cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple forms of cyclic 3',5'-AMP phosphodiesterase of rat cerebrum and cloned astrocytoma and neuroblastoma cells.

Abstract The soluble supernatant fraction of rat cerebrum and cloned rat astrocytoma (C6 and C2 1 ) and mouse neuroblastoma (N1E and N18) cells was subjected to electrophoresis on a preparative polyacrylamide gel column, and the eluted material was analyzed for cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase activity. The cerebrum had four peaks of phosphodiesterase activity, designated I-IV according to the order in which they emerged from the column. The ratio of the activities of these peaks was approximately 1:400:150:200. The C6 astrocytoma cell line had three peaks of phosphodiesterase activity corresponding to Peaks I, II and III of rat cerebrum. The ratio of activities in this cell line was about 1:2:3. The C2 1 astrocytoma cell line had Peaks I and IV only (ratio = 1:1), and both neuroblastoma cell lines had Peak III only. Besides having different electrophoretic mobilities, the different forms of phosphodiesterase had several other distinguishing characteristics. For example, an endogenous, heat-stable activator of phosphodiesterase increased the activity of Peak II up to 10-fold but failed to increase the activity of Peaks I, III and IV. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor, trifluoperazine, inhibited Peak II to a greater extent than it did Peak III, whereas theophylline inhibited Peak III more than Peak II. The peaks also had different stabilities; Peaks III and IV had half-lives of less than 1 day when stored at 4°C. In contrast, Peaks I and II retained most of their original activity even after two weeks of storage. The addition of 1% albumin stabilized all of the enzyme preparations. The crude supernatant fractions of tissues with multiple forms of phosphodiesterase, as evidenced by gel electrophoresis also showed multiple forms of the enzyme by kinetic analysis. On the other hand, the supernatant fraction of neuroblastoma cells evidenced only a single form of the enzyme by gel electrophoresis and exhibited linear kinetics. All the electrophoretically separated peaks of phosphodiesterase also showed linear kinetics. Peaks of phosphodiesterase activity that occurred in a given fraction of the electrophoresis eluant exhibited similar characteristics regardless of the tissue source. For example. Peak II was always activated by the heat-stable activator in all tissue sources. Moreover, theophylline and trifluoperazine, which produced a differential inhibition of the various peaks of phosphodiesterase, inhibited each corresponding peak to the same degree regardless of the source of the enzymes. We conclude that there are multiple forms of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase in the central nervous system and propose that each type of cell may have a unique and definite number and pattern of these forms of the enzyme.
Safety and immunogenicity of tyrosinase DNA vaccines in patients with melanoma.

Immunity to self antigens on cancer is constrained by tolerance/ignorance. DNA vaccines encoding xenogeneic differentiation antigens, such as tyrosinase (TYR), mediate tumor protection and regression in implantable mouse models, and dogs with spontaneous melanoma. We conducted a trial of mouse and human TYR DNA vaccines in stage III/IV melanoma patients. Eighteen human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201 + melanoma patients were randomized as follows: one group received three mouse TYR DNA injections followed by three human TYR DNA injections; the other group received the same vaccines in opposite sequence. The study was conducted at three dose levels: 100, 500, and 1,500 μg DNA/injection, administered intramuscularly (IM) every 3 weeks. Most toxicities were grade 1 injection site reactions. Seven patients developed CD8 + T-cell responses, defined by a >3 SD increase in baseline reactivity to TYR peptide in tetramer or intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays. There was found to be no relationship between dose, assigned schedule, and T-cell response. At a median of 42 months follow-up, median survival has not been reached. Mouse and human TYR DNA vaccines were found safe and induced CD8 + T-cell responses in 7 of 18 patients. T cells recognizing a native TYR peptide had a phenotype consistent with that of effector memory cells.
Effects of noise on early development in the rat

Rat pups, age 15 days, were exposed to an 80-dBA or a 100-dBA noise (100 Hz centered at 8 kHz) for 3 h/day for 30 days. As compared with control animals, noise exposure was found to activate behavior, as seen by increased incidence of grooming, play, and locomotion, and decreased incidence of sleep. Behavioral habituation occurred during the periods of noise exposure but did not occur from day to day. No indication of a noise-induced stress reaction, as measured by changes in adrenal gland weight and stomach ulceration, was found.
Environmental risk factors of disease in the Cameron Park Colonia, a Hispanic community along the Texas-Mexico border.

