cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lysosomal composition in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells: electron probe analysis.

Abstract Spherical electron-dense organelles in the perinuclear region of cultured guinea pig aortic smooth muscle cells were identified as lysosomes by their ability to accumulate acridine orange and by cytochemical demonstration of their acid phosphatase content. The number and size of lysosomes increased in subcultured cells. The elemental composition of the lysosomes was quantitated by electron probe analysis of whole freeze-dried cells and of cryosections. In lysosomes at this stage in their development, the sulfur concentration was higher than that in the cytoplasm and the K/Na concentration ratio was similar to that in the cytoplasm.
Implicit and explicit alcohol-related motivations among college binge drinkers

Positive alcohol outcome expectancies and behavioral economic indices of alcohol consumption are related to binge drinking among college students and may reflect explicit and implicit motivations that are differentially associated with this behavior. The present study hypothesized that implicit (alcohol purchase task) and explicit (positive expectancy for alcohol’s effects) motivations for drinking would not be correlated. It was also hypothesized that greater implicit and explicit motivations would predict alcohol-related risk. Participants were 297 college student binge drinkers (54% female; 88% European-American; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test: M = 9.53, SD = 5.04). Three indices from the alcohol purchase task (APT) were modeled as a latent implicit alcohol-related motivations variable. Explicit alcohol-related motivations were measured using a global positive expectancy subscale from the Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol Questionnaire. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test total, Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index total, and age of drinking onset were modeled as a latent alcohol-related risk variable. Structural equation modeling was used to examine associations amongst implicit motivations, explicit motivations, and alcohol-related risk. Implicit and explicit motivations were not correlated. Partially consistent with the second hypothesis, greater implicit motivations were associated with greater alcohol-related risk. Relations between explicit motivations and alcohol-related risk were marginally significant. Implicit and explicit drinking motivations are differentially associated with problem drinking behaviors. Future research should examine the underlying neurobiological mechanisms associated with these factors.
Relative RF coil performance in carotid imaging.

Abstract Purpose Computer simulations and measurements on human volunteers were used to test the extent to which the quality of carotid imaging might be improved by coil arrays that are not limited by a constraint on the number of RF coil receiver ports. Methods Analytic near-field equations for the magnetic and electric fields of a rectangular loop resonator were used to estimate the relative signal-to-noise ratio (rSNR) along the length of a simulated carotid artery as a function of loop size, loop position and vessel depth. The sizes, positions and number of elements in a linear coil array that resulted in the maximum composite SNR along the length of a simulated carotid artery were then estimated. The linear array results were used to predict the total number of elements needed for optimal imaging of the carotid arteries. Also, three normal volunteers were imaged with a variety of RF coils, and the rSNR measurements along the lengths of the carotid artery were evaluated for each coil combination. Results The analytic simulation and the human volunteer measurements both show that improved SNR (e.g., >300% at the bifurcation) can be obtained with coils tailored to each specific region of the carotid artery in comparison to that obtained with four-element arrays designed and used to image the entire carotid artery. Conclusions The resulting number of coil ports, 16 to 24, required for full coverage of the carotid arteries is consistent with the number of channels just becoming available on recently developed clinical scanners.
Modeling the Effects of Temperature and Loading Rate on Fatigue Property of Asphalt Binder

Fatigue cracking is one of three major distresses for asphalt pavement. Asphalt binder is a very important component of asphaltic mixture. The fatigue performance of asphalt binder also greatly affects that of asphaltic mixture. Asphalt binder’s fatigue characteristics are affected by external conditions, such as temperature and loading rate. It is warranted to study the effects of these external conditions on fatigue of asphalt binder and take them into account. New fatigue tests and properties have been proposed to characterize the fatigue behavior of asphalt binders, such as monotonic constant shear-rate tests. This study investigated the effects of temperature and shear rate on fatigue properties of asphalt binder. Two asphalt binders were tested with a range of temperature and shear rates. It was found that time-temperature superposition principle also applies to critical strain energy density and shear strength of asphalt binders. The values of shift factors for building the master curves of critical strain energy and shear strength are comparable.
Resilient High-Performance Processors with Spare RIBs

Resilience to defects and parametric variations is of the utmost concern for future technology generations. Traditional redundancy to repair defects, however, can incur performance penalties owing to multiplexing. This article presents a processor design that incorporates bit-sliced redundancy along the data path. This approach makes it possible to tolerate defects without hurting performance, because the same bit offset is left unused throughout the execution core. In addition, the authors use this approach to enhance performance by avoiding excessively slow critical paths created by random delay variations. Adding a single bit slice, for instance, can reduce the delay overhead of random process variations by 10 percent while providing fault tolerance for 15 percent of the execution core.
Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for the detection of neural tube and ventral wall defects in a high-risk population

