a medium utilizing larch xylan as a sole carbon substrate. Four of the tested isolates produced reasonably high levels of esterase activity, while the atoxigenic biocontrol agent NRRL 21882 isolate esterase level was significantly lower than the others. Atoxigenic A. flavus isolates 19, 22, K49, AF36 (the latter two are biocontrol agents) and toxigenic AF13 produced copious levels of pectinolytic activity when grown on a pectin medium. The pectinolytic activity levels of the atoxigenic A. flavus 17 and NRRL 21882 isolates were significantly lower than the other tested isolates. In addition, A. flavus isolates that displayed high levels of pectinolytic activity in the plate assay produced high levels of endopolygalacturonase (pectinase) P2c, as ascertained by isoelectric focusing electrophoresis. Isolate NRRL 21882 displayed low levels of both pectinase P2c and pectin methyl esterase. A. flavus appears capable of producing these hydrolytic enzymes irrespective of aflatoxin production. This ability of atoxigenic isolates to produce xylanolytic and pectinolytic hydrolases mimics that of toxigenic isolates and, therefore, contributes to the ability of atoxigenic isolates to occupy the same niche as A. flavus toxigenic isolates.
Improving TIF Transparency and Accountability: Towards a Consolidated View of TIF Activities in Michigan

Tax increment financing (TIF) is one of the most popular funding mechanisms for downtown and other local economic development projects across municipalities in the United States. While California pioneered TIF to leverage federal funds for urban renewal projects during the early 1950s, the State’s recent dissolution of redevelopment agencies has wiped out TIF from the toolkit of local public finance. The specter of legal challenges to TIF elsewhere in the country has unsettled the community of economic development practitioners. The Michigan Legislature is currently in the process of developing a series of reform proposals that potentially imply significant statutory changes in structure of TIF, possibly limiting the scope and application of this economic development option in Michigan. The opportunity costs of such modifications to TIF practice are not easily quantifiable for public policy makers or local economic development specialists because statewide data that could help analysts evaluate the extent and effectiveness of these tax capture tools simply does not exist. This paper seeks to contribute to the current policy discussion on TIF reform by proposing the blueprint for a comprehensive, state-level database on the scale, scope and structure of TIF activities in Michigan (Michigan Repository for TIF “MiRTIF”). Categorizing, classifying and standardizing the reporting on all TIF activities in the state, the MiRTIF is intended to provide a consolidated view for making meaningful fiscal comparisons at different levels.
WE‐E‐141‐04: A Novel and Comprehensive Daily QA Tool Using EPID and KV Imagers

Purpose: As treatment delivery is becoming more and more complex, there is a pressing need for robust QA tools to improve efficiency and comprehensiveness. This work aims to present the hardware and software tools developed for comprehensive QA of LINAC using EPID and kV imagers. Methods: Daily QA phantom, that includes a horizontal MV‐phantom for QA MV‐beams and a vertical kV‐phantom for testing kV‐imaging (OBI) system, hangs from the gantry to test both geometric and dosimetric components of the LINAC and the OBI. The MV phantom consists of a solid water block incorporating 11 circular steel plugs for dose measurements at multiple depths and resolution plug for MV‐image quality. The kV‐phantom consists of a Leeds phantom for testing the low contrast and high contrast resolutions of the kV‐imager. On Varian TrueBeam machines the QA is automated to acquire MV and kV‐portals for each modality and software tools were developed for simultaneously analyzing these images. Traditional QA parameters, such as output, flatness, symmetry, TPR20/10, and positional accuracy of the jaws and MLCs, were derived from these measurements. A QA report is automatically generated for physicist review and saved to a database. The QA tools were tested on a TrueBeam machine over two months and further validated on a detuned 6 MV beam by introducing errors in output, symmetry, energy and MLC positions. Results: Machine output constancy, compared against a calibrated ion‐chamber, shown to be within ±0.5% and the beam symmetry deviations of 1% can be detected. As expected, TPR20/10 is less sensitive to energy changes when compared to beam flatness. MLC position errors of 0.5mm can be detected. The field size and phantom positioning accuracy can be determined within 0.5 mm. Conclusion: The EPID and kV imagers based QA tool has proved to be an efficient and thorough method in checking LINAC performance. This work is partially supported by Varian Medical System.
Commentary on John Dupré's Human Nature and the Limits of Science

