cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steroid-responsive encephalopathy associated with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in an adolescent with chronic hallucinations and depression: case report and review.

We describe the case of a 14-year-old girl who presented with a 5-year history of hallucinations and depression. She had significantly elevated thyroperoxidase (TPO) antibody titers consistent with the diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain showed white matter changes affecting the frontal lobe, and cerebral hypoperfusion deficits were observed on serial single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) scans. The patient had significant clinical improvement and showed resolution on neuroimaging after corticosteroid treatment. Steroid responsive encephalopathy associated with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (SREHT) is a more accurate description of the previously named “Hashimoto’s encephalopathy.” This is a condition with neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with high anti-thyroid antibody titers which shows marked improvement following corticosteroid treatment. The medical evaluation of adolescents who present with psychiatric symptoms requires a full clinical assessment to exclude organic disease. The list of potential etiologies in these patients can be long, particularly if presenting symptoms do not fall into recognized patterns. We present the case of an adolescent with recent disclosure of long-standing hallucinations and depression who was found to have elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroid antibody titers. This case reinforces the importance of evaluating thyroid function in pediatric patients who present with ill-defined neuropsychiatric symptoms. The patient is a 14-year-old girl with no significant past medical history who described visual and auditory hallucinations beginning at age 9. Her visual hallucinations comprised seeing animals and unknown people on walls often engaged in violent acts and she began hearing commanding and denigrating voices. Her symptoms caused significant distress associated with decreased mood and energy. After normal electroencephalogram background activity (EEG), the patient was treated with numerous psychotropic medications over a 6-month period by her psychiatrist including valproic acid, sertraline, and quetiapine fumarate. These medications reduced the intensity, but not the frequency, of her hallucinations … Address correspondence to Farid H. Mahmud, MD, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St SW, Rochester, MN 55905. E-mail: mahmud.farid{at}mayo.edu
Uncertainty Quantification In Large Computational Engineering Models

While a wealth of experience in the development of uncertainty quantification methods and software tools exists at present, a cohesive software package utilizing massively parallel computing resources does not. The thrust of the work to be discussed herein is the development of such a toolkit, which has leveraged existing software frameworks (e.g., DAKOTA (Design Analysis Kit for OpTimizAtion)) where possible, and has undertaken additional development efforts when necessary. The contributions of this paper are two-fold. One, the design and structure of the toolkit from a software perspective will be discussed, detailing some of its distinguishing features. Second, the toolkit’s capabilities will be demonstrated by applying a subset of its available uncertainty quantification techniques to an example problem involving multiple engineering disciplines, nonlinear solid mechanics and soil mechanics. This example problem will demonstrate the toolkit’s suitability in quantifying uncertainty in engineering applications of interest modeled using very large computational system models.
Estrogenic status modulates the effect of soy on hepatic responses to 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)

Abstract We examined the influence of estradiol (E2) status and soy protein isolate (SPI) intake on the hepatic responses altered by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon [PAH]). Sprague–Dawley rats were ovariectomized (OVX) at PND50 and infused with E2 or vehicle for 14 d and gavaged with 50 mg/kg DMBA or vehicle 24 h before sacrifice at PND64. Rats were fed an AIN-93G diet made with SPI or casein as sole protein source throughout the study. Basal AhR protein levels were reduced ( P P CYP1A1 gene expression in OVX, SPI-fed rats, but reduced ( P CYP1A1 in OVX + E2, SPI-fed rats. Chromatin-immunoprecipitation demonstrated lower ( P CYP1A1 promoter by SPI feeding in the presence of E2, suggesting an estrogen-like action of SPI on DMBA-mediated signaling in the absence of E2. Further, microarray analysis (Rat 230-2.0 Affymetrix-GeneChip™) revealed 231 genes common to SPI + DMBA and SPI + E2 + DMBA (normalized to E2) treatments. AhR-activated genes ( CYP1A1 , CYP1A2 , and NQO1 ) were down-regulated by SPI + E2 + DMBA compared to SPI + DMBA. Unique interactions among SPI, DMBA and E2 altered the expression profile of 316 genes, not observed by either treatment alone. Our data suggest that although E2 status does not effect soy-mediated AhR degradation, it modulates the effects of soy on many genes, including CYP1A1 .
Optimum structural design with parallel finite element analysis

Abstract Structural analysis is an important part of the optimum structural design process. Therefore, extra effort should be devoted to make this part as efficient as possible. Since finite element analysis is the most powerful and widely used tool in the structural analysis field, in this paper a new method for structural optimization by parallel finite element method is presented. This method divides the original structure into several substructures and assigns each substructure to one processor. Each processor handles its finite element calculation independently with limited communication between processors. Some numerical examples on the Cray X-MP multiprocessor system with their obtained speedups are presented.
Use of in vivo genetic toxicity data for risk assessment.