Abstract Objective: To test the hypothesis that with experienced operators, sonography alone is sensitive and specific for diagnosing open neural tube and ventral wall defects in a population at risk for these disorders. Methods: Consecutive women at risk for a fetus with an open neural tube defect because of elevated maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) or family history were evaluated prospectively using prenatal sonography. Amniocentesis was not done routinely but was done for specific indications, such as limited visualization by sonography, markedly elevated MSAFP, or other risk factors for fetal chromosomal disorders. Complete postnatal outcome information was obtained, and the diagnostic accuracy of sonography was compared with that of amniocentesis plus sonography. Results: Sonography alone was 97% (66 of 68) (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.898, 0.996) sensitive and 100% ( n = 2189) (CI 0.998, 1.0) specific in diagnosing open neural tube defect, and was 100% sensitive ( n = 17) (CI 0.805, 1.0) and specific ( n = 2240) (CI 0.998, 1.0) in diagnosing ventral wall defect. In two cases of neural tube defect, there were other suspicious findings on sonography, and amniocentesis was performed for confirmation. Conclusion: When used by experienced operators, prenatal sonography is sensitive and specific for the diagnoses of neural tube and ventral wall defects in a targeted at-risk population.
Relationship of composition of nonaqueous binary solvent systems and dielectric constant.

Five nonaqueous binary solvent systems are described. Each system is composed of a polar and a nonpolar component, both of which are inert and do not exhibit leveling effects. The dielectric constant of each system is related to the composition of the polar component expressed as mole fraction, percent weight by weight and volume by volume. Consequently, it is possible to prepare a solvent mixture with a specific dielectric constant within the range of values of dielectric constant provided by the system. The formulas relating dielectric constant to the particular expression of the composition of the polar component are reported.
Polymerase chain reaction used to detect candidemia in patients with candiduria

Abstract Objectives. Candiduria has been shown to be an early marker of disseminated fungal infection in critically ill patients who have undergone surgery. The management of candidemia and disseminated candidiasis depends on rapid and definitive identification of Candida . Routine or fungus-specific blood cultures are unreliable and require a large quantity of blood for incubation. We describe the importance of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedure in the early detection of candidemia in critically ill patients who develop candiduria and the favorable outcome in treating these patients with systemic antifungal therapy. Methods. We compared the results of cultures and PCR to detect the presence of C. albicans in the blood of two critically ill patients with clinical candidiasis and candiduria. Results. PCR detected the presence of C. albicans deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in urine and blood specimens of both patients in spite of negative blood cultures and did not detect fungal DNA after systemic antifungal therapy. Conclusions. Candiduria manifests as an early sign of candidemia, and systemic antifungal therapy timed appropriately based on the clinical condition and onset of candiduria will improve outcome. Detection of fungal DNA in blood by PCR is of value in establishing the diagnosis. Additional studies with a larger sample size are required to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of PCR as a routine diagnostic test for candidemia.
Anti-inflammatory effects of levalbuterol-induced 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity in airway epithelial cells.

Airway epithelial NF-kB activation is observed in asthmatic subjects and is a cause of airway inflammation in mouse models of allergic asthma. Combination therapy with inhaled short-acting b2-agonists and corticosteroids significantly improves lung function and reduces inflammation in asthmatic subjects. Corticosteroids operate through a number of mechanisms to potently inhibit NF-kB activity. Since b-agonists can induce expression of 11b-HSD1, which converts inactive 11-keto corticosteroids into active 11-hydroxy corticosteroids, thereby potentiating the effects of endogenous glucocorticoids, we examined whether this mechanism is involved in the inhibition of NF-kB activation induced by the b-agonist albuterol in airway epithelial cells. Treatment of transformed murine Club cells (MTCC) with (R)-albuterol (levalbuterol), but not with (S)- or a mixture of (R+S)- (racemic) albuterol, augmented mRNA expression of 11b-HSD1. MTCC were stably transfected with luciferase (luc) reporter constructs under transcriptional regulation by NF-kB (NF-kB/luc) or glucocorticoid response element (GRE/luc) consensus motifs. Stimulation of NF-kB/luc MTCC with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) induced luciferase activity, which was inhibited by pretreatment with (R)-, but not (S)- or racemic albuterol. Furthermore, pretreatment of GRE/luc MTCC with (R)-albuterol augmented 11-keto corticosteroid (cortisone) induced luciferase activity, which was diminished by the 11β-HSD inhibitor glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA). LPS- and TNFα-induced NF-kB/luc activity was diminished in MTCC cells treated with a combination of cortisone and (R)-albuterol, an effect that was inhibited by 18β-GA. Finally, pretreatment of MTCC cells with the combination of cortisone and (R)-albuterol diminished LPS- and TNFα-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These results demonstrate that levalbuterol augments conversion of inactive 11-keto corticosteroids into the active 11-hydroxy form.
Control-variate estimation using estimated control means

This article studies control-variate estimation where the control mean itself is estimated. Control-variate estimation in simulation experiments can significantly increase sampling efficiency and has traditionally been restricted to cases where the control has a known mean. In a previous paper the current authors generalized the idea of control variate estimation to the case where the control mean is only approximated. The result is a biased but possibly useful estimator. For that case, a mean square error optimal estimator was provided and its properties were discussed. This article generalizes classical control variate estimation to the case of Control Variates using Estimated Means (CVEMs). CVEMs replace the control mean with an estimated value for the control mean obtained from a prior simulation experiment. Although the resulting control-variate estimator is unbiased, it does introduce additional sampling error and so its properties are not the same as those of the standard control-variate estimator....
Energy levels of singly ionized cesium (CsII)

