cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Zebra Murders Race, Civil Liberties, and Radical Politics in San Francisco

The Zebra Murders were a series of racially charged homicides in San Francisco during the mid-1970s. The crimes, which appeared to be random, built on existing anxiety about violent crime to create an atmosphere of fear in the city. Rumors that the crimes were racially motivated suggested a link to radical politics, only increasing public alarm. This article argues that these combined fears pushed the city to adopt a controversial, unconstitutional procedure to try and end the murders. The responses to the operation reveal that this criminal violence was exacerbating deep cleavages within the San Francisco populace, cleavages that mirrored larger national divisions. Ultimately, a debate developed over how to balance individual civil liberties and public security. The fears surrounding the Zebra murders and other events like them contributed to a growing victims’ rights movement that argued the balance should lean more firmly toward public safety.
The structure of the human centrin 2-xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein complex.

Human centrin-2 plays a key role in centrosome function and stimulates nucleotide excision repair by binding to the xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein. To determine the structure of human centrin-2 and to develop an understanding of molecular interactions between centrin and xeroderma pigmentosum group C protein, we characterized the crystal structure of calcium-loaded full-length centrin-2 complexed with a xeroderma pigmentosum group C peptide. Our structure shows that the carboxyl-terminal domain of centrin-2 binds this peptide and two calcium atoms, whereas the amino-terminal lobe is in a closed conformation positioned distantly by an ordered α-helical linker. A stretch of the amino-terminal domain unique to centrins appears disordered. Two xeroderma pigmentosum group C peptides both bound to centrin-2 also interact to form an α-helical coiled-coil. The interface between centrin-2 and each peptide is predominantly nonpolar, and key hydrophobic residues of XPC have been identified that lead us to propose a novel binding motif for centrin.
Fetal macrosomia in diabetic multiparous animals.

Mild diabetes (blood glucose ranging from 130 to 200 mg/100 ml) was induced in female rats by streptozotocin administration prior to mating. Fetuses obtained from these diabetic mothers on 20.5, 19.5 and 18.5 days of gestation were compared with corresponding fetuses from control mothers. Macrosomia was defined as a fetus whose body weight exceeded the mean + 2.5 SD of fetal weight obtained from the control fetal population. Similarly, the rate of substrate influx was considered abnormally high when an individual value (cpm/g tissue of radioactive tracer) exceeded mean + 2.5 SD of control value. The frequencies of macrosomia in control groups and in diabetic groups were 1/98 and 15/110 respectively, on 20.5 day of gestation, 1/155 and 14/ 148 on 19.5 day, and 0/99 and 0/98 on 18.5 day. The rates of influx of thymidine, leucine, and alphaaminoisobutyric acid from maternal side to the macrosomic fetuses were increased as much as 20 times the corresponding rates in control fetuses. Despite the lack of macrosomia as defined here in the fetal population on 18.5 day of gestation, a significantly larger proportion of litters from diabetic mothers (5 litters/5 litters) contained one or more fetuses showing abnormally high rate of thymidine influx than the litters from control mothers (0 litter/5 litters). These results suggest that only a selected few fetuses in a litter from a diabetic mother become macrosomic and a marked stimulation in the rate of metabolite influx into fetuses precedes the manifestation of macrosomia.
Pilot study of the impact sacroiliac joint manipulation has on walking kinematics using motion analysis technology

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of engaging in a series of larger studies measuring the effect of sacroiliac joint manipulation on walking kinematics using motion analysis technology.
Surgical management of isolated hemangioblastomas of the spinal cord.

Objective Intramedullary hemangioblastomas are rare tumors, accounting for just 3% of all intraspinal neoplasms. The purpose of this study is to define the occurrence of isolated intramedullary hemangioblastomas and to analyze the role of the radiological studies and surgery for these lesions. Methods The charts of 19 consecutive patients operated on for isolated spinal intramedullary hemangioblastoma were reviewed. Preoperatively, all patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging and nine underwent spinal angiography. For all patients, the surgical approach was via posterior laminectomy. Results Our study sample comprised 6 women and 13 men, with an average age of 31.5 years (range, 16-75 yr). The mean prodrome was 20.8 months. Pain was the most common complaint. In all cases, the neoplasms were associated with a syrinx or edema. Gross total resection was achieved in all patients. At last follow-up examination (mean, 50.1 mo), 13 patients (68%) had improved and 6 patients (32%) had stabilized as compared with their preoperative clinical status. Conclusion Isolated intramedullary hemangioblastomas typically have an indolent clinical course. These tumors have characteristic imaging properties on magnetic resonance imaging and angiography. Surgical removal of these lesions results in excellent long-term functional outcome.
The use of propylene glycol and/or lactic acid in chill water for reducing salmonellae on broilers

