cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Economic Analysis of the Post World War II Decline in the Japanese Crime Rate

Since the end of World War II there has been a dramatic decrease in reported Japanese crime. Adult arrest rates have fallen steadily since the early 1950s and juvenile arrest rates have fallen since the early 1960s. An economic analysis of crime predicts that crime rates depend upon returns to crime relative to returns in legal pursuits and the certainty and severity of punishment. Regression analysis is used to test this theory using Japanese data. The empirical results indicate that the economic model does not outperform alternative naive models. However, the results are consistent with the hypothesis that increases in returns to legitimate work diminish both adult and juvenile crime. Unemployment affects some adult crimes but has little impact on juvenile crime. The share of the population in poverty has no significant impact on either type of crime. Increases in the certainty of punishment deters adult crime but there is little evidence that increases in either the certainty or the severity of punishment deter juvenile crime. There is weak evidence to support the hypothesis that increases in the severity of adult punishments deter crime.
Molecular weight parity predicted from the parity values of mass spectral peaks

The fact that an unknown mass spectrum originates from a compound of even (or odd) numbered molecular weight can be predicted for 43% (13%) of unknowns with 95% (80%) reliability.
Electrostatic ion cyclotron instability in dusty plasmas

Abstract The effect of charged dust on the collisionless electrostatic ion cyclotron instability is investigated. Standard linear Vlasov theory is used to estimate the critical electron drift in the presence of either positively or negatively charged dust. The dust is assumed to be uniform in both mass and charge with the dust mass much greater than the ion mass. It is shown that the critical drift decreases as the charge density carried by negatively charged dust increases. Possible applications to the current system connecting Jupiter and its satellite Io, as well as that of the Saturnian rings are discussed.
Evaluating the Impact of Transportation Systems Management on Air Quality

A procedure which estimates emissions on the basis of the congested travel times of a link is essential as a transportation systems management (TSM) policy testing tool. The significance of estimating the proper link speed stems from the fact that emission levels of both carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbon (HC) are extremely sensitive to small changes in speed in the low speed range This paper provides a procedure for assessing the impact of TSM strategies on air quality and demonstrating its perfor mance and results using the Chicago CBD as a case study region
Late Ordovician - Early Silurian cryptospore occurrences on Anticosti Island (Île d'Anticosti), Quebec, Canada

Residues from Hirnantian (Upper Ordovician) and Aeronian (Lower Silurian) strata of Anticosti Island, Quebec, Canada, have yielded the oldest occurrence of terrestrial-based palynomorphs (cryptospores) from eastern North America. A low-abundance, low-diversity cryptospore assemblage containing specimens of Pseudodyadospora, Velatitetras, and alete monads has been recovered from the Velleda Member of the Ellis Bay Formation (Upper Ordovician, Hirnantian). The Gun River Formation (Lower Silurian, Aeronian) contains a low-abundance, low-diversity assemblage composed of specimens of Velatitetras, Laevolcancis, and alete monads. The occurrence of these assemblages provides evidence for early land plants in this part of North America during the Late Ordovician and Early Silurian, and documents the existence of a terrestrial-based flora during and after the Saharan (Late Ordovician) glaciation.
Mydriasis from Topically Administered Phenylephrine HCl Powder

Microgram amounts of finely powdered phenylephrine HCl were administered to the conjunctiva of volunteers. A dose-response curve for white subjects showed a threshold mydriasis of less than 5 micrograms and a clinically useful mydriasis was obtained with one application of 50 micrograms. The time-response curve for the one time use of 50 micrograms of the powder was equivalent to giving three applications of 10% phenylephrine HCl drops. Twenty-five micrograms of pilocarpine HCl powder produced marked miosis. We investigated methods to deliver nonirritating microgram amounts of powdered phenylephrine HCl, pilocarpine HCl, and fluorescein.
Tendon cells produce gelatinases in response to type I collagen attachment

Cells that carry out wound healing must be able to perform catabolic as well as anabolic functions. As the tendon is a tissue rich in extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, we hypothesized that cells which participate in tendon healing should be able to produce proteases that would allow the remodeling of such a tissue. To this end, we assessed the ability of endotenon cells isolated from canine flexor digitorum profundus tendon and from surrounding parietal sheath to produce the gelatinases MMP-2 and MMP-9. Endotenon and sheath cells cultured in vitro on polystyrene produced small amounts of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was not detectable. When cultured on polystyrene coated with type I collagen, the cells upregulated MMP-2 production and MMP-9 production was induced. No other ECM protein elicited this response nor did other cell lines respond in this way after attachment to type I collagen. The two gelatinases were identified by immunological methods, ability to bind gelatin, size, metal ion requirement, serine protease inhibitor insensitivity, and APMA activation. For cells grown on collagen-coated plastic, gelatinase upregulation was proportional to the amount of ligand present until saturation was reached. For any group of fresh tendon cells, MMP-2 and MMP-9 upregulation was greater in a three dimensional collagen gel than the highest response from the same group under two dimensional culture conditions. Attachment of the cells to type I collagen increased the ratio of active to inactive MMP-2. Dexamethasone inhibited the upregulation of both MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results show that ECM proteins can influence both the production and the state of activation of these matrix metalloproteinases.
Response to ‘PTH synthesis suppression by 25(OH)2 vit D3’