The system of observed energy levels of CsII of Wheatley and Sawyer has been reinterpreted through the use of Hartree-Fock calculations and published Zeeman effect and hyperfine-structure measurements. Of the 80 known levels, 30 have been rejected as being not real. A revised list of 54 observed levels of CsII is presented that includes the $5{p}^{5}5d^{1}P_{1}$ level recently found by Reader and Epstein and three levels of the $5{p}^{5}6d$ configuration that were located with the aid of Sommer's line list. Percentage compositions and Slater parameters are given for the $5{p}^{5}(5d+6s)$, $6p$, and ($6d+7s$) configurations, Severe configuration mixing is found for levels of the $5{p}^{5}(5d+6s)$ group. The measured $g$ values of the $5{p}^{5}(5d+6s)$ levels provide evidence of a strong term dependence for the parameter ${G}^{1}(5p5d)$. By taking into account displacements of the $5{p}^{5}\mathrm{ns}$ levels due to configuration interaction, the ionization energy is revised to be 186 600 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 150 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ (23.14 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.02 eV).
Synthesis of substituted azaoxindoles for the preparation of aza‐tenidap analogs

The preparation of a set of eight azaoxindoles bearing substituents on the aromatic nucleus is outlined. These compounds were required for the preparation of aza-analogs of the anti-inflammatory oxindole tenidap. Two methods of synthesis were used, the first involving the addition of malonate to 2-chloro-3-nitropyridine derivatives followed by nitro group reduction and one-pot cyclization/hydrolysis/decarboxylation. The second method, utilizing the vicarious nucleophilic substitution (VNS) reaction of nitropyridine derivatives (followed by nitro group reduction and one-pot cyclization/hydrolysis), constitutes a novel route to azaoxindoles.
Liver biopsy findings in chronic hepatitis B

Liver biopsy plays a central role in treatment algorithms in patients with hepatitis B and remains the gold standard for evaluating hepatic pathology. The pathology of hepatitis B is diverse and reflects the natural history of infection. An acute hepatitic pattern with lobular disarray is seen in acute infection, during acute flares of disease, and with acute hepatitis D superinfection. In chronic hepatitis B, inflammation is less pronounced in the immune-tolerant phase and is prominent during immune-mediated viral clearance. Active inflammation appears to be the driving force for development of fibrosis. Inflammatory grades and fibrosis stage are assigned as is done for hepatitis C. Although current management guidelines recommend liver biopsies only in select patients based on age, viral levels, and hepatitis B e antigen status, these clinical and biochemical parameters do not show consistent correlations with liver histology. Liver biopsy also helps identify preneoplastic lesions including large cell and small cell change. Unlike in other causes of chronic hepatitis, immunostains are widely used and can help determine the phase of infection. Liver biopsies can also identify additional pathology that may contribute to liver disease such as steatohepatitis, iron overload, autoimmune hepatitis, and drug-induced injury. Thus, liver biopsy can play an important role in staging and grading chronic hepatitis B and should be more widely used in assessing the need for therapy.
Developing a CD-ROM Case Simulation Library for School Leaders

SUMMARY More and more school leaders around the world are becoming enthusiastic about the potential of creatively applying technology in order to enhance the quality of teaching and learning in elementary and secondary schools. This article therefore reports on the activities of one funded school‐university collaborative project in the United States that has been involved in developing and using CD‐ROM multimedia resources to transform the career‐long, professional supervision and learning opportunities of school leaders (principals, teachers, curriculum specialists, resource personnel, school board and other school community leaders) ‐‐ and, in so doing, improve the overall quality of teaching and learning in twenty‐first century schools for both educators and students.
Some suggested improvements to current statistical methods of analyzing contraceptive efficacy.

4 statistical methods for analyzing the efficacy of contraceptives are presented. The methods explained include: 1) the Tietze-Potter method 2) the Chiang method 3) the exponential method and 4) the log-rank method. Assumptions for each method are presented and notation standardized so that the methods may be uniformly compared. Under the assumption of each method estimation of probabilities were determined. Comparison of 2 IUDs relative to the use-related risks were made. The log-rank method which has the same assumptions as the other methods but is based on 1-day intervals gives the best estimate of the true probabilities. Life-table methods are essentially in agreement with results using the log-rank method. It is recommended that net rather than crude probabilities be used in computing efficacy. Confidence intervals should be avoided. Tests of hypothesis should be performed using the log-rank chi-square test statistic.
Syme amputation: results in patients with severe forefoot ischemia