Abstract Mutagenicity studies have been used to identify specific agents as potential carconogens or other human health hazards; however, they have been used minimally for risk assessment or in determining permissible levels of human exposure. The poor predictive value of in vitro mutagenesis tests for carcinogenic activity and a lack of mechanistic understanding of the roles of mutagens in the induction of specific cancers have made these tests unattractive for the purpose of risk assessment. However, the limited resources available for carcinogen testing and large number of chemicals which need to be evaluated necessitate the incorporation of more efficient methods into the evaluation process. In vivo genetic toxicity testing can be recommended for this purpose because in vivo assays incorporate the metabolic activation pathways that are relevant to humans. We propose the use of a multiple end-point in vivo comprehensive testing protocol (CTP) using rodents. Studies using sub-acute exposure to low levels of test agents by routes consistent with human exposure can be a useful adjunct to methods currently used to provide data for risk assessment. Evaluations can include metabolic and pharmacokinetic endpoints, in addition to genetic toxicity studies, in order to provide a comprehensive examination of the mechanism of toxicity of the agent. A parallelogram approach can be used to estimate effects in non-accessible human tissues by using data from accessible human tissues and analogous tissues in animals. A categorical risk assessment procedure can be used which would consider, in order of priority, genetic damage in man, genetic damage in animals that is highly relevant to disease outcome (mutation, chromosome damage), and data from animals that is of less certain relevance to disease. Action levels of environmental exposure would be determined based on the lowest observed effect levels or the highest observed no effect levels, using sub-acute low level exposure studies in rodents. As an example, the known genotoxic effects of benzene exposure at low levels in man and animals are discussed. The lowest observed genotoxic effects were observed at about 1–10 parts per million for man and 0.04–0.1 parts per million in subacute animal studies. If genetic toxicity is to achieve a prominent role in evaluating carcinogens and characterizing germ-cell mutagens, minimal testing requirements must be established to ascertain the risk associated with environmental mutagen exposure. The use of the in vivo approach described here should provide the information needed to meet this goal. In addition, it should allow truly epigenetic or non-genotoxic carcinogens to be distinguished from the genotoxic carcinogens that are not detected by in vitro methods.
Synthesis and antibacterial action of cecropin and proline‐arginine‐rich peptides from pig intestine

Two antimicrobial peptides, cecropin P1 (CP1), with a C-terminal carboxyl group, and PR-39, with an amidated, C-terminus, are found in the small intestine of the pig. Each is active against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. We have synthesized these peptides and several analogs, including the D-enantiomers and the retro sequences, each with a free or acetylated amino terminus. The CP1 amide was also prepared. The retro CP1 peptides were much less active than the parent CP1 peptide, confirming the importance of sequence or the amide bond and helix dipole direction, and the N alpha-acetyl peptides were also less active, indicating that a free amino terminus is essential for high activity. The ratio of the lethal concentration of L/D isomers of CP1 is less than 1 for Gram-negative, but greater than 1 for Gram-positive bacteria. PR-39 showed no significant chiral selectivity toward Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus pyogenes, but the L/D ratio was high for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (66), and very high for Staphylococcus aureus (> 1000). In the latter case the lethal concentration for the D-isomer was 0.57 microM, whereas this organism was quite resistant to the L-isomer (> 600 microM). Thus the enantiomers of CP1 and PR-39 are not equally active for all species. In a plate assay with a very small log-phase inoculum of Staph aureus, D-PR-39 produced a clear zone of killing surrounded by a zone of stimulated growth. After prolonged incubation the two zones became one clear zone. Addition of D-PR-39 to the wells of a dense turbid plate of growing cells showed a cleared zone for each of the test organisms, indicating that PR-39 lyses the bacteria rather than simply inhibiting their multiplication.
K63‐specific deubiquitination by two JAMM/MPN+ complexes: BRISC‐associated Brcc36 and proteasomal Poh1

An unusual deubiquitinating (DUB) activity exists in HeLa cell extracts that is highly specific for cleaving K63-linked but not K48-linked polyubiquitin chains. The activity is insensitive to both N-ethyl-maleimide and ubiquitin aldehyde, indicating that it lacks an active site cysteine residue, and gel filtration experiments show that it resides in a high molecular weight (∼600 kDa) complex. Using a biochemical approach, we found that the K63-specific DUB activity co-fractionated through seven chromatographic steps with three multisubunit complexes: the 19S (PA700) portion of the 26S proteasome, the COP9 signalosome (CSN) and a novel complex that includes the JAMM/MPN+ domain-containing protein Brcc36. When we analysed the individual complexes, we found that the activity was intrinsic to PA700 and the Brcc36 isopeptidase complex (BRISC), but that the CSN-associated activity was due entirely to an interaction with Brcc36. None of the complexes cleave K6, K11, K29, K48 or α-linked polyubiquitin, but they do cleave K63 linkages within mixed-linkage chains. Our results suggest that specificity for K63-linked polyubiquitin is a common property of the JAMM/MPN+ family of DUBs.
The Spatial Coherence of African Rainfall Anomalies: Interhemispheric Teleconnections

