cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Strawberry KNOX Gene Regulates Leaf, Flower and Meristem Architecture

The KNOTTED-LIKE HOMEODOMAIN (KNOX) genes play a central role in maintenance of the shoot apical meristem. They also contribute to the morphology of simple and compound leaves. In this report we characterize the FaKNOX1 gene from strawberry (Fragaria spp.) and demonstrate its function in trasgenic plants. The FaKNOX1 cDNA was isolated from a cultivated strawberry (F.×ananassa) flower EST library. The sequence is most similar to Class I KNOX genes, and was mapped to linkage group VI of the diploid strawberry genome. Unlike most KNOX genes studied, steady-state transcript levels were highest in flowers and fruits. Transcripts were also detected in emerging leaf primordia and the apical dome. Transgenic strawberry plants suppressing or overexpressing FaKNOX1 exhibited conspicuous changes in plant form. The FaKNOX1 RNAi plants presented a dwarfed phenotype with deeply serrated leaflets and exaggerated petiolules. They also exhibited a high level of cellular disorganization of the shoot apical meristem and leaves. Overexpression of FaKNOX1 caused dwarfed stature with wrinkled leaves. These gain- and loss-of-function assays in strawberry functionally demonstrate the contributions of a KNOX domain protein in a rosaceous species.
Hybridomas to specific streptococcal antigen induce tissue pathology in vivo; autoimmune mechanisms for post-streptococcal sequelae.

A gross examination of organs from approximately 100 mice which were producing ascites fluids toward a series of streptococcal reactive monoclonal hybridomas showed, in some animals, what appeared to be autommune-like findings. A pattern of major lung pathology was associated with specific clones. These specific hybridomas led to the development of an experimental autoimmune animal model mimicking a Goodasture's syndrome. Tissue injury was induced in mice, on a dose dependent basis, by the injection of monoclonal antibody generated against streptococcal cell membrane (SCM) antigens. A more severe onset of the pathology, also on a dose dependent bases, was induced by placement of the anti-SCM mAb secreting hybridoma cells into the peritoneal cavity of the host. Severity of observed lesions was dependent upon the number of cells injected (105, 5×105, 106 or 107), as well as the animals' sex. Severe and total hemorrhagic lungs were seen in animals challenged with 1×106 hybridoma cells when sacrificed on the ...
High-level crosstalk defect simulation for system-on-chip interconnects

For system-on-chip (SoC) devices using deep submicron (DSM) technologies, the interconnects are becoming critical determinants for performance and reliability. Buses and long interconnects are susceptible to crosstalk defects and may lead to functional and timing failure. Hence, testing for crosstalk errors on interconnects and buses in a SoC has become critical. To facilitate development of new crosstalk test methodologies and to efficiently evaluate crosstalk defect coverage for existing tests there is a need for efficient crosstalk defect coverage analysis techniques. In this paper, we present an efficient high-level crosstalk defect simulation methodology. By using a novel high-level DSM error model for the interconnects, together with HDL models for the cores, our methodology enables fast crosstalk defect simulation to be conducted at high level. We validate the high-level interconnect DSM error model by comparing its outputs with HSPICE simulation results. The fast and accurate high-level crosstalk defect simulation methodology will enable evaluation and exploration of new crosstalk test techniques, as well as existing tests, leading to the development of a low-cost crosstalk test.
Manipulation of oxygen radical-scavenging capacity in mice alters host sensitivity to tumor necrosis factor toxicity but does not interfere with its antitumor efficacy.

The role of oxygen free radicals in the toxicity and antitumor effect of tumor necrosis factor was investigated in vivo . Treatment of non-tumor-bearing mice and mice bearing methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas with bovine CuZn superoxide dismutase or recombinant human CuZn superoxide dismutase afforded significant protection to these mice from a subsequent challenge with recombinant human tumor necrosis factor (rhTNF). Pretreatment with superoxide dismutase increased survival rates, at 48 h after rhTNF injection, in non-tumor-bearing mice from 22 to 65% and in tumor-bearing mice from 25 to 79%. Protection from rhTNF toxicity was not associated with any reduction in the therapeutic efficacy of rhTNF against methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas in either s.c. or visceral sites ( e.g. , cure rates in mice bearing s.c. tumors which were treated with rhTNF without or with superoxide dismutase pretreatment were 18 and 39%, respectively). Furthermore, the administration of l-buthionine- S,R -sulfoximine, an inhibitor of glutathione synthesis, to mice bearing s.c. tumors resulted in increased rhTNF toxicity but no improvement in therapeutic efficacy. Tumor necrosis factor toxicity is mediated by the release of oxygen free radicals, probably from activated neutrophils, but its antitumor effect in methylcholanthrene-induced sarcomas is not dependent on their generation.
The cultural work of microwork