The letter from Shahapuni et al.1 cites our finding that 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH) synthesis in cultured parathyroid cells2 to emphasize earlier studies from their group (1) demonstrating the skeletal benefits of improving vitamin D status in chronic kidney disease patients, and (2) the inverse correlation of PTH with 25(OH)D3 but not with calcitriol in dialysis patients, relationships that have also been documented in the general population.3
A randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial of super blue-green algae in patients with essential blepharospasm or Meige syndrome

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the effectiveness of super blue-green algae (SBGA) supplements on the severity of essential blepharospasm treated with botulinum toxin A injections. Design Double-masked, placebo-controlled, two-period, crossover randomized trial. Patients and methods The study was carried out in patients with essential blepharospasm or Meige syndrome undergoing routine treatment with botulinum toxin A injections. Intervention Patients were randomly assigned to either SBGA capsules or placebo. After 6 months of treatment, patients underwent a 6-month washout period with no treatment, then were administered the alternate treatment for an additional 6 months, thus serving as their own controls. Main outcome measures Video documentation of blink rate and involuntary facial movements, time between botulinum toxin A injections, and patients' subjective assessment of the impact of blepharospasm on functioning were obtained at the beginning and end of the first and second (crossover) treatment periods. Results A total of 24 patients (10 men, 14 women; aged 42 to 83 years) completed both treatment periods. Mean within-patient difference in blink rate between SBGA and placebo periods was −2.1 blinks per 2 minutes (95% confidence interval [CI]: −20.8–+31.9), not statistically different from zero ( P = .83). Mean within-patient difference in time between injections between SBGA and placebo periods was 4.6 days (95% CI: −13.3–+22.5), not statistically different from zero ( P = .62). The lack of statistical significance may have been because of small sample size. There were no significant differences in severity of involuntary movement between SBGA and placebo treatment periods. However, patients were more likely to report limitation in function during the period they took SBGA than during the period they took placebo (odds ratio, 0.2; P = .03). Conclusion Overall, we found no evidence of a beneficial effect of SBGA as an adjunct to botulinum toxin A injections; however, a few patients, all younger than 60 years, did appear to benefit from SBGA.
Recombinant allergens for diagnosis and therapy of allergic disease

Many of the problems associated with using natural allergenic products for allergy diagnosis and treatment can be overcome with use of genetically engineered recombinant allergens. Over the past 10 years, the most important allergens from mites, pollens, animal dander, insects, and foods have been cloned, sequenced, and expressed. In many cases the three-dimensional allergen structure has been determined and B-cell and T-cell epitopes have been mapped. These studies show that allergens have diverse biologic functions (they may be enzymes, enzyme inhibitors, lipocalins, or structural proteins) and that as a rule the allergen function is unrelated to its ability to cause IgE antibody responses. High-level expression systems have been developed to produce recombinant allergens in bacteria, yeast, or insect cells. Recombinant allergens show comparable IgE antibody binding to their natural counterparts (where available) and show excellent reactivity on skin testing and in in vitro diagnostic tests. Cocktails of recombinant allergens can be formulated with predetermined and uniform allergen levels, which could replace natural allergens and result in the development of innovative, patient-based tests for allergy diagnosis. Recombinant allergens also offer the exciting possibility of developing new forms of allergen immunotherapy, including the use of hypoallergens, allergens coupled to IgE suppressive adjuvants, and peptide-based therapies. The production of recombinant allergens as defined molecular entities makes it feasible to consider the possibility of developing prophylactic allergen vaccines. The introduction of recombinant allergens in research and in clinical trials should lead to significant improvements in allergy diagnosis and treatment.
Low-Pressure Steam Turbine Disc Cracking—An Update

This paper summarizes results of studies conducted in the USA over the past five years to identify factors responsible for stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of forged, shrunk-on, low-alloy steel discs in low-pressure (LP) steam turbines used in nuclear power plants. Experience in the UK and subsequent research findings are reviewed, and results of a survey of US experience and of comprehensive experimental programs are reported. Recommendations are presented to minimize SCC of LP turbine discs in existing and future power plants. In general, the work performed revealed: (i) no specific chemical contaminant is required for cracking; crack initiation and growth occur in pure condensed steam; (ii) the yield strength of a disc steel is the dominant factor governing crack growth rates; (iii) other factors being equal, a higher incidence of cracking may be expected in rotor designs having higher applied stress levels. Crack initiation and growth in LP turbines may be minimized by control of the environment, by us...
Synthesis and characterization of polymer networks made from poly(ethylene oxide) and polysiloxane