Objectives This report summarizes the results of a cross-sectional study in Cameron Park in 2000–2001 to identify disease prevalence and health concerns among colonia residents and to identify environmental exposures to potentially adverse environmental conditions. Results Asthma and allergies were among the most prevalent respiratory diseases reported in both adults and children of Cameron Park. Other diseases affecting the community in higher numbers included diabetes and heart disease/high blood pressure. Among children, the most prevalent health conditions were asthma, followed by lung diseases, allergies, and to a lesser degree, skin rashes. Conclusions These data can be useful in developing education and intervention programs to address the public health and medical issues impacting residents in the Cameron Park Colonia of Texas.
Sequencing precedence-related jobs on two machines to minimize the weighted completion time

Abstract We address the problem P 2 | prec | ∑ w j C j . The problem is known to be NP-hard. We offer a binary integer program (BIP) and a dynamic program (DP); the latter is based on the concept of “initial subsets” of jobs and the optic of “weighted earliness–tardiness”. Although the DP approach expands the size of problems that can be solved to optimality to almost twice that obtained by the BIP, it reaches its computational limit around 25 jobs with mean job processing time of 10. We then introduce a genetic algorithm (GA) procedure that is capable of solving any problem size, and further extends the domain of applicability to more than two machines in parallel (problem Pm | prec | ∑ w j C j ). The BIP is used also to establish a good lower bound against which the performance of the GA procedure is measured for larger size problems. Experimental investigation of the GA procedure demonstrates that it is capable of achieving the optimum in very few iterations (less than 20), thanks to the manner in which the initial population is generated, and that early abortion still yields excellent approximation to the optimum as judged by its proximity to the lower bound.
Successful pregnancy during chemotherapy for acute leukemia

A 26-year-old patient with acute lymphatic leukemic conceived while on systemic chemotherapy. This patient experienced relapse during the second trimester, and a second complete hematologic remission was achieved with doxorubicin hydrochloride, vincristine, and prednisone. A 2400-gram, but otherwise normal, male infant was delivered by Caesarean section during the 36th gestational week. Growth and development of this child is normal at six months.
A Data Preprocessor for Structural Analysis and Design Programs

An interactive program for computer-aided data management for structural analysis and design programs has been developed. The program provides the ability to create, store, retrieve, and update data files and display the configuration for 2-D and 3-D skeletal structures. The unique features of the program include: (1) interactive data entry scheme, (2) full-screen data management ability with full cursor control, (3) highlighted single key stroke commands, (4) continuous display of editor commands, (5) well designed screen layout for data entry and management, (6) extensive on-line prompts, (7) extensive checking of invalid input type, (8) fast scrolling through each screen of data, and (9) ability to display the structure configuration. The program written in turbopascal, may be used with any microcomputer which uses PC-DOS and requires 96 Kb user memory. An ISM-PC color graphics (or equivalent) or monochrome systems may be used.
Deuterium enrichments in interplanetary dust

Abstract Interplanetary dust particles (IDPs) collected in the Earth's stratosphere comprise a diverse assemblage of materials with both cometary and asteroidal origins. Laboratory studies of IDPs show that they are chemically, mineralogically and isotopically heterogeneous on submicrometer scales. Many IDPs appear to have escaped the significant hydrous and thermal alteration processes which have strongly modified even the most primitive meteorites from their original compositions. Enrichments in deuterium are common among IDPs, with the largest anomalies occurring among the most fragile (cluster) particles. The D/H ratios of cluster IDPs vary by two orders of magnitude, reaching a maximum of .008, roughly 50 times the terrestrial value. Significant, but much smaller effects have been previously observed in primitive meteorites, and are attributed to the survival of molecular cloud material. The larger, and more highly variable deuterium excesses observed among IDPs suggest that they may contain well preserved presolar molecular cloud materials. The chemical characterization of the deuterium-rich phases is still at an early stage.
Acute Psychosis in a Patient with Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

A case study is presented of an adolescent female who became psychotic and attempted suicide during an acute Epstein-Barr Virus infection. Resolution of the infection resulted in the patient returning to her previous normal mental status. The adolescent's ingestion of acetaminophen masked the signs and symptoms of infection and delayed proper diagnosis.
Inorganic pyrophosphate: fructose-6-phosphate 1-phosphotransferase of the potato tuber is related to the major ATP-dependent phosphofructokinase of E. coli

Abstract A procedure was developed for the purification of inorganic pyrophosphate: fructose-6-phosphate 1-phospho-transferase (PPi-PFK) from potato tubers. The enzyme has the structure α4β4 with a subunit of 68 kDa and a β subunit of 60 kDa. The structural relationship of this enzyme to other PFKs and to fructose bisphosphatase was examined by immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting. Antibodies to the plant enzyme did not react with E.coli PFK. No cross-reaction was seen among the following enzymes or their antibodies: yeast fructose bisphosphatase; rabbit PFKs A,B, or the enzyme from brain; and the two subunits of the potato PPi-PFK. On the other hand, antibody to E.coli PFK-1 strongly cross-reacts with the 60 kDa polypeptide but not 68 kDa peptide.
Variability in the distribution of selenium in healthy heart tissue measured by neutron activation analysis

