cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stimulation of KatG catalase activity by peroxidatic electron donors

Abstract Catalase–peroxidases (KatGs) use a peroxidase scaffold to support robust catalase activity, an ability no other member of its superfamily possesses. Because catalase turnover requires H2O2 oxidation, whereas peroxidase turnover requires oxidation of an exogenous electron donor, it has been anticipated that the latter should inhibit catalase activity. To the contrary, we report peroxidatic electron donors stimulated catalase activity up to 14-fold, particularly under conditions favorable to peroxidase activity (i.e., acidic pH and low H2O2 concentrations). We observed a “low-” and “high-KM” component for catalase activity at pH 5.0. Electron donors increased the apparent kcat for the “low-KM” component. During stimulated catalase activity, less than 0.008 equivalents of oxidized donor accumulated for every H2O2 consumed. Several classical peroxidatic electron donors were effective stimulators of catalase activity, but pyrogallol and ascorbate showed little effect. Stopped-flow evaluation showed that a FeIII–O2 −-like intermediate dominated during donor-stimulated catalatic turnover, and this intermediate converted directly to the ferric state upon depletion of H2O2. In this respect, the FeIII–O2 − -like species was more prominent and persistent than in the absence of the donor. These results point toward a much more central role for peroxidase substrates in the unusual catalase mechanism of KatG.
Caffeine inhibits InsP3 responses and capacitative calcium entry in canine pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells

Abstract Caffeine is a well described and characterized ryanodine receptor (RyR) activator. Previous evidence from independent research studies also indicate caffeine inhibits InsP 3 receptor functionality, which is important to activation of capacitative Ca 2+ entry (CCE) in some cell types. In addition, RyR activation elicits excitatory-coupled Ca 2+ entry (ECCE) in skeletal muscle myotubes. Recent studies by our group show that canine pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) have functional InsP 3 receptors as well as RyRs, and that CCE is dependent on InsP 3 receptor activity. The potential for caffeine to activate ECCE as well as inhibit InsP 3 receptor function and CCE was examined using fura-2 fluorescent imaging in canine PASMCs. The data show caffeine causes transient as well as sustained cytosolic Ca 2+ increases, though this is not due to CCE or ECCE activity as evidenced by a lack of an increase in Mn 2+ quench of fura-2. The experiments also show caffeine reversibly inhibits 5-HT elicited—InsP 3 mediated Ca 2+ responses with an IC 50 of 6.87 × 10 − 4 M and 10 mM caffeine fully inhibits CCE. These studies provide the first evidence that caffeine is an inhibitor of InsP 3 generated Ca 2+ signals and CCE in PASMCs.
Permeable porous 1–3 nm thick overoxidized polypyrrole films on nanostructured carbon fiber microdisk electrodes

Abstract Ionically conducting 1–3 nm thick porous films of overoxidized polypyrrole (OPPY) were electrodeposited on nanostructured 7 μm diameter carbon fiber microdisk electrodes. The microdisk electrodes were fabricated from two types of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fibers, PAN T650 and PAN HCB. The electrodes were nanostructured by electrochemical etching of the microdisk electrode surface. Ultrathin porous polypyrrole (PPY) films were electrodeposited by the electropolymerization of pyrrole (PY) to PPY by a short (10 ms) single potential pulse. During the electropolymerization, the polymer “precipitated” on the nanostructured surface producing ultrathin porous film. OPPY films were fabricated by constant potential overoxidation of PPY. In steady-state voltammetry of ferricyanide, the nanostructured electrodes behave as a random array of microscopic nodules and pores. At potential scan rates of 0.050 V s−1 diffusion fields at the 300–600 nm nodules on the 7 μm diameter microdisk electrode overlap. The surface area of the electroactive nanofeatures decreases after deposition of insulating OPPY. Kinetics of ferricyanide at bare and OPPY-coated nanostructured electrodes reflect the electrode surface area, as predicted by the model for charge transfer at a partially blocked surface. A model reflecting the 58–94% coverage of the nanostructured electrodes by OPPY was developed to address the high permeability of the porous OPPY-coated microdisk electrodes.
Promoting influenza vaccination: Insights from a qualitative meta-analysis of 14 years of influenza-related communications research by U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Abstract Introduction A primary mission of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) is promoting immunization against seasonal influenza. As with most education efforts, CDC's influenza-related communications are often informed by formative research. Methods A qualitative meta-analysis of 29 unpublished, primarily qualitative CDC-sponsored studies related to flu and flu vaccination knowledge, attitudes and beliefs (KABs). The studies, undertaken between 2000 and 2013, involved focus groups, in-depth interviews, message testing and surveys. Some involved health care professionals, while others involved members of the public, including sub-populations at risk for severe illness. Findings The themes that emerged suggested progress in terms of KABs related to influenza and influenza vaccination, but also the persistence of many barriers to vaccine acceptance. With respect to the public, recurring themes included limited understanding of influenza and immunization recommendations, indications of greater sub-group recognition of the value of flu vaccination, continued resistance to vaccination among many, and overestimation of the effectiveness of non-vaccine measures. Seven cognitive facilitators of vaccination were identified in the studies along with six cognitive barriers. For health care providers, the analysis suggests greater knowledge and more favorable beliefs, but many misperceptions persist and are similar to those held by the public. KABs often differed by type or category of health care provider. Conclusions The themes identified in this qualitative analysis illustrate the difficulty in changing KABs related to influenza and influenza vaccine, particularly on the scope and scale needed to greatly improve uptake. Even with an influenza pandemic and more vaccine options available, public and some health care provider perceptions and beliefs are difficult and slow to change. This meta-analysis does, however, provide important insights from previously unpublished information that can help those who are promoting influenza vaccination to health care providers, the general public and specific populations within the general population.
Canine RBC osmotic tolerance and membrane permeability

