cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mass Cytometry Analytical Approaches Reveal Cytokine-Induced Changes in Natural Killer Cells.

Background Natural killer (NK) cells have antiviral and antitumor activity that could be harnessed for the treatment of infections and malignancies. To maintain cell viability and enhance antiviral and antitumor effects, NK cells are frequently treated with cytokines. Here they performed an extensive assessment of the effects of cytokines on the phenotype and function of human NK cells. Methods They used cytometry by time-of-flight (CyTOF) to evaluate NK cell repertoire changes after stimulation with interleukin (IL)-2, IL-15 or a combination of IL-12/IL-15/IL-18. To analyze the high dimensional CyTOF data, they used several statistical and visualization tools, including viSNE (Visualization of t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding), Citrus (Cluster identification, characterization, and regression), correspondence analysis, and the Friedman–Rafsky test. Results All three treatments (IL-2, IL-15, and IL-12/IL-15/IL-18) increase expression of CD56 and CD69. The effects of treatment with IL-2 and IL-15 are nearly indistinguishable and characterized principally by increased expression of surface markers including CD56, NKp30, NKp44, and increased expression of functional markers, such as perforin, granzyme B, and MIP-1β. The combination of IL-12/IL-15/IL-18 induces a profound shift in the repertoire structure, decreasing expression of CD16, CD57, CD8, NKp30, NKp46, and NKG2D, and dramatically increasing expression of IFN-γ. Conclusions CyTOF provides insights into the effects of cytokines on the phenotype and function of NK cells, which could inform future research efforts and approaches to NK cell immunotherapy. There are several analytical approaches to CyTOF data, and the appropriate method should be carefully selected based on which aspect of the dataset is being explored. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Regional Sustainability and Resilience: Recent Progress and Future Directions

Growing concerns over the vulnerabilities of cities and regions to climate change and other environmental, economic and social stressors underscore an increasing awareness of the interdependencies among the environment, economy and society. Sustainability—concerned with societal well-being and the maintenance of natural, manufactured, and human capital and other community assets over the long run—and resilience—focused on short-run recovery and adaptation to negative external shocks—have emerged as two key policy criteria. Although scholarship has lagged behind, the concepts of sustainability and resilience have been meaningfully defined in the literature and, in some cases, grounded in theory and empirically applied. We highlight these approaches and discuss future research needs and opportunities, including vastly more data and models that better account for open economies, integrate economic and environmental components, and provide a basis for welfare assessment. We conclude that regional scientists are well-positioned to take on these challenges.
Oncology phase II clinical trials in 2011: Summary description and comparison to phase II trials in other subspecialties.

e17568 Background: Phase II clinical trials in oncology have previously been reported to differ significantly in design compared to trials in other subspecialties. The purpose of this study is to p...
Requirements for Secure Clock Synchronization

This paper establishes a fundamental theory of secure clock synchronization. Accurate clock synchronization is the backbone of systems managing power distribution, financial transactions, telecommunication operations, database services, etc. Some clock synchronization (time transfer) systems, such as the global navigation satellite systems, are based on one-way communication from a master to a slave clock. Others, such as the network transport protocol, and the IEEE 1588 precision time protocol (PTP), involve two-way communication between the master and slave. This paper shows that all one-way time transfer protocols are vulnerable to replay attacks that can potentially compromise timing information. A set of conditions for secure two-way clock synchronization is proposed and proved to be necessary and sufficient. It is shown that IEEE 1588 PTP, although a two-way synchronization protocol, is not compliant with these conditions, and is therefore insecure. Requirements for secure IEEE 1588 PTP are proposed, and a second example protocol is offered to illustrate the range of compliant systems.
Role of Age and Cognitive Abilities in Knowledge of Life-Sustaining Treatments and Treatment Preferences

Background: There has been an increased initiative for older adults to be active participants in the end-of-life decision-making process. Cognitive changes that occur as part of the normal aging pr...
Catalan and Occitan Versus Aragonese: The Poetic Ceremony Following the Coronation of Alfonso the Benign in Muntaner’s Crònica