A study was conducted to determine the effects of propylene glycol (PG) and lactic acid (LA) alone, or in combination, on levels of salmonellae on broiler carcasses. Chicks were inoculated with salmonellae via the drinking water on days 2, 7, 14, and 21. At 49 days, birds were processed and the carcasses were subjected to chemical treatment in the chill water. Two treatments were effective in completely eliminating salmonellae from the carcass (0.25% LA + 20% PG or 0.50% LA + 20% PG). However, both levels of LA resulted in discoloration of the skin, and all levels of PG that were evaluated (5, 10, or 20%) produced carcasses that exhibited a sickeningly sweet odor. Color and odor problems did not diminish with time.
Cognitive behavioral treatment of men who batter their partners

Treatment of men who batter their partners has proliferated over the past 20 years. Cognitive behavioral treatment approaches are well-suited to violence abatement treatment applications. Such approaches provide both a philosophical and skills-based foundation for violence abatement. Philosophically, cognitive behavioral approaches place behavioral responsibility for violence and its cessation on the perpetrator. Cognitive behavioral approaches also provide systematic, empirically based methods to facilitate specific behavior change. Specific applications of cognitive behavioral methods to the treatment of partner violence are described and discussed. Finally, the community context of conducting partner violence treatment is discussed.
A computer program for automated step edge motion analysis from scanning probe microscopy images

Abstract A computer algorithm was developed to automatically track the displacement of straight step edges between sequential scanning probe microscopy images of single-crystal surfaces. The program utilizes the Canny edge detection algorithm followed by the Hough Transform of the edge map to identify step edges according to their direction, relative to the image axes, and according to their displacement, relative to the image origin. The tracking of individual steps is facilitated by the fact that straight edges in general maintain their direction and therefore, steps of similar displacement but different direction can be sorted. The algorithm is based on the assumption that the rate of image acquisition is much greater than the rate of (mono)layer growth/dissolution, requiring that changes in step displacement are small in successive images. The change in step displacement in sequential images leads directly to the calculation of the step speed. By tabulating all changes in step displacement through a sequence of images, a statistical representation of the step edge data is produced. The program was evaluated using a sequence of 20 atomic force microscopy images from a calcite (104) surface growing from a supersaturated aqueous solution. The program required, in total, 5 CPU-minutes running on a Pentium 4 processor to compute the mean step speed with 60% precision whereas the equivalent number of measurements performed “by hand” required 6 person-hours at 70% precision. For comparable output, the computer program therefore represents a factor of about 100 decrease in required effort.
Universal Grammar, statistics or both?

Recent demonstrations of statistical learning in infants have reinvigorated the innateness versus learning debate in language acquisition. This article addresses these issues from both computational and developmental perspectives. First, I argue that statistical learning using transitional probabilities cannot reliably segment words when scaled to a realistic setting (e.g. child-directed English). To be successful, it must be constrained by knowledge of phonological structure. Then, turning to the bona fide theory of innateness – the Principles and Parameters framework – I argue that a full explanation of children's grammar development must abandon the domain-specific learning model of triggering, in favor of probabilistic learning mechanisms that might be domain-general but nevertheless operate in the domain-specific space of syntactic parameters.
The Smart Car Project: Development and Implementation of a Modular Scaled Test-Bed

In this paper, we investigate the development, implementation and testing of an inexpensive scaledprototype “Smart Car” test bed. The test bed consists of retrofitting a commercially available Radio-Control (RC) truck with a PC/104 based computer, various embedded sensor- and actuator-subsystems together with multiple modes of communication. The overall goal of our work is the creation of an inexpensive test-bed capable of operating in real time equipped with a real-time mediated control system to enhance the overall system autonomy and robustness. This test bed enables us to study several concepts including: (i) Mediation of human user control of complex robot systems; (ii) Multi-user shared teleoperation; and (iii) Robustness of the control in the presence of varying grades of communication that are relevant to a number of current and future generations of military/civilian systems
Evolutionary History of a Specialized P450 Propane Monooxygenase

The evolutionary pressures that shaped the specificity and catalytic efficiency of enzymes can only be speculated. While directed evolution experiments show that new functions can be acquired under positive selection with few mutations, the role of negative selection in eliminating undesired activities and achieving high specificity remains unclear. Here we examine intermediates along the ‘lineage’ from a naturally occurring C12–C20 fatty acid hydroxylase (P450BM3) to a laboratory-evolved P450 propane monooxygenase (P450PMO) having 20 heme domain substitutions compared to P450BM3. Biochemical, crystallographic, and computational analyses show that a minimal perturbation of the P450BM3 fold and substrate-binding pocket accompanies a significant broadening of enzyme substrate range and the emergence of propane activity. In contrast, refinement of the enzyme catalytic efficiency for propane oxidation (not, vert, similar 9000-fold increase in kcat/Km) involves profound reshaping and partitioning of the substrate access pathway. Remodeling of the substrate-recognition mechanisms ultimately results in remarkable narrowing of the substrate profile around propane and enables the acquisition of a basal iodomethane dehalogenase activity as yet unknown in natural alkane monooxygenases. A highly destabilizing L188P substitution in a region of the enzyme that undergoes a large conformational change during catalysis plays an important role in adaptation to the gaseous alkane. This work demonstrates that positive selection alone is sufficient to completely respecialize the cytochrome P450 for function on a nonnative substrate.
Hydrodynamic shear breakage of DNA.

