cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On-line knowledge- and rule-based video classification system for video indexing and dissemination

Current information and communication technologies provide the infrastructure to transport bits anywhere, but do not indicate how to easily and precisely access and/or route information at the semantic level. To facilitate intelligent access to the rich multimedia data over the Internet, we develop an on-line knowledge- and rule-based video classification system that supports automatic "indexing" and "filtering" based on the semantic concept hierarchy. This paper investigates the use of video and audio content analysis, feature extraction and clustering techniques for further video semantic concept classification. A supervised rule-based video classification system is proposed using video automatic segmentation, annotation and summarization techniques for seamless information browsing and updating. In the proposed system, a real-time scene-change detection proxy performs an initial video-structuring process by splitting a video clip into scenes. Motional, visual and audio features are extracted in real-time for every detected scene by using on-line feature-extraction proxies. Higher semantics are then derived through a joint use of low-level features along with classification rules in the knowledge base. Classification rules are derived through a supervised learning process that relies on some representative samples from each semantic category. An indexing and filtering process can now be built using the semantic concept hierarchy to personalize multimedia data based on users' interests. In real-time filtering, multiple video streams are blocked, combined, or sent to certain channels depending on whether or not the video streams are matched with the user's profile. We have extensively experimented and evaluated the classification and filtering techniques using basketball sports video data. In particular, in our experiment, the basketball video structure is examined and categorized into different classes according to distinct motional, visual and audio characteristics features by a rule-based classifier. The concept hierarchy describing the motional/visual/audio feature descriptors and their statistical relationships are reported in this paper along with detailed experimental results using on-line sports videos.
The effect of an axial magnetic field on the spontaneous emission from an argon hollow cathode discharge

Abstract An applied longitudinal magnetic field is observed to decrease the equilibrium population of excited argon ion levels in a hollow cathode discharge, whereas the excited state populations of neutral argon atoms are not significantly altered. The longitudinal magnetic field is shown to decrease the effective density of beam electrons in the negative glow.
Priming deficits in amnesia: now you see them, now you don't.

The rate with which perceptual information becomes available was manipulated in 2 word naming experiments. Word priming effects, in terms of reduced naming latencies for repeated items, and recognition memory measures were obtained with matched groups of amnesic patients and control participants. In both experiments, the amnesic patients evidenced significantly reduced priming effects compared to control participants under difficult task conditions. Under easy task conditions the baseline naming latencies of the amnesics were significantly longer than those of controls, but the difference in priming effects failed to reach significance. The findings are consistent with the Information Availability model of priming positing that both priming and explicit memory are mediated by episodic information from a study or information processing episode. It is argued that word priming does not represent a memory function that is spared in amnesia. ( JINS , 1999, 5 , 175–190.)
Pervasive Divergence of Transcriptional Gene Regulation in Caenorhabditis Nematodes

Because there is considerable variation in gene expression even between closely related species, it is clear that gene regulatory mechanisms evolve relatively rapidly. Because primary sequence conservation is an unreliable proxy for functional conservation of cis-regulatory elements, their assessment must be carried out in vivo. We conducted a survey of cis-regulatory conservation between C. elegans and closely related species C. briggsae, C. remanei, C. brenneri, and C. japonica. We tested enhancers of eight genes from these species by introducing them into C. elegans and analyzing the expression patterns they drove. Our results support several notable conclusions. Most exogenous cis elements direct expression in the same cells as their C. elegans orthologs, confirming gross conservation of regulatory mechanisms. However, the majority of exogenous elements, when placed in C. elegans, also directed expression in cells outside endogenous patterns, suggesting functional divergence. Recurrent ectopic expression of different promoters in the same C. elegans cells may reflect biases in the directions in which expression patterns can evolve due to shared regulatory logic of coexpressed genes. The fact that, despite differences between individual genes, several patterns repeatedly emerged from our survey, encourages us to think that general rules governing regulatory evolution may exist and be discoverable.
Falsifying Models of New Physics via WW Scattering

We show that the coefficients of operators in the electroweak chiral Lagrangian can be bounded if the underlying theory obeys the usual assumptions of Lorentz invariance, analyticity, unitarity, and crossing to arbitrarily short distances. Violations of these bounds can be explained by either the existence of new physics below the naive cutoff of the effective theory, or by the breakdown of one of these assumptions in the short distance theory. As a corollary, if no light resonances are found, then a measured violation of the bound would falsify generic models of string theory.
The fates of undermethylated mRNA cap structures of vesicular stomatitis virus (New Jersey) during in vitro transcription

