cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A numerical absorbing boundary condition for edge‐based finite‐element analysis

The numerical absorbing boundary condition (NABC) approach is applied to the problem of deriving the local boundary conditions that can be employed in conjunction with the edge-based formulation of the finite-element method (FEM) to s olue electromagnetic scattering and radiation problem. The key step in this approach is to derive linear relationships that link the values of the field along the boundary edges to those at the neighboring ones. These linear relationships are satisfied, to within a certain tolerance, by all of the outgoing wave components. They can thus be used in lieu of the FEM equations employing the usual absorbing boundary conditions for the boundary edges. The NABC approach not only provides a simple way to derive an accurate boundary condition for mesh truncation, but also presemes the banded structure of the FEM matrices. © 2994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alpha7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Modulate Motivation to Self-Administer Nicotine: Implications for Smoking and Schizophrenia

Individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia have an exceptionally high risk for tobacco dependence. Postmortem studies show that these individuals have significant reductions in α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in several brain areas. Decreased α7-mediated function might not only be linked to schizophrenia but also to increased tobacco consumption. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pharmacological blockade of α7 nAChRs would increase motivation of rats to intravenously self-administer nicotine (NIC) during a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement (PR). Before PR, rats received local infusions of 0, 10, or 20 pmol of a selective α7 nAChR antagonist, α-conotoxin ArIB [V11L,V16D] (ArIB) into the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell or the anterior cingulate cortex, brain areas that contribute to motivation for drug reward. We additionally sought to determine whether local infusion of 0, 10, or 40 nmol of a selective α7 nAChR agonist, PNU 282987, into these brain areas would decrease motivation for NIC use. Infusion of ArIB into the NAc shell and anterior cingulate cortex resulted in a significant increase in active lever pressing, breakpoints, and NIC intake, suggesting that a decrease in α7 nAChR function increases motivation to work for NIC. In contrast, PNU 282987 infusion resulted in reductions in these measures when administered into the NAc shell, but had no effect after administration into the anterior cingulate cortex. These data identify reduction of α7 nAChR function as a potential mechanism for elevated tobacco use in schizophrenia and also identify activation of α7 nAChRs as a potential strategy for tobacco cessation therapy.
RNA Structural Modulation in the Heart of the Ribosome

DEAD-box RNA helicase DbpA is one of the RNA maturation factors that E. coli employs during its ribosome assembly process. DbpA binds tightly and specifically to hairpin 92 of the 23S ribosomal RNA which is located in the peptidyl transferase center. Therefore, DbpA is implicated in RNA structural rearrangement in a ribosome region that is crucial for cell survival. When the helicase inactive R331A DbpA construct is expressed in E. coli cells, a 45S particle accumulates. This particle is a misassembled intermediate of the large ribosome subunit. It is not known if the 45S misassembled particle rearranges inside the cell and forms the active 50S large ribosome subunit, or if the resulting RNA structural misfolding is so severe that the 45S particle is designated by the cell for degradation. To understand the fate of the 45S particle in the cell, the ability of the 45S particle to form a native 50S subunit is tested by pulse chase. First, in the cell expressing R331A DbpA and lacking the wild type DbpA from their genome, RNA is labeled with [5,6-3H] uridine for a specific amount of time, and then transcription of new RNA is stopped by the addition of rifampicin. Cell culture aliquots are obtained at a series of time points after stopping the transcription of new RNA, and ribosomal profile analyses are performed using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. The ribosome profile experiments demonstrate that the conversion of the 45S intermediate to the 50S large subunit particle does occur in the cells. The conversion rate of the 45S particle to the 50S particle is currently being measured.
Negative Feedback Control of Gonadotropin Secretion by Chronically Administered Estradiol and Porcine Follicular Fluid (Gonadostatin) in Ovariectomized Rats

This study examines the roles of 17β-estradiol, progesterone, and gonadostatin in the negative feedback control of FSH and LH secretion. Four groups of long term ovariectomized rats were injected daily with 1.0 ml porcine follicular fluid (pFF) on days 15–21 post ovariectomy. Group one was implanted with a blank Silastic capsule from days 8–28 to study the effect of chronic exposure to pFF alone. Group 2 was implanted with an estradiol capsule from days 8–15 to examine any priming action that estradiol might have on the suppression of serum FSH by gonadostatin. Group 3 was implanted from days 15–28 with an estradiol capsule (i.e. simultaneous initiation of estradiol and pFF treatment). Group 4 was implanted with an estradiol capsule from days 8–28 to study the effect of chronic exposure to the combination of estradiol and pFF. Blood samples were collected at 1400 h on days 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, and 28 by cardiac puncture and assayed for FSH, LH, and estradiol. There were five main findings: 1) neither estra...
Combination immunotherapy with anti-CD20 and anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies induces synergistic anti-lymphoma effects in human lymphoma cell lines