Abstract In this paper, we describe the synthesis of copolymeric networks made from poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and a derivative of low-molecular-weight polydimethylsiloxane containing multiple glycidoxy functions (PGPMDMS). Upon addition of boron trifluoride etherate to homogeneous dichloromethane solutions of PEO and PGPMDMS, networks form via cationic ring opening of the glycidoxy groups, which add the terminal PEO hydroxyl and also homopolymerize. The molecular weight of PEO in the networks was varied from 690 to 17 700 and the PEO content was varied from 0 to 84 wt%. The reaction is sensitive to traces of water and the final network structure is affected by catalyst concentrations above 0.030 M. The networks containing PEO swell in water, and equilibrium swelling increases as the content of PEO increases. Equilibrium swelling does not increase with increases in PEO molecular weight because of intermolecular homopolymerization of PGPMDMS. Intentional oxidative degradation of the PEO component in these networks demonstrates that, for certain PEO-PGPMDMS compositions, a continuous PGPMDMS phase is formed. Because of the wide range of compositions that can be obtained, these networks are being used as a model system for studies on drug-releasing properties of hydrogels and on the blood compatibility of PEO-based materials.
Increasing Congestive Heart Failure: A Manifestation of Digitalis Toxicity

While it has been widely appreciated that myocardial function is increased with optimal digitalis dosage, it is not well recognized that toxic concentration may impair myocardial efficiency to the point of producing increased signs and symptoms of congestive heart failure. This was demonstrated in 15 patients who could be adequately maintained with a digitalis preparation. Upon increase in dosage, all patients presented an increase in congestive heart failure which subsided upon stopping or decreasing the digitalis dosage.
Role of an Active Site Guanine in Hairpin Ribozyme Catalysis Probed by Exogenous Nucleobase Rescue

The hairpin ribozyme is a small catalytic RNA with reversible phosphodiester cleavage activity. Biochemical and structural studies exclude a requirement for divalent metal cation cofactors and implicate one active site nucleobase in particular, G8, in the catalytic mechanism. Our previous work demonstrated that the cleavage activity that is lost when G8 is replaced by an abasic residue is restored when certain nucleobases are provided in solution. The specificity and pH dependence of exogenous nucleobase rescue were consistent with several models of the rescue mechanism, including general acid base catalysis, electrostatic stabilization of negative charge in the transition state or a requirement for protonation to facilitate exogenous nucleobase binding. Detailed analyses of exogenous nucleobase rescue for both cleavage and ligation reactions now allow us to refine models of the rescue mechanism. Activity increased with increasing pH for both unmodified ribozyme reactions and unrescued reactions of abasic variants lacking G8. This similarity in pH dependence argues against a role for G8 as a general base catalyst, because G8 deprotonation could not be responsible for the pH-dependent transition in the abasic variant. Exogenous nucleobase rescue of both cleavage and ligation activity increased with decreasing pH, arguing against a role for rescuing nucleobases in general acid catalysis, because a nucleobase that contributes general acid catalysis in the cleavage pathway should provide general base catalysis in ligation. Analysis of the concentration dependence of cytosine rescue at high and low pH demonstrated that protonation promotes catalysis within the nucleobase-bound ribozyme complex but does not stabilize nucleobase binding in the ground state. These results support an electrostatic stabilization mechanism in which exogenous nucleobase binding counters negative charge that develops in the transition state.
Ultrastructural and functional correlates of increased luteinizing hormone synthesis and secretion in castrated male mice.

The changes in the ultrastructure of gonadotrops and in the plasma levels of LH were studied three, five, seven, ten, twenty and forty days after castration in adult male mice. Gonadotrops in sham operated animals contained numerous granules and moderately developed synthetic organelles. Castration induced mobilization of the secretory granules at three days, and degranulation of gonadotrops and a hypertrophy of the synthetic organelles at seven days. By ten days after castration gonadotrops were greatly enlarged, while in addition at forty days they frequently contained large cytoplasmic vesicles filled with lipid-like material. These changes were paralleled by an initial three fold increase in serum LH three days after castration, and a further ten fold increase in the levels of the hormone forty days after castration. In conclusion, the castration-induced morphologic changes in gonadotrops correlate well with increased release of LH. The subtle differences in the control of timing of LH secretion in mice and rats are discussed. A trans-cytoplasmic route for rapid transport of gonadotropic hormones in the mouse is postulated, and the significance of cytoplasmic vesicles in the castrate discussed.
Distribution of Traditional and Novel Risk Factors and Their Relation to Subsequent Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes (from the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 Trial)