Abstract A dual label pulse-chase analysis employing S -adenosyl- l -[ methyl - 3 H]methionine and [β- 32 P]GTP has been devised to identigy precursors to the cap structure 7 m G(5′)ppp(5′)Am present on the 5′-terminal of vesicular stomatitis virus mRNAs. Both monomethylated cap structures, 7 m G(5′)ppp(5′)A and G(5′)ppp(5′)Am, have been detected in vitro in New Jersey serotype reactions containing suboptimal concentrations of S -adenosyl- l -methionine. The simultaneous chasing of both radiolabeled substrates allowed the determination of the transcriptive fate of each pulse-labeled cap structure in the total RNA population. Ten percent of the 7 m G(5′)ppp(5′)A cap structure and 27% of the G(5′)ppp(5′)Am cap structure generated during the pulse were chased into 7 m G(5′)ppp(5′)Am. These results suggested that while there may have been a preferred order of 5′-cap methylation, the order was not compulsory. The dual label analysis also revealed that only 34% of the pulse-labeled G(5′)ppp(5′)A cap structure could be chased into methylated cap structures. A nascent RNA chain length-dependent “methylation window” is proposed.
‘Over the Pond and Across the Water’: Developing the Field of ‘Gendered Organizations’

This article is concerned with the development of gendered organizations as a field of study. It begins by exploring some of the factors that militate against integrating organization studies and gender studies and gendered organizations scholarship over national/continental divides. Increasingly doubtful about whether traditional (mainstream and critical) organization theories will or can adequately address gender, we contend that scholars of gendered organizations should ‘strike out’ on our/their own, ‘boldly going’ into unfamiliar territory to create new, innovative theories, concepts and ideas. We make various suggestions about possible future directions for theorizing and research.
Differential effects of alcohol on working memory: distinguishing multiple processes.

We assessed effects of alcohol consumption on different types of working memory (WM) tasks in an attempt to characterize the nature of alcohol effects on cognition. The WM tasks varied in two properties of materials to be retained in a two-stimulus comparison procedure. Conditions included (1) spatial arrays of colors, (2) temporal sequences of colors, (3) spatial arrays of spoken digits, and (4) temporal sequences of spoken digits. Alcohol consumption impaired memory for auditory and visual sequences, but not memory for simultaneous arrays of auditory or visual stimuli. These results suggest that processes needed to encode and maintain stimulus sequences, such as rehearsal, are more sensitive to alcohol intoxication than other WM mechanisms needed to maintain multiple concurrent items, such as focusing attention on them. These findings help to resolve disparate findings from prior research into alcohol’s effect on WM and on divided attention. The results suggest that moderate doses of alcohol impair WM by affecting certain mnemonic strategies and executive processes rather than by shrinking the basic holding capacity of WM.
Hepatitis C viral infection in children.

Consequently, chronic hepatitis C (CHC) contin-ues to be a large disease burden and public health problemin the United States, and it is an important concern forpediatricians and pediatric hepatologists. Most cases of CHCin children are the result of mother-to-child (i.e., vertical)transmission and are thought primarily to occur around thetime of birth, although some cases may occur in utero.Alarge review has estimated the risk of transmission to theinfant to be 1.7% per pregnancy if the mother is anti-HCV
Monitoring for bacteriuria in spinal cord-injured patients on intermittent catheterization Dip-slide culture technique

Abstract Spinal cord-injured patients on intermittent catheterization underwent careful scrutiny of daily bacteriuria using the dip-slide culture technique. Comparison with conventional bacteriologic streaked plates revealed good correlation for quantitating low-density bacteria as well as 10 5 organisms. The technique serves as a useful tool in screening for urinary tract infection among patients with neurogenic bladder.
Human immune responses in cryptosporidiosis.

Immune responses play a critical role in protection from, and resolution of, cryptosporidiosis. However, the nature of these responses, particularly in humans, is not completely understood. Both innate and adaptive immune responses are important. Innate immune responses may be mediated by Toll-like receptor pathways, antimicrobial peptides, prostaglandins, mannose-binding lectin, cytokines and chemokines. Cell-mediated responses, particularly those involving CD4+ T cells and IFN-γ play a dominant role. Mucosal antibody responses may also be involved. Proteins mediating attachment and invasion may serve as putative protective antigens. Further knowledge of human immune responses in cryptosporidiosis is essential in order to develop targeted prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. This review focuses on recent advances and future prospects in the understanding of human immune responses to Cryptosporidium infection.
Control of the Snake Mite (Ophionyssus natricis), Other Mites, and Certain Insects with the Sorptive Dust, SG 67