The rate of breakage of duplex DNA molecules by laminar flow through a capillary has been studied. For λb2b5c DNA (molecular wt., M = 25 × 106) the point at which breakage occurs is normally distributed around the center of the molecule with a standard deviation of 12.5% of the molecular length. At constant shear stress or shear rate, the breakage rate is independent of ionic strength. Thus, shear induced local denaturation is not a rate limiting, preliminary step in breakage. In experiments at constant temperature with varying solvent viscosity (controlled by added sucrose) the breakage rate is a function of shear rate, not of shear stress. The rate of opening of hydrogenbonded circles into linear molecules by hydrodynamic shear is also shown to be a function of shear rate and not of shear stress. The breakage rate at constant shear rate is not greatly dependent on temperature. The shear rate required to achieve breakage is inversely proportional to M1,2. The breakage rate constant, k varies as a very high power of the shear rate; at 25°C, d In k/d In Gm ∼ 15; at 10°C, d In k/d In Gm ∼ 26, where Gm is the maximum shear rate at the capillary wall. The unexpected result that breakage rate is mainly dependent on shear rate, not shear stress, supports a model in which the DNA molecule is distorted with a driving force which depends on the hydrodynamic shear stress, ηG, but the rate limiting step is segment diffusion into a highly extended configuration. The characteristic time to achieve this configuration is proportional to solvent viscosity, η, hence the breakage rate is dependent on ηG/η or G, the shear rate.
AN ALL-AMERICAN SANITARY-WARE BODY*

The development of a casting body for sanitary ware is based on the theories that (1) organic deflocculating agents are inherently better than inorganic deflocculants; (2) the use of at least three ball clays and two kaolins permits better control of uniformity of physical properties of casting slip; and (3) the proper selection of domestic clays will give casting slips that cast as fast or faster than those made from imported clays. Comparisons with commercial bodies are made for color, shrinkage, absorption, speed of casting, and rate of thickening.
Helminth parasites of sculpins, Cottus spp. (Teleostei, Cottidae) from three Maryland creeks, U.S.A.

A total of 5 helminth species (3 Nematoda: Rhabdochona cotti, Freitascapillaria laticauda, Cystidicoloides ephemeridarum; 2 Trematoda: Phyllodistomum undulans, Crepidostomum sp.) infected sculpins, Cottus spp., from 3 Maryland creeks in November 2005 and May 2006. Gravid individuals of R. cotti and P. undulans occurred in blue-ridge sculpin, Cottus caeruleomentum, from Little Fishing Creek; gravid individuals of F. laticauda and R. cotti occurred in C. caeruleomentum and in Potomac sculpin, Cottus girardi, from Blue Lick Run, respectively; and gravid R. cotti occurred in mottled sculpin, Cottus bairdii, from Little Bear Creek. One immature female capillariid-like nematode occurred in C. girardi from Blue Lick Run. Rhabdochona cotti in C. caeruleomentum from Little Fishing Creek and in C. bairdii from Little Bear Creek had the highest prevalence, mean intensity, and mean abundance, followed by P. undulans in C. caeruleomentum from Little Fishing Creek. The mean parasite species richness values were low and ranged from 0.39 to 1.27 in the Cottus spp. This is the first report of parasites from C. girardi, and the second report of parasites from C. caeruleomentum in North America.
Virally-induced upregulation of heparan sulfate on B cells via the action of type I IFN.

Cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) is an important coreceptor for many cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. In this study, we report that splenic murine B cells express very little HS and that upon infection with either gammaherpesvirus (murine gammaherpesvirus 68) or betaherpesvirus (murine cytomegalovirus), HS is rapidly upregulated at the surface of B cells. HS upregulation was not observed in mice deficient for the type I IFN (IFN-I) receptor. Additionally, treatment of wild-type mice with the IFN-I inducer polyinosine polycytidylic acid triggered HS expression at the B cell surface. Similarly, incubation of purified splenic B cells with IFN-I, TLR ligands, or BCR stimulators ex vivo resulted in a drastic increase in HS surface expression. We found that IFN-I induced an increase in the surface expression of HS-modified syndecan 4 as well as that of an unidentified heparan sulfate proteoglycan. Finally, IFN-I treatment increased B cell responsiveness to APRIL, a cytokine involved in B cell survival and T cell-independent B cell responses. Enzymatic removal of HS from IFN-I–treated B cells inhibited APRIL. Altogether, our results indicate that upon herpesvirus infection in mice, HS is rapidly upregulated at the surface of B cells due to the action of IFN-I, potentially increasing B cell responsiveness to cytokines. Induction of HS expression at the B cell surface by stimulators of the innate immune response likely plays a key role in the development of a robust immune response.
High-Power Single-Mode Distributed-Feedback Interband Cascade Lasers for the Midwave-Infrared