Current guidelines recommend risk stratification largely based on traditional risk factors such as those in the Framingham Risk Score. We studied the distribution of 12 traditional and non-traditional risk markers (age > or =65 years, male gender, family history of premature coronary heart disease, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol > or =70 mg/dl, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol 130 mm Hg, diabetes mellitus, smoking, C-reactive protein > or =2 mg/L, triglycerides >150 mg/dl, prediabetes defined as a fasting glucose level 100 to 125 mg/dl or hemoglobin A1c >6, and obesity defined as body mass index > or =30 kg/m(2)) in 3,675 patients from the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 trial at 4 months and evaluated the risk of cardiovascular events stratified by the number of risk factors. The median number of risk factors was 5. In individual risk factor subgroups, men, smokers, hypertensives, and patients with increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol had just that added risk factor compared to their counterparts (median 5 vs 4). In contrast, patients with diabetes, prediabetes, and increased triglycerides, C-reactive protein, or body mass index had not only that, but also another added risk factor (median 6 vs 4). A higher risk factor count was strongly related with increased rate of death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke, or revascularization, from 0% to 38.6% at 2 years for 0 to > or =9 risk factors (p <0.0001). In conclusion, with the observed "clustering" of risk factors and the link between increasing risk factor count and adverse outcomes in a patient with 1 diagnosed risk factor, a comprehensive review of traditional and novel risk factors is important to fully assess cardiovascular risk.
Alterations in Resting Length-Tension Relations of Cardiac Muscle Induced by Changes In Contractile Force

Effects of sustained postextrasystolic potentiation (P.S.), norepinephrine (NE), and calcium on resting length-tension relations of heart muscle were studied in the cat papillary muscle and isovolumic dog ventricle. In papillary muscles, P.S., calcium or NE produced no change in diastolic compliance when the muscles were freely isotonic, or afterloaded, and force remained constant. However, under isometric conditions, P.S. induced a small fall in diastolic tension while systolic force rose. Similar decrements in diastolic tension were observed when force of contraction was augmented by simply increasing afterload from a constant initial muscle length. In the isovolumic ventricle, P.S., NE, and calcium each induced substantial increments in developed pressure, accompanied by small decreases in end-diastolic pressure. The latter was reduced or abolished by augmenting the initial contractile state with calcium or NE, so that the super-imposition of P.S. induced only trivial increments in developed pressure. It is concluded that P.S., calcium, or NE do not induce changes in the resting length-tension relations of heart muscle per se. However, resting length at any given resting tension does increase slightly upon the augmentation of systolic force alone. It is postulated that these findings may be explained by the existence of a series viscous component.
Intrinsic dynamics and pharmacometric model discrimination

Comparison of two competing pharmacometric models is undertaken using graphic representations to elucidate their similarities and differences. The effect compartment model and the indirect response model are simulated and compared for a range of parameters to determine to what extent their dynamic characteristics can be matched. Visual tools such as hysteresis curves are used to examine model dynamics in a variety of ways. Differentiation is facilitated to the extent that competing models have distinctly defined dynamics. For the models studied, the degree of difference depends on the region in parameter space which in turn relates to clinical response.
The origins of asymmetry in the folding transition states of protein L and protein G

Topology has been shown to be an important determinant of many features of protein folding; however, the delineation of sequence effects on folding remains obscure. Furthermore, differentiation between the two influences proves difficult due to their intimate relationship. To investigate the effect of sequence in the absence of significant topological differences, we examined the folding mechanisms of segment B1 peptostreptococcal protein L and segment B1 of streptococcal protein G. These proteins share the same highly symmetrical topology. Despite this symmetry, neither protein folds through a symmetrical transition state. We analyzed the origins of this difference using theoretical models. We found that the strength of the interactions present in the N-terminal hairpin of protein L causes this hairpin to form ahead of the C-terminal hairpin. The difference in chain entropy associated with the formation of the hairpins of protein G proves sufficient to beget initiation of folding at the shorter C-terminal hairpin. Our findings suggest that the mechanism of folding may be understood by examination of the free energy associated with the formation of partially folded microstates.
Visual pigments in the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus

We present microspectrophotometric evidence for the existence of two distinct visual pigments residing in two different morphological types of photoreceptor of the sea lamprey. In the upstream migrant Petromyzon marinus, the pigment found in short receptors has a wavelength of peak absorbance (lambda max) of 525 nm, whereas the pigment located in long receptors has a lambda max of 600 nm. Although the former appears to be pure porphyropsin, the latter is akin to visual pigments found in the red-absorbing cones of amphibian and teleost retinae. The kinship is more than superficial pertaining to lambda max, however, because the long receptor pigment, like the others, shows the typical sensitivity to the anionic milieu. Lampreys belong to the class Cyclostomata, which now becomes the sixth phylogenetic class of vertebrates with anion-sensitive as well as anion-insensitive visual pigments. This finding strengthens the hypothesis that sensitivity to anions is an integral property of all long-wavelength-absorbing vertebrate pigments and that these pigments form a distinct group in which an external Cl- ion is utilized in tuning the lambda max of the alpha-band absorbance to its native maximum value. The presence of an anion-sensitive and an anion-insensitive pigment in a retina implies the expression of two distinct opsin genes. We infer this from several examples of correlation between anion sensitivity and opsin sequence groupings. Moreover, the presence of two distinct opsin genes expressed throughout six vertebrate classes implies their existence in a common ancestor to all.
New Product Development Decision‐Making Effectiveness: Comparing Individuals, Face‐To‐Face Teams, and Virtual Teams*

