cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TCR Vβ Usage of TSH Receptor-specific CD4+T Cells in Graves' Disease Patients and Healthy Humans

Abstract Healthy humans have CD4 + T cells specific for self-components. Since autoreactive T cells in autoimmune patients may use a limited number of TCR V-region genes, we investigated here whether this also occurs for the potentially autoreactive CD4 + cells present in healthy persons. We studied CD4 + cells specific for human TSH receptor (TSHr) sequences, that are present with high frequency in healthy subjects and, as expected, in Graves’ disease (GD) patients. We used short-term CD4 + cell lines propagated from four GD patients and five healthy subjects by cycles of stimulation with a pool of overlapping synthetic peptides corresponding to the putative extracellular parts of the TSHr sequence. The lines recognized the pool of TSHr peptides specifically and vigorously. Their epitope repertoire had been characterized previously: each line recognized one or a few TSHr peptides, different for each subject. We determined their TCR Vβ usage by a semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR assay, using primers specific for each known human Vβ region family, in conjunction with a constant region primer. Six lines preferentially used one Vβ family (42–94%), different for each line. In all lines, three or less Vβ families accounted for approximately 60% or more of the Vβ usage. Different Vβ regions were used by each subject. There was no obvious difference between the Vβ usage of the lines from GD patients and healthy controls. These results suggest that a limited pool of potentially autoreactive T cells survives clonal deletion. The pathogenic CD4 + cells involved in autoimmune diseases are likely recruited from that pool, since they have similar characteristics of epitope and TCR repertoire as the CD4 + cells specific for the same autoantigen in healthy subjects.
Moderating effects of gender and vulnerability on the relationships between financial hardship, low education and immune response

Gender, financial hardship, low education and vulnerability to stress, were regressed on a latent dependent variable representing covariances of three mitogen tests measuring immune response in the form of lymphocyte proliferation (CON-A, PHA, and PWM). In addition to the four main effects, six interaction terms involving all possible two-way combinations of the four main variables were regressed on the dependent variable. While financial strain and vulnerability exert significant negative main effects on immune response as anticipated, these variables interact with one another and with gender to produce complex conditional relationships. The interaction between low education and male gender produces a negative effect on immune response, while financial hardship and vulnerability to stress interact to produce positive effects on immune response. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HYPOPHYSEAL DISORDERS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO FROELICH’S SYNDROME (DYSTROPHIA ADIPOSOGENITALIS)

The question of obesity or its congener, fat dystrophy, has not received much study or attention until quite recently. This was undoubtedly due to the lack of knowledge concerning the fundamental principles involved in the process of fat metabolism. Formerly, excessive accumulation of fat was usually regarded as the result of surcharging by overeating and underexercising, a normal metabolic function, a condition designated exogenous obesity. Since a better knowledge has been gained of the physiological function of the endocrine glands, the fact has become definitely established that the vast majority are due to a disturbance of function of certain of these glands, which form is designated endogenous obesity. Although it has been observed from antiquity that eunuchs show changes in skeletal development with a type of fat distribution differing from the normal, it was not until Reverdin and Kocher (1882-1883) associated a form of obesity with the loss of function of the thyroid after complete extirpation, a...
Should intermittent androgen deprivation be used in routine clinical practice

For several decades, androgen deprivation (AD) has been the mainstay for treating metastatic prostate cancer. AD can be attained by a variety of means; however, irrespective of modality and a gratifying initial high response rate, almost all patients advance to a state of androgen independence and ultimately a hormone-refractory state. Improved understanding of the biology and mechanisms of progression to androgen independence coupled with promising preclinical data have led to investigating intermittent AD (IAD) as a way of improving disease control while maintaining quality of life. Preliminary published clinical experience, mostly from uncontrolled trials, suggests the feasibility of this approach. Two ongoing cooperative-group phase III trials are evaluating the survival impact of IAD both in patients with metastatic disease and in those with prostate-specific antigen failure post–radiation therapy. There are several unanswered questions regarding this approach, and until more definitive data regardin...
Chinese Migrants and Africa’s Development: New Imperialists or Agents of Change?

Over the last decade Chinese aid, investment and trade with the African continent has grown exponentially. As the Chinese–African connection expands, so too does the need for a deeper understanding...
Sumatran earthquake spawns devastating tsunami

The devastating tsunami that followed the M9.0 earthquake off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia on 26 December “to our knowledge is the first global tsunami,” according to Eddie Bernard, director of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory Bernard, past chairman of the U.S. National Tsunami Hazard Mitigat said he received reports on 28 December that the tsunami had been recorded on tide gages as far away as Kamchatka, Russia. He anticipates that it also may have been recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.
Evidence based medicine: concerns of a clinical neurologist