Crowdsourcing systems do more than get information work done. This paper argues that microwork systems produce the difference between “innovative” laborers and “menial” laborers, ameliorating resulting tensions in new media production cultures in turn. This paper focuses on Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT) as an emblematic case of microwork crowdsourcing. Ethical research on crowdsourcing has focused on questions of worker fairness and microlabor alienation. This paper focuses on the cultural work of AMT’s mediations: divisions of labor and software interfaces. This paper draws from infrastructure studies and feminist science and technology studies to examine Amazon Mechanical Turk labor practice, its methods of worker control, and the kinds of users it produces.
Cancer-related identities in people diagnosed during late adolescence and young adulthood

Objectives. Identity labels with which people diagnosed with cancer identify may haveimportant implications for post-cancer adjustment, yet little is known about theseidentities, and virtually nothing about them in people diagnosed during late adolescenceand young adulthood (LAYA). We examined (1) the extent to which LAYA participantsendorse different identities, (2) relations between identities and subsequent adjustment(positive/negative impact of cancer, quality of life, health behaviours), and (3) coping asmediating identity–adjustment links.Design. Alongitudinalstudyinwhich120participantsatTime1(T1)and84participantsat Time 2 (T2; 1 year later) were assessed.Methods. Participants had been diagnosed between ages 15 and 39. Demographics,cancer-relatedvariables,adjustment,andidentities(victim/patient/someonewhohashadcancer/survivor/conqueror/member of the cancer community) were measured.Results. Late adolescence and young adulthoods with cancer identify with a variety ofterms. At both time points, someone who has had cancer was the most highly endorsedidentity. Survivor and member of the cancer community were also frequently chosen.Generally, T1 survivor, conqueror, and member of the cancer community identitieswere positively correlated with T2 adjustment, whereas victim and patient identitieswere negatively correlated with T2 adjustment. Both T1 member of the cancercommunity identity and T2 emotional expression coping independently and positivelypredicted T2 positive self-evaluation even when T1 positive self-evaluation wascontrolled.Conclusions. Formingempoweringidentities(e.g.,survivor)andemphasizingcommu-nity identity (member of the cancer community) appear helpful to post-canceradjustment. Future studies need to examine cancer-related identities and mechanismsexplaining identity–adjustment links in this understudied group.
THE TIME OF ANTHROPOLOGY: Notes from a Field of Contemporary Experience

This essay concerns experience of time in anthropology. It triangulates between theoretical discussions of time, embodiments of temporal experience in a handful of classic and contemporary anthropological works, and the temporal texture of ethnographic fieldwork, reading, and writing. Thinking with philosophers such as Nietzsche, Bergson, and Deleuze, as well as with my disciplinary and field interlocutors and the circumstances of our encounter, I argue that time may be taken as inventive for anthropology insofar as it is untimely, contemporary, present, and virtual in its quality. These four dimensions of time are described as generative insofar as they suffuse anthropological experience with the feeling of being out of joint with the here and now. I argue that the pursuit of newness in contemporary anthropology depends less on the objects of our investigation and more on the temporal and affective relations we nurture with them. Through the use of experimental form, and an alternation between argumentative and expressive language, I seek both to outline and to evoke the importance of time in our encounters with the experiential texture of other worlds.
Entropic characterization of distributive mixing in polymer processing equipment

Mixing is an integral component of most polymer processing operations as material properties are highly influenced by the quality of mixing. The degree of distributive mixing (system homogeneity) is assessed by calculating the evolution of Renyi relative entropies for the minor component along a continuous processing equipment. The Renyi entropy involves a β parameter, which represents weighting given to the concentration of the minor component in small, localized regions. Different aspects of mixing can thus be analyzed, from the amount of void spaces to the concentration of the region where mixing is the worst in terms of the minor component. This method provides a unified, rigorous and flexible way of characterizing distributive mixing. Specifically, distributive mixing is analyzed in a numerical simulation of a twin-flight single screw extruder by using particle tracking as a method of describing the mixing process dynamics. Renyi entropies are used to examine three different processing conditions in a twin-flight, single screw extruder. By changing the throttle ratio, the optimal extruder length varied. The relationship between the optimal length and average residence time was good.
The Effects of Laser Smoke on the Lungs of Rats

The sequelae of long-term inhalation of carbon dioxide laser smoke on 10 white rats were studied in a three-phase experiment. The fine particulate matter resulting from tissue vaporization was deposited in the animals' alveoli, which produced congestive interstitial pneumonia, bronchiolitis, and emphysema. The pathologic findings induced by laser plume are not dissimilar to those resulting from the long-term inhalation of other types of particulate matter. Use of an efficient smoke evacuator should offer substantial protection against these normal effects.
A fluorescent lipid analogue can be used to monitor secretory activity and for isolation of mammalian secretion mutants.