A total of 411 subjects participated in two decision-making experiments in order to examine the effectiveness of new product development project continuation decisions. Using escalation of commitment theory, in Study 1, individual versus face-to-face team decision-making effectiveness was compared. Study 2, an extension of Study 1, compared the new product development decision-making effectiveness of individuals, face-to-face teams, and virtual teams. A virtual team is a geographically and temporally dispersed and electronically communicating work group. In Study 2, the virtual teams communicated asynchronously via groupware technology. Our findings suggest that teams make more effective decisions than individuals, and virtual teams make the most effective decisions.
An algorithm for rescaling a matrix positive definite

Abstract : For a given square real matrix M, we present a general algorithm which decides the existence of a positive diagonal matrix D such that DM is positive definite and which constructs the D if it exists. It is shown that solving this matrix rescaling problem is equivalent to finding a solution of an infinite system of linear inequalities. The algorithm solves the infinite system of linear inequalities by generating and solving a sequence of linear programs. Keywords: Eigenvalues; Eigenvectors.
Detecting Copy Number Changes and Structural Rearrangements Using DNA Sequencing

Chromosomal abnormalities in the form of deletions, duplications, inversions and translocations are common in cancer. These changes feed the oncogenic process by affecting genes that are involved in tumor growth. Next generation sequencing has aided our ability to study these changes at very high resolution. In this chapter we will describe the nature of these data and the information contained in them for the detection of the structural changes. We will present the circular binary segmentation algorithm for the segmentation of array based copy number data and adapt it to NGS data. We will also present a method for the detection of somatic structural rearrangement. We will illustrate these methods using data from breast cancer cell line (tumor) along with its blood (normal) counterpart generated by the cancer cell-line encyclopedia project.
Robust protection against fault-injection attacks on smart cards implementing the advanced encryption standard

We present a method of protecting a hardware implementation of the advanced encryption standard (AES) against a side-channel attack known as differential fault analysis attack. The method uses systematic nonlinear (cubic) robust error detecting codes. Error-detecting capabilities of these codes depend not just on error patterns (as in the case of linear codes) but also on data at the output of the device which is protected by the code and this data is unknown to the attacker since it depends on the secret key. In addition to this, the proposed nonlinear (n,k)-codes reduce the fraction of undetectable errors from 2/sup -r/ to 2/sup -2r/ as compared to the corresponding (n,k) linear code (where n - k = r and k >= r). We also present results on a FPGA implementation of the proposed protection scheme for AES as well as simulation results on efficiency of the robust codes.
Late Variscan Nonmarine Basin Deposits, Northwest Africa: Record of Hercynotype Orogeny

The principal Paleozoic deformation, metamorphism, and plutonism in northwest Africa occurred during late Carboniferous phases of the Variscan Orogeny. Fifteen remnants of nonmarine deposits scattered across the Moroccan and Oranian mesetas record predominantly vertical displacement during late Variscan phases. Nine deposits are thick (as much as 2000m), conglomeratic, lithic-rich sequences, commonly with lignitic layers and rarely with coal. Several remnants yield Westphalian C to Autunian plant fossils. A few deposits contain rhyolitic to andesitic lava, two of which yield radiometric ages of 270 ± 17 m.y., and 219 ± 10 m.y. (based on single samples). A similar magmatictectonic framework dominated late Carboniferous to middle Permian nonmarine basin deposits in the inner Variscan zones of south-western Europe.
Isolation and Purification of Pyranose 2-Oxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Characterization of Gene Structure and Regulation

Pyranose 2-oxidase (POX) was recovered from Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKM-F-1767 solid substrate culture using mild extraction conditions and was purified. 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed production of d-arabino-hexos-2-ulose (glucosone) from d-glucose with the oxidase. Peptide fingerprints generated by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry of tryptic digests and analysis of the corresponding cDNA revealed a structurally unusual sequence for the P. chrysosporium POX. Relatively high levels of pox transcript were detected under carbon-starved culture conditions but not under nutrient sufficiency. This regulation pattern is similar to that observed for lignin peroxidases, manganese peroxidases, and glyoxal oxidase of P. chrysosporium, supporting evidence that POX has a role in lignocellulose degradation.
Selenium accumulation and loss in mallard eggs

Five female mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) that had just started egg laying were first fed a diet containing 15 ppm selenium in the form of selenomethionine for 20 d and then an untreated diet for 20 d. Selenium levels in eggs peaked (to about 13-20 ppm) in about two weeks on the treated diet and leveled off at a low level (< 5 ppm) after about 10 d back on the untreated diet. Selenium levels in egg whites responded faster than levels in yolks to the females' consumption of treated and untreated diets.
Quantifying Utility and Trustworthiness for Advice Shared on Online Social Media