The latest medical buzz phrase is evidence based . This term has become a shibboleth, a sacrosanct icon almost like motherhood. Who could possibly be against basing decisions on evidence? It is difficult to think of a polite term for decisions not based on evidence. The almost religious zeal for cloaking all decisions under the banner of evidence based conceals the real problem—that is, what is the evidence? Does it apply to the individual patient being treated? What is the context in which the evidence was gathered and it will be applied? When historians look back on the last quarter of the 20th century, they will emphasise four developments: (1) dramatic improvement in diagnostic technology, especially brain related, (2) major advances in genetics and molecular biology, (3) computer facilitation of data bases and reference resources, and (4) focus on treatment and therapeutic trials. Greater interest in treatment is a natural consequence of improved diagnostic capabilities. Although therapeutic trials were conducted in the 1950s, during the past two decades the methodology and the statistical planning and analysis of trials have developed a more sound scientific basis. Recently, there has been a determined effort to integrate results of therapeutic trials into medical care. This integration is the strongest type of “evidence base.” Delivery of therapeutic data from randomised trials, on line, to practising physicians has only recently become a reality. Doctors now have rapid access to diagnostic and therapeutic data bases using portable or office based computers. This capability brings scientific medicine into doctors' offices, and hospitals quickly and cheaply. Marriage of the therapeutic and computer eras has led to the proposition that treatment should be based on data from therapeutic trials. Treatment based on trials is naturally preferred over treatment not based on trials. Most treatment reviews now contain wording that …
Glutathione prevents 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine excitotoxicity by maintaining it in a reduced, non-active form.

Abstract 2,4,5-Trihydroxyphenylalanine (TOPA) in aqueous solution has been shown to form an non -N- methyl- d -aspartate (non-NMDA) agonist and neurotoxin, TOPA quinone. We examined whether the endogenous chemical reductant glutathione (GSH) could abolish the agonist properties of TOPA and block its excitotoxicity in rat cortical neurons in culture by preventing the formation of TOPA quinone. The oxidative formation of TOPA quinone from TOPA (30–500 μM) at pH 7.2 was measured spectrophotometrically. Using glutathione (0.05–3 mM) as the reducing agent, we found that the optimal [GSH]:[TOPA] ratio which significantly retarded TOPA quinone formation was 10:1. Thus, 3 mM GSH prevented whole-cell currents induced by a solution of 300 μM TOPA but did not affect currents elicited by 300 μM kainate. In addition, 2 mM GSH protected neurons from the toxic effects of 200 μM TOPA, but was not effective against 200 μM NMDA. These results suggest that the presence of endogenous reductants may limit the toxicity of TOPA.
Aspects of the Conversion of Glucose to α-Ketoglutarate in Acetobacter melanogenum

GLUCOSE oxidation in extracts of Acetobacter melanogenum has been shown to result in the formation of pyruvate1 through reactions involving the pentose phosphate cycle and the Entner–Doudoroff splitting reaction2; glucose is also oxidized to 2,5-diketogluconate3 and then to α-ketoglutarate4. In a previous paper5, evidence was given for the functioning of only certain portions of the tricarboxylic acid cycle in A. melanogenum. It was also shown that these cells did not synthesize four carbon compounds from one-, two- or three-carbon precursors. It was, therefore, of interest to study the contribution of the various pathways in the synthesis of α-ketoglutarate from glucose in washed cell suspensions of A. melanogenum.
A knowledge base for improving our methods of instruction

Abstract This paper discusses the importance of developing the knowledge base (both scientific and technological) that is needed for improving our present‐day methods of instruction. It proposes seven steps as being necessary to develop that knowledge base: (1) definition of concepts of instruction, (2) derivation of principles of instruction, (3) validation of those principles, (4) development of theories or models, (5) testing of those theories or models, (6) development of application procedures, and (7) testing of those application procedures. Related work done by M.D. Merrill's instructional research laboratory is outlined. Attention is drawn to some important areas that need much greater expenditure of effort and resources to develop the kind of scientific and technological knowledge base that can help us to improve our methods of instruction.
Practice Effects with Traditional Mental Test Items

A nationwide Federal employment program for recent college graduates required applicants to take a multiple abilities test battery. The abilities, each assessed by a separate test part, were Verbal, Judg ment, Induction, Deduction, and Number. To equate alternate forms, a sixth test part was in cluded in the test battery. This part could be an ad ditional, parallel version of one of the five ability test parts. At the first test administration one form (A) was used operationally, and each of the five parts of two alternate forms (B and C) was admin istered to a randomly selected subgroup of test takers. Small but consistent score increases from the first test form to the second were observed. The greatest effects were for Induction and Deduction, next largest for Number, and least for Verbal and Judgment. At two subsequent administrations the order of alternate form administration was reversed (B and A, C and A), providing a counterbalanced design to assess the effects of alternate form, samples, and prac...
Erection Evoked in Male Rats by Airborne Scent from Estrous Females