Abstract The spatial patterns of rainfall variability over the African continent are examined using a regionally averaged data set comprising the records of 1087 stations. Typical rainfall departure patterns, or anomaly types, are derived using a linear correlation method to assess the similarity of annual departure maps for the years 1901 to 1973. For the region north of the equator, most years fall into one of six types, four of which show a strong opposition between equatorial and subtropical latitudes and two of which show departures of the same sign over the whole region. For the continent as a whole, six types are also derived. These reflect the patterns derived using northern Africa alone, with conditions in the southern subtropics resembling those in subtropical latitudes north of the equator. Continentally, two principal spatial patterns of rainfall variation are evident: anomalies of the same sign over most of Africa and anomalies of the opposite sign in equatorial and subtropical latitudes. Thu...
Molten carbonate electrolytes: Electrical conductance, density and surface tension of binary and ternary mixtures☆

The electrical conductance, density, and surface tension of the alkali-metal carbonate systems Li2CO3 (53·3 mole %)-Na2CO3 (46·7 mole %), Li2CO3 (42·7 mole %)-K2CO3 (57·3 mole %), Na2CO3 (58 mole%)-K2CO3 (42 mole%), and Li2CO3 (43·5 mole%)-Na2CO3 (31·5 mole%)-K2CO3 (25·0 mole%) are reported for the temperature range 500°C to 900°C. Density and surface-tension properties are approximately additive for these systems. The experimental conductances of the binary systems are found to obey the empirical equations: Λexp. = (1 - θ)ΛMarkov, where ΛMarkov is the equivalent conductance predicted by the Markov equation and θ is the Tobolsky parameter for the species: [M1+CO32−]− and [M2+CO32−]− in these mixtures.
Leukocyte colony-forming cells in the peripheral blood of children with hereditary spherocytosis.

Increased numbers of committed leukocyte precursor cells were observed in the peripheral blood of children with hereditary spherocytosis in a study that made use of the in vitro leukocyte colony-forming technique. Five children with hereditary spherocytosis had increased numbers of peripheral blood colony-forming unit cells (CFUc) before splenectomy (range 8.7-27.2 CFUc/106 cells/plate; normal range 0-5 CFUc/106 cells/plate), but no CFUc were found 24-120 hours after splenectomy. Six additional cases of hereditary spherocytosis (presplenectomy) had increased CFUc in their peripheral blood (range 7.5-61.3 CFUc/106 cells/plate). Three patients with other hemolytic anemias associated with increased hematopoietic activity also had increased peripheral blood CFUc values. Five cases of hereditary spherocytosis were studied two or more months after splenectomy and generally had normal numbers of CFUc in their blood (range 0-6.4 CFUc per 106 cells/plate). In all spleens there was evidence of extramedullary hematopoiesis. Four patients with elliptocytosis and one patient with hereditary spherocytosis, all with intact spleens, had normal numbers of peripheral blood CFUc. These studies document increased peripheral blood CFUc in hereditary spherocytosis with hemolytic anemia of moderate severity and implicate the degree of hematopoietic stress as a factor in the regulation of increased CFUc emerging from the bone marrow in these patients. As an indicator of hematopoietic stress, an elevated reticulocyte count may reflect to some degree the presence of increased CFUc circulating in the peripheral blood of unsplenectomized hereditary spherocytosis patients.
The critical exponent for a weakly coupled system of the generalized Fujita type reaction-diffusion equations

We study nonnegative solutions of the initial value problem for a weakly coupled system $$\begin{gathered} \left\{ \begin{gathered} u_t = L_1 u + t^{s1} \upsilon ^{p1} \hfill \\ \upsilon _t = L_2 \upsilon + t^{s2} u^{p2} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \right.(x,t) \in \mathbb{R}^N \times (0,T) \hfill \\ u(x,0) = u_0 (x) \geqslant 0 \hfill \\ \upsilon (x,0) = \upsilon _0 (x) \geqslant 0x \in \mathbb{R}^N \hfill \\ u_0 ,\upsilon _0 \in L^\infty (\mathbb{R}^N ) \hfill \\ \end{gathered} $$ wheres1,s2 ≥ 1 withp1p2 > 1 and theL1,L2 are uniformly elliptic second order differential operators with uniformly bounded coefficients. It is proved that if $$\max \left( {\frac{{(s_2 + 1)p_1 + s_1 + 1}}{{p_1 p_2 - 1}},\frac{{(s_1 + 1)p_2 + s_2 + 1}}{{p_1 p_2 - 1}}} \right) \geqslant \frac{N}{2}$$ then every nontrivial nonnegative solution is not global in time; whereas if $$\max \left( {\frac{{(s_2 + 1)p_1 + s_1 + 1}}{{p_1 p_2 - 1}},\frac{{(s_1 + 1)p_2 + s_2 + 1}}{{p_1 p_2 - 1}}} \right)< \frac{N}{2}$$ then there exists both positive global solutions and nonglobal solutions. We obtain some results for the system $$\left\{ \begin{gathered} u_t = \Delta u + \left| x \right|^{\sigma 1} \upsilon ^{p1} \hfill \\ \upsilon _t = \Delta \upsilon + \left| x \right|^{\sigma 2} u^{p2} \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \right.(x,t) \in \mathbb{R}^N \times (0,{\rm T})$$ where σ1, σ2 ≥ 0 andp1,p2 ≥ 1 withp1p2 > 1.
Informal HIV caregiving in a vulnerable population: toward a network resource framework.