Rituximab is effective in about one half of patients with indolent lymphoma. Even these patients relapse and develop rituximab resistance. To increase potency and circumvent resistance, the anti-lymphoma effects of rituximab, an anti-CD20 MAb, combined with chLym-1, an anti-HLA-DR MAb, were assessed in human lymphoma cell lines by examining growth inhibition and cell death, apoptosis induction, ADCC and CDC. There were additive effects in all assays and synergism in cell lines, such as B35M, which displayed resistance to either MAb alone. In B35M cells, combined rituximab and chLym-1 induced a 27-fold direct reduction in viable cells, whereas equivalent concentrations of rituximab or chLym-1 alone induced only a 1-fold and 10-fold reduction in viable cells, respectively. Because these results occurred at MAb concentrations readily achievable in patients, they suggest that this combination immunotherapy regimen may increase the potency and range of effectiveness of these MAbs in lymphoma patients.
Pharmacokinetics and toxicology of continuously infused nitroimidazoles

Abstract The pharmacokinetics and toxicology of misonidazole (MISO) and SR-2508 given by continuous intraperitoneal infusion were studied in female C 3 H mice. The survival (time to death) of animals receiving continuous infusions of SR-2508 and MISO was compared and related to plasma concentration, rate of infusion and total amount of drug delivered. Brain and plasma concentrations were determined by HPLC. For SR-2508, plasma concentration was directly proportional to the infusion rate. However, as the infusion rate of MISO was doubled, the plasma concentration of MISO increased approximately 6-fold, reflecting a substantial increase in the apparent half-life. The brain/plasma concentration ratio in animals infused for up to 6 days with SR-2508 remained constant, at approximately 0.09. For MISO the product of the plasma concentration and survival time (area under the curve (AUC)) was constant and equal to approximately 50-mM-hrs. In contrast, the survival of animals infused with SR-2508 could not be directly related either to the AUC.of plasma concentration X time or AUC brain concentration × time. At plasma concentrations of 0.08-1.5 mM, animals receiving SR-2508 survived approximately 3 times as long as animals exposed to a comparable plasma concentration of MISO. At higher plasma concentration (and infusion rates), the toxicity of SR-2508 relative to that of MISO was much greater. Even at the lowest infusion rates employed in this study, the survival of mice receiving SR-2508 was much shorter than would have been predicted if the toxicity of these two drugs were solely related to the integral brain exposure. The low brain/plasma concentration ratio of SR-2508 was maintained throughout long continuous exposures. Under these conditions the toxicity of the two drugs was not directly related to the integral brain exposure dose. Possible future clinical applications of continuously infused nitroimidazoles are discussed.
Job satisfaction, burnout, and stress among pediatric nurses in various specialty units at an acute care hospital

Aims: The aims of the study were to: assess job satisfaction, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and work-related stress among pediatric nurses at surgical, medical, critical care, and hematology/oncology units in a tertiary acute care hospital; and identify the predictors of job satisfaction, burnout, compassion satisfaction, and work-related stress. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at a children’s hospital in southern California from February 2013 to March 2013. A convenience sample of registered nurses working in four different units (N = 240) completed the Professional Quality of Life, Brief Index of Affective Job Satisfaction, and demographic questionnaire. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and simultaneous multiple regression procedures were performed. Results: Nurses in the hematology/oncology unit reported the lowest level of burnout and highest levels of job satisfaction and compassion satisfaction. In contrast, nurses in the surgical unit reported the opposite. Among surgical unit nurses, those with 5-9 years of RN experience reported highest burnout as well as lowest job satisfaction and compassion satisfaction. The combination of demographic variables explained a large fraction of the variance in job satisfaction ( R 2 = 0.251) and positive predictors were white ethnicity (β = 0.33) and hematology/oncology unit (β = 0.16), whereas negative predictors were surgical unit (β = -0.32) and critical care unit (β = -0.20). Conclusions: Nurses in the hematology/oncology unit reported lowest burnout and highest job satisfaction, which may be due to the educational and mentoring support from a unit-based end-of-life care program. A focused strategy targeting a specific group of nurses in a unit may help to reduce work-related stress and burnout.
Transmission system visualization for the smart grid

The development of the smart grid will require enhancements in transmission system visualization. While the smart grid involves substantial automation, the human operator will still be in the loop, so they will need visualizations to help them maintain good situational awareness. This paper provides a brief overview of some techniques that can be used as future building blocks for smart grid visualizations.
Doubly-associated cation-vacancy centers in magnesium oxide

Abstract Some Cr 3+ ions in MgO are known to be associated with a vacancy in either the nnn or nn cation positions, as inferred from their well-established ESR spectra showing tetragonal ( T ) and rhombic ( R ) symmetry respectively. We examine here some “satellite” spectra designated as T ′ and R ′, which show the same angular dependence and principal g -values respectively as the T and R spectra. They thus reflect similar tetragonal or rhombic symmetries of the centers responsible. These T ′ and R ′ centers are the focus of interest in this paper. The zero-field splitting parameter D for the T ′ center is −864.4 G , while that of the T center is −887.1 G at 295°K. The proposed model for the T ′ center is: Cr + -O- -O- M + , lying along 〈001〉, 〈010〉 or 〈100〉 axes. The model for the R ′ center is: Cr + - - M + lying along a [110] or equivalent direction. (Only deviations from normal site charge are shown.) A sample doped with aluminum gave an ESR line intensity ratio T′ T = 90 1 after heating at 400°. This behavior is interpreted as implicating Al 3+ as M + ion in this case.
Transport of particulate suspensions in porous media: Model formulation