In the presence of inaccessible estrous females, male rats display penile erections and associated stereotypic behavior indicative of sexual arousal. The effective stimuli for these noncontact erections (NCEs) had not been determined, but bedding soiled by estrous females was known to be ineffective. The present experiments tested for a potential role for volatile olfactory cues in evoking NCE. In Experiment 1, sexually naive male rats were observed for NCEs when tested with inaccessible, estrous females upwind (n = 20) or downwind (n = 20) from them under conditions that permitted or prevented visual communication. After half the males in each condition had copulatory experience, they were retested under the same conditions. In each test, only one male of 20 responded with females downwind, whereas about half the 20 males displayed NCEs with females upwind, irrespective of barrier type or, in Test 2, of sexual experience. Olfactory cues from estrous females were apparently necessary to induce NCE, whereas visual and auditory stimuli from estrous females were not sufficient to evoke NCE, nor did they affect the response to olfactory stimulation. In Experiment 2, males were downwind from estrous females (n = 10) or anestrous females (n = 10) that were behind opaque barriers and were anesthetized to preclude auditory communication. Results indicated that olfactory cues were also sufficient to provoke NCE in sexually experienced males. Receptive female rats apparently broadcast a volatile pheromone that promotes erection. Pheromones are well known to attract potential mates and to act in concert with other stimuli to promote mating. However, this is the first mammalian evidence for a volatile pheromone acting alone to evoke a sexual fixed-action pattern and, in that sense, acting as an airborne aphrodisiac.
Determination of exchangeable potassium in soil using ion-selective electrodes in soil suspensions

Methods of determining exchangeable K + of soil by mixing extracting solutions and analysing the soil suspension with ion-selective electrodes were developed and evaluated on 30 samples of soils. From preliminary comparisons of the K + extracted by BaCl 2 and NH 4 OAc solutions and by batch and leaching treatments of soils, we established that suspensions of 5 g soil in 100 ml 0.5 M BaCl 2 and single batch treatments of 1 h should be used. The exchangeable K + was determined with a K-selective, valinomycin-based PVC membrane electrode and electrochemical cells that did or did not include a liquid junction (the reference electrode being a double-junction reference electrode assembly with a 10 M LiOAc salt bridge solution or a Cl-selective electrode, respectively). The Ba-exchangeable K + values were sensibly the same whether a liquid junction was involved or not, a result that can be attributed to the beneficial effects of the salt bridge and the ionic strength of the extractant. Comparisons of these Ba-exchangeable results with those obtained by various combinations of batch or leaching treatments, BaCl 2 or NH 4 OAc extractants and filtrate analysis by the ion-selective electrode method or atomic absorption spectrometry showed they were all highly correlated (r ≥ 0.996). The selectivity of the K + -selective electrode (k pot KNH4 = 0.004) significantly reduced the interference from indigenous soil NH 4 + in the BaCl 2 suspensions. Overall, the results show potentiometric measurements of K + in soil suspensions can provide a simple, rapid, and reliable means of determining exchangeable K + in soils.
Sputtering Yields for Normally Incident Hg + -Ion Bombardment at Low Ion Energy

Sputtering yields for 26 metals under normally incident ${\mathrm{Hg}}^{+}$-ion bombardment were measured in the energy range 30 ev to 400 ev. The targets were immersed like large negative Langmuir probes in a low-pressure (1 \ensuremath{\mu}) Hg plasma of high density (ion current densities up to 15 ma/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$). Absolute yield values were obtained by measuring the weight loss from the target; relative values by measuring the speed with which sputtered material is deposited on a movable glass-ribbon collector.The yields (atoms/ion) are essentially independent of gas pressure, target temperature (above 300\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C) and ion current density and rise proportionally with the ion energy. The highest yields were obtained with Cu, Ag, and Au; the lowest with V, Zr, Nb, Si, and C.Metals within one crystal system behave similarly in every respect (same atom-ejection patterns, same etch features) when they are bombarded with such energies that the yield becomes equal. These comparable ion energies turn out to be proportional (with the crystal system determining the proportionality factor) to $\frac{H}{{\ensuremath{\mu}}_{m}}$ where $H=\mathrm{heat}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{sublimation}$ and ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{m}$ the momentum transfer factor $\frac{{m}_{2}}{({m}_{1}+{m}_{2})}$.
Quantum fluctuations in two-dimensional superconductors

For granular metallic films or two-dimensional arrays of Josephson junctions, fluctuations in the number of Cooper pairs are conjugate to the superconducting phase and can lead to zero-point destruction of phase coherence at zero temperature. In two dimensions the resulting critical behavior is shown to be that of the $\ensuremath{\lambda}$ point of $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ in three dimensions, with the charging energy playing the role of temperature. The nature of the quantum \ensuremath{\rightarrow} classical crossover and its effect on the frequency dependence of precursor diamagnetism near the quantum critical point are discussed.
The corporate social challenge for the multinational corporation