Chronic dietary deficiency of selenium has been shown to be associated with degenerative heart disease in production animals in the U.S. and in the human in parts of China. In the latter, subjects in the endemic areas suffer high rates of a cardiomyopathy known as Keshan's Disease which is normally fatal in early adulthood and can be prevented, or reversed in its early stages, via selenium supplementation. Selenium, as the active moiety in the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, protects against oxidative attack of cell membranes by peroxides formed during normal metabolism. In this study, we investigated the distribution of selenium in healthy porcine and bovine heart tissue freshly collected at slaughter. The whole heart was perfused with DI water and carefully de-fatted. Representative samples of left and right atria and ventricles and the interventricular septum were collected, lyophilized and homogenized prior to preparing replicate samples for analysis. Replicates were analyzed for selenium via an INAA scheme employing a 5, 15 and 25 second irradiation (φth = 8·1013 n·cm−2·s−1), decay and real-time count (77mSe,T1/2=17.4 s), respectively, using high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy with Westphal pulse pile-up correction. Selenium distribution will be discussed relative to differentiated function and oxygenation of the specific tissues.
cAMP-dependent protein kinase in cerebral microvessels in aging and Alzheimer disease.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of aging and Alzheimer disease (AD) on the important intracellular signaling enzyme cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) in cerebral microvessels. PKA activity and levels were measured in microvessels isolated from the brains of adult and aged rodents as well as from the cerebral cortices of AD and elderly control patients. The results showed that cerebral microvessels from aged rats have significantly (p<0.01) higher PKA activity and levels when compared to cerebral microvessels from adult rats. In contrast, no significant difference was found between PKA activity or levels in cerebral microvessels from AD patients when compared to controls. These results indicate that in cerebral microvessels both PKA activity and levels increase with age but are unaffected by AD. The data suggest that protein phosphorylation in brain microvessels may be affected differentially by aging and dementia.
Mass media family planning promotion in three Nigerian cities

Television promotion of family planning and clinic sites in three cities of Nigeria--Ilorin, Ibadan, and Enugu--played a significant role in 1985-88 in increasing the number of new acceptors at family planning clinics in each city. Family planning skits, prepared with advice and support from the local service providers, were included in existing popular entertainment shows. Questions asked in a recall survey among the exposed population in Enugu and Ibadan revealed that about half of those surveyed in both cities had seen the television episodes. Of those who had watched, 79 and 99 percent, respectively, recalled the family planning messages, and 69 and 88 percent, respectively, recalled specific clinic sites mentioned. Following the media promotion, the number of new clinic clients per quarter in Ilorin increased almost fivefold (in the original clinics evaluated); in Enugu, the number of new clients per month more than doubled; and in Ibadan, the number of new clients increased threefold. Use of entertainment through this "enter-educate approach" is a promising technique that can be replicated in different settings to encourage new clients to seek family planning services.
Micromachined Bradbury-Nielsen gates.

Bradbury−Nielsen gates (BNGs) are a standard way for gating or steering beams of charged particles in ion mobility spectrometry and time-of-flight mass spectrometry. They consist of a pair of interleaved electrodes that when at the same potential allow ions to pass through the electrodes undeflected and, when a voltage is applied, cause the ions to be deflected from their propagation axis. Previous efforts to construct such devices have relied on mechanical assembly by winding wires across an aperture. We describe a micromachining method for making monolithic BNGs using deep reactive ion etching of silicon-on-insulator wafers. This method enables the creation of electrodes with spacings ranging from 25 to 100 μm with a thickness of 20 μm, covering a 5 mm by 5 mm active area. We characterize the performance of these micromachined BNGs by ion imaging in a pseudorandom time-of-flight mass spectrometer.
Corrosion-resistant erbium oxide coatings by organometallic chemical vapor deposition

Abstract An organometallic chemical vapor deposition (OMCVD) process was developed for the preparation of protective erbium oxide coatings resistant to corrosion by liquid plutonium. The coatings were deposited from the precursor compound Er(tmhd) 3 using a standard hot-wall reactor. The substrates used for process development were 304 stainless-steel flats; coatings were subsequently deposited on the internal surfaces of high-aspect-ratio tubular parts, as well as a variety of curved samples. The coatings have the correct oxygen/erbium ratio, and small concentrations of carbon and hydrogen impurities. The impurities are present in the form of unreacted or partially-reacted precursor molecules, presumably concentrated at the grain boundaries of the material. The films are polycrystalline with a grain size of 40–50 nm, and exhibit excellent adhesion and mechanical toughness. The small grain size and the resultant favorable mechanical properties may be attributable in part to the presence of the organic fragments at the grain boundaries. Coatings deposited on stainless-steel flats are resistant to corrosion by liquid plutonium, although an erbia-thickness threshold is observed. The failure mechanism for samples with thicknesses below the threshold value is most likely related to flaws in the film morphology, for example large pinholes, rather than grain-boundary attack.
Economic Conditions and Stock Pricing