This chapter focuses on Muntaner’s description of the poetic celebration that took place in the Palace of the Aljaferia in Zaragoza following the coronation of Alfonso the Benign in 1328. This study suggests that this poetic celebration affirmed momentarily the existence of a unified Catalan-Provencal language that supported the monarchy of the Crown of Aragon and the Catalan interests in the Mediterranean. Aragonese was characterized as the language of opposition to the monarchy, reflecting the interests of the Aragonese nobility and some Aragonese cities. Muntaner explained that the ceremony was organized by the Lord Infant Peter (1305–1381), brother of Alfonso the Benign and carried out in Occitan, although it was described in Catalan. I argue that, consequently, Catalan was the language of the stage directions for a ceremony to be performed in the prestigious Occitan language, which was employed to exalt the power of the Catalan-Aragonese monarchy. Occitan did not appear directly in the text but it was placed, by means of the stage directions in Catalan, in a superior position as the exclusive language of tribute to the King. Aragonese, on the other hand, was completely erased. This poetic ceremony reflects not only a political use of the neutrality of the Occitan language to exalt the Catalan-Aragonese King, but also a brief performative episode of linguistic diglossia that would contest the ideology of linguistic standardization that began to be naturalized in the Romance-speaking world.
Comparing Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplant Strategies: A Modified Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Background The proportion of patients with kidney failure at time of liver transplantation is at a historic high in the United States. The optimal timing of kidney transplantation with respect to the liver transplant is unknown. Methods We used a modified cost-effectiveness analysis to compare 4 strategies: the old system ("pre-OPTN"), the new Organ Procurement Transplant Network (OPTN) system since August 10, 2017 ("OPTN"), and 2 strategies which restrict simultaneous liver-kidney transplants ("safety net" and "stringent"). We measured "cost" by deployment of deceased donor kidneys (DDKs) to liver transplant recipients and effectiveness by life years (LYs) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) in liver transplant recipients. We validated our model against Scientific Registry for Transplant Recipients data. Results The OPTN, safety net and stringent strategies were on the efficiency frontier. By rank order, OPTN > safety net > stringent strategy in terms of LY, QALY, and DDK deployment. The pre-OPTN system was dominated, or outperformed, by all alternative strategies. The incremental LY per DDK between the strategies ranged from 1.30 to 1.85. The incremental QALY per DDK ranged from 1.11 to 2.03. Conclusions These estimates quantify the "organ"-effectiveness of various kidney allocation strategies for liver transplant candidates. The OPTN system will likely deliver better liver transplant outcomes at the expense of more frequent deployment of DDKs to liver transplant recipients.
Musculocutaneous Nerve Entrapment

The musculocutaneous nerve is derived from vertebral levels C-5 and C-6. In addition, contributions from C-4 and C-7 are reported to occur in over 50% of observed cases. The nerve originates from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus. It terminates just above the cubital fossa, by piercing the deep fascia lateral to the tendon on the biceps muscle, and deep to the cephalic vein. From its origin, the nerve passes distally and laterally in the arm. Initially, it is closely applied to the lateral surface of the axillary artery, but its course carries it away from this vessel and into the substance of the coracobrachialis muscle.
Effects of biological type of beef steers on vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus status

Feedlot steers (n = 36) from three biological types (Bos indicus, Bos taurus-Continental, and Bos taurus-English) were used to determine the Ca, P, and vitamin D 3 status of feedlot cattle. The USDA yield and quality grade traits were measured at slaughter, and the concentrations of vitamin D 3 (VITD) and the metabolites 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 (25-OH D) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 (1,25-(OH) 2 D) were determined in LM, liver, kidney, and plasma. Plasma and muscle Ca and P concentrations also were determined. Biological type of cattle affected a number of carcass traits. Carcasses from Bos taurus-English cattle had more marbling, resulting in higher quality grades (P < 0.05). Carcasses from Bos taurus-Continental cattle had lower calculated yield grades (P < 0.05) than did carcasses from cattle in the other biological types. In general, differences in carcass traits resulting from biological type were consistent with other reports. Plasma and LM Ca and P concentrations were not affected (P = 0.06) by biological type of cattle, indicating that Ca and P homeostasis is a conserved trait across the different types of cattle. Plasma VITD and 25-OH D concentrations were not affected (P = 0.41) by biological type, whereas plasma 1,25-(OH) 2 D concentration was lower (P < 0.05) in Bos taurus-English cattle than in Bos taurus-Continental and Bos indicus cattle. Liver VITD and 25-OH D were not affected by biological type (P = 0.76), but liver 1,25-(OH) 2 D concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in Bos indicus cattle than in Bos taurus-Continental cattle. Kidney vitamin D metabolite concentrations were not affected by biological type of cattle (P = 0.21). Muscle VITD concentration was greater (P < 0.05) in Bos taurus-English cattle than in the other two biological types, and muscle 25-OH D concentrations were greater (P < 0.05) in Bos taurus-English cattle than in Bos indicus cattle. Muscle 1,25-(OH) 2 D concentration was less (P < 0.05) in the Bos taurus-Continental cattle than in the other two biological types. Cooking eliminated vitamin D metabolite differences among the biological types. Our results suggest that Bos indicus cattle had greater 1,25-(OH) 2 D (the biologically active form) in tissues, and greater 1,25-(OH) 2 D plasma concentrations than Bos taurus cattle. Thus, the need for VITD supplementation and optimal levels of Ca and P in feedlot diets might differ between Bos indicus and Bos taurus cattle.
Imaging of Chest Infections in Children

■ Imaging studies have limited value in the differentiation between viral and bacterial lower respiratory tract infections (moderate evidence).
ASIA, SOUTH | Megaliths