A single-mode output power of 41 mW has been obtained at T=120 K and lambdaap3.44 mum from a narrow-ridge interband cascade laser patterned with a Ge distributed-feedback grating. The sidemode suppression ratio at the maximum power is 23 dB, and the linewidth of 0.1 nm is instrument-limited. An alternate contacting geometry yielded robust single-mode output over a broad range of currents and temperatures, and current tuning of the wavelength by up to 17 nm
A new modulation method to reduce common-mode voltages in multilevel inverters

This paper proposes a new modulation strategy for multilevel inverters, which selects voltage vectors that generate zero common-mode voltage in the load, working at low switching frequency. Experimental results confirm that the method is highly effective and simple to implement in a modern microprocessor. The voltage distortion (total harmonic distortion), the number of commutations, and the linearity are also studied. Finally, it is concluded that the proposed strategy is highly suited for inverters with a high number of levels.
Unresponsiveness of Cat β-Glucuronidase to Sex Hormone Stimulation

The activity of β-glucuronidase was measured in the blood serum, uterus and kidney of the cat. The cat was chosen for experimentation as an example of a species which fails to show elevation of plasma ceruloplasmin or corticosteroid-binding globulin during pregnancy. Analysis of serum and uterine β-glucuronidase during pregnancy, estrogen administration, and after castration failed to show activities different from those of untreated controls. Male renal β-glucuronidase failed to rise after androgen stimulation. The failure of response makes it unlikely that the elevation of glucuronidase plays a general role in the expression of hormone action. (Endocrinology 79: 216,1966)
Copositive and completely positive quadratic forms

A copositive quadratic form is a real form which is non-negative for non-negative arguments. A completely positive quadratic form is a real form which can be written as a sum of squares of non-negative real forms. The completely positive forms are basic in the study of block designs arising in combinatorial analysis (3). The copositive forms arise in the theory of inequalities and have been considered in a paper by Mordell (4) and two papers by Diananda(1, 2).
Effects of the tropical ginger compound,1-acetoxychavicol acetate, against tumor promotion in K5.Stat3C transgenic mice

The purpose of the current study was to determine whether a tropical ginger derived compound 1’-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), suppresses skin tumor promotion in K5.Stat3C mice. In a two-week study in which wild-type (WT) and K5.Stat3C mice were co-treated with either vehicle, ACA, galanga extract, or fluocinolone acetonide (FA) and tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA), only the galanga extract and FA suppressed TPA-induced skin hyperproliferation and wet weight. None of these agents were effective at suppressing p-Tyr705Stat3 expression. However, ACA and FA showed promising inhibitory effects against skin tumorigenesis in K5.Stat3C mice. ACA also suppressed phospho-p65 NF-κB activation, suggesting a potential mechanism for its action.
Theoretical and Experimental Status of Quantumelectrodynamics

What we shall mean in these lectures by ‘‘quantum electrodynamics’’ is the study of electromagnetic interactions of electrons, µ-mesons, and photons with each other and with those external sources which ‘ can be understood phenomenologically. It is therefore worthwhile to try to delimit the expected domain of validity of this (narrowly-defined) theory. On the large-distance side, it is probably only gravitation which gets in the way; on the small-distance side, the strong interactions (via vacuum polarization effects) and, in a more serious way, weak interactions. To estimate the breakdown-distance, we may calculate, for example, “weak” corrections to the process of e + e ‒ pair annihilation. In a point Fermi theory, the graph o ℳ goes something like $$\frac{{\delta M}}{M}\sim \{ _{{{G^{2}}{E_{{C{M^{4}}}}}(?)}}^{{{G^{2}}{\Lambda ^{2}}{E_{{C{M^{2}}}}}(?)}} $$ with the weak interaction cutoff (a la Ioffe [1]) A ≲ 300 BeV: Thus when G Ecm 2 ~1, or E C m ~ 300 BeV, the weak corrections become important.
Real-valued maximum likelihood decoder for quasi-orthogonal space-time block codes

In this letter, we propose a low complexity Maximum Likelihood (ML) decoding algorithm for quasi-orthogonal space-time block codes (QOSTBCs) based on the real-valued lattice representation and QR decomposition. We show that for a system with rate r = ns/T, where ns is the number of transmitted symbols per T time slots; the proposed algorithm decomposes the original complex-valued system into a parallel system with ns 2 times 2 real-valued components, thus allowing for a simple joint decoding of two real symbols. For a square QAM constellation with L points (L-QAM), this algorithm achieves full diversity by properly incorporating two-dimensional rotation using the optimal rotation angle and the same rotating matrix for any number of transmit antennas (N ges 4). We show that the complexity gain becomes greater when N or L becomes larger. The complexity of the proposed algorithm is shown to be linear with the number of transmitted symbols ns.
Tentoxin‐induced loss of plastidic polyphenol oxidase

