cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of innate and adaptive immunity and autoimmunity by Toll-like receptor 9.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a family of immune defense proteins that appear to have evolved to detect molecules that are common to broad classes of pathogens, but are not present in our own cells. Specific TLRs can be activated with synthetic ligands to induce protective or therapeutic innate and adaptive immune responses. CpG-oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) are TLR9 ligands that have proven particularly active for immunotherapy of cancer and infectious and allergic diseases in animal models. Several CpG-ODN are now in phase I/II human clinical trials for these indications, and have shown early evidence of efficacy, with excellent safety and tolerability. Patients in cancer clinical trials have been tolerating weekly injections of CpG-ODN for longer than 6 months. Objective disease responses have been documented in five different tumor types. A few subjects have developed positive anti-dsDNA ELISAs, but antinuclear antibodies generally have been negative and the synthetic TLR9 agonists in human trials have not induced autoimmune disease. Although stimulation of the TLR9 pathway does not appear to be sufficient for induction of autoimmune disease, this pathway does appear to be required for the full development of systemic autoimmunity in some mouse models, which suggests a therapeutic role for TLR9 antagonists. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of action for the anti-rheumatic disease activity of the anti-malarials. This class of compounds had been hypothesized to act by interfering with antigen processing and presentation, but these biologic activities only occur at concentrations that are approximately two orders of magnitude above the concentrations attained in treated patients. Surprisingly, the most potent biologic activity of the anti-malarials now appears to be their inhibition of TLR9 stimulation by immunostimulatory CpG motifs. Thus, TLR9 should be considered as a validated drug target, and the classic antimalarials as relatively weak TLR9 antagonists.
Blood Transfusion After Myocardial Infarction: Friend, Foe or Double-Edged Sword?

Combined mechanical and pharmacological interventions constitute the cornerstone of therapy for patients with ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (AMI). These increasingly complex interventions offer morbidity and mortality advantage but are associated frequently with bleeding complications. Major bleeding is probably the most important non-cardiac complication in patients undergoing coronary artery intervention. Prior studies have identified anemia as a strong independent predictor of mortality and adverse cardiac events in this patient population. Limited data are available to guide transfusion decisions in patients with coronary artery disease and anemia either at baseline or after a complication of an angioplasty procedure. The CADILLAC study sought to determine the relationship between red blood cell transfusion and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention for AMI. Out of 2,060 randomized patients, 82 (3.98%) received red blood cell transfusion during index hospitalization. Transfusion was independently associated with baseline anemia, older age, multivessel disease, and female gender. Patients transfused, versus patients not transfused, had significantly higher rates of one year mortality (23.9% vs. 3.4%), disabling stoke (2.5% vs. 0.5%), reinfarction (7.0% vs. 2.2%) and composite major adverse cardiac events (41.0% vs.16.6%). After multivariable adjustment for potential confounders, red blood cell transfusion was independently associated with mortality at 30 days and one year (hazard ratio 4.71 and 3.16 respectively, both p=0.0005). The authors concluded that red blood cell transfusion after primary angioplasty in the setting of an AMI may be harmful or alternatively transfusion could be a marker of markedly increased risk, with further randomized studies needed to determine the optimal threshold for red blood cell transfusion in this patient population setting.
Bienestar, capital social y migración internacional. El caso de la España latinoamericana y andina

This paper attempts to introduce the concept of Latin American and Andean Spain. In order to do this the author collects data about the massive migration between Latin America and the Andean region to Spain. Then, two theoretical perspectives are proposed as an explanation of this phenomenon: push and pull theory, linked to the concept of well-being, and social capital theory associated with the concept of migration network. In third place, it is analyzed some evidence from Colombia that supports the theoretical framework. Finally, contemporary return migration dynamics from Spain are discussed
Differential Role of MEK5α and MEK5β in BMK1/ERK5 Activation

Big mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/extracellular-regulated kinase 5 (BMK1/ERK5) is regulated sequentially by a series of upstream MAP kinase kinases (MEKs) in a signaling cascade. MEKs activate their downstream MAPK by phosphorylation of threonine and tyrosine in the T- X-Y motif. MEK5 is the upstream BMK1 kinase and exists as naturally occurring splice variants, MEK5α and MEK5β. The full-length MEK5 (MEK5α) is 89 amino acids longer than MEK5β at the N terminus, but the precise functional difference between the two splice variants is not known. Dual phosphorylation site mutation of MEK5α (Ser-311 → Asp and Thr- 315 → Asp; MEK5α(S311D/T315D)) activated BMK1, but the corresponding dual phosphorylation sites mutant of MEK5β could not induce BMK1 kinase activation or nuclear translocation. Furthermore, MEK5β inhibited epidermal growth factor-induced BMK1 activation and MEK5α(S311D/T315D)-induced MEF2 transcriptional activity. Both MEK5α and MEK5β individually co-immunoprecipitated with BMK1, but the presence of MEK5β prevented association of MEK5α with BMK1 suggesting a mechanistic basis for the dominant-negative behavior of MEK5β on BMK1 activation. The ratio of MEK5α to MEK5β expression was higher in cancer cell lines, and overexpression of MEK5β-inhibited serum-induced DNA synthesis. These data suggest that alternative splicing of MEK5α and MEK5β may play a critical role in BMK1 activation and subsequent cell proliferation.
A new procedure for transforming of time-varying linear systems to a companion canonical form via D-similarity transformations