The Megalithic culture of South Asia is mainly represented by burials of many varieties. Although some of these burial monuments are not strictly ‘megalithic’ (i.e., ‘built of large stones’) in their nature, the usage of the term Megalithic can be justified because of its antiquity and continued popular use. However, the term denotes in the present context a socio-religious expression of burying the deceased in a grave (which may or may not have lithic appendage) accompanied by certain specific cultural traits of the period under reference. The use of iron coincides with the cultural period and forms an adjunct of Megalithic culture.
Generalized Macroscopic Models for Fluid Flow in Deformable Porous Media I: Theories

This study developed generalized mathematical models to describe the motion of fluids in porous media, and applied these models to harmonic excitation applications. The problem of fluid flow in small channels of a periodic elastic solid matrix was studied at the pore scale, and the homogenization technique was applied to predict the macroscopic behavior of reservoirs. Based on the homogenization study, five separate characteristic macroscopic models were identified according to the relation between a length scale parameter and a property contrast number. These five models can be used to interpret the corresponding responses of a saturated porous medium. The relation to existing theories, such as Darcy's law, the Telegrapher's equation and Biot's theory, was investigated. The numerical results and applications are presented in Part II of the study.
Abstract # 3086 Oral sensitization to a milk allergen triggers behavioral changes and neuroinflammatory responses in male C57BL/6 mice

Consumption of a certain food item, such as cow’s milk or wheat gluten, is reportedly associated with behavioral changes in susceptible individuals and thought to exacerbate the symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, ADHD and autism. However, causative evidence is limited and the mechanism is unknown. Because food hypersensitivities do not always manifest as anaphylaxis or other obvious reactions, suspected food-induced behavioral changes may be non-anaphylactic symptoms involving the central nervous system. To determine whether a common food allergen would indeed cause behavioral changes without severe reactions, a mouse model of milk allergy was developed and peripheral and central immune responses were investigated. Four-week-old male and female C57BL/6 mice were given β -lactoglobulin (BLG), a major cow’s milk allergen, in the presence of an adjuvant or the adjuvant alone via weekly oral gavage for 5 weeks. All animals were challenged with BLG during the 6th and 7th weeks and their behavior was assessed. BLG-sensitized males, but not females, exhibited increased grooming and anxiety-like behavior compared to sex-matched adjuvant-only mice. Associated with the behavioral phenotype, BLG-specific IgE in serum and proinflammatory cytokines in the ileum and brain were elevated in male BLG-sensitized mice. These results provide evidence that a food allergen-induced inflammatory response in the gut may communicate with the brain and affect behavior without a severe allergic reaction.
Interest in Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV is Limited Among Women in a General Obstetrics & Gynecology Setting

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an important tool for reducing the risk of HIV acquisition, but identifying eligible and interested female patients remains difficult. We collected 144 surveys at urban Obstetrics & Gynecology clinics in Louisiana to assess interest in PrEP. Study participants were predominantly African-American (61.8%) and 45.1% had incomes of less than $20,000 per year. 84.7% of participants estimated their risk of HIV acquisition to be low. Initial interest in PrEP was moderate at 37.5% of the population. Number of partners, condom use, and self-perceived risk of HIV acquisition were associated with initial interest. After receiving more information about side effects and compliance requirements, only four of 144 (7.8% of initially interested, 2.8% of total) women remained interested in using PrEP. Concern about side effects was the major barrier to persistent interest. Further study is needed to determine how best to identify PrEP candidates in Obstetrics & Gynecology settings.
Why 100% Renewable Energy Is Not Enough

Download : Download high-res image (133KB) Download : Download full-size image Jacques A. de Chalendar is a doctoral candidate in the Energy Resources Engineering department at Stanford University and a State Grid Graduate Student Fellow through Stanford’s Bits and Watts initiative. His PhD research focuses on applying state-of-the-art computational tools to energy and carbon management problems. He is an Ingenieur Polytechnicien from the French Ecole Polytechnique. Download : Download high-res image (125KB) Download : Download full-size image Sally M. Benson is a professor of energy resources engineering in the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences, co-director of the Precourt Institute for Energy, and Director of the Global Climate and Energy Project at Stanford University. Formerly, Benson was at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, where she held a variety of key positions, including Deputy Director, Associate Director for Energy Sciences, and Director of the Earth Sciences Division. Benson is regarded as an authority on carbon capture and storage. She also uses energy systems analysis to help guide decisions about the most promising pathways for clean energy development.
Solenoidal optical forces from a plasmonic Archimedean spiral

The optical forces generated by a right-handed plasmonic Archimedean spiral (PAS) have been mapped and analyzed. By changing the handedness of the circularly polarized excitation, the structure can switch from a trapping force profile to a rotating force profile. The Helmholtz-Hodge decomposition method has been used to separate the solenoidal component and the conservative component of the force and quantify their relative magnitude. It is shown that the for right-hand circularly polarized excitation, the PAS creates a significant amount of solenoidal forces. Using the decomposed force components, an intuitive explanation of the motion of micro- and nanoparticles in the force field is presented. Vector field topology is used to visualize the force components. The analysis is found to be consistent with numerical and experimental results. Due to the intuitive nature of the analysis, it can be used in the initial design process of complex laboratory-on-a-chip systems where a rigorous analysis is computationally expensive.
Ofatumumab As Initial Therapy For Indolent B Cell Lymphomas: A Phase II Trial