exhibit a strong preference for blue-handled knives and red-handled forks. They would rather starve than eat with utensils of the wrong color. We'd be rightly puzzled, and eager to find an explanation. 'Well," these women tell us, "bluehandled knives are snazzier, you know. And just look at them: these red-handled forks are, well, just plain beautiful!" This should not satisfy us. Why do they say this? Their answers may make sense to them, and even to us, once we've managed to insert ourselves to some degree into their culture, but that is not the end of it. We want to know why there is a culture with such apparently arbitrary and unmotivated preferences. To us outsiders, the need for an answer stands out, even if the Slobbovians themselves think their answers are self-evident and quite satisfying. Similarly, we may think it is just obvious that laughter (as opposed to, say, scratching one's ear or belching) is the
Neither global nor national: novel assemblages of territory, authority and rights

The central argument developed in this essay is that today we are seeing a proliferation of normative orders where once state normativity ruled and the dominant logic was toward producing a unitary normative framing. One synthesizing image we might use to capture these dynamics is that of a movement from centripetal nation-state articulation to a centrifugal multiplication of specialized assemblages. This multiplication in turn can lead to a sort of simplification of normative structures insofar as: these assemblages are partial and often highly specialized formations centered in particular utilities and purposes. The valence of these particular utilities and purposes can range from the search for justice (the ICC) to narrow self-interest (Lex constructionis). While this is still a minor process in the larger scale of our geopolity, it signals the beginning of a multi-sited, though partial, disruption of its existing formal architecture. This raises questions about the future of crucial frameworks through which modern societies, economies, and polities (under the rule of law) have operated: the social contract of liberal states, social democracy as we have come to understand it, modern citizenship, and the formal mechanisms that render certain claims legitimate and others illegitimate in liberal democracies. These frameworks have held together complex interdependencies between rights and obligations, power and the law, wealth and poverty, allegiance and exit. Keywords: assemblages; normative; globalization; denationalization; centripetal; centrifugal; utilities; logics; liberal state; claims Citation: Ethics & Global Politics 2008. DOI: 10.3402/egp.v1i1.1814
Correction to Variations of Ice Bed Coupling Beneath and Beyond Ice Streams: The Force Balance

[1] In the paper ‘‘Variations of ice bed coupling beneath and beyond ice streams: The force balance’’ by T. Hughes (Journal of Geophysical Research, 114, B01410, doi:10.1029/2008JB005714, 2009), Table 1 and Figure A1 are corrected and the following text corrections. [2] In Figure 3 caption, change 1 8> 0. [3] At the end of paragraph 27, change fI = wF/wI = P*W/ PI to f = wF/wI = P*W/PI. [4] Rebreak first two rows of equations in paragraph 66 as follows:
Integrational deficits in children with visual-perceptual-motor disabilities.

To assess the psycholinguistic and perceptual aspects of their differential performance, 12 normal and 12 learning disabled children in elementary school were tested on a visual-motor task, both with and without an added verbal component. No differences were found for motor performance in any condition, but significant differences were found for linguistic performance during the combined task. The power of linguistic performance during the combined task to serve as a means of diagnosis for learning disabilities was explained as an indication of delayed development of the ability to superimpose process upon process. Language: en
Observed and Simulated Soil Moisture Variability over the Lower Mississippi Delta Region