Abstract Since 1980, 35 patients (age range 40–77 years) with severe forefoot ischemia have undergone a unilateral Syme amputation. Thirty-one patients (89%) were diabetic. The indication for amputation was either extensive forefoot gangrene or ulceration too advanced for a digital or transmetatarsal amputation. Twenty-two amputations (63%) were immediately preceded by either percutaneous tranluminal angioplasty (four) or a bypass procedure to the popliteal artery (five) or an infrapopliteal artery (13). Primary healing occurred in 19 (86%) of 22 amputations immediately preceded by revascularization and in 10 (77%) of 13 limbs undergoing amputation alone. Twenty-eight (97%) of the 29 patients with successful primary healing were successfully rehabilitated. Rehabilitation rendered 13 patients fully ambulatory, 15 ambulatory with intermittent use of a walker or cane and one unable to walk. At follow-up of four months to 13 years (mean 42 months), the cumulative ambulatory rate at 1, 3, and 5 years was 92,80 and 80%, respectively. Syme amputation allows a return to a functional ambulatory status in a high percentage of patients with severe forefoot ischemia. These findings suggest that Syme amputation is an acceptable option in dysvascular patients with severe forefoot ischemia
Silicon in magnetite: High resolution microanalysis of magnetite-ilmenite intergrowths

Magnetite-ilmenite “oxidation-exsolution” intergrowths from an original titanomagnetite microphenocryst from an ash flow tuff unit have been studied using conventional transmission electron microscopy and analytical electron microscopy. Silicon has been found to be in solid solution in all of the magnetite studied and in some of the coexisting ilmenite. The average value in magnetite is 1.2 wt.% Si, equivalent to solid solution of 9 mole % Fe2SiO4. Silicon is also present in very small silicate inclusions and as unusual Si-rich domains of uncertain origin in magnetite. The inclusions and domains may be irregularly distributed through the magnetite in sizes well below those resolvable with the electron microprobe. Microprobe analyses for Si in magnetite generally reflect these heterogeneities in addition to a component presumably in solid solution. The petrologic implications of the data can be assessed only when relevant thermochemical data become available and the distribution of Si in magnetite is better understood.
Polymorphisms in the androgen receptor and type II 5α-reductase genes and prostate cancer prognosis

BACKGROUND Cytosine-adenine-guanine repeat length of the androgen receptor gene and the A49T and V89L polymorphisms of the 5α-reductase (SRD5A2) gene have been associated with prostate cancer. METHODS We investigated the relationship of the three genetic polymorphisms to tumor grade among 211 men who had undergone radical prostatectomy. Subjects had prostate cancer <3 cm3 with a percentage of cancer represented by Gleason grade 4 or 5 (% Gleason grade 4/5) of either ≥20% or ≤5%. We also examined the association between those genetic markers and prostate specific antigen (PSA) failure among 112 subjects with ≥20% Gleason grade 4/5. RESULTS In cross-sectional analysis, none of the polymorphisms was a significant predictor of % Gleason grade 4/5. In longitudinal analysis, the LL genotype at the V89L site was associated with statistically significant four- to sixfold increase in PSA failure risk after adjustment for clinicopathologic variables. CONCLUSIONS We observed poorer prognosis among men with the LL genotype at codon 89 of the SRD5A2 gene. Lack of consistency between studies must be resolved before clinical utility of this marker is established. Prostate 52: 269–278, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Alteration in the tissue retention of [14C]-caffeine in pregnant mice by dimethylsulfoxide

This study was undertaken to investigate if dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-induced potentiation of maternal toxicity and teratogenicity of caffeine (CA) is mediated by DMSO-induced alteration of CA levels in maternal and fetal tissues. Pregnant CD 1 mice were given single dose of [14C]-caffeine intraperitoneally (i.p.) on gestational day 12, in distilled water (DW) or 20% (v/v) solution of DMSO in DW. At 6, 12, and 24 hr following dosing, radioactivity in various maternal and fetal tissues was compared. Significantly (p ⩽ 0.05) higher CA-derived radioactivity was seen in maternal brain, carcass and heart as well as placenta and fetal heads and bodies 6 hr after dosing with CA in DMSO compared to CA in DW. A concomittant reduction in urinary excretion of CA-derived radioactivity in DMSO group or compared to CA in DW was observed at this time. At 12 hr following dosing, significantly (P ⩽ 0.05) higher CA-derived radioactivity was noted in maternal heart, brain, and carcass; placenta; and fetal bodies in mice receiving CA in DMSO compared to those receiving CA in DW. These results suggest that increased accumulation of CA in certain maternal and fetal tissues could contribute to the observed increase in maternal and fetal toxicity of CA by DMSO. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Extreme Ultraviolet Imager Observations of the Structure and Dynamics of the Plasmasphere