Background Single agent monoclonal antibodies (mAb) such as rituximab are an attractive treatment option for patients with low grade B-cell lymphoma given proven efficacy and tolerability. Ofatumumab offers potential advantages over rituximab including increased affinity for the CD20 antigen, increased complement dependent cytotoxicity, and is fully humanized which may predict a lower incidence of infusion reactions. We therefore investigated ofatumumab\as initial therapy for indolent B-cell lymphomas. Methods We conducted a phase II trial of ofatmumab monotherapy. Eligible patients were adults with previously untreated indolent B-cell lymphomas including follicular lymphoma grade 1-2, marginal zone lymphoma and small lymphocytic lymphoma. Subjects had to have measurable disease >2cm and not be candidates for potentially curative radiotherapy for localized disease. Ofatumumab was administered as 8 weekly infusions at a flat dose of 1000 mg. The primary end point was complete response rate (CRR) as defined by the International Workshop Response Criteria (1999). Restaging CT scans were performed 4 weeks after the final dose of study drug. Secondary endpoints included overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and toxicity. The study was designed with 90% power to show a 50% CRR, with a 30% CRR considered unworthy of further study. Results Between March 2011 and December 2012, 42 eligible subjects were enrolled (28 follicular lymphomas, 4 marginal zone lymphomas, and 10 small lymphocytic lymphomas). With 41 of 42 subjects completing all 8 infusions, the CRR was 9.5% with a PRR of 42.9% (ORR of 52%). The median PFS has not been reached at a median follow-up of 9 months. The 12 month PFS was 86% (95% CI [72%, 99%]). One patient died due to progressive disease. There were 22 (52%) grade 1-2 and 7 (17%) grade 3 infusion reactions despite standard pre-medications including acetaminophen, hydrocortisone, and diphenhydramine. There were no cases of grade 3-4 neutropenia. Conclusion Ofatumumab did not appear to improve the CRR compared to what would be expected from rituximab in patients with previously untreated indolent B-cell lymphomas. Incidence of infusion reactions was significant with this fully humanized mAb. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Ofatumumab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of relapsed chronic lymphomcytic leukemia that is refractory to fludarabine and alemtuzumab.
Mechanistic Links Between the Sedimentary Redox Cycle and Marine Acid-Base Chemistry

The redox state of Earth's surface is controlled on geological timescales by the flow of electrons through the sedimentary rock cycle, mediated largely by the weathering and burial of C‐S‐Fe phases. These processes buffer atmospheric pO₂. At the same time, CO₂ influxes and carbonate burial control seawater acid‐base chemistry and climate over long timescales via the carbonate‐silicate cycle. However, these two systems are mechanistically linked and impact each other via charge balance in the hydrosphere. Here, we use a low‐order Earth system model to interrogate a subset of these connections, with a focus on changes that occur during perturbations to electron flow through the sedimentary rock cycle. We show that the net oxidation or reduction of the Earth's surface can play an important role in controlling acid‐base processes in the oceans and thus climate, and suggest that these links should be more fully integrated into interpretive frameworks aimed at understanding Earth system evolution throughout Precambrian and Phanerozoic time.
Poles Apart: Monosporic, Bisporic, and Tetrasporic Embryo Sacs Revisited

Bisporic embryo sacs contain nuclei derived from two members of a megaspore tetrad whereas tetrasporic embryo sacs contain nuclei derived from all four members of a tetrad. Megaspores from the same tetrad are less genetically similar than are megaspores from different tetrads. Therefore, cells derived from different megaspores in bisporic and tetrasporic embryo sacs are expected to compete with each other rather than cooperate. The tacit assumption of the plant embryological literature that bisporic and tetrasporic embryo sacs function as integrated organisms is demonstrably false, both theoretically and empirically. This competition within embryo sacs can be expressed as the formation of eggs by descendants of more than one megaspore or by the suppression of the descendants of all but one megaspore. Both phenomena have evolved multiple times. In contrast, all nuclei of monosporic female gametophytes are genetically identical. Consequently, monosporic development is predicted to be more evolutionarily stable than bisporic or tetrasporic development. The triploid endosperm produced by most monosporic gametophytes was probably derived from an ancestrally diploid endosperm and has been considered a key adaptation of the most successful lineages of flowering plants. The greater weight given to the doubled maternal genome in triploid endosperm may have facilitated a more efficient distribution of resources among a mother’s seeds because it reduced the influence of competition for maternal resources among unrelated paternal genomes of endosperm.
The New US Heart Allocation Scheme: Impact on Waitlist and Post-Transplant Survival