Tentoxin-treated mung bean plants are shown to lack chloroplast polyphenol oxidase (PPO) by enzymatic, electrophoretic and cytochemical analysis. Incorporation of PPO (a protein coded by nuclear DNA) into the plastid may occur via concentration of the protein into inner envelope-derived vesicles. PPO integration into the plastid is apparently blocked by a tentoxin treatment although fraction I protein (and hence the proteins for chloroplast ribosome production) is not affected by this fungal toxin. Both apical and etiolated plastids from teotoxin-treated plants lack PPO. Thus, it is unlikely that the primary effect of tentoxin is due to the binding of the chloroplast coupling factor, as previously supposed.
The Incorporation of Animal-Assisted Interventions in Social Work Education

Successful social work practice requires orientation to di- verse social and cultural characteristics which structure the framework for our communities and families. This paper explores the necessity of incorporating the connection between people and non-human relation- ships in our understanding of social support systems. Specifically, we examine our relationships with animals in the understanding of these so- cial networks and in turn, the readiness of social work education to sup- port this valuable and prominent feature of the modern family system. In addition, this paper will highlight the congruence between the study of the human-animal bond and the social work curriculum. (Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800- HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Elastic-Plastic Analyses of a Three-Point Bend Specimen and a Fracturing Pipe

An assumed displacement, hybrid finite element method was used to analyze the elastic-plastic plane strain state of a three point bend specimen. A shell code was used to analyze the elastic dynamic propagation of a girth crack in a stainless steel pipe subjected to uniaxial tension.
Analysis of milimeter-size implanted loop antennas for brain-machine interface systems

Brain-machine interface (BMI) is a multidisciplinary field that has enormous potential to help large numbers of people suffering from a wide variety of disabling neurological conditions. To achieve that, such systems require a wireless link for the implanted neural sensors to communicate with external unit that decodes neural data and controls prosthetic limbs. We have characterized miniature millimeter-size implantable antennas that are capable of communicating with a transmitting antenna outside human body. The wireless link present in the full human head model was simulated in ANSYS HFSS. Prototype antennas are fabricated and functionalities are analyzed by measurements. Operating at the medical implant communications service (MICS) frequency band (402–405 MHz), such novel antennas provide low cost and low power solutions for wireless and passive neural interfaces for BMI technology.
Reduction of plasma urea-N by diethylstilbestrol in ruminants.

SummaryFour experiments were conducted with growing lambs to study the influence of diethylstilbestrol administration upon plasma urea-N levels. A reduction was observed within 24 hr that magnified until maximum depression was observed 12-19 days after administration of the compound at which time plasma urea-N levels tended to return toward those observed in control lambs. This response was similar with either oral or implant administration of the compound. With oral administration, the response appeared to be dose-dependent; only one level was tested via implantation. Several possible explanations exist for this response. It is felt that growth hormone release could account for this effect, especially the early (24-hr) response that was observed.
Effect of Lepidopterous Larval Populations On Processed Cabbage Grades

Lepidopterous larval populations on processed cabbage, from head initiation until harvest, were compared with percent cull material (a direct function of grade) in 27 commercial fields in New York over a 2-year period. Although larval populations varied considerably between fields and between years, no significant correlation (r2 = 0.004, 25 df) between percent cull material and larval populations existed. The majority of cull material was green tissue which would have been removed regardless of lepidopterous injury. The rationale for strict control of lepidoptera on processing cabbage, from head initiation until harvest, was not found to be cost effective.
Recent Developments on Ultrasonic Cavitation Based Solidification Processing of Bulk Magnesium Nanocomposites

This paper presents the results from our recent development in cast bulk Mg nanocomposites. SiC nanoparticles reinforced magnesium and magnesium alloys including pure magnesium, and Mg-(2, 4)Al-1Si and Mg-4Zn were successfully fabricated by ultrasonic cavitation based dispersion of SiC nanoparticles in magnesium melt. As compared to un-reinforced magnesium alloy matrix, the mechanical properties including tensile strength and yield strength were improved significantly while the ductility was retained or even improved. In the microstructure, the grain size was refined considerably by SiC nanoparticles.
Adherence of Group B Streptococci and Human Erythrocytes to Influenza A Virus-Infected MDCK Cells

SummaryScanning electron microscopy was used to compare the adherence of group B streptococci (types Ia, Ic, and II) and human erythrocytes to canine kidney cell monolayers inoculated 24-48 hr earlier with influenza A/NWS/33 virus. Streptococci and erythrocytes adhered to the kidney cell surface membranes and filamentous projections of some but not all the cells in virus-inoculated monolayers, while they did not adhere to control monolayers. Streptococcal adherence was blocked when the virus-infected cells were first exposed to erythrocytes. Likewise, hemadsorption was blocked when the virus-infected cells were first exposed to streptococci. In mixed bacterial adherence-hemadsorption tests bacteria adhered only to hemadsorption-positive virus-infected cells. Adherence of streptococci types Ia and Ic and erythrocytes was inhibited when the streptococci and erythrocytes were pretreated with receptor destroying enzyme. However, enzyme treatment of type II streptococci did not affect their ability to adhere t...
Study of Serum Interleukin-18,Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha,Interferon-Gama Level and Their Relationships in Children with Viral Myocarditis