A highly porous, finely divided, amorphous type of silica acrogel, SG 67, with an average particle size of 3 micra was found to be very effective for the control of the snake mite, Ophionyssus natricis (Gervais), infesting snakes and lizards, and the cages housing them. The compound kills by adsorbing the lipids (waxes) making up the waterproof layer of the epicuticle of arthropods causing the loss of abnormal quantities of body fluids in comparatively short periods of time. The dust compound is composed of 95.3% silica aerogel with 4.7% ammonium fluosilicate impregnated in less than a continuous monomolecular film on its internal surfaces. The ammonium fluosilicate gives the compound a strong positive charge enabling it to adhere well to the bodies of mites as well as to the horizontal and vertical surfaces of the construction materials used for the reptile cages and to the particles of sand and vermiculite used to cover the floors of the cages. The ammonium fluosilicate greatly increases the insecticidal effectiveness of the dust compound, but does not detract from the ability of the silica aerogel particles to adsorb the lipids from the epicuticle. A gopher snake placed into 10 ounces of SG 67 for a period of 1 week, a ring-neck snake submerged in approximately 1 ounce of the compound for more than 18 hours, and an alligator lizard thoroughly doused with the dust suffered no ill effects from the compound. More than 100 snakes and lizards now have been successfully treated with the compound for the control of snake mites and none has been affected adversely by the compound. A single dusting with 7 ounces of SG 67 per reptile cage, 6 feet long by 3 feet wide and 1 ½ feet high, on the inside framework and the vermiculite and sand flooring of the cage controlled the mites within the cage, as well as on reptiles housed in the cage, for a period of 16 months. Without exception, merely placing the reptiles in the cages and allowing them to crawl over the treated surfaces of the cages was sufficient to accomplish rapid control of the mites on the reptiles.
Obesity in sub-Saharan Africa: development of an ecological theoretical framework

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). There is a need for theoretical frameworks to catalyze further research and to inform the development of multi-level, context-appropriate interventions. In this commentary, we propose a preliminary ecological theoretical framework to conceptualize factors that contribute to increases in overweight and obesity in SSA. The framework is based on a Causality Continuum model [Coreil et al. Social and Behavioral Foundations of Public Health. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks] that considers distant, intermediate and proximate influences. The influences incorporated in the model include globalization and urbanization as distant factors; occupation, social relationships, built environment and cultural perceptions of weight as intermediate factors and caloric intake, physical inactivity and genetics as proximate factors. The model illustrates the interaction of factors along a continuum, from the individual to the global marketplace, in shaping trends in overweight and obesity in SSA. The framework will be presented, each influence elucidated and implications for research and intervention development discussed. There is a tremendous need for further research on obesity in SSA. An improved evidence base will serve to validate and develop the proposed framework further.
Chest Pain and Diarrhea: A Case of Campylobacter Jejuni-Associated Myocarditis

Abstract Background Diarrhea and chest pain are common symptoms in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). However, rarely is a relationship between these two symptoms established in a single patient. Objective Describe a case of Campylobacter -associated myocarditis. Case Report A 43-year-old man with a history of hypertension presented to the ED with angina-like chest pain and a 3-day history of diarrhea. Electrocardiogram revealed ST-segment elevation in the lateral leads. Coronary angiogram revealed no obstructive coronary artery disease. Troponin T rose to 1.75 ng/mL. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed subepicardial and mid-myocardial enhancement, particularly in the anterolateral wall and interventricular septum, consistent with a diagnosis of myocarditis. Stool studies were positive for Campylobacter jejuni . Conclusions Campylobacter -associated myocarditis is rare, but performing the appropriate initial diagnostic testing, including stool cultures, is critical to making the diagnosis. Identifying the etiology of myocarditis as bacterial will ensure that appropriate treatment with antibiotics occurs in addition to any cardiology medications needed for supportive care.
A locally conformed finite-difference time-domain algorithm of modeling arbitrary shape planar metal strips

A general algorithm for modeling arbitrary shape planar metal strips by the finite-difference-time-domain (FDTD) method is presented. With this method, fields in the entire computation domain are computed by the regular FDTD algorithm except near metal strips, where special techniques proposed herein are applied. Unlike the case for globally conformed finite-difference algorithms, the computation efficiency of the regular FDTD method is maintained while high space-resolution is obtained by this locally conformed finite-difference method. Numerical tests have verified that a higher computation accuracy is achieved by this scheme than by the conventional staircase approximation. The modeling of electrical characteristics of two crossed strip lines is provided as an example. >
RF Performance of N-Polar AlGaN/GaN MIS-HEMTs Grown by MOCVD on Sapphire Substrate

We present a high-performance nitrogen-polar AlGaN/GaN metal-insulator-semiconductor high-electron-mobility transistor grown on sapphire substrate using metal-organic chemical vapor deposition. Source-terminated field plates were used to mitigate the electric field in the drain-extension region and reduce DC-to-RF dispersion. Devices with 0.7-mum gate length showed a current-gain cutoff frequency (f T) of 14 GHz and a power-gain cutoff frequency (f max) of 36 GHz. A continuous-wave output power density of 4.7 W/mm was measured at 4 GHz, with an associated power-added efficiency of 64% and a large-signal gain of 14.4 dB at a drain bias of 30 V.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ligand-mediated apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells depends upon modulation of PI3Kinase pathway independent of Akt