In this article, we show that the risk premiums associated with key asset allocation risk factors often change significantly over varying stages of the stock market and business cycle. Their findings point out the dangers for portfolio managers setting allocation targets assuming factor risk premiums are constant over time. The findings of this article have implications for investors using stock market sector analysis or business cycle strategies. The results also suggest further research into modeling risk premiums conditioned on economic phases.
Blocked Ras Activation in Anergic CD4+ T Cells

T cell anergy is a state of functional unresponsiveness characterized by the inability to produce interleukin-2 (IL-2) upon T cell receptor stimulation. The mitogen-activated protein kinases ERK-1 and ERK-2 and the guanosine triphosphate-binding protein p21 Ras were found to remain unactivated upon stimulation of anergic murine T helper cell 1 clones. The inability to activate the Ras pathway did not result from a defect in association among Shc, Grb-2, and murine Son of Sevenless, nor from a defect in their tyrosine phosphorylation. This block in Ras activation may lead to defective transactivation at activator protein 1 sites in anergic cells and may enable T cells to shut down IL-2 production selectively during anergy.
Response of the liver to prolonged protein depletion. III. Coenzyme Q.

Abstract A study of the response of liver coenzyme Q to protein depletion of rats indicates that the cellular concentration of coenzyme Q falls to 20% of normal after 8 weeks of depletion and levels off at that point until death of the animals. The addition of a low level of methionine to the protein-free ration protects significantly against loss of the coenzyme. Following repletion of formerly protein-deficient rats, coenzyme Q rises rapidly to significantly above-normal levels after 2 weeks, followed by a decrease to normal after 6 weeks of further repletion.
Larval Description of Copitarsia incommoda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

The last instar of Copitarsia incommoda (Walker) is described for the first time. Specimens in this study were reared from quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd., Chenopodiaceae), Bolivia, La Paz, 4 km S Viacha, Quipaquipani, 3,880 m. The larva of Copitarsia incommoda is compared with larvae of Copitarsia decolora (Guenee) and Copitarsia corruda Pogue and Simmons.
Whose voices are being heard? Mechanisms for community participation in education in northern Ghana

This article reports on a study of community participation in School for Life, a complementary education programme operating in northern Ghana. The researchers investigated three components of community participation: the nature of the mechanisms used to engage community members as participants in the education process; the actors who engage as participants in education; and the factors that enhance or inhibit an individual’s involvement. They found that this programme uses five approaches that work together to make it a viable mechanism to engage communities, and that community members are engaged at various levels, depending on each person’s previous exposure to education. Moreover, regardless of the level at which members participate, doing so empowers the individual and the community.
A GLIMPSE INSIDE THE IVORY TOWER: A CROSS-OCCUPATIONAL COMPARISON OF WORK ORIENTATIONS IN ACADEMIA

Results comparing academic employees (n = 176) across four occupations (college administrators, faculty, librarians, and clerical workers) indicated that college administrators and professors were highest on career identity and job involvement, while clerical workers reported the lowest job satisfaction, career planning, and intentions-to-remain in career. Though discriminant analysis revealed that professors were more identified with their careers than administrators, college administrators were higher on career planning, intentions-to-remain in career, and career re- silience.
Deity and Morality: With Regard to the Naturalistic Fallacy

1. The Naturalistic Fallacy 2. David Hume 3. Divine Command, Goodness and Obedience 4. Deity and Morality 5. The Doctrine of Ineffability 6. Religious Discourse and Poetic Language 7. The 'Logical Parallels' Approach to Religious Language 8. 'God is Good': An Analytic Proposition 9. The Connotation of Proper Names 10. The Concept of God. Appendix: An Analysis of the Key Terms Involved
Feed Processing. IV. Effect of Feeding Expanded Grain and Ground Hay on Concentrations of Rumen Ammonia

Abstract An experiment was conducted with rumen-fistulated identical-twin cattle to determine the effect of feeding expanded sorghum grain and finely ground hay on concentrations of rumen ammonia. Either expanded or cracked sorghum grain was fed with either ground or long alfalfa hay. Several possible combinations of the two types of grain with the two types of hay were compared within a pair of twins. The grain processing treatment influenced rumen ammonia-N concentration more than did the hay-processing treatment. Either expanded grain or ground hay reduced rumen pH and the ratio of acetic to propionic acid. Expanded grain increased total volatile fatty acids concentration more than did ground hay.
Carbamazepine inhibits distinct chemoconvulsant-induced seizure-like activity in Dugesia tigrina.