The IMAGE Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUV) provides our first global images of the plasmasphere by imaging the distribution of He+ in its 30.4-nm resonance line. The images reveal the details of a highly structured and dynamic entity. Comparing EUV images and selected in-situ observations has helped to validate the remote sensing measurements. The brightness in the EUV images is heavily weighted by the He+ density near the plane of the magnetic equator, but two lines of evidence emphasize that the features seen by EUV extend far from the equator, and in at least some cases reach the ionosphere. Certain features and behaviors, including shoulders, channels, notches, and plasma erosion events, appear frequently in the EUV images. These are keys to understanding the ways that electric fields in the inner magnetosphere affect the large and meso-scale distribution of plasma, and their study can elucidate the mechanisms by which the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field couple to the inner magnetosphere.
Structured algorithm to extend the numeric range of n-bit Binary Number

Mainly, digital computer devices and digital signal processing technologies are dealing with binary number, a base-2 numbering system that consists of two states, zero and one. Computers store data and information using electronic switches in a cell of memory. The maximum capacity of data and information depends on the maximum number of bit that could be placed in the memory cell. Value types are the fundamental data types of programming language and the common types needed by most applications. In hierarchy, value types are further subdivided into structured types that are consisting of numeric types. A common numeric type that is used in programming is Integral data type or Integer. All integral values represent whole numbers, values without decimal notation or fraction, and ranging from negative to positive figures. The capacity of storage allocated to int values is either 32-bit or 64-bit, depending on the implementation of Objective-C on the platform or the CPU on which the compiler is running. For a 32-bit implementation, the maximum range of unsigned int values are 0 to 4294967295, and the maximum range of signed int values are −2,147,483,648 to +2,147,483,647. This paper conducts theoretical and practical research to attempt an advanced data processing. The author analyses and learns the data representations of computer hardware, then derives a fundamental concept for building a structured algorithm to enlarge the numeric range of n-bit binary number. The concept of the algorithm is built structurally, proved mathematically, and demonstrated briefly using 16-bit microcontroller simulation software and visual C# programming. The outcome of this research paper is expected to bring benefits in digital area of technology and meet the requirements of related computer applications.
An efficient wavefront curvature correction algorithm for turntable spotlight ISAR systems using stepped frequency waveforms

Wavefront curvature phenomena have a noticeably negative impact on the final formed image, removing the distortion and defocusing effects become an important step in a turntable ISAR imaging system. This paper outlines an efficient wavefront curvature correction algorithm that corrects the distortion effects by implementing a set of 1-D operations in spatial frequency before the final image is formed. By implementing the algorithm in spatial frequency space, several advantages over post-image formation wavefront curvature correction techniques can be realized. The first advantage is that this algorithm can be broken down into a set of 1-D operations that can be applied across each row or column of the 2-D spatial frequency data grid, while post-image formation techniques can require a 2-D spatially varying filter, or a pixel-by-pixel remapping, to "unwarp" and focus the image. The second advantage of this algorithm stems from the fact that the number of data samples in the spatial frequency domain is often much smaller than the number of samples in the final image, because relatively large discrete Fourier transforms (DFTs) are used in image formation to create finely-detailed imagery. Performing the correction in the frequency domain thus requires operation on fewer samples than does correcting the warping in the more densely-sampled image domain.
Amorphous calcium phosphate composites with improved mechanical properties.

Hybridized zirconium amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP)-filled methacrylate composites make good calcium and phosphate releasing materials for anti-demineralizing/remineralizing applications with low mechanical demands. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of the particle size of the filler on the mechanical properties of these composites. Photo-curable resins were formulated from ethoxylated bisphenol A dimethacrylate, triethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and methacryloxyethyl phthalate. Camphorquinone and ethyl 4-N, Ndimethylaminobenzoate were utilized as components of the photoinitiator system. After 2h of mechanical milling in isopropanol, an approximate 64% reduction in the median particle diameter was observed (27.48 μm vs. 9.98μm) for unmilled and milled wet ACP, respectively. Dry ACP showed a 43% reduction in particle size from pre- to post-milling. As well as dry composites, those that had been immersed in aqueous media were evaluated for their Young's Mod...
The VEGF165b “ICE-o-form” Puts a Chill on the VEGF Story

See related article, pages e14–e26 Originally described by Harold Dvorak and colleagues at the then Beth Israel Hospital and Harvard Medical School nearly 30 years ago as a vascular permeability factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been one of the most extensively studied of the cytokine growth factors.1 This led to investigations whereby manipulations of VEGF protein and/or one of its receptors have provided many advances in our understanding of blood vessel and organ development, whereas postnatal studies have led to numerous basic discoveries into angiogenesis. However, that is not all. The ability to block VEGF ligand–mediated angiogenesis has resulted in marked improvements in our ability to treat diseases that range from many forms of cancer to previously untreatable diseases within the eye.2 Unsuccessful efforts have been undertaken to try to use VEGF gene or protein delivery to promote the growth of collateral blood vessels, ie, therapeutic angiogenesis, to treat patients with ischemic heart and peripheral artery disease.3,4 Finally, we are beginning to see how VEGF may have a role in normal physiology and pathology in organs such as the kidney, in ways that still need to be fully elucidated.5,6 In some respects, the VEGF receptor ligand family is relatively simple.7,8 There are relatively few ligands, with VEGF-A encoded on chromosome 6, VEGF-B on chromosome 11, VEGF-C on chromosome 4, VEGF-D on the X chromosome, and placental growth factor on chromosome 14. Most of these different VEGF genes (isoforms) have 2 or more …
The Influence of Dielectric Decrement on Electrokinetics