The authors discuss the transformation of time-varying vector linear dynamical systems of the form dx/dt=A(t)x, where A(t) is an n*n 'time-varying' matrix, to a companion canonical form dz/dt=C(t)z, where C(t) is a companion canonical matrix, using a D-similarity transformation. An improved procedure for obtaining the transformation matrix is developed, which does not rely on quasicompanion forms. It is noted that the results obtained have immediate applications in the derivation of analytical solution techniques and stability criteria for general time-varying linear systems dx/dt=A(t)x. >
Increased incidence of asthma in children of smoking mothers.

The relationship between parental smoking and both subsequent development of asthma and subsequent lung function (before age 12) was studied in more than 700 children enrolled before age 5. Children of mothers with 12 or fewer years of education and who smoked 10 or more cigarettes per day were 2.5 times more likely (95% confidence interval 1.42 to 4.59; P = .0018) to develop asthma and had 15.7% lower maximal midexpiratory flow (P less than .001) than children of mothers with the same education level who did not smoke or smoked fewer than 10 cigarettes per day. These relationships were independent of self-reported respiratory symptoms in parents. There was no association between maternal smoking and subsequent incidence of asthma or maximal midexpiratory flow among children of mothers with more than 12 years of education. It is concluded that children of lower socioeconomic status may be at considerable risk of developing asthma if their mothers smoke 10 or more cigarettes per day. It is speculated that recently reported increases in prevalence of childhood asthma may be in part related to the increased prevalence of smoking among less educated women.
Abstract 3083: The RNA stability factor HuR promotes an angiogenic switch in colon cancer

The initiation and progression of colorectal tumorigenesis is characterized by alterations in gene expression that allow for the overexpression of oncogenic and tumor-promoting factors. In normal cells, the mRNA transcripts of these cancer-associated genes are targeted for rapid decay through AU-rich elements (ARE) present in the mRNA 3’ untranslated region (3′UTR). However, growing evidence reveals that the loss of ARE-mediated mRNA decay is a characteristic feature contributing to pathogenic gene expression in colorectal cancer. Our prior work identified enhanced expression of the RNA-binding protein HuR to occur during colon tumorigenesis and HuR overexpression is correlated with poor clinical prognosis. In this capacity, HuR promotes overexpression of many cancer-associated factors by binding to their ARE and interfering with subsequent rapid mRNA decay. To determine the functional significance of HuR overexpression in vivo, a tissue-specific HuR-transgenic mouse (HuR-Tg) was created that overexpresses HuR in the epithelium of the small intestine and colon. HuR-Tg mice displayed normal growth and did not reveal any morphological changes in the gastrointestinal tract. To test if HuR overexpression can impact tumorigenesis downstream a tumor initiating event, crosses between HuR-Tg mice and the APCMin/+ mouse, a genetic model of gastrointestinal tumorigenesis, were performed. As early as 12 weeks of age, HuR-Tg/APCMin/+ lines display a 2- to 4-fold increase in tumor burden and size in both the colon and small intestine compared to APCMin/+control mice. Based on HuR9s ability to bind various ARE-containing mRNAs associated with angiogenesis, vascular density was assayed in tissue derived from HuR-Tg/APCMin/+ mice. Micro-vessel density was 2-fold greater in the tumors and surrounding tissue in APCMin/+ mice overexpressing HuR. Angiogenic mRNA array analysis of tumors derived from HuR-Tg/APCMin/+ mice showed enhanced expression of multiple ARE-containing angiogenic genes including the HuR target genes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, dietary treatment of HuR-Tg/APCMin/+ mice with celecoxib attenuated HuR-dependent tumor formation and suppressed micro-vessel density and VEGF expression. These findings indicate that HuR functions during colon tumorigenesis downstream of a tumor-initiating event to stabilize ARE-containing mRNAs associated with tumor vascularization and identify this mRNA stability factor as a new molecular target for therapeutic intervention in controlling angiogenic gene expression. 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 3083. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3083
Field-emission studies of surface migration for tungsten, rhenium, iridium, and rhodium

Abstract The activation energy and the diffusivity constant for surface migration, and the surface tension of the solid phase have been measured for several of the refractory metals by the pulsed field-emission techniques. The results of this work bring into question the reliability of the “stopping-potential” method for the measurement of the solid state surface tension.
Preparation and Diels-Alder reactivity of ethyl-β-phenylsulfonylpropiolate