The modern corporation has come to be regarded as a dynamic force for subverting traditional norms in repressive societies. However, the role that MNCs can play in transforming the socio-political landscapes of most host countries is largely circumscribed by the actions that host governments can take. In the case of South Africa, the vast disparities and inequalities created and maintained by many years ofapartheid rule are limiting factors to the “trickle-down” effect that would normally take place. The paper argues that under the existing circumstances, the corporate withdrawal strategy proved to be the most effective catalytic role MNCs could play in the transformation of SA society.
Thin Film Magnetization Analysis

A "Graphical Method" is used for analysis of the magnetization direction in terms of the magnetic energy, and for prediction of the hysteresis loop shape of ferromagnetic thin films. Three major magnetization conditions are discussed: 1) condition of magnetization with an 180° field applied: 2) condition of magnetization with a 90° field applied; and 3) condition of magnetization with both the 90° and the 180° field applied. Corresponding to these magnetization conditions, the hysteresis loop shapes are predicted and constructed showing close identity to those experimentally observed. These conditions are chosen because of their importance to computer applications. In the graphical method, the principle of superposition applies. Using this method, the magnetic energy relationships are readily established. The general expression for the total free energy equation is: Et = Ek+E?+EH? where Ek is the anisotropy energy, E? is the magnetostriction energy, and EH? is the magnetization energy. Since the method of construction of the total free energy curve as well as the hysteresis loop is simple and mechanical, a quite complex magnetization condition with a multiplicity of fields of different magnitudes and directions may be simplified and handled by graphical means with ease. Thus, the present scheme should be a practical and useful tool for analysis and engineering design of magnetic devices and systems utilizing ferromagnetic thin films.
Natural versus anthropogenic factors affecting low-level cloud albedo over the North Atlantic

Cloud albedo plays a key role in regulating earth's climate. Cloud albedo depends on column-integrated liquid water content and the density of cloud condensation nuclei, which consists primarily of submicrometer-sized aerosol sulfate particles. A comparison of two independent satellite data sets suggests that, although anthropogenic sulfate emissions may enhance cloud albedo immediately adjacent to the east coast of the United States, over the central North Atlantic Ocean the variability in albedo can be largely accounted for by natural marine and atmospheric processes that probably have remained relatively constant since the beginning of the industrial revolution.
Comparative regiochemistry of protonation of (η6-C6H5R)(1,1′,1″-tris(2-diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane)Mo(0) (R=H, Me and SiMe3)

Our previous mechanistic studies of 1 (R=H) demonstrate it is protonated to give a metal-hydride via a mechanism that involves indirect exo attack on the arene ligand followed by endo proton transfer to the metal. The toluene derivative 1 (R=Me) reacts via a similar mechanism with unusual ortho / meta / para =61:36:3% selectivity. In contrast, the first equivalent of proton hydrolyzes the TMS group of 1 (R=SiMe 3 ) under surprisingly mild conditions and the second equivalent reacts with the product 1 (R=H) to give the metal-hydride via the aforementioned indirect mechanism.
Power extraction from a hot stream in the presence of phase change

This paper considers the basic thermodynamic optimization problem of extracting the most power from a stream of hot exhaust when the contact heat transfer area is fixed. It shows that when the receiving (cold) stream boils in the counterflow heat exchanger, the thermodynamic optimization consists of locating the optimal capacity rate of the cold stream. At the optimum, the cold side of the heat transfer surface divides itself into three sections: liquid preheating, boiling and vapor superheating. Numerical results are developed for a range of design parameters of applications with either water or toluene on the cold side. It is shown that the optimal design is robust, because several of the design parameters have only a weak effect on the optimal design.
Intraosseous Injection of Iodinated Computed Tomography Contrast Agent in an Adult Blunt Trauma Patient

Intraosseous venous access can be life-saving in trauma patients when traditional methods for obtaining venous access are difficult or impossible. Because many blunt trauma patients require expeditious evaluation by computed tomography (CT) scans with intravenous contrast, it is important to evaluate whether intraosseous catheters can be used for administering CT contrast agents in lieu of waiting until secure peripheral intravenous or central venous catheter access can be established. Previous case reports have demonstrated that tibial intraosseous catheters can be used to safely administer CT contrast in the pediatric patient population. Here we report a case in which intraosseous access was the only means of administering intravenous contrast agent in an adult blunt trauma patient. An intraosseous catheter was placed in the standard manner in the right proximal humerus. Intravenous contrast agent was administered through the intraosseous catheter, using the standard blunt trauma protocol at our institution. CT scans were evaluated by a staff radiologist and assessed for the adequacy of diagnosis for blunt traumatic injuries. CT scans of the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis were considered to be adequate for diagnostic purposes and subjectively equivalent to those of studies using traditional central venous access. The intraosseous catheter was discontinued the following day. No complications of intraosseous placement or of contrast administration were identified. Intraosseous catheterization appears to be a feasible and effective alternative to traditional methods of venous access in the administration of iodinated contrast agents for CT evaluation in adult blunt trauma patients. Further study is warranted.
Generating test cases for web services using data perturbation