Ligands of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) can inhibit growth and promote apoptosis in various cancer cells, and thus have the potential to be utilized as anticancer drugs. This potential however, has been seriously challenged by observations that they can lead to tumor promotion in some cancer models, possibly due to activation of different signaling mechanisms in various tumor environments. Elucidation of the specific signaling events that modulate PPARγ ligand-mediated events is thus critical to increase their efficacy. The studies described here were designed to elucidate the signaling pathway(s) that modulate the apoptotic potential of Troglitazone (TRG), an artificial PPARγ ligand in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Our results indicate that the apoptotic potential of TRG was regulated by the presence or absence of serum in the media. When added in serum-containing media, TRG inhibited proliferation and cyclin D1 expression, but was unable to induce any apoptosis. However, TRG's apoptotic potential was induced significantly when added in serum deficient media, as indicated by increased PARP and Caspase-3 cleavage and results from apoptosis assay. Furthermore, TRG-induced apoptosis in serum deficient media was associated with a dramatic reduction in PI3Kinase downstream target AktSer473 and FoxO1Thr24/FoxO3aThr32 phosphorylation. On the contrary, there was an increase of PI3K-induced AktSer473 and FoxO1Thr24/FoxO3aThr32 phosphorylation involving Pak, when TRG was added in serum-containing media. Pharmacological inhibition of PI3Kinase pathway with LY294002 inhibited Aktser473 phosphorylation and sensitized cells towards apoptosis in the presence of serum, indicating the involvement of PI3K in apoptosis resistance. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition or siRNA-mediated knockdown of Akt or inhibition of Pak was unable to sensitize cells towards TRG-induced apoptosis in the presence of serum. Similarly, TRG was unable to induce apoptosis in the Akt1-KO, Akt1&2-KO MEFs in serum-containing media. These studies indicate that TRG-induced apoptosis is modulated by PI3K pathway in a novel Akt-independent manner, which might contribute to its tumor promoting effects. Since PI3K activation is linked with various cancers, combination therapy utilizing TRG and PI3K inhibitors has the potential to not only increase the efficacy of TRG as a chemotherapeutic agent but also reduce its off target effects.
Task effects in the mid-fusiform gyrus: A comparison of orthographic, phonological, and semantic processing of Chinese characters

The left mid-fusiform gyrus is repeatedly reported to be involved in visual word processing. Nevertheless, it is controversial whether this area responds to orthographic processing of reading. To examine this idea, neural activity was measured using functional magnetic resonance imaging in the present study while subjects performed phonological, semantic, and orthographic tasks with Chinese characters under equivalent task difficulties. One region in the left mid-fusiform gyrus exhibited greater activity during the orthographic task than during the phonological and semantic tasks, which did not differ, suggesting that this region is involved in orthographic processing to a greater extent than phonological or semantic processing. In addition, a region in the right mid-fusiform gyrus exhibited a similar effect. This right mid-fusiform activity may relate to the use of pictorial Chinese characters.
Gene Regulation in Borrelia burgdorferi

Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, is maintained in nature via an enzootic cycle that comprises a tick vector and a vertebrate host. Transmission from the tick to the mammal, acquisition from the mammal back to the tick, and adaptation to the two disparate environments require sensing signals and responding by regulating programs of gene expression. The molecular mechanisms utilized to effect these lifestyle changes have begun to be elucidated and feature an alternative sigma factor cascade in which RpoN (σ(54)) and RpoS (σ(S)) globally control the genes required for the different phases of the enzootic cycle. The RpoN-RpoS pathway is surprisingly complex, entailing Rrp2, an unusual enhancer-binding protein and two-component regulatory system response regulator activated by acetyl phosphate; BosR, an unorthodox DNA-binding protein; DsrA(Bb), a small noncoding RNA; and Hfq and CsrA, two RNA-binding proteins. B. burgdorferi also has a c-di-GMP signaling system that regulates the tick side of the enzootic cycle and whose function is only beginning to be appreciated.
Decitabine Enhances Lymphocyte Migration and Function and Synergizes with CTLA-4 Blockade in a Murine Ovarian Cancer Model.

The lack of second-line treatment for relapsed ovarian cancer necessitates the development of improved combination therapies. Targeted therapy and immunotherapy each confer clinical benefit, albeit limited as monotherapies. Ovarian cancer is not particularly responsive to immune checkpoint blockade, so combination with a complementary therapy may be beneficial. Recent studies have revealed that a DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, azacytidine, alters expression of immunoregulatory genes in ovarian cancer. In this study, the antitumor effects of a related DNA methyl transferase inhibitor, decitabine (DAC), were demonstrated in a syngeneic murine ovarian cancer model. Low-dose DAC treatment increases the expression of chemokines that recruit NK cells and CD8(+) T cells, promotes their production of IFNγ and TNFα, and extends the survival of mice bearing subcutaneous or orthotopic tumors. While neither DAC nor immune checkpoint blockade confers durable responses as a monotherapy in this model, the efficacy of anti-CTLA-4 was potentiated by combination with DAC. This combination promotes differentiation of naive T cells into effector T cells and prolongs cytotoxic lymphocyte responses as well as mouse survival. These results suggest that this combination therapy may be worthy of further consideration for improved treatment of drug-resistant ovarian cancer.
Bite-Block Relocation Error in Image-Guided Otologic Surgery