Abstract To better understand error and spatial variability sources of soil moisture simulated with land surface models, observed and simulated values of soil moisture (using offline simulations with the Noah land surface model with four soil layers and approximately 1-km horizontal grid spacing) were compared. This comparison between observed and modeled daily values of soil moisture was performed over the Lower Mississippi Delta region during summer–fall months 2004–06. The Noah simulations covered the 2.5° × 2.5° latitude–longitude domain and were forced by the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS) atmospheric forcing fields. Hourly soil moisture measurements and other data, including local meteorological and soil physical properties data from 12 Soil Climate Analysis Network (SCAN) sites, were used. The results show that both the observed and simulated level of soil moisture depend critically on the specified–sampled soil texture. Soil types with a relatively high observed clay content ...
Accessible Mutational Trajectories for the Evolution of Pyrimethamine Resistance in the Malaria Parasite Plasmodium vivax

Antifolate antimalarials, such as pyrimethamine, have experienced a dramatic reduction in therapeutic efficacy as resistance has evolved in multiple malaria species. We present evidence from one such species, Plasmodium vivax, which has experienced sustained selection for pyrimethamine resistance at the dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) locus since the 1970s. Using a transgenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae model expressing the P. vivax DHFR enzyme, we assayed growth rate and resistance of all 16 combinations of four DHFR amino acid substitutions. These substitutions were selected based on their known association with drug resistance, both in natural isolates and in laboratory settings, in the related malaria species P. falciparum. We observed a strong correlation between the resistance phenotypes for these 16 P. vivax alleles and previously observed resistance data for P. falciparum, which was surprising since nucleotide diversity levels and common polymorphic variants of DHFR differ between the two species. Similar results were observed when we expressed the P. vivax alleles in a transgenic bacterial system. This suggests common constraints on enzyme evolution in the orthologous DHFR proteins. The interplay of negative trade-offs between the evolution of novel resistance and compromised endogenous function varies at different drug dosages, and so too do the major trajectories for DHFR evolution. In simulations, it is only at very high drug dosages that the most resistant quadruple mutant DHFR allele is favored by selection. This is in agreement with common polymorphic DHFR data in P. vivax, from which this quadruple mutant is missing. We propose that clinical dosages of pyrimethamine may have historically been too low to select for the most resistant allele, or that the fitness cost of the most resistant allele was untenable without a compensatory mutation elsewhere in the genome.
Diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation using a transesophageal echocardiography bubble study.

A 42-year-old woman underwent transthoracic echocardiography with agitated saline contrast injection after an ischaemic stroke; a right-to-left shunt was observed ( Figure A ). Transesophageal echocardiography with agitated saline contrast injection (‘bubble study’) was then performed; bubbles were apparent in the left atrium after four …
Investigation of Time-Dependent Phenomena by Use of Step-Scan FT-IR

The development, during the last decade, of modern step-scan interferometry instrumentation has allowed FT-IR to be applied to the study of time-dependent phenomena in ways not previously possible, because of the problems of uncoupling the spectral multiplexing from the temporal domain in the continuous-scan FT-IR mode. Specifically, the time regime from tens of nanoseconds to tens of milliseconds has been accessible to time-domain measurements to only a very limited degree with continuous-scan instrumentation and not at all for modulation-demodulation (frequency-domain) experiments in this time range. The step-scan technique not only works very well in this time regime and for slower phenomena, but is only prevented from application to faster processes by the signal strength, the speed of available detectors, the intensity of sources, and the speed and sophistication of the electronics. This paper surveys the various types of experiments which are either enhanced by use of step-scan FT-IR methods or are only possible by use of these techniques. The principles of step-scan instrumentation are reviewed, particularly those of retardation control, signal generation, and data acquisition, as well as the place of step-scan FT-IR relative to other techniques of dynamic vibrational spectroscopy. The importance of path difference (phase) modulation, particularly in frequency-domain measurements, the extraction and use of the signal phase, the creation of 2D FT-IR spectra, and the strategies for acquisition of both time- and frequency-domain data in the step-scan mode are discussed and illustrated.
The role of radiation therapy in the management of plasma cell tumors