The growing popularity of social media in recent years has resulted in the creation of an enormous amount of user-developed content. While information is readily available, there is no easy way to find the most useful content or to detect whether it is trustworthy. A casual observer might not be able to differentiate between the useful and the useless or the trustworthy and the untrustworthy. In this work, we wish to study the problem of quantifying the value of such user-shared content. In particular, we are focussed on health content as the negative impacts are higher for this domain. We use advice shared on a health social network, Daily Strength, for this study. We describe and define the notions of trustworthiness and utility for social media content. We identify the necessity and challenges for their assessment, and propose a framework that helps address these challenges by identifying relevant features and providing empirical means to meet the requirements for such an evaluation. We select relevant variables and perform numerous experiments to evaluate our models. The results demonstrate promising performance that could possibly be replicated with other social media applications.
Exercise training reverses aging-induced impairment of myogenic constriction in skeletal muscle arterioles

To investigate whether exercise training can reverse age-related impairment of myogenic vasoconstriction in skeletal muscle arterioles, young (4 mo) and old (22 mo) male Fischer 344 rats were randomly assigned to either sedentary or exercise-trained groups. The roles of the endothelium and Kv1 channels in age- and exercise training-induced adaptations of myogenic responses were assessed through evaluation of pressure-induced constriction in endothelium-intact and denuded soleus muscle arterioles in the presence and absence of the Kv1 channel blocker, correolide. Exercise training enhanced myogenic constriction in arterioles from both old and young rats. In arterioles from old rats, exercise training restored myogenic constriction to a level similar to that of arterioles from young sedentary rats. Removal of the endothelium did not alter myogenic constriction of arterioles from young sedentary rats, but reduced myogenic constriction in arterioles from young exercise-trained rats. In contrast, endothelial removal had no effect on myogenic constriction of arterioles from old exercise-trained rats, but increased myogenic vasoconstriction in old sedentary rats. The effect of Kv1 channel blockade was also dependent on age and training status. In arterioles from young sedentary rats, Kv1 blockade had little effect on myogenic constriction, whereas in old sedentary rats Kv1 blockade increased myogenic constriction. After exercise training, Kv1 channel blockade increased myogenic constriction in arterioles from both young and old rats. Thus exercise training restores myogenic constriction of arterioles from old rats and enhances myogenic constriction from young rats through adaptations of the endothelium and smooth muscle Kv1 channels.
Allometric scaling in the dentition of primates and prediction of body weight from tooth size in fossils

Tooth size varies exponentially with body weight in primates. Logarithmic transformation of tooth crown area and body weight yields a linear model of slope 0.67 as an isometric (geometric) baseline for study of dental allometry. This model is compared with that predicted by metabolic scaling (slope = 0.75). Tarsius and other insectivores have larger teeth for their body size than generalized primates do and they are not included in this analysis. Among generalized primates, tooth size is highly correlated with body size. Correlations of upper and lower cheek teeth with body size range from 0.90-0.97, depending on tooth position. Central cheek teeth (P44 and M11) have allometric coefficients ranging from 0.57-0.65, falling well below geometric scaling. Anterior and posterior cheek teeth scale at or above metabolic scaling. Considered individually or as a group, upper cheek teeth scale allometrically with lower coefficients than corresponding lower cheek teeth; the reverse is true for incisors. The sum of crown areas for all upper cheek teeth scales significantly below geometric scaling, while the sum of crown areas for all lower cheek teeth approximates geometric scaling. Tooth size can be used to predict the body weight of generalized fossil primates. This is illustrated for Aegyptopithecus and other Eocene, Oligocene, and miocene primates. Regressions based on tooth size in generalized primates yield reasonable estimates of body weight, but much remains to be learned about tooth size and body size scaling in more restricted systematic groups and dietary guilds.
Successful growth and characterization of mouse pancreatic ductal cells: functional properties of the Ki-RASG12V oncogene

Abstract Background & Aims: The Ki-RAS oncogene is altered in pancreatic ductal neoplasms. Pancreatic ductal cells (PDCs) were purified from cytokeratin 19 (K19)- Ki-RAS G12V transgenic mice and control littermates to identify properties of Ki-Ras activation in a cell-type-specific context. Because Ki-RAS mutation has prognostic significance in patients treated with radiation, we studied the influence of Ki-RAS status on radiation survival. Methods: Pancreatic ductal fragments from mice with Ki-RAS G12V mutation or wild-type (WT)- Ki-RAS were cultured. Growth curves, electron microscopy, flow cytometry, and analysis of signaling and cell-cycle proteins were established. Farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) treatment with R115777 before and after irradiation was used to determine the effect of Ki-Ras farnesylation on cell survival. Results: PDCs from WT and K19-Ki-RAS G12V mice had features of ductal cells with formation of 3-dimensional structures on collagen without differences in morphology, growth, and cell-cycle distribution. This may result from up-regulation of p16INK4 and p27 Kip1 and lack of hyperstimulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in Ki-RAS G12V PDCs. No differences in radiation survival between Ki-RAS G12V PDCs and WT PDCs were observed. However, Ki-RAS G12V PDCs expressing mutant p53 V143A had enhanced survival compared with WT PDCs transduced with p53 V143A . R115777 treatment sensitized Ki-RAS G12V PDCs and Ki-RAS G12V /p53 V143A PDCs, but not WT PDCs. Conclusions: Novel characterization of murine WT PDCs and Ki-RAS G12V PDCs is described. Induction of cell-cycle regulators and lack of mitogen-activated protein kinase hyperstimulation likely are responsible for constraining activated Ki-RAS G12V -mediated proliferation. Because its activation was required for sensitization by an FTI, R115777 may be useful against pancreatic tumors expressing oncogenic Ki-Ras.
Therapeutic options to target angiogenesis in human malignancies.