Otologic surgery is undertaken to treat ailments of the ear including persistent infections, hearing loss, vertigo, and cancer. Typically performed on healthy patients in outpatient facilities, the application of image-guided surgery has been limited because accurate (<1mm), non-invasive fiducial systems for otologic surgery are not available. We have developed such a system, which repeatably attaches to a subject via a dental bite block [1]. In a previous report, ex-vivo validation indicated that mean target registration error ± standard deviation for 234 targets within the surgical field was 0.73 ± 0.23mm with a root mean square of 0.77mm [2,3]. In an effort to further understand the limitations of our system, we undertook, and report herein, a detailed error analysis to determine what portion of the error is attributable to the inaccuracies in relocation fit of the fiducial frame to a subject’s dentition. Our analysis shows that the root-mean-square error due to relocation alone is approximately 0.66 mm, while that due to fiducial registration is approximately 0.30 mm.
Hospital cost analysis of a prospective, randomized trial of early vs interval appendectomy for perforated appendicitis in children.

Background The methods of surgical care for children with perforated appendicitis are controversial. Some surgeons prefer early appendectomy; others prefer initial nonoperative management followed by interval appendectomy. Determining which of these two therapies is most cost-effective was the goal of this study. Study Design We conducted a prospective, randomized trial in children with a preoperative diagnosis of perforated appendicitis. Patients were randomized to early or interval appendectomy. Overall hospital costs were extracted from the hospital's internal cost accounting system and the two treatment groups were compared using an intention-to-treat analysis. Nonparametric data were reported as median ± standard deviation (or range) and compared using a Wilcoxon rank sum test. Results One hundred thirty-one patients were randomized to either early (n = 64) or interval (n = 67) appendectomy. Hospital charges and costs were significantly lower in patients randomized to early appendectomy. Total median hospital costs were $17,450 (range $7,020 to $55,993) for patients treated with early appendectomy vs $22,518 (range $4,722 to $135,338) for those in the interval appendectomy group. Median hospital costs more than doubled in patients who experienced an adverse event ($15,245 vs $35,391, p Conclusions In a prospective randomized trial, hospital charges and costs were significantly lower for early appendectomy when compared with interval appendectomy. The increased costs were related primarily to the significant increase in adverse events, including unplanned readmissions, seen in the interval appendectomy group.
Albinism for the busy clinician

Albinism is a group of disorders characterized principally by its ophthalmic features with or without systemic manifestations. Persons with albinism manifest a wide variety of phenotypes and limited number of genotypes. Modern molecular genetics has encouraged a new classification and understanding of the subtypes of these disorders. In addition to the ocular and systemic manifestations, ophthalmologists must be familiar with the specific visual needs and psychological challenges of these individuals as well as those of their families.
The association of breast arterial calcification and coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE:To estimate whether mammography can be an early, valid tool for predicting the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) in women.METHODS:Women presenting for routine mammograms between June and August 2004 were recruited for the study. Baseline data collected included risk factors and f
The Active Site of Rubisco

Previous affinity-labelling studies and comparative sequence analyses have identified two different lysine residues at the active site of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase and have suggested that they are essential to function. The essential lysine residues occupy positions 166 and 329 in the Rhodospirillum rubrum enzyme and positions 175 and 334 in the spinach enzyme. Based on the pH-dependences of inactivations of the two enzymes by trinitrobenzene sulphonate, Lys 166 (R. rubrum enzyme) exhibits a pK $\_a$ of 7.9 and Lys 334 (spinach enzyme) exhibits a pK $\_a$ of 9.0. These low pK $\_a$ values, as well as the enhanced nucleophilicities of the lysine residues, argue that both are important to catalysis rather than to substrate binding. Lys 166 may correspond to the essential base that initiates catalysis and that displays a pK $\_a$ of 7.5 in the pH-curve for V ${\_max}$ /K $\_m$ . Cross-linking experiments with 4,4 $'$ - diisothiocyano-2,2 $'$ -disulphonate stilbene demonstrate that the two active-site lysine residues are within 12 A of each other (1 A = 10 $^{-10}$ m).
Attenuating the Link Between Threatened Egotism and Aggression

Research has found that narcissists behave aggressively when they receive a blow to their ego. The current studies examined whether narcissistic aggression could be reduced by inducing a unit relation between the target of aggression and the aggressor. Experimental participants were told that they shared either a birthday (Study 1) or a fingerprint type (Study 2) with a partner. Control participants were not given any information indicating similarity to their partner. Before aggression was measured, the partners criticized essays written by the participants. Aggression was measured by allowing participants to give their partner loud blasts of noise through a pair of headphones. In the control groups, narcissists were especially aggressive toward their partner. However, narcissistic aggression was completely attenuated, even under ego threat, when participants believed they shared a key similarity with their partner.
Combinatorial activation of FAK and AKT by transforming growth factor-β1 confers an anoikis-resistant phenotype to myofibroblasts