Abstract The use of reporter proteins to study the regulation of secretion has often been complicated by posttranslational processing events that influence the secretion of certain proteins, but are not part of the cellular mechanisms that specifically regulate secretion. This has been a particular limitation for the isolation of mammalian secretion mutants, which has typically been a slow process. To provide a reporter of secretory activity independent of protein processing events, cells were labeled with the fluorescent lipid analogue C5-DMB-ceramide (ceramide coupled to the fluorophore boron dipyrromethene difluoride) and its secretion was followed by fluorescence microscopy and fluorescence-activated cell sorting. Brefeldin A, which severely inhibits secretion in Chinese hamster ovary cells, blocked secretion of C5-DMB-ceramide. At high temperature, export of C5-DMB-ceramide was inhibited in HRP-1 cells, which have a conditional defect in secretion. Using C5-DMB-ceramide as a reporter of secretory activity, several different pulse-chase protocols were designed that selected mutant Chinese hamster ovary cells that were resistant to the drug brefeldin A and others that were defective in the transport of glycoproteins to the cell surface. Mutant cells of either type were identified in a mutagenized population at a frequency of 10(-6). Thus, the fluorescent lipid C5-DMB-ceramide can be used as a specific marker of secretory activity, providing an efficient, general approach for isolating mammalian cells with defects in the secretory pathway.
Phylogenetic relationships and heterogeneous evolutionary processes among phrynosomatine sand lizards (Squamata, Iguanidae) revisited.

Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences were conducted to evaluate four alternative hypotheses of phrynosomatine sand lizard relationships. Sequences comprising 2871 aligned base pair positions representing the regions spanning ND1–COI and cyt b-tRNA Thr of the mitochondrial genome from all recognized sand lizard species were analyzed using unpartitioned parsimony and likelihood methods, likelihood methods with assumed partitions, Bayesian methods with assumed partitions, and Bayesian mixture models. The topology (Uma ,( Callisaurus ,( Cophosaurus, Holbrookia))) and thus monophyly of the ‘‘earless” taxa, Cophosaurus and Holbrookia, is supported by all analyses. Previously proposed topologies in which Uma and Callisaurus are sister taxa and those in which Holbrookia is the sister group to all other sand lizard taxa are rejected using both parsimony and likelihood-based significance tests with the combined, unparitioned data set. Bayesian hypothesis tests also reject those topologies using six assumed partitioning strategies, and the two partitioning strategies presumably associated with the most powerful tests also reject a third previously proposed topology, in which Callisaurus and Cophosaurus are sister taxa. For both maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods with assumed partitions, those partitions defined by codon position and tRNA stem and nonstems explained the data better than other strategies examined. Bayes factor estimates comparing results of assumed partitions versus mixture models suggest that mixture models perform better than assumed partitions when the latter were not based on functional characteristics of the data, such as codon position and tRNA stem and nonstems. However, assumed partitions performed better than mixture models when functional differences were incorporated. We reiterate the importance of accounting for heterogeneous evolutionary processes in the analysis of complex data sets and emphasize the importance of implementing mixed model likelihood methods. 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Facilitating exploration alliances in multiple dimensions: the influences of firm technological knowledge breadth

Whereas prior studies suggest that strategic alliances offer powerful tools for firms to explore business opportunities and alliances may explore in technology and organization dimensions, firms tend to compensate for exploration in one dimension by engaging in exploitation in the other dimension. The question of how firms can explore at a higher level in multiple dimensions of alliances remains unanswered. This study proposes that a firm's broad technological knowledge base may help facilitate exploration alliances in multiple dimensions. Data from the biopharmaceutical industry reveal that not only does a broad technological knowledge base support exploration in the technology and organization dimensions individually, but it also relaxes the firm's resource constraints; thus, the firm is less likely to compensate for exploration in one dimension with exploitation in the other. Instead, it can explore at a higher level in both dimensions simultaneously. This insight is particularly important in light of the increasing research interest in the fundamental enablers of and barriers to exploring new technological opportunities.
Initiating a program in nanotechnology through a structured curriculum

The field of nanotechnology is currently undergoing an exciting period of discoveries. Focusing on the intersection of areas such as physics, biology, engineering, chemistry, computer science and more, nonotechnology, is rapidly expanding. Many researchers in academia and industries have expressed need for an academic program where students from diverse fields of sciences and engineering (molecular computing, quantum physics, chemistry, mechanical, electrical, computer etc.) can come together to learn and discuss the latest advances, with the overall objective of encouraging further development. This will need preparing engineering students with an ability to apply knowledge of science, mathematics, and engineering to develop nanodevices and nanosystems. The challenge is to provide an interdisciplinary education to students through a well-structured curriculum covering broad aspects of basic sciences and engineering.
Switching speed enhancement in insulated gate transistors by electron irradiation

High-speed switching in insulated gate transistors (IGT's) has been achieved by using electron irradiation. This technique allows excellent control over the switching speed with the ability to reduce the gate turn-off time from over 20 µs to under 200 ns. This increase in speed is accompanied by an increase in the forward voltage drop during current conduction. This necessitates performing a trade-off between switching and conduction losses. Despite the increase in the forward drop, the IGT's exhibit superior characteristics in comparison with power MOSFET's and bipolar transistors up to switching frequencies of 100 kHz.
Maintenance of the Corpus Luteum of Early Pregnancy in the Ewe. I. Luteotropic Properties of Embryonic Homogenates