For the impoverished and often stigmatized communities most affected by HIV/AIDS, needs for informal caregiving present tremendous demands on already limited resources. Traditional theoretical frameworks emphasize care needs as driving informal caregiving. The proposed theoretical framework emphasizes microsocial processes that may affect informal caregiving among economically disadvantaged populations. The study examined: (1) network structural factors (homophily) that may affect availability of ties and local sociocultural expression of ties (social roles, behavioral norms) and (2) the role of financial resources in enabling informal caregiving. Low income, African American injection drug using persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLHAs) and their primary HIV supporters were interviewed. Supporters were predominantly female (71%), consanguineal kin (59%) and partners or friends (41%). Compared to the general US population, supporters were disproportionately HIV-infected, drug using, African Americans of poor health and low socioeconomic status. Supporters who perceived their PLHA tie needed informal care, compared to those who perceived no care need, were more than twice as likely to report a history of drug use, functional limitation (IADLs), higher income, and PLHA's financial reliance. Supporters' reported care provision was associated with their financial resources, but not PLHAs' health status. PLHAs' reported care receipt was associated only with their health status.HIV supporters' reported care provision was affected by financial factors, consistent with the proposed theoretical framework, while PLHAs' perceptions of care receipt conformed to traditional "needs"-based frameworks of caregiving. Results suggest that programs are needed to bolster network financial resources of disadvantaged populations affected by HIV to promote and sustain their informal HIV caregiving. Findings may aid in the understanding of informal caregiving as a social process. Network resource-oriented research may allow for ascertainment of community caregiving capacity, and guide the development of interventions to promote HIV caregiving in disadvantaged populations.
MyWorld4D: introduction to CG with a modeling and simulation twist

We describe the design, implementation and results of a senior-level Introduction to Computer Graphics course that successfully blends Modeling and Simulation concepts in the "classical" rendering-pipeline syllabus. Evaluation over two years shows record enrollment-retention and student satisfaction when compared to the simple geometric primitive rendering approach at the same institution. Students demonstrate an increased ability to handle computational challenges and to incorporate concepts from senior-level courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Computing, or Networking into graphics applications.
Appraisal of intratumoral microvessel density, MIB‐1 score, DNA content, and p53 protein expression as prognostic indicators in patients with locally confined renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND The prognostic values of intratumoral microvessel density (iMVD), tumor cell proliferation rate, DNA content (ploidy), and p53 protein expression are controversial or have not been well studied in patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) confined to the kidney. METHODS A uniform group of 52 clear cell (conventional) RCCs confined to the kidney (classified as T1N0M0 or T2N0M0) were analyzed for iMVD, MIB-1 score, DNA content, S-phase fraction, and p53 protein expression by immunohistochemical methods or flow cytometry. iMVD was evaluated in a single area (X200, 1.15 mm2) representative of the highest MVD (neovascular "hot spot") after independently highlighting endothelial cells with antibodies specific for factor VIII-related antigen (F8/86) and CD31 (JC/70A). The MIB-1 antibody (Ki-67 antigen) score was used as a marker for the tumor cell proliferation rate. DNA content and S-phase fraction were determined by flow cytometry using paraffin embedded tissue. p53 expression was assessed using the D07 antibody. RESULTS The median time of clinical follow-up was > 9 years. Eleven patients died of disease; the median time to death was 26 months. iMVD counts using antifactor VIII and anti-CD31 were tightly correlated (correlation coefficient = 0.89). S-phase fraction was higher in aneuploid tumors than in diploid tumors (mean, 12.4% vs. 4.3%; P = 0.01). Using univariate survival analyses, tumor size (stage classification pT1 vs. PT2; P = 0.01) and nuclear grade (P = 0.04) were associated with shortened survival. No statistically significant differences in survival were found for iMVD, MIB-1 score, DNA content, S-phase fraction, or p53 expression. Only two cases strongly expressed p53 protein; both tumors were of high nuclear grade. Using multivariate survival analyses, nuclear grade and tumor size were the only independent prognostic factors (best model P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS In this study, nuclear grade and tumor size were found to be independent predictors of survival in locally confined clear cell (conventional) RCC, as has been shown previously for locally confined RCC in general. MIB-1 score, iMVD counts, DNA content, S-phase fraction, and p53 expression did not contribute additional prognostic information. Cancer 1997; 80:1768-75. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Predictors of substance use frequency and reductions in seriousness of use among persons living with HIV.