The critical role of angiogenesis in tumour growth and metastasis is now well established in the literature. Growing tumours stimulate neovascularisation through the secretion of pro-angiogenic growth factors, in particular, basic fibroblast growth factor and VEGF. Several lines of evidence have implicated VEGF in tumourigenesis, and understanding the role of VEGF in tumour angiogenesis has facilitated the development of novel targeting agents that specifically interfere with angiogenesis. Different approaches to disrupting tumour-induced angiogenesis encompass tyrosine kinase inhibitor, monoclonal antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors and transcription inhibitors. However, monoclonal antibody and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are the most advanced drug classes currently being investigated in clinical trials. So far, three anti-VEGF inhibitors, bevacizumab, sunitinib and sorafenib, have been approved for the treatment of solid human malignancies including colorectal cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumours a...
Enhanced Gene Delivery and Expression in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells by Cationic Immunoliposomes

AbstractA targeted vector allowing enhanced gene transfer to human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC1) cells in vitro was developed using cationic liposomes covalently conjugated with the mAb AF-20. This high affinity antibody recognizes a rapidly internalized 180 kDa cell surface glycoprotein which is abundantly expressed on the surface of human HCC and other cancer cells. Quantitative binding analysis of liposomes with target cells by flow cytometry showed specific association of mAb-targeted liposomes with human HCC cells. Using mAb-targeted cationic liposomes containing 20% DOTAP, in the presence or absence of serum, gene expression in HuH-7 cells was enhanced up to 40-fold as compared to liposomes conjugated with an isotype-matched non-relevant control antibody. Transfection specificity was not observed in a control cell line that does not express the antigen recognized by mAb AF-20. This study demonstrates that cationic liposome formulations can be targeted with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to enhance s...
Elk Calf Survival and Mortality Following Wolf Restoration to Yellowstone National Park

Abstract We conducted a 3-year study (May 2003–Apr 2006) of mortality of northern Yellowstone elk (Cervus elaphus) calves to determine the cause for the recruitment decline (i.e., 33 calves to 13 calves/100 adult F) following the restoration of wolves (Canis lupus). We captured, fit with radiotransmitters, and evaluated blood characteristics and disease antibody seroprevalence in 151 calves ≤6 days old (68M:83F). Concentrations (&#x1d465;, SE) of potential condition indicators were as follows: thyroxine (T4; 13.8 μg/dL, 0.43), serum urea nitrogen (SUN; 17.4 mg/dL, 0.57), γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT; 66.4 IU/L, 4.36), gamma globulins (GG; 1.5 g/dL, 0.07), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1; 253.6 ng/mL, 9.59). Seroprevalences were as follows: brucellosis (Brucella abortus; 3%), bovine-respiratory syncytial virus (3%), bovine-viral-diarrhea virus type 1 (25%), infectious-bovine rhinotracheitis (58%), and bovine parainfluenza-3 (32%). Serum urea nitrogen, GGT, GG, and IGF-1 varied with year; T4, SUN, and GG var...
Refinement of The Crystal Structures of Epidote, Allanite and Hancockite

Complete, three-dimensional crystal structure studies, including site-occupancy refinement, of a high-iron epidote, allanite, and hancockite have yielded cation distributions Cal. ooCal.oo(Alo. 93F eo.05) Ah. 00(Alo.24F eo.76) Si30'3H for epidote, Ca,. oo(REo.74Ca0.26) (Alo...FeO.34)Ah.oo(Alo.17Feo. 83) ShO'3H for allanite, and Cal.oo(Pbo.5Sro.25Cao.'5) (Alo.86FeO.14)Al,.00(Alo.16Feo.84)Si30,3H for hancockite. These results when combined with those obtained in previous epidote-group refinements establish group-wide distribution trends in both the octahedral sites and the large-cation sites. Polyhedral expansion or contraction occurs at those sites involved in composition change but a simple mechanism, involving mainly rigid rotation of polyhedra, allows all other polyhedra to retain their same geometries in all the structures examined.
Scene understanding for a high-mobility walking robot

High-mobility walking robots offer unique capabilities in complex off-road environments where wheeled vehicles are not able to travel. However, these environments can also pose significant autonomous navigation challenges. Key steps in planning a safe path for the robot autonomously include estimating the height of the support ground surface - which is often occluded by vegetation - and classifying the terrain and obstacles above the ground surface. This paper describes the development and experimental evaluation of a terrain classification and ground surface height estimation system to support autonomous navigation for a high-mobility walking robot. We provide experimental evaluation on an extensive, manually-labeled dataset collected from geographically diverse sites over a 28-month period.
A phase I trial of surgical resection with biodegradable carmustine (BCNU) wafer placement followed by vaccination with dendritic cells pulsed with tumor lysate for patients with malignant glioma