Experiments were carried out to examine the Iuteotropic properties of embryonic homogenates in ewes. Homogenates prepared from embryos collected 14-15 days postcoitum were infused into the uterine lumen of cycling ewes (n = 4) from Days 12 through 18 postestrus. Four control ewes received isotonic saline only. Embryonic homogenate, infused at a rate of 3 embryonic equivalents/24 h, prolonged the lifespan of corpora lutea through Day 18 postestrus. Mean serum progesterone levels on Days 16, 17 and 18 were 2.2 ± 0.5 ng/ml (±SEM), 2.0 ± 0.4 ng/ml and 1.6 ± 0.4 ng/ml in the treatment group and 0.33 ± 0.29 ng/ml 0.04 ± 0.01 ng/ml and 0.06 ± 0.01 ng/mI in the control group. Luteal weights on Day 18 were 626 ± 22 mg in the treatment group and 194 ± 46 mg in the control group. To determine if the luteotropic property of embryonic homogenate was due to the presence of Ll-I or prolactin-like molecules, we examined embryonic protein in sensitive radioreceptor assays for these hormones. However, 100 pg of embryonic protein had no activity in either the LH-hCG or prolactin radioreceptor assay. In a second study, 100 pg of embryonic protein had no effect on synthesis of progesterone or cAMP in dispersed ovine luteal cells, either alone or in combination with LH and/or prolactin. Synthesis of both progesterone and cAMP could be stimulated in these cells by NIH-LH-S19. The data indicate that homogenates of 14-15-day-old embryos are capable of prolonging luteal function when infused into the uterine lumen, but the effect does not appear to be exerted via an LH or prolactin-like molecule.
Requirements for LTP induction by pairing in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells

The induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 region requires both presynaptic activity and large postsynaptic depolarization. A standard protocol for inducing LTP using whol...
Quantization effects in filtering of stationary Gaussian processes

The performance lost to data quantization is considered in the context of minimum-mean-square error (MMSE) filtering of stationary Gaussian processes. It is seen that, for data uniformly partitioned into intervals of length ?, the optimum MMSE estimator produces an increase in mean-square error of ?2/12 ?k=0 ? hk 2 + O(?4) over that of the optimum estimator based on the original data, where {hk}k=0 ? is the impulse response of the estimator based on the original data (which, of course, is linear). It is also seen that the same increase in MSE (to second order in ?) is caused by applying the Linear estimation filter {hk}k=0 ? directly to uniformly quantized data. Thus, for small ?, the performance gained by using an optimum post-quantization estimator rather than by simply using the unquantized filter on this quantized data is negligible. Also, the second-order term in the expression for the increased MSE due to quantization is the same as the increased MSE that would be produced in the optimum filter {hk}k=0 ? if an additional orthogonal i.i.d. sequence with zero mean and variance ?2/12 were added to the unquantized data. This behavior supports the use in this application of the common approximation used else where that errors due to uniform quantization are white with variance ?2/12 and are orthogonal to the sequence quantized.
The effect of nonlinear ionospheric conductivity enhancement on magnetospheric substorms

Abstract. We introduce the effect of enhanced ionospheric conductivity into a low-order, physics-based nonlinear model of the nightside magnetosphere called WINDMI. The model uses solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) parameters from the ACE satellite located at the L1 point to predict substorm growth, onset, expansion and recovery measured by the AL index roughly 50–60 min in advance. The dynamics introduced by the conductivity enhancement into the model behavior is described, and illustrated through using synthetically constructed solar wind parameters as input. We use the new model to analyze two well-documented isolated substorms: one that occurred on 31 July 1997 from Aksnes et al. (2002), and another on 13 April 2000 from Huang et al. (2004). These two substorms have a common feature in that the solar wind driver sharply decreases in the early part of the recovery phase, and that neither of them are triggered by northward turning of the IMF Bz. By controlling the model parameters such that the onset time of the substorm is closely adhered to, the westward auroral electrojet peaks during substorm expansion are qualitatively reproduced. Furthermore, the electrojet recovers more slowly with enhanced conductivity playing a role, which explains the data more accurately.
Temporal Patterns of the Small Fishes in the Littoral Zone of Grayrocks Reservoir, Wyoming

ABSTRACT The abundance and sizes of small fishes in littoral areas of Grayrocks Reservoir, Wyoming, were assessed from June through August 1990. Of the 14 species collected; 11 were found in numbers sufficient to assess temporal trends. Six species co-occurred during June; all species, except fathead minnow, occupied the littoral areas during July; eight species co-occurred at the end of August.
Comparative value of thallium and glucose SPECT imaging in childhood brain tumors