Web services have the potential to dramatically reduce the complexities and costs of software integration projects. The most obvious and perhaps most significant difference between Web services and traditional applications is that Web services use a common communication infrastructure, XML and SOAP, to communicate through the Internet. The method of communication introduces complexities to the problems of verifying and validating Web services that do not exist in traditional software. This paper presents a new approach to testing Web services based on data perturbation. Existing XML messages are modified based on rules defined on the message grammars, and then used as tests. Data perturbation uses two methods to test Web services: data value perturbation and interaction perturbation. Data value perturbation modifies values according to the data type. Interaction perturbation classifies the communication messages into two categories: RPC communication and data communication. At present, this method is restricted to peer-to-peer interactions. The paper presents preliminary empirical evidence of its usefulness.
Isoperla major, a New Species of Eastern Nearctic Isoperlinae (Plecoptera: Perlodidae)

Isoperla major is described from the adult male, adult female, mature nymph, and egg. The major diagnostic features of this new taxon include: large body size of adult, color pattern of adult and nymph, aedeagus, hammer, female subgenital plate, vagina, egg collar, and egg chorion sculpturing. The new species' habitat is described.
Development and evaluation of a new polymeric material for small caliber vascular prostheses.

Abstract Polyethylene oxide (PEO), because of its low levels of protein and cellular adsorption, may provide a suitable coating for synthetic small caliber vascular prostheses. PEO/polysiloxane networks were synthesized via an acid-catalyzed epoxy/hydroxyl crosslinking reaction and used to produce conduits with a 4-mm internal diameter. Three networks with nominal PEO molecular weights of 2000, 8000, and 20,000 and all 65% PEO by weight were studied. Blood compatibility was assessed by measuring 111In-platelet and 125I-fibrinogen deposition in a baboon ex vivo shunt, over a 1-hr time period and at a flow rate of 50 ml/min. Differences in material performance were noted particularly after the initial 30-min blood contact period. Materials in the mid and high PEO molecular weight range (8000 and 20,000) had significantly lower levels of platelet adsorption than networks of low PEO molecular weight (2000) at 30 min (P
Experimental investigation of combustion and heat transfer in a direct-injection spark ignition engine via instantaneous combustion chamber surface temperature measurements

AbstractAn experimental study was performed to provide the combustion and in-cylinder heat transfer characteristics resulting from different injection strategies in a direct-injection spark ignition (DISI) engine. Fast-response thermocouples were embedded in the piston top and cylinder head surface to measure the instantaneous combustion chamber surface temperature and heat flux, thus providing critical information about the combustion characteristics and a thorough understanding of the heat transfer process.Two distinctive operating modes, homogeneous and stratified, were considered and their effect on combustion and heat transfer in a DISI engine was investigated. The stratified operating mode yielded significantly higher spatial variations of heat flux than the homogeneous mode. This behaviour is directly caused by the main features of stratified combustion, i.e. vigorous burning of a close-to-stoichiometric mixture near the spark, and a cool, extremely lean mixture at the periphery. The cooling effect...
One‐ and two‐electron transfer processes in ion‐surface scattering

Abstract : A phenomenological description of one-electron transfer leading to ion neutralization in ion-surface scattering is summarized. A perturbative treatment using an effective interaction in the Anderson-Newns Hamiltonian is then reviewed, and tje conditions under which the perturbative series has fast convergence are explored in terms of the electronic and dynamical properties of the collision system. Calculational results are discussed for proton neutralization at different alkali-halide surfaces. In the case of negative-ion formation and hence two-electron transfer to the incoming projectile ion, the Anderson correlation energy U is included in the analysis. Calculations of the probability of negative-ion formation are in qualitative agreement with experiments on the conversion of H+ (D+) to H- (D-) by scattering from a cesiated W(110) surface. The interplay between temperature effects and U are discussed. Improvements on the calculations by incorporating the image potential into the ionic energy level shift are considered. Keywords include: ION-SURFACE Scattering, Electron Transfer, Anderson-Newns Hamiltonian, Proton Neutralization, Negative-ion Formation, Correlation Energy.
Arbitrary vs. regular semigroups

Abstract The notion of regularity for semigroups is studied, and it is shown that an unambiguous semigroup (i.e., whose L and R orders are respectively unions of disjoint trees) can be embedded in a regular semigroup with the same subgroups and the same ideal structure (except that a zero is added to the regular semigroup). In a previous paper [1] it was shown that any semigroup is the homomorphic image of an unambiguous semigroup with the same groups and a similar ideal structure. Together these two papers thus prove that an arbitrary semigroup divides a regular semigroup with a similar structure. The resulting regular semigroup is finite (resp. torsion, or bounded torsion) if the given semigroup has that property.
Regulation of Ich-1 pre-mRNA alternative splicing and apoptosis by mammalian splicing factors