Abstract Aims : To examine predictors of the current level of substance use and reductions in seriousness of substance use among adults living with HIV. Design : Cross-sectional survey. Setting : Four major metropolitan areas of the United States. Participants : Three thousand eight hundred six adults living with HIV. Measurement : Self-reported substance use, depression, and quality of life from audio computer assisted self-interviewing and computer assisted personal interviewing structured assessments. Findings : Recent substance use of persons living with HIV was classified as frequent (40%), occasional (32%), or abstinent (28%). Participants using drugs at a frequent level identified as heterosexual, had public insurance, and had higher levels of depression. Participants who reduced from a lifetime high seriousness in substance use were female, older, and knew their HIV status for a longer period of time. Conclusions : Screening and identification of substance use should be included in all treatment settings and community-based organizations serving adults living with HIV.
Life history and status of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Potomac River

Summary We collected the first life history information on shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in any of the rivers to Chesapeake Bay, the geographic center of the species range. In the Potomac River, two telemetry-tagged adult females used 124 km of river: a saltwater/freshwater reach at river km (rkm) 63−141 was the foraging−wintering concentration area, and one female migrated to spawn at rkm 187 in Washington, DC. The spawning migration explained the life history context of an adult captured 122 years ago in Washington, DC, supporting the idea that a natal population once lived in the river. Repeated homing migrations to foraging and wintering areas suggested the adults were residents, not transient coastal migrants. All habitats that adults need to complete life history are present in the river. The Potomac River shortnose sturgeon offers a rare opportunity to learn about the natural rebuilding of a sturgeon population.
The relation of personality to alcohol abuse/dependence in a high-risk sample.

The current study had two goals. The first goal was to test the mediational role of young adult personality in the relation between parental alcoholism and young adult alcoholism. The second was to examine the associations between personality and alcohol use motives and reasons to limit drinking in order to explore possible mechanisms by which personality may influence alcohol abuse/dependence. Multilevel modeling techniques were used to analyze data obtained from a community sample of young adult children of alcoholics and demographically matched controls. Results revealed that young adult neuroticism and agreeableness each, in part, mediated the effect of parental alcoholism on young adult alcoholism. Moreover, individuals high in neuroticism reported stronger coping motives to use alcohol, individuals low in agreeableness reported stronger coping motives and weaker upbringing reasons to limit drinking, and individuals low in conscientiousness reported stronger coping and enhancement motives to use alcohol, and weaker performance reasons to limit drinking.
Stimulatory and inhibitory cyclic AMP responses in rabbit ciliary processes after cervical ganglionectomy

Cyclic AMP production in response to agonists which act at a variety of receptors to either stimulate or inhibit cyclic AMP production has been studied in intact, dissected ciliary processes from rabbit eyes after unilateral surgical removal of the cervical ganglion. Cyclic AMP responses to stimulatory ligands vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), isoproterenol, and forskolin and inhibitory agonists neuropeptide Y (NPY), the synthetic somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995, and alpha-adrenergic agents were investigated in tissues from normal eyes and compared to the same responses in tissues from sympathetically denervated eyes. Neither stimulated cyclic AMP production nor inhibition of stimulated cyclic AMP production was significantly different in tissues from denervated vs. normal eyes. Inhibition of VIP-stimulated cyclic AMP production by epinephrine and paraaminoclonidine in tissues from both normal and denervated eyes was blocked by the alpha2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine but not by the alphai-adrenerg...
Retinal degeneration in experimental coronavirus retinopathy (ECOR) is associated with increased TNF-α, soluble TNFR2 and altered TNF-α signaling

Experimental coronavirus retinopathy (ECOR) is a virally triggered model of retinal degeneration composed of both genetic and autoimmune components. Since TNF-alpha plays a role in immune-mediated processes we evaluated the levels of TNF-alpha/TNF-alpha receptors and the downstream signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) during disease in both retinal degeneration susceptible BALB/c and degeneration resistant CD-1 mice. Following coronavirus injection, TNF-alpha mRNA was detected at higher levels within the retinas, and concentrations of TNF-alpha (p<0.005) and sTNFR1 (p<0.0005) proteins were increased within the sera of BALB/c but not CD-1 mice. While concentrations of sTNFR2 proteins were elevated in both BALB/c (p<0.00005) and CD-1 (p<0.005) mice compared to controls, concentrations were higher in BALB/c mice (p<0.0005). Gene expression of iNOS while initially high in BALB/c mice decreased during the acute phase of infection, while it increased in CD-1 mice. These trends are attributable to differences in monocyte TNFR2 release (p<0.0005) between the strains since sTNFR2 decreased (p<0.01) levels of NO production. These studies demonstrate that retinal degeneration following viral infection is associated with increased release of TNF-alpha/TNF receptors combined with a down-regulation of NO. Furthermore they suggest that these molecules are involved in alterations in immune response leading to autoimmune reactivity.
Fibrous Dysplasia and Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 Regulation

Fibrous dysplasia (FD) is a skeletal disorder caused by activating mutations in Gsα that result in elevations in cAMP. A feature of FD is elevated blood levels of the bone cell-derived phosphaturic hormone, fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23). FGF23 regulates serum phosphorus and active vitamin D levels by action on proximal renal tubule cells. An essential step in the production of biologically active FGF23 is glycosylation by the UDP-N-acetyl-α-D-galactosamine:polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase (ppGalNAc-T3). In the absence of glycosylation, FGF23 is processed into inactive N- and C-terminal proteins by a subtilisin proprotein convertase, probably furin. Normally, most if not all circulating FGF23 is intact. In FD, C-terminal levels are elevated, suggesting altered FGF23 processing. Altered processing in FD is the result of a cAMP-dependent, coordinated decrease in ppGalNAc-T3 and an increase in furin enzyme activity. These findings, and emerging data from other diseases, suggest regulation of FGF23 processing may be a physiologically important process.
Self-appraisal and objective assessment of cognitive and affective functioning in persons with epileptic and nonepileptic seizures.