Abstract Ethyl-β-phenylsulfonylpropiolate ( 1b ) is a reactive and highly regioselective dienophile in the Diels-Alder reaction.
Mediterranean Rift: Socio-Ecological Transformations in the Sicilian Bluefin Tuna Fishery:

This article examines the social and ecological transformations in the Sicilian bluefin tuna fishery during the modern era. The analysis utilizes a sociological framework that draws on theory from environmental sociology, specifically metabolic rift theory. Escalating pressure on the fishery has contributed to a host of environmental and social problems, including pushing this important fishery to the brink of collapse. Using a combination of primary and secondary source data, this research employs sociological methods and analyzes recent changes in the socio-ecological metabolism of the fishery. The study explores the unsustainable nature of capitalist food production by examining the ‘rift’ in the society and nature metabolism that has emerged in the modern Sicilian bluefin tuna fishery. It advances the discussion on the ways in which the social relations of modern capitalist production have transformed the socio-ecological metabolism in agri-food production.
MEAGER-NOWHERE DENSE GAMES (V): CODING STRATEGIES AGAIN

Abstract Players ONE and TWO play the following game of length ω: In the n-th inning ONE first chooses a meager subset of the real line; TWO responds with a nowhere dense set. TWO wins only if the union of TWO'S nowhere dense sets is exactly equal to the union of ONE'S first category sets. We prove that TWO has a winning strategy, even if TWO remembers only the most recent two moves each inning (Corollary 8). We show that in a closely related game, the assertion that TWO has a winning strategy depending on only the most recent two moves each inning is equivalent to a weak version of the Singular Cardinals Hypothesis (Theorem 1).
Transcellular and transnuclear transport of 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine in isolated hepatocytes.

We have recently reported evidence for the presence of stereospecific energy-dependent transport processes for T3 in rat tissues. These processes were responsible for maintenance of concentration differences of free l- and d-T3 across the cellular plasma and nuclear membranes. In rat liver, the free lT3 concentration in cytosol was almost 3 times higher than that in plasma, and nuclear free l-T3 was 58-fold that in cytosol. In the present studies, freshly isolated hepatocytes were used to study these processes in vitro. Kinetic experiments demonstrated that equilibrium of [125I]T3 between cells and medium was rapid and complete within 5 min. Neither the rate of cellular accumulation nor the equilibrium distribution of T3 between cells and medium was influenced by the addition of up to 2 × 10−7 m T3. Equilibrium of T3 between the nuclear and extranuclear fractions of the hepatocytes was reached more slowly, only after 45–60 min of incubation. The nuclear free T3 concentration was calculated from mass actio...
Prostate epithelial cells utilize glucose and aspartate as the carbon sources for net citrate production

The prostate gland (human, rat ventral prostate) has the major function of accumulating and secreting extremely high levels of citrate. This function requires unique and specialized metabolic pathways associated with prostate secretory epithelial cells by which exogenous substrates must be utilized as the six-carbon sources of citrate. Recent studies demonstrated that aspartate can serve as the four-carbon source of oxalacetate for citrate synthesis. Identification of the two-carbon source of acetyl CoA (AcCoA) had not been established. The present study investigated the probability that exogenous glucose, via pyruvate oxidation, is a physiological source of AcCoA for net citrate production by isolated epithelial cells from rat ventral prostate. Under adequate oxygenation, 5 mM glucose in the presence of aspartate plus glutamate markedly stimulated citrate production. Exogenous and endogenous pyruvate also stimulated net citrate production. We propose that glucose via aerobic glycolysis and pyruvate oxidation provides AcCoA, which condenses with oxalacetate obtained from aspartate transamination for citrate synthesis. Prostate epithelial cells do not readily oxidize citrate, which permits accumulation and secretion of the synthesized citrate.
Temporal variation of metal concentrations in biogeochemical samples over the Royal Tiger Mine, Colorado, Part II. Between-year variation