Thallium-201 chloride (201Tl) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) detects a high percentage of histologically and anatomically diverse pediatric brain tumors. Thallium-201 chloride SPECT and F-18 fluoro-deoxy-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) are the most commonly used radionuclide techniques in neuro-oncology. Having developed a methodology to image 18F-FDG with SPECT, the authors performed SPECT scans coupled with magnetic resonance imaging to assess the comparative sensitivity of 201Tl and 18F-FDG in 19 children with brain tumors. Tumors were detected using 201Tl SPECT in 14 of 19 patients. Five of five postoperative residual tumors were detected by 201Tl SPECT, and six of seven after irradiation recurrences were detected. F-18 fluoro-deoxy-glucose SPECT detected tumors in only three of 19 patients, all of whom had abnormal 201Tl studies (all three after therapy recurrences). Thallium-201 chloride SPECT could be interpreted in 18 of 19 patients without magnetic resonance imaging confirmation, but none of the 19 18F-FDG SPECT studies could be interpreted without magnetic resonance imaging. Thallium-201 chloride SPECT is more sensitive than 18F-FDG SPECT in the detection of primary or recurrent childhood brain tumors. The failure of 18F-FDG SPECT in follow-up after therapy is primarily a problem of limited fluoro-deoxy-glucose uptake, not spatial resolution. Thallium-201 chloride SPECT is a promising imaging modality in neuro-oncology.
Does a Clinical Trial Warrant an Economic Analysis

In all areas of medicine, clinicians feel under assault from multiple directions on how to reduce or limit health care costs. In the rush to control costs, the term ‘‘cost-effective’’ is commonly used by a wide spectrum of hospital administrators, pharmacists, private sector and government officials, and clinicians. As Doubilet et al. (1) first noted over a decade ago, the term ‘‘cost-effectiveness’’ is commonly misused, and often the user makes implicit assumptions about patient benefit without acknowledging that cost-effectiveness reflects a ratio of financial costs per unit of benefit. There has also been a marked growth in the number of economic evaluations of individual medications; many of these evaluations are sponsored by the pharmaceutical manufacturer. Such analyses fill a need of all interested parties but have the potential for biases in their conduct and reporting. This has been a long-standing concern of the field’s investigators who have responded by preparing guidelines for what should be included in such reports (2‐4).These principles have been applied in critiquing our own published work and are an integral part of our efforts as members of the Cancer and Leukemia Group B and the National Cancer Institute‐American Society of Clinical Oncology to integrate prospective economic analysis into clinical trials (5‐7). In this issue of the Journal, Rubino et al. (8) from France report a retrospective, cost-minimization economic analysis addressing the role of a hematopoietic growth factor in support of chemotherapy for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in children. Of the three types of economic analyses, they report a costminimization assessment that is relatively easy to do and to interpret, since no trade-offs are required in the interpretation of results. That is, the strategy is based on the premise that the lowest costs should be universally preferred; in a costeffectiveness or a cost-utility analysis, the acceptable ‘‘threshold’’ varies with one’s perspective. We suggest that the reader first consider if there was a compelling case for doing an economic analysis, then scrutinize the technical performance and completeness of the assessment, and finally interpret the results and their transportability to one’s own care setting. Treatment of childhood non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma has been
Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of (Z)-9-(heteroarylmethylene)-7-azatricyclo[4.3.1.03,7]decanes: Thiophene analogues as potent norepinephrine transporter inhibitors

Abstract To further explore the structure–activity relationships (SARs) of certain tropanes, and to gain insights into the structural features required for high activity and selectivity at norepinephrine transporters (NET), we have introduced both five- and six-membered heteroaromatic moieties such as substituted pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidyl, thiazolyl, and mono- or disubstituted thienyl groups into conformationally constrained, tricyclic tropane analogues. A number of ( Z )-9-(heteroarylmethylene)-7-azatricyclo[4.3.1.0 3,7 ]decanes were synthesized, and their abilities to block dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine reuptake by their respective transporters were evaluated. It was found that the five- or six-membered N -containing aromatics are too basic to display high NET activity, while some of the thiophene analogues were identified as potent and selective NET inhibitors.
Detection of protease activity using a fluorescence-enhancement globular substrate

Bovine serum albumin (BSA) highly derivatized with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC, isomer I) served as a fluorescent enhancement substrate to measure protease activity. In the native globular BSA...
Zero-Phonon Gamma-Ray Transition in Ni 60

Using a Compton-suppression spectrometer with a central Ge(Li) detector, we have observed a 346.95-ke V gamma-ray transition between the ${4}_{1}^{+}$ and ${2}_{2}^{+}$ states in $^{60}\mathrm{Ni}$. According to the simple vibration model, this so-called zero-phonon transition is strictly forbidden. A lower limit of 0.174 is placed on the ratio of the observed to the single-particle rates.
Interleukin-1β activates an Src family kinase to stimulate the plasma membrane Ca2+ pump in hippocampal neurons