Abstract Planaria, non-parasitic flatworms, were recently shown to be a simple yet sensitive model for investigating the pharmacology of convulsants and anticonvulsants. The present findings show that three distinct chemoconvulsants, (−)-nicotine, picrotoxin, and N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA), induce dose-dependent seizure-like paroxysms in the planarian Dugesia tigrina . Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, iminodibenzyl derivatives, exhibit anticonvulsive effects mediated mainly through the inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels. Apart from these primary molecular targets, both carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are known to activate γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA A ) receptors and inhibit NMDA activated glutamate receptors and neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The present study shows that in D. tigrina both carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine inhibit chemoconvulsant-induced seizure behaviors in a dose-dependent manner. Carbamazepine (100 μM) decreased by ~ 65% the cumulative mean planarian seizure-like activity (pSLA) observed in the presence of (−)-nicotine (10 μM), picrotoxin (5 mM), or NMDA (3 mM), whereas oxcarbazepine (1 μM) decreased by 45% the cumulative mean pSLA induced by (−)-nicotine (10 μM). The results demonstrate, for the first time, the anti-seizure pharmacology of carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine in an invertebrate seizure model.
The politics of truth reconsidered: C. Wright Mills as radical social theorist

Following introductory remarks on Mills’s academic persona and current reputation, I pursue two lines of investigation. First, I analyze the deep structure of his thought, constituted by a pragmati...
Control of accidental releases of hydrogen selenide and hydrogen sulphide in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells: a feasibility study

Abstract Industrial and regulatory communities are concerned about the need to control routine and accidental releases of toxic gases. This paper outlines an approach for evaluating control systems for new technologies when there is only limited experience. The approach is illustrated by identifying and evaluating specific options to control releases of hydrogen selenide (H 2 Se) and hydrogen sulphide (H cells. Routine emmisions can be controlled with a system composed of a Venturi scrubber, a packed-bed scrubber, and a carbon adsorption bed. Accidental releases can be controlled by the proper design of a ventillation system combined with either a Venturi and packed-bed scrubber and carbon-a or a containment-scrubbing equipment followed by carbon adsorption. The annualized costs of these controls (≈$0.01/Watt-peak (W p )), are small compared with current (≈$6/W p ) and projected (≈$1/W p ) production costs. Thus, systems which could control accidental releases of highly toxic H 2 Se and H 2 S in CuInSe 2 photovoltaic cell manufactu These systems can effectively reduce emmisions of toxic gas to levels needed to protect the health of the public.
Adverse effects of golimumab in the treatment of rheumatologic diseases

Introduction: A number of new biological immune modulators have become available as treatments for inflammatory diseases over the past two decades. Most prominent among them are TNF-α inhibitors (TNFi) which have been available in the clinic since the late 1990s. TNFi have demonstrated efficacy in various rheumatologic diseases as well as in inflammatory bowel disease and psoriasis. Golimumab is one of the most recently introduced TNFi. Areas covered: Although golimumab is generally well tolerated, as is the case with other TNFi and indeed with most of the marketed immunomodulatory drugs, potential adverse events may be associated with its use. Herein, we the potential adverse effects associated with golimumab therapy are reviewed. Adverse effects are divided into target-related and agent-related categories. Expert opinion: Golimumab has been demonstrated to be generally safe and well tolerated. Its safety profile seems to be very comparable to the other available TNFi. Long-term studies of golimumab and ...
Seismic isolation development for the US advanced liquid-metal reactor program

Abstract GE Nuclear Energy, in association with a US Industrial Team and support from the US National Laboratories and Universities, is developing a modular liquid-metal reactor concept for the US Department of Energy (DOE). The objective of this development is to provide, by the turn of the century, a reactor concept with optimized passive safety features that is economically competitive with other domestic energy sources, licensable, and ready for commercial deployment. One of the unique features of the concept is the seismic isolation of the reactor modules which decouples the reactors and their safety systems from potentially damaging ground motions and significantly enhances the structural resistance to high energy, as well as long-duration earthquakes. Seismic isolation is accomplished with high-damping natural-rubber bearings. The reactors are located in individual silos below grade level and are supported by the isolator bearings at approximately their center of gravity. This application of seismic isolation is the first for a US nuclear power plant. A development program has been established to assure the full benefits from the utilization of this new approach and to provide adequate system characterization and qualification for licensing certification. The development program, which is supported by the US Department of Energy (DOE), Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Energy Technology Engineering Center (ETEC), the University of California at Berkeley (UC-Berkeley), General Electric (GE), and Bechtel National, Inc. (BNI), is described in this paper and selected results are presented. The initial testing indicated excellent performance of high-damping natural-rubber bearings. The development of seismic isolation guidelines is in progress as a joint activity between ENEA of Italy and the GE Team.
The relationship between prostate specific antigen change and biopsy progression in patients on active surveillance for prostate cancer.