Samples of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) were collected every two months for six sampling periods, May 1983 to March 1984. Needle, twig, and wood samples were taken at sixty-five points at 15-m intervals along a 1-km transect line and analyzed for Cu, Zn, Pb, Mo, Au, and Ag. The study area was the Royal Tiger Mine in the Breckenridge Mining District of Colorado, U.S.A. The mine workings were located within a fault-bounded breccia complex which is well mineralized with Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Ag, and Bi. The sample transect line extended over the complex into unmineralized areas. The mine workings provided underground geologic control. Wood and ashed needle and twig samples over the mineralized area showed significant variation in Au concentrations. In the 12-month study period, wood samples ranged from <0.1 ppb to 35.0 ppb Au, whereas, needle and twig samples ranged from <0.1 ppb to 300 and 900 ppb Au, respectively. Higher Au concentrations occurred in the spring and early summer. Gold anomalies, as measured by Au concentrations in plant organs, were observed in less than half the sampling periods. Gold concentrations in needles were consistently lower, but paralleled Au concentrations in the twigs. Copper concentrations ranged from <0.5 to 8 ppm in wood; up to 191 ppm in needles, and up to 353 ppm in twigs. Mineralized areas were identified by high Cu concentrations in needle and twig samples over all sampling periods. Concentrations of Zn in wood ranged from 3 to 55 ppm and identified background/anomaly contrasts and zones of mineralization, although the concentrations varied over time. Zn concentrations in needles and twigs of up to 7,420 ppm indicated background/anomaly contrasts without variation of peak concentrations. Molybdenum concentrations in wood were mostly below detection limits and not indicative of mineralization. Mean Mo concentrations of 4.7 and 13 ppm in needles and twigs did not identify any background/anomaly contrasts. Similarly, Ag concentrations were frequently below detection limits and were not useful for mineralization identification.
Investigation of Profiled Beam Propagation through a Turbulent Layer and Temporal Statistics of Diffracted Output for a Modified von Karman Phase Screen

ABSTRACT Gaussian beam propagation through a turbulent layer has been studied using a split-step methodology. A modified von Karman spectrum (MVKS) model is used to describe the random behavior of the turbulent media. Accordingly, the beam is alternately propa gated (i) through a thin Fresnel layer, and hence subjected to diffraction; and (ii) across a thin modified von Karman phase screen which is generated using the power spectral density (PSD) of the random phase obtained via the corresponding PSD of the medium refractive index for MVKS turbulence. The random phase screen in the transverse plane is generated from the phase PSD by incorporating (Gaussian) random numbers representing phase noise. In this pape r, numerical simulation results are presen ted using a single phase screen whereby the phase screen is located at an arb itrary position along the propagation path. Specifically, we examine the propagated Gaussian beam in terms of several parameters: turbulence strength, beam waist, propagation distance, and the incremental distance for Fresnel diffraction for the case of extended turbulence. Finally, on-axis temporal statistics (such as the mean and variance) of the amplitude an d phase of the propagated field are also derived. Keywords: Atmospheric turbulence, Gaussian beam, Modified von Karman spectrum, split-step beam propagation method, random phase screen.
Monitoring cardiomyocyte motionin real time through image registration and time series analysis

Preclinical test for drug response on cardiomyocyte populations is a key component in drug development. The apparent motion of the cardiomyocytes can be captured using video microsopy, and analyzed using image analysis techniques. In this paper, we describe a system for real-time and automatic monitoring of cardiomyocyte motion. The system first computes in real-time the motion fields through GPU acceleration. A 1-D signal that represents the motion patterns is then extracted using principal component analysis, and is studied using autoregressive spectral analysis. It is shown that the autoregressive model adequately characterizes this signal, thereby providing a basis for automatic detection of anomalies resulting from drug injection. The approach was applied to two types of cardiomyocyte populations and demonstrated promising results.
Invisible norms? Statistics of racial polarization and consensus

Abstract Social scientists often arrive at opposite portrayals of American race relations, despite relying on identical data sources. Depending on their ideological predispositions, they either minimize or maximize remaining racial inequalities. The election of President Obama suggests that the reality of American race relations likely falls somewhere in between – but where? This paper applies a simple method of comparing racial gaps across domains on a shared metric. Results suggest that non-violence represents a shared norm rendered invisible by traditional data presentation formats that exaggerate existing ‘crime gaps.’ Other racial gaps are more substantial, e.g., in education, income, and race-related public opinion. However, even in these domains Black–White agreement (group concordance) tends to outweigh disagreement (group discordance). Exceptions are monetary reparations for slavery and presidential approval ratings of Obama. Thus, characterizations of America as ‘post-racial’ seem premature. However, given that racial equality (once achieved) will marked by group concordance and shared norms, equality measures should capture emerging commonalities in addition to remaining gaps.
Effective Parametric Estimation of Non-Gaussian Autoregressive Moving Average Processes Exhibiting Noise with Impulses

In statistical signal processing, parametric modeling of non-Gaussian processes experiencing noise interference is a very important research topic. Particularly challenging to some researchers is how to estimate signals encountering stochastic noise process exhibiting sharp spikes. The authors propose the use of systems with impulse effect along with the classic autoregressive moving average model as a novel parametric modeling tool to successfully estimate these specific processes. The proficiency of this original system is illustrated in a performance table.
Establishing discipline in the selection, planning, and carrying out of R&D projects

Abstract Discipline is needed in managing R&D projects to ensure that the projects pay off. R&D projects must be targeted toward company or customer needs. R&D projects also must meet their objectives on time and within budget. To target R&D projects properly, an R&D group and business units must work together in selecting R&D. To do this, they need to arrange ways in which they together can focus on a company's highest technical and business priorities. To get R&D projects planned and controlled effectively, R&D managers should require researchers to answer the most critical questions in their technical work. Their answers to these questions form the core of an R&D project plan. Finally, the pivotal activity in establishing discipline as related to R&D projects is holding critical, but fair, project reviews. Nothing makes a researcher focus technical work more than knowing that an R&D project will be reviewed at midpoint.
Toric intraocular lens rotation to optimize refractive outcome despite appropriate intraoperative positioning