The plasma membrane Ca(2+) ATPase (PMCA) plays a major role in clearing Ca(2+) from the neuronal cytoplasm. The cytoplasmic Ca(2+) clearance rate affects neuronal excitability, synaptic plasticity, and neurotransmission. Here, we examined the modulation of PMCA activity by PTKs in hippocampal neurons. PMCA-mediated Ca(2+) clearance slowed in the presence of pyrazolopyrimidine 2, an inhibitor of Src family kinases (SFKs), and accelerated in the presence of C2-ceramide, an activator of PTKs. Ca(2+) clearance kinetics were attenuated in cells expressing a dominant-negative Src mutant, suggesting that the pump is tonically stimulated by a PTK. Tonic stimulation was reduced in hippocampal neurons expressing short hairpin (sh)RNA directed to mRNA for Yes. shRNA-mediated knockdown of PMCA isoform 1 (PMCA1) removed tonic stimulation of Ca(2+) clearance, indicating that the kinase stimulates PMCA1. IL-1β accelerated Ca(2+) clearance in a manner blocked by an IL-1β receptor antagonist or by an inhibitor of neutral sphingomyelinase, the enzyme that produces ceramide. Thus IL-1β activates an SFK to stimulate the plasma membrane Ca(2+) pump, decreasing the duration of Ca(2+) transients in hippocampal neurons.
Pressure and Temperature Effect on Heavy Oil Sands Properties

Our work in this paper demonstrates that at high porosity, the sand grains are suspended in heavy oil; and at low porosity, heavy oil may work as cement in oil sands. Besides, the pressure effect on sand properties is simulated with theoretical models. In the end, we used Gassmann equation to calculate the heavy oil sand velocities change with temperature. We compared the simulation results under different situation, and analyzed the results.
A Simple Method for Determination of Ethyl Alcohol in Blood

SummaryA method is presented for the determination of EtOH in blood. We have applied this method to the estimation of alcohol in the bloods of various animals and the bloods of men in different stages of intoxication. This procedure, we believe, should prove useful in many problems involving alcoholic intoxication.
Temporal neuromuscular alterations of the quadriceps after unilateral anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

TEMPORAL NEUROMUSCULAR ALTERATIONS OF THE QUADRICEPS AFTER UNILATERAL ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION Objective: The primary aim of this research was to examine the temporal pattern of neuromuscular quadriceps deficits in both the involved and uninvolved limbs of patients assigned to the control group after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLr), by assessing quadriceps strength, voluntary activation, and corticomotor excitability prior to surgery (baseline), three months after ACLr, and six months after ACLr. A secondary aim of this research was to determine whether quadriceps strength, voluntary activation, and/or corticomotor excitability assessed in patients prior to ACLr and/or at three months after surgery, is predictive of lower extremity postural control and/or self-reported function at six months after ACLr. Lastly, a tertiary aim of this research was to determine if a 12week home-based neuromuscular electrical stimulation (Home-NMES) program elicits greater bilateral improvements in quadriceps strength, voluntary activation, and corticomotor excitability of patients at three and six months after ACLr compared to a 12-week standard home-exercise program (control group). Participants: Fifty patients scheduled to undergo unilateral ACLr were randomly allocated to the home-NMES group (19 Female, 6 Male; age: 18.9 ± 5.4 years; height: 170.8 ± 9.7 cm; weight: 74.6 ± 18.5 kg; 28.0±20.0 days-post-injury) or control group (14 Female, 11 Male; age: 19.4 ± 4.5 years; height: 171.1 ± 11.5 cm; weight: 70.7 ± 11.9 kg). Methods: A randomized clinical trial design was used in this study. Prior to ACLr, isometric quadriceps strength and voluntary quadriceps activation were assessed in both limbs of patients, and corticomotor excitability was assessed in the involved limb. Three days after ACLr, both groups were instructed to begin their allocated interventions. The Home-NMES group administered NMES to their involved limb’s quadriceps three sessions a day for 15 minutes, and five days a week for 12 weeks using a portable NMES device. The control group was treated according to the current standard-of-care, but they were also instructed to perform volitional isometric quadriceps contractions for the same duration and frequency as the Home-Based NMES protocol. The outcomes measures were reassessed in both groups at three and six months post-ACLr. Main Outcome Measures: Quadriceps strength and voluntary activation were assessed using maximal voluntary isometric contractions and the superimposed burst technique, respectively. Normalized
Changes in synthesis of types-I and -III collagen during matrix-induced endochondral bone differentiation in rat

The changes in rates of hydroxyproline formation and biosynthesis of types-I and -III collagen during bone matrix-induced sequential differentiation of cartilage, bone and bone marrow in rat were investigated. Biosynthesis of types-I and -III collagen at different stages of this sequence was studied by labelling in vivo and in vitro with [2,3-3H]proline. Pepsin-solubilized collagens were separated by sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide-slab-gel electrophoresis. The results revealed that maximal amounts of type-III collagen were synthesized on day 3 during mesenchymal-cell proliferation. Thereafter, there was a gradual decline in type-III collagen synthesis. On days 9--20 during bone formation predominantly type-I collagen was synthesized. Similar results were obtained by the use of labelling techniques both in vivo and in vitro.
Group Access Control using WebID

As the Web changes, so too must the ways people and other agents interact with it, assert their identities, and authenticate the identities of potential collaborators. WebID solves the challenge of remembering user names and passwords, but a full realization of it will require the ability to manage groups of agents and control their access to resources on the Web. This paper explores the challenges of doing just that as well as proposes a solution to the problem of delegating access to groups on the Web.
Trust adaptation leads to lower control effort in shared control of crane automation