Purpose: We assessed whether an association exists between a change in prostate specific antigen and biopsy progression in men on active surveillance.Materials and Methods: A cohort of patients undergoing active surveillance for prostate cancer was identified from the urological oncology database at our institution. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine whether prostate specific antigen velocity, defined as the change in ln(prostate specific antigen) per year, is associated with biopsy progression, defined as a Gleason upgrade or volume progression on repeat biopsy within 24 months of diagnosis.Results: A total of 241 men with a mean ± SD age of 61 ± 7 years and mean prostate specific antigen 4.9 ± 2.2 ng/ml met study inclusion criteria. Median time to repeat biopsy was 10 months (IQR 6–13). Biopsy progression developed in 55 men (23%), including a Gleason score upgrade in 46 (19%), greater than 33% positive cores in 11 (5%) and greater than 50% maximum single core positive in 12 (5%...
A Model of Crowd Enabled Organization: Theory and Methods for Understanding the Role of Twitter in the Occupy Protests

This analysis establishes a conceptual framework, empirical criteria, and measures for deciding when technology-equipped crowd networks such as Occupy Wall Street behave as organizations. The framework is based on three principles that underlie most organizations: (1) resource mobilization; (2) responsiveness to short-term external conditions; and (3) coordinated long-term change, adaptation, or decline. We argue that Twitter played a coordinating role in Occupy as a connector and dynamic switching mechanism linking various networks. We develop methods for tracking how users embedded and shared links to resource locations. Using a database of some 60 million tweets, we examine different types of links distributed through different hashtags across time, showing how Occupy operated along each theoretical dimension as a networked organization.
Anti-Müllerian Hormone: A Potential New Tool in Epidemiologic Studies of Female Fecundability

The objective of the present commentary is to suggest that epidemiologists explore the use of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) as a new measurement tool in fecundability studies. The authors briefly summarize the advantages and limitations of the 3 current approaches to studies of fecundability. All 3 approaches involve the collection of time-to-pregnancy or attempt-time data, and most are limited to participants who plan their pregnancies. AMH is produced by ovarian follicles during their early growth stages and is measured clinically to assess ovarian reserve (the number of remaining oocytes). Unlike time to pregnancy, serum AMH level can be assessed regardless of pregnancy-attempt status. Measurements are not significantly affected by phase of the menstrual cycle, oral contraceptive use, or early pregnancy. The authors suggest that AMH measurement can be a valuable addition to traditionally designed fecundability studies. In addition, this hormone should be investigated as an independent measure of fecundability in studies that focus on exposures hypothesized to target the ovary.
YinYang bipolar dynamic logic (BDL) and equilibrium-based computational neuroscience

It is argued that without mental equilibrium mental disorder would be “big bang” from nowhere. Based on this argument, YinYang bipolar dynamic logic (BDL) and bipolar dynamic fuzzy logic (BDFL) are introduced; a theory of equilibrium-based computational neuroscience is presented with a 3-tier architecture. Agents, adaptivity, bipolar mental equilibrium, and bipolar disorders are mathematically characterized with bipolar relativity. It is shown that BDL and BDFL enable the unification of neural biological networks with bio-electromagnetic or quantum fields, equilibrium-based logical computation with “illogical” bipolar mental disorders, and hypothesis driven exploratory knowledge discovery with brain, behavior, and agents.
Limitations of the with and without Principle in Benefit-Cost Analysis:

This article evaluates common applications of the "with and without principle" in benefit-cost analysis. This principle is often used to analyze and justify individual projects and purposes by comp...
HIF-1α is a major and complex player in alcohol induced liver diseases.

Hepatic steatosis is one of the earliest and most consistent changes which occur with excessive consumption of alcohol. The development of steatosis is known to sensitize the liver to other insults, and is an important step towards the development of the full spectrum of alcohol-induced liver pathologies [1]. The combination of high energy consumption by hepatocytes, and the venous inflow into the liver place hepatocytes at risk of hypoxia. Alcohol consumption was shown to increase hepatic oxygen consumption, with a smaller increase in hepatic oxygen delivery, resulting in central venous hypoxia [2]. These findings bring together the fields of alcoholic liver disease and tissue adaptation to hypoxia. Adaptation to low oxygen tension is known to be regulated by transcriptional induction of genes important in myriad biological processes including metabolism, angiogenesis, cell cycle regulation, and cell death. The hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) family of heterodimeric transcription factors is important in regulating these processes [3]. Functional HIF is composed of an alpha unit (HIF-1a, HIF-1b, or HIF-3a), and a HIF-1b subunit. Under normal conditions, the alpha units are rapidly degraded in the cytosol, but under hypoxic conditions they escape degradation, dimerise with the b unit, translocate to the nucleus, and regulate numerous gene transcription programs [4]. In this issue of the Journal, Dr. Nishiyama and colleagues address the question of the role of HIF-1a in the metabolic and histological changes associated with alcoholic liver disease [5]. They employ a sophisticated but well established technique of hepatocyte specific HIF-1a deletion, and demonstrate that, in a model of alcohol-induced liver disease in mice, there is an upregulation of HIF-1a in a central venous distribution, and, in the absence of hepatocyte HIF-1a, there is greater pathology with increased liver weight, steatosis and increased liver and serum triglycerides. This is strong evidence that the alcohol-induced increase in hepatic HIF-1a is adaptive and protective. To understand which genes are regulated by HIF-1a in this alcoholinduced liver disease model, the authors identified changes in expression levels of genes known to be important in lipid metabolism, and found higher expression levels for a number of lipo-
Infinite gain and oscillations in sis microwave mixers