We present 3 eyes of 2 patients who benefitted from toric intraocular lens (IOL) rotation despite appropriate intraoperative positioning. In each case, preoperative astigmatism measurements were obtained by manual keratometry, partial coherence interferometry, and corneal topography. In Case 1, a dramatic shift in corneal topography occurred after surgery, resulting in the need to rotate the toric IOL to maximize the refractive outcome. In Case 2 (both eyes), no significant change in topography occurred, but IOL rotation was required to maximize the refractive outcome despite appropriate IOL alignment based on preoperative measurements. Using an online toric IOL calculator, it was determined that rotation of the IOL would result in significantly improved astigmatic outcomes. At the final evaluation 2 months after IOL rotation, the residual manifest astigmatism was 0.50 diopter (D) in Case 1 and 0 D (right eye) and 0.75 D (left eye) in Case 2. Use of the toric IOL online calculator maximized the uncorrected visual and refractive outcomes. Financial Disclosure Neither author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Estimates of methane emissions from manure of U.S. cattle

Abstract Methane emissions were measured during manure incubations in the laboratory simulating field depositions and by placing enclosures over feedlot sites. Results indicate a great deal of variation in manure methane production, both under feedlot conditions and under simulated grazing conditions. The variables which contributed most to the differences in methane production were temperature, moisture and diet of the animal. Incubation loss rates were 7% or less of potential manure degradation loss when manure was kept wet and less than 1% of total potential loss when the manure was allowed to dry. Emissions from feedlot accumulations extrapolated to the whole feedlot commonly ranged from .1 to .2% of the potential of only one day's manure. We conclude that only anaerobic lagoon disposal is likely to produce significant methane emissions from livestock manure. Given the stated assumptions, beef cattle in the U.S. are estimated to produce approximately 0.2 million tons of methane and dairy cattle manure .4 million tons, which is approximately 2% of potential for beef cattle and 10% of potential for dairy cattle. The total equates to approximately 11% of that produced directly by cattle annually.
Adrenal renin: a possible local hormonal regulator of aldosterone production.

The complete renin-angiotensin system is present in the adrenal cortex; prorenin, renin, angiotensinogen, angiotensin I and II, and converting enzyme. Most of the renin found is probably synthesized there since the renin concentration increases after nephrectomy, and the mRNA for renin is present. The renin-angiotensin system has the highest activity in the zona glomerulosa cells, the site of aldosterone formation. A low-sodium dist or a high-potassium diet, or nephrectomy markedly inereases the adrenal renin concentration in the zona glomerulosa cells without any effect on the fasciculata-medullary cells. There is a close correlation between adrenal renin and aldosterone production. The adrenal renin angiotensin system may be a local regulator of aldosterone production.
Failure and degradation modes and rates of PV modules in a hot-dry climate: Results after 16 years of field exposure

This study evaluates the frameless modules of same type (model B) in two 16-year old photovoltaic power (PV) systems to ascertain degradation rates, reliability failure modes and safety failure modes which occur in a hot-dry climate. Each system is composed of 1512 modules. The average degradation rate is determined to be 0.85%/year for the best modules and 1.1%/year for all the modules (excluding the safety failed modules). Primary safety failure mode is the backsheet delamination though it is small (less than 1.7%). Primary degradation mode and reliability failure mode may potentially be attributed to encapsulant browning leading to transmittance/current loss and thermo-mechanical solder bond fatigue (cell-ribbon and ribbon-ribbon) leading to series resistance increase. Under the typical 20/20 warranty terms, 0.5–1.7% of the modules qualify for the safety returns, 73–76% of the modules qualify for the warranty claims and 24–26% of the modules are meeting the warranty terms.
Predictive Factors in Postsecondary Educational Attainment Among Latinos

The study in this article investigated factors that distinguish the increasing number of Latino students who continue their education beyond high school from the small and stable number who complete a baccalaureate degree. The sample included a cohort of 866 Latino men and women who participated in the National Educational Longitudinal Study (1988-2000) and had varying amounts of postsecondary education by the year 2000. The study employed educational, psychological, and familial predictor variables from 1990 when participants were sophomores in high school. Data were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression and results indicated that several factors were significant in distinguishing those with some postsecondary education, no degree, from bachelor's completers. Parent support and locus of control were the two most significant predictors. Implications for school counselors are discussed.
Properties of Topological Networks of Flexible Polygonal Chains