In October 2018, the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) revised the donor heart allocation system in an attempt to prioritize those patients with highest clinical urgency, reduce waitlist morality, and improve geographic equity in organ allocation. Our goal was to review the changes in the heart allocation policy and its impact on transplant characteristics and outcomes. After the new 2018 donor heart allocation system became effective, there has been a trend toward increased use of temporary mechanical circulatory support. Also, initial reports suggested reduced post-transplant survival, although the initial analysis was limited by short follow-up and small sample size. Recent reports however illustrate survival outcomes similar to those of the previous allocation system. The new donor heart allocation policy has been associated with a change in management strategies for bridging patients to transplantation, with increased utilization of temporary mechanical circulatory support, with still uncertain effects on post-transplant survival.
Overview of Diagnostic Methods for Rotating Electrical Machines

Rotating electrical machines (generators and motors) are the basic elements of modern electrical power systems. Their control, maintenance and diagnostics are an urgent task. The article provides a classification and review of diagnostic methods for machines. The main attention is paid to the choice of input signals, mathematical methods for extracting useful information and diagnostics of electric drives in static and transient modes.
Mapping the functional landscape of T cell receptor repertoires by single-T cell transcriptomics

Many experimental and bioinformatics approaches have been developed to characterize the human T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. However, the unknown functional relevance of TCR profiling hinders unbiased interpretation of the biology of T cells. To address this inadequacy, we developed tessa, a tool to integrate TCRs with gene expression of T cells to estimate the effect that TCRs confer on the phenotypes of T cells. Tessa leveraged techniques combining single-cell RNA-sequencing with TCR sequencing. We validated tessa and showed its superiority over existing approaches that investigate only the TCR sequences. With tessa, we demonstrated that TCR similarity constrains the phenotypes of T cells to be similar and dictates a gradient in antigen targeting efficiency of T cell clonotypes with convergent TCRs. We showed this constraint could predict a functional dichotomization of T cells postimmunotherapy treatment and is weakened in tumor contexts.
Abstract 17083: SARS-CoV-2 Dramatically Decreases Healthcare Access for Patients With Cardiovascular Disease

Background: In the setting of SARS-CoV-2 the public has sought to avoid any unnecessary contact, leaving their homes only when absolutely necessary. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that patients largel...
Epigenetic Markers Are Associated With Differences in Isocyanate Biomarker Levels in Exposed Spray-Painters

Isocyanates are respiratory and skin sensitizers that are one of the main causes of occupational asthma globally. Genetic and epigenetic markers are associated with isocyanate-induced asthma and, before asthma develops, we have shown that genetic polymorphisms are associated with variation in plasma and urine biomarker levels in exposed workers. Inter-individual epigenetic variance may also have a significant role in the observed biomarker variability following isocyanate exposure. Therefore, we determined the percent methylation for CpG islands from DNA extracted from mononuclear blood cells of 24 male spray-painters exposed to 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) monomer and HDI isocyanurate. Spray-painters' personal inhalation and skin exposure to these compounds and the respective biomarker levels of 1,6-diaminohexane (HDA) and trisaminohexyl isocyanurate (TAHI) in their plasma and urine were measured during three repeated industrial hygiene monitoring visits. We controlled for inhalation exposure, skin exposure, age, smoking status, and ethnicity as covariates and performed an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) using likelihood-ratio statistical modeling. We identified 38 CpG markers associated with differences in isocyanate biomarker levels (Bonferroni < 0.05). Annotations for these markers included 18 genes: ALG1, ANKRD11, C16orf89, CHD7, COL27A, FUZ, FZD9, HMGN1, KRT6A, LEPR, MAPK10, MED25, NOSIP, PKD1, SNX19, UNC13A, UROS, and ZFHX3. We explored the functions of the genes that have been published in the literature and used GeneMANIA to investigate gene ontologies and predicted protein-interaction networks. The protein functions of the predicted networks include keratinocyte migration, cell-cell adhesions, calcium transport, neurotransmitter release, nitric oxide production, and apoptosis regulation. Many of the protein pathway functions overlap with previous findings on genetic markers associated with variability both in isocyanate biomarker levels and asthma susceptibility, which suggests there are overlapping protein pathways that contribute to both isocyanate toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics. These predicted protein networks can inform future research on the mechanism of allergic airway sensitization by isocyanates and aid in the development of mitigation strategies to better protect worker health.
International Law and Domestic Legal Systems: Incorporation, Transformation, and Persuasion (Introduction)

This book discusses developments in international law and their relationship to national legal systems. The introduction of the book notes that countries who received their independence from authoritarian regimes are more receptive to international law. A country may adopt either a monist approach to international law, where it considers international law part of its domestic law, or a dualist approach, in which a country separates its national law from international law. The introduction then proceeds to identify sources of international law, including treaties and countries’ methods of complying, customary international law, and declarations. The introduction concludes by noting the increasing presence and evolution of international law.
The Determinants of Tolerance in Arab Societies