A retrospective review is reported of 128 patients presenting with multiple myeloma and 16 patients presenting with solitary plasmacytoma. Ninety-one percent of 116 evaluable patients treated for palliation of painful bone disease received some degree of subjective pain relief. The radiation dose most frequently prescribed was between 1500 and 2000 rad. Of the 278 ports treated, only 17 (6.1%) were re-treated to the same area at a later date. There was no increase in incidence of re-treatment with lower radiation doses. Ten of the 13 patients treated for a solitary plasmacytoma with a minumum follow-up period of three years have local tumor control. The median survival in the solitary plasmacytomas is five and one-half years. Data from the literature on 27 additional solitary plasmacytomas combined with our data suggest an improved local control and a decrease in dissemination with doses greater than 5000 rad. It is concluded that low doses of radiation are usually adequate to treat painful bone lesions of multiple myeloma and doses of 5000-6500 rad in six to seven weeks are recommended for solitary plasmacytomas.
Facilitation of ovulation by steroids in immature rats primed with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin.

Abstract Two mg of 20α- or 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, 11β-hydroxy-progesterone and 12α-hydroxyprogesterone3 administered at 10:00 AM at 24 days of age markedly increased the incidence of ovulation in immature rats given a single injection of 12 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMS) two days earlier. However, the same amount of 5α-pregnane-3, 11, 20-trione and 1–2 mg of cortisone given at the same time did not increase the incidence of ovulation over that of the PMS treatment alone.
High temperature magnetic susceptibility studies of sulfonated polyanilines

Abstract A detailed magnetic susceptibility study of sulfonated polyanilines, with sulfur-to-nitrogen (S/N) ratio of 0.5 and 0.75 has been conducted in the temperature range 77– 450 K under different thermal and sample preparation conditions. This larger temperature range provides new insightful results, including the role of magnetic bipolarons and their destabilization with increasing temperature. A simple exchange coupled pairs model is used for analyzing the experimental data.
The Bauschinger effect in precipitation strengthened aluminum alloys

The Bauschinger effect in precipitation strengthened Al-Cu-Mg, Al-Zn-Mg and Al-Cu polycrystals was measured as a function of applied strain. Alloys heat treated to contain easily shearable precipitates,i.e., GPB, GP and θ″ exhibited a small Bauschinger effect, on the order of that in pure aluminum. In contrast, alloys with nonshearable precipitates, S′, η and θ′ showed an anomolously large effect. A unique hysteresis loop shape, with a region of convex curvature between sharp inflection points, was observed in the nonshear-able precipitate alloys. The large Bauschinger effect and unusual hysteresis loop shape are due to internal elastic or back stresses exerted by the strong precipitates on the matrix. A nonlinear elastic hardening model is proposed in which the overall work harden-ing is partitioned into an elastic back stress component and a frictional dislocation forest hardening term. Plastic relaxation around the precipitates and inhomogeneous deformation in the polycrystal reduces the level of the internal stresses below that predicted theoretically by the Brown and Stobbs hardening theory.
The Long-Term Predictive Validity of the Musical Aptitude Profile Relative to Criteria of Grades in Music Theory and Applied Music

In a longitudinal follow-up investigation spanning approximately five years with an initial sample of 135 freshman music majors, the Musical Aptitude Profile (MAP) (Gordon, 1965) revealed some statistically significant validity coefficients for Tonal Imagery subtest scores, Rhythm Imagery subtest scores, and the Composite Score of the MAP relative to course grades in music theory for the first three semesters of coursework and grades in the components of these music theory courses. Whereas the Tonal Imagery subtest was found to be the most valid predictor of success in the three components of each of the first two courses in music theory, it afforded no significant predictive validity for grades in any of the components of the third semester course. The Rhythm Imagery subtest of the MAP, however, continued to be modestly valid in predicting grades in the sight-singing and ear-training components of the third semester of music theory. No statistically significant validity coefficients were obtained for the...
AMITRIPTYLINE (ELAVIL): A SEDATING ANTIDEPRESSANT WITH PRESSOR ACTIVITY FOR PREOPERATIVE MEDICATION.