We treat the dielectric decrement induced by excess ion polarization as a source of ion specificity and explore its impact on electrokinetics. We employ a modified Poisson-Nernst-Planck (PNP) equations accounting for the dielectric decrement. The dielectric decrement is determined by the excess ion polarization parameter α and when α = 0 the standard PNP model is recovered. Our model shows that ions saturate at large zeta potentials (ζ). Because of ion saturation, a condensed counterion layer forms adjacent to the charged surface, introducing a new length scale, the thickness of the condensed layer (lc ). For the electro-osmotic mobility, the dielectric decrement weakens the electro-osmotic flow owing to the decrease of the dielectric permittivity. At large ζ, when α ≠ 0, the electro-osmotic mobility is found to be proportional to ζ/2, in contrast to ζ predicted by the standard PNP model. This is attributed to ion saturation at large ζ. In terms of the electrophoretic mobility Me , we carry out both an asymptotic analysis in the thin-double-layer limit and solve the full modified PNP model to compute Me . Our analysis reveals that the impact of the dielectric decrement is intriguing. At small and moderate ζ, the dielectric decrement decreases Me with an increasing α. At large ζ, it is well known that the surface conduction becomes significant and plays an important role in determining Me . It is observed that the dielectric decrement effectively reduces the surface conduction. Hence in stark contrast, Me increases as α increases. Our predictions of the contrast dependence of the mobility on α at different zeta potentials qualitatively agree with experimental results on the dependence of the mobility among ions and provide a possible explanation for such ion specificity. Finally, the comparisons between the thin-double-layer asymptotic analysis and the full simulations of the modified PNP model suggest that at large ζ the validity of the thin-double-layer approximation is determined by lc rather than the traditional Debye length.
A 12-pulse static synchronous compensator for the distribution system employing the 3-level GTO-inverter

The paper presents an advanced scheme for the shunt compensation of distribution systems that can significantly improve the harmonic profile of power lines without increasing the system complexity and size. The scheme employs a transformerless arrangement of three-level GTO inverters that can generate a five-level output. A gate control is developed that fully utilizes the capabilities of this arrangement to provide twelve-pulse operation for the compensator. The proposed compensator can connect directly to the distribution grid without a transformer. The effectiveness and performance of the proposed compensator are tested through simulated studies on a 13.8 kV distribution system.
Site-directed deletion of a 10-nucleotide domain of the 3'-untranslated region of the GLUT1 glucose transporter mRNA eliminates cytosolic protein binding in human brain tumors and induction of reporter gene expression

The posttranscriptional regulation of GLUT1 glucose transporter gene expression may be mediated by specific interactions between cytosolic trans-acting factors and regulatory cis-elements within the 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of the GLUT1 mRNA. Recent studies demonstrate that experimental and human brain tumors express an 80-kDa protein that reacts with a specific sequence around nucleotide 2,200 within the GLUT1 mRNA 3'-UTR. The 80-kDa protein is selectively expressed in hemangioblastoma, a tumor characterized by overexpression of GLUT1. The enhancer role of this GLUT1 3'-UTR cis-element was confirmed in the present studies using the luciferase expression vector pGL2 and site-directed deletion. Transfection of C6 glioma cells with pGL2 (containing nucleotides 2,100-2,300 of the bovine GLUT1 3'-UTR inserted at the Pfl MI site within the luciferase 3'-UTR) results in a fivefold increase in luciferase gene expression. Deletion of nucleotides 2,181-2,190 of the bovine GLUT1 3'-UTR, i.e., the putative binding site of the 80-kDa protein, completely eliminated the enhancement of luciferase activity in the transfected cells. Luciferase mRNA containing the putative cis-element inserted in the 3'-UTR was transcribed, and after UV crosslinking, this mRNA complexed with the 80-kDa protein in cytosol of either C6 cells or hemangioblastoma. In contrast, this complex was undetected with either luciferase control mRNA or 10 nucleotide-deleted RNA. The present study provides evidence that nucleotides 2,181-2,190 of the bovine GLUT1 mRNA 3'-UTR forms a complex with brain tumor cytosolic proteins that serves to increase GLUT1 gene expression at the posttranscriptional level.
Motivations for game play and the social capital and civic potential of video games

This study examined the relationships between video game play motivations identified by Yee (2006), social capital (measured by social trust and neighborliness), political participation, and civic engagement. Results of a survey of 465 college students in the United States showed that the Social motivation for video game play was positively associated with neighborliness. A factor consisting of Discovery/Role-playing/Customization, subcomponents of the Immersion motivation, was positively associated with civic engagement. Also, two marginally significant associations were found: a positive one between the Achievement motivation and civic engagement, and a negative one between Escapism, a subcomponent of the Immersion motivation, and trust. Implications were discussed.
Rates of pharmacologic venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized patients with active ulcerative colitis: results from a tertiary care center