Trypanosomatida parasites, such as Trypanosoma and Leishmania, are the cause of deadly dis- eases in many third world countries. The three dimensional structure of their mitochondrial DNA, known as kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), is unique since it is organized into several thousands of minicircles that are topo- logically linked. How and why the minicircles form such a network have remained unanswered questions. In our previous work we have presented a model of network formation that hypothesizes that the network is solely driven by the confinement of minicircles. Our model shows that upon confinement a percolation network forms. This network grows into a space filling network, called saturation network, upon further con- finement of minicircles. Our model also shows, in agreement with experimental data, that the mean valence of the network (that is, the average number of minicircles topologically linked to any minicircle in the net- work) grows linearly with minicircle density. In our previous studies however we disregarded DNA flexibility and used rigid minicircles to model DNA, here we address this limitation by allowing minicircles to be flex- ible. Our numerical results show that the topological characteristics that describe the growth and topology of the minicircle networks have similar values to those observed in the case of rigid minicircles suggesting that these properties are robust and therefore a potentially adequate description of the networks observed in Trypanosomatid parasites.
The polycomb group protein enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is an oncogene that influences myeloma cell growth and the mutant ras phenotype

Three distinct proliferative signals for multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines induce enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (ezh2) transcript expression. EZH2 is a polycomb group protein that mediates repression of gene transcription at the chromatin level through its methyltransferase activity. Normal bone marrow plasma cells do not express ezh2; however, gene expression is induced and correlates with tumor burden during progression of this disease. We therefore investigated how EZH2 expression is deregulated in MM cell lines and determined the consequence of this activity on proliferation and transformation. We found that EZH2 protein expression is induced by interleukin 6 (IL-6) in growth factor-dependent cell lines and is constitutive in IL-6-independent cell lines. Furthermore, EZH2 expression correlates with proliferation and B-cell terminal differentiation. Significantly, EZH2 protein inhibition by short interference RNA treatment results in MM cell growth arrest. Conversely, EZH2 ectopic overexpression induces growth factor independence. We found that the growth factor-independent proliferative phenotype in MM cell lines harboring a mutant N- or K-ras gene requires EZH2 activity. Finally, this is the first report to demonstrate that EZH2 has oncogenic activity in vivo, and that cell transformation and tumor formation require histone methyltransferase activity.
Confidence limits to the distance of the true distribution from a misspecified family by bootstrap

In statistical practice, an estimated distribution function (d.f.) from a specified family is used for taking decisions. When the true d.f. from which samples are drawn does not belong to the specified family, it is of interest to know how close the true d.f. is to the specified family. In this paper, we use non-parametric bootstrap to obtain confidence limits to the difference between the true d.f. and a member of the specified family closest to it in the sense of Kullback-Leibler measure.
Transient cerebral ischemia induces aberrant neuronal cell cycle re-entry and Alzheimer's disease-like tauopathy in female rats.

Aberrant mitosis occurs in many tauopathy-related neurodegenerative diseases and is believed to precede the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. In this study, we report for the first time that transient cerebral ischemia induces aberrant mitotic proteins and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein with neurofibrillary tangle-like conformational epitopes in adult female rat cortex. Following transient cerebral ischemia in rats, initiation of apoptosis precedes and is potentially integrated with subsequent aberrant mitosis and tau hyperphosphorylation. Furthermore, inhibition of mitosis-related cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) by roscovitine significantly reduced the hyperphosphorylation of tau. Administration of the female sex steroid and potent neuroprotective agent, 17β-estradiol, reduced ischemia-reperfusion-induced cerebral damage and the subsequent aberrant mitosis and tauopathies. These results provide a neuropathological basis for the higher prevalence of dementia in stroke patients and support the hypothesis that apoptosis and aberrant mitosis are integrated pathological events in neurons that may play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathy-related neuropathology.
Larsen's syndrome: a skeletal dysplasia with multiple joint dislocations and unusual facies.

An infant is described who has multiple joint dislocations, unusual facies, andboney abnormalities, which constitute a syndrome first reported by Larsen. This report expands Larsen's syndrome with the following additional findings: apparent diminished rigidity of cartilage in early infancy, extra finger creases, short fingernails, and an unusual juxtacalcaneal “accessory” bone. Both infant and mother have a flattened nasal bridge. Recognition of this syndrome is important because of the implications for counseling. Affected individuals can be expected to have normal central nervous system development, but the joint abnormalities require prolonged orthopedic treatment; achievement of completely normal function is unlikely.
Parent-Child Relationships, Family Problem-Solving Behavior, and Sibling Relationship Quality: The Moderating Role of Sibling Temperaments.