Abstract It is shown that Sollner's expression for the power gain of an SIS diode mixer can be used to demonstrate infinite gain and oscillations by proper design of the circuit. A general condition for such behavior is derived.
Pediatric vegetative state: epidemiological and clinical issues.

The vegetative state (VS), a state of wakefulness without awareness, has been well recognized in children despite the fact that little descriptive information has been published [3,14,21,38]. This review will focus on our current understanding of VS from a pediatric and medical perspective. Information concerning etiology, epidemiology, clinical course, and most importantly, potential for recovery of consciousness and function as well as long-term survival of these patients will be discussed. Much of the information contained in this review is based on the deliberations of the Multi-Society Task Force on the Persistent Vegetative State [38].
Firm Clustering and Specialization: A Study of Taiwan’s Machine Tool Industry

This study investigates links between firm clustering and firm specialization. The paper argues that firms located in multi-centered, locally owned industrial districts are likely to be relatively specialized. Based on data from 163 companies in Taiwan’s machine tool industry, this study finds support for a positive association between location in a multi-centered, locally owned industrial district and firm specialization.
Abbreviated zero order hold for formation control in the presence of communication and sensing delays

The work in this paper focuses on stabilization in the presence of delayed and intermittent communication in the coordinated control of multiple vehicles. Without prediction of the system evolution during the communication and sensing delays, an alternative to the design of stabilizing controllers based on state gain selection is constructed. The technique consists of an abbreviated zero order hold, which works in an analogous way to manipulating the system phase and gain margins in linear systems. Simulations demonstrate the results for multiple vehicle scenarios.
A Strategic Response to the Broad Spectrum of Internet Abuse

Abstract The primary responsibility of the Chief Privacy Officer (CPO) is to protect online consumer privacy by developing an organization's privacy policy and ensuring compliance with privacy laws and regulations. However, the explosive growth of Internet use for business has brought about an escalation of concerns including reduced consumer confidence in Internet-related business activities, risk of financial loss, and legal liability from sources categorized as external and internal to the organization. Does the new CPO position provide adequate consideration of the increasing risks? This article discusses the far-reaching types of misconduct and risks organizations face. the article concludes by proposing the strategic response of an expanded role for the CPO. in addition to overseeing Internet privacy issues, the newly defined role of Chief Privacy and Integrity Officer (CPIO) would encompass Internet integrity. This entails formulating or reformulating an expressed Internet use policy, undertaking o...
A Miniature Energy Harvesting Device for Wireless Sensors in Electric Power System

A novel energy harvesting device called the energy coupler is proposed which can provide power to small wireless sensors in a power system. The energy coupler when coupled electromagnetically to a nearby current carrying conductor scavenges ac power from the conductor. The proposed energy coupler converts the harvested ac power into dc using a passive voltage multiplier circuit. The design of the energy coupler is such that the dc power obtained is adequate to charge a miniature 1.2-V rechargeable battery. It is demonstrated that the energy coupler is capable of delivering 10 mW of dc power to a 50-Ω load. An analytical model is also presented which agrees well with measurement results within a margin of error of 10%.
An approximation to the greedy algorithm for differential compression

We present a new differential compression algorithm that combines the hash value techniques and suffix array techniques of previous work. The term "differential compression" refers to encoding a file (a version file) as a set of changes with respect to another file (a reference file). Previous differential compression algorithms can be shown empirically to run in linear time, but they have certain drawbacks; namely, they do not find the best matches for every offset of the version file. Our algorithm, hsadelta (hash suffix array delta), finds the best matches for every offset of the version file, with respect to a certain granularity and above a certain length threshold. The algorithm has two variations depending on how we choose the block size. We show that if the block size is kept fixed, the compression performance of the algorithm is similar to that of the greedy algorithm, without the associated expensive space and time requirements. If the block size is varied linearly with the reference file size, the algorithm can run in linear time and constant space. We also show empirically that the algorithm performs better than other state-of-the-art differential compression algorithms in terms of compression and is comparable in speed.
Polymerization of formic acid on porous glassy carbon surface