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared to the general population. Practice guidelines recommend pharmacologic prophylaxis for IBD inpatients. Aim Our aim was to determine the rates of pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis in ulcerative colitis (UC) inpatients at a tertiary referral center. We also assessed potential predictors of pharmacologic prophylaxis. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 377 UC patients between January 1st, 2007 and December 31st, 2011. The medical record of each patient was examined to determine whether pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis was ordered and administered. We conducted multiple logistic regression to determine predictors of pharmacologic prophylaxis. Results The overall VTE pharmacologic prophylaxis rate was 67.6%. The rate of patients admitted to the medical service was 57.4% compared to 93.5% for those admitted to surgery. In medical patients who received pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis, 34.0% of ordered doses were not given compared to 17.4% of doses in surgical patients (P Conclusions A substantial proportion of medical patients admitted with UC were not ordered for VTE pharmacologic prophylaxis despite current guidelines. Even in patients who were ordered for pharmacologic prophylaxis, one third of doses were not given. Inappropriate prophylaxis may lead to unnecessary morbidity and mortality.
Glycans in pathogenic bacteria – potential for targeted covalent therapeutics and imaging agents

A substantial obstacle to the existing treatment of bacterial diseases is the lack of specific probes that can be used to diagnose and treat pathogenic bacteria in a selective manner while leaving the microbiome largely intact. To tackle this problem, there is an urgent need to develop pathogen-specific therapeutics and diagnostics. Here, we describe recent evidence that indicates distinctive glycans found exclusively on pathogenic bacteria could form the basis of targeted therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. In particular, we highlight the use of metabolic oligosaccharide engineering to covalently deliver therapeutics and imaging agents to bacterial glycans.
LABR: A Large Scale Arabic Book Reviews Dataset

We introduce LABR, the largest sentiment analysis dataset to-date for the Arabic language. It consists of over 63,000 book reviews, each rated on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. We investigate the properties of the the dataset, and present its statistics. We explore using the dataset for two tasks: sentiment polarity classification and rating classification. We provide standard splits of the dataset into training and testing, for both polarity and rating classification, in both balanced and unbalanced settings. We run baseline experiments on the dataset to establish a benchmark.
An Analysis of the Articles in the Journal of Engineering Education

Twenty issues of the Journal of Engineering Education from 1993 through 1997 were analyzed. The most common keywords used were teaching, design, and computers. An average of 10.4 percent of the articles require discipline specific knowledge for complete understanding. Approximately 60 percent of the articles included a teaching component, and most of these articles included an assessment. Only 13.4 percent of the articles used an educational theory. Women comprised 22 percent of all authors, but only 15.3 percent of authors who had a degree in engineering, computer science or engineering technology were women. The average number of usable references per article was 15.2. The mean number of times a source was cited is one. Only 20 sources were cited five or more times. Twenty-four authors or organizations were cited 10 or more times. Of the most-cited authors 48 percent do not have a degree in engineering, computer science or engineering technology. The keyword and citation analyses showed that the Journal has great breadth of both content and sources for references. The mean number of times articles published in the Journal during 1993 and 1994 were later cited in the Journal was zero. The content of the Journal has become more professional and the quality has improved in the five years studied.
Exposure to Host Ligands Correlates with Colocalization of Gal/GalNAc Lectin Subunits in Lipid Rafts and Phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-Bisphosphate Signaling in Entamoeba histolytica

Entamoeba histolytica is an intestinal parasite that causes dysentery and liver abscess. Parasite cell surface receptors, such as the Gal/GalNAc lectin, facilitate attachment to host cells and extracellular matrix. The Gal/GalNAc lectin binds to galactose or N-acetylgalactosamine residues on host components and is composed of heavy (Hgl), intermediate (Igl), and light (Lgl) subunits. Although Igl is constitutively localized to lipid rafts (cholesterol-rich membrane domains), Hgl and Lgl transiently associate with this compartment in a cholesterol-dependent fashion. In this study, trophozoites were exposed to biologically relevant ligands to determine if ligand binding influences the submembrane distribution of the subunits. Exposure to human red blood cells (hRBCs) or collagen, which are bona fide Gal/GalNAc lectin ligands, was correlated with enrichment of Hgl and Lgl in rafts. This enrichment was abrogated in the presence of galactose, suggesting that direct lectin-ligand interactions are necessary to influence subunit location. Using a cell line that is able to attach to, but not phagocytose, hRBCs, it was shown that physical attachment to ligands was not sufficient to induce the enrichment of lectin subunits in rafts. Additionally, the mutant had lower levels of phosphatidylinositol (4,5)-bisphosphate (PIP2); PIP2 loading restored the ability of this mutant to respond to ligands with enrichment of subunits in rafts. Finally, intracellular calcium levels increased upon attachment to collagen; this increase was essential for the enrichment of lectin subunits in rafts. Together, these data provide evidence that ligand-induced enrichment of lectin subunits in rafts may be the first step in a signaling pathway that involves both PIP2 and calcium signaling.
High complication rate identified in sacrocolpopexy patients attributed to silicone mesh