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the cryobiological characteristics of canine red blood cells (RBC). These included the hydraulic conductivity ( L p ), the permeability coefficients ( P s ) of common cryoprotectant agents (CPAs), the associated reflection coefficient ( σ ), the activation energies ( E a ) of L p and P s and the osmotic tolerance limits. By using a stopped-flow apparatus, the changes of fluorescence intensity emitted by intracellularly entrapped 5-carboxyfluorescein diacetate (CFDA) were recorded when cells were experiencing osmotic volume changes. After the determination of the relationship between fluorescence intensity and cell volume, cell volume changes were calculated. These volume changes were used in three-parameter fitting calculations to determine the values of L p , P s , and σ for common CPAs. These volume measurements and data analyses were repeated at three different temperatures (22, 14, 7 °C). Using the Arrhenius equation, the activation energies of L p and P s in the presence of CPAs were determined. The osmotic tolerance limits for canine RBC were determined by measuring the percentage of free hemoglobin in NaCl solutions with various osmolalities compared to that released by RBC incubated in double distilled water. The upper and lower osmotic tolerance limits were found to be 150 mOsm (1.67 V iso ) and 1200 mOsm (0.45 V iso ), respectively. These parameters were then used to calculate the amount of non-permeating solute needed to keep cell volume excursions within the osmotic tolerance limits during CPA addition and removal.
Readiness to change in adults waiting for publicly funded substance abuse treatment

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the factor structure of a modified version of the Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) for a sample of indigent adults with alcohol and other drug problems. A community sample of 338 adults on waiting lists for entrance into publicly funded substance abuse treatment completed a 19-item modified version of the SOCRATES. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on two structural models of the SOCRATES based on prior literature. The results indicated that a two-factor model of the SOCRATES provided the best fit for the data in this study. Suggestions for future research using a modified version of this measure are discussed.
Occurrence of silo fillers' disease in children

A case is reported of a 6-year-old child who died of silo fillers' disease complicated by terminal pulmonary infiltration by fungus resembling monilia. All previous cases have been reported in adult farm workers or industrial workers. Clinical course and autopsy findings presented.
Biochemical composition and quality of captive-spawned cobia Rachycentron canadum eggs

Abstract Interest in the commercial production of cobia Rachycentron canadum continues to rise as additional insight is gained into the hardy and fast growing nature of this species. However, research regarding the biochemical composition of captive-spawned eggs and egg and larval quality remains scarce. Such data is essential as a common bottleneck to production is a steady supply of fingerlings for grow-out. This study quantified the biochemical composition and quality of cobia eggs produced over 2 spawning seasons by broodstock on a traditional ‘trash fish’ diet which is commonly fed to tank spawning cobia. Throughout the study, batch fecundity, proportion of floating eggs and percent hatch averaged > 1 million eggs, ∼ 0.8 and 70%, respectively. Batch fecundity was significantly higher during the second spawning season as a result of the increased size of the females which weighed 18/22 kg and 22/26 kg at the beginning of each season. A positive correlation was found between the proportion of floating eggs and hatch rate for both spawning seasons. No correlations were found between egg composition (total lipid (30.0 ± 1.1% dry wt), protein (25.4 ± 2.2% dry wt), carbohydrate (2.4 ± 0.3% dry wt), vitamin E (10.2 ± 0.6 μg/g wet wt) or dry weight (119.1 ± 5.5 μg/egg)) and egg quality (proportion of floating eggs, hatch rate, larval growth and larval survival). Further, no differences in egg composition were noted between seasons or over the course of each season. The fatty acid composition of cobia eggs varied between seasons possibly due to changes in the quality of frozen feed (fish, shrimp, squid) given to the broodstock. The only correlation between the fatty acid profile and egg quality was a decrease in the proportion of floating eggs as the total amount of n -3 highly unsaturated fatty acids increased. No relationship between egg quality and amino acid content was noted with the most prominent amino acids being glutamate, leucine, alanine, proline, lysine and aspartate nor were any differences detected between spawning seasons.
Vibrational entropy and microstructural effects on the thermodynamics of partially disordered and ordered Ni3V

Samples of Ni3V were prepared with two microstructures: (1) with equilibrium D022 order, and (2) with partial disorder (having a large D022 chemical order parameter, but without the tetragonality of the unit cell). For both materials, we measured the difference in their heat capacities from 60 to 325 K, inelastic neutron-scattering spectra at four values of Q at 11 and at 300 K, and Young's moduli and coefficients of thermal expansion. The difference in heat capacity at low temperatures was consistent with a harmonic model using the phonon density of states (DOS) curves determined from the inelastic neutron-scattering spectra. In contrast, at temperatures greater than 160 K the difference in heat capacity did not approach zero, as expected of harmonic behavior. The temperature dependence of the phonon DOS can be used to approximately account for the anharmonic contributions to the differential heat capacity. We also argue that some of the anharmonic behavior should originate with a microstructural contribution to the heat capacity involving anisotropic thermal contractions of the D022 structure. We estimate the difference in vibrational entropy between partially disordered and ordered Ni3V to be Spdis -Sord =(+0.038±0.015)kB /atom at 300 K.
Mechanisms underlying spontaneous calcium spiking in aequorin-loaded ROS 17/2.8 cells.

In earlier studies, McLeod and coworkers reported the detection of spontaneous calcium spiking in ROS 17/2.8 cells which they suggested was derived from individual cells progressing through mitosis or the cell cycle. They also indicated that the degree of spiking could be modulated by exposure of the cells to time-varying extremely low frequency electric fields. Given the implications of such observations for our understanding of the effects of electromagnetic fields on biological systems, it appeared important for mechanistic reasons to understand the basis of this spiking. In this study, we were able to confirm that spontaneous calcium spiking activity could be detected in ROS 17/2.8 cells and that this appeared to emanate from individual cells. We found this spiking to be completely dependent on extracellular calcium ions and to be independent of the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-sensitive intracellular calcium store. This spiking is not reduced by treatments which slow down or block the passage of cells through the cell cycle. Further, we found that spiking was only detectable in the most highly aequorin-loaded subpopulation of cells whose growth rate is reduced and whose morphological appearance is abnormal. In conjunction with what is known about calcium spiking in other, nonexcitable mammalian cells in culture, the data presented strongly argue that the spontaneous calcium spiking observed in ROS 17/2.8 cells is unrelated to normal events of the cell cycle and most likely result from the damaging effects of excessive loading with aequorin.
The changing face of public concern about pollution in the United States: A case study of New Jersey

National surveys and a survey conducted by the authors in March and April 2004 revealed that the public’s concerns about air, water and land pollution have declined during the last four years in the United States and more specifically in the State of New Jersey. In New Jersey pollution remains a major concern of most residents, even during a period of a war, anxiety about terrorism and the economy. Those most anxious about pollution do not believe that government is doing enough to protect the environment, want to maintain current environmental laws, and are worried about the future. Disproportionately they are African and White Americans, middle income, and college graduates, in other words, part of the American mainstream. Direct attempts to weaken environmental protection are likely to be resisted by this core of the population, which does not trust current federal, state and local governments to protect the environment. We expect concerns for the environment to continue and yet change as production processes in the United States continue a trend toward pollution prevention, and we wait for the public’s mental models to catch up with this evolving reality.
Regions of Endonuclease EcoRII Involved in DNA Target Recognition Identified by Membrane-bound Peptide Repertoires

Target sequence-specific DNA binding regions of the restriction endonuclease EcoRII were identified by screening a membrane-bound EcoRII-derived peptide scan with an EcoRII recognition site (CCWGG) oligonucleotide duplex. Dodecapeptides overlapping by nine amino acids and representing the complete protein were prepared by spot synthesis. Two separate DNA binding regions, amino acids 88-102 and amino acids 256-273, which share the consensus motif KXRXXK, emerged. Screening 570 single substitution analogues obtained by exchanging every residue of both binding sites for all other amino acids demonstrated that replacing basic residues in the consensus motifs significantly reduced DNA binding. EcoRII mutant enzymes generated by substituting alanine or glutamic acid for the consensus lysine residues in DNA binding site I expressed attenuated DNA binding, whereas corresponding substitutions in DNA binding site II caused impaired cleavage, but enzyme secondary structure was unaffected. Furthermore, Glu96, which is part of a potential catalytic motif and also locates to DNA binding site I, was demonstrated to be critical for DNA cleavage and binding. Homology studies of DNA binding site II revealed strong local homology to SsoII (recognition sequence, CCNGG) and patterns of sequence conservation, suggesting the existence of functionally related DNA binding sites in diverse restriction endonucleases with recognition sequences containing terminal C:G or G:C pairs.
Three angry men: dramatizing point-of-view using augmented reality

"Three Angry Men" is a novel augmented reality experience that explores the use of Augmented Reality (AR) as a dramatic medium. The user participates in an AR version of the famous twentieth-century play, "Twelve Angry Men," [Rose 1983] which for practical reasons we have abbreviated into a scene involving 3 characters (thus, "Three Angry Men"). The participant finds herself immersed in a physical jury-room, where virtual characters (jurors in the drama, rendered as video-based characters overlaid at appropriate 3D locations around the physical table using a see-through head-worn display) debate the guilt of a young man on trial for murder (see Figure 1).
The DAF-2 insulin-like signaling pathway independently regulates aging and immunity in C. elegans.

The C. elegans DAF-2 insulin-like signaling pathway, which regulates lifespan and stress resistance, has also been implicated in resistance to bacterial pathogens. Loss-of-function daf-2 and age-1 mutants have increased lifespans (Kenyon et al. 1993; Larsen et al. 1995; Lithgow et al. 1995) and are resistant to a variety of bacterial pathogens (Garsin et al. 2003). This raises the possibility that the increased longevity and the pathogen resistance of insulin-like signaling pathway mutants are reflections of the same underlying mechanism (Lithgow 2003; Bolm et al. 2004). Here we report that regulation of lifespan and resistance to the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa is mediated by both shared and genetically distinguishable mechanisms. We find that loss of germline proliferation enhances pathogen resistance and this effect requires daf-16, similar to the regulation of lifespan. In contrast, the regulation of pathogen resistance and lifespan is decoupled within the DAF-2 pathway. Long-lived mutants of genes downstream of daf-2, such as pdk-1 and sgk-1 (Paradis et al. 1999; Hertweck et al. 2004), show wildtype resistance to pathogens. However, mutants of akt-1 and akt-2, which we find to individually have modest effects on lifespan, show enhanced resistance to pathogens. We also demonstrate that pathogen resistance of daf-2, akt-1, and akt-2 mutants is associated with restricted bacterial colonization and that daf-2 mutants are better able to clear an infection after challenge with P. aeruginosa. Moreover, we find that pathogen resistance among insulin-like signaling mutants is associated with increased expression of immunity genes during infection. Other processes that affect organismal longevity, including Jun kinase signaling and caloric restriction, do not affect resistance to bacterial pathogens, further establishing that aging and innate immunity are regulated by genetically distinct mechanisms.
A stochastic approximation algorithm for option pricing model calibration with a switchable market

This paper is concerned with option pricing under a regime-switching model. The switching process takes two different modes, and the underlying stock price evolves in accordance with the two modes dictated by a continuous-time, finite-state Markov chain. At any given instance, the price follows either a geometric Brownian motion model or a mean-reversion model, depending on its market mode. Stochastic approximation/optimization algorithms are developed for model calibration. Convergence of the algorithm is proved; rate of convergence is also provided. Option market data are used to predict the future market mode.
Early Chromospheric Response During a Solar Microflare Observed With SOHO's CDS and RHESSI

We observed a solar microflare with RHESSI and SOHO's Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) on 2009 July 5. With CDS we obtained rapid cadence (7 s) stare spectra within a narrow field of view toward the center of AR 11024. The spectra contain emission lines from ions that cover a wide range of temperature, including He I (< 0.025 MK), O V (0.25 MK), Si XII (2 MK), and Fe XIX (8 MK). The start of a precursor burst of He I and O V line emission preceded the steady increase of Fe XIX line emission by about 1 minute, and the emergence of 3-12 keV X-ray emission by about 4 minutes. Thus the onset of the microflare was observed in upper chromospheric (He I) and transition region (O V) line emission before it was detected in high temperature flare plasma emission. Redshifted O V emission during the precursor suggests explosive chromospheric evaporation, but no corresponding blueshifts were found with either Fe XIX (which was very weak) or Si XII. Similarly, in subsequent microflare brightenings the O V and He I intensities increased (between 49 s and almost 2 minutes) before emissions from the hot flare plasma. Although these time differences likely indicate heating by a nonthermal particle beam, the RHESSI spectra provide no additional evidence for such a beam. In intervals lasting up to about 3 minutes during several bursts, the He I and O V emission line profiles showed secondary, highly blueshifted ( approximately 200 km/s) components; during intervals lasting nearly 1 minute the velocities of the primary and secondary components were oppositely directed. Combined with no corresponding blueshifts in either Fe XIX or Si XII, this indicates that explosive chromospheric evaporation occurred predominantly at either comparatively cool temperatures (< 2 MK) or within a hot temperature range to which our observations were not sensitive (e.g., between 2 and 8 MK).
Effect of Hatcher Fogging on Hatcher Airborne Bacteria and Broiler Performance

Abstract A comparison between fogged and nonfogged hatcher air was undertaken in 4 trials to determine effects on hatcher airborne bacteria, hatch statistics, and broiler performance. Eighteen day incubated eggs were artificially contaminated with a mixed Eschericia coli and Staphylococcus aureus culture when eggs were transferred to hatchers. Fogging with a disinfectant at 12-hr intervals during the hatching period caused significant reductions in total airborne bacteria and S. aureus counts. Counts of E. coli were not significantly affected. Growth data from 150 chicks from each hatcher from each trial showed 50-day feed efficiency and 50-day male body weights were significantly improved in chicks hatched in the fogged hatcher.
On a forced modified KdV equation

Abstract We study the existence of smooth solutions to the generalized modified Korteweg-de Vries (mKdV) equation ut − 6σupux + uxxx = 0, 0 0) with initial value u(x, 0) = g(x) ∈ H 4 ( R + ) and boundary value u(0, t) = P(t) ∈ C2([0, ∞)). We prove that there exists a unique global solution.
Nutritional and osmoregulatory functions of betaine

Betaine, a donor of labile methyl groups, can spare choline and methionine but cannot replace these compounds in poultry diets. Betaine is synthesized from choline by choline oxidase and it can donate methyl groups to homocysteine to form methionine. Physiologically, betaine is one of several compounds used by cells to regulate osmotic pressure. Among the potential benefits of its inclusion in poultry feeds are sparing choline, carcass fat reduction and aiding cell osmoregulation. Some feed ingredients are natural sources of betaine per se. This review considers the metabolism, functions and applications of betaine in poultry.
Synthesis of Zirconia Colloids from Aqueous Salt Solutions

The authors monitor the synthesis of ZrO{sub 2} colloids from dissolved ZrOCl{sub 2}{center_dot}8H{sub 2}O using quasi-elastic light scattering and cryotransmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). They investigate the effects of both precursor salt concentration and pH on the final size distribution. They find that the initial pH plays the most important role in the final particle size and yield. These trends and cryo-TEM observations help elucidate the roles of nucleation, aggregation, and recrystallization.
Dispersal and reproduction in Tribolium: The influence of food level

Abstract Cohorts of 100 newly eclosed adults of strains bI and bIV of T. confusum and strains cI and cIV of T. castaneum emigrated over a 15-day interval from experimental habitats which contained a constant volume of 8, 4, 1, and 0 g of flour diluted with powdered polyethylene. Food level affected the emigration of T. confusum adults only during the interval before the normal onset of reproduction. Thereafter the beetles exhibited virtually identical patterns of departure. Larval recruitment did not decline when food levels ranged from 8 to 1. T. castaneum delayed their emigration at progressively lower food levels, but also produced fewer progeny. In strain cI, where emigration was more strongly deferred, the decline in larval recruitment was less pronounced. Both species of Tribolium departed most rapidly when starved outright, but only after an initial delay. The results are interpreted from the point of view of the oogenesis-flight syndrome. It is suggested that the Tribolium system provides an opportunity to relate differences in colonizing ability among several closely related species to specific differences in the physiological mechanism of adaptive dispersal.
Biotic And Abiotic Interactions in Aquatic Microcosms Determine Fate and Toxicity of Ag Nanoparticles: Part 2 - Toxicity And Ag Speciation

To study the effects of complex environmental media on silver nanoparticle (AgNP) toxicity, AgNPs were added to microcosms with freshwater sediments and two species of aquatic plants (Potamogeton diversifolius and Egeria densa), followed by toxicity testing with microcosm surface water. Microcosms were designed with four environmental matrices in order to determine the contribution of each environmental compartment to changes in toxicity: water only (W), water + sediment (WS), water + plants (WP), and water + plants + sediment (WPS). Silver treatments included AgNPs with two different coatings, gum arabic (GA-AgNPs) or polyvinylpyrollidone (PVP-AgNPs), as well as AgNO(3). Water samples taken from the microcosms at 24 h postdosing were used in acute toxicity tests with two standard model organisms, early life stage zebrafish (Danio rerio) and Daphnia magna. Speciation of Ag in these samples was analyzed using Ag L3-edge X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES). Silver speciation patterns for the nanoparticle treatments varied significantly by coating type. While PVP-AgNPs were quite stable and resisted transformation across all matrices (>92.4% Ag(0)), GA-AgNP speciation patterns suggest significantly higher transformation rates, especially in treatments with plants (<69.2% and <58.8% Ag(0) in WP and WPS, respectively) and moderately increased transformation with sediments (<85.6% Ag(0)). Additionally, the presence of plants in the microcosms (with and without sediments) reduced both the concentration of Ag in the water column and toxicity for all Ag treatments. Reductions in toxicity may have been related to decreased water column concentrations as well as changes in the surface chemistry of the particles induced by organic substances released from the plants.
Solute-Solute Interactions: Theory and Simulations

Asymptotic relations based on fluctuation theory predict that in dilute near-critical systems the solute-solute pair correlation function always decays to its bulk value from above. Integral equations are ideally suited for studying dilute systems, though not arbitrarily close to criticality. Calculations on Lennard-Jones attractive binaries show large first peaks in the solute-solute pair correlation function, the effect being more pronounced at sub-critical density. A molecular dynamics study of solute-solute collisions in a binary Lennard-Jones system shows no enhancements in the collision rate at near-critical conditions, contrary to recent suggestions.
Reactive oxygen and mechanisms of inflammatory liver injury

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are important cytotoxic and signalling mediators in the pathophysiology of inflammatory liver diseases. They can be generated by resident and infiltrating phagocytes and/or intracellularly in every liver cell type after stimulation with cytokines. Although ROS are able to cause cell destruction by massive lipid peroxidation, in most cases, ROS are more likely to modulate signal transduction pathways by affecting redox-sensitive enzymes, organelles (e.g. mitochondria) and transcription factors. Thus, ROS can directly induce and/or regulate apoptotic and necrotic cell death. In addition, ROS can have indirect effects on the pathophysiology by supporting protease activity through inactivation of antiproteases and by modulating the formation of inflammatory mediators and adhesion molecules. Many of the effects of ROS may occur simultaneously or sequentially in the pathophysiology. Although mainly described in this review as detrimental, ROS are essential for host-defence functions of phagocytes and can modulate the formation of mediators involved in regulating sinusoidal blood flow and liver regeneration. Thus, continuous efforts are necessary to improve our understanding of the role of ROS in the pathophysiology of inflammatory liver diseases and to discover therapeutic interventions that selectively target the negative effects of reactive oxygen formation.
Federated Identity Management Systems: A Privacy-Based Characterization

Identity management systems store attributes associated with users and employ these attributes to facilitate authorization. The authors analyze existing systems and describe a privacy-driven taxonomy of design choices, which can help technical experts consulting on public policy relating to identity management. The US National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace initiative is discussed to illustrate how this taxonomy helps analyze public policy options.
Behavioral synthesis optimization using multiple precision arithmetic

Modern image and video processing applications are characterized by a unique combination of arithmetic and computational features: fixed point arithmetic, a variety of short data types, high degree of instruction-level parallelism, strict timing constraints, high computational requirements, and high cost sensitivity. The current generation of behavioral synthesis tools does not address well this type of application. In this paper we explore the potential of using multiple precision arithmetic units to effectively support implementation of image and video processing applications as application specific integrated circuits. A new architectural scheme for collaborate addition of sets of variable precision data is proposed as well as an allocation and assignment methodology for multiple precision arithmetic units. Experimental results indicate the strong advantages of the proposed approach.
The effect of ingestion of ethyl alcohol, wine and beer on the myocardium of mice.

Abstract Histologic and ultrastructural changes in the myocardium of mice consuming various concentrations of pure ethanol, beer and wine as their sole liquid intake for 4 to 10 weeks are described. Ultrastructural alterations were seen in the sarcoplasmic reticulum, myofilaments and intercalated discs. The changes were minor but discernible. The pathogenesis of these changes is discussed in terms of a possible direct toxic effect of alcohol on the myocardium.
Uhl's anomaly complicated with critical ventricular arrhythmia in a 2-month-old infant.

We report a case of Uhl's anomaly in a 2-month-old infant who presented with critical ventricular arrhythmia. The patient underwent a successfully surgical repair by semitotal resection of the right ventricular free wall, tricuspid annuloplasty, and one and one-half ventricular repair.
An Experimental Wireless Platform for Acoustic Source Localization

The paper gives an overview of various acoustic localization techniques focusing on direction-of-arrival (DOA) based methods. It presents a wireless sensor board, called Octopus, with eight acoustic channels for advanced acoustic source localization based on the DOA algorithms. The FPGA based Octopus hardware architecture proposed is designed to provide an excellent platform for implementing various advanced ranging and DOA based localization algorithms.
The PRI: employing the unemployable

This essay draws attention to the Prison Reentry Industry’s potential to create unprecedented employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. Situated at the intersection of money, programming, and state-sponsored surveillance, the Prison Reentry Industry (PRI) is notable for its implication in prolonging and deepening people’s entrenchment in the criminal justice/reentry matrix; however, the burgeoning of a “reentry industry” also ensures the growth of employment positions tailored perfectly to the experiences of formerly incarcerated individuals. The PRI’s production of significant employment opportunities for certain members of the formerly incarcerated population turns social science research on incarceration and employment on its head. It is by now almost conventional wisdom that a criminal history stands as a barrier to employment, but the PRI’s potential to create a substantial job market for formerly incarcerated people may engender an extraordinary outcome in which a criminal record represents for some, the factor leading to entree into the ranks of the employed.
On the 3d24s2, 3d34s1, and 3d4 states of Ti

The energies of the 3F (3d2 4s2), 5F (3d3 4s1) and 5D (3d4) states of Ti are investigated on the basis of MCSCF and CI calculations. Following SCF calculations using a basis set including the primitive set of Wachters (1970) and the diffuse d function of Hay (1977), four full-electron CI calculations involving the 3d and 4s electrons were performed to obtain the natural orbitals, and the full CI calculations were repeated. MCSCF calculations then performed using the most important configurations of the natural orbital basis are found to be in agreement with those of Dunning (1980), but to differ from CI results. CI(SD) calculations including single and double excitations from the MCSCF reference are found to be in agreement with the full CI but differ from experimental energy separations. Further calculations reveal that Dunning's MCSCF description is an oversimplication of the problem, and that the 5F-5D separation at the CI(SD) level is in good agreement with experiment for all basis sets but the 3F state is too low relative to the 5F and 5D states.
Health Care Spending Slowdown From 2000 To 2010 Was Driven By Lower Growth In Cost Per Case, According To A New Data Source

In 2015 the Bureau of Economic Analysis released an experimental set of measures referred to as the Health Care Satellite Account, which tracks national health care spending by medical condition. These statistics improve the understanding of the health care sector by blending medical claims data and survey data to present measures of national spending and cost of treatment by condition. This article introduces key aspects of the new account and uses it to study the health spending slowdown that occurred in the period 2000–10. Our analysis of the account reveals that the slowdown was driven by a reduction of growth in cost per case but that spending trends varied greatly across conditions and differentially affected the slowdown. More than half of the overall slowdown was accounted for by a slowdown in spending on circulatory conditions. However, there were more dramatic slowdowns in spending on categories such as endocrine system and musculoskeletal conditions than in spending on other categories, such as...
Verification of autonomous systems: Challenges of the present and areas for exploration

The words “failure” and “success” are simple binary terms used to describe the outcomes of maritime autonomous behavior, yet how to draw the line separating the two stark realities demonstrates the subtle nature of this problem. If how to judge success or failure is improperly performed, users of systems that rely upon autonomous behavior may quickly find their initial trust misplaced and in some cases, the trust may never be recovered. A loss of trust or an unwillingness to trust newer technologies can greatly hinder the transition and use of such technologies. Acceptance of current and future maritime autonomy so that its use is more ubiquitous and commonplace requires the establishment of rigorous techniques for which clearly defined verification of autonomy can be performed. Therefore, it is critical that verification of maritime autonomous systems be tenably and consistently implemented. For our work, we identify some of the difficulties with verification efforts with respect to general autonomy and not only maritime autonomy. In an attempt to address the difficulties, we present the potential use of techniques found within other fields to assist with some of these difficulties.
Near-Field Characteristics of a Turbulent Jet With Ring Injectors

Mixing effectiveness of a heated turbulent jet with two-hole and three-hole ring injectors was experimentally investigated. The injectors were rings with square cross section with side dimensions of approximately 5 mm. The ratio of the ring thickness to the jet inner diameter was 4.7%. For the two-hole injector, the injecting holes were at 180 degrees from each other and for the three-hole injectors, the holes were spaced at 120 degrees. The maximum mean velocity of the jet was at approximately 4 m/s which corresponds to an approximate Reynolds number based on the jet inner diameter of 14,676. The total blowing ratio as compared to the axial momentum for each configuration was at 2%. Results indicate significant increases in RMS fluctuation and mean velocity decay with the ring injectors with these effects being more pronounced for the three-hole injection. Axial variation of momentum thicknesses indicates a possibility of axis switching in the near field for the three-hole ring injector.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The Invariance of Electrowetting Contact Angle Saturation to Polymer, Fluid, and Interfacial Materials Properties

The electrowetting equation predicts contact angle modulation to zero degrees as voltage is continually increased. However, in practice contact angle appears to saturate around 60 to 70°. Although several hypotheses have been advanced to explain the physical mechanisms of contact angle saturation, none satisfactorily and unequivocally holds for the large body of electrowetting data. Herein we experimentally demonstrate that under DC voltage electrowetting contact angle saturation is invariant to polymer, fluid, and interfacial materials properties. We furthermore reveal that saturation is also a time-dependant phenomenon.
On a Problem in Partial Difference Equations

The purpose of this paper is not to solve a problem but to pose one that may be of some interest, depth, and consequence. Given that the positive integer n has the canonical representation n = Πh i=1 pi αi the problem of finding the number F(n) = f(α1, α2, … αn) of ordered factorizations of n into positive nontrivial integral factors is equivalent to that of finding the number of ordered partitions of the vector (α1, α2, … αn) into nonzero vectors with nonnegative integral components.
Glycan Biomarkers in Cancer Diagnosis

Glycosylation is a post-translational modification that is found on about 70% of all human proteins. It is sensitive to the biochemical envirnonment and has been shown to vary between contral and cancer patients. Glycans represent a new paradigm for biomarker discovery, but is faced with considerable challenges. Glycans are difficult to analyze in terms of their structure and their position in the proteins. In this presentation, the methods for glycan analysis are described in context of biomarker discovery. Glycosylation holds considerable promise potentially increasing the sensitivity and specificity
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM IN SKATES (RAJIDAE) AND ITS POSSIBLE ROLE IN DIFFERENTIAL NICHE UTILIZATION.

Adaptive radiation has been thought of generally as evolutionary divergence of species or higher taxonomic categories into differing zones or niches. Evidence is now accumulating to indicate that a lesser degree of adaptive radiation may also occur within animal populations, so that individuals may came to occupy different subniches or subzones (see Selander, 1966 and 1969, for a more complete discussion of this topic). When individuals within a population come to occupy differing subniches or adaptive subzones, the total niche of the species may be partitioned or even expanded in cases where the environmental situation will allow. Thus in many organisms sexual dimorphism may arise and result in a differential niche utilization by the sexes, which in turn may result in decreased intraspecific competition for food. The role of sexual dimorphism in birds as an adaptive agent in the reduction of intraspecific competition has been extensively reviewed and discussed by Selander (1966), and more recently additional data have been added by many authors. These are primarily cases in which morphological differences in the bill length between males and females indicates differences in foraging preferences between the sexes. Selander (1966) also suggested that behavioral polymorphism expressed as sexually dimorphic behavior could operate without concomitant modification of the feeding apparatus. This has been recently confirmed by Morse (1968) for wood warblers, Williamson (1971) for vireos, and Robins (1971) for a grassland sparrow. In these cases there were differences in foraging preferences between the sexes without expressed morphological differences in bill length. Birds have provided almost all of the examples of differential niche utilization by the sexes, primarily because foraging behavior is for the most part diurnal and easily observed. However, sexual differences which correlate with differences in foraging behavior have been recorded for several species of fresh-water fishes by Keast (1966), and for Anolis lizards by Schoener (1967, 1968). Sexual dimorphism in the feeding apparatus of skates has often been noted but almost no evidence concerning the significance of this phenomenon has been presented. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this phenomenon is that all skates (for which we have information) can be sorted roughly into three categories (Fig. 1): 1) essentially non-dimorphic, in which both sexes have pointed teeth adapted for grasping and tearing rather active prey; 2) dimorphic species in which teeth not brought into use are pointed, but the points are retained in the males while those in the females are quickly reduced to grinding buttons; and 3) dimorphic species in which the grinding character of the female dentition is genetically fixed and not just produced by wear. The purpose of this paper is to consider the possibility that the strongly dimorphic feeding apparatus in many skates represents another example of differential niche utilization by the sexes.
A manufacturer’s production and pricing strategies with a salvage channel

We study a manufacturer’s production quantity and pricing decisions when the manufacturer has an opportunity to sell surplus inventory through a salvage channel. Before sales begin, the manufacturer determines the production quantity without knowing customer demand. After demand is realised, the manufacturer first satisfies the demand through primary channel while charging a fixed price or adjusting price to maximise profit. At the end of the selling season, the manufacturer resells surplus inventory through the salvage channel, which can be either integrated with or independent of the manufacturer. The manufacturer’s optimal production quantity and expected profit are investigated under different salvage channel structures. We show that the salvage channel improves the manufacturer’s profitability as well as the availability of the product to potential customers through both primary and salvage channels.
An Analysis of Lung Cancer Incidence in Fuyuan County,Yunnan Province,during 2002-2004

[Objective]To investigate the characteristics of lung cancer incidence in population in Fuyuan county, Yunnan province.[Methods] All lung cancer new cases diagnosed by province,city and county hospitals from 2002 to 2004 were analyzed.[Results] The total number of newly diagnosed lung cancer cases were 1 198 in Fuyuan. The world age-adjusted incidence rates were 93.01/105 in male and 58.83/105 in female,with the ratio of males to females 1.58. The cumulative rate(0-74) and truncate rate(35-64)were 9.25% and 159.64/105,respectively. The rates vary greatly among Fuyuan townships. The incidence was 132.95/105 in male and 88.12/105 in female in north Fuyuan area where bituminous coal was abundant and was widely used for domestic cooking and heating,while it was only 14.94/105 in male and 7.76/105 in female in south Fuyuan area where anthracite or wood were used.[Conclusion] Distribution and use of different type of coal influenced the lung cancer incidence in population in Fuyuan county.
Self-Reported Reasons for Vaping Among 8th, 10th, and 12th Graders in the US: Nationally-Representative Results

Objective The study describes the most common reasons for using vaporizers (such as e-cigarettes) among US adolescents and investigates how reasons for use differ by grade, lifetime cigarette use, frequency of vaporizer use, gender, race/ethnicity, and parent education.
Ecology and epidemiology of zoonotic pathogens.

SUMMARY The possibility that a perplexing febrile illness may represent a zoonotic infection should be explored. The history should include where the person has been, what he or she has done, what has been eaten and drunk, what contacts have occurred with vertebrates or arthropods in wild or domestic venues, and whether there has been exposure to unusual animal products. The preceding discussion emphasized, via some examples, mechanisms of spread as well as the physical and biologic conditions that enhance the probability of an encounter with a pathogen. From clues in the history and physical examination the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic decisions can be made. These decisions may be life saving for the patient, and perhaps protect care providers and family from acquiring the same disease. Many of the infections mentioned in this article will be amplified in subsequent articles, which will deal with diseases encountered primarily in the United States.