While using porous glassy carbon (PGC) as a stationary phase for supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), irreversible modifications of the PGC surface were observed when using 3% formic acid in supercritical carbon dioxide mobile phase at mild operating conditions. Scanning electron microscopic and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analyses indicated the formation of a polymer coating on the PGC surface. The coating may be formed from a polymerization reaction of the formic acid modifier catalyzed by the presence of the carbon surface. Those using carbon-based stationary phases should be aware of this reaction when using formic acid as a modifier for SFC.
Effect of foot orthotics on the initiation of plantar surface loading

Abstract The purpose of this study is to look at the initiation of planter surface loading of the foot with two types of foot orthoses. Ten healthy volunteers between the ages of 23 and 43 years participated in the study. Two foot orthoses were provided to each subject. One pair was rigid with forefoot and rearfoot wedging applied. The second pair was a soft accommodative foot orthosis. Each subject walked along a 12 m walkway with the EMED PEDAR (NOVEL, Minneapolis, USA) insole placed inside their shoes for 10 consecutive walking trials. The planter surface of the foot was divided into seven different areas and the time of initiation of loading for each area was found. The result of an ANOVA revealed that the medial forefoot was loaded significantly earlier with the rigid orthosis compared to the other conditions. No difference was seen in the initiation of loading of the soft orthosis compared to the others.
Matrix elasticity in vitro controls muscle stem cell fate in vivo

Almost every laboratory that grows mammalian cells today grows their cells on tissue culture plastic, which was introduced to cell culture decades ago based on properties such as inertness, transparency, and so forth. However, plastic is rigid and unlike the many soft tissues in the body. Polymer gel systems that mimic the softness of various tissues have been developed over the past decade to test and understand the effects of rigidity on cells such as muscle cells. One recent study even shows that muscle stem cells expand much better in vitro on muscle-mimetic gels and that such cells prove optimal for engraftment in muscle.
Porous microfluidics: A unique platform for transvascular study

This work reports the development of a porous microfluidic system which can serve as an in vitro model of natural vessels in circulatory and respiratory systems. The model possesses both structural and mechanical characteristics of the natural counterparts. To mimic the semi-permeable wall of natural vessels, microfluidic channels with porous walls are fabricated by spinning polymeric nanofibers on the collecting substrate with three-dimensional microelectrodes. The mechanical properties of the porous substrate are evaluated using conventional tensile testing. The permeability of the fibrous membrane is characterized by perfusion experiments. The results collectively show the utility of the membrane in transvascular study. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) are cultured on the fibrous membrane and form an endothelial monolayer. The resulting structure is elastic and distensible, similar as natural blood vessels. The curved endothelium surface also helps to mimic the complex mechanical loading states of natural vascular endothelium under pulsatile flow. This work is expected to add a new dimension to the widely used microfluidic systems by allowing both in-vessel transport and trans-vessel transport. The immediate impacts of the porous microfluidic systems can be found in in vitro study of circulatory and respiratory systems.
Dietary Fat and Fiber Modulate the Effect of Carcinogen on Colonic Protein Kinase C λ Expression in Rats

To elucidate the mechanisms by which dietary factors influence the risk of colon cancer, we investigated the effect of select dietary fats and fibers on atypical protein kinase C (PKC) lambda expression. Azoxymethane- and saline (control)-injected rats were fed diets containing either corn oil or fish oil (15 g/100 g) and either cellulose or pectin (6 g/100 g) and killed at two time points (15 and 37 wk) in a 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 factorial design. Colonic PKC lambda protein and mRNA levels were determined using immunoblotting and relative competitive polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Azoxymethane suppressed cytosolic PKC lambda protein levels compared with the saline controls at both time points, and this suppression was partially blocked by fish oil feeding at 15 wk and pectin at 37 wk. Also, at 15 wk, azoxymethane-injected rats fed corn oil had higher levels of membrane PKC lambda relative to the other treatment groups. Overall, expression of PKC lambda mRNA was not correlated with differences in the respective isozyme protein levels. Therefore, the chemopreventive effects of dietary fish oil and pectin are associated with the blockage of azoxymethane-induced alterations in colonic PKC lambda protein expression.
Nutrients in the Atlantic thermocline

A set of maps are presented of nutrient distribution on isopycnal surfaces in the North and tropical Atlantic Ocean main thermocline. The data used in producing these maps are from the Transient Tracers in the Oceans (TTO) North Atlantic Study and Tropical Atlantic Study, an associated German study (Meteor 56/5), two cross-Atlantic sections from cruise 109 of the Atlantis II, and the GEOSECS program. The nutrient distributions reflect primarily the sources at the northern and southern outcrops of the isopycnal surfaces, the in situ regeneration due to decomposition of sinking organic materials, and the interior physical processes as inferred from thermocline models and the distribution of conservative properties such as salinity. However, silica also exhibits behavior that cannot be explained by in situ regeneration. A simple phenomenological model suggests that cross-isopycnal advection and mixing in the equatorial region may play an important role in the nutrient dynamics. These data should prove of great value in constraining models of physical as well as biogeochemical processes.