Objective To study the relationship and changes of cytokine interleukine-18(IL-18),tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)and interferon-gama(IFN-γ)in viral myocarditis(VM).Method Changes of serum cytokine IL-18,TNF-α and IFN-γ of 72 acute VM patients and 25 healthy children were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results 1.P-values represented the obvious significance of difference as comparing the concentration of serum cytokine IL-18,TNF-α and IFN-γ of VM children with that of the control group(Pa0.05).There was positive correlation between IL-18 and TNF-α(r=0.35 P0.05).Conclusions Cytokine IL-18,TNF-α and IFN-γ play role in the VM pathogenesis.Cytokine IL-18 can not only resist virus but also cause immuno-injury like TNF-α in children with acute VM.
Derivation and Discussion of Vertical Curve Design Formulas

The highway vertical curve design formulas for both crest and sag vertical curves with the consideration of stopping sight distance are first analytically derived.Driver height,object height,and vehicle headlamp height are explicitly considered as the key elements for stopping sight distance determination.Based on these formulas,the minimum vertical curve length values,as recommended in the China Road Alignment Design Guide are then shown to be inadequate,especially for crest vertical curve during nighttime operations with no illumination.It is suggested that vertical curve length design should consider the limitations of vehicle headlamps,and the recommended values in the China Road Alignment Design Guide should be increased.
Approximations by differences of lower semicontinuous functions

A classical theorem of W.Sierpi\'nski, S. Mazurkiewicz and S.Kempisty says that the class of all differences of lower semicontinuous functions is uniformly dense in the space of all Baire--one functions. We show a generalization of this result to a more general situations and derive an abstract theorem in the case of a binormal topological space.
Drug Development for Metastasis Prevention

Metastatic disease is responsible for 90% of death from solid tumors. However, only a minority of metastasis-specific targets has been exploited therapeutically, and effective prevention and suppression of metastatic disease is still an elusive goal. In this review, we will first summarize the current state of knowledge about the molecular features of the disease, with particular focus on steps and targets potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention. We will then discuss the reasons underlying the paucity of metastatic drugs in the current oncological arsenal and potential ways to overcome this therapeutic gap. We reason that the discovery of novel promising targets, an increased understanding of the molecular features of the disease, the effect of disruptive technologies, and a shift in the current preclinical and clinical settings have the potential to create more successful drug development endeavors.
Proton exchange reactions in SiOx-based resistive switching memory: Review and insights from impedance spectroscopy

Abstract In this work, the AC admittance and conductance of non-polar SiOx-based resistive switching memory devices is measured as a function of temperature to investigate charge transport and potential switching mechanisms. After electroforming using a forward/backward voltage scan, devices were measured over the frequency range of 1 k–1 MHz and the temperature range of 200–400 K. For temperature (T) > 300 K, AC conductance follows σ(ω) = Aωs, where s is linearly dependent on temperature and close to, but less than, unity. For T
Stable temperature coefficient of resistance in TiSiON thin film resistors deposited by magnetron co-sputtering

Abstract Thin films of titanium/silicon (Ti:Si) are widely employed in the electronics industry because of their metal-like characteristics. The use of films as thin film resistor (TFR) based on Ti:Si has not yet been reported. In this paper, the TFR characteristics of TiSiON with different compositions and deposited in Argon atmosphere with either 1% Oxygen or 1% Oxygen/3% Nitrogen are studied. The film composition was varied through a co-sputtering approach from titanium and silicon targets and the sheet resistance (Rsh) and temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) were evaluated. The film composition was evaluated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); carrier mobility, type and concentration by Hall effect methods and film microstructure by X-Ray diffraction. Nitrogen addition during the deposition reduces oxidized species in the TFR and increases film stability. The addition of nitrogen results in TFR films with partially oxidized titanium and silicon and TFR values closer to zero TCR without impacting film resistance. Films deposited without nitrogen result in more unstable films and larger TCR. A near-zero TCR film was found for a Ti:Si ratio of 1.6, exhibiting a Rsh at 25 °C of 0.7 kOhms with a TCR value of −171 ppm/°C after annealing at 450 °C in forming gas.
Art Pop: The Styles of Lady Gaga

Although Lady Gaga is primarily known as a pop singer, the performer has also been involved in other musical styles and, additionally, has engaged in artistic forms besides music. In this chapter, the various styles and artistic expressions of Lady Gaga are analyzed, especially her adoption of rock music from within the world of pop, which has been part of her work since early on in her career, as well as her involvement in jazz and other art forms, which she has been involved with in more recent years once her fame was established. The mixture of various styles in her artistry is one of the outstanding characteristics of Lady Gaga that has gained her special attention and thus contributed to her fame.
On-chip spectrometer based on an evanescently coupled multimode spiral waveguide

We design and fabricate an on-chip spectrometer based on an evanescently-coupled multimode spiral waveguide. Evanescent coupling between waveguide arms greatly enhances the spectral resolution, reaching 10pm at wavelength 1520nm with a footprint of 500μ×500μ.
The lack of phosphofructokinase activity in several species of Rhodotorula.