Abstract Subjective and objective assessments of cognitive and affective functioning of patients admitted to the EMU with epileptic (ES, n = 22) and psychogenic nonepileptic (NES, n = 23) seizures were compared. It was hypothesized that the patients with NES would overestimate their cognitive impairments and underestimate their affective disturbances relative to those with ES. Results revealed that the patients with NES reported greater word-finding difficulty than those with ES (P = 0.02), but performed better than the patients with ES on the Boston Naming Test (BNT, P = 0.03), suggesting a tendency to overestimate word-finding difficulty. Patients with NES and ES did not otherwise differ in subjective ratings of cognitive functions or emotional state; however, patients with NES performed worse on a test of affect expression/perception compared with those with ES (P = 0.02). For patients with NES, only performance on memory tests was significantly correlated with their anxiety level. Obtaining both subjective ratings and objective test findings of cognitive and affective functioning may help further differentiate between patients with NES and those with ES.
Tristetraprolin regulates TNF TNF-α mRNA stability via a proteasome dependent mechanism involving the combined action of the ERK and p38 pathways

Abstract Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a central mediator of inflammation. TNF-α expression is regulated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms, including mRNA stability and translation. Post-transcriptional control operates through cis-elements in the 3′ Untranslated-Region of the TNF-α mRNA to which trans-acting proteins bind. One of the best characterized trans-acting proteins is Tristetraprolin (TTP), which regulates TNF-α message stability. However, the precise mechanisms controlling TNF-α message stability are unclear, with data supporting a role for the proteasome, the exosome, and the RNA processing-body (P-body), as well as the involvement of the microRNAs. We examined the effect of proteasome inhibition on endogenous TNF-α mRNA stability, TNF-α 3′UTR reporter expression and TTP function in the RAW264.7 cells. These data establish that proteasome inhibition stabilized endogenous TNF-α mRNA, increased TTP protein levels but inhibited TTP mediated TNF-α mRNA decay. Importantly, proteasome inhibition stabilized the TNF-α message to the same degree as LPS stimulation. To further characterize the control of TTP function, we examined the combinatorial effect of p38, ERK and JNK activation on TNF-α post-transcriptional expression and TTP function. These data establish that TTP mediated TNF-α mRNA decay is inhibited by the combined activation of ERK and p38 and not by p38 activation alone. The combined activation of ERK/p38 was sufficient to stabilize endogenous TNF-α mRNA to the same degree as LPS stimulation. Together these data indicate that the proteasome is a critical control point for TTP mediated TNF-α mRNA decay and activation of both ERK and p38 is required to inhibit TTP function and stabilize TNF-α mRNA.
Mechanisms of heat flow in suspensions of nano-sized particles (nanofluids)

Recent measurements on nanofluids have demonstrated that the thermal conductivity increases with decreasing grain size. However, such increases cannot be explained by existing theories. We explore four possible explanations for this anomalous increase: Brownian motion of the particles, molecular-level layering of the liquid at the liquid/particle interface, the nature of heat transport in the nanoparticles, and the effects of nanoparticle clustering. We show that the key factors in understanding thermal properties of nanofluids are the ballistic, rather than diffusive, nature of heat transport in the nanoparticles, combined with direct or fluid-mediated clustering effects that provide paths for rapid heat transport.
Self-similar shock waves in a relaxing, non-uniform gas

Abstract Propagation of planar and spherical shock waves in a vibrational non-equilibrium medium, which may be initially inhomogeneous with prescribed property gradients, is investigated by a similarity transformation analysis. Similarity variables in exponential form are derived by a systematic one parameter group theory scheme. The basic equations governing the motion of the fluid are reduced to a set of four simultaneous nonlinear first-order ordinary differential equations, and are integrated numerically by a modified shooting technique to provide a complete description on the wave pattern. Results exhibit attenuation effects caused by the internal rate process and influences introduced by the initial non-uniform stream on the propagating shock strength, speed, and disturbed flow properties. Depending on the nature of the density gradient existing in the undisturbed medium, non-uniform effects may either compete with or enhance the relaxation of the shock waves.
Estimating Mortality in Natural Assemblages of Oysters

To evaluate methods for calculating mortality in bivalve molluscs, we analyzed historical data from dredge surveys of both planted and natural oyster (Crassostrea virginica) grounds in Delaware Bay to compare total box-count mortality estimates with those made by accumulating short-term mortality rates obtained from fresh boxes identified by shell condition and degree of fouling. Box-count and cumulative-mortality patterns and values agreed best on grounds with planted oysters, where a cohort with very few dead oysters was broadcast on previously cleaned bottom and was followed over time. This situation is analogous to an artificially created reef with oysters either deployed or naturally set on it. When deaths predominated in late summer and early autumn, the two estimates were similar throughout the following year; when mortality was greatest in spring or early summer, the estimates were similar only through autumn of the same year. Correspondence was much weaker on natural beds, where new individuals constantly recruited to the population and variable numbers of boxes were always present. Nevertheless, total box-count mortality estimates made during autumn stock surveys were significantly correlated with cumulative mortalities calculated for the preceding year. We also estimated disarticulation rates of artificially created boxes by deploying them at three seasons and eight sites in Delaware Bay. Disarticulation time depended on the length of exposure at summer temperatures, with the average time to 50% disarticulation for boxes deployed in spring and in summer being 225 and 345 days, respectively. Disarticulation rates increased with decreasing size, and increasing salinity and temperature. Finally, we compared total box-count and cumulative-mortality estimates with those made using the disarticulation data. Annual averages for the three methods were within 5 percentage points of each other. Our data indicate that total box-count mortality estimates from fall stock surveys can provide a reliable index to total mortality for the previous year, although it cannot describe the seasonal patterns obtainable using the cumulative-mortality method.
Doppler technique for the detection and localization of modified brachytherapy seeds