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a prototypical tumour-suppressor cytokine with cytostatic and pro-apoptotic effects on most target cells; however, mechanisms of its pro-survival/anti-apoptotic signalling in certain cell types and contexts remain unclear. In human lung fibroblasts, TGF-β1 is known to induce myofibroblast differentiation in association with the delayed activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and protein kinase B (PKB/AKT). Here, we demonstrate that FAK and AKT are independently regulated by early activation of SMAD3 and p38 MAPK, respectively. Pharmacologic or genetic approaches that disrupt SMAD3 signalling block TGF-β1-induced activation of FAK, but not AKT; in contrast, disruption of early p38 MAPK signalling abrogates AKT activation, but does not alter FAK activation. TGF-β1 is able to activate AKT in cells expressing mutant FAK or in cells treated with an RGD-containing peptide that interferes with integrin signalling, inhibits FAK activation and induces anoikis (apoptosis induced by loss of adhesion signalling). TGF-β1 protects myofibroblasts from anoikis, in part, by activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway. Thus, TGF-β1 co-ordinately and independently activates the FAK and AKT protein kinase pathways to confer an anoikis-resistant phenotype to myofibroblasts. Activation of these pro-survival/anti-anoikis pathways in myofibroblasts likely contributes to essential roles of TGF-β1 in tissue fibrosis and tumour-promotion.
Localization of particle sources with detector arrays

Develops methods for localizing particle sources using detector arrays. Projection-based arrays are used and general convex, cubical, and spherical surfaces are investigated. Lower bounds are computed on the mean-square angular error (MSAE) for these arrays. The authors propose an algorithm for direction finding with the cubical array and analyze its MSAE. Potential applications of the proposed methods include finding radiation sources, localizing weak light sources, studying the environment, and verifying compliance of nuclear nonproliferation treaties. >
The Safety and Health of Emergency Workers

Emergency personnel, like all workers, carry out their duties within an environment composed of a set of discrete elements. First, there is the emergency itself. Whether a forest fire in France, a tornado in the American Midwest, or a mining disaster in Russia, the emergency imposes certain exigencies upon the responders. Second, a social structure exists with specific social units, rules, and forms of association. An emergency response, therefore, takes place within a context of prescribed behaviors, expectations, and value judgments that are sometimes in conflict with each other. Third, there is a technology that must be understood in order to accomplish group goals. If the technology itself is implicated in the emergency, the entire emergency environment may be impacted. Clearly, a breakdown in any of these elements could result in worker injury and might heighten responder stress. This paper discusses how emergency workers not only get injured but may come to experience burn-out, post-traumatic stress syndrome, or impaired work and family relationships, even though their normal work setting (the emergency) is expected to be ‘abnormal’. The authors suggest areas in each of the three environmental elements that deserve further inquiry.
A singular Demailly–Păun theorem

Abstract We give a numerical characterization of the Kahler cone of a possibly singular compact analytic variety that is embedded in a smooth ambient space.
8 Memory Dysfunction in the Subcortical Dementias

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses memory dysfunction in the subcortical dementias. Dementia severity is a major determinant of memory performance. The literature reviewed in the chapter suggests four differences in the performance of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and subcortical patients on explicit memory tests. First, the capacity to encode information semantically seems largely preserved in Huntington's disease (HD). Parkinson's disease (PD), and MS, but seriously compromised in AD. Second, recognition memory deficits are consistently milder in the subcortical diseases than in AD. Third, forgetting rates within the first several minutes after acquisition are consistently accelerated in AD, but normal or only slightly higher than normal in the subcortical diseases. Fourth, retrograde amnesia is temporally graded in AD, but equally severe across time in the subcortical diseases. Comparisons of implicit memory in HD and AD patients support the concept that there may be distinct systems subserving motor skill learning and other classes of implicit memory. Studies of PD patients, however, greatly complicate the picture.
How surface composition and meteoroid impacts mediate sodium and potassium in the lunar exosphere

Despite being trace constituents of the lunar exosphere, sodium and potassium are the most readily observed species due to their bright line emission. Measurements of these species by the Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrometer (UVS) on the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) have revealed unambiguous temporal and spatial variations indicative of a strong role for meteoroid bombardment and surface composition in determining the composition and local time dependence of the Moon's exosphere. Observations show distinct lunar day (monthly) cycles for both species as well as an annual cycle for sodium. The first continuous measurements for potassium show a more repeatable variation across lunations and an enhancement over KREEP (Potassium Rare Earth Elements and Phosphorus) surface regions, revealing a strong dependence on surface composition.
A physiological model of the hunger response in humans

The hunger response in humans has been simulated in an quantitative temporal physiological model using the Center for Research and Education in Aging Language (CREAL). CREAL is a language that can ...
Minority and Female Students in Engineering

It appears that the national demand for engineers will increase in future years. To meet this demand, besides traditional prospective engineering students, minorities and women have to be encouraged to accept engineering as a profession. The engineering summer institute is one possible way to expose the high school students to the broad area of engineering. Such a program at The University of Texas at El Paso is discussed here, including its potential for providing future engineering students.
Forgiveness, Family Relationships and Health