Using data from the Arab Barometer Survey, I examine Arab Muslim attitudes toward religious diversity. While most Arabs agree that non-Muslims deserve the same political rights as Muslims, many Arabs do not show the same amount of tolerance toward converts away from Islam. Religiosity and support for political Islam are strongly associated with intolerance of Muslim converts, while religiosity is not associated with intolerance of non-Muslim minorities. Support for democracy is associated with greater tolerance. The results suggest that tolerance of diversity in Arab states is unique. While cultural diversity is largely tolerated, differences within the Muslim community are not.
From Inductive Inference to Algorithmic Learning Theory

We present two phenomena which were discovered in pure recursion-theoretic inductive inference, namely inconsistent learning (learning strategies producing apparently “senseless” hypotheses can solve problems unsolvable by “reasonable” learning strategies) and learning from good examples (“much less” information can lead to much more learning power). Recently, it has been shown that these phenomena also hold in the world of polynomial-time algorithmic learning. Thus inductive inference can be understood and used as a source of potent ideas guiding both research and applications in algorithmic learning theory.
Carbon‐13 Spectral Simulation

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Methodology for the Development of Individual Models 3 Regression Model Library 4 Model Selection 5 Neural Network Prediction of 13C NMR Spectra 6 13C NMR Simulation of Pyrans 7 Summary 8 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Terrestrial carbon stocks across a gradient of urbanization: a study of the Seattle, WA region

Most of our global population and its CO2 emissions can be attributed to urban areas. The process of urbanization changes terrestrial carbon stocks and fluxes, which, in turn, impact ecosystem functions and atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Using the Seattle, WA, region as a case study, this paper explores the relationships between aboveground carbon stocks and land cover within an urbanizing area. The major objectives were to estimate aboveground live and dead terrestrial carbon stocks across multiple land cover classes and quantify the relationships between urban cover and vegetation across a gradient of urbanization. We established 154 sample plots in the Seattle region to assess carbon stocks as a function of distance from the urban core and land cover [urban (heavy, medium, and low), mixed forest, and conifer forest land covers]. The mean (and 95% CI) aboveground live biomass for the region was 89 � 22MgCha � 1 with an additional 11.8 � 4MgCha � 1 of coarse woody debris biomass. The average live biomass stored within forested and urban land covers was 140 � 40 and 18 � 14MgCha � 1 , respectively, with a 57% mean vegetated canopy cover regionally. Both the total carbon stocks and mean vegetated canopy cover were surprisingly high, even within the heavily urbanized areas, well exceeding observations within other urbanizing areas and the average US forested carbon stocks. As urban land covers and populations continue to rapidly increase across the globe, these results highlight the importance of considering vegetation in urbanizing areas within the terrestrial carbon cycle.
GOLEM: an interactive graph-based gene-ontology navigation and analysis tool.

Background The Gene Ontology has become an extremely useful tool for the analysis of genomic data and structuring of biological knowledge. Several excellent software tools for navigating the gene ontology have been developed. However, no existing system provides an interactively expandable graph-based view of the gene ontology hierarchy. Furthermore, most existing tools are web-based or require an Internet connection, will not load local annotations files, and provide either analysis or visualization functionality, but not both.
Time-memory tradeoff in exponentiating a fixed element of GF(qn) requiring a short reference to the memory

Raising ?x to the yth power over GF(qn) can be performed by calculating ?y modulo the minimum polynomial of ?xand then multiplying the result by an n × n matrix over GF(q). The elements of the matrix are only a function of x and of the generating polynomial of the field. This principle offers a time-memory trade-off when exponentiating a fixed element of GF(qn), where the multiplications (not the squarings) involved in the standard squareand- multiply process are traded for a reference to a stored n × n matrix. The operations which make use of the stored data consume time which is equivalent to a single multiplication operation over the field, and are performed continuously, where the timeconsuming part of the exponentiation process is performed independently of the stored data. It is then shown how the presented principle enables an efficient implementation over GF(qn) of some variations of Diffie-Hellman public-key distribution system.
Intestinal Lactase Synthesis during Postnatal Development in the Rat

ABSTRACT: To elucidate the mechanism of the developmental decline in intestinal lactase activity at weaning, we examined lactase synthesis in suckling and adult rats. Lactase was purified to homogeneity from pooled intestines of newborn rats and used to raise a monospecific antibody. Using this antibody, we developed a quantitative immunoprecipitation assay for lactase. Intestinal microvillus membrane proteins were labeled in 15-day and adult rats by intraluminal pulse-chase with 3H-leucine, and newly synthesized lactase quantified by immunoprecipitation. When lactase synthesis was expressed as the quantity of microvillus membrane lactase synthesized relative to total microvillus membrane protein synthesized, a significantly greater proportion of 3H-leucine incorporation into lactase was demonstrated in the suckling animals. No structural differences between newly synthesized suckling and adult lactase were observed when they were compared by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. These data suggest that a change in the rate of lactase synthesis plays a role in the postweaning decline in enzyme activity.
Design and Implementation of the Multifunction Fast Charger for LiFePO4 Battery