In this study we sought to determine whether sibling temperaments moderated the associations of parent-child relationship quality and family problem-solving behavior with sibling relationship quality. Observational assessments of mother-child and father-child relationship quality, family problem-solving behavior, and sibling relationship quality were obtained from the families of 49 pairs of brothers and 46 pairs of sisters. Mean ages were 10-2 for older siblings and 7-6 for younger siblings. Parent-reported child temperament assessments were also obtained. The links among mother-older child relationship quality, father-older child relationship quality, and sibling relationship quality were moderated by the older sibling's temperament. The younger and older siblings' temperaments moderated the associations between the quality of the father-younger sibling and sibling relationships. The association between family problem-solving behavior and sibling relationship quality was not moderated by sibling temperaments.
Second-Order Corrections to the Fine Structure of Helium. III. Improved Calculation of Some P 3 Contributions

Spin-dependent perturbations from intermediate $^{3}P$ states are calculated by expanding the perturbations to the wave function in terms with one negative power of one of the electron or interelectron coordinates, in addition to standard Hylleraas terms. The nonstandard terms reflect singularities of the Breit operators. A method for solving linear equations with "almost-singular" coefficient matrices is devised. Significant improvement in accuracy is achieved for five contributions, but the procedure does not work well in all cases where the coefficient matrix is unsymmetrical.
Efficient space‐domain analysis of microstrip lines using wavelet transform

An efficient method of analyzing microstrip transmission lines is presented. The technique is based on solving coupled integral equations in the space domain using wavelet-like basis functions. The unique feature of this approach is very fast computation, obtained due to the sparsity of the resultant matrix realized under a two-dimensional wavelet transform. In the shielded single-layer microstrip line considered, the computational time is reduced by approximately 40% when compared to the spectral-domain approach. The computational advantage is expected to be much more pronounced when the dimensions of the matrix are large, a situation that is encountered in complex structures involving multiple layers and strips. The characteristic impedance and effective dielectric constant calculated using this approach are found to be very accurate, as they agree well with those obtained via the spectral-domain method. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of oversulfation on the chemical and biological properties of kappa carrageenan

Abstract Kappa carrageenan was sulfated using chlorosulfonic acid–pyridine complex and isolated as the sodium salt. Infrared analysis of the native and sulfated kappa carrageenans gave identical results in respect to the O–H stretching, hemiacetal stretching and S=O stretching. Absorption around 845 cm−1 was also present in both the compounds representing the sulfate at the axial C-4 position except for a peak at 811 cm−1 which was only present in the oversulfated compound representing C-6 position. The sulfated compound showed 30 times higher anticoagulant activity in doubling prothrombin time of normal citrated human plasma in comparison with native compound. Studies on the effect of addition of the two kappa carrageenans during the in vitro activation of glutamic plasminogen (Glu-Plg) by tissue plasminogen activator(t-PA) or by urokinase(u-PA) showed that sulfated kappa carrageenan gave a 3-fold enhancement of the initial rate of the activation in comparison to control without the compound while the native kappa carrageenan or the unfractionated heparin were less active.
High Strain-Rate Compression Tests on Ice

High-speed uniaxial compression tests were conducted in the strain-rate range 10-1−101 s-1, at −11 °C, on freshwater ice and “Baltic” sea ice of mean salinity 2.4 ± 0.7 ppt. Two different testing m...
Environmental Justice in South Africa

GEOGRAPHY, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND DEMOGRAPHY David A. McDonald, ed. Environmental Justice in South Africa. Athens: Ohio University Press/Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press, 2002. 319 pp. Notes. Bibliographical references. Index. $59.95. Cloth. $26.95. Paper. With contributions from academics and activists from a wide range of disciplines, this collection explores historical, theoretical, and practical engagements with South Africa's environmental justice movement in the 1990s. As David A. McDonald writes in the introduction, "At its core, environmental justice is about incorporating environmental issues into the broader intellectual and institutional framework of human rights and democratic accountability" (3). Yet he also acknowledges that "there is much that fragments the environmental justice movement" (4). Attempting to remedy this fragmentation, the collection considers the multiple meanings of the term "environmental justice," the assumptions and negative repercussions of its past uses, and ways to reconceptualize the term in order to correct and avoid historic problems. The essays critically examine the first decade of environmental activism after the dismantling of apartheid, explicating some of the movement's victories and contemplating future courses of action. Mirroring the book's interest in encompassing both theory and practice, its organizational structure is helpfully divided into three parts: theory, practice, and narrative. The first four chapters are dedicated to theoretical debates surrounding environmental justice and offer important readings on South Africa's environmental justice movement. The second group of chapters focuses on practice, presenting case studies of environmental struggles, such as the community of Clewer's efforts to hold a mining company accountable for solid waste management and water contamination, and the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance's attempt to prevent further expansion of a toxic waste site. Following each chapter are personal narratives of environmental activism and destruction. The pieces, powerfully written by Mpume Nyandu, serve as a constant reminder of the suffering that environmental injustice often wreaks upon disenfranchised South Africans. Yet as McDonald stresses, Nyandu's vignettes also highlight the ability of many South African individuals and communities to challenge environmental marginalization and demand a more just future. Of particular note in part 1 is Farieda Khan's essay, "The Roots of Environmental Racism and the Rise of Environmental Justice in the 1990's," which explores the history of environmental racism-from the first white settlements in the mid-seventeenth century to the present-and its links with current perceptions of the environmental justice movement. …
Alcohol Induces Reactive Oxygen Species and Migration in Keratinocytes