Although family relationships play an integral role in the psychological and physical health of family members, research on forgiveness in this context is limited. Critical evaluation of extant data shows that forgiveness of family members differs as a function of the relationship involved and that forgiveness impacts the quality of the relationship. Because the quality of family relationships is associated with health outcomes, forgiveness is indirectly related to health because of its impact on characteristics of the relationship. There is also a direct association between forgiveness of family members and psychological health, particularly depressive symptoms, but more data are needed to draw inferences about physical health. Few studies explicitly set out to investigate health outcomes of forgiveness in family relationships and such research is a priority in setting a future research agenda. This agenda also includes the need to study health outcomes for perpetrators as well as victims, potential negative effects of forgiveness, the role of self-forgiveness in family relationships, equity in forgiveness between family members over time and the study of patient populations. The chapter concludes by identifying the potential of forgiveness interventions to provide much needed information on mechanisms involved in forgiveness between family members.
MICROSHIELD / ISOCS Gamma Modeling Comparison

Quantitative radiological analysis attempts to determine the quantity of activity or concentration of specific radionuclide(s) in a sample. Based upon the certified standards that are used to calibrate gamma spectral detectors, geometric similarities between sample shape and the calibration standards determine if the analysis results developed are qualitative or quantitative. A sample analyzed that does not mimic a calibrated sample geometry must be reported as a non-standard geometry and thus the results are considered qualitative and not quantitative. MicroShieldR or ISOCSR calibration software can be used to model non-standard geometric sample shapes in an effort to obtain a quantitative analytical result. MicroShieldR and Canberra's ISOCSR software contain several geometry templates that can provide accurate quantitative modeling for a variety of sample configurations. Included in the software are computational algorithms that are used to develop and calculate energy efficiency values for the modeled sample geometry which can then be used with conventional analysis methodology to calculate the result. The response of the analytical method and the sensitivity of the mechanical and electronic equipment to the radionuclide of interest must be calibrated, or standardized, using a calibrated radiological source that contains a known and certified amount of activity.
Application of overlay modeling and control with Zernike polynomials in an HVM environment

Shrinking technology nodes and smaller process margins require improved photolithography overlay control. Generally, overlay measurement results are modeled with Cartesian polynomial functions for both intra-field and inter-field models and the model coefficients are sent to an advanced process control (APC) system operating in an XY Cartesian basis. Dampened overlay corrections, typically via exponentially or linearly weighted moving average in time, are then retrieved from the APC system to apply on the scanner in XY Cartesian form for subsequent lot exposure. The goal of the above method is to process lots with corrections that target the least possible overlay misregistration in steady state as well as in change point situations. In this study, we model overlay errors on product using Zernike polynomials with same fitting capability as the process of reference (POR) to represent the wafer-level terms, and use the standard Cartesian polynomials to represent the field-level terms. APC calculations for wafer-level correction are performed in Zernike basis while field-level calculations use standard XY Cartesian basis. Finally, weighted wafer-level correction terms are converted to XY Cartesian space in order to be applied on the scanner, along with field-level corrections, for future wafer exposures. Since Zernike polynomials have the property of being orthogonal in the unit disk we are able to reduce the amount of collinearity between terms and improve overlay stability. Our real time Zernike modeling and feedback evaluation was performed on a 20-lot dataset in a high volume manufacturing (HVM) environment. The measured on-product results were compared to POR and showed a 7% reduction in overlay variation including a 22% terms variation. This led to an on-product raw overlay Mean + 3Sigma X&Y improvement of 5% and resulted in 0.1% yield improvement.
Structure and magnetic ordering in Cr 8 and Cr 13 clusters

Theoretical studies of the equilibrium geometries, electronic structure, and magnetic properties of ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{8}$ and ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{13}$ clusters have been carried out using the local-spin-density approximation in the density-functional theory. Several nearly degenerate isomers have been identified for both these clusters. In contrast to the recent studies of Cheng and Wang [Phys. Rev. Lett. 77, 51 (1996)], no indication of dimerization was found in the ground-state geometry of ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{8}.$ The isomers have different magnetic properties. Among the three nearly degenerate isomers of ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{8},$ two are antiferromagnetic while the other is ferromagnetic with a net moment of $4.0{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}.$ ${\mathrm{Cr}}_{13},$ on the other hand, has two nearly degenerate isomers---a ferrimagnetic one with a net moment of $14.0{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}$ and a ferromagnetic one with a net moment of $2.0{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{B}.$ These results are consistent with collision-induced dissociation and magnetic deflection experiments.
Pancreas transplantation: alternatives and limitations

Future alternatives to traditional insulin administration include closed-loop delivery systems and islet cell transplantation.
Pyrolysis Mechanisms of Thiophene and Methylthiophene in Asphaltenes