We present a shared-control framework predicated on a measure of trust in the operator, that is calculated automatically based on the quality of the interactions between a human and autonomous system. This measure of trust is built upon a control-theoretic foundation that rewards stable operation of the system to give more trusted users additional control authority. The level of control authority is used to modify the human input, and as a result, we observe a minimization of the required effort of the controller. We validate this work within a planar crane environment with a receding horizon controller to assist with the regulation of the system dynamics. The human defines the reference trajectory for the controller. In an experimental study users navigate a suspended payload through a set of maze configurations. We find that adaptation of the trust metric over time provides the benefit of substantially ( $p <; 0.01$) improving the automated system's ability to modulate the user's input, resulting in stable reference trajectories that require less effort to track. In effect, the human and automation spend less time fighting each other during task execution, suggesting that the automated system and user each have a better understanding of the other's ability.
Visual Prostheses—The Past and the Future

We have entered a new era for visual prostheses brought about by the clinical application of this medical technology. Following the success of cochlear implants we are now starting to see patients fitted with retinal prostheses. Here I discuss the history of visual prosthesis development, the obstacles that have been faced along the path to its clinical use, some of the barriers that remain before its full promise can be fulfilled and ongoing research, which seeks to break down these barriers. The development of a complex medical device like a visual prosthesis can be considered a case study for the development of invasive medical devices, particularly those that interface with the nervous system. So the lessons learned in developing such devices should have value for those interested in developing other complex medical technologies. Vision is the sense that is most valued by humans and it occupies a substantial fraction of our brains. It is little surprising therefore that restoration of vision for those who have lost this sense is particularly valued.
Patient Safety Events in Hospitalization of Individuals with Epilepsy (P1.106)

Objective: To 1) describe patient adverse events for hospitalized individuals with epilepsy, using the AHRQ Patient Safety Indicators (PSIs), 2) examine the association of a diagnosis of comorbid epilepsy on individual risk of PSI 3) examine the impact of PSI on length of stay (LOS), mortality and disposition. Background: Individuals with epilepsy are hospitalized more often than the general population. Avoidable safety events (such as post-operative fall with hip fracture) may signify lower hospital quality, or indicate personnel inexperience with certain disease populations, and therefore may respond to intervention. Methods: We used the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2000-2010 to calculate the performance of NIS hospitals on medical and post-operative PSIs in patients with epilepsy. We calculated overall/epilepsy PSI rates, adjusting for age, sex and comorbid illnesses. Logistic regression models compared the odds of having any/each PSI between epilepsy and the general population. We examined the impact of PSI on LOS, death and discharge disposition. Results: Patients with Epilepsy were at a significant risk for six PSI’s including death among surgical inpatients with serious treatable conditions (PSI 4), postoperative fall with hip fracture (PSI 8), and postoperative respiratory failure (PSI 11) among others. The presence of any PSI was associated with a prolonged length of stay. Patients with epilepsy who experience a PSI were also at greater odds of higher level post-acute care and had a four times a greater odd of death than the general population. Conclusions: Patients with epilepsy are at increased risk of experiencing PSIs during hospitalizations. There are specific PSIs that affect patients with epilepsy due to the nature of their neurological condition and the pharmacological treatments used for the management of the disease. We hope that this information will help institutions to assess safety performance measures for patients with epilepsy. Disclosure: Dr. Mendizabal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Thibault has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wright Willis has nothing to disclose.
A novel polyamine blockade therapy activates an anti-tumor immune response.

// Eric T. Alexander 1 , Allyson Minton 1 , Molly C. Peters 1 , Otto Phanstiel IV 2 and Susan K. Gilmour 1 1 Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA 19096, USA 2 University of Central Florida, Biomolecular Research Annex, Orlando, FL 32826-3227, USA Correspondence to: Susan K. Gilmour, email: gilmours@mlhs.org Keywords: polyamines, difluoromethylornithine, transport inhibitor, immunomodulation, tumor microenvironment Received: June 03, 2017 Accepted: July 23, 2017 Published: August 24, 2017 ABSTRACT Most tumors maintain elevated levels of polyamines to support their growth and survival. This study explores the anti-tumor effect of polyamine starvation via both inhibiting polyamine biosynthesis and blocking the upregulated import of polyamines into the tumor. We demonstrate that polyamine blockade therapy (PBT) co-treatment with both DFMO and a novel polyamine transport inhibitor, Trimer PTI, significantly inhibits tumor growth more than treatment with DFMO or the Trimer PTI alone. The anti-tumor effect of PBT was lost in mice where CD4 + and CD8 + T cells were antibody depleted, implying that PBT stimulates an anti-tumor immune effect that is T-cell dependent. The PBT anti-tumor effect was accompanied by an increase in granzyme B + , IFN-γ + CD8 + T-cells and a decrease in immunosuppressive tumor infiltrating cells including Gr-1 + CD11b + myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), CD4 + CD25 + Tregs, and CD206 + F4/80 + M2 macrophages. Stimulation with tumor-specific peptides elicited elevated antigen-specific IFN-γ secretion in splenocytes from PBT-treated mice, indicating that PBT treatment stimulates the activation of T-cells in a tumor-specific manner. These data show that combined treatment with both DFMO and the Trimer PTI not only deprives polyamine-addicted tumor cells of polyamines, but also relieves polyamine-mediated immunosuppression in the tumor microenvironment, thus allowing the activation of tumoricidal T-cells.
Modular, Scalable Synthesis of Group A Streptogramin Antibiotics