CONTACT Alex Helkin SUNY at Stony Brook Email: alex.helkin@stonybrook.edu Phone: 631.455.6942 Ethanol is synergistic with tobacco in HNSCC carcinogenesis. While ethanol or tobacco, alone, increases the risk of HNSCC 2to 6-fold, this risk increases to 50-fold with both ethanol and tobacco. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated in numerous cellular processes associated with malignancy, including enhancement of cell proliferation, DNA damage, and cell migration.
Feminism, essentialism, and historical context

(1995). Feminism, essentialism, and historical context. Women's Studies: Vol. 25, Studies in 20th-Century American Literature, Criticism, and Art, pp. 95-108.
Nearshore bars and the break-point hypothesis

Abstract The set of hypotheses calling for bar formation at the break point was tested with field data. During two different experiments, waves were measured across the surf zone coincident with the development of a nearshore bar. We use a criterion, based on the wave height to depth ratio, to determine the offshore limit of the inner surf zone. During the first experiment, the bar became better developed and migrated offshore while remaining well within the inner surf zone. During the second experiment, the surf zone was narrower and we cannot rule out the possibility of break point processes contributing to bar development. We conclude that bars are not necessarily coupled with the break point and can become better developed and migrate offshore while being in the inner surf zone landward from initial wave breaking in the outer surf zone.
Nitrate synthesis in the germfree and conventional rat

Metabolic balance studies show that germfree and conventional Sprague-Dawley rats synthesize nitrate. Equivalent results for germfree and conventional rats eliminate the microflora as obligatory components of nitrate production. Nitrate synthesis appears to be a mammalian process.
Acute marijuana effects on social conversation

The present study assessed the acute effects of smoked marijuana on social conversation. Speech quantity was recorded continuously in seven moderate marijuana users during separate 1 h experimental sessions following the paced smoking of 0, 1.01, 1.84, and 2.84% THC marijuana cigarettes. Subjects engaged in conversation with undrugged partners who smoked placebo marijuana cigarettes. The active marijuana produced significant decreases in speech quantity, increases in heart rate, and increases in self-reports of "high" and sedation. Partners showed no effects in speech quantity or self-reports of drug effects that were systematically related to the doses administered to the subject pair members. The effects on speech quantity observed in the present study after acute dosing are similar to the effects on social conversation reported previously during chronic marijuana dosing. Marijuana appears to be an exception to the general rule that drugs of abuse increase verbal interaction.
Representation, similarity measures and aggregation methods using fuzzy sets for content-based recommender systems

Representation of features of items and user feedback, and reasoning about their relationships are major problems in recommender systems. This is because item features and user feedback are subjective, imprecise and vague. The paper presents a fuzzy set theoretic method (FTM) for recommender systems that handles the non-stochastic uncertainty induced from subjectivity, vagueness and imprecision in the data, and the domain knowledge and the task under consideration. The research further advances the application of fuzzy modeling for content-based recommender systems initially presented by Ronald Yager. The paper defines a representation method, similarity measures and aggregation methods as well as empirically evaluates the methods' performance through simulation using a benchmark movie data. FTM consist of a representation method for items' features and user feedback using fuzzy sets, and a content-based algorithm based on various fuzzy set theoretic similarity measures (the fuzzy set extensions of the Jaccard index, cosine, proximity or correlation similarity measures), and aggregation methods for computing recommendation confidence scores (the maximum-minimum or Weighted-sum fuzzy set theoretic aggregation methods). Compared to the baseline crisp set based method (CSM) presented, the empirical evaluation of the FTM using the movie data and simulation shows an improvement in precision without loss of recall. Moreover, the paper provides a guideline for recommender systems designers that will help in choosing from a combination of one of the fuzzy set theoretic aggregation methods and similarity measures.
Intratracheal Instillation Versus Intratracheal Inhalation of Tracer Particles for Measuring Lung Clearance Function

Effective elimination of particles deposited in the respiratory tract is an important defense function to protect the organism from potentially adverse effects of inhaled particles. Delivery of radioactively labeled tracer particles and subsequent measurement in vivo of their retention in different regions of the respiratory tract provides an adequate method for characterizing this defensive function. However, the delivery of such tracer particles by inhalation may result in some external contamination of the animals and requires specific protective measures while working with radioactive aerosols. In this study, 85Sr-labeled tracer particles (3 μm) were administered to the lower respiratory tract of rats by intratracheal inhalation to avoid external contamination, and also by intratracheal instillation in order to compare the 2 techniques with respect to their suitability for measuring normal and impaired particle clearance rates. It was postulated that particle clearance function in the alveolar region ...