Abstract Objectives To report on our experience using a preconfigured Y -shaped silicone-coated polyester mesh and polypropylene mesh for vaginal vault suspension. A variety of materials have been used for both open and laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy in the management of vaginal vault prolapse. Recently, a preconfigured Y -shaped silicone-coated polyester mesh was introduced to facilitate the vaginal cuff suspension to the sacrum. Methods We reviewed the data of 45 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal (n = 28) or laparoscopic (n = 17) sacrocolpopexy. Of the 45 patients, 21 underwent silicone mesh suspension of the vaginal cuff to the anterior sacrum, with a mean follow-up of 23 months (range 16 to 41). A comparative analysis was performed of 24 patients who underwent the same procedure with polypropylene mesh. Results Of the 21 patients in the silicone group, 5 (23.8%) have had a major complication (four vaginal mesh erosions and one mesh infection) after a median follow-up of 9.5 months (range 4 to 20). The presenting symptoms were persistent or new vaginal discharge and/or nonspecific pelvic pain. One patient underwent successful removal of the mesh transvaginally, but the rest required abdominal exploration. To date, the 24 patients who underwent vaginal cuff suspension with polypropylene mesh have had no vaginal mesh extrusions or infections, with a mean follow-up of 12 months (range 1 to 38). Conclusions Silicone-coated polyester mesh has recently been associated with a high rate of vaginal erosion when used as a transvaginal suburethral sling. Our experience specifically with vaginal vault suspension corroborates this. We have abandoned the use of silicone mesh because of the unacceptably high extrusion rate and presently use polypropylene mesh.
Population dynamics and competition in chemostat models with adaptive nutrient uptake

The standard Monod model for microbial population dynamics in the chemostat is modified to take into consideration that cells can adapt to the change of nutrient concentration in the chemostat by switching between fast and slow nutrient uptake and growing modes with asymmetric thresholds for transition from one mode to another. This is a generalization of a modified Monod model which considers adaptation by transition between active growing and quiescent cells. Global analysis of the model equations is obtained using the theory of asymptotically autonomous systems. Transient oscillatory population density and hysteresis growth pattern observed experimentally, which do not occur for the standard Monod model, can be explained by such adaptive mechanism of the cells. Competition between two species that can switch between fast and slow nutrient uptake and growing modes is also considered. It is shown that generically there is no coexistence steady state, and only one steady state, corresponding to the survival of at most one species in the chemostat, is a local attractor. Numerical simulations reproduce the qualitative feature of some experimental data which show that the population density of the winning species approaches a positive steady state via transient oscillations while that of the losing species approaches the zero steady state monotonically.
Effect of Helium-Neon Laser on Musculoskeletal Trigger Points

Cold lasers have been proposed recently as a therapeutic tool for treating a wide variety of pathological conditions, including wounds, arthritis, orthopedic problems, and pain. These proposed therapeutic effects largely have been unsubstantiated by research. A randomized, double blind study was undertaken to ascertain the effect of a helium-neon (He-Ne) laser on the resistance of areas of skin overlying musculoskeletal trigger points. These areas usually demonstrate decreased skin resistance when compared with the surrounding tissue. Thirty patients with musculoskeletal trigger points were assigned randomly to either an experimental or a placebo group. In addition to standard physical therapy, each patient received three 15-second applications of a He-Ne laser or placebo “stimulation” from an identical unit that did not emit a laser. The results of a two-way analysis of covariance with one repeated measure showed a statistically significant increase ( p < .007) in skin resistance. This increase in an abnormal skin resistance pattern may accompany the resolution of pathological conditions.
Novel mode of ligand recognition by the erbin PDZ domain

Abstract Erbin contains a class I PDZ domain that binds to the C-terminal region of the receptor tyrosine kinase ErbB2, a class II ligand. The crystal structure of the human Erbin PDZ bound to the peptide EYLGLDVPV corresponding to the C-terminal residues 1247–1255 of human ErbB2 has been determined at 1.25-A resolution. The Erbin PDZ deviates from the canonical PDZ fold in that it contains a single α-helix. The isopropyl group of valine at position −2 of the ErbB2 peptide interacts with the Erbin Val1351and displaces the peptide backbone away from the α-helix, elucidating the molecular basis of class II ligand recognition by a class I PDZ domain. Strikingly, the phenolic ring of tyrosine −7 enters into a pocket formed by the extended β2-β3 loop of the Erbin PDZ. Phosphorylation of tyrosine −7 abolishes this interaction but does not affect the binding of the four C-terminal peptidic residues to PDZ, as revealed by the crystal structure of the Erbin PDZ complexed with a phosphotyrosine-containing ErbB2 peptide. Since phosphorylation of tyrosine −7 plays a critical role in ErbB2 function, the selective binding and sequestration of this residue in its unphosphorylated state by the Erbin PDZ provides a novel mechanism for regulation of the ErbB2-mediated signaling and oncogenicity.