Abstract Certain disparities observed in the growth response of Rhodotorula glutinis to various carbohydrate substrates have led to a study of its pathways of carbohydrate metabolism. The substance of this report is concerned with our inability to detect phosphofructokinase activity in several members of this species, and what appears to be diminished PFK levels in other oxidative yeasts.
The Prospects for Advanced Process Control

Abstract In view of the renewed interest in operating industrial plants as economically and efficiently as possible, there are significant incentives for applications of advanced process control techniques. This survey evaluates two techniques, adaptive control and predictive control, which have been routinely used in a number of industrial plants. Several newer techniques which are very promising are also identified and briefly discussed.
Correction: Supported two- and three-dimensional vanadium oxide species on the surface of β-SiC

Correction for ‘Supported two- and three-dimensional vanadium oxide species on the surface of β-SiC’ by Carlos A. Carrero et al., Catal. Sci. Technol., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c7cy01036b.
Fetal Neuronal Grafting for CNS Regeneration: General Principles

Publisher Summary Fetal neuronal grafting in animal models has served as a useful tool for understanding features of nervous system development, central nervous system (CNS) plasticity, and adult CNS repair. In several models there is compelling evidence that fetal grafting could be used to reduce disease severity and perhaps slow the rate of decline. However, practical considerations in the routine extension of fetal neuronal transplantation for the treatment of human neurological disease are formidable. First, it is unlikely that sufficient amounts of fetal tissue would ever be available to treat human neurological diseases that are potential targets of grafting, including Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, spinal cord injury, and other forms of CNS trauma and neurodegeneration. Second, there is a potential risk of transmission of infectious disease from fetal tissue to the host if the donor tissue is not carefully screened. Third, there is the risk that unexpected complications could arise from the practice of neural transplantation in inexperienced hands. Fourth, there is a lack of societal consensus on the ethical acceptability of fetal transplantation. On the other hand, in the clinical realm there may be a role for fetal-grafting studies in identifying human disorders that can benefit from neural repair strategies. Other molecules in the fetal environment, such as neurotrophic factors, extracellular matrix molecules, and cell adhesion molecules, may also contribute to neural repair, and positive findings from future clinical trials employing fetal grafts in bridging strategies could lead to the precise characterization of molecules in the fetal environment, other than neurons, that augment neural plasticity.
Anti-leukemia activity of NSC-743380 in SULT1A1-expressing acute myeloid leukemia cells is associated with inhibitions of cFLIP expression and PI3K/AKT/mTOR activities

Our recent study showed that acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells expressing SULT1A1 are highly sensitive to NSC-743380, a small molecule that inhibits STAT3 activity and induces SULT1A1-dependent apoptosis of various cancer cell lines. In this study, we characterized the molecular mechanisms of NSC-743380-mediated anti-leukemia activity in AML cell lines and antileukemia activity of NSC-743380 in patient-derived primary leukemia cells from AML patients. Our results showed that treatment with NSC-743380 triggered robust apoptosis in SULT1A1-positive AML cells. Treatment with NSC-743380 did not increase intracellular reactive oxygen species or change of STAT3 activity in AML cells, but did dramatically and rapidly decrease cFLIP expression. Proteomic analysis with reverse phase protein microarray revealed that treatment of U937 and THP-1 AML cells with NSC-743380 led to drastic and time-dependent suppression of phosphorylation of several key nodes in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, including AKT and mTOR. Moreover, primary AML cells expressed SULT1A1 were highly sensitive to treatment with NSC-743380, which was not affected by co-culture with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Thus, our results provide proof-of-concept evidence that AML cells expressing SULT1A1 can be targeted by small molecules that induce apoptosis through inhibiting the expression or activities of multiple targets.
Placement of Subthalamic DBS Electrodes in a Radiology Suite Using Interventional MRI

Standard methodology for placement of deep brain stimulator (DBS) electrodes includes preoperative stereotactic brain imaging, supplemented by intraoperative physiology in awake patients. However, multiple brain penetrations may be necessary in order to achieve an acceptable micro-electrode signature, and not all patients can tolerate awake surgery. In this study, we investigate the use of direct real-time image guidance as a means of delivering DBS electrodes. The technique may be performed on anesthetized patients and does not require stereotaxy, microelectrode recordings, or an operating theater. The devices and methods used in this study evolved from earlier work on interventional MRI guided brain biopsy [1, 2].
Female Consumers, Advertisements, and Age-Based Differences: An Abstract

Over the past several decades, female consumer culture has changed as a result of fundamental societal shifts in American culture owing, among other factors, to the increasing focus on the self and successive waves of feminism and changing roles of women (Branchik and Chowdhury 2017). These changes result from a series of historical developments and can be reflected in age-based differences in female consumers. These significant differences impact women’s attitudes and behaviors associated with consumption and media. To date, few studies have assessed these generational differences relative to activity in the marketplace.
The Prospects for Effective Implementation of Regulatory Policy