2033 Background: Our prior immunotherapy trials demonstrated efficacy in generating a tumor specific immune response in malignant glioma and the potential for high tumor-specific toxicity and sustained tumoricidal activity. Immunotherapy may synergize with chemotherapy and biodegradable carmustine (BCNU) wafers extend overall survival from 11.6 to 13.9 months. Methods: We exploited this synergistic effect to maintain a cytotoxic environment around the tumor milieu. Patients with high-grade glioma were eligible after maximal resection with biodegradable carmustine (BCNU) wafer placement. Screening leukapheresis is used to isolate mononuclear cells which are differentiated into dendritic cells, pulsed with tumor lysate, and then 3 intradermal vaccines are administered at 2-week intervals. Patients continued systemic chemotherapy after vaccine or at progression. Results: Eighteen patients have been enrolled (7 Male, 11 Female) between April 2007 and February 2009 with one screen failure and two patients with...
Functional screen identifies regulators of murine hematopoietic stem cell repopulation

Understanding the molecular regulation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) engraftment is paramount to improving transplant outcomes. To discover novel regulators of HSPC repopulation, we transplanted >1,300 mice with shRNA-transduced HSPCs within 24 h of isolation and transduction to focus on detecting genes regulating repopulation. We identified 17 regulators of HSPC repopulation: Arhgef5, Armcx1, Cadps2, Crispld1, Emcn, Foxa3, Fstl1, Glis2, Gprasp2, Gpr56, Myct1, Nbea, P2ry14, Smarca2, Sox4, Stat4, and Zfp251. Knockdown of each of these genes yielded a loss of function, except in the cases of Armcx1 and Gprasp2, whose loss enhanced hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) repopulation. The discovery of multiple genes regulating vesicular trafficking, cell surface receptor turnover, and secretion of extracellular matrix components suggests active cross talk between HSCs and the niche and that HSCs may actively condition the niche to promote engraftment. We validated that Foxa3 is required for HSC repopulating activity, as Foxa3(-/-) HSC fails to repopulate ablated hosts efficiently, implicating for the first time Foxa genes as regulators of HSPCs. We further show that Foxa3 likely regulates the HSC response to hematologic stress. Each gene discovered here offers a window into the novel processes that regulate stable HSPC engraftment into an ablated host.
Lower temperature optimum of a smaller, fragmented triphosphorylation ribozyme

The RNA world hypothesis describes a stage in the early evolution of life in which catalytic RNAs mediated the replication of RNA world organisms. One challenge to this hypothesis is that most existing ribozymes are much longer than what may be expected to originate from prebiotically plausible methods, or from the polymerization by currently existing polymerase ribozymes. We previously developed a 96-nucleotide long ribozyme, which generates a chemically activated 5′-phosphate (a 5′-triphosphate) from a prebiotically plausible molecule, trimetaphosphate, and an RNA 5′-hydroxyl group. Analogous ribozymes may have been important in the RNA world to access an energy source for the earliest life forms. Here we reduce the length of this ribozyme by fragmenting the ribozyme into multiple RNA strands, and by successively removing its longest double strand. The resulting ribozyme is composed of RNA fragments with none longer than 34 nucleotides. The temperature optimum was ∼20 °C, compared to ∼40 °C for the parent ribozyme. This shift in temperature dependence may be a more general phenomenon for fragmented ribozymes, and may have helped RNA world organisms to emerge at low temperature.
Method of Stock Index Futures Hedging Portfolio Risk Based on CAPM

Stock investment is high profit economic activity with high risk. Starting from CAPM (Capital Assets Pricing Model) analysis, a new method for hedging portfolio risk with stock index futures is proposed. The method can be used to transfer market risks and expose the stock package of the hedger and partial profit related to market to the market risk.
Analysis of Quality monitoring data of Rural Drinking Water In Lingbi County From 2008 To 2010

Objective To investigate the drinking water hygienic conditions in rural areas of Lingbi,and provide the basis for guaranteeing water quality and effective operation of the project.Methods From 2008 to 2010,the drinking water samples collected in the high flow period and in the low flow period from the centralized and distributed water supply within the whole county were detected and monitored respectively in each year.And the 3 years' monitoring data were analyzed.Results From 2008 to 2010,a total of 676 samples from centralized water supplies were detected,the total qualified rate was 51.3%,and the annual rate was 51.8% in 2008,55.5% in 2009 and 50.9% in 2010.A total of 112 samples from distributed water supplies were detected,the total qualified rate was 26.8%,and the annual rate was 28.6% in 2008,22.6% in 2009 and 28.2% in 2010.Conclusion In rural areas of Lingbi,the drinking water quality had a poor qualified rate.We should improve the purification process of water-treatment to insure the security of the drinking water of the rural inhabitants in future.