A mathematical model is formulated for the general class of problems that involve the transport of stable particulate suspensions in porous media. The porous medium is represented by a network of pore bodies (sites) and pore throats (bonds). Population balances for the species responsible for particle retention and permeability reduction are written in terms of the various mechanisms of particle capture and reentrainment. Rates of capture and release are evaluated using appropriate physical models. The authors specifically concentrate on mass transfer limited processes. The effective medium theory is suitably formulated to determine the fluid flow distribution in the network and to calculate the permeability. The network representation of the porous medium together with the population balances and the rates of deposition and release provide a consistent model that finds application in filtration and fines migration processes.
Integrating Java and Matlab components into the same parallel and distributed application using JavaPorts

Summary form only given. As clusters of workstations become increasingly popular the need for component frameworks that facilitate the high level modeling and rapid prototyping of parallel and distributed applications on such systems is becoming pressing. Many scientists and engineers have image and signal processing applications that could benefit from cluster computing. However, these applications often exist as legacy code, such as serial Matlab functions, which are not easily parallelizable. The goal of the JavaPorts project is to provide a framework and a set of tools that make it easy to develop component-based parallel and distributed applications for networks of heterogeneous computing nodes. The latest version of the package supports the integration of Java and Matlab components into the same application and provides a mechanism for incorporating legacy Matlab functions into parallel processing applications. The design and salient features of the framework and associated tools are discussed here, and application examples are presented which highlight how JavaPorts can be used to model, develop, launch and restructure applications with any number of interacting Java and Matlab components.
RAPIDLY-LABELLED, ACIDIC PHOSPHOLIPIDS OF THE GOLDFISH BRAIN1

Homogenates and particulate fractions of goldfish brain incorporated radioac- tivity from y-(B*P)ATP selectively into acidic phospholipids during brief periods of incuba- tion. Phosphatidate and lysophosphatidate became strongly labelled and activity was also found in phosphatidyl inositol phosphate and in phosphatidyl inositol diphosphate. When tetraphenylborate (a K+-complexing agent) was added, a selective stimulation of incorporation of 3*P into phosphatidate occurred. The addition of perchlorate (also known to bind K+) did not produce a similar stimulation, nor did the addition of K+ block the stimulation by tetraphenylborate. The stimulation of the labelling of phospholipids by tetraphenylborate appeared to be the result of multiple actions. Besides the evidence that it acted by stimulating the phosphoinositide phosphodiesterase of brain, data were obtained suggesting that it stimulated diglyceride kinase and blocked endogenous destruction of ATP as well. The stimulation by tetraphenylborate was blocked by addition of atropine but not of arecoline. THE PHOSPHOINOSITIDES, although ubiquitous in animal tissues, frequently exist in trace amounts demonstrable only by tracer methods. The greater content of phos- phoinositides in excitable tissues (FOLCH-PI, 1949; DAWSON and DITTMER, 1961 ; BROCKERHOFF and BALLOU, 1962) and the evidence from labelling experiments of rapid turnover (DAWSON, 1954; HOKIN and HOKIN, 1958; ANSELL and SPANNER, 1959; LEBARON, KISTLER and HAUSER, 1960; HOLZL and WAGNER, 1964; KFOURY and KERR, 1964; SEIFFERT and AGRANOFF, 1965) have suggested an important physio- logical role for these compounds in excitable tissues. Alterations of the labelling of phosphatidyl inositol (PhI) and phosphatidic acid (PhA) have been described in a variety of neural and secretory tissues in response to the appropriate neurohumor or secretagogue (cf. reviews by: HAWTHORNE, 1960; HOKIN and HOKIN, 1960; Cum- BERT, 1967). In sympathetic ganglia increased labelling has been correlated with synaptic transmission (LARRABEE and LEICHT, 1965; LARRABEE, 1968). Recently DURELL, GARLAND and FRIEDEL (1969) have suggested that such alterations are the result of activation of phosphatidyl inositol phosphodiesterase releasing diglyceride and inositol phosphate, but the detailed mechanism of the effect of acetylcholine remains speculative. The present experiments were undertaken to clarify the nature of these alterations in phospholipid labelling. The goldfish was selected because of the current interest in this laboratory in goldfish behaviour and its metabolic conse- quences. Various aspects of the labelling patterns of phospholipids in the goldflsh brain, the effects of acetylcholine in goldfish brain, and the stimulation by tetra- phenylborate of phospholipid labelling comprise the present report.
Metabolic hormones regulate insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 mRNA levels in primary cultured salmon hepatocytes; lack of inhibition by insulin

IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) modulate the effects of the IGFs, major stimulators of vertebrate growth and development. In mammals, IGFBP-1 inhibits the actions of IGF-I. Rapid increases in circulating IGFBP-1 occur during catabolic states. Insulin and glucocorticoids are the primary regulators of circulating IGFBP-1 in mammals. Insulin inhibits and glucocorticoids stimulate hepatocyte IGFBP-1 gene expression and production. A 22 kDa IGFBP in salmon blood also increases during catabolic states and has recently been identified as an IGFBP-1 homolog. We examined the hormonal regulation of salmon IGFBP-1 mRNA levels and protein secretion in primary cultured salmon hepatocytes. The glucocorticoid agonist dexamethasone progressively increased hepatocyte IGFBP-1 mRNA levels (eightfold) and medium IGFBP-1 immunoreactivity over concentrations comparable with stressed circulating cortisol levels (10(-9) -10(-6) M). GH progressively reduced IGFBP-1 mRNA levels (0.3-fold) and medium IGFBP-1 immunoreactivity over physiological concentrations (5 x 10(-11)-5 x 10(-9) M). Unexpectedly, insulin slightly increased hepatocyte IGFBP-1 mRNA (1.4-fold) and did not change medium IGFBP-1 immunoreactivity over physiological concentrations and above (10(-9) -10(-6) M). Triiodothyronine had no effect on hepatocyte IGFBP-1 mRNA, whereas glucagon increased IGFBP-1 mRNA (2.2-fold) at supraphysiological concentrations (10(-6) M). This study suggests that the major inhibitory role of insulin in the regulation of liver IGFBP-1 production in mammals is not found in salmon. However, regulation of salmon liver IGFBP-1 production by other metabolic hormones is similar to what is found in mammals.
Efficient detection of RNA–protein interactions using tethered RNAs

The diverse localization of transcripts in cells suggests that there are many specific RNA-protein interactions that have yet to be identified. Progress has been limited, however, by the lack of a robust method to detect and isolate the RNA-binding proteins. Here we describe the use of an RNA aptamer, scaffolded to a tRNA, to create an affinity matrix that efficiently pulls down transcript-specific RNA-binding proteins from cell lysates. The addition of the tRNA scaffold to a Streptavidin aptamer (tRSA) increased binding efficiency by ∼ 10-fold. The tRSA system with an attached G-quartet sequence also could efficiently and specifically capture endogenous Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP), which recognizes this RNA sequence. An alternative method, using biotinylated RNA, captured FMRP less efficiently than did our tRSA method. Finally we demonstrate the identification of novel RNA-binding proteins that interact with intron2 or 3'-UTR of the polarity protein Crumbs3 transcript. Proteins captured by these RNA sequences attached to the tRNA scaffold were identified by mass spectrometry. GFP-tagged versions of these proteins also showed specific interaction with either the Crb3 intron2 or 3'-UTR. Our tRSA technique should find wide application in mapping the RNA-protein interactome.
Period-based load partitioning and assignment for large real-time applications

We propose a new approach to the problem of workload partitioning and assignment for very large distributed real-time systems, in which software components are typically organized hierarchically, and hardware components potentially span several shared and/or dedicated links. Existing approaches for load partitioning and assignment are based on either schedulability or communication. The first category attempts to construct a feasible schedule for various assignments and chooses the one that minimizes task lateness (or other similar criteria), while the second category partitions the workload heuristically in accordance with the amount of intertask communication. We propose, and argue for, a (new) third category based on task periods, which, among others, combines the ability of handling heterogeneity with excellent scalability. Our algorithm is a recursive invocation of two stages: clustering and assignment. The clustering stage partitions tasks and processors into clusters. The assignment stage maps task clusters to processor clusters. A later scheduling stage will compute a feasible schedule, if any, when the size of processor clusters reduces to one at the bottom of the recursion tree. We introduce a new clustering heuristic and evaluate elements of the period-based approach using simulations to verify its suitability for large real-time applications. Also presented is an example application drawn from the field of command and control that has the potential to benefit significantly from the proposed approach.
Antigen-specific expansion and differentiation of natural killer cells by alloantigen stimulation

Natural killer (NK) cells provide important host defense against microbial pathogens and can generate a population of long-lived memory NK cells after infection or immunization. Here, we addressed whether NK cells can expand and differentiate after alloantigen stimulation, which may be important in hematopoietic stem cell and solid tissue transplantation. A subset of NK cell in C57BL/6 mice expresses the activating Ly49D receptor that is specific for H-2Dd. These Ly49D+ NK cells can preferentially expand and differentiate when challenged with allogeneic H-2Dd cells in the context of an inflammatory environment. H-2Dd is also recognized by the inhibitory Ly49A receptor, which, when coexpressed on Ly49D+ NK cells, suppresses the expansion of Ly49D+ NK cells. Specificity of the secondary response of alloantigen-primed NK cells was defined by the expression of activating Ly49 receptors and regulated by the inhibitory receptors for MHC class I. Thus, the summation of signals through a repertoire of Ly49 receptors controls the adaptive immune features of NK cells responding to allogeneic cells.
Ceftriaxone-Induced Acute Encephalopathy in a Peritoneal Dialysis Patient