The importance of alternative splicing in regulating apoptosis has been suggested by findings of functionally antagonistic proteins generated by alternative splicing of several genes involved in apoptosis. Among these, Ich-1 (also named as caspase-2) encodes a member of the caspase family of proteases. Two forms of Ich-1 are produced as a result of alternative splicing: Ich-1L, which causes apoptosis, and Ich-1S, which prevents apoptosis. The precise nature of Ich-1 alternative splicing and its regulation remain unknown. Here, we show that the production of Ich-1L and Ich-1S transcripts results from alternative exclusion or inclusion of a 61-bp exon. Several splicing factors can regulate Ich-1 splicing. Serine-arginine-rich proteins SC35 and ASF/SF2 promote exon skipping, decreasing the ratio of Ich-1S to Ich-1L transcripts; whereas heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 facilitates exon inclusion, increasing this ratio. Furthermore, in cultured cells, SC35 overexpression increases apoptosis; whereas heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 overexpression decreases apoptosis. These results provide the first direct evidence that splicing factors can regulate Ich-1 alternative splicing and suggest that alternative splicing may be an important regulatory mechanism for apoptosis.
Modeling pitch trajectory by hierarchical HMM with minimum generation error training

A hierarchical pitch model (HPM) was recently proposed to HMM-based speech synthesis. In HPM, pitch trajectory is modeled as an additive combination of hierarchical layers (including state, phone, syllable, etc), and a minimum generation error (MGE) criterion is used to re-estimate model parameters. In this paper, we extend the MGE criterion to a tree-based model clustering process to simultaneously cluster the context-dependent models at all layers, and construct a full MGE training process for HPM training. Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of HPM with different training criteria and different hierarchical layer combinations. Experimental results show that the full MGE training can significantly improve HPM's ability to predict F0 trajectory in TTS over the ML-based approach on test data. The new HPM also outperforms the conventional state-level HMM in F0 prediction.
A unified method for multi-body systems subject to stick-slip friction and intermittent contact

Simulations of objects whose interaction change due to intermittent contact, collision, sticking or slipping traditionally employ mathematical models of the system in each topology. Usually these simulations rely on a tedious process of deriving separate dynamical equations for each topology and sophisticated switching logic to select the appropriate model. We introduce a unified method which requires deriving only a single set of equations and simple switching.
Hypertension in the elderly with a special focus on treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and calcium antagonists.

Age-related changes (e.g., decrease in plasma renin activity and total body potassium, increase in plasma catecholamines, volume depletion) need to be taken into account when selecting an antihypertensive agent for the elderly patient. A number of large scale clinical trials (e.g., Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program, Veterans Administration Cooperative Study, European Working Party on High Blood Pressure in the Elderly) have demonstrated that antihypertensive therapy with diuretics substantially reduced cardiovascular mortality and stroke incidence. However, since diuretics, even potassium-sparing agents, may induce hypokalemia, newer antihypertensive agents (angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors and calcium antagonists) may also be appropriate as first-line monotherapy for this patient population. ACE inhibitors are effective antihypertensive agents and are associated with a lower rate of adverse effects than diuretics, beta blockers, and centrally acting agents. Nevertheless, periodic monitoring of serum potassium, creatinine levels, and renal function is advisable. An important feature of calcium antagonists is that they lower blood pressure with no negative effect on serum lipids or glucose metabolism. Typically, they have few side effects, peripheral edema being the most commonly reported. A recent double-blind randomized study comparing a new sustained release nifedipine formulation and the ACE inhibitor lisinopril found the 2 drugs equivalent in efficacy with no differences in the rate of adverse events.
Storing Java objects in any database

Typical Java applications involve access to a database system. Database systems store data according to their type system; even object oriented databases generally have their own storage structures. It is therefore necessary to convert Java objects as they are stored in a database, and to re-convert them when they are read. Ideally, this should be done behind the scenes by a support package. The paper presents an approach that automates the conversion process without involving pre- or post-processing of Java code: we use a reflection mechanism, where Java code is inspected at run time and changed to include the convert and re-convert effort. The result is a flexible and transparent Java database access.
Comparison of the Potential for Different Genetic Forms in the Culex pipiens Complex in North America to Transmit Rift Valley Fever Virus1

Abstract Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), a mosquito-borne virus, has been responsible for large outbreaks in Africa that have resulted in hundreds of thousands of human infections and major economic disruption due to loss of livestock and to trade restrictions. Culex pipiens was implicated as the principal vector of the Egyptian outbreak in 1977 that affected about 200,000 people. In the northern USA, Cx. pipiens occurs both as a mix of forms pipiens and molestus (i.e., US Culex pipiens) as well as pure Cx. pipiens form molestus, the latter mostly in underground locations such as sewers and basements. In order to understand the potential risk of spread of RVFV in the USA, we compared their relative abilities to transmit RVFV in the laboratory. After feeding on hamsters with high viremias, >109 plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml, both US Cx. pipiens and Cx. pipiens form molestus were highly susceptible to infection (∼80%) and about 20% of each form developed a disseminated infection. In contrast, when fed on a ...
A Pattern-Search Method for H.264/AVC CAVLC Decoding