A technique to improve detection of brachytherapy seeds in ultrasound images is presented. Seeds modified to include a small ferrous or magnetic component are vibrated with an amplitude of a few microns within the tissue by an external magnetic field. The vibration is detected by standard Power Doppler or Pulse Wave Doppler systems, which pinpoint the source of vibration and thus the seed within the image. The results of in vitro experiments on agar and liver-tissue phantoms are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the method. MRI compatibility issues are addressed.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Joint Air-Fuel Ratio and Torque Regulation Using Secondary Cylinder Air Flow Actuators

Actuation schemes exist that permit the joint management of air and fuel flow into the cylinders ofa spark ignition engine. With the exception of drive by wire systems, to-date, the transient control aspects of these schemes, collectively refered to here as secondary cylinder air flow actuators, has not received any attention from the control community. This paper takes a first step in the analysis of the simultaneous dynamic control of air fuel ratio and torque response using secondary actuators placed before the intake ports of the cylinders, when used in combination with standard fuel injectors and primary throttle regulated by the driver. The emphasis is on basic issues of designing a feedforward scheme to enhance actuator authority for feedback control, and the fundamental multivariable nature of the feedback problem. Enhanced transient air-to-fuel ratio performance improvement is shown to be possible without sacrificing engine torque response with respect to a conventional engine. In addition, this is achieved with overall higher manifold pressure, offering the possibility of reduced pumping losses in the engine, depending on the actual actuation scheme employed.
Effects of plane of nutrition and 2,4-thiazolidinedione on insulin responses and adipose tissue gene expression in dairy cattle during late gestation

Specific mechanisms by which dry period dietary energy affects transition cow metabolism have been intensively investigated but those of thiazolidinedione (TZD) administration have not. We hypothesized that effects of both are mediated via changes in insulin, glucose, or fatty acid metabolism. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of the insulin-sensitizing agent TZD and dietary energy level on glucose and fatty acid metabolism during late gestation in dairy cows. Multiparous Holstein cows (n=32) approximately 50 d before expected calving date were dried-off and assigned to 1 of 2 dietary energy levels for 3 wk (high: 1.52 Mcal/kg of NE(L), or low: 1.34 Mcal/kg of NE(L)) and treated daily during the final 14 d with 4.0 mg of TZD/kg of body weight (BW) or saline in a completely randomized design. Cows fed the low energy diet had lower dry matter intake (12.8 vs. 16.1 kg/d) and higher plasma nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations (103.3 vs. 82.4 μEq/L) compared with cows fed the high energy diet. Cows administered TZD had higher plasma glucose concentrations (62.5 vs. 59.6 mg/dL) than saline controls and cows fed the high energy diet had higher plasma insulin concentrations (35.1 vs. 25.3 μU/mL) compared with those fed the low energy diet. After 2 wk of TZD treatment, all cows were subjected to an intravenous glucose tolerance test (GTT; 0.25 g of dextrose/kg of BW) followed 110 min later by an insulin challenge (IC; 1.0 μg of insulin/kg of BW). Differences in plasma glucose response to GTT were minimal based on diet; however, cows fed the low energy diet had more negative NEFA areas under the curve (AUC; -4,838 vs. -2,137 μEq/L × min over 90 min) and greater rates of NEFA decrease (1.35 vs. 0.63%/min) during GTT, suggesting differential responses of tissue glucose and fatty acid metabolism in response to dietary energy level. During IC, the TZD-treated cows tended to have more negative glucose AUC (-45.0 vs. -12.1mg/dL × min over 15 min) than controls, suggesting that TZD-treated cows had greater responses to insulin. Limited interactions were observed between dietary and TZD treatments in all response variables measured. Adipose tissue biopsies performed on the final day of treatment suggested higher expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (0.71 vs. 0.50 relative expression) and lipoprotein lipase (0.71 vs. 0.40 relative expression) in cows fed the high energy diet as measured by quantitative real-time PCR. These results indicate that energy level and insulin-sensitizing agents affect glucose and lipid metabolism during the dry period.
Instabilities in a three-level coherently pumped laser

A theory for a coherently pumped, homogeneously broadened laser is developed which predicts instability at excitations 1.6 times threshold. The system exhibits a period-doubling sequence, chaos, and a period-three window.
On the preparation and crystal structure of a new form of PtGa2