Amitriptyline (Elavil) was evaluated as a premedicant sedative and its effect upon recovery time following halothane anaesthesia was objectively quantitated in man by means of the Free-Operant Behaviour Technique Amitriptyline exerted a specific degree of sedation without prolonging recovery time following halothane anaesthesia Following the intravenous administration of amitriptyline, the arterial blood pressure either was slightly elevated or was maintained at the resting levels
Can zinc influence nutrient resorption? A test with the drought-deciduous desert shrub Fouquieria splendens (ocotillo)

Paradoxically low nitrogen resorption efficiency in the drought-deciduous desert shrub Fouquieria splendens Engelm (ocotillo) triggered tests of the hypotheses that resorption is often low in this species and that resorption is influenced by zinc. Resorption efficiency and proficiency were measured in 1989 and 1994 at two sites in the Chihuahuan Desert in plants to which zinc, or zinc and nitrogen were added. Resorption of nitrogen, phosphorus, and zinc in unfertilized plants varied temporally and spatially, but was both efficient (66%, 49%, and 40%, respectively) and proficient (0.55%, 0.09%, and 9.4 μg g−1, respectively) as determined by comparison to worldwide resorption patterns in a wide variety of other species. Applications of zinc had no significant effect on the resorption of nitrogen and phosphorus, but did influence the resorption of zinc. Resorption of zinc was significantly less efficient in zinc-treated plants than controls at only one of the two sites in one of the 2 years, yet resorption of zinc was significantly less proficient in zinc-treated plants than controls in both years and at both sites. This pattern of zinc resorption adds insight into the continuing debate regarding the relationship between fertility and resorption because the data used to fuel the debate have almost exclusively described macronutrients, not trace metals. The high variability in resorption among individuals, sites, and years observed for F. splendens may well be an attribute of many desert-dwelling, drought-deciduous plants. When senescence is controlled primarily by water availability rather than photoperiod, especially in a landscape characterized by unpredictable amounts and timing of precipitation, high variability in associated processes such as resorption may be inevitable.
Some novel insights into the pathogenesis of alcoholic steatosis

The pathogenesis of alcoholic steatosis is a complex process that is manifested through several mechanisms involving some of or all the following body metabolism components: increased fat synthesis, increased mobilization of depot fat, defective export of fat from the liver, and decreased fat breakdown. Some of the novel findings in these mechanisms involve the down-regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and up-regulation of lipogenic enzymes through the induction of sterol regulatory element-binding protein. Yet another mechanism that remains viable is the adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase, which, through a complex mechanism, may regulate the relative concentrations of intracellular malonyl coenzyme A and long-chain acyl-coenzyme A, the key metabolites responsible for the balance between fat synthesis versus degradation pathways. Finally, excess dietary intake of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids may exacerbate alcohol-induced onset of hepatic steatosis and alcoholic liver disease. This may explain why supplementation with lecithin containing omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in a recent clinical trial in human beings failed to show any beneficial effects, although it was partially effective in an animal model. In contrast, dietary intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in moderation may have a protective effect against steatosis and alcoholic liver disease.
The Ag/Cu interface stress

Abstract The interface stress in Ag/Cu multilayered thin films of various repeat lengths on Si(100) substrates was determined from the difference between the average bulk stress in the film and the substrate curvature stress. The interface stress measured for repeat lengths between 5.3 and 11.4nm is equal to −3.19±0.43J/m2; it is tensile: elastic expansion of the interface lowers its energy. Its effect on the substrate curvature stress increases linearly with decreasing bilayer repeat length. The average film stress determined from the lattice strains is tensile, and increases by about one order of magnitude with decreasing bilayer repeat length over the range studied. Both the Ag and Cu layers have a [111] texture, which becomes gradually less pronounced as the bilayer repeat length increases from 5.3nm to 12.6nm. The interface stress found in this system has the same sign and a magnitude similar to that found by the same method in earlier work on the Ag/Ni interface.
Short-time memory devices in closed-loop system ¿ Steady-state response

POTENTIAL uses of short-time memory devices in linear, closed-loop systems are shown, and the primary concern is with follower-type systems. In so far as possible the proposed AIEE symbols will be employed.1
Poor prognosis for existing monitors in the intensive care unit.