Encephalopathy is a rare side effect of third and fourth generation cephalosporins. Renal failure and preexisting neurological disease are notable risk factors. Recognition is important as discontinuing the offending agent usually resolves symptoms. We present a case of acute encephalopathy in a patient with end stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) who received intravenous ceftriaxone for peritonitis. This case illustrates the potential severe neurologic effects of cephalosporins, which are recommended by international guidelines as first-line antimicrobial therapy for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
The Literary Background of the Chantefable

T HE new edition of Aucassin et Nicolette by Mario Roques I once more offers occasion for the discussion of its peculiar literary form, that of alternate prose and verse. In his Introduction, Roques briefly discusses "cette forme originale et unique dans la litterature du moyen age," 2 and after rejecting the various definitions of Aucassin as a "roman," a "conte," a "nouvelle," a "fabliau," and a "recit," he arrives at the conclusion that it is a "mime." 3 If a technical name must be found for the type of literature which Aucassin represents, why not call it, as did its author, a cantefable? If it is felt that this term needs explanation, we can find none better than that of Gaston Paris, who has definitely explained the chantefable as "ce melange de prose et de vers, de morceaux oiu l'on chante, et de morceaux ou l'on dit et conte etfable." 4 So far as we know, Aucassin et Nicolette is the only specimen of French literature in the Middle Ages which is composed of verse and music and prose, and thus it is rightly called unique. But if we view the chantefable as being in its elementary form simply a literary style in which prose and verse operate together as a unit in narrative function, and if we disregard the special characteristic of musical notation on the manuscript of Aucassin, then we shall be able to match it with other pieces of literature written in this style in both earlier and later times. Examples of prose-and-verse in which the verse is purely adventitious and does not form an integral part of the narrative vehicle have not been included among the following quotations. That Aucassin represents a type of literature which in France was eventually attracted to the theatre, is a matter we shall not discuss. Our interest in the document lies not so much in its
Interaction of Low‐Expansion NZP Ceramics with Na2SO4 at 1000°C

The interaction between several low-expansion NZP materials and Na2SO4 at 1000°C in pure O2 was studied. Ba1.25Zr4P5.5Si0.5O24 experienced extensive cracking and delamination upon reaction with Na2SO4. On the other hand, Ca0.5Sr0.5Zr4P6O24 remained intact in terms of visual appearance and had no significant weight loss or gain. However, the ion exchange between Na+ ions and Ca+2 ions was observed to be sufficiently rapid to allow the penetration of the Na+ ions into the test specimens in 100 h. The segregation of Ca to the specimen surface was observed due to the ion exchange. Ca0.6Mg0.4Zr4P6O24 was also tested, but its stability could not be properly assessed because the as-received specimens contained a significant amount of MgZr4P6O24 as an impurity phase.
Lingual pressures induced by mouthgags.

Airway obstruction from tongue edema following intraoral procedures is uncommon. However, the insidious nature of postoperative lingual edema and the gravity of acute airway obstruction requires diligent monitoring by the surgeon. The etiology of lingual edema is likely related to tissue ischemia, secondary to venous or arterial obstruction. This study shows that during normal usage the mouthgag can easily generate pressures which typically exceed venous pressure and often exceeds arterial pressure. Suspension of the mouthgag almost always exceeds arterial pressure. Whether that pressure is transferred to the respective arteries and veins is likely highly variable and relates to the patient's individual dentofacial anatomy. Avoidance of these high pressures should minimize the risk of postoperative lingual edema. The U.C. Davis Mouthgag Usage Protocol is presented.
Comparison of Heat-Shock-Induced and Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Protein Changes and Tumoricidal Activity in a Chicken Mononuclear Cell Line

The functions of a chicken mononuclear phagocytic cell line MQ-NCSU were examined after exposure to nonthermal (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) and thermal (heat shock, HS) treatments. The protein profiles and tumoricidal factor activity of MQ-NCSU cells exposed to 15 micrograms LPS under control (41 C) temperatures expressed enhanced synthesis of classical 23-, 70-, and 90-kDa HS proteins (HSP), a heat-inducible 32-kDa protein (P32), and a novel LPS-induced 120-kDa protein (P120). In comparison to LPS treatment, MQ-NCSU cells exposed to 45 C (HS) expressed HSP23, HSP70, HSP90, and P32 but not P120. Combined exposure of MQ-NCSU cells to HS (45 C) and LPS (15 micrograms) induced an alteration in the initial and optimal expression and duration of synthesis of the HSP and the LPS-induced P120. The tumoricidal activity of supernatants from LPS-treated and untreated MQ-NCSU cells cultured at 45 C was significantly depressed as compared with the controls (cultured at 41 C). The supernatants collected from LPS-treated and untreated MQ-NCSU cultures maintained at 41 C were exposed to 45 C temperature for up to 48 h. The tumoricidal potential of these supernatants was not affected. The present study demonstrates that LPS exposure induces several "stress" proteins in macrophages, some of which have molecular similarity with the classical HSP. In addition, LPS induces a unique 120-kDa protein not produced following HS alone, which may serve as a differential protein associated with activated or tumoricidal phenotype of macrophages. Heat shock suppresses the tumoricidal potential of LPS-treated MQ-NCSU cells in a regulatory manner that does not appear to be a result of thermal denaturation of the tumoricidal factor secreted in the culture supernatant.
Autoimmunity in picornavirus infections