Streptogramin antibiotics are used clinically to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections, but their poor physicochemical properties and narrow spectra of activity have limited their utility. New methods to chemically modify streptogramins would enable structural optimization to overcome these limitations as well as to combat growing resistance to the class. Here we report a modular, scalable synthesis of group A streptogramin antibiotics that proceeds in 6–8 linear steps from simple chemical building blocks. We have applied our route to the synthesis of four natural products in this class including two that have never before been accessed by fully synthetic routes. We anticipate that this work will lead to the discovery of new streptogramin antibiotics that overcome previous limitations of the class.
The Moving Missions of Community Colleges: An Examination of Degree-Granting Profiles Over Time:

Objective: Despite extensive debate about the curricular mission of community colleges, prior research has not sufficiently analyzed differences in the kinds of degrees (i.e., the field of study an...
Ordinary Differential and Difference Equations

At the heart of many problems in mathematics, physics, and engineering lies the ordinary differential equation or its numerical equivalent, the ordinary finite difference equation. Ordinary differential equations arise not only in countless direct applications, but also occur indirectly, as reductions of partial differential equations (by way of separation of variables or by transform techniques for example; cf. Chaps. 9, 11). Likewise, the probably less familiar difference equations are of inherent interest (in probability, statistics, economics, etc.) but also appear as recurrence relations in connection with differential equations or as numerical approximations to differential equations.
Exploring Reader-Generated Language to Describe Multicultural Literature

How do readers describe multicultural fiction works? While in library and information science (LIS) we have the language of appeal factorsand genre trendsto describe works of fiction, these linguistic choices may not be used by readers to describe their own responses and reactions to works that provide cultural affirmation of one’s own culture or exposure to learning different cultures. In this research, text mining processes are employed to harvest reader-generated book reviews and subsequently analyze the words readers use to describe award-winning multicultural fiction on the retailer site Amazon.com. Our goal with this study is to provide LIS professionals an insight into readers’ perspectives related to multicultural fiction. We describe our methodology of engaging in topic modeling as described by Jockers and Mimno (2013) as applied to multicultural fiction reviews. First, we explore the construction and processing of a corpus of reader reviews of multicultural fiction titles, then we model topics using a topic modeling toolkit to generate topics from these reviews. Through this analysis, we determine consistent terms used to describe multicultural fiction that can be used to indicate common reader experience and identify topics. Closing discussion reflects on whether librarians can use text mining of reader reviews to enhance their reader advisory services for readers seeking books that represent multiple and/or diverse cultures.
Chronic synaptic insulin resistance after traumatic brain injury abolishes insulin protection from amyloid beta and tau oligomer-induced synaptic dysfunction.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), although the mechanisms contributing to this increased risk are unknown. Insulin resistance is an additional risk factor for AD whereby decreased insulin signaling increases synaptic sensitivity to amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau. Considering this, we used rats that underwent a lateral fluid percussion injury at acute and chronic time-points to investigate whether decreased insulin responsiveness in TBI animals is playing a role in synaptic vulnerability to AD pathology. We detected acute and chronic decreases in insulin responsiveness in isolated hippocampal synaptosomes after TBI. In addition to assessing both Aβ and tau binding on synaptosomes, we performed electrophysiology to assess the dysfunctional impact of Aβ and tau oligomers as well as the protective effect of insulin. While we saw no difference in binding or degree of LTP inhibition by either Aβ or tau oligomers between sham and TBI animals, we found that insulin treatment was able to block oligomer-induced LTP inhibition in sham but not in TBI animals. Since insulin treatment has been discussed as a therapy for AD, this gives valuable insight into therapeutic implications of treating AD patients based on one’s history of associated risk factors.
In-situ measurement of SiC/Si interfacial tensile strength of reaction bonded SiC/Si composite

Abstract Reaction bonded SiC/Si (RBSC) ceramic composites have been extensively used in applications calling for outstanding mechanical and thermal properties such as high energy laser (HEL) mirrors, advanced armors and semiconductor fabrication platforms. The phase components of RBSC generally include preexisting α-SiC, reaction formed β-SiC, and residual crystalline silicon (c-Si). In addition, however, a minor phase, amorphous Si (a-Si), is often observed near the SiC/Si interface due to local temperature and structural fluctuations that can occur during the composite fabrication. An in-situ tensile testing system composed of piezo stages, force sensor and specimen holders is integrated and accommodated inside a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) for the nanoscale tensile testing. Tensile specimens containing the SiC/Si interface are successfully prepared by focused ion beam (FIB). The interfacial tensile strength is directly measured for the first time and it reaches as high as 7.1 GPa. The a-Si phase on the fracture surfaces is confirmed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).