Objective To identify areas requiring the most urgent improvement in the intensive care unit (ICU); and to accurately determine the positive predictive value of routine critical care patient monitoring alarms, as well as the common causes for false-positive alarms.Design Prospective, observational s
Binding of positively charged particles to glutaraldehyde-fixed human erythrocytes.

Abstract A combined electrokinetic and electronmicroscopic study was made of the negatively charged sites at the surfaces of glutaraldehyde-fixed, human erythrocytes with and without prior incubation with neuraminidase. The spatial distribution and densities of positively charged, colloidal iron hydroxide markers, adsorbed to the negatively charged surface anionic groups, was statistically analysed from electron micrographs. It was observed that the loss of net surface negativity following neuraminidase-treatment, was accompanied by a highly significant, but disproportionate reduction in particle binding. In addition, following enzyme treatment the adsorbed particles showed a departure from the uniform distribution observed in the controls. The findings are speculatively interpreted to indicate that the neuraminidase-susceptible sialic acids at the surface of human erythrocytes are arranged in clusters having a higher than average charge density. The clusters themselves are distributed uniformly over the cell surface. It is suggested that this latter arrangement would partially account for the non-adhesiveness of human erythrocytes under many conditions.
A visual approach for the accurate determination of echocardiographic left ventricular ejection fraction by medical students

Abstract Background Previously published reports show that there is significant intraobserver, interobserver, and interinstitutional variability in the determination of left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) by echocardiography. With the increased deployment of echocardiography (eg, handheld devices), there exists a need for developing a simple, intuitive approach for evaluating LVEF that allows a wider range of physicians to accurately and rapidly determine LVEF. Objective We sought to create a system for assessing LVEF that relies on recognition and matching of patterns, rather than on mathematic calculations and geometric assumptions. Methods A library of videoclips of cardiac function was compiled from 54 patients who spanned the spectrum of LVEF. LVEFs were calculated for these patients using standard echocardiographic methods, with further validation of a subsample using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging measurement of LVEF. The library of images was used to create a software tool for assessing LVEF on the basis of a "template-matching" approach. The software tool was then tested on medical students (N=13) to determine whether it enabled relatively untrained individuals to make accurate LVEF estimates. Results Using a template-matching approach for interpretation of echocardiograms, medical students were able to accurately estimate LVEF after only a limited introduction to echocardiography. Their LVEF estimates showed good correlation and agreement with gold standard ( r = 0.88, standard square of the estimate=6.0, limits of agreement=+12.0%, −15.6%). Conclusions A new visual approach for assessing cardiac function using template matching can accurately estimate LVEF. With minimal training, medical students can make LVEF estimates that correlate well with gold standard. The application of this new approach includes allowing for the interpretation of LVEF from echocardiograms to be performed by a broader spectrum of physicians.
Gas-phase analysis of trimethylamine, propionic and butyric acids, and sulfur compounds using solid-phase microextraction.

Complaints due to odors are an important problem for the wastewater, composting, and animal agriculture industries. Accurate, objective measurement techniques are needed to monitor emissions, to develop new waste handling procedures, and to reduce the production of these volatile gases. Solid-phase microextraction was investigated as a technique for the determination of representative odorous gases. A flow-through Teflon chamber was used to expose the fibers to certified gas standards. A 75-μm carboxen-poly(dimethylsiloxane) (Car-PDMS) coating was used for trimethylamine (TMA), carbon disulfide (CS2), dimethylsulfide (DMS), and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and an 85-μm polyacrylate coating was used for propionic acid (PA) and butyric acid (BA). Using a 1-h fiber exposure time and a flow rate through the chamber of 72 mL/min, method detection limits were 2.38, 0.074, 0.150, 0.063, 1.85, and 1.32 ppbv for TMA, DMS, CS2, DMDS, PA, and BA, respectively. Enhanced detector signal was observed for all analytes und...
University-based entrepreneurship ecosystems: a global study of six educational institutions