The paper proposes a multifunction charger for LiFePO4 battery. The proposed multifunction charger contains charge circuit for LiFePO4 battery and state of charge (SOC) estimation system. With a micro processor integrated, the proposed charger is capable of digital control to improve the system reliability. The fast charger uses pulse current charging circuit which integrates micro processor, voltage detecting interface, current detecting interface and control software. The user can adjust the duty cycle and frequency of charging pulse by controlling the pulse width modulation (PWM) signal. The proposed battery state of charge estimation system is based on the radial basis function (RBF) neural network approach. The architecture of RBF neural network used in this project contains an input layer, an output layer and a hidden layer. Input layer has 3 neurons which are impedance, voltage, current of battery and output layer has one neuron which is SOC. To verify the performances of the proposed multifunction fast charger, a prototype charger has been tested on practical LiFePO4 battery. The field practical operations of the prototype charger were studied in accordance with the conditions for the different charging modes.
Absorption cross-sections of CF2 in the A 1B1-X 1A1 transition at 0.5 nm intervals and absolute rate constant for 2CF2→C2F4 at 298 ± 3 K

Abstract The absorption cross-sections σCF2 for the CF2 radical in the UV for the transition A 1B1← X 1A1 at 0.5 nm intervals were obtained. CF2 was produced by the flash photolysis of C2F4 and C3F6 between 185 and 209 nm. The σCF2 values determined with the quantum yield φCF2 of CF2 as 1.0 from the photodissociation of CF3CFCF2 and φCF2=2.0 in the photolysis of C2F4 were identical within the experimental error of ±15%. HBr actinometry with the emission spectra of the lamps and the σ vs. wavelength characteristics of C2F4 and C3F6 were used to determine the absolute number of photons absorbed per flash. A maximum σCF2 of (2.91±0.44)×10−17 cm2 molecule−1 was obtained at 249.0 nm. This was compared with values reported in the literature. The oscillator strength of the CF2 transition was determined to be 0.026. The decay of CF2 was studied in flashed C2F4, C2F4 plus added gas, C3F6 and C3F6 plus added gas mixtures. In all cases CF2 was found to decay by the second-order reaction CF2+CF2→C2F4. The rate constant for this dimerization was found to be (4.26±0.43)×10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. No evidence for the reaction of CF2 with C2F4 and C3F6 to form the next higher perfluorocarbon was observed.
Mechanical Impact Testing: Data Review and Analysis

Since the 1950s, when first the Army and then NASA developed mechanical impact testing of materials, researchers have continued efforts to gain a better understanding of the chemical, mechanical, and thermodynamic nature of the phenomenon. The impact mechanism is a proven ignition mechanism, which must be considered and understood in the design of an oxygen system. The use of test data from this test method has been questioned because of the lack of a clear method of application of the data and variability found between tests, material batches, and facilities. This effort explores a large database, which has accumulated over a number of years, and its overall nature. Moreover, testing was performed to determine the statistical nature of the test procedure to help establish sample size guidelines for material characterization. The current practice of reporting reaction frequency data at dropped energy rather than energy the sample receives does not offer a way to compare data between facilities.
Is wildlife tourism benefiting Indian protected areas? A survey

India's protected areas (PAs), especially those designated tiger reserves, are popular tourist destinations, experiencing considerable and growing visitor numbers, but the principles of ecotourism are not well implemented. This paper analyses tourism practice in a sample of popular tiger reserves in India according to four principles of responsible ecotourism: minimisation of environmental impacts, generation of funds for conservation, benefits to local communities, and education of visitors. Evidence demonstrates that few criteria of ecotourism are met in most PAs: tourism imposes significant detrimental impacts, little of the generated revenue is captured, local communities get mostly menial jobs, and visitor education is virtually non-existent with tourism geared mainly towards thrill-seeking. The Indian Forest Service, which manages the PAs, is on the whole unprepared and ill-equipped to plan and implement proper ecotourism practices and faces constant pressure from other actors to increase tourism re...
Crustaceans as models for metal metabolism: III. Interaction of lobster and mammalian metallothionein with glutathione

Abstract In the blue crab Callinectes sapidus , a direct correlation exists between the levels of Cu(I)-metallothionein (CuMT) and Cu(I)-hemocyanin during the molt cycle. However, CuMT cannot directly restore the oxygen-binding capacity of copperless hemocyanin. Here we report the discovery of an intracellular ligand that may facilitate the transfer of Cu(I) from CuMT to the active site of apohemocyanin. The tripeptide glutathione (γ-Glu-Cys-Gly, GSH) in the digestive gland of the American lobster, Homarus americanus , co-elutes with copper-metallothionein during size-exclusion chromatography. The latter protein can be separated into three isoforms by anion-exchange chromatography: CuMT-I, CuMT-II, and CuMT-III, as has been found for the CuMTs from the blue crab. The interaction between GSH and MT isoforms was examined by ultrafiltration experiments and size-exclusion HPLC. CuMT-III forms a stable 1:1 complex with GSH, with a dissociation constant of 1 μm. CuMT-I and II make a transient complex with GSH, with subsequent release of copper as a copper-glutathione [Cu(I)-(GSH) 2 ] complex. This complex can restore oxygen binding by apohemocyanin. GSH also forms a complex with cadmium-zinc MT from rabbit liver and can repair the oxidized form of this protein. The binding site for GSH on the mammalian MT has been tentatively identified by molecular-graphics analysis and energy-minimization calculations. These studies suggest that MT and GSH are intricately linked in the biochemistry of metal regulation.
The benign lymphoepithelial cyst and a classification system for lymphocytic parotid gland enlargement in the pediatric HIV population.