In this paper, a new implementation method is proposed for context-adaptive variable length coding (CAVLC) used in H.264 baseline profile. We analyze the correlation between bit patterns and 4times4 (or 2times2) blocks and have an idea of a pattern-search method before CAVLC decoding. If a pattern is matched in our look-up table, we can skip the standard CAVLD procedure and reconstruct a block directly. However, if there is not any pattern matched in the table, we have to reconstruct a block by CAVLD. Our lookup tables are built up according to our statistics and analysis. The experimental results show that the performance can be improved 10% compared with the standard CAVLD procedure
Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Gene Expression Analyses of Non-KRAS 12/13, RAS-Mutated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

ABSTRACT Background KRAS mutations in codons 12 and 13 are present in ∼40% of all colorectal cancers (CRC). Activating mutations in codons 61 and 146 of KRAS and in codons 12, 13, and 61 of NRAS also occur but are less frequent. The clinicopathologic features and gene expression profiles of this latter subpopulation of RAS-mutant colorectal tumors have not yet been clearly defined but in general are treated similarly to those with KRAS 12 or 13 mutations. Patients and methods Records of patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center between December 2000 and August 2012 were reviewed for RAS (KRAS or NRAS) and BRAF mutation status, clinical characteristics, and survival outcomes. To study further with an independent cohort, data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were analyzed to define a gene expression signature for patients whose tumors feature these atypical RAS mutations and explore differences with KRAS 12/13-mutated colorectal tumors. Results Among the 484 patients reviewed, KRAS 12/13, KRAS 61/146, NRAS, and BRAF mutations were detected in 47.7%, 3.0%, 4.1%, and 7.4%, respectively, of patients who were tested for each of these aberrations. Lung metastases were more common in both the KRAS 12/13-mutated and atypical RAS-mutated cohorts relative to patients with RAS/BRAF wild-type tumors. Gene expression analyses revealed similar patterns regardless of the site of RAS mutation, and in silico functional algorithms predicted that KRAS and NRAS mutations in codons 12, 13, 61, and 146 alter the protein function and drive tumorgenesis. Conclusions Clinicopathologic characteristics, survival outcomes, functional impact, and gene expression profiling were similar between patients with KRAS 12/13 and those with NRAS or KRAS 61/146-mutated mCRC. These clinical and bioinformatic findings support the notion that colorectal tumors driven by these RAS mutations are phenotypically similar.
Supernovae, the equation of state and phase transitions

Abstract The role of the equation of state (EOS) in supernova collapse is investigated. Improvements are made to the BCK parameterization, incorporating a new symmetry energy and prevention of superluminal behaviour, and first-order phase transitions are included by specifying the location and width of the mixed-phase region and high density limiting behaviour. The resulting EOS make neutron stars sufficiently massive to satisfy observations and may be used to follow the evolution of a supernova through the formation of a neutron star. Numerical simulations using a new completely implicit hydrodynamical code are carried out. An unphysically soft EOS used with a small iron core leads to a direct explosion, while a stiff EOS falters with an accretion shock. The region near the accretion shock is remarkably similar in either case. Phase transitions are then included and have important consequences. The presence of a mixed-phase region softens the EOS and leads to a direct explosion, with the EOS being sufficiently stiff to construct a neutron star compatible with observations. Due to the presence of electrons which do not participate in the phase transition, the phase change is muted and secondary shocks do not develop.
The Affective Style Questionnaire: Development and Psychometric Properties.

Affective style is an individual difference variable that refers to tendencies for regulating emotions. The emotion research literature has consistently identified three general strategies to handle emotional reactions: some strategies are aimed at re-adjusting affect to adapt successfully to situational demands; other strategies are intended to conceal or suppress affect; and a third approach is to tolerate and accept emotions, including unwanted and aversive reactions. We conducted two studies to develop a self-report measure to assess these affective styles. In the first study (n = 434), a list of 127 items related to this construct was administered. A factor analysis supported three factors: habitual attempts to conceal or suppress affect (Concealing subscale; 8 items), a general ability to manage, adjust, and work with emotions as needed (Adjusting subscale; 7 items), and an accepting and tolerant attitude toward emotions (Tolerating subscale; 5 items). The scale showed satisfactory internal consistency. Furthermore, the respective subscales showed different patterns of relations with existing instruments measuring similar constructs. Findings were cross-validated in an independent sample (n = 495). The factor structure and results of psychometric analyses were replicated. The final 20-item Affective Style Questionnaire is a brief instrument to measure individual differences in emotion regulation.
UHF windblown clutter measurements and modeling

Radar measurements of windblown forest clutter were collected within the UHF radar band. Effects of depression angle and wind speed variations on the clutter spectra are investigated. It is found that less of the clutter energy is modulated away from DC as depression angle increases. An empirical model for the depression angle dependence is presented, along with measurements indicating the statistical variations of the model parameters.
Hypercapnia and hypokalemia in near-death experiences