One of the dominant features of American government in the 20th century has been the emergence of a plethora of regulatory agencies. Beginning with efforts to regulate the prices set by utilities and transportation oligopolies, governments at all levels have gradually become involved in a large variety of programs involving consumer and environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and the protection of civil rights. The scope and number of these programs are matched, however, by criticisms of them: They restrict individual liberty within a market economy. They lead to an inefficient allocation of resources. They raise serious equity problems, especially against lower income classes. And, probably most important of all, they are not even able to achieve their statutory objectives.
Opening the Window of Immune Opportunity: Treating Childhood Asthma

Asthma is an increasingly common childhood disease and although most patients can control their symptoms with medication, a proportion experience life-threatening symptoms. The advent of novel biologic therapies represents a giant leap forward for asthma treatment, but efficacy is rarely tested in children. Recent mechanistic work in mice suggests that early life is a key period for immune development and, therefore, allergen sensitization. Although children with severe asthma experience significant comorbidities and are at increased risk for serious diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as adults, no specific investigation into tailored treatment for young children with severe asthma exists. Here, we propose how new information regarding early life immunity could be used to inform modified treatments for children.
Mixture Problems in Pharmaceutical Sciences

In this chapter, I have approached general mixture composition problems as regular mathematical mixture problems. Equations are developed to represent the different rates and quantities of the variables that are involved in the mixture problems. These equations are used to identify the domain of all variables and develop a procedure to provide all possible answers. You will learn to identify the type of variables that are preserved during the initial and final states of a process, construct equations that represent the initial and final states of these variables, and solve the system of linear equations to determine the specific values of these variables. You may skip the three- and four-component mixture composition problems if you feel that you will not be needing those and move to the empirical methods of alligation. The obscured method of alligation alternate is unraveled for the first time. The rules of the method and the advantages and disadvantages of it are clearly explained, and their application is herein expanded to other areas such as physical chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacoeconomics.
Long-Term Outcomes and Disease Burden of Neonatal Onset Short Bowel Syndrome.

Abstract Purpose The study aims to describe long-term outcomes and disease burden of neonatal onset short bowel syndrome (SBS). Methods Utilizing the WHO criteria for adolescence, patients 10–19 years of age with neonatal onset SBS requiring parenteral nutrition (PN) for > 90 days and followed by our multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation center between 2009 and 2018 were included for analysis. Results Seventy adolescents with SBS were studied. Median (IQR) age at last follow up in our center was 15 (11, 17) years. There was 0% mortality in the cohort, and 94% remained transplant free. Fifty-three patients (76%) achieved enteral autonomy. Three patients were weaned from PN without transplantation after six years of follow-up and another four after ten years of care at our multidisciplinary center. Disease burden remained higher in adolescents receiving PN, including inpatient hospitalizations (p Conclusion Survival for adolescents with neonatal onset SBS is excellent. Of the cohort studied, there was no mortality, and more than 75% achieved enteral autonomy. Disease burden remains high for adolescents who remain dependent on PN. However, achievement of enteral autonomy is feasible with long-term multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Type of study Prognosis study. Level of evidence Level II.
Biexcitons do not form in MoS2 monolayers from optical pumping at 6 K

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted much interest in recent years due to their emerging material properties. In monolayer TMDs, such as MoS2, extreme quantum confinement is achieved in the monolayer limit. Although monolayer TMDs represent an ideal platform to explore excitonic physics using ultrafast spectroscopy, this exploration is currently limited by confusion regarding the origin of certain spectral features, including the below-bandgap PIA feature observed in pump-probe experiments. In this work, we document an absence of PIA features immediately after photoexcitation, indicating a lack of strong optically-induced biexciton formation. Below-bandgap PIA features are observed to grow in with a time constant of 110 ± 10 fs, indicative of other factors responsible for their origin. These results indicate that optically-induced biexciton formation is most likely not responsible for the previously observed PIA features in MoS2 monolayers.
Immunotherapy, Inflammation and Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer type, and third highest in mortality rates among cancer-related deaths in the United States. Originating from intestinal epithelial cells in the colon and rectum, that are impacted by numerous factors including genetics, environment and chronic, lingering inflammation, CRC can be a problematic malignancy to treat when detected at advanced stages. Chemotherapeutic agents serve as the historical first line of defense in the treatment of metastatic CRC. In recent years, however, combinational treatment with targeted therapies, such as vascular endothelial growth factor, or epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors, has proven to be quite effective in patients with specific CRC subtypes. While scientific and clinical advances have uncovered promising new treatment options, the five-year survival rate for metastatic CRC is still low at about 14%. Current research into the efficacy of immunotherapy, particularly immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ICI) in mismatch repair deficient and microsatellite instability high (dMMR-MSI-H) CRC tumors have shown promising results, but its use in other CRC subtypes has been either unsuccessful, or not extensively explored. This Review will focus on the current status of immunotherapies, including ICI, vaccination and adoptive T cell therapy (ATC) in the treatment of CRC and its potential use, not only in dMMR-MSI-H CRC, but also in mismatch repair proficient and microsatellite instability low (pMMR-MSI-L).