This paper examines the development and sustainable growth of university-based entrepreneurship ecosystems. General patterns emerge from the qualitative review of six detailed case studies that have evolved over a minimum of two decades: three located in the USA; and one each in Latin America, Europe and Asia. It is apparent that the development of each ecosystem has occurred via alternative pathways. Although there is remarkable convergence with respect to the elements the six ecosystems have in common, there is significant variability in the strength and importance of the various elements of each of the six ecosystems. The paper highlights seven key success factors that enable each of the six universities in this study to achieve a sustainable and high-impact entrepreneurship ecosystem.
The Use Of A Photographic Detection System For Counting And Classifying Vehicles On Forest Service Roads

Traffic volume studies are important to the United States Forest Service for basically the same reasons they are important to State Highway Departments and other Agencies. We desire to obtain data concerning the movement of vehicles and/ or persons on the transportation system.© (1973) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comments on photoelectron spectroscopy of high-Tc's

The photoemission discussion session during the Argonne conference on Fermiology of High-{Tc}'s provided a forum to air a number of unresolved issues in photoelectron spectroscopy. These are: (a) what is the exact energy dependence of the line width of the quasiparticle peaks: (b) are there any chemical potential shifts with hole doping; (c) why is a superconducting gap not observed in Y-123; and (d) different groups report different results in the band structure of Bi-2212. The first issue, while much discussed, essentially becomes a non-issue in the sense that nearly all theories predict a linear as well as a quadratic energy dependence to the quasiparticle lifetime. Furthermore, the data are not yet good enough to distinguish between linear and quadratic dependence in the important region within 0.1 eV of E{sub F}. Regarding chemical potential shifts, they very definitely are observed with hole doping both in Y-123 and Bi-2212 in spite of the claims by RVB enthusiasts to the contrary. In Y-123 the shifts are as large as 0.75 eV. The non-observation of a gap in Y-123 is puzzling, but may be related to surface reconstruction and an overdoped situation. The important question of whether we have one or two bandsmore » near E{sub F} in Bi-2212 revolves around the surface quality of the samples studied by different groups. It is difficult to compare data taken at room temperature vs. data taken at low temperature when no documentation exists that a reconstruction did not occur. We suspect that the small second band championed by the Sendai group is a surface impurity band.« less
Food restriction delays the age-related increase in GFAP mRNA in rat hypothalamus

Astrogliosis with advancing age is correlated with increased expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Hypothalamic GFAP mRNA prevalence was determined in male F344 rats of different ages that were fed ad lib (AL) and compared with that of rats that were food-restricted (FR) to 60% of AL levels. Hypothalamic GFAP mRNA increased 3-fold at 24 to 25 months in AL rats compared with 3 and 6 month groups. There were no differences in GFAP mRNA levels between AL and FR rats from 3 to 18 months. However, GFAP mRNA was significantly lower in FR than in AL rats at 24 to 25 months; FR rats reached the level of GFAP mRNA in 24 to 25 months AL rats by 33 months. Hypothalamic glutamine synthetase mRNA also increased with age in both dietary groups but did not differ between dietary groups at any age. The observation that FR delays the increased expression of GFAP in the hypothalamus during aging lends support to the hypothesis that upregulation of GFAP mRNA is a biomarker of brain aging.
Ased: availability, security, and debugging support usingtransactional memory

We propose ASeD that uses the hardware resources of transactional memory systems for non transactional memory purpose. We show that the hardware components for register checkpointing, data versioning, and conflict detection can be reused as basic building blocks for reliability, security, and debugging support.
Subcellular-resolution delivery of a cytokine through precisely manipulated nanowires

Precise delivery of molecular doses of biologically active chemicals to a pre-specified single cell among many, or a specific subcellular location, is still a largely unmet challenge hampering our understanding of cell biology. Overcoming this could allow unprecedented levels of cell manipulation and targeted intervention. Here, we show that gold nanowires conjugated with a cytokine such as tumour-necrosis factor-alpha can be transported along any prescribed trajectory or orientation using electrophoretic and dielectrophoretic forces to a specific location with subcellular resolution. The nanowire, 6 microm long and 300 nm in diameter, delivered the cytokine and activated canonical nuclear factor-kappaB signalling in a single cell. Combined computational modelling and experimentation indicated that cell stimulation was highly localized to the nanowire vicinity. This targeted delivery method has profound implications for controlling signalling events on the single cell level.
Physiologic and pathophysiologic roles of lipid mediators in the kidney.