Klemenc-Ketis and colleagues’ novel report of hyper capnia and hypokalemia associated with near-death experiences (NDEs) [1] was somewhat surprising, as Sabom [2] had previously reported lower than normal carbon dioxide levels measured at the time of a patient’s NDE, and Parnia and colleagues, in a prospective study of 63 cardiac arrest survivors, had found no signifi cant association of either potassium or carbon dioxide with NDEs [3]. Klemenc-Ketis and colleagues’ conclusion that hypercapnia plays a role in provoking NDEs is one possible interpretation of the correlation they found. It is also plausible that hypercapnia is simply an indicator of another factor that may be linked causally to NDE reports. For example, the authors noted that hypercapnia indicates better cardiac output and perfusion pressure, which would reduce the amnesia that is usually seen in cardiac arrest, so that patients would be more likely to remember what happened during the arrest. Th e association between NDEs and hypercapnia may thus indicate simply that patients who are able to recall more of their cardiac arrest also report more NDEs. Gliksman and Kellehear reviewed studies showing that levels of carbon dioxide in the blood are not necessarily accurate estimates of levels in the brain [4], which further complicates the interpretation of the current fi ndings. Th e small sample size of this study, the contradictory evidence from other studies, and the unclear association between levels of carbon dioxide in the blood and in the brain suggest caution in interpreting the fi ndings and suggest the need for further research.
NFATc1 Balances Quiescence and Proliferation of Skin Stem Cells

Quiescent adult stem cells reside in specialized niches where they become activated to proliferate and differentiate during tissue homeostasis and injury. How stem cell quiescence is governed is poorly understood. We report here that NFATc1 is preferentially expressed by hair follicle stem cells in their niche, where its expression is activated by BMP signaling upstream and it acts downstream to transcriptionally repress CDK4 and maintain stem cell quiescence. As stem cells become activated during hair growth, NFATc1 is downregulated, relieving CDK4 repression and activating proliferation. When calcineurin/NFATc1 signaling is suppressed, pharmacologically or via complete or conditional NFATc1 gene ablation, stem cells are activated prematurely, resulting in precocious follicular growth. Our findings may explain why patients receiving cyclosporine A for immunosuppressive therapy display excessive hair growth, and unveil a functional role for calcium-NFATc1-CDK4 circuitry in governing stem cell quiescence.
Dynamic state-based routing for load balancing and efficient data gathering in wireless sensor networks

We consider the online data gathering problem in wireless sensor networks and examine the key issues of load balancing the nodes to achieve longer network lifetime, and that of load balancing the network links to achieve greater reliability in the network. We model the given network as a shortest-path DAG D, which defines a set of parent nodes for each node that determine the minimum-hops paths from the node to a sink. Data gathering in D is accomplished using a dynamic routing approach, where each node selects a parent using a parent selection function σ to forward the sensed data. We investigate a dynamic state-based routing approach where σ is defined using the current state of the network and propose two routing algorithms — MPE Routing and WPE Routing, that aim to load balance the nodes as well as the edges of D. Load balancing the nodes achieves longer network lifetime while load balancing the edges yields greater disjointness and thus greater reliability and trust in the network. Our simulation results show that our algorithms perform consistently better than our benchmark algorithms and other existing data gathering schemes with respect to our three goodness measures — network lifetime, nodal load balancing and disjointness.
Dissolved organic carbon dynamics in anaerobic sediments of the Santa Monica Basin

Cycling of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was investigated in anoxic sediments of the Santa Monica Basin, California Borderland, by analyzing the concentration and isotopic signatures (D 14 C and d 13 C) of pore-water DOC and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC), and organic compound classes extracted from the bulk sediments. DOC and DIC increased across the sediment–water interface, indicating net efflux of these solutes out of the sediments. Throughout the depth interval examined (0–30 cm), the D 14 C value of DOC (D 14 CDOC) was similar to, or higher than, that of bulk sedimentary particulate organic carbon (POC), indicating degradation of relatively 14 C-rich components of POC. There were prominent peaks in both D 14CDOC and D 14 CDIC in the uppermost 2 cm of the sediment column, indicating degradation and remineralization of 14 C-rich, labile organic matter in the near-surface sediments. However, below these sub-surface maxima, D 14 CDOC and D 14 CDIC decreased with depth by � 200& and � 50&, respectively. Given the diffusive time scales, these decreases were too large to be explained by 14 C loss due to radioactive decay. To help explain these observations, we constructed and implemented a selective degradation model that considers bulk pore-water DOC to be the sum of three kinetically- and isotopically-distinct sub-components. Based on this model, the most reactive DOC fraction, which supported � 60% of the DIC production, had a D 14 C value indicating the presence of bomb- 14 C. The intermediate fraction had a D 14 C value of �� 60& and accounted for most of the pore-water DOC standing stock. The least reactive fraction was virtually non-reactive in these sediments, and had a D 14 C value of �� 500&. The benthic DOC flux of this 14 C-depleted, poorly-reactive DOC fraction may represent a source of