Enteroviruses are small, non-enveloped, positive-sense single-strand RNA viruses, and are ubiquitously found throughout the world. These viruses usually cause asymptomatic or mild febrile illnesses, but have a propensity to induce severe diseases including type 1 diabetes and pancreatitis, paralysis and neuroinflammatory disease, myocarditis, or hepatitis. This pathogenicity may result from induction of autoimmunity to organ-specific antigens. While enterovirus-triggered autoimmunity can arise from multiple mechanisms including antigenic mimicry and release of sequestered antigens, the recent demonstration of T cells expressing dual T cell receptors arising as a natural consequence of Theiler's virus infection is the first demonstration of this autoimmune mechanism.
Venous Thromboembolism Among Military Combat Casualties

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) complicates trauma no matter whether injuries occur in the civilian or combat setting. Combat casualty care is further challenged by the requirement to rapidly evacuate patients by air from the combat zone to definitive care destinations in the USA. The Joint Trauma System (JTS) is charged with ensuring optimal management of the combat injured across the global care continuum. The JTS first released guidelines for “Prevention of deep venous thrombosis” in December 2004 and regularly revises it to ensure it reflects current, best practice. This review presents a perspective on VTE impact on wartime care and the US military medical system’s effort to prevent these complications.
Modulation of the inflammatory response by products released from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes during phagocytosis : Generation and inactivation of the chemotactic factor C5a.

During phagocytosis of latex particles human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) release a product that generates chemotactic activity from fresh human serum. Release of this product is maximal at 20–30 min of phagocytosis. It is present in resting PMNs, may be recovered from granule fractions, and functions at physiologic pH. Gel-filtration chromatography of the activated serum indicates that C5a accounts for most of the chemotactic activity generated. Studies utilizing preparations of C5, EDTA, magnesium-EGTA, CS-deficient serum, and serum heated for 20 min at 50°C demonstrate that generation of C5a results from activation of the complement system as well as from direct cleavage of C5. Activation of the complement system by this PMN-derived serum activator appears to proceed through both the alternate and classical pathways. In addition to this serum activator, an inactivator of C5a chemotactic activity is also released by the PMNs under certain conditions of phagocytosis. These studies suggest that phagocytizing PMNs have secretory functions that contribute to the localization and amplification of inflammatory responses.
Abstract 485: Hypoxia increases the expression of stem-cell markers and promotes cell invasion in prostate cancer cells

Oxygen is an essential regulator of cellular metabolism, survival, and proliferation. Cellular responses to oxygen levels are monitored, in part, by the transcriptional activity of the hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs). The existence of hypoxic microenvironment is a common occurrence in many solid tumors including prostate. Previous studies from our laboratories have shown that in human prostate cancer models, cancer stem cells expressing the embryonic stem cell markers SOX2 and OCT3/4 were highly invasive and, importantly, were capable of altering their E-cadherin expression during the process of invasion. In contrast, non-tumorigenic cells which minimally express SOX2 or OCT3/4 were found to be poorly invasive. Furthermore, targeted knockdown of SOX2 or OCT3/4 markedly suppressed the invasion of prostate cancer cells, suggesting an indispensible role of these two stem cell markers in invasiveness. In the present study, we examined the impact of oxygen deprivation on cell invasiveness and stemness in both stem cell enriched and non-stem cell populations in PC3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells. Moreover, the impact of Notch signaling, which has been shown as a critical regulator of prostate cancer development, progression and metastasis, was examined. When cells were exposed to 1% oxygen for 24 h, the invasive capacity of both the stem- and non-stem cell subpopulations increased. Interestingly the non-stem cell subpopulation showed the most striking increase (> 10-fold) in invasion under hypoxic conditions. The expression of several important stem cell factors, including OCT3/4, SOX2, Nanog and c-Myc, also was upregulated under hypoxia in both subpopulations. In addition, the expression of Notch1, Notch2 and their target genes Hey1, Hey2 and HeyL were increased in both subpopulations that had experienced oxygen deprivation (1% O 2 , 24 h). These findings suggest that although cancer stem cells per se exhibit significantly greater invasive capacity, aberrant microenvironmental conditions such as hypoxia may dramatically enhance the ability of non-stem cells to invade. Consequently, both the stem and non-stem cell subpopulations of tumors may be potential targets for the development of suitable therapeutic interventions designed to inhibit prostate cancer cell invasion. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 485. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-485
The effect of cooking methods on the lipid composition of potatoes

The effect of boiling and baking in either a convential or microwave oven on the lipid content of potatoes was investigated. The crude lipid content of potatoes was lowered significantly by all methods of cooking. The loss was highest in potatoes cooked in a microwave oven, least in boiled tubers, and intermediate in tubers baked in a conventional oven. Similar trends were observed for both cortex and pith tissues. Generally, the phospholipid content followed the same trend as the crude lipid, the exception being the cortex tissue of tubers baked in the conventional oven, in which the greatest loss of phospholipid occurred. Cooking did not significantly alter the fatty acid composition of tubers. A possible relationship between the degree of cell rupturing, known to be influenced by different mechanisms of heat transfer, and the amounts of tuber lipid associated with different cooking methods was discussed.
Increasing use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy: a counterintuitive trend.