Small lipids such as eicosanoids exert diverse and complex functions. In addition to their role in regulating normal kidney function, these lipids also play important roles in the pathogenesis of kidney diseases. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-derived prostanoids play important role in maintaining renal function, body fluid homeostasis, and blood pressure. Renal cortical COX2-derived prostanoids, particularly (PGI2) and PGE2 play critical roles in maintaining blood pressure and renal function in volume contracted states. Renal medullary COX2-derived prostanoids appear to have antihypertensive effect in individuals challenged with a high salt diet. 5-Lipoxygenase (LO)-derived leukotrienes are involved in inflammatory glomerular injury. LO product 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE) is associated with pathogenesis of hypertension, and may mediate angiotensin II and TGFβ induced mesengial cell abnormality in diabetic nephropathy. P450 hydroxylase-derived 20-HETE is a potent vasoconstrictor and is involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. P450 epoxygenase derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) have vasodilator and natriuretic effect. Blockade of EET formation is associated with salt-sensitive hypertension. Ceramide has also been demonstrated to be an important signaling molecule, which is involved in pathogenesis of acute kidney injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion, and toxic insults. Those pathways should provide fruitful targets for intervention in the pharmacologic treatment of renal disease.
Isolation of the structural gene for alcohol dehydrogenase by genetic complementation in yeast.

Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) catalyses the interconversion of acetaldehyde and ethanol. This reaction is the final step during alcoholic fermentation in yeast and the initial step in the metabolism of ethanol in a wide variety of organisms. The regulation of ADH is now being studied in several organisms, notably yeast1–4, Drosophila5, maize6 and man7,8. These organisms contain multiple ADH isozymes which are differentially expressed. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is particularly suitable for study because of the potential for genetic analysis of enzyme regulation and structure. Yeast possesses three distinct ADH isozymes2. In the presence of glucose ADHI (the ‘classical’ yeast ADH) is expressed whereas ADHII is repressed. A third enzyme, mADH, is associated with mitochondria. Mutants lacking each of these enzymes have been isolated by virtue of their greater tolerance to allyl alcohol1, which is converted by ADH to the toxin, acrolein. There is no evidence as to whether the regulation of any one of these enzymes is under transcriptional control. Availability of recombinant DNA clones containing the respective genes would be of obvious value in resolving this problem. We describe here the use of the newly developed technique of yeast transformation9–11 to isolate recombinant plasmids that contain the structural gene for ADHI (ADC1). These plasmids were selected from a pool of plasmids containing yeast DNA by virtue of their ability to complement the growth defect of yeast strains completely lacking ADH activity. Using DNA sequencing, they have been shown to contain the structural gene for ADHI.
Aeroelastic Stability of Wide Webs and Narrow Ribbons

Uni-axially tensioned wide webs and narrow ribbons commonly used in the paper-handling, textile, sheet-metal, and plastics industries are known to undergo large amplitude vibrations characterized as aeroelastic flutter. The aeroelastic stability of stationary wide webs and narrow ribbons coupled with fluid flow across the free edges of the web or ribbon is investigated in this article. The web or ribbon is modeled as a uni-axially tensioned Kirchhoff plate with vanishingly small bending stiffness. The 3D unsteady fluid flow surrounding the web or ribbon is evaluated numerically by using the vortex-lattice method. Wide webs are mainly found to exhibit the divergence instability. For some values of the applied tension, the clustered web modes exhibit frequency curve veering accompanied by a weak flutter instability before the occurrence of the divergence instability. The applied tension plays a critical role in deciding the type of instability in narrow ribbons. In cross flow, depending on the applied tension, narrow ribbons undergo flutter instability or divergence instability or the simultaneous onset of both instabilities.Copyright © 2007 by ASME