Objectives/Hypothesis: The objectives of this study are to present a series of parotid gland benign lymphoepithelial cysts (BLEC) in HIV-positive children and to propose a three-tiered classification system for HIV-associated lymphocytic parotid gland enlargement. Study Design: The authors conducted a retrospective case series and literature review. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective chart review of four pediatric patients with HIV-associated parotid gland BLEC who presented to a tertiary care university medical center. Results: Four pediatric HIV-positive patients (four girls; age range, 7–17 years [mean age, 12.8 years]) were diagnosed with parotid gland BLEC. Two patients presented with acute parotitis and the others presented with asymptomatic enlargement of the parotid glands. Three patients had bilateral parotid gland BLEC. The other patient demonstrated persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (PGL) of the intraparotid and cervical lymph nodes and early BLEC limited to the left parotid gland. One patient also displayed parotid gland microcalcifications and cystic changes in the adenoids, neither of which have been described previously in the setting of HIV-associated BLEC. Computed tomography was performed on all patients, and one patient underwent fine needle aspiration to confirm the diagnosis. All patients opted for observation and antiretroviral medication therapy as long-term treatment. Based on these findings and a review of the literature, we propose a three-tiered classification system for lymphocytic parotid gland enlargement in the HIV population: 1) PGL, 2) benign lymphoepithelial lesions (BLEL), and 3) BLEC. Conclusions: This series equals the largest pediatric series of HIV-associated parotid gland BLEC in the English literature. One patient in our series also demonstrated PGL; there were no cases of BLEL. A classification system based on morphology is proposed to help resolve the confusion in terminology used to describe this entity. Most pediatric HIV-infected patients with parotid gland BLEC can be treated with observation and antiretroviral medication therapy. For others, who are symptomatic or more concerned about their cosmetic appearance, sclerotherapy may offer a reasonable option. Radiation therapy and surgery should be reserved for select cases.
Cooling as a probe of confinement

Abstract We use cooling to probe the dynamics of confinement in three-dimensional gauge theory. We first observe the persistence of a plateau in the Creutz ratios under cooling for three-dimensional Georgi-Glashow models with both Wilson and Villain actions and comment on the structure of the cooled lattices. Since cooling moves a lattice configuration closer to a stationary point of the action, averages of an observable over many cooled configurations may be expected to give the leading semiclassical contribution. We explicitly demonstrate this for the three-dimensional Georgi-Glashow model (with Villain action) in the pure U(1) limit and report on the status of current work to extend these results away from this limit.
A thermal analysis study of ibuprofen and starch mixtures using simultaneous TG-DTA

Abstract Mixtures of ibuprofen and starch were examined in a flowing atmosphere of dry nitrogen using a simultaneous TG–DTA unit. This showed that the two main features of heat treatment of ibuprofen, namely melting and evaporation, were retained. The loss of water from the starch on heat treatment could be noticed in the mixtures, and the thermal degradation of the starch to carbon could also be observed as a separate step. The temperature for the evaporation of the ibuprofen increased and the starch degradation temperature also rose with increasing ibuprofen content in the binary mixtures. The separation of these two processes enabled the percentage of composition of the mixture to be established.
Preparation of hydrogel capsules with thermoresponsive interpenetrating polymer network using concentric two-fluid nozzles

Abstract Hydrogel capsules in which shell was composed of thermoresponsive interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) of crosslinked poly( N -isopropylacrylamide) (PNIAPM) and calcium alginate, were prepared using concentric two-fluid nozzles. To introduce different amount of PNIPAM into the capsule shell, the concentrations of the NIPAM monomer and the polymerization initiator were changed in a wide range and the characteristics of the resulting capsules were evaluated. Spherical and uniformly sized capsules were obtained under all conditions. Elemental analyses showed that the PNIPAM/alginate weight ratio increased with the increase of initial concentrations of NIPAM monomer and polymerization initiator and was proportional to the initial rate of polymerization. In addition, the thermoresponsive properties of IPN hydrogel capsule were measured at temperatures from 10 °C to 50 °C and the thermoresponsive volume change ratio was expressed as a function of the PNIPAM/alginate weight ratio raised to a power. From these results, the relationship between the experimental conditions and the amount of PNIPAM in the capsule shell was clarified, and it indicated the magnitude of volume change of IPN hydrogel capsules can be controlled by introducing the desired amount of PNIPAM in the capsules.