A recent study has provided evidence that the use of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM) is increasing
Decrease in Incidence of Colorectal Cancer Among Individuals 50 Years or Older After Recommendations for Population-based Screening

Background & Aims The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the United States is increasing among adults younger than 50 years, but incidence has decreased among older populations after population-based screening was recommended in the late 1980s. Blacks have higher incidence than whites. These patterns have prompted suggestions to lower the screening age for average-risk populations or in blacks. At the same time, there has been controversy over whether reductions in CRC incidence can be attributed to screening. We examined age-related and race-related differences in CRC incidence during a 40-year time period. Methods We determined the age-standardized incidence of CRC from 1975 through 2013 by using the population-based Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of cancer registries. We calculated incidence for 5-year age categories (20–24 years through 80–84 years and 85 years or older) for different time periods (1975–1979, 1980–1984, 1985–1989, 1990–1994, 1995–1999, 2000–2004, 2005–2009, and 2010–2013), tumor subsite (proximal colon, descending colon, and rectum), and stages at diagnosis (localized, regional, and distant). Analyses were stratified by race (white vs black). Results There were 450,682 incident cases of CRC reported to the SEER registries during the entire period (1975–2013). Overall incidence was 75.5/100,000 white persons and 83.6/100,000 black persons. CRC incidence peaked during 1980 through 1989 and began to decrease in 1990. In whites and blacks, the decreases in incidence between the time periods of 1980–1984 and 2010–2013 were limited to the screening-age population (ages 50 years or older). Between these time periods, there was 40% decrease in incidence among whites compared with 26% decrease in incidence among blacks. Decreases in incidence were greater for cancers of the distal colon and rectum, and reductions in these cancers were greater among whites than blacks. CRC incidence among persons younger than 50 years decreased slightly between 1975–1979 and 1990. However, among persons 20–49 years old, CRC incidence increased from 8.3/100,000 persons in 1990–1994 to 11.4/100,000 persons in 2010–2013; incidence rates in younger adults were similar for whites and blacks. Conclusions On the basis of an analysis of the SEER cancer registries from 1975 through 2013, CRC incidence decreased only among individuals 50 years or older between the time periods of 1980–1984 and 2010–2013. Incidence increased modestly among individuals 20–49 years old between the time periods of 1990–1994 and 2010–2013. The decision of whether to recommend screening for younger populations requires a formal analysis of risks and benefits. Our observed trends provide compelling evidence that screening has had an important role in reducing CRC incidence.
Comparing the Forecasting Performance of Futures Oil Prices with Genetically Evolved Neural Networks

In this paper, a hybrid system combining neural networks and genetic training is designed to forecast future oil prices. The architectural design is that of the multilayer back propagation network that is fed monthly prices for West Texas Intermediate covering the period 1986–2014. The model’s predictions are compared to those of the one, two, three, and four-month futures prices and are evaluated both on their level of accuracy as well as correctness. While accuracy measures the degree of error, correctness tests the model’s ability to predict the direction of the movement. By processing information more efficiently, and identifying patterns that may be ill-defined as a result of pronounced price volatility, this paper aims to improve the accuracy of oil price forecasts.
Baker, Keith Michael, and Dan Edelstein, eds.Scripting Revolution: A Historical Approach to the Comparative Study of Revolution Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press 438 pp., $29.95, ISBN 978-0-8047-9616-3 Publication Date: October 2015

Revolutions deeply mark the political and social life of the modern era. Scripting Revolution is, therefore, a welcome and much needed addition to the vast literature on this subject—welcome becaus...
Stewardship in Large Public Projects: The Practicality of Shakespeare

Can reading great literature, considering its heroes and small characters, improve the performance of public sector actors? King Lear’s characters fault a wickedly disinterested heaven for life’s setbacks and woes. Yet Shakespeare makes clear that these actors’ own terrible choices beset the king, his family and the rest of us who are subject to the acts of public leaders. Reading this literature as analogy for the effectiveness of the modern public sector suggests how administrative operation of our democratic state may – or may not – successfully parcel power and control so as to limit negative externalities derived from ill-informed, self-serving or rent-seeking executive and individual decisions. Lear’s tragic arc mimics a sorrowful “muddling through” and potentially unnecessary “satisficing” in certain large public works projects. One large public project currently deemed successful is examined here – the replacement of the eastern span of the Bay Bridge in San Francisco – as a reflection on separated powers, the limits of human nature, and the inevitability of error.
Identifying and Exploiting Vulnerabilities in Civilian Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems and Evaluating and Countering Potential Threats Against the United States Airspace