The pyrolysis mechanisms of thiophene in asphaltenes have been investigated theoretically using density functional and ab initio quantum chemical techniques. All of the possible reaction pathways were explored using B3LYP, MP2, and CBS-QB3 models. A comparison of the calculated heats of reaction with the available experimental values indicates that the CBS-QB3 level of theory is quantitatively reliable for calculating the energetic reaction paths of the title reactions. The pyrolysis process is initiated via four different types of hydrogen migrations. According to the reaction barrier heights, the dominant 1,2-H shift mechanism involves two competitive product channels, namely, C(2)H(2) + CH(2)CS and CS + CH(3)CCH. The minor channels include the formation of CS + CH(2)CCH(2), H(2)S + C(4)H(2), HCS + CH(2)CCH, CS + CH(2)CHCH, H + C(4)H(3)S, and HS + C(4)H(3). The methyl substitution effect was investigated with the pyrolysis of 2-methylthiophene and 3-methylthiophene. The energetics of such systems were very similar to that for unsubstituted thiophene, suggesting that thiophene alkylation may not play a significant role in the pyrolysis of asphaltene compounds.
Meal-stimulated canine jejunal ionic absorption - Influence of mucosal neural blockade

The oral ingestion of a meal or the delivery of nutrients directly to the stomach or duodenum stimulates water and ion absorption from the proximal jejunal lumen. To further investigate this phenomenon, this study tested two hypotheses: (1) direct jejunal nutrient delivery stimulates jejunal absorption, and (2) the signal for jejunal absorption requires intact enteric neurotransmission and will therefore be altered by mucosal neural blockade with the local anesthetic bupivacaine. Intestinal absorption studies (N=52) were performed on eight dogs with 25-cm jejunal Thirty-Vella fistulas (TVF) and feeding jejunostomies. Luminal perfusion with [14C]PEG was used to calculate TVF absorption of H2O, Na+, and Cl−. Six groups were randomly studied over 4 hr. Each group incorporated a basal hour, a TVF or jejunostomy treatment hour, and an oral (groups 1 and 3) or a jejunal (groups 4 and 6) meal stimulus. The oral and jejunal meals were isocaloric and of identical composition. Groups 1–3 had saline (as a control) or 0.75% bupivacaine applied to the lumen of the TVF. Groups 5 and 6 had 0.75% bupivacaine application to the feeding jejunostomy. Both the oral and the jejunal meal stimuli resulted in a significant proabsorptive response in the TVF. TVF bupivacaine reduced basal absorption but did not diminish the meal-induced proabsorptive response. Treatment of the jejunostomy with bupivacaine caused no change in basal or postmeal absorption in the TVF. These data are consistent with the hypotheses that: (1) a proabsorptive signal responsible for meal-induced jejunal absorption originates from, or distal to, the jejunum, and (2) intact neural transmission maintains the basal absorptive state of the jejunum but is not necessary for the expression of the meal-induced proabsorptive response.
Effects of Estrogen on Pituitary Prolactin Levels of Female Rats Bearing Median Eminence Implants of Prolactin

SummaryA median eminence implant of prolactin significantly lowered anterior pituitary prolactin content and concentration in female rats. Injection of 1.0 μg of estradiol benzoate daily for 5 days was unable to counteract this action of the ME implant of prolactin, whereas 5 μg was only partially effective. However, injection of 10.0 μg of estradiol benzoate daily was as effective in increasing anterior pituitary prolactin levels in the presence as in the absence of an ME implant of prolactin. These results suggest that circulating levels of prolactin, by acting on the hypothalamus, may be able to modify the action of estrogen in promoting prolactin secretion.
The Importance of CD44 as a Stem Cell Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in Cancer

CD44 is a cell surface HA-binding glycoprotein that is overexpressed to some extent by almost all tumors of epithelial origin and plays an important role in tumor initiation and metastasis. CD44 is a compelling marker for cancer stem cells of many solid malignancies. In addition, interaction of HA and CD44 promotes EGFR-mediated pathways, consequently leading to tumor cell growth, tumor cell migration, and chemotherapy resistance in solid cancers. Accumulating evidence indicates that major HA-CD44 signaling pathways involve a specific variant of CD44 isoforms; however, the particular variant almost certainly depends on the type of tumor cell and the stage of the cancer progression. Research to date suggests use of monoclonal antibodies against different CD44 variant isoforms and targeted inhibition of HA/CD44-mediated signaling combined with conventional radio/chemotherapy may be the most favorable therapeutic strategy for future treatments of advanced stage malignancies. Thus, this paper briefly focuses on the association of the major CD44 variant isoforms in cancer progression, the role of HA-CD44 interaction in oncogenic pathways, and strategies to target CD44-overexpressed tumor cells.
The origins of heterogeneous catalysis by platinum: Johann Wolfgang Döbereiner's contributions.

A number of examples of what Jons Jacob Berzelius was later (1835) to call catalysis, have been known from antiquity. One of the most prominent of these, dating from the early eighteenth century, was the action of platinum black on hydrogen observed in 1823 by Johann Wolfgang Dobereiner (1780-1849), Professor of Chemistry and Technology at the Universitat Jena (1810-1849), who is regarded as the discoverer of platinum catalysis. His startling discovery led to his invention of the widely used pneumatic gas lighter (Dobereinersches Feuerzeug) and was cited by Berzelius in his formulation of the concept of catalysis.