Abstract The crystal structure of the silver-colored form of PtGa 2 has been reported for the first time. It belongs to the space group I 4 1 acd with the lattice parameters a = 8.5544(4) and c = 21.574(17) A , and Z = 32. The structure consists of layers of Pt and Ga stacked along the c axis, in which two crystallographically different Pt and Ga atoms have similar environments involving eight and nine nearest neighbors respectively. Based on some recent crystallographic data reported in the literature, this structural arrangement may be the prototype for a family of ternary platinum metal-Group B-based phases. The present investigation also necessitates changes in the currently accepted GaPt phase diagram. According to the present study, stoichiometric PtGa 2 undergoes a structural transformation upon cooling from a brass-colored fluorite structure to the silver-colored, tetragonal structure described above. However, transformation is inhibited if the composition of the fluorite-structured phase is Ga-poor. This behavior is reminiscent of that of defect-stabilized cubic ZrO 2 , which also possesses the fluorite structure.
A central cutting plane algorithm for the convex programming problem

An algorithm is developed for solving the convex programming problem which iteratively proceeds to the optimum by constructing a cutting plane through the center of a polyhedral approximation to the optimum. This generates a sequence of primal feasible points whose limit points satisfy the Kuhn—Tucker conditions of the problem. Additionally, we present a simple, effective rule for dropping prior cuts, an easily calculated bound on the objective function, and a rate of convergence.
The Modern Olympic Games: An Access to Ontology

The modern Olympic Games have evolved from a late 19th century curiosity into a cultural performance of truly global magnitude. This paper attempts to explain the remarkable popularity of the Olympics on the basis of the cultural performance theory of anthropologist John MacAloon and the more sociopsychological perspective of sociologist John Loy. Specifically, it is argued that the entire Olympic performance, as well as the performances of the athletes themselves, offer individuals the opportunity to address profoundly important existential questions about the nature of their personal and collective selves. In other words, every 2 years the Olympics offer us a mirror, and in it, we look at ourselves.
Adapting software to the user's cognitive style: field dependence-field independence

As microcomputer technology converges with methods of artificial intelligence, we should see small computing systems that are more responsive to the cognitive functioning of the user. That is, the software should be able to adapt to the user's “cognitive style,” or normal mode of processing information.This paper will discuss one measure of cognitive style, Witkin's model of psychological differentiation, and how it can be used to generate such responsive software systems. The examples are drawn largely from Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) programs, but the issues are applicable to a broad range of small systems software.
Action of transglucosidase from Aspergillus niger on maltoheptaose and [U–13C]maltose

Oligosaccharides synthesized from a mixture of maltoheptaose and [U-(13)C]maltose with transglucosidase [EC 2.4.1.24] from Aspergillus niger were investigated. When the reaction mixture was incubated at 15 degrees C for 1h, several types of oligosaccharides with DP (degree of polymerization) 2 to DP8 containing alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->6)-maltoheptaose were detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and methylation analysis. Most of these compounds consisted of alpha-(1-->4) linkages in the main chain and alpha-(1-->6) linkages at the non-reducing ends. However, when the reaction mixture was incubated for 96h, most of these products were converted into oligosaccharides with DP2 to DP5 consisting of only alpha-(1-->6) linkages. These results suggested that A. niger transglucosidase rapidly transferred glucosyl residues to maltooligosaccharides, and gradually hydrolyzed both alpha-(1-->4) linkages and alpha-(1-->6) linkages at the non-reducing end, and transformed these into smaller molecules of mainly alpha-(1-->6) linkages.
On the stability of superconducting Y1Ba2Cu3O6+δ in a borate glass-ceramic matrix

Abstract We have been successful in formulating a glass in the system Y 2 O 3 -BaO-CuO-B 2 O 3 which, upon subsequent suitable heat treatment, precipitates superconducting crystallites of Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 6+δ . The intent of the B 2 O 3 addition was to cause stable glass formation allowing controlled crystal growth rate during the subsequent heat treatment. This work establishes that a borate glass matrix will thermodynamically support the superconducting Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 6+δ phase. Further work to increase its concentration should allow for a host of continuous glass-forming processes to be used to make virtually pore-free, exceptionally strong bulk superconductor products.
Technology push-over: defense downturns and civilian technology policy

Abstract Since the 1960s civilian technology demonstration programs in the US Departments of Transportation and Commerce have manifested a pattern in their initiation, content, and outcomes. Programs are episodic, with long periods of relative inactivity occasionally interrupted by brief periods of budgetary largesse. Program content often emphasizes information and automation technologies and system integration. Outcomes are often disappointing, with few technologies or systems actually implemented. This broad pattern in civilian technology policy can be explained in part by the dynamics of the defense sector. Defense technology suppliers occasionally suffer a procurement downturn, at which times they apply their political influence in support of offsetting civilian projects. This leads to occasional periods of support for civilian technology development. This cross-sectoral technological imperative is here conceptualized as “technology push-over”. Evidence of this relationship between defense and civilian technology programs can be found in the repeated US programs in intelligent transportation systems (ITS) and in aggregate R&D data from the defense, commerce, and transportation sectors.