This research project investigates the vulnerabilities of civilian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) systems and how they can be exploited by law enforcement should a UAV be utilized in a terrorist attack against the United States. Research into the vulnerabilities of civilian UAVs focused primarily on how such systems could be compromised and taken over by a third party, and for law enforcement to exploit as a potential countermeasure. In particular, the focus of the research was on using Internet Protocol (IP) Address and Media Access Control Address spoofing to spoof the UAV controller. Multiple techniques of spoofing attacks were conducted to compromise the UAV systems and allow for precision control from a third party computer. Additional research was conducted into intercepting an autonomous UAV via spoofing. This paper identifies the threats that UAVs pose to the United States, while providing a reliable and safe way to counter certain hostile UAV threat scenarios.
Parent perception of the impact of using thickened fluids in children with dysphagia

Background Oropharyngeal dysphagia occurs in children without known neurological disorders, increasing their risk for respiratory problems and inadequate intake. Clinicians may recommend thickening nutritive fluids; however, there is little research regarding the impact of thickening nutritive fluids on clinical outcomes in children. Methods We used a parental reporting tool to determine whether parents identified changes in signs of dysphagia or volume of intake when thickened fluids were incorporated into an individualized feeding program for dysphagic children without known neurological problems. Fifty-five children diagnosed with dysphagia, for whom thickened fluids had been recommended per radiographic and clinical exam, qualified for the study. Parents of 44 children (24 females, 20 males) aged 2 weeks to 14 months completed baseline and post-thickening (within 90 days) rating scales. Results Compared to baseline, parents reported significant decreases in the frequency of apnea (W = −219, P < 0.0001, r = 0.399), congestion (W = −450, P < 0.0001, r = 0.579), coughing/choking with drinking (W = −485, P < 0.0001, r = 0.603), resistance to feeding (W = −344.5, P < 0.0001, r = 0.476), vomiting during feeding (W = −409, P < 0.0001, r = 0.565), and wheezing (W = −337, P < 0.001, r = 0.449). For those children whose parents initially reported inadequate levels of intake, there was a significant (Z = 3.15, P = 0.0029, r = 0.47) increase (+49.63 mm) in the rated adequacy of liquid intake, as well as a significant increase (+1.41 oz.) in the estimated volume per feeding (Z = 224, P = 0.29, r = 0.33). Conclusion These results provide information for clinicians and physicians to incorporate when considering the use of thickened fluids in the dysphagia management of children without a known neurological diagnosis.
Molecular imaging shows that high fat diet decreases both glucose and lipid metabolism in brown adipose tissue in rodents

1711 Objectives Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a mitochondrial rich fat that aids in body temperature regulation and burns energy as opposed to storing it. The effects and mechanism of dietary fat on the metabolic processes in brown adipose tissue (BAT) are still unclear. Herein, we designed a set of experiments to investigate glucose and lipid metabolism changes in BAT when mice are on high fat diets. Methods A group of C57BL/6 mice received high fat diet for 4 weeks while a 2nd group of C57BL/6 mice were maintained on the normal chow as control. Prior to PET imaging, the mice were fasted for about 12 hours. Mice received 0.15 mCi of 18F-FDG via tail vein injection and were scanned on a Siemens Inveon small animal PET/CT scanner at 1 hour post-injection (n = 3 per group). On a different day, the same two groups of mice were administered a fatty acid SPECT tracer, 125I-BMIPP. The mice were scanned on a NanoSPECT/CT small animal scanner at 1 hour post-injection (n = 4 per group). The target activity in BAT was calculated as percentage injected dose per gram (%ID/g). Differences in the uptake values between groups was tested for significance using the Students9 t-test. p Results From the quantitative data analysis of FDG-PET, the mice on high fat diet (3.7 ± 1.0 %ID/g) showed significantly lower FDG uptake in BAT than those on normal diet (8.0 ± 0.9 %ID/g) with p Conclusions This study demonstrates that high fat diet does reduce both glucose and lipid metabolism in BAT. While FDG has been used to study metabolism in BAT to our knowledge this is the first study to use BMIPP to alterations in fatty acid metabolism in BAT. The molecular mechanism for this alternation is under investigation.
Review of Principles and Practice of Structural Equation Modeling

From its origins in path analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling (SEM) has over the period of the past four decades developed into a widely utilized research tool th...
Characters in Arctostaphylos Taxonomy

Abstract There is value in understanding the past and how it has affected the present. Science focuses on empirical findings, and we know that our prior experiences and those of our predecessors play important roles in determining how we interpret the present. We learn from accomplishments and foibles of predecessors and appreciate the real life experiences we have gone through. In our studies of the genus Arctostaphylos Adans. we have been struck by the fascinating stories surrounding taxonomists who have played roles in the development of our current understanding of the group. In addition to providing insights, they sometimes provide humor and lessons on the value of competition versus collaboration. We offer this history of the humans that forged the taxonomy behind Arctostaphylos classification in this light.