cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Promise of Natality

Hannah Arendt’s sustained interest in the experience of human natality as a fact of being, a political potentiality and a revitalisation of the mind’s characteristic nascence depends almost exclusively on her understanding of what is at stake. In Arendt’s philosophy, what is at stake is, first and last, the world and our love for it — ’Amor mundi: love or better dedicated to the world into which we were born, and this is possible because we shall not live forever. To be dedicated to the world means among other things: not to act as though we were immortal.’1 With the attitude of amor mundi there is a clear intimation of a profound and lively bond between natality and the world into which we were born. The most obvious connection between these two realities is provided by the fact that the world itself ante-dates the experience of individual birth and death. The world is that reality which greets all newcomers who arrive in it as strangers and one, too, which outlasts (or at least should outlast) human mortality: The birth and death of human beings are not simple natural occurrences, but are related to a world into which single individuals, unique, unexchangeable, and unrepeatable entities, appear and from which they depart. Birth and death presuppose a world which is not in constant movement, but whose durability and relative permanence makes appearance and disappearance possible, which existed before any one individual appeared into it and will survive its eventual departure.2
The Academic Portfolio: A Practical Guide to Documenting Teaching, Research, and Service

Dr. Andersen is Wasserman Professor Emeritus, Departments of Health Services and Sociology, School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, 10724 Wilshire Blvd., No. 312, Los Angeles, CA 90024; 310-474-1825 phone; 310-474-1825 fax; randerse{at}ucla.edu. By Peter Seldin, Ph.D., and J
Th40 cells (CD4+CD40+ Tcells) drive a more severe form of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis than conventional CD4 T cells.

CD40-CD154 interaction is critically involved in autoimmune diseases, and CD4 T cells play a dominant role in the Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). CD4 T cells expressing CD40 (Th40) are pathogenic in type I diabetes but have not been evaluated in EAE. We demonstrate here that Th40 cells drive a rapid, more severe EAE disease course than conventional CD4 T cells. Adoptively transferred Th40 cells are present in lesions in the CNS and are associated with wide spread demyelination. Primary Th40 cells from EAE-induced donors adoptively transfer EAE without further in-vitro expansion and without requiring the administration of the EAE induction regimen to the recipient animals. This has not been accomplished with primary, non-TCR-transgenic donor cells previously. If co-injection of Th40 donor cells with Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) in the recipient animals is done, the disease course is more severe. The CFA component of the EAE induction regimen causes generalized inflammation, promoting expansion of Th40 cells and infiltration of the CNS, while MOG-antigen shapes the antigen-specific TCR repertoire. Those events are both necessary to precipitate disease. In MS, viral infections or trauma may induce generalized inflammation in susceptible individuals with subsequent disease onset. It will be important to further understand the events leading up to disease onset and to elucidate the contributions of the Th40 T cell subset. Also, evaluating Th40 levels as predictors of disease onset would be highly useful because if either the generalized inflammation event or the TCR-honing can be interrupted, disease onset may be prevented.
The search for habitable planets with biosignature gases framed by a ‘Biosignature Drake Equation’

The discovery of thousands of exoplanets in the last two decades has uncovered a wide diversity of planets that are very different from those in our own Solar System. Ideas for how to detect signs of life in the variety of planetary possibilities, by way of biosignature gases, are expanding, although they largely remain grounded in study of familiar gases produced by life on Earth and how they appear in Earth's spectrum as viewed as an exoplanet. What are the chances we will be able to observe and identify biosignature gases on exoplanets in the coming two decades? I review the status of the search for habitable planets and biosignature gases framed by a ‘Biosignature Drake Equation’.
Clinical Manifestations of Multiple Sclerosis: An Overview

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a presumably immune-mediated, demyelinating, and neurodegenerative disease of the human central nervous system, which usually affects young adults and causes significant irreversible neurological disability. Up to 85% of newly diagnosed MS patients have relapsing–remitting (RR) disease which is characterized by periods of development of new or worsening of older neurological deficits followed by complete or partial improvement. In most cases, MS manifests between the ages of 20 and 40, with a peak age of 29 and females being predominantly affected, at least in the most common form of MS. MS lesions develop in various areas of the brain and spinal cord which in turn causes development of a wide array of clinical manifestations. In many cases the neurologic manifestations of MS present episodically and then advance to a progressive phase with steady accumulation of neurologic deficits. In many patients the severity and complexity of clinical manifestations of MS are severe and devastating and significantly compromise the patient's quality of life. The present chapter presents an overview of MS clinical features.
The Impact of Smoking and TP53 Mutations in Lung Adenocarcinoma Patients with Targetable Mutations—The Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC2)

Purpose: Multiplex genomic profiling is standard of care for patients with advanced lung adenocarcinomas. The Lung Cancer Mutation Consortium (LCMC) is a multi-institutional effort to identify and treat oncogenic driver events in patients with lung adenocarcinomas.Experimental Design: Sixteen U.S. institutions enrolled 1,367 patients with lung cancer in LCMC2; 904 were deemed eligible and had at least one of 14 cancer-related genes profiled using validated methods including genotyping, massively parallel sequencing, and IHC.Results: The use of targeted therapies in patients with EGFR, ERBB2, or BRAF p.V600E mutations, ALK, ROS1, or RET rearrangements, or MET amplification was associated with a survival increment of 1.5 years compared with those with such mutations not receiving targeted therapy, and 1.0 year compared with those lacking a targetable driver. Importantly, 60 patients with a history of smoking derived similar survival benefit from targeted therapy for alterations in EGFR/ALK/ROS1, when compared with 75 never smokers with the same alterations. In addition, coexisting TP53 mutations were associated with shorter survival among patients with EGFR, ALK, or ROS1 alterations.Conclusion: Patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung and an oncogenic driver mutation treated with effective targeted therapy have a longer survival, regardless of prior smoking history. Molecular testing should be performed on all individuals with lung adenocarcinomas irrespective of clinical characteristics. Routine use of massively parallel sequencing enables detection of both targetable driver alterations and tumor suppressor gene and other alterations that have potential significance for therapy selection and as predictive markers for the efficacy of treatment. Clin Cancer Res; 24(5); 1038-47. ©2017 AACR.
Analysis of Organic Fluorine Compounds

The analysis of fluorinated compounds is a necessary concomitant to their preparation and reaction. Classical analytical procedures, which are often lengthy and laborious, are gradually giving way to modern physical methods of analysis. These sometimes do not even require work with pure chemical specimens, and allow analyses to be done in mixtures without the isolation of individual components.
Near-Field Scanning Optical Microscopy: Alternative Modes of Use for NSOM Probes

The continued development of NSOM is expanding its capabilities as an analytical tool and here we have examined only a few of those techniques currently in development. However, a general trend is clear; the means by which NSOM may be used to characterize molecular properties at the nanometric scale is rapidly diversifying, and is not merely limited to traditional fluorescence measurements. Whether through modification of the NSOM probe or the experimental approach, these new NSOM capabilities will undoubtedly find applications across disciplines. For the biological sciences in particular, NSOM seems poised to make a significant impact as we have tried to point out throughout this survey. Progress in this area has been slowed by problems associated with imaging soft and fragile samples. However, recent advances in tip and feedback designs are rapidly advancing the technique and it seems hard to imagine that this final hurdle will not be overcome before the publication of this edition.
Treadmill-based gait-slip training with reduced training volume could still prevent slip-related falls.

Abstract Background Treadmill-based gait-slip training shows to be effective in reducing the risk of slip-related falls. In previous relevant studies, the number of repeated slip perturbations ranged from 12 to 30. Research question It is unclear if a reduced number of treadmill-slips can still yield adaptive strategies to lower the likelihood of falls after a slip over ground. This study examined if eight repeated slips on a treadmill reduced the risk of falls among young adults when they were exposed to a novel overground slip. Methods Forty-three healthy young adults were randomized into either training or control group. The training group underwent an 8-slip perturbation training procedure on a treadmill while the control group received the same number of normal walking trials on the same treadmill. Following the training, both groups were exposed to an unrehearsed slip during overground walking. Their body’s reactions to the novel overground slip were collected by a motion capture system. Results The training group exhibited significantly better reactions to the slip than did the control group, evidenced by the lower fall proportion and improved dynamic stability at recovery foot touchdown during the overground slip. No improvement in dynamic stability was detected in the training group at the slipping foot touchdown and recovery foot liftoff. Significance The results suggested that the shortened perturbation training program may be efficacious in improving responses to a novel overground slip but may not be as effective as protocols using greater number of slips. This study could provide guidance for selecting the number of slips for future perturbation-based training protocols.
Flatheaded apple tree borer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) in nursery-grown red maples: phenology of emergence, treatment timing, and response to stressed trees.

Emergence of adult flatheaded apple tree borers, Chrysobothris femorata (Olivier), from red maple (Acer rubrum L.) trees and cut bolts was monitored in central Kentucky from 1984–1986. A forecasting system based on accumulated degree-days (DD) was developed for predicting optimum treatment dates. Date of first emergence ranged from May 8 to June 6, corresponding to a mean accumulation of 412 Centigrade DD (742 F DD) calculated from a base temperature of 10°C (50°F). A single application of lindane or chlorpyrifos applied soon after adult borers began to emerge protected young red maple trees from infestation. Adult C. femorata were trapped in nurseries from May until August. Twenty-five species of adult Buprestidae representing 5 genera were attracted to experimentally stressed red maples. Although results were variable, stressed trees were generally more attractive and/or susceptible to borers.
Catalysis of Template-Directed Nonenzymatic RNA Copying by Iron(II)

The study of nonenzymatic template-directed RNA copying is the experimental basis for the search for chemistry and reaction conditions consistent with prebiotic RNA replication. The most effective model systems for RNA copying have to date required a high concentration of Mg2+. Recently, Fe2+, which was abundant on the prebiotic anoxic Earth, was shown to promote the folding of RNA in a manner similar to the case of Mg2+, as a result of the two cations having similar interactions with phosphate groups. These observations raise the question of whether Fe2+ could have promoted RNA copying on the prebiotic Earth. Here, we demonstrate that Fe2+ is a better catalyst and promotes faster nonenzymatic RNA primer extension and ligation than Mg2+ when using 2-methylimidazole activated nucleotides in slightly acidic to neutral pH solutions. Thus, it appears likely that Fe2+ could have facilitated RNA replication and evolution in concert with other metal cations on the prebiotic Earth.
The Quest for Creative Industries: A Multilevel National Study of the Impacts of Urban Form on the Geography of Creative Industries:

Creative industries have gained increasing attention in light of the cultural economy as viable magnets for local and regional economic development. Policy makers thus would benefit from attracting...
In their own words: language preferences of individuals who use heroin

Background and aims Use of non-judgmental, respectful and uniform language to describe individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) is recommended to reduce stigma. However, existing research concerning the use of labels for substance use has largely focused on perspectives of treatment providers and the general public, and to a lesser degree of those in long-term recovery. This study aimed to examine and compare labels that individuals who use heroin and are initiating SUD treatment (1) use to describe themselves and when speaking with others who use drugs, with family and with treatment providers, and (2) prefer to be called and never want to be called. Design and Setting This was a cross-sectional survey study using a convenience sample of individuals initiating an in-patient managed withdrawal program in Massachusetts, USA. Participants Between October 2017 and May 2018, 263 participants were enrolled. Measures Participants completed a survey about (1) what labels they used to refer to self and when talking with others who use drugs, with providers, families and at 12-Step meetings and (2) to identify which label they preferred least and most for others to use when referring to them. Findings More than 70% of participants used the term 'addict' to describe themselves and when speaking with others. However, use of 'addict' varied by context, and was most common at 12-Step programs. Fewer than 15% reported using 'user' or slang terms, most commonly 'junkie', in any communications. The most-preferred label for others to call them was 'person who uses drugs', while the most common label that participants never wanted to be called was 'heroin misuser' or 'heroin-dependent'. Conclusion Label preferences by individuals who use heroin and are in early recovery are consistent with general guidelines about use of first-person language and suggest avoidance of language indicative of drug misuse or dependence.
Stress-Dependent Porosity and Permeability of Porous Rocks Represented by a Mechanistic Elastic Cylindrical Pore-Shell Model

The stress dependency of the porosity and permeability of porous rocks is described theoretically by representing the preferential flow paths in heterogeneous porous rocks by a bundle of tortuous cylindrical elastic tubes. A Lame-type equation is applied to relate the radial displacement of the internal wall of the cylindrical elastic tubes and the porosity to the variation of the pore fluid pressure. The variation of the permeability of porous rocks by effective stress is determined by incorporating the radial displacement of the internal wall of the cylindrical elastic tubes into the Kozeny–Carman relationship. The fully analytical solutions of the mechanistic elastic pore-shell model developed by combining the Lame and Kozeny–Carman equations are shown to lead to very accurate correlations of the stress dependency of both the porosity and the permeability of porous rocks.
Normal Hemoglobin A1c Variability in Early Adolescence: Adult Criteria for Prediabetes Should Be Applied with Caution.

American Diabetes Association adult criteria are used to screen youth for diabetes, but little is known about normal glycemia in youth. In the HEALTHY Study (total n = 8814), hemoglobin A1c was ≥5.7% in 2% of normal weight youth. This suggests need for cautious interpretation of prediabetes hemoglobin A1s in youth.
Initial report on the impact of a perfused fresh cadaver training program in general surgery resident trauma education

Abstract Background Operative trauma volume for general surgery residents (GSR) continues to decline. This pilot study examines the impact of utilizing perfused cadavers in trauma surgical skills training for GSR. Methods GSR (post graduate year (PGY) 1 through 4) participated in trauma surgical skills training utilizing perfused cadavers. GSR completed surveys assessing confidence in their ability to perform critical procedures before and after training. Results Sixteen GSR participated in trauma skills training. All PGY 1–2, reported increases in confidence in skills. PGY 4 GSR reported significant increase in confidence in most skills sets including surgical airway, resuscitative thoracotomy/cardiac injury, and abdominal vascular injury. The majority of GSR retained confidence in these skills at 6 months. Conclusions Integration of perfused cadavers into GSR curriculum provides high fidelity and dynamic model for training trauma surgical skills. Studies are needed for development and validation of this training and assessment method.
Using asynchronous clock distribution networks for timing SFQ circuits

In this chapter, we discuss the use of asynchronous clock distribution networks (ACDNs) to provide the timing for SFQ circuits. In particular, we review the hierarchical chains of homogeneous clover-leaves clocking, or (HC)2 LC [1], a self-adaptive clocking technique designed to be resilient in such uncertain environments. (HC)2 LC inherits its robustness from its asynchronous nature that adapts to the spatially correlated cell delays, trading-off reasonable area, and power overheads for higher reliability and improved scalability.
Subspecialization in pediatric surgery: Results of a survey to the American Pediatric Surgical Association

Abstract Background Current practice patterns and opinions regarding subspecialization within pediatric surgery are not well known. We aimed to characterize the prevalence of and attitudes surrounding subspecialization within pediatric surgery. Methods An anonymous survey regarding subspecialization was distributed to all nonresident members of the American Pediatric Surgical Association. Results Of 1118 surveys, we received 458 responses (41%). A majority of respondents labeled themselves ‘general pediatric surgeons’ (63%), while 34% considered themselves general surgeons with a specific clinical focus, and 3% reported practicing solely within a specific niche. Subspecialists commonly serve as consultants for relevant cases (52%). Common niches included oncology (10%) and anorectal malformations (9%). Subspecialists felt to be necessary included transplant (79%) and fetal (78%) surgeons. Opinions about subspecialization were variable: 41% felt subspecialization improves patient care while 39% believe it is detrimental to surgeon well-roundedness. Only 10% felt subspecialists should practice solely within their subspecialty. Practicing at an academic hospital or fellowship program correlated with subspecialization, while length of time in practice did not. Conclusion While pediatric surgeons report that subspecialization may benefit patient care, concerns exist regarding the unfavorable effect it may have on the individual surgeon. A better understanding of how subspecialization affects quality and outcomes would help clarify its utility. Type of study Review article. Level of evidence Level V.
Progress in the Generation of Multiple Lineage Human-iPSC-Derived 3D-Engineered Cardiac Tissues for Cardiac Repair

Despite improvements over the past 30 years, 10-year pediatric heart transplantation survival rates remain low and mechanical support is both expensive and relatively unavailable. In contrast to isolated cell therapies, implantable engineered cardiac tissues (ECTs) recover myocardial mass and function, creating the opportunity for cardiac recovery rather than replacement. Our ECT research has progressed from using embryonic avian and rodent cell compositions to human induced pluripotent stem cell (h-iPSC)-derived, multiple cell lineage formulations with the goal of clinical translation. We generate ECTs from h-iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (CM), endothelial cells (EC), and vascular mural cells (MC) in both linear (15 × 1 mm) and large format (LF, 20 × 20 mm) geometries using rodent-derived and human-compatible reagents. H-iPSC ECTs undergo rapid gel compaction and begin intrinsic beating by day 3. CM fraction at ECT formation is approximately 60%. The ECT maximum capture rates increased during in vitro culture up to 28 days and in response to optogenetic pacing (OP) using AAV-ChIEF from day 7 to 14. ECT relaxation times decreased, force-frequency relations became more neutral, and beat-to-beat hysteresis decreased with prolonged culture or OP. H-iPSC-derived ECTs generated using human collagen I and human compatible MaxGel have comparable structural and functional features to rodent-derived ECTs. Linear and LF-ECTs implanted onto xenotolerant infarcted rat hearts survived, engrafted, improved ejection fraction, normalized regional echo strain, and reduced scar area at 4 weeks. Thus, these h-iPSC ECT compositions show promise as a strategy for pediatric myocardial recovery.
Characterization of ovine monocyte activity when cultured with Haemonchus contortus larvae in vitro.

AIMS The objective of this study was to identify and characterize cell populations within ovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) associated with Haemonchus contortus (Hc) larval morbidity and impairment in vitro. METHODS AND RESULTS Monocytes and lymphocytes were separated from PBMC from parasite-resistant St. Croix (STC) sheep and parasite-susceptible Suffolk (SUF) sheep. Cells were cultured with Hc third stage larvae (L3) for 9 h. Larval morbidity was assessed using ATP concentration. Activation status was determined through gene expression analysis and enzyme inhibition. Enzymes arginase-1 (Arg1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were inhibited using BEC (S-(2-boronoethyl)-I-cysteine) and 1400W (N-(3-(aminomethyl)benzyl)acetamidine), respectively. Larval ATP was lower when cultured with STC-derived monocytes (0.015 μmol/L ATP) compared to SUF-derived monocytes (0.067 μmol/L ATP) (P < .001), or lymphocytes from either breed (STC: 0.085 μmol/L, SUF: 0.112 μmol/L ATP) (P < .001). SUF-derived monocytes displayed higher expression of M1 genes, whereas STC-derived monocytes displayed M2 genes continuously. Inhibition of Arg1 decreased monocyte function in both breeds, whereas iNOS inhibition restored SUF-derived monocyte function. CONCLUSIONS Together, these data indicate STC-derived monocytes favour M2 phenotype when exposed to L3, where SUF-derived monocyte function resembled M1 phenotype and described potential for improving Suffolk sheep through modulating inflammatory responses.
Vehicle Tracking in Wide Area Motion Imagery via Stochastic Progressive Association Across Multiple Frames

Vehicle tracking in wide area motion imagery (WAMI) relies on associating vehicle detections across multiple WAMI frames to form tracks corresponding to individual vehicles. The temporal window length, i.e., the number $M$ of sequential frames, over which associations are collectively estimated poses a tradeoff between accuracy and computational complexity. A larger $M$ improves performance because the increased temporal context enables the use of motion models and allows occlusions and spurious detections to be handled better. The number of total hypotheses tracks, on the other hand, grows exponentially with increasing $M$ , making larger values of $M$ computationally challenging to tackle. In this paper, we introduce stochastic progressive association across multiple frames, an iterative approach that progressively grows $M$ with each iteration to improve estimated tracks by exploiting the enlarged temporal context while keeping computation manageable through two novel approaches for pruning association hypotheses. First, guided by a road network, accurately co-registered to the WAMI frames, we disregard unlikely associations that do not agree with the road network. Second, as $M$ is progressively enlarged at each iteration, the related increase in association hypotheses is limited by revisiting only the subset of association possibilities rendered open by stochastically determined dis-associations for the previous iteration. The stochastic dis-association at each iteration maintains each estimated association according to an estimated probability for confidence, obtained via a probabilistic model. Associations at each iteration are then estimated globally over the $M$ frames by (approximately) solving a binary integer programming problem for selecting a set of compatible tracks. Vehicle tracking results obtained over test WAMI data sets indicate that our proposed approach provides significant performance improvements over the state-of-the-art alternatives.
If It's Not Secure, It Should Not Compile: Preventing DOM-Based XSS in Large-Scale Web Development with API Hardening

With tons of efforts spent on its mitigation, Cross-site scripting (XSS) remains one of the most prevalent security threats on the internet. Decades of exploitation and remediation demonstrated that code inspection and testing alone does not eliminate XSS vulnerabilities in complex web applications with a high degree of confidence. This paper introduces Google's secure-by-design engineering paradigm that effectively prevents DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities in large-scale web development. Our approach, named API hardening, enforces a series of company-wide secure coding practices. We provide a set of secure APIs to replace native DOM APIs that are prone to XSS vulnerabilities. Through a combination of type contracts and appropriate validation and escaping, the secure APIs ensure that applications based thereon are free of XSS vulnerabilities. We deploy a simple yet capable compile-time checker to guarantee that developers exclusively use our hardened APIs to interact with the DOM. We make various of efforts to scale this approach to tens of thousands of engineers without significant productivity impact. By offering rigorous tooling and consultant support, we help developers adopt the secure coding practices as seamlessly as possible. We present empirical results showing how API hardening has helped reduce the occurrences of XSS vulnerabilities in Google's enormous code base over the course of two-year deployment.
The role of Kif5B in axonal localization of Kv1 K+ channels

Here we present evidence that the kinesin, Kif5B, is involved in the transportation and axonal targeting of Kv1 channels. We show that a dominant negative variant of Kif5B specifically blocks localization to the axon of expressed, tagged versions of Kv1.3 in cultured cortical slices. In addition, the dominant negative variant of Kif5B blocks axonal localization of endogenous Kv1.1, Kv1.2, and Kv1.4 in cortical neurons in dissociated cultures. We also found evidence that Kif5B interacts with Kv1 channels. Endogenous Kv1.2 colocalized with Kif5B in cortical neurons and coimmunoprecipitated with Kif5B from brain lysate. The T1 domain of Shaker K(+) channels has been shown to play a critical role in targeting the channel to the axon. We have three pieces of evidence to suggest that the T1 domain also mediates interaction between Kv1 channels and Kif5B: Addition of the T1 domain to a heterologous protein, TfR, is sufficient to cause the resulting fusion protein, TfRT1, to colocalize with Kif5B. Also, the T1 domain is necessary for interaction of Kv1.3 with Kif5B in a coimmunoprecipitation assay. Finally, dominant negative variants of Kif5B block axonal targeting of TfRT1, but have no effect on dendritic localization of TfR. Together these data suggest a model where Kif5B interacts with Kv1 channels either directly or indirectly via the T1 domain, causing the channels to be transported to axons.
Lunar Surface Arrays

During the latter half of the 1980's three concepts for low frequency arrays on the Moon were independently studied for NASA, leading to two workshops in 1990. The main technical challenges were those of deploying the array on the Moon, and of correlating the data on the Moon or returning all the raw data to Earth.
The Demonstration of Insulinopenia in Familial Dysautonomia

Children with familial dysautonomia have a marked retardation in height and weight. Nine children with familial dysautonomia and seven control children were studied by means of rapid IVGTTs. The KG and serum levels in insulin and GH were obtained to determine the existence of abnormalities in any of these parameters which might be responsible for growth failure. There were no significant differences in the KG or GH values between the groups. The insulin values of the dysautonomic children were lower than those of the control children at all the sampling times during the 1-hour test and were statistically significantly lower when the total insulin areas were compared. These lower levels of serum insulin growth might reduce its effectiveness as an anabolic agent and result in the growth failure of dysautonomic children.
Transcriptional regulation of the glycoprotein hormone α-subunit gene by pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in αT3-1 cells1This work was presented in part at the 10th International Congress of Endocrinology, 1996.1

We showed previously that pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) increases glycoprotein hormone α-subunit gene expression and secretion in αT3-1 cells. We have now used 5′-flanking deletion and clustered point mutations of the mouse α-subunit promoter fused to the luciferase (LUC) reporter gene in transient transfection assays to further characterize the cell signaling pathways and sequences involved in responsiveness to PACAP. PACAP stimulated LUC activity at a lower concentration than VIP, supporting the notion that PACAP acts through type 1 receptors. The effect of PACAP on LUC activity was observed by 2 h, peaked at 4–12 h, and persisted until at least 20 h. αT3-1 cells were transfected with mouse α-LUC constructs truncated at −507, −424, −288, −205, −146, and −133, and treated with PACAP, a cell-permeable cAMP analog (8Br-cAMP), phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), or control medium. Transcriptional activation by PACAP was highest with the −288 and −205 mouse α-LUC vectors (7–8-fold stimulation) and decreased significantly with truncation of the 5′-flanking region to −146 or −133. The pattern of α-subunit stimulation by cAMP closely paralleled that of PACAP. With PMA, stepwise decrements in LUC activity were observed between −507 and −424 and, especially, −424 and −288, and there was no further loss of activity with deletion to −205, −146, or −133. Clustered point mutations in the pituitary glycoprotein hormone basal element (−337 to −330) or the gonadotropin-releasing hormone response element (GnRH-RE) (−406 to −399) of the −507 to +46 mouse α-promoter significantly (P<0.05) increased and decreased, respectively, PACAP's effect on transcriptional activity. These results indicate that there are several regions of the mouse α-subunit promoter that mediate responsiveness to PACAP. The co-localization of PACAP and cAMP responsiveness as well as the results of studies involving specific inhibitors of protein kinase A (H-89) or protein kinase C (PKC) (bisindolylmaleimide) suggests that the action of PACAP on α-subunit transcription is mediated primarily by the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway.
Inductive System Health Monitoring

The Inductive Monitoring System (IMS) software was developed to provide a technique to automatically produce health monitoring knowledge bases for systems that are either difficult to model (simulate) with a computer or which require computer models that are too complex to use for real time monitoring. IMS uses nominal data sets collected either directly from the system or from simulations to build a knowledge base that can be used to detect anomalous behavior in the system. Machine learning and data mining techniques are used to characterize typical system behavior by extracting general classes of nominal data from archived data sets. IMS is able to monitor the system by comparing real time operational data with these classes. We present a description of learning and monitoring method used by IMS and summarize some recent IMS results.
A non-inductively driven tokamak reactor based on ITER

The physics and engineering guidelines for the ITER device are shown to lead to viable physics operating points for a steady state tokamak power reactor. Non-inductive current drive is provided in steady state by high energy neutral beam injection in the plasma core, lower hybrid slow waves in the outer regions of the plasma and bootstrap current. Plasma gain Q(/equivalent to/fusion power/input power) in excess of 20 and average neutron wall loading, approx. 2.0 MW/m/sup 2/ are predicted in a device with major radius, R/sub 0/ = 7.5 m and minor radius, a = 2.8 m. 15 refs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.
Cleavage of the Murine Leukemia Virus Transmembrane Env Protein by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Protease: Transdominant Inhibition by Matrix Mutations

We have identified mutations in the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) matrix protein (MA) which block infectivity of virions pseudotyped with murine leukemia virus (MuLV) envelope (Env) glycoproteins without affecting infectivity conferred by HIV-1 Env or vesicular stomatitis virus G glycoproteins. This inhibition is very potent and displays a strong transdominant effect; infectivity is reduced more than 100-fold when wild-type and mutant molecular clones are cotransfected at a 1:1 ratio. This phenomenon is observed with both ecotropic and amphotropic MuLV Env. The MA mutations do not affect the incorporation of MuLV Env into virions. We demonstrate that in HIV-1 virions pseudotyped with MuLV Env, the HIV-1 protease (PR) efficiently catalyzes the cleavage of the p15(E) transmembrane (TM) protein to p12(E). Immunoprecipitation analysis of pseudotyped virions reveals that the mutant MA blocks this HIV-1 PR-mediated cleavage of MuLV TM. Furthermore, the transdominant inhibition exerted by the mutant MA on wild-type infectivity correlates with the relative level of p15(E) cleavage. Consistent with the hypothesis that abrogation of infectivity imposed by the mutant MA is due to inhibition of p15(E) cleavage, mutant virions are significantly more infectious when pseudotyped with a truncated p12(E) form of MuLV Env. These results indicate that HIV-1 Gag sequences can influence the viral PR-mediated processing of the MuLV TM Env protein p15(E). These findings have implications for the development of HIV-1-based retroviral vectors pseudotyped with MuLV Env, since p15(E) cleavage is essential for activating membrane fusion and virus infectivity.
Research and Development Expenses: Implications for Profitability Measurement and Valuation

Most valuation models begin with a measure of accounting earnings to arrive at cash flow estimates. When using accounting earnings, we implicitly assume that the income is obtained by netting out only those expenses that are operating expenses, i.e., expenses designed to generate revenues in the current period. Expenses that are intended to provide benefits over multiple periods are assumed to be considered as capital expenditures, andthese expenses are depreciated or amortized over multiple periods. In addition, whencomputing profitability measures such as return on equity and capital, we stick with this assumption that operating income measures income generated by assets in place. In this paper, we examine the accounting treatment of research and development expenses, and the effects of the treatment on operating income, capital and profitability. We argue that research and development expenses should be treated as tax-deductible capital expenditures, for purposes of valuation, and this can have significant effects on operating income, capital and expected growth measures for firms with substantial research expenses.
Theory-Driven Longitudinal Study Exploring Indoor Tanning Initiation in Teens Using a Person-Centered Approach

Younger indoor tanning initiation leads to greater melanoma risk due to more frequent and persistent behavior. Despite this, there are no published studies exploring the predictors of indoor tanning initiation in teen populations. This longitudinal study uses latent profile analysis to examine indoor tanning initiation in indoor tanning risk subgroups from a national sample of female adolescents. Latent profile analysis used indoor tanning beliefs and perceptions to identify indoor tanning initiation risk subgroups. The teens in each subgroup were reassessed on indoor tanning initiation after a year. Three subgroups were identified: a low risk, anti-tanning subgroup (18.6 %) characterized by low scores on positive indoor tanning belief scales and high scores on beliefs about indoor tanning dangers; a moderate risk aware social tanner subgroup (47.2 %) characterized by high scores on positive indoor tanning belief scales but also high scores on beliefs about indoor tanning dangers; and a high risk risky relaxation tanner subgroup (34.2 %) characterized by high scores on positive indoor tanning belief scales and low scores on beliefs about indoor tanning dangers. Teens in the aware social tanner and risky relaxation tanner subgroups were significantly more likely to initiate indoor tanning in the following year. These findings highlight the need to identify teens at risk for indoor tanning initiation and develop tailored interventions that will move them to the lowest risk subgroup. Subgroup correlates suggest parent and peer-based interventions may be successful.
Clinical Findings and Demographic Factors Associated With ICU Admission in Utah Due to Novel 2009 Influenza A(H1N1) Infection

Background Novel 2009 influenza A(H1N1) infection has significantly affected ICUs. We sought to characterize our region's clinical findings and demographic associations with ICU admission due to novel A(H1N1). Methods We conducted an observational study from May 19, 2009, to June 30, 2009, of descriptive clinical course, inpatient mortality, financial data, and demographic characteristics of an ICU cohort. A case-control study was used to compare the ICU cohort to Salt Lake County residents. Results The ICU cohort of 47 influenza patients had a median age of 34 years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 21, and BMI of 35 kg/m 2 . Mortality was 17% (8/47). All eight deaths occurred among the 64% of patients (n = 30) with ARDS, 26 (87%) of whom also developed multiorgan failure. Compared with the Salt Lake County population, patients with novel A(H1N1) were more likely to be obese (22% vs 74%; P P P P 2 (standardized morbidity ratio 15.8, 95% CI, 8.3-23.4) and 1.5-fold greater than expected among those with BMI of 30 to 39 kg/m 2 for age-adjusted and sex-adjusted rates for Salt Lake County. Conclusions Severe ARDS with multiorgan dysfunction in the absence of bacterial infection was a common clinical presentation. In this cohort, young nonwhites without medical insurance were disproportionately likely to require ICU care. Obese patients were particularly susceptible to critical illness due to novel A(H1N1) infection.
The history and provenance of an early manuscript of the Nuqtat al-kaf dated 1268 (1851–52)

It has been more than one hundred years since E. G. Browne discovered two manuscripts of the Nuqtat al-kaf, a history of the Babi movement, in the Bibliotheque Nationale. When he published a critic...
DaTscan and its capability as a diagnostic tool for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease

2710 Objectives The United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) for motor skills testing has been the primary tool for diagnosing Parkinson’s disease. Recently, DaTscan has been introduced as an alternative diagnostic tool to diagnose Parkinson’s disease. Methods A sample of 47 patients who received a DaTscan performed between June and December of 2011who also had a UPDRS test prior to the DaTscan procedure were gathered for analysis. Using the electronic medical record system, the UPDRS score, performing doctor, related treatments, and DaTscan results were recorded. Results Of the 47 patients that followed the sample parameters, 24 received abnormal DaTscan results. A total of 54% of the 24 patients were medically treated after the scan was performed. Of the 23 patients who received normal DaTscan results, 70% required no treatment. Only 3 of the 23 normal patients (13%) received treatment based on the UPDRS score. The collected data was also separated by the three performing doctors of the UPDRS test and analyzed. Dr. A had a total of 14 abnormal DaTscan patients and 7 were given treatment post scan. Dr. B had 7 abnormal with 4 who received treatment post scan. Dr. C had 3 abnormal with 2 who received treatment post scan. The correlation coefficients were calculated for UPDRS scores based on the result of the DaTscan. The correlation coefficient for the abnormal patients with their UPDRS scores was 0.0007. The correlation coefficient for the normal patients and UPDRS score was 0.0076. Conclusions For the patient sample, the DaTscan results primarily determined whether a medical treatment was necessary following the scan. Based off the abnormal DaTscans, the doctors determined more than half of the patients required medical treatment. About 70% of normal patients avoided unnecessary treatment due to the results of the scan. The correlation coefficients for both abnormal and normal DaTscan patients were below 1 which showed no distinct pattern among UPDRS scores
The Gas Dynamics of Accretion

The term accretion originally referred, in astronomical contexts, to the capture of mass by stars, and, later, to mass capture by other centers of gravitational force. As such, the process has not proved to be of general importance, in spite of early hopes. However, there are other aspects of the problem which may yet prove worthy of attention in interstellar gas dynamics. In particular, the effects of stars, galaxies, or even clusters of galaxies, on ambient matter streaming by them may be detectable, directly or indirectly, and it is on such possible effects that I shall concentrate here. These effects are related to the original accretion problem but may be thought of separately; nevertheless, I retain the use of the term accretion to refer to all aspects of the motions induced in an ambient medium by a gravitating object.
The Peckham Experiment: An Introduction

“Health is everyone’s birthright; the pity is that so many lose it. In spite of our vast sickness services…the burden of ill-health in the community remains heavy…all this study of disease does not reveal to us the laws of health. It is health itself which must be studied. We must devise laboratories where we can put health, too, under a lens, look at it, discover how it behaves, and find out in what conditions it can grow and spread.” From Health of The Individual, of the Family, of Society The Peckham Experiment was one of the 20th century’s most innovative programs in community medicine, influencing the community health movement around the world. It was the brainchild Dr. George Scott Williamson and Dr. Innes H. Pearse, two medically trained biologists who were also a married couple. Both were researchers with experience in the early diagnosis and investigation of disease, and yet they came to the conclusion that studying disease was not the route to attaining or understanding health.
Digital Movement Analysis in Physical Education

Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets offer applications (apps) that make digital movement analysis simple and efficient in physical education. Highly sophisticated movement analysis software has been available for many years but has mainly appealed to coaches of elite athletes and biomechanists. Apps on mobile devices are less expensive (sometimes even free), much more portable, and easier to use. This article explains how physical educators can use these types of technology to record students' performances, provide instant feedback to students, create more robust written and online exams, and help students to perform self- and peer-analysis.
Fundamentals in the behavior of electrets

Abstract The paper cites certain results of an earlier paper2 by the present writer in which are traced the consequences of the assumption that an electret is characterized by a state of polarization, semi-permanent in the sense that it decays very slowly with the time. The decay takes place under the influence of an ohmic conductivity. The behavior of the dielectric in the case of an exponential decay is determined by the initial polarization P0, which may vary across the electret, the initial potential difference V0 between the surfaces of the electret, the coefficient, α, in the exponential decay, and the quantity RC representing the product of the resistance and capacity associated with the electret. In the present paper it is demonstrated that, in the case of an electret which shows a maximum in the curve representing potential difference between surfaces plotted against time, all of the foregoing quantities may be obtained from measurements of the initial potential difference, the maximum potential difference, the time for the potential difference to fall to zero, and the time for it to attain its maximum. The theory of the matter is extended to the case where the semi-permanent polarization is represented by a finite or infinite number of contributions, each having its own particular relaxation time. The paper discusses the question of what determines the initial potential difference after the electret is removed from its forming plates. It is shown that a reasonable understanding of the facts can be obtained qualitatively and quantitatively by assuming that on separating the plates slightly from the surfaces of the electret the charge densities retained by the plates are limited by the condition that the resulting field in the air space is less than the breakdown field in air, at the moment of separation.
The role of AMPA, GABA, [Ca2+]i, and calcium stores in propagating waves in neuronal networks

Abstract Recent experimental investigations of the brain show that AMPA, GABA, intracellular calcium and calcium store play important role in various neural network activities such as wave propagation, long-term potentiation, and long-term depression. A model of bursting neuron, which includes calcium store and voltage-independent calcium current, is used for modeling neural network activity. Unlike other existing models (where the presynaptic potential determines connectivity), in our model [Ca 2+ ] i in the presynaptic cell determines the synaptic connections. It is found that the neural network model produces different types of activities, including spontaneous propagating